May 24, 2007 3 Night Wonder!!!

[SueNFla]

HEY EVERYONE!!! 30 MORE DAYS!!!

CAN'T WAIT

 

[WDWBarb]

Since we will be going full speed at WDW for 4 days prior to the cruise, the only thing I have planned for the cruise is to work on my tan. From the time I get on that boat till the time I get off, all I want to do is sleep, eat, sleep by the pool, eat by the pool, sleep some more and then eat some more.

We did the 7 night cruise in Nov. 2005 and we tried to do way too much. We had excursions booked at every port and all the activities they offer on the boat. By the time we got off the boat, we needed a vacation.

Since my husband has not been to the parks in three years, he is going to be dragging me all over. He is more excited about going to the parks, and I'm more excited about the cruise.

I, too, am VERY excited about being in the parks again! I can't wait to watch the fireworks and see "my" castle! I've heard that they've taken very good care of it since I was last there.

Besides the dolphin encounter I think we'll just stay on the boat in Nassau. Been there a few too many times already. The only time I enjoyed it was when I actually had to chance to stay in Atlantis. Pure paradise. Now Castaway Cay - well, I'm going to take advantage of EVERY second there!!

 

[staceyj2]

I'll be there! I just found this board.

We didn't book until a little over a week ago, so it's a last minute trip. I'm not telling the kids until we leave for the airport. They will be so excited! We were at WDW in Feb., and have just purchased DVC so of course the next step was a DCL!

It will be me and DH and son (7) and daughter (4).

 

[WDWBarb]

I'll be there! I just found this board.

We didn't book until a little over a week ago, so it's a last minute trip. I'm not telling the kids until we leave for the airport. They will be so excited! We were at WDW in Feb., and have just purchased DVC so of course the next step was a DCL!

It will be me and DH and son (7) and daughter (4).

Welcome, Stacey!! Glad to have you on board The trip is coming up fast now!!

Is this your first cruise on DCL? It is for me and I'm so exciting that I can think of nothing else. I know I'm driving my family and everyone around me absolutely mad

 

[staceyj2]

Yes, this is our first cruise. We went to WDW for the first time in Feb. and fell in love with all things Disney! We have never travelled much, so this is a huge deal for us. In fact, I've never seen the ocean! (unless you count flying over it).

I'm driving the few people that know crazy too! I'm trying to keep it low key around the house so the kids don't find out.

Can't wait!

 

[SueNFla]

Yes, this is our first cruise. We went to WDW for the first time in Feb. and fell in love with all things Disney! We have never travelled much, so this is a huge deal for us. In fact, I've never seen the ocean! (unless you count flying over it).

I'm driving the few people that know crazy too! I'm trying to keep it low key around the house so the kids don't find out.

Can't wait!

Stacey, welcome. I'm traveling with my 6 year old daughter. This is our first Disney cruise, too. I was going to keep it a surprise, but I found a thread on these boards that takes requests for Disney postcards to be sent to kids. So my daughter received one from Mickey, Minnie and Goofy and it told her she was going on a cruise in May. She thinks Mickey chose us to be his special guests - for FREE. Oh, the imagination of a child.

 

[WDWBarb]

Yes, this is our first cruise. We went to WDW for the first time in Feb. and fell in love with all things Disney! We have never travelled much, so this is a huge deal for us. In fact, I've never seen the ocean! (unless you count flying over it).

I'm driving the few people that know crazy too! I'm trying to keep it low key around the house so the kids don't find out.

You are going to have a FANTASTIC time! I've cruised before (never on DCL) and it's just the most amazing experience. You will not believe how clear and blue the ocean is when you're in the Bahamas. I always thought pictures of the blue sea were photoshopped until my first cruise

And there's really nothing quite like the sand between your toes, the sunrises and sunsets from the ship and the brilliant stars in the sky at night.....

AHHHH!! I WANT TO GO NOW!!!

 

[staceyj2]

Stacey, welcome. I'm traveling with my 6 year old daughter. This is our first Disney cruise, too. I was going to keep it a surprise, but I found a thread on these boards that takes requests for Disney postcards to be sent to kids. So my daughter received one from Mickey, Minnie and Goofy and it told her she was going on a cruise in May. She thinks Mickey chose us to be his special guests - for FREE. Oh, the imagination of a child.

