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

[IceSk8ersMom]

Based on what I found when looking back at our Baltic Cruise, I added some pretty safe bets to the Cruise Itinerary section on the front page. I also added the following notes:

Other Schedule Notes:
- The three restaurants should have their specialty menus on Dec 20-22. Lumiere's will have the French Dinner menu. Parrot Cay will have the Island Dinner menu. And whichever night you are in Animator's Palate during these three nights is when you would see the "Show Dinner."
- I'm not sure where they will put the Villains Tonight! show. I'm guessing either Dec 24, 25, or 26. I can see them not wanting to do it on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but I'm not sure they would do in the 26th, because I'm assuming Disney Dreams will be on the 27th. Would they do two major productions back-to-back? I guess they could do it on Dec 21 or 22.

bigAWL, you rock! Thank you! Thank you! I appreciate the information and those fantastic show pictures. It's so exciting! Also, I cannot forget the menus. YUMMY! I cannot wait. At times the anticipation is killing me. I am most looking forward to Villains Tonight.

 

[Kitster]

I'm setting up an Excel spreadsheet for the port excursions so it will be possible to know which DISer's have booked what excursions and what time they have booked. We had something similar on another Disney cruise we took and it was great knowing people on your excursions before we even left port. It also helped us to combine taxi fares when doing independent sightseeing, exploring, dining, etc.

If you are interested in adding your excursion info to the sheet, please PM me and I'll add the info and then forward the spreadsheet to you BEFORE I leave for Fl on Dec. 3. I don't need kid's names, just their ages, but I would like to know the names of any adults in your group. Please include the Disney excursion name and the time you signed up for. Also include any non-Disney plans you may have made, but only if you're interested in getting a group of DISer's together.

86 Days and Counting til this cruise. 79 days and counting til our 1st cruise on the Magic. 71 days til our Magical Holiday vacation begins.

 

[bigAWL]

My husband and I just booked this cruise. First time ever being away from home over the holidays. I'm a WDW cast member ... work at the Beach Club. Really looking forward to being on the Magic for 11 nights. We are also going on the Thanksgiving 7 night cruise.

Please add us to the list: Bob and Teena Slingluff

Welcome. You're on the roll call.

 

[jgura]

We took a 12-night Northern European Capitals cruise in June. I took photos of some of the menus. I'll try to upload them soon (you may even be able to read some of them). I'll also post a list of movies if I can find the schedule - I'm not sure if there were more movies, or if they were just shown more often.

They definitely had more talent on board to do shows, though I didn't see any of them. Again, I'll try to find the navigators and give you examples later. I usually save my show nights for the big musical productions. Here's a review I did of three shows I'd never seen before:

Love your pictures! I need to understand my camera before this cruise. My husband and I did not like the Villians show at all. I hope my girls do not want to see it again. My daughters surprisingly loved it and they are "princess" girls. My favorite DCL show is Toy Story. We have only been on the Wonder once. We would for this to move to the Magic.

 

[DVC4US]

Hey all,

This is our second Disney Cruise and we are VERY excited to be going on the 11 night Southern Caribbean!!! We just booked this Monday and made our final payment today! We did a cruise last Fourth of July. We would love to join any groups that have events planned. We even have our fish extenders from last year. Looking forward to learning all about this festive group!

I put in a request on the FaceBook page and hope to be included there soon!

Thanks!

~Lorrie

My husband and I just booked this cruise. First time ever being away from home over the holidays. I'm a WDW cast member ... work at the Beach Club. Really looking forward to being on the Magic for 11 nights. We are also going on the Thanksgiving 7 night cruise.

Please add us to the list: Bob and Teena Slingluff

Welcome Aboard Lorrie and Teena! We have a lot of events going on for this cruise so make sure you read the first post. Thanks to bigAWL for keeping all that straight.

