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

[iloverags2]

tomorrow I'll go on summer vacations to Pinamar beach, in the Argentine Coast, I`ll have enough free time to think about the presents for the FE!!!

Luz

Oh, that sounds wonderful! Enjoy the beach!

Cindy you were the one that posted about the cheap FE... where did you buy it from???

Yes, it was me. I bought mine from Stitches N Bows back in October 2010. At that time it was 24.95 (ours is a two-pocket FE). I just went to look her up (could not remember her business name), and noticed the two-pocket FEs are now 37.95. That's steep! Have you looked on ebay? A search on fish extender in etsy brings up a few more people. Of course, price does depend on the number of pockets also. I probably would have made one myself if the prices had been that high back one I originally ordered one. YIKES!

Hi guys!

Quick question - for those that have done this cruise before, which is the best side of the ship? We've got a 7A room and just minutes ago were able to grab room 7120 (a secret verandah!), but I'm thinking that's the non-coast side of the ship. Is it more interesting to see the coast as you're sailing or are we too far away anyways?

We were also able to move our late dining to the early dining today. It's our lucky day!

Thanks all!

Congrats on getting the dining seating you prefer! I have sailed in verandahs on both sides of the ship, and really do not prefer one over the other. Each has its own reasons for being desirable. If snagging a good deal on the verandah means having to give up a certain side, I wouldn't worry about it. Congrats on the score!

 

[iloverags2]

Updated! The spreadsheet has just been sent to your email!

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)
lzmom_of_twins - Christina (2 adults, 1 boy, 1 girl)

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?

 

[lzmom_of_twins]

m Stitches N Bows back in October 2010. At that time it was 24.95 (ours is a two-pocket FE). I just went to look her up (could not remember her business name), and noticed the two-pocket FEs are now 37.95. That's steep! Have you looked on ebay? A search on fish extender in etsy brings up a few more people. Of course, price does depend on the number of pockets also. I probably would have made one myself if the prices had been that high back one I originally ordered one. YIKES!

See.... they are SOOO expensive!!!!! I might just get a 2 pocket one. My DH & I dont need to be a part of the FE exchange. I really wasnt planning on us doing it anyways. I have looked on Ebay too... no luck.. all are around $40!

 

[lzmom_of_twins]

I just found a seller on Ebay who sells 2 pocket FEs for $30 free shipping and 3 pockets for $35. This is her seller name gradysmommy She seems to have a lot of choices. I think I am going to order from her. Cindy I will let you know if my DH & I are in for the FE... def the kids tho

 

[aseyrick]

Welcome aboard, Jennf22!! Saw your post re: the side of the ship. You'll get gorgeous views no matter where you are, esp. when cruising. With that said, starboard side (right) is where the gangway is, so depending on if you want to look at the ocean or the pier when docked, that'll make a difference.

@ Cindy - you are DEFINITELY right about making out like a bandit on that cruise!

FE's - Note that you don't HAVE to have an official FE to participate. Meaning, you can use anything that will hold stuff ... envelope holders, bill sorters, even Christmas stockings! Also, you don't always have to have 1 pocket for everyone in the family. You can just have 1 big 1 for the whole family. Since Cindy is kind enough to organize everything and show how many are in each cabin, if you want to leave more than 1 FE per family that has just 1 pocket, you are definitely welcome to do so!

Trolley rides - My DS is also a HUGE train fanatic. You should see our house. It's like a train yard. Do remember that there's a trolley at Castaway Cay, which my DS absolutely LOVED! We went in Nov, so they had the trolley decked out with holiday lights too. Very cool.

I still can't believe how close we are to sailing. DH is leaving for India & Dubai for work for a week this Friday and I would've LOVED to tag along, except I can't imagine being away from our DS for that long. We took a long weekend to San Francisco for DH's 40th birthday, and I cried for the 1st 2 days. So ... this cruise can't come soon enough!!

Have a great rest of the week, everyone!!

 

[iloverags2]

I just found a seller on Ebay who sells 2 pocket FEs for $30 free shipping and 3 pockets for $35. This is her seller name gradysmommy She seems to have a lot of choices. I think I am going to order from her. Cindy I will let you know if my DH & I are in for the FE... def the kids tho

From what I have seen and heard, gradysmommy does a great job with FEs. Some folks do one gift for the entire stateroom, so you just may see something end up in the FE for everyone.

I am really disappointed to see the price of FEs skyrocket. Guess that is the state of our economy. We had contemplated getting a cruise specific one when we had ours made, then decided not to in case we ever booked a last minute cruise...glad we did that...now I won't need to purchase another one.

Oh, one thing you may want to do is bring cable zip ties to tie-down your extender to your fish hook (this keeps it from "walking away"). Since most people personalize them, it's unlikely it will grow legs...but I never take that chance! Be sure to bring a small pair of scissors to cut the tie off before debarking (or ask your stateroom host to assist with cutting the tie). I usually bring extras in case anyone needs one (I have colorful ones! ).

