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

[itutorfortravel]

What is the name of the Facebook page for this group, please? I've searched for it multiple times but found nothing

Thank you

I do not remember the FB group name, but I had found it awhile back and sent a request to join but I'm thinking maybe thegales weren't able to connect my FB name with my DISboard ID b/c I didn't get confirmed...I'd love to join it too!

 

[itutorfortravel]

I love Shirley too! This last time I cruised over Christmas was in 2004 so I don't know if she still does the little trees or not, but she does the best baskets! It's always exciting to get into our cabin and see our basket.

We didn't use Shirley on our Christmas cruise last year, but I did contact her about different baskets (it was my inlaws 50th wedding anniversary) and I'm thinking she did have the little trees...wish I could remember how much they were! I would love to decorate but since we're a cat 12 gty, I'm afraid we'll have less space than we did last year...I'll surely decorate my door but what have some of you done inside the cabin that made it festive but takes up little to no room (don't want a tree to take up counter space). Also, I'm thinking cheap as I'd like to just trash it when we disembark.

 

[itutorfortravel]

I'm right behind you! Booking today! I'll post when it is "official'!!!!!!

Yeah!

Sorry I got you confused with another DISser on your post about OBC...this thread has really taken off lately & I'm finding it hard to keep up with all the new folks! Did you end up finding a good OBC somewhere?

 

[BBQMommy]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=103995330785&ref=ts

should bring up the group.

Hooray for more folks booking and getting great OBCs


Caryn

 

[BigHugsForEeyore]

.

 

[VMinick]

We just extended our vacation for the 2nd time.........in 2 days!!!!

and on Dec. 28th, while on Castaway Cay, DH and I will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary !!!

Congratulations on your extended vacation! It sounds SO fun! My husband and I will be celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary onboard on Dec. 27th, so this cruise will be filled with lots of celebrations!

 

[BBQMommy]

I have a couple questions to which I am not sure there are answers yet, with this being a fairly unique cruise length-wise.

---Is there a tipping guide for an 11 day cruise out there?

---Does anyone know about the cost of a Rainforest Room pass for an 11 day trip?


Thanks!
Caryn

 

[StJohnfamily]

When we did the Panama Canel they did offer a reduced rate for the Rainforest Room. I can check later today on the cost they offered then.

 

[DVC4US]

I have a couple questions to which I am not sure there are answers yet, with this being a fairly unique cruise length-wise.

---Is there a tipping guide for an 11 day cruise out there?

---Does anyone know about the cost of a Rainforest Room pass for an 11 day trip?


Thanks!
Caryn

Hi Caryn,

This is not official but here is what I found for tipping:

These are per person including children
Stateroom Host(ess) $44
Server $44
Asst Server $33
Head Server $11

Room service is at your discretion. We usually tip at least $2-$5 depending on what we order. I always take dollar bills that I have ready for tipping room service. DD loves to order the chocolate chip cookies every day. It gets pretty funny on the longer cruises because the room service people get to know her by name and when we call to place an order they always think it is her placing her cookie order.

I'm not sure about the rainforest room pass. You might want to post on the regular boards and ask someone who was recently on an 11 day in the Med.

 

[DVC4US]

For all new cruisers and any past cruisers who haven't done this you should catch Pub Night on the last night of the cruise. It is the funniest show.

I know it might be hard for those with young kids but if you have the chance to see it you should. It is usually held in Diversions at 11pm on the last night and it is put on by the crew. This is a must see for us now every time we cruise. The first time I saw it, I laughed so hard I almost peed(sp?) my pants.

 

[3PrincessGrandma]

What is the Rainforest Room? Our first Disney cruise was the first Baltic cruise in June and I don't remember a Rainforest Room. Probably just missed it since we were enjoying our grandkids so much.
Just check the rain gauge - 7.5 inches and it is still raining. At least the temperature is low-80s. Makes it almost nice outside.
Tipping - I thought it was great to be able to charge tips to our cabin. We just went to the pursers desk and told them how much we wanted to give and to whom. Made it really simple. Also kept lots of dollar bills for room service tips. I know suggested tips per day per person were about the same as on several shorter cruises we have made.

Lois

 

[BBQMommy]

Thank you, thank you! I will post on the big board re: Rainforest Room.

Here is one traveler's take on the Rainforest Room:

The Vista Spa’s Rainforest is truly an oasis: soft lighting, beautiful tiles, soft music and a gorgeous fountain beckon you deeper into its midst. You’ll discover heated tile lounge chairs, which at first glance may look uncomfortable, but try lying on one and you’ll be surprised at how comfortable they really are. There are stacks of rolled towels available throughout the rainforest, perfect for protecting your swimsuit from the sometimes rough tiles, as well providing a nice neck pillow. Hooks are conveniently placed for you to hang up your robe.

