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

[aan1701]

Wish I could do everything..but with the dynamics of our 'extended ' family coming, its gonna be different to be sure. I'll have some that want to just 'hang', some that want to keep going (dh), some that can't keep going (and I'll hear about it), and some that are happy just to be ON it (me and dd12)...
I'm not even sure I'll be at the meet... = me trying to organize just us 7!

I know I won't be at the meet. They will get us at AKL like at 12:30, so I won't even be on till like 2:00. Then we just chill at Topsiders till 3:30. I am one that just likes to relax when I am on the ship. I do what I feel like. If that means I just sit with a cocktail then that's what I am doing.

 

[sullins5]

I know I won't be at the meet. They will get us at AKL like at 12:30, so I won't even be on till like 2:00. Then we just chill at Topsiders till 3:30. I am one that just likes to relax when I am on the ship. I do what I feel like. If that means I just sit with a cocktail then that's what I am doing.

Since I'm the ringleader of this celebratory cruise, I can already see 'the writing on the wall'......

 

[aan1701]

Since I'm the ringleader of this celebratory cruise, I can already see 'the writing on the wall'......

And the writing says what?

 

[sullins5]

And the writing says what?

Wellll...this trip could go one or two ways...don't you have any inlaws?

 

[sullins5]

Night y'all...be safe with all this weird weather!

 

[aan1701]

Wellll...this trip could go one or two ways...don't you have any inlaws?

I do, but I am a eternal optimist.

 

[TartanTinker]

Good morning all!
I also don't like wearing dresses I think I will just wear linen trousers and a nice top unless i can get some of this weight shifted. I was trying dh to take a kilt but he not sure about wearing it in the heat so he will prob just be wearing his suit on formal evening there is no way he will wear a tux. Friends of ours were on the magic in oct and she said that she wouldn't worry about taking fancy clothes again as most people were in casual dress. My dds can't wait to dress up they love wearing all their party gear but dh and myself will just be smart but comfortable.

 

[Katems]

Madalyn you sound a little like me. I'll be with extended family and there will be 19 of us!!! Ack! It was all my mom's idea and I've had to really be pushed into it (rather be at the World on our own) so I'm pretty apprehensive about the whole deal. Adding formal wear to the whole thing just adds more stress, LOL! But seriously, even if I loved the idea of it I'm just not sure how one would PACK fancy clothes!

By the way, my youngest daughter will be a month away from 11 when we sail and I see you have a twelve year old. Could you possibly conjure up a 15 year old daughter as well, for my oldest?? Thanks!

Good advice from the rest of you, thanks!

 

[LC30]

Good morning. Will the children be dressed up for formal night as well? My DS refuses to dress up. I can't even get a vest on him even him pulling it off after 5 mins let alone a tux with a box or a suit with a tie. Come to think of it, he doesn't even have a suit or nice jacket. Just not sure what to expect on a 7 night.

Tartantinker, I guess we are still on a cruise together I'm envious of your B2B 7 night cruises.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I don't know about dressing up for Pirate's night. We'll have to see closer to the date. I have seen some Absolutely AMAZING adult costumes for it though, and those were being worm on our last cruise

We will dress up for Formal night, but not be wearing anything that we can't wear to Church or a nice family function. I'm not buying anything like a full gown for it. Cause I'd rather not have taking up room in my closet for no reason waiting for the next cruise. Although. I do have a red floor length gown in there now that I haven't worn in years. About 10 actually.

Oh geeze, decisions....decisions.....

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Formal night and Pirate night dress is a personal decision. No one is going to make you dress or make you feel out of place no matter if you are dressed or not. As for Formal night you will find tuxes down to jeans. Do what makes you feel confortable. You will see approx 10% dress to the nines with tuxes and ball gowns. Approx 40% will be in suits and dresses and the rest in cruise casual. You will even spot a few rebels in shorts and t-shirt. I would not go to that level but to each his own. We do the suit/dress because it is a nice chance to get some nice photos of the family and make xmas cards out of them. Also we can use the same clothes for Palo since dress up is required there.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Madalyn you sound a little like me. I'll be with extended family and there will be 19 of us!!! Ack! It was all my mom's idea and I've had to really be pushed into it (rather be at the World on our own) so I'm pretty apprehensive about the whole deal. Adding formal wear to the whole thing just adds more stress, LOL! But seriously, even if I loved the idea of it I'm just not sure how one would PACK fancy clothes!

By the way, my youngest daughter will be a month away from 11 when we sail and I see you have a twelve year old. Could you possibly conjure up a 15 year old daughter as well, for my oldest?? Thanks!

Good advice from the rest of you, thanks!

