Jan. 22- 29 , 2011 Western Caribean Cruise on the Disney Magic!!!

[dizzi]

Kelli

I love the family pictures that every one is dressed in accordance too.
I think they look so sharp.

We usually try to do at least one, dont know if we will make it happen this time or not.

 

[dizzi]

Does any one know the dates of when we can book excursions, palo etc.

I have never paid a cruise off in the way, first time i booked through costco, 2nd time i used dvc points 3rd time paid in full immedietly upon booking....

This time i have not paid in full yet, i dont have to pay it off until Nov 2 i think it is.....But will pay it off here in a couple weeks dont want to be late with it.

Will Nov 2 be the day we can book excursions???

 

[FabFivePA]

My reservation says 11/8, but I'm not sure if it's earlier if you've cruised before?
We should be paid in full next week! YEY! that'll feel good. LOL

 

[CrystalS]

Hi everyone!!

I've got this cruise on hold, and will know in a couple days if we will be going for sure. We sold our house and are about to purchase a new one, just working out the details, then we'll know

Taking advantage of the 25% off Canadian Resident Rate

It would be me (25), dh (28), ds (4 in Jan), dd (5mos in jan), my mom (we won't share her age, lol) and my brother (21)

Really hoping that everything works out and we put down the deposit in a couple days. So far it's looking good

 

[Cheechow]

question for those of you that have sailed DCL previously. Normally with other cruise lines we show up between 1-2pm as the lines are short to get on board. I have been advised by a few people to go early and get on the ship as early as possible. My concern is doing this with small children (2,4 and 7). Are you waiting in line for a long time or does it all run smooth and quick? Are there things for the kids to do while waiting to board as I think I read you are not allowed on board before noon? Are you able to get in your stateroom right away to put away any alcohol or other items you have carried on with you? I thought i read somewhere you cannot go to your stateroom until after 2pm? I really don't want to have to wander around with all that while chasing around DS. Are we really missing anything by not showing up until about 2pm other then lunch? Would there be the possibility of the kids not getting into the kids clubs if we are not there for 11am or so? would love any comments and words of wisdom.

 

[SSR Lover]

question for those of you that have sailed DCL previously. Normally with other cruise lines we show up between 1-2pm as the lines are short to get on board. I have been advised by a few people to go early and get on the ship as early as possible. My concern is doing this with small children (2,4 and 7). Are you waiting in line for a long time or does it all run smooth and quick? Are there things for the kids to do while waiting to board as I think I read you are not allowed on board before noon? Are you able to get in your stateroom right away to put away any alcohol or other items you have carried on with you? I thought i read somewhere you cannot go to your stateroom until after 2pm? I really don't want to have to wander around with all that while chasing around DS. Are we really missing anything by not showing up until about 2pm other then lunch? Would there be the possibility of the kids not getting into the kids clubs if we are not there for 11am or so? would love any comments and words of wisdom.

I've been on one other cruise with DCL. We took the DCL bus from the airport and didn't arrive until close to 3:00. We walked right on, but almost missed lunch. (Which would have been a big deal since we ate breakfast on the way to the airport at 4:15 a.m. ) My understanding is depending on how quickly the crew can get the ship ready, boarding can take place in the 11:30 - Noon range. Staterooms aren't available until 1:30, so whatever carry-ons you bring with you stay with you until that time. When you do your on-line check-in you register the kids for the clubs. I think the line is for those who did not pre-register and to get their wristbands. You can get the bands on the ship later if you don't take care of it in the terminal. Again, we didn't spend much time in the terminal, but from what I've read, there are tv's with Disney cartoons playing, the characters come out and there is a model of the ship. I'm not sure how to post a link, but there is a thread from yesterday or today where someone wants to make up a scavanger hunt for the terminal to keep their kids occupied. You might want to check that out. I plan on letting my boys (7 & 9) play their DS's if necessary, but we will also be with friends, so they may well occupy themselves without them. If you are flyng and have carry-ons that don't have beverages in them and you don't want to lug around with you, you can put the DCL luggage tags on them and leave them with the porters. Luckily I brought my extra tags with me last year so I tagged what I didn't need and left them to be delivered to our room later. That made it a lot easier to navigate for us.

After arriving so late last year and missing lunch on another cruise where we arrived too late, we will be arriving as early as possible. We are staying at the Country Inn & Suites the night before, and want to get the early shuttle. We can't wait to get that vacation started!

 

[dizzi]

I would suggest with that age group of kids not arriving until like 11ish.....by the4 time you get through security, get your paper work turned in, look around the terminal, maybe take a pic with mickey or minnie it would be about time to have your group # called......

This is a # you get when you check in and you are called into the ship by group #.

That group lines up and it doesnt take to long, you get your piccture taken as you go in and then your name called out as you board.

Then you get to either go to either parrot cay buffet or topsiders buffet, i perfer topsiders to eat outside. But this can keep you busy for a good while.

Then you can get in the pool, or go to the arcade or walk around the ship sit in the sun, i suggest a roll on piee of luggage for anythign you are carrying on.

