May 13.2006 Eastern

[littlebunny]

Sorry I wasn't more clear. We plan on doing excursions on our own as well, (it's much cheaper, and we get to do on our time what we want to do), I just meant what does everyone have planned as far as where they plan on going? Some advice from repeat cruisers would be most welcome!

I've been surfing the forums trying to decide where we want to go, here's my list so far:

The Butterfly Farm
Great Bay Beach or Orient (can't decide)
Meagans Bay

Other than that I'm at a loss. Since we have 3 young girls (8,6,4) don't want to do snorkeling or anything like that. Any suggestions?

 

[DrCavin]

here's my list so far:

The Butterfly Farm
Great Bay Beach or Orient (can't decide)
Meagans Bay

Coral World was interesting for the kids. It also has a nice little beach next to it. I am pretty sure we went to Orient Beach, but I would have to look at a map. The day just goes to darn fast once your off the ship, especially on St Thomas.

We were somewhat disappointed in what excurions DCL had to offer for anyone younger than 5, very few to pick from. That is what made our decision in doing them on our own.

 

[Hanover]

We just got back from almost a week at WDW and had a great time. Beautiful weather and pretty low crowds. Really gets us even more excited for the cruise. Can't wait to be able to book our Palo reservations, etc. on the 12th of February.

 

[TSirgey]

Our dd is 5 too and I also noticed there are not many excursions that include that age range. I heard the butterfly farm is pretty fun. She is such a good swimmer too. At 4 she swam with the sharks at Typhoon Lagoon!

 

[bxirishrn]

Dr. Cavin, just checked my reservation online and see that we were assigned room 2060. Was really surprised that DCL already assigned a gty. Other times we had to wait until a few weeks before our cruise for a room assignment. Glad to be on deck 2. It's my favorite!

Hi Ragdoll,
We're booked in room 2114!
TA also got us in early seating too!
I'm kinda bummed tho---we have a connected room next door.
I hope they're quiet!

Kathleen

 

[armychap]

This is my first time on this site - very cool to chat with future fellow cruisers!

My husband and I are taking my mom on the May 13-20 Eastern cruise for Mother's Day, although she doesn't know we invited her because of Mom's Day. We plan to spoil her rotten. My husband and I will be celebrating our graduations from graduate school too, so it's a double celebration! It makes for wonderful motivation to study - I'm sure we're not the only ones with a rather prominent countdown going! All three of us are first time cruisers (although not at all new to Disney or the Caribbean) so very excited - and of course looking for all the info. we can get our hands on.

 

[SQUIGGLE]

Welcome armychap glad you're sailing with us. I have to warn you that DCL Cruises are VERY addictive.

bxirishrn - sorry I didn't get back to you. Been working a bunch of OT (more money for the cruise!); and haven't been able to get on line much. Hopefully you were able to get the information from the DCL tribute site.

It's looking good with everyone getting paid; getting flights set, etc.

I was just wondering where everyone is located. We're in 6078.

Just a few more days and we will be in double digits. I cannot wait!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

fran

 

[jodifla]

Welcome armychap glad you're sailing with us. I have to warn you that DCL Cruises are VERY addictive.

bxirishrn - sorry I didn't get back to you. Been working a bunch of OT (more money for the cruise!); and haven't been able to get on line much. Hopefully you were able to get the information from the DCL tribute site.

It's looking good with everyone getting paid; getting flights set, etc.

I was just wondering where everyone is located. We're in 6078.

Just a few more days and we will be in double digits. I cannot wait!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

fran

We're right down the hall from you...in 6094...

 

[Hanover]

I'm glad to see more people joining our thread.

We will be in room 6508 unless we upgrade to a verandah.

We purchased Birnbaum's Disney Cruise Line 2006 book last week at WDW and I was checking out all the excursions in it.

Does anyone know if on Castaway Cay you can parasail tandem with a child over 8 but under 90 pounds? Our son really wants to do it, but he's barely 64 pounds. I read it has a 90 pound weight limit, but have seen trip reports of tandems with 8 year olds. I don't know many 8 year olds that weight that much.

We may just end up taking taxi's on our own at the ports and doing our own little tours and trips to the beach. Nothing really jumped out at us except the dolphin excursion. It did say Disney had added a few excursions at their press time, so I'll have to check out the Disneycruiseline website and see if anything else looks interesting.

