March 19, 2011 Western on the Magic

[AbsyBabsy]

Hey Mickey's March Mates (is that what we are calling ourselves?)

I just got off the Oasis. It was a great cruise on a beautiful ship and I really enjoyed myself. it was a totally different experience than the Disney Cruise. Considering everything, I like DCL better. More personable and friendly (and less expensive)

This same week for the Oasis was about $700 more than DCL.

Oh by the way, I found my necklace! It was mixed up with my mother's necklace and all tangled!

Only 244 days left! How are those FE's coming?

Amanda

 

[mjcoleman]

We booked this cruise last year when we were on the Wonder in February. We did the 4 day Bahamas then, but we wanted a longer cruise. I can't wait until March. My family myself - Jane, dh - John, ds (5) - Jacob, and ds (7) - Josh will be celebrating my birthday (the big one). My BFFs are also coming along to celebrate with us , BFF - Melissa, BFF Crystal, BFF's ds (6) - Justin.

 

[papertraveller]

Southwest's schedule for March opens up next week, so we'll be booking at least the first leg of our trip ... hoping to spend a couple of days at AKL to view the Savannah, and then follow up with some days at Vero.

 

[madmom1030]

Hi Everyone,

We were booked on the Dream for March 6 but we ended up with a conflict that weekend. So we are moving to the March 19 Western.

Its our dd11 and dd8 first cruise. Dh and I went on a Carnival cruise five years ago. We stopped at Cayman but I didn't get off the ship, Dh went scuba diving and I didn't want to venture out alone. (the dive was amazing according to dh) So, I am really looking forward to spending the day at 7 mile beach.

Erin

 

[2littleprincesses]

Hi all! I have contacted my ta to switch from the MR to the Western. I have not heard from her yet, so we are tentatively on this our 1st cruise!

It is me, dh, odd (10 at time of cruise) and ydd 7 at time of cruise. I work in a different district than my dds and we finally have the same spring break! We are excited to be cruising. Of course they don't know yet--part of their christmas present.

I am looking at excursions already. Does anyone have any picked out? I thought the dune buggies would be fun, but ydd is not old enough

 

[DundasDad]

Hey all - JUST booked our first cruise EVER and will happily be joining you all. I like the idea of meeting up with everyone and learning the ropes from some of you veterans. I'll have to figure out this Fish Extender thingy, but I'm sure you'll be forgiving of my questions ...

We'll have myself, dw, ds (10) and dd (8) coming aboard. We're Canadian (we live in 2010's Hockeyville ... can anyone figure that out?).

Super excited and nervous!

 

[sunburnin]

Hi all! It's been nearly 9 months since I started this thread and just about as long since I logged back in. Lots going on this year.

My wife and I just talked about the cruise this weekend and now I'm in vacation mode! Time to start planning again! Just called and booked my hotel at the Radisson so I'm set for parking!

Edit: HA! I forgot I even had a ticker created for this already! 6 more months! Woo hoo!!!!

 

[papertraveller]

Hey all - JUST booked our first cruise EVER and will happily be joining you all. I like the idea of meeting up with everyone and learning the ropes from some of you veterans. I'll have to figure out this Fish Extender thingy, but I'm sure you'll be forgiving of my questions ...

We'll have myself, dw, ds (10) and dd (8) coming aboard. We're Canadian (we live in 2010's Hockeyville ... can anyone figure that out?).

Super excited and nervous!

Welcome. We're just a few kms east of you in the GTA. We cruised the Magic Eastern last March break and rebooked onboard. It's a fabulous way to spend a family vacation. The FEs are great fun, both in the planning and in the distribution. Some folks spread it out with a little something over a number of days; we just did a single drop to each stateroom.

Is anyone interested in compiling the spreadsheet for the FEs? If not, I'm happy to take it on. My only issue is also having suggestions from folks on when our cut-off should be (so that all participants have firm numbers of adults/kids and know what they're dealing with).

I think on our last cruise that our cut-off was the same date as first-time cruisers could book their onboard reservations. But I don't have a problem with stretching it a bit later, to the end of January for example.

Thoughts?

 

[madmom1030]

Good Morning,

We have finally gotten everything switched over from the Dream to the Magic so we are all set to go.

I am not sure yet if we want to the FE it depends on which airline we take to Florida. I am waiting for Southwest to release the rest of the March schedule.

Erin

 

[DundasDad]

Welcome. We're just a few kms east of you in the GTA. We cruised the Magic Eastern last March break and rebooked onboard. It's a fabulous way to spend a family vacation. The FEs are great fun, both in the planning and in the distribution. Some folks spread it out with a little something over a number of days; we just did a single drop to each stateroom.

Is anyone interested in compiling the spreadsheet for the FEs? If not, I'm happy to take it on. My only issue is also having suggestions from folks on when our cut-off should be (so that all participants have firm numbers of adults/kids and know what they're dealing with).

I think on our last cruise that our cut-off was the same date as first-time cruisers could book their onboard reservations. But I don't have a problem with stretching it a bit later, to the end of January for example.

Thoughts?

Since I'm a noobie at this - I'd be happy to let someone else look after logistics! I know that my date to make reservations is Jan 3rd. I'm fine with letting the list grow until the end of Jan - that still gives us a month and a half.

 

[AbsyBabsy]

Good Morning,

We have finally gotten everything switched over from the Dream to the Magic so we are all set to go.

