MAGICal Christmas 2008 - December 20, 2008

[nzdisneymom]

Hey everyone! Has anyone used space bags for vacation packing? If so, how did you suck the air out of the bags for return packing?
TIA,
tenya

We've only used the kind that you roll-up and the air comes out.

One thing to consider is the weight for luggage if you're flying because I've read about folks using the space bags and because you can get so much more in, you end up over your weight limit.

Great tip about asking the stateroom host.

 

[tinksmom]

Thanks for the tips. I never thought about the weight limit on the luggage.

Lisa Marie, we must be kindred spirits -- I love Eek the Cat!
tenya

 

[BearFan]

Tenya, I'm surprised anyone knows who he is anymore. It's been so long since he's been on tv, but I still love him!I work as a children's librarian and when I order dvds I can't help of thinking of the Care Bears as the Squishy Bears!!

Looking forward to meeting you!
Lisa Marie

 

[nzdisneymom]

I was reading in one of the other threads about Christmas Day onboard, and someone posted about Santa being in the Atrium giving out gifts to the kids... anyone know? That would be so cool. Guess I could look through the trip reports for last Christmas's trip report(s).

Can we say 6 1/2 weeks now?

 

[dbxazd]

I too am curious about activities onboard on Christmas day in particular. Also - I've read there's a Christmas mass (or Christian church service) on Christmas eve. Is this true? I hope so because I'd like to go.

Robin

 

[nzdisneymom]

I've been reading trip reports that have had a lot of negative things about kids running rampant onboard, so as the mom to two boys (age 12 and 11) who will be allowed some freedom onboard, I want to give each and every one of you permission to jerk a knot in their neck (or at least leave me a msg on our stateroom door/phone - cabin 6116) if you ever see either one of them doing anything inappropriate (like pressing all the buttons on the elevator or knocking on doors or running in the halls or any of the other things that folks have posted about -- did y'all read on one of the panama canal trip reports about a boy who was ON TOP of the midship elevator???).

Seriously - we do let the boys have some freedom but so far they have not disappointed us in their behavior as they know they will tell on each other and they know that we have eyes everywhere (or at least they think we do). And they know they will lose their privilege and no matter how fun a DCL cruise is, it's no fun if you have to be joined to mom's hip 24/7......

And Santa's still watching....

 

[CrusinLattas]

We will be on the Christmas cruise this year - we did last year at Christmas too and really enjoyed it! It will be myself (Renee - 41) and Alan (41) Anna (4) and AJ (2) and Alan's Mom Marie - I am going to invite her to join and if she wants to tell her age she can...smile.

We look forward to seeing you all - I need to read through the postings!

See ya soon!

Renee

 

[nzdisneymom]

We will be on the Christmas cruise this year - we did last year at Christmas too and really enjoyed it! It will be myself (Renee - 41) and Alan (41) Anna (4) and AJ (2) and Alan's Mom Marie - I am going to invite her to join and if she wants to tell her age she can...smile.

We look forward to seeing you all - I need to read through the postings!

See ya soon!

Renee

Renee and family - welcome! You're just in time to tell us what Christmas activities were onboard last year - we were wondering about that.

I'm Cindy D., traveling with DH Gary, and boys Nathan and Zachary (12 and 11) and this is a surprise cruise for the boys. We've sailed three times on DCL so far -- first was in 2005 the week before Christmas, then the Med. cruise in summer 2007, and a 3-night on the Wonder this past April.

 

[CrusinLattas]

The decorations were wonderful. I especially loved the gingerbread house - it smelled so good! Santa was there - we all got our picture with him! Ms. Clause also was there and read to the kids. We also got a present - a bag of toys and games - for each child. On the holiday cruises they also give you a special drawing (Lithogram) for that cruise per room - We got one on our 07 New Years and last year for Christmas. They did have a Christmas service. Castaway Cay was decorated as well - very cute - with a big tree and snowmen blowing bubbles that looked like snow - the kids loved that! I'll have to find my navigators from last year. It was Eastern vs. Western so things were a little different - we were on St. Thomas Christmas Day - most things were closed unless you booked an excursion. I was sad that they changed this cruise away from Costa Maya. I was really looking forward to going there again - we were redirected there a few years ago with Disney due to a hurricane and it was one of my favorite stops with small children, but the two times to Castaway Cay will still be great!

