Oct 30 2010 7 Night Western

[JKSWonder]

My kids were out of school on Wednesday and Thursday. They just went back today. We have about 12 inches on our front lawn (more in some places where it drifted up). It's pretty, but what a mess. Picking up my daughter at school today was a nightmare because there was really no place to park all the cars since the shoulder of the road had been plowed over.

On a happier note, I just got our taxes back from the accountant and we are getting a much larger refund than I anticipated. I can see a "Paid in Full" posting from me in our not so distant future!

My MIL is visiting from Florida and this whole blizzard thing has kind of been a shock to her system. She seems to have forgotten what New York can be like in February!

I'm having her family over tomorrow for a sort of Valentine's Day Party/Family reunion sort of thing. I've got to start cooking soon to get stuff ready. On the menu: baked ziti, ham, beans, salads and assorted appetizers. The idea of it is really making me look forward to a week of someone cooking for me, serving it to me and cleaning up the dishes!

Since I doubt I will be able to post again until after this weekend, Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! And may we all be saying Happy Halloween to each other in person sooner rather than later.

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Hi, Not sure if this is how we join this but will give it a try! We are booked on the wonderful Halloween cruise to the Western Caribbean. It will be our first family cruise. We live in Fairfax Station, Virginia. Beth, DH Steve, DD Skye (6), and DD Hope (6). Our twin daughters are in kindergarten, but by that time they will be in first grade. Our dinner seating is LATE (though we are hoping to get it switched!). We would love to hear suggestions as to what to do with 6-year olds during the ports of call.

 

[Pudo]

Hi, Not sure if this is how we join this but will give it a try! We are booked on the wonderful Halloween cruise to the Western Caribbean. It will be our first family cruise. We live in Fairfax Station, Virginia. Beth, DH Steve, DD Skye (6), and DD Hope (6). Our twin daughters are in kindergarten, but by that time they will be in first grade. Our dinner seating is LATE (though we are hoping to get it switched!). We would love to hear suggestions as to what to do with 6-year olds during the ports of call.

Welcome. You did just fine "joining". We have a DD (Sarah) who will be 6 tomorrow. We are having a big party Saturday with lots of friends and family. The Halloween cruise will be her fifth. Since she was born we normally pick different family type excursions like a beach trip, dolphin encounter, Conch Train Tour, or Butterfly farm.

You can research your options on the DCL website

 

[tjbaggott]

Hi, Not sure if this is how we join this but will give it a try! We are booked on the wonderful Halloween cruise to the Western Caribbean. It will be our first family cruise. We live in Fairfax Station, Virginia. Beth, DH Steve, DD Skye (6), and DD Hope (6). Our twin daughters are in kindergarten, but by that time they will be in first grade. Our dinner seating is LATE (though we are hoping to get it switched!). We would love to hear suggestions as to what to do with 6-year olds during the ports of call.

Hi there and Welcome! Be sure to read Page 1 of this thread, LOTS of information there!

Are your girls swimmers yet? A bunch of us are doing the Captain Marvins 1/2 day snorkaling and stingray city tour while in Grand Cayman.
Our list and discussion of it is a few pages back. You can check out what it's about by visiting http://www.captainmarvins.com/. We likely will be just dissers on the boat which is awesome since we'll all Know each other rather than be virtual strangers. My DS6 is not a swimmer yet, but hoping the lessons this spring and summer will get him there. We might bring floaties or something of the sort for him. The stingray City portion is on a Sand Bar? and thus shallow water in which 6 yr olds may be able to touch the bottom by standing, but even if they have to be held, I think they'd have a ball with the stingrays!

 

[nenner1]

Hey everyone just a fly by to say Happy weekend to ya'll.

We are paying off the cruise today! Woot!

We also booked a cruise on RCCL's new Allure of the Seas for 9/18/11. Next plan is for the DCL Fantasy in 2012. Speaking of, I am getting ready to post my TR on RCCL if anyone is interested in learing more about it. I will do a comparison to DCL.

Oh and did you all hear how the Magic got stuck in Castaway Cay last night? High winds and rough seas. They were due back today but now will not be back until tomorrow (when the Wonder is scheduled to be there)...should be interesting to hear how they handle that situation! I feel for all th epeople who have missed their flights and such. But I can think of worse places to be stuck. LOL.

 

[threeiscrazy]

Hey everyone just a fly by to say Happy weekend to ya'll.

We are paying off the cruise today! Woot!

