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

[Liz Arjay]

Harrison's Cave on Barbados is the only thing we have booked - we plan on walking to the Aquarium on Guadeloupe.

Can you give details on walking to the Aquarium? Where and how far is it? Guadeloupe is the only port where I really haven't found anything that piqued my interest. We are trying to do most things "on our own" since with 7 people the excursions really add up. In Barbados, we are walking to the Mount Gay Rum factory tour (and sampling!), then walking to either the Boatyard (kids will like the inflatable climbing "iceberg" in the water, I think) or a beach near by. In Martinique, we'll walk to the Fort and the nearby museums and the big public park. In St. Maarten we'll either walk to Divi Beach or try to get to Orient Bay via taxi or the Bernard's tour. In St. Thomas, the $8 cab ride over the mountain to Maagens Bay is so easy. But not sure about Guadaloupe.
Liz

 

[Liz Arjay]

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.QUOTE]

At which Hyatt is this being held? DH says the airport Hyatt, but there is also a Hyatt by Universal Studios and one down by Disney/Convention Center. We live nearby, but I want to make sure I go to the right one! I printed some of the logos and we will wear them on our lanyards!
Liz

 

[Liz Arjay]

Welcome to our new friends.

My DH is getting all excited because USMC is having a birthday soon. Are you going to the Marine Corps Ball? My DH and I have great memories at the ball.

Semper Fi

We have gone to many, many Birthday Balls, but not sure if we will go this year. Have fun and have a piece of cake for me!

 

[HFC1969]

DH says the airport Hyatt

Pretty sure thats the one.. at least thats where a bunch of us are staying the night before.

Holy cow... 8 weeks 1 day!!!

The weather in STL is still nice.. 70+ today and near 80 tomorrow.


And we still haven't planned a thing..

57 days til vaca​

 

[DVC4US]

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.QUOTE]

At which Hyatt is this being held? DH says the airport Hyatt, but there is also a Hyatt by Universal Studios and one down by Disney/Convention Center. We live nearby, but I want to make sure I go to the right one! I printed some of the logos and we will wear them on our lanyards!
Liz

Hi Liz,

It is the airport Hyatt. There are several of us staying there that night. Hope you can join us!

 

[DVC4US]

The weather in STL is still nice.. 70+ today and near 80 tomorrow.

The weather has been pretty nice in Iowa too for Octoboer. Lows 70s last week but now we are on a downward trend with 50s, rain, and wind predicted for next week. Looks like winter is on it's way. Bummer! I just keep thinking about sitting on the beach or deck 10 with a drink in my hand. Nice warm thoughts!

 

[momssurprise]

Good morning! I'm leaning toward particpating in the Fish Exenders. I know I have to decide by 11/1. Is it very hard for non-crafty? How many do we think will be in the FE groups?

 

[Meemous]

Hey guys,

My apologies for not posting a lot, I am crazy busy! Thanfully, my dear son Nick is able to post for our family.

I have a few questions about the Disney Visa Rewards;

1. How far in advance should I request them? Now...? Two weeks before we sail? I've been saving them and want to surprise the kids with the money to spend on board the ship and at the parks after the cruise.

2. How is it distributed? A debit/gift card? Actually funds in my bank?

I've never used the rewards so I'm a total newbie at this! Help...?

 

[BBQMommy]

Safe, easy travels, Joann ---->


Liz - The Aquarium in Guadeloupe is fairly close to the port. My book says it is $12 for adults and $7 for children 5-12 and free under 5. It is near the Bas du Fort Marina just east of Pointe-a'-Pitre where we are docked. Per cruisecritic "Cruise ships tie up at the Centre Saint-John Perse terminal, which is adjacent to Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe's major city."

Found a neat website: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/Guadeloupe.htm


It says:

The ship docks at the Centre Saint-John Perse terminal in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe's main city. The downtown area is only 1 block away.

What is there to do?

Guadeloupe is fun to explore and Pointe-a-Pitre is a quaint town to spend time in. The local food (a blend of French and creole) is excellent and enjoying lunch in a sidewalk cafe is an excellent experience. The Central Market is another must see. Loaded with tropical flowers, fruits, spices, staples, souvenirs, and many more items, it is a sensory treat. The Guadeloupe Aquarium is world renowned for it "walk through" treatment of some of its largest tanks. You actually walk through a glass enclosed tunnel at the bottom of the aquarium (much like at Atlantis
on Paradise Island). There is a huge shark exhibit that is fascinating.


SO - I am thinking if it is a port review that the Aquarium is possibly within walking distance. Maybe.

Caryn

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hey guys,

My apologies for not posting a lot, I am crazy busy! Thanfully, my dear son Nick is able to post for our family.

