MAGICal Christmas 2008 - December 20, 2008

[DCLInauguralXmas]

Welcome Renee and family!! I am Denise, I am traveling with my DH Dennis, DS Scott (18), DD Shelby (16), twinDS Daniel & Darrin (10) and my mother, Anita. We have been on one other Disney Cruise 10 years ago this Christmas, it was only a 3 day sea, 4 day land one. So this one is going to be a big stretch 7 whole days at sea - woo hoo!!!

I am so happy that I found this board. The people here are fabulous. It sounds like we are going to have a wonderful time with our group activites. I am looking forward to meeting everyone!

The plan right now is for all four kids, my husband, and I to dressing up for pirate night and formal night. It will be so fun!

I have started my packing stacks. As things go through the laundry they get pulled out of circulation and put into the proper kid's stack. I have my fish extender made - I ended up sewing stockings togehter and putting our names on them since the first FE I made was too wide for the area. I have designated that FE to the intercabin organizer. One pocket for each person to keep camera, sunglasses, key, etc. in so it doesn't get lost.

I am trying to decide if I should bring an extra suitcase with a case of bottled water in it and then have the empty suitcase to bring home the stuff we buy. But I am not sure by the time I haul it, pay the extra $15 checked back fee whether it will be worth it or not. Any ideas?

Does anyone know when we can expect our paperwork in the mail?

Have a wonderful day! Get out there and vote!

 

[nzdisneymom]

I would skip hauling the water as by the time you buy it and pay extra fees for bringing it, you'd spend the same as if you bought the "water package" that DCL will sell you.

However, having an extra suitcase for bringing things home would be nice, especially since you all have more folks traveling together. Those stuffed Mickeys and Minnies do take up some room Maybe you could put a collapsible bag like a duffel bag in your other suitcase so you'll have it for the return trip home.

 

[ShannonR]

Welcome Renee and family!!

I am Shannon and along with Rick(DH), we have DD15 Morgan, DS12 Mitchell, and oops! baby DD4 Melissa . This will be our 2nd DCL cruise, the first being 3/07 during spring break.

I have an extra suitcase that I am bringing for all my EXTRA stuff, such as FE gifts, stockings, Christmas tree, lights, etc... I hope I will have room in that suitcase to bring home all those things along with whatever we purchase along the way.

I am a Diet Coke addict and last cruise we purchased the water package with the cooler/lunch bag, but substituted half the water for Diet Coke. I use that lunch bag to this day for work. I will purchase it again this cruise for excursions since it was so convenient.

I think we have everything purchased for the cruise that we will need. Last cruise, we brought everything that was suggested on the DIS packing list and found that we didn't use even 1/3 of the things it told us to pack. So this time, we are only packing what we really needed. It helps that DD4 is now out of diapers!!! She was 2 1/2 last cruise and not quite potty trained yet, so the diapers alone took up almost an entire suitcase.

Has everyone gotten their Cafe Press shirts? What about the family "business card". Is that something that everyone wants to hand out at the initial meet and greet? If so, I am going to have DH start making ours.

Have a great voting day!!
Shannon

 

[Az Pirates]

All this talk about how quickly the cruise is coming is making me feel just a tad panicked.

We start moving this weekend. You should see the mess I'm ignoring to catch up on the Dis boards.
We've got about 10 days overlap where we're paying for both houses, and I have no doubt that we'll drag the move out the entire time, so no real cruise preparations until after that around here. You guys may have to talk me down from full on panic mode around Thanksgiving time.

Denise,
I had to make a mad dash down to the DCL gift shop, where I paid waaay too much $$$ for an extra bag, just so we could get everything packed up on our first cruise. Now I always bring along a duffel that folds up really small, but holds a ton of stuff. So I definitely think having an extra bag is a good idea.

As for bad behavior... I really think you tend to see that more on the longer cruises. I remember several posts about out of control kids when we got back from the PC cruise. I personally never saw any of it while onboard though.

Very cool about photopass. I hope they have it up and running smoothly by the time we cruise!

I actually have to sign DD out of school to vote today. She just turned 18 and I don't want her to miss her first opportunity. But homecoming preparations are underway and she has to be at school from 4-9 tonight with pep rally preparations.



Lisa Marie, my DD just switched majors and is now in a library/media program. I'm thinking it may not be the most financially rewarding choice, but I think it definitely suits her.

 

[CrusinLattas]

Wow, I love that you guys are such an active group! Our first cruise we had a fairly active DIS group but I didn't find on our last couple holiday cruises so I am really excited that this Christmas we will be able to share it with new friends!

