July 11 - 18 "Magic" Cruise to the Western Caribbean

[mom2mizmous]

DID they make it right yet?

Maybe they will just give you a "full verandah" cat 6 with the girls across the hall

We have a full for this cruise. Room 6632 because our "Brett & Chrissy Suite" 6634 (secret verandah cat 7) was only available for one of the 2 weeks we will be onboard. We did not want to change rooms so took the room next door.
Deck 6 in this area is our favorite! Come down a deck & join us!
We had deck 7 for the EB Repo. I did not notice a difference in noise or movement or anything.

BTW Everyone- We need a "logo" for our cruise. Is there one I have not seen here yet?

Thanks for asking! Yes we did hear back and they did make us an offer of deck 6. It is a long story, but let's just say the attitude of the Disney reprentative we spoke to was very undisney-like. She never called me back as promised until I called her , and when she did it was very cold and businesslike -kinda take it or leave it attitude. It was her attitude that upset us more than the offer (if we knew you guys were possible neighbors , we probably would have been much happier, but at the time the cold treatment we got from DCL just upset us more.) It looks like we may be neighbors, I think we are in staterooms 61 something (I forget what exactly now) on deck 6 . I did write a letter to DCL expressing how upset we were at how this was handled- accidents happen and although we were intially upset that the problem arose, it was the way it was handled in the end that was the most disappointing. I know it was only a stateroom, but we had chosen this particular cruise many months ago in part because that stateroom on that particular deck was available . I agree deck 6 is great, but we were so looking forward to our stay on deck 7. But with wonderful DIS neighbors like you , I'm sure we will have a great trip.

 

[mom2missmous]

Well everyone, it looks like Disney has helped us to straighten out our cabin problems to the best of their abilities (after all, they can't manufacture new cabins lol . So after a discussion with a wonderful disney rep( in reply to a letter we wrote) , it looks like we have worked out a new "home' for us. It is not in the area of the ship we wanted to be, but it is on the deck we wanted, so we decided to give it a try- who knows, maybe we will find a new favorite? Thanks again all for your support. Sooo... on another topic, it is snowing here AGAIN , anyone else besides me dreaming of warm weather and the beautiful beaches at CC??

 

[patsal]

Well everyone, it looks like Disney has helped us to straighten out our cabin problems to the best of their abilities (after all, they can't manufacture new cabins lol . So after a discussion with a wonderful disney rep( in reply to a letter we wrote) , it looks like we have worked out a new "home' for us. It is not in the area of the ship we wanted to be, but it is on the deck we wanted, so we decided to give it a try- who knows, maybe we will find a new favorite? Thanks again all for your support. Sooo... on another topic, it is snowing here AGAIN , anyone else besides me dreaming of warm weather and the beautiful beaches at CC??

So glad it worked in a way you will be satisfied with. Snowing, cold and blustery here as well and oh yes, we are dreaming of tropical climates and sunshine!

 

[VacationKicks]

I haven't been on these boards lately but we've past the 180 day mark, finally less than 6 months left! Has anyone given thought to what excursions they'll go on? Castaway club members can book at 60 days out, correct? We were thinking of swimming with dolphins in Cozemal(sp?), maybe stingrays in Grand Cayman and going on our own in Key West.

mom2missmouse - Glad you had your stateroom issue resolved.

By the way, it is 9 degrees here right now! Brrrr

 

[patsal]

Key West on our own
Caymen the kids have mentioned the turtle farm
Cozumel the kids have asked to do something with the ruins
Castaway Cay I think we will be doing the stingray feed (we were supposed to do that in April 2008, but we never made it into CC because of the way too choppy waters)

 

[gofenmom]

I finally have the time to post. Great seeing that there are others cruising. It has been a busy fall and winter. DM (83 years old) was in the hospital for a week in the fall. She seems to be doing fine now - but I can tell she is getting older and she gets mad at herself because she can't do as much as she wants..

Can't believe that we have a little over 5 months until we sail. One of my friends at school just got back from the 7 day Eastern on the Magic and is suffering from PDD. Says her husband keeps looking for the buffet.....

DS just sent off his application for a passport and DD just got hers back with her married name. DSGF has cruised on other ships so she is set. (I keep telling her I don’t think the Magic is a party boat like the ones she has cruised on before.) More people maybe joining our group. A friend of my DD and DSL just emailed me that her husband finally agreed to cruise. (Their first cruise, too.) I'm the veteran with one cruise under my life jacket.

Just starting to look at excursions:
Key West - DSL has been to Key West so he is in charge of this port. He says there are several drinking establishments he wants show us. As far as Grand Cayman and Cozumel some want to zip-line, others want to ride the horses, take out jeeps, or cruise to see rays and turtles. Who knows what we'll do.

DD is busy reading posts on the DIS and making door signs. DS is looking at Pirate costumes…he found a costume – he’ll be a 6”5” ghost pirate and his DGF is 5’ – she hasn’t picked a costume yet. DSL is wearing a pirate T-Shirt…..

