May 9, 2012: 5 Night Bahamas Cruise on Disney Magic

[Jaxs27]

Have you stayed there before? How does the parking work? I need to book something for the night before and was trying to decide between there and Country Inn.

 

[iloverags2]

Residence Inn has a park and cruise package also. When you book, choose this rate. We haven't stayed at this particular RI, but we love them and they had a king one-bedroom available. It was either the same rate or $10 higher than Country Inn & Suites (which we stayed at previously, and liked as well), depending on the room type booked we just wanted to try something different. Both have breakfast included in their rates...I don't think you could go wrong with either. The regular room at CIS is $10 cheaper, the one-bedrooom at CIS is $10 higher. For us the RI was a wash...LOL!

 

[iloverags2]

Had meant to post last night an update on the FE list...

Participants to date
iloverags2 - Cindy (2 adults)
schepp - Joseph (2 adults, 1 girl)
Jaxs27 - Lori (2 adults, 1 girl, 2 boys)
aseyrick - Annabel (2 adults, 1 boy)
magicbegins - Luz (2 adults, 1 boy, 2 girls)
wildforgoofy - Terri (2 adults, 2 boys, 1 girl)
CC12005 - Carisse (2 adults, 2 boys)

If you are interested in participating and I do not have you listed, please PM to me the following:
Stateroom #
Email Address
Names of people in party (plus DH, DW, etc)
DD/DS and ages for kids with their names
Celebrating anything?

 

[wildforgoofy]

I've got some ideas for my FE but haven't started yet, maybe I need to make a trip to the hobby store today. :0

 

[aseyrick]

I forget to sign in a few days and boom! We have 3 newbies who joined ... welcome to Jaxs27, magicbegins & wildforgoofy!! So glad there are more activity and folks onboard!!

How exciting to have someone from Argentina! My DH just went there a few months back for work. Said it's gorgeous. Wished I could've tagged along.

@ Magic - I would certainly recommend signing your 10 yo for the Lab because there is a capacity limit (although it is very unlikely we'll hit it on this cruise b/c of our sailing dates). And, if your child does get bored, you can always let him/her go to the Edge, which will rarely hit capacity regardless when you sail.

When things were quiet here, it was hard for me to get too excited, but now that we have some activity, let the good times roll!!

Have a great weekend, folks!!

Annabel

 

[wildforgoofy]

I forget to sign in a few days and boom! We have 3 newbies who joined ... welcome to Jaxs27, magicbegins & wildforgoofy!! So glad there are more activity and folks onboard!!

How exciting to have someone from Argentina! My DH just went there a few months back for work. Said it's gorgeous. Wished I could've tagged along.

@ Magic - I would certainly recommend signing your 10 yo for the Lab because there is a capacity limit (although it is very unlikely we'll hit it on this cruise b/c of our sailing dates). And, if your child does get bored, you can always let him/her go to the Edge, which will rarely hit capacity regardless when you sail.

When things were quiet here, it was hard for me to get too excited, but now that we have some activity, let the good times roll!!

Have a great weekend, folks!!

Annabel

Thank You.
I was beginning to think I chased everyone away. I'm so excited about our first cruise.

 

[iloverags2]

Has anyone made plans yet for their time in port?

We have a convertible rented for Key West, and plan to drive up to Marathon (mainly to go over the bridge! ). When I was going to school in Miami, we went to Key West often, and I always loved driving over the Seven Mile Bridge. There's a nice nature preserve in Marathon...may take a short stroll there also.

Nassau is usually just an hour or two spent wandering around...possibly to Fort Fincastle and Queen's Staircase. And I'll get my passport stamped too (always have to do that! LOL).

Time in Castaway Cay is always spent at Serenity Bay for a short while. We may do the stingray excursion also. That's always a good time!

 

[aseyrick]

Since our DS4 still naps (and hopefully will be for the next 10 yrs) and we've been to Key West & Nassau before, we will likely stay put except for CC, but renting a convertible sounds grand ... esp. considering there's snow outside my window.

Speaking of planning ... does anyone know if they have the adult-only brunch on this cruise? We ate at Palo's for dinner last time, and it was WONDERFUL. Am thinking about making ressies for the brunch this time if they're offering it.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Annabel

 

[Jaxs27]

Has anyone made plans yet for their time in port?

We have a convertible rented for Key West, and plan to drive up to Marathon (mainly to go over the bridge! ). When I was going to school in Miami, we went to Key West often, and I always loved driving over the Seven Mile Bridge. There's a nice nature preserve in Marathon...may take a short stroll there also.

Nassau is usually just an hour or two spent wandering around...possibly to Fort Fincastle and Queen's Staircase. And I'll get my passport stamped too (always have to do that! LOL).

