October 20, 2012, Disney Fantasy, Eastern Caribbean-Who's with us?

[danandnan]

Hi,

We're joining the group for this cruise. Jumped ship from the 09/22/12 sailing so friends could join us.

We are Joanie and Sam from southcentral Pennsylvania. Traveling with friends from the Tampa area. They talked us into Viva Italia in October of last year. Also will be joined by friends we met on that trip as well as their neighbors.

I'll be keeping an eye on planned activities, ect. for this cruise and ideas for excursions.

Look forward to meeting all of you.

I see that Dan already welcomed you and told you about us and our group. What he didn't say is that wew just returned from a trip to your area - Gettysburg. Loved it! If we'd known we could have met up!

N

 

[sunshine1259]

Hey! It's Von - Eva's BF. I'm super excited about this cruise. This will be my first cruise ever, my first REAL vacation in about 5 years, the farthest East I've ever been, and my first international trip! I'm curious what everyone is really excited for (be specific please)??? I'm excited to sit on the balcony with a fruity girly drink in my hand next to my favorite gal! That and seeing tropical beaches . . . ahhhhhh!

Hi, Von.

I think that I am most looking forward to sharing this vacation with my mom, niece, husband and some very close friends. Oh, and checking out the new Disney Dream!!!

 

[sunshine1259]

Hello Everyone. Could whoever is in charge make the time go by faster please, thanks.

Mrs. Sunshine Brenda: Could you update us on the first page, we've switched to the 2nd dinner seating.

Mr. & Mrs. Bear3412: Sounds cool. I would not mind at all taking a tour of St. Maarten with you guys. Our girls are pretty close in age, so they may be able to keep each other company. Don't worry about slowing us down, I'll be in full vacation mode for sure.

Cindy(ethanash1): Looks like there are 8-10 families on the FE list at the moment. I haven't re-read every post on here, but I don't recall seeing any mention of whether it will be a daily FE or once per family for the whole trip. This will be our first extended cruise, so I'm not sure what's the "norm". On our last, they left it up to the 'giver'. You were free to give as you please. Some did kids only, some did one per cabin, some did a little every day of the cruise.

And a big welcome to all those who've joined the list recently. I look forward to meeting all of you, if this day will EVER GET HERE!!!

Hi, Jeff.

Right now, I am leaning towards having a daily FE. That way everyone can have a nice little surprise waiting for them everyday. As the time nears, we can establish deadlines and decide exactly how we wish to proceed. Of course the more folks who participate, the easier it will be spread the gifting-giving out over the week.

It is still a bit early to set up the exchange. I normally wait until about three months out with a cut-off date for signing up to about 45 days out. That gives the last-minute folks to sign up and it keeps from having to change the grouping around later. But more on that later.

Thanks,
Brenda.

 

[sunshine1259]

So after a few hours and a leisurely cup of coffee, I have read every post on our thread

Are we still deciding on a name?

Personally, I need LOTS of time for FE gifts, so any idea when we will get an official list started? Just need a rough idea what I'm looking at....

Can someone please add me to the cruise AND FE list?

DW Cyndi ( me), DH Ricky, DS Ethan 9, and DS 7, Ashton.
( boys MAY not sail but we will know for sure by next month (March)..... I can't believe tomorrow is February!

Hi, Cyndi.

I have added you all to the main page and I will add you to the FE list as well.

Oh, and if you have not already done so, I HIGHLY recommend that you add your boys to the cruise now, even you decide not to bring them. Two reasons for that; 1) The price will only continue to go up as we approach our sail date, and 2) if you do decide at a later date that you want to take them, you may not be able to add the because the Childrens' program for their age group may be filled and therefore you won't be allowed to add them, even if you have room in your cabin.

Just something to think about.

Thanks,
Brenda.

 

[sunshine1259]

Well, I think that I am caught up and have added folks to the main page. Please check to see if I have added you where I need to. I may have missed someone.

Now, I think the only think left is to name our cruise. I really like "Eastern Caribbean Dreams, Magic and Wonder on the Disney Fantasy. Of course, there is a whole list of ideas on the main page. This just happens to be the one I like best.

Chime in folks.

Thanks,
Brenda.

 

[1stDisneyCruiseForUs]

Greetings fellow cruisers! My boys made such great friends last cruise that I thought it might be fun to foster some pre-cruise friendships.

