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

[pennymike]

Is Barbados the Turtle Shipwreck and Snorkel? If so, we are doing that too. What time are you going? We are going at 11:15 and I know that there are some going at 8:15. We are also doing the Buck Island Sail & Snorkel at 11:45.

Awwww...got excited there for a second! We are going on the Turtle Shipwreck and Snorkel adventure....but we are going at 8:15 (like to have the afternoon free).

 

[pennymike]

Wondering if anyone has these outings planned???? Nice to have familiar faces out and about!

St Maarten: Mountain Bike Adventure (7:45 a.m.)
Guadeloupe: Snorkeling at Cousteau Reserve and Crayfish Waterfall (8:00a.m.)
Barbados: Turtle Shipwreck & Snorkel adventure (8:15 a.m.)
Martinique: Mangrove Kayaking (8:15 a.m.)
St Thomas: Magens Bay (just catching a cab today!)


How Many Days?????

 

[Dagny]

Awwww...got excited there for a second! We are going on the Turtle Shipwreck and Snorkel adventure....but we are going at 8:15 (like to have the afternoon free).

Bummer! Our entire family consists of night owls. 8:15 am would be nearly impossible! With the teen and tween, 11:15 am is pushing it, haha!

 

[miatamel]

Took advantage of a quiet Saturday to work on excursions in all the ports. Good heavens but that is alot to absorb!! I think Martinique is the only one I found absolutely nothing that interested me thru DCL. Hubby says I have too many beach ones and not enough that allow him time to find hardware stores.

 

[skypixy]

Took advantage of a quiet Saturday to work on excursions in all the ports. Good heavens but that is alot to absorb!! I think Martinique is the only one I found absolutely nothing that interested me thru DCL. Hubby says I have too many beach ones and not enough that allow him time to find hardware stores.

Oh, that made me laugh! Maybe DCL can find a project for him?

 

[miatamel]

Oh, that made me laugh! Maybe DCL can find a project for him?

Friends and family are taking bets on what day he either 1. jumps overboard and starts swimming in search of wood to hammer and nail or 2. shows up in a CM uniform with a name tag that says "STEPHAN GERMANY" repairing something.

He comes in handy on these cruises--last one he got to tell the CMs at whatever restaurant does the parade of countries at the end that the German flag was upside down. Heh.

 

[DVC4US]

Awwww...got excited there for a second! We are going on the Turtle Shipwreck and Snorkel adventure....but we are going at 8:15 (like to have the afternoon free).

Bummer! I would prefer the 8:15 excursion too, but with young adults and a teenager we have to make some concessions sometimes. I do know there are a couple of other DISers on the 8:15 excursion so you will have company.

Wondering if anyone has these outings planned???? Nice to have familiar faces out and about!

St Maarten: Mountain Bike Adventure (7:45 a.m.)
Guadeloupe: Snorkeling at Cousteau Reserve and Crayfish Waterfall (8:00a.m.)
Barbados: Turtle Shipwreck & Snorkel adventure (8:15 a.m.)
Martinique: Mangrove Kayaking (8:15 a.m.)
St Thomas: Magens Bay (just catching a cab today!)


How Many Days?????

We are doing the 8:15am Mangrove Kayaking in Martinique too!

I was also glad to see that you highly recommended the 12 Metere Regatta in St Maarten since we are doing it this time. We wanted to do it when we were there in 2004 but DD was too young so I can't wait.

 

[bigAWL]

Wondering if anyone has these outings planned???? Nice to have familiar faces out and about!

St Maarten: Mountain Bike Adventure (7:45 a.m.)
Guadeloupe: Snorkeling at Cousteau Reserve and Crayfish Waterfall (8:00a.m.)
Barbados: Turtle Shipwreck & Snorkel adventure (8:15 a.m.)
Martinique: Mangrove Kayaking (8:15 a.m.)
St Thomas: Magens Bay (just catching a cab today!)


How Many Days?????

