Oct 30 2010 7 Night Western (PART 2)

[nenner1]

Jen, thank you for bringing by the bag of goodies Morgan missed out on for the TorT. Completely unnecessary, but very much appreciated!

Oh you are so welcome!
I know what you mean about being unnecessary! We have SO.MUCH.CANDY we decided we need to send the kids reverse Trick or Treating...you know they ring a doorbell and when the neighbors answer say Trick or Treat... throw candy at them !

Agreed about the bags from GrandmaCharming....beautiful! We used the bag a whole lot during the cruise. I even used it to help me deliver my own FE gifts!

Oh my gosh, yes! LOVED the bag! So glad we got ours! (J/K Arlene!) I have to say the FE gifts overall were so outstanding!!! Just jaw-dropping amazing. what wonderful hard work, creativity and generosity from all. We love all of our gifts tremendously!

I like to give a big thank you to everyone out there. We loved all our FE gifts, lanyands, TOT, treasure hunt and meeting everyone. You made it a magical and best vacation we have ever had. My kids and I will remeber forever. Thank you for everyones hard work and a lifetime of memories. Denise Stein dstein12

It was great to meet you Denise! I'm glad you and your family had a fantastic time!!

I'd just like to echo TifffanyD's statements about how much we enjoyed ourselves on the cruise. Had a blast at Nachi and delivering the FE gifts. I was also impressed with the number of the Not-so-Scary Halloween Cruise lanyards I saw over the course of the week from the time we were standing waiting to get on the ship to the time we were standing waiting for the Hertz shuttle to pick up our rental for the drive back. We're really looking forward to our next Disney cruise, which is now less than 90 days away.

We had my parents on board with us for this trip (their first Disney Cruise), and they really enjoyed it, too. So much so that they made a trip to the future bookings desk, too. They'll be sailing with us in June of 2012 on the Fantasy. Hope everyone that is now back in the real world is coping well enough. I don't feel like going to work tomorrow, but I must. Need to help earn the $ for our up-coming cruises and one of our on-board purchases. We bought an add-on to our DVC Membership!!!!

Jealous of you guys getting to go again so soon! Wonder how we missed you both at Nachi...we were the ones with the screaming child.

And to all: minor requests...

I can't wait to see the group photo. Post away, those of you that have it!

And if anyone has video of the countdown and horn blow at the sailaway party..I lost mine (thought I was recording but I guess not?) I would love to have a copy of it!

Thanks!!! Jen

 

[TifffanyD]

Jealous of you guys getting to go again so soon! Wonder how we missed you both at Nachi...we were the ones with the screaming child.

We were seated off to the left in a little area with almost noone else. It was actually further out than the beach swimming area - past the buoys (close to the banana boat dock) We were in the pool early in the day when it was emptier and then on the beach when everyone was in the pool LOL.

We were probably avoiding the screaming children

 

[kristieuk]

Just to echo the comments already made, we too had an awesome cruise, and it was such a pleasure to meet everyone. The hard work people put in to make this cruise so special is truly appreciated and will never be forgotten. Thank you all so much. We were completely overwhelmed with the FE gifts, and the effort everyone put in to make things for us. The ToT and Nachi treasure hunt were also wonderful highlights of the trip for us, so once again, thank you so much for the efforts everyone made.

We are very fortunate to still have a week of vacation left down on the Gulf Coast of FL, but we are missing the ship already.

Thanks everyone once again, and safe travels to all still yet to return home

 

[stitchgal]

We just got back today so here's some thoughts from a first time cruiser...

Overall, I think we had a good time. We've discovered this year after a long Disney World vacation that the kids are getting harder to travel with lately. I think (and hope!) it's just their ages now. It got pretty rough at times during the cruise but overall ok. We were hoping they would like the kids clubs more than they did. Mallory is pretty independent so I was surprised when she almost always wanted me to stay in the kids club with her but I did get her to spend some time there alone or with her sister who did better than her. Quinn spent some time in the nursery, did ok the first time but cried to go the second time but ended up ok again.

I didn't get to spend too much time with DIS people but it was nice to meet a lot of you! The kids love the trick or treating and thanks to those that organized it! The fish extender exchange was great! I have a giant bag of stuff here to still sort through with some great gifts! Glad to be a part of it!

Anyone ever experience "land sickness"? I have been having equilibrium issues still since getting off the ship and still feel like I'm moving a lot. I did feel the ship move most of the time but never actually got seasick.

