Magic In Paradise: 10/8-10/15 2011 All cruisers check in here

[tigger2002]

Ok I looked up who i was thinking of before for St. Martin. And this is it. LOTS of recommendations on the main board.

http://www.bernardstours.com/

Dh and I were talking and brainstorming about the trip tonight and we know we would like to get to the French side of the island which we didn't last time.

We are thinking about going with Bernard tours also

lots of good reviews over on Cruise Critic page

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1304290



<

 

[aan1701]

We are thinking about going with Bernard tours also

lots of good reviews over on Cruise Critic page

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1304290



<

Like I said, lesson learned in Cabo, I will under no circumstances book a tour not offered by DCL. I don't care about reviews or anything, lesson learned.

 

[Octoberbride03]

We have hit 600 posts cruisers

About a week since we hit 500. We're really moving now

Our newest player is KellyJeanDVC with posts 599 and 600 earning 1 and 1


So our current game standings are:
TIGGER/POOH4: 2 and 2
KellyJeanDVC and
Octoberbride03 2
MintJulep

Who's next

 

[tigger2002]

Normally he is back to Phillipsburg around 2:00 and the ship leaves at 6:30 that day, so i figure four hours of slip time is OK. In St. Thomas it leaves at 3:30 so that might be a little too tighter and we may stay closer to the ship.
Of course there are worse things than having to spend the night in St. Maarten

.

 

[aan1701]

Normally he is back to Phillipsburg around 2:00 and the ship leaves at 6:30 that day, so i figure four hours of slip time is OK. In St. Thomas it leaves at 3:30 so that might be a little too tighter and we may stay closer to the ship.
Of course there are worse things than having to spend the night in St. Maarten

.

Well I hope it works out. My DW tour was supposed to be back in Cabo in plenty of time and was not. 4 hours sounds like a lot of time, but accidents can happen, roads closed, traffic up the wazo. Nope. DCL tours or no tour. If something happens while on a DCL tour they have to wait.

 

[Octoberbride03]

This is us at Castaway Cay. The fish were attacking and my son is the one laughing.

>>Video

,

Cool video. I snorkeled last time, The fish were beautiful

 

[Octoberbride03]

Normally he is back to Phillipsburg around 2:00 and the ship leaves at 6:30 that day, so i figure four hours of slip time is OK. In St. Thomas it leaves at 3:30 so that might be a little too tighter and we may stay closer to the ship.
Of course there are worse things than having to spend the night in St. Maarten

.

Have you taken him before? I used to browse over on Cruise Critic before my last cruise, but haven't been back since. I don't even remember my screen name for CC anymore That was an interesting thread though. I don't remember ever reading a bad thing about his tours.

Only thing for us is that we want to see the planes, but we're not sit on the beach type people, so I don't think Orient would matter that much to us.

 

[TartanTinker]

Ohhhh...wish my youngest was that age...she really wants to make a friend on this cruise. She's 11 but will be 12 by the time of the cruise! But hey, friends can come in any ages! She's sooo excited!

My other daughter Holly is 12. We have three daughters 14, 12 & the youngest turns 9 on the day we set sail!
Pm me her email address if she would like to get in contact with holly, it would make going to the clubs easier if they get to know each other before sailing. The two eldest did that on the last cruise which was great for them meeting friends.

 

[tigger2002]

Have you taken him before? I used to browse over on Cruise Critic before my last cruise, but haven't been back since. I don't even remember my screen name for CC anymore That was an interesting thread though. I don't remember ever reading a bad thing about his tours.

Only thing for us is that we want to see the planes, but we're not sit on the beach type people, so I don't think Orient would matter that much to us.

We love just sitting on the beach most of the time but not when we are cruising. I like to get out and see as much as possible if I have not been somewhere before. If I have several days at one place, such as Hilton Head, we will just sit on the beach for hours.
I was thinking that if enough people on here (ie DisBoards) would want to do a lot of the same things that we could get a private tour with Bernards Tours. Maybe make a list of things we would like to do and then pick the best ones, or the top ones that people want to do. I will make a list of all things to do and we can decide if a private tour might be best. I will post the list later.




http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147346-d1840452-r92067261-Bernard_s_Tours-St_Maarten_St_Martin.html

,

 

[TartanTinker]

I am thinking on booking a limo to take us to the port has anyone used any of the limo companies before and can recommend them thanks.

 

[Octoberbride03]

We love just sitting on the beach most of the time but not when we are cruising. I like to get out and see as much as possible if I have not been somewhere before. If I have several days at one place, such as Hilton Head, we will just sit on the beach for hours.
I was thinking that if enough people on here (ie DisBoards) would want to do a lot of the same things that we could get a private tour with Bernards Tours. Maybe make a list of things we would like to do and then pick the best ones, or the top ones that people want to do. I will make a list of all things to do and we can decide if a private tour might be best. I will post the list later.




http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147346-d1840452-r92067261-Bernard_s_Tours-St_Maarten_St_Martin.html

,

I think we might be up for that if you want to do the research and organizing. I mentioned to Dh that it might be fun to do just this.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I am thinking on booking a limo to take us to the port has anyone used any of the limo companies before and can recommend them thanks.

Sorry, since we drive down from VA we can't help with this. If you search the main board you should find a thread or 2 for options.

 

[Katems]

Hey all, I'm Kate. I've posted a few times but now that it's looking like our cruise is definite I thought I'd be a bit more open. I will have my husband and two daughters with me. My girls will be 15 and a half, and 10 and a half. My older daughter is very smart and very into reading, writing, and drawing. She's really hoping they'll have drawing classes on the ship like at the Studios at Disney World. Do they?? She wonders if there is a piano passengers can play?