We'll be doing Magens Bay, as well. We signed up for the DCL excursion, but may end up doing it ourselves. With DCL it's over $200 for the family, and what does it include? Water.

 

[Cruisin'Nick]

62 days!!

 

[pennymike]

Bummer! I would prefer the 8:15 excursion too, but with young adults and a teenager we have to make some concessions sometimes. I do know there are a couple of other DISers on the 8:15 excursion so you will have company.



We are doing the 8:15am Mangrove Kayaking in Martinique too!

I was also glad to see that you highly recommended the 12 Metere Regatta in St Maarten since we are doing it this time. We wanted to do it when we were there in 2004 but DD was too young so I can't wait.

Admittedly, the early a.m. IS a push for us too, as we are definitely night people, but we like the flexibility in the afternoon. Look forward to seeing you in Martinique. ON the Regatta each person gets a 'job' to do to sail the boat, and they have a guy in a little speed boat with the "paparazzi" camera who gets a GREAT photo of the boat with its 'crew'. Those (of course) are available for purchase at the end at their little store. Really neat souvenir. If you enjoy boating, definitely a 'don't miss' excursion.

 

[BigHugsForEeyore]

Wondering if anyone has these outings planned???? Nice to have familiar faces out and about!

St Maarten: Mountain Bike Adventure (7:45 a.m.)
Guadeloupe: Snorkeling at Cousteau Reserve and Crayfish Waterfall (8:00a.m.)
Barbados: Turtle Shipwreck & Snorkel adventure (8:15 a.m.)
Martinique: Mangrove Kayaking (8:15 a.m.)
St Thomas: Magens Bay (just catching a cab today!)


How Many Days?????

My sister and I are doing the 8:15am Turtle Shipwreck Snorkel too

It IS too early (we're night owls too) but we are doing Harrison's Cave in the afternoon (because the earlier excursion was full) and it's the only way it will fit in. Ah, what a busy day!

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I just finished reading the posts that I missed over the last few days. I have been so busy at work, and this weekend was homecoming (game on Friday and dance last night with a sleepover at my house. The girls just woke up. Peace and quiet GONE!

Congratulations to all of you who have successfully won the battle to be healthy and lost weight. That is a fabulous thing to lose.

We all have FE on our minds. The FE group is growing, and I assume we will most likely divide the group into two. My mom, sister, and I will be having a FE party next Sunday to assemble our FE. We will be mailing them to the port. Thanks for the information, Rick. It will make packing so much easier.

I finally selected my magnets. I just now have to make them. The next task is to purchase magnet paper.

Great pictures. I especially loved the pictures of the port. I cannot wait to see it again soon. We will be leaving for Florida in exactly two months from today. I loved Cinderella's coach. Mike, you are so talented. I also loved Momsurprise's formal dress. It was fabulous.

Welcome Kevnbren. You are joining us at an exciting time. The excitement is building as we go into the home stretch.

I do not believe anybody has organized the meet at the Hyatt the night before the cruise. So...PM if you are staying at the Hyatt and are interested in a meet before we sail. PM me your information and the time you arrive so we can coordinate a time when we are all there.

DWTS tomorrow night...I cannot wait. It is TV week. I wonder what Florence will be dancing too or should I say Mrs. Brady.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

There are a lot of us interested in walking deck 4. I am thinking around 7 AM. I know, I know; I am an early riser, and this time might be a crisis for some. We can have two groups: an early group and later one. I also think walking on the sea days will be best.

 

[pennymike]

There are a lot of us interested in walking deck 4. I am thinking around 7 AM. I know, I know; I am an early riser, and this time might be a crisis for some. We can have two groups: an early group and later one. I also think walking on the sea days will be best.

Hmmmm.....I'm closer to 8 a.m..... I'm a walk/run candidate, pretty slow pace, though, if anyone wants to join me. ???? Also aiming for Sea Days, since we do A.M. excursions at each port.

