Magic Christmas Cruise 2010 (Dec 18th - 29th) - ***UPDATED - post #411 ***

[riggins]

riggins- I see that you were on the cruise last year at Christmas. Any chance that you have Navigators that you could scan into a file and share? Perhaps that would be a lot of work, but I would love to see what additional things they do on the extended cruise for the holidays. It will also help me plan my clothing choices.

Hi minneapolismickey! Unfortunately, I didn't save any of our Navigators. I have a good friend who sailed with us and I can see if she kept any. But, I'm not sure if they'd be as helpful as you'd like. Last year, the Christmas cruise was just a regular 7-night Eastern itinerary (12/19-12/26). We had one formal and one semi-formal night. Based on what they're doing on the long Med and Baltics this summer, I'm guessing that we'll still just have one formal and one semi-formal, but who knows. There were a ton of extra holiday activities . . . tree lighting, Santa, Christmas services, cookies and egg nog in the lobby, special menus, etc. It was really great!! I'd be happy to try to answer any questions about all of it.

Welcome aboard! Will your girls be 7 and 9 at the time of the cruise? Our girls (3PrincessMommy is DW) will be 9, 7, and 3 (almost 4). Any chance you'd be interested in connecting the kids by e-mail before the cruise? We've done this in the past, and it was great for the kids to already have a freind before they even get on the ship. If you're up for it, I'll PM you our e-mail address.

Aaron

Thanks Aaron. Yes, my girls will be 7 and 9 when we cruise and I know that they would love to email in advance. PM me with your email address and we can get them connected.

Have a great day!!
Leslie

 

[thegales]

Okay, I am going to poke my nose in on your cruise thread, but, I have a question. Can anyone tell me to final final payment date on this cruise? I want to watch for sales, although the prices are pretty good now, I am hoping they will get better so I can justify another 11 days on the Magic this year. LOL. Hi to Deb and John!

I am confirming that the final payment is due August 20. I am still confused about the cancellation date though. Per Disney's website, cruises of 10 days or more have a cancellation date of 90 days, but this payment is due 120 days. Not that we are going to try it, but I am wondering if you could cancel after making the final payment and still get all your money back.

 

[thegales]

Can anyone recommend a transportation service from Orlando to the port?
We will be staying a few nights in Orlando before the cruise and need transportation to the cruise and then after the cruise to the airport. We are looking for the best priced reliable service. Does anyone have a favorite transportation service?

Thanks for your help!

Back in 2004, we used Southern Elegance to pick us up from the airport and take us to the Radisson the day before the cruise. Used the Radisson shuttle to get to the port in the morning. Then Southern Elegance from the ship back to the airport. To spoil us some, and to put us in a good mood, we did a stretch limo for just the four of us. They were waiting for us at the airport, and at the port. It was a great experience, and we would recommend it. But things can change with any company in six years, so please get some more current reviews.

In the limo, they had a huge plush Mickey for girls for the ride down, and tons of non alcoholic drinks.

 

[riggins]

I am confirming that the final payment is due August 20. I am still confused about the cancellation date though. Per Disney's website, cruises of 10 days or more have a cancellation date of 90 days, but this payment is due 120 days. Not that we are going to try it, but I am wondering if you could cancel after making the final payment and still get all your money back.

You're right. Final payment is due 120 days prior, and the cancellation penalties start 90 days prior. According to my confirmation statement, final payment is due 8/20 and "cruise cancellation fees begin" on 9/20. So technically, you could cancel up until 9/20 without penalty even though you have to pay in full a month sooner.

 

[BBQMommy]

DD will turn 6 on this cruise. I had my 41st b-day during her first WDW visit last February and there is just something so special having a birthday at Disney

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

We just booked yesterday and the total balance due is on 8/20 (non-suite room).
Hello, fellow Tennessean! We're in Cookeville and it is warm.

Welcome aboard BBQMommy! It looks like your daughter is going to have a magical birthday

 

[tinkmischief]

That does sound like fun! Is the Wildlife Reserve near the cave? I think my kids would get a kick out of the monkeys.

