*May 26, 2012 - Mickey's Memorial Day Fantasy*

[verygfy]

We upgraded our room, and now have a GTY... We hope to get it as soon as possible, so for the postcard exchange, the lanyards and the FE, we'll tell you as soon as we know.

We were thinking about doing the same thing, how much did it cost?

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Personally, we NEVER book excursions through the cruise line...WAY too expensive!!! Cruise Critic is an EXCELLENT place to learn about private company excursions...and also to make GREAT friends prior to cruising, like we are doing here.

We are swimming with the sting rays and doing the Ultimate Dolphin Encounter with Native Way Water Sports in Grand Cayman, a friend of mine owns it. In Cozumel, we purchased Day Passes to Cozumel Palace...it's an AMAZING resort right on the reef, and we cannot WAIT to go back for the day!

I have been to Maya Chan MANY times...it's AWESOME, however...seeing as how we are only going to be in Costa Maya for less than 5 hours, and it takes 30 minutes each way to get to Maya Chan....we have decided NOT to book this time, as sad as that makes me, because all of the people there are GOOD friends of mine and I would LOVE to see them...just cannot justify the expense for 4 hours MAX....I am VERY disappointed in Disney as we usually have LONGER port times when we cruise on Disney as opposed to Carnival or RCCL...this time they are ALL shorter...I don't get it, but oh well...cannot WAIT to sail on the Fantasy!!!

That's a really good point about time. I wasn't even that far into the planning. Too bad as Maya Chan looks pretty neat. I'm just not sure what to do there with such a small amount of time.

I was able to get checked-in, 12-12:30.

Got my kids registered in the Kid's Club. My oldest is 12 and will be in Edge. He didn't even come up in the registration. I know they can come and go from the Edge, but don't you register them at all?

 

[Cathy718]

I am curious to see the changes from the Dream to the Fantasy!

favorite port: Castaway Cay... still hoping to do another double dip!!

Grand Cayman is my favorite Island!! dont know what it is ... but I love the cozy beach feeling!! and the margaritas at Jimmy Buffets are awesome!!!

So am I! We sailed on the Dream last May and booked the Fantasy while we were on that cruise. I didn't expect that there would be alot of changes but from what I've read there are alot of differences. I can't wait to explore!

 

[firstcruise2012]

How did you do? I am a first time DCL cruiser too and tonight was the night! I feel like it has taken forever for this day to come. We booked back in 2/2011!

Had my heart set on a dolphin swim at dolphinaris in Cozumel and the Island tour & Stingray City snorkel in Grand Cayman. Got on right at the crack of 11 (I'm in CST) and we got everything we wanted!!

I'm still trying to figure out what to do in Costa Maya. I have been reading of a place called Maya Chan Beach Resort on the cruise critic forums:
http://www.costamayabeachresort.com/

It gets great reviews and I am really leaning towards that. Anyone have any knowledge of this place? Good? Bad?

I am a little leary of booking outside of DCL but all their beach excursions seen to require a 45-50 minute bus ride. That is 1.5 hours on the bus. Too much of my time wasted IMO.

As for Castaway Cay we are just doing the beach, no excursions.

Now need to wait until 2 AM (CST) to do the online check-in. Good thing I have some good TV recorded on my Tivo!

I hope everyone else is getting all the things they have been waiting anxiously to book!

Don't you feel so lucky to get the excursion you wanted!!!

I stayed up until 1am and am so amazed that I was able to book our first choice at each port. I really never thought I had a chance! However, the Palo Brunch, on days at sea, were sold out. Maybe I'll get lucky at check-in and get a reservation.
I wasn't able to complete the check-in until after I got home from work. Our plane lands at 10 am the day of the cruise and we received a check-in time at 12:30, which I didn't think was too bad. That will give us time to explore the ship.

A big thank you to everyone on this forum for all of your advise and suggestions. You will never know how much I appreciate everything!
Dreams do come true......

