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

[pillow]

thank you both for your replies!!

I think we are going to try and fit as much in as possible before the cruise - we are planning on a week at the poly before hand - I really want to see the MVMCP as we've never been over the xmas period before!!

I am then hoping to pop back to the Boardwalk for a few days at the end of the cruise, so I guess we could pop to a park just for anything we have missed the first week!!

Hence why we can't afford Florida this year - I think next year will end up being 4 years worth of vacation budgets rolled into one!!

Wow! Thats a looong vacation! Sounds wonderful. I think the cruise will be it for us if we are able to go at all. Cudos to you for skipping a year's vacation to save. I just can't do it. We're going to the Grand Canyon over spring break this year (anyone who wants to rent our Beach Club 1 bedroom April 5th let me know) and we've got a res for the Thanksgiving week long Eastern cruise. I'm thinking this Christmas trip might not be in the budget. We'll just have to wait and see. Oh yeah, and then theres the rumor that DCL will be going to Alaska in 2011. Thats one I definitely want to be on!!

Jodie

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

thank you both for your replies!!

I think we are going to try and fit as much in as possible before the cruise - we are planning on a week at the poly before hand - I really want to see the MVMCP as we've never been over the xmas period before!!

I am then hoping to pop back to the Boardwalk for a few days at the end of the cruise, so I guess we could pop to a park just for anything we have missed the first week!!

Hence why we can't afford Florida this year - I think next year will end up being 4 years worth of vacation budgets rolled into one!!

WOW! I could not imagine having that much time off! I am waiting to see what the school calendar looks like in 2010 to see if the kids are going to miss to much school for the cruise. I am not a fan of paying for airfare at Christmas, but I would like to work that into the budget so we do not have to make the 15 hour drive. I could save a day of kids missing school!

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

We'll just have to wait and see. Oh yeah, and then theres the rumor that DCL will be going to Alaska in 2011. Thats one I definitely want to be on!!

Jodie

Hmm Alaska, I could do that! I can not wait to hear more about the new ships!

 

[pillow]

WOW! I could not imagine having that much time off! I am waiting to see what the school calendar looks like in 2010 to see if the kids are going to miss to much school for the cruise. I am not a fan of paying for airfare at Christmas, but I would like to work that into the budget so we do not have to make the 15 hour drive. I could save a day of kids missing school!

Our drive is 12 hours. I feel the same way you do. We had planned on driving down this past Thanksgiving to save money, and about a week beforehand, Airtran came out with a $134 fare - direct flight. We couldn't pass it up. You never know what you might find as the time gets closer. Are you close to Dulles or BWI?

Jodie

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

Our drive is 12 hours. I feel the same way you do. We had planned on driving down this past Thanksgiving to save money, and about a week beforehand, Airtran came out with a $134 fare - direct flight. We couldn't pass it up. You never know what you might find as the time gets closer. Are you close to Dulles or BWI?

Jodie

BWI, but if the price is right, I have no problem going to National or Dulles.

 

[pfishgirl]

Checking In and bumping us back up a bit

 

[amystevekai&bump]

right christmas is now well and truly behind us - so I think its time we got down to some serious planning - afterall, we are now travelling NEXT Year!!!

So................ Let's get started - are we going to have a Dis meet???? - if so, Where?? When?? (i've never been to one before so I don't know how it all works!!)

 

[DCLInauguralXmas]

The one I went to on the 2008 Christmas cruise was right before the sail away party in the promenade lounge and it was very rushed. I would suggest doing one on the first day at sea. We had an ornament exchange and a secret Santa exchange. Both were fun but it took extra planning and suitcase space on both sides of the trip. I have heard some people get the private room at Palo's and do a DIS group brunch, which would be fun!!!!!! I was not able to book a brunch this past trip because they were all booked prior to the Castaway time period.

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

That is neat to do something at Palo's but that would have to be without the kids I am sure. I would like for children to get to meet as well. I do like the idea of a meet the first day at sea. We could also do a miny meet/greet before the sale away party.

 

[Hanny&AlsMom]

Hi everyone!!

So after alot of rambling on (sorry! )- down to my latest question for you!! - Are any of you planning on visiting WDW after our cruise??

I was just wondering, as reading a lot of recent trip reports, the crowd levels seem a bit - and I am wondering whether it may be a bit much for my two boys (who as you know will be 6 and 3 when we travel). What are your thoughts?? Worth it?? or shall I try and squeeze all the parks in pre-cruise and have a few chill out days afterwards instead??

We have also been tossing around the idea around of spending a few days at WDW after the cruise. The crowd thing concerns me too, so if we do go we'll likely pull the kids out of school for a few days and go pre cruise. From what I've been reading it is nice to relax after the craziness of WDW.

right christmas is now well and truly behind us - so I think its time we got down to some serious planning - afterall, we are now travelling NEXT Year!!!

So................ Let's get started - are we going to have a Dis meet???? - if so, Where?? When?? (i've never been to one before so I don't know how it all works!!)

I would love to have a meet! We're already keeping track of who wants to do the FE & secret Santa exchange. I think that it will be fantastic to see everybody in person.

The one I went to on the 2008 Christmas cruise was right before the sail away party in the promenade lounge and it was very rushed. I would suggest doing one on the first day at sea. We had an ornament exchange and a secret Santa exchange. Both were fun but it took extra planning and suitcase space on both sides of the trip. I have heard some people get the private room at Palo's and do a DIS group brunch, which would be fun!!!!!! I was not able to book a brunch this past trip because they were all booked prior to the Castaway time period.

