June 23rd 2012 - Commandeering the Disney Fantasy - Pirates back in the Caribbean

[Dizzyworld]

SOOOOOOO EXCIIIIITTTTEEEEDDDDDD!!!!!!! We had feared we were going to have to cancel this cruise due to financial and work issues. But today, work cleared me for the time off AND our refinance on our house came in MUCH cheaper than we had anticipated!!!! So we are DEFINITELY joining you all!!!!!!!

Plus: My parents are now coming!!!!!!! Really excited!



(Can you tell? )

Now, to get started on my FE gifts and really explore excursions. (I hadn't even looked at them for fear that we were going to have to cancel...) So much to do and only 3.5 months to do it!!!!!

Glad things worked out. I remember your family from the '09 cruise. Still am amazed with the bookmarks you made. And I have to tell you the bar of soap was great. It lasted a long time. All of your FEs were wonderful.

 

[MrsScooby]

I have been to Hawaii several time but the ladies I am traveling with have never been so we are doing the typical sightseeing items - helicopter tour, airplane tour, Pearl Harbor tour, luau, and island tour.

My DH didn't want to go again so it's a girl trip! I can't wait!!!

Pearl Harbor gets me every time...
First went when I was 8 with my parents and it left a huge impression on me and decades later it still affects me to see all those names on the wall and the ship still in the water...

Have never done a girls only trip...it sounds like fun
My sisters and I keep saying we're going to do one someday but can't seem to get on the same schedule. I'm hoping when my DSis goes on the Wonder for the first time this April she will be open to sailing with us in the future

Sounds terrific. We loved Hawaii when we went there. It has such a rich culture.

I loved the Polynesian Cultural Center

 

[ranidayz]

We're still on this cruise but busy planning the Hawaii cruise details. If anyone is not on the 1st page roster please pm me your details.

gydell - would you please send me any additions so I can update the Fb list as well? Thanks!

 

[3princessMommy]

We're still on this cruise but busy planning the Hawaii cruise details. If anyone is not on the 1st page roster please pm me your details.

I sent you a PM to add my parents to the roster. They are booking now that we are 100% guaranteed. Just bought our plane tickets! No backing out now!!!!

Glad things worked out. I remember your family from the '09 cruise. Still am amazed with the bookmarks you made. And I have to tell you the bar of soap was great. It lasted a long time. All of your FEs were wonderful.

I'm soooo glad you liked those! We are back in the U.S. now, so no cool things from Africa this time. I haven't even thought about FE gifts yet! AAGH! Don't think I have time for bookmarks again, so will have to think of something a little easier. I am doing my Master's degree this year and graduate right before the trip, so need to come up with something creative, yet not time consuming....

Really excited now!

Does anyone know anything about the dining rotations or show schedules, etc.? (Any concierge connections who could ask?) We want to make our reservations for Remy's, but don't want to miss anything in the new restaurants with the kids or one of the new shows to do it. Would love any feedback anyone might have.

Also, lots of us are staying at BLT before the cruise - anyone interested in a pre-cruise meet????

Finally - anyone with girls between the ages of 5 and 10 who would be interested in getting them together with ours via e-mail before we leave? Our girls love getting to know other kids before we sail. It helps them settle into the kids' clubs/lab/etc. more quickly.

Joann

 

[sparklechicks]

Finally - anyone with girls between the ages of 5 and 10 who would be interested in getting them together with ours via e-mail before we leave? Our girls love getting to know other kids before we sail. It helps them settle into the kids' clubs/lab/etc. more quickly.

Joann[/QUOTE]

Hi Joann -

I have two little girls.. 9 years (going to be 10 in July) and a 6 year old
Madeline and Mia...

112 days...

