February 27, 2010 Eastern Cruise on the Magic

[nokidz]

Is this Friday??!!?? It is?? well then.......



1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 Fridays til our cruise!!!

 

[scrapycruiser]

Tons of people dress up for the pirate party! Last year, we were pirates for Halloween so we used those costumes--it was so much fun! We were actually surprised at how many people were dressed up in full pirate attire

scrapycruiser--do you cruise using your DVC points? Last year when we were on the Magic, they were offering some great incentives to join, however, we didnt expect to and didnt have our financing in order at the time. This cruise we are hoping to be able to finally take the plunge and become DVC members ourselves! We've been saving for a while for it! Do you like DVC?

ErieCruiser 08 ....We have been members of DVC for 10 years. We used DVC points to go on the Disney Magic Mediterranean cruise '07. We are using cash for this Caribbean cruise, but are using points for one of us for our Disney Magic Baltic July 2010 cruise.
We LOVE DVC ! We are empty nesters and have 3 sons & dau-in-laws and soon to be 8 Grandchildren. They all live out-of-town But we get together often at WDW or Disney Magic and DVC's Hilton Head .
At one point we owned 1000 pts but recently sold 550 pts ( all with a good profit ! ). Bruce, my husband, would be happy to talk with you about DVC. He knows it inside and out. I think he should work for them
BTW, our son & dau-in-law are planning to join this year.
See you on the ship !!
Gina

 

[bigturkey12]

Checking back in and our group is getting bigger and bigger
this is going to be so much fun. Were flying in the day before and staying at pop century night before and night after. Going to do one day at magic kingdom on sat and then flying home on sunday.
As this is not only our first disney cruise but our first cruise ever any tips would be so appreciated. Watch the boards almost daily for info. Welcome to all the new cruisers.

 

[scrapycruiser]

Hi Big Turkey 12 !
Wow ,your first cruise ! That was such an exciting time, so long ago...I almost envy you ! Walking onto the ship for the 1st time. What a moment !!
You're in for the time of your life, and the Disney Magic is 1st class ! What a classic, beautiful ship !

As far as tips...I don't know where to start. But if you have any questions just ask ! Cruising...my fav subject !!!

Gina

 

[bigturkey12]

Hi Big Turkey 12 !
Wow ,your first cruise ! That was such an exciting time, so long ago...I almost envy you ! Walking onto the ship for the 1st time. What a moment !!
You're in for the time of your life, and the Disney Magic is 1st class ! What a classic, beautiful ship !

As far as tips...I don't know where to start. But if you have any questions just ask ! Cruising...my fav subject !!!

Gina

biggest question right now how do i pack for formal, semi formal ,casual ,pirate, tropical character breakfast,fe gifts ,and bring it all by plane. making packing list and trying to gradually pick up little things for fe gifts. how elaborate is fish extenders. how many things . do you buy by family or person. you must be awesome at packing luggage. right now i look at the list on the disboards and wonder how i bring all this from canada.
as nokidz said 14 fridays start packing and start the car exept for me its start the plane we are so excited. just need lot of tips.

 

[bigturkey12]

Hi Big Turkey 12 !
Wow ,your first cruise ! That was such an exciting time, so long ago...I almost envy you ! Walking onto the ship for the 1st time. What a moment !!
You're in for the time of your life, and the Disney Magic is 1st class ! What a classic, beautiful ship !

As far as tips...I don't know where to start. But if you have any questions just ask ! Cruising...my fav subject !!!

Gina

wouldnt it be fun if we could all gone on the same friday and talk to each other on the chat board.

 

[scrapycruiser]

biggest question right now how do i pack for formal, semi formal ,casual ,pirate, tropical character breakfast,fe gifts ,and bring it all by plane. making packing list and trying to gradually pick up little things for fe gifts. how elaborate is fish extenders. how many things . do you buy by family or person. you must be awesome at packing luggage. right now i look at the list on the disboards and wonder how i bring all this from canada.
as nokidz said 14 fridays start packing and start the car exept for me its start the plane we are so excited. just need lot of tips.

