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

[dizzi]

I finally accomplished something tonight! I finished my FE gifts with the help of my wonderful DD!! Yeah! Now I feel like I am on my way. I still haven't packed anything, but the gifts are done!

CONGRAT!!!!!!!!

 

[dizzi]

I finished my magnets which is why i sat down for a bit......
BUT NOW I AM OFF TO DO SOME PAKING!!!

2 weeks from now we will be in PALO!!!! for BRUNCH!!!
and i have decided this time to take our sweet sweet time in Palo.......take it all in eat slowly enjoy the view and the atmosphere even moe than ever!!!

 

[Tinkerkell123]

So the items that we want signed by the characters.....do I need to pack them in my carry on and deliver them to guest services right away or can I put them in my checked luggage and hand them in later that night or the following day? I don't want to miss out on that opportunity.
Does Disney supply lifevests on CC either for a fee or free? Just wondering if I need to pack the girls vests as well...they take up alot of room!

I take my pillowcases to guest services that first day, just to get them in there early. They do have vests for kids...

Finished magnets and FE's last night! Just have to put together the FE's and the kids want to help with that thank goodness. Need to finish deciding what to take for myself. Fortunately, it looks like I will have an extra day or 2 off this week to accomplish that thanks to the darn snow they are saying is coming tonight...

 

[dizzi]

Are you in northern SC.....
Didnt realize it snowed enough in Sc for snow days..........WOW

 

[Royfam]

I agree STRONGLY with that packing advise, On our panama canal cruise my bag got lost at the LA port (someone took it) and we still had a week a disneyland. Luckily the family lived near disneyland so I did get my bag late that night. and on our last cruise the airline lost my youngest bag we arrived in Orlando about 6pm the night before, the bag ended up I think in alaska (we switched planes in seattle, same airline) anyways finally got the bag early the next morning. I don't know what I would have done if it hadn't. I was a mess the whole night before on the phone with the airline and disney's beach club villas (thats where we were staying) Needless to say I've learned my lesson!!!
Now I let everyone pack their bags then I go threw and (first) make sure it all matches and that nothing is missing , then i move stuff around so we all have stuff in each bag. Then each of us pack a backpack ( we carry on the plane) they put their swimsuit in that along with a extra shirt and toothbrush ( we're flying the red eye (all the way from the west coast...yeah!!)

crossing my fingers that all luggage arrives with us

 

[endorphin8]

Just curious, did most everyone do the Kids Sail Free promotion? We didn't book until late so missed out on the promotion. Was interested to see if this was a short term thing or if it was promo running for most of the summer or fall?

I was surprised the ship was so sold out for a January cruise, but I am sure that promotion would help fill it up fast.

 

[dizzi]

we did use the promo,
But i see that what is full is the inside rooms

And the promo was for a verandah

I was looking becasue we were actually thinking about changing to add a second room so we would have more privacy and space since they wanted 10,000 for the suite
But there was none available.

So we are hoping to get the suite at the port

 

[Melissa&Shawn]

We also booked due to Kids Sail Free. A Disney Cruise has been a goal for us but whenever I priced it out it was too expensive. We wanted a balcony because DD is so young and we will be spending time in the room for nap and a 7:30/8pm bedtime. This was perfect! Literally I got an email and jokingly priced it out. Turned out what we paid for all thereof us was the price I was getting for 1 person other times! DH said book it. No planning, research or anything. . But made up for it since then.

Did anyone see the thread about Cruise Directors? Sounds like Peter is our CD? I am a bit disappointed as I thought Brent would be and everyone raves about him.

 

[Tinkerkell123]

Are you in northern SC.....
Didnt realize it snowed enough in Sc for snow days..........WOW

It doesn't!! Except apparently this week! We get a couple of snow days a year, really, but it's usually only a couple of inches and just for a day. We have about 6" on the ground now and they are saying we should get 12"! Hasn't snowed this much since 1988. It's nice, but I have SO much to do at work and also not wanting to use my paid time off for this when we're leaving NEXT WEEK for vacay!! Fortunately, I brought work home on Friday just in case...

Just curious, did most everyone do the Kids Sail Free promotion? We didn't book until late so missed out on the promotion. Was interested to see if this was a short term thing or if it was promo running for most of the summer or fall?

I was surprised the ship was so sold out for a January cruise, but I am sure that promotion would help fill it up fast.

It came up in the fall for verandah rooms only. We were already in an inside stateroom and were able to upgrade to a verandah. I would LOVE a suite, but the cost... I am going to check at port for a decent price, but not counting on that at all. VERY happy with having a verandah!

 

[kaj1436]

We booked under the Canadian residenet discount but now that I think about it I should have looked into the KSF instead. We probably could have a got a verandah for almost the same price we paid for our inside. Oh well, lesson learned for next time!

 

[Spokavegas]

I am absolutley sick to my stomach that I was researching this cruise all Fall and did not realize that there was a KSF going on. Not only that, but I REEEEALLLY wanted a verandah and had to settle for a porthole room b/c they were sold out when I finally did book. We were in the middle of a move across the state that I was less than thrilled about, and I really needed a cruise to work on and plan! I was bummed to not get the verandah, but now I'm REALLY bummed! I am however, VERY thankful to just be GOING!

Anyone have any idea how much it might cost to upgrade from a PH to V at the port if one comes avail?