Lorrie - I have a 14yo DD,(she is excited about seeing more teens on the cruise) a 21yo DD, and DDsBF who is 22 sailing with me - it looks like we are getting a nice group of teens and young adults on the cruise.

 

[DVC4US]

I'm setting up an Excel spreadsheet for the port excursions so it will be possible to know which DISer's have booked what excursions and what time they have booked. We had something similar on another Disney cruise we took and it was great knowing people on your excursions before we even left port. It also helped us to combine taxi fares when doing independent sightseeing, exploring, dining, etc.

If you are interested in adding your excursion info to the sheet, please PM me and I'll add the info and then forward the spreadsheet to you BEFORE I leave for Fl on Dec. 3. I don't need kid's names, just their ages, but I would like to know the names of any adults in your group. Please include the Disney excursion name and the time you signed up for. Also include any non-Disney plans you may have made, but only if you're interested in getting a group of DISer's together.

86 Days and Counting til this cruise. 79 days and counting til our 1st cruise on the Magic. 71 days til our Magical Holiday vacation begins.

Vicki - this is a great idea! We did this once before and it was a lot of fun knowing other DISers while on excursions. I will PM you with our information sometime today! Thanks for putting this together. BTW - I showed my crew the information about the Sunset Bar & Grill in St Maarten and everyone thinks it looks like a lot of fun, so I think we are going to give it a try after our excursion.

 

[DVC4US]

Aaron(bigAWL) - the pictures of the shows and menus are awesome! Thanks so much for posting all that information. That's the hard thing about doing longer special cruises - you don't really know what they are going to do and when they are going to do it.

I look forward to seeing some of the new shows. We saw Toy Story on the Wonder in 2008 and I didn't really care for it. The one I really liked and wish they would bring back is Hercules.

 

[Meemous]

Is there any room left in the Brunch Group going to Palo? My son and I went to Palo for Brunch last July and LOVED it! They only have dinner reservations left now...

Also, I'm almost positive that I paid all gratuities before we left for the cruise last year and I can't find that on my cruise plans this time... what am I missing!?

YAY for all the kids going. My kids made friends last July that we still keep in touch with on FaceBook! We even met a family that lives in our new city! And we get together often.

I absolutely love the story of the BF/GF that met on a Disney Cruise and are now returning with their families!

 

[3PrincessGrandma]

Welcome, Meemous. Our first Disney cruise wa to the Baltic in June. We talked to the "main desk" on the ship. They printed "coupons" with an amount we told them for each of the tips we wanted to give. We then put the coupons in the envelopes at the appropriate time. The cost was charged to our stateroom. Made it very easy.

 

[BBQMommy]

Hello Lorrie and Teena!

Thank you, BigAWL -- I am getting hungry!!!

Love the idea of the spreadsheet :




Caryn

 

[DVC4US]

Is there any room left in the Brunch Group going to Palo? My son and I went to Palo for Brunch last July and LOVED it! They only have dinner reservations left now...

Also, I'm almost positive that I paid all gratuities before we left for the cruise last year and I can't find that on my cruise plans this time... what am I missing!?

YAY for all the kids going. My kids made friends last July that we still keep in touch with on FaceBook! We even met a family that lives in our new city! And we get together often.

I absolutely love the story of the BF/GF that met on a Disney Cruise and are now returning with their families!

Hi Meemouse,

Unfortunetly the DIS brunch is full but we are trying to put together a private wine tasting for our DIS group if you and your son would like to join us for that I would need names, reservation number, and cabin number. You can PM those to me if you want to attend. I got your PM and sent one back(about brunch) but it was really wierd because it was a visitor PM which I have never seen before.

My DD has friended a couple of other girls on Facebook. I don't think they have talked yet but she wants to start doing that soon, so if your DD would like to talk to another teen on FB just PM me and maybe we can get them talking. Also, DD and I are going to start a 'teen thread' on the DIS, I just have to sit her down and get it started.