With the airlines charging for bags, we all have watch what we pack. This is what I'm packing :

Formal- Husband rents a tux through DCL incl shoes
I wear the same thing both nights, black slacks, black top then one of
the nights I wear a turq beaded jacket & the other night a black & khaki shawl. We usually go to Palo's one of those nts to eliminate dressing up a 3rd night.

Informal- wear the nicest of my "casual" clothes

Pirate - wear clothes that can be worn other day or night,ie, black capris, white tee, tennis shoes. BTW, DCL says you can wear shorts in the dining room on Pirate Night. Then add accesories,ie, fake beads & hoop earrings,
scarves, eye patches, pirate hats or bandanas. DCL used to give each passenger a bandana in the dn rm.

Tropical Character Breakfast - tropical shirts, shorts, DCL gives out leis

Kids - esp girls like to bring their princess dresses,etc

Shoes - Being in the Caribbean I just bring sandals, water shoes ( I like to have them at Castaway Cay ) and I wear my tennis shoes on the plane
shoes weigh alot and take up alot of room

Leave beach towels at home also robes...DCL provides them and they are very bulky

Laundry - DCL does have self-service laundry, and I understand you now use your KTTW card to pay. But on sea days it gets very hot and crowded in there, and tempers have been known to fly ??? For myself, if I need laundry done, I give it to our cabin attendant. He'll give you a bag and form to fill out. The cost is very reasonable. NO WAY am I going to do laundry on my vacation ! But, if you must use the self-service, go very early in the AM

FE goodies - You can do a search for FE ideas on these boards. I usually make something for each family, then throw in some cheap things for the kids. The last time I did the FE we had 34 families. I put everything in a small suitcase and checked it. Then coming home I put my FE gifts and other souvenirs in that same bag

Maybe everyone on this thread can add their own packing ideas, or things NOT to bring and things not to forget:

Bring : over-the-door shoe holder to put in the cabin to hold misc things
alarm clock
room freshner for BA
sm soft sided cooler, cabin attendant will keep it filled with ice. I can
never have enough ice
post it notes to leave notes for cabin attendant and for your family
plenty of sunscreen ( old sunscreen looses its effect )

Hope some of this helps !
Gina

 

[seashell724]

Thanks for all these tips Gina! It is also our first cruise ever.

We are starting the car, plane and then cruise! We are driving 8 hours away to catch a flight and then getting to the cruise! 8 hours seems like a lot but when you save so much money on the flight it is worth it.

I don't know about the FE stuff b/c we have no official organizer of FE. I have seem little stuff I *want* to buy but don't want to get it in case we don't give it away. Some stuff is just so cute out there though.

I have been obsessed with these boards and have copied pages and pages of tips. I am glad to have some experienced cruisers on here to help us out for our cruise!

I also have so many dilemma's with packing. I had a thread on it on the boards a while back and lots of people have problems with packing.

I am going to make sure to bring: ear plugs, highlighter, more than 1 bathing suit, all of our travel documents in case something gets misplaced!

 

[bigturkey12]

With the airlines charging for bags, we all have watch what we pack. This is what I'm packing :

Formal- Husband rents a tux through DCL incl shoes
I wear the same thing both nights, black slacks, black top then one of
the nights I wear a turq beaded jacket & the other night a black & khaki shawl. We usually go to Palo's one of those nts to eliminate dressing up a 3rd night.

Informal- wear the nicest of my "casual" clothes

Pirate - wear clothes that can be worn other day or night,ie, black capris, white tee, tennis shoes. BTW, DCL says you can wear shorts in the dining room on Pirate Night. Then add accesories,ie, fake beads & hoop earrings,
scarves, eye patches, pirate hats or bandanas. DCL used to give each passenger a bandana in the dn rm.

