halloween cruise/ Magic: October 28th-nov..4th 2006

[buckifan]

Thanks Captaincrash for all of that info. I know I have a lot to consider.

I don't mind spending a fair bit on an excursion that is worth it. And I can't consult my kids ahead of time on there choice of activities, since the trip is going to be a surprise. So, we may just have to "wing it" once on board.

As first-timers to the DCL and cruising in general, I don't think we are adventurous enough to choose an excursion outside of the DCL ones offered. I know, I'm a chicken. The thought of missing that boat scares the bajeebers out of me.....since that is truely OUR destination. I'm sure we'll feel different about it after we have a couple of cruises under our belts.

 

[XLT800]

Just my 2 cents.....We did DCL excursions on our 1st and 2nd cruise. Now we do everything on our own. We would definitly consider renting a boat. We have a jet ski and love spending time on the water.

Dave

 

[captaincrash]

Buckifan...

As XLT800 suggests... doing things on your own or tagging along with another family to split a private taxi van etc (for example ~ to drive privately around the island for the day) is an easy undertaking.... and money-saving while expanding and enhancing the experience.

I can recall in earlier days when we met folks on the ship who explained how easy it was to do things on your own when we had just returned from a pricey cruise ship excursion... and after several cruises we started trying a few things on our own... then as we advanced in courage we met folks on the ship with a quiet consideration for the potential of sharing a few activities (or for finding another couple who knew more about smart things to do for maximum fun with extreme value in port. So... before the advent of the internet we would have to chance it to meet folks or we would simple do things alone. As once on Jamiaca we chartered an entire bus with about 20 seats for a private island tour and we could have easily added one to perhaps 4 more families for the same (or slightly more) cost!

So... I know your kids are supposed to be surprised... so I was thinking to ask you under these secretive circumstances what do you think your kids might like. So... let me suggest a couple of basic considerations. Which of the following would you say sounds appealing...

1) staying on the ship to enjoy easy (constant) food and activities like the kids' clubs, internet, movies, pools, or simply loitering in the cabin and exploring the ship. I did exactly this in St Thomas with our 2 kids while my spouse went ashore to power shop without any restrictions on her own.

2) going to one of two types of beach for half a day or longer... type 1 being moderately commercialized with conveniences like cold drinks, hot food, bathrooms, plastic lounge chairs with umbrellas for a fee ($10 typically) and probably a few local folks wandering around selling things.... or type 2) under-developed, semi-private with minimal resources but more privacy, and much more of a spot locals would frequent.

3) Snorkling or scuba diving

4) Aerial tours... either fixed wing or rotary.

5) Historical guided tours ... or quasi-introductory from a bus type exploration

6) water craft adventures - including sailing, or cruising, or renting a small craft like a boat, or even sport fishing as well

7) shopping around town. An easy and potentially inexpensive thing IF you don't buy much. On the other hand this sort of thing could bust your bank if you're bent on acquiring another pair of his and hers platinum Rolexes OR Patek Philippes ... with diamonds.

8) site-seeing which is more a "lets see what we have not seen since we're here" sort of stuff... which is a sort of "happy-go-lucky" sort or approach. My spouse and I are often of this attitude since we are not put off if our exploration yeilds more or less discovery.

9) exotic site-seeing ... which might encompass the pricey stuff like private Dolphine encounters or renting a real 2 person submarine guided by a scuba diver chaufferring you from outside. And... I guess aircraft charters would have counted here but it has it's own line above since it is not all that expensive if you're good at bargain hunting.

10) Resort hopping ashore. This is like stepping off the ship to lounge at a decent enclave of comfort, convenience and safety.

So... beyond all this is a virtually limitless expanse of possible undertakings which are limited by your imagination and budget. But these 10 catagories probably cover a lot of the main ideas and concept catagories.

So... Buckifan.... what two or three things sound appealing to you and your family considering their tolerances and likely preferences? Am I putting you "on the spot" If so I apolagize (misspelled?) and please free to demure or deflect the direction of discussion. As I'm just being neighborly and a motor mouth with a keyboard!

OK... TTFN....

Tom & Alicia

 

[kab407]

Buckifan,

In addition to all the information you'll get here, I do recommend the, "PassPorter's Field Guide to DCL" by Dave and Jennifer Marx. It does a great job of laying out the ship, activities, and a good description of the tours in all the ports.

Personally, I'm looking at doing the 12m yacht sail in St Martin. I sail J24's during the summer. It should be fun to sail something in the America's Cup size. My other thought is a side trip to Anguilla on my own. Having been there before, the beaches are stunning. St. Thomas is still up in the air. My own choice is to head over to St. John and spend the day on Hawksnest.

CaptCrush- hope all is safe in CA. Rebel Rouser, huh??

