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

[CrusinLattas]

I am reading through the newest Passporter Cruise book. I was excited because I am quoted! I am sorry to say not much in there about our extra ports!

I did find a few reviews about the ports:
All of the ports we are visiting you can walk off the boat - no tendering. All have a good safe reputation and are lovely islands. With a 4 & 5 year old my ideas of fun in port are very mild, but here is what sounded fun for my family:

There is a lot of information out there on St. Maartin and St. Thomas/St. John. Both are beautiful islands. I don't think we will do more than get off and say - how pretty. I thought about going to Blackbeards Castle on St. Thomas, but don't think it would be fun enough for the little ones. Mixed reviews.

Guadeloupe's dock is in a great location to walk off and be in the Pointe. It looked like there would be things to do right off the boat. They have an Aquarium in walking distance that has good reviews - although it is challenging to find much in English and money will need to be converted - or credit cards used (usually a better rate that way anyway in my experience). Rates were listed in Euros - $6.50 for Adults and $3 for children 5 and up. Under 5 are free. We are scheduled to be in Guadeloupe from 8:15 AM to 5:00 PM.

Barbados has a port with shops built in. If you want to do anything outside of the port shops, transportation will be needed. I read about Harrison's Cave that sounds interesting. Disney does not have an 'Adventure' there, but it looks like you can get a taxi for $30 BDS (right now $1 US = $2 BDS). Taxi's do not post their rates there, so ask before you get in about the rates. The cave is $60 BDS adults and $30 BDS child and it includes a tram ride through the cave. It was described as Disney like enchantment by a non-Disney site. We are in Barbados from 7:45 AM to 7:30 PM so a good amount of time to explore.

I went to Martinique 20 or so years ago, but don't remember much about it other than it was a pretty island. I thought the Land and Sea with the train looked good. We are there from 8 AM to 6 PM.

I would love to hear if anyone else has found out much about things to do on our 'extra' stops!

 

[ReggieB]

Thanks for the info about the ports. I was looking at the Port Adventures on the website yesterday. Looking to get a small taste of the ports, I'm really not a beach person... Though we did spend Christmas morning on the beach in St Maarten a few years back with Disney, it was so hot. It was all a bit odd, glad we are at sea on Christmas day this year!
I did some sort of walking tour on St Thomas' last time also. I can't remember which one it was, but I found it interesting, but probably not for little ones. They did talk about pirates, my son loves his history, so was pretty interested in it all.

Hyatt at the airport is nice. Had a good meal in the restaurant there, watching the planes go in and out. Also the Raddison at the port is very good value. We haven't ever used their shuttle though, we always have driven to the port. I know it's not very cost effective, but I can't bare the shuttles, I need to have as much control as possible!!!!! This will probably be the first time we aren't driving down for the cruise, so not sure what we will do. Stay over night somewhere close for sure.

 

[HFC1969]

We have stayed at the Hyatt a few times and really enjoyed it! Last year we had a day room there due to a really late flight home! I will miss using Disney Transportation and having to deal with luggage this year!

You know you can take the Disney Shuttle or just send your bags on the Disney Shuttle even if you stay at the Hyatt..

We send our luggage and rent a car usually. We love to goof around all morning...

 

[HFC1969]

We haven't ever used their shuttle though, we always have driven to the port. I know it's not very cost effective, but I can't bare the shuttles, I need to have as much control as possible!!!!! This will probably be the first time we aren't driving down for the cruise, so not sure what we will do. Stay over night somewhere close for sure.

Stay at the Hyatt... we can have a swim party on the roof the night before..

 

[jgura]

Still new at this. We (DH and myself) are hoping to join the cruise. Our cabin # is 6136. We currently plan a week at WDW (non-dvc timeshare)just before the cruise with Fri night at CI&S, leaving our car there for the cruise. We will be driving from San Antonio.
This will be our second Disney cruise. The first being a surprise for our daughter (3princessmommy) and family (BigAWL and granddaughters) for the inaugural Baltic cruise in June. WONDERFUL TRIP!!! Please add us to the FE list.

3princessgrandma

We are hoping to go on this cruise from Austin! We have already bought air on Southwest, pretty reasonable, check it out. We were on the June cruise from Barcelona to Dover. We stayed at CI&S last year and it worked out well.

 

[CrusinLattas]

You know you can take the Disney Shuttle or just send your bags on the Disney Shuttle even if you stay at the Hyatt..

We send our luggage and rent a car usually. We love to goof around all morning...

I did call again to check on luggage. This may have changed post 9/11, but you can't send your luggage without you unless it is going from the airlines. I have asked twice to see if it would work at BLT, since if you are on the shuttle they pick up your luggage that morning. It would have been incentive for us to pay for Disney Transportation if they would have: 1. Let us leave our RV there and 2. Taken us back to our car vs. the airport but alas, no help with the luggage w/o Disney Transportation unless it is directly from the airline baggage check.