Oh my, we are almost at the three month mark!!!

 

[iloverags2]

Welcome aboard, Jennf22!! Saw your post re: the side of the ship. You'll get gorgeous views no matter where you are, esp. when cruising. With that said, starboard side (right) is where the gangway is, so depending on if you want to look at the ocean or the pier when docked, that'll make a difference.

@ Cindy - you are DEFINITELY right about making out like a bandit on that cruise!

FE's - Note that you don't HAVE to have an official FE to participate. Meaning, you can use anything that will hold stuff ... envelope holders, bill sorters, even Christmas stockings! Also, you don't always have to have 1 pocket for everyone in the family. You can just have 1 big 1 for the whole family. Since Cindy is kind enough to organize everything and show how many are in each cabin, if you want to leave more than 1 FE per family that has just 1 pocket, you are definitely welcome to do so!

Trolley rides - My DS is also a HUGE train fanatic. You should see our house. It's like a train yard. Do remember that there's a trolley at Castaway Cay, which my DS absolutely LOVED! We went in Nov, so they had the trolley decked out with holiday lights too. Very cool.

I still can't believe how close we are to sailing. DH is leaving for India & Dubai for work for a week this Friday and I would've LOVED to tag along, except I can't imagine being away from our DS for that long. We took a long weekend to San Francisco for DH's 40th birthday, and I cried for the 1st 2 days. So ... this cruise can't come soon enough!!

Have a great rest of the week, everyone!!

You said it perfectly about the FE! I have seen so many variations, including totebags from the craft store that have been decorated with some Disney appliques. Very cute! And someone on the DISboards here made an FE out of duct tape, and is it ever cute! I'll see if I can find the link for that...

India and Dubai...how cool is that!

 

[jenf22]

Hi all!

Thanks so much everyone for all this great info. Regarding the trolley in Key West - my son was excited about the conch train that he saw, not the trolley. I had that wrong. Has anyone done the conch train?

Does anyone know where you can find out what happens when on the ship? Like what night is pirate night? Are there fireworks? Since this is 5-night, does that mean no character breakfast?

I'm still thinking about the FE. Sounds like it could be a lot of fun, but I'm worried about the time involved in wandering the ship everyday.

Has anyone done a cabana on Castaway Cay? I know I'll probably never get one, but I was thinking of trying. It is Mother's Day the day we're there (I think) and my mom will be with us (and it could be a Mother's Day gift to me too!).

Thanks again! I'm so glad this forum is here!

 

[iloverags2]

Thanks so much everyone for all this great info. Regarding the trolley in Key West - my son was excited about the conch train that he saw, not the trolley. I had that wrong. Has anyone done the conch train?

I believe the Conch Train has only one on/off stop, whereas the trolley has multiple locations for on/off stops. You may want to check out www.conchtourtrain.com to verify this.

Does anyone know where you can find out what happens when on the ship? Like what night is pirate night? Are there fireworks? Since this is 5-night, does that mean no character breakfast?

No character breakfast on the 5-night cruise. They do those only on itineraries with three sea days (or two sea days and a late port call, such as the Western with Key West call). There are definitely fireworks though! Pirates Night should be Nassau night (Night 4) based on previous cruises with this itinerary. I have put together a spreadsheet for my own use (includes shows, port calls, etc.) that you are more than welcome to. Let me know if you are interested, and I can email it to you. There are copies of Personal Navigators for the last time this itinerary was done back in 2010, but we are not allowed to post the website they are found on. I can also send those to you.

I'm still thinking about the FE. Sounds like it could be a lot of fun, but I'm worried about the time involved in wandering the ship everyday.

Actually, you do not have to wander the ship everyday. Most people just do one gift (either per family/stateroom or per person), and pick a day that is easiest for them to deliver. We had to deliver to 38 staterooms during our 2010 cruise, and I actually was able to get that done in under an hour!

Has anyone done a cabana on Castaway Cay? I know I'll probably never get one, but I was thinking of trying. It is Mother's Day the day we're there (I think) and my mom will be with us (and it could be a Mother's Day gift to me too!).

We have never done a cabana, but they do look wonderful!

 

[lzmom_of_twins]

I still can't believe how close we are to sailing. DH is leaving for India & Dubai for work for a week this Friday and I would've LOVED to tag along, except I can't imagine being away from our DS for that long. We took a long weekend to San Francisco for DH's 40th birthday, and I cried for the 1st 2 days. So ... this cruise can't come soon enough!!

Have a great rest of the week, everyone!!

My DH is in India right now! He is there for 10 days on a mission trip. He comes home on Sat! Cant wait! He was at the Taj today (well while we were sleeping)

From what I have seen and heard, gradysmommy does a great job with FEs. Some folks do one gift for the entire stateroom, so you just may see something end up in the FE for everyone.

I am really disappointed to see the price of FEs skyrocket. Guess that is the state of our economy. We had contemplated getting a cruise specific one when we had ours made, then decided not to in case we ever booked a last minute cruise...glad we did that...now I won't need to purchase another one.

