March 15, 2015 MAGIC Cruise!! :)

[papertraveller]

Papertraveller, that excursion with the beach and inflatable toys sounds right up ds' alley! You enjoyed it too? Is your brother a planner too, or will he leave that to you?

I haven't told him yet, LOL! I figure I'll wait until the 12-month mark, and break it to them gently. Actually, my SIL is a planner so all should be fine.

The Fury Catamaran has had pretty good reviews. I've been looking at beach options on Cozumel, and I'm not really seeing a lot yet. There's one on the Disney site, but I think it's something like $70 per adult -- it's sort of a resort looking place, with lunch and drinks included, water park and such. Seems a bit high-priced though.

 

[Madzac]

Welcome Meredith! Glad to have you here!

Thanks for the formal night feedback. We enjoyed dressing nice for dinner on our Dream cruise and look forward to formal night. Its a pain to pack stuff, but I think it adds to the fun of things. It will be interesting to see now that they are officially allowing shorts in the dining room if that impacts dress at dinner.

 

[papertraveller]

Shorts are now okay? I hadn't seen that ...

We like to dress up for formal night -- we don't go all out, but we clean up okay! DH wears a suit, DD uses it as an excuse to buy something nice, I try to squeeze into something I already own ...

 

[Madzac]

Papaertraveller spoken like a true mom... new stuff for the kiddos and you make do with what you have. Sounds familiar lol! I always come home from shopping with stuff for the kids and seldom me!

Shorts were officially approved to the dress code last fall. The only thing off limits now are tank tops and swim wear.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Thanks for all the welcomes! Our first cruise was Dream/Bahamas, second was Fantasy/Eastern with San Juan, next is Fantasy/Eastern with St. Maarten. Our long-term goal is to do a grand slam (Alaska on the Wonder in the future), so I was glad to be able to make our 4th cruise the Magic with a Western itinerary.

I much prefer 7 night cruises, it gives us more time to balance out ports with on-board activities. Our last cruise we didn't do excursions but plan to this time. I must confess I haven't had a chance to look up the ones on the Magic yet!

For those of you who have been on the Magic before, do you have a favorite spot for rooms? We've always done mid-ship balcony, 4E (Deck 5) on the Dream and 4C (Deck 7) on the Fantasy. I tentatively have a 5A booked on Deck 7 for 2 reasons, one the price has skyrocketed! and two, I'm sensitive to noise and heard Deck 8 often hears noise from above. Can anyone comment on options or ideas to consider?

 

[papertraveller]

You must be getting so excited for your trip on the Fantasy!

After last year's craziness in San Juan with the public service workers on strike, I think I'd welcome the calmness of St. Martin! We loved the beach right downtown, and would do that again in a heartbeat. We rented chairs, got a bucket of beers, and enjoyed the warm Caribbean waters.

So I was just cleaning up some stuff in the basement and came across our Fantasy booking from last year -- we paid $4112.01 for two adults and one child (13), for a 6A. It was our first cruise ever with a verandah. The price included insurance of $285, and taxes of $256. We booked it on opening day, October 2011.

This cruise on the Magic is in a 9B porthole room on deck 2, booked on opening day, 2013. I didn't get insurance, and I used an OBB discount. The cruise is costing $4368.42.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Sent you a PM with FE info

Hooray! A meet thread!

This will be our sixth cruise with DCL -- gonna be gold, baby! It will be the fourth on the Magic in the same room, our second western.

I am happy to volunteer to organize the FE group. If you'd like to participate, please send me a PM with your stateroom number, names of grown-ups, as well as names and ages of kids.

I will maintain the list of staterooms and DISboard names in this post. I think we can decide on splitting into smaller groups once we see what kind of numbers we get.

FE participants:

2560 - papertraveller - DH, DW; DD (15)
6611,6613 - Madzac - DH, DW; DD (13 - birthday March 13); DS (10); DS (7); DD (3)

 

[Madzac]

Just checking in with everyone, its been quiet here just lately. I think we are all trying to survive the last of this long winter! Well we are finally under a year until this cruise! My kids have been complaining that this spring break is a bit boring. I just changed jobs so I couldnt go anywhere this year, it is a stay home break. A year from today we will be in Grand Cayman!

For those of you posting the prices, it does seem it has gone up. This is only our second cruise and we booked the last one late, so the price ended up being not too different, but we are doing inside cabins this time. My DH didnt feel we used the porthole windows enough to justify the additional cost, and since we need two rooms, verandas were way too pricey. I wish we could travel off season! We spent so little time in our cabins last time that i think it will be fine, though I think a veranda sure would be nice!

Hope you are all well, check in if you can!!!