Time in Castaway Cay is always spent at Serenity Bay for a short while. We may do the stingray excursion also. That's always a good time!

We are planning to do walk around Key West and possibly take the trolly. In Nassau my dh is going to stay on the ship with the boys and Hailey and I are going to go to Atlantis and possibly do the swim with the dolphins thing they have. I am also thinking about doing the stingray excursion in Castaway Cay and would like to snorkel.

 

[wildforgoofy]

I've read that Key West is a great place to just walk around and enjoy the area. I plan on eating my way through this cruise so Key West will be Key Lime Pie and possibly some Cuban Food.

Is anyone dressing up for the Pirate Night? Just wondering if I should start to look for little pirate embellishments for that evening. Also does DCL have the pirate night on a certain day? I would like to try Palo's, and wouldn't want it to be on the same night.

 

[Jaxs27]

From what I have read Pirate night is the 4th night, the night after Nassau. We are going to dress up some, but not in actual costumes.

 

[magicbegins]

Thank you wildforgoffy for your warm welcome! next time I hope you can tag along with your dh!!! and be my guest!!!

I'm planning our time in port!! what is your advice about Nassau? does it worth Atlantis, since before the cruise we are going to stay 11 days at WDW and of course we'll enjoy both Disney waterparks... and with three kids!
Cindy's idea sounds great... how do you rent a car at Nassau? is it sure? or easy to get lost...jajaja

Have a nice week!!

 

[iloverags2]

I've read that Key West is a great place to just walk around and enjoy the area. I plan on eating my way through this cruise so Key West will be Key Lime Pie and possibly some Cuban Food.

Is anyone dressing up for the Pirate Night? Just wondering if I should start to look for little pirate embellishments for that evening. Also does DCL have the pirate night on a certain day? I would like to try Palo's, and wouldn't want it to be on the same night.

We don't dress-up for Pirate night really, but we do put on bandanas and hoop earrings. Nothing spectacular!

For good Cuban food in Key West, try El Siboney. It's on the corner of Margaret and Catherine streets. Yum!

From what I have read Pirate night is the 4th night, the night after Nassau. We are going to dress up some, but not in actual costumes.

Yep, the Nassau evening was when Pirate Night occurred back in 2010 during this itinerary. Keeping my fingers crossed it's the same!

Thank you wildforgoffy for your warm welcome! next time I hope you can tag along with your dh!!! and be my guest!!!

I'm planning our time in port!! what is your advice about Nassau? does it worth Atlantis, since before the cruise we are going to stay 11 days at WDW and of course we'll enjoy both Disney waterparks... and with three kids!
Cindy's idea sounds great... how do you rent a car at Nassau? is it sure? or easy to get lost...jajaja

Have a nice week!!

I will give my honest opinion on the Atlantis...it is not worth it. Yes, it is a gorgeous resort with an incredible waterpark, but you can find that at so many other places and for a much lower cost. Since you will be doing the Disney waterparks, it probably would not be worth it. If you like snorkeling, the Caribbean Queen snorkel is a good excursion to go on. We used to do this one during our Nassau stops. More recently we have just been venturing out on our own, with a walk to Fort Fincastle and Queen's Staircase. Not sure where in Nassau you can rent a car, but it seems fairly easy to navigate (other than the tight traffic).

We are renting a car in Key West. All the major companies have a location at the airport...you would need to cab over there though, as they do not have port pick-up. There is also a local rental company within walking distance of the port...Tropical Rental. If you plan on renting a car just to get around Key West itself, and not to drive up to the other Keys via U.S. 1, your best bet would be to rent an electric car. There are a number of companies which rent these, and most have a kiosk right at the port.


I am getting so excited, and cannot wait for this cruise to get here!

 

[wildforgoofy]

Thanks Cindy I have El Siboney in my notes.

Has anyone done the Blue Lagoon Island Beach Day excursion? Since this is our first time in Nassau I want to get off the ship, and have something fun to do for the kids. I figured the boat ride over would be nice, and the kids could play on the beach for the day.

Cindy do you get your passport stamped by just getting of the boat? My DD 10 wants a stamp in her passport, that would be the highlight of her day.

Now I'm off to look for something tastefull yet piratey. Is that possible?

Thanks Everyone!

 

[iloverags2]

Thanks Cindy I have El Siboney in my notes.

Has anyone done the Blue Lagoon Island Beach Day excursion? Since this is our first time in Nassau I want to get off the ship, and have something fun to do for the kids. I figured the boat ride over would be nice, and the kids could play on the beach for the day.

Cindy do you get your passport stamped by just getting of the boat? My DD 10 wants a stamp in her passport, that would be the highlight of her day.