I know my 10 year old son (will be 11 on the cruise) is hoping to meet some of his fellow Edge-ers. And my twin 7 year old sons (will be a few days shy of 8) are also looking forward to meeting the older Lab-ers.

I'm guessing other kids of different ages would be interested in meeting their cohorts too.

If anybody else is interested, I'm happy to help arrange the intros and am completely open to suggestion on how. E-Mail? Skype chat? Pen Pals?

Happy countdown everyone!
Steph

 

[1stDisneyCruiseForUs]

Well, I think that I am caught up and have added folks to the main page....

Thanks Brenda. Our entry looks a-ok! We are second seating, and not yet sure about the FE group. My life is so insanely busy that getting us all packed and out the door is going to be a miracle in and of itself! Still thinking about it though!

Now, I think the only think left is to name our cruise. I really like "Eastern Caribbean Dreams, Magic and Wonder on the Disney Fantasy...

I'd vote for "A Vacation Fantasy on the Disney Fantasy: 10/20/2012" or "10/20/2012 Mickey's Fantasy Tour" but will certainly go along with the consensus!

Steph

 

[ethanash1]

Greetings fellow cruisers! My boys made such great friends last cruise that I thought it might be fun to foster some pre-cruise friendships.

I know my 10 year old son (will be 11 on the cruise) is hoping to meet some of his fellow Edge-ers. And my twin 7 year old sons (will be a few days shy of 8) are also looking forward to meeting the older Lab-ers.

I'm guessing other kids of different ages would be interested in meeting their cohorts too.

If anybody else is interested, I'm happy to help arrange the intros and am completely open to suggestion on how. E-Mail? Skype chat? Pen Pals?

Happy countdown everyone!
Steph

Hi! We have decided to take our boys! They will be 7 1/2 and 9 at sail time.... we would be totally open to having them "meet" somehow before the cruise. I know they would love to have friends before even getting on board! Just let me know what you plan....

Cyndi

 

[ethanash1]

Hi, Cyndi.

I have added you all to the main page and I will add you to the FE list as well.

Oh, and if you have not already done so, I HIGHLY recommend that you add your boys to the cruise now, even you decide not to bring them. Two reasons for that; 1) The price will only continue to go up as we approach our sail date, and 2) if you do decide at a later date that you want to take them, you may not be able to add the because the Childrens' program for their age group may be filled and therefore you won't be allowed to add them, even if you have room in your cabin.

Just something to think about.

Thanks,




















Brenda.

Hi Brenda... Welcome back! I hope your friend is doing well

We JUST added the boys. We are in a 5E that I had been waiting for..... and nabbed it the other night when I saw it. It's a guarantee cabin, but I'm hoping that I don't get upgraded so I can have an oversized verandah.

BTW..... we will be staying at Animal Kingdom before the cruise as well! We are arriving on the 14 and heading to port on the 20th. First stay there.... I'm on cash now, but hoping to rent/transfer some points from another DVC member so I can save some $$.

Cyndi

 

[sunshine1259]

Hi Brenda... Welcome back! I hope your friend is doing well

We JUST added the boys. We are in a 5E that I had been waiting for..... and nabbed it the other night when I saw it. It's a guarantee cabin, but I'm hoping that I don't get upgraded so I can have an oversized verandah.

BTW..... we will be staying at Animal Kingdom before the cruise as well! We are arriving on the 14 and heading to port on the 20th. First stay there.... I'm on cash now, but hoping to rent/transfer some points from another DVC member so I can save some $$.

Cyndi

Great, Cyndi, glad that you were able to book your boys. This will be our first stay at Animal Kingdom as well. We won't there as long as you, but I am still looking forward to it. Are you still at the Kidani Village or Jambo House? We will be at the Jambo House.

I am right now trying to decide on Advance Dining Reservations. We want to book Boma for our last night. But that is going to be for 10 people!!! YIKES. But, they should be able to handle it. Also, my niece thinks that my mom would enjoy 50's Primetime Cafe at Disney's Hollywood Studios, so I am hoping to be able to book that for the 18th.

 

[linco711]

Hi, Erin. Welcome aboard. I am SO behind here. Yes, the FE list is still open. It will probably be opened until about two months before we sail.
I will add you all to the main page and to the FE list.

Thanks,
Brenda.

OK..hate to sound dumb here...but what is the FE list and should we be on it?

 

[sunshine1259]

OK..hate to sound dumb here...but what is the FE list and should we be on it?

Not a dumb question at all. FE stands for Fish Extender. This is the little note clip that is outside of all the cabins where cast members can leave you messages.

