March 11, 2006 - 7 Day Magic

[Mortlives]

Welcome aboard!

I'm sure you'll manage to find lots to do to keep you busy! Out of curiousity, which excursions are all booked up?

 

[sk8ingmom]

Oh, I'd like to know which excursions are book up also! MIL & FIL are joining us on this trip and MIL is convinced they can just walk onto the ship and sign up for an excursion like they did 15 years ago on RC! This new-fangled interet thingy is surprising her!

My family leaves in 60 days (3/9) !! YAY!

 

[Mortlives]

60 days for us as well. We swing by DS's school and hand in his assignments for the Thursday and Friday, and then we head to the border.

I was tempted to leave the night before as we usually do, but this way, DS doesn't fall behind in his schoolwork.

Hey! I better update our countdown! We were originally leaving later on the 9th.

 

[Mortlives]

Come to think of it, maybe we should create a comprehensive list of who is going to be on the cruise, and ages, etc. If you're interested in being on the list, pm me, and I'll edit this post to add you.

I'll start off:
Morticia (me) 40 (okay, so I'll be 41 by then), DH 42, and DS 14.
tross (Tammy) and DH also 40somethings, DS14, DS12, DS9
MickeyMania (Colleen), Andrew, DS6, DD3.
sk8ingmom (M.) 33, Steve 34, DS7, DS5, MIL (Evelyn) 59, FIL (Wayne) 60
CastawayStowaway (Jennifer), Ben, DS9, DS5
fcrouch (Fred), Maureen, DD5
CBEB, DH and DD9
I'mWong (Laura), Greg, DD9 and DS6/7 (cruise birthday boy!)
otoole, DH, DS6, DD4
kcarl021, DH, DD6, DM, DF, GF, GFDH, GFDD5
DisneyPinDiva (Leslie), Joe
Choople (Katherine)49, Mark 45, DD17, DD15
Mickey&JoshNut (Elaine) and Margaret

 

[tross]

Several asked which excursions we found unavailable. They were the sting ray/beach adventure combination in Grand Cayman and Snorkeling at Chankanaab National Park. Many others are available. I'm thinking we can do the National Park on our own anyway and we booked the Sting Ray without the beach.

 

[Mortlives]

Several asked which excursions we found unavailable. They were the sting ray/beach adventure combination in Grand Cayman and Snorkeling at Chankanaab National Park. Many others are available. I'm thinking we can do the National Park on our own anyway and we booked the Sting Ray without the beach.

It may be that Disney is not offering the Chankanaab excursions yet. It isn't scheduled to reopen post-Wilma until February, and Disney may want to evaluate it before sending its customers there. We were initially going to do Chankanaab on our own as well, but decided it would be less iffy to just book Xcaret. And we've never been to Xcaret (we have been to Chankanaab), but our niece has, and she couldn't say enough about it.

Which Sting ray did you book: the reef and stingray, or just the sting ray? And which time? (just wondering if you'll be with us).

 

[tross]

Morticia

We are canceling the Disney if we can get Captain Marvin because the only Disney available is the sting ray only. I've received very favorable comments from the boards about Captain Marvin.

Tammy

 

[Mortlives]

Both reef and stingrays are maxed? Wow! I never figured that would happen so quickly. Too bad you're not coming with. It would have been cool to know someone in advance.

 

[tross]

Morticia

I agree that would have been fun but maybe we will see you elsewhere. Captain Marvin's snorkel tour does 2 different reefs plus the sting rays so I am hoping we are confirmed. It is also a little cheaper (every bit helps with 5 and within walking distance of disembarking so we should still have fun.

I have a post on the Cruise Forum board about Western excursions that has received some good feedback if anyone is interested. That is where I find out about Captain Marvin. I am so appreciative of the boards for helping me with this. Hopefully I can return the favor to someone in the future.

 

[MickeyMania]

The holidays beat me down! With in-laws in our house - kids home from school - and just general craziness - I am soooo glad we have the cruise to look forward to. EVEN better NOW! Since I just upgraded to a verandah! After much thought - we figured with two kids in tow, we might be back in the room earlier than we like in the evenings... and wouldn't it be nice to sit on the verandah?

