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

[minneapolismickey]

I have finished my fish extender, and it looks awesome!!! IMHO

Now I can't figure out how to upload so you can all see. I have uploaded it to photobucket... Now what?

Also, many of you have recommended the St. Maarten regatta, so we switched over to that today. My DS12 is scheduled with us, but he is trying to decide if he wants to go or hang out on the ship. Any other DS 12-13 on that morning regatta?

Angie

 

[Cruisin'Nick]

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!

We were lucky enough to book another smaller room for my brother and I so Meemous and the girls will have one room and him an I in the other, anyways, we did it over the phone and she explained that since it was GTY, we WILL be in the category we asked for, but WILL NOT find out what our room number is til we get to the port the day of our cruise. Which didn't bother me any, could care less, just glad to be going on a cruise agian!!!

 

[minneapolismickey]

I am wondering if anyone has a favorite piece of traveling advice for a Disney Cruise? I haven't been on the Magic in a few years, but I still remember a few of my favorites...

I always bring an over-the-door shoe organizer (purchased at Target). I hang it over the bathroom door and use it for organization.

I also remember that keeping a little water in the bathtub drain helps with the sewage smell. (Sounds like we may need to remember that).
Also always bring a deodorizer for the bathroom.

Anyone else with wisdom to share on the cruise?

Thanks, Angie

 

[VMinick]

Hi-
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

While we have three children, our boys are older and stick together, so our three year old will be looking for some friends! I can definitely have my boys stay with her, but I'd rather that she have some buddies who she can choose to be with so that she'll enjoy herself even more! We are celebrating our anniversary on this trip and have Palo brunch and tea reservations, so we'd love for her to have a good time in the club for a couple hours here and there. We'll be at the pool ready to meet everyone!

 

[kehonuamemano]

While we have three children, our boys are older and stick together, so our three year old will be looking for some friends! I can definitely have my boys stay with her, but I'd rather that she have some buddies who she can choose to be with so that she'll enjoy herself even more! We are celebrating our anniversary on this trip and have Palo brunch and tea reservations, so we'd love for her to have a good time in the club for a couple hours here and there. We'll be at the pool ready to meet everyone!

What a great cruise to be celebrating your anniversary on. Nice choice!

We also would love our Palo ressie to go as smoothly as possible. We look forward to meeting you and your family. It will be easy to spot us, I'll be in the shade, my husband will be snacking on a Mickey bar with the kids, and our daughter will be in her Minnine suit. Wait. Who am I kidding? That's every family on this trip.

 

[BBQMommy]

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

RRC -

DD6 is an only child and somewhat on the outgoing side. She will turn 6 the day we board the ship. Happy to meet up with you all. DD6 is a Red Sox fan, hope this won't be a problem ...



Caryn

 

[BBQMommy]

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!

We are doing the Island Drive and Explorer Cruise because *I think* it will provide more time in Marigot, at least more than the 1/2 on the Under Two Flags, if I am reading things correctly. We are doing the Am tour.


Caryn

 

[TheBeadPirate]

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...

We usually pose for all and pick only the best (ok, maybe the best couple) pictures. We've gotten pictures from almost all of the opportunities by now. Though, we've started betting on which one- we put our picks and our bet money ($1 big ole smacker) in an envelope till after the cruise- alot of times we actually pick the same one!

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

While we are no Etsy or Ebay- we do have a commercial embroidery machine and plenty of Disney designs. If anyone is still looking for pillowacases please send me a PM with what you're looking for and I'll see if we can accomodate. I'm doing embroidery on some FEs for our 12/12 cruise and can definitely add some pillowcases to the mix!

 

[disneydash]

We were planning on taking another Disney Cruise in 2011 after our youngest son turned 3 in February. However, between the Florida Resident Rate and the ability to exchange Marriott Reward points (never knew this was an option), we can go on the 2010 Holiday Cruise in a Category 6 & 8 for less than $3,000 (I had a lot of Marriott points).

Our only hesitation centers around keeping our two and half year old occupied while also securing some adult time. It was easier the first time between Flounders and naps. Has anyone out there done a longer cruise with children of this age? Were you able to get additional hours at Flounders? My wife also wonders if Flounders will keep his interest now that he is older. What other activities did you do with them? Just seeking a little reassurance before confirming our reservation hold tomorrow.

Worse comes to worse, each of the older kids can take time with him throughout the day (one of the benefits of having a large age difference in our children)

Thanks for your advice and thoughts.

 

[jgura]

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!

We love deck one. Most people on the board like it better than two. Easy access to the ports and fast elevators, quiet, etc. There are some short cuts around the medical center. NO Worries!

 

[kehonuamemano]

RRC -

DD6 is an only child and somewhat on the outgoing side. She will turn 6 the day we board the ship. Happy to meet up with you all. DD6 is a Red Sox fan, hope this won't be a problem ...



Caryn

Perfect! Boston is our adopted home so we love everything Red Sox (We have no choice). Look forward to meeting you,

Rayna

 

[3princessMommy]

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

While we have three children, our boys are older and stick together, so our three year old will be looking for some friends! I can definitely have my boys stay with her, but I'd rather that she have some buddies who she can choose to be with so that she'll enjoy herself even more! We are celebrating our anniversary on this trip and have Palo brunch and tea reservations, so we'd love for her to have a good time in the club for a couple hours here and there. We'll be at the pool ready to meet everyone!

Our youngest is DD (almost 4). She'll turn 4 a week after the cruise. She is normally a very social child, but at times can surprise me and become clingy. She generally finds one or two other children in the club and becomes "best friends!" quickly. We will most definitely be at the kids meet (I'm organizing it! ).

