November 8, 2008 7 Night Eastern 11/8/2008 11-8-2008 FIRST POST UPDATED ON 10/16/08

[WendyJersey]

Pixie DustII how did things go for your DH yesterday? I think yesterday was the appointment day. My thoughts were with you both yesterday.

 

[BIGDOG7775]

Thanks for all the replies I was wondering if anyone has the links to the forum where all the info is? Thanks again Brian

 

[Gecko1]

08/11/08 - Magic 8520
Gecko1, DW, DD9, DS8
First Family Cruise

 

[Morgan4]

Welcome BigDog7775 and Gecko1!!!

This will be our first family cruise also. We are so looking forward to it.

I have found so many of my questions answered at the main forum, plus some great tips that I never would have known.

Just scroll up to the top of this page and click on "Disney Cruise Line Forum"

Answers to questions on ports, I went to CruiseCritic.com.
Click on Boards, then the port of call you have questions on.

Welcome again!

 

[Stitch's O'hana]

 

[WendyJersey]

08/11/08 - Magic 8520
Gecko1, DW, DD9, DS8
First Family Cruise

Welcome Gecko1 to our group. Cruising is great. Our first one was not DCL but we loved it. I do have to say that DCL does have so much more going for it which is why it may cost a little more but it is worth it. This is our 2nd DCL cruise.

 

[Mozart]

300 days...

Man, that's a long time.

 

[Gecko1]

Thanks for the welcome. The whole family is excited about the cruise. We have been digging ourselves out of debt for the last couple of years and cut back on many family activities during that time. The reward promised on the day we yelled "we're debt free! " was to book a 7 day Disney cruise.

DW is already talking about making DCL our vacation every other year. So I am hoping to get the chance to peek in to several different staterooms to get a feel for the best fit down the line. This time we booked a Cat 4 near the forward elevators - 8520.

As we get closer to our departure date, we are hoping to get to know some of the DIS'ers and their kids.

 

[faireygod mother]

DW is already talking about making DCL our vacation every other year. So I am hoping to get the chance to peek in to several different staterooms to get a feel for the best fit down the line. This time we booked a Cat 4 near the forward elevators - 8520.

As we get closer to our departure date, we are hoping to get to know some of the DIS'ers and their kids.

This is our annual family vacation and we love it. We cruise with and without children and have a great time either way.

Welcome and congrats on being debt free.

 

[Morgan4]

Hi Everyone.

I just found out that on Nov 11, when we are in St. Maarten, it is their holiday "St Maarten's Day"

I have been told that the shops will be closed on both sides of the island!! I need to shop!!

I am trying to find out what WILL be open, excursions and such.

Anyone have any other info?

 

[Mozart]

That's interesting. There will be 3 cruise ships in port that day: Us, Carnival Splendor, and Liberty of the Seas. I can't imagine them shutting down with that many ships coming into port.

I just looked up St. Maarten's day to see what it was:

St. Maarten's Day

According to island legend, on November 11, 1493, Christopher Columbus claimed the island (but did not set foot) for Spain on his second voyage, then proclaiming it St. Maarten from the religious day of St. Martin of Tours. To this day, St. Maarten celebrates this day as St. Martin/St. Maarten's Day. For more information, visit history.

I guess that it would be like our Columbus Day from the description of it.

Usually, on DCL's webpage they list the days that a particular excursion will not be available. There is nothing listed saying that it won't be available for our cruise.

 

[Morgan4]

I have been e-mailing Joyce Prince Tours, and she said :

"I believe, Loterie Farm will be open and Plantation. i will make sure later on but once there is a ship these places will be open, they are on the French side. The strict rule is on the Dutch Side The stores will be all closed. This is one of the very few days of the year that the island is closed down.
I will wait to hear from you.
Regards,
joyce"

The beaches are always open and the sightseeing trips are a go.

I was really hoping to check out the jewelry on the Dutch side. Oh well, next cruise.

