November 26, 2005/ 7 day Eastern Magic

[karaeric]

Hey, what does it mean to have a formal night on the ship? How formal is "formal" on ship? Anyone picked out what they're wearing for it yet?

Thanks!

This question can often spark quite a debate on these boards! As LGM mentioned, tuxes are available for rent for men, and lesser known is that women can also rent formal dresses. Like LGM, we cruise enough that we bought DH his own tux. Even by buying him a high end tux, we equaled out to about 5 rentals on the ship, and because it's his, it fits him to a T!

I usually wear an evening gown or a very formal pants suit outfit.

That being said, if you don't want to miss out on the festivities, but just cannot go quite that formal, a nice suit for the men and a dressy outfit for the women is fine.

It's all about what you make of the full cruising experience. No matter what you choose, have fun with it!

 

[alexturner74]

Here's a question for everyone!
Why did you choose this particular week to cruise?

Our anniversary is 11/22, but we wanted to go on an Eastern cruise. For our honeymoon in 2002, we got married on Friday night, and went on the Thanksgiving Western cruise the next day. We haven't gone on the Eastern yet, and thought the week after Thanksgiving would be best due to the price/holiday decorations, etc. and it's close enough that we can still celebrate our anniversary.

 

[DiaLady]

AlexTurner - that is so cool that you are celebrating your anniversary this way! My hubby is so glad to be going with just our family (instead of my entire extended family like we did the last time).

As a couple without kids, what did you enjoy most about the ship? I've been trying to get hubby to go with just the two of us on a 4 day in the next few months

Oh, and I told hubby about the formal night yesterday. He was NOT happy about having to wear a tux. He looks great in them! Well at least I'm sure he will look great in it. The last time we dressed up this much was over 10 years ago when I was 8 months pregnant with my oldest son. I was running a gala event for the Air Force Assoc. Hubby had to come as my escort. I didn't even know they made formal wear for pregnant women. . . LOL. I'm looking forward to finding something beautiful to wear and to see hubby in a tux again!!

Only a little over 10 months to go . . . .It will fly by . . .

 

[Michelle2]

Yes, it will fly by, and it already has been flying by too fast. I leave the thread alone for a bit, and then look at all the pages that have been added. That is great! I posted quite awhile ago. It will be me (33), DH (34), DS12, DD11, DD9, and DS3, and it is our first cruise, and 2nd trip to WDW.
I do have some questions...Thumpery, you had said you already have your car to and from the port taken care of through budget..but I went to Budget and all their deals expire and don't include Nov/Dec. Did you get a good rate this far in advance? I am pretty overwhelmed...didn't know these things could be done this far in advance., but I should start on it. Same with flights...I BARELY was able to redeem our 4 free tickets, whew! Almost found that out the hard way...
We chose this cruise because of the good rates, and want to try and experience WDW/USO at a slow time of year with Christmas decorations...we will see!

 

[thumpery]

Michelle2 - I also have a son who will be 12 on the cruise. Hope they meet up. As far as cars, I did book but don't think I got a great deal. I was looking for a different trip in May and decided to reserve one for November. I can always modify it if the prices go down. Just don't know what to expect for prices being that we are going down during Thanksgiving time. There is a Walmart code W810011 I used.
Someone wrote back that it is only 10 more months! WOW! The last cruised we waited almost 2 years for. This one seems right around the corner. I will be surprising my sons on Valentine's day. I always give them a scavenger hunt to celebrate the day. I have had a puzzle made of 3 pictures (the ship, our family on the beach and the "Welcome to Castaway Cay" sign - it says 'Sailing November 26, 2005). With each clue during the hunt, they will receive some pieces of the puzzle. At the end, they will put it together and will find out WE'RE GOING ON A CRUISE! Much better than that piece of candy they usually get. Can you tell I'm excited! Thanks for letting me share!

 

[DsnysGr8t]

Thumpery,

That's a GREAT Valentine's present! Just before Christmas a couple of years ago I discovered that Aaron Carter would be cruising w/DCL (and performing), DH and I decided to "gift" our then 9 year old DD with this cruise! I created a cute color presentation and wrapped it for under the tree. She loved it!

DH didn't want to go (screaming pre-teen girls just aren't his style) so KaraEric of this board went with us on her very first DCL and now she's hooked!

Looks like everyone signed up here so far has 12 year old boys, I'll have two thirteen year old girls w/us this time (DH is coming along, though complaining about no casinos on board, geesh).

Lisa

 

[karaeric]

Looks like everyone signed up here so far has 12 year old boys, I'll have two thirteen year old girls w/us this time (DH is coming along, though complaining about no casinos on board, geesh).

Lisa

Lisa, just tell Mike it's all about the BINGO, baby!

And don't forget to "disclose" the fact that your MOTHER is stuck in the same cabin as those two teenagers! She is one BRAVE woman!

 

[DiaLady]

Well we'll have one 11 year old boy and one 8 year old boy on the cruise . . . maybe they will all get to hang out.

One of the reasons we like DCL is because there IS NOT a casino . . .LOL. I kinda like the movie theater.

For folks that have been on the cruise before, what part of the night life did you enjoy most? When we cruised last, we were so exhausted from dealing with family that we passed out each night w/o enjoying the night life. It's one of the things I'm really looking forward to this trip.