We also booked a cruise on RCCL's new Allure of the Seas for 9/18/11. Next plan is for the DCL Fantasy in 2012. Speaking of, I am getting ready to post my TR on RCCL if anyone is interested in learing more about it. I will do a comparison to DCL.

Oh and did you all hear how the Magic got stuck in Castaway Cay last night? High winds and rough seas. They were due back today but now will not be back until tomorrow (when the Wonder is scheduled to be there)...should be interesting to hear how they handle that situation! I feel for all th epeople who have missed their flights and such. But I can think of worse places to be stuck. LOL.

I'd be willing to give up my flight for another day onboard! the kids would be too! That last night is the hardest, they just don't want to leave.

I'm interested to hear how things go.

 

[threeiscrazy]

We are paying off the cruise today! Woot!

I forgot to say Congrats!

 

[Fastpaks]

Hey everyone just a fly by to say Happy weekend to ya'll.

We are paying off the cruise today! Woot!

We also booked a cruise on RCCL's new Allure of the Seas for 9/18/11. Next plan is for the DCL Fantasy in 2012. Speaking of, I am getting ready to post my TR on RCCL if anyone is interested in learing more about it. I will do a comparison to DCL.

Oh and did you all hear how the Magic got stuck in Castaway Cay last night? High winds and rough seas. They were due back today but now will not be back until tomorrow (when the Wonder is scheduled to be there)...should be interesting to hear how they handle that situation! I feel for all th epeople who have missed their flights and such. But I can think of worse places to be stuck. LOL.

I know I'm extremely interested in a RCCL point of view. I know my wife and I are thinking about may be expanding our horizons for the future. Do you think the Dis will take Fantasy and give them more than a run to the Bahamas/CC and back?

Stuck on CC would be awesome... more BBQ? mmmm

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Hi,
Thanks for the information! I'll look back a few pages to find the information you mentioned -- it sounds like fun to go out to see the coral, fish and rays! I know that one of my girls would love to get up close and personal with some sting rays, but not sure about the other one. Certainly something to consider! We will be spending lots of time at the pool this summer so hopefully their swimming abilities will improve by the time of the cruise. Our family looks forward to meeting yours on the cruise!

 

[all4myboyngirl]

HELLO TO ALL!!! We are taking our FIRST Disney cruise this Halloween and are so excited. We are a family of four from Knoxville, TN. My DW will be celebrating the Big 40 on the cruise so that just makes it all the more special for us. What can we expect from all of you veteran cruisers? Were is the best place to stay the night before the cruise starts?

How can we find out more about the activities that will be offered on the cruise?

We are currently listed as a GTY Category 6 so we are not exactly sure what that means.

Chris
Marsha
Skyler - age 11 at time of cruise
Lauryn - age 9 at time of cruise

 

[eyes4mickey]

HELLO TO ALL!!! We are taking our FIRST Disney cruise this Halloween and are so excited. We are a family of four from Knoxville, TN. My DW will be celebrating the Big 40 on the cruise so that just makes it all the more special for us. What can we expect from all of you veteran cruisers? Were is the best place to stay the night before the cruise starts?

How can we find out more about the activities that will be offered on the cruise?

We are currently listed as a GTY Category 6 so we are not exactly sure what that means.

Chris
Marsha
Skyler - age 11 at time of cruise
Lauryn - age 9 at time of cruise

Hi,
Welcome!!!! This will be our 3rd Disney Cruise. You will love it!!!

We will be flying in on Friday night and like to stay at the Hyatt in the MCO airport. Since we get in late, we just get off the plane, walk up to the hotel and they take the luggage off the baggage carousel and bring it right up to your room for $10. We usually have too much luggage and are exhausted by that time so, this works out great for us. We also don't have to pay for transportation to a hotel. In the morning we have car service pick us up and take us to the port.

Look on page 1 of this thread and you will see all of the activities that our group has planned. The fish Extenders are a lot of fun.

Many of us planning on doing the Stingray Excursion at Grand Cayman with Captain Marvins together. Read Through the last few pages for the details.

 

[nenner1]

I forgot to say Congrats!

Thanks! It's in the bag!

I know I'm extremely interested in a RCCL point of view. I know my wife and I are thinking about may be expanding our horizons for the future. Do you think the Dis will take Fantasy and give them more than a run to the Bahamas/CC and back?

