Jammin' to Jamaica - Aug 30 2014 ~ Fantasy ~ 7-Night Western

[DznyCrzy11]

Officially changed our 3 night Bahamian cruise to this cruise a week ago.....so excited!!!

Sent from my LG G2

 

[sweetlovin']

Officially changed our 3 night Bahamian cruise to this cruise a week ago.....so excited!!!

Sent from my LG G2

Welcome to the group

 

[sweetlovin']

I've been buying and stashing away outfits, dresses and little gifts for my daughter when I see a sale. If I buy any more I'm going to need a whole separate suitcase just for those. Not to mention FE gifts. Somebody stop me!

I know how you feel. I did the same thing last Nov buying Julie Sam and Nico buying their pirate costumes and dresses. Not Nico for the dress but last summer I picked up a Barong for him to wear.

 

[LiseG]

DznyCrzy11

You are going to love this 7-day Cruise! Have you been on other Disney cruises?

I'll add you to the cruisers list... who's coming on the cruise?

I see you'll be celebrating your 9th Anniversary. We have a number of DIScruisers celebrating anniversaries... we're celebrating our 20th the day we're in Jamacia

 

[LiseG]

I've been buying and stashing away outfits, dresses and little gifts for my daughter when I see a sale. If I buy any more I'm going to need a whole separate suitcase just for those. Not to mention FE gifts. Somebody stop me!

It's so fun isn't it! Sabrina was nearly 4 on our first Disney Cruise. I just loved all those mix and match outfits. Here's a packing tip (which I probably shared before)... put those cute little outfits in ziplock bags. That way the matching pieces end up on the kiddo and in all those awesome cruise photos.

Sabrina was older when I figured out to do it. I could just say, "grab any bag, honey, and get dressed." If I didn't do the bags, the first few days were great, but as the week went by some how the solids were gone. The orange and teal polka dots skort ends up with the pink and tan camo top. Do I really want that outfit in her Mickey photo??

 

[sweetlovin']

It's so fun isn't it! Sabrina was nearly 4 on our first Disney Cruise. I just loved all those mix and match outfits. Here's a packing tip (which I probably shared before)... put those cute little outfits in ziplock bags. That way the matching pieces end up on the kiddo and in all those awesome cruise photos.

Sabrina was older when I figured out to do it. I could just say, "grab any bag, honey, and get dressed." If I didn't do the bags, the first few days were great, but as the week went by some how the solids were gone. The orange and teal polka dots skort ends up with the pink and tan camo top. Do I really want that outfit in her Mickey photo??

I tend to travel a lot and I always tell my kids exactly how many nights and days we will be gone. My kids (I feel) are old enough to pack themselves, but there have been many many last minute shopping days where ever we are. One time, in WDW Julie forgot more than 1/2 her clothes. They were sitting on a neat pile on her extra bed when we got home. Disney isn't terrible to forget, when we were on the remote Fiji island, she had forgotten to repack her shoes and there was nothing i could do for her. LOL! Nico forgot his swimsuit in Jamaica last summer, but boys can just swim in shorts.

Hopefully, they will become more skilled packing each time we travel. My best packer of my kids is Samantha. She never has needed to stop for anything.

 

[sweetlovin']

Officially changed our 3 night Bahamian cruise to this cruise a week ago.....so excited!!!

Sent from my LG G2

Were you on the 3night Vday cruise last year?

 

[CarolyninCO]

It's so fun isn't it! Sabrina was nearly 4 on our first Disney Cruise. I just loved all those mix and match outfits. Here's a packing tip (which I probably shared before)... put those cute little outfits in ziplock bags. That way the matching pieces end up on the kiddo and in all those awesome cruise photos. QUOTE]

That's a great idea! I can just see Sofie now....flinging clothes all over the room trying to find the one thing at the bottom of the suitcase.

Thanks!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Even as an adult sometimes I forgot to pack some important things >< (like the one time I forgot my underwear)

Thats why I plan it out better for the longer trips now.

 

[sweetlovin']

Even as an adult sometimes I forgot to pack some important things >< (like the one time I forgot my underwear)

Thats why I plan it out better for the longer trips now.

I forgot my toothbrush and I have had the airline lose luggage, but you win for top thing forgotten. Although, maybe you could get away with that if it was your honeymoon.

 

[LiseG]

Even as an adult sometimes I forgot to pack some important things >< like the one time I forgot my underwear.

Thats why I plan it out better for the longer trips now.

OK... add me to the forgetful list. I forgot Chuck's tux at home. Luckily they have a few spare on the ship, and we were able to rent one. It was my BFF's Disney wedding cruise!

One time I forgot my make-up. I ended up buying EVERYTHING again in a upscale store on the waterfront in Grand Cayman (I had to look good for those Formal Night photos!) Guess what I found the last night shipboard while I was packing ... my makeup in one of the zillion pockets in my luggage. Back then we traveled with 6 suitcases plus 2-4 carry-ons.

I have a clothing spreadsheet I update each trip. I have traveling clothes, daytime clothes and evening clothes mapped out for the entire cruise. I DON'T do laundry on board

Undies... I have one philosophy. My BBF has a different one. We usually cruise around back-to-school time. My plan it to hit Target and grab multi-packs of all new undies and socks. Pre-counted and new! She, on the other hand, takes all the kids' old ones and throws them out as she goes... great way to make room for all those Disney souvenirs!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

OK... add me to the forgetful list. I forgot Chuck's tux at home. Luckily they have a few spare on the ship, and we were able to rent one. It was my BFF's Disney wedding cruise!

