May 25, 2012 - Magical 8-night cruise - NYC to the Bahamas!

[ge0rgette2]

I emailed her. She said it wasn't worth taking the risk.

I'm midship in an inside. I won't be gty'ed at all and I'm nervous to upgrade.

 

[ge0rgette2]

Hi All - Just a little info for those of us trying to decide what to do in Nassau. I was looking at older threads and came across a few where the ppl talked about booking a room at the Comfort Suites in Paradise Island. With your room you get a pass to Atlantis - you can use the beach, snorkel equipment, walk through the Marine Habitats and you have access to all of the waterparks. From what was written you can take a taxi the short ride over. It obviously does not include food. But I booked a room using AAA and it cost $334 with taxes. That will save us (family of 4 with minor children) $235 minus food, etc over the Aquaventure. If anybody can contribute to this info please do!

I priced it months ago.

I was getting a total of 5 something for family of 4. Are you sure all taxes and surcharges are included??

They charge a surcharge per person.

Also, I thought I read somewhere that if Atlantis is full you can't get in.

What if it rains? With Disney you can cancel.

Just thinking out loud. Not trying to rain on your parade.

 

[twinmomri]

I priced it months ago.

I was getting a total of 5 something for family of 4. Are you sure all taxes and surcharges are included??

They charge a surcharge per person.

Also, I thought I read somewhere that if Atlantis is full you can't get in.

What if it rains? With Disney you can cancel.

Just thinking out loud. Not trying to rain on your parade.

I heard the same thing as Georgette, that there are taxes and surcharges that are hidden, so hopefully someone else knows for sure, I'd hate for you to be surprised!!

My kids would love Atlantis, but they are too short for the slides that they would want to ride, and I'll have a 2 year old in tow. So, spending that money isn't worth it for us.

We are headed to the Sheraton/Wyndham where the kids can enjoy the waterslide, pools and beach.


Caryn

 

[ge0rgette2]

I think we are doing the same for 5 of us at Sheraton/wyndham. And then 5 at Atlantis.

 

[twinmomri]

We did it last year and had a great time, especially since my kiddos are still little and tire out quickly. It would be really disappointing to spend a ton of money just to have cranky kids. Elena still takes a 2 hour nap a day, so I'm not sure how she will hold up during the cruise!

 

[jjb42974]

I priced it months ago.

I was getting a total of 5 something for family of 4. Are you sure all taxes and surcharges are included??

They charge a surcharge per person.

Also, I thought I read somewhere that if Atlantis is full you can't get in.

What if it rains? With Disney you can cancel.

Just thinking out loud. Not trying to rain on your parade.

Not raining on my parade! That's why I put it out there. I have read conflicting posts but it does look like they charge a bunch of extra fees not included in the total. I will have to tally everything up again and make a decision. To me the most important part of your post was the weather. I didn't even think about what would happen if it rains.

 

[Ladyshopper]

With regards to Atlantis, have you looked on the cruise critic website in their forums? There is a lot of information about getting rooms at Comfort Suites, the extra charges etc. There is also a lot of info about beach days at the other hotels like Sheraton, Hilton etc.

I think we are just going to go to Junkanoo public beach, which is right next to the Hilton so walkable, and free. It has restrooms and facilities, and the reviews on trip advisor look good. Much as I would love to take the kids to Atlantis I just don't have the funds, and even paying $50 a person for a beach day seems a lot to me when there is a beautiful free beach available! Plus if it rains or we don't dock for any reason I haven't lost any money, which you would do booking anything outside of disney.

I have bagged up most of my fish extender gifts now, just a few more to do.

Is anyone doing personalised t-shirts for boarding or anything? We are, going to do some for boarding, and also some for pirate night as kids don't want to take full outfits this year (which is good as it will save on space!) but wanted to do something with a pirate theme! Last year we all wore personalised t-shirts for boarding, then I gave them in at guest services and got them signed. Was a great keepsake.

 

[glnrcker]

Thought I had read here that someone was hoping to snag a cabana. Looks like the above referenced is now available on the Castaway Cay port excursions page.

 

[ge0rgette2]

With regards to Atlantis, have you looked on the cruise critic website in their forums? There is a lot of information about getting rooms at Comfort Suites, the extra charges etc. There is also a lot of info about beach days at the other hotels like Sheraton, Hilton etc.

I think we are just going to go to Junkanoo public beach, which is right next to the Hilton so walkable, and free. It has restrooms and facilities, and the reviews on trip advisor look good. Much as I would love to take the kids to Atlantis I just don't have the funds, and even paying $50 a person for a beach day seems a lot to me when there is a beautiful free beach available! Plus if it rains or we don't dock for any reason I haven't lost any money, which you would do booking anything outside of disney.

I have bagged up most of my fish extender gifts now, just a few more to do.