It has been years since I have had to deal with getting all my luggage to the cruise. I don't even remember details about checking in baggage at the port terminal.

 

[HFC1969]

Im not starting a fight.. but we did this as late as last year from the Hyatt.. They pick up all luggage that morning and we didn't have to use the Magical Express we drove down.

 

[CrusinLattas]

Thanks for the info about the ports. I was looking at the Port Adventures on the website yesterday. Looking to get a small taste of the ports, I'm really not a beach person... Though we did spend Christmas morning on the beach in St Maarten a few years back with Disney, it was so hot. It was all a bit odd, glad we are at sea on Christmas day this year!
I did some sort of walking tour on St Thomas' last time also. I can't remember which one it was, but I found it interesting, but probably not for little ones. They did talk about pirates, my son loves his history, so was pretty interested in it all.

Hyatt at the airport is nice. Had a good meal in the restaurant there, watching the planes go in and out. Also the Raddison at the port is very good value. We haven't ever used their shuttle though, we always have driven to the port. I know it's not very cost effective, but I can't bare the shuttles, I need to have as much control as possible!!!!! This will probably be the first time we aren't driving down for the cruise, so not sure what we will do. Stay over night somewhere close for sure.

Was that the Christmas cruise in 2007? I had it in my head we were at St. Thomas, but I just looked at the old itenary and it was St. Maarten! I am very happy as well that Christmas Day is at sea! We had it at sea in 2008 and it was SO much better! I love going at Christmas time! It seems like there are quite a few people that are like us and make it a holiday tradition!

 

[CrusinLattas]

Im not starting a fight.. but we did this as late as last year from the Hyatt.. They pick up all luggage that morning and we didn't have to use the Magical Express we drove down.

I'm confused as well! I wish they would take it for us!!!! I have found that sometimes you have to call and talk to Disney several times before you can get an answer you like...lol I may try to call a few more times! I know they pick up the luggage at BLT just like they do at the Hyatt in the early AM. It would sure make it easier when we get to the port with our small kids! I'll keep calling! THANKS!

 

[CrusinLattas]

I'm confused as well! I wish they would take it for us!!!! I have found that sometimes you have to call and talk to Disney several times before you can get an answer you like...lol I may try to call a few more times! I know they pick up the luggage at BLT just like they do at the Hyatt in the early AM. It would sure make it easier when we get to the port with our small kids! I'll keep calling! THANKS!

Third time was a charm on the phone call! I talked to someone who actually called the cruise line and yes, they will pick up the luggage! That will make our morning SO MUCH easier! Thank you again for the information! That is one of the things I really LOVE about the DIS. If we had not talked on here I would not have known to keep calling!!!!!

Thanks again!

 

[HFC1969]

Third time was a charm on the phone call! I talked to someone who actually called the cruise line and yes, they will pick up the luggage! That will make our morning SO MUCH easier! Thank you again for the information! That is one of the things I really LOVE about the DIS. If we had not talked on here I would not have known to keep calling!!!!!

Thanks again!

No problem...

I was gonna say we started doing this about 5 years ago.. Wow been doing the Christmas Cruise for awhile... Anyway.. it was the Hyatt desk person that first asked me if I wanted to do it... DCL never even let us know about it...

Anyway.. The Frids fly in... to Hyatt Friday afternoon.. might go to GF or WDW for Mickey's Christmas party... or swim on the roof at the Hyatt who knows... But we are under 140 days!!!

 

[SwimMama]

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!

 

[HFC1969]

Can anyone recommend a transportation service from Orlando to the port?

Thanks for your help!

I didn't want you to think we were ignoring you... We have only ever traveled to the port by Magical Express or renting a car..

I'm sure that someone on the board will have a good recomendation

 

[minneapolismickey]

Hi everyone!

My family and I were intending to go to Disney World in early December and enjoy the Christmas decorations then take a western Caribbean cruise in April. The family that we were cruising with can't go, so I had a grand idea about cruising in December. One thing lead to another, and I have convinced my DH to say yes to a Christmas cruise. My DS12 and DS9 are all for it! We will make our reservations tomorrow. I am trying to make up now for lost time on this site...
So I have many questions.

I do not have a facebook profile- probably the only person on earth. My husband does. I will have him ask to be your friend today. Is that simply the place to keep track of a list of people or are you all making plans on facebook?

My DS12 is really excited to be free to roam on the ship and in OceanQuest. Does anyone use walkie-talkies to keep in touch with these "tweens?" I am sure that he would love to connect with other 11-13 year old guys via email if anyone is interested.

It seems that many of you have done this or a similar Christmas cruise in the past. Does anyone have copies of old navigators form their holiday cruise that they can post? I would love to see what activities are available for the holiday.

Since this is so last minute, we essentially have to pay for the whole thing up front- So we are considering an inside stateroom for first time. We are almost never in the room anyway. Anyone have advice on how to stay sane in the darkness of an inside room?

