Less than 2 Weeks to July 6th Cruise - Who's Beyond Excited!

[stormkrow]

It's now officially less than one month until we cruise the western Caribbean on the Magic. I CAN'T WAIT!

So, who else is going? Who's in your party (kids, ages)? Where are you staying the night before? What excursions are you going on? Are you making reservations for Palos or the spa?

Our family (me, DW, DD-18, & DS-13) is staying at the Radisson the night before the cruise and at Disney's Hilton Head Resort on July 4th.

We have tickets for Old Town Trolley & Shipwreck Historeum at Key West (bought them online). Reservations are in place for the Grand Cayman Land Tour and Xcaret at Cozumel. Castaway Cay is an unknown at this time. We'll probably just relax.

My DW and I are renewing our vows on board Thursday afternoon (that's our excitement - besides the cruise). We're planning to do a night at Palos. And the spa, the Sureil Bath and the Rainforest are definately on our schedule.

So, who else is going and what are you doing on the cruise (and before)?

 

[Mulljac]

Well there's me, hubby (both early 40's), DD13 & DS 10. Leaving on July 4th from NJ. Stopping over in NC and then continuing to the Radisson at the Port for a Fri night stay. We hopefully plan on doing Palo's dinner and brunch, the Suriel Bath and Rainforest, maybe a Spa treatment or two. Would like to do the Trolley in Key West, and Stingray City in Grand Cayman. Not sure about Cozumel yet. Snorkeling at Castaway Cay and maybe a little down time on the adult beach. This is our first cruise so I want to get in as much as we can on the ship itself. Would like to hear about anyone else's plans. Maybe it would give me a few more ideas. How about it? Who else is on our voyage?

 

[llachance]

Me (Lisa), my 15yo daughter (Josephine), and my mom (Judy) are on the cruise leaving the 6th. My daughter and I arrive at AKL on the 3rd and my mother joins us there on the 5th. We have a car picking us up the morning of the 6th to get to the ship. My daughter and I sailed on the Eastern last year during this exact same time frame. I/we are bringing my mother/grandmother along for her retirment present. (She retires on June 12th).

In Key West we plan to do the Conch Train and the Sunset Sail. On Grand Cayman the trip around the island, and at Cozumel my daughter and I are going to the Tulim ruins and my mother is taking the Jeep ride.

See you all soon.

 

[stormkrow]

Mulljac,

Welcome. Another family from NJ. We're driving down also, but we're leaving the night of July 3rd and staying overnight in Hilton Head. We like to travel at night to avoid all the traffic between Philly and Washington, DC.

This is our first cruise on CL, although my DW and I did cruise Carnival back in 1985.

 

[Mulljac]

Stormkrow, I know what you mean about the traffic. We also leave at night. (More like 1 a.m. in the morning) This is the best way to travel. The kids go back to sleep and we don't have to listen to them say "are we there yet?"

 

[Mogoofy]

We're right there with you. Can't wait. We fly out on the second into Tampa, Spend the night there and then head to WDW for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th. We got great plane fare into tampa. Used hotwire and got a suite at Tampa on the Bay for $40.00 on the second.

llachance tell your daughter I accidently deleted her email before my DS could reply.

What night are you guys going to palo's. We can't decide.

We have not got our Doc. yet. Getting a little worried, as some on the 13th cruise already have theirs.

What do you think about getting together at some point for a drink, maybe by the pool or at one of the adult bars?

Well it's getting late, better go to bed.

 

[stormkrow]

Well, the FedEx man has paid a visit to our happy abode and left a small box with our cruise documents enclosed.

HURRAY!

I was surprised the box was so small. Oh, well.

My DW and I have spent the last two hours pouring over the literature, the tickets, and the small print.

Anyone else from the July 6th cruise get their documents besides llachance?

Mulljac, we also leave around 1 am and the kids sleep through the night. We shoot to reach NC before we stop for breakfast.

I got your email. I reserved the 2-bedroom last October and that's the rate they quoted us. A number of DISers have mentioned using the promotional code "FALL" will get you a great rate of $59 for a standard room and $99 for the 2-bedroom. Call the hotel and see if any of the promotinal rooms are available and switch.

Mogoofy, I like the idea of a get-together. It's always better to put a face to a strange name. Any suggestions??

29 days and counting . . . . .

