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

[Special K's Mom]

We will also be on this cruise. This will be our third Disney cruise but the first out of Port Canaveral. We have done the Mexican Rivera both times the Magic was on the west coast. We are really excited about this cruise and going to Castaway Cay. We are trying to keep it a secret from our DS 9 and DD 5. We will be spending time at WDW before the cruise and they think we are going home on the 11th. We can't wait to see their faces when we board the Disney Cruise transportation instead of ME.

Glad to see I am not the only crazy Mom that likes to add fun surprises into the vacation! I couldn't keep the whole cruise a secret but the DD (8) and DS (5) do not know we are flying and using DCL transportation - they think they have to ride in the car for 9 hours!! We have done DW as a total surprise 2 times- the looks on their faces are priceless and worth the effort!!

 

[Special K's Mom]

Hi,
Decided to start this thread since it seems this is the only sailing date in 2009 that has not been started. We hope there are others sailing with us..(or we might have the ship to overselves; )

It will be the first cruise for my kids (not kids any more - both are in their twenties):
Melissa DD and her husband (Scott)
Matt DS and his girlfriend (Michelle)
and Me - Georgiana (not any where close to twenty)

This is my second cruise - I jumped in with both feet and did the EB Panama Canal Cruise last August and now Love Cruising...

We were just wondering if there are other families on the boards that are doing this cruise and that might be interested in Fish Extender Gift Exchanges and other meets or things...

Could you explain to me what the Fish Extender exchange is? We are new to this! Thank you!

 

[Special K's Mom]

We got the fuel surcharge removed soon after they made the announcement. Just to throw this out there- any kids who will be 11, 9 or 6 on the cruise? Faith, Kaitlyn and Havilah would love to know!

My DD will be 8 1/2 at cruise time - she is begging me to find her a friend before we set sail. DS will be 5 1/2.

 

[VacationKicks]

I have not checked in here in a while, didn't get emails of all these new msgs. Lots of new dis'ers yeah!

You may want to call the rental car company to see if they will shuttle your two drivers to the port. You may be able to save on the cab fare.
When I called dollar to check, it was totally painless and prerecorded so I didnt' even have to talk to anyone!

I will check this out!

Prices are per mini van not total for 2, but here are some ideas.

I'm getting a regular mini van coming up prepaid from Budget for $100.48 with codeZ959200 (public code good for anyone) AIrport pick up at 10:30, drop off at port canaveral location for noon. 150 free miles each additional mile .25 cents. Didn't check for return data.

Dollar is coming up $80.74 same time perameters from MCO to Port Canaveral
with public code Z959200

Thrifty return to airport as per your 9am pick up and noon drop off via rental car mama's site port canaveral location to MCO $78.39

We are using National. I joined the emerald club free from some code I found online. If you search for discount rental codes, a lot come up. I tried all different combos. I also looked over on the transportation board on the dis there were codes there as well. I did book these vans back in Dec., (figured I could always cancel if need be), so rates may have gone up since then.

 

[VacationKicks]

Could you explain to me what the Fish Extender exchange is? We are new to this! Thank you!

A fish extender is usually a fabric hanging thing with several pockets that you attach the the fish outside your stateroom door. There are some for sale on ebay, most make them themselves, they can be simple or elaborate. (The fish is used by disney to give you messages.) So for the exchange, you would get a list of staterooms participating and you put a small gift in each of their fish extenders.

Hope that all made sense.

 

[patsal]

Just checking in to say Happy Easter and check to see if all CC members were able to book everything they wanted last night/this morning. Palo went fast for the Thursday seatings! I'm still not sure if I am going to keep the cruise or cancel, but it is nice to know my ducks are in a row if I decide to keep the cruise.

 

[Special K's Mom]

A fish extender is usually a fabric hanging thing with several pockets that you attach the the fish outside your stateroom door. There are some for sale on ebay, most make them themselves, they can be simple or elaborate. (The fish is used by disney to give you messages.) So for the exchange, you would get a list of staterooms participating and you put a small gift in each of their fish extenders.

Hope that all made sense.