Now it is time to get serious and make my FE!!!!

 

[Magic3forme]

FE list is updated! (sorry Carrie!)

I am thinking about having ordering a stateroom gift for our son since his birthday will be on the cruise! Anyone ever order a gift before?

 

[verygfy]

Personally, we NEVER book excursions through the cruise line...WAY too expensive!!! Cruise Critic is an EXCELLENT place to learn about private company excursions...and also to make GREAT friends prior to cruising, like we are doing here.

We are swimming with the sting rays and doing the Ultimate Dolphin Encounter with Native Way Water Sports in Grand Cayman, a friend of mine owns it. In Cozumel, we purchased Day Passes to Cozumel Palace...it's an AMAZING resort right on the reef, and we cannot WAIT to go back for the day!

I have been to Maya Chan MANY times...it's AWESOME, however...seeing as how we are only going to be in Costa Maya for less than 5 hours, and it takes 30 minutes each way to get to Maya Chan....we have decided NOT to book this time, as sad as that makes me, because all of the people there are GOOD friends of mine and I would LOVE to see them...just cannot justify the expense for 4 hours MAX....I am VERY disappointed in Disney as we usually have LONGER port times when we cruise on Disney as opposed to Carnival or RCCL...this time they are ALL shorter...I don't get it, but oh well...cannot WAIT to sail on the Fantasy!!!

That is how we found our driver in Cozumel! We booked the ruins in Costa Maya through DCL because the time constraint is way to close. I would be to busy worrying about getting back to the ship on time instead of visiting the ruins. I wish I could find the submarine on my own!! Can't wait to see the Fantasy

 

[verygfy]

FE list is updated! (sorry Carrie!)

I am thinking about having ordering a stateroom gift for our son since his birthday will be on the cruise! Anyone ever order a gift before?

I did Shirley's gift basket for our last cruise. They were great at putting exactly what I wanted together and they were in our cabin when we walked in. The kids loved them.

 

[Magic3forme]

I wasn't able to complete the check-in until after I got home from work. Our plane lands at 10 am the day of the cruise and we received a check-in time at 12:30, which I didn't think was too bad. That will give us time to explore the ship.

I have to say I give anyone credit who is flying in the day of the cruise!! We almost missed a cruise years ago...and after that I wont take a chance! Our flight was cancelled at 3 am and the airlines never told us.
14 of us had to race from Akron airport to Pittsburgh to catch a flight to Florida.

Are you taking DCL transportation from the airport to the port?

 

[firstcruise2012]

FE list is updated! (sorry Carrie!)

I am thinking about having ordering a stateroom gift for our son since his birthday will be on the cruise! Anyone ever order a gift before?

I'm not sure about the stateroom gift. However, I was able to order a celebration cake for dinner on the first night - celebrating my daughter's college graduation. I was told this would not be an additional cost, per DCL rep. (suprise for my daughter)

 

[firstcruise2012]

I have to say I give anyone credit who is flying in the day of the cruise!! We almost missed a cruise years ago...and after that I wont take a chance! Our flight was cancelled at 3 am and the airlines never told us.
14 of us had to race from Akron airport to Pittsburgh to catch a flight to Florida.

Are you taking DCL transportation from the airport to the port?

Yes we are taking the DCL transportation.
I have never had issues flying in from Indianapolis (knock on wood).
I really never thought about coming in the day before. I wish now we did, so I could of gone shopping at the Downtown Disney.

 

[PrinzessinLillifee]

We were thinking about doing the same thing, how much did it cost?

We upgraded from a 11b to a 8c, and actually get some money back. We could have gotten more back, but we liked the window seat. So thats what we ended up booking, we'll be on deck 7 or 8.

 

[poohs4me]

FE list is updated! (sorry Carrie!)

I am thinking about having ordering a stateroom gift for our son since his birthday will be on the cruise! Anyone ever order a gift before?