 

[Gecko1]

The 11th is also Veteran's Day. I have already been working on a door sign honoring vets/disney <---- Long history there.

If the zip line excursion is closed my family will not be happy! Although I don't know if my son will be big enough anyway, he will be eight at the time of the cruise. He is in a youth rock climbing group and is looking forward to it.

The good side of a holiday: Festivals & Happy locals
The bad side of a holiday: Closed stores/attactions, traffic, overcrowded beaches.

 

[Gecko1]

I did some research on the holiday:
Nov. 11: St. Maarten Day. Public holiday. Parades and joint ceremony by French and Dutch officials at Border Monument obelisk commemorating long-standing peaceful coexistence of both countries. Tenth-annual 20-mile "Around the Island" race, based on historic folk tale about how the island's two-nation border was established. Also "St. Martin's Day," denoting start of "season."

French Side: Looks like everything CAN be open. Plus they have an event in the French Quarter.

St Martin - French Quarter’s village day
Fun filled family day surrounded by the most popular traditional and cultural games and music.


Looks like those that were planning shopping in Philipsburg (Dutch side) will be disappointed.

This is a news story from November 2006:

PHILIPSBURG -The public is reminded that all stores have to be closed on St. Maarten/St. Martin Day, Saturday, November 11.
St. Maarten/St. Martin Day is an official holiday and, in keeping with the law on shop closure, all places of business have to be closed on that day, Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards stated in a press release on Monday.
No exemptions will be granted for business establishments to open on Saturday. This also includes stand-alone casinos, as well as casinos located on hotel properties with less than 200 rooms. Three cruise ships are scheduled to be in port on Saturday, but stores may not be open.
The law on shop closure makes a few exceptions. Pharmacies may be open, but only to sell medicines and medical products. Bars and restaurants, hotels and guest houses, stores located in hotels and on the airport and harbour premises, funeral parlours, gas stations, and bakeries selling pastries, milk and milk products also may open.

 

[Morgan4]

Gecko1

Thanks for the additional info.

I think we are looking at the zip lines also. The kids have to be over 48". My eldest dd is a monkey so she would love to do this.

Disney doesn't have this excursion, do they? I looked online and Loterie does not have a reservation policy. They are saying to show up and it is a FCFS basis. They do the cruise lines in the AM, do depending on how many sign up that way, depends on when we could do it. I really don't want to spend the day waiting.

We might do some sightseeing in Marigot and they go over in the afternoon, since we are in port until 7.

I am worried though about the race around the island. If we were to drive ourselves, i could just see us getting caught up in traffic or closed roads. I may leave the driving to them.

Don't know, only 9 more months to plan!!

 

[Gecko1]

I sent an email to Loterie Farms asking if they will be open and if transportation should be expected to be a problem.

I also had a quick online chat with a "St. Maarten Excursion Specialist"

You are now chatting with 'Monique'

Monique: Hello. How may I assist you?

Richard: We are arriving on St Maarten on St. Mararten's Day. We know the Dutch side will be closed.

Richard: Will the Loterie Farm be open?

Monique: I am not 100% sure, but would think it will. If you want to send me a request for that date, I can have an answer for you later today.

Richard: Thanks. Send info to *****@gmail.com

Monique: OK, will do, its the 11/11 your looking at for Disney Cruise?

Richard: Yes. Party of four - 2 adults and two kids. We also know another family of four on the same cruise that may want to go along if it is open

Monique: OK, ill have that info for you later today

 

[Morgan4]

Thank you Gecko1 for getting that info. Let me know what you find out.
If we can make reservations, i would like to do so.
Wondering why Disney doesn't offer the zip line when they do the Lotterie Hike?

 

[Gecko1]

Morgan,
The excursion company got back to me, see below. The price is within a few dollars of Disney and unlike Disney includes the zip line.

We have already put in our reservation as this is one of the adventures the whole family wants and it does not hurt the wallet as badly as many other excursions! Hope to see you there!



PLEASE NOTE: This is not a confirmation, it is an availability reply.

