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

[Granny Hawkins]

The one thing I do have planned for me this go round is eating escargot(I was too chicken last trip) and staying hydrated.

I ended up in the ER the morning after our last trip and had to have fluids.

I "thought" I was drinking more than enough water but guess not.

I will also not hesitate to go to the medical center onboard if I start to feel the least bit like I did last year. I know now not to "shrug" it off until I get home. The whole ER thing could have possibly been prevented.

My doctor told me last week to drink drink drink water and then drink some more water and to eat fruits and veggies that would supply water to my system. Also said for every alcoholic beverage to drink at least 2 glasses of water.

 

[ManMeyCrew]

Just an FYI for anyone that is military or knows someone who is military...
Disney doesn't really advertise it's military deals well. They do offer military discounts on some cruises (mostly 7-day ones). They can be up to 50% off. A military ID card holder can get the deal on up to three rooms. Room cats are limited.
They are also offering free 5-day park passes to military and up to 5 additional 5-day passes for family/friends for $99 each. Can't beat that with a stick!

So, who is interested in FE exchanges?

 

[5MouseFans]

I just want to make everyone aware that AAA has some excellent rates for this cruise. We were originally booked for this cruise with another TA for $6500 for a CAT 9. We now have a CAT 4 for $4800. That is for me, DH, DS9 and DS6. We have 2 other rooms in our group and they were able to use my discount. That CAT 4 with the other TA would have been over $10,500.

If you want to know more you can check the "Just booked Kid 17 and under sail free" thread. My first post was 4/16/09 at 6:01 pm.

I hope some people are able to take advantage of this deal.

We just did the same thing and each family saved $2200 and went from a CAT 10 to a CAT 4. WHAT A DEAL!!! For those of you who haven't made your final payment...check out AAA.

As for excursions, so far we have booked an independent private sailboat in Grand Cayman to Stingray City. We want an activity in Cozumel that includes the ruins and maybe some beach time.

Has anyone been to Margaritaville in Key West? I think the dad's and older kids are going deep sea fishing.

Does anyone know what DCL does for those celebrating birthdays? My son is turning 4 on July 14th.

 

[patsal]

OK, finally I am all set, I am not going to cancel and I am all reserved for my excursions, Palo, etc. I have to get on the FE list, so I will get to that later tonight or tomorrow.

 

[Turn96]

5MOUSEFANS

My son turned 2 on our last Disney Cruise in 2004 and the servers gave him a cake and pin during dinner and sang Happy Birthday. I made a sign for our door and I also purchased a gift basket to be left in our room that day.

I am so glad you were able to get the AAA promo. I didn't have any issues when I reserved our rooms. I feel terrible that everyone is having such a difficult time.

 

[patsal]

Now I am finally feeling like it is real! I can't wait to get out of the cold--saw a few snowflakes again this morning and I am just so sick of the cold!

GrannyHawkins--don't chicken out on the escargot--DD has always been very adventurous with her food choices and she was the one who got me to try it a few years ago--I think she was 10 at the time--not all that bad and I am glad to have had the experience. Depending on how they are cooked I would have them again--I like them in the tiny little hollowed out bread with garlic!

5Mousefans
They brought DH a cake, and a certificate and sang Happy B-day to him. It was a nice touch--they even set the cake up for us to take back to the stateroom as we had late dining on our last cruise.

How many are doing the FE's?

 

[Granny Hawkins]

DD had it last trip and said it was good. Matter of fact she ate it all,so it must have been good.

We are trying to convince ourselves we cannot start packing already.

 

[TexDisneyMom]

We are trying to convince ourselves we cannot start packing already.

That is too funny! We just discussed this and set a time for when we could start packing. We said 15 days out! Nothing like being 78 days away from a trip and to want to start packing already!!!

 

[Special K's Mom]

......at least I can go ahead and start making our magnets for our stateroom door!!!

.....and I do have a trip to HHI Memorial Day weekend to look forward to between now and then!!!

 

[TexDisneyMom]

I now have all of our rooms reserved. We are staying at the Hyatt at MCO Friday night before the cruise and at Port Orleans French Quarter the Saturday after the crusie.

last thing to do is to get airline tickets...........

 

[Special K's Mom]

I now have all of our rooms reserved. We are staying at the Hyatt at MCO Friday night before the cruise and at Port Orleans French Quarter the Saturday after the crusie.

last thing to do is to get airline tickets...........

Hope you find a good one! We fly in from ATL Saturday AM, so we don't need hotel reservations.....just cooperation for an "on-time" flight!

78 more days!! 78 more days!! 78 more days!!

 

[Special K's Mom]

.....The magnets for our stateroom door have been made - the kids insisted that I display them on the refrigerator - so we have a daily reminder of what is to come!!! (DD wanted me to put them on the car until she realized they may disappear!)

.......DD the PICKY eater has promised to try something different every day! This will be a MAJOR accomplishment so we will see if it really happens. DS is no issue - he will eat anything that doesn't eat him first!

......Shore excursions were booked last week. We will not do Palo - no reason for me and Mom to have a "romantic dinner" -

.......more to follow I am sure!!!

 

[Special K's Mom]

DD had it last trip and said it was good. Matter of fact she ate it all,so it must have been good..

Except for you telling the kids "what" I was eating and both of them going "EWWWW" the entire time!!

But it WAS Yummy and I will have it again if it is an option!!!

 

[mckster]

First time Disney Cruiser needing a little advice picking excursions. We have picked our excursions for Grand Cayman and Cozumel but not sure what to do in Key West and Castaway Cay.........sorta.

In Castaway Cay I really want to the do parasailing but I don't want the whole day planned around it. How do they set up the parasailing and can we do other things before and/or after that excursion?