Speaking of sickness, I got some kind of stomach bug or food poisioning or something the Grand Cayman day. I was very disappointed I wasn't able to get off the ship that day. I couldn't hold anything down that day and was extremely tired. Jason was a saint to take care of the kids all day; I just couldn't do it. He and Quinn got to see Grand Cayman and the girls spent some time in the kids club.

The girls loved the shows at the Walt Disney Theater. I think that was their favorite part and i enjoyed them too. We had great servers. We thought the food was only so-so at the restaurants and were expecting a bit more. We did have some good meals but nothing fantastic. Someone a few posts back mentioned special desserts at Halloween (we were at Lumiere's) and one of our dining partners who didn't order dessert was offered some kind of pumpkin-chocolate cake, I think.

And where can I get my application for the Brent Daives fan club? The Australian accent drew me in and not to mention that he's not bad on the eyes, either.

 

[kristieuk]

Anyone ever experience "land sickness"? I have been having equilibrium issues still since getting off the ship and still feel like I'm moving a lot. I did feel the ship move most of the time but never actually got seasick.

I am totally with you!! I am off sideways every few seconds, hoping I can find my land legs very soon.

Sorry you got sick, that is miserable. Kudos to your DH for stepping up

We were lucky in getting great servers too. The food we find very good for mass produced, it's not always first class though, I agree.

Tiger (3) only went to the kids club once, she was not fussed on going back. She is in daycare a couple of days a week which she loves, but for some reason she was not enthralled. Seren (11) on the other hand had to be dragged back in to join the family every now and then

We plan on sailing again in 2012 so have booked a dummy cruise for Dec 2011, but it will again be combined with a beach stay aftewards because it is so hectic on the ship, we are exhausted

 

[tjbaggott]

We are finally home!! I hate to look at my credit card bill now.

Re: the charges not your own. I can see how that can easily happen. On several occassions, I didn't have my card with me, or it was with the DH who was across the room, and both Store staff and drink people on the ship and on CC, would say "thats ok, whats your room number". On CC we joked with Kim and Brian, about it, and with the drink guy saying slyly,, "Oh Ya, my room number is XXXX" Don't know if the people beside us, were dissers here or not, but the one guy got in on the joke a few times too, by loudly telling the server, his room number was ours or Kim and Brian's. Perhaps thats worthy a point of bringing up with DCL, room keys should ALWAYS be required, to prevent mistakes. Either some could intentionally give someone elses room number, or the CM could make a typo.

Oh, and the vetigo, lasting, YES,,, especially and mostly only when I'm in front of the computer screen, like now, the room feels like it's starting to spin!

We arrived back home here to -1 Degree Celcius (0 is our freezing point). BRRRRR. When we awoke on embarkation day, I had NO idea how chilly it was in FL till we hit topsiders for Breakfast. My oh my, I must have missed that announcement. We all had shorts, t-shirts and I only had my Kino Sandals! I was able to dig into a suitcase while waiting for our shuttle bus, and found a sweater for me, and hoodies for the boys. BRRRR. They are both sound asleep. I'm going to keep them home from school tomorrow again (I know, bad mom bad mom) so they can sleep in. We didn't plan on getting home this late, and they still have some homework to finish up and tests to study for. Tim will have a test his first day back, in French, all about directions and Hemispheres and how to follow direction on a grid. I went over it with him in the van on the way home and he pretty much already has it down pat, but some extra review wouldn't hurt.
I want to reiterate again, how Fabulous this cruise was for us, Absolutely Amazing!!!! And it wouldn't have been as Amazing were it not for all of you! So THANK YOU!!!!!!!

 

[Fastpaks]

Lots to say, more later. but the track of the Magic is Wild!!

http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shipposition.phtml?call=C6PT7

 

[bfosbenner]

We made it home after a wonderful vacation.
Upon arival into our house we found that our family cat of 18 years had passed away. We were prepared for this but still very sad.

 

[dizney-cruiser]

Hello everyone!!

We came home and both of us are a bit under the weather. I had already put in for the day off for today, and I am actually feeling better, but Linda was planning to go to work today and she won't make - so she already called out sick!

We both had a great time!! Thanks to all of you!!

I loved having the lanyards to spot our group! Jen thanks so much for getting those done!!

I loved the FE gifts!! I might be stealing some of those ideas . . . starting with that calendar in a jewel case!! That was brilliant!