What dinner seating did everyone request? We have second seating – which will be great for us. Hoping to get 8:00. Is anyone coming in before Saturday?

 

[mom2mizmous]

Welcome back Gofenmom! Lots of pixie dust for your DM! I know what you mean about being busy, I can't believe it will be Feb. tomorrow! Our little group isn't really planning on excusions at this time, we would like to just wander around the ports on our own then go back and enjoy our beautiful ship . But who knows, we might change our minds- lol! We are arriving in Fla. a couple days early- planning on flying in on Thursday morning. We are already booked at BVC ( we are DVC members so was nice to have pre-paid rooms). I know I can't wait for our cruise, snow days are nice (I teach and the break is welcome now and then),but I think we have had enough for this year lol.

 

[gofenmom]

Wow, I teach fourth grade or should I say at least I will teach 4th grade for 4more months, since I’m planning on retiring this June after 33 1/2 years ..I still love every day with the kids and hope I am making the right decision. But I need to be free to take care of my mom when she isn’t feeling well and since she loves to travel it will be a perfect time to do small trips with her. Thought I’d start with a cruise up into New England and Eastern Canada – close to land… then maybe she will venture onto the Magic.

I teach in a wonderful district with very supportive parents and super kids. Since I started years and years ago my district has grown from 1 HS, 1MS, and 2 Elem schools… Now we have 2 HS, 3 MS, 6 Elem schools and 3 Early Childhood centers with plans for another HS and Elem school within 2 years… DE has separate school districts not districts that cover the entire county. WE only have three counties but just in my county there are 6 school districts.

It is going to be so hard to leave – I have always taught with my best friend (she is ten years younger and has 5 more years until retirement. )For the last 15 years or so we have shared around 60 students each year. I teach the Math, Science and DE History (as I tell her – the best subjects). She picks up Literacy and the rest of the Social Studies Units. To add to the confusion of retiring they are completely redoing my school starting the last teacher day. Everyone has to be packed and OUT that day. Get real. Do they know how long it takes to pack and say good bye to my room? Teachers will usually take any freebies… BUT – “Who will want all of my Treasures that I’ve kept/collected/horded over the last 33 years…since everyone has to pack and take ALL personal items home.” At least my student teacher this session has said she’ll take anything I’m giving away. Keep kidding my principal that I’m retiring a week before the last day so someone can pack my room….LOL
So this cruise is going to be my retirement celebration. I’ll be sitting on the veranda making lists of things I can do with all my free time……

 

[Monstro]

Hey! We're on this cruise. I checked a while back and didn;t see a thread so i assumed there wasn't one. Any way we're a pretty big party of 7. Me, My wife Ann, my three girls 21, 16, & 14. My DM and DF who will be first time cruisers. We also have friends from Georgia who will be on this cruise. We met them on our first cruise in 2002 and have been going on DCL cruises together ever since.

I made flight and hotel reservations today. It's getting close.

Jeff

 

[gofenmom]

Welcome.
More Cruisers –Yeah

You are ahead of us… We haven’t booked the flights or rooms. I am taking the Autotrain down since I’m following this cruise with a cruise in Alaska and leave from FL on the 19th. Packing summer clothes and colder weather clothes….oh my…. Hopefully the kids will have their bags packed and I can take some of them with me on the train saving on baggage fees. My Alaska cruising buddy asked us to stay with her in St. Cloud the night before our Disney cruise and will help drive us to the port in the morning. I’ll be leaving the colder weather clothes at her house.

It is so neat that you are cruising with friends you made years ago. As I said in the other posts, this is only my second cruise but I made many friends on the EB Panama Canal Cruise and plan on cruising with some of them in the Med and on the WB Transatlantic in 2010.

Since there are so few of us on this thread - I wonder if the cruise isn't full or if there are lots of first time cruisers...(people that haven't discovered the Dis).

 

[gofenmom]

Are we almost to three pages on the thread?

 

[gofenmom]

Where did everyone go?

 

[gofenmom]

Is is a bird, is it a plane NO it is Ares..

Notice on July 11th what is possible..
Date: July 11 +
Mission: Ares I-X Test Flight
Launch Vehicle: Ares I-X
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39B
Description: The Ares I-X test flight is NASA's first test flight for the Agency's new Constellation launch vehicle -- Ares I. The Ares I-X flight will provide NASA with an early opportunity to test and prove flight characteristics, hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I.

Wouldn't that be cool to see from the deck of the Magic?

Here is a link to NASA's scheduled launches.
http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

But if it is launched on the 11th... I wonder what the traffic will be like?
Georgiana

 

[mom2missmous]

Where did everyone go?

