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

[3PrincessGrandma]

I can't remember---do the bathrooms have those little attached hair dryers or do I need to pack one?

Our bathroom had an attached hair dryer so don't pack one, give you more room for FEs and presents.

I feel rejuvenated. To celebrate her birthday (97th) took my mom for massage, manicure and pedicure yesterday and of course, I particiated. Looking forward to a real treat on the Magic!

We will leave for WDW Dec 9th and suddenly realized I will have to have Christmas cards in the mail before then along with family gifts for those not traveling with us Not enough time left to do everything. Glad we decided not to decorate the house this year but still need to dig into the Christmas decorations for stockings and some small things to bring with us for the cabin.

 

[miatamel]

Don't think I'm going to get myself organized this year to do matching outfits for the girls, so no predicting what they'll be in - but hard to miss us with three girls running around. .

Joann, just noticed that your two oldest are the same age as my two. Hope they can meet early on and become buddies.

Last two cruises, if the girls didn't match exactly, they were at least color coordinated for every meal and even most days. This year? Our pictures will look like Mimi from the Drew Carey show exploded there will probably be so many colors and patterns going on. They were still malleable about what I put on them at 3 & 5. Forget it at 7 & 9...especially when one is a tomboy and one is a girly girl. For instance, they just picked out their pirate costumes on etsy...DD9 picked a boy costume complete with sword while DD7 picked the one with bloomers and a corset. Go figure.

 

[tinkmischief]

ok...spoke to family in Barbados this morning but getting information about a charity on the island didn't really happen. As was posted earlier the Prime Minister passed away and they had a service and music on the radio rather loud. I did find some information online....I haven't come across a specific orphanage yet but found a couple charities helping children. One is online at varietybarbados dot org. The other one is the Barbados Children's Trust that funds projects all over the island. If you google the name you will find info. The definitivecairbbean site had the most info I believe as well as a contact number.
I hope this is a good starting point...bad timing with the country in mourning right now but I will keep trying.

 

[3princessMommy]

Joann, just noticed that your two oldest are the same age as my two. Hope they can meet early on and become buddies.

Last two cruises, if the girls didn't match exactly, they were at least color coordinated for every meal and even most days. This year? Our pictures will look like Mimi from the Drew Carey show exploded there will probably be so many colors and patterns going on. They were still malleable about what I put on them at 3 & 5. Forget it at 7 & 9...especially when one is a tomboy and one is a girly girl. For instance, they just picked out their pirate costumes on etsy...DD9 picked a boy costume complete with sword while DD7 picked the one with bloomers and a corset. Go figure.

Sounds like the girls will get on very well! My girls will fight and cry if I try and put them in matching outfits anymore, so my goal is not to be Mimi at least for the formal photos! On our last cruise, I managed to find a gorgeous floorlength junior bridesmaid dress in lavendar that fit DD9 perfectly! I got it at the local market and paid $5 for it! She threw a fit about it! "I don't like long dresses!" Ultimately, I won, but it took some effort. This time, they have several options and they've seen and approved them all. So as long as one doesn't decide on red when the other one wants lavendar, we should be okay. (oh, and it doesn't help that DD7 is almost exactly the same height as DD9!)

We're organizing the kids' meet on embarkation day - so bring the girls by. My kids will be in the pool!

 

[dragonflydreaming]

Sooo excited!! Third time on the Magic but our first Christmas cruise!
Looking forward to meeting some fellow Disers!

 

[dragonflydreaming]

I'm flying down with the kiddos (DD 9) and (DS 8) on the 15th. Decided not to do WDW this time so I'm looking for suggestions on where to stay for the 15, 16, 17 in the Cocoa Beach/Port Canaveral area. I thought I'd take the kids to the space center and explore the area a bit with them. Does anyone have any suggestions? It would be great to meet up with some fellow Diser's prior to the cruise.

 

[itutorfortravel]

I'm flying down with the kiddos (DD 9) and (DS 8) on the 15th. Decided not to do WDW this time so I'm looking for suggestions on where to stay for the 15, 16, 17 in the Cocoa Beach/Port Canaveral area. I thought I'd take the kids to the space center and explore the area a bit with them. Does anyone have any suggestions? It would be great to meet up with some fellow Diser's prior to the cruise.

Some people in this group have been able to get rooms at the Country Inn and Suites through Priceline for $70 night, which is at least a $40-$50 savings off the direct price. The CI&S is a newer hotel and very close to the port...I think it's actually the closest hotel to the port. We stay there every time!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Joann, would you please remind me of the details of the kids meet and greet the first day onboard? I would like to make a note of it and try to get there with DD.

Thanks,
Kimberly

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Us too! Probably wearing our CafePress T-Shirts.

Don't think I'm going to get myself organized this year to do matching outfits for the girls, so no predicting what they'll be in - but hard to miss us with three girls running around. Last cruise, the eldest gave the youngest a ride around the terminal on her carry-on suitcase. They were having so much fun that I didn't have the heart to stop them, and they didn't seem to be bothering anyone...Good thing too - we were selected as the First family to board because the CMs thought it was so cute!



Yes, but if you need any power at all - you might consider bringing your own.

We will be wearing our CafePress t-shirts on Embarkation Day. Your DH did a nice job on the logo, and it looks fabulous on a t-shirt.

I agree the blow-dryers onboard have minimal power. It takes awhile to dry my hair, but eventually, it gets the job done. I will have to settle for the onboard blow-dyer because I will need the room in my suitcases to pack clothes, decorations, gifts, etc.

Along with boarding first, are there any other perks about being selected the First Family to board?

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

It has been a Sunday of cruise preparations.