One day I went to Bingo, then I went to see what Linda was doing (she spent much of the cruise on deck 10 over the pool), then I went back to the room. . . my key wouldn't work. . . so after like the third time I looked at my card and noticed it wasn't mine! So, first I started to panic, and then went to guest services. They gave me a print out of my charges and there was nothing extra on there, and then he created us both new kttwc. That night we were standing in line to get a picture taking and we were talking to a lady behind us and was telling her what happened. The next day she was in line at guest services and apparently, the person that got my card was in the line to say it wasn't his card, but she said his wife was very upset, so she chimed in and said that I had noticed shortly after the switch and went right to guest services. I think that was the only glitch in our vacation.

It was Joanie's camera that the cast member used to take the group portraits, but I don't think they were going straight home, so it might take her a few more days to post them.

 

[tjbaggott]

I think Tinkerbell twins DH also took some of the group photos. Have we figured out a site yet to share photos or video's at? One that would allow for the download of the full file size, especially for the photos.

Did anyone happen to take a photo of my door? I did, but my pics turned out a little blurry.

To whoever gave my little Tim the PIRATE Party Songs CD, THANK YOU!!!! Honestly, the first song on there (starts out "16 men on a dead mans ship, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum"), is now Tim's FAVOURITE song!! Thanks to the couple of others who also gave CD's, they provided some great entertainment on our LONG LONG drive home!

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

I think Tinkerbell twins DH also took some of the group photos. Have we figured out a site yet to share photos or video's at? One that would allow for the download of the full file size, especially for the photos.

Did anyone happen to take a photo of my door? I did, but my pics turned out a little blurry.

To whoever gave my little Tim the PIRATE Party Songs CD, THANK YOU!!!! Honestly, the first song on there (starts out "16 men on a dead mans ship, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum"), is now Tim's FAVOURITE song!! Thanks to the couple of others who also gave CD's, they provided some great entertainment on our LONG LONG drive home!

Hey everyone,
We're finally home -- walked in the house at midnight. Steve's car wouldn't start this morning so had to get the twins up at 6am to take their dad to the metro.

We had a great time and it was super fun meeting all of you. This was our first, but certainly not our last, cruise. I, too, am still feeling the rocking of the waves. It isn't bad but does feel strange. We had a great time after the cruise going to WDW...met up with Jeff, Missy and Sarah for a short hello at Epcot's Mouse Gear.

Steve didn't take a group photo in the lobby but he does have a good one of the group of kids at Nachi in their bandanas and pirate eyepatches. When he gets a chance tonight after work he will either try posting it or if we can't figure it out with photobucket I will email it to Judy and she can put it up. Hope you don't mind, Judy! I hope everyone who went to Nachi enjoyed it. Lots of thanks to Judy and Sheri for all of your help with the treasure hunt. I think the kids loved it and it was fun watching them all converge on the booty once it was brought up out of the deep hole that Jeff and Steve dug.

I thought the service on the ship was fantastic. Our room steward, Dewa, took great care of us, especially given Hope's on and off episodes with asthma. Sasha in our dining rotation was over the top fantastic too.

Our cruise was especially nice as we got to know Pudo's family and I'm sure we will get together in the future. The twins loved hanging out with Sarah in the Kids Club and on the beach. It was fun hearing the kids squeal when they spotted Daniel and Tim, Jacqueline and Samantha, Adam, etc. It was super special watching the kids develop a confident saunter as we headed off to various parts of the ship. They certainly knew where they were going better than I did. And yes, I got an incredible workout going up and down all of those stairs!!!

We rebooked for the 5 day Dream on 8/15/2011 and the 7 day EC 11/5/2011 Magic (we will do one of the two of those), and the EC 8/25/2012 Fantasy.

More later. Our larder is bare so I'm off to the market.

Beth

 

[JKSWonder]

We rebooked for the 5 day Dream on 8/15/2011 and the 7 day EC 11/5/2011 Magic (we will do one of the two of those), and the EC 8/25/2012 Fantasy. Beth

Jeff told me on the 8/25/12 Fantasy cruise meet thread that you had booked this date. We are booked on this one also! I am so excited to hear that a few of us are sailing on this date.

 

[Fastpaks]

So we are back after a LONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG drive back. I think I fell asleep a couple of times. Overall, we had a great time on the trip. I think sometimes things felt a little Twilight zoneish. Walking into people that you have met on the Dboards, then actually meeting them was so different. lol I know by far, it was a highlight of the trip. Two week vacations are brutal, but Oh so worth it. I have other thoughts, but we are way behind in getting the house caught back up so I'll leave you with these two pictures:

From deck 7 looking out onto the "secret deck as we are leaving Grand Cayman:

The Group of us at the Palo Brunch that was the NOT SO PLANNED HALLOWEEN BRUNCH.

