March 15, 2015 MAGIC Cruise!! :)

[Madzac]

I will be so anxious to hear how it goes when you pull off your surprise! Thats wonderful! If your girls would have any interest in emailing with my daughter prior to the cruise let me know. Our first cruise she didnt really meet anyone at Edge which was a real disappointment. I know she is really hoping to find a couple friends this time!

So you liked Playa Mia? We are planning on doing that while in Cozumel. I have kids from 3 to 13 so its tough to find options for everyone. Our current plans are to take one of the trolley hop on/off in Key West and grab some key lime pie there. In Grand Cayman I think we will be doing dolphin encounter and turtle farm tour. Playa Mia in Cozumel. On Castaway Cay I am going to play it by ear and see how weather is. Hoping to ride bikes, maybe do the 5 K with my oldest. We loved CC last cruise, but I am not sure how the water will be in March.

 

[lltthatsme]

I surprised my girls last year too so I have to do something different because they might expect something. Once I know for sure I would love to contact you so the girls can chat.

We liked Playa Mia. There is a water play thing that you have to swim out to. It was a bit challenging for my one daughter and she didn't really like it because she felt like she was going to fall off. We got nice lounge chairs under an umbrella. There was free bottled water and the girls got virgin daiquiris and pina colodas for the first time and were super excited. The buffet was ok, but not super exciting. The girls liked the pool more than the ocean because there were some weeds etc in the water and they are a bit picky. We also borrowed (for free) a kayak - children 12 and older can go with out an adult. We went with our new buddies from dinner (our seat partners). She was also a single mom with two girls. The two 12 year olds went together and I went with the 11 year old. When I originally booked they had given a certain length of time and in actual fact it was a lot less time. We would go back, but since we are going to CC beach I thought we might do something different and more cultural since my girls are hands on learners.

 

[Madzac]

I have heard that the water play thing is hard to get and stay on! The kayaks sound fun!

Castaway cay is an awesome beach day! It was our favorite day last cruise. I have just heard water is pretty chilly in march there so I am worried they wont get the swim time if its too cold. I think some of the ruins tours would be amazing! Especially with kids that age!

How neat that you got paired up at dinner with another family like yours. I am amazed at how good disney is at pairing people! How was the weather for your March cruise last year?

 

[lltthatsme]

It was great! No rain. We are from Northern Ontario so it was quite warm - the water in Mexico was cool but refreshing.

My 13 year old still talks to the girl her age that sat at our table (On iMessage). They didn't really hang out too much (other than the beach day), but we had fun talking during dinner about what each family had done that day.

I really want to go again but it is a bit of a stretch financially so I am trying to decide what is the best thing. They would get very little gifts this year if we did do another cruise. Our last one was 5 days.

 

[lltthatsme]

Madzac - I like your Key Lime Pie idea - I was thinking something similar.

 

[papertraveller]

Welcome lltthatsme and Chrisey! Looks like we will have a strong Canadian contingent onboard! Chrisey, I have added you to the FE list.

We will leave Port Canaveral just FIVE MONTHS FROM TODAY!

We also are looking at Playa Mia, as well as stingrays on Grand Cayman.

On a previous cruise on this itinerary, we took a taxi to Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, and did the Fury Catamaran trip on Cozumel. We would recommend both. Seven Mile Beach is a bit of a zoo, but it was an easy drive out there and lots of taxis to take you back when you wish. The Fury trip was excellent -- great snorkelling, and some beach time with the inflatable rafts tethered offshore to appeal to the kids.

Separately, we just got back from a trip to WDW yesterday. The weather was amazing -- not a drop of rain. We did the Hallowe'en party at Magic Kingdom and brought back a huge haul of candy (much of which will be shared with the neighbourhood kids!), and then we did Food and Wine over two days.

We are DVC members, but since this was booked relatively last minute we couldn't get all the nights at one resort. As a result, we stayed at Wilderness Lodge, then one night at the Boardwalk, and then lastly at Saratoga Springs. It was interesting to move around like that.

The funny thing was that as the days passed, my thoughts were turning to our March Break trip. We will be at WDW for two days before the cruise, and are trying to book some special memories for WileyGrin.

Anyway, back to more laundry! It's chilly here tonight, so I guess I'm going to be washing the shorts and tank tops, and setting them aside until next March!

 

[lltthatsme]

Do you think there will still be room in a FE group if I wait to sign up? I could sign up now and let you guys now before Dec. if I cancel.

 

[Madzac]

litthatsme- I am sure there will be. Its totally up to you what you want to do though. We have it capped at 12 cabins per FE group so it isnt so overwhelming. And no pressure... I know its a huge huge financial commitment (we had to forgo a trip this year to be able to do this next!) but you WANT to join us, lol! Btw I mentioned there will hopefully be a 12 and 13 yr old girl in the group to my oldest and she was super excited!

Papertraveller- welcome back, how awesome! We did MNSSHP in 2012 and it was the most fun time we have ever had at WDW. Absolutely loved it! I was just thinking its only FIVE months! I have heard such great things about the Fury excursion... but they have to be 5 so it shuts us out.