Well we are still here lol! school vacation this week so trying to catch up on a few things here. One of which is to figure out when I need to have cruise paid in full so we can make those palo ressies ( we have reas so we get to reserve early ) We already know which days we want to get if we can. We have all our pre and post cruise hotels set. We arrive at BCV on july 9 th and will return post cruise to VWL for a few days. Anyone else staying on property pre or post cruise? *** we are also taking DCL transportation to and from port despite our concerns about the lateness of arrival time, but we are too lazy to cart our own bags lol!

 

[mom2missmous]

Wow , if they are having a launch that would be cool as long as we can get to the ship. Hopefully since we are taking DCL transportation it will be their job to make sure we get there on time!!

 

[gofenmom]

DS and DGF want to come down early and spend a few days at AKL DVC before the cruise - since DGF has never been to Disney. DD plans to come down on the Autotrain with me - DSL will fly down Friday night and then both couples plan to spend Sat. and Sun. at AKL after the cruise - before flying home on Sunday.
Our children did not attend school last week since a bridge in our school district was closed for the week and part of our district would have had to travel miles around to attend the schools. Of course we had two in-service days and two days/nights for parent conferences - the great thing is that we had Friday off (comp day) and then Monday off so it was a 4 day weekend.
Sent a letter to HR letting them know that I'm retiring after 34 years of teaching. I have really mixed feelings since I still love teaching but our building is undergoing renovations and 1/2 of our population is attending a new school. Everyone has to pack up all personal materials and take them home for the summer and then in the fall move to a new room for 1/2 a year then in Jan. pack again to move to another room in the building - so I thought it was a good time to retire.
Hope everyone has a great day... off to school we go...
Georgiana

 

[VacationKicks]

We booked our flights! So now we are all booked except for excursions for the cruise and ADR's for the WDW portion. We fly down on the 10th, pick up 2 minivans, stay at shades of green, probably go to downtown disney, leave for port in the am, drop off vans board ship. Have a wonderful cruise with some excursions yet TBD. Leave ship, pick up 2 minivans, stop for some groceries, check into animal kingdom villas, drop off minivan, head to the World, flight home on the 25th.

So we still need to decide on excursions, I would like to swim with the dolphins and stingrays (captain marvins?) but not sure if we will. I am fine with booking our own excursions but the rest of our group is worried we'll get left behind if we don't book through DCL.

My DMIL and DFIL have a time share in Key West, they've gone every year for about 20 yrs, so they are in charge of that one. Their place said we could all come by and use the pool, kind of odd, but they want to show the grandkids their place so we will stop in.

gofenmom- Congrats on your decision to retire!
mom2missmouse - Good point about traffic, we'll have to leave extra time to get to the port.

 

[patsal]

Sorry, I've been away for a week. DH had a business trip to Spain and the kids and I had the week off--we up and followed him to Spain --I've put more planning into a three day weekend at WDW but what the heck, life's short! BTW it was amazing!
Anyway I am now back and just checked out the countdown timer--it is getting closer. I still have to book the airfare and the finalize my excursion plans--guess we'll need a family meeting to choose them!

 

[patsal]

DS and DGF want to come down early and spend a few days at AKL DVC before the cruise - since DGF has never been to Disney. DD plans to come down on the Autotrain with me - DSL will fly down Friday night and then both couples plan to spend Sat. and Sun. at AKL after the cruise - before flying home on Sunday.
Our children did not attend school last week since a bridge in our school district was closed for the week and part of our district would have had to travel miles around to attend the schools. Of course we had two in-service days and two days/nights for parent conferences - the great thing is that we had Friday off (comp day) and then Monday off so it was a 4 day weekend.
Sent a letter to HR letting them know that I'm retiring after 34 years of teaching. I have really mixed feelings since I still love teaching but our building is undergoing renovations and 1/2 of our population is attending a new school. Everyone has to pack up all personal materials and take them home for the summer and then in the fall move to a new room for 1/2 a year then in Jan. pack again to move to another room in the building - so I thought it was a good time to retire.
Hope everyone has a great day... off to school we go...
Georgiana

Congratulations on what I am sure was a difficult decision! Sounds like your timing is right--packing up a classroom several times in such a short period of time is a pain. I'm moving classrooms next year and I am already trying to pack as I go along to make it easier.

 

[patsal]

Well we are still here lol! school vacation this week so trying to catch up on a few things here. One of which is to figure out when I need to have cruise paid in full so we can make those palo ressies ( we have reas so we get to reserve early ) We already know which days we want to get if we can. We have all our pre and post cruise hotels set. We arrive at BCV on july 9 th and will return post cruise to VWL for a few days. Anyone else staying on property pre or post cruise? *** we are also taking DCL transportation to and from port despite our concerns about the lateness of arrival time, but we are too lazy to cart our own bags lol!

We'll be at OKW for 12 days prior to the cruise and I'm not sure yet for 1 day after the cruise! I am staying at the Radisson near the port the night before so we'll take the shuttle bus from there in the AM--oops another phone call I was supposed to make last week--man I have to get seriously cranking on this!