It's my older DD who met her BF on the 2004 Christmas cruise and it's hard to believe they are still together and we are doing another Christmas cruise. The moms really want them to get engaged on the cruise(perfect place) but I don't think that is going to happen. BF likes to do his own thing and not do what is expected, so I figure it will happen when it happens.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

Is there any room left in the Brunch Group going to Palo? My son and I went to Palo for Brunch last July and LOVED it! They only have dinner reservations left now...

Also, I'm almost positive that I paid all gratuities before we left for the cruise last year and I can't find that on my cruise plans this time... what am I missing!?

YAY for all the kids going. My kids made friends last July that we still keep in touch with on FaceBook! We even met a family that lives in our new city! And we get together often.

I absolutely love the story of the BF/GF that met on a Disney Cruise and are now returning with their families!

You can prepay tips through your travel agent or call DCL ahead of time 1-800-601-8455. You can also add onboard credit ahead of time. We usually call on payday and add some each month- helps with budgeting.

And if there's no room in the Palo group there'll be ressies held back for booking upon boarding. Trust me- we'll be in line for brunch also!

 

[Liz Arjay]

My husband and I just booked this cruise. First time ever being away from home over the holidays. I'm a WDW cast member ... work at the Beach Club. Really looking forward to being on the Magic for 11 nights. We are also going on the Thanksgiving 7 night cruise.

Please add us to the list: Bob and Teena Slingluff

Welcome! Better not bring your WDW name tag on board. I still have mine from being a cast member in the '90's. Wondered what would happen if I put it on while onboard - would I be mobbed with passengers requesting drinks?

 

[Meemous]

Ah yes! That's what I did... I prepaid the gratuities over the telephone. Thank you, all for the responses and the info. I will definitely be in line for Palo Brunch too then!

Thanks again!

 

[HFC1969]

85

So Happy Its Thursday!

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I am so glad that I will not be the only one in line for brunch reservations! I am only a bit nervous because we are using Disney ground transportation from the Hyatt to the port. I am afraid that we will arrive late. What is the lastest arrival time that you know of that a person was able to get brunch reservations on the day of Embarkation?

What about the gifts for the crew? Who do you usually purchase gift cards for? I am thinking...Help? stateroom host or hostess, server, and assistant??

Also, I read on a thread that Brent will be the executive cruise director of the Fanasty. He'll be in Celebration preparing for the debut of the Fanasty. So he most likely will not be our cruise director.

Just found out that my DD's Christmas recital is the Wednesday and Thursday before we leave so it looks like we will be in for a busy, busy few days just before we leave, which is the total opposite of what I prefer. I am a planner so the days before a trip are smooth sailing. Oh well, it will work out.

Things that I am looking forward: my DH's birthday, my 16th wedding anniversary, Homecoming, Harvest Day, and Halloween at Disneyland.

Take care and Talk to you soon

 

[disneycruising]

My husband and I just booked this cruise. First time ever being away from home over the holidays. I'm a WDW cast member ... work at the Beach Club. Really looking forward to being on the Magic for 11 nights. We are also going on the Thanksgiving 7 night cruise.

Please add us to the list: Bob and Teena Slingluff

Welcome

 

[discruiser]

Hi Kim

My Dh and I feel the same way, after doing the Panama Canal Cruise (in 2004)... anything under 14 days is not long enough. After 14 days on the ship...7 seems so short. That is why be are doing our first B2B cruise this time, we will also be doing' New Years on the Magic'.

Like your children, mine do not know about the cruise. I am not sure when we are going to tell them yet. My youngest DD (10) is going to be that we are not going the Grandma & Papa's house for Christmas...which we have done all her life. I am hoping that we can convince her that Christmas & New Years on the Magic...is just as good as going to grandma's.

I am so tempted to book the NYE cruise after this one, especially because our price dropped so much by switching to the cat 12s. However, the last time I checked, they weren't offering the cat 12 for 4 people for NYE. We're booked on several cruises next year (including the Dream and Alaska) so I should probably just save my money for those!