I think the beauty of a cruise vacation is the variety. Since nothing is more than a 5 minute walk you can all go different directions and have a great time doing your own thing. I would recommend you look at some of the most recent navigators and see all the different types of activities. Some may want to chill at the pool, some may want to go to wine tasting, art auction, see a recent disney movie, go to the theater, etc. I would just give a copy of the navigator to each member of the family and let them decide what they want to do that day and meet back for dinner. No stress. Trying to satisfy everyone is not going to happen so give them all the options and let them choose and have a great time doing what you want to do.

 

[sullins5]

Madalyn you sound a little like me. I'll be with extended family and there will be 19 of us!!! Ack! It was all my mom's idea and I've had to really be pushed into it (rather be at the World on our own) so I'm pretty apprehensive about the whole deal. Adding formal wear to the whole thing just adds more stress, LOL! But seriously, even if I loved the idea of it I'm just not sure how one would PACK fancy clothes!

By the way, my youngest daughter will be a month away from 11 when we sail and I see you have a twelve year old. Could you possibly conjure up a 15 year old daughter as well, for my oldest?? Thanks!

Good advice from the rest of you, thanks!

Sorry, can't conjure up the 15 year old...though I do have a 24 and 22 year old. We'll just enjoy the younger ones getting to know each other!

And Judith, if you look on a previous post with 'formal' dress, there was a guy with a kilt...LOVED it!!

And TIGGER/POOH4 you are soo right, I'm gonna tell them all to look at the Navigators, if they want to meet for dinner, we'll see 'em there!

I do love hearing what you all do, and the statistics, because unfortunately being a newbie, I'd rather NOT stick out like a sore thumb...though you all may be saying when you meet us.."Yep, that has to be sullins5, you can tell by the accent"...

 

[LC30]

Formal night and Pirate night dress is a personal decision. No one is going to make you dress or make you feel out of place no matter if you are dressed or not.

Thank you. That makes me feel better. I've been reading on some threads and people get pretty serious about dressing up, so was a little concerned but I"m glad I'm in good company. Dress nice but it doesn't have to be gown and tuxes.

I also noticed many of the kiddos going on this are a little older. DS is 4, I'm hoping we'll have a few people on this thread with kids that age, so he has a playmate.

 

[KellyJeanDVC]

Good morning. Will the children be dressed up for formal night as well? My DS refuses to dress up. I can't even get a vest on him even him pulling it off after 5 mins let alone a tux with a box or a suit with a tie. Come to think of it, he doesn't even have a suit or nice jacket. Just not sure what to expect on a 7 night.

Tartantinker, I guess we are still on a cruise together I'm envious of your B2B 7 night cruises.

Some of the kids do get dressed up, but others don't. So I wouldn't worry about it. Do whatever makes him comfortable. Its his vacation too

 

[KellyJeanDVC]

I think the beauty of a cruise vacation is the variety. Since nothing is more than a 5 minute walk you can all go different directions and have a great time doing your own thing. I would recommend you look at some of the most recent navigators and see all the different types of activities. Some may want to chill at the pool, some may want to go to wine tasting, art auction, see a recent disney movie, go to the theater, etc. I would just give a copy of the navigator to each member of the family and let them decide what they want to do that day and meet back for dinner. No stress. Trying to satisfy everyone is not going to happen so give them all the options and let them choose and have a great time doing what you want to do.

This is great advice!

On my first cruise I was feeling a little lonely since my kids were just LOVING the kids clubs. (I'm a single mom, and usually I'm with them 24/7 so it was weird for me.) Anyway, we found a nice compromise. They were able to do all the stuff they wanted and all I asked was that we ate dinner together and we each picked out one family activity together each day. It gave me a chance to have one-on-one time with each of them that we don't get a lot of.

Some of our best memories were my daughter and I making scrapbooks together and my son and I making paper airplanes together. The navigators have a wide variety of activites that will make just about everyone happy. And it allows your group to split up and do things that appeal to each.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Afternoon everybody

Just back from extending the rental car agreement so Dh can get on base in the morning and putting in a job application at Merry Maids. Oh boy.

For those of you planning extended family vacations, I must second TIGGER/POOH4's advice. Hand everybody a Navigator set up daily group time and then everybody make their own Merry

That's what I'll do if i can ever talk everybody I want to to come into a group vacation.

Just want everybody to have a good time

 

[aan1701]

If I may help for a moment. For all the planers out there. The new Wave Phones are really a great addition. It will help you keep in contact with friends/family. You can always just call and see what others are up to. Best thing is they are free to use. There are two per cabin unless you are in a suite, then you get four.

 

[KellyJeanDVC]

How many of you are shoveling today?

We have a blizzard warning here!

 

[KellyJeanDVC]

If I may help for a moment. For all the planers out there. The new Wave Phones are really a great addition. It will help you keep in contact with friends/family. You can always just call and see what others are up to. Best thing is they are free to use. There are two per cabin unless you are in a suite, then you get four.

Have you had a chance to use these personally? I think they would be awesome for my group.