While updating my profile signature, I am shocked that we have not cruised for 3 years. We love the Magic!

Looking forward to this trip and this thread. We have never been away from home for Christmas, so I hope that the "magic" is all that I am hoping it will be!

 

[minneapolismickey]

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!

Hi Swim Mama-
I probably am not as valuable as others on this site, but will do my best. When we were on the Western Caribbean years ago we actually rented a car in Orlando and dropped it off in Cape Canaveral at the time of the departure. Then reversed on the return. It does not seem like it was more expensive to have a different drop off point. National Car Rental was close to the boat and my husband simply took their shuttle back and forth.

The other thing I would do is call Disney. I think that if you could get yourself back to the airport, you could ride their Disney bus out to Port Canaveral and return the same way. As I am making my reservations, it seems like this cost is $69 round trip per person. (If you are on their shuttle I think there is a movie of the cruise to get everyone excited during the drive, and then of course you do not have to deal with luggage- they get it into the terminal and onto the boat for you once you are on the shuttle). If you are staying on Disney property before the cruise- it is easy. Shuttle picks you up at Disney hotel in a.m. on Saturday, and then will return you to airport. Price is the same. That is what we will be doing this year.

Can't speak for any other private limo or shuttle services. Hope that helps.

 

[tinkmischief]

minneapolismickey

OK! Here are the usernames of those currently signed up for the f/e:
CrusinLattas
DisneyCamper
tinkmischief
thegales
SwimMama
3PrincessMommy
IceSk8ersMom
HFC1969
3PrincessGrandma

Did I miss anyone? Still plenty of time to get in on the fun just PM me!

 

[tinkmischief]

I am reading through the newest Passporter Cruise book. I was excited because I am quoted! I am sorry to say not much in there about our extra ports!

Barbados has a port with shops built in. If you want to do anything outside of the port shops, transportation will be needed. I read about Harrison's Cave that sounds interesting. Disney does not have an 'Adventure' there, but it looks like you can get a taxi for $30 BDS (right now $1 US = $2 BDS). Taxi's do not post their rates there, so ask before you get in about the rates. The cave is $60 BDS adults and $30 BDS child and it includes a tram ride through the cave. It was described as Disney like enchantment by a non-Disney site. We are in Barbados from 7:45 AM to 7:30 PM so a good amount of time to explore.

I would love to hear if anyone else has found out much about things to do on our 'extra' stops!

I don't know if I would call Harrison's Cave Disney like but it is pretty cool. The tram takes you down thru the cave and does stop at several spots so you can get out and get a better look and/or take photos(videos were prohibited when I was last there, but it has been years.) Educational and a great way to get out of the heat for a bit

I may have mentioned this before in an earlier post but I would also recommend the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. It is in the parish of St Peter in/ next to a mahogany forest area - just gorgeous! They have a great variety of animals and lots of green monkeys. They feed them in the afternoon so it's a great time to catch them as they are free to come and go from the park as they please - saw no shortage there though. Also, right across the way is Grenade Hall Forest and Signal Station. There is a trail thru the mahogany trees where you come across cave dwellings used by the Arawak Indians. It is gorgeous...and more green monkey friends spotted there. One warning moss covers the stone path in some spots so careful! The Signal Station has a lot of historic info about the building etc. And you can get great pictures of the island from the top!

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

On July 31, 2010, my sister married her prince charming, Scott Kalagian. Our Christmas cruise will be his first Disney Cruise. Also, the Thomas family is doing the Final Payment Dance. WooHoo!

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[HFC1969]

My DS12 is really excited to be free to roam on the ship and in OceanQuest. Does anyone use walkie-talkies to keep in touch with these "tweens?" I am sure that he would love to connect with other 11-13 year old guys via email if anyone is interested.

Our DS will celebrate his 11th Birthday on the second day of the I will PM you his email...

We have never used walkie talkies... We use a dry erase board in the cabin and make him check in.. I have enough stuff to carry around because of my beautiful wife...

 

[CrusinLattas]

I don't know if I would call Harrison's Cave Disney like but it is pretty cool. The tram takes you down thru the cave and does stop at several spots so you can get out and get a better look and/or take photos(videos were prohibited when I was last there, but it has been years.) Educational and a great way to get out of the heat for a bit

I may have mentioned this before in an earlier post but I would also recommend the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. It is in the parish of St Peter in/ next to a mahogany forest area - just gorgeous! They have a great variety of animals and lots of green monkeys. They feed them in the afternoon so it's a great time to catch them as they are free to come and go from the park as they please - saw no shortage there though. Also, right across the way is Grenade Hall Forest and Signal Station. There is a trail thru the mahogany trees where you come across cave dwellings used by the Arawak Indians. It is gorgeous...and more green monkey friends spotted there. One warning moss covers the stone path in some spots so careful! The Signal Station has a lot of historic info about the building etc. And you can get great pictures of the island from the top!

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