One time I forgot my make-up. I ended up buying EVERYTHING again in a upscale store on the waterfront in Grand Cayman (I had to look good for those Formal Night photos!) Guess what I found the last night shipboard while I was packing ... my makeup in one of the zillion pockets in my luggage. Back then we traveled with 6 suitcases plus 2-4 carry-ons.

I have a clothing spreadsheet I update each trip. I have traveling clothes, daytime clothes and evening clothes mapped out for the entire cruise. I DON'T do laundry on board

Undies... I have one philosophy. My BBF has a different one. We usually cruise around back-to-school time. My plan it to hit Target and grab multi-packs of all new undies and socks. Pre-counted and new! She, on the other hand, takes all the kids' old ones and throws them out as she goes... great way to make room for all those Disney souvenirs!

Thats too funny about finding your make up after you bought new.

I don't map things out like that but I do pull out one of our folding tables and start planning out the essentials about 1.5 weeks before so that when I remember we need something, I can place it on the table for when we officially pack.

With it only being the two of us, we'll probably only have 2 suitcases plus the booze carryon/laptop bag. We tend to not buy much but what we do should fit in the booze carryon.

 

[sweetlovin']

I am now planning on swimming with the dolphins in Grand Cayman. Still not sure what to do in Jamaica or Cozumel. I was going to swim with the dolphins in Oct with Nico, but he beat me to it.. I'll definitely go parasailing on CC. Sam and Julie loved it in Cairns. Julie wants to go bobsledder but I think Sams friend on the Oct cruise might do that. So I'm trying to save it. Julie keeps telling Sam to go to the kids club so she can go horseback riding. But Sams not having that. Anyone have their plans set. Dis yoda you get to book soon right?

 

[UK mum of 4]

Not really cruise related but wondered if any of you have heard the rummor that MNSSHP is going to start in August 29th? And do you think there's any truth in it? Seems very early to me but would be perfect for my family as we never do WDW in October because of the school dates.

 

[sweetlovin']

Not really cruise related but wondered if any of you have heard the rummor that MNSSHP is going to start in August 29th? And do you think there's any truth in it? Seems very early to me but would be perfect for my family as we never do WDW in October because of the school dates.

Wow I did not hear that rumor. But that wouldn't surprise me since they extended all the other events. These ticketed events are huge money makers for Disney.

 

[UK mum of 4]

Wow I did not hear that rumor. But that wouldn't surprise me since they extended all the other events. These ticketed events are huge money makers for Disney.

I can't remember where I read it, one of the unofficial disney trip sites. I checked on the WDW site and MK is set to close at 7pm that night which would imply it's a possibility. All the WDW site says is tickets on sale May but no mention of any dates yet.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

The other reason could be "Night of Joy" as isn't that around that time too?

If we do MNSSHP, August 29th might work for us as well but we may be going up Sept 19th for it. So many plans in the work for us that I'm not quite sure. Heck, I have 2 pre-trips going on for my Disney Trips now & I haven't even thought about the cruise one. I think I'm just going to do a Trip Report and not worry about a pre for the cruise. All my planning can stay contained to here.

Here are the excursions we are currently debating on:

We wouldn't do 2 Snubas so if I pick Grand Cayman I won't do Cozumel's.

Cozumel

• 12-Metre Regatta ($90pp)
• Tequila Tasting Experience ($60pp)
• Snuba ($79pp)

Grand Cayman

• Sea Trek Helmet Dive ($99pp)
• Shipwreck Reef Snorkeling ($39pp)
• Shipwreck Snuba ($69pp)

Falmouth, Jamaica

• Bamboo Raft Captain For A Day($195pp)
• Pottery Painting & Studio Tour ($139pp)
• Chukka ATV Safari ($99pp)
• Bobsled Jamaica and Dunn's River Falls ($134pp)
• Dunn's River Falls Express ($71pp)
• Green Grotto Caves w/ Lunch ($59pp)
• High Tea at Good Hope Estate ($52pp)

Castaway Cay we are already decided on at least.

Castaway Cay

• 5k
• Adult Beach To Relax
• Lunch @ Adult Beach

 

[sweetlovin']

I used to write trip reports, but I don't anymore. I think the last one I wrote was DLP. Now I just put together videos, so much simpler.

I read somewhere that the bobsled line can be really long and you only get 1 run down the hill. I could be wrong on that, but I think I read that somewhere. I could ask about Sam doing the horseback riding, but I am not sure they will let her being that she is 9 and the requirement is 12. I think Disney is relatively strict about that, but we will see. River tubing and the bamboo raft sound fun for me as well.

I really think we should visit the Mayan Ruins, but I should wait for Nico on that one. So maybe the Oct cruise.

I am booking my Alaskan excursions tonight, but while I am in full planning mode, I thought I should work on this one too. That way, I am not deciding last minute.

 

[LiseG]

Not really cruise related but wondered if any of you have heard the rummor that MNSSHP is going to start in August 29th? And do you think there's any truth in it? Seems very early to me but would be perfect for my family as we never do WDW in October because of the school dates.

I had planned a surprise to do Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party a couple years back, but our trip to California was postponed and we missed it. It would be nice if we could go this year.

 

[calker]

While checking info for our FE surprises, I noted that our cabin number was not listed. We will be in cabin 12028.