January 17th 2014 Disney Magic 3 Night Bahamas Cruise

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Hi Heather-

I'm also a military brat-my dad was retired Air Force-radar operator-flew in those big AWAX planes. My stepdad was in the Air Force as well-I lived in the Philippines,Taiwan(my mom is from there), California, and then Florida. My step dad also went to Germany where I visited.

Loved Alaska as well, we did it their inaugural year, so it has been a few years, ready to go again. We want to Europe in 2015 as well, we loved the Baltic itinerary 2010.

Anyway as a Platinum you don't have to select a PAT-so I never I got to see a list of times-it just says I can arrive anytime during embarkation hours. But I know for our Thanksgiving cruise we heard about the change and was able to change the time to 10:30 for the others traveling with us. We may have passed on Palo, but not going to pass on free Palo since it's a Platinum perk, Just hear they are increasing the price to $25.

Hi We have so much more in common! I've also lived in the Philippines, California and Florida! My dad was also stationed briefly in Thailand We were considering the Med (or now possibly the Baltic?) then did Alaska and fell in love so it's still a consideration to do Europe with DCL in 2015 but our heart wants to go back to Alaska, but I want to show my DS and DH another part of the world. We shall see but you never know we might be cruising together again in 2015! My DS will be 10 this week and I see you have that in common too!

Duh! Totally forgot about Platinum not needing a PAT -oops! I found out it's only for the Dream and Fantasy they made the 10:30am forward PAT's so all is good

This will be our first Disney Cruise! Very excited. We love Disney..!! It will be me, my daughter and her husband, along with their children ages 6 and 8. Anyone can offer any must do's, much appreciated.

Welcome! My best advice on your first cruise and especially a 3 night cruise, don't try and do it all because there is no way you'd be able to. Pick the things that are most important to you and book another cruise while you are on board so you can lock in the 10% and $100 or $200 on board credit on the next cruise! Please let us know if you have any questions!

PAT (port arrival time) is a guideline. At the risk of upsetting those obsessed with following rules, you can show up early or late and it won't be a problem. As long as you get there during boarding hours, the check-in desk will "make your dream come true." Except for maybe concierge boarding, you can expect to wait longer during earlier boarding times even if you show up during your scheduled time.

One time we really enjoyed late boarding. It was a similar January 3-day cruise on a long weekend. We figured we could get the children out of school early, but later found that they all had important exams lasting until the last bell at 2:15. With a 1hr drive to the port, HS parking lot gridlock and missing an exit on the way, we arrived exactly at 3:30 when boarding ends. Except for the DCL staff and security, the terminal was deserted. It was probably faster than concierge boarding and we had immediate access to the staterooms. We boarded in no time, dropped bags in the stateroom and went to the boat drill. What a contrast from a hectic exam day to dancing on deck 11 in less than a few hours! It was magical!

Hi! I found out it's only for the Dream/Fantasy for the earlier PAT so all is good in the world - ha ha! I agree, certainly arriving later has it's own advantages as well. We get up early, especially with the excitement so we'd much prefer to be there early, which is what we've done every cruise. Luckily we've had low boarding numbers as well so it's all worked out. I'm used to the crowds for the Dream and Fantasy at Port Canaveral so it'll be interesting to see how this differs, if it does.

Can't wait!!!

Heather

 

[fireflyohio]

Welcome! My best advice on your first cruise and especially a 3 night cruise, don't try and do it all because there is no way you'd be able to. Pick the things that are most important to you and book another cruise while you are on board so you can lock in the 10% and $100 or $200 on board credit on the next cruise! Please let us know if you have any questions!

Thanks! Yes, so much to see and do I know I will want to do it all and be totally stressed out. LOL - I head the Personal Navigator has the itinerary every day. Is there possibly a site that gives examples so we have an idea of what to expect and what is offered for the kids?

