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

[DVC4US]

You guys rock...

We usually book about 15 min before the desk closes the night before we hit port..

Welcome to the new folks & returning folks..

Won't be long and we will be under 100 days..

Mike


.

The majority of my group would probably plan excursions like you guys, but I am such a planner and I needed to get this off my to do list. I finally told them if they don't quit saying "I don't care" and give me some imput then they were going to get what I wanted and when I wanted it. That seemed to get the ball rolling.

 

[DVC4US]

Will this be your first Disney Cruise? If so, then I think you're right about 75 days. Starting with your second cruise, I think you get to make reservations at 90 days. On your 6th cruise you can reserve at 105 days, and starting with your 11th cruise, it's 120 days. I believe it is also 120 days for concierge suite guests (is that right?).

I believe all your dates are correct Aaron. And since we are in a suite, yes we did get to book our excursions at 120 days. Truthfully, I should say some of our cabins were able to book. Since my parents and DD and her boyfriend are not in a suite I can't book them until the 4th of Sept. I will get them done when it's available.

 

[DVC4US]

Mike - I know you guys are staying at the Hyatt. Are you going to MVMCP on Friday the 17th? We did this before our last Christmas cruise and it was a lot of fun. Since we are going to be at WDW after the cruise we decided to hang out at the Hyatt for the night.

Of course, with kids(I'm including the 21 & 22 year olds) this could change at anytime. I can see them talking about being bored that evening and I can see us ending up at the MK. We'll see as it gets closer. Probably going to have to make that decision soon if we want to go to MVMCP.

 

[HFC1969]

Mike - I know you guys are staying at the Hyatt. Are you going to MVMCP on Friday the 17th?

Not doing Mickey's party... believe it or not that is something only Amy & I have done. WE loved it. Our daughter has to be in bed at the latest by 9. Probaly just lay low at the Hyatt... dinner,, swim for a bit in the pool.

We play it by ear.

 

[3PrincessGrandma]

Denise, both Joann (3princessMommy) and I do cross stitch and I will probably have something to work on with me. I am currently working on a piece that I might use for secret santa/mickey if I can get it finished.

Lois

 

[DVC4US]

Not doing Mickey's party... believe it or not that is something only Amy & I have done. WE loved it. Our daughter has to be in bed at the latest by 9. Probaly just lay low at the Hyatt... dinner,, swim for a bit in the pool.

We play it by ear.

We will probably do dinner and a swim too since it's going to be a busy two weeks. I know Lisa(IceSk8ersmom) and Mitsy(DisneyMom92) will be at the Hyatt so we should have a DIS meet by the pool.

 

[VMinick]

I finally told them if they don't quit saying "I don't care" and give me some imput then they were going to get what I wanted and when I wanted it.

Isn't it amazing how well that line works? I had to say almost exactly the same thing to my husband! It worked here too! Here are our plans (with St. Thomas being iffy as we're not sure about that excursion, the weather, etc.):

Barbados: Harrison's Cave and Scenic Drive
St. Maarten: See and Sea Island Tour
Guadeloupe: Carbet Falls and Hindu Temple
Martinique: Just explore a little right off the boat. Since they celebrate Christmas all month, I'm assuming that they might have some decorations or activities on Christmas Eve?
St. Thomas: Magens Bay Beach Break

We're limited in excursions that we can all do together because of our little one only being three. I tried to encourage my DH to take the boys for an adventurous excursion at one of the ports, but he'd rather stay all together.

We're getting SO excited...now, if I could only finish my dissertation so that I could celebrate graduating on Dec. 11th, that would make the cruise even more magical!!!

 

[DVC4US]

Isn't it amazing how well that line works? I had to say almost exactly the same thing to my husband! It worked here too! Here are our plans (with St. Thomas being iffy as we're not sure about that excursion, the weather, etc.):

Barbados: Harrison's Cave and Scenic Drive
St. Maarten: See and Sea Island Tour
Guadeloupe: Carbet Falls and Hindu Temple
Martinique: Just explore a little right off the boat. Since they celebrate Christmas all month, I'm assuming that they might have some decorations or activities on Christmas Eve?
St. Thomas: Magens Bay Beach Break

We're limited in excursions that we can all do together because of our little one only being three. I tried to encourage my DH to take the boys for an adventurous excursion at one of the ports, but he'd rather stay all together.

We're getting SO excited...now, if I could only finish my dissertation so that I could celebrate graduating on Dec. 11th, that would make the cruise even more magical!!!

Glad to see I'm not the only one who has to use that line.

I understand the limitation on excursions. We wanted to try the 12 Meter Regatta the last time we were in St. Maarten but DD wasn't old enough.

We did the Magens Bay Beach Break on our 2004 Christmas cruise and the weather was beautiful. Hopefully the weather will be just as good this year.

 

[HFC1969]

We will probably do dinner and a swim too since it's going to be a busy two weeks. I know Lisa(IceSk8ersmom) and Mitsy(DisneyMom92) will be at the Hyatt so we should have a DIS meet by the pool.

Sounds like a pool party at the Hyatt...

 

[BBQMommy]

May have figured out what we want for excurions, but whether there will still be availability? We'll see!

I think we will be on our own in Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Maarten. We really want to search for spices and wander in the capitols and eat, eat, eat.

Barbados I think we will split up and I will do a snorkle and the two non-claustraphobes will go on the Atlantis submarine.

