Just back from Magic Eastern Carribean. Overall a wonderful trip, however, some high seas the first two days. The adults in my family (husband and oldest daughter (25) and boyfriend) as well as myself, needed dramamine the first evening. This was our first 7 day cruise - we cruised the 4 day Wonder in Sept 2000. The time on the boat was fabulous - my 6 year old absolutely loved the Oceaneer club and spent at least 2-4 hrs a day there - by choice!! I would go to pick him up and he wanted to stay. My 10 year old daughter did ghost stories on back deck 7 one night, a girls slumber party night, learned how to make the towel animals, and went to a trivia game for 10-12 year olds. My 13 year old daughter is not a joiner - but once she saw the kids her age hanging around together I think she wished she had. Best to get the kids to their respective clubs the first day to meet kids and counselors in their group so they start off with everyone. My 13 year old would have had more fun if she had done that, but of course, she is 13 and knows everything!!
We had 6:00pm dinner, and followed the Parrot Cay, Lumieres, Annimators Palate order. Our servers, Subhash and Magno, were wonderful. Turns out they were both on the Wonder in 2000 as well, and our server on that trip, El is now married and they know her. They were both from India, and we are still missing their smiles at dinner. I believe one of my kids got their e-mail addresses and we will probably correspond with them. The early dinner can be tough as you usually need to get right back on ship and ready for dinner, especially if you want your picture taken before dinner. I think next time we may try the 8:30 seating and be sure to have naps in the afternoon. Then, my children will be older, also. We may not feel as rushed that way.
After reading these boards I got the impression that most people did not dress up for the formal and semi-formal dinners, but on our cruise people were definitely dressed. We did not rent tuxedos, but my husband and my daughters boyfriend both had on jackets and tie for dinner. I think my daughters (13 and 10) felt underdressed as many girls seemed to bring there best dresses for these dinners.
We had category 10 inside deluxe staterooms that were adjoining. The three oldest were in one and my husband and I were in the other with the 10 and 6 year olds. Worked out well, and at least we had the two bathrooms with the separate shower rooms and a total of 4 sinks! We were directly under Lumieres, though, and my older kids complained that the room creaked alot - not sure if from traffic above or just the boat moving. Anyway, I slept well!
Beware of Bingo!!! That ended up being the biggest cost on our trip! Kids can play as long as there is an adult with them, and at $35.00 per jumbo pack (6 cards) we went through them quickly.
We had a suite at the Radisson Resort at the Port on Friday evening before we sailed, and it was very nice. Wish we had gotten there sooner (arrived about 8pm) so we were very tired and did not have enough time to enjoy the offerings.
I found that souvenirs on the beach in St. Maarten were cheapest, although the folks selling their things are at you the whole time. We did not do any excursions, we just caught a taxi to the beaches. We did Bikini beach on Orient Bay in St. Maarten, Magens Bay in St. Thomas, (absolutely beautiful). There were no beach folks selling wares on Magens Bay so it was definitely more peaceful. We rented floats and enjoyed the day. We also rode the tram to the top of the mountain overlooking the port. We had lunch up there and it was very good - wrap sandwiches and salads and such. And then of course, Castaway Cay. Have to say, do not wear jewelery while snorkeling in Castaway Cay. I only had on small earrings, but had an episode with the fish swarming myself and 6 year old son. It was a bit scary, they were bumping into me and I had to lift my head out of the water while swimming away as they were right at me.
Can't say enough about the trip. The weather was always in the 80's although we did have one day of rain at sea. Movies on board included Nemo, Pirates of the Carribean, Under the Tuscan Sun, Freaky Friday. Be sure to introduce your kids to the beverage station, deck 9, aft, port side. There is juice and lemonade! We did not do the soda plan, as no one wanted to carry their mug around there neck all the time, although plenty of people did just that. Be sure to order room service - we got a plate of a dozen chocolate chips each night, with chocolate milk! Also, be sure to go to breakfast in Lumieres at least once. It was a great way to wake up and I enjoy being served - standing in the tray line at Topsiders is okay, but linen and service in the morning is much more relaxing. Also, lunch is served in a number of places each day - you can easily avoid the crowds with a little planning.