Mort - I am going to PM you - if I can ever figure out how!

One question (yeah right!) - I know my 6 year old son would love a dolphin excursion of some sort (as would I)... any advice? I didn't sign up for any excursions other than parasailing at CC. Since the kids are young - I figured they would have more fun with a quick trip to the beach or staying on the ship. But a dolphin encounter would be very very cool!

Thanks in advance!

 

[tross]

There is a Dolphin encounter excursion in Cozumel but I haven't heard any comments either way from previous cruisers.

Does anyone have a teenager planning to attend the Stack that is interested in precruise emailing with my DS 14? He has younger DSs to hang out with part of the time but is looking forward to meeting some new teen friends. If so send a PM. I;ve read on other posts where that added to the enjoyment of the cruise for some teens.

 

[kcarl021]

The holidays beat me down! With in-laws in our house - kids home from school - and just general craziness - I am soooo glad we have the cruise to look forward to. EVEN better NOW! Since I just upgraded to a verandah! After much thought - we figured with two kids in tow, we might be back in the room earlier than we like in the evenings... and wouldn't it be nice to sit on the verandah?


You are going to love the verandah. I know a lot of people say you don't need it because you don't spend much time in your room but it really was just heavenly sitting out on the verandah at night with a bucket of beers and watching the ocean go by!

Of course my daughter was sick last year so I had more time than I wanted doing that, but this year, I plan to again! Order up the cheese tray too. How relaxing! The clubs are nice but especiallt the first night, it's nice to relax.

Plus, in case you haven't read the other threads, you can't keep you kids by themselves in the kids club the first night anymore. Its now family time and the parents have to stay. So plan on an early first night if you have kids!

 

[Castaway Stowaway]

I cant wait. We just booked last night for our third DCL 7 day. This is definately what we need!! We actually tossed around the idea of sailing with another line but imagined how bummed we would be if we were at port with the Magic and heard the when you wish upon a star ships horn. Yes its WAY more money, but its Disney! Youre guarranteed a great time and its a much more family friendly environment! That being said, will they let me bring my own liquor on bord? I forget.

 

[kcarl021]

I cruised last year and did not. I really regretted it and will be this year. Apparently DCL is one of the few that still let you. There are a few rather long threads about this, even giving tips on how to travel with it etc. I would bring some - my alcohol bill was huge last year! (yes we are partiers!)

Glad you are joining us!!!

 

[Mortlives]

Welcome aboard, Bennifer!

Everyone, don't forget, if you want to be on the roll call, pm me with the details you want on the list. I haven't heard from very many yet.

 

[Castaway Stowaway]

I cant wait! How many more days do we have? Ive already started shopping! I have got to get a new formal dress. I wore the same one for the last 2 cruises!! GASP

 

[Mortlives]

We set sail in 52 days. Don't worry about the dress. None of us have seen it, so if you tell us it's a new dress, it's a new dress.

I've been sending a picture of the day to DH, counting down working days. Today was 36 working days to go. I started with shots of the drive down to Florida, and added in current weather info for the location of the picture. Today's was the Cocoa Beach pier, and tomorrow's will be our hotel. Then, I'll start with pictures of the DCL terminal, etc. until the last picture of the terminal (after pictures of the ship, Key West, Cozumel, etc) signals that we leave the next day.

 

[Castaway Stowaway]

thanks mort, but We are so lazy that out cruise pix are out family photos!! So sad i know. I know i am really excited about this cruise!! I had a nightmare that i forgot to pack everyones stuff except mine!! I didnt pack a darn thing for my dh or dss! Crazy. i know

 

[tross]

I think I got my countdown to work so we can check out the days if I managed to do this right. This should be set for the day before we sail as that is when we are leaving.

 

[tross]

Castaway
I noticed you have cruised both the Western and Eastern and rebooked the Western. Did you prefer it or was it just a matter of timing convenience?

Mort
What a great idea with the pictures for your DH. I bet he looks forward to it every day. We would love to see one of your favorites if you could add to a post. Not that I would know how but I see on the boards other folks do.