 

[Mulljac]

Ok, just one more question. Is the rate you were quoted for the 2 bedroom include parking at the Radisson for the week or do you have to park over at the port? Just want to know before I call the hotel and change my reservation. The rate they gave me of $109 included parking at the hotel and they told me that if I took the $59 rate that I would have to pay to park over at the port and it would be about $50 more. Thanks

 

[llachance]

Glad to hear that things are coming together - would love to plan a meeting somewhere - probably a sea day?! Can't wait to meet everyone.

Lisa

 

[stormkrow]

Mulljac,

Our Radisson reservation includes parking at the Padisson. That's what sold me on staying there. Parking at the port runs $8 a day.

I would call and ask them. But, even at $109, you're saving $56 parking and everything I've heard about the Radisson is great.

Good luck!

 

[MrsG]

Stormkrow,

How do you set up vow renewal. Can you just show up, or do you have to do something in advance?

Thanks, Mrs. G

 

[stormkrow]

You have to reserve the vow renewal service in advance. You can find all the general info you need at www.disneyweddings.com Also, the cost is about $1100 - not Cheap.

Hope that helps!

 

[stormkrow]

Well, gang, just 26 days and counting!

Anyone started packing yet? Actually, we've started setting aside items that we don't want to forget. It's a little more difficult for us since we're stopping at Hilton Head on the way down, and staying another week in Orlando after the cruise. So much to remember.

I've been spending so much time planning the cruise that I sometimes forget the other places we're also going to on this vacation.

Our DD is going to college this August. This could be the last FAMILY vacation we take. Once they go away to college, things will be different. Instead of "Where are we going on vacation this year?" it will be "Can me and my college friends use the DVC points over spring break?"

Oh, well.

 

[MrsG]

Just got our docs today! I was a little disappointed with the flight home to NY that Disney arranged. We are flying from Orlando to Pittsburg and then to NY. What should have been a 2 1/2 hour flight will now take 6 hrs because of the stop over. If I would have known, I would have booked my own air. When I called US Air to confirm and get our seats, the rep said that we had seats next to eachother on all flight except Orlando to Pittsburg. She said that wasn't bad, other DCL passengers on the flight had families that were seated all over the place! So fellow cruisers, check your flight seats if you are on the return flight from Orlando to Pittsburg and then to NY, you may not be seated next to your families.

But, in all honesty, I am so excited about the cruise, if this is the worst that happens, I'll be fine with it!

See you all soon

Mrs. G

 

[stormkrow]

Well, fellow July 6th Cruisers, we're down to 3 weeks - 3 WEEKS!!!

Anyone else getting exited?????

We've selected our night for Palos - Tuesday. It seems to be the best night based on our activities over the cruise.

Is anyone else staying at the Radisson the night before like us?

 

[llachance]

My daughter and I will be at AKL starting the 3rd, my mother joins us on the 5th and we have a car to the port on the 6th.....we are ready to go and counting the minutes.!!!!!

 

[Mulljac]

Hi all, well I e-mailed the Radisson and also called them about the $59 rate. I was told both times that parking for the week is included. So I have cancelled the $109 cruise parking package and made a ressie for the $59 room. I'm so glad that I've been reading this board. The info I've gotten has been a big help. So now I have an extra $50 that I can spend on my cruise. Hey every little bit helps. Been trying to pack away the little things so I don't forget them. By the way, for those who are driving down don't forget to have your car inspected for fluids, belts etc. My van unexpectedly broke down yesterday. The belt slipped off. I'm so glad that this happened now and not 3 weeks from now. So make sure that your vehicle is also prepared!! I would hate to miss my cruise because we broke down on the side of the road! See you guys in 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[stormkrow]

We've scheduled the car for an oil change and complete check-up for next week. Don't need anything to go wrong on the drive down (or back).

Three weeks from right now we'll be unpacking our bags and probably touring the Magic or the first time. Can't Wait!

Mulljac, see you at the Radisson!

 

[trishy]

I AM

 

[Auntienee]

We are driving from NJ also. DH, myself, DD's 10 and 13. We are leaving early am on the 4th and driving all the way to Savannah, GA. We are also staying at the Radisson the night of 7/5 with the $59.00 rate. Sister-in-laws and families are flying in on 7/5 and staying at Radisson too. We have Palo's scheduled for Tuesday night, Banana Boat ride at Castaway Cay. Most likely will do Trolley ride in Key West and planning on hitting beaches in Cozumel and Grand Cayman, along with shopping of course. We are definitely on countdown now!!!