I have a few questions about the Disney Visa Rewards;

1. How far in advance should I request them? Now...? Two weeks before we sail? I've been saving them and want to surprise the kids with the money to spend on board the ship and at the parks after the cruise.

2. How is it distributed? A debit/gift card? Actually funds in my bank?

I've never used the rewards so I'm a total newbie at this! Help...?

You will get a rewards card, kind of like a credit card to use. You can request it now and then add any add'l Disney dollars to it over the web that you may earn between now and the sailing date.

You may also be able to request multiple cards so that you could give a separate one to each child, the only drawback being that you would have to keep up with all of them.

P.S. I would not wait until 2 weeks before you sail to request it just in case it takes longer. Like I mentioned earlier, you can add Disney $'s to a card you already have by transferring them over the web.

HTH!

 

[BBQMommy]

I did the no-sew FE from the directions posted in the stickie on the big board and it took me a while, but it worked out. I have seen that you could use a simple tote as the FE -- it seems the only restrictions are size, width mainly. You can do it! My take on the FE is it can be as crafty as you want it or not so much.


----------------------------------

Barbados: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/Barbados.htm

Martinique: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/Matinique.htm

Guadeloupe: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/Guadeloupe.htm

St.Maarten: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/StMaarten.htm

St. Thomas: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/StThomas.htm


Caryn

 

[decked out]

Welcome to our new friends.

My DH is getting all excited because USMC is having a birthday soon. Are you going to the Marine Corps Ball? My DH and I have great memories at the ball.

Semper Fi

We have been to many birthday balls, but are skipping it this year. We are cutting back on extravagances until this cruise. Then, lookout!

 

[jgura]

Here are our excursions, I know someone is compiling a list to post:

Guadeloupe - the kids & I, 9:00 Carbet Falls Floral Park (may walk to the Aquarium too)
Rob - diving
Barbados - Tiami sail snorkel early
St. Thomas - Buck Island Catamaran snorkel 8:15

The other islands, something on our own that I still need to plan

Anyone plan a diving trip in St. Maarten or Martinique? Rob would like to go.

Palo - 6:30 pm Dec 20
11:00 am Dec 27
Main Dining

 

[BBQMommy]

Hello Jill - I am pulling for the Texans as well. Bob's cousin's son is very good friends with C.J., add that to my hating the Yankees -- Go TEXANS!


Caryn
(Go Sox, next year --->)

 

[momssurprise]

Thanks for the port and FE info Caryn!

 

[TheBeadPirate]

Hey All! We are back from a lovely little getaway.

Rick's been keeping up (somewhat) but I need to go back and get caught up on my threads! (Oh dear, I just sounded like my late Grandma talking about her "stories")

Water update!!!!!- We asked 2 different porters (one getting on and another getting off the boat) and both said yes, you can still luggage tag a flat of water and they'll take it. But I'll add the disclaimer- with all of Disney please keep in mind that this could change from day to day and person to person!

Hope this finds you all well and happy!

Lori

 

[BBQMommy]

I am just getting so excited


Caryn

 

[momssurprise]

Me too!!! Weeeeeeeeeeee!

 

[CrusinLattas]

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.

I was a part of the DIS group, but not really active - when we booked it my daughter was a baby and I was pregnant with my son - I was in my second trimester on that cruise - we tell my son his is one of the few kids who got to eat Palo! Anyway, we did do the meet - I'm thinking that was the group that did room tours also - which I really enjoyed since it was our first cruise! It helped me decide what to book the next time!

We didn't get off at Grand Cayman (We never do - stopped there on our honeymoon cruise and were under impressed and just haven't wanted to mess with tendering, etc. to give it a second try when there is so much to do on ship.) We did get off at Costa Maya because we had never been there before and I was very impressed! I remember that cruise we did Castaway Cay first due to the weather. I understand why they save it until the end - it is hard to go anywhere after a day there!

We have booked a cruise a year since that trip! We always plan before we go what we are going to book so we can get the onboard deals! I think this will be the first year we don't book - because we booked two years in advance last year for the Dream's 5 night holiday cruise. Now I have to decide if we are going to do Fantasy in 2012 or go to LA to visit Disneyland and cruise from there! Disney is so addictive! They really should include a warning label - especially on the cruise!

 

[momssurprise]

Is there a limit to how many bags/luggage/boxes/etc. you can tag?

I would like to do a flat of water. Also, if I ship my FE stuff to my friend in Cocoa in advance, can I tag it the day I'm boarding to be put in my room?

Am I better off filling up a bunch of duffle bags with stuff to be loaded onto the ship?

Was going to save one duffle for wine and margaritas...to be carried on?