November 11, 2006 - MAGIC - Special Western "Double Dip" Cruise 11/11/06

[JJsmama]

Hi. We're back from our non-Disney trip to Orlando. It was a conference for Dh, nice break for me. Actually we had a great time. We flew into Orlando on Tuesday as "alberto" was crossing Florida. I thought for sure we would be delayed since we were flying from the city where the storm was headed to the area from which the storm was coming. Actually, no. Great flight. On time.

We used FL Tours towncar service. It was great--and SO easy! ( I wrote a positive review on the Trans. board. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1141455)

We stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal. The resort really was beautiful! Done like the South Pacific. Fabulous! If you ever want to go to US, it is great. There is just a short, tropical walk to the parks and CityWalk. That part was nice at night. We could have some drinks at Citywalk and not worry about driving home. We went to US and Island of Adventure one day. My general opinion: They suck. (Sorry kids.) The crowds were nowhere near WDW level however, and that was nice. Plus, as a resort guest, we went straight to the front of all the lines. My main complaint is that if you don't want SERIOUS thrill rides, , there is not much to do. I actually love Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain, but I was in WAY over my head on Universal's coasters. Also, there was never any Magic or Know what I mean? If you want thrills though, it is probably the better place to go.

We did go to Emerils restaurant Tchoup Chop (Chop Chop) which is at the Hotel. It is Emeril - South Pacific style. The food was really fabulous and the restaurant was beautiful.

Hey, if anyone likes to travel with a pet, it is a good place to stay. Pets get great treatment there and are welcome in most parts of the resort.

Did I miss anything?
Jennifer

 

[JJsmama]

Do I need to PM my info for the button now or wait til closer to cruise time? Do I need to order my bracelets yet?

 

[ibouncetoo]

Yes for buttons, no for bracelets.

 

[woody73]

. . . We're planning on having a 'group lunch' on Thursday (second sea day) at Luminere's to celebrate all the birthdays/anniversaries/weddings/vow renewals/whater else that are going on in this group. . .

Jackie: After lunch would be a good time to schedule Shutters to take a large group photo of us in front of Lumiere's.

Woody

 

[clynne]

Hope everyone had a great Father's Day!

Shelly...I'm glad the weather cooperated with you and graduation was so nice!

Jennifer...welcome back! The resort sounds great, but I'm with you on the thrill rides. Big Thunder Mountain's about my speed. Luckily, our two youngest have not demonstrated any ounce of daredevil. Well, at least, not yet...

Woody...that's a good idea for a group shot at the lunch. I didn't know you could schedule a photographer to come to you. But, then, all this is new to me!

Carolyn

 

[ibouncetoo]

Jackie: After lunch would be a good time to schedule Shutters to take a large group photo of us in front of Lumiere's.

Woody

Good idea. I know you can call Shutters and request a photographer for an 'event' and they try and comply (as they could be making some good $$). As long as they don't have any kind of character photo session going on at that time it could work. At the very least, I bet we could get an accommodating spouse or two (or three or four) to take some snaps...you know, there's always someone who won't want to be in the photo

Oh, by the way, I was snooping on the meets thread for the next double dip, and they have a mess of people doing Native Choice, so I asked them to be sure and let us know how a big group gets handled.

Oh, by the way...TWENTY-ONE WEEKS!

 

[ibouncetoo]

I was just playing around on the cruisecal site and looked at Costa Maya for our date and there will be three ships in that day...HOWEVER we are scheduled to arrive at 7:30AM but the Norwegian Sun and Royal Carib.Legend of the Sea don't show up till 10AM.


For Cozumel it's four ships: Us at 7:30AM, Prinsess Star at 8AM, Carnival Miracle at 9AM and Carnival Fascination at 1PM. Maybe we won't have to tender

 

[woody73]

. . . Oh, by the way, I was snooping on the meets thread for the next double dip, and they have a mess of people doing Native Choice, so I asked them to be sure and let us know how a big group gets handled.

Jackie: You are doing a terrific job keeping up on these things! I know I am not alone each time I thank you for keeping us well informed. Thank you very much!

It would be great if David & Ivan could pick us up at the port in Costa Maya.

Woody

 

[woody73]

Good idea. I know you can call Shutters and request a photographer for an 'event' and they try and comply (as they could be making some good $$). As long as they don't have any kind of character photo session going on at that time it could work.

On the eastbound Panama Canal cruise, the DIS photo was done midday on a sea day. Hopefully Shutters can do the same for us in November.

At the very least, I bet we could get an accommodating spouse or two (or three or four) to take some snaps...you know, there's always someone who won't want to be in the photo

Sounds good to me!

Woody

 

[woody73]

I was just playing around on the cruisecal site and looked at Costa Maya for our date and there will be three ships in that day...HOWEVER we are scheduled to arrive at 7:30AM but the Norwegian Sun and Royal Carib.Legend of the Sea don't show up till 10AM.

For Cozumel it's four ships: Us at 7:30AM, Prinsess Star at 8AM, Carnival Miracle at 9AM and Carnival Fascination at 1PM. Maybe we won't have to tender

That's encouraging, and I sure hope it's based on arrival time!

But last year when we were on the Magic at St. Martin, we were one of the first ships to arrive but were unable to dock. We were told that when the number ships exceed the number of docks, the cruise lines "rotate" as to who gets to dock.

I would sure like to dock rather than tender.

Woody

 

[JJsmama]

Ok, I posted a thread on the general board about younger kids and ruins tours. Your opinion, please? I feel like if I am going to try and get on that David and Ivan tour with you all, I'd better hurry --if it is not full already.

Here's my post (copied and a link.)
Thanks.

