March 27, 2010 - Spring Break with Mickey on the Magic!

[SoThisIsLove]

Holy smokes! I just reread some of the earlier posts and there are going to be 5 cruise ships in St Thomas at the same time! Please dont tell me that one of them is the monster Oasis of the Seas...lol.....Looks like we'll have to do a lot of crowd control that day. Hopefully everyone will go to the beaches to snorkel and stay away from Coral World.....one can wish right? I have never been to the E. Carr.....and was wondering if the jewelry prices were better in St thomas or St martaan.....I wanted to check out the Pandora charms everyone talks about.....

I just had to break the news to my daughter that the Golden Mickeys are no longer on the ship.....that was her favorite show the last time we were on the ship.and she still talks about it....I hope the new show is good! Does anyone know what shows are happening on what days?

I also read that they changed the way the kids club work? Does he new policy mean that if I leave my "3" year old at a program she will be with kids of all ages? I am not opposed to it becuase I'm sure the counslers will take special care of the little ones....I just worry that she will get lost in the shuffle and get a little nervous....does anyone have any experience with the new kids club policy?

I can't believe we are THREE weeks away!!!!!!

 

[BishopFamily]

I don't have a strong opinion either way. The big planes sound like a unique experience but I can just hear someone saying "we left the beach for this?"

I also like the idea of beach chairs/umbrellas set up for us ahead of time. We usually end up with just 2 chairs for the adults and an umbrella at the beach. the kids would probably not use them.

I'm a little concerned about the topless beach. I'm guessing that it probably won't be "bad". Has anyone actually been to that beach?

 

[BishopFamily]

Wednesday 03/31/10
- Carnival Glory WICO
- Disney Magic WICO
- Eurodam CB
- Freedom of the Seas WICO
- Star Princess CB

The letters following the ship name refer to which port they are at.
(WICO) - West Indian Company Dock
(CB) - Crown Bay Dock

"OASIS" is scheduled to be there on Tuesday (3/30)

 

[BishopFamily]

Holy smokes! I just reread some of the earlier posts and there are going to be 5 cruise ships in St Thomas at the same time! Please dont tell me that one of them is the monster Oasis of the Seas...lol.....Looks like we'll have to do a lot of crowd control that day. Hopefully everyone will go to the beaches to snorkel and stay away from Coral World.....one can wish right? I have never been to the E. Carr.....and was wondering if the jewelry prices were better in St thomas or St martaan.....I wanted to check out the Pandora charms everyone talks about.....

I just had to break the news to my daughter that the Golden Mickeys are no longer on the ship.....that was her favorite show the last time we were on the ship.and she still talks about it....I hope the new show is good! Does anyone know what shows are happening on what days?

I also read that they changed the way the kids club work? Does he new policy mean that if I leave my "3" year old at a program she will be with kids of all ages? I am not opposed to it becuase I'm sure the counslers will take special care of the little ones....I just worry that she will get lost in the shuffle and get a little nervous....does anyone have any experience with the new kids club policy?

I can't believe we are THREE weeks away!!!!!!

I posted the ships in port with us. I think we are the only ship at St. Maartin on Tuesday.

We've been looking forward to the new Villians show that is replacing the golden mickeys. We've always like it and on our last cruise, DD6 was picked to be a Dwarf in the snow white scene. Perhaps they will move the show to WDW sometime in the future. To me, it would make sense for it at DHS, perhaps replacing Beauty and the Beast, or showing it in the evening with BB still on during the day. They have it at Tokyo Disney, I think.

 

[LV Disney Fan(atic)]

I just had to break the news to my daughter that the Golden Mickeys are no longer on the ship.....that was her favorite show the last time we were on the ship.and she still talks about it....I hope the new show is good! Does anyone know what shows are happening on what days?

According to the most recent E. Carib Navigator I could find:

Sunday (at sea, formal night) - Villians
Monday (at sea) - Twice Charmed
Tuesday (St. Martin) - Pirates in the Carib
Wednesday (St. Thomas) - comedy/variety show, don't remember who
Thursday (at sea, semi-formal) - Dreams
Friday (CC) - Till We Meet Again

 

[pkmingo]

My family and I were reading thru the boards today and thought the tour you had set up in St. Martaan sounded very nice. We were wondering if there was any room left and if there is, if you minded if we join you? We have a pretty large group....its 6 adults and 1 two almost three year old.

We can fit you in! Glad you can come along!!! We only have a couple spots left if anyone else wants to join. We are trying to finalize if we want more beach time/no big planes or less beach time and big planes. Also, let me know if you want to rent the beach chairs and have them all ready set up for you. Also, please pm me your last name for the reservation. Thank you. Carol

 

[pkmingo]

I don't have a strong opinion either way. The big planes sound like a unique experience but I can just hear someone saying "we left the beach for this?"

I also like the idea of beach chairs/umbrellas set up for us ahead of time. We usually end up with just 2 chairs for the adults and an umbrella at the beach. the kids would probably not use them.

I'm a little concerned about the topless beach. I'm guessing that it probably won't be "bad". Has anyone actually been to that beach?

"Topless" is allowed on all beaches on the island. It is not like everyone there is topless but you might see a few around. What is different about Orient Beach is that there is a nude beach at the far end of that beach. Usually they stay at that end but there is always a chance that one will decide to stroll down the beach. Bernard will drop us off at the other end but there is always that slight chance. Because we have expressed to him our desire NOT to see any of that, he just wanted to be sure we understood that it is possible (just like Disney caveats their excursions on St. Martin).