Tropical Character Breakfast - tropical shirts, shorts, DCL gives out leis

Kids - esp girls like to bring their princess dresses,etc

Shoes - Being in the Caribbean I just bring sandals, water shoes ( I like to have them at Castaway Cay ) and I wear my tennis shoes on the plane
shoes weigh alot and take up alot of room

Leave beach towels at home also robes...DCL provides them and they are very bulky

Laundry - DCL does have self-service laundry, and I understand you now use your KTTW card to pay. But on sea days it gets very hot and crowded in there, and tempers have been known to fly ??? For myself, if I need laundry done, I give it to our cabin attendant. He'll give you a bag and form to fill out. The cost is very reasonable. NO WAY am I going to do laundry on my vacation ! But, if you must use the self-service, go very early in the AM

FE goodies - You can do a search for FE ideas on these boards. I usually make something for each family, then throw in some cheap things for the kids. The last time I did the FE we had 34 families. I put everything in a small suitcase and checked it. Then coming home I put my FE gifts and other souvenirs in that same bag

Maybe everyone on this thread can add their own packing ideas, or things NOT to bring and things not to forget:

Bring : over-the-door shoe holder to put in the cabin to hold misc things
alarm clock
room freshner for BA
sm soft sided cooler, cabin attendant will keep it filled with ice. I can
never have enough ice
post it notes to leave notes for cabin attendant and for your family
plenty of sunscreen ( old sunscreen looses its effect )

Hope some of this helps !
Gina

wow thanks for your time creating that list

now a couple more questions
son is 14 josh
for formal dockers, suit coat, shirt tie
semi formal shirt dockers{?suit coat} no tie
casual nice black jeans nice polo shirt
pirate black jeans {black t shirt or white? }brown and black swashbuckler hat{got at halloween store}pirate type chain for around the neck black eyepatch
character breakfast hawaiian shirt with leis
in feb/ march pack more pants or shorts or both??


me mom joanne 43
formal nice black dress pants beautiful sapphire top dressy sandal
semi formal black dress pants pretty pink shell top with black shawl scarf material
casual capris nice tops
character breakfast hawaiian type top and leis
pirate black pants {black or white top} same swashbuckler hat as josh
pirate type chain around neck and big hoop earrings no patch for me i wear glasses.

since ive never cruised before not sure if were under dressing for formal and semi formal nights. how does this plan sound to you as you have done so many disney cruises.

we are thinking of doing sunny liston tour in st thomas
is it safe to book excursion not through dcl or would you only go through them. again novice at this and need some advice

after cruise is paid do i get confirmation number from ta so i can go on to book excrsion if that is what i decide?

to check in on line do you have to put credit card numbers. i wont put card numbers on internt. is there an option of printing out forms filling them out and taking with you to port. does everyone send in the medical questionnaire or just if you need something special like refrigeration of insulin

specifically after paying what do you need to do

does the H1N1 VIRUS make you nervous to travel??

thanks for all the help answering questions for us newbies.

joanne


well thats

 

[bigturkey12]

Thanks for all these tips Gina! It is also our first cruise ever.

We are starting the car, plane and then cruise! We are driving 8 hours away to catch a flight and then getting to the cruise! 8 hours seems like a lot but when you save so much money on the flight it is worth it.

I don't know about the FE stuff b/c we have no official organizer of FE. I have seem little stuff I *want* to buy but don't want to get it in case we don't give it away. Some stuff is just so cute out there though.

I have been obsessed with these boards and have copied pages and pages of tips. I am glad to have some experienced cruisers on here to help us out for our cruise!

I also have so many dilemma's with packing. I had a thread on it on the boards a while back and lots of people have problems with packing.

I am going to make sure to bring: ear plugs, highlighter, more than 1 bathing suit, all of our travel documents in case something gets misplaced!

we actually are doing a 6 hour bus trip to get to bangor maine to catch our flight
so start packing START THE BUS PLANE AND CRUISE SHIP HEAR WE COME YEAH we also got our pay it forward postcard from captain mickey saying he couldnt wait for us to come. my son is 14 and called me at work saying i would never believe what had just arrived in the mail and how did i make that happen. i love it when i can still surprise and excite him

 

[scrapycruiser]

Joanne, happy to help !

Your clothes sound fine. On formal nt you'll see all kinds of dress. A few will wear gowns & tux. Most will wear dressy pants and top and men coat & tie.