First, DD, DD's friend, Scott, Cheryl, and I went to the Orange County Swap Meet to purchase some necessities for our cruise. We found some great Christmas shirts.

Next, we all met at Mom's house for our Fish Extender Party. Over the last few months, we each had things that we had to get for our FE's. We organized the bags in assembly line fashion. It was nice to see it all come together. We finished most of them, but we were short some items. I quickly placed an Oriental Trading Company order, and we boxed up the done FE's. It is a great feeling to have this project almost done.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

LeiLani,

Tomorrow is DWTS! It will be intense with two dances. I imagine Monday's night's competition will separate the talented from the not so talented. By the time the show starts on the west coast, you will be working on your first dream. That's a crisis since the show is filmed just two freeways away. LOL

My top three picks are: Jennifer and Derek, Audrina and Tony, and Rick and Cheryl. I love Kyle and Lacy, but Kyle is not much of a dancer, and his showmanship will only get him so far. Who are your picks?

I look forward to the finals because I hope Jennifer and Derek dance to "Time of My Life" from "Dirty Dancing" and our cruise will be THAT much closer.

 

[momssurprise]

Welcome Dragonfly Dreaming! This is our third and first at Christmas too. But it has been 5 years since we last cruised so I'm pretty rusty. Fortunately there's tons of great guidance right here.

OK, so I'm feeling completely intimidated abt the FE's...may go back to my original plan and opt out. Must decide this week!

Also getting a little freaked out abt packing, etc. Need to sneak most of DH's summer clothes from our cabin in a few weeks. Thank goodness for big Veras.

Sorry, just venting! And tomorrow's Monday.

 

[decked out]

I am pretty sure we had the first meetup for this cruise today' Nice to meet you and your daughter Marguerite! (mickey squared) We are off to a good start. And let us know if it is no longer a secret... we could throw a little pre-cruise party.

 

[pennymike]

We will be wearing our CafePress t-shirts on Embarkation Day. Your DH did a nice job on the logo, and it looks fabulous on a t-shirt.

I agree the blow-dryers onboard have minimal power. It takes awhile to dry my hair, but eventually, it gets the job done. I will have to settle for the onboard blow-dyer because I will need the room in my suitcases to pack clothes, decorations, gifts, etc.

Along with boarding first, are there any other perks about being selected the First Family to board?

Must have missed something......tell me about the CafePress t-shirts?????
Penny

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Must have missed something......tell me about the CafePress t-shirts?????
Penny

The information is posted on the first page of this thread. I believe it is the last bullet of information. Just click on the link provided. Happy Ordering

 

[DVC4US]

While we wait in the terminal, I will be looking for other DISboarders to meet with and pass the time. We will have our logos on our lanyards. Look for us and say "hi" if we walk by!

We'll be there early too! We might have matching shirts(if I can get everyone to wear them). If it's not the cafe press shirt I will post what it looks like when it gets closer to the cruise. It'll be great fun looking for everyone!

 

[DVC4US]

LeiLani,

Tomorrow is DWTS! It will be intense with two dances. I imagine Monday's night's competition will separate the talented from the not so talented. By the time the show starts on the west coast, you will be working on our first dream. That's a crisis since the show is filmed just two freeways away. LOL

My top three picks are: Jennifer and Derek, Audrina and Tony, and Rick and Cheryl. I love Kyle and Lacy, but Kyle is not much of a dancer, and his showmanship will only get him so far. Who are your picks?

I look forward to the finals because I hope Jennifer and Derek dance to "Time of My Life" from "Dirty Dancing" and our cruise will be THAT much closer.

Lisa,

I agree, tomorrow nights show should be pretty good and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.

My top three picks are: Jennifer and Derek, Kurt and Anna, and Audrina and Tony. I'm like you, I really like Kyle but I don't think he is much of a dancer so I don't see him being around too much longer.

I would love to see Jennifer and Derek dance to "Time of My Life" in the finals too. Would be pretty emotional for Jennifer but would be a great dance.

Right now, I'm trying to watch a little bit of the Vikings and Packers game while also watching Amazing Race.

 

[jenedpey]

Looking for a party of 2 to join a private tour with Bernards Tours in St. Martin. We are currently a party of 26 (5 DIS families) and will split up into 2 parties of 14. The van that you would be joining would consist of 6 Adults, DD17, DS16, DS16, DS15, DS15, DD13.

Cost of the private tour is $45 per person versus his group tour cost of $40 per person. The advantage of the private tour is the ability to change both where you go and how long you stay on the fly with the consensus of the group.

http://www.bernardstours.com

Please PM me if you are interested and just want some more details or if you want to commit to joining our group.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Welcome Dragonfly Dreaming! This is our third and first at Christmas too. But it has been 5 years since we last cruised so I'm pretty rusty. Fortunately there's tons of great guidance right here.

OK, so I'm feeling completely intimidated abt the FE's...may go back to my original plan and opt out. Must decide this week!

Also getting a little freaked out abt packing, etc. Need to sneak most of DH's summer clothes from our cabin in a few weeks. Thank goodness for big Veras.

Sorry, just venting! And tomorrow's Monday.

I understand how you feel about FE's. check out Oriental Trading Company. just keep it simple, and remember it is suppose to be fun. I hope you decide to do the FE's ( the more the merrier).

Packing! That's a crisis. I started a spreadsheet to organize myself. The boards offer helpful hints to relieve the stress.

Venting is good. I know Monday is a major crisis. Back to work!

 

[STLUCIELADY]

I hear ya, but do you think that would be enough to make them noticeable enough? We did these on a few past crusies and we made the name tags a bit bigger so that us DISers would stand out from the crowd!! (as if we needed help )

Open for all suggestions!!

I agree Dagny. Bigger is better