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

[IceSk8ersMom]

For the formals I am resurrecting two floor length dresses. Neither night will I match my child or husband's tie. Found some neat, reasonably priced semi-formal/casual dresses which along with a couple old stand-bys will take me the rest of the way. DD6 will dress up for pirate night, but I'm not feeling it. Palo will be one of the semi-formal type dresses.

Caryn

Caryn, in regard to dressing up for Pirate Night I am not feeling it either. I may go tropical. I asked my DD, who is 15, if she wanted to dress up for Pirate Night, and she only said, "Mother!" I guess that is a no.

I too found some reasonable dresses, and I also purchased a few dresses this summer for my sister's wedding festivities that wlll be perfect for our cruise.

 

[3princessMommy]

FE: I vote for one group. It's a longer cruise and having more time to get to all the cabins and spacing out gifts will be fun. My worry with 25 is that by the end of 11 nights, there will be no surprises left to come back to and it will be impossible to get my cranky kids back to the cabin to go to sleep. ("I wonder what's in the FE?" is a surefire way to get them out of the clubs and racing back to the room.) However, I will go with the group. I will note that, if split, I will probably still do a small something for both with a special extra for my group since I have enough supplies for 50 cabins already.

Dresses: I have two long formals and some shorter semi-formals (don't know which of those I'll bring). But DH will be in a tux for formal night and the girls will be in formal dresses as well. You can most definitely wear your semi-formal dress to Palo!

Harry Potter: LOVE IT! We read the seven books with the girls and they wanted to start over, so we are now half-way through book 5 and hoping to get through 7 before we see the movie. Not sure if it will come to Uganda or not. Or if it does, when. So hoping it will still be in theaters when we get to FL and I can take the older girls. Aaron will have to stay with Gracie because he hasn't read all the books! (By order of DD9).

Caitie is dressing up as Hermoine today for trick or treating at the Embassy. She bears an uncanny resemblance actually! Can't wait to get a picture! Wish they'd let them dress up at school, but Halloween is a decidedly American thing and many folks here take offense at the concept.

 

[That_Australian_Kid]

I hate to ditch the box--something about opening a ziploc bag from Santa (insert smiley here that I STILL don't know how to do)

Last time, I just bagged goodies up for the CMs that were so good to us--Peter Pan and his Neverland crew, a German girl in the gift shop that took up with us, a server at Topsiders that did magic tricks with the girls. We tipped extra for the ones we could and gave goodies to the others. Not much, but we so appreciated all of them.

As far the clothes, I have NO clue. I'm a stay at home mom and my wardrobe consists of tees and yoga pants. Hate to buy stuff I'll probably never wear again and heck, at a certain size it's no fun to dress up anyway Reckon if I just add some rhinestone jewelry to my tees and yoga pants anyone would notice my being underdressed?

Not sure if this would work.. or look very nice confused3) but you could take the lego out of the box, put it in a ziploc and then flatten the box, put it in the bottom of the suitcase and then reassemble once aboard the ship?

edit: unless it's a plastic box...

 

[momssurprise]

Harry Potter: LOVE IT! We read the seven books with the girls and they wanted to start over, so we are now half-way through book 5 and hoping to get through 7 before we see the movie. Not sure if it will come to Uganda or not. Or if it does, when. So hoping it will still be in theaters when we get to FL and I can take the older girls. Aaron will have to stay with Gracie because he hasn't read all the books! (By order of DD9).

Caitie is dressing up as Hermoine today for trick or treating at the Embassy. She bears an uncanny resemblance actually! Can't wait to get a picture! Wish they'd let them dress up at school, but Halloween is a decidedly American thing and many folks here take offense at the concept.

My DD9 was Hermione last year! I loved that costume. This year she's a "French girl" except she looks like she just went to Justice and bought every sequin in the place. Oh well. You will be able to spot her on the boat. The more sparkle the better!!

 

[colkath2005]

Hey everyone!

I vote to keep the group as one. I am also concerned about space but somehow I will fit it all in knowing that it will be worth it to include everyone.Also not sure if it was answered but someone asked if anyone would be offended with christmas gifts. Personally I wouldnt, any gift is still kind and thoughtful.

