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

[IceSk8ersMom]

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

My master's degree is in curriculum and instruction. I was an elementary school teacher for many years before I followed my passion and became a special education teacher. Now, I am an assistant principal at a middle school.

Good luck with your schedule. Again, Congrats

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

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.

GREAT PICTURES! It is so nice to put faces to names on the boards.

DWTS was very entertaining. I agreed with your picks. I also thought Tony's partner ( the reality star from The Hills) was breathtaking. My DH was and always will be a marine. I teared up. Loved it. Situation has to go (even though I give him an A for effort).

I also appreciated the confirmation of dates and website information.
LeiLani,you rock. Thanks again.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

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?

Thanks for the pictures. It looks like there is more room, which is good because at times this location gets quite busy.

I personally love my iPad! I am thinking about downloading the Harry Potter series to reread it in preparation for the new movie beginning released next month.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

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.

Welcome! I love your surprise idea. I cannot wait to have you an official cruiser. Good luck with that today. The excitement is building. Keep us posted on the secret plans!

 

[DVC4US]

Nick - glad I could help out!

Lori - thanks for the informaiton on the drink station. I thought that was what they did, but I wasn't sure. It does look like it's a better set-up.

Meemous - thanks, pics are so much fun.

skypixy - I know what you mean. We have had frost for the last two days and the leaves have started to turn and fall off. Fall is here! I could figure it out bu I am too lazy at the moment so hopefully Mike will post the coundown today!

 

[DVC4US]

GREAT PICTURES! It is so nice to put faces to names on the boards.

DWTS was very entertaining. I agreed with your picks. I also thought Tony's partner ( the reality star from The Hills) was breathtaking. My DH was and always will be a marine. I teared up. Loved it. Situation has to go (even though I give him an A for effort).

I also appreciated the confirmation of dates and website information.
LeiLani,you rock. Thanks again.

Thanks Lisa! I really like yours too and I agree it is helpful to put a face to a name. I showed the pictures to Alyssa so she will know what your DD looks like.

If you look closely at the picture at the top of page 76 you might be able to see the stitches Alyssa had to get in Cancun(over her left eye). She came down the slide head first(dumb move) and hit the bottom of the pool. Next thing you know we were getting 7 stitiches. Made for an exicting day!

 

[bigAWL]

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

Well, I've added you to the roll call, so now you have to join us. It's actually tougher to get out of than DCL's payment deadline. So welcome aboard.

BTW, our DD is turning 9 in a couple weeks. We'd love to have her get in touch with your daughter before the cruise. I'll ask my wife, Joann (3princessMommy) to PM you her e-mail address if you are interested.

 

[HFC1969]

They are from the Sea World Adventure Camp she went to this past summer.

Was this the week long over night camp???

DS wants to do this so bad this summer... loves animals..

 

[momssurprise]

BigAWL, thanks! I'm definitely booking today. Already booked the flights. Because I'm keeping this a surprise until probably the night of the 16th -- unfortunately I can't get the girls talking before the cruise; but my DD is extremely outgoing and I know she will be AMAZED by the life you all are living. I got through a lot of the Part II thread last night and your house is wonderful. I wish my job would put me abroad for a few years. What a great experience for your family. Jealous, for sure!

For the last 5 years we've been skiing at this time, so this will be a real change. A welcome one. DH and I won't look at each other over hot cocoa and say, "we should have gone to the Beach". But then he won't know until the very last minute.

 

[DVC4US]

Was this the week long over night camp???

DS wants to do this so bad this summer... loves animals..

Yes it sure was and Alyssa loved it! She wants to do the combo camp next summer with a week at Sea World and a week at Busch Gardens.

Alyssa loves sea animals and she wants to be a killer whale trainer at Sea World.

 

[Almagetty]

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?

We were on the Magic for Christmas last year. They had an official tree lighting ceremony early in the cruise. There was caroling on Christmas Eve by the crew. There was a Mass that we attended in the Walt Disney Theater on Christmas Eve. There may have also been a Mass on Christmas morning. Santa did visit the ship on Christmas morning. He took pictures with all the kids in the Atrium. There was also a huge offering of Christmas cookies, hot chocolate (I think?), hot cider (again, I think?). That's all I remember off the top of my head. I think BigAwl has a list on the first page of this thread.

 

[Meemous]

I have a few questions too, feel free to PM me with the responses if they clutter up the thread!

1. What is GTY? It sounds like we could book cruises at a greatly reduced rate that way? This is our second Disney Cruise and our second FULL PRICE Disney Cruise. We would love to be a yearly DCL family if we can find better ways to afford it!

2. What kind of christmas lights do I need to buy? Battery operated? Can we put them on our balcony or just ... around the mirror or... any suggestions?

3. Does anyone know where I can buy wine to be delivered to the port? Haha. I only like wine and a certain kind and we are flying to Orlando and then doing transfers from the Hyatt so I won't have a vehicle to stop and purchase to bring on board.

Thanks for all the help!

~Lorrie

 

[momssurprise]

In the past we've been able to select our Cat 9 room -- but not this time. We are GTY status, I understand from other posts, this is good in relation to, for example, Cat 12 --but what abt 9? Help.