I did Shirley's gift basket for our last cruise. They were great at putting exactly what I wanted together and they were in our cabin when we walked in. The kids loved them.

We have done both. I like Shirley's baskets for kids but once the basket was delayed a day - not Shirley's fault - it was just not delivered by the ship.
Guest Services found it. Our DD was thrilled with all the goodies she had in it. The stateroom gifts I have done for DH and they were exactly as described. I think I am going to order something this time from them as well, but I just don't know what.

 

[Magic3forme]

I really want to get the bday package for our son from DCL. With his birthday being around Memorial Day and last day of school, his parties etc always get put on hold.

and I think its cool this year his true bday is Memorial Day.. I just have to remember to bring his bday pin from WDW.

 

[shesesewsall]

Welcome to those of you that have joined us!!!
meb51--where in MS are you coming from? We're from Biloxi and my BFF going with us currently lives in Winona. So we'll have MS represented!

FE participants--I need help. I am making something for all the young ladies and gentlemen 18 (hopefully) and younger--yes all the way down to the 1 year old. Each will be geared towards either male or female. I have all the names on the current (I think its current) list from the FE, but I am having difficulty figuring out which names belong to girls and boys in some cases. Can you please help me out with the following?

Maddie age 8 Boy or Girl?
Maddie age 4 Boy or Girl?
Cianni age 6 Boy or Girl?
Sueahern, son age 7--what's his name please?
Madison age 9 Boy or Girl?
Madison age 4 Boy or Girl?
Ches age 6 Boy or Girl?

I believe I have all the rest figured out if they're male or female and their ages and names. Now I just have to get cracking to get everything made and personalized.

For those of you that have booked and were able to get everything that you wanted booked, Congratulations. We weren't able to get a brunch on Palo and didn't necessarily want to miss Pirate night (the only evening available)--so we'll see about a brunch availability once we're aboard.

We're getting SOOOO excited! I can't hardly wait for the time to fly by and get here--although, I need SOME time to get the FE gifts completed! And no, I'm not giving any hints as to what they are--you'll just have to be a bit more patient and wait until you receive them!

 

[shesesewsall]

I've been to CM one other time and there is a shopping area right where you get off of the ship. I plan to get off for just a little while and pick up some vanilla and do a little shopping.

Same here! I have just run out of the last of the vanilla we bought when we went on our honeymoon cruise 7 years ago. So I HAVE to go get me some more! Must have that good vanilla!

 

[Magic3forme]

Same here! I have just run out of the last of the vanilla we bought when we went on our honeymoon cruise 7 years ago. So I HAVE to go get me some more! Must have that good vanilla!

Shelly-- I sent you an email with the answers to the names!!
and the newest updated list!!

 

[bagley15]

Hi Val,

Can you please emial me an updated FE list? I am going to start putting them all together.

Thanks!!!

Darcie

 

[Magic3forme]

Hi Val,

Can you please emial me an updated FE list? I am going to start putting them all together.

Thanks!!!

Darcie

You have mail!!

If anyone else wants a copy.. just send me an email!! ( there are still 4 cabins out there with gty status.)

 

[capntavis]

You have mail!!

If anyone else wants a copy.. just send me an email!! ( there are still 4 cabins out there with gty status.)

Yeah sorry we still have not received a cabin assignment. Hopefully we will soon!

 

[KellyMB]

We are up to 127 lanyards!! We are well over the 100 minimum!! I am still waiting for a few cabin numbers. This is in case you can't make the meet and I can leave them for you at your cabin

2-twokats
4-carriemp
4-Amanda.C09
3-KellyMB
3-princessharvey
8-Sueahearn
2-DisLyd1972
20-Suzepoo
2-PrinzessinLillifee
2-Firstcruise2012
5-yipeedcl


If you are interested in the lanyards please pm me or post here so I can add you to the list!! Deadline is April 1st.

We are in cabin 9672.. if you do not get a response from Amanda.C09 let me know and I can give her a call (she is my little sis!)