Magic Christmas Cruise 2010 (Dec 18th - 29th) - PART II

[skypixy]

FYI- in case there is anyone out there that hasn't made/ordered their FE yet, I was in Tuesday Morning today & they had a large Christmas stocking for sale that had 4 pockets on the outside! Perfect for a FE. Thay had a Santa, penguin & soldier. Just in case anyone wants a holiday FE. ($11.99)

 

[dragonflydreaming]

Hey everyone!
I'm wading through the excursion options and my head is just spinning!!!! Does anyone have any suggestions of "must do" excursions?? My kiddos are 8 and 9 but my 8 year old has Aspergers and some mild gross motor delays so things like snorkelling/ cycling/hiking etc. are out. He wouldn't enjoy sight seeing all day on a bus as in a guided bus tour....in his words "BOOOOORRIIIIIING"! And trust me, it would be more painful for us than it would be for him! LOL!! If it was a part of another activity he would be ok.

Here's what I was thinking:
St. Maarten - beach day (after 2 days at sea they won't want to be cooped up)
Guadaloupe - no idea
Barbados - Atlantis submarine and then beach time
Martinique - 4X4 adventure
St. Thomas - Dolphin Encounter (this one's a must - did it before in Cozumel and loved it)

I haven't been to any of these Islands before and am hoping to sneak away for one day before the 25th all by myself to do some Christmas shopping and let DH take the kids on one of the excursions. I'd love to know where the best shopping is too.
Pleeeease give me some guidance! I'm already so bummed out that we waited this long. Could only get Palo ressies on Departure night.

Thanks!!

Tracey

 

[dragonflydreaming]

OK, read the first page and then read through another 30 or so and I cannot figure out for the life of me what fish extenders are!!!
Can someone please enlighten me?... I might wanna participate
Thanks,
Tracey

 

[itutorfortravel]

OK, read the first page and then read through another 30 or so and I cannot figure out for the life of me what fish extenders are!!!
Can someone please enlighten me?... I might wanna participate
Thanks,
Tracey

Here is a link to what's posted on the FAQ page regarding fish extenders...hope it helps!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33184281&postcount=2

 

[BBQMommy]

St. Maarten/St. Martin is supposed to have good shopping, being a very duty free port. Between Martinique and Guadeloupe, Martinique is supposed to have slightly better shopping, but we are there 12/24.

 

[sarahlovespooh]

We were planning on taking another Disney Cruise in 2011 after our youngest son turned 3 in February. However, between the Florida Resident Rate and the ability to exchange Marriott Reward points (never knew this was an option), we can go on the 2010 Holiday Cruise in a Category 6 & 8 for less than $3,000 (I had a lot of Marriott points).

Our only hesitation centers around keeping our two and half year old occupied while also securing some adult time. It was easier the first time between Flounders and naps. Has anyone out there done a longer cruise with children of this age? Were you able to get additional hours at Flounders? My wife also wonders if Flounders will keep his interest now that he is older. What other activities did you do with them? Just seeking a little reassurance before confirming our reservation hold tomorrow.

Worse comes to worse, each of the older kids can take time with him throughout the day (one of the benefits of having a large age difference in our children)

Thanks for your advice and thoughts.

If you don't mind my asking, How does using Mariott reward points work?? My husband has accumulated a ton traveling for business and I'd love to use them to upgrade if that were possible. L[==

Thanks!

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

We were planning on taking another Disney Cruise in 2011 after our youngest son turned 3 in February. However, between the Florida Resident Rate and the ability to exchange Marriott Reward points (never knew this was an option), we can go on the 2010 Holiday Cruise in a Category 6 & 8 for less than $3,000 (I had a lot of Marriott points).

Our only hesitation centers around keeping our two and half year old occupied while also securing some adult time. It was easier the first time between Flounders and naps. Has anyone out there done a longer cruise with children of this age? Were you able to get additional hours at Flounders? My wife also wonders if Flounders will keep his interest now that he is older. What other activities did you do with them? Just seeking a little reassurance before confirming our reservation hold tomorrow.

Worse comes to worse, each of the older kids can take time with him throughout the day (one of the benefits of having a large age difference in our children)

Thanks for your advice and thoughts.

I think that it is a fabulous idea to join us on the Merriest Cruise of All. I don't have personal experience with Flounder's, but I have only heard good things. I also think it is a great idea to have your older kids help out.

It will all work out. Join us soon!

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

For those of you (like me) who are interested in keeping the weight of as much as poss on the cruise I found this info in a fitness mag I was reading and thought i'd share

Walking up stairs can bur about 10 calories/min, taking the elevator only burns 1.5 calories/min.

And the good news: Chocolate milk (fat free) is an excellelnt recovery drink which stimulates muscle building and reduces muscle breakdown.

Well thats my excuse then i'm gonna walk up the stairs so I can order choc milk from room service each night!

I think I will walk the stairs for an extra 10 minutes per day so I can order a chocolate chip cookie with my fat free chocolate milk. Oh well, since it is fat free milk, I will order two cookies from room service each night.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Wow, that is a highly discouraging thread. Makes me very sad. And very worried. TOo much money to pay for a broken down ship.

Interesting thread...I don't recall a sewage smell on my previous cruises. I have to admit that I was somewhat grossed out reading the thread, but I'm still so excited about this cruise.

I hope all these issues are worked out before we sail in December. Keeping it positive

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

No, we do not get the entire Thanksgiving off using furlough days. Instead we had to take three weeks off at Christmas and one day before school started and one day when school gets out. Most teachers still are working the day before school and the day school gets out. I guess it could be worse. I could be without a job. So, I am happy I have a job. Since both my husband and I are teachers I am very thankful for each day I get the opportunity to work.