Last time We ate walked around a bit had a drink of the day and by the time we were done and tool some pics our room was ready.

 

[dizzi]

My reservation says 11/8, but I'm not sure if it's earlier if you've cruised before?
We should be paid in full next week! YEY! that'll feel good. LOL

Thanks,

I think i am going to go ahead and pay it off...
I am scraed i am going to miss the deadline and loose everything.

Cant wait to start booking, i really just want to book palo early.
I want to do all 3 dinner brunch and hightea.

Does any one know when formal night semi foraml night or pirate night is on this cruise?

 

[dizzi]

Hi everyone!!

I've got this cruise on hold, and will know in a couple days if we will be going for sure. We sold our house and are about to purchase a new one, just working out the details, then we'll know

Taking advantage of the 25% off Canadian Resident Rate

It would be me (25), dh (28), ds (4 in Jan), dd (5mos in jan), my mom (we won't share her age, lol) and my brother (21)

Really hoping that everything works out and we put down the deposit in a couple days. So far it's looking good

good luck

 

[ffxfirefighter]

Hi all we just booked this week and are pretty excited. My wife and I are traveling with our 1 and 5 year old and grandma. First cruise for them and second for the wife and I.

Kind of worried about the second seating for dinner with the 1 year old. He is in bed by 7 usually. we are not to worried about the 5 year old being up late for the week, but the little guy is a concern. Any suggestions.

Kris

 

[Tinkerkell123]

Hi all we just booked this week and are pretty excited. My wife and I are traveling with our 1 and 5 year old and grandma. First cruise for them and second for the wife and I.

Kind of worried about the second seating for dinner with the 1 year old. He is in bed by 7 usually. we are not to worried about the 5 year old being up late for the week, but the little guy is a concern. Any suggestions.

Kris

Welcome!! Glad to have y'all join us! I would say for the 1 year old, maybe check out Flounders. Ours are older so I am not totally sure how Flounders works, but you could maybe feed your 1 yr old at his usual time and then take him to Flounders near bedtime if he will go to sleep there. If he's in daycare, I would think that wouldn't be too much different than napping there.

Does any one know the dates of when we can book excursions, palo etc.

I have never paid a cruise off in the way, first time i booked through costco, 2nd time i used dvc points 3rd time paid in full immedietly upon booking....

This time i have not paid in full yet, i dont have to pay it off until Nov 2 i think it is.....But will pay it off here in a couple weeks dont want to be late with it.

Will Nov 2 be the day we can book excursions???

If you are a silver castaway club member (been on 1-5 cruises before) you can start booking stuff on 10/24 if you are paid in full. If you are gold or platinum it's even earlier, but don't know those dates...

Hi everyone!!

I've got this cruise on hold, and will know in a couple days if we will be going for sure. We sold our house and are about to purchase a new one, just working out the details, then we'll know

Taking advantage of the 25% off Canadian Resident Rate

It would be me (25), dh (28), ds (4 in Jan), dd (5mos in jan), my mom (we won't share her age, lol) and my brother (21)

Really hoping that everything works out and we put down the deposit in a couple days. So far it's looking good

Good luck! Hope y'all get to join us!!

 

[Tinkerkell123]

Chrisse,

I think your tatoos sound really cool

I would like to do something for my kiddos some day too.
I love the "fight like a girl", that saying means so much!

I also have one on my ankle it was my first.
It is a mickey head with a beachy palm tree scene inside of it.

I think they do too! I have 2. 1 is a tribal design and the other is hearts. I would love to get one of my kids, but until I find someone as good as Kat vonD from Miami Ink & LA Ink, that won't happen! Her portrait tattoos look like photos!

 

[Tinkerkell123]

question for those of you that have sailed DCL previously. Normally with other cruise lines we show up between 1-2pm as the lines are short to get on board. I have been advised by a few people to go early and get on the ship as early as possible. My concern is doing this with small children (2,4 and 7). Are you waiting in line for a long time or does it all run smooth and quick? Are there things for the kids to do while waiting to board as I think I read you are not allowed on board before noon? Are you able to get in your stateroom right away to put away any alcohol or other items you have carried on with you? I thought i read somewhere you cannot go to your stateroom until after 2pm? I really don't want to have to wander around with all that while chasing around DS. Are we really missing anything by not showing up until about 2pm other then lunch? Would there be the possibility of the kids not getting into the kids clubs if we are not there for 11am or so? would love any comments and words of wisdom.

We got there early last time, although not as early as I wanted... But the kids got kind of bored towards the end of the wait. There are lots of chairs to sit in and there are the cartoons showing and if I remember correctly, there were coloring pages and crayons out for the kids too. Not totally sure about that though. Once you can board (around 11:30 is when they started calling numbers on our last one) you can go pretty much anywhere except the stateroom passageways. THose don't usually open up until 1:30 or so... You will have to keep any carry-ons with you until then. Definitely be sure to do all of your paperwork on the kids for the clubs at home and bring with you. That line gets REALLY long and moves kind of slow later in the morning as the people who DIDN'T fill theirs out at home do it in line...