There is a mild dry sauna with plenty of seating. I find it a terrific place to relax and soak in the warmth and occasionally meet some fellow cruisers. I have even been known to bring a book in for some uninterrupted relaxation time. There are also 2 different steam rooms: one medium and the other kind of intense, but with a wonderful eucalyptus scent. I’ve found that if you open the door and the steam seems to be more than you can handle, close it back up and wait a few minutes. The steam seems to run in cycles, and entering during the strongest phase can be a bit much for most people. While I love the eucalyptus scent of the strongest steam room, I find I can only handle the heat for a few minutes before it becomes overwhelming. Continue exploring to the far side of the rainforest and you will find 2 separate showers, with tropical or citrus scent, as well as water fountains to help you rehydrate.

So what is the price of adding this to your vacation budget? An All Day Pass is just $15, with reduced prices for multi-day passes. For a first experience, I recommend a one day pass to try it out, and ask if you can apply that cost to a multi-day pass (this has been possible if you purchase the multi-day pass on the same day you purchase the one day pass.) Be careful though, I’ve purchased the 7 day pass for a 7 day cruise several times and have found that I’ve only used 4 or 5 days. I would actually have saved money just purchasing the one day pass or a shorter multi day pass. If you are planning on enjoying any of the other spa treatments that are available, you can purchase a reduced day pass for $8 that is only good on the day of your other treatment. The Rainforest Room, as well as the remainder of the spa, is adult only. Since it is co-ed, it’s a great way to introduce your partner to the Spa and spend some time alone together.


I took this from:
http://www.magically-speaking.com/06/issue047B.shtml

I have very tight, sore muscles. I want to spend time on those heated tile lounges.

Caryn

 

[DVC4US]

I have very tight, sore muscles. I want to spend time on those heated tile lounges.

Caryn

Hi Caryn,

The heated tile lounges are great but they don't have enough of them. Unless DCL has changed the room since I last used it(was sometime ago) there are only 4 heated lounges and its very hard to snag an empty one. If you can they are awesome!

 

[BBQMommy]

Only 4?!? Hmmm. Will need persistance ...
Thank you for the heads up



Caryn

 

[disneycruising]

Good Morning everyone!

I put in request to join the FB page...thank you guys for the information.

I was also thinking of contacting Shirley for a gift basket for the trip... we will be celebrating DD 11th Birthday on the trip. We have done the baskets a few times...Shirley's baskets are always wonderful! I hadn't thought about the fact that she might be doing small trees for Christmas. Would someone be willing to share any info they get from Shirley about the prices? It might save me from having to bring a small fake tree...in my suitcase.

My DH has been working on our flights, we are going to be using mostly fequent flier miles. We are looking at taking an over-night flight from CA to Orlando on Thursday, Dec 16th. Then doing the MVMCP on friday, Dec 17th. Is any one else going to be doing the MVMCP on Friday night?

I guess I better get back to the house work...laundry is calling me. Have a great day everyone1

 

[3princessMommy]

Just sent Shirley and e-mail (hard to call internationally). I'll let you know what she says - or maybe she'll jump on here and post herself.

You know the cruise is getting close when it's time to order the Shirley gift basket!!!!

 

[bigAWL]

Hi Caryn,

This is not official but here is what I found for tipping:

These are per person including children
Stateroom Host(ess) $44
Server $44
Asst Server $33
Head Server $11

Right, I believe the general formula you can use for any Disney cruise is the following multiplied by the numer of people cruising, multiplied by the number of nights:

Stateroom Host(ess) $4
Server $4
Asst Server $3
Head Server $1

 

[bigAWL]

Ok, it's getting hard to keep up with this group. But I think I got all the updates on the front page. Check it out and verify your group's information is all there. I also updated a few of the Event/Activity entries.

itutorfortravel, based on what you remember from your last holiday cruise, I've added a section describing possible Holiday events organized by DCL. So if you (any anyone else) remember anything else, or find your old Navigators, let me know and I'll include it all. Think it's good to give people an idea of all the fun that might be had.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Cruise just paid off moments ago & travel insurance purchased...here we go!

~Kimberly

 

[itutorfortravel]

Ok, it's getting hard to keep up with this group. But I think I got all the updates on the front page. Check it out and verify your group's information is all there. I also updated a few of the Event/Activity entries.

itutorfortravel, based on what you remember from your last holiday cruise, I've added a section describing possible Holiday events organized by DCL. So if you (any anyone else) remember anything else, or find your old Navigators, let me know and I'll include it all. Think it's good to give people an idea of all the fun that might be had.

I have all of the Navigators from last Christmas on the Magic...I will pull them out in the next few days and share whatever fun stuff I see listed.

I know one thing I will love about this cruise is NOT having to disembark the day after Christmas! While it was fun to say you were on Castaway Cay on Christmas day, it also meant that Christmas night we were packing to get off the next morning...now we'll have 4 more wonderful days before we have to do that!