I am not sure yet if we want to the FE it depends on which airline we take to Florida. I am waiting for Southwest to release the rest of the March schedule.

Erin

Hey madmom1030, I live in Florida - if you want to send me a box, I can bring it on board. You can also ship directly to the ship! I have also seen out of town folks bring lightweight items so it is not a problem to get it on the plane. You can always assemble on board.

 

[AbsyBabsy]

187 DAYS!!!!

I couldn't help myself.

 

[madmom1030]

Hey madmom1030, I live in Florida - if you want to send me a box, I can bring it on board. You can also ship directly to the ship! I have also seen out of town folks bring lightweight items so it is not a problem to get it on the plane. You can always assemble on board.

Thanks, AbsyBabsy I didn't even think about shipping. We are flying into Tampa a few days before and are staying with family in Dunedin. I can ship a box to my family and then load it in the rental car to drive to the port.

Erin

 

[sunburnin]

Hi all!

I love the post about 187 days! Awesome!

I hate to do it, but we're jumping ship and just moved our reservation 2 weeks earlier to the March 5 trip. Couldn't pass up the kids sail free offer and didn't think 2 weeks would matter too much with the weather. Easily a 25% discount overall for our price.

I promise to post a trip report with recent info for you all a week before you set sail.

Have fun!!!!

 

[madmom1030]

Hi all!

I love the post about 187 days! Awesome!

I hate to do it, but we're jumping ship and just moved our reservation 2 weeks earlier to the March 5 trip. Couldn't pass up the kids sail free offer and didn't think 2 weeks would matter too much with the weather. Easily a 25% discount overall for our price.

I promise to post a trip report with recent info for you all a week before you set sail.

Have fun!!!!

Enjoy your trip sunburnin

Erin

 

[papertraveller]

We'll miss sunburnin' -- hope they have a great vacation.

AbsyBabsy, looks like you and I are the two so far who are the keeners for FE and DISmeet organization. As I mentioned before, I'm happy to draw up the FE spreadsheet, but I don't want to take that role from anyone, either!!

Last cruise DD was so happy to meet a couple of kids the same age at the meet. We hadn't even left port, and they were making plans.

Anyone thinking about excursions? I'm wondering whether the tenders at Grand Cayman are a hassle, or if it's a smooth process and it really is worth setting foot on the island. On Cozumel, we're thinking pure beach time and are wondering whether it's worth paying for one of the beach clubs.

 

[madmom1030]

With this being our first disney cruise, it is fine with me if someone else wants to handle the FE list and dismeet logistics.

Papertraveller how old is your dd? Mine will be 8 and 11 during the cruise.

We have talked a little about excursions. We are thinking beach in Cayman and maybe going to see the ruins in Cozumel. DH dived in Cayman five years ago on our last cruise and I stayed on the ship. This time I want to see Cayman. He said Cayman is nice and clean. He said I would have felt comfortable getting off and going to the island on my own.

Erin

 

[DundasDad]

With this being our first disney cruise, it is fine with me if someone else wants to handle the FE list and dismeet logistics.

Papertraveller how old is your dd? Mine will be 8 and 11 during the cruise.

We have talked a little about excursions. We are thinking beach in Cayman and maybe going to see the ruins in Cozumel. DH dived in Cayman five years ago on our last cruise and I stayed on the ship. This time I want to see Cayman. He said Cayman is nice and clean. He said I would have felt comfortable getting off and going to the island on my own.

Erin

Our kiddies will be 8 (dd) and 10 (ds) at that time. Sounds like we'll have some new friends aboard!

 

[DundasDad]

We'll miss sunburnin' -- hope they have a great vacation.

AbsyBabsy, looks like you and I are the two so far who are the keeners for FE and DISmeet organization. As I mentioned before, I'm happy to draw up the FE spreadsheet, but I don't want to take that role from anyone, either!!

Last cruise DD was so happy to meet a couple of kids the same age at the meet. We hadn't even left port, and they were making plans.

Anyone thinking about excursions? I'm wondering whether the tenders at Grand Cayman are a hassle, or if it's a smooth process and it really is worth setting foot on the island. On Cozumel, we're thinking pure beach time and are wondering whether it's worth paying for one of the beach clubs.

I'd love to hear opinions from others re: excursions. We were thinking about Boatswain's turtle farm in the Caymans and perhaps one of the "swim with dolphins / rays / poisonous jellyfish rotfl2" ones.

Anyone do these already - any preferences or is just sitting on the beach pretty darn fine?

 

[papertraveller]

DD will be 11 when we cruise ... she talks about the last one constantly.

For the new cruisers among us, a couple of tips based on things we did last time:

1) Participate in FEs. Yeah, it does cost some money, but it's such fun to come back to your room to see what treasures have been left for you.

2) Attend the meet before we set sail -- it's nice to see some familiar faces in the crowds afterwards.

3) We took a photo mat frame onboard for signing by the characters. We left it at guest services on day one, and it was returned to our room the day before we returned to port. We also did the same with a pillow case I made up for DD with her favourite character on it. In each case, we put the materials in a zip lock bag with sharpies or fabric pens, a thank you note, and some candies for the CMs.

4) No need to overpack. Formal night is fun, but the rest of the time it's casual and laid back. Relax!

5) Get to know your dining and stateroom staff. They're lovely people, and they work hard so that we don't have to.

More when I think of it ... can you tell I'm getting into planning mode already?