 

[3Goofy's]

I agree! This March Break was no fun at all! We kept comparing it to last years Fantasy cruise.
DH fell while skiing and broke 3 ribs, so at least it was memorable!

I knew the cruise prices were going to be up, up, up, so we opted for an inside cabin this time. We had a lovely varandah on the Fantasy last time, so I'm hoping I can still be happy with an inside. We are pretty busy on a cruise, so we don't spend much time in the cabin anyway.

Less than a year to go!!

I figure lots more cruisers will be joining our thread soon!

 

[papertraveller]

Sent you a PM with FE info

Thanks. I have added you to the list on page 1. I have also amended it a bit regarding names and people who may plan personalized items. I'm a bit anal about keeping identities confidential.

How was your cruise on the Fantasy? Did everyone have a great time?

Just checking in with everyone, its been quiet here just lately. I think we are all trying to survive the last of this long winter! Well we are finally under a year until this cruise! My kids have been complaining that this spring break is a bit boring. I just changed jobs so I couldnt go anywhere this year, it is a stay home break. A year from today we will be in Grand Cayman!

For those of you posting the prices, it does seem it has gone up. This is only our second cruise and we booked the last one late, so the price ended up being not too different, but we are doing inside cabins this time. My DH didnt feel we used the porthole windows enough to justify the additional cost, and since we need two rooms, verandas were way too pricey. I wish we could travel off season! We spent so little time in our cabins last time that i think it will be fine, though I think a veranda sure would be nice!

Hope you are all well, check in if you can!!!

I agree! This March Break was no fun at all! We kept comparing it to last years Fantasy cruise.
DH fell while skiing and broke 3 ribs, so at least it was memorable!

I knew the cruise prices were going to be up, up, up, so we opted for an inside cabin this time. We had a lovely varandah on the Fantasy last time, so I'm hoping I can still be happy with an inside. We are pretty busy on a cruise, so we don't spend much time in the cabin anyway.

Less than a year to go!!

I figure lots more cruisers will be joining our thread soon!

How is DH? Breaking ribs is miserable since there's little you can do!

We were very lucky to have gone to WDW for a week. Stayed one night at Old Key West, which has really grown on me, and the rest of the time at Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve. What an amazing resort!

We had fabulous weather, caught a couple of baseball games, and hit all the parks. We had Magic Bands for the first time, which worked great except for one glitch which was easily resolved.

And one very cool thing happened - we were caught by that glitch in the lineup for Buzz, when who should go by but a family we met on the Fantasy in 2013. 3Goofy's, do you remember FireGoofy? It was terrific because the girls were able to head off for an hour or so to explore Magic Kingdom on their own -- a fun way to reconnect unexpectedly! They still connect through Instagram/Snapchat or whatever, so did know that they were each in Orlando.

We flew back through Buffalo, and there were a lot of people onboard with cruise tags on their luggage. Made us just a bit wistful … in time, in time!

 

[Madzac]

3goofys so sorry to hear about the ribs! Ouch! That is definitely no fun!

Papertraveller, I am so jealous you got to go to WDW! I know so many people there right now for break! My DH just does not love crowds and he tolerates WDW but I cant convince him as often as I would like. Luckily the cruise was more up his alley. So the magic bands worked out ok? I am hoping by the time we get back, which will probably be 2017, they will have it all worked out with FP+ and such. We really used FP a lot with not getting to go as often so I am not sure how I am going to like all this!

Anyone been to WDW in the summer? With my kids getting older we are stuck to school vacation times and spring break ends up a but squished!

 

[E&EMom]

Just got off the Dream yesterday but we booked onboard for this cruise next March 2015. Can't wait to go back on the Magic and to do our favorite itinerary again. We took this same cruise on the Magic in May of 2011 and it was wonderful. Can't wait!

 

[Nike4000]

We just finished a 7-night trip on the Fantasy for 2014 Spring Break and have already booked a 2015 Spring Break trip on the Magic. Might as well keep the fun times rolling, right?

We may have to switch weeks, our school district is looking at moving the week of the break, so I'll hold off on joining an FE group for now, but once the date is confirmed I'll jump in with both feet.

Is it time to get back on board yet? I'm having buffet withdrawals.

 

[papertraveller]

Just got off the Dream yesterday but we booked onboard for this cruise next March 2015. Can't wait to go back on the Magic and to do our favorite itinerary again. We took this same cruise on the Magic in May of 2011 and it was wonderful. Can't wait!

Welcome! I've seen you around the boards and look forward to meeting you in person!

We just finished a 7-night trip on the Fantasy for 2014 Spring Break and have already booked a 2015 Spring Break trip on the Magic. Might as well keep the fun times rolling, right?