 

[sparklechicks]

Hello Fellow Disboard Cruisers:
I wanted to share this anyone who might be interested... We booked our excursion (not with Disney) for Grand Cayman with Native Way Watersports. I spent many hours reading the boards here and other reviews. Sharon (the owner) actually changed the departure times for me since our time in port is so short. They are taking my family of 5 (2 adults 3 kiddies) out to do the Stingray Sandbar, Coral Gardens and Starfish Snorkel. Cost is $40 for adults and $30 for kids. The boat only holds 20 more. (25 total) Here is the website:

http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/

If you are interested in joining us just email Sharon and tell her you want to join us (the Smaretsky's) ..... 112 days to go!!!!

and no money down

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Good morning fellow cruisers. Another week has gone by.
We now have only

weeks to go to the Fantasy.

 

[ranidayz]

Good morning fellow cruisers. Another week has gone by.
We now have only

weeks to go to the Fantasy.

wow - for some reason - 16 weeks sounds really short!

 

[3PrincessGrandma]

Booked today, cabin 6074. Even got so organized that I booked a timeshare in Orlando the week before the cruise and the Port Canaveral hotel for the night before the cruise. Now I just need to get through tax season without going crazy!

 

[3PrincessGrandma]

Booked today, cabin 6074. Even got so organized that I booked a timeshare in Orlando the week before the cruise and the Port Canaveral hotel for the night before the cruise. Now I just need to get through tax season without going crazy!

I'm so excited I forgot - we are Ken and Lois Clark (yes, superman and his girlfriend). We live north of San Antonio and are joining Joann and Aaron and our granddaughters on OUR third Disney cruise. Need to get started on the FEs. I think I signed up for them today also. And this cruise "Grandpa" wants to be involved too. I certainly hope it will be warmer at Castaway Cay that the last time we were there - Christmas 2010!

 

[MrsScooby]

Booked today, cabin 6074. Even got so organized that I booked a timeshare in Orlando the week before the cruise and the Port Canaveral hotel for the night before the cruise. Now I just need to get through tax season without going crazy!

I'm so excited I forgot - we are Ken and Lois Clark (yes, superman and his girlfriend). We live north of San Antonio and are joining Joann and Aaron and our granddaughters on OUR third Disney cruise. Need to get started on the FEs. I think I signed up for them today also. And this cruise "Grandpa" wants to be involved too. I certainly hope it will be warmer at Castaway Cay that the last time we were there - Christmas 2010!

Welcome Aboard
Yes, it is sure to be warmer at CC this time

 

[3princessMommy]

Is anyone interested in doing Secret Mickey's in this group?

 

[Dizzyworld]

I'm soooo glad you liked those! We are back in the U.S. now, so no cool things from Africa this time. I haven't even thought about FE gifts yet! AAGH! Don't think I have time for bookmarks again, so will have to think of something a little easier. I am doing my Master's degree this year and graduate right before the trip, so need to come up with something creative, yet not time consuming....


Does anyone know anything about the dining rotations or show schedules, etc.? (Any concierge connections who could ask?) We want to make our reservations for Remy's, but don't want to miss anything in the new restaurants with the kids or one of the new shows to do it. Would love any feedback anyone might have.


Joann

Welcome home to the US. I did enjoy seeing all your pictures from the two places where you lived. I still see in my mind the donkey cart used to pick up the plastic playhouse. It was old world meets new world. Good luck with the degree.

We decided not to do the FE this time. We are only traveling with our DD-almost 17 (DS is going to Switzerland instead. ). She wasn't interested in doing the FE. Plus the last time we had so many things we almost needed an extra small suitcase to carry all the goodies home. At least I will still get to make door signs. Helps me find my door.

Good point about taking into consideration the new shows when making Remy reservations. We enjoyed Remy so much on the Dream that I am looking forward to returning for another meal.

Back to planning and paying off the cruise today.

 

[ranidayz]

Is anyone interested in doing Secret Mickey's in this group?

What are secret Mickeys?

 

[3princessMommy]

What are secret Mickeys?