 

[tidefan]

Hello all. Just booked this cruise to celebrate DW's 40th! We would love to do the Fish Extenders. This will be our 6th DCL cruise. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

 

[fireflyohio]

Hello all. Just booked this cruise to celebrate DW's 40th! We would love to do the Fish Extenders. This will be our 6th DCL cruise. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Sorry, but what is a fish extender?

 

[tidefan]

Sorry, but what is a fish extender?

Well, I'd probably be better to find the Fish Extender thread to explain. If someone knows how to link the thread, that would be best, but here goes:

Fish Extenders (FE) came about from the little stateroom mail holders on the outside of each stateroom door. They are shaped like fish. One of the fun things that DCL cruisers do is to make what are called 'Fish Extenders' and hang them from the "Fish" on the outside of your stateroom door. Then someone usually organizes a FE exchange where cruisers put little gifts in each others FE's. It's quite fun.

 

[tidefan]

Showing it probably explains it better...

 

[Liz Arjay]

Is anyone brave enough to be in charge of the Fish Extender group? I am not, but promise to deliver an extra special stateroom gift to the person who is! We would definitely like to do FE. It is always a highlight of our trip - delivering to the rooms and being forced to roam all the floors, and admiring everyone's FE's and door magnets. And love the excitement of finding a treat waiting at my door - no matter how small or trivial!
Liz

 

[decked out]

Showing it probably explains it better...

Yes that is an FE. We have also used Christmas stockings, tote bags... Whatever works!

 

[tiffrobyn]

I did my online check-in this morning and scored Palo dinner! Yeah!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Is anyone brave enough to be in charge of the Fish Extender group? I am not, but promise to deliver an extra special stateroom gift to the person who is! We would definitely like to do FE. It is always a highlight of our trip - delivering to the rooms and being forced to roam all the floors, and admiring everyone's FE's and door magnets. And love the excitement of finding a treat waiting at my door - no matter how small or trivial!
Liz

Hi Liz! Not me - sorry! We are actually passing on the FE for this cruise. I know how fun they are so I hope you get a taker soon!

I did my online check-in this morning and scored Palo dinner! Yeah!

Good for you!! It's so fun to check in and really count down!

Did any of you watch the Magic sail into Port Canaveral yesterday? I did and was squealing the whole time. So very cool and so very exciting! I've wanted to sail on the Magic for awhile (will complete my Grand Slam) and it's just getting closer and closer!

Have a great weekend,
Heather

 

[morvarm]

Hello everyone,
I just booked this cruise today. With the MLK holiday it works out great for us. It will be me (Rachel), DH (George), DD(Anna -7), and DS (Max-5). This will be our 5th disney cruise and with our cruise on Fantasy in June we will have a grand slam! We have never sailed on Magic on magic before. I feel so bad for everyone displaced by today's cancelled cruise. I would love to meet up with anyone with kids around the same age or anyone else! I always enjoy how friendly people are on cruises! I really look forward to getting to know you!
Rachel

 

[hoffkm]

We're in for this cruise- myself (Kurt), DW (Michelle) and DD (Carisa). This will be our first Disney cruise but second cruise overall. We took a Carnival cruise last year for New Years on the Fantasy and LOVED IT! We are now officially hooked on "cruisin" and are really looking forward to see how Disney does it. With the wonderful time we had during our weeklong trip to Disney World of few years ago I am anticipating a good trip. We are also doing two nights at DW before the cruise with one day "hoppin the parks" (probably visit Epcot or Hollywood Studies and Magic Kingdom). January cannot get here soon enough. I already have gathered a wealth of information off of this site and appreciate everyone's indirect help to fellow cruisers!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Hello everyone,
I just booked this cruise today. With the MLK holiday it works out great for us. It will be me (Rachel), DH (George), DD(Anna -7), and DS (Max-5). This will be our 5th disney cruise and with our cruise on Fantasy in June we will have a grand slam! We have never sailed on Magic on magic before. I feel so bad for everyone displaced by today's cancelled cruise. I would love to meet up with anyone with kids around the same age or anyone else! I always enjoy how friendly people are on cruises! I really look forward to getting to know you!
Rachel