I will find last years navigators to share with the group. The movies were great this past year! We had several first run movies going in the movie areas - Enchanted and National Treasure II were both premiers. I think they also had a High School Musical II new release - I know we got promotional stuff for it. I don't know what Disney is releasing this year, but last year we got them as soon or earlier than the movie theaters.

It was a wonderful way to spend the holidays!

 

[Diana Lyn]

We will be on the Christmas cruise this year - we did last year at Christmas too and really enjoyed it! It will be myself (Renee - 41) and Alan (41) Anna (4) and AJ (2) and Alan's Mom Marie - I am going to invite her to join and if she wants to tell her age she can...smile.

We look forward to seeing you all - I need to read through the postings!

See ya soon!

Renee

Welcome Renee,
I'm Diana, Bruce is my DH and Emma is 5 and Julia is 4. I'm sure they'll become fast friends with Anna!

Be sure to check out the first post in this thread, it has some information about the fun stuff we're putting together and the tshirts!

The girls got up this morning and were so surprised that one Santa's elves had delivered a paper chain to countdown the days until our cruise. I don't know who is more excited them or me!!

 

[CrusinLattas]

Emma and Julia sound like Anna's kind of friends! She likes to wear her princess dresses every week and has that for her long term life goal - to be a princess after college! Anna and AJ talk about the cruise all year long and Anna has been in count down mode for months! We look forward to meeting you all!

Renee

Welcome Renee,
I'm Diana, Bruce is my DH and Emma is 5 and Julia is 4. I'm sure they'll become fast friends with Anna!

Be sure to check out the first post in this thread, it has some information about the fun stuff we're putting together and the tshirts!

The girls got up this morning and were so surprised that one Santa's elves had delivered a paper chain to countdown the days until our cruise. I don't know who is more excited them or me!!

 

[BearFan]

FYI girls & guys,

Someone posted that Photopass will be available on the Magic in the next two weeks. It will work for all onboard pics but not CC photos yet.

Lisa Marie

PS Welcome Renee and family!!!

 

[dbxazd]

The decorations were wonderful. I especially loved the gingerbread house - it smelled so good! Santa was there - we all got our picture with him! Ms. Clause also was there and read to the kids. We also got a present - a bag of toys and games - for each child. On the holiday cruises they also give you a special drawing (Lithogram) for that cruise per room - We got one on our 07 New Years and last year for Christmas. They did have a Christmas service. Castaway Cay was decorated as well - very cute - with a big tree and snowmen blowing bubbles that looked like snow - the kids loved that! I'll have to find my navigators from last year. It was Eastern vs. Western so things were a little different - we were on St. Thomas Christmas Day - most things were closed unless you booked an excursion. I was sad that they changed this cruise away from Costa Maya. I was really looking forward to going there again - we were redirected there a few years ago with Disney due to a hurricane and it was one of my favorite stops with small children, but the two times to Castaway Cay will still be great!

I will find last years navigators to share with the group. The movies were great this past year! We had several first run movies going in the movie areas - Enchanted and National Treasure II were both premiers. I think they also had a High School Musical II new release - I know we got promotional stuff for it. I don't know what Disney is releasing this year, but last year we got them as soon or earlier than the movie theaters.

It was a wonderful way to spend the holidays!

Welcome!
This all sounds terrific! I can't wait to go!
I'm Robin, and I'm sailing with DH (ed), DS (ryan - 8) and DD (meghan - 6). This is our second cruise - we went on the Western last December - but the first week in December. So we saw the Christmas decor, and saw Mrs. Claus - but didn't actually get the see the big guy himself and was wondering about specifically Christmas day - thanks for sharing!

Robin

 

[tinkerbell_29]

Welcome Renee! I'm Lissa and i'm sailing with my mom Nancy and my brother Matthew all adults. I'm really excited to see the things DCL does for Christmas.

I have a question for ya'll. Two days before we leave my mom will turn 60. SHHH don't tell her i told ya'll that. I'm having a banner made to be tied up outside our house but would like to bring it with us. It is one of those durable all weather banners. My question is can I tie this banner to the railings on our verandah? Also any suggestions on how to make her birthdya special would also be appreciated. Last year we did an event with gifts of a lifetime and she mad eme promise I would not spend a fortune this year.