As far as more beach/small planes or less beach/large planes - hopefully, after we decide which we want to do - then everyone will go with the flow of the day. We will all have to maryrn11168's attitude - No worries, we are in the Caribbean!!

 

[Maryrn11168]

Would love 2 chairs if Bernard will do that!! that would be a big help.

 

[Tigger1221]

Is there room for 4 more on the Bernard's tour? My family and I would love to join.

 

[SoThisIsLove]

I am so glad that we can join you....sounds like its going to be a fun day! We would love to reserve 6 chairs/umbrellas at the beach too if its possible. As far as the tour goes, we are up for anything but if we had a choice we'd love to see the big planes coming in. I've heard that its a cool experience. Just wondering.....does anyone know if there is food near the beach? Just trying to plan it out if my little one gets hungry.....or does anyone know.....can we bring sealed snack items off the boat in St Martaan? What about juice boxes or bottled water? i am planning on bringing some with me on the ship and if I can take some with us i will.

 

[SoThisIsLove]

hmmmm.....now if i can just figure out this pm stuff....lol.....i have no idea how to do it!

 

[SoThisIsLove]

pkmingo......

I sent a pm with our information......please let me know if you got it........I have never sent one before and its extremely possible I did it wrong.....lol

Thanks!

Heather

 

[elkesails]

a

 

[Cdaub]

We would like 2 chairs and 1 umbrella.
Thank you Carol for doing all of this - it is very much appreciated! You will be the hero of the day!

 

[pkmingo]

pkmingo......

I sent a pm with our information......please let me know if you got it........I have never sent one before and its extremely possible I did it wrong.....lol

Thanks!

Heather

Heather -

I got your PM so please check yours for my responses. Thanks!

Carol

 

[Tigger1221]

Thanks for adding us. We are very excited, now I just need to cancel our Disney Excursion. We would like to see the big planes but it doesn't matter we will go with the flow.

 

[Tigger1221]

Oh and I almost forgot, are we meeting up before the excursion and walking over together or just meeting at the tour place?

 

[LV Disney Fan(atic)]

I’ve mentioned this before, but for anyone who might have missed it… if you are interested in spending the day away from the crowds on St. Thomas on a beautiful sailboat there’s room for up to 3 more people on our private excursion. We are doing a daysail with High Pockets, they take no more than 6 people total and come very highly recommended on both TripAdvisor and Cruise Critic. It’s from 8:15a-2:15p and we will sail awhile, then stop for snorkeling, swimming or just relaxing. A fresh lunch is prepared for us on board and all beverages are also included. Price is higher than most of the ship’s excursions ($130pp/cash, $140pp credit card) but a great day with no crowds!

You can PM me if you have any questions or you can check out their website at http://sailhighpockets.com/ If no one else signs up then we will have the boat to ourselves, but thought it might be nice to have some fellow DISers along!

 

[pkmingo]

It appears that everyone who expressed a preference voted for the less beach/ big plane choice so following is the itinerary based on that choice.

7:45am - Meet in front of Lumieres/by Mickey statue-atrium (if you are paying Bernard by cash, we can get the money together and mark you down on the list and hand him the lump sum hopefully saving us some time at the pier). ($35/each adult & kids ages 10+; $25/each kids ages 4-9). You may also pay him by credit card at the pier if you do not want to pay cash.
8:00am - Off ship and proceed to meet Bernard by Yellow building
8:15am-8:30am - Everyone on the bus and ready to go! (hopefully by 8:15)
8:30am- 9:30am - Sightseeing (bays, etc.)
9:30am - 11:30am - Orient Beach
11:30am - Be back on bus at 11:30!
12:00pm - Arrive in Marigot
12:00pm - 1:00pm - Marigot open market shopping
1:00pm - Be back on the bus by 1pm!
1:30pm - 2:30pm - Maho Beach/Airport - You can swim here too if you want while you are waiting for the planes to come in
2:30pm - Be back on the bus by 2:30pm!
3:15pm - Arrive back in Phillipsburg for shopping. After shopping, you would have the choice of an approx. 10 minute walk back to the ship or a cab ride for $3/per person. Those not wanting to shop will be taken directly back to the ship after dropping the shoppers off.

Whew! Good things we have 2 days at sea to get ready for this action packed day! Let me know what you think or any changes?
Hopefully this sounds good to everyone! Let me know if you have any questions/concerns. I am waiting for Bernard to tell me which restaurants are near us on Orient (where we will be dropped off). There are also food opportunities in Marigot.

Those who were interested in the chairs/umbrellas - The cost for our end of the beach would be around $20 for the 2 chairs/1 umbrella combo. He said that the $15 ones are near Pedros (offers the free drink also) but that is up near the nude beach and we don't want to be there. So let me know if this price changes any of your minds who had asked for chairs. If I don't hear from you, I will assume that you still want them. I will then let him know exactly how many we need so he hopefully can secure them for us and be sure to lock in a price.

Last thing, just wanted to let you know that the bus is now full! Our total of participants and ages are:

Adults - 29
Kids - (ages 10-14) - 5
Kids - (ages 4 - 9) - 9
Kids - (ages 1-3) - 2

Looks like a lot of fun!!!

Carol

 

[LV Disney Fan(atic)]

That sounds like a great day, Carol! Thanks so much for getting it set up for us. We still want the chairs, although I guess we'll change from 3 chairs to one 2 chair/1 umbrella combo. Can't wait to get there!