And a little piece of art from Castaway Cay from Tinkerbelltwins (Beth) and ME

 

[kgoldenh]

we were first time cruisers and I have to say it was an amazing week. The kids had so much fun meeting folks. Addie loved getting the FE gifts ready and running them around (it kept her busy at 5am when she was wide awake). The gifts we received were amazing. I cannot even begin to mention them all but the KY recipes, the frame, the CDs, etc. the kids loved all the glow sticks. A special thank you for the crunchie. The kids fell in love with them in Ireland and I order them for special times but it has been awhile. The lanyards were awesome.

 

[krisces]

Welcome Home Everyone!

We also had a great cruise, and booked a "dummy date" for a future one!

Our server was OK.... I definitely noticed that some folks were not on top of things... there were quite a few dropped trays and breaking china!! We were not offered any of the "special" Halloween desserts.

I think what bothered me the most, was the morning we left. Our server was so detached, almost rude. The new cruisers I was with commented immediately, and wanted to know if they tipped enough... we all tipped more than what was recommended - it was very uncomfortable.... something we had not experienced before.

Anyway.... Thanks again to everyone that arranged activities! I would have to say that Nachi Cocom was our absolute favorite! What a great place!

Hope everyone safe travels!
Kristen

 

[JKSWonder]

I think what bothered me the most, was the morning we left. Our server was so detached, almost rude. The new cruisers I was with commented immediately, and wanted to know if they tipped enough... we all tipped more than what was recommended - it was very uncomfortable.... something we had not experienced before.
Kristen

We had this same experience the morning of debarkation with our server. However, we did tip only the recommended amount for him since that was all his service was worth in our opinion. Honestly, though, I'm not sure the size of our tip had anything to do with it, since this was pretty much the way he treated us during our entire cruise. We felt that we were being treated like an extra table that was given to him that he didn't expect or want to have.

Our assistant server, a nice guy, was not at breakfast on debarkation day, though I don't know why. I would have liked to have said goodbye. I made sure to say nice things about him on our comment card.

 

[mmouse37]

Welcome home everyone!!! Hope everyone made it home safely. We walked in the door about 11:30 am yesterday (Sunday). Spent the night at the MCO Hyatt on Sat night and spend that day at Universal (yes, I defected from Disney for the day). I have to say I was not that impressed with Universal...will be sticking with Disney. I would try the Harry Potter area next time. We spent the day only in Universal side and not Islands of Adventure.

Well, our 19th DCL cruise was right up there with the rest of them. We enjoyed it immensely and although I did not meet up with any from this thread as we had 13 in our own group we were busy with I did notice everyone wearing their lanyards and saw some great matching t-shirts...you guys are all very talented!!! ruadisneyfan did come up to me in the atrium and we chatted a few minutes. It was nice putting a face to name!!

We felt the service was excellent. Our servers were Genesis from Indonesia (our server) and Daniel from Australia (our assistant server). Both were fantastic and catered to our every need. Paschal was our head server and he was nice but I felt he was a bit out there...he mumbled a bit so it was hard to understand him but he did his job. We even put in a special order for a platter of coconut fried shrimp and jerk chicken wings to be delivered to the table one night and they were delicious!!!

Our room steward was JoJo...he was great as well. Every CM we ran into had a smile on their face and a warm greeting. I thought the ship overall looked great.

As far as excursions we got off the ship in Key West and met up with friends were on a land vacation that week. We had drinks in Irish Kevin's and Willie T's and lunch in another place that was great (just can't remeber the name). Saw a bunch of people with just their body paint on..interesting to say the least!!!

On Grand Cayman we just hung around the adult pool until about 11:30 or so and then tendered into Grand Cayman. We walked a bit and just hung out and had lunch at Margaritaville and the kids went in the pool there and had a blast. The nachos and drinks were yummy. In Cozumel we went to Nachi Cocom and a big shout out to all those that arranged the pirate scavenger hunt. It was evident that tons of time and effort went into the planning and execution of the hunt. Bravo!!!

But, I have to say that as nice as Nachi was...there are other beach clubs that we went to that were better and offered more stuff. The attendant got very upset with us when we arrived (just after they opened) and was walking us to our chairs which were at the farthest end of the beach...we asked if we could please be close to the facilities and he got very annoyed..I realized later that is must have been because now we would be in a different attendant's section. I was very surprised there was no water stuff for the kids/adults like a water trampoline or the ability to use kayaks or sunfish boats. All the other beach clubs we have been to in Cozumel had non motorized water sports available at no charge. The beach, food and drinks were fine. We headed back to the ship around 3:00 or so (land time or ship time I forget!).