Is anyone doing personalised t-shirts for boarding or anything? We are, going to do some for boarding, and also some for pirate night as kids don't want to take full outfits this year (which is good as it will save on space!) but wanted to do something with a pirate theme! Last year we all wore personalised t-shirts for boarding, then I gave them in at guest services and got them signed. Was a great keepsake.

Yes I love TripAdvisor and always lurk around there... I'm definitely undecided about Atlantis - and I'm playing around w/ the Wynham and Sheraton ideas -- My son is going to more than likely go with Phyllis who's going.. My 9yo will not appreciate Atlantis and will NOT use the facilities...

I'll look up the 'free' beach too

Thought I had read here that someone was hoping to snag a cabana. Looks like the above referenced is now available on the Castaway Cay port excursions page.

Can someone explain to me how the cabanas work? Unlimited family members in there or only a select few? I mean $500 is alot to drop if your whole family can't use it, or family and friends.. we are a party of 10, I can't leave people out.

What's the advantage of a cabana?

 

[twinmomri]

I had a cabana last year when we sailed on the Dream and it was awesome. We had use of the private beach, a place where Elena could nap (they even brought out a pack and play for her), a quiet place to eat and have some downtime for the kiddos.

All that being said, we didn't think we would need one when traveling on the Magic. With that many less people, I think that Castaway Cay can be enjoyed without worrying about the crowds. Plus we won't feel tied to staying in one location all day.

Now the kids can do the slides at Pelican Plunge, go snorkeling, do the stingray excursion, etc.

Caryn

 

[ge0rgette2]

Thank you.. I looked into it, booked it and released it (now it's gone) but with that said, I didn't think $500. was worth it right now, rather use that if I can upgrade day of checkin to a diff cabin.

If I do upgrade I hope the FE gifts can find me, hehehehe I'm soooo looking forward to that...

You don't think it'll be crowded on our cruise? There isn't many rooms left, I peeked earlier today...

May isn't a heavy time to go to the Bahamas?

I didn't even think about it - just wanted the first itinerary out of NY

 

[mmouse37]

Thank you.. I looked into it, booked it and released it (now it's gone) but with that said, I didn't think $500. was worth it right now, rather use that if I can upgrade day of checkin to a diff cabin.

If I do upgrade I hope the FE gifts can find me, hehehehe I'm soooo looking forward to that...

You don't think it'll be crowded on our cruise? There isn't many rooms left, I peeked earlier today...

May isn't a heavy time to go to the Bahamas?

I didn't even think about it - just wanted the first itinerary out of NY

I don't think it has to do with the itinerary so much as the time of year. Schools don't get out here until end of June so May cruises are still considered "off season".

Colleges get out mid-May but the high schools and lower get out much later.

MJ

 

[padalyn]

What a WONDER(FUL), MAGIC(AL), DREAM(Y), FANTASY fulfilling vacation!!!

My amazing girlfriend (Halloween_gryl) managed to fill the room at Saratoga with balloons just before we sailed on the Fantasy and she propsed to me!!!! We are engaged!!! I AM SO HAPPY!!!

ok - back to inside voice....I also proposed to her while on the cruise - we had decided months ago that we both should propose - there are no rules for same gender couples so we are making it up as we go...and loving it!

Question for the repeat cruisers - Palo was available for dinner the 2nd night which is also formal night. I booked an 8:30pm. Good decision or not? I was thinking that there might be a reason there were still reservations available.

@Cayla - Thanks again for taking charge of the FE list. I think it will be alot of fun for my kids! And what is the name of the FB page?

We are in Palo the same night - a little earlier, but we usually try for formal night, we can do the photos and then off to a wonderful dinner!

Hi everyone
Thanks, Cayla! It would be helpful to have the age/gender breakdown, but you have a lot going on, so don't feel obligated.

done - 10 and 11 - see the list now. I added the columns - all the information was there actually, just had to be listed out is all.

Yay, they just opened it up to travel agents so we are on!!
Me, DH, DD (6), and DS (5). Anyone from Bergen County? We are very excited, the last cruise was on the MAGIC in 2010.

Yep - near Paramus! Love the idea of no flying!!!

 

[padalyn]

Many cruises have lanyards and lanyard teams - and since no one has started this on this cruise Michael offered to do this for all of us.

There is a google doc for this (yea, I seem to use them a lot) this one is an open document - meaning you can edit the information yourself.

PLEASE DO NOT SORT THIS LIST - WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT - JUST ADD YOUR INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM PLEASE

The document is self explainatory, but just follow the list entering your cabin number, dis name, real name and if you are going to contribute to the list cost or not. Again, please do not sort the list, the Hawaii list got sorted incorrectly and it was so messed up it had to be trashed and restarted.

Cayla

link to May 25 lanyard list:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Av44qfU6-0BWdHBHUjJNakFGeGZ1TzE0R3d3SEpickE#gid=0

 

[LauraEadon]

I'm new to the DISBoards, but not new to Disney.

However, I'm taking my FIRST Disney cruise! 8 night Magic cruise from NYC to Bahamas.

