From the Sea to the World - Holiday Edition - Completed

[Flossbolna]

And now it is your fault if I can't get up tomorrow!

Hey, you have become a DIS Veteran!! You are no longer just a Mouseketeer! Congratulations!!

 

[schmass]

Hi! I'm so glad that you tagged me, now I have found this report again! After a little DIS-break, I have been trying to catch up. I must have forgotten to subscribe to this thread.

I'm glad that my TR was helpful in that you knew about the St. John Island Tour and were interested in it, and that you ended up really liking it!

It sounds like we had the same guide on the boat ride from St. Thomas to St. John - he was very entertaining.

Beautiful photographs! You did a much better job of documenting the tour and island than I did!

I am beyond jealous that you guys stopped at the beach. That was the ONLY thing I didn't like about our tour!

Okay, now I need to go back and catch up again. I think last I had read you were at Vero Beach!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Today the Fantasy was stopping at St Thomas, one of the islands of the US Virgin Islands.

I have always wanted to go to the Virgin Islands. This should be fun.

Only a German would be so concerned with a five-minute difference in wake-up times.

We got in line and when we were at the desk where we checked in we were told that due to the current weather conditions the visibility would be very low of snorkeling and that we had the option to cancel the excursion and would get a full refund. That was not what you wanted to hear!! I was really torn, but Michael was not, he thought it was stupid to go snorkeling in murky waters.

That stinks, but in this case, he's right. Why pay all that money to see dirty water?

Moment of honesty (which I guess means everything I've written thus far would be lies?): but I wasn't thrilled with the idea of doing this excursion, but did so because M. wanted to. It is beautiful there, but, for me, it had been a 'Been there numerous times, done this numerous times, would like to try something different. But I was playing good soldier.

Obviously, the relationship is growing nicely, since you're now spending time doing lots of things you never wanted to do in the first place.

The only problem was that I had a huge bag with 5 towels in it (one to sit on for each of us, one to dry off for each of us and one reserve towel, in my opinion the only sensible amount of towels to bring for the beach!) and both of us were wearing our swim suits under our clothes.

I like the idea of the reserve towel. I think you needed a parachute and a Swiss army knife in there, too.

I did like how he pointed out a $10 million plus mansion on the water owned by Madonna. Apparently, she hasn't been to the home in over a decade. She just pays people to maintain it.

That's just...I mean...What a waste.

The special thing about St John is that some very rich guy bought up a lot of land on the island and donated it to the USA to be a National Park. So today most of the land on the island is part of the National Park and therefore is still very pristine and not filled with expensive vacation homes for the rich and famous.

I think this is one of the best features of St. John and would love to get this stamp in my National Park Passport!

This is the beach that belongs to the only luxury resort on St John. I really really want to vacation there!! I think this is Caneel Bay.

Well, I guess there are worse places to be.

I think this is the overlook over Trunk Bay:

Absolutely stunning!

I was going to get Michael to take a picture of me, but then a guy on a beach chair shouted out to us if we wanted him to take a picture of both of us. And he took to really great pictures of the two of us standing in the water grinning like mad. These pictures are one of my favourite souvenirs from that trip. This place was just so incredibly beautiful!! And perfect! If you thing that Castaway Cay is a beautiful beach, this one beats it by far!

Well, I can imagine that photo in my mind, and it's wonderful! But in my version, Michael is wearing Grouch Marx glasses.

Castaway Cay is a lovely little island for what it is and where it is located. It in no way compares to almost any island I have been to in the Caribbean. It's almost Florida-like, just without the cars and traffic and high-rise condos and hotels. So many islands, so little time ... and why waste it riding Pirates of the Caribbean (the worst version of all) for the 876th time? ... Sorry, just thinking out loud. I do that!

Since very few of us "normal people" writing and reading this trip report did not grow up in Florida, I am sure you are holding the record with your 876 times on Pirates. Or are you up to 877 already by now??? ;-)

This really sounds like a First World Problems issue to me.

So, this was the perfect excursion for us. St. John was so wonderful, I really would love to come back there for longer!!

I can see why! It looks like a really gorgeous place. So glad you got to see it!

 

[glennbo123]

Just gorgeous. Wow, I want to go there now!

 

[Malia78]

Loved the St. John updates--we did that same excursion and I recognize many of the sights in your photos. It was beautful and that was my favorite port on that cruise.

 

[dolphingirl47]

However, with 11C we could not book a specific stateroom, we were just told that they would guarantee us that we would be assigned a stateroom that is at least category 11C, but could also be higher. We decided to take that gamble. And yesterday we found out what they assigned us: a category 11B sideways cabin!! Instead of our original cabin we are now on the port side of the ship, not starboard and we are about 3 cabins more foreward than the one we original had. So more or less, we got exactly the same what we had booked, but saved 88 $ in the process! I think the stateroom reports on the new one are even a bit better than on the one we had previously.

That is great news. We love the sideways cabins on the Magic and the Wonder.

We had booked the St. John Trunk Bay Beach and Snorkel Tour.

That sounds like my kind of excursion.