 

[disneybride96]

Looks like everyone signed up here so far has 12 year old boys, I'll have two thirteen year old girls w/us this time
Lisa

I'm sailing with 3 boys....4,4 & 1. That almost adds up to a 12 year old!

 

[thumpery]

Dialady - I also have a 9 year old son on the cruise. I only mentioned my 11 year old son to Michelle2 because she has an 11 year old too. Our friends who are also going have 10 and 8 year old sons. Sounds like the lab could be pretty full with boys this age.
As far as night life, on our first cruise we did the same as Dialady. I think that sea air makes you pretty sleepy. This last cruise, we went out a bit more. It helped that the boys were older and could stay up a bit later. We usually ended up at the bar (can't remember the name - sorry). Also, we were on the Western so no early mornings and even got to go into town in Cozumel. Some nights we just enjoyed our verandah and watching the beautiful ocean go by. AHHHH! those were the days!

 

[TJGorman]

It really sounds like there will be quite a few boys on this trip! My DS will be 9 and my DD will be 11. In our group, we have two 3 year old boys, one 5 year old boy, a 10 year old boy, two 11 year old boys, a 12 year old boy, a thirteen year old and a 16 year old boy. The girls are quite out numbered in the group. One 7 year old girl, one 9 year old girl and one 17 year old girl. The 10-12 lab should be quite busy!

 

[april riddle]

My DS's will be 10 and 12 while on the cruise. We did this cruise this past November and around the beginning of October they both started to email boys from the cruise the same age. They enjoyed meeting them and ended up hanging out with them for the week.

 

[DiaLady]

My DS's will be 10 and 12 while on the cruise. We did this cruise this past November and around the beginning of October they both started to email boys from the cruise the same age. They enjoyed meeting them and ended up hanging out with them for the week.

OH, what a fabulous ideas! My kids had such a fabulous time in the labs last time, but with so many family around, they didn't a chance to hang out with the same kids (besides their cousins). Maybe we can setup a board for just the kids on the trip so they can chatter.

Off to bed to dream of DCL and Castaway Cay . . ahhhhh

 

[karaeric]

The night life is as much as you want to make of it. There are always family events scheduled, as well as adult only events scheduled. In addition, there are two or three bars on board where you can just hang out and have a nightcap.

In addition, there are usually one or two (I can't remember on the 7-day cruises) night time deck parties that begin at 9:45 or so and go to 11ish. There is a ton of food out for those, as well as dancing and a band. Good for the whole family!

For adults, they always have themed nights, like 60's, 70's, and 80's nights. Those are complete hoot! And in one of the other clubs, they have events like Pub night, which is even funnier than the themed nights!

Anyway, yes, it is hard to do it all and see it all. We usually try to pick which nights we're going to stay up a bit later based on when we will be in port and when we'll be at sea. If we're at sea the next day, we can stay up later!

 

[grlzmom]

Hi, we just got off the Magic on Saturday, and have rebooked for the November 26th Eastern. Please add my gang to your group.

It will be me, dh, dd15, dd14, dd11, dd9, dd4, dd2 and ds2 (twins will be two weeks shy of third bday), and my mom and dad.

This will be our sixth cruise (fourth Eastern) and we picked this week because the girls have a couple of days off of school and won't miss as much time. We are sticking to a budget this time and aren't getting verandahs, trying portholes instead, staying on deck five since our younger ones spend quite a bit of time in the club.

We are addicted to DCL and can't wait to get back onboard.

 

[TJGorman]

Welcome grlzmom! It is nice to see someone else who has girls. This thread has a lot more boys. I also have a DD 11. She will be glad to hear there are some more girls her age. In our group, there are mostly boys and she prefers not to hang out and do "boy stuff". Hopefully they will meet up!

 

[DsnysGr8t]

It will be me, dh, dd15, dd14, dd11, dd9, dd4, dd2 and ds2 (twins will be two weeks shy of third bday), and my mom and dad.

Wahoo! My two 13yr old girls (DD and her BGF) will be VERY happy to hear of more girls in the teen club! Actually "I'm" happy too, even the odds of too many teen age boys (though the girls might not agree)

LGM

 

[dthogue]

Hi Everyone,

After much debate (we were thinking of doing RCL, but decided DCL was what we really wanted), we have finally decided to take this cruise as well. I will be booking later this week. I am hoping for 2 connecting category 9's on deck 2 or maybe one cat 9 and one cat 10 across from each other.

This will be our 2nd DCL Eastern cruise (we went in May of '04). It will be me, DH and DD16, DD13, and DD7. I know my girls would love to email others before the cruise, its so much fun for them to get to know others before they board.

I look forward to passing the time with everyone - hopefully the time will go fast.

 

[Michelle2]

April riddle, I think it would be great if the boys got in touch through email before the cruise, I think my DS would like that, he's kinda shy.
TJGorman, and grlzmom, I have a DD that will be 11 on the cruise also, and she is more of a socialite, she likes making good friends even if it is just a few hours...Grlzmom, I have one that will be 9 as well, I think you will be glad you chose DCL, we are, and haven't even been on it yet, but we like how much they cater to kids and a family environment (hopefully) LOL!
Thumpery, you were an inspiration and I went ahead and started booking things that I thought was too early for, but its not! I saw on someone's counter it is in the 9 month range now...wow!

 

[grlzmom]

I know that my dds will be so excited to find other girls their ages on this trip Making new friends on vacation is always a highlight for them.

We have never cruised in November before and can't wait to see the ship all decorated for the holidays.