January 31, 2009--St, Croix/St. Thomas

[guynwdm]

I was checking out the excursions today and they still for the most part all seem available. Even the dolphins were still open. Usually those are the first to go. Anyone doing the St Croix Mini boat excursion? It looks like a blast and boats similar to the water sprites at WDW. I have done something similar in Belize but wondered how it was in St. Croix. I have my underwater case laid out with my camera ready to snap away. Only 25 days now!!

 

[LynnF0513]

guy: I noticed that a lot of the excursions were still available as well. I thought this was kind of odd considering Disney usually sails full (from what I have read).

I thought about buying a waterproof case for my camera but I am scared to death it would leak and ruin my camera. Have you ever used the case before? I wanted to be able to use my new digital to take snorkeling pics but I don't know if it's worth the chance.

 

[guynwdm]

I have a canon powershot camera and purchased the case that the company makes for it. It works great and I have not had a problem with it at all. When I replaced my camera I had to get a new case and did not think twice about doing it again. When I figured how much I spent in disposable cameras with the hassle of getting them through security without wiping them out and having enough space for all the pics I wanted to take, I found it was just as cost effective. I usually wind up taking about 100 to 150 pictures when snorkeling that way I am sure something will turn out well and those fish never hold still. The key to them is making sure you have a tight seal, use the grease that comes with it to lubricate the gasket ring and make sure you do not get sand in the seal when loading your camera in the case. That grit is what causes the leaks. Once you have the case sealed up it is good and I find that I can use it on the beach as well and not worry about getting sand in my camera and messing it up that way. I bought it on the internet since there were no places in Des Moines that carried them. (imagine that, underwater camera cases are not popular in Iowa, go figure. LOL) I first looked at a case in a camera shop in St Thomas and if I had been smart I would have bought it there, they had a very good price and showed me how to use it.

 

[LynnF0513]

Interesting! I have a canon powershot as well. I love it! Since it seems to work great for you I might give it a go. It would save on having to buy disposables and I am sure will take much better pics. Thanks for the 411.

 

[Maureen9943]

Hi All,

Just found this site last night. Thanks for sharing, it has been very helpful. We are looking forward to our first-time on a Disney cruise! I will be with my DH and DS (10 years). We took our son to DW when he turned five and have decided to do the cruise for his 10th birthday. I have a few questions:

* What was the 4/3 special that people were discussing a few weeks back?

* We have some English pounds, do you know if we can use on the islands?

* I had read somewhere that the formal nights are optional. Is that true?

We can't wait!

 

[guynwdm]

Disney is currently offering for WDW a package if you buy 4 nights you get three additional nights. That includes whatever you have in your package, park tickets, meal plan etc. That has been extended into the end of June now.

I am not sure what currency the islands take. I have had dollars and not had a problem at all. I am not sure what they would do with pounds. they might take and give US or the local currency back.

Formal night is optional. Some people like to dress up and some just wear the corporate casual look they wear every night to the dining room.

You will have a great time and your son will love the kids activities. I wish I could do some of them.

 

[guynwdm]

Interesting! I have a canon powershot as well. I love it! Since it seems to work great for you I might give it a go. It would save on having to buy disposables and I am sure will take much better pics. Thanks for the 411.

If you want we can meet up on the ship and show you how my case works. It's amazing how it all works. I have an underwater shutter setting on my camera as well. It works great!

 

[Maureen9943]

Thanks for the info! We are going to be doing the St Croix Mini boat excursion too.

 

[LynnF0513]

I would love to see how it works. I believe mine has an underwater setting as well. In fact...I just checked and I have an aquarium and underwater setting. I have the SD870 IS which has all kinds of neat settings on it. Does the underwater setting give pretty clear pics?

 

[guynwdm]

The underwater setting does great. It takes into account better the lighting and the movement. I am finding the aquarium setting to be great for taking a picture of anything behind glass. I used it for a bus tour taking pictures through the window. Drop me an email and we can geek out over our cameras. lol



And now back to the cruise thread.