Yep, I do. Of course some of it is speculation at this point but here is what we do know:

Wonder: leaving for LA in 2011. Will not return.
Magic: I don't think this was announced but speculation is that in alignment with the construction of the new DCL office in Southport that they may be sail out of there year round. Or just half the year like currently. This is up in the air still AFAIK. But most concur that the Magic will not spend much- if any time out of PC once both big ships come online.

Both the Dream and Fantasy have contracts keeping them exclusively at PC for a period of time (not sure how long but I think 6 years?)

Dream: expectations are to have it continue the 3/4/5 night itineraries (possibly sticking just to 3/4 night to accomodate land/sea cruisers once the Fantasy comes online.)
Fantasy: all speculation (and at this point no confirmation) is for Fantasy to take up the Magic's 7 night eastern and western caribbean routes when the Magic heads over to the med- or wherever it might go.

While it is possible the Magic could stay, keep in mind the logistics of a third ship in & out of PC would have to be worked out. Parking for more vehicles, days in port, etc. It could be done, though expecially with longer itineraries like southern caribbean for example. IMO however speculation is right on with Europe. They aren't building that office there for nuthin'...
There was a great thread on this while back (around when the itineraries for '11 came out) but this is pretty much the summary of it.

Lots to look forward to!!!

HELLO TO ALL!!! We are taking our FIRST Disney cruise this Halloween and are so excited. We are a family of four from Knoxville, TN. My DW will be celebrating the Big 40 on the cruise so that just makes it all the more special for us.

aboard! Glad to have you sailing with us!

What can we expect from all of you veteran cruisers? Were is the best place to stay the night before the cruise starts?

How can we find out more about the activities that will be offered on the cruise?

Post 1 of this thread has an amazing wealth of information. There are a lot of basics there about DCL in general, and also a lot of specific info for this cruise in particular. Janice (Disney-cruiser) has done a fantastic job with this, so I would start there!

For more info on DCL check out the DCL main site- there you can learn a lot of specifics about the Magic and also detailed descriptions of port excursions available through DCL.

The trip report boards here on the Dis DCL boards are where I found out most of my info as a newbie. Following a recount of someones cruise can give you a great feel for what happens onboard and also options for ports.

Hope that helps some!

We are currently listed as a GTY Category 6 so we are not exactly sure what that means.

GTY means you ae guaranteed to have at least at Category 6 stateroom - or better. Location on the ship will be determined closer to sailing (usually 1-2 months out). So basically you know what kind of room you will have but you don't know where on the ship you will be. Cat 6 rooms are found on decks 5 and 6 IIRC off the top of my head so you know unless you get an upgrade that is where you will be.

 

[tjbaggott]

HELLO TO ALL!!! We are taking our FIRST Disney cruise this Halloween and are so excited. We are a family of four from Knoxville, TN. My DW will be celebrating the Big 40 on the cruise so that just makes it all the more special for us. What can we expect from all of you veteran cruisers? Were is the best place to stay the night before the cruise starts?

How can we find out more about the activities that will be offered on the cruise?

We are currently listed as a GTY Category 6 so we are not exactly sure what that means.

Chris
Marsha
Skyler - age 11 at time of cruise
Lauryn - age 9 at time of cruise

Yes, WELCOME Aboard! We too have GTY CAT 6 booked. This will be our 3rd Cruise but our 1st time with a Verandah! Looking forward to breakfast out on the Verandah! I secretly WISH for an upgrade, but as the ship is already pretty full, I doubt that will happen, but none the less, I'm very excited to have a Cat 6.

 

[schimj]

Hi All!

I haven't been posting much in this thread, but my parents (their first DCL sailing, 2nd over-all), my DW & I (3rd DCL, 4th over-all for both of us) are going on this cruise, and we can't wait for the booking windows to open for our excursions!

We were wondering if anyone had tips on good excursions to look in to. Right now, DW & I are pretty set on the art tour in Key West, but that's about it. We were also wondering if it is customary to tip the tour guides on the excursions, and if so, how much. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[eyes4mickey]

Hi All!

I haven't been posting much in this thread, but my parents (their first DCL sailing, 2nd over-all), my DW & I (3rd DCL, 4th over-all for both of us) are going on this cruise, and we can't wait for the booking windows to open for our excursions!