Hope everyone is having a good week so far. Don't forget to vote tomorrow.

Lissa

 

[xsjackson]

2 yrs ago Christmas kids were up until4:30 in the morning. I know I had to track down my 16 yr old at the time. unhappy mama. But their were a lot of teen boys playing with wheel chairs and buttons on elevators. This is not a problem with just Disney. On our August RCCL cruise their were kids knocking on doors at 2:30 in the morning and running all over the boat at all hours.

I think setting expectations for your kids is important and sticking to them. Last time my 16 yr got house arrest from dinner until dawn for her stunt. She said she and her new friends were just talking but... Now she is 18 and since the one time problem we have never been troubled again. She just goes out with us. My younger kid isn't as social and never seems to be a problem - its hard to get him out of our room.

As a jr high teacher, 8th and 9th grade, kids love to stretch their boundaries and adults need to tell them where the boundry ends, even though we are all on vacation. My rule has always been when your boundry affects mine in a negative way - you went to far and that is too much. Think befre you act, its other peoples vacations too.

 

[BearFan]

Susan,
I just read your post to my husband and he wants to vote you into some kind of political office!

Lisa Marie

 

[tinksmom]

Wow, y'all were talkative yesterday!

Welcome Renee and family. Thanks for the wonderful information on what to expect on the cruise. My family is me, 48, DH Joe, 52, and our DD Carly, 15. This is our 4th Disney cruise. It's been over 6 years since our last, so we're all looking forward to Dec. 20.

As far as kids misbehaving, I can't imagine that Carly would ever do anything, but everyone has my permission to correct her. I hope we don't have a problem with kids extending the bounds too much.

Remember to vote today!
tenya

 

[minnie1]

Welcome Renee and family!! I am Angie and traveling with me is dh, dd (10), and dd (7). This is our families first Disney cruise and the first cruise ever for my girls. Dh and I have been on RCCL and Carnival.We are so excited for this cruise. I can't believe we can now say that we are cruising next month.

Things are really crazy here between kids homework, kids activities, and my homework. Only 4 more weeks of classes for me and I get a break until mid January. I will be in full cruise mode once my finals are over.

I hope everyone has a great week!
Angie

 

[perdy1234]

Welcome Renee and family. I am Melissa 27 travelling with my dh Curt 33. We are from Canada so really looking forward to spending sometime where its warm! I started to get things together for packing this weekend. I can't believe how fast this cruise is coming up. I got my fe done too so feeling a little more organized now! Is everyone else on the big countdown? We only have 44 days till we leave for our holiday which is kinda scary! Have a great day everyone!

 

[nzdisneymom]

I'm starting to get the little things taken care of - like ordering our shirts from Cafe Press that I should've done before the coupon codes expired. I just ordered the white t-shirts for each of us. Can't wait to get them!

I put together the beginnings of our fish-extender gifts on Sunday - now to go back to personalize / tag them. As a reminder, if you want to participate in the Fish Extender exchange and you haven't sent me your name/cabin number, please do so by Monday so I can email out the spreadsheet on Tuesday. Renee - it's not too late for your family to join!

Pirate costumes have been laid aside for packing. Seeing the boys in them on Halloween makes me hope that at least Zachary will wear his to dinner on Pirate night - and maybe Nathan will at least grace us with his presence at dinner as well. Speaking of pirate night, when we sailed in April, they had some yummy-looking fajitas at the party - but I wasn't hungry enough to try them (although that didn't stop me from getting a warm crepe with ice cream). So I need to remember to not eat much for dinner since I know I want to try the fajitas at the party - and the crepes were so good, too. If you have late dining - wow - I don't know how folks do it. Honestly, the dessert side always looks so yummy but there's never anything that I'm all over. So I'm going to skip the dessert side and just go to the hot-food side -- there was hardly anyone on that side while the dessert side was all backed up.

Some friends of ours sailed last week on a different cruise line but went to Cozumel and Grand Cayman, so it was fun to talk with them about what all they did. I'm looking forward to doing some shopping in Grand Cayman, yet because we'll be there on Christmas Eve, I wonder if shops will be open? I imagine they would be and since we are only there for a short time, I'm guessing they'll be open while we're there.

I'm off to the dentist in a little bit - got a chipped tooth that I need to get fixed. Ugh. Then off to the polls to vote. Hope you all have a fabulous day.