Not really, Harrison's Cave is towards the middle of the island and the Reserve is in the Northeast portion. I think you could still fit both in your day however if you wanted to.


Wow!! This thread is really picking up steam I do see I have some new PMs, promise I will get to them by the end of the week and add everyone/answer any questions.

I think someone put out a Fishy deadline suggestion of Thanksgiving (right before or after...long day sorry ) Is everyone good with that?

 

[ucancallmetink]

Hey Tinkmischief~ We're from Az too! You wouldn't happen to be near Tucson, would ya?

 

[SwimMama]

Back in 2004, we used Southern Elegance to pick us up from the airport and take us to the Radisson the day before the cruise. Used the Radisson shuttle to get to the port in the morning. Then Southern Elegance from the ship back to the airport. To spoil us some, and to put us in a good mood, we did a stretch limo for just the four of us. They were waiting for us at the airport, and at the port. It was a great experience, and we would recommend it. But things can change with any company in six years, so please get some more current reviews.

In the limo, they had a huge plush Mickey for girls for the ride down, and tons of non alcoholic drinks.

thegales,
A limo sounds like fun Thank you for the suggestion of Southern Elegance. I will look into them and look at reviews.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

We just booked yesterday and the total balance due is on 8/20 (non-suite room).
Hello, fellow Tennessean! We're in Cookeville and it is warm.

I am in Murfreesboro, and it is just as crazy hot here!!!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I am confirming that the final payment is due August 20. I am still confused about the cancellation date though. Per Disney's website, cruises of 10 days or more have a cancellation date of 90 days, but this payment is due 120 days. Not that we are going to try it, but I am wondering if you could cancel after making the final payment and still get all your money back.

As long as the penalty date has not passed, you should get a full refund.

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

Hi everyone! I still wish I was going on this cruise. This economy really hit us harder then I thought it would.

I have received a couple of PM's about this cruise since my name is on the link on the first page. Is there anyone on this cruise that is a "contact person" that I can refer people with questions to? I will update the link on the 1st page with the information.

Thanks!

Jen

 

[thegales]

Hey Jen - Sorry you will not be able to join us. tinkmischief has been organizing a FE list, so may I recommend that you forward to them.

Hopefully this is okay for me to make this recommendation.

 

[bigAWL]

If no one minds, I'll open a new thread and call it PART II. I'll try to keep it updated with anything you'all want me to put up there. I'll post here when it's up.

Aaron

 

[bigAWL]

If no one minds, I'll open a new thread and call it PART II. I'll try to keep it updated with anything you'all want me to put up there. I'll post here when it's up.

Aaron

Here's the new thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2526791

 

[mndisfam]

I can't find if we joined this meet already! DH and I will be celebrating our 24 anniversary on Xmas Eve (we eloped on Xmas eve) along with our DD11 and DS 14.

I am not crafty, but would love to be involved in the FE. I have seen them on doors in the past, and they look so fun!

I feel official today bcs we book our air. We have been to all of the islands in the past, so I will be interested to see what the family votes for. I think a ladies tea at Palo - without the Speedo fashiopn show from the Panama Canal, would be great!! No offense guys - I won't wear a bikini!!!

 

[3princessMommy]

I can't find if we joined this meet already! DH and I will be celebrating our 24 anniversary on Xmas Eve (we eloped on Xmas eve) along with our DD11 and DS 14.

I am not crafty, but would love to be involved in the FE. I have seen them on doors in the past, and they look so fun!

I feel official today bcs we book our air. We have been to all of the islands in the past, so I will be interested to see what the family votes for. I think a ladies tea at Palo - without the Speedo fashiopn show from the Panama Canal, would be great!! No offense guys - I won't wear a bikini!!!

Welcome! Come join us over on our part II thread. Because the originator of this thread is no longer on the cruise, we've had a hard time keeping it updated, so we've started a new thread with all the current information!

We have information there about signing up for various activities, and will soon have the link for ordering t-shirts for those who are interested.

See you in December!

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

I have updated the link to the link on page one with the new thread.

Have fun everyone!!!

