June 15, 2012 - 2 Night Getaway on the Disney Magic from NYC!

[jenny105]

Thanks for updating the list, Cayla! Congrats on your classes being over. At least you have sometime to relax before things pick up for you again in September.

Do you really think we'll need a passport for this cruise? I have one but Kris does not. Last time I went on an overnight cruise, they barely even looked at my ID (I believe this was 2007). That was with NCL. It was much more laidback in terms of security than with other sailings I've been on. So I'm not sure what to expect.

 

[Lizzie Beth]

I am thisclose to booking this cruise...

June 15th is actually our tenth anniversary!

I haven't ever sailed Disney before, but Dh did as a child and loved it.

We're bringing our two oldest daughters, who will be 7 and 5, and are still up in the air about the baby, who will be 1.5.

I've only been on a single Princess cruise before now...do we have to choose a cabin when we book? We'd probably get a balcony..what's a good area of the ship to book? Do the little girls wear princess outfits like at WDW?

Is anyone aware of a military discount on the cruises?

What does FE mean?

Sorry about all the rapid fire questions.. I just need to figure it all out and get it booked...I'm getting all obsessive like our first trip to Disney last spring. There are so many variables and I don't want to screw it up!

And we're planning WDW October of 2012. I'm going to be a basket case getting all this organized.

 

[Lizzie Beth]

I second and third everyone about Bermuda, I'm sorry to hear it's such a bad deal for them.

We wanted to go to Bermuda and stay at the resort where we honeymooned, but when I looked it up the other day I found out it doesn't exist any more. It got hit by a hurricane and was heavily damaged. It was the Sonesta when we were there, but was a Wyndham when the hurricane hit. Someone bought it and they knocked down all the buildings, intending to build a new resort, but they were backed by Lehman Brothers, so when they went belly-up in the fall of 2008, so did the Bermuda project.

Then I thought about a Bermuda cruise, then I saw Disney was sailing out of NYC. So that's how I got here. And the girls are crazy about Disney, so it sounds like a fun time. My oldest can be prone to carsickness in the morning, this is sort of a test run to see if she can handle a cruise for a longer vacation..

 

[Minnie Monellen]

What does FE mean?

WELCOME!

Here's a great link for Fish Extenders (FE):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

There's a fish shaped clip next to your stateroom door. It's used by the crew to provide you with cruise communications. You attach a pocket organizer to the clip which "extends" the fish, hence a Fish Extender, FE. Your cruise meet members and you exchange small gifts by placing them in the FE. You can either purchase or make the gifts which can have a cruise and/or Disney theme or something from your state or hometown.

 

[jenny105]

Welcome Lizzie!

You can choose your cabin when you book. Everything is based on a different category. The balcony rooms vary in price depending on their location throughout the ship. You can't go wrong with a midship room.

Girls wear princess outfits! They can meet the princesses and other characters throughout the ship. There are scheduled meet and greets.

When are you traveling in October 2012? I'm planning a trip to WDW the first week of October!

 

[Lizzie Beth]

WELCOME!

There's a fish shaped clip next to your stateroom door. It's used by the crew to provide you with cruise communications. You attach a pocket organizer to the clip which "extends" the fish, hence a Fish Extender, FE. Your cruise meet members and you exchange small gifts by placing them in the FE. You can either purchase or make the gifts which can have a cruise and/or Disney theme or something from your state or hometown.

Thanks, Minnie!

I was driving myself nuts with the acronym possibilities and wasn't even close, of course!

 

[Lizzie Beth]

Welcome Lizzie!

You can choose your cabin when you book. Everything is based on a different category. The balcony rooms vary in price depending on their location throughout the ship. You can't go wrong with a midship room.

Girls wear princess outfits! They can meet the princesses and other characters throughout the ship. There are scheduled meet and greets.

When are you traveling in October 2012? I'm planning a trip to WDW the first week of October!

Thanks, Jenny. I thought it was October, but it's actually the last week of September. The schools here are off for the Jewish holidays, and Yom Kippur is smack in the middle of the week, so that probably means two days off from school, so it's a good week to go.

