~May 7, 2011~ 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the Magic!

[Lexa]

We don't have our cruise documents yet, but I just called my TA and she said she got them this morning and will mail them out to us later today. So I'm sure we will get them first thing next week....

 

[tinkerbead]

Your tips are so helpful !!

Thank you Minniemiss,
~Claudia

We have our excursions and palo booked. I ordered the caribbean travel book from AAA. We have been reading thru that.

I have also gone to the library and picked up Frommer's Caribbean travel book.

DH gave me an iPAd for my birthday, I have been searching for apps. We are going to WDW after the cruise for his birthday.

The night before we leave, dh and I empty our wallets of everything. We put back our driver's licenses, AAA card (great for emergency discounts on rental cars or hotel, if needed) one different credit card each, travelers checks and cash. That's all!

We each carry a different credit card for this reason. If either of us should lose our wallet we would only have to cancel one card and we would still have one card that was good to use.

When we get to our hotel or boat, One credit card stays in the safe. If we lose a wallet or are robbed we still have that one credit card that is safe to use.

I also like traveler's checks for the same reason. They are easier to replace than a lost debit card. Plus you can cash them on the boat, if you need extra cash.

 

[mlmmom]

Got our cruise documents today!! yeah!

 

[rusafee1183]

Still no documents here - BUT I did pull out the suitcases and packing lists today!!!

I started marking all of the toiletries that we have/need and wrote down all of the outfits I plan on bringing. I'm still slowly stashing things away

I am still up in the air about our Pirate costumes... it's SO much fun to dress up and get into it - but they are bulky and kind of a pain to pack. We'll see... I haven't decided yet.

It finally is starting to feel real to me! And hey, pretty soon we'll be UNDER ONE MONTH!

 

[Tarabra]

Hi Everyone! I'm back....I see I haven't been on this thread for about a year!!! I'll reintroduce myself and family. Tara, Rob, Ava (6) and Jonah (3 1/2). This will be our 9th DCL cruise and of course we are super excited. I'll have to go back and read through some of the other posts to get to know all of you. Please feel free to ask questions since we've been to all the ports a few times. We got our docs and it was really a nice surprise. The past few years I knew ahead of time since everyone had posted on here. It was very exciting getting them in the mail. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

 

[Dianatlol]

We usually see our Docs about a week or two before we cruise. I already filled everything out on line except for my meds, I need to do that still. (Muscle relxers and pain pills for my TMJ) so I don't really need my docs mailed to us. LOL Other then that I need to order the FE little gifts, and print off my door stuff and my Inlaws door stuff.

 

[Dianatlol]

Ordering my FE goodies... Then I will have them shipped to our room. So it will all be there an waiting... Getting excited, started going through all my summer clothes.

 

[Lexa]

Ordering my FE goodies... Then I will have them shipped to our room. So it will all be there an waiting... Getting excited, started going through all my summer clothes.

Mine all done...well almost....then shipping, cause my DH want his room in the suitcase LOL.

 

[bibbidibobbidiboo07]

I'm still waiting for some bits I need for my FE gifts, fingers crossed they get here soon. Now realising how fast time is going! Keep making lists but they seem to be the same lists just in different note books!!!!
I have Christening lists for favors, gifts and table decorations and then I have packing lists, cruise lists and FE lists! Can't wait to be listless!!!!! Then that will mean I'm cruising

 

[CoolCanadian]

Greetings from the cold prairies of central Canada (it snowed yesterday: April 3 !?!!).
We haven't logged in for a while but I completed all of the work for my masters last week so now can think about our trip again. We got our docs by FedEx last week as well so now the trip feels "real". I've read through some of the posts and wow - you folks are so well organized! I've finally pulled out the suitcases and started to sort some warm weather clothes.
I'm going to try to make a door magnet for over the cabin number - thanks for the links.
We tried the online booking and are having high tea in Palo on Sunday for Mother's Day; DD and I are doing the rainforest trek in St. Maarten while my folks are doing the island drive and boat excursion that takes them to see both capitals; we don't have anything planned for St. Thomas except for shopping and the gondola ride to the top of the hill for some photos.
Thanks for all of the great advice from experienced DCL cruisers - it is very helpful and appreciated.
Cheers,

 

[Tarabra]

Oh...I don't think I realized it was Mother's Day!! I think this will be our 3rd Mother's Day onboard. We usually cruise in May.