 

[decked out]

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?

There is a Holiday Cruise video on the Disney Cruise web site. Look for it under the Itineraries tab:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/planning-center/planning-library/podcast/

 

[mickey squared]

LeiLani - great pix. How fun that your daughter met her boyfriend on a previous Disney Cruise. My 13 year old daughter already said she wants to get married on CC, so I told her she better meet someone who loves Disney as much as us.

On last year's Christmas cruise they also had a decorate your own gingerbread house activity. It was great fun, but you had to sign up at guest services to get a ticket. I think they were gone by the second day, so be sure to read your Navigator for the date and times

Marguerite

 

[HFC1969]

There is a Holiday Cruise video on the Disney Cruise web site. Look for it under the Itineraries tab:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/planning-center/planning-library/podcast/

Our DD watches it on youtube...

I have to introduce you to my 4 yo DD.. Vika air guitars

 

[TheBeadPirate]

I personally love my iPad! I am thinking about downloading the Harry Potter series to reread it in preparation for the new movie beginning released next month.

Where are you finding Harry Potter to download? That's one series I definitely wanted since I have them all in hardcover(very difficult to travel with!) but neither Amazon or B&N have them for download! (That alone would swing me from one to another!)

I have a few questions too, feel free to PM me with the responses if they clutter up the thread!

1. What is GTY? It sounds like we could book cruises at a greatly reduced rate that way? This is our second Disney Cruise and our second FULL PRICE Disney Cruise. We would love to be a yearly DCL family if we can find better ways to afford it!

2. What kind of christmas lights do I need to buy? Battery operated? Can we put them on our balcony or just ... around the mirror or... any suggestions?

3. Does anyone know where I can buy wine to be delivered to the port? Haha. I only like wine and a certain kind and we are flying to Orlando and then doing transfers from the Hyatt so I won't have a vehicle to stop and purchase to bring on board.

Thanks for all the help!

~Lorrie

We haven't done GTY but I believe you book into say GTY 9 they guarantee you at least a Cat 9 cabin. Could be upgraded to 8 or 7 etc, but you'd at least be put into a 9.

As far a Christmas lights I'd say either is fine. We've heard stories from people having to take theirs down(plug in and battery) since it was considered a fire hazard but we've seen pictures of some around the secret porthole windows.

And wine- well, if you can find someone down here that has what you're looking for (like ABC or Knightly Liquors) I can try to stop and bring you a couple of bottles. We're getting off the Wonder on the 16th so I have a day to do turnaround and restock our vino supply as well. Just let me know!

 

[bigAWL]

I have a few questions too, feel free to PM me with the responses if they clutter up the thread!

1. What is GTY? It sounds like we could book cruises at a greatly reduced rate that way? This is our second Disney Cruise and our second FULL PRICE Disney Cruise. We would love to be a yearly DCL family if we can find better ways to afford it!

2. What kind of christmas lights do I need to buy? Battery operated? Can we put them on our balcony or just ... around the mirror or... any suggestions?

3. Does anyone know where I can buy wine to be delivered to the port? Haha. I only like wine and a certain kind and we are flying to Orlando and then doing transfers from the Hyatt so I won't have a vehicle to stop and purchase to bring on board.

Thanks for all the help!

~Lorrie

1. GTY is a guaranteed category, but not a reserved state room. It costs more to reserve a specific room. If you book as a GTY in a specific category, you are guaranteed to get assigned a room in that category or better (meaning possible upgrade). But they can place you in any room they want. Booking a cat 9 GTY means you are guaranteed at least an ocean view, but you could be upgraded at DCL's discretion to a better category. Booking a Cat 12 GTY means you can be put in any room on the ship (actually, if you are able to book cat 12 GTY with a party of 4, then you are guaranteed an upgrade, because none of the cat 12 rooms can accomodate 4 people). They generally use this to fill more cabins. If higher category rooms are not selling, they will sell as many cat 12 GTY rooms as they can, and upgrade people as needed. Filling the ship is more important than getting top dollar for each cabin.

2. There are very few power outlets in a state room. Really the only accessible ones are in the bathrooms and at the desk/mirror area. They are US voltage (110V), so anything you buy in the states should work. But battery-operated lights will allow you to run them without tying up an outlet.

3. We usually buy a wine package on board. So I can't help you with delivery services.

 

[BBQMommy]

I had wanted to load up DH's Kindle with the HP series and I do not think it is available on e-book. I didn't dig much past amazon, but that was the feeling I got.

Our ginger gum and sea bands arrived today as did my beach/pool cover up. Going to look a little like a white terry cloth Obi-wan Kanobi. (These are not the lounge chairs you're looking for...)

Welcome new folks!

Happy Tuesday!



Caryn

 

[disneycruising]

My DD got her cast off yesterday. She has been told basketball practice or PE for 2 weeks. But, she should be ready by the time basketball season starts in a few weeks.

Wine-- we always bring our own. DH always put it in the very middle of our 99(checked) suitcase. We have never had one brake...in 11 cruises.

Christmas lights-- I hadn't thought about bring some lights. Another great idea! I am going to add it to my packing list. Does anyone know where you can buy battery opperated lights?

Have a great day everyone!