November 5th 2011 Eastern on the Magic

[wtgilligan]

We scheduled the See and Sea World Tour for St. Martin. The Butterfly Farm and Coral World for St. John and the glass bottom boat for Castaway Cay.

I would have gone more adventurous but with the kids it was hard.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

We have done the See & Sea tour, also have done Coral World also done the Under 2 Flags tour. They are all great tours.


Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

We scheduled the See and Sea World Tour for St. Martin. The Butterfly Farm and Coral World for St. John and the glass bottom boat for Castaway Cay.

I would have gone more adventurous but with the kids it was hard.

When you get to Coral World be sure to walk towards the back part where there is alarge building with a few tables set out for kids birthday parties and such. There are a couple old dead looking trees there. I was standing close to them, although they are fenced off and then I noticed the branches were moving. Turns out about 200 iguanas were living in those 2 trees.
Some of them were huge!!!


Kathy

 

[wtgilligan]

that sounds awesome!! Can't wait.

 

[LovesToRun]

Here is a question of the night:

What excursions are everyone going on?

We have only reserved stingrays at CC and snorkel rental at CC. What's everyone doing on St. Martin/John/Thomas?

For us:

St. Maarten, we are going on our own. Taking a taxi over to Maho Beach to watch the planes land and take off over our heads!

St. Thomas, we booked the Magens Bay Beach Break

Castaway Cay, for sure the Castaway Cay 5K first thing (just DH and I will do it, kids won't). Then, we'll hit the family beach, let the kids play in the water, play in the sand, and we haven't seen the new big water play structure, so I know the boys will want to play there. And definitely at some point, we'll rent bikes (all 4 of us), and bike all over the island. That is a lot of fun to do!!!

That is all we have planned....

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Some where I have some photos of them. If I find it I will post it.
Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

BT,
here are a couple photos. You can see the branches look like a dead tree but they were all covered with critters.

Kathy

 

[wtgilligan]

Awesome pictures.

So on Disney's website it talks about tipping the excursion people. How much should I tip them?

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Awesome pictures.

So on Disney's website it talks about tipping the excursion people. How much should I tip them?

That is up to you if you tip and ow much you tip.

For us it depends on the length of the excursion and how much the guide actually does for us.
Some excursions they ride with you to the destination, then tell you your there, and turn you loose to roam on your own then ride back with you. To me they didnt earn a tip.

But if you get someone who actually informs you about the area and what your about to see and do and they stay available for questions, then I would give a tip.
Most excursion we have done most people have given $2 to $5 depending on the length of the excursion and how good their guide was.

We have had a few we didnt tip at all because they really were not friendly or helpful. They just went through the motions, so to speak.

But we have also had awesome guides who we gave more to because it was an all day excursion and they were very informative and helpful with answering questions.

The worst people for wanting tips and being pushy about it at times are taxi drivers.
Most guides have a tip jar in the vehicle and as you get off you may drop in what you want. I like that.

Others bug you on and off about how hard they work and how much they hope you will leave them a tip when your done with the excursion. Those I dont tip. To me they are being rude.
A tip is not required, it is given for great service.
So be prepared for all kinds if ways they ask for tips.

Like I said, most I have noticed are $2 to $5 for tips.
We always take a bunch of one dollar bills on the cruise. They are for tipping on excursions and room service if we use it. I usually take 30 or 40 of them.


Kathy

 

[Switzert]

We wanted to do more Dis tours but most were above age 5 and our 4 1/2 year old DD is too young. So we have opted to rent cars and do our own. Guess it puts us in the running for most likely to miss the ship... hope not!

St Martin: We are renting a car from the port and driving to oyster pond for a snorkeling tour with Captain Allen. He has great ratings from all sites I can find. That lasts until 1pm after that, we may go to either Dawn Beach or Orient Beach, or shopping. We will let our DWs choose.

St. Thomas: We will again rent a car but this time from the Airport which is closer than havnesight. We will most likely start with shopping downtown for an hour or so and then to Coki beach, and/or Meagans beach.
Again, I will let the DWs choose when and where they want us to go. I research and react to what they want to do. I use my elephant brain to play tour guide.

Castaway Cay will be pure relaxation. Hanging at the beach, playing volleyball, and basketball. Taking DD out to slides as much as she wants.

 

[Daniellenbella]

For our excursions:

St. Maarten we are doing a non DCL excursion through Random Wind. I'm really excited, it looks awesome, but I'm so nervous about getting back to the ship!

St. Thomas we are doing the Screamin Eagle jet boat. DD is a huge adrenaline junky so I hope this is fun for her. We also plan to do some shopping! We debated Megans Beach but from what I've read it is crazy croweded when the cruise ships are in. I think it would be something we wouldn't be able to truly appreciate if that's the case so we'll have to put it on our Bucket List.

CC we have nothing reserved. We would like to do some snorkeling & maybe bike riding.