Sonny's tours are well known and many people book his tours. We haven't toured w/ him but have taken private tours many times. As long as you book with a repudible company you'll be fine. And you'll enjoy it more since you're not on a bus with 100 others ! But , not to scare you, I must remind you that if your tour gets back late, the ship will not wait. Just be sure that Sonny gets you back way before the back onboard time !

After your balance has been paid, go on the DCL web site. Click on Already Booked* enter your res # and your DOB. Go to My Cruise Plans and from there you can book shore exc, Palo res ( you HAVE to book the Palo Brunch, IMHO it's the best meal on the ship ! ) , Spa appts, Register your son for the Teen Club

No med form needed
No I'm not worried about the virus. They will ask you when you check in at the port if you've had any flu symptoms. Best to say NO if they are mild or passing symptoms. Most cruise lines will confine you to your cabin if symptoms are present. If I have misstated this please ( anyone ) correct me.

Also, if there are birthdays or other celebrations, you can order gifts from DCL. BUT alot of people order from Shirley. I can get you her website if you'd like. She does all kind of theme baskets and delivers them to the ship

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2068966 this is a great thread to get additional info

Look forward to meeting your family !
Gina

 

[peanutgirl]

Scrapycruiser, How much is brunch? As well as the other meals at Palo's? Thanks

 

[bigturkey12]

joanne, happy to help !

Gina thanks so much
i have heard so much about the palo brunch however im a single mom so i dont feel comfortable going alone. {josh is only 14 so he cant go to palo as it is adults only correct me if im wrong}
he did say he wanted to go to the teen club once but he said this is our family trip and we are doing everything together. So sweet.
Now i dont know what to do about sunny liston tour. The last stop is at the beach where you can stay for 15 minutes to take some pictures and then get back on the bus and finish tour ending up at the ship around 2:30pm. Do you know what time you have to be back on board. I am nervous of missing the ship but ive heard such tremendous reviews of his tour that i would be sad to miss it also. P.s are you folks at the first or second seating for dinner . I do believe we are second. Joanne and josh
your clothes sound fine. On formal nt you'll see all kinds of dress. A few will wear gowns & tux. Most will wear dressy pants and top and men coat & tie.

Sonny's tours are well known and many people book his tours. We haven't toured w/ him but have taken private tours many times. As long as you book with a repudible company you'll be fine. And you'll enjoy it more since you're not on a bus with 100 others ! But , not to scare you, i must remind you that if your tour gets back late, the ship will not wait. Just be sure that sonny gets you back way before the back onboard time !

After your balance has been paid, go on the dcl web site. Click on already booked* enter your res # and your dob. Go to my cruise plans and from there you can book shore exc, palo res ( you have to book the palo brunch, imho it's the best meal on the ship ! ) , spa appts, register your son for the teen club

no med form needed
no i'm not worried about the virus. They will ask you when you check in at the port if you've had any flu symptoms. Best to say no if they are mild or passing symptoms. Most cruise lines will confine you to your cabin if symptoms are present. If i have misstated this please ( anyone ) correct me.

Also, if there are birthdays or other celebrations, you can order gifts from dcl. But alot of people order from shirley. I can get you her website if you'd like. She does all kind of theme baskets and delivers them to the ship

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2068966 this is a great thread to get additional info

look forward to meeting your family !
Gina

see above typed in wrong spot

 

[scrapycruiser]

Scrapycruiser, How much is brunch? As well as the other meals at Palo's? Thanks

$15/pp for Champagne Brunch at Palo's , same price for dinner

You may book the dinner any night, but the Brunch is only on Sea Days.

Palo also has a High Tea, but I've never been to it. Anyone gone to it ?

 

[bigturkey12]

$15/pp for Champagne Brunch at Palo's , same price for dinner

You may book the dinner any night, but the Brunch is only on Sea Days.

Palo also has a High Tea, but I've never been to it. Anyone gone to it ?

do you think 2:30 is too late to arrive back from sunny liston tour?

