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

[CrusinLattas]

I'm a latecomer to this cruise/thread so sorry if this has already been discussed, but Cruise Critic today has an article on St. Thomas. There was a shooting there this summer where a 14 yr old girl was killed, caught in crossfire, and how the conditions are now. I hadn't heard about this and so then read some of the comments from posters. I know so little about the areas we are traveling to and so maybe I should do a little more homework. Is anyone else doing St. John instead because of this or just because they like the area better?

Frankly, my last two cruises I only got off at Costa Maya. Cared nothing about Nassau or Cozumel and had a two and three year old those years and so enjoyed the quiet ship. I hate not to see places I'll never see (most likely) again but wonder if this would be the day to enjoy a quiet ship instead of an excursion?

I love Costa Maya with little ones! We were redirected there one year due to a huricane and it was my favorite stop! My kids loved the swimming pool and entertainment! They are 4 & 6, so we don't do much in the way of excursions either. We do get off on St. Thomas, but just to walk around near the dock - it is pretty and the island is clean I have always thought it is safe - but my kids really do enjoy the ship so much that we do laundry, Spa and play in the pools at most port days! Harrison's Cave on Barbados is the only thing we have booked - we plan on walking to the Aquarium on Guadeloupe.

 

[BBQMommy]

There are curtain rods that you can buy that are magnetic....

Thank you! These are all great ideas and I'll see what the local stores have here (basically Walmart - Target is 75 miles away )

Very excited about the eclipse!


Caryn

 

[momssurprise]

I love Costa Maya with little ones! We were redirected there one year due to a huricane and it was my favorite stop! My kids loved the swimming pool and entertainment! They are 4 & 6, so we don't do much in the way of excursions either. We do get off on St. Thomas, but just to walk around near the dock - it is pretty and the island is clean I have always thought it is safe - but my kids really do enjoy the ship so much that we do laundry, Spa and play in the pools at most port days! Harrison's Cave on Barbados is the only thing we have booked - we plan on walking to the Aquarium on Guadeloupe.

Love hearing about people's non DCL (and DCL) port day plans -- I find it really helpful for my own planning. Keep 'em coming!

Thanks!!!

 

[bigAWL]

Hi, I just thought I would introduce myself. My name is Hannah and I'm Australian, I go to boarding school. Last night my dad phoned me with the fantastic news that my family will be joining you guys on this cruise, after spending 10 nights (just Hannah & Dad) in WDW!

Things are still tentative now, but I would love to be a part of this thread, just to keep up with the news if nothing else.


ps. Between now and our vacation I have my final exams, as well as Musical rehearsals AND Jamieson week (Community service, dorm decorating, holting, caroling at the nursing homes etc. just something my boarding school does the last week of the school year), so there may be a bit of silence from me

I’m excited to say that we (DH, DD, and I) have decided to splurge and will be joining all of you on this incredible holiday itinerary! We were waiting for a military discount and I posted a few months ago to that affect... Well one has yet to materialize but my husband will be deploying to Afghanistan shortly after the cruise so we have decided to just do it!

I look forward to meeting all of you at the ornament exchange. BTW, where do I sign-up for that?

RRC

Ok, you all are now on the roll call. Welcome aboard!

Hannah, I wasn't sure - is it just you and your dad on the cruise? Or other family members joining you?

 

[momssurprise]

I love Costa Maya with little ones! We were redirected there one year due to a huricane and it was my favorite stop! My kids loved the swimming pool and entertainment! They are 4 & 6, so we don't do much in the way of excursions either. We do get off on St. Thomas, but just to walk around near the dock - it is pretty and the island is clean I have always thought it is safe - but my kids really do enjoy the ship so much that we do laundry, Spa and play in the pools at most port days! Harrison's Cave on Barbados is the only thing we have booked - we plan on walking to the Aquarium on Guadeloupe.

We were redirected there in September 2005 - Eastern itinerary to Western. We hit Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Costa Maya instead. And CC. DH and I left DD at Kids Club and enjoyed the little shops around the pool and then we had chips and dip with Margaritas. Easy and relaxing. Loved it.

 

[bigAWL]

Wow! A lot of catching up to do....

Aaron(bigAWL) - when you get a chance could you please update the Hyatt DIS meet on the first page with the following information.

DIS meet will be held in the lobby lounge from 7-9pm on the 17th. Stop by and meet some of your DIS friends.

Thanks so much!

Thanks. Done.

What date does everyones vacation start? We leave Dec 8th is that the earliest?
Also will the secret santa be organised by then as I am unsure if I will be able to get online once we leave.

We also fly out on the 8th. We'll be in WDW for 8 nights at Saratoga Springs, 1 night at the CI&S at Port Canaveral, 11 nights on the best cruise ever, and then a little over two weeks in northern VA to visit my folks. A nice little R&R from Africa should do us all some good.

Is anyone else attending 'Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party' on Dec 16th?

We have tickets for the party on Dec 12.

momssurprise - I see you are a KU fan. (No I'm not one) Anyway, I was thinking what a small world it really is. My neighbor's son is a freshman at KU and plays on the football team. My neighbor use to coach football at KU and is now the head coach for University of Northern Iowa. I know, weird information, but I just thought it was pretty funny.

My dad went to K-State. My cousin went to KU and her family are all fans. So there's a little bit of fuedin' going on.

