February 25, 2006 Western Magic Cruisers!!

[kellimomo3]

Hi guys!

Just wanted to let you know that when we cruised DCL last year, we did the Western as well and went ot Paradise Beach in Cozumel on our own. We LOVED it! It was easy to get a cab there on our own and the beach was great, clean and large! If anyone is considering it, I would say go for it. I am hoping I can talk our large group into doing it again!!

Kelli

 

[dreamakermom]

My next question is.... which shows are worth sitting in for and which shows could be missed. I have read alot of back and forth comments. I am not the type to leave in the middle of a show if I am not enjoying it, but on the other hand, I do not want to sit through a show I am not enjoying. Have you heard about the Golden Mickeys? Is is good? (Will it even be going on by then?) I think the shows like Hercules are pretty good, but the acrobat and comedian shows I am wondering if they are worth sitting in for. I wonder also how close to sailing we can get a better plan of what will be playing on the ship. Also, can you get spa treatments done on sea days? I thought I heard no, but that can't be right. Lots of questions..... sorry! I just am so excited!!!!

Karen

 

[kshabare]

Karen,

Don't sit thru a show you don't enjoy - you could always just go sit in the whirlpool instead!

My family thoroughly enjoyed Rich Purpura in February '05. My son and I saw him again in Rockin' B D and had tears in our eyes. He was sooo funny. We also loved Michael Harrison - we've seen him 3 times now and he's still so funny to us. Some of the routine is the same but his delivery is not to be missed.

We sort of liked Golden Mickeys. We love Hercules but it's gone now - only on the Wonder . Just enjoy your trip. Have fun and if you get bored - go find something to do!!!

Kim

 

[kshabare]

Today we booked our air. It's more than officual now. You can always cancel the sail but once you commit to the air - you're in for keeps (IMHO).

I just put together a list of everyone. I cannot believe we've got 16 families sailing (at least!). Last February we tried to schedule a meet at Scoops so the kids could get to know each other early. About 5 families were introduced on the first sea day. It was nice to place a face with the names as well.

We're leaning toward an outside excursion on Key West, Captain Marvins for Grand Cayman (11ish) and the submarine in Cozumel. This is our third on the Western - we love this part of the Caribbean.

Kim

 

[Beloreteers]

Hi everyone! It has been awhile since I've posted! We changed our ISP a couple months ago and even though I updated our profile I wasn't getting notifications of posts and I just thought we were all taking a break - LOL! Anyway, I'm caught up and wanted to share a few of my opinions based on our Western Cruise in Feb 2005.

We booked our own Trolley Tour in Key West - kinda neat if you've never been there - like us! Just a tip - you can only ride it one time for the full tour. We misunderstood their advertised ablility to get on and off (unlike the train tour) and we road the trolley for the full tour. When we went to ride again we were told of our error! The driver was really nice about it and he dropped us at the stop anyway - we did walk back to the ship. FYI - he was the exception, the other drivers we experienced were quite rude.

Grand Cayman is where you tender. This was our first cruise and I'm sure I will never forget that experience! Seasoned cruisers may have good experiences, but ours was a hairy trip We did book our own excursion to Stingray City through Captain Marvins and we loved it. Our son was 4 1/2 at the time and not a stong enough swimmer to get in the ocean for the snorkeling portion so he and I stayed onboard and watched the others. When we arrived at Stingray City he was a bit apprehensive, but we carried him into the water. I am only 5'4" and was able to hold him and pet or feed the rays and still be above water. Captain Marvin's staff is really good about knowing when all the ships leave and will tell you if you are booking something that will make you miss your departure time. When we arrived in Cayman the weather was really ugly and b/c they were trying to beat a storm our ashore and aboard times changed. We walked to Captain Marvin's when we arrived and were able to switch to an earlier excursion. FYI - if you book with them you don't pay until you arrive.

Cozumel is pretty typical Mexico (atleast what I have experienced in places like Cancun). DO NOT go on the semisub excursion it's a waste of time and $$. We booked it when our excursion on the semi in Cayman was cancelled (yes, DCL will refund your $$ if excursion is not available AND they do hold departure for late DCL booked excursions) In retrospect we should have taken the refund and spend our day at Pardise Beach - we heard it was nice.

That night is Pirate Night and you probably won't miss the Pirate show/celebration if you come back aboard about 45min prior to aboard time. We had 2nd seating and I remember going stright from there to the deck for the party. We had a great spot in front of the stage and didn't realize the ship was moving until AFTER the fireworks were finishing up!

We really liked The Golden Mickeys, missed Hercules because we were all pooped that night, but the best show was Disney Dreams - we ALL loved it! We did see the magician/comedian the first night and DH and I thought they were great but over the head of our 4 1/2 yr old!

Well, I've rambled on here, but hope some of this is helpful! I had a million questions before our first cruise!
Now our news...we are expecting our 2nd child in January 2006 We still really want to cruise, but will need to cancel one of our weeks and possibly move the other back a few weeks. Thankfully, I haven't purchased air yet! Anyway, I don't think we will be on this Western Cruise, but will know better next week after our first OB appt. I'll let you all know if we reschedule.
Christy

 

[MamaGriz]

Christy-

Wow, congratulations on your wonderful news

Thanks for sharing the details from your past cruise. We will miss you if you change this cruise, but what a good reason

 

[Edinafabs]

I think thats a great idea to do the DIS meet on the first sea day. When we sailed the Magic we met right after the lifeboat drill and there wasn't a great turn out. Everyone is still rushed and getting used to the ship, etc... so on the first sea day should work much better.

