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

[tinktwice]

Amazing. I am almost packed. I only need to sew my husbands pirate shirt. I had to go today and purchase another suitcase and I finally broke down and purchased the black dress I wanted for formal night on the 19th. Four more very busy days of work. They will go very fast. I still need to get a pedicure. Has anyone done this on the ship?
Leilani my mom is in Nebraska and she said it was cold. I hope everything is better on Friday.

I made the mistake last year of not getting a pedicure before we left on the Christmas Magic Cruise. I kept trying to get to the salon for the pedicure but never made it. Got on the cruise, took one look at my toes, and booked the pedicure. It was one of the worst pedicures I've ever had. EXPENSIVE (@$60), short, not relaxing at all, and I smudged my big toe soon after. I could get over the price if it was an extra special pedicure...DEFINITELY not worth the money.

 

[pennymike]

I am so hoping the Florida weather improves by Saturday. I don't mind the cold as long as it's sunny..Do any of you Florida locals know where I will be able to pick up some shorts for my 15 year old?? I think the ones he has are fine but he kept pointing to his knee saying "you can see it" So even though they are only a little tight in the waist he's refusing to wear them...I do not want to see him in Basketball shorts for the whole cruise. I would be very grateful for any suggestions for where I can get a few pair of mens shorts. Thanks a bunch!! Eve

If shopping online is an option for you, Zappos.com has clothes, shoes, etc, and they generally deliver (seriously) within a day, 2 at the most. They have free shipping and return service, so it doesn't cost a cent to 'try on'. Just a thought! Good luck!
Penny

 

[pennymike]

I hope the weather isn't causing too much stress for those of you with early travels, but on the bright side, it has gifted me with a snow day from school today! My to do list will shrink by leaps and bounds today! YAY!

Penny

 

[decked out]

The last few times i've bought alcohol either on board or in a port they have not taken it.... anyone else have similar experience?

It sounds like people are getting confused on this topic. You can bring sealed alcoholic beverages on the ship in your carry-on bag at any port.

Duty free items purchased on board are provided on the last night of the cruise. DCL says that one bottle of booze per person can be brought into the US through customs. (Verify the rules if this is a concern.)

Customs seemed pretty lax for people returning with US passports and I could see how undeclared items might get through. However, just about all foreign purchases and duty free items, including booze, need to be declared. To do otherwise might create a problem.

I don't think open/unfinished booze is allowed back in the US and people just leave it on the ship. If you have leftover unopened bottles, I suppose you can bring them back, but might have trouble convincing customs that they are not part of your duty-free limit.

So now that the shuttle launch date has been pushed back, does anyone know if there are any other launches on the 17th? Someone suggersted that they always have things going on.????

Next rocket launch is Feb 3. The schedule changes, usually delays...
http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

I am so hoping the Florida weather improves by Saturday. I don't mind the cold as long as it's sunny..Do any of you Florida locals know where I will be able to pick up some shorts for my 15 year old??

Orlando has everything from KMart to Saks and most stores have many locations. Find your favorite store's website and use the store locator with the zip code of where you are staying.

When the winter gets bad here, it doesn't stay that way long, and it is usually much better here than everywhere else (north of here).

 

[skypixy]

Snow day for my kids today~this will impact my packing!
Planning on making cookies & watching "Polar Express".

Since the snow is flying & it is 12 degrees, this might be the day to tell them we are leaving Friday on vacation!

Safe travels fellow cruisers...

 

[Liz Arjay]

I hope the weather isn't causing too much stress for those of you with early travels, but on the bright side, it has gifted me with a snow day from school today! My to do list will shrink by leaps and bounds today! YAY!

Penny

Looking for hard FREEZING temps tonight here in Central Florida, and very cold until Wednesday mid-day. The coldest night since 1989 - I can still remember that cold snap because it was my first date with my DH! Very romantic memories associated. (Wonder if I can still fit into that miniskirt...lol)

miatamel - Our thoughts are with you and I hope that everything turns out well for you and your Dad.

Welcome tvlr42m and Penguin fan families!

For those of us going on the Bernards tour on St. Maarten - where do we meet up beforehand?

Small world story - my brother just phoned to say that his club tennis partner mentioned he was leaving on a cruise the 18th and returning on the 29th. He put me on the phone, and of course it is the Magic! Mom and Dad and 2 kids DD16 and DS15. We will get together for a pre-cruise glass of wine later this week (the parent, not the teens!)