 

[DisneyMom92]

OK, so I haven't been on for a while and there are sooo many posts to catch up on, that I haven't been able to read them all.

We are interested in the FE and I will PM the appropriate person as soon as I figure out who it is. We have added an extra person to our cruise. My dd(18) is bringing her boyfriend. They are still in high school so they will be able to use the teen club. I also have a DS who will be 15 at the time of the cruise. My sister will cruise with us as well. We have 2 rooms. My sister and daughter will be in one room and the boys and I will be in the other. Pray for my sanity.

We usually do the cruise over Spring break and WDW over Christmas. Had to flip flop this year because of a band trip to WDW Spring break. We are pretty excited. It will be BF's first cruise ever, first flight ever, etc. He traveled with us quite a bit this summer.

We are most likely flying in the night before and staying at the Hyatt. We already have the rooms booked at the Hyatt. We did that last year and it was a great benefit. I went over early in the morning, while the rest of them slept, and checked into the cruise. It took about 15 minutes and then we had a leisurely breakfast, while they picked up our luggage and got it loaded, then we took a cruise line bus over directly from the Hyatt. Our boarding number was low enough that we walked right on the ship with no waiting at all. It was great. My son likes to be in the first group on the ship, which is nice but it was really wonderful to not have to rush in the morning. Nice perk if you stay at the Hyatt.

We have cruised the Western so many times that we really don't spend any time to speak of off the ship. I am looking forward to so many new ports and some touring this trip. With so many sea days, I think it will be ok to get off every once in a while.

To those of you who have done a Christmas cruise before...what's the weather like? Is is most likely warm or will it be cooler? We hardly get to swim when we sail Spring break and the water at Castaway Cay is downright frigid that time of year.

I guess that's it for now. Love the idea of t-shirts and magnets Maybe put our screen names on the magnets? I would be willing to make lanyard tags, if anyone is interested. Let me know. Someone did that last year and it's one of my favorite souvenirs.

 

[bigAWL]

OK, so I haven't been on for a while and there are sooo many posts to catch up on, that I haven't been able to read them all.

We are interested in the FE and I will PM the appropriate person as soon as I figure out who it is. We have added an extra person to our cruise. My dd(18) is bringing her boyfriend. They are still in high school so they will be able to use the teen club. I also have a DS who will be 15 at the time of the cruise. My sister will cruise with us as well. We have 2 rooms. My sister and daughter will be in one room and the boys and I will be in the other. Pray for my sanity.

We usually do the cruise over Spring break and WDW over Christmas. Had to flip flop this year because of a band trip to WDW Spring break. We are pretty excited. It will be BF's first cruise ever, first flight ever, etc. He traveled with us quite a bit this summer.

We are most likely flying in the night before and staying at the Hyatt. We already have the rooms booked at the Hyatt. We did that last year and it was a great benefit. I went over early in the morning, while the rest of them slept, and checked into the cruise. It took about 15 minutes and then we had a leisurely breakfast, while they picked up our luggage and got it loaded, then we took a cruise line bus over directly from the Hyatt. Our boarding number was low enough that we walked right on the ship with no waiting at all. It was great. My son likes to be in the first group on the ship, which is nice but it was really wonderful to not have to rush in the morning. Nice perk if you stay at the Hyatt.

We have cruised the Western so many times that we really don't spend any time to speak of off the ship. I am looking forward to so many new ports and some touring this trip. With so many sea days, I think it will be ok to get off every once in a while.

To those of you who have done a Christmas cruise before...what's the weather like? Is is most likely warm or will it be cooler? We hardly get to swim when we sail Spring break and the water at Castaway Cay is downright frigid that time of year.

I guess that's it for now. Love the idea of t-shirts and magnets Maybe put our screen names on the magnets? I would be willing to make lanyard tags, if anyone is interested. Let me know. Someone did that last year and it's one of my favorite souvenirs.

DisneyMom, welcome back. Come over to our part II thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2526791). Page one there has the latest updates on who is organizing which activity/event, as well as a roll call. I'll update your entry with your new addition.