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

[itutorfortravel]

Did anyone get a DCL planning kit for this cruise? I'm talking about those brochures they send out for each type of cruise, like Western Caribbean or Eastern Caribbean. They would have general info about cruising and then little blurbs about each port.

Since I just re-booked last week, I didn't know if I'd be getting anything like that. So far all I have gotten is my confirmation.

 

[momssurprise]

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!

I wish I knew. I would love to just go to Marigot but like you I'm nervous because of the traffic descriptions. And the 12 M regatta has such great reviews so we are doing that. But I've been thinking about switching to something including Marigot. I know DH will want to find some cigars, too!

 

[momssurprise]

Did anyone get a DCL planning kit for this cruise? I'm talking about those brochures they send out for each type of cruise, like Western Caribbean or Eastern Caribbean. They would have general info about cruising and then little blurbs about each port.

Since I just re-booked last week, I didn't know if I'd be getting anything like that. So far all I have gotten is my confirmation.

I haven't received anything like that...

 

[Evans Family]

We are 53 days out. 8 more days until 45 days.

Wondering when we will get our room assignments. They are STILL selling Cat 12 gtys!

 

[momssurprise]

I didn't see Cat 12 available when I looked at the site earlier. I'll look again. They are also still taking Cat. 9 GTY's too. (What I have.)

I'm nervous about being booked on Deck 1 with the two portholes instead of the one big one in Deck 2. If I knew I had midship Deck 2, I'd be great b/c DH gets seasick... but refuses to admit it b/c recreational boating is our main past time.

I'll upgrade to Cat 8 if I get Deck 1, but then I'm thinking I'd really like a veranda....

Anxious to hear when GTY people get their room assignments!

 

[momssurprise]

OH wow -- they weren't showing Cat. 12 this morning. Seems like lots of people will be getting

 

[miatamel]

We are 53 days out. 8 more days until 45 days.

Wondering when we will get our room assignments. They are STILL selling Cat 12 gtys!

EEK!! My refrigerator countdown has 54 days!!

 

[itutorfortravel]

The cat 12's have been coming and going more the past week than they were previously. We just recently booked this, so I had been watching daily to make sure the cat 12's were still there while we were making our decision!

Over the weekend, the cat 12's never came up when I checked. Then this morning they were there again, though it's been off and on all day.

I'm wondering if it means they are starting to make assignments? The folks on the Dec. 4th Magic cruise started posting that they were beginning to get cabin assignments around teh 20th of October. If the timeframe remains true to our cruise, we should begin seeing some cabin assignments sometime next week, though you just never know what is going to happen!

 

[itutorfortravel]

I haven't received anything like that...

Darn! I was hoping to get something fun like that in the mail...

 

[itutorfortravel]

I wish I knew. I would love to just go to Marigot but like you I'm nervous because of the traffic descriptions. And the 12 M regatta has such great reviews so we are doing that. But I've been thinking about switching to something including Marigot. I know DH will want to find some cigars, too!

Yes, I have heard excellent reviews of the 12 metre regatta. After looking at some older Passporter books I have, it looks like the Under 2 Flags tour only has about 45 minutes in Marigot. And the whole tour is an hour shorter than the other one I'm considering. Plus, the Explorer Cruise one takes you to Marigot by boat and docks while you shop. I've signed us up for that one and we'll try to do a bit more research to figure out if we'll keep it.

 

[miatamel]

Also from the Bringing Back the Magic Cruise Meet Thread:

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

Wow, that is a highly discouraging thread. Makes me very sad. And very worried. TOo much money to pay for a broken down ship.

 

[momssurprise]

I asked my travel agent to call and see what is going on, but I'm sure I'll get far better info RIGHT HERE on the DIS boards. NB: She just called -- they didn't tell her anything.

Embarkation Photo:

First cruise I was completely unprepared, flew in that day after getting up at 2am to drive 3+ hrs to the airport...was in overalls and no makeup, etc.

Made up for it the next year by coming in a day early and staying at the Hyatt, getting up waaay too early to look snazzy for that darn photo.

Five years later, I'm not thinking that embarkation photo is all that impt...

 

[momssurprise]

Wow, that is a highly discouraging thread. Makes me very sad. And very worried. TOo much money to pay for a broken down ship.

Yeah I completely agree. I'm freaking out quite a bit...between the cost of this and our flights, we could have done a really, really nice trip to our favorite -- the Kauai Hyatt, with lots of golf for DH. Hope it's overrstated.

 

[VMinick]

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.

Here is the link for the personalized pillowcases! http://www.etsy.com/shop/StitchesNBows?ref=seller_info I'm ordering them as well. She does have a 30 day wait right now, so order a.s.a.p.! If you can't get them in time, you could always ship them to your mom for her to bring if she heads to Florida after you!

Hope that helps

 

[momssurprise]

O my gosh, I just saw more people posting about the ship on that meets thread. Now I'm panicing. Yuck.

 

[itutorfortravel]

I have ordered both FE's and pillowcases from gradysmommy (eBay id). She does great work and her turn-around time has always been good.

I did look at some of the FE's from Stitches N Bows. They are really cute and I have thought about giving her a try this time. I only wish she wasn't a month out on orders...

 

[itutorfortravel]

O my gosh, I just saw more people posting about the ship on that meets thread. Now I'm panicing. Yuck.

We still have almost 8 weeks till we sail, so hopefully the issues will be worked out before we go. While I hate to see anyone have a bad time, at least these issues are major ones long enough in advance for them to try their best to work at some sort of resolution.

 

[eve adkins]

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



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!



Quick recovery!



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.





Was it a drydock issue???

Stitches and Bows on Etsy and FB makes really cute personalized pillowcases for the cruise.

 

[Meemous]

I have ordered both FE's and pillowcases from gradysmommy (eBay id). She does great work and her turn-around time has always been good.

I did look at some of the FE's from Stitches N Bows. They are really cute and I have thought about giving her a try this time. I only wish she wasn't a month out on orders...

gradysmommy on eBay is doing mine right now! And she has Disney Christmas patterns we were able to choose from for the pillowcases. I got my FE's from her last year and they are adorable! I can't wait to get the Christmas pillowcases, she always does a great job! She's a DIS'er too! Her family is going on a cruise in November.

 

[kehonuamemano]

Hi-
I was wondering if anyone else was traveling with one child or has children who will be split into different clubs, and the younger will be in the oceaneer's club solo?

I ask because our daughter (4) is an only child and is shy with people when she first meets them. The only downside to our last cruise was that it was somewhat difficult to get her to go the club because she really didn't know anyone. Once she warms up she is fine but it was like the first day of summer camp every time she went.

We will definitely be at the Mickey pool at 3pm the first day for the kids meetup. But I was wondering how many of you have younger children, say between 3-7, would be at the Mickey pool? Maybe we can have something fun for the younger kids to do to get to know each other?

Maybe I am totally over thinking this whole thing but I think it might help the younger children find a "buddy."

RRC