In Key West I really don't have a clue what to do. The only thing I can think of is walking around town. I do however want to snorkle and this or Castaway Cay may will be our only places.

In Cozumel were doing the Tulum Ruins and in Grand Cayman were doing the Dolphin Extreme Swim and Turtle Farm.

Any advice is appreciated. I'm really trying to make this an awesome trip for our family.

 

[ManMeyCrew]

Quick question - when I register my daughters for the Oceaneer's club, do I have to reserve specific times they will be in there, or is it an open registration and they can come and go as they please?
Thanks.

 

[Special K's Mom]

First time Disney Cruiser needing a little advice picking excursions. We have picked our excursions for Grand Cayman and Cozumel but not sure what to do in Key West and Castaway Cay.........sorta.

In Castaway Cay I really want to the do parasailing but I don't want the whole day planned around it. How do they set up the parasailing and can we do other things before and/or after that excursion?

In Key West I really don't have a clue what to do. The only thing I can think of is walking around town. I do however want to snorkle and this or Castaway Cay may will be our only places.

In Cozumel were doing the Tulum Ruins and in Grand Cayman were doing the Dolphin Extreme Swim and Turtle Farm.

Any advice is appreciated. I'm really trying to make this an awesome trip for our family.

My DD(8) and I are signed up to do the parasailing at CC - it is a 1 hour excursion so it should not take up much of your day at all! We are going at 9:30AM to do that first then head over to the island!

We too have no plans at Key West except explore! We are going to do the Train Tour on our own (not the DCL excursion) - because you can get on and off the trolley and use it as long as you like. We will just check out whichever spots seem to catch our interest!

I personally would not schedule more than 1 excursion daily - just to give you more time to explore and/or relax and not have to worry too much about a time schedule......'cept of course that one to get back on the boat!!!

Hope to see you in July!!

 

[Special K's Mom]

Quick question - when I register my daughters for the Oceaneer's club, do I have to reserve specific times they will be in there, or is it an open registration and they can come and go as they please?
Thanks.

Registration will register your children for the entire trip. (Except Flounder's Nursery if that applies) - You check the children in and out whenever you wish. You will receive a pager at the terminal that the CM in the club will use to page you if you are needed or when your child is ready to leave. If they are 8 or older you do have the ability to allow them to check themselves in and out of the club if you want to. This is part on the online registration info you complete prior to the cruise.

Hope this helps - and hope to see you in July!!!

 

[tink9876]

Me, my husband and my DS8, DD6 will be sailing with all of you. A little late to the planning, not sure where to begin. Just paid for trip now, and awaiting next instructions....

We wen to the world last summer for two weeks, stayed at AKL best vacation of a lifetime, thus the cruise this year....

Any suggestions where to begin?

Thanks

 

[Special K's Mom]

Me, my husband and my DS8, DD6 will be sailing with all of you. A little late to the planning, not sure where to begin. Just paid for trip now, and awaiting next instructions....

We wen to the world last summer for two weeks, stayed at AKL best vacation of a lifetime, thus the cruise this year....

Any suggestions where to begin?

Thanks

Glad to have you joining us! I just learned about this board myself last week......not so sure how much help I am since I am just learning too!

For instance....I have just found out about fish extenders or FE as you will see them referred to on the DISboards!.....It is an organizer type hanging that hangs over the fish outside your stateroom door. "Crafty little personalized thing" - you can then sign up to be part of the FE exchange and you essentially swap gifts with others during our cruise. Here is a link that may help you a little more...... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607 - Check back through the thread for our cruise and you will find the contact info for the organizer of our FE exchange if you are interested. (Gofenmom)

Check out the main Disney Cruise Line Forum page and you will find all sorts of info! (Careful - it is addicitive!) There is a link on that page for FAQ also -and even a link to help you out with all of the abbreviations.

Register the kids for the Kids Clubs!

Book your excursions as soon as you can. Everyone raves of Palo- I hear it is PERFECT!! I have never done it as DH passed away 4 years ago, so I travel with my Mom and my children (DD8 and DS5) - no romance required!! (We may do high tea if an opening becomes available though!)

It's best to start planning and organizing, but.....DO NOT overplan to the point you stress out over it - it is your MAGICal vacation after all!!!


Enjoy and Have Fun!!! Hope to see you in July!!

and again......

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Me, my husband and my DS8, DD6 will be sailing with all of you. A little late to the planning, not sure where to begin. Just paid for trip now, and awaiting next instructions....

We wen to the world last summer for two weeks, stayed at AKL best vacation of a lifetime, thus the cruise this year....

Any suggestions where to begin?

Thanks

Howdy and welcome aboard…

Since you’re already “cursing” these boards, your going to pick up a lot of good info just browsing the various threads. I don’t post all that often (although I may have to change my stance on that) but me and my DH both read through the boards pretty much daily.

My first suggestion would be to agree with “Special K's Mom”: Do not over plan, or you’ll forget to have fun. The ports of call are all interesting, but just being on a DCL ship is an adventure in its self. The entire crew will do their best to make every moment memorable.

Second, if you have time, try to take part in some of the family games and contests on board (every thing from trivia to vegetable-car races). Your kids are just the right age for a lot of these. There are a number of threads that show images of the daily ship's newsletters from previous cruses that will give you a good idea of the schedules and events offered.

Third, to get a really good overview of every thing Disney on the Magic and Wonder, here’s a fantastic book: “PassPorter Disney Cruise Line and Its Ports of Call”. I believe that there is a new edition for 2009 and I know you can fine it on Amazon.

Again, glad to have you along, but be warned, a DCL cruise can be just as addictive as a stay at their resorts. Once you’ve done one, you’ll be back (and I hope to be going along with you on that one as well).

See you in July!!