Don't worry CoolCanadian. I have nothing organized. No lists. I haven't even booked flights yet! Ooops. Sometimes I can get better deals the closer you get. In fact, rates are even lower this week than when I looked last week. I better get on the ball. We were supposed to get our tax refund tomorrow, but now the website is saying there is a delay. I was going to use that money for the flights.

 

[Lexa]

Now I can say too...we got out cruise papers today too YAY!

 

[MinnieMeg]

It seems that most of you are done or almost done with your FE preps. Would you like to close the sign up for the FE's early or still wait for April 23? If we do get more people signing up do you want to split the list? I would like your input on this. This is the current FE List:

MinnieMeg (2) 2 adults

Whisky in a Vase (7) 2 adults, DD 7, DS 3, + 3 adults

Dianatlol (3) 2 adults, DD 10

MickeyManiacMom (5) 3 adults, DD 9, DS 7

Bibbidibobbidiboo07 (4) 2 adults, DD 4, DS 8mos.

Krispykreme97 (4) 2 adults, DD 9, DD 2

Lexa (4) 2 adults, DS 7, DD 6

FLUFFYCAT (4) 2 adults, DS 11, DS 7

Mlmmom (4) 2 adults, DS 3, DS 1

Jinia (3) 2 adults, DS 9

Nswift (4) 4 adults

GoDaddyGo (3) 2 adults, DD 5

Canadian Girl 77 (3) 2 adults, DD 6

Mmonk (4) 2 adults, DD 5, DS 2

Tinkerbead (3) 2 adults, DD 7

Mgasker (8) 2 adults, DD 8, DD 5 - 2 adults, DD 6

Gg.leigh (3) 2 adults, DD 23mos.

Meg

 

[tinkerbead]

It seems that most of you are done or almost done with your FE preps. Would you like to close the sign up for the FE's early or still wait for April 23? If we do get more people signing up do you want to split the list? I would like your input on this.

IMO leave it open for maybe 1 or 2 more families to join then close when it reaches 20 (as previously discussed). Maybe eliminate the deadline date.

 

[Whisky In A VAse]

I am easy either way, but if anymore join, I am going to have to start leaving some clothes behind so we can fit the gifts in the cases and still have the airline allow my cases on the plane.....

 

[Lexa]

About FE.....I don't mind if we close it a little early. I'm done with everything for everyone on the list. But I really would not like it if we split it....I have goodies for everyone, so if we split it, what we gonna do with other half of things we have? Anyway I'll go with majority here.....

 

[GoDaddyGo]

I say close the FE list. We are 30 days out and don't need to be running out for more FE stuff at the last minute. Have too much to get ready as it is!

 

[MickeyManiacMom]

I am also almost done with the FE's. I'm solving the luggage issue by packing one suitcase with nothing but FE's - which leaves me one suitcase for bringing things home!

Random question. Does anyone know if we're docking at both St. Thomas and St. Maarten, or tendering? I am keeping my fingers crossed for docking!

 

[rusafee1183]

I'm also curious whether we are docking or tendering, but I'm not sure. Will that be something we are able to find out beforehand or not?

Also, I posted this in the DCL forum - but I was wondering if you guys know if we are allowed to bring food off of the ship at either of the ports? I bought a softsided cooler because I read somewhere about doing that to pack sandwiches to bring to the beach. But, now I am second guessing myself and wondering if we're even allowed.

 

[bibbidibobbidiboo07]

FE, we are ok with it as is, like others I have what I need for most of our gifts (need to hope it all fits in luggage!). I would be worried if another 10 families joined but I'll just go with the majority.