Offical Check-In List 10/30/04 "Magic"

[Lynda Silk]

Re excursions, we've reserved with Lucky Stables in St. Martaan to go horseback riding (or in my case, horseback walking). I think it's $50 per person and you go for a 2 hour tour. It includes riding your horse in the water along the beach! I have been assured that beginner riders will have no problem ( I'm really hoping this is true because I've never ridden before, but my family love to ride!).

In St. Thomas, we've booked with a man named Godfrey to go on his tour. I heard about him from the boards on cruisecritic and people raved about him. He picks you up at the ship and takes you to the shopping area. He picks you up at 12pm and takes you for a tour in a safari jeep (seats around 20-25 people). He then drops you off at a beach (there are 3 beaches to choose from: Coki, Saphire and Magens (sp?). ) and will pick you up at 4pm. and take you back to the ship. Now the Magic departs at 4:45pm so we're skipping the beach part and returning to the ship at 2pm. I hear that this is a good package for first timers in St. Thomas and it only costs $20 per person. Godfrey is apparently a very kind man, is extremely knowledgeable about the area and takes very good care of you.

If anyone needs additional info, just email or pm me! None of these are ship excursions obviously so you have to make your arrangements.


Rose_Greenthumb, it must be nice knowing you have people from all over North America pulling for you during these exams! Good luck!

 

[Rose_Greenthumb]

It is nice to know! It was rather an awful exam, I feel a bit like it was a pointless exercise spending all that time revising for it. And as if that wasn't bad enough, we were all conducting a hearty post mortem of it, complaining about how difficult it was when the class know it all comes out and says it was easy. We all looked as if we were about to stab her with our pens so she decided to make a hasty retreat! On the plus side, it was deemed a very difficult exam by all the science teachers who looked at it so the marking should reflect that.

And the worst part is, my recipie didn't even come up!

 

[Lynda Silk]

It's funny, there always has to be at least one know-it-all in the class! Oh well, it looks like you guys handled her well!

At least the exam is over!!!! How many more do you have?

 

[Rose_Greenthumb]

Thirteen! Maths tomorrow so it's only going to get worse since little miss know it all is a mathematical genius too!

 

[Lynda Silk]

You have 13 exams left to write????!!! Oh my goodness, you're definitely going to need that cruise in October!!! Oh well, don't worry, we're all pulling for you and thinking positive thoughts with lots of pixie dust attached!

 

[mhb]

Thanks for the insight on Godfreys. Does anyone else know of what to do on St Maarten? Heard from others it's not as nice as other islands. We would still like to see it.

Ginger, I hope your car was not too expensive.
Today was my last official day of work for the summer. I'll only go in a couple of hrs a week.

I'm so excited about going. Since this is our first cruise with the children I'm trying to get them involved. We were given a great site to check out things. DCLTrubite.com has anyone else been on?

To Rose_greenthumb: What are u studing?

Hope all exams go well.

 

[Rose_Greenthumb]

I'm taking English, Maths, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, French, IT, RE, Catering, History and Drama.

The Maths exam was ok. I only needed 10% for a B, 32% for an A and 66% for an A* and that was spread over two papers. I think I got at least 50% so that went well. I had French listening this morning which I was dreading but it went really really well so I'm pleased. Chemistry revision this afternoon and a second English exam tomorrow morning.

I think I should just plan on marrying a nice disney prince and moving into the castle. I don't think you need many qualifications for that do you?! Or even better I shall be a permenant resident of the Disney Magic somehow.

 

[mhb]

You made me laugh. We all wanted to marry a prince. Some of use did, but I still have to work. Maybe after the little princes and princesses we want to go to work. Exams will be over soon. It sounds as if you're doing great.

Has anyone been able to give me insight on St. Maarten?

Thanks.

 

[Lynda Silk]

Rose_Greenthumb, I like your thinking! But as mhb says, most of us did marry our princes but we're still working!!!! Good luck on those exams; boy, you sure have a heavy curriculum!

mhb, you could check out the Ports of Call board on www.cruisecritic.com for ideas re St. Maarten. Just go to the website, click on Boards, then go right down to the bottom and click on Ports of Call. A list of destinations will come up; just click on St. Maarten.