Does anyone know any place near the port where you can park more cheaply than at the port - and get shuttle service to and fro?

cquick - will you have a note on your door re: time and date of any Champagne Girls party? I have packed my pink boa...

Liz

 

[3princessMommy]

Are you flying home directly after the cruise? We live in Orlando, and I work at the resorts at WDW. If you need an extra bag brought on board, just let me know. Or if you end up buying some warmer clothes, I can ship them to your home afterwards. We will be driving to the port and parking there.

Also, I don't know your sizes, but we could help out the grown ups with warmer clothes, sweatshirts, etc. But I know you have young girls, and we would be no help there!

We had to have crossed paths on the Baltic cruise! Connie

Thanks Connie! Yes - I remember your screen name from our Baltic. It will be fun to see you guys again!

We may try and ship a box or two on Friday before we head to the Port. We're going to VA right after the cruise for a couple weeks, so any cold weather gear we get here, we can use there. The issue is just fitting everything in the suitcase! I've packed my FE gifts in boxes in my suitcase, so if I need to take you up on the offer to mail stuff, I'll already have some boxes!

Last nights MVMCP was really cold! It was fine until the show and parade. The wind kicked up and was frigid. By the time the parade was done, my dad was having issues with his hip and needed to go home. The girls were crying and Grace was passed out asleep! We had tickets for the dessert party to see the fireworks, but the girls absolutely refused to go. Caitie said she was "full" and didn't want any more sweets. Alex just said she wanted to go home and get warm. Grace would just wimper anytime her hat budged off her ears. Thank goodness the hostess had pity on us when we showed up to say we were going home - with crying kids, etc. - and arranged for our tickets to be refunded.

Off to BBB and then lunch with the princesses at Epcot. Then a quiet night tonight at SSR. We'll be staying bundled up and warm!

Travel well everyone!

 

[DVC4US]

I hope the weather isn't causing too much stress for those of you with early travels, but on the bright side, it has gifted me with a snow day from school today! My to do list will shrink by leaps and bounds today! YAY!

Penny

Snow day for my kids today~this will impact my packing!
Planning on making cookies & watching "Polar Express".

Since the snow is flying & it is 12 degrees, this might be the day to tell them we are leaving Friday on vacation!

Safe travels fellow cruisers...

Enjoy your snow day! We only have a 2 hour delay, which I would rather have since we have to add snow days onto the end of the year. It really stinks when you start getting those in December.

 

[DVC4US]

When the winter gets bad here, it doesn't stay that way long, and it is usually much better here than everywhere else (north of here).

Hey, I resemble that! You are so right! I would love to be in Florida today with a high of 51. I would probably be in shorts and a t-shirt.

 

[CrusinLattas]

Also, I just realized that DH and I are booked for High Tea at 3pm on the 19th, which means we'll have to duck out of the meet/ornament exchange with enough time to get the kids to the clubs before our reservation. Maybe someone can leave our ornament in our FE afterwards? I don't mind taking the last one...I assume that everyone has snazzy tastes on this board.

OK, after reading this I checked our schedule and Alan and I are at High Tea at 3 PM as well! I guess we can have our own meet at Palos!

 

[DVC4US]

Last nights MVMCP was really cold! It was fine until the show and parade. The wind kicked up and was frigid. By the time the parade was done, my dad was having issues with his hip and needed to go home. The girls were crying and Grace was passed out asleep! We had tickets for the dessert party to see the fireworks, but the girls absolutely refused to go. Caitie said she was "full" and didn't want any more sweets. Alex just said she wanted to go home and get warm. Grace would just wimper anytime her hat budged off her ears. Thank goodness the hostess had pity on us when we showed up to say we were going home - with crying kids, etc. - and arranged for our tickets to be refunded.

Off to BBB and then lunch with the princesses at Epcot. Then a quiet night tonight at SSR. We'll be staying bundled up and warm!

Travel well everyone!

That's too bad it was so cold for MVMCP. When you are cold like that it just takes away some of the fun. Glad to hear they refunded your tickets for the dessert party.

BBB and lunch with the princesses - what a fun day! How are you guys liking SSR?

 

[EeyoreHugs]

Hi guys, it's Sarah (BigHugsForEeyore),

I forgot to write down my log-in details so umm yeah...

So anyway, we arrived in Orlando at 4:15pm yesterday and got to WDW around 6:30pm.

Magic Kingdom is AWESOME!!!!!
But I didn't realise the castle was so small, seriously I was expecting it to be about twice that size!