We are in Staterooms 6072 and 6074. My husband, my sister and I in one room and my 80 year old grandparents in the other!

 

[twinmomri]

I'm new to the DISBoards, but not new to Disney.

However, I'm taking my FIRST Disney cruise! 8 night Magic cruise from NYC to Bahamas.

We are in Staterooms 6072 and 6074. My husband, my sister and I in one room and my 80 year old grandparents in the other!

Welcome!!

 

[Ladyshopper]

Ahh, congratulations Padalyn!

Can I ask about the lanyards, as only been on one previous cruise and didn't do anything like that - I presume they are personalised to this cruise? Do you know what the likely cost it? We will be getting castaway member lanyards (I presume) this time, as it is our 2nd cruise, so not sure if this something I need to sign up to or not? Sorry if its a really obvious question!!

We've been away this week and had a lovely time. Visted Blackpool for anyone thats heard of it - NYC has the Statue of Liberty, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, and Blackpool has the Blackpool Tower! My grandfather used to paint it in the 1950's, and although sadly passed away now many years ago, I have wonderful childhood memories of spending lots of happy times in Blackpool with my grandparents, so I always really enjoy going there as it reminds me of happy times.

 

[glnrcker]

What a WONDER(FUL), MAGIC(AL), DREAM(Y), FANTASY fulfilling vacation!!!

My amazing girlfriend (Halloween_gryl) managed to fill the room at Saratoga with balloons just before we sailed on the Fantasy and she propsed to me!!!! We are engaged!!! I AM SO HAPPY!!!

Yep - near Paramus! Love the idea of no flying!!!

Hey Neighbor, Wishing you lifelong happiness!!
Safe to say, at some point we have probably been at one of the many Paramus malls at the same time

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi everyone!

I'm still in NJ, and won't be home until the middle of next week. I'm having a great time here with my sister, niece, great-niece, and brother-in-law.

Is anyone doing personalised t-shirts for boarding or anything? We are, going to do some for boarding, and also some for pirate night as kids don't want to take full outfits this year (which is good as it will save on space!) but wanted to do something with a pirate theme! Last year we all wore personalised t-shirts for boarding, then I gave them in at guest services and got them signed. Was a great keepsake.

I bought t-shirts with the DCL logo from disney.com for the 4 of us to wear on embarkation day. I'll probably do pirate t-shirts for Pirate Night, like we did on our previous cruises.

done - 10 and 11 - see the list now. I added the columns - all the information was there actually, just had to be listed out is all.

Thanks, Cayla!

And I wish you a wonderful future!!

Many cruises have lanyards and lanyard teams - and since no one has started this on this cruise Michael offered to do this for all of us.

There is a google doc for this (yea, I seem to use them a lot) this one is an open document - meaning you can edit the information yourself.

PLEASE DO NOT SORT THIS LIST - WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT - JUST ADD YOUR INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM PLEASE

The document is self explainatory, but just follow the list entering your cabin number, dis name, real name and if you are going to contribute to the list cost or not. Again, please do not sort the list, the Hawaii list got sorted incorrectly and it was so messed up it had to be trashed and restarted.

Cayla

link to May 25 lanyard list:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Av44qfU6-0BWdHBHUjJNakFGeGZ1TzE0R3d3SEpickE#gid=0

Thanks Cayla and Michael. I added my party of 4 to the document. Does Michael have an idea of the cost yet??

Speaking of group items, I just found out that the company that I've ordered lime green leis from in the past is no longer in business. So, I might have to try and think of something else instead. Any ideas?? Maybe if enough people sign up for the lanyards then we wouldn't need the leis???

I'm new to the DISBoards, but not new to Disney.

However, I'm taking my FIRST Disney cruise! 8 night Magic cruise from NYC to Bahamas.

We are in Staterooms 6072 and 6074. My husband, my sister and I in one room and my 80 year old grandparents in the other!

Welcome aboard!

We've been away this week and had a lovely time. Visted Blackpool for anyone thats heard of it - NYC has the Statue of Liberty, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, and Blackpool has the Blackpool Tower! My grandfather used to paint it in the 1950's, and although sadly passed away now many years ago, I have wonderful childhood memories of spending lots of happy times in Blackpool with my grandparents, so I always really enjoy going there as it reminds me of happy times.

I'm glad that you had a great time in Blackpool! I had not heard of the Blackpool Tower before, so I looked it up online and it looks like such a fun place to go, especially since you have lots of happy memories from there as a child.

 

[twinmomri]

What a WONDER(FUL), MAGIC(AL), DREAM(Y), FANTASY fulfilling vacation!!!

My amazing girlfriend (Halloween_gryl) managed to fill the room at Saratoga with balloons just before we sailed on the Fantasy and she propsed to me!!!! We are engaged!!! I AM SO HAPPY!!!

ok - back to inside voice....I also proposed to her while on the cruise - we had decided months ago that we both should propose - there are no rules for same gender couples so we are making it up as we go...and loving it!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!