It took a while to get caught up on the posts! So if I am reading this right, this is the activity list so far:
* Onboard Meet Saturday 3:00 PM in the Promenade Lounge
* Digital Scavenger Hunt Monday 9:30 AM meet in Promenade Lounge
* Ornament Exchange Monday at 10:00 AM in Promenade Lounge
* F/E - all week long - contact NZDISNEYMOM (Sounds like fun, I will PM you)
* Secret Santa - all week long - contact TINKSMOM (Also sounds like fun! I will PM you as well.)

I love the idea of family cards to share!

I don't know if anyone is interested, but on the first cruise I went on we also did a cabin tour - it was fun to see all the different cabins - I think if people have decorations up it would make it even more fun. Is anyone interested? We could tack it on after the Ornament Exchange?
This is our 3rd holiday cruise and our 4th Disney cruise – not our last! We already booked the NYE for next year. If you didn’t get the PALO you wanted I have been able to get reservations for PALO onboard every time – so don’t worry about it!

Another thing I learned the hard way last year with having to schedule Nursery with other activities that I had not already booked- Instead of waiting in all the lines downstairs for PALO, SPA, etc. - go to Flounder's Reef and have them call those places to coordinate your nursery with reservations - it is much quicker and easier if you have a 0-3 yr old!

For those of you asking about the SPA - I would highly recommend the Vista Villa Spa! It was the highlight of our trip last time! It was even better than the cabanna massage from previous trips - hot tub, ocean, bed type lounge on the deck and larger space for couples massage! Plus they don't do stone massages in the cabannas - if you enjoy those.

OK – forgive the long post but I did just catch up on a year’s worth of reading!

ShannonR – We live in Texas too and I think Anna and Melissa will enjoy meeting!

GARDENGIRLCO – What is your son’s name? AJ will be excited that there is a boy his age too! By the way – if he is potty trained you can get him into the Oceanears Club – we did that with Anna when she was 2 ½ and AJ is looking forward to it this year – it really helps with the activity planning! They just evaluate communication skills and are usually easy to work with!

Robin – Sorry to hear about your Mom’s health! Last year about three weeks before our cruise my Mom – who had been in good health - was hospitalized and died within a week. They were scheduled to go with us and we were so distraught about what to do with our trip! My stepfather cancelled their reservations as soon as she was hospitalized – I would highly recommend trip insurance – we all had it. Anyway, after she died so quickly and he had a bit of time to think about it he wished he had kept the trip. It was booked up with a waiting list and he could not get back on – even in our rooms due to the boat headcount. We were glad we took the trip – even though there were some sad times – it gave us a chance to have fun and something to do! So even if things are looking iffy near the time of the trip – I would recommend to wait until right before to do anything – it will not affect you if you have the insurance and a good reason and you can’t change your mind after you cancel with the ship booked up!
Anyway, hope all are having a wonderful day! It should be interesting tonight to watch the election results!

Renee

 

[nzdisneymom]

Shannon - I didn't know you could substitute soda for water in the water package. How did that work?

Renee - glad you got caught up - I got your PM and just PM'ed you back - and silly me should've read here that you already discovered all our plans.

I went to vote today after going to the dentist - no line at all. I have to keep reminding myself that Biggest Loser isn't on tonight because of the election returns.

I still have to figure out our family business cards - I have some of the cards to print - just need to design them.

AZPirates - good luck with the move, packing, and unpacking.

As for when we'll get our paperwork, it's usually about 3-weeks out, right? But remember you can do all of it online - just print out the forms that you need to sign. Which reminds me that I need to see if I already printed them... and find the walkie-talkies......................

 

[dbxazd]

So far - My mom seems to be doing OK. She's frail and weak (and often times confused) but the docs tell us that's mostly due to the radiation therapy she had on her brain (her brain is still swollen some). She still able to take care of her own personal hygine (sp?) etc. and she has a lot of friends who have been good about visiting her and bringing her meals. She lives with my uncle (and I live an hour away) so that's still good that she's in her own house with her own stuff. She's had 2 rounds of chemotherapy - and we wait another 2 weeks to see if she goes for round 3 or not (immediately or after another PET scan).
So - we're totally counting on going on this trip - God willing! And frankly - I can't wait and neither can my kids! I think it'll be good for us - and since the kids still have a week off of school AFTER we get back - we'll get to spend some time with my mom then too.

I started my Christmas shopping this past weekend. AND I've made my list for Downtown Disney to complete the shopping for the kids. Mrs. Claus "makes" them pajamas every year - and that's the one gift they get to open on Christmas Eve so they can sleep in them! Since we are spending 3 days at WDW before the cruise - that gives me time to visit Downtown and get some shopping done (DH will be at the pool at the POP with the kids!!)

I hope everyone voted! It's raining here in southern Maryland but I don't think that's stopping people from going out!

Later all -
Robin

 

[CrusinLattas]

Robin - glad your Mom is doing well!