My younger daughter is also very smart and loves drawing and writing, and just having fun.

Anyone have girls of similar ages with similar interests??

I will also be with my entire extended family on my side...two sisters, a brother, two brothers in law, five nephews, two nieces, and my mother who will be celebrating her 75th birthday which is what the cruise is for. This was all my mother's idea as I've never wanted to cruise so I'm rather uneasy about the whole thing and delving headfirst into all the research (I'm a research QUEEN and know pretty much all there is to know about Disney World, but the cruise is, ahem, unchartered waters for me, if you will).

Anyway, here's my official hello!

 

[sullins5]

That reminds me with all the snow I forgot to post the TGIF pic of the day.

Great Bay Beach

Boarding starts for the Magic around 11:45am and the staterooms will become available around 1:30pm. The port opens around 10am to 10:30am. People like to arrive early to get a low boarding number so they can get on the Magic and start their vacation as early as possible. While waiting until 11:45am you can take pictures with the characters in from the Magic model, check in the kids to the clubs and check out the terminal and view of the Magic.

Topsiders has both indoor and outdoor seating. We like on embarkation day to sit outdoors on the back of the ship with the view of Port Canaveral and Cape Canaveral. We think it is a great way to start a sunny vacation

You also have the choice of a sit down lunch at Parrot Cay. It is the same food at either location. Some crusiers like this option as it is sit down with CMs serving you drinks and a place to put down your carry ons. It is also a nice place if it is raining.

The sailaway party does not start until 4:30pm so you have plenty of time from lunch until then. The sailaway party is a must do.

Was that picture in the middle Topsiders? You can't put down your carry ons? And I read somewhere on here, some ppl let their kids swim before the 'vest' lol (forgot what you call it) meeting. So where do the kids change if your room isn't ready?

Love love all these pics from you veterans!

 

[sullins5]

Great KellyJeanDVC!!! My 12 year old dd will be so excited that there's another girl about her age! She has no idea of what to expect, so she's a little anxious (but in an ok way)! She's homeschooled so she wasn't sure how many other kids would be out of school this time of year. Although our schools here in MS get a fall break.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Hey all, I'm Kate. I've posted a few times but now that it's looking like our cruise is definite I thought I'd be a bit more open. I will have my husband and two daughters with me. My girls will be 15 and a half, and 10 and a half. My older daughter is very smart and very into reading, writing, and drawing. She proudly claims to be a 'nerd' and loves all things Disney. She's really hoping they'll have drawing classes on the ship like at the Studios at Disney World. Do they?? She wonders if there is a piano passengers can play?

My younger daughter is also very smart and loves drawing and writing, and just having fun. She wonders if there is a piano passengers can play?

Anyone have girls of similar ages with similar interests??

I will also be with my entire extended family on my side...two sisters, a brother, two brothers in law, five nephews, two nieces, and my mother who will be celebrating her 75th birthday which is what the cruise is for. This was all my mother's idea as I've never wanted to cruise so I'm rather uneasy about the whole thing and delving headfirst into all the research (I'm a research QUEEN and know pretty much all there is to know about Disney World, but the cruise is, ahem, unchartered waters for me, if you will).

Anyway, here's my official hello!

An official aboard. If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hestitate to ask. We have several DISsers on this crusie that have several crusies under their belt that hopefully can answer your questions.
As for pianos on the Magic, I can think of 2. One on deck 3 atrium. A CM will play during the character photo ops especially the princess gathering. There was one in Sessions which is a bar in the adult section. I am not sure the CMs would allow a minor to play in there but you can ask. Maybe another DISser will know more information.
Your family will have a great time from the youngest to your DM. There are plenty of activities for all ages.

 

[sullins5]

Tartantinker,
On the transportation boards, and the cruise board, everyone else says renting a car is the best option. However, there are tons of ppl on there that use Limo's. Just read where there were limo's for $90 and $95 to pc.
We are going to try the rental car. For us, a family of 7, it looks to be cheaper.
Hope this helps, there are a ton of ppl commenting on the cruise threads though!

 

[sullins5]

As y'all (or you guys, or you all) are talkign about the excursions, when we went on our RCCL Navigator ship...they really totally frowned on using anyone else but them for booking excursions. Stating that IF you took one from anyone else, and there was any kind of trouble, or you were late, then it was your fault and up to you to get back to the ship. True? I suppose?
They shared several stories about ppl who rented cars/cars would break down, and those folks would have to fly to get to another port.
That being said...I don't know whether I'd feel safe taking another tour group. Although I read on the cruise forum about the bernardtours, and shoretrips.com comes highly recommended through my Ta...But... I don't know....

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Was that picture in the middle Topsiders? You can't put down your carry ons? And I read somewhere on here, some ppl let their kids swim before the 'vest' lol (forgot what you call it) meeting. So where do the kids change if your room isn't ready?

Love love all these pics from you veterans!

The picture was taken on the deck behind topsiders. Topsiders is all indoors with seating indoors as well as the deck seating outside. Here is a pic of the Magic model that displays the rear deck seating behind topsiders.

As for swimming before sailaway, you will absolute see this. Our kids go swimming right after we eat lunch. The pools tend to not that crowded so it is a great time to go. You can either have the family wear swim suits under their embarkation clothes or you can bring your suits in your carry ons and change in the public bathrooms by the pools. We use the change in the bathrooms method.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Official welcome to Katems

Glad to see you back. This is only my 2nd cruise and we have no kids. But there are plenty of others here who have LOTS of cruises under their belts. We'll all be glad to help with your "research:

Just remember that planning is supposed to be fun. When you get a chance to look at the google spreadhseet just let me know what all you want included and I'll be happy to add it for you