We got in line and when we were at the desk where we checked in we were told that due to the current weather conditions the visibility would be very low of snorkeling and that we had the option to cancel the excursion and would get a full refund. That was not what you wanted to hear!! I was really torn, but Michael was not, he thought it was stupid to go snorkeling in murky waters.

That is great that they were honest about it and gave you the chance to cancel or change. I can speak from experience that snorkeling in murky water is soul destroying.

Your excursion look nice and some of those views are absolutely stunning. I am glad that you got to spend at least a short time at the beach.

Corinna

 

[TeresaNJ]

Your pictures of St John are beautiful!

 

[franandaj]

Despite your change of plans at the last minute, it sounds like you had a great tour that day. That's how I would like to spend a day at the islands there. Snorkeling in murky water would be no fun. Those views from the peaks were stunning, and thank Michael for the history lessons.

 

[Steppesister]

.... reading. but my study partner just showed up, and I'll have to come back to it this evening.

 

[englishrose47]

Goota to go back and catch up !!But saying Hi for now !!!

 

[nodnol]

This was a great excursion for us readers. More interesting than the snorkeling one, I guess… Great pictures and educating, I didn't know there were sugar plantations on these islands. It seems there aren't any anymore - I guess because of the NP. But is there any other "industry" except tourism?

This is the beach that belongs to the only luxury resort on St John. I really really want to vacation there!! I think this is Caneel Bay.

Me! Me! I want to come too!

Sadly, the short break went by far too quickly and we headed back to our truck. The dark one is ours:

Very interesting, this picture didn't show in your update, that's why I marked it. But it shows in the reply?!

Hey, you have become a DIS Veteran!! You are no longer just a Mouseketeer! Congratulations!!

I noticed that last week but then I thought, maybe I've been a Veteran for quite some time, and didn't notice, because I already had 509 posts, is it for 500 posts?

I like the idea of the reserve towel. I think you needed a parachute and a Swiss army knife in there, too.

I can tell you it is quite time consuming to be Magdalene's conversation partner while she is packing sometimes (as I'm sure she would have discussed the right amount of towels with me had I been with her), but it is also very comfortable and relaxing to travel with her. Kind of like traveling as a kid, when your parents made sure all the essential were packed.

 

[Flossbolna]

I love your simple comment at the end there.

Sometimes even I can be succinct!

Sounds like a good theory to me!

I still haven't heard from Michael what his opinion is on that theory...

Yes! Agree 100%. Some people do like variety.

I always find it interesting how different people have so different opinions of what good service is. I would never be a good candidate to work in the service industry, but I am full of respect for those who do and are able to provide great service to so many different people on a daily basis with a smile.

That looks awesome!

The snow in the atrium was surprisingly not as cheesy as I had feared and it even photographed pretty well!

I'm ready to go now! I just need a promotion and a raise and...oh.

I am keeping all my fingers crossed for promotion, raises and lottery wins to help you boost your travel funds (whether to Germany or anywhere else!!)

 

[Flossbolna]

Dinner looked nice, sometimes it doesn't have to be exciting to be a good dinner. I really want one of those Grand Marnier Souffles! I have to wait until the Fall unless I can find someone else to make one for me sooner!

I was thinking the other day if I should not try to make them. Just to test whether I am able to make soufflees. I like doing stuff like that. Katharina and I once made jam filled donuts ourselves and I have tried baking my own bagels. Lots of fun!

The Winter Wonderland Ball sounds nice, I hope that they do this on the Dream again this year.

I am pretty sure that all the development cost that went into it will not be just a one off, but repeated many times!

 

[Flossbolna]

I love the classic theming. Probably why I really enjoy the decor at DHS so much. Art deco is one of the theming style I have in my own home.

Exactly. You haven't seen the makeover of the entrance to DCA yet, have you? I am sure that you will love it!! So much art deco!

OH! by the way, I took your inspiration, and bought 3 orange crate prints to hang in my kitchen:

I googled them and they look great! Makes me think that something like that would be a great souvenir for me when I am in California this summer!

They are all from very near my childhood home, and bring back so many sweet memories of walking out my front door on spring mornings and smelling the orange blossoms... and all the lilies in our yard.

That sounds wonderful!! A little like the scene from Soarin with the orange smell!!

 

[Steppesister]

That sounds wonderful!! A little like the scene from Soarin with the orange smell!!

Actually, no. It's EXACTLY like that. When that scene comes up you can actually see the hill my childhood home was ON!! No lie. Someday, hopefully I can show you it when we ride together!

 

[Flossbolna]

Actually, no. It's EXACTLY like that. When that scene comes up you can actually see the hill my childhood home was ON!! No lie. Someday, hopefully I can show you it when we ride together!

I have news for you that you might consider bad news...

I don't think we will ever have a chance to see that scene on Soarin together. Not because I would not love to ride Soarin with you, but because it is going to go away. Soarin is set for a new film. Shanghai Disneyland, which is set to open in spring 2016, will premier a new film in Soarin. It is rumored to be a "Soarin over the World" film. The existing Soarin rides will be updated with the new film afterwards. The rumour is that each park will end with a flyover of the park where the ride is. The new ending for DCA has already be filmed, I am not sure about WDW. In preperation for the change, Soarin is just under renovation currently at DCA getting an upgrade to digital projectors. Soarin at Epcot will be digitalized as well and they are adding in a third theater (the third theater has already been announced).