I have 2 formal dresses (as long as they fit).
I enjoying dressing up for dinner because as a single mum I rarely get to dress up. Since I have cruised many times and wear the dresses each cruise I feel as if I get my money's worth.
Colette

 

[BBQMommy]

Hey everyone!

I vote to keep the group as one. I am also concerned about space but somehow I will fit it all in knowing that it will be worth it to include everyone.Also not sure if it was answered but someone asked if anyone would be offended with christmas gifts. Personally I wouldnt, any gift is still kind and thoughtful.

Colette

I knew I'd forgotten to post something, thanks Colette . I would think one would be OK with Christmas themed items for the FE - it is a holiday/Christmas cruise. Long story short: I celebrate Christmas in that I like appreciating family and friends and neighbors, but I am not a Christian. I don't practice any religion, but I love Christmas. That said, are my FE items Christmas themed - no. Not by carefully crafted thought, but the ideas I settled on turned out to be more generic.

Caryn

 

[DVC4US]

How dressy is everyone getting? I have two long dresses for the formal (if I can fit in them, lol); but what are you wearing for the semi-formal? Can I double dip - wear my semi-formal also to Palo? I think I brought enough for each night on the 7 night, but with 11 nights, I'd like to be more realistic. I know I had tons of stuff I didn't wear.

Not sure about the formals yet. I know I will have a long dress for the first formal but for Christmas it might just be a dressy red dress. I usually always wear my semi-formal to Palo - makes for less packing. In the past, with the longer cruises, I have used the same capri pants but changed up the tops. This year over the summer I got some really cute dresses so I will probably bring most of those this time. With the luggage restrictions now, I usually do a lot of double dipping on clothes for an 11-night cruise. I just send everything out to be clean and then wear again.

 

[DVC4US]

I thought the "s" word was for smog alert Seriously, everybody take care and be safe.

Been there, done that one too! We lived in SoCal for 2 years.

 

[DVC4US]

Pirate night - the extent of our dress-up for Pirate Night will be black shirts with a skull & crossbones on them that I got at Target and then we will pair them with black skirts and then I don't know what else. Not too dressed up but with a little nod to Pirate Night.

FE gifts - I personally do not mind Christmas related FE gifts and i don't think it would be a big problem if you handed out one. Most of my gift is generic but a part of it will be Christmas related.

 

[Cruisin'Nick]

In regards to the FE situation, I vote we keep it all together as well. Seeing as how it's a longer cruise and all, it will be better to be able to take our time and hit all the families throughout the cruise, than to get say only 25 families and be done on day 3 or 4. Cause when we did FE's last year on the July 4 cruise, there was about 20 families who were doing it, and one day (sea day) Meemous was directing us to the various staterooms, and with 4 of us running around, we were done in a day. And besides that, my mom is already done with FE gifts, she has like 52, I believe..so enough for each family. So no matter if we split OR keep it as a whole group, we will be giving to all the families.

 

[momssurprise]

Do we have a current count? I know we have several new additions to the cruise and I, for example, just decided to join in on the FE...be nice to know where are numbers are.

 

[decked out]

Guess we will have to see what is available when we board.

On the 7-day cruise we had to book Palo (tea, brunch, dinner) upon boarding and had no problem getting the seatings we wanted. For this cruise, we still need to book brunch for Liz's birthday, and maybe change dinner reservations. It would be nice to skip the queue at Rockin' Bar D upon boarding, but it didn't take too long last time.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

I think you explained somewhere, but how can I get HP on my Kindle?

Well, I did some digging with Google and found all 7 books in pdf form. And downloaded them in a torrent file. I did some reasearch and found a site that's been around awhile- so I figured the computer wouldn't get any buggies from the download. If she ever authorizes the eBook release I'll buy them again, until then the pdf's will do.

For the book release we dressed up and went at midnight. I didn't really get into the the books till the first 4 were out in paperback so I missed out then. Once I convinced Rick it was the only time I would ask him to go out at midnite for a book (let alone dress up) he agreed. We had the best time! They had a party in one of the alleys in the French Quarter in New Orleans- all the shopfronts were dressed up as Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron(the bar on the corner- Pelican something or other) had theme drinks and cauldron cakes. I still have these costumes somewhere. It was the first time in 10 years I got out the sewing machine and tried to make something. I guess I was inspired!