Magens Bay for St. Thomas. I'd rather the eco-hike to St. Johns, but I think it is too vigorous for DD6. With it being a Sunday, only one ship in port, and the day after Christmas, I think Charlotte Amelie may be very quiet.

Castaway Cay we will do the package for bike, snorkle, rays.

That gives us (or at least me) 3 beach days and 3 town days on the six stops. Who knows what I'll think next week

Caryn

 

[bigAWL]

Sounds like a pool party at the Hyatt...

Want me to put anything on the front page, or just leave it to you guys to work out amongst yourselves?

 

[HFC1969]

Want me to put anything on the front page, or just leave it to you guys to work out amongst yourselves?

You can... I don't mind...

 

[DVC4US]

Want me to put anything on the front page, or just leave it to you guys to work out amongst yourselves?

That's a great idea Aaron then we can at least get the information out to everyone staying at the Hyatt. As it gets closer I'll try to set up a more formal plan and let you know.

 

[DVC4US]

May have figured out what we want for excurions, but whether there will still be availability? We'll see!

I think we will be on our own in Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Maarten. We really want to search for spices and wander in the capitols and eat, eat, eat.

Barbados I think we will split up and I will do a snorkle and the two non-claustraphobes will go on the Atlantis submarine.

Magens Bay for St. Thomas. I'd rather the eco-hike to St. Johns, but I think it is too vigorous for DD6. With it being a Sunday, only one ship in port, and the day after Christmas, I think Charlotte Amelie may be very quiet.

Castaway Cay we will do the package for bike, snorkle, rays.

That gives us (or at least me) 3 beach days and 3 town days on the six stops. Who knows what I'll think next week

Caryn

Caryn - you can join us for the Turtle Shipwreck snorkel in Barbados if you want and it works out with your plans. We are doing the 11:15 excursion time.

 

[BBQMommy]

Thank you, LeiLani - if the times work out if we can get the Atlantis ressie for Bob and Campbell, I sure would love to

 

[bigAWL]

That's a great idea Aaron then we can at least get the information out to everyone staying at the Hyatt. As it gets closer I'll try to set up a more formal plan and let you know.

OK, you've got your own bullet now.

 

[VA Girl]

Hey everyone!!

We will be joining you on this cruise too!! This will be our 6th Disney cruise but our 1st Christmas one. It is me (Gretchen), DH (Larry), DD10 and DS8.

I was excited before but after reading all the posts now I'm over the top psyched. We would love to come to the DisMeet on the 1st sea day and would like to do the ornament exchange.

I saw quite a few pages back about maybe an adult wine get together. I would love to do this. I do love my wine. So, if there is a list to sign up for this...please add me. My DH may want to join this too.

I also saw that someone was going to organize a brunch at Palo. My DH and I love the brunch and did it with a group of our friends last year in the private room. It was amazing. DH and I would also like to do this with a group ....if it's not full already.

I've been trying to talk some of the friends that went with us last year on the cruise to go with us this year, so we'll see. They are waiting for the government rates to come out, so I'm praying that they do.

I can't wait to meet everyone. Talk with you soon.

Gretchen

 

[bigAWL]

Hey everyone!!

We will be joining you on this cruise too!! This will be our 6th Disney cruise but our 1st Christmas one. It is me (Gretchen), DH (Larry), DD10 and DS8.

I was excited before but after reading all the posts now I'm over the top psyched. We would love to come to the DisMeet on the 1st sea day and would like to do the ornament exchange.

I saw quite a few pages back about maybe an adult wine get together. I would love to do this. I do love my wine. So, if there is a list to sign up for this...please add me. My DH may want to join this too.

I also saw that someone was going to organize a brunch at Palo. My DH and I love the brunch and did it with a group of our friends last year in the private room. It was amazing. DH and I would also like to do this with a group ....if it's not full already.

I've been trying to talk some of the friends that went with us last year on the cruise to go with us this year, so we'll see. They are waiting for the government rates to come out, so I'm praying that they do.

I can't wait to meet everyone. Talk with you soon.

Gretchen

Welcome aboard! I've added your family to the roll call on the first page of this thread. I'm trying to keep it updated with as much information as possible about activities that various DISers are organizing. Nothing solid about Palo brunches yet. I'm sure there will be at least one, and I'm guessing there is enough interest here to fill the private room for brunch a couple times.

BTW, I'm originally from Vienna, VA. Which part are you in?

 

[VA Girl]

BigAWL,

Thank you for adding us to the list. We are in Northern Virginia.

Gretchen

 

[disneycruising]

Hey everyone!!

We will be joining you on this cruise too!! This will be our 6th Disney cruise but our 1st Christmas one. It is me (Gretchen), DH (Larry), DD10 and DS8.

I was excited before but after reading all the posts now I'm over the top psyched. We would love to come to the DisMeet on the 1st sea day and would like to do the ornament exchange.

I saw quite a few pages back about maybe an adult wine get together. I would love to do this. I do love my wine. So, if there is a list to sign up for this...please add me. My DH may want to join this too.

I also saw that someone was going to organize a brunch at Palo. My DH and I love the brunch and did it with a group of our friends last year in the private room. It was amazing. DH and I would also like to do this with a group ....if it's not full already.

I've been trying to talk some of the friends that went with us last year on the cruise to go with us this year, so we'll see. They are waiting for the government rates to come out, so I'm praying that they do.

I can't wait to meet everyone. Talk with you soon.

Gretchen

Welcome! This will be our first Christmas cruise, too. We did New Years last year...it was wonderful!

I also have a DD 10...she will turn 11 a few days before the cruise.