Greetings from St Maarten,

There is currently availability on the Loterie Farm-Zip Line Adventure for the date requested below with an 8.10am meet on the gangway.
This amazing Adventure Center is located at a 299-year old former sugar plantation on the French side of the island around 20 minutes drive from the Cruise Terminal.

Situated on a mountainside, with incredible panoramic views of the neighboring eastern Caribbean Islands, it’s a great place to visit, before you even start the activities.

The excursion is $84.00us per adult, $51.00us for children under 16 years of age. Includes 2hrs Treetop Adventure.

To confirm your reservation please follow the link below to our SSL secure/encrypted reservation page:

https://www.stmaartencruiseexcursions.com/ZipLineSecure.htm

About the tour:
After a detailed safety briefing, experienced instructors will instruct you in the use of high-tech harnesses and karabiner systems, and explain the double redundant safety features to ensure your relaxed enjoyment. Once kitted out and briefed, its off to the tree tops! The exhilarating traverse adventure course is made up of a dizzying sequence of zip-lines, rope swings and ‘bridges’ suspended from platforms mounted in the highest trees of the forest. While you traverse between majestic 200-year-old Mango and Mahogany trees, you will experience, “up close and personal” the rich bio-diversity of St Martin’s only rain forest micro-climate.
Instructors are on hand along the route to assist beginners and look after you every step of the way through your treetops adventure

Tour Specifications:
Transport is included in the cost of the excursion departing from a short 4 minute walk from Gangway or tender.
250lb max weight limit. You must be reasonably physically fit to do this excursion.
Min Height 48 inches or 4ft.
Comfortable shoes & clothing required.
Please leave jewelery and watches onboard, as they can cause injury, & secure lockers are not provided.
Adults must accompany under 18yrs.

Lunch is not included, you may opt to bring along your own snacks or favorite drink. The loterie farm restaurant is one of, if not the best eatery on the island. You can stay on for a relaxed lunch, and return to the vessel via taxi (approx $20) but you MUST let your driver know if you do not wish him to return for you after the tour.

This tour is not suitable for persons with the following pre-existing medical conditions: Heart, seizures, back, knee, neck, shoulder or pregnancy
If you have additional questions not covered in this e-mail or not covered in our Website please contact our Live Help Dept. by visiting our Website Mon-Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm

For information on the location as well pictures please visit the excursion webpage by clicking on this link: http://www.stmaartencruiseexcursions.com/LoterieFarmZipLine.htm

To confirm your reservation please follow the link below to our SSL secure/encrypted reservation page:
https://www.stmaartencruiseexcursions.com/ZipLineSecure.htm

20% Deposit is required in order to secure your reservation (fully refunded in case of inclement weather cancellations or Ships not calling Port, please refer to our Terms of Reservation by visiting our website http://stmaartencruiseexcursions.com/Terms.htm . The balance is due at time of excursion in cash or traveler check only. Please remember that prices quoted on reservation requests or as show on our website at time of reservation request are not guaranteed until a reservation deposit is submitted for the excursion. To make sure you receive the quoted price please reserve the excursion within 24hrs of reservation request.

Please feel free to e-mail us or to contact our Live Help Dept. by visiting our Website. You may contact one of our live Operators for reservations as well as answers to any further questions before your confirmed reservation. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to you with directions as well as additional relevant reservation instructions following your reservation submittal.

Thank you,


Monique

Island Marketing Ltd (Cayman)
http://stmaartencruiseexcursions.com

 

[4cogscruzin]

Thanks for all the great info. Sad about not being able to shop on the Dutch side. The shopping is way better in St. Marten vc. St. Thomas. I know it will be a great day regardless. The upside is that we didn't go to the French side last time. I guess we will try that this time

 

[Morgan4]

Gecko1

Thanks again, it sounds like alot of fun.
I will check with the family to make sure what we want to do, will let you know.

What time were you meeting them at the gangway? Is that 8:10 or 10:00?