Oh, one thing you may want to do is bring cable zip ties to tie-down your extender to your fish hook (this keeps it from "walking away"). Since most people personalize them, it's unlikely it will grow legs...but I never take that chance! Be sure to bring a small pair of scissors to cut the tie off before debarking (or ask your stateroom host to assist with cutting the tie). I usually bring extras in case anyone needs one (I have colorful ones! ).

Oh my, we are almost at the three month mark!!!

Thanks for the review! I found another one that was cheaper but eeek it looked a lot cheaper. I'll probably just go ahead and do the 3 pocket. Thanks for the zip tie idea... seriously I would be so ticked off if it disappeared. I highly doubt there will be a family with the same names as my 2 kids. Im off to work.. hope everyone has a great day

 

[Denine]

I'm growing so impatient waiting for our 75 day window when I can make our reservations! Stinks being a first time cruiser, but I guess we have to earn our ears.
It's good to see another Ohioan on board. Here's the big question...... Brown's fan?? We're down south so I bet you can guess which one we are.

Actually no football at all. We are baseball fans, the Indians.

 

[Denine]

Oh, did anyone else notice we will be docking in Key West at Outer Mole, which is the pier at the Navy Base? They have a shuttle (which you must take off grounds) that will drop us off at the main pier (B). Apparently RCI's Majesty is in port the same day and snagged pier B. Anyway, just an FYI if anyone is booking excursions on their own...you may need to build in a few extra minutes for travel time off Navy property. (The shuttle also brings you back to the pier.)

That stinks! That is where Carnival cruises usually get stuck.

 

[Denine]

Right now we are just happy to say we are going to WDW next month! The May cruise is a sneak-in trip, no parks or anything.

I don't know if I feel like taking a trolley from the Navy pier just to go look at some shops. We will see. The Blonde Giraffe is closed?!?! They had the best key lime pie. Guess we need to find a new place.

Mostly I just want to relax by the pool and such. The weather on our October cruise was too chilly to be by the pool. The ports themselves were warm but the sea days were only in the 60's! We didn't expect that on a Mexican Riviera cruise.

Not an Ohio State fan either. I think we are the only ones! My nephew attends school there though. We just don't have the time to pay attention to much in the way of sports. Baseball is pretty much it and our team stinks!

 

[Feisty Fairy]

Hi all!

Thanks so much everyone for all this great info. Regarding the trolley in Key West - my son was excited about the conch train that he saw, not the trolley. I had that wrong. Has anyone done the conch train?

Does anyone know where you can find out what happens when on the ship? Like what night is pirate night? Are there fireworks? Since this is 5-night, does that mean no character breakfast?

I'm still thinking about the FE. Sounds like it could be a lot of fun, but I'm worried about the time involved in wandering the ship everyday.

Has anyone done a cabana on Castaway Cay? I know I'll probably never get one, but I was thinking of trying. It is Mother's Day the day we're there (I think) and my mom will be with us (and it could be a Mother's Day gift to me too!).

Thanks again! I'm so glad this forum is here!

According to Disney Pirate Night is on the second to the last at Nassau. If you log into your reservations and go to My Cruise Activity it will have a separate thing for each day and it has the Sail Away Party and the Party party already listed.

 

[Feisty Fairy]

How do you find out what dock it will be at? Is there a sight it might be good to know if a cruise again

 

[Feisty Fairy]

Here are my images of the My Cruise Activities page.

 

[Feisty Fairy]

Oh, did anyone else notice we will be docking in Key West at Outer Mole, which is the pier at the Navy Base? They have a shuttle (which you must take off grounds) that will drop us off at the main pier (B). Apparently RCI's Majesty is in port the same day and snagged pier B. Anyway, just an FYI if anyone is booking excursions on their own...you may need to build in a few extra minutes for travel time off Navy property. (The shuttle also brings you back to the pier.)

How do you find this out it might be helpful information to know for the future in case I get addicted to Disney Cruising and go on another one Also can you get back on the ship anytime since you have to be shuttled or is it set times.

 

[iloverags2]

How do you find this out it might be helpful information to know for the future in case I get addicted to Disney Cruising and go on another one Also can you get back on the ship anytime since you have to be shuttled or is it set times.

The Key West cruise ship calendar can be found here... http://www.keywestcity.com/department/calendar.asp?fDD=13-192 (not sure when they update it for the following year). I was so glad I thought to look at it ahead of time since we are renting a car, and having someone meet us at the port!

 

[lzmom_of_twins]

I don't know if I feel like taking a trolley from the Navy pier just to go look at some shops. We will see. The Blonde Giraffe is closed?!?! They had the best key lime pie. Guess we need to find a new place.

From what I've been reading, Kermits is great too

 

[wildforgoofy]

Right now we are just happy to say we are going to WDW next month!

Exciting!! I wonder how much of Fantasy Land is going to open up this year. I've read that they plan on opening up sections and then have the grand opening in 2013. The kids and I can't wait for that! It's going to be amazing!