 

[skrause]

The dressed I picked out from Davids bridal was a strapless ball gown. I hope thats not overdressing for the formal night. Other then that most of our shopping is done. Im ready to go.

 

[Maureen9943]

The gown sounds beautiful!

Does anyone have recommendations on where to dine at Magic Kingdom? We will be at the park for one day before the cruise and was hoping for a nice place to dine for dinner and maybe breakfast. It has been about 5 years since we were there last. Also, if I remember correctly there is not any wine/beer in the MK.

I would prefer to go to Epcot for dinner but I don't want to pay for the pass since we will be all day at Magic Kingdom.

Thanks!

 

[guynwdm]

There is not much for sit down dining at MK. You are right there is no alcohol in the MK and it tends to be more of counter service. I have done the character dining at Crystal Palace and it was good for buffet. I know the character dining in liberty square does not have characters anymore. You might want to hop on the monorail and try one of the resorts. People swear by the tonga toast at the poly for breakfast. I have eaten at the new place in the contemporary and it was good as well (wave I think the name is)

 

[Maureen9943]

Thanks, all good ideas. I hadn't thought about going to one of the hotels.

I had also read that Fulton’s Crab House in Downtown Disney is good.

Has anyone been there?

 

[LynnF0513]

skrause ~ It sounds beautiful. Don't worry about being overdressed. It's your dinner and your dress so go to the 9's if you want to. As far as packing etc. I still have a ton of stuff to get. DH and I decided to spend the entire weekend getting everything we need and being done with it.

Maureen ~ If you can get reservations Tony's is nice. It's modeled after Lady and the Tramp and food is good. As far as breakfast I can't help you there. I have always eaten while at the resort. DH and I ate at Fulton's in August (for the second time) and while the first time was great this last time was lacking to say the least (IMHO). DH had steak and I had scallops. DH's steak was way overcooked and had no seasoning and my scallops were chewy like they had been cooked, left, and then tossed in the microwave. Plus for the price there wasn't much to it. I am hoping this was a one time incident b/c I loved Fulton's the first time. We dined in November 07 for lunch (on our anniversary) and it was wonderful.

 

[skrause]

Thanks for everyones reply's. Im so excited im ready to go now. We booked the dolphin excursion but that is all. I dont want to fill up are days with continous running no time to relax. The other thing I was questioning is prescription pills do they need to be in there indivdual bottles or does it matter. Well this weekend I have my sister;s bridal/bachlorette parties to host. THen I am free to pack and make sure everything is in order. I last question do the rooms have coffee pots or hairdryers in them?

 

[WDdaughter]

Thanks for everyones reply's. Im so excited im ready to go now. We booked the dolphin excursion but that is all. I dont want to fill up are days with continous running no time to relax. The other thing I was questioning is prescription pills do they need to be in there indivdual bottles or does it matter. Well this weekend I have my sister;s bridal/bachlorette parties to host. THen I am free to pack and make sure everything is in order. I last question do the rooms have coffee pots or hairdryers in them?

Prescriptions must be in labeled prescription bottles. Having said that, we always pour ours into a pill dispenser and bring the bottles and we've never had problems. No coffee pot, not needed. Just call room service anytime you want a coffee or go to the drink station on deck 9, everything you need is there. It's always a good excuse for us to get a little exercise. There is a hair dryer in the bathroom, it gets very hot, bring an oven mitt, it gets too hot to hold very quickly.

 

[WDdaughter]

Anybody receive cruise documents yet? Should be soon

 

[CanadianDisneyDad]

Hello from Calgary - we'll be onboard January 31 for our first ever cruise!

Our family is Nigel & Cindi and our two daughters 11 and 8.

We've been reading this thread and sorry we missed the date for the magnet exchange but we'll definitely make our own for our door at least.

We booked an Eco hike in St. Croix and the Buck Island Catamaran and Snorkel in St. John/St. Thomas.

Now if we could just make time go faster so we can get on that plane......

 

[guynwdm]

Welcome aboard!!

This is great spot to get ideas and your questions answered. I am amazed at all the stuff I learn (usually I am just a lurker and it is boredom at work that is getting me to post so much l )