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

[VMinick]

Congrats on the dissertation. What is it in? After my master's thesis, I knew I was done. I admire you. Will you be all done with school when we sail? Good luck!

I'm getting a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Reading and Language Arts and a concentration in Early Childhood. How's that for a conversation starter?! I started off as a high school English teacher and then moved to elementary after my master's degree. Then...I had children and decided that instead of "only" being a mom, that I had plenty of time to go back to school! What was I thinking???

I will definitely be finished when we sail! I'm just hoping to have a diploma in hand rather than having to wait for the "official" completion in May. I'm in the process of trying to schedule my final defense for November, but coordinating four busy people's schedules to get them all in one room at the same time is NOT easy

I wish that I could watch DWTS! I'm living vicariously through all of you sharing your reports of that and the Amazing Race! Thanks for keeping me up-to-date

 

[DVC4US]

Hi everyone -- I just decided today to surprise my DH and DD with this cruise. We have sailed the Magic two times before -- but it has been 5 years, so I have A LOT to relearn. I hope the ship is as beautiful as I remember and I hope the surprise goes over well...and that I can keep my mouth shut and get everyone packed and ready.

Last time we cruised I had it all planned way in advance, Palo, etc. I may just wing it this time. What I really need is to recharge my batteries and this seems ideal!

I can't wait to meet everyone and I was so excited to see such an active thread. It made our last cruise sooo special.

What do I need to know? Where should I start? Do we know what nights are what events yet? HELP!

Sneaky Momma

Welcome Aboard! I could never surprise my kids. They know as soon as we have a cruise or trip to WDW booked because it's all I talk about.

bigAWL has done a great job of keeping all our information organized so make sure you read the first post.

 

[DVC4US]

Just looking at that map is making my SO excited! I figured that there would be no fabulous makeovers. I forgot about the damage the Magic sustained last February. What website did you get this fabulous map?

Here's the link for the map.
http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/cruiseships.phtml

 

[DVC4US]

Last week, when temperatures were 100 plus, we went on rainy day schedule because it was too hot to let the students go outside.
Go figure only in California! Today, it is rainy, and 60 degree, but it was not rainy enough to be on rainy day schedule.

FYI: I am freezing!

We moved to Iowa from Las Vegas and when the girls started school I was shocked to learn one day they were letting school out early because it was to HOT! Most of the schools in Iowa do not have air conditioning(being fixed now with new schools and remodels) so when the heat index is over 100degrees they get out early. I have to say that was a first!

 

[DVC4US]

Okay, now I am going to overwhelm you guys with pictures.

This is Alyssa(DD) and I tailgating at a football game last weekend. Yes it was a little chilly in Iowa.

This is Brittany(DD) and her boyfriend David. They are the ones who met on the 2004 Christmas cruise.

Here's another one of Brittany(DD) and David. It was Britt's 21st birthday.

And another one of Britt on her birthday. She's gonna kill me if she finds out I posted this.

 

[DVC4US]

A couple more!

Here we have Angie(David's Mom), Brittany, Alyssa, and me. This is from our Cancun trip - summer 2009.

This one is a little dark but it is Brittany with Lee(David's Dad)

I don't really have a good of my parents so I will try to get one when I see them at Thanksgiving.

 

[DVC4US]

A few more! Told ya!

Alyssa wanted me to post these. They are from the Sea World Adventure Camp she went to this past summer.

Alyssa(in the middle) and two of the friends she made at camp.

Alyssa cleaning out the stingray tank.

Alyssa(on the left) and her roommate Ryan(yes a girl) doing the Shark Deep Dive.

Okay, now I'm done with pictures!

 

[DVC4US]

DWTS was really good tonight. We like Baby and Kurt Warner!

In case anyone is interested, I did get the confirmation from concierge today that the days we have for formal, semi-formal, and pirate night are correct.

 

[DVC4US]

Do any of the Florida residents on our cruise live in the panhandle? Alyssa and I will be at our condo in Panama City Beach over Thanksgiving and if anyone lives near that area maybe we can meet up for lunch or dinner.

 

[Hmorale]

If anyone has been on a Christmes Holiday cruise can you give some insight as to what extra activites there might be onboard. I read Santa was going to bethere Christmas morning, I think I read that they will have a decorate a stocking? Can anyone remember any other neat activities?

 

[jgura]

I have reserved for 24 hours, but not paid -- as I read through I'm wondering if I am not getting as good a deal as I could. I am booking a Cat. 9 for $7550. No Fla resident or other perk...unfortunately. And I think only a $25. on board credit. I see where some folks have like $500. Are any of these available still??? That would be a huge help!

Also, I cruised before during Hurricane season, so travel insurance was a must. Is it this time of year? Thoughts?

Thanks for the input.

Sneaky Momma

Check out the rates for a cat 12, might be worth the price difference. I know a lot of people on this cruise have booked a 12. Someone has to get upgrades.
Welcome! How old is your DD?

 

[momssurprise]

Hi Jill, My DD is 9.
Couldn't sleep, so trying to catch up on the thread. Love how you can really get a sense of folks' personalities. What a fun group.

A little panic'd abt getting everything ready for such a long trip -- and in secret.

Hope to tell you I'm officially booked sometime tomorrow.

 

[Cruisin'Nick]

Ok, so again...kinda late on these subjects..but what damage did the Magic sustain last February?! Cause when we went in July of last year, didn't look like it was damaged anywhere, or any hint of it. (Not like I knew then and was looking.)

 

[DVC4US]

Ok, so again...kinda late on these subjects..but what damage did the Magic sustain last February?! Cause when we went in July of last year, didn't look like it was damaged anywhere, or any hint of it. (Not like I knew then and was looking.)

Hey Nick,

Apparently she hit an unknown object during her extended stay at CC in February 2010. As far as I know, there was no visible damage but cruisers were reporting a vibration and the speculation was that damage was done to one of the stabalizers or the thrusters. I don't think DCL ever released anything official on this.

 

[Cruisin'Nick]

Ah HA!! Gotchya!! Thank ya ma'am. Was confuzzled there for a sec.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

I think I can help with the drink station question for drydock. We were on the Wonder 1st cruise after drydock last year. The old drink station was circular- like around the trunk of a tree. The new set up has everything moved toward the walls with sodas against the buffet wall and coffee/hot drinks against the railing wall- kind of like a V shape. I may be able to find a picture from where we were posting updates.

As far as books go- I'm finally getting an e-reader. Just trying to decide between Nook and Kindle. Any recommendations?

 

[TheBeadPirate]

the grey circle where the little boy is is where the old station was

I'm standing right in front of the doors coming out from the buffet/elevator area- The man in the hat is at the soda station and farther out is the hot drink station

Soda station has 4 stations next to each other

 

[Liz Arjay]

We have had baskets and a Christmas tree from Shirley's. She does an awesome job.

Thanks for organizing the Secret Mickey gift exchange for the kids. Did you get my PM a few weeks ago to include my kids (DS 16, DS 15, DD 13)? I sent it back before I had 10 posts, so not sure if it got through. Do the kids usually exchange several small things or one bigger thing?
Liz

 

[Meemous]

Cute pics, Leilani! Your family is beautiful.

I just got my iPad too! I'm loading it with books when I get a chance... which is... when???

We are getting SO excited here in the MEEMOUS household!!!

 

[skypixy]

Frost this morning and I just saw a tree start turning colors...I love this thread and everyone sounds just as excited as me!
Just wondering...How many more days?


(I love it when people post the count!)