Gotcha! Thanks for the info -
Sounds like fun - I am sure we would be glad to participate - and since "Crafty Granny" is going with I feel certain I can talk her into desigining ours!

 

[Special K's Mom]

Just checking in to say Happy Easter and check to see if all CC members were able to book everything they wanted last night/this morning. Palo went fast for the Thursday seatings! I'm still not sure if I am going to keep the cruise or cancel, but it is nice to know my ducks are in a row if I decide to keep the cruise.

I booked ours in the wee hours of the morning after the Easter Bunny came.

Not trying for Palo though - it's just me, Granny and the kids on the cruise!

 

[VacationKicks]

Just checking in to say Happy Easter and check to see if all CC members were able to book everything they wanted last night/this morning. Palo went fast for the Thursday seatings! I'm still not sure if I am going to keep the cruise or cancel, but it is nice to know my ducks are in a row if I decide to keep the cruise.

I was able to book our swim with the dolphins but the rest of the family aren't CC members so we hope they will be able to get the same time slot we they can book at 75 days. I did book Palo, for brunch on Thurs. 4 of us at 11 and 2 at 10:30 couldn't get us all in at the same time but we should be able to change that onboard.

 

[mom2mizmous]

Hi all! I'd like to add my welcome to all new cruisers! Like Vacationkicks, I have been a little out of touch with the boards lately (things have been crazy at school, got to stop putting in 10-12 hours days!lol). We did manage to book what we wanted at the 105 mark (REAS pkg) , but I need to go back and check to make sure they didnt get"lost" (I'm paranoid about such things!). We booked Palo brunch for our first sea day and Palo supper for Thursday (so DH can get his lobster with his steak in style-lol). We are not planning any excursions at this time. We hope to just wander around Key West (visit HR cafe, Magaritaville-DD and DH collect hats, tshirts and pins from these), see southernmost point and then whatever else we wander upon. Hopefully we don't get lost!!! The other two ports we just plan on quick on and off, visit same two places for the above items, then after a quick look around enjoy a somewhat less-crowded ship. We MIGHT consider a quick trip to a nearby beach on GC if that is possible, but except for CC, we are not "all day" beach people.

 

[Special K's Mom]

My DD will be 8 when we cruise - entering 3rd grade in the Fall - she is very interested in meeting a friend or two prior to and/or during the cruise. If anyone is interested, please let me know!

Also have DS age 5 - he could make friends too - just not able to communicate via email, etc just yet!

 

[Stayc]

Hey everyone. More Texas people coming your way! We just booked last week, so I have not had time to even think about reservations for Palo or excursions. It will be me, DH, DS(9) and DD(6), who actually turns 7 on July 11. If you see a little blond with curls and a birthday crown on, that's us! Any recommendations on what night to NOT book Palo? My DH's birthday is on July 13, so I was thinking about that, but I don't want to miss something good.

 

[ErinCJmom]

I am new to posting on these boards and just booked this 7 day cruise. I've read these boards many times before taking my kids to WDW but never posted. This will be our first cruise of any kind and we are soooo excited!! I've been hooked on reading all the posts here for the past couple days!! Once I mentioned to my DD (11) that she may be able to talk to some girls that will be on the cruise too she was even more excited!! If anyone is looking for someone for their daughter to talk to please PM us!! I also have a DS (9) who I'm sure would love a buddy too!!

I'm very excited to learn from all the expert advice here!! I've gotten to be a pro getting around WDW but this is a whole new ballgame!! I never thought I'd convince my DH to take a cruise but when we got the "kids sail free" offer....he loves a good deal and it totally made it work for us!!

Looking forward to chatting with you all!!
Chris (41)
DH Bill (45)
DD Erin (11)
DS Colin (9)

 

[Granny Hawkins]

I am really looking forward to the FE Swap.

Is anyone making up a list?

 

[ManMeyCrew]

Hi all. First time cruiser and DIS poster here. Excited about the cruise. I'm travelling with my DFi, DD 6, DD 5 and my parents. This cruise is my retirement present to my daughters for enduring military life until I retire in June. (OK - it's a retirement gift to myself too ) I want this to be a family cruise, but from all I've read/heard, will I be able to pull my DDs out of the kids clubs to join ME for some fun?