I have read about the group Palo lunch as well. That sounds like a lot of fun. I have had dinner at Palo and can only say that it was the best meal I've ever had I don't know how you go about booking, or even how much in advance to book. As Jen mentioned, we couldn't bring the kids, but if we meet on the first sea day (or whatever other arrangement we may make) the kids could get together at that time. I think it would be nice to get the kids together early in the cruise. My daughter is quite shy, and on our last cruise she didn't like the clubs as much as I thought she would (I didn't know about DIS meets at that time). I think if she could connect with kids prior to attending the club she'd feel more comfortable.


Carolyn

 

[amystevekai&bump]

That is neat to do something at Palo's but that would have to be without the kids I am sure. I would like for children to get to meet as well. I do like the idea of a meet the first day at sea. We could also do a miny meet/greet before the sale away party.

I would love to have a meet! We're already keeping track of who wants to do the FE & secret Santa exchange. I think that it will be fantastic to see everybody in person.[/COLOR]

I have read about the group Palo lunch as well. That sounds like a lot of fun. I have had dinner at Palo and can only say that it was the best meal I've ever had I don't know how you go about booking, or even how much in advance to book. As Jen mentioned, we couldn't bring the kids, but if we meet on the first sea day (or whatever other arrangement we may make) the kids could get together at that time. I think it would be nice to get the kids together early in the cruise. My daughter is quite shy, and on our last cruise she didn't like the clubs as much as I thought she would (I didn't know about DIS meets at that time). I think if she could connect with kids prior to attending the club she'd feel more comfortable.

Carolyn

I am definitely interested in meeting up on the first sea day - which will be our first 'proper' day too won't it!!

I think it would be great for the children to get together - as I know Kai will like that and he is not yet at the age (he'll be 6 when we go) where he can do the 'make friends through emailling before hand' thing - so meeting early on the cruise so that he already knows some friendly faces would be great!!

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

I LOVE reading posts about this cruise. Every post makes the cruise feel like it is that much closer.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I LOVE reading posts about this cruise. Every post makes the cruise feel like it is that much closer.

it does seem closer doesn't it !!! Although I think I might have to sort out my ticker as it doesn't seem to match yours!!! (I am flying out as week before but even then it doesn't add up - mine is wishfully thinking its even sooner!!! )

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

it does seem closer doesn't it !!! Although I think I might have to sort out my ticker as it doesn't seem to match yours!!! (I am flying out as week before but even then it doesn't add up - mine is wishfully thinking its even sooner!!! )

That is funny. As long as we do not miss the ship!

Panic this morning - Here in Maryland, it has been cold, however, I do not think it has been much colder then in the past. My electric bill has almost doubled from last year! I am not going to be happy if the extra money I am putting aside for this trip starts to go to the electric company instead of to Disney!!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Panic this morning - Here in Maryland, it has been cold, however, I do not think it has been much colder then in the past. My electric bill has almost doubled from last year! I am not going to be happy if the extra money I am putting aside for this trip starts to go to the electric company instead of to Disney!!

I know what you mean - fuel prices in the UK are rocketing too!! - I am also worried about the dollar/pouind exchange rate - currently our cruise is going to cost us £1500 more than we thought!! (so some how we will have to save approx another $2000 dollars!!) - although we aren't cancelling!! (we just might be staying in a motel 6 rather than the poly before the cruise!! )

 

[amystevekai&bump]

bumping us back to the front!!! - By the way, I asked this on the main board, but might as well ask you guys too!!

I was hoping to visit Trunk Bay when we are in St Thomas, but all the DCL excursions there don't allow my then 3 year old to go. I know a lot of people do it independently, but I just can't face taking a taxi, then ferry, then another taxi all the way there and back, to spend the whole time watching the clock to see if we are going to miss the boat!!

Soooo... I've been trying to talk myself into something else and have heard some good reports about Magen's Bay and wondered if any of you had been??

I know there is a dcl trip, so it would be less stressful for me, but will the beach be as pretty??? (I'm looking for the WOW factor!! )

Please help me choose, I don't want to feel as though I have missed out, but equally I know that I won't truly enjoy Trunk Bay while I am worried about the ship leaving without me!!

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

Is your child 3 now or will be 3 on the cruise?

 

[Hanny&AlsMom]

bumping us back to the front!!! - By the way, I asked this on the main board, but might as well ask you guys too!!

I was hoping to visit Trunk Bay when we are in St Thomas, but all the DCL excursions there don't allow my then 3 year old to go. I know a lot of people do it independently, but I just can't face taking a taxi, then ferry, then another taxi all the way there and back, to spend the whole time watching the clock to see if we are going to miss the boat!!

Soooo... I've been trying to talk myself into something else and have heard some good reports about Magen's Bay and wondered if any of you had been??

I know there is a dcl trip, so it would be less stressful for me, but will the beach be as pretty??? (I'm looking for the WOW factor!! )

Please help me choose, I don't want to feel as though I have missed out, but equally I know that I won't truly enjoy Trunk Bay while I am worried about the ship leaving without me!!

I haven't even started looking at excursions yet. My daughter and I have been looking at pictures of some of the islands on the internet, and they look too good to be true! I'll have to look at the Disney website for excursions, but what is it about Trunk Bay that makes you not want to miss it?

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Is your child 3 now or will be 3 on the cruise?

He'll be 3 when we go

I haven't even started looking at excursions yet. My daughter and I have been looking at pictures of some of the islands on the internet, and they look too good to be true! I'll have to look at the Disney website for excursions, but what is it about Trunk Bay that makes you not want to miss it?

I have just read so many great reports about how fabulous it is and seen some lovely photos. A lot of people on the cruise threads seem to say that St John is nicer than St Thomas, but I don't really want to get involved with taxis and ferries - i'd spend the whole day worrying about getting back to the ship!!!

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

I can not help you with that excursion. We did the catamaran snorkel at Buck island. It was very nice, but did not see any of the island since we were on the cat the whole time. After the excursion, we did have time to walk around and do some shopping.