Off to go get breakfast - we somehow managed not to eat anything since arriving in USA. Probably because we rode Thunder Mountain 5 times in a row without getting off, Splash Mountain twice, Space Mountain twice, Dumbo, Teacups, Haunted Mansion and Space Ranger Spin (over rated!!) in the space of 2.5 hours!!

Chat to you guys later!!

Sarah xxx

 

[BBQMommy]

(((Sarah))) Have fun!

 

[Liz Arjay]

Hi guys, it's Sarah (BigHugsForEeyore),

I forgot to write down my log-in details so umm yeah...

So anyway, we arrived in Orlando at 4:15pm yesterday and got to WDW around 6:30pm.

Magic Kingdom is AWESOME!!!!!
But I didn't realise the castle was so small, seriously I was expecting it to be about twice that size!

Off to go get breakfast - we somehow managed not to eat anything since arriving in USA. Probably because we rode Thunder Mountain 5 times in a row without getting off, Splash Mountain twice, Space Mountain twice, Dumbo, Teacups, Haunted Mansion and Space Ranger Spin (over rated!!) in the space of 2.5 hours!!

Chat to you guys later!!

Sarah xxx

Wow! Good thing you didn't have anything to eat - I would have thrown up if I'd ridden all those roller coasters without stop! I hope you didn't get wet on Splash mountain, with these frigid temperatures...
Liz

 

[CrusinLattas]

Does anyone know any place near the port where you can park more cheaply than at the port - and get shuttle service to and fro?

Liz

Liz, we booked a night at the Raddison following the cruise (we were already booked at Disney pre-cruise) and are using their parking and shuttle. We drive down in an RV and the hotel cost for one night is much cheaper than paying for 11 nights of parking - plus we got a room and tickets to NASA. The parking area is better than the ports as well - camara monitored and cleaner. I don't know of any other parking options - but Country Inn offers this as well. It might be worth booking a room either pre or post cruise.

Welcome tvlr42m and Penguin fan families!

miatamel - You are in our thoughts and prayers! I hope you get some good news today!

 

[CrusinLattas]

OK, after reading this I checked our schedule and Alan and I are at High Tea at 3 PM as well! I guess we can have our own meet at Palos!

Since the meet is at 2PM we will just go looking a bit dressed up - we are also doing the Wine Tasting after Palo - just to let you all know - we don't run around the ship all dressed up all the time, but we should be cleaned up nice for these two DIS events

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Everybody sounds like they are having fun at
WDW. I cannot believe the cold. Stay warm

Packing is done. DD and I are ready to go, but DH has not packed one thing.

So ready to get this party started Happy Monday everybody
Three more days of work, then Hello Florida!!!!!

 

[ISCHARCM]

Well here is the weeks forecast pulled from Florida Today which is our local Brevard County Paper... Hopefully this holds true and Saturday will be a great day to depart!!

Extended forecast from NWS in Melbourne
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values as low as 29 early. Windy, with a west northwest wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.


Tonight: Clear, with a low around 26. Wind chill values as low as 16. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.


Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values as low as 15 early. North northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.


Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. Wind chill values as low as 26. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.


Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.


Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. West northwest wind around 5 mph.


Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 69. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.


Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. West southwest wind around 10 mph.


Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. West wind around 10 mph.


Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. West wind around 10 mph.


Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. North northwest wind around 10 mph.


Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. North northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.


Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind around 15 mph.

 

[StJohnfamily]

My dad was admitted to our larger hospital to the north yesterday in cardio critical care, apparent heart failure. Too much fluid in his lungs and kidney disfunction to heart cath yesterday, has to wait til Monday. Possible bypass if heart isn't too damaged already.
Have no idea what to do. Don't have trip insurance so can't imagine cancelling but also can't imagine leaving for 12 days in this situation. Not traveling on a passport, so if something happens I can't come home til it's time to come home.
Even so, long days at hospital means nothing done at home to get ready to go if we get to.
Strange, bad, upsetting situation all the way around.

Melissa,

Sending prayers and well wishes your way.

 

[StJohnfamily]

I have DD9 trying on her summer clothes now to see what fits...hopefully can start packing soon but the extended family xmas dinner at our house tonight so not much time. Also freaking out that my BOTP tshirt or my new black dress still haven't arrived! I ordered these late in November so should be here next week or I'm out of luck

Jennifer,

I had my DD9 try on her summer clothes last night and some of them are a bit snug, but no where to buy summer items in the northwest right now. My BOTP shirt has not arrived either. I am a bit stresses about that since we leave tomorrow morning! We will have to find something clever to wear if they don't arrive in time.