 

[buckifan]

Thanks captaincrash & Kathy. I have read previously that the Passporter's Field guide to DCL is a big help in planning....I'm definitely going to look into that. So many of those options listed sound appealing to me. That's why I'm in such a quandary! But I really do appreciate all of the suggestions. You mentioned several things I don't think I would have thought of myself!

 

[captaincrash]

Oh...

I suppose it was just that a few of my proposals and such with the last sailing that were a bit.... frothy. Maybe "rebel rouser" was a hasty remark that's best left behind as I wouldn't want to attract undue attention from the "authorities".

Frankly, we're just like anyone else... implying we're all seeking a little family fun with a sprinkling of rebel rousing pixie dust on a DCL sailing. I feel that these last few sailings have been more and more pleasant ... more so with the added dimension of the DIS community adding new elements to the overall experience. As such we are now enthusiastic DIS lurkers in the best sense.

That aside.... I must say that Anguilla sounds interesting. I'm not exactly certain but I don't think we've been there before. We'll have to look into that... IE ferry times and such.

Ok... so much for my wandering dribble this morning....

So... does anyone want to volunteer what their thoughts are for pre-cruise diversions (with kids 2.75 & 5.5)? Every time we arrive in Orlando (a day or two early) we are relatively low key. I think next time we're looking to do a litle more. We typically have not done any of the amusement parks before.

OK.... gotta go start my day.

 

[kritter]

Captain Crash,

You should try and do the parks before the cruise that is our plan for five dys we are going to park it and love it...

I love the idea that you are a rebel rouser so are we and would love the toga idea...

 

[captaincrash]

To quip a mildly fameous remark....

...." Houston, (I think) we might have a problem...."

They're gonna have to add an additional security contingency to our sailing now!

 

[kritter]

Oh well at least we can say that we are having a godd time isn't that what life is all about....

We are up for the challenge you??

 

[abitjaded]

To a bunch of different posters:

Hey Captaincrash, love your St John idea. Wish I knew for sure if it is this week for us! School schedule for 2006 should come out in January. We'd be in. We first booked a DCL because it was cheaper to get to St John that way, than fly from Denver and stay at Concordia ( a dream of mine).

We have DCL excursioned and private excursioned. ( One Western and two Eastern under our belts with other trips in Mexico and Carrib.) We are snorkel addicts and I can discuss both Eastern and Western itinerary opportunities ad nauseum should anyone want to know. Private booking gives so much control. Cabbed before to Coki and Megan's. First St Thomas DCL we booked with shoretrips and had our own boat to order about for four DIS families. Great, and we were the first at most of the sites to snorkel! Did the van thing on St. Martin, too. We were the first at the beach, beat the venders! And had a most amazing private tour in Costa Maya from a man who had "owned" the Maya ruins, and still seemed to keep his soul there. Snorkeled in the same reef at Cozumel that excursions paid fifty and up pp. Our cost: $5 taxi and a few beers and sodas at a palapa. And we got the whole day.

Broke down and took the Leylon Sneed the next time to St T (took g'ma and the wheelchair) but still did not make it to St. John- ship delayed with customs-so we ended up going to Little St. James, a private island. Conch as thick as corn in a field and the biggest hermit crabs ever. Amazing blue sea fans at the off-island reef.

We have done the parks pre- and post-. But the best thing we did was a post-cruise stay at Cocoa Beach. January, so way too cold to swim in the ocean. But we did Merrit Island one day, amazing wildlife (saw cougar?, manatees, wild pigs, alligator, wonderful birds). Did NASA one day. And just beach combed, went to our condo's heated pool, and relaxed. We loved this. Cocoa ain't too fancy but is very relaxing.

I think I have a bunch of old trip reports that are no longer on the boards and I could repost if anyone wants to read about specific things. Just ask.

Carla

 

[kritter]

carla.
We would love to read your trip reports from past trips..Love to read and learn new things..
Soo hoping that you are on this trip/cruise...

 

[buckifan]

Does anyone know if they will still be doing a pirate theme night next year? I was thinking of looking for some pirate costumes right after Halloween when everything goes on clearance! And.........do you guys think the pirate night would be ON halloween, or a different night?

 

[kritter]

When I called DCL direct they told me that they will have an night to dress up for halloween and I do not know exactly when it is next year but I bet they would do the pirate night too..call tomorrow and ask them..

 

[buckifan]

Well, I called DCL this morning, and they couldn't offer too much help with this. She said the Pirate night that was just started this year is going over very well, but can't be sure that they will continue with the theme next year. She did say that if they continue with the theme, she doubts they would do it on the 31st, which will be dress up night.

 

[captaincrash]

I ....

... for one would be mildly disappointed if they canceled the pirate nite. AND... we are actually looking forward to the holloween nite affair. I hope lots of folks bring constumes to dress up and have a large partying group aboard!