We were wondering if anyone had tips on good excursions to look in to. Right now, DW & I are pretty set on the art tour in Key West, but that's about it. We were also wondering if it is customary to tip the tour guides on the excursions, and if so, how much. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

We were on the Magic 11/08. We went to Dolphinarus in Cozumel and loved it. It was my first cruise so, I booked everything through the ship. It was expensive but, I felt it was well worth it and a once in a lifetime experience. We swam with the Dolphins and went for a ride on them. We had lunch at Pancho's Backyard on our own after the excursion, we thought the food was excellend and loved the HUGE Margaritas. There were some nice shops that we walked in and out of on the way back to the ship.
In Castaway Cay, we did a Catarmaran Snorkel excursion which we felt was a wast. The island is so beautiful that and Excursion really wasn't necessary. This time we did the Waverunner trip in CC and it was a lot of fun. Just my DH and I went on this one, didn't take the kids because I wouldn't drive one.

Grand Cayman we did the beach excursion but, it did pour the whole time. We all still swam and it was a beautiful beach.

This time we are doing the Captain Marvins Stingray Adventure as a group with the other families here, you are welcome to join us.

 

[knewton64]

We were on the Magic 11/08. We went to Dolphinarus in Cozumel and loved it. It was my first cruise so, I booked everything through the ship. It was expensive but, I felt it was well worth it and a once in a lifetime experience. We swam with the Dolphins and went for a ride on them. We had lunch at Pancho's Backyard on our own after the excursion, we thought the food was excellend and loved the HUGE Margaritas. There were some nice shops that we walked in and out of on the way back to the ship.
In Castaway Cay, we did a Catarmaran Snorkel excursion which we felt was a wast. The island is so beautiful that and Excursion really wasn't necessary. This time we did the Waverunner trip in CC and it was a lot of fun. Just my DH and I went on this one, didn't take the kids because I wouldn't drive one.

Grand Cayman we did the beach excursion but, it did pour the whole time. We all still swam and it was a beautiful beach.

This time we are doing the Captain Marvins Stingray Adventure as a group with the other families here, you are welcome to join us.

.....ok - I am soooooo there! Especially after I just got done surviving the NBA All Star week (at work, we were oversold allllllllllll week & ).



Countin' down the days -


T.T.F.N.

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Hi, I haven't posted enough to send a PM to people yet. I read somewhere that 10 posts are needed to get over that hurdle! Does that sound right? So...would someone mind alerting the wonderful people in charge of the fish extenders and also the trick or treating that the Van Beeks want to join in on all the fun? We don't have an assigned stateroom yet -- CAT 5 GTY. My twins will be beside themselves with glee, what with the fish extender surprises and trick or treating! Our names do appear on the family roster for the cruise. I'll keep watching the threads to see if we need to do anything else. Everyone has been so helpful ....thanks so much!

 

[schimj]

Hi, I haven't posted enough to send a PM to people yet. I read somewhere that 10 posts are needed to get over that hurdle! Does that sound right? So...would someone mind alerting the wonderful people in charge of the fish extenders and also the trick or treating that the Van Beeks want to join in on all the fun? We don't have an assigned stateroom yet -- CAT 5 GTY. My twins will be beside themselves with glee, what with the fish extender surprises and trick or treating! Our names do appear on the family roster for the cruise. I'll keep watching the threads to see if we need to do anything else. Everyone has been so helpful ....thanks so much!

Aboard!

Hope you and your family have a great time. We've been on two DCL crusings in the past, but this will be our first 7-Night & second where we participate in the FE. We just started thinking of our gifts and some minor working on them. We can't wait!!!

 

[dizney-cruiser]

Hi, I haven't posted enough to send a PM to people yet. I read somewhere that 10 posts are needed to get over that hurdle! Does that sound right? So...would someone mind alerting the wonderful people in charge of the fish extenders and also the trick or treating that the Van Beeks want to join in on all the fun? We don't have an assigned stateroom yet -- CAT 5 GTY. My twins will be beside themselves with glee, what with the fish extender surprises and trick or treating! Our names do appear on the family roster for the cruise. I'll keep watching the threads to see if we need to do anything else. Everyone has been so helpful ....thanks so much!

That was all you needed - and now you are in! Leslie? Jen? Did you add the twins?
FYI - You wouldn't be the first one that created posts such as "post 1", "post 2" . . . to get yourself of to the magical # of ten to open up your pm privledges - feel free to do post away!

 

[tjbaggott]

Hi everyone. I noticed in the roll call on page one, our two teens are included but they aren't coming on the trip with us. Only our two youngest will be coming. Don't know if that info matters right now, but just incase anyone refere to that for FE planning, I thought I'd mention it.