Danielle

 

[jodifla]

Are there more dining details? I gather that formal night is Sunday and semi-formal is Thursday....but what about Pirate's night?

 

[fairyG]

This is our first Disney cruise, ---just wondering does everyone have their dinner time assigned already? We will be traveling with myself,DH,DD,HER DH,AND THEIR 2 DD'S. We definitely are hoping to get the early dinner time.I am just as excited about the DCL as our grandchildren are. Can hardly wait.DH & I just returned from the Western C. over New Year. I wasn't as excited about that trip as going on a "Disney Cruise." Can hardly wait. Any points we should know, greatly appreciated.

 

[TSirgey]

We had no choice but to book the late seating when we planned the trip in September. However, we called to be put on the waiting list for early seating. Our dd (5) will probably do better if the show is after dinner instead of before. But, it might be good to eat later if we do a big lunch. Oh, the decisions.

 

[littlebunny]

We're in room 5627 and 5629. We were lucky to get early seating. I'm afraid my kids would fall asleep at dinner if we had late seating.

 

[ragdoll]

Hi all, and welcome to all of the recent new cruisers! DH and I always have late dinner seating by choice. Works great for us but we are not traveling with children. Just two older folks who really are just big kids and LOVE DCL!

Donna

 

[ragdoll]

Reread my post and just wanted to clarify...DH and I are the "two older folks". We are not bringing two old people with us.lol.

 

[littlebunny]

Reread my post and just wanted to clarify...DH and I are the "two older folks". We are not bringing two old people with us.lol.

Too funny Donna

 

[SQUIGGLE]

Welcome to all our new cruisers.

jodifla - I believe Pirate's Night is St Maarten night. We were onboard for one of the early Pirate Nights. It was a lot of fun. Fireworks are great! Can't wait to see it with the Jumbotron. Some people dress up as Pirates; some don't. Whatever you want works. Hey! Where in South Florida are you located? We're in Martin County.

We always seem to have early seating. I guess when we asked for it on our first cruise; DCL noted it and that's it. I could go for another rotation though. We always have L,AP,PC. I'd like to have formal night in Lumiere's.

Everyone have a great night.

fran

 

[Hanover]

We got early seating, but my parents and my father-in-law are on the waiting list. They all booked several months after we did. We may have to go to late seating if they can't get in at the early seating so we can eat together. Early seating really worked out well for us on the last cruise (4 day Wonder Feb. 2005) meal wise. It was nice to have the kids with us at dinner. However, our son that turned 4 that cruise fell asleep during the start of each of the shows.
I've read some reasons that the late seating works well for others (not rushing back on the ship and having extra time to get ready, kids getting to see the shows early, having low crowds at the pool, etc.) but would worry that our kids would fall asleep at dinner. I don't want them having to eat their dinner at the pool everyday just to make sure they get something. We are keeping our fingers crossed.
I don't recall when we found out our dining rotation. Does anyone know when we will know? I've read several threads stating Wednesday nights are good for Palo reservations on the Eastern. How about brunch? When would you recommend doing brunch at Palo's?

 

[DrCavin]

We have early, just hope it doesnt turn out to be 5:45. That extra 15 minutes may be tough. I would rather get 6:15...

 

[hooksenemy]

I am a little confused about the timing for dinner seating.

Our last DCL was 2003 and it appears this to has changed since we sailed last.

I thought early was at 6:00 and late was at 8:30? My questions are this.

What is the earliest "early" and what is the earliest and latest "late"?

I do agree to not rush back to the ship is a plus for late however if we didn't want to rush back due to having fun onshore we wouldn't let eating in the dining room be the reason to stop the fun. I am a little concerned that our kids won't want to eat at late dinner because they will miss kid club time in the evening. I am looking forward to most meals in the dining room with our entire party of 9.

Can someone also confirm lets say it is lobster tail night - can we order it for room service and skip the dining room altogether? Can you still order anything on the dining room menus through room service?

So I guess I have alot of eating questions! Hope someone can help!

Also, I am just starting to plan for the basket from Shirley and to plan to make a magnet door decoration this time is anyone else?