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

[BBQMommy]

Good luck, Angie - you can do it!

Go Colette!

Going to do early voting today to miss the crowds next week. Worked on packing for the trip a little more yesterday

Happy Monday, All!
Caryn

 

[DVC4US]

Good Luck Angie! I'm not even thinking about sewing ours.

Our FE gifts will be somewhat crafty and the rest store bought.

 

[dragonflydreaming]

Thanks so much for the warm welcome guys and thanks for the hotel info!!! I'll look into it right away. I'm so embarassed to admit this but you are all talking about packing and I haven't booked ANYTHING yet!! Just booked flights yesterday. No hotels booked, no excursions during the cruise, no Palo ressies....nada! I'm sooo far behind and haven't even had a chance to look and see what's offered. Where to begin.....

I'd also LOVE to bring stuff down to donate. I think it would be sooo good for my kiddos to donate whatever is needed.

I'd love to do the ornament exchange as well so I'll get on it.

And I will soon ask what in the world are Fish Extenders??

Ughhh Is it too early for a cocktail??

 

[TheBeadPirate]

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!

Don't stress about the FE's! If it's the hanger that stresses you just put out a tote bag- or stocking! If it's the gifts just do something simple. We usually do a "cabin necessities" gift- post it pad, highliter, pen, hand sanitizer, sample size sunscreen, and throw in some Mardi Gras beads (BeadPirate, get it? ). Maybe a plastic crawfish (we moved from New Orleans- those are leftovers from FEs assembled there). Pretty reasonable and easy. And pretty useful even when people take it home.

Question - what is the best time to arrive at the DCL terminal in order to minimize wait time yet get on board at a reasonably early?
Liz

We were just on 10/17- the gates opened at 10 to let people back to the terminal. We were there at 5 till and I was probably the 20th person in line to go back. Once in the terminal I was probably 4th to check in in the Castaway Club line. They now take your pictures for your key at the check in desk- DH had already caught up to me from parking so it was no issue for us- but if not whoever parks will need to head up for pictures. We were in Boarding Group 2. We always try to sit at the couches directly across from the Platinum/Concierge check in. And they started boarding exactly at noon.

FYI- with terminal renovations going on the snack bar is no longer there. So if you'd like snacks or water or soda while waiting- BRING IT WITH YOU!

Also, the parking garage is still not open and probably won't be until January- however the other lot (directly across from loading/unloading) is open for parking. Before, I'm not sure what was there- Handicapped parking maybe?- but it's open to anyone parking now, if there's any spots open.

 

[Hmorale]

DH put together a little video of our fun time. I don't know if this link will work or not.

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=/&gl=US#/watch?xl=xl_blazer&v=F7i-YBD7fac

 

[SwimMama]

Good morning Christmas cruisers!!!!

Does anyone know what our FE count is up to? I am wondering how many total rooms we have so far. Trying to get the FE gifts ready. A good thing to do on this rainy Monday

Thanks!

 

[Hmorale]

Groupon has $40 gift cert. for $20. Just FYI incase anyone was going to do care packages...

 

[disneycruising]

If anyone is looking for Christmas pajamas, Disney Store online has a few out already. They also have free shipping going on thru today. I just ordered some for our whole family.

What is on everyones to do list this week?
This week & next week--I am working on getting all the kids gift & stocking stuffers puchased. Then get them pack in a suitcase for the trip.
I am going to the garage now to look for a suitcase. I am going to put the suitcase in my 'holiday hiding spot'. Then I can just add things to it as they are purchased.

 

[3PrincessGrandma]

Can't believe everyone is so organized as to be packing already. I will be lucky to pack the day before we leave! Mom will be with us through Thanksgiving. She is helping with my FEs. Going to the movies this afternoon - Secretariat. It should be good. Then finishing my FE with a little red paint and iron-on letters. At least no more sewing Will try to post a picture when it is finished.

 

[momssurprise]

Thanks for the FE tips. Not stressed abt the FE itself, can get cute one off Etsy from the gal making my AG stuff. Just what to do that isn't lame...or hugely expensive.

This week DH is out of town, so hoping to spend some time on cruise planning after DD goes to sleep -- confirm I have the excursions I want, survey our closets for what we have and what we might need, take stock of what over-the-counter meds I have and what I need for the trip, maybe get my scoplamine 'script filled...

Also want to get DD's Christmas ordered. DH is getting a red tie for his stocking so he can match my red dress for the Christmas formal!

And trying to figure out FE's...

Oh yeah, and getting ready for Halloween. Because it's a Sunday and the weather is suppossed to be nice we will have 1000+ trick-or-treaters. On a slow week night we average 6-700. Yes, we spend a small fortune on candy but it's a blast! We also have chili on the stove and a cooler of adult treats out back.

 

[momssurprise]

I've been reading on the main board and on the cruise report threads about the Magic having a septic/sewage smell in the cabins and hallways. Yikes. Hope we don't experience this too badly with such a long voyage!

I guess I'll stock up on some of those Yankee Candle car air freshners...

 

[momssurprise]

Our reservation (Cat. 9) is still showing as GTY. There only seem to be 8 Cat. 6's available...and 8 5's if I'm reading correctly. Cat. 4 is showing GTY. Cat. 8 is showing some availability.

