March 10, 2012 - Eastern on the Magic

[DundasDad]

Don't want anyone to panic ... but it's only 293 days to our cruise!!!



Quick! Pack your toothbrush and extra skivvies! Don't wait to the last minute!!

PSST .. 159 to go now .... not that I'm counting or anything.

 

[son3disfan]

PSST .. 159 to go now .... not that I'm counting or anything.

Woohoo!

 

[Starseeker1221]

Hi Everyone! We have just booked this cruise as part of a back to back Eastern and Western in March (staying aboard for the 17th-24th)!

We were originally supposed to sail in January, but have had to move our cruise dates due to my finally getting permission to write and defend my dissertation, and it looking like that will be wrapping up right as we were supposed to be on the Magic!

I am looking forward to the warmer weather that we will have in March, and am excited to be meeting new friends!

Please sign us up for the Fish Extender. Thanks!

Vicky (30)
Alissa (who will be barely hanging on to 29 at the time we cruise... )

 

[papertraveller]

Hi Everyone! We have just booked this cruise as part of a back to back Eastern and Western in March (staying aboard for the 17th-24th)!

We were originally supposed to sail in January, but have had to move our cruise dates due to my finally getting permission to write and defend my dissertation, and it looking like that will be wrapping up right as we were supposed to be on the Magic!

I am looking forward to the warmer weather that we will have in March, and am excited to be meeting new friends!

Please sign us up for the Fish Extender. Thanks!

Vicky (30)
Alissa (who will be barely hanging on to 29 at the time we cruise... )

Welcome, and congratulations on getting so close to defending your dissertation. What a great way to celebrate, with a back-to-back vacation. You guys will have such a tremendous time relaxing!

I've added you to the list on page 2.

 

[DundasDad]

I've created a private Facebook group page for us to chat and get to know each other a little more as we get closer to launch time!

If you'd like to join, please "ask" and let me know what your DIS name is so I can figure out who is who.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/269188269787977/

See ya there!



Sean aka DundasDad

 

[Polarone]

Add another Canadian family to the ship - myself, DW, DD (who just turned 15) and DS (who just turned 9) will be on board for our second Disney cruise.

Can't wait to get started - less than 145 days now!!


For anyone in SW Ontario who is still looking for flights - we found flights out of Lansing, Michigan for under $300 round trip (flying out on Friday, returning Sunday) each person. It is on Sun Country airlines.

Edit: Just double checked and their website currently has the round trip for around $325, although we used Expedia to book so there may be a discount there. It is a non-stop flight both ways.

 

[MammaC]

Okay -I'm going to admit I'm a little overwhelmed here... We will be going on our first ever cruise/Disney cruise this coming March. We are all very excited, but I'm starting to wonder how much I don't know about the Disney Cruise world! Yikes! I am going to keep playing around on these boards to see if I can get some tips. But -as I said -we ARE excited!!! It will be me (34), DH (37) and DD (4). My daughter and I will both be celebrating our birthdays during this cruise! Mine is the 14th and hers is the 16th. Can't wait!!

 

[papertraveller]

Welcome Polarone and MammaC! I have added you to the rollcall on page 2. Please let me know if you would like to join the Fish Extender group as well.

MammaC, you will find there are a lot of friendly folks here happy to share their experiences. One thing I can tell you, is that the eastern is such a lovely, relaxing route due to the additional sea days. There is so much for the kids (and parents) to do. We are always so determined to relax, and then end up being late for everything we schedule!

Separately, in case anyone is interested, you will have noticed that the Fantasy 2013 itineraries and prices are out. I took a look and was surprised to see that we could get essentially the same room we have on the Magic (9B) for the same price on the Fantasy. And for $200 more, we could have a balcony.

I honestly thought we'd be priced out of the DCL market with the launch of this ship, but at least for March 2013 it appears not.

 

[MammaC]

Thanks so much Papertraveller!! I spent most of the day yesterday browsing around here and am feeling much more oriented. Yes -I think we would love to participate in the FE! Thanks for the invitation!!! (Also, I think you have my family mixed up on the roll call with Polarone -we only have 3 in our fam )

So for those of you have cruised before -I see a lot of the excursion things are for kids 5 or older... My DD turns 5 at the end of our cruise. Do you think they will be super strict with her age on the excursions?? I want her to have fun, but not feel like a "baby" because she can't do stuff. I honestly didn't think about it when I booked the trip -I just wanted her to have a fun birthday... Thanks much!

 

[papertraveller]

Oops. Thank you for pointing that out -- it is now fixed, and you're added to the FE group.