 

[scrapycruiser]

Joanne, We are scheduled to leave St Thomas at 4:30, so we probably will need to be back on board by 3:30. I would go with Sonny's tour, if it were me. He has a very good reputation, he has done this 100's of times, and he knows that getting you back onboard ontime is crucial to his success of his business. So have fun and don't worry !

Bruce,Cindy and I would love for you and Josh to join us at our dinner table for 2nd Seating ! Bruce and I are 60 and Cindy is 54. Cindy is mildly mentally retarded. She is very sociable and alot of fun. We are all "Disney Nuts". In fact we just got back from WDW for Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party. We all love to cruise, and it would be fun to have you at our table. I raised 3 sons and have 3 Grandson + another Grandson due in Jan ! Guess you'd say I'm partial to BOYS ! So I would enjoy Josh's company.

Also, we'd be happy to have you join us at the Palo Brunch ! You shouldn't miss it !

Gina

 

[bigturkey12]

Joanne, We are scheduled to leave St Thomas at 4:30, so we probably will need to be back on board by 3:30. I would go with Sonny's tour, if it were me. He has a very good reputation, he has done this 100's of times, and he knows that getting you back onboard ontime is crucial to his success of his business. So have fun and don't worry !

Bruce,Cindy and I would love for you and Josh to join us at our dinner table for 2nd Seating ! Bruce and I are 60 and Cindy is 54. Cindy is mildly mentally retarded. She is very sociable and alot of fun. We are all "Disney Nuts". In fact we just got back from WDW for Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party. We all love to cruise, and it would be fun to have you at our table. I raised 3 sons and have 3 Grandson + another Grandson due in Jan ! Guess you'd say I'm partial to BOYS ! So I would enjoy Josh's company.

Also, we'd be happy to have you join us at the Palo Brunch ! You shouldn't miss it !

Gina

that is so sweet of you to invite us to join you .we would love to.Not sure how we would arrange this with disney to be seated at the same table?? maybe you folks already know that and could help with this detail also. i will certainly think about the palo brunch. we have told each other we are doing everything together. we want all our memories and pictures of this trip to be as a family. however josh did say he would like to go to the teen club once and i encourgaged him to do that and i would do something else. maybe we could coorinate that with the palo brunch. i did notice that you said the brunch is only on sea days. i will talk this over with josh and get back to you. again not sure how this is coordinated with disney palo reservations. should i be booking with sunny liston now. it sounds like he is very popular among cruisers and i dont want to miss out . is this too early. thanks for all the time you have spent answering my questions. joanne and josh

 

[scrapycruiser]

Joanne...that'l be fun. I will ask a DCL rep how we go about req a table together. Don't worry about the brunch. We'll have a table for 3 and I'm sure it would be easy to add one more person at the last minute.

I would go ahead and book your tour with Sonny. It's never too early and he could book up.

Gina

 

[bigturkey12]

Joanne...that'l be fun. I will ask a DCL rep how we go about req a table together. Don't worry about the brunch. We'll have a table for 3 and I'm sure it would be easy to add one more person at the last minute.

I would go ahead and book your tour with Sonny. It's never too early and he could book up.

Gina

oh that is nice of you to do
ill talk to josh about palo he's at a hockey game right now
would you folks be interested in doing the sunny liston tour also
i thought if it was of interest to you would could all request the same pick up time at the ship. I do believe the choices are 9am 10am and 11am
dont feel obligated just thought i would enquire.also just to confirm we are in st thomas wed march 3 2010 correcy.
joanne and josh

 

[scrapycruiser]

oh that is nice of you to do
ill talk to josh about palo he's at a hockey game right now
would you folks be interested in doing the sunny liston tour also
i thought if it was of interest to you would could all request the same pick up time at the ship. I do believe the choices are 9am 10am and 11am
dont feel obligated just thought i would enquire.also just to confirm we are in st thomas wed march 3 2010 correcy.
joanne and josh

I'll pull up Sonny's website and read about it. I have this silly fear of the iguanas so I have to make sure I won't run into a family gathering of them ! Ha!! Thanks, I'll get back with you .