 

[DVC4US]

I do not believe anybody has organized the meet at the Hyatt the night before the cruise. So...PM if you are staying at the Hyatt and are interested in a meet before we sail. PM me your information and the time you arrive so we can coordinate a time when we are all there.

DWTS tomorrow night...I cannot wait. It is TV week. I wonder what Florence will be dancing too or should I say Mrs. Brady.

Lisa - Alyssa and I were just talking about a meet at the Hyatt this past week. I will PM you with our information and let me know if I can help with any of the planning.

 

[DVC4US]

There are a lot of us interested in walking deck 4. I am thinking around 7 AM. I know, I know; I am an early riser, and this time might be a crisis for some. We can have two groups: an early group and later one. I also think walking on the sea days will be best.

I'm up for 7am. I know it's early but I like to get it out to the way so I can enjoy the rest of the day. I will let my dad know too. He is an early riser and usually walks or rides his bike at home.

 

[kevnbren]

We'll be doing Magens Bay, as well. We signed up for the DCL excursion, but may end up doing it ourselves. With DCL it's over $200 for the family, and what does it include? Water.

We have been to St Thomas many times, as our son lived there for 2+ years. We found many of the largeopen air taxis at the port. We hired one for the day that cost $100. He drove us to anywhere we wanted to go, including my sons house. We love Magens bay, it is a beautiful, tranquil beach. However, Coki beach is our favorite. It has the absolute best snorkeling. You walk in waist high, put our face in the water with your mask (or not), and will see BILLIONS of fish. Better yet, bring dog biscuits, and you will see TRILLIONS. Also have the best mango daquiris!

 

[kevnbren]

Yes, I have two kids. My daughteri s 19 and my son is 11

Dagney:
Are you going to book the St Martin tour for everyone, or should we do it on our own? I believe we will pay when we get there?
Brendda

 

[kevnbren]

Yes, I have two kids. My daughteri s 19 and my son is 11

Dagny:
Are you booking the entire group for St Martin, or should be do it on our own? I understand that we pay when we get there? $40.00 is a good price for all you get to see.

 

[njmom23grls]

Hi all - I haven't posted in a while - but reading to catch up with everyone, whew! We are doing many of our own excursions with dd's age 16 & 12

In ST Maarten - we will take a taxi to Orient beach - older dd and I did this on another cruise and had a great day - if time permits we would also like to go to Pinel island but not sure this is doable (its across from Orient Bay) but not sure how often water taxi runs and if the restaurant has reopened from hurricane damage. Younger dd was not sure what to think when we had the topless/nudity discussion and how things are different in other countries. Older dd was great in explaining it was no big deal when she was there. This is a nonissue for us but understand and respect that it is a concern for some. My experience was that less than a handful of people were enjoying the no-strap opportunities!

In Guadeloupe DH will go Scuba diving with DCL and the kids and I will do the Creole fiesta day at the beach - I wasn't sure about this one - but they both thought it sounded great so mom will go too.

Barbados- Torn here. I have done a private catamaran/snorkel with Calabaza and it was the best day on a shore excursion! They meet you right at the cruise port drive to dock - less than 12 people on the catamaran and we went to the same places the other boats go - but we were there first and not like m&m's in a bag. Very professional. Wonderful sailing experience and fantastic lunch. Expensive but worth it. I and 1 dd would like to do this again. DH & other dd want to rent a car and go beach exploring. still deciding on this day but won't be dcl.

Martinique- we will take water taxi to area and shop/eat maybe beach time - but given its Christmas eve I think places will close early - but don't know. Tried to rent a car but rental office closed that day apparently.

St Thomas - we've been here many time so will take a taxi to Magans or Coki beach and then all go to let DD 16 spend time in the shopping area scared1. Thought about St John (one of our favorite places) but the early all-aboard time made me realize that we likely will only have an hour or hour and a half given the constraints of the length of the ferry ride and times.

Would love to join other walkers/runners. I'm a beginning runner currently working my way through the Couch-to-5K program.