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

[3princessMommy]

Hello to all! So happy to have this fantastic thread to help us get excited about the upcoming cruise. This will be my family's first Disney Cruise - and we look forward to meeting everyone!

Maribeth (Husband Paul, DS 12 yrs and DD 8yrs)

We also have a DD8 (she'll be 9 in a couple weeks) and a DD6 (who will turn 7 the week before the cruise). If your daughter would like to get to know them on e-mail before the cruise, send me a PM and we can have them correspond before meeting on board.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what excursions would be good to do with a 7 and 3 year old? Thanks!!

Getting so excited!!

We have both ages in our group too. For several excursions we've split up to let the kids have special time with Mom and Dad or Grandma and Grandpa. But here are a couple that we are doing with the kids:

In St. Maarten, my parents are taking the older kids fishing on the Bubba fishing excursion, and we are taking DD3 on the See and Sea Island tour. I thought she would like to see the fish and the reef, but she's not old enough for any snorkeling or most boat rides. So this semi-submarine seemed perfect.

In Guadeloupe, DD3 and DD9 will be going to the Zoological park with their grandparents and DD7 will be going with us to Caret Island. DD7 loves the beach, so we thought this would be a good combination for her to see the mangroves and learn a little about the ecology and then spend a day on a nice beach - she's not into snorkeling yet, but DH and I could do so if we want.

In Barbados, DD3 and DD7 will be going to Harrison's cave with their grandparents. DD7 had seen the Planet Earth segments on caves and really wanted to go to into a cave, so this seemed the perfect opportunity.

We didn't see anything exciting for the group in Martinique and in St. Thomas we are just going to do a beach day at Magen's Bay. Last year, we took everyone on our own to Trunk Bay. It was beautiful and perfect for kids of all ages. But you have to do it on your own, since the DCL excursion will not take anyone under 5.

I am so excited. My mom has always been on all of our Disney Cruises. This year she told me she was not going with us on the cruise. I was sad. But, I still wanted to go on the cruise so I booked the cruise and was hoping she would change her mind. Today was the day. She changed her mind and now is going to go on the cruise. I just got finished booking her room, flight, and excursions. This is going to be great. Another great Christmas.

Mom!

We just booked our cruise! We are so excited. This will be our 10th Disney Cruise Looking forward to meeting you all and participating in the festivities at hand!!!

Check out all the fun activities that are listed on the front page. DH (BigAWL) will add you to the roll call today - after Mickey waffles!!!!!! Yummmmy!

 

[bigAWL]

Check out all the fun activities that are listed on the front page. DH (BigAWL) will add you to the roll call today - after Mickey waffles!!!!!! Yummmmy!

Mickey waffles are done. I've added the new cruisers to the list.

 

[bigAWL]

For those who have cruised at Christmas before... how were the waters? Is it too cold to swim at CC? I assume the southern islands have slightly warmer water, but I'm a little worried about CC. The girls don't mind cooler water, but I really like warmer water.

 

[Hmorale]

Sounds like you are getting right on top of things. Sounds like if your DH is comfortable wearing a tux then he won't be alone. My DH will be wearing a coat and tie unless I can talk him into bringing his tux. With 2 formals it might be worth it to bring it....

 

[Hmorale]

Does anyone have any suggestions for their favorite spa treatments? My DH and I would like to spoil ourselves.....

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Does anyone have any suggestions for their favorite spa treatments? My DH and I would like to spoil ourselves.....

My DH and I loved the couples villa treatment. From the foot ceremony to the whirlpool tub to the actual massage, it was fabulous. This treatment is a little expensive. If you and your DH want romantic time at a more reasonable price, I strongly recommend the Rasul. We love it because we get a more hands on experience We will be doing this again, and we will pass on the villa treatment this time around.

 

[Hmorale]

I was reading about the Rasul. We did something similar on a different cruise line together but this did not sound like it was a couples thing. Can you tell me more about it...except for the privite alone time of course...tmi -lol!

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Oooh....I hope the CC 5K works out! I never knew about it until our summer trip of '09; I was JUST starting to become a runner at that point so I wasn't quite up to a 5k; TOTALLY planned to do it on the Xmas '09 cruise, but weather made us REALLY late getting into CC, so I opted to preserve my precious Serenity Bay time with the DH instead! Who all is planning to do the 5k on this trip????? Would LOVE to do it....DH is happy to meet me at SB afterward!

I hope that I am up to it, but I seriously doubt it. Since I have RA, I would hate to trigger a flare up and have to travel across country the next day via airplane. I usually swell when I fly so a flare-up would complicate the situation. But I want to give it the old college try if possible. I gave up running along time ago to save my joints, but I speed walk. We should walk/run deck 4 together during the cruise. I just purchased the Reebok shape-up tennis shoes. I love them! They are pink to support Breast Cancer this month. Do you run the streets or treadmill? I use the treadmill to save my joints. Those joints "run" my life at times

 

[Hmorale]

Has anyone gone on the Land and Sea with Little Train in Martinique? I was wondering what kind of boat we would be riding in for over an hour? Will my DS6 & DS8 be bored?