Gma Kathy, those iguana pics are crazy!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Happy thursday morning,

Cold again this morning, can't wait to be in the warm tropical islands.
Love reading about all the excursions everyone is doing. It gets my mind excited for this cruise. Of course I am excited anyway.


I love getting up in the morning and removing another link off our count down chain


Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Too quiet around here today.

We do have a new family who sent me a PM but she hasnt posted yet. Hopefully she will soon.

I have added her to the CM list and FE list.

If the last 2 people have not responded by sunday night about the FE, I will assume they are not participating and will send everyone out the final list the first part of next week.

This close to the cruise I dont anticipate any more new people, but you may want to plan 1 extra gift, just in case.

Rememer to print off the FE list and put it in your suitcase!!
I will try to remember to bring a couple extra to the meet in case someone forgets.

I will also post a reminder about this again, probably once a week to make sure everyone gets reminded.

Kathy

 

[mrp4352]

Here is a question of the night:

What excursions are everyone going on?

We are just going to take the water taxi to Phillipsburg on St. Maartin. I read a trip report with a bar/restaurant that we've decided we have to try - the Blue B***** Bar (insert female dog word). I know, icky name, but this family said the food was great, the margaritas were even better and the pictures showed an amazing view!

For St. Thomas, we're joining everyone on the early morning tour of St. John. I'm hoping to ride to the top of the mountain, too (love the mudslide milkshake drink thingee!)

Castaway Cay will be relaxing! Mom and Eve may snorkel, I may rent a bike. Who knows? most likely, we'll just sit in our lounge chairs and cry because it's the last day of the cruise...

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Michelle,
Shame on you reminding us about the LAST day of the cruise, we dont think about that until is has to happen.

I agree, CC is so nice but also its a reminder when you get back on the ship there, thats the last time you will board the Magic for that cruise.
The best way to take away some of the sadness is to book another cruise on board, even if its a couple years away

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Please make sure on the CM list that all the birthdays or anniversaries are listed. I want to make sure it is complete before sending out the final copy.

Sp please look at your information to make sure it is correct and has everything listed that you want.
Especially make sure your room numbers are correct for the FE.
If anything needs to be changed, please let me know as soon as possible.

Thank you!!

Kathy

 

[melissar112002]

I used Kathy's (GMA) idea for making a chain countdown and am so excited cuz today we pulled off the first link!!!!

It's hard to keep up with all the pages on the thread, guess I need to start checking in everyday to keep up to date. I am also very excited for the FE. I think I am almost all finished making/buying the gifts to give out to all of you and my FE is all made and ready to go. It's been really fun doing all that.

I was re-reading an old post from Kathy with some suggestions, etc. and one thing I saw again (regarding food) is that you can order warm cookies to your cabin at night. I will definitely have to indulge on that one. Just thought I would mention it again in case anyone else loves cookies like we do.

Also, online if you go to Disney - where you fill out the online registration, etc. many of you already know this, but you can have the characters call you before the cruise - something I bet the kids would really enjoy!! And I guess on the cruise, if you call for a wake up call, have your kids answer, because the characters "call" to wake you up.

Kathy, thanks again for all the updates on the FE. Look forward to getting the final list so I can put all my stuff together and be ready to pack it up. It's so nice of you to organize all of it so we can all have such fun with it on the cruise!!!!

~Melissa

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Hi Melissa,

great to see you posting again.

Its nice to know I am not the only one pulling links off a countdown chain. Mine is for when we leave for WDW prior to the cruise so I have already got to remove a few links.

Every morning my husband asks me if I remembered to remove a link.

Those calls are fun to get from what i have heard, although we have never done it.

Quiet day today on this thread.
Oregon Ducks are playing tonight on TV (our local team) so thats what the guys will want to watch tonight.

Back when I can.

 

[LovesToRun]

Hi All,

Boy, today was a busy day!! This is the first I've been able to look at the boards.... I expected there to be a couple pages of posts at the rate we all have been posting, but it appears I'm not the only one who had a really busy day!

Can't believe it's getting so close to our cruise.... and it's getting even more realistic, because my cousin just turned 40 yesterday. We grew up together, and our birthdays are just 1 month apart, so whenever she has her birthday, I know mine is just around the corner... and seeing her turn 40 hit me that I am turning 40 in a month . At least I get to flip over to the big "4-0" out at sea (Nov 10) in the Caribbean on the Disney Magic!!! Can't think of any better place to be for this occasion.


Well, I'm wiped out from a long day.... but I did hear a good joke today (I'm already starting to get the "old" jokes.... ).

It is:

There are 3 things that happen when you get old:

1. you start to lose your memory
2. I forgot the 2nd and 3rd one



Anyway, that just made me laugh...

Have a good evening, everyone!

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Hi Kathy,

Good to see you showing up tonight.
We are watching the Ducks vs Cal game tonight. But I thought I would check out the thread for a minute.

I have heard that joke before, It is cute

Back later to see if anyone posts,
Most here are 3 hours ahead of us so you and I are the late posters and BT.



Kathy