Now I'm off to look for something tastefull yet piratey. Is that possible?

Thanks Everyone!

Passports can be stamped just outside of the pier in Nassau. When leaving the dock area, you will exit out of a yellow building. As you leave, go to your left (for the most part, the crowds will be heading towards the right). There is a small security/info hut and just beyond that a fenced in building. Go to the fence and tell the guards there you just want to get your passports stamped. They will direct you into the building and tell you where to go (which is basically, walk in, go right down the hallway, and it will be the last door on your right). Easy-peasy! And everyone there is super friendly!

We have not done Blue Lagoon, although I have water-taxied over to Paradise Island and used the public beach there...it's quite nice!

 

[aseyrick]

Ok, I don't know how to do all the snazzy quotes, etc., so I hope this will be relevant for those who asked some questions about each of the spots ...

1. Key West is definitely worth a gander. If our DS isn't still napping in the afternoon, I would absolutely go again. It's how I imagined the Caribbean to be (even though it's technically a part of the U.S.). I found it so romantic to stroll along the pier with the incredible sailboats bobbing on the deep blue/green ocean on 1 side with a backdrop of the pastel-colored beach houses dotting the lush-green hills on the other ... not to mention bar-hopping while sampling delightful Caribbean fare and umbrella-topped drinks. It's a little piece of heaven on earth.

2. Nassau - I agree with Cindy in that access to Atlantis' waterpark isn't worth the money. Plus, they treat you like 2nd class citizens if you aren't actually staying at the resort. The water parks at Disney will blow them away. With that said, I do think the resort itself is worth a quick peek if you do plan to get out and about. Its over-the-top oppulence shouts out MONEY!! Just the amazing Chihuly sculptures and the walk-through aquarium are worth a quick stopover. Also, the straw market, while chaotic, overpriced and a total tourist trap, is still a unique experience. We did go on the Stingray City tour. 2 enthusiastic thumbs up!! It's a little freakish at first, but it's an experience of a lifetime!!!

3. Castaway Cay - Personally, I wouldn't waste my time and money paying for tours while at CC as there is PLENTY to keep everyone well entertained all day. There is a section for adults, a section for family with a huge water play structure and a smaller version in the kids-only section. They even have a secured, staffed area dedicated to the kids' club complete with an archaeological dig site, large playground, outdoor toys and water play. Plus, there are lots of character greets/photo opps. It's a sun-worshipper paradise.

Re: Pirate Night - we did dress up and had a blast. That was our DS' favorite night, and he was so proud strutting around in his pirate gear and scimitar. Even if we didn't bring our own gear, what we got from DCL and FE's were plenty to put everyone in the pirate mode.

Hope this helps!!

Annabel

 

[wildforgoofy]

We got our passports yesterday!! I'm getting super excited about this trip. Thanks for all the great info. Cindy and Annabel. Now I'm rethinking my excursions. If there's so much to do at CC maybe we should do the stingray excursion in Nassau instead of on CC. My SIL just got back from her cruise and she said the stingray excursion on CC was great. Decisions Decisions
Terri

 

[magicbegins]

All info is very important to me!!! Thank you!!!
One doubt more... sorry, it is my first cruise... do you take the DCL insurance?, in my case it is exp $365!! so do you think is it really necessary?
Kisses!
Luz

 

[wildforgoofy]

All info is very important to me!!! Thank you!!!
One doubt more... sorry, it is my first cruise... do you take the DCL insurance?, in my case it is exp $365!! so do you think is it really necessary?
Kisses!
Luz

I'm in the same spot. I still haven't gotten insurance yet either, but if I do it won't be through DCL. There are other companies you can get trip insurance through on line and it's much cheaper.
This is what I've found on MouseSavers.com. I think Access America is for people living in the US, so you'd probably want to try InsureMyTrip.com. Hope this helps.
Where to Buy Trip Insurance

If you have kids under 18, consider using Access America for your trip insurance. Kids are included FREE in the Access America Classic policy, which is a rare and valuable benefit. If you buy that policy within 14 days of making your first payment/deposit on the cruise, it will also cover pre-existing conditions, unlike Disney's coverage.

If the Access America policy isn't a good fit for you, a great place to comparison-shop for trip insurance is InsureMyTrip.com, where you can see side-by-side policy information and rates for major, reputable insurance companies. I have used InsureMyTrip.com myself to buy trip insurance for several cruises. I saved a substantial amount and got much more comprehensive coverage than Disney's policy would have provided


Terri

 

[Jaxs27]

I have not bought insurance yet and I am out of the 14 day window, but I do plan to buy it through Access America. The quote I got for 5 is $125. Much lower then DCL.