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

For Xmas I have a black/red dress (deep red layer underneath, black velvet/lace overlay) sleeveless, ankle length or so; then I have a black velvet wrap for over the shoulders just in case. On our 2 previous Xmas cruises we were MORE than warm enough; only during the Sailaway Party in Port Canaveral was it a bit chilly. My DH wears black jacket and tie, no tux....though quite a few do. You can really go however you are comfortable for all dress codes, as long as you are presentable!

Looking forward to meeting soon!

Penny

My DH will not be in a tux (which is what I would prefer). He'll be in a suit and tie. On Christmas I will be wearing a fabulous red Calvin Klein dress, which I purchased at Ross for a steal. I also got my DD's dress there too. Both dresses totaled less than $75.00. That leaves us more money to spend on the cruise.

Raven just got asked to homecoming so we will be dress shopping next weekend I love pretty fancy dresses especially shopping for them.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I know it is against Europe, but I am thinking... a soft target in United States? Scary thought. That is a crisis. It will not stop me from traveling, but I do get concerned. It is an alert not a warning big difference. Ok...it's the same to me. Suggestion to self: STOP WATCHING THE NEWS!

 

[Cruisin'Nick]

Was just making sure someone saw my post about requesting to be accepted on Facebook and wondering where I be on the cruise list...??

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I know you posted pictures awhile ago to introduce yourself but better late than never. These are pictures from my DH's birthday celebration at Phlight in Uptown Whittier.

This is my DD, Michael, my mom, Cheryl, and my dad, Joe.

This is the new Mr. and Mrs. Kalagian. This is their first Disney cruise as husband and wife.

This is Nicole ( she will not be joining us on this cruise, but she has cruised with us before), DD, Raven, Me, and my sister, Cheryl. Interesting fact, Raven and Nicole have been friends since Raven was 4. Scott, her uncle, and Cheryl, Raven's aunt, met at Nicole's parents' party. Now, good friends are family

This is the Thomas family!

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I was reading about the Rasul. We did something similar on a different cruise line together but this did not sound like it was a couples thing. Can you tell me more about it...except for the privite alone time of course...tmi -lol!

It is a total "couples thing". You and your DH will be in this chamber with a shower, steam room, and sitting area. It is very clean (which was a concern at first for me). You also get these fabulous creams, mud, and scrubs. It is up to you how you apply these products. After we enjoyed our time as a couple, we like to relax in the Tropical Rainforest. Fabulous! Fabulous!

 

[BBQMommy]

5K - I will be speed walking as well

Just hoping travel alerts don't hinder anyone from getting to Canaveral.

Formal Nights - DH will be in a lovely suit both nights. DD6 will be the only one of us looking 'Christmas-y' in red pinwale corduroy and then black and white (SO hoping for AP for one of our formal nights ...) I will be resurrecting a couple old standards. I sometimes dress very, um, loud. Just got a great jacket at LLBean that would make Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack proud: patchwork plaid. If you see it on the 18th, excellent chance it is me!

Love seeing the family pics and getting so excited, period. Getting our final list together to hop on the computer and finally get to sign up for things tonight. No sleep for Mama until it happens.

BTW - Lands End has some great Summer clearance going on now ...

Happy Sunday!
Caryn

 

[Hmorale]

Thanks for the info! We are going to try to get in to do that - what fun!

 

[Almagetty]

For those who have cruised at Christmas before... how were the waters? Is it too cold to swim at CC? I assume the southern islands have slightly warmer water, but I'm a little worried about CC. The girls don't mind cooler water, but I really like warmer water.

The water at CC was way too cold for this Florida girl last Christmas. The Captain did an amazing job of getting the ship docked as it was quite windy and the seas were pretty choppy. It also rained off and on. The wind & overcast skies may have contributed to the chill, but I did no more than dip my toes in and then quickly retreated to my lounge chair.

We didn't go quite as far south last year as we will this year, but I did go swimming in both St. Martin and St. Thomas. The water in Barbados when we were there at Thanksgiving a few years ago was warm as summertime. I don't anticipate it being too different in December.

 

[mickey squared]

For those who have cruised at Christmas before... how were the waters? Is it too cold to swim at CC? I assume the southern islands have slightly warmer water, but I'm a little worried about CC. The girls don't mind cooler water, but I really like warmer water.

Last year we cruised over Thanksgiving and Christmas and noticed the water at C.C. was considerably cooler just 1 month later. The weather does vary a lot during these months, so it's always a guessing game. We enjoyed the water both times anyway.

 

[BBQMommy]

mickey squared - I'm a Buffalo gal born and raised. I was usually the first in my Aunt's pool next to the Lake Erie shore at 63-65 degrees (water, not air temp). I am thinking if we can dock at CC, it will be OK, at least warmer than my Aunt's pool

Caryn

 

[Almagetty]

mickey squared - I'm a Buffalo gal born and raised. I was usually the first in my Aunt's pool next to the Lake Erie shore at 63-65 degrees (water, not air temp). I am thinking if we can dock at CC, it will be OK, at least warmer than my Aunt's pool

Caryn

I'll be waving at you from the shore.