Anyone have news on this?

 

[momssurprise]

I am going to the garage now to look for a suitcase. I am going to put the suitcase in my 'holiday hiding spot'. Then I can just add things to it as they are purchased.[/QUOTE]

Great idea. I already have a pirate outfit "hidden" in DD's suitcase in a basement closet. Think I'll try to get it cleaned out this week and start hiding MORE in the suitcases in that closet. Thanks disneycruising.

 

[BBQMommy]

There is no lame for FE -- it is all good!

Not sure on the numbers but I think it was around 50. I have 33 done and am waiting to see if there is a split or not.

Doing my first craft show in 24 days Planning my clothes for the three days so I can make matching (and fabulous) jewelry. I have to remember I am my own best advertising. So I should be consumed by that in the next 3 weeks. Have I mentioned I have nothing yet made? I need a magic wand.


Caryn

 

[decked out]

I've been reading on the main board and on the cruise report threads about the Magic having a septic/sewage smell in the cabins and hallways.

link?

 

[DVC4US]

Here is the most recent link for the sewage problems on the Magic.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2582695

This is the first time I have heard about problems on decks 6 & 8. In the past I have see posts that talked about problems on deck 2.

 

[momssurprise]

Also from the Bringing Back the Magic Cruise Meet Thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2509506&page=213

 

[3princessMommy]

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

It's listed on the first page of the thread, in case you lose this spot. But it will be at 3pm on embarkation day on the Port side of the Mickey Pool (away from the splash zone). See you there!

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

No, not really. We got a Magical Moments certificate, and it was nice to be able to be the first one to Rockn' Bar D to get Palo ressies and to eat lunch in Parrot Cay. But you're not actually the first ones on board. Anyone who was doing a back-to-back is already ahead of you. And they board folks very quickly right after you too. Since we're a family of 5, we had folks behind us get through the embarkation photo much more quickly and actually get on the ship before we did.

I think they also choose a family of the cruise once on board and I've heard that they get more treats during the cruise. Regardless, it was still fun to be the first through the doorway.

I had my knee surgery and now I feel like I can begin to focus on everything else in life.

Good luck with the recovery!

What is on everyones to do list this week?
This week & next week--I am working on getting all the kids gift & stocking stuffers puchased. Then get them pack in a suitcase for the trip.
I am going to the garage now to look for a suitcase. I am going to put the suitcase in my 'holiday hiding spot'. Then I can just add things to it as they are purchased.

This week is absolutely crazy at work. I just got back and already have a jam-packed schedule. I'm also trying to get organized and figure out what we still need for the cruise so that I can get it ordered so it can arrive before we leave on Dec. 8. Mail takes about 3 weeks, so I need to get that done!

I've been reading on the main board and on the cruise report threads about the Magic having a septic/sewage smell in the cabins and hallways. Yikes. Hope we don't experience this too badly with such a long voyage!

I guess I'll stock up on some of those Yankee Candle car air freshners...

Was it something that didn't go right during drydock???

 

[3princessMommy]

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

3pm on embarkation day by the Mickey Pool - Port side (away from the splash zone area)

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

We got a Magical Moments certificate, but that's about it. It was fun to be the first through the doors, but we weren't the first on board. Folks doing back-to-back cruises were already there and since we're a family of five others beat us through the embarkation photo line. They let the herd out as soon as we walked through the door!

I've heard they also choose a family of the cruise and that they get little goodies throughout the trip. We didn't, but it was already Magical for us!

I had my knee surgery and now I feel like I can begin to focus on everything else in life.

Quick recovery!

What is on everyones to do list this week?
This week & next week--I am working on getting all the kids gift & stocking stuffers puchased. Then get them pack in a suitcase for the trip.
I am going to the garage now to look for a suitcase. I am going to put the suitcase in my 'holiday hiding spot'. Then I can just add things to it as they are purchased.

Crazy week at work! Just got back and already my schedule is jam packed! Also trying to order everything we will need for the cruise, including Christmas presents that we'll have to carry with us (stocking stuffers, etc.). Mail can take 3 weeks to get here, and we leave on Dec. 8. So better get cracking! Ordered the girls' new water shoes tonight and am now searching for personalized pillowcases to get signed. There used to be a DISer that made them, but can't find her on eBay. Maybe should check Etsy.

I've been reading on the main board and on the cruise report threads about the Magic having a septic/sewage smell in the cabins and hallways. Yikes. Hope we don't experience this too badly with such a long voyage!

I guess I'll stock up on some of those Yankee Candle car air freshners...

Was it a drydock issue???

 

[itutorfortravel]

Is anyone doing either the Under 2 Flags or Island Drive and Explorer Cruise excursion in St. Maarten?

We've been to St. Maarten on the last 2 cruises, so this time we really just want to go over to Marigot to grab something to eat and shop. I was a little hesitant to get a taxi on our own b/c I remember how bad the traffic was at that port and don't want any stress getting back to the ship.

I can't really tell from the description which one of these excursions would give you more time in Marigot. Anyone know?

Thanks!