We've stayed at Shades of Green because Dh is Air Force Reserve. They've typically offered some really good deals to military members in Sept-Oct, so we want to take advantage of that, plus avoid the crowds. I figure choosing hurricane season ought to do it.

But I'm still researching this cruise thing, and holy crow, this cruise is expensive per-day as opposed to some of the others. For us it's 1300/night, and bringing the baby is OUT because we have to bump up to either an additional room or a suite - she would bump up the price by $600 for a 2-night cruise.

The 4-day Bahamas one would only be $812 per night, and that difference is hard to ignore.

We may end up just taking a cruise for the two of us to Bermuda for our anniversary and saving the Disney stuff for the kids in September.

 

[jenny105]

Thanks, Jenny. I thought it was October, but it's actually the last week of September. The schools here are off for the Jewish holidays, and Yom Kippur is smack in the middle of the week, so that probably means two days off from school, so it's a good week to go.

We've stayed at Shades of Green because Dh is Air Force Reserve. They've typically offered some really good deals to military members in Sept-Oct, so we want to take advantage of that, plus avoid the crowds. I figure choosing hurricane season ought to do it.

But I'm still researching this cruise thing, and holy crow, this cruise is expensive per-day as opposed to some of the others. For us it's 1300/night, and bringing the baby is OUT because we have to bump up to either an additional room or a suite - she would bump up the price by $600 for a 2-night cruise.

The 4-day Bahamas one would only be $812 per night, and that difference is hard to ignore.

We may end up just taking a cruise for the two of us to Bermuda for our anniversary and saving the Disney stuff for the kids in September.

We're planning on going 9/30-10/7 next year. I want free dining! I'm hoping to get a pin code but if that doesn't work out, I'll just adjust the dates to water the promotion is next year.

$1300/nt?? That seems crazy for a two night! Maybe the prices have gone up since I booked? I haven't looked at them at all.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do

 

[Lizzie Beth]

We'll be at WDW 9/22-9/29. At least I'll be able to give you the weather update.

For two adults and two children and a stateroom w/balcony, yes. For a cruise that's not even 48 hours long, I don't think I can justify it.

But I'll keep watching. Maybe there will be some last minute deals or something. The dates would be so perfect for us..

 

[padalyn]

Thanks for updating the list, Cayla! Congrats on your classes being over. At least you have sometime to relax before things pick up for you again in September.

Do you really think we'll need a passport for this cruise? I have one but Kris does not. Last time I went on an overnight cruise, they barely even looked at my ID (I believe this was 2007). That was with NCL. It was much more laidback in terms of security than with other sailings I've been on. So I'm not sure what to expect.

I am so glad of this respit....I have needed a break...Now I can focus on all my travel plans...3 to Disney between now and Christmas!!! WOO HOOO!!!!!

I have always used photo ID, but recently have found that the passport card has made my customs eval almost nil....I have entered the country by water and train recently, and the card made it a lot easier. Folks that were on the train using drivers license's were grilled more intently by border patrol. Same coming in by ship (from Mexico, Bahamas & Canada) I had almost no questions asked of me...Even the Canadian border guards liked the card! I have only had to use the actual book in Germany, Sweden and Russia (when cruising...air one HAS to use the book). I personally prefer to use a passport - no questions, no hassle and no worries. With children - passports are really a must.

The cruise line has to be able to present ID for every person on the ship to the border patrol of where ever they are docked (embarkation, debarkation and all ports visited), so it makes their life easier if they can give a Passport number...the US patrol just looks up the numbers prior to clearing the ship - very easy. Without the ID - folks may be asked to present themselves for inspection of documents...can delay leaving the ship at ports or upon return.

I am thisclose to booking this cruise...

June 15th is actually our tenth anniversary!

I haven't ever sailed Disney before, but Dh did as a child and loved it.

We're bringing our two oldest daughters, who will be 7 and 5, and are still up in the air about the baby, who will be 1.5.

I've only been on a single Princess cruise before now...do we have to choose a cabin when we book? We'd probably get a balcony..what's a good area of the ship to book? Do the little girls wear princess outfits like at WDW?

Is anyone aware of a military discount on the cruises?

What does FE mean?