I can try to do these for everyone... if someone can send me a clean copy of the clip art on page one that I can size and I can get everyone's "real names" versus DIS names.... no $1.00 required, LOL

I'll see what I can send you. Can you PM me your e-mail address?

 

[Lolobellica]

Can we send the Southern men for cigars and hardware stores, then, while we go to the clothing optional beach?

Just curious, what is it about the hardware stores????

 

[DVC4US]

Love hearing about people's non DCL (and DCL) port day plans -- I find it really helpful for my own planning. Keep 'em coming!

Thanks!!!

DD and I have no plans for Guadeloupe either. I think we are just planning on just walking around and maybe checking out the aquarium with my parents.

 

[CrusinLattas]

We were redirected there in September 2005 - Eastern itinerary to Western. We hit Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Costa Maya instead. And CC. DH and I left DD at Kids Club and enjoyed the little shops around the pool and then we had chips and dip with Margaritas. Easy and relaxing. Loved it.

We were on that ship!!!! It was our first Disney cruise and we had the best time! I remember talking to the other ship people who left Cape Canaveral with us - I believe it was a Carnival and they went on to do the Eastern route - with a few extra waves - I really didn't mind - although I usually really prefer the Eastern route - because of the Costa Maya stop. We booked a Christmas cruise later that was scheduled to stop there and double dip Castaway Cay, but then once again a huricane had hit Costa Maya and the route was changed a few months before the cruise - again, we still had fun with CC twice! I do wish Disney would make Costa Maya a stop vs. Grand Cayman.

 

[CrusinLattas]

Oh, did I mention that we just booked the Fantasy Inaugural ????

I LOVE IT! We booked the Dream for next year because of the 5 night CC twice trip over the holidays - That will be the shortest cruise we have ever taken - two stops at Castaway Cay helped sell it, but I really think the Fantasy is more our cup of tea!

 

[DVC4US]

For those of you who are booked "GTY", I just wanted to let you know that someone has posted on the main thread that they got their room assignment for the Dec 10th cruise. Just wanted to let everyone know so they can keep an eye out for room assignments.

 

[CrusinLattas]

I can try to do these for everyone... if someone can send me a clean copy of the clip art on page one that I can size and I can get everyone's "real names" versus DIS names.... no $1.00 required, LOL

That is so nice of you to do this!

We are CrusinLattas
Renee
Alan (He does not do the DIS)

I'm guessing this is just for the adults - I don't see my kids keeping up with a lanyard unless they are in pin trading mode.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DVC4US]

Thanks so much Aaron. I knew you were busy and would get to it as soon as you could. Those girls must be keeping you busy!

 

[miatamel]

Just curious, what is it about the hardware stores????

Honey, I wish I knew! He is a German. And a carpenter by trade (a very good one, I might add). His German hammer, along with his shovel, is different than American ones. (There are tons of intricacies along this line he would tell you but, again, I tune out). So, since these are French, and British and Dutch territories, he wants to find a local (not chain) hardware store and check things out. That is the only way I know to explain it.

Unless, of course, it has something to do with hardware employee's sisters at every port....

 

[miatamel]

Thank you! These are all great ideas and I'll see what the local stores have here (basically Walmart - Target is 75 miles away )

Very excited about the eclipse!


Caryn

Are you near me somehow?? Near the Mississippi border? My nearest Target is 120 miles away. It's a BIG deal in these parts to go to a Target.

 

[skypixy]

I can try to do these for everyone... if someone can send me a clean copy of the clip art on page one that I can size and I can get everyone's "real names" versus DIS names.... no $1.00 required, LOL

Yay, more special touches for our trip!You're the best

Skypixy: me Beth Anne
DH: Ed
DS12: Joey
DS8: Matthew

Do you think you will need our cabin #'s or will we pick them up at the meet?

Thanks again!

 

[momssurprise]

Renee, were you part of the DIS group on that cruise? I preferred the Eastern that we did the year before (that went to Antigua instead of St. Maarten), but we hooked up with some DIS board very experienced cruisers in the ports and had a great time in every port, doing non DCL excursions. We found a guy and did a private catamaran (3 couples) in Grand Cayman -- swam with the stingrays. Fantastic. Until I stepped in some fire ants on the way back. Beer helped.

We haven't cruised since that cruise, so I am really, really excited for this one.

 

[Cruisin'Nick]

Dagny,

You are the bestest for volunteering to do this for everyone!! You rock!

We are as follows:

Meemous-Lorrie
Cruisin'Nick-Nick (ME!!)

Thanks again for this.

 

[BBQMommy]

Are you near me somehow?? Near the Mississippi border? My nearest Target is 120 miles away. It's a BIG deal in these parts to go to a Target.

I am between Nashville and Knoxville, Mississippi border is a good 3.5 hrs away. I do love my Target ... Bob's sister thinks we moved to the back of the beyond, no civilization in sight!

 

[decked out]

I’m excited to say that we (DH, DD, and I) have decided to splurge and will be joining all of you on this incredible holiday itinerary! We were waiting for a military discount and I posted a few months ago to that affect... Well one has yet to materialize but my husband will be deploying to Afghanistan shortly after the cruise so we have decided to just do it!

I look forward to meeting all of you at the ornament exchange. BTW, where do I sign-up for that?

RRC

Welcome aboard!

Semper Fi