CC was great as always and enjoyed checking out the new additions. Anyone use the cabanas and would like to report? I saw them but can't judge if they are really worth the $499 price tag without having stayed in one. I thought the price was high but would love to hear from someone who stayed in one.

We started off our dining rotation in Parrot Cay on second seating. We were tables #24 and #26. We did Palo brunch on Sunday morning and had the private room (9 people) and my sis and I had high tea on Thurs at 3:00...was very nice... had not done high tea before....my only complaint was that they did not have the tea I was craving...the English Breakfast tea...they were all out. I had the Oragne Pekoe and that was good.

One of the kids with us did not enjoy the kids clubs too much but my niece and nephew absolutely loved them. We could not get them out of the clubs all week. They begged to go from morning until night. They even loved the kids club on CC.

One of the cutest moments I saw onboard was when Lilo and Stitch were up on Deck 9 and decided to play a game of ping pong with each other....they looked so cute!!! Then later on I found out that Stitch was on Deck 4 and he stopped to play shuffle board with my niece!!

All in all we had a wonderful cruise and can't wait for our Dream MV in January!!! I will post some pics when I get them uploaded.

Back to work today and it has been tough!!!

MJ

 

[SweetDolly]

Anyone use the cabanas and would like to report? I saw them but can't judge if they are really worth the $499 price tag without having stayed in one. I thought the price was high but would love to hear from someone who stayed in one.

We rented a beach cabana. I was shocked to see that all of the cabanas were full - DH and I thought we were nuts to spend the $$, but apparently we were in good company. Having a 6 month old son, we knew we wouldn't be able to spend much time on the beach with only the shelter that an umbrella would provide...not to mention the noise levels from surrounding cruisers, music, etc. We also have a 6 year old son that loves CC - we didn't want to disappoint him or split the family up for the day to accomodate the baby, so we splurged. Though pricey, in the end we felt it was worth the money.

I took several pics of the cabana, but haven't uploaded them yet - I'll post when I do. Though simple, the cabanas are comfortable and nicely appointed. A few seating options, a hammock, a storage closet with a safe, a shower just off the porch, and a curtain to change behind. There is music piped in (the same 5 Jimmy Buffett songs repeated over and over...lol) with a volume control. You are provided a refrigerator stocked with water, Coke products, a pitcher of rum punch and a non-alcoholic fruit punch, some chips & cereal bars and a bowl of fruit. There is a button you can push to call for service (re-stock the fridge, fresh towels, bar service, tray removal, etc.)

All of the amenities aside, we were most spoiled by the privacy and quiet. The span of beach that runs in front of the cabanas is reserved for cabana guests, and at the very most there were 10 people on the sand/in the water at once. Absent the noise from your neighbors (the family on one side was VERY loud), you really only hear the piped-in music and the ocean. It was also nice to bring trays back from Cookie's Too to enjoy lunch in peace.

While I understand every family's preferences are different, the cabana worked for us and we would definitely work the $499 into our overall vacation budget to do it again. I don't think we'll always be so lucky to score a reservation though, particularly once the larger ships begin sailing.

 

[tjbaggott]

I don't know if the Costco's in the U.S run the same specials that the Canadian ones do, but just in case thought I'd post this. From Nov. 1st to 17th (or roundabouts there), all online 4x6 photo orders are only .10 cents a print. I always order online from Costco and then pick them up at the store the next day. This evening, I'm ordering the photos to complete Tim's Journal that he will then share with his class at school along with left over Nachi Treasure hunt items. Daniel is finishing up the final touches on his plant cell project that he and Troy worked on in the edge. It looks pretty good and survived the ride home.

Apparently we had snow on the ground last week while on the Magic, but it was gone by the time we arrived home. A good deal of frost covered everything this morning! I picked up our doggies today, they sure were SO HAPPY to be home, and Daniel just came back from our neighbours with Tim's Betta Fish that they looked after for us. Tim yelled a BIG "WELCOME HOME SHARKY"!! I can't find my photo pass card from WDW. There were a few photos on that that I would like, but looks like that might not happen. Oh well, lots of great photos from the cruise

 

[nenner1]

I lost our photopass as well.... and I even took a picture of the back of it too just in case but it came out blurry and every combination I keep putting in comes back invalid. Oh well...

We have the cruise crud here. Sarah was the first to get it, probably picked it up around other lil kiddos. I'm getting it too and it's miserable. Or is it just going back to work that's so miserable.