March 15-22, 2008 Eastern - Way-Way Early Check In

[nlm]

Last time we went on a Disney Cruise, my grandson wanted to stay with the kid's club group on CC. They had a lot of fun activities planned for them and even made sure they got lunch. My daughter and I had some relaxing time on the beach. He didn't want to join us until late afternoon.

Both of my girls were the same way. They hit the kids club on CC around 10:30 or so and didn't want to leave!

We were feeling guilty and about to pull them out of the clubs when we got paged at 2:50 to pick them up because they were getting ready to close the clubs. So much for family time on CC!

 

[nlm]

Does anyone know if parasailing is available at CC for this cruise?

When I looked at the excursions they did have it and it was all booked.

It was something I was interested in as well, and it was all booked. But you can always keep checking. Sometimes people cancel and you can swoop in and get the reservation.

 

[DiszyGram]

We booked three excursions for St. Thomas, the submarine ride, the tram, and the butterfly farm. Looks like we will have time for all three.

Thought about the dolphin encounter but my grandson wasn't sure if he wanted to get close to a dolphin. Didn't want to spend the money on it and just have all of us watch the dolphins from the sidelines. From what I have heard, it is a good experience getting close and personal with those remarkable creatures. My son and his family did it last year and loved it!

Read the review on the butterfly farm in St. Maarten. Saw why Disney doesn't say much about it. The reviews say it isn't worth going to and over-priced for what is there. We might just walk around the area near the port and go back on board to see what we can do on the ship.

 

[julie t]

Trying to catch up on all the posts since the last time I looked was way back in Sept. We (myself, DH, DD12 1/2, DD turning 11 on 3/19,and DD9) will be arriving on Friday and staying at the Radisson. We want to try to get to the terminal early also. I love the idea of the kids meet in the terminal and would like my kids to participate.Only one excursion for us this time--I am trying something new on vacation-relaxing!

Julie

 

[Pammy jo]

Julie, thta's my plan too! I have some ideas of things to do in ports, but mostly want to play it by ear, and if I want to, just stay on board and do nothing!

 

[limati]

Hello everyone! I hope you had a great holiday. We're flying in on Friday, but I don't have reservations yet. I don't think I am going to book excursions through DCL. I too would like to relax and take it easy on this vacation.

We're making our final payment on Friday - Yaay!

If any of the 9 or 10 year old cruisers would like to e-mail my daughter, she would gladly talk about the cruise. PM me and I will give you her e-mail address. She's also a huge webkinz and video game fan.

Have a great new year.

Lisa

 

[wrightz05]

How early is too early to arrive at the terminal? I was reading some of the trip reports and it appears that people start arriving as early as 9:00!!! I plan on dropping the family off and going back to drop my vehicle off at the hotel.

How early is everyone planning to start? I think the first shuttle at the Radisson is at 10:00 right?

I am up for the kid greet at the terminal. This will keep them busy and allow us time to chat (DS10 and DD8 are looking forward to it as well!)

 

[DiszyGram]

You can arrive early at the terminal but you won't be able to get on the ship. People are still getting off the ship around 9. Getting there early will probably let you be in the first group that boards the ship. You receive a group number when you check in and board with other people when that number is announced.

Your family is announced by name as you enter the ship. Photographers are ready to get your group together and take a nice Disney Cruise picture of you. It is very organized

Your cabin won't be ready until the early afternoon. Carry the things with you that you might need before you can get in your cabin. Some people bring their swim suits to take an early swim in one of the pools.

Most people head up to the buffett for lunch when they first board the ship.

Hope I've helped.

 

[carolmp]

How did everyone do on booking their stuff? Did you get what you wanted? I was able to get the excursions and spa that I wanted, so I was happy! I was interested in the parasailing on CC but that was full. Does anyone know if it is truly filled, or are they still not doing it? Have they started up the parasailing on CC again?

Happy New Year!

 

[swilphil]

I was able to get dinner at Palo, but not brunch, and a spa treatment.

Our dinner at Palo is late on formal night, so we will take kids to dinner then Golden Mickey's, then Palo while kids are in the club.

I'm not sure if I want to switch to brunch if it opens up on the day we get on the ship. I know they will have some dinner openings that day, but will they have brunch, too?

 

[happymommy]

How did everyone do on booking their stuff? Did you get what you wanted? I was able to get the excursions and spa that I wanted, so I was happy! I was interested in the parasailing on CC but that was full. Does anyone know if it is truly filled, or are they still not doing it? Have they started up the parasailing on CC again?

Happy New Year!

I booked on December 1st for our Palo - we have the REAS. They didn't have parasailing offered, so it isn't that it's all booked up; they aren't offering it as of yet. I was interested in it as well for me and DD.

We're not doing any excursions, just enjoying beach and ship time.

 

[cozit]

Don't know why I didn't see this thread a month and a half ago... and I've been anticipating trying to post since I found it last week (let me just say that WebMaster Kathy rocks!... and that my timing with the server move didn't

My family and I are looking forward to getting to meet even more folks from the DISboard than we did our first cruise 3+ years ago

Going with me will be DH, DS11 and DD9. DD9 is hoping that she'll be luckier this cruise and find a friend to hang out with at the Lab some... so she is very excited to see that there are so many listed on nlm post on pg.1 (thanks nlm for keeping that up!!!).

BTW, happymommy, we're quite close to you - but closer to BWI than you are. You mentioned Southwest... we're flying out on an evening flight on Southwest that Friday.

Just to keep rambling - We've already got a Brunch, High Tea (me only :-( ) and a dinner set for Palos. Anyone else doing the Tea on Sunday?