So, unfortunately the opportunity to fly over your childhood home will bot be around for much longer. I think you still have a good chance to see it in the fall of 2016 at WDW though! I am not expecting them to switch over to the new version that quickly at Epcot. Everything new at WDW seems to be taking years at the moment.

 

[Flossbolna]

Congrats on the savings and score on the cabin!

We would have been happy with the category we booked, but this was a nice bonus!

First off - I love the fact that you got your sideways stateroom and were able to save some money. Those cruises are expensive enough as they are - every penny saved is another penny for Mickey anyway.

The Norway cruise is really not cheap. For us it really only makes sense because the travel cost to Copenhagen is only a tenth (or less) than what a flight to the US would have been. And who wants to fly over for only one week? So, it made sense for us as a short trip. But I could not imagine paying those rates for the European cruises for a family vacation.

Just like we feel about Christiaan! He was the first CD we had and we love to see him again on board. Clayton is nice, but just not Christiaan.

I know that a lot of people really like Christiaan. I hope to meet him one day!!

OMG - I could not agree more with you, Michael, when it comes to Brent! He was the biggest disappointment on our last cruise again.

He is the one that is featured in the videos most of the time, isn't he? I wonder whether he will be on the Magic still for our cruise. If we are lucky, he will be on vacation then if he was working in March!

We loved to do the Detective Agency. So much fun and it takes you all over the ship.

I am already looking forward to doing a different game on my next cruise!

Hm, I really need to go check my notes as I am sure I had the Londinium before, but I do not eat Mango - so that is a bit strange. And we always forget about the passport! Yikes, I hope we won't forget next time.

Maybe you had it on the Dream and they have a different menu there?

That was the case for the Magic in Europe as well, but on our Western Caribbean it had changed for the better.

I wonder whether they had some supplier problems last year. Or if they just have better suppliers for cruises out of Port Canaveral. It will be interesting to see how it is in Norway!

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi! I'm so glad that you tagged me, now I have found this report again! After a little DIS-break, I have been trying to catch up. I must have forgotten to subscribe to this thread.

I still need to comment on the end of your trip report! I was happy to see you return and finish it! Hope you are still doing well!

I'm glad that my TR was helpful in that you knew about the St. John Island Tour and were interested in it, and that you ended up really liking it!

That's why I tagged you. I am alway happy to hear from others that they could use some of the information that I provided in my trip report, so I thought you would be interested to hear about our experience.

It sounds like we had the same guide on the boat ride from St. Thomas to St. John - he was very entertaining.

I guess that's his job: guiding cruise ship passengers!

Beautiful photographs! You did a much better job of documenting the tour and island than I did!

Thanks! I still feel like I was not really able to capture the beauty of the island!

I am beyond jealous that you guys stopped at the beach. That was the ONLY thing I didn't like about our tour!

I was wondering whether they include the stop now because of feedback? Or maybe different taxi drivers can do different tours and therefore it is kind of a question of luck? I went in not expecting that stop, so when it happened I was totally happy!

Okay, now I need to go back and catch up again. I think last I had read you were at Vero Beach!

Oh, quite a bit has happened since then! Have fun reading!

 

[Flossbolna]

I have always wanted to go to the Virgin Islands. This should be fun.

I was never aware that this would be a place that I would want to visit. I just went there because the ship went there. But that has changed now...

That stinks, but in this case, he's right. Why pay all that money to see dirty water?

Yes, he was right and I am grateful that

Obviously, the relationship is growing nicely, since you're now spending time doing lots of things you never wanted to do in the first place.

I like the idea of the reserve towel. I think you needed a parachute and a Swiss army knife in there, too.

I own a Swiss Army knife. And I regularly bring it on trips with me. But not to the beach!

That's just...I mean...What a waste.

She could at least invite us to stay in her mansion if she does not want to come and visit!

I think this is one of the best features of St. John and would love to get this stamp in my National Park Passport!

Hope you get it! There will be more National Parks coming the next day!

Well, I guess there are worse places to be.

Definitely.

Absolutely stunning!

This is one of my favorite pictures, too.

Well, I can imagine that photo in my mind, and it's wonderful! But in my version, Michael is wearing Grouch Marx glasses.

He does not wear glasses!! Only sun glasses.

This really sounds like a First World Problems issue to me.

Yes, those Floridians can be quite spoiled...

I can see why! It looks like a really gorgeous place. So glad you got to see it!

It was a wonderful excursion!

 

[Flossbolna]

Just gorgeous. Wow, I want to go there now!

I want to return there as well when I look at my pictures!

Loved the St. John updates--we did that same excursion and I recognize many of the sights in your photos. It was beautful and that was my favorite port on that cruise.

It was definitely a highlight for me as well. Glad you enjoyed the pictures!

Your pictures of St John are beautiful!

Thanks!