We do what is called a FE gift exchange which is like a Secret Santa. The for the gifts, are hung on the FE. If you look at our main page under FE Gift exchange, you can see some the fish extender holder and some of the gifts that are given.

It is quite fun and exciting to come to your cabin and find a little something that someone has left you. I say participate. The more, the merrier.

 

[JOANNEL]

Hey, Everyone.

I am SO sorry for such a long absence.


There have been a lot going on. I have a friend who has breast cancer. Another friend, whose daughter has just started to have seizures and in the mist of all that I have been trying to help my mother out with my neice.

That has actually been the most fun of what's been going on.

Let me get caught up. I have about 15 pages to read through. I know everyone is anxious to get this party started!!! If I am counting correctly, I believe we have about 187 days to go.

Welcome back, hope all goes ok,

 

[McNabrat]

Well, I think that it is about time to start a thread for this sailing. Who is going? I sure would love to see some of the folks who sailed with us on the Oct 23, 2010, Magic cruise. Such a great group of folks!!!!

Anyway, we have a nice size that is going right now. I will list the names on the next post and also start an FE list on the following post.

So, let's get this party started.

We are so excited for our first family cruise! I just found this message board today & am still trying to navigate it. Would love any tips & tricks you may have. I am cruising with my DH (40), DD (11), DD (8) & DS (6).

 

[McNabrat]

Hello there! I am new to ALL of this...message boards, cruising, FE's, meets, main board...needless to say, a little bit overwhelmed Any help would be so appreciated!

Thanks so much!

 

[1stDisneyCruiseForUs]

Hello there! I am new to ALL of this...message boards, cruising, FE's, meets, main board...needless to say, a little bit overwhelmed Any help would be so appreciated!

Thanks so much!

Welcome! You've come to the right place! This is an amazing place to learn the in's and out's of Disney Cruising. The best piece of advice I learned on our first cruise - last fall - was prepare ahead of time so you don't have to stress when you're on the cruise. Things like booking your excursions and Palo/Remy reservations at your 90 day window. Being totally prepared for the costs that you will end up with at the end of the trip - gratuities, any room service tips, dry cleaning/pressing, drinks, excursions, photos - so you don't end up with a heart attack at the end when you see your final bill. To help with that "sticker shock", I actually buy a Disney Gift Card at the grocery store every time I go so that I slowly accumulate the amount I'll need at the end.

The other thing that really made our cruise more enjoyable was to send our dinner clothes to be pressed the first night we were onboard. It's really pretty reasonably priced, and I never had to think about ironing once!

Beyond that, we gave the kids a little extra freedom than they would have had at home and just had a wonderful family time.

Have fun planning and we look forward to hopefully meeting you onboard!

Steph

 

[McNabrat]

How true is it that I'll probably have problems booking excursions & Palo 90 days out, being a first time cruiser. I was told by a DCL rep that I'll have a difficult time because priority goes to returning cruisers, concierge level & DVC members. I'm starting to get bummed out & second guessing the cruise.

 

[McNabrat]

Hi there! Would love to get added to the main page
DW- Jamie, DH, DD (11), DD (8), DS (6)
Cabin 8628
Second Seating

Would love to participate in FE's

Thanks for organizing all of this!!!

 

[Renysmom]

How true is it that I'll probably have problems booking excursions & Palo 90 days out, being a first time cruiser. I was told by a DCL rep that I'll have a difficult time because priority goes to returning cruisers, concierge level & DVC members. I'm starting to get bummed out & second guessing the cruise.

You may have an issue with Palo but excursions are rarely an issue. Many dining times are held back for cruisers who couldnt get a reservation online and you may be able to get it when you board. I wouldn't worry about Palo, we sailed 3 times before we even tried to get Palo on the 4th cruise and never missed it.

 

[lewiskids004]

In St Thomas we plan to go snorkeling over in St John. Previously we've kayaked in St. Thomas (I think it was a guided tour through the mangroves).

Last time we were in St. Maarten we sailed in the 12-metre regatta, which was a blast. This time we want to see the French side of the island, so we will just wander over on our own most likely.[/QUOTE


If you get to the French side-theres a great restaraunt calledTropicana that a cab driver took us to. It was sook cool to listen to all the people around us speaking French!! We picked up a newspaper and they were in French too!! What a fun experience. It didn't hurt that we were by do docks with beautiful yachts to look at while eating at this open restaraunt!