Out here in LA (or rather West Holloywood) we get a lot of folks parading around in extremely imaginative costumes... plus we've been to a few crazy costume parties in our younger days through the years. So - a little Disney influenced holloween party on the ship would be quite welcome!

AND.... how convenient that we have the post 2005 Holloween sales to pick over for a bargain outfit for 2006.... eh? We have 2005 pirate costumes to recycle for the 2006 cruise... so maybe we'll find decent accessories on sale this season to kick up our outfits a notch or two.

To,... ABITJADED.... I hope your January schedule enables your coming out next October. Our kids are younger and not in reular school yet so we are not under that restrictive consideration yet... and at the same time we are curious as to how we'll manage our travel events once the kids enter school. So if you can make it next October then we have renewed hope for travel flexability of a sort.

Furthermore... we appreciate your sharing stories of your travels. I must say, the notion of the guide showing "his" Mayan ruins was quite charming. Now... my spouse and I are not huge snorklers - but yesterday we just bought a snorkle set for my older 4.5 year old daughter (late summer mark down - it was irresistable). This last cruise she sort of borrowed another DIS child's set for a few minutes and seemed to like it. So - it looks as if we're planning on pursuing this snorkle thing further. Unfortunately, I do not swim so I will be watching our dry gear while the girls swim out to explore... but that's Ok.

AND... I've heard about the "little island" alternate beach... however, I never heard it described so glowingly. Now I am somewhat peaked with interest... and it ill probably take another TWO visits to hit everything on our "curious to see" list!

OK... gotta go....

TTFN!

from your Captain... ... Crash!

 

[kritter]

Surprised that Disney was not more help..
I think that on HAlloween we should have our Dis boards group have a cotume judging contest or soemthing of the sort or our won little trick or treating..what do you all think about that..

 

[captaincrash]

I imagine....

.... that if we follow the 2005 Holloween Magic sailing ~ and in particular the expected "Live from Magic" DIS board for this sailing.... we will have our best guide for what to expect next year.

When I last asked the DCL rep on the phone about what to expect they were somewhat reserved. I mentioned that I heard they make it snow on castaway caye for the christmas sailings - so I had asked if they do anything on the ship or at castaway caye for holloween - in particular do they redecorate extensively and what events were to be expected? They replied that it was not really elaborate ~ but they did have holloween specific decorating with events and activities. So... my interpretation on this was that they did not want to overstate anything since it's over a year out.

So... i have not checked lately but a couple weeks ago the board for the 05 Holloween Magic had a huge following and number of postings. So a "live from the Magic" thread is a near certainty.

OK... I just checked the 05 Magic Holloween thread... it has about 70 DIS denzions, near 3,459 postings and near 38,908 visits! Clompared to our thread with 11 DIS folks, 117 postings and 845 visits. Plus... the other thread was started on October 2nd 2004... and today is the 4th. So again, by comparison... at about 390 days before sailing our thread has 100+ postings versus the 2005 thread that had only ONE at the same point.

OK... gotta run.... TTFN,

 

[Princess Olivia]

Hi everyone! We just returned from the Magic Western trip Sept 24th- Oct1. Loved it! We re-booked on board for this cruise specificaly because it's Halloween and that is a close second to my children's favorite holiday after Christmas. We will do a X-mas cruise when they are a little older and Santa is not as real as he is today. They are almost there they already questioned me due to some naughty neighbors! I have a DD 8 (will be 9 in Jan) and DS7 (8 in April).

I am also thrilled that it's the Eastern trip. I LOVE the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. I wasn't impressed with the Western. Wouldn't head that way again. Also, about rotation dining I heard on the Wonder they are trying something new where you can go to any of the three restaurants you want. If it works better they may be incorporating this into the Magic.

 

[kritter]

Captain, I think our thread can and will become more and more popular and we will keep it going no matter at what costs.. HE HE..

Welcome Olivia, and we can not wait to get to know you and meet you and your family..
tell us something about the cruise and what type of room did you have, etc...

 

[Princess Olivia]

I felt our room was perfect. It was cabin 7584 cat.5. I actually booked cabin 7576 just to move us down a few doors. This puts us exactly in the middle. We often went to the atrium decks 3 and 4 or club/lab deck 5. These were accessed easily by the middle stairway. If we took a left out our door we were at the stairs leading to Topsiders buffet. We usually ate there for breakfast. We were on a fantastic rotation. We ate at Animators Palate day one then Parrot Cay and Lumiere's. That put us in Lumiere's for both formal and semi formal nights.

The best tip I got was to bring the over the door shoe hanger for the bathroom door. It saved so much space and kept everything so organized. This time last week I was at Palo's for dinner........tonight we had shake and bake!! Tough coming back to reality!

Also, I just read on the old Dis board I was on that the people that rebooked got a better price at Dreams Unlimited. I guess I can switch our res and keep the on board credits. I'm waiting to get a quote back. I'll let you all know.