June 22 2008 Magical Mexican Riviera Cruise

[tksbaskets]

Two months later....anyone coming with Beth and my families on the cruise? We made our reservations at the Grand Californian for our pre-cruise DL vacation.

Anyone else make pre-cruise plans yet?

 

[rebcam]

I can't believe how inactive this meet thread is. As the cruise gets closer, maybe we'll have more people checking in.

Since we're in CA anyway, I don't think we'll be planning any pre-cruise things. We'll definitely go to Long Beach the night before, as my nightmare would be to be stuck in traffic as the ship sails away!

We did the Mexico cruise last time DCL was in CA, and as I remember, it was quite cool on the sea days. Be sure to pack a pair of pants and a sweater...the Pacific is much cooler than the Atlantic. Some cruisers who weren't aware of this and grumbled. Disney can do lots of things, but they can't control the weather.

I also remember the restaurants and theaters, and even the cabins, being cool...a sweater or shawl would come in handy if the 2005 cruise is any indication.

Rebecca

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Rebecca,
I was just telling my sister how inactive our thread is. I'm glad to see you posting. Less than a year to our cruise. Thanks for the tip about the cool evenings. I'm sure I can find a sweatshirt to buy at DL

I'm hoping the traffic picks up on our thread too~!

Teresa

 

[missourimomof6]

Hi all,
Just wanted to say hi! We are going to be joining you all in June and can't wait! We just finished cruising on the Magic for the Western Thanksgiving cruise and are all going through horrible withdrawl.
Looking forward to June is definitely helping though.
We have a whole clan so should fill the ship!
We have a 17 & 8 yr old DDs and 15,14,11, & 3 yr old DSs. We haven't been to California in years so are heading out Tuesday to spend 5 nights at Disneyland and maybe Universal. Anyone know of anything else that is a "must see"...we'll definitely go to Disney's other park too.
Glad to be here and find you all.

 

[tksbaskets]

Welcome! My DSs will be glad to see there will be more teens on the trip. They will be 17 in January. We've done three Disney cruises before but DH and the boys have never been to DL. How did your older children like the Thanksgiving cruise? Did they spend time in the Stack?

Teresa

 

[missourimomof6]

Oh my gosh...YES! They wanted to spend every moment at the Stack! They really made a ton of close friends...a really good group which made the cruise all the more fun. Of course they all exchanged facebook information and it's been fun to see them make so many new friends so quickly.
The Thanksgiving cruise was amazing. Everything went extremely well...except maybe for the first time on Deck 9 to eat lunch when a woman screamed at my son for apparently stealing a few chairs from a table she was saving next to theirs. We had a few moments of stress...then decided to just RELAX and enjoy every moment!! The ship was full and there are definitely moments of crazy with that many people in that tight of a space.
K

 

[tksbaskets]

What deck will you be on? We had adjoining cabins on Deck 7 last NYE (Cat. 8) and the only adjoining cabins they had for this cruise were are on Deck 6 in Category 7s. I just wasn't comfortable with not knowing when the boys were back tucked in for the night.

Great to hear your teens had fun in the Stack. It was tough when the boys were 13 and they didn't spend much time there at all. Last time they LOVED it (being the big 16 yo's that they were).

I thought it might be fun to post family pics. Here is my family on NYE 2006/2007 on the Magic. Probably one of the few times you'll see us all dresses up!

 

[missourimomof6]

We weren't able to get adjoining cabins...when we made our reservations they wouldn't give us any guarantee and I talked to someone last week who did give me the cabin numbers but they were set up with a room between us. To be honest...it doesn't upset me since the hubby rooms with the three older boys who are pigs! We will be in adjoining cabins for the Christmas cruise '08 and I'm already wondering if I'm going to be able to enjoy sharing the tight of a space. We have a few pictures taken on the ship but I need to find them!
I do know what you mean about the teenagers enjoying the stack more once they are a little bit older. My two oldest didn't spend as much time there the year before on our cruise either.
Teresa...you have a beautiful family.

 

[matty204]

Hi,
We are on the cruise as well. DW, DD 18, DD 16 and myself. Looking forward to the other coast this time. We also are coming in a couple of days ahead of time to see the west coast disney.

