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

[ljql_5969]

I pretty much tell my kids if they want smoothies and game cards for videos they have to spend their own money. My son plays enough PS2 at home I hate the idea of spending times in a dark room playing more video games when you are on this incredibly beautiful ship.

Good idea! I like this!

 

[MBFergie]

I drive from South Florida to the ship so it's easy to lug the beer and wine. Alot of people have their transportation source stop at the local Publix (grocery store) to pick up beer and wine. Or you can call Shirley with the Perfect Basket and make some type of arrangements for some beer and misc. stuff to be sent to your room.

If you have a favorite wine you like with dinner you can bring it to the table and they may charge you a corkage fee. We've never been charged but yet, but do know they have the right to.

Don't remember cab fares but a search on the reg. DCL board will tell you or just start a new thread. We were the first off the ship once and went to Megan's Bay. For the first 45 minutes there was hardly anybody there..peace and beauty!

I think the smoothies and virgin drinks are around $3.50 - $4.00 plus tip is automatically included. One a day can add up quickly. I will be bringing one of those portable things to mix them in, they are great!! (Did anybody see Rodney show where they gave kids Pina Colida that had alcohol.. funny.. hopefully I won't do that.)

Soda is free with dinner and lunch in the restaurants but charged for at bars and room service. Also, they are coke products. Yeah!!

Anybody else with teens you may want to book them the Castaway Cay teen tour. My DD at first was "why did you book that" then was glad I did after she meet so many friends who were going. From what I've heard it always sells out, so if they decide they don't want to go they can sell the ticket to somebody else in the "Stack". Elizabeth loved it! They get to go to places on CC that nobody else gets to see.

 

[linnied]

What exactly is the castaway teen tour? I did not see it on DCL site.
How much is it?
does it have to be prepaid, you said they could "sell" their ticket.

Does anyone know how to book excrusions seperate from disney. Is there a online site or something or do you have to wait till you get to an Island and then book? I hear it is cheaper but is it worth it?????????

 

[MBFergie]

Two web sites to check out...

http://www.cruisesonly.com/shoretours/default.asp?shoreRef=cs

http://www.shoretrips.com/

Also do a web search: St. Thomas shore excursions and you may find more stuff. I have info on private sailboats but they only hold 6 people. It is what we would love to do but haven't decided if we have the $$ yet.

I can personally recommend the Eagle Catamaran in St. Maarten. We loved it, and kids asked if we could book it again. The snorkeling wasn't great but the boat was a blast!!

Castaway Teen excursion:
The Wild Side (C-07)
Chart your own course and explore the wild side of the island. Snorkeling, biking and sea kayaking are all part of this 4-hour adventure exclusively for teens.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: 13 To 17
Adult Price: $35 (ages 13-17)
Child Price: N/A
Duration: 4 hours

 

[linnied]

Thanks for the info. This will be helpful, but at a quick glance, it does not seem to be any cheeper then thru DCL. I would think booking thru DCL would be a more secure thing to do, especially if you not saving a good amount of money - yes??????

 

[ljql_5969]

When my DH have cruised (with lines other than DCL), we have just found that we liked booking our own excursions for a couple of reasons:

#1. We did find some things that were cheaper (due to just doing a tour instead of having the "free lunch" that is included in many of the excursions offere through a cruise line.)

#2. We found it more flexible than following the cruise lines schedule of tours (for example, in Key West, we did the train tour. The earliest time RCCL offered the tour was 9:30 a.m. We got off the boat early with our friends and went by the train and got right on. We were practically the only ones on the train. Then, when we got off, the RCCL crowd came, filled up the whole train and it looked really crowded. We then had time to hit all the other hot spots for shopping and enjoying a drink before others. )

#3. We were able to head out and do something else after we finished our own "excursion" instead of having to wait for the entire group to return to the ship.

So, those are just a few reasons why we enjoy doing excursions on our own.

 

[linnied]

do a lot of people bring their own wine, beer and stuff?

Also is there a formal or semiformal night where everyone gets really dressed, or is it mostly nice caual attire?

 

[Lynne]

Hi Marie -
I recognized your screen name MBFergie from our last cruise. My daughter Keely remembers your daughter Elizabeth too. That's pretty cool we'll be on the same cruise again. I'll have her look at the teen cruise on CC too!
Looking forward to July 8

Lynne

 

[MBFergie]

Hey Lynne-

Excited that you guys will be on board..if I remember correctly you were with a group from New Orleans area..was you DH the principal? A year ago I developed a underwater camera, had no idea what it was from. It was from the Golden Eagle Catamaran trip. (What a BLAST that was!!) I have a great picture of Dawn and family. I will have to get it to you. I thought about that whole group after Katrina. How did you guys make out?

Elizabeth will be thrilled to "know" somebody onboard. With the start of HS she isn't online much. I will tell her to post something soon.


Linnied-According to this board alot of people do. Trust me when I tell you it can save huge $$. The formal night has a mixture of dress..some all out with long gowns and tuxs, majority are nice dresses (evening type) and men in suits. Last 2 cruises I made son wear a suit, don't know if I will this time, but a shirt and tie for sure. Clothing at dinner can get to be a real heated debate on the boards!

 

[linnied]

Thanks for the info. We are all so excited and want to make the most of this trip. It is a gift from my family, as I would never be able to afford it on my own. The more money I can save on the little things, the more times I can say "yes" to the kids for their onboard stuff and excursions.
Any tips and tricks to saving here and there is greatly welcomed.

 

[Lynne]

Marie -
We were not from New Orleans. We're from a SW suburb of Chicago. Anyways, we'll be traveling with our DS (17), DD (15), and DD (13). This is our 3rd Magic cruise and we can't wait !!!!
Lynne

 

[MBFergie]

oops..sorry..

i can't wait for this trip. i just received a little booklet about final payment and when i can make my reservations for palo and excursions! YEAH

 

[ljql_5969]

I received that same booklet earlier this week. I was sooooo excited!

 

[MBFergie]

isn't it amazing the small things that thrill us? to bad when i get the rest of the mall it's not as exciting!

 

[Wynn]

It is amazing how the small things thrill us. I save anything DCL for last because I know it will cheer me up after looking at bills and junk mail.

 

[ljql_5969]

Well, everyone in my group except for one cabin got something in the mail. So, now my sister is feeling left out. I am wondering if she will get one sometime.

 

[K&Z Cruizers]

We never got anything.

 

[linnied]

Hey all, got a silly question,
do all the excursions get booked up by the CC members before us newbies get a opportunity to make ressies?

We want to do the dolphin encounter on St. Martin, but cant book till 75 days prior, will we have a shot at it or will it be booked up by the time I get around to booking. I am not getting up at 2:45 am to book ( well I dont think so anyway)?

 

[ljql_5969]

I am wondering the same thing. I hope not. I would really like to get in to Palo brunch with all of the adults in our party. And then possibly do the Parasailing at Castaway Cay.

This is getting so close! I have been so busy lately (just started doing Pampered Chef consulting) and so I haven't been out here in a while. We just reserved our flights through Southwest earlier this week. We are all set now and ready to go!

 

[MBFergie]

I belive they hold back some reservations for each group that is booking. Also, I know they hold back Palo reservation for onboard booking.

Hey ljql, good luck with PC. I use to do it when the kids were younger and loved it. Thought about going back so many times, just no time at night with kids being so busy. Wish people did day parties...oh yeah...I work during the day. ENJOY IT!! and GOOD LUCK!!