Our kids are close to the same age. I bet they meet in the Club at some point.

I'm still planning on keeping this thing a secret, though it will be hard. I'm already running around worrying about what to pack and buying the little things we will need for the trip. I'm acting like it is a couple of days away instead of 3 1/2 weeks! It's going to be a long month!

 

[staceyj2]

You are going to have a FANTASTIC time! I've cruised before (never on DCL) and it's just the most amazing experience. You will not believe how clear and blue the ocean is when you're in the Bahamas. I always thought pictures of the blue sea were photoshopped until my first cruise

And there's really nothing quite like the sand between your toes, the sunrises and sunsets from the ship and the brilliant stars in the sky at night.....

AHHHH!! I WANT TO GO NOW!!!

I know it is going to be an amazing time! My friend has cruised Disney 4 or 5 times and she just keeps telling me how great it is. Your descriptions are incredible! It makes me even more anxious and excited.

 

[cathy_s]

Hello everyone-is it too late to jump in on this? I've lurked on these boards and have finally found my fellow cruisers!

This is the first "real" cruise for us. Years ago DH and I went on a 2 day cruise to nowhere and it rained both days.

We'll have both DDs with us on this one though and hopefully no rain.
DD#1 is 13 and DD#2 is 10-going on 30!

 

[staceyj2]

Hello everyone-is it too late to jump in on this? I've lurked on these boards and have finally found my fellow cruisers!

This is the first "real" cruise for us. Years ago DH and I went on a 2 day cruise to nowhere and it rained both days.

We'll have both DDs with us on this one though and hopefully no rain.
DD#1 is 13 and DD#2 is 10-going on 30!

I just found this thread a couple of days ago myself! It looks like there will be a few of us onboard anyway.

Has anyone booked any spa services or excursions? So far my plan is not to, but I am wondering if I will be missing out on something?

 

[WDWBarb]

Hello everyone-is it too late to jump in on this? I've lurked on these boards and have finally found my fellow cruisers!

This is the first "real" cruise for us. Years ago DH and I went on a 2 day cruise to nowhere and it rained both days.

We'll have both DDs with us on this one though and hopefully no rain.
DD#1 is 13 and DD#2 is 10-going on 30!

Welcome, welcome Cathy!! So glad to see more of us jumping in here! My DD is turning 13 the day we are in Nassau (I booked the dolphin enoucounter as her "special" gift!). DD will be very happy to hear there are more girls her age on board

My last cruise was on Royal Carribean. The ship is very nice but our 3 days were ruined by bad weather. We were to visit their private island on the second day but that was cancelled due to high winds. All excursions in Nassau were cancelled (due to weather, I assumed, but I don't know how high winds and cold could cancel a tour of Nassau!). It was fourty degrees the day we left port. So we really had just a day at sea and we didn't pack for freezing temperatures!

That's the last time I cruise in January

I am so anticipating this trip that I'm actually worried about how life will be when it's over. It's been the focus of most of my time for the last month!! Guess the only way to prevent PCD (post-cruise depression) is to book another onboard

 

[WDWBarb]

Has anyone booked any spa services or excursions? So far my plan is not to, but I am wondering if I will be missing out on something?

We are doing the dolphins and the Stingray's at Castaway Cay. As far as the spa I am DYING to book something but the mixed reviews on here have me nervous. It's also very hard to find time to fit something in! I've also read that you can get a much better discount if you book onboard :

 

[cathy_s]

Stacey and Barb, thanks for the welcome!

Since this is our first cruise we wanted to keep things fairly simple so no spa visits or excursions. We can save up for those for the next one!

I have a question about boarding for those of you who have done this before. What is the best time frame to board with the least amount of crowds and the shortest wait? My DD13 has Downs' syndrome and is not the most patient of people in ordinary circumstances. I'd like to time things properly so that we aren't in a huge crush of people. Any suggestions?

She is physically the same age as your DD Barb but they are really YEARS apart-maybe that's why I think that DD10 is old beyond her years?????

Have any of you stayed at the Radisson at the port?

 

[WolffDVC2004]

I'm so excited that you all have joined our little group. For a while there, I was the only one.