I saw a scavenger hunt thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2566527 and decided to do that for the kids at the terminal. It will give them something to do and as they will be 8 & almost 11, they can do it by themselves since it will just be in that one level of the terminal. So far, my list has 5 hidden mickeys and about 11 questions they have to find the answers to. Hoping people will come up with more ideas!

 

[dizzi]

Hi all we just booked this week and are pretty excited. My wife and I are traveling with our 1 and 5 year old and grandma. First cruise for them and second for the wife and I.

Kind of worried about the second seating for dinner with the 1 year old. He is in bed by 7 usually. we are not to worried about the 5 year old being up late for the week, but the little guy is a concern. Any suggestions.

Kris

1. flounders
2. call DCL every day request a change
3. go to spot set up for reservations when you get on ship....usually rockin bar d and see if they can do anything
4. speak to your head server on first night see if you can switch
5. LONG MID DAY NAPS
6. lastly if all the above fails..........change your sleep patterns, no matter what kind of room you are in you can draw the curtains and sleep in. Just sleep a couple more hours into the day and then you will be able to have a better dinner with the little one later in the evening. You wont miss out on anything too extreme that early in the morning any way, sea days will be an easy sleep.....port days....i dont think we get in til after noon to KEY WEST, and if you plan to do any excursions just sign up for the later ones.


GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME ABOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dizzi]

we walked 2.8 miles last night in 45 minutes.

Any one know how long we have to do the 3.1

 

[dizzi]

i added some questions to your scavenger hunt on the other thread.
sounds fun.

In July my teen kids just slept in the terminal while me and older dd got pictures with Mickey!

 

[Lokkabear]

Well, it has been another busy weekend so I had ALOT to read when i got back tonight!

Hi everyone!!

I've got this cruise on hold, and will know in a couple days if we will be going for sure. We sold our house and are about to purchase a new one, just working out the details, then we'll know

Taking advantage of the 25% off Canadian Resident Rate

It would be me (25), dh (28), ds (4 in Jan), dd (5mos in jan), my mom (we won't share her age, lol) and my brother (21)

Really hoping that everything works out and we put down the deposit in a couple days. So far it's looking good

I hope you can join us! We are a FUN group! Where in BC are you from?

Hi all we just booked this week and are pretty excited. My wife and I are traveling with our 1 and 5 year old and grandma. First cruise for them and second for the wife and I.

Kind of worried about the second seating for dinner with the 1 year old. He is in bed by 7 usually. we are not to worried about the 5 year old being up late for the week, but the little guy is a concern. Any suggestions.

Kris

Welcome to the group!

Well I will have more to post tomorrow I am sure, once I have time to sit!

 

[dizzi]

Very excited to day for our cruise vacation.

Our last REAL family vacation was........thinking......ummm....2.5 years ago by the time our cruise rolls around. We have done some things but a real get away with my kids will be very nice.

Lets see we can argue about coming in too late....
sleeping half the day away....
not wanting to come to dinner........
not wanting to wear sunscreen or sunglasses...
oh yeah.........the good things............

I can go topsiders and cove cafe early morning, before any oen else is wake and get a glimpse of peace then i can take my kiddos breakfast in bed, THAT I DIDNT HAVE TO MAKE!!!!!

Then we can do a wonderful excursion or rest on our balconey.
play some games take some great pictures. Deliver FE GIFTS!!!

Yeah i am really excited TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dizzi]

We are getting ready to book hotel for the night before the cruise.

Will be some where close to port.

Then we will be staying for 2 nights after cruise in Orlando.....On DH company as he has to work sat and sun in Orlando. PERFECT TIMING!!!!

WHO IS STAYING IN PORT CANAVERAL ON FRIDAY????????????????

 

[Tinkerkell123]

we walked 2.8 miles last night in 45 minutes.

Any one know how long we have to do the 3.1

That's awesome! Someone said we have an hour...

i added some questions to your scavenger hunt on the other thread.
sounds fun.

In July my teen kids just slept in the terminal while me and older dd got pictures with Mickey!

I used all of your suggestions, but did modify a couple. They were great, thanks!!

Very excited to day for our cruise vacation.

Yeah i am really excited TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me too!!!

We are getting ready to book hotel for the night before the cruise.

Will be some where close to port.

Then we will be staying for 2 nights after cruise in Orlando.....On DH company as he has to work sat and sun in Orlando. PERFECT TIMING!!!!

WHO IS STAYING IN PORT CANAVERAL ON FRIDAY????????????????

We will be staying at the CI&S and plan to be there around 3:00ish. Of course, there is that word, plan! But last time we left home around 8:30 and got there around 5:00. I want to leave around 6:30 this time so Bert will have time for a nap and the kids & I can explore. We want to eat dinner at FishLips again since we loved it so much last time.

Wish we could stay for WDW after (or before!)! But we'll be doing the next vacay there in Dec 2011 or Jan 2012...