JULY 8TH 2006 - Eastern Magic - 070806 - 07082006 - 20060708

[ljql_5969]

Hope everybody plans to go to the theme nights in Diversions for the adults. They are a blast!

I thought the theme nights sounded like fun. Anyone bringing their parachute pants for 80's night (just kidding) ? Remember those?

 

[K&Z Cruizers]

I *so* owned a pair of those.

 

[ljql_5969]

So did I! Black ones! And I thought I was soooo cool when I wore them!!

 

[MBFergie]

Happy Mother's Day! Hope all the moms had a great relaxing day!!

 

[ljql_5969]

This cruise is the main thing we all talked about on Sudnay while celebrating mother's day! Only 53 more days to go!!!

 

[disneycruiserjuly7th]

family of 5 from san diego . we got our bags packed and are ready. our kids are 7, 14 and
14

 

[disneycruiserjuly7th]

any ideas from any veterans on what excursions to do. or stuff to do on the ship or things to stay away from...

 

[MBFergie]

I take it the 14 year olds are twins...maybe friends...cousins. I have a 15 y/o daughter going and 10 y/o son. She was looking to chat with some other kids going on the cruise around her age.

We did the Golden Eagle Catamaran in St. Martin and loved it. Last year we did a speed boat in St. Thomas that took us over to St. John to snorkle..it was amazing!! We have also done our own cab to Megan's Bay, what a beautiful spot. This year we chartered a sailboat to take us out for 8 hours in St. Thomas/John.

On this ship we love bingo, shows, theme nights for adults, relaxing on deck 10 and reading on the chairs on deck 4. A bad day on the Magic is better then a great day at work!!

Welcome to the group!!

 

[ljql_5969]

Welcome to our group! We are first time Disney cruisers! Glad to have you join us!

 

[disneycruiserjuly7th]

ok I still have a lot of planning to do. we fly in on friday at 6pm... where should we spend the night... I am thinking cocoa beach and then in the morning go to space center for 3 to 4 hours then to ship... but how to get around? maybe rent a car(suv) for the 5 of us. on the ship what to do(excursions) with the ship guide or on our own tours...back to the port on saturday morning... rent a car to go??? somewhere... we fly back to san diego on monday at 2pm.maybe some beach or ? help...

 

[MBFergie]

1) Relax! Breath!

2) Alot of people stay at the Raddison night before. I've stayed there too. Very nice pool area. They have suites that will sleep 5. http://www.radisson.com/capecanaveralfl

3) Personally we like boarding ship as early as possible to start the vacation sooner so I would skip the Space Center, save till Saturday when you get off ship.

4) Pro of Disney Excursions: If you are late getting back the ship will wait for you. Con: Price is a little higher then booking on your own. If you check out site http://www.shoretrips.com/ its another service for booking on your own. If you are interested in a private sail or fishing boat I can get you info on that. This link is a great info on beaches in St. Thomas
http://www.usviguide.com/st._thomas...at_charters/st._thomas_day_sail_charters.html. Alot of great beaches! Also, where we dock there is a shopping area and a Cold Stone Creamery (it's a must stop for my DD, even though we have one here 1mi away). I highly recommend the Golden Eagle Catamaran in St. Martin. My kids still talk about it and that was 3 years ago. The snorkling was okay, the boat ride was a blast!!

5) Renting a car is a great option. If you stay at the Raddison you can take car back and the Avis I believe will shuttle you to the port. Since we live in FL we drive and never used Disney Transportation, but I hear it isn't cheap! With 5 probably cheaper for the car rental. Don't know if you like a beer or cocktail, if you do you can pick it up and bring on board with you. Great way to save some $$. DCL is okay with this.

6) For the time after the cruise. Check out Ron John Resort. Looks awesome!! http://www.ronjonresort.com/ I would go to Space Center when you get off the ship. There is always Disney or Universal too. We HATE the parks during the summer, but Universal is great if you stay at one of the onsite hotels (Hard Rock, Royal Pacific, Portofino..all Lowes Hotels). The hotel guest get to go in special quicker line for every ride by showing hotel key. Well worth the extra $ you may spend to stay there. If you give me an idea of what you are thinking for after the cruise I may have other ideas. There is a semi dude ranch around, fishing-lake or ocean, beautiful state parks, or shopping...whatever let me know.

7) Are you still relaxed and breathing?

 

[MBFergie]

one last thing...if you haven't booked anything for Palo I highly recommend at least the brunch, but dinner is awesome too. There is also high tea. The spa onboard is nice but pricey. You can book that in advance too.

When you have time just read over trip reports and the main board. You will get lots of ideas. www castawayclub com is a great site to check out. They have menus and the navigators posted (navigator is a paper given out the night before showing all activities for the following day). Remember that things may change on our actual cruise, but it will give you an idea of what will be going on. I ususally try to get one early from room steward and go over with my family at dinner. We decide what everybody wants to do.

hopefully i've helped ease your mind. you are gonna love it. Are the kids boys or girls?

 

[disneycruiserjuly7th]

I will be looking in to the info you mentioned. We are bringing our DS 14 his friend from school (DS+FFS? 14) and our DD 7. I know the boys want to go snorkling so I know thats available for them. My DD just wants to have fun...the idea of going to the space center was I figured we have a couple of hours in the begining to burn... I thought to use them at the space center... just to say I went there... I heard it is a neat place to go but I did not want to spend to much time there. Is Palo only for adults, no kids right?

 

[MBFergie]

Palo is 18 and older only. Food and service is awesome!

 

[ljql_5969]

Well, my family is getting together at my house this Monday for a family pow wow about the trip! They all wanted to talk about excursions, what everyone is packing, etc.

Can you believe we are only 43 days away?!!?

I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!

 

[linnied]

I cant wait I cant wait I cant wait

I was just doing the same thing. Going thru my list seeing what I need, what I have and were I have to go to get what I need.
I wish money grew on trees, like my kids think it does so I could just go out and get it all done and not think about the "hope I dont forget anything" details.

See you all in 42 days

 

[MBFergie]

I can't believe how hot it is in Florida! It is boiling out!! Just needed to vent.

Wow..time is really starting to fly. Pretty soon I will be in panic mode trying to pack. Boy do I wish I were an organized person. My goal this week is to go buy all new toilitries at Walmart for the trip, find over the door shoe holder and pop-up laundry basket from 2 years ago and get that all packed up.

 

[Wynn]

I think it is good to have things to do at this stage, maybe the time will go faster.

 

[ljql_5969]

It is hot and then rainy and then steamy hot up here. I just heard on the news that Hurricane season officially starts today! I'm hoping my siblings didn;t hear that or I'll get all kinds of questions about that up until we leave.

Hope you all are well and getting ready to go! I know we are all ready!!

Just 37 days left!!!

 

[MBFergie]

I don't even want to hear about hurricane season. I am still fighting with my insurance company for a new roof...we had 4 leaks thanks to Hurricane Wilma last October and they still won't give me a roof...ahhh! Hopefully I will resolve this before the next batch of storms start brewing.