-------

And for the poster who asked about checking a box at the airport- it's totally easy! No need to wrap it in brown paper, just tape it up well, and mark it with your name and destination address well. You'll still have to pay whatever extra baggage fees your airline charges for checked bags, or overweight items if it's over 50lbs or whatever their cutoff is.

 

[Spokavegas]

Maybe a few people could weigh in and clarify for me- but when our fam went back in Feb 2008, we gave my DH an adult snorkeling set for his bday, which was the first day of the cruise. On our CC day, my DH got his snorkeling stuff out and headed down to the snorkeling area, but he came back and said that they were going to require him to pay to rent a lifevest anyhow in order to go out and float, and after we'd already paid for his snorkel and mask, it was kind of irritating to have to pay more money when we thought we'd planned ahead.

What's the deal here? Can you bring your own stuff or not? Just want to clarify....thank you!!

 

[Tinkerkell123]

You can bring your own stuff, but from what I understand they require everyone who snorkels to wear a vest. I guess you could bring your own vest too if you have it...

 

[kaj1436]

That is the question I have asked too...does anyone know how much it is to rent the vest only? We have snorkel gear but the vests take up so much room in the luggage.

 

[dizzi]

They did not charge ANYTHING to get a vest this past Summer when we went.

I only needed one as we brought our whole gear set along lacking one vest
And to snorkel you must have a vest

Thank goodness for the vests, has we had enough trouble all that way out there with the vest....ITS A LONG LONG SWIM!!!!

 

[dizzi]

I am absolutley sick to my stomach that I was researching this cruise all Fall and did not realize that there was a KSF going on. Not only that, but I REEEEALLLY wanted a verandah and had to settle for a porthole room b/c they were sold out when I finally did book. We
Anyone have any idea how much it might cost to upgrade from a PH to V at the port if one comes avail?

.

From the looks of things now...
ALl they have left are verandahs and suites...
I was trying for an extra room inside and there was nothing.

I bet you could get one for less than $1000
And here is a tip.....you can call 3 days before cruise and get about the same price as you would at port because this is the cut off time i guess for when the cruise can be booked.....dont quote me on this but i think this is why.

I will be trying t 3 days out for a suite....I will of course post on here to let you know how it goes.

 

[Spokavegas]

[QUOTE/]
I bet you could get one for less than $1000
And here is a tip.....you can call 3 days before cruise and get about the same price as you would at port because this is the cut off time i guess for when the cruise can be booked.....dont quote me on this but i think this is why.

I will be trying t 3 days out for a suite....I will of course post on here to let you know how it goes.[/QUOTE]

Hooray Lynn!! This is an awesome idea. If we could get it for less than $1000- we'd probably do it. And within 3 days of the cruise (if it's possible) would REALLY be awesome b/c then I'd have the new stateroom number for my preprinted disemabarkation labels. Def keep me posted!!

And somebody PLEEEEEASSSSEE email me the list of potential meets onboard? I don't know that we'll be able to make the first day meet. At the risk of being virused/whatever here's my email: karlawheelerATcomcastDOTnet
Help a fellow DISer out- I'd love to play cards or something someday.

AND----who all is going to Nachi Cocum? Do we have a list? I'm wondering how many of us from this DIS Meet there are!

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

Hooray Lynn!! This is an awesome idea. If we could get it for less than $1000- we'd probably do it. And within 3 days of the cruise (if it's possible) would REALLY be awesome b/c then I'd have the new stateroom number for my preprinted disemabarkation labels. Def keep me posted!!

And somebody PLEEEEEASSSSEE email me the list of potential meets onboard? I don't know that we'll be able to make the first day meet. At the risk of being virused/whatever here's my email: karlawheelerATcomcastDOTnet
Help a fellow DISer out- I'd love to play cards or something someday.

AND----who all is going to Nachi Cocum? Do we have a list? I'm wondering how many of us from this DIS Meet there are!

We'll be at Nachi Cocum, as well as Chrisse and several others. I think there was some discussion about sharing transportation (vans?) as opposed to several cabs, but I don't think a definite plan was made. Did you decide whether or not you still want to do the Castaway Cay 5k? Or will I be left in the dust of the runners by myself?

 

[Spokavegas]

No- I would LOVE to walk/run the 5K with you!! The only responses I saw were mostly "just show up- there will be others"- and that still scared me!

I apologize....but what's your name? I'm Karla. Let's make a plan of where to meet- or what we'll be wearing! Anyone else want to plan to join us? This may be the only DIS Meet thing I get to do! Ha! Will you be sending your beach stuff with your fam and just meet them out there, or going back to the boat?

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

No- I would LOVE to walk/run the 5K with you!! The only responses I saw were mostly "just show up- there will be others"- and that still scared me!

I apologize....but what's your name? I'm Karla. Let's make a plan of where to meet- or what we'll be wearing! Will be sending your beach stuff with your fam and just meet them out there, or going back to the boat?

No worries! I posted a response that said I'd run/walk with you, but it's a few pages back. I'm Alexis, newbie smart-alec and suspected overimbiber. I'm signed up for FE exchange and meets, and I'm on the card playing list. I'm sure we'll get to meet each other beforehand! PM Kelli with your e-mail address and she can send you the list with all the info on the group meets and such.

I was thinking I'd just pack everyone's stuff and have DH and DD meet me on the beach. Are you going to go back to the boat?