I am having withdrawal as New Jersey was very cold getting in after midnight Saturday night!! We always drive, and we were off the ship by 8:30 am and home at !2:30 am (Sunday). We made great time.
We will definitely go back, although we would like to try the 7 day Western Carribean next time. Subhash, our server, was telling us that Disney is considering some other destinations such as leaving out of LA and visiting the Pacific side of Mexico. It is also on the questionaire as you leave the ship. We'll see, I just know that we will go back again.
Wishing I was still on island time....
DB
We had 6:00pm dinner, and followed the Parrot Cay, Lumieres, Annimators Palate order. Our servers, Subhash and Magno, were wonderful. Turns out they were both on the Wonder in 2000 as well, and our server on that trip, El is now married and they know her. They were both from India, and we are still missing their smiles at dinner. I believe one of my kids got their e-mail addresses and we will probably correspond with them. The early dinner can be tough as you usually need to get right back on ship and ready for dinner, especially if you want your picture taken before dinner. I think next time we may try the 8:30 seating and be sure to have naps in the afternoon. Then, my children will be older, also. We may not feel as rushed that way.
After reading these boards I got the impression that most people did not dress up for the formal and semi-formal dinners, but on our cruise people were definitely dressed. We did not rent tuxedos, but my husband and my daughters boyfriend both had on jackets and tie for dinner. I think my daughters (13 and 10) felt underdressed as many girls seemed to bring there best dresses for these dinners.
We had category 10 inside deluxe staterooms that were adjoining. The three oldest were in one and my husband and I were in the other with the 10 and 6 year olds. Worked out well, and at least we had the two bathrooms with the separate shower rooms and a total of 4 sinks! We were directly under Lumieres, though, and my older kids complained that the room creaked alot - not sure if from traffic above or just the boat moving. Anyway, I slept well!
Beware of Bingo!!! That ended up being the biggest cost on our trip! Kids can play as long as there is an adult with them, and at $35.00 per jumbo pack (6 cards) we went through them quickly.
We had a suite at the Radisson Resort at the Port on Friday evening before we sailed, and it was very nice. Wish we had gotten there sooner (arrived about 8pm) so we were very tired and did not have enough time to enjoy the offerings.
I found that souvenirs on the beach in St. Maarten were cheapest, although the folks selling their things are at you the whole time. We did not do any excursions, we just caught a taxi to the beaches. We did Bikini beach on Orient Bay in St. Maarten, Magens Bay in St. Thomas, (absolutely beautiful). There were no beach folks selling wares on Magens Bay so it was definitely more peaceful. We rented floats and enjoyed the day. We also rode the tram to the top of the mountain overlooking the port. We had lunch up there and it was very good - wrap sandwiches and salads and such. And then of course, Castaway Cay. Have to say, do not wear jewelery while snorkeling in Castaway Cay. I only had on small earrings, but had an episode with the fish swarming myself and 6 year old son. It was a bit scary, they were bumping into me and I had to lift my head out of the water while swimming away as they were right at me.
Can't say enough about the trip. The weather was always in the 80's although we did have one day of rain at sea. Movies on board included Nemo, Pirates of the Carribean, Under the Tuscan Sun, Freaky Friday. Be sure to introduce your kids to the beverage station, deck 9, aft, port side. There is juice and lemonade! We did not do the soda plan, as no one wanted to carry their mug around there neck all the time, although plenty of people did just that. Be sure to order room service - we got a plate of a dozen chocolate chips each night, with chocolate milk! Also, be sure to go to breakfast in Lumieres at least once. It was a great way to wake up and I enjoy being served - standing in the tray line at Topsiders is okay, but linen and service in the morning is much more relaxing. Also, lunch is served in a number of places each day - you can easily avoid the crowds with a little planning.
I am having withdrawal as New Jersey was very cold getting in after midnight Saturday night!! We always drive, and we were off the ship by 8:30 am and home at !2:30 am (Sunday). We made great time.
We will definitely go back, although we would like to try the 7 day Western Carribean next time. Subhash, our server, was telling us that Disney is considering some other destinations such as leaving out of LA and visiting the Pacific side of Mexico. It is also on the questionaire as you leave the ship. We'll see, I just know that we will go back again.
Wishing I was still on island time....
DB