I hear you. Even though my paycheck is less, I am so thankful to have a job. My DH is a police officer, and the city is talking about cutting their pension. California is in such a crisis. Even though the district says it is going to get worse before it gets better, I am hopeful that after the election the budget will improve.

Oh well, we are going to have a fabulous vacation.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Lisa,

I agree, tomorrow nights show should be pretty good and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.

My top three picks are: Jennifer and Derek, Kurt and Anna, and Audrina and Tony. I'm like you, I really like Kyle but I don't think he is much of a dancer so I don't see him being around too much longer.

I would love to see Jennifer and Derek dance to "Time of My Life" in the finals too. Would be pretty emotional for Jennifer but would be a great dance.

Right now, I'm trying to watch a little bit of the Vikings and Packers game while also watching Amazing Race.

It was a bad night for Jennifer and Derek and Kurt and Anna. I thought that they both did a better job than Kyle and Bristol. Also, I thought Audrina and Tony won the dance off.

I wonder if it will be a shocker like last week. I do not want to even predict who will go home.

 

[dragonflydreaming]

Here is a link to what's posted on the FAQ page regarding fish extenders...hope it helps!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33184281&postcount=2

Thanks so much!! Will have a look.

 

[Lolobellica]

Hi-
I was wondering if anyone else was traveling with one child or has children who will be split into different clubs, and the younger will be in the oceaneer's club solo?

I ask because our daughter (4) is an only child and is shy with people when she first meets them. The only downside to our last cruise was that it was somewhat difficult to get her to go the club because she really didn't know anyone. Once she warms up she is fine but it was like the first day of summer camp every time she went.

We will definitely be at the Mickey pool at 3pm the first day for the kids meetup. But I was wondering how many of you have younger children, say between 3-7, would be at the Mickey pool? Maybe we can have something fun for the younger kids to do to get to know each other?


Maybe I am totally over thinking this whole thing but I think it might help the younger children find a "buddy."

RRC

Our DD is almost 4, also an only child. We'll make it a point to look out for you. Our daughter's name is Lauren.

 

[dragonflydreaming]

St. Maarten/St. Martin is supposed to have good shopping, being a very duty free port. Between Martinique and Guadeloupe, Martinique is supposed to have slightly better shopping, but we are there 12/24.

That's great! Thanks so much for the info. Will plan on shopping in Martinique and the kiddos and their Dad can go on the 4X4 adventure tour. (not my kind of adventure) LOL

 

[disneydash]

If you don't mind my asking, How does using Mariott reward points work?? My husband has accumulated a ton traveling for business and I'd love to use them to upgrade if that were possible. L[==

Thanks!

You go to the Marriott Rewards section of the Marriott website, click on the Use Marriott Points tab and then Travel & Leisure rewards where it will give you options to purchase cruise travel certificates using your points. From there you have to use Cruisesonly.com who is their exclusive provider (there is a link on the website that brings you to a Marriott page for Cruisesonly). Make the reservation online or call an agent and then deduct the certificates from the total costs. One downside is that they offer no shipboard credits.

I was extremely surprised that Disney cruises were an option but it worked out perfectly.

Not necessarily the best value for using the points but I had over a million points and we always wanted to do something big with them. Can't get much bigger than an 11 day Disney cruise!!

 

[disneydash]

Well I am absolutely thrilled to say that we will be joining you all on December 18th!!! My DW keeps walking around the house muttering "I can't believe we are going on an 11 night cruise for Christmas" as visions of not cooking, cleaning up after or hauling around the kids dance in her head.

What makes this extra special is that our oldest DD missed our first cruise because of her college schedule. With her now in her first year of med school we know her availability will only become less over the next few years. So to have all seven of us together for a Disney cruise means a lot to my DW and I. Between the Florida resident rates and Marriott points, it was just meant to be.

Been catching up on the posts and I look forward to meeting you in December. Now I have a lot of research, planning and reservations to make over the next few days. Any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[minneapolismickey]

Great to have you join us disneydash! I can't believe what a great deal you got.

More later, we are without power tonight with high winds. Thank goodness for the iPad.

 

[DVC4US]

It was a bad night for Jennifer and Derek and Kurt and Anna. I thought that they both did a better job than Kyle and Bristol. Also, I thought Audrina and Tony won the dance off.

I wonder if it will be a shocker like last week. I do not want to even predict who will go home.

It was a very interesting results night Lisa. Talk to you about it tomorrow.

 

[DVC4US]

Well I am absolutely thrilled to say that we will be joining you all on December 18th!!! My DW keeps walking around the house muttering "I can't believe we are going on an 11 night cruise for Christmas" as visions of not cooking, cleaning up after or hauling around the kids dance in her head.

What makes this extra special is that our oldest DD missed our first cruise because of her college schedule. With her now in her first year of med school we know her availability will only become less over the next few years. So to have all seven of us together for a Disney cruise means a lot to my DW and I. Between the Florida resident rates and Marriott points, it was just meant to be.

Been catching up on the posts and I look forward to meeting you in December. Now I have a lot of research, planning and reservations to make over the next few days. Any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome aboard disneydash - glad you guys decided to join us. We have a great DIS group here and this cruise is going to be awesome!

 

[DVC4US]

More later, we are without power tonight with high winds. Thank goodness for the iPad.

It's been pretty windy here all day too. No problems with the power thank goodness and at least it hasn't been as bad as out Chicago way. Stay safe and hopefully your power will come back on soon.