Sorry about all the rapid fire questions.. I just need to figure it all out and get it booked...I'm getting all obsessive like our first trip to Disney last spring. There are so many variables and I don't want to screw it up!

And we're planning WDW October of 2012. I'm going to be a basket case getting all this organized.

I second and third everyone about Bermuda, I'm sorry to hear it's such a bad deal for them.

We wanted to go to Bermuda and stay at the resort where we honeymooned, but when I looked it up the other day I found out it doesn't exist any more. It got hit by a hurricane and was heavily damaged. It was the Sonesta when we were there, but was a Wyndham when the hurricane hit. Someone bought it and they knocked down all the buildings, intending to build a new resort, but they were backed by Lehman Brothers, so when they went belly-up in the fall of 2008, so did the Bermuda project.

Then I thought about a Bermuda cruise, then I saw Disney was sailing out of NYC. So that's how I got here. And the girls are crazy about Disney, so it sounds like a fun time. My oldest can be prone to carsickness in the morning, this is sort of a test run to see if she can handle a cruise for a longer vacation..

I might be able to help here...YES DCL does a military discount...I have no idea how to get it, but you should call them. Bermuda has gotten destroyed by many hurricanes in the last few years, and with all the building restrictions they most likely are not allowing a lot of new construction.

You say DH sailed with Disney as a CHILD????? How young is he??? DCL first sailed in 1996!!! I have a feeling you are thinking of the Big Red Boat...this is SO different (better!!!)

Please check that price, I can't see a 2 night cruise costing that much - mine is less than 500 per person (we are 3 in an inside cabin).

Good luck and happy travels!

Cayla

 

[padalyn]

Just an updated post -

If you wish to participate in the FE exchange - then please send me a PM with the following information:

in the subject line please put the name of the cruise (I am managing 3 lists for 3 different NYC cruises, so I have to know which one you will be particapting with)

Your Dis Name:
Your real world name:
Who is sailing with you: please include the ages of children
any special instructions: allergies, limitations etc
If you would like me to email you the list in Excel format - include your email address. I will post updates monthly until the final payment date, then I will try to update the google doc page with every addition.

Please also tell me your thoughts on when to close the list - the choices are 30 days or 60 days. If the group gets too large (we need to define that as well at some point) do you want it broken into sections? If so, how many cabins in each group?

I will be starting school again just after Labor Day, and may not be able to update the list as often as I would like - if I do NOT answer your PM within a week - please resend it...I may loose it in the sauce of my online course emails. I do have sorts set up in Outlook - but one does miss things occosionly.

Thanks for you help and I am looking forward to meeting everyone!

Cayla

 

[jenny105]

Lizzie, the military code is MTO. You can probably call and ask for it.

 

[jenny105]

Just shy of 10 months til we're cruising!

On a side note, I can't believe it's already mid-August. I remember when I booked this cruise back in April! Time is flying!

 

[SheaBear]

Was browsing the boards... Felt this needed sharing for those of you who are looking to extend your trips in NYC. Someone has taken plenty of time to organize all this information.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2704317

 

[DMMarla07860]

can't wait for this cruise I get more and more excited, I hope some of my friends who work on the ship are on

 

[DisneyTrek]

can't wait for this cruise I get more and more excited, I hope some of my friends who work on the ship are on

I'm with you!! Can't wait for next year!! Sailing out of NYC is going to be amazing!!!

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

My husband and I are booked on this cruise. We just got off a double dip on the Dream. It was a fun cruise and it looks like several people on the ship plan on doing this 2-day one.

Beth

 

[padalyn]

My husband and I are booked on this cruise. We just got off a double dip on the Dream. It was a fun cruise and it looks like several people on the ship plan on doing this 2-day one.

Beth

Let me know if you are interested in the FE exchange! See my post below

Cayla

 

[kritter]

My husband and I are booked on this cruise. We just got off a double dip on the Dream. It was a fun cruise and it looks like several people on the ship plan on doing this 2-day one.

Beth

Hi Beth,

We are also booked on this cruise as well as about four or five other couples from our double dip Dream Cruise!!

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Hi Beth,

We are also booked on this cruise as well as about four or five other couples from our double dip Dream Cruise!!

Yay!!!!!