 

[Granny Hawkins]

Hi all. First time cruiser and DIS poster here. Excited about the cruise. I'm travelling with my DFi, DD 6, DD 5 and my parents. This cruise is my retirement present to my daughters for enduring military life until I retire in June. (OK - it's a retirement gift to myself too ) I want this to be a family cruise, but from all I've read/heard, will I be able to pull my DDs out of the kids clubs to join ME for some fun?[/QUOTE]



Oh....Definately!

They can "come and go" at will or at least ours did last year.

 

[Granny Hawkins]

Hi all. First time cruiser and DIS poster here. Excited about the cruise. I'm travelling with my DFi, DD 6, DD 5 and my parents. This cruise is my retirement present to my daughters for enduring military life until I retire in June. (OK - it's a retirement gift to myself too ) I want this to be a family cruise, but from all I've read/heard, will I be able to pull my DDs out of the kids clubs to join ME for some fun?[/QUOTE]


I'm sorry I think you meant because they would be having so much fun!

 

[gofenmom]

This is my first post - WOW - never even knew something like this existed!

We are counting down now....3 months from today!!!

This will be our 2nd Disney Cruise. Last year was July 27-31 on the Wonder. We are super excited about a 7 day Magic Cruise. I will be cruising with my Mom and my 2 kids - DD is 8 and DS is 5.

Welcome...this is my second cruise,too...but my kids have never cruised...They are quite a bit older than your children....We are under the three month mark... and picking up more families...

 

[gofenmom]

Hi all. First time cruiser and DIS poster here. Excited about the cruise. I'm travelling with my DFi, DD 6, DD 5 and my parents. This cruise is my retirement present to my daughters for enduring military life until I retire in June. (OK - it's a retirement gift to myself too ) I want this to be a family cruise, but from all I've read/heard, will I be able to pull my DDs out of the kids clubs to join ME for some fun?

This is also my present to myself celebrating my retirement in June. I'm bringing along my DD,DSL,DS and his DGF....No kid's club for them...think they have other clubs in mind So I'll be joining them for the fun....

Welcome aboard.....
Georgiana

 

[gofenmom]

Hey everyone. More Texas people coming your way! We just booked last week, so I have not had time to even think about reservations for Palo or excursions. It will be me, DH, DS(9) and DD(6), who actually turns 7 on July 11. If you see a little blond with curls and a birthday crown on, that's us! Any recommendations on what night to NOT book Palo? My DH's birthday is on July 13, so I was thinking about that, but I don't want to miss something good.

Delaware cruiser here....Welcome to our group...I booked last year and still wasn't ready when it was time to book the excursions and not sure I'm happy with our Palo dinner date and time.... I booked Palo on formal night...crazy I know but I didn't want to miss the other nights.. This is my second cruise and kids have never cruised..

Another July 11th birthday.... My DS's GF's birthday is also on July 11th...so we are celebrating it on the first night...She will a bit more than 7 more like 7X3+5
Several other cruisers have July birthdays...mine is July 8th so I'm picking a night to celebrate it....

Have you cruised before? Like I mentioned before this is only my second cruise.

This is information I gathered from the Disboards and it could be wrong…so someone correct me if it is incorrect…

Second sitting 8:00 8:15 8:30
Sat 11 P Island L French A Show
Sun 12 L French A Show P Island
Mon 13 A Formal P Formal L Formal
Tues 14 A Show P Island L French
Wed 15 P Pirate L Pirate A Pirate
Thurs 16 L Captain’s A Captain’s P Captain’s
Fri 17 A Till We Meet P Till We Meet L Till We Meet

I was talking to a Cruise Line rep and requested the 8 o’clock dining time – she led me to believe that they are trying out different things on the Magic and wasn’t sure when we cruise in July if there would be 3 different dining times…at each seating…Maybe we need to post a few questions on the main cruise board…


Again "Welcome aboard....."