 

[lltthatsme]

Madzac - you are right about the water play place in Playa Mia being hard to get up on. I swam out there with the kids. There is no ladder. My one girl just got up easily, the other had a harder time. Then it was my turn. It was very embarrassing. There was a man who works there and he attempted to lift me up by the arms - I looked like a beached whale! Once I finally got up, I crawled a bit away from the entrance and just sat there and took some pics of my kids. At one point the youngest was scared and wanted me but I was at the other side and there was NO WAY I was going all the way over there. She eventually made it back to me. It looks cool from the pictures, but the ocean makes it move a bit. Not, my thing - but the 13 year old loved it.

 

[lltthatsme]

Papertraveller - please add me to the FE list. I will make sure to let you guys know ASAP if I change my mind about the cruise.

 

[Madzac]

Haha, thanks for the warnings! I can only imagine myself struggling to get up!! I think my older kids will love it though, and the smaller waterpark area will appeal to the younger kiddos.

Excited to have you join in on the list... (dont change your mind, dont change your mind, dont change your mind...) just a few subliminal messages!

 

[lltthatsme]

Has anyone found a similar personal navigator to look at. I think this itinerary must be pretty new because I can't find any 7 day Magic Cruises with the same stops. I noticed that one leaves on Nov. 2, so I am hoping someone posts a personal navigator because I would like to see a sample. Has anyone found one, or know of someone going on the same itinerary before us?

 

[papertraveller]

Hi,
I have updated the FE list.
I also have the old navigators from our trip on this itinerary on the Magic in 2011. Not sure what you're looking for. Ask away and I'll see if I can find a historical reference!
I believe the schedule will be similar at the beginning, in that we get into Key West at around noon on the Monday. When we were there before, the all aboard was later in the evening.
The pier is in a nice location, an easy walk from the ship to the town.

 

[lltthatsme]

Thanks papertraveller.

I wrote on the Magic 7 day cruise page of the group leaving on November 2nd (same itinerary). Someone there said they would post or share the personal navigator with me when they get back. I just like a general idea - especially now that they redid the ship. I will let you guys know when I get or see it.

 

[Madzac]

litthatsme, thank you! I am anxious to see what menus we will have and a general idea of activities. I am also curious if they will go back to having a character breakfast or not.

I see our group one fish extender group is full, is that correct? Hopefully everyone is still planning on doing it since there hasnt been much activity on the group for awhile! I am looking forward to starting to plan before too long!

Hope everyone is having a happy Wednesday! My DS turns 7 tomorrow, so getting ready to celebrate his birthday tonight with cake and pizza and presents since I have to work tomorrow.

 

[SplashMom]

I'm looking forward to the planning process as well!

My adult daughter decided this week to join us so I added her to our reservation on Friday. After checking last night, I called this morning and got an inside room across the hall from our balcony room and saved $170 by doing this! I couldn't believe it...two rooms for cheaper than one! Since there are now four of us, the extra space and extra bathroom will be wonderful. We can still use the balcony as we would have if we were all in the one room. Has anyone else done this? I've never had an inside room but I'm so excited about the extra space. Now to decide on excursions...lol.

 

[3Goofy's]

I see our group one fish extender group is full, is that correct? Hopefully everyone is still planning on doing it since there hasnt been much activity on the group for awhile! I am looking forward to starting to plan before too long!

Oh yes, it has been quiet around here, myself included. I have way too much on my plate right now, including a health concern for my father. Provided he is ok, we will definitely be on the cruise and participating in the FE. I've got all my FE supplies from months ago!! If anyone needs to back out of the FE, please let us know! I hope to get really serious about planning in the next couple of weeks. DS and I are going to spend a few nights post-cruise in Orlando, and I think we will hit Universal. This cruise can't come soon enough!

 

[papertraveller]

Hey 3Goofy's -- so sorry to hear about your Dad. I do hope he comes through okay. It's nice that you are nearby to help him through.

MadZac, happy birthday to your DS 7. Hope he had a great day!

I also have been loading up on FE gear. I'll have all my supplies ready so I can "craft" away during the dark winter evenings!

 

[Madzac]

Splashmom, wow thats awesome!!! I havent tried what you are doing but it sounds like a great solution! We are a family of six so we have to have two rooms. We considered a balcony and inside, but my DH was afraid the kids would fight about the balcony room and we didnt want to play musical rooms so we went with the two oceanview.

3 Goofys, I am sorry to hear you have so much going on! I am thinking of and praying for your dad.

Dark winter nights.... oh no that does not sound like fun! It was 77 here today!

As for the FE should we assume everyone is still in? I need to start figuring out what to do!

 

[Madzac]

Oh and we decided to bite the bullet and stay at the airport Hyatt the night we get in! I am really excited! Technically they say they allow five a room, but our youngest DD who is three can sleep with us in the king, so we should have plenty of room. Its more than where we were going to stay for sure, but we decided the convenience of not having to haul our stuff on a hotel shuttle and back was worth it. Plus I always thought it might be cool to stay there. Anyone else?