 

[tksbaskets]

Welcome Matty204! We are very excited to be cruising from the west coast. The family has never been to DL and I haven't been for 20 years. Are you staying at DL before the cruise? I'm trying to figure out the transportation to the port. I purchased transfers. Hopefully there well be buses from the resorts like their is in Florida.

Happy Tuesday.
Teresa

 

[matty204]

We have been to WDW several times but this will be our first time to the west coast. We are staying at the Paradise Pier. We just doing typical transfer from LAX to DL. We are meeting relatives for the cruise and doing a car service from DL to the ship via Hollywood.

 

[blessedmommyx3]

My parents are taking my family - me, DH, 4 yr. old daughter and 10 and 14 year old sons! Can't wait - would love to hear about the excursions from anyone who went in 2005!

 

[rebcam]

In 2005, we did the pirate ship excursion in Puerta Vallarta. It was very entertaining and well done, BUT...do not go if you or your children get seasick! Both of my kids were fine on the Magic, but this pirate ship is completely different, of course. No stabilizers, and the rocking is extreme. Both of my kids were sick, but I was so impressed with the staff from the pirate ship. They have a bed in a back area, and my daughter, who was the worst of the two, was taken back there to lie down and sleep. The ship stops at a small beach and snorkling is offered. There weren't any restrooms on the beach, though, but that might have changed. This is a well-done excursion, and I would recommend it for those with strong sealegs.
This time, I'm looking into a canopy zipline tour for this stop.

In Mazatlan, we did an excursion that toured a tequila factory and went to the small village of La Noria. This was interesting and slow paced; good if you want a look at the culture of Mexico. I think this time, we might look into Randy's Happy Horses on Stone Island.

In Cabo, we took a catamaran cruise to Los Arcos; just a short excursion if I remember. We walked around the town in the morning and afternoon. This is the port where the water was the warmest, so I think this time, we'll do some sort of a beach resort stay here.

If you have questions, ask away!

Rebecca

 

[mcgregml]

Sign me up along with my two girlfriends!

We are all first time cruisers (DCL or any other variety) - so any advice is appreciated! Can't wait for June to come!

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Blessedmommyx3 and mcgregml. I'm glad we won't be sailing alone! I just posted a question about excursions yesterday for our cruise. Stone Island was recommended there too.

We are thinking of the beach buggy & swim on Cobo and Hacienda Horseback Riding in Mazatlan. Think we might try and find a nice beach in PV.

TK

 

[blessedmommyx3]

Thanks for the excursion info. I am thinking of a dolphin swim - has anyone done that? I also really want to see the rainforest, but don't think I would have the guts to zip line, so I am thinking of the hiking one.
Since I am a first time cruiser, I have been pouring over these boards and learning a lot - I have my hand-made luggage tags going (idea from this board) and my door signs are done - but what is a fish extender???

 

[tksbaskets]

Fish extenders are hung on your message fish (outside your door) so people can put cards/gifts in them. I have never had an extender. There is a thread that has a number of nice examples:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

We've decided on our excursions:
Puerto Vallarta - Sierra Madre off-road Expedition. Sounds like we will do a little walking and see the jungle along with some beach time.

Cabo San Lucas - Beach Buggy & Swim. We did a similar excursion in Cozumel and LOVED it. Hopefully this will be as nice.

Matzatlan - Hacienda Las Moras & Horseback Riding.

We did a dolphin swim on our 4-day on the Wonder. I think younger children really enjoy this. You may want to check the www.cruisecritic.com board and then go to ports of call and ask about the Dolphin swim. I've heard good things about it.

Five months to go

 

[marlaymike]

We are going also...
Me, my DH and maybe my mom and her sister!!

I'm very happy to be joining you... this will be our forth disneycruise...

 

[tksbaskets]

We are going also...
Me, my DH and maybe my mom and her sister!!

I'm very happy to be joining you... this will be our forth disneycruise...

Welcome! What other Disney Cruises have you been on?

 

[marlaymike]

Hi tksbaskets!! We have been to:
May 2006 - Wonder 3-day
New Year's Eve Western Magic Cruise - 2006-2007 (just like you)
and Med Cruise - 10 day, June 2007