Mexico? Ruins? with small kids?
We're on one of the double dips to Mexico. Our sons will be 5/6 and 7/8 (birthday cruise.) Our oldest is very intersted in culture, different countries, etc, so I think it would be good for him to see some ruins or something other than the shops.

I'm worried that the long treks to the ruins will a little much for him ( and definitely too much for youngest.) What do you think about kids on these tours? I've heard David and Ivan are great, but I was also thinking of doing Chakanaab that day instead as a family. (Seemed easier.) So, should we do the Cozumel ruins tour instead? Or definitely the Costa Maya day? Or is there something better for younger kids altogether?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=13105281#post13105281

 

[ibouncetoo]

Jackie: You are doing a terrific job keeping up on these things! I know I am not alone each time I thank you for keeping us well informed. Thank you very much!

Well, I have fewer demands on my free time than those of you with a houseful of people to take care of, or two jobs to work, or dial-up! I also would rather research vacation stuff than do something BORING like housework (or exercise).


JJsmama, I'm going to go take a look at your thread. I was surprised to see over on the David & IAN thread that people were considering bringing toddlers. I suppose so much depends on the personality and disposition of the child. It's just that there is no 'bail-out' option mid excursion, that we know of.

 

[JJsmama]

Sounds like my family and I need to see Pirates of the Car. before we cruise. That's neat that the ship will be at CC and I guess there will be lots of references to the movie on the ship. It will be more interesting if we've seen it.

Anyone know how it is for kids? I guess I should watch it first.

Jennifer

 

[clynne]

Jennifer...we're taking DD5 and DS(soon to be 8) on the Native Choice tour. DS is a kind of an information junkie and if the guides are even a little personable, he should be fine. Our big concern was a loonnnngg transit time, so some of the other ruins tours were out. I think the Native Choice only had an approximately 50 min bus ride each way, which we think will be ok for ours. DD will have fun just riding the bus! Let alone checking out ruins that are so different from downtown (term used loosely) Fallbrook. It'll be interesting to see the comments your thread gets...I'm going to check it out...Oh, my kids won't even think about seeing Pirates of the Caribbean! I don't know that we'll make it up for Pirate Night, anyway. We're playing that one by ear (yes, we're not PLANNING on anything...I know, I know...blasphemy on these boards).

So, Jackie...if the Magic is the first one in at Costa Maya, we should be able to get to whatever transportation more easily than if the other ships were there, too, right? Having never disembarked (right word?) a cruise ship, not sure if there's a crush of humanity trying to get off at once...(As an aside, I keep thinking of the time we were on a ferry in Hong Kong where my oldest (he was 6 at the time) and I were sardined in a holding area. Scary for me!

Carolyn

 

[TiggersPal]

Just lurking around a bit - and thought I'd stop and say "hello"... anyone planning on Chat tomorrow???

 

[Surlythe8thDwarf]

Just lurking around a bit - and thought I'd stop and say "hello"... anyone planning on Chat tomorrow???

I am planning on chatting tomorrow night.

This is my first post.. I have been lurking via proxy.. My DW clynne has been my conduit (whether I wanted to hear it or not )

See you all tomorrow night..

Brent..

 

[ibouncetoo]

BRENT! Love the user name you chose. And let me give you an official to the DIS and our cruise meet thread! Chat with you tomorrow. Michelle9343 should be joining us also Hmmmmm....should we have a topic of discussion? Any ideas?

 

[michelle9343]

Hello everyone
WOW it is so nice to see some lurkers come out of hiding. Welcome everyone. This is such a great group of people. I can not tell you how excitied I am that we will be cruising with such a wonderful group of Disers.
Jackie
You have become the magical queen of info, thank you for all of you great insite.

I was so EXCITED when I got our mail yesterday. We received a rather large envelope for the DCL. I guess you call it a pre-planning book. Much nicer then last year and again last night I could not sleep because all I could think about is cruising!!!I hope to chat tonight. What time is it (east caost)? Hopefully Vito Sr can but Angelina to sleep for me. Chat with ya later.

 

[shelwoj]

Hello everyone
WOW it is so nice to see some lurkers come out of hiding. Welcome everyone. This is such a great group of people. I can not tell you how excitied I am that we will be cruising with such a wonderful group of Disers.
Jackie
You have become the magical queen of info, thank you for all of you great insite.

I was so EXCITED when I got our mail yesterday. We received a rather large envelope for the DCL. I guess you call it a pre-planning book. Much nicer then last year and again last night I could not sleep because all I could think about is cruising!!!I hope to chat tonight. What time is it (east caost)? Hopefully Vito Sr can but Angelina to sleep for me. Chat with ya later.

I got all excited about that envelope too! Nothing like fun mail instead of bills!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Hello everyone

I was so EXCITED when I got our mail yesterday. We received a rather large envelope for the DCL. I guess you call it a pre-planning book. Much nicer then last year and again last night I could not sleep because all I could think about is cruising!!!I hope to chat tonight. What time is it (east caost)? Hopefully Vito Sr can but Angelina to sleep for me. Chat with ya later.

Chat will be at 10PM for you (7PM for me). I plan to race home and throw some chicken in the oven (HAVE to cook it tonight) and jump on the computer so I won't be TARDY this week! Though I may be running back and forth to the kitchen for a bit

I can't wait to get my DCL present in the mail, though I believe it will come via our travel agent so it may take a bit longer.

I've decided it's time to sign up from somene kind of crafting class Got to get those creative juices flowing again. Stopped by my neighborhood rubber stamp store on Sunday, but they were closed....summer hours... closed Sun-Wed....must be nice!?! Guess I'll have to call Michaels and JoAnne's and see what they've got going on. Which reminds me....how are all the circle journals coming/ I know several of our cruise-mates are doing them.

OK, enough rambling for so early in the morning...off to check up on DCL trip reports.