October 13th, 2007~"Cruise-A-Palooza"

[**theporterfam**]

Has anyone decided on excursions yet? My hubby and I looked through the info tonight...what are some nice ones for little ones? Mia will only be 3 which rules out a lot of options.

I also think that we're opting for the tux rental through DCL...anyone have experiences (good or bad) with that before??

Thanks!! and happy early 4th!!

 

[DISPOP]

We will be on the cruise also...me (44), DD (10) and DS (9). We have a pool and the kids got snorkel gear yesterday. They have been practicing for the last 2 days for snorkeling on Castaway Cay. Looking forward to a great cruise.

 

[jenmack]

Welcome DISPOP!

theporterfam, my husband rented a tux our previous 2 Disney Cruise and had great luck both times. He plans on doing it again this time around.

"Happy 4th of July!"

 

[bevtoy]

Do any of you know if any of the excursions (DCL or other) or island busses would accomodate an ECV/wheelchair? My Mom would really like to see the islands if at all possible! We may be able to rent a taxi and have to disassemble the ECV for the ride... ??? She'd love to go to Paradise point or Megan's bay.

The DCL excursions for the disabled are:
5 wheelchair accessible excursions at St Maartin
3 at St Thomas/St John
and 1 at CC. None of them mention ECV's though.
Hope this helps.

 

[d'Isigny]

Welcome to all the newbie’s.

I was gone most of last week and still getting current. I can’t believe that last week in Northern California I was sleeping with a window open and chilly...now, back in Phoenix...you need to drink a quart of water just to go outside and get the mail. It’s supposed to be 117 tomorrow – does anyone know if fireworks will detonate at that temperature - LOL

3boyslovediz - my MIL went with us on a Western cruise in 2003. She used her ECV all around the ship/parks - worked out great. She was able to walk short distances and transferred to a regular wheelchair when we got off the ship. DCL does have some collapsible wheelchairs if this is an option for you. You can use them on the ship and when you visit an island. They are very accommodating to those needing additional assistance. They derisive kudos for they way they gave special treatment to MIL. There is a section on the main boards for persons with disABILITIES that might offer you some better first hand information – or contact DCL directly for additional information.

Saint Marty's (St Maartin/Martin) island is really easy to get a van/car. We made arrangements with another family and got a 12 passenger van for the entire day.

St Tommy (St Thomas) was a little different...hopefully someone can educate me on this one. We intended to take the tram to the look out point. While heading to the tram, a 'local' offered his van/services for 4 hours. Since it was not too much more than the cost of the tram...we went 'on faith' with him. THIS WAS A GREAT TOUR!!! He took us all around the island with stops at Coki Beach (SP?) and what appeared to be their local 'Costco'. We were able to swim a little and purchase some adult beverages/souvenirs cheaper than in the shops near the ship. If anyone knows of the location where you can negotiate for a van/car on St Thomas...I’d appreciate knowing.

To be fair...I would have a concern about taking an ECV to some of the locations we went to – both Eastern and Western. On all the islands we are scheduled to go...it would be a challenge to get on to a beach (that we had experience with - Coki, Orient and Little Bay). Castaway Cay is probably the only exception. They offer a wheelchair that has large tires and can be used to transport someone to/from the beach area. We did use one on the family beach....I can’t remember of they were available on the Adult beach.

You may want to do an Internet search for individual tour company/individuals. This way you can negotiate price and make specific arrangements before going. I hope this helps.

Do any of you know if any of the excursions (DCL or other) or island busses would accomodate an ECV/wheelchair? My Mom would really like to see the islands if at all possible! We may be able to rent a taxi and have to disassemble the ECV for the ride... ??? She'd love to go to Paradise point or Megan's bay.

 

[APOOHFN]

Hi everyone!

It's been a busy summer so far. Hope you all have a wonderful & safe July 4th tomorrow! Can't believe only 3 more months...

We paid off our balance yesterday

I finally mailed in my passport renewal last month w/out expediting it. Been checking online status and it never appeared. I get the mail yesterday and it's been returned to me. Why??

I forgot to sign and date the application - d'oh!!

Needless to say, hel-looooo expediting passport!

and WELCOME NEW CRUISAPALOOZANS!!!!

 

[3boyslovediz]

Thanks Bev and Kevin! Yes, the wheelchairs on CC were great for her last time. I will contact DCL, glad to know she could borrow a wheelchair for an excursion if needed.

 

[bevtoy]

Kevin I just returned from California a couple of weeks ago. I left here with shirts and shirts and had to purchase pants it was so cold there!
Fresno, San Francisco. Los Angeles, Pismo beach, Fairfield..all were cold!
But I had the time of my life. Heh heh heh..I took some out standing photos of Yosemite, Hearst mansion, Jelly Belly factory and Casa De Fruita, etc...

Now I am looking forward to going on the cruise even more because I prefer warm climates.

Does anyone know how to ship items to the Magic, is it difficult or fairly simple?