We are staying at the Contemporary for three days after our cruise. Last year we did AKL and it was nice - but having to take a bus - even to AK was a bit of a challenge with little ones. I am looking forward to staying on the Monorail! We are leaving right before NYE this year - last year that day was so crowded you couldn't get near some of the parks before noon! I don't even think we will go beyond MK this year - unless it is to Hollywood Studios to see the lights again. I was able to book lunch with Cinderella in her castle and some other great dining thing so it should be fun!

I am still in the process of checking out shipping to the Magic. Especially now that we are going to do F/E and all the other stuff - Just have to see which is better - Airlines that charge per bag now or postage rates. - anyone who has done the shipping thing before I would love to hear how it worked!

 

[CrusinLattas]

I was thinking about packing empty soda bottles and filling them up on Deck 9 to keep in the room. Has anyone tried that and how did it work? I guess another thing I could do is order the water package - we love that with the cooler on CC and then I could save and use those bottles for my morning and evening soda fixes - hummm. Wish they had Diet Dr. Peppers!

 

[ShannonR]

Cindy-I simply asked them if I could substitute 6 of the waters for Diet Coke and they filled it with 6 cans of soda and 6 water bottles for me, no questions asked.

I am glad to hear that people are going to be doing the family cards!! They are so neat and useful to the kids! They look great in my last cruise's memory book!

I hope everyone had a great voting day!

Shannon

 

[Grandma Latta]

Hi, I'm Grandma Latta of the Crusin Lattas. This will be my first cruise ever and I am so excited about spending Christmas week on the cruise with my family. See ya soon. Marie

 

[nzdisneymom]

Welcome Grandma-Latta (marie!). Glad you made it to the board.


Shannon - Thx for the soda tip - we may consider that if we do a water package. And if not now, then in 2010 when we do the Baltic. We got the water package on the Med and it was way too much water - we were given water bottles on most of our excursions so we didn't need the ones we bought. You should post that on the main board -- although I'm sure lots of people would say "why get soda in your water package when you can get free soda on Deck 9?" Well duh - sometimes it is nice to have a soda in your room without having to tromp all the way up - or to take with you say if you need caffeine to ward off a headache in port or whatever.

 

[minnie1]

How do you order the water package? I can't seem to find any information about it.
Angie

 

[nzdisneymom]

How do you order the water package? I can't seem to find any information about it.
Angie

On the first day they have CMs walking around at lunch who will approach you about it, or later in the afternoon. I think there is also an order form in your stateroom that you can give your stateroom host. The water will be delivered to your cabin later in the day.

The "coolers" in the stateroom will not get the water cold until they have been in there at least a day, so you'll want to stock it as soon as possible if you like your water cold. Also your stateroom host will provide ice for you once or twice a day (or more often if you need it). We would sometimes put our water bottles in the ice bucket to get them cold to start with. You could put one or two in at a time

 

[CrusinLattas]

Hi Grandma Latta! I'm glad you got to post!

I did get my last years Navigators and will be posting later today about what was going on last year on at Christmas.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

 

[CrusinLattas]

This was the Magic 7 day Eastern Route:
Departed on the 22nd vs. the 20th this year

We had fantastic weather. We were able to swim comfortably at Castaway Cay and short sleeves and shorts were comfortable on the whole trip. That being said, cast members said two weeks earlier it was so cold they were wearing jackets so be prepared for either – this time of year it is challenging to predict.

Saturday - December 22nd
Sunrise: 7:13 a.m. Set 5:29 p.m.
Dinner Dress: Cruise Casual (As it always is on 1st night.)
Drink of the Day: Berry Christmas
Show was a variety show
Holiday Stuff:
Tree Lighting at 7:45 PM in the Lobby
They also had a Gingerbread Houses Design program for a limited number.

Sunday - December 23rd
Day at Sea
Dinner Dress: Semi-Formal
Captain’s Welcome reception
Drink of the Day: Santa’s Treasure
No Holiday activities scheduled.
Show was Golden Mickeys

Monday - December 24th
Christmas Eve
Day at Sea
Dinner Dress: Cruise Casual
No special Eve meal – Drink of the Day was: Jingle Bash
Holiday Stuff:
Santa Visits – pictures etc. with Santa in Lobby Noon – 4:30 PM
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas - Mrs. Claus in Lobby 10 PM
Teens – Jingle Bell Ball – Midnight in the Stack
Ocean Quest – Christmas Eve Party – 9:45 PM – 12:30 AM
Show was Twice Charmed

Tuesday – December 25th
Christmas Day
St. Maarten – most things were closed so it is nice we are at sea on Christmas Day!
Dinner Dress: Formal
Dinner Menu – Happy Holidays
Drink of the Day – Mistle Toe
Show was a Magician
3-4 yr olds had Winterland Digital Postcards, Christmas Hunt
Teens had Jingle Bell Cells – make animation
Christmas Mass at 8:00 AM – Buena Vista Theatre
Interdenominational Service at 9:00 AM Walt Disney Theatre
Holiday Jackpot Bingo
Sounds of the Season – 7:30 Promenade Lounge – holiday songs