Just like Secret Santas - you sign up and someone volunteers to pair up folks before the cruise. You get the name of someone and their cabin number and some small details about things they like and you deliver a special surprise a couple of times during the cruise to them. Some folks can get really creative and have the cabin host do the delivery or integrate it into turn down or get the table server to present it at dinner. Or you just put it on their fish. And someone gets your name and details too. At the end of the cruise you reveal your identity if your person hasn't already figured it out.

We've done them on a couple of cruises, but not every one. Just curious if anyone wants to do it. I'd be happy to coordinate and pair folks up. You can do it as an individual or as a family.

Joann

 

[Dizzyworld]

Has anyone who has been able to reserve excursions have any different information than what is available on the DCL website since the times we are in port do not seem to match up with some excursion times? For example, an excursion in Costa Maya is 5.5 - 6 hours long but we in port for only 4.5 hours. Or did DCL remove excusions that do not fit the timing?

Thanks.
Shirley

 

[AndyR]

The Chacchoben Mayan tour is listed at 4-4.5hrs on the tour booking page. $59 Kids, $75 Adults. We're booked on the Family one.

The longers tours are all listed at 4.5hrs max.

Here'd the complete list (exceuse the formatting):


ATV, Jungle & Beach Adventure $99.00 (ages 21 & up) 3-3.5

Adventure By Jeep $99.00 (ages 10 & up) $79.00 (ages 8-9) 3.5-4

Beach Power Snorkel $55.00 (ages 12 & up) 4-4.5

Bike & Clear-Bottom Kayak $59.00 (ages 10 & up) 3-3.5

Biomaya Canopy Experience $119.00 (ages 10 to 65) $99.00 (ages 7 to 9) 5.5-6

Catamaran & Snorkel $54.00 (ages 10 & up) $39.00 (ages 8-9) 3-3.5

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins $75.00 (ages 10 & up)$59.00 (ages 3-9) 4 to 4.5

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins - Adult Only Departure $75.00 (ages 18 & up) 4 to 4.5

Costa Maya Beach Snorkel $46.00 (ages 10 & up) $38.00 (ages 7-9) 4-4.5

Costa Maya Highlights & Beach Combo $69.00 (ages 10 & up) $45.00 (ages 3-9) 4-4.5

Costa Maya Salsa & Salsa $65.00 (ages 10 & up) $45.00 (ages 6-9) 2.5-3

Discover Scuba Dive $125.00 (ages 12 & up) 3.5 to 4

Dolphin Encounter $89.00 (ages 10 & up) $74.00 (ages 3-9) 1-1.5

Dolphin Swim $119.00 (ages 10 & up) $99.00 (ages 8-9) 1-1.5

Dune Buggy Jungle & Beach Safari $86.00 (ages 10 and up) $76.00 (ages 8-9) 3.5-4

Glass-Bottom Boat & Snorkel $65.00 (ages 10 & up)$45.00 (ages 5-9) 2.5-3

Jungle Beach Break & Beach Buffet $59.00 (ages 10 & up) $49.00 (ages 3 & up) 3 to 4.5

Mini Jeep Adventure $99.00 (ages 10 & up) 3.5-4

Mysticism of 2012 through a Temascal Ceremony $79.00 (age 12-56) 3 to 3.5

Sea Trek Pod $99.00 (ages 10 & up) 4-4.5

Segway Adventure & Beach Break $85.00 (ages 12-65) 3-3.5

Snuba Adventure $82.00 (ages 12 & up) 4-4.5

The Mayans Through The Ages $85.00 (ages 10 & up) $65.00 (ages 3-9)4-4.5
Two Tank Certified Dive $139.00 (ages 12 & up) 4 to 4.5

Andy

 

[Dizzyworld]

Thanks. I guess I'll figure this all next weekend.

We are paid in full!!!!!

 

[sparklechicks]

Hard to do....

I know I will become excited.. it is just really hard to make that final payment... and seeing that charge hit my card kinda takes my breath away! 109 days until it becomes worth it...

 

[gydell]

gydell - would you please send me any additions so I can update the Fb list as well? Thanks!

jaxgatorfamily just added.