As far as a good time to get to the port...They don't start boarding the boat till about 12:00. So if you get there any earlier, you will have to wait. Last time we got there about 11:30. We got boarding number 13. We went and stood in line and that took about 20 minutes. After that, we had just enough time to take some pictures in the terminal, and then they were calling our number. My in-laws didn't get to the boat until about 1:30 or 2:00. They said there was no line at all and they were able to walk right on the boat. But they did end up missing lunch all together. I hope this helps a little.

Last cruise, we did excursions at each port, went to the spa, tried to do every tour they offered around the boat, and by the end of the week, we needed a break. So, this time we aren't scheduling anything. They offer so much during the day around the boat. Most of it you don't need to sign up for before hand either.

Can't wait...only 23 more days!!!

 

[staceyj2]

Only 23 days??? It's getting closer than I thought. My kids are just going to explode when I tell them.

Thanks for the information about what time to get to the boat. Our flight gets in late, so we are staying near the airport on the 23rd. Now we don't have to rush in the morning to get there. I will just plan on trying to be there by 12:00. Since this was a last minute vacation plan, we didn't want to break the bank. We have a category 10 inside stateroom. What about the rest of you?

One more question....Anyone dressing up for the pirate party? I was thinking of just putting pirate t-shirts on my kids. Will they be underdressed?

 

[SueNFla]

Only 23 days??? It's getting closer than I thought. My kids are just going to explode when I tell them.

Thanks for the information about what time to get to the boat. Our flight gets in late, so we are staying near the airport on the 23rd. Now we don't have to rush in the morning to get there. I will just plan on trying to be there by 12:00. Since this was a last minute vacation plan, we didn't want to break the bank. We have a category 10 inside stateroom. What about the rest of you?

One more question....Anyone dressing up for the pirate party? I was thinking of just putting pirate t-shirts on my kids. Will they be underdressed?

I have costumes for me and my DD. We wore them to the Princess and Pirate Party at WDW in February - so we'll just use them again. We got a lot of compliments on them. I believe we'll be overdressed, but we'll have fun.

We are booked in Cat. 11. Switched from Cat 12 after reading Passporter's Field Guide to DCL. It was an extra $300 and from what I'm told, well worth it. Lets just hope it is. Being a single mom, I'm on a very tight budget.

 

[staceyj2]

I have costumes for me and my DD. We wore them to the Princess and Pirate Party at WDW in February - so we'll just use them again. We got a lot of compliments on them. I believe we'll be overdressed, but we'll have fun.

We are booked in Cat. 11. Switched from Cat 12 after reading Passporter's Field Guide to DCL. It was an extra $300 and from what I'm told, well worth it. Lets just hope it is. Being a single mom, I'm on a very tight budget.

Sue,

We were at WDW in Feb. too! Feb 5-10 actually. We were at the pirate and princess party on 2/8. Were you at WDW at the same time we were?

Stacey

 

[SueNFla]

Sue,

We were at WDW in Feb. too! Feb 5-10 actually. We were at the pirate and princess party on 2/8. Were you at WDW at the same time we were?

Stacey

I believe we were at the PPP on Feb. 23rd. It was so much fun. My daughter didn't even want to ride the rides, just hunt for treasures. LOL

Question: I heard that if you bring a new washed pillowcase in a ziplock baggie with colored Sharpie Markers to a member of guest services desk upon boarding and they will have a "cast member" sign it from any or all characters that you request and return it to your cabin by the end of the cruise. Has anyone else heard of this and are they happy to oblige?

 

[WolffDVC2004]

Question: I heard that if you bring a new washed pillowcase in a ziplock baggie with colored Sharpie Markers to a member of guest services desk upon boarding and they will have a "cast member" sign it from any or all characters that you request and return it to your cabin by the end of the cruise. Has anyone else heard of this and are they happy to oblige?

Sue - When we were on the 7 night we gave guest services a pictures frame that we bought at shutters for all the "characters" to sign, and on the last night, it was waiting for us in our room. I have read on here several times that people have done the same with pillow cases. I've also heard that it does help if you give them the sharpies and one lady also threw in a bag of hershies kisses. Someone also mentioned that a lot of people are doing this, so they can't promise that they will get to yours. I would make that #1 priority when you board the boat if you really want the signatures. It's probably first come, first served.

Also, we are staying in a cat. 9 ocean view. We were in a cat. 11 last time and it was plenty big enough for the two of us. We are with DVC and it was only a few more points for the ocean view, so we decided to upgrade.