Oh, and I just cancelled the Butterfly Anytime... reading and re-reading, I'm seeing that it's pretty much just the same as going over there on your own and visiting the place. Since we're signed up for the Eco-Hike that day, I'm thinking that I don't want to lock us into either that or the Tram ride - but may do either when we get back if we have the energy.

Hmm... and Disney tells me they aren't doing the Dolphin Adventure anymore... so while the kids are a bit disappointed, I guess my pocket is happy :-S


-Liz (sorry, just to confuse things, there are now two of us here .... However, I've used "Cozit" for so long that if it's pronounced right sometimes I'll actually turn around to it - sad thing to say about a screen name

 

[limati]

Happy New Year Everyone!

Welcome Liz and family. We do have quite a few girls in the 9 - 11 age group listed don't we?

I managed to get reservations at Palo for dinner. I would have liked to reserve a brunch, but no luck there.

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2008. Our cruise will be here in no time!

Lisa

 

[wrightz05]

I was on at exactly 11:00 pm central time Sunday night and after about 5 minutes everything started showing available. I was able to get Rasul, Palo brunch and dinner. Had to reserve brunch for 4 no tables for 2 were available. But that worked out because we wanted to do one of them with the FIL and MIL anyway. Didn't get the tea however. I guess all the early birds got that one. Maybe I can get on the list when I get on board tho!!

The time will fly by now!!! I cannot wait!!!

 

[cozit]

Didn't get the tea however. I guess all the early birds got that one. Maybe I can get on the list when I get on board tho!!

One of the folks at the Disney reservation line told me that there should be a Tea with Wendy during the cruise, and that you book that when you board the ship. My daughter definitely wants to do so, and my son's interested as well (he's recently discovered tea... and you know for 6th grade boys, good food of any kind is considered a very good thing ... so I'm probably going to be standing in line (or DH will) to get 3 seats for that.

 

[happymommy]

Hi Cozit!

We're flying out on Southwest Friday at 10:20. The kids will just have to miss school that day. The fares dropped a lot, so now I've got a $300 credit on Southwest! Yeah! I guess I jumped the gun on booking. We were booked at the Hyatt, but I changed it to the Four Points by Sheraton at Cocoa Beach - we used points so it's free.

Just wanted to say hi!

Amy

 

[wendy151950]

Hi,

My name is Wendy and we'll also be on this cruise - traveling with my daughter who just turned 12. Since I just got on this thread, is there a meet set up already? Any other mothers traveling single with daughter(s)?

Still not sure when we'll be coming in - that is my project for today. She has school Friday so it will either be very late Friday night or first flight out on Saturday with fingers crossed that weather is good.

Where are people staying who are coming in Friday night? We cruised on the Magic this summer but it was in Europe so I'm still not clear where the port is and what time the ship leaves!

Looking forward to another great cruise!

 

[cozit]

Hi,

Still not sure when we'll be coming in - that is my project for today. She has school Friday so it will either be very late Friday night or first flight out on Saturday with fingers crossed that weather is good.

Where are people staying who are coming in Friday night? We cruised on the Magic this summer but it was in Europe so I'm still not clear where the port is and what time the ship leaves!

Looking forward to another great cruise!

We're doing the late Friday night thing, as I used up pretty much all my personal days on a conference and a family thing this year. Flying in somewhere a bit after 10pm if I'm remembering right. Not sure where we're staying, but as were more night owls than morning larks, we're thinking about down near the port, rather than near the airport this time around. We're also thinking that a rental car for the day will probably work best this time around. Last time was Mears/Disney - but only because my MIL was paying for the whole family, and didn't realize that was even more expensive and time-annoying than doing a limo (which we usually do to go to WDW itself). I'll admit it was a pleasant ride, half decent movie intro that took close to the whole trip, and we met a few nice people on the bus that we also ran into from time to time onboard. But multiply it by 4, and it wasn't worth it (might be fine for 2 though).

Last time we stayed at one of the LasQuintas near the airport - free shuttle, decent rooms, walked to a restaurant for a late dinner, and free shuttle back to the airport the next day - where we caught the Disney/Mears bus. It worked quite well.

The ship starts boarding between 11:30 and shortly after noon, depending on when they feel the ship is ready to board. You *must* be onboard before 4pm (or so I've been told), although the ship doesn't sail until after the emergency/lifeboat drill (which is the reason you need to be there early, of course).

(sorry, I ramble - though I hope I answered your questions

-Liz / Cozit

 

[wrightz05]

Welcome to the page Good to have you going with us. If you look on page one post #8 one of our great cruise members has been keeping an updated tally of who is going and who is in each party.

I think we are spread all over. We have 10 people in our party and we will be staying at the Radisson. It seemed like the closest place to me and it included cruise parking as we will be driving in from different areas of the US. My family will be arriving sometime Friday evening.

The group has discussed a Friday evening gathering, but I don;t think we have anything final yet (someone correct me if I am wrong). Also we are having a kids meet in the terminal and a group meet 3:00 at Scoops I think? MMmmMmMMMM Ice Cream

This will be my first cruise on DCL so I am wayyyyyyy excited. I have asked alot of questions and I finally think I have all the answers I need to be ready. Let's hope *crosses fingers*

 

[wendy151950]

Thanks for all the info and the meet at Scoops sounds good! I'll get busy on the plane reservations. My dd is voting for late Friday so the idea of staying near the airport then going back to pick up the bus sounds good. With just 2 of us, it is pretty economical.

We'll be working on our door signs too!