Anyone have a suggestion of where I might find the correct size collapsable cooler to carry on? How many carry-ons can we bring? DH might want Diet DP and I'd like to bring some wine and a couple premixed margarita bottles. Or not...the holiday drinks of the day sounded very yummy. I might have to walk with the groups at 6, 7 & 8am....

You are allowed as many as you can carry and keep up with. I've seen parents looking like Sherpas in the terminal. Definitely try the Cranberry Margarita....it was absolutely wonderful last year.

How dressy is everyone getting? I have two long dresses for the formal (if I can fit in them, lol); but what are you wearing for the semi-formal? Can I double dip - wear my semi-formal also to Palo? I think I brought enough for each night on the 7 night, but with 11 nights, I'd like to be more realistic. I know I had tons of stuff I didn't wear.

I have the new floor length dress I just got and then I have 2 pants (like palazzo pants) that look like a floor length dress. Those are coming with me with some tops to interchange. I double dip on a 4 night, so I am definitely doing the same on an 11 night!

 

[3princessMommy]

Just took the Facebook quiz, "which Harry Potter character are you?"

I got - Severus Snape!!! ARGH!!!! I mean at lease McGonagall or Hermoine! But Snape???? NOBODY likes him! That is so unfair!

 

[AustinAg]

Hello everyone! We just booked yesterday, our third DCL trip, all three on the Magic. I couldn't keep it a secret from the kids, DD 11 and DD 7. We are making a FE & shore plans this weekend. Please add me to the list if it's not too late.

So looking forward to it and DH loves DCL--I think he loves watching the expressions on the kids faces the most, AND you will find him in the sports bar on several occasions catching the latest games.


I am sooo glad I found this group/board. It looks like some great families that I can't wait to get to know better. This is our first cruise without other family or friends. Thank you to those who are taking the time to organize these events. Please add me to the list: FE and Ornament Exchange.

So Excited.
-Vicky

 

[BBQMommy]

Hello Vicky! Welcome

Great group here. This is our first DCL cruise and cannot wait!


-----
Snape is my favorite HP character ...

Caryn

 

[3princessMommy]

Here are the girls at today's Embassy trick-or-treating!

And here's a better picture of our little Hermoine! I love the way this costume turned out!

Wish the crowds weren't so bad at HP at Universal so we could take the girls, but maybe next year once all the hype dies down from the movies.

 

[disneydash]

Welcome aboard Vicky!! You will find this group extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Speaking of which (I've put the questions in bold for those people in a hurry) ...

Since we are booking so late in the process, we are getting shut out on some of the excursions. Our "Type A" oldest DD wants to mountain bike, hike or canyoneer her way across the Caribbean and some of her favorite choices have already closed.

We will continue to check until boarding to see if there are any openings but have people had any luck being added to an excursion once on board?

Also, we want to plan a couple of family beach trips to allow the younger ones to run around. However, I am not too keen to pay over $250 for the 7 of us on a Disney excursion for what is basically a shuttle back and forth to the beach. I would rather spend that on jet skis or something. I remember seeing some people planning their own beach excursions but I can't remember where they were. To be safe, I want to stick to the English dominant countries when going off on our own.

For those venturing on their own to the beach, can you tell me where you are doing it and are you arranging for transportation in advance?

Thanks.

 

[Liz Arjay]

For those venturing on their own to the beach, can you tell me where you are doing it and are you arranging for transportation in advance?

Thanks.

You can easily do Magens Bay on your own in St. Thomas. It is an $8 ride there, and very simple. I think many people on the ship (including us) are doing that.

 

[Lolobellica]

It's starting to get cold where we live, a big reminder that the cruise is coming fast!!!

I was curious about what you take off the boat at each port. Do you take your own towel, water, food etc ?

I am trying to decide if I need to buy some sort of travel back pack as all of my carry on bags would be too cumbersome for day trips...