Kellimomo,

What were your costs at Paradise Beach? I think you only pay for the water craft right?

Eddy

 

[Cajun Cruiser]

I think a DIS meet on the first sea day would be great. Would love to meet others. I was reading the thread on magnetic door signs. It would be neat if we designed a DIS member door sign to put on our cabin doors (a little extra fun and another way to meet other members). I'm trying to make the best memories for our first cruise. My 13 year old is excited about decorating the cabin door.

 

[kshabare]

This year I hope to make a magnetic door sign as well. If I have the time (over 200 days?!) I'll try to fool around a little bit too on making a design. I hate to rush this great summer away but come on, I cannot wait to sit on a real beach!!!

First sea day turned out to be an excellent day for a meet. It wasn't too early, not too late. We met in the afternoon. This time I'd make it earlier, about 10:00 am. It's after breakfast and the kids are looking for something to do. Most parents want to kick back.

We've got time....

Kmi

 

[kellimomo3]

Eddy,

The use of the beach is free. You only have to pay the $5.00 per person charge for those that want to use the equipment (i.e. kayaks, trampoline, etc.). The cab ride there cost us about $15.00 and there were five of us. We loved Paradise Beach and can't wait to return!

Kelli

 

[vavalynn2]

I just found this series of posts and wanted to let you know that my husband and I will take our first cruise 2/25/05 on the Magic!

I am sure it will be a much needed break to the endless winters in the north. I have done so much research already for excursions etc. We cant wait!

 

[dreamakermom]

Hi VaValynn!! What part of NY are you from? We are from NY too and are now living in Florida . We will be on the Magic the same time you are! I too, have been doing a TON of research and for some reasons I STILL come up with questions!!! I have looked into everything it seems and I am just excited as I was the first day I decided to go on the cruise!!! Have fun!!!! How many in your party will be traveling? See you soon!

 

[vavalynn2]

It will be my husband and myself. We live in Syracuse which won the golden snowball for two straight years (the city that receives the most snow!).

I have not made arrangements yet, but will plan to fly down the day before because you never know what the weather will do in Feburary- ice storm, blizzard or absolutely nothing.

This will be our first cruise and we are so excited. Next thing on the list is to book the airfare. I should have booked last month when Delta was offering some great rates that are now gone. But we will see....

Enjoy planning and researching! We cant wait!

 

[dreamakermom]

Wow!!! We are from Syracuse also!!!! We lived in Liverpool too! It really is a "Small World After All" !!!! I amgetting totally excited to go on this cruise. We have my husband and myself, my four children (ages 13, 16, 21, 25), my grandaughter and then my sister and her husband and their 2 kids and they are coming in from Nebraska (also planniing on coming in a day earlier). We are having our first family reunion!!! What better way to do it?!!! Have fun preparing... I see you got the Ticker. That has been my most difficult part beut I got it and somehow I ended up with two!!! Thats ok!!! This is all too good! Karen

 

[Cajun Cruiser]

Dreamakermom, I see you have a 13 year old.

My 13 year old son wants me to ask if there are other family's with teenagers that will be cruising with us. My son is somewhat shy and is not to sure about going to the teen activities so we are hoping that he will meet others that he can enjoy those activities with. My other son is 10 and will be in a different program.

 

[dreamakermom]

I have a 13 yr old son also. Since we are getting together (on the ship) with my sister who lives in a different state, I have been stressing the 3 teens keep together and catch up on being cousins while they can. However, my 13 yr old is the only boy and I was a bit worried if the girls want to go do something he doesn't then what.... my son is shy also. So, that would be good if he met a friend. I know he wants to go into the arcade and I am thinking he may do more fun things and activites (even if the girls don't want to) if he knew someone. So... we will have to see if we can hook them up! That will be fun!

 

[kshabare]

Dreamakermom and Cajun Cruiser, my son Josh will be 11 next month. This past February was his first experience with sign-out priviliges. We had him with us almost the entire time but after dinner (7:00pm) he would team up with Alexandre (12) at our table and they'd hang out at the bball courts or sign into the Oceaneer's Lab. They had a great trip together - especially since they met ON the trip. Maybe the boys can exchange post cards or snail mail (or email). It would be great to arrange for the meet on the first sea day and they could hang out. It makes it so much easier for me as a parent to know they're with someone to watch their back. My son is an only but is very social.

By the way, we're also from the North - we're from CT and look forward to the escape from the cold and snow for at least 7 days!

Kim

 

[dreamakermom]

Kim, That is a great idea! This way Evan has a plan if the girls decide they want to be "alone". I was worried that he wouldn't have anyone else to "hang" with, but now I am feeling much better and I think he is too. Thanks for the suggestion, but I do not know what the email address exchange policy is on this and how we would go about it. Let me know! Thanks! Sea (haha) you soon!!! Karen

 

[dreamakermom]

Sorry, Just trying to fix my last ticker. I goofed somehow. Happy Day to all! Karen

 

[MamaGriz]

Kshabare, my son just turned 11 in April. He's not particularly shy, "quiet" would be a better word. He had a blast when we went in Feb 2004, even not knowing anyone. I know he'd be happy to meet someone his own age right up front.