We may have to switch weeks, our school district is looking at moving the week of the break, so I'll hold off on joining an FE group for now, but once the date is confirmed I'll jump in with both feet.

Is it time to get back on board yet? I'm having buffet withdrawals.

I know, just the thought of all those choices in Cabanas has me salivating. You'll be missing someone to turn your bed down at night, too!

Here's hoping the school calendar stays fixed and you can be part of our enthusiastic crew!

 

[Princess KP]

Hello all!

Originally booked the Magic for the week of the 8th but after lurking around the Boards, realized that the 2015 Ontario March Break was the week after. Quickly changed our dates but am now waiting for confirmation from our school board before I can make air arrangements.

This will be our 7th Disney cruise but our first without our oldest son who is away in university and thinks he's too old for Disney.

It will be DH, DD (16) and myself.

Looking forward to seeing the re-imagined Magic!

 

[budamacdvcr]

Hi there, just booked this cruise today which will be our 9th DCL. We completed the grandslam last year on the Fantasy and looking forward to the reimagined Magic and getting back on one of the smaller ships again. We have done all three ports of call with Grand Cayman and Cozumel as recent as last year. We are not FE folks as kids are basically adults.

We caught a break in that DDs college and DSs HS have the same spring break next year. This year DD hit the beach with freinds and DW, DS and me just got back from a week at WDW (we are DVC members).

More than willing to answer any questions or share ideas. Seems like a pretty seasoned group on here but if anyone wants any tips I am more than willing to share. At least we are under 12 months

 

[Madzac]

Welcome welcome to the newly joined in folks! So excited to see a few more faces and some people with experience too! Especially experience in the ports! I will be taking you up on the offer for advice and questions as we get closer! Cant wait to narrow down excursions and start to make this feel more real! Here is hoping all of your school calenders will be figured out here soon. I took an educated guess on ours when I booked on opening day for silver and I was lucky I guessed right.

So those of you who have been to Cayman... turtle farm or stingray city? My youngest will be 3 almost 4 so we would go with a private company if we did stingray city. Seems like that is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Turtle farm looks cool though too. I would love to hear any feedback on that. In cozumel we are leaning toward a dolphin encounter. CC will be our beach day.

And oh Cabanas... cant wait!!! I am putting in lots of extra hours this week while one of my colleagues is on spring break with his family dreaming of my getaway this time next year!

 

[E&EMom]

Madzac - the last time we went to Grand Cayman, my children were 2 1/2 and 4 1/2. We did the turtle farm and island tour and they both LOVED it. At Hell, they were more interested in the chickens roaming around than the rocks. They got to hold a baby turtle and it was a great experience.

I didn't do Stingray city at that time because I knew I wouldn't get off the boat (been before) and I knew that my kids were not going to enjoy being held since it is about 4 feet to 5 feet deep in some parts. This time though, the kids will be 8 and 6 and we will be doing Stingray City. They are both old enough to enjoy it and understand it and will get off the boat I hope. We are going to teach them how to snorkel this summer in the pool so they might be able to snorkel a little this time.

If you think you will go back to Grand Cayman another time when your child is older, I would do the turtle farm and save stingray city for when they are a bit older. But that's just my opinion.

Hope that helps!

 

[budamacdvcr]

I would agree with PP on Cayman, younger = turtles, little older 6 or 7 + dolphins, older and able to snorkel = snorkel. We have done the Cali snorkel through DCL and it is easy / a family snorkel, great aqua water and you can see the Disney Magic while snorkeling. I also have to throw out there this great little restaurant and bar, Rackem's, for Cayman right on the ocean and walking distance from the tender pier. It is family freindly or great to just grab a bite and cold beverage - best burgers and beer is ice cold

Here is a pic from our trip last year at Rackem's as well as a link to their website.


http://rackams.com/index.html

Should have never pulled up this pic or the website as now I am not sure I can wait til next March

 

[budamacdvcr]

Welcome welcome to the newly joined in folks! So excited to see a few more faces and some people with experience too!

And oh Cabanas... cant wait!!! I am putting in lots of extra hours this week while one of my colleagues is on spring break with his family dreaming of my getaway this time next year!

Madzac - Thanks for the welcome. When you reference Cabanas, do you mean the physical ones on CC or the buffet? If you mean the physical ones on CC, we have done them on our past 3 cruises and it was great for us. But we were only able to get them at the 120 day booking window which we got from sailing concierge. Outside of the 120 day window was impossible to get one of the family cabanas. We are not doing concierge this trip so are not planning on a cabana. If you meant the buffet, that is also one thing I can't wait for