 

[CrazyZeus1]

OK...I just found this site today, & I don't have the time to read through almost 1,000 posts about those cruising on the same cruise as we are! So neat! Any-who--we're a family with a 4 year old & were excited to see others with little ones that we might get to know here before we head out! We'll be "Homeschooling The High Seas" while we're on board, & can't wait to see some fun things on the excursions! Look forward to checking back here for more updates & posts from fellow travelers!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

APOOHFN, at least it is a passport renewal. I hear that those are processing faster.

Welcome DISPOP and CrazyZeus1!

Kevin I just returned from California a couple of weeks ago. I left here with shirts and shirts and had to purchase pants it was so cold there!

Please forgive me...I certainly hope so!

I read this and thought oh, she went on a shopping spree!

I read somewhere in another thread a long time ago in a galaxy far away about how to ship things. If I get a moment, I'll try to find that.

Enjoy the evening all.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Does anyone know how to ship items to the Magic, is it difficult or fairly simple?

I found the thread.

How to Ship Stuff thread is here.

 

[bevtoy]

Thanks Lily, I keep trying the search engines but I have trouble getting an appropriate response from them.

 

[d'Isigny]

Welcome to more newbie’s,

We get a double celebration today – 4th of July....AND....in checking our reservation with Dreams...I am greeted with the lovely words --- Your Vacation begins in 100 Days!! Woooooo Hooooo!!!! No more triple digits on our countdown.

Kevin I just returned from California a couple of weeks ago. I left here with shirts and shirts and had to purchase pants it was so cold there!
Fresno, San Francisco. Los Angeles, Pismo beach, Fairfield..all were cold!
But I had the time of my life. Heh heh heh..I took some out standing photos of Yosemite, Hearst mansion, Jelly Belly factory and Casa De Fruita, etc...

Hy Bev..."The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco"-- Mark Twain. The past 3 summers I’ve been blessed to spend a week in and around this wonderful city. Each time catching a Giants game at AT&T park – even if you’re not into base ball...I highly recommend the nose-bleed seats behind home plate. As the sun sets...the view across the bay is absolutely beautiful. Be careful...as the sun sets...it gets soooo cold...it's a 'wet cold'. Here is a photo before I had to put my jacket on -

Has anyone decided on excursions yet? My hubby and I looked through the info tonight...what are some nice ones for little ones? Mia will only be 3 which rules out a lot of options.

St Maartin/Martin has ‘The Butterfly Farm’. My youngest was 5 when we went – she loved it. It was very educational and all the colors of different butterflies are beautiful. As you walk through a fairly large ‘patio/garden’...hundreds of butterflies are all around. If you’re still...they will land on you. Here's a photo of my 3 dd's at the butterfly farm

 

[bigben]

Hey guys just wanted to say Hi and see how everyone is doing. I was busy for the last 3 months( see my signature ).

 

[CrazyZeus1]

St Maartin/Martin has ‘The Butterfly Farm’. My youngest was 5 when we went – she loved it. It was very educational and all the colors of different butterflies are beautiful. As you walk through a fairly large ‘patio/garden’...hundreds of butterflies are all around. If you’re still...they will land on you. Here's a photo of my 3 dd's at the butterfly farm
QUOTE]


Hmmm....I posted this two days ago, but it's not showing up, so I"ll post it again. Sorry if it's a duplicate!

First-thanks for sharing the picture of your adorable girls at the butterfly farm! We are a homeschooling family and when I got our packet with excursion ideas, I was looking for things along the lines of "educational-ish" fun! Our son is 4, so it limits the excursion options.

But I was curious, for those of you who have done this cruise before & are going again, are there any particular excursions you would recommend?

Another really dorky question...but we've never done a cruise before, so you'll have to pardon my newbie-ness Do people decorate their doors? I wanted to put a map on our door, with stickers & a note for those passing by to put a sticker on their state. When we get home, we'll graph the number of stickers we got for each state & see where most came from. Do people ever put stuff on their doors?

Thanks again...and we can't wait to get going!
heather

 

[bevtoy]

BigBen,
What is "Fat March"?

CRAZYZEUSE1: Do people decorate their doors?
Here are two of ours:

 

[CrazyZeus1]

Where, oh where, did you find that map? I would LOVE to put that on our homeschool blog once it gets closer to the trip!!!!

 

[bevtoy]

Where, oh where, did you find that map? I would LOVE to put that on our homeschool blog once it gets closer to the trip!!!!

This link will take you to the unaltered image. I have a lot of images you are welcome to, but they are small and blur when I try to enlarge them.
http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i77/ksoccerfreakg/Disney Castaway Cay/

 

[bigben]

It's a fitness show. I was gone from mid April to July. I think you'll get a kick out of it. Tuesday night for 6 weeks.

 

[jenmack]

CrazyZeus1, first of all..."Welcome!'

In answer to your question about puting stuff on your doors, Yes some do. I know I am! The only restriction is that it not be tape or anything adhesive, but magnetic. So, if you stick/glue magnetic strip(s), etc on the map and people are puting the stickers on the map and not on the door then there shouldn't be a problem. Actually I think your idea is great! What a cool, fun, and educational idea! If you do it you should post your results on this board after the cruise I think it would be interesting to see the results and how many people participated.