I think (hope) my kids will be excited about being back on the Magic. They have been asking a lot lately to go on another cruise. I do think my DD10 is going to be upset though that she is going to miss the 1/2 day of school on the Friday before our cruise. That poor girl is always trying for perfect attendance, and every year, it seems, she misses a day or two for a Disney vacation! She told me the other day this is the year she's going to get PA. Poor girl doesn't have a clue!

 

[discruiser]

Someone had asked about the menus and entertainment on the longer cruises. We did the 15 night Panama Canal cruise in August 2008. Here is a summary of that cruise.

Also, I saw on DCL's website that Ducky Williams is supposed to be on our cruise. He was on the PC sailing and he did several talks and animation sessions. His story is very interesting, and if you get a chance, I recommend you go listen to him.


Night 1 - Embarkation: Let the Magic Begin
Dress: Cruise Casual
Show: All Aboard: Let the Magic Begin!

Night 2 - At Sea: Golden Mickeys Menu
Dress: Formal
Show: Golden Mickeys
Adult Cabaret: Ron Pearson, Comedy

Night 3 – Cabo San Lucas: Individual Restaurant Menus
Dress: Cruise Casual
Show: Ron Pearson, Comedy
Adult Cabaret: John Charles, Musical Comedy

Night 4 – Puerto Vallarta: Taste of California Menu
Dress: Cruise Casual
Show: Los Caporales Festival Folklorico, Music and Dance(?)
Adult Cabaret: Ron Lucas, Comedy and Ventriloquism

Night 5 – At Sea: Individual Restaurant Menus
Dress: Cruise Casual
Show: Ron Lucas, Comedy and Ventriloquism

Night 6 – Acapulco: Mexicali Menu
Dress: Cruise Casual
Show: The Art of the Story

Night 7 – At Sea: Individual Restaurant Menus
Dress: Cruise Casual
Show: Ricky Kalmon, Comedy & Hypnosis

Night 8 – At Sea: Prince and Princess Menu
Dress: Semi-Formal
Show: Twice Charmed
Adult Cabaret: Rickey Kalmon, Comedy & Hypnosis

Night 9 – Panama Canal: West Meets East Menu
Dress: Cruise Casual
Show: Movie Special: Wall-E

Night 10 – Cartagena: Taste of the Caribbean Menu
Dress: Tropical or Casual
Show: Disney on Broadway
Tropical Deck Party

Night 11 - At Sea: Master Chef Menu
Dress: Cruise Casual
Show: Darren Romeo, Magic
Adult Cabaret: Heath Hyche, Comedy

Night 12 – Aruba: Around the World Menu
Dress: Tropical or Casual
Show: Aly and AJ Concert
Adult Cabaret: Jeff Civillico, Juggling and Comedy

Night 13 – At Sea: Pirates IN the Caribbean Menu
Dress: Pirate or Cruise Casual
Show: Crew Talent Show
Adult Cabaret: Danny Buckler, Magic and Comedy
Pirates IN the Caribbean Deck Party

Night 14 – At Sea: Captain’s Gala Menu
Dress: Formal
Show: Disney Dreams
Adult Cabaret: Rich Purpura, Comedy and Magic

Night 15 – Castaway Cay: ‘Till We Meet Again Menu
Dress: Cruise Casual
Show: Remember the Magic
Adult Cabaret: Pub Night


Kim

 

[Kitster]

What about the gifts for the crew? Who do you usually purchase gift cards for? I am thinking...Help? stateroom host or hostess, server, and assistant??

I have asked a friend of mine who works for DCL shoreside this question and she is going to ask the head of housekeeping on the Magic what she thinks the staff would prefer. I was told servers get the least amount of shore time, so gift cards would have to be for something close to the port, I would think. I'll let everyone know what she says when I talk to her later this week.