 

[son3disfan]

Thanks so much Papertraveller!! I spent most of the day yesterday browsing around here and am feeling much more oriented. Yes -I think we would love to participate in the FE! Thanks for the invitation!!! (Also, I think you have my family mixed up on the roll call with Polarone -we only have 3 in our fam )

So for those of you have cruised before -I see a lot of the excursion things are for kids 5 or older... My DD turns 5 at the end of our cruise. Do you think they will be super strict with her age on the excursions?? I want her to have fun, but not feel like a "baby" because she can't do stuff. I honestly didn't think about it when I booked the trip -I just wanted her to have a fun birthday... Thanks much!

Hi MammaC!
Welcome to the cruise meet.....
Disney is pretty strict about ages on excursions.
Have you looked at doing a private tour? Our using a tour company on the islands?
I have found alot of info on here as well as cruise critic.com as well.

 

[sgpmaxx66]

My DS and I are going on the 7 day Eastern Carribean in March 2012. Has anyone done the Kayak Hike and Snorkle at Cas Cay or the St. John Eco Hike? If so, what is your opinion of the excursion? Also, I'm trying to decide if we should do Orient Beach at St. Maarten or if we should do the Island Butterfly Farm tour. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

 

[DundasDad]

My DS and I are going on the 7 day Eastern Carribean in March 2012. Has anyone done the Kayak Hike and Snorkle at Cas Cay or the St. John Eco Hike? If so, what is your opinion of the excursion? Also, I'm trying to decide if we should do Orient Beach at St. Maarten or if we should do the Island Butterfly Farm tour. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

If you have a 7 year old I should probably warn you that part of Orient Bay is clothing optional ...

 

[3Goofy's]

My DS and I are going on the 7 day Eastern Carribean in March 2012. Has anyone done the Kayak Hike and Snorkle at Cas Cay or the St. John Eco Hike? If so, what is your opinion of the excursion? Also, I'm trying to decide if we should do Orient Beach at St. Maarten or if we should do the Island Butterfly Farm tour. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

We are seriously considering the Kayak Hike and Snorkle on Cas Cay. There are some pretty good reviews on trip advisor http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...on-East_End_St_Thomas_U_S_Virgin_Islands.html

It's between that and Turtle Cove Sail and Snorkel.

It's getting pretty close to having to make the decision!!

 

[DundasDad]

PSST .. 159 to go now .... not that I'm counting or anything.

Hmmmm ... only 109 days to go now .... going to be booking our Palo ressies soon!

 

[son3disfan]

Hmmmm ... only 109 days to go now .... going to be booking our Palo ressies soon!

Are you Gold? Do you get to book this week!
I have to wait until the 90 day mark.....
Would love to know if all the cabanas are booked! Please share if you are booking before us Silvers!!!
Thanks!

 

[papertraveller]

It's cold, it's busy at work. I have to get through two nights of dress rehearsals and four nights of performances of the church pageant next week ... and it's those memories of Palo brunch that get me through!

You can bet reservation day is red-circled on the calendar!! s How early can we book?

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends! DH will be sitting back and enjoying his annual Lions game tomorrow.

 

[DundasDad]

Are you Gold? Do you get to book this week!
I have to wait until the 90 day mark.....
Would love to know if all the cabanas are booked! Please share if you are booking before us Silvers!!!
Thanks!

Nope - I'm a Silver too! No cabana for us this time ... we had fun exploring the island last time

 

[3Goofy's]

Many of us must be getting ready to book our excursions Sunday! Who knows what time this starts? I'm pretty sure we will be doing the 12m Regatta in St. Maarten, and the Turtle Cove and Honeymoon Beach day in St. Thomas. But we're still not totally sure! DH is easy-going and pretty much leaves it to me, but I hope to nail him down to the screen to have him look around.
Who's doing what?
It's getting closer!

 

[Starseeker1221]

Many of us must be getting ready to book our excursions Sunday! Who knows what time this starts? I'm pretty sure we will be doing the 12m Regatta in St. Maarten, and the Turtle Cove and Honeymoon Beach day in St. Thomas. But we're still not totally sure! DH is easy-going and pretty much leaves it to me, but I hope to nail him down to the screen to have him look around.
Who's doing what?
It's getting closer!

We are also going to try for the Turtle Cove and Honeymoon Beach day in St Thomas-- I have heard great things about Turtle Cove, and so am really looking forward to it!

We've gone back and forth a few times on the St Maarten excursions, but I think we're going to try the rhino riders-- anyone heard anything (good or bad) about those?

I can't wait until we set sail!