Wednesday - December 26th
St. Thomas
Dinner Dress: Pirate or Casual
Dinner was Pirates in the Caribbean
Drink of the Day: Caribbean Christmas Mojito
Show was National Treasure Book of Secrets premier
Pirate Party – 9:45 PM

Thursday - December 27th
Day at Sea
Dinner Dress: Cruise Casual
Dinner was Master Chef
Drink of the Day: Secret Wish
Show was Disney Dreams

Friday - December 28th
Castaway Cay
Dinner Dress: Cruise Casual
Dinner was ‘Til We Meet Again
Drink of the Day: Santa’s Bell
Show was Remember the Magic – Variety Show

I don’t remember when these things came, but near the end of the trip we did get some toys and games for the kids in our room from the kids club group and the Christmas Litho gram – 1 per room.

Hope this helps all to prepare!

 

[DCLInauguralXmas]

Welcome Grandma Latta!

Thanks Renee for sharing the info from last yrs Christmas Cruise. I guess I have OCD when it comes to knowing what is going to happen next. I am not good with suprises so this helps a bunch!

I am a Mountain Dew junkie, is there anywhere to buy some on board or should I bring my own? Does anyone remember how much the bottle's of water and cooler were on your previous cruises?

 

[CrusinLattas]

I'm a bit of a planner myself - I looked everywhere last year for this info without much success - so I understand!

I did have price lists from last year - ok, stop laughing at all the junk I keep!:

7 Night Wine Packages:
$179.00 The Classic
$275.00 Premium
(Packages were up to 25% savings. Unless you know you want the higher doller every night go with the Classic and pay the difference for the one or two night splurge and it is cheaper. If you don't drink all the wine you can take it home. Your server will cork and keep for next meal if you don't do one bottle in a sitting.)

Beverage Packages
Package 1 - 6 Domestic Beer $21
Bud, Bud Lite, Miller, Miller Lite & Coors Lite

Package 2 - 6 Imported Beer $24
Becks, Heineken, Amstel Light & Corona

Package 3 - 3 Dom 3 Imp Beer $22.50

Package 4 - 6 Soda
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale & Orange Soda
Don't see Mountian Dew listed - or Diet Dr. Pepper for that matter...smile...so byo if you are a junkie. For those who have not cruised Disney before - unlike most other ships you are only charged for sodas if you get room service. You can get these for free from a soda fountian on Deck 9 and they are also free in the dining areas. They are also free at the eating area on Castaway Cay. Most people get sodas for their room or to take on a trip.

Package 5 - 6 Evian Water $9

Package 6 - Value Package $35
24 Evian Water (Save $8)

We always get the water when we are getting off the boat at Castaway Cay. That is where they have the coolers etc. I have never gotten it with the package - for those that did do the value package - did you get the cute cooler with it? It is a colapsable vinal cooler that holds about a 6 pack with Disney Cruise Lines on it. If I remember the cost was like Package 6 so I thought it was a great deal to get the water for the beach and the cooler. Even more so on this trip when we are there two days!

If anyone knows if the prices have changed over the year please post!

Thanks!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Denise - you'll need to bring your own Mountain Dew as DCL is a Coke-products ship.

Renee - thanks for posting the info about the holiday activities, and about the weather last year. I'm hoping we'll have nice warm weather, at least warm enough to get in the water at Castaway Cay on one of the days (if not both).

My to-do-list at work just got longer, and I was thinking about how nice it will be to be on a two-week vacation for Christmas! We're taking off the week after we get back from the cruise as well as the cruise week. I'll be when I pull out of the office parking lot on Dec. 19th!

 

[CrusinLattas]

I did read earlier someone asking about gifts for the crew. We did this last year and it was very well received. If you think about it - the crew is all away from their families and having to work the holidays and they do a fantastic job with a great attitude. It really did mean a lot to them that someone was thinking of them. We did little gifts for the staff in the kid's club, our servers, and room attendant. My daughter also gave things to the characters on Christmas and they really got delighted! It is not often that someone gives to Mickey! Last year we did little flamingos in Santa Hats and bubbles and some other silly tropical Christmas stuff. This year I got magnetic 2009 calendars with a place for a picture that they can put up on their cabin doors. I’m guessing they might like stuff on their doors like we do to make it more like home. Anyway – I know many of the cast get homesick – especially at Christmas time – so if we can all remember to help make it half as special for them as it is for us with all they do I think we should do what we can! I got the calendars on Oriental Trading. That’s where I got the Tropical Christmas Stuff last year too.