 

["Ginger"]

Michelle we've been to St. Maarten 3 times once we went to a beach, once we just hung around the town shopping for Tropical night clothes once we left the island altogether and discovered Anguilla a small island not to far from the St. M's. We love it there so much that we are going back again this year while the Magic is at port in St. Maarten. The beaches are so much nicer and the people are much much friendlier.

There is horse back riding, a butterfly farm lots of beaches too on St. Maarten. Great shopping and gambling you could go over to the French side of the island St. Martin and tour there.

 

[mhb]

Thanks for the ideas Lynda and Ginger. I will try to see what else we could do. Ginger: How about getting back to the ship. I've read that the traffic gets pretty bad. How long are we in port?

With 2 teenage boys we may want to stay away from the French side. Although my oldest speaks some French it may not be a good mix.

Would it be a better idea to just stay on the ship. I've heard that it's not a bad idea.

 

[dan and scott]

Well guys I guess it is time that I officially join this thread. A couple of you have known for a while that we were coming, but have been so busy with summer, work and another cruise that I didn't want to post here yet.

So here it goes:

We are from Mansfield, Oh and this will be our 9th Disney cruise. With our 8th cruise just 5 weeks prior, and our 10th 8 weeks after this one!

Dan 32
Scott 37 (38 when we cruise! LOL)
No stateroom # yet
Late dining

Well thats all for now.

Take care
Dan and Scott

 

[taswira]

Hey Dan and Scott! I'm glad you are still with us.

I've had you on <B><a href="http://www.primateprojections.com/103004/list.html">the Cruiser List</A></B> for some time now, but just added your other "info." BTW - I do list the ages at time of cruising if provided, so Scott is listed as 38.

Nice to be cruisin' with you again.

Shari
aka "Taswira"

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Welcome guys! Glad to have you aboard.

Wanted to post this over here for us in case anyone misses it on the main board (like that could happen), but apparently DCL will be offering soda for free.

Check out the thread here if you haven't seen it yet.

Hope the exams are going well Em.

 

[taswira]

DCL has made considerable price increases this year for most sailings. Those who booked their cruises prior to the increases and are soda drinkers will benefit from the decision. Those who book from this day forward and are <I>not</I> soda drinkers are, in truth, helping pay for all that soda. You know the saying - <I>Nothing in life is really "free."</I>

However, those who are already booked through AAA Travel <I>will</I> get the special shipboard credit to compensate for what they were previously getting "free."

Enjoy, folks!

 

[mhb]

What about those of us that booked through DVC? I have 3 children and I know they enjoy a soda or two (3,4,5) during the day. Especially when I'm not watching.

How much will this cost me? I've heard there may be places to get some free.

 

[taswira]

Soda will be "free" to ALL GUESTS at the 24-hour (or thereabouts) drink station aft on Deck 9, and at Topsiders/Beach Blanket Buffet during their operating hours, as well as during your scheduled sit-down meals, and will also be "free" at Castaway Cay.

You will need to PAY for soda if ordering room service, as well as in the bars/lounges.

The rest of the "news release" was applicable only to those booked through AAA, who normally get the free soda mug and soda, so they have to be compensated with onboard credit.

 

[KEH]

Hi everyone, just thought I'd check in. Well it beats working which is what I should be doing.

Ginger, how are we doing with interest for High Tea? This is something we have never managed to try so it would be great to do it this time.

Dena, any word on Brendan joining us? The boys are in touch with him but you know teenage boys, they never tell you anything.

Carolyn, don't forget that ressie number!

Hope everyone is well and has a great weekend.

Karen

 

[Rose_Greenthumb]

I can do the single digit dance! Only 9 more exams left!

 

[taswira]

Just an FYI regarding High Tea ressies -

DCL has often had problems with letting one person make ressies for a large group, thereby leaving little or nothing open for other Guests who have stood in line.

On a couple of my cruises, they refused to let an individual book for the entire group. They said one person from each stateroom (unless multiple staterooms have been booked or reservations are linked) had to show up and stand in line to book. Otherwise it was unfair to all the other Guests.

They seem to be inconsistent in this policy. We can always <I>hope</I>. But since spaces for High Tea are very limited, it would be disappointing to count on this and be relaxing at the embarkation lunch when one should be standing in line.

It's just a thought. Hopefully they will allow the reservation. Unfortunately, it would do no good to call and ask DCL about this, because they have no control over the restaurants except requests to link dining seating in general.