We were planning on taking another Disney Cruise in 2011 after our youngest son turned 3 in February. However, between the Florida Resident Rate and the ability to exchange Marriott Reward points (never knew this was an option), we can go on the 2010 Holiday Cruise in a Category 6 & 8 for less than $3,000 (I had a lot of Marriott points).

Our only hesitation centers around keeping our two and half year old occupied while also securing some adult time. It was easier the first time between Flounders and naps. Has anyone out there done a longer cruise with children of this age? Were you able to get additional hours at Flounders? My wife also wonders if Flounders will keep his interest now that he is older. What other activities did you do with them? Just seeking a little reassurance before confirming our reservation hold tomorrow.

Worse comes to worse, each of the older kids can take time with him throughout the day (one of the benefits of having a large age difference in our children)

Thanks for your advice and thoughts.

Our youngest, Grace, who is now almost 4 was in Flounders when she was 2.5. She LOVED it! It is much smaller than the club, but when the evening was slow, the counselors would take her to play in the Club from time to time. In fact, when we went on the cruise this past summer and she was old enough for the Club, we passed Flounders on the way to the Club and she threw a fit that we wouldn't stop so that she could play in Flounders!

As for scheduling time, we were on a 7-day cruise and never had any problems scheduling Flounders time. In fact, many times we were just walking by, Grace wanted to play, so we stopped and they took her without a reservation. Our cruise wasn't full, but it wasn't empty either. Maybe we lucked out because I've heard of Flounders filling up, but we've never experienced it.

Please join us!

 

[3princessMommy]

RRC -

DD6 is an only child and somewhat on the outgoing side. She will turn 6 the day we board the ship. Happy to meet up with you all. DD6 is a Red Sox fan, hope this won't be a problem ...



Caryn

We have a DD7, who will turn 7 a week before the cruise. Very excited to celebrate a birthday at WDW!!!!

She will likely spend most of her time in the Club. When asked, she says she likes the slide better than the computers in the Lab.

Now, the kids can switch between the Club and the Lab regardless of age. Most younger kids still stay in the Club and most older kids stay in the Lab, but this does allow siblings to stay together if they want to. In my case, my oldest two can't wait to get away from each other, so having the option to go to different clubs is very welcome.

If you'd like to get the girls together via e-mail before the cruise, feel free to PM me your e-mail address and I'll have Alex send your daughter an e-mail.

Oh - and Alex has lived in Africa for most of her childhood - baseball is a foreign concept. We're Cardinal fans ourselves, so red is good!

 

[VMinick]

While we are no Etsy or Ebay- we do have a commercial embroidery machine and plenty of Disney designs. If anyone is still looking for pillowacases please send me a PM with what you're looking for and I'll see if we can accomodate. I'm doing embroidery on some FEs for our 12/12 cruise and can definitely add some pillowcases to the mix!

Wow! Thanks! Unfortunately, I already ordered mine, so I can't use your services, but I'll keep you in mind when I panic and realize that I completely forgot something VERY important! I am so not crafty, but I love those machines. How hard are they to learn how to use???

 

[BBQMommy]

That is a super-great offer, TheBeadPirate.


Caryn

 

[itutorfortravel]

We are doing the Island Drive and Explorer Cruise because *I think* it will provide more time in Marigot, at least more than the 1/2 on the Under Two Flags, if I am reading things correctly. We are doing the Am tour.


Caryn

That is what I thought, too, Caryn. I signed up for the same one you did, but in the afternoon. I don't know if my family will do well with a string of early mornings at each port of call , so I thought I'd change this one to later in the day.

Kimberly

 

[colkath2005]

For those of you (like me) who are interested in keeping the weight of as much as poss on the cruise I found this info in a fitness mag I was reading and thought i'd share

Walking up stairs can bur about 10 calories/min, taking the elevator only burns 1.5 calories/min.

And the good news: Chocolate milk (fat free) is an excellelnt recovery drink which stimulates muscle building and reduces muscle breakdown.

Well thats my excuse then i'm gonna walk up the stairs so I can order choc milk from room service each night!

 

[decked out]

For those of you (like me) who are interested in keeping the weight of as much as poss on the cruise I found this info in a fitness mag I was reading and thought i'd share

Walking up stairs can bur about 10 calories/min, taking the elevator only burns 1.5 calories/min.

And the good news: Chocolate milk (fat free) is an excellelnt recovery drink which stimulates muscle building and reduces muscle breakdown.

Well thats my excuse then i'm gonna walk up the stairs so I can order choc milk from room service each night!

This trip is a motivator for me to lose weight and get in shape. Since we booked our reservation 6 weeks ago, I am exercising daily and have dropped 10+ lbs so far. ...want to be all buff for the pool!

Maybe the stairs and chocolate milk program will help me keep the weight off.

 

[colkath2005]

This trip is a motivator for me to lose weight and get in shape. Since we booked our reservation 6 weeks ago, I am exercising daily and have dropped 10+ lbs so far. ...want to be all buff for the pool!

Maybe the stairs and chocolate milk program will help me keep the weight off.

Well done John! I take it one day at a time I have learned loads just reading articles and have qualified as a fitness instructor recently. I love hearing when people are doing well and cant wait to get my personal trainer qualification so I can really help people.
Colette

 

[SwimMama]

For those of you (like me) who are interested in keeping the weight of as much as poss on the cruise I found this info in a fitness mag I was reading and thought i'd share

Walking up stairs can bur about 10 calories/min, taking the elevator only burns 1.5 calories/min.

And the good news: Chocolate milk (fat free) is an excellelnt recovery drink which stimulates muscle building and reduces muscle breakdown.

Well thats my excuse then i'm gonna walk up the stairs so I can order choc milk from room service each night!

Great info! My friends who are marathon runners and triathletes love chocolate milk after they train. They too said it is a great recovery drink. Hey, you gotta love anything with chocolate!!