We're in for this cruise- myself (Kurt), DW (Michelle) and DD (Carisa). This will be our first Disney cruise but second cruise overall. We took a Carnival cruise last year for New Years on the Fantasy and LOVED IT! We are now officially hooked on "cruisin" and are really looking forward to see how Disney does it. With the wonderful time we had during our weeklong trip to Disney World of few years ago I am anticipating a good trip. We are also doing two nights at DW before the cruise with one day "hoppin the parks" (probably visit Epcot or Hollywood Studies and Magic Kingdom). January cannot get here soon enough. I already have gathered a wealth of information off of this site and appreciate everyone's indirect help to fellow cruisers!

Welcome to you both!!

We are getting closer and closer We are also very excited!!

Heather

 

[decked out]

We're in for this cruise- myself (Kurt), DW (Michelle) and DD (Carisa). This will be our first Disney cruise but second cruise overall. We took a Carnival cruise last year for New Years on the Fantasy and LOVED IT! We are now officially hooked on "cruisin" and are really looking forward to see how Disney does it. With the wonderful time we had during our weeklong trip to Disney World of few years ago I am anticipating a good trip. We are also doing two nights at DW before the cruise with one day "hoppin the parks" (probably visit Epcot or Hollywood Studies and Magic Kingdom). January cannot get here soon enough. I already have gathered a wealth of information off of this site and appreciate everyone's indirect help to fellow cruisers!

Welcome! If you like Carnival, you should be blown away by Disney. No other cruise line comes close in terms of delivering magic and making your dreams come true. Plus, you can bring your own adult beverages on board. The only requirements are that you carry them on the ship (not in checked bags) and the containers be new/unopened. People who are used to cruising on other lines sometimes miss out on this opportunity.

 

[decked out]

Is anyone brave enough to be in charge of the Fish Extender group? I am not, but promise to deliver an extra special stateroom gift to the person who is! We would definitely like to do FE. It is always a highlight of our trip - delivering to the rooms and being forced to roam all the floors, and admiring everyone's FE's and door magnets. And love the excitement of finding a treat waiting at my door - no matter how small or trivial!
Liz

I will take FE gift exchange to the Bahamas though I do not know the way... Already looking forward to my extra special stateroom gift!

Please allow me to do a bit of legwork to make sure I get the details right. Check back soon for my post with instructions for those who would like to participate in the 1/17/14 Magic Bahamas cruise Fish Extender Gift Exchange!

 

[morvarm]

Is there a brunch at palo on our sailing? When I check our sea day it shows sold out. But I thought it was only for sailings of 4 nights or longer.

 

[gatormatt]

Is there a brunch at palo on our sailing? When I check our sea day it shows sold out. But I thought it was only for sailings of 4 nights or longer.

Yes there is a brunch for the day at sea. See if you can get on the waiting list. 3 day cruises normally don't have a day at sea.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Is there a brunch at palo on our sailing? When I check our sea day it shows sold out. But I thought it was only for sailings of 4 nights or longer.

Yep, indeed it's sold out already. I'm Gold and I do remember seeing the times when I checked in and since we do have a Sea Day there is a brunch. I'm surprised it's gone this fast, however since the ship itself isn't nearly sold out based on reviewing and watching cruisefish. I hope you get it

Yes there is a brunch for the day at sea. See if you can get on the waiting list. 3 day cruises normally don't have a day at sea.

I'd do exactly ^^ this if you really want to go. I've understood they hold back almost half the reservations for people while on board to book.

Heather

 

[morvarm]

Man, that's what I get for booking late! Thanks for the info. I will keep checking online and if nothing pops open I will check when I board.

 

[gatormatt]

I think the brunch filled up so fast because so many people didn't want to miss out on eating at the redesigned Animator's Palate or Carioca's. That was our thinking for booking brunch over dinner.

12 weeks and 1 day the Magic begins!!