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

["Ginger"]

Hi All

Tomi I am so sorry to hear about your sons accident. I am glad he is home recovering with your care. I hope he gets better real soon. Your next cruise will have so much more special meaning.

Judi thank goodness your back, I thought I was going to have to take over the T-or-T'ing event. I was getting worried thinking, when was I going to have the time to get it together.

BTW, Bill is my DH, and he did just awful in the contest. Oh well!!!! there's always 2006. There is 2005 but he can't compete in it next year cause we'll be going on the Aug 20, bring the Magic home cruise.

Michelle our T-or-T works by our children( those who have been signed up for it with Judi) only going to our staterooms, again only those of us who have signed up here with Judi to participant. alwatlers@aol.com

 

[Lynda Silk]

Too bad about your DH's results in the Safe Truck Driving Competition; does this mean you don't get to go to Nationals either?

 

[mhb]

Tomi:
Sorry to hear of your DS's car accident. We will also keep him in our prayers.

Ginger: Hope your DH can come back in 2006 and do well. Someone asked me how old the children can be to T or T. My 13 DS would love to go but I thought I read that he was too old. Our friends have a DS 12 and they would love to go together.

Lynda Silk: I just read another board that someone booked their Spa, Palo and something else. I'll have to go back and see what that was all about.

Oh, by the way, I am an obessive planner. LOL I have no idea why I need that info but I NEED TO HAVE IT!!!!

 

[Lynda Silk]

I'm with you, Michelle! My DH thinks I'm crazy but I agree, when you want the info, you want if RIGHT NOW!

 

[mhb]

Lynda Silk: When I went back I found that the person had booked the Romance Pkg and was able to book her Palo, Spa and something else. I also don't think I can book anything except excursions 60 days out, but will certainly be on the phone with them in a couple of days. Going to Baltimore Harbor next week.

Has anyone ever not done the DCL transportation? When I booked it yesterday the young lady told me I could save $65 if I went with Yellow Bus. Just wondering if anyone has ever used them. Are they reliable? On time? Handle me bags? Like the idea that I don't see the bags till after they come to my stateroom.

Thanks Michelle

 

[Lynda Silk]

I'll try to give DCL a call myself but things are a little hectic right now so it might not be right away. If I find anything out, I'll post it for sure! Thanks again!

 

["Ginger"]

Hi all

Got today off from work YAHOOO!!!!! It's been hot here.

Lynda, no National this year. DH would have had to come in first placed in his catagory, which was driving 18 wheeler tankard truck around the course. That not the type of truck he is use to driving but he can. Frito-Lay has different kinds of trucks but not tankards.

Michelle, Why are you going to the Inner Harbor??? Business or pleasure??? What day are you going to be be there????? I ask because we live about 20 miles from there. Never heard of Yellow Bus, is it something new?
I think the cut off age for t-or-t'ers was age 13.

It's 60 days before we sail for ressies for excursion. But if your booked in Cat. 1, 2, or 3 you can make all your ressies ahead of time through Concierge services. I've also been reading about the Romance Package which allows you early bookings.

We've never had problems getting the ressies we wanted when we've cruised in the fall. But it does help if you board the ship early. We've been told by CM at Palo that if you can't get the night you want to check with them for cancelation the day of, or just show up and ask if they can get you in, they usually can.
We had dinner 2 nights last year plus 1 brunch and I had High Tea. Our DD loves to eat with the kids clubs so we enjoyed ourselves at Palo.

For the Spa we booked the Rain Forest for the week. It was great.

Oh Gosh Girls!!!! I sure wish we were on the Magic now. We'd be at Castaway Cay today soaking up the sun and swimming in her beautiful blue water. I'm making myself sad, got ot go for now.
You'll have a great day. See you soon.
Ginger

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Thanks Ginger (he said in his deepest, most gravely voice)! Being, primarily, a stay-at-home Dad, one gets used to being 'one of the Girls'.
Sorry to hear about Bill's tankard troubles. So how'd you swing being off work today anyhow?

Michelle, Yellow Bus must be something new. There was a thread on the cruise board a few days back (they all run together after awhile ) and someone else mentioned it. I'll see if I can find it for you. edit: Ha! That was your post I saw that in Michelle, guess I don't need to post a link. Where is that little smiley with the egg on his face?

Everyone have a good day!

 

[Rose_Greenthumb]

three more exams! This time next week I'll have finished them all and I don't need to think about them until results day on the 26th August! Hoorah!

I fully intended on doing lots of revision this afternoon but I went for a nap at 2 and didn't wake up until 3:50! Oh well...

I've made the fatal mistake of reading trip reports and now I really cannot wait to go!

 

[MLB]

Howdy, cruisers! My friend and message board guru (Michelle ) told me about this board and I wanted to (try) to get in the groove! I'm taking the Halloween cruise with my 10-year-old daughter and have the basics worked out (flight, transportation, early dinner res.), but don't have a clue about how to book any of the high tea events or excursions. Do we book those once we're on the ship, or do I need to do something in advance?

This is our very first Disney Cruise!!! I've heard that there's an excursion that involves swimming with dolphins -- does that ring true to anyone? Was a piece of info provided to me by one of my daughter's 11-year-old friends, so I'm wonderin'...

Thanks for any guidance and I hope to meet you guys on board. (Especially any single moms or dads traveling with 10 - 12 year old girls....)

Margie (MLB)

 

[SweetSpot]

Hi Margie and welcome to disboards.... soon you will be an addict too!

There is a dolphin excursion available in St. Maarten. DCL's website describes it as:

Anguilla Dolphin & Stingray Encounter (7 - 7.5 hours)

You will get the opportunity to feed and touch stingless stingrays before you swim, feed and play with dolphins while learning fascinating facts about them. There will be plenty of photo opportunities, so don't forget your camera (underwater cameras are not allowed in the water). For a perfect ending to a memorable morning, take time for fun and sun on the beach at beautiful Meads Bay, where you can enjoy an authentic Caribbean barbecue lunch.

Adult Price: $180 (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $158 (ages 5-9)
Departure Time: 7:30 am


Observer, Anguilla Dolphin & Stingray Encounter

Go along for the ride! If you'd like to accompany a friend or family member on the Anguilla Dolphin & Stingray Encounter, this is the option for you. You'll stay high and dry while watching your loved one interact in the water with the stingrays and dolphins. Afterwards, you'll be able to enjoy lunch and beach time together before returning to the ship.

Adult Price: $125
Child Price: $100 (ages 3 and older)
Departure Time: 7:30 am

I've never done it but considered it last year. It is a very long day and very expensive for a larger family so we chose to wait and do the dolphin swim when we go on the Western next year. If you do a search you will read other peoples reviews of the excursion. You can also do this on your own but it is in Anguilla which requires making certain connections and I didn't think I wan't to take a chance missing one and being late getting back to the ship.

You are able to book excursions at the 60 day mark. Certain excursions get filled fast so if you have your heart set on something you should call then. Unless you have purchased the REAS (Romance at Sea) package or are in a cat 1, 2 or 3 you have to wait until you board to make you Palo high tea, brunch or dinner and spa reservations. High tea goes fast so if you really want it you should be in line to board the ship early.

Have fun reading the boards. Soon you will as obsessed as the rest of us.

 

[mhb]

Hi Margie: Welcome to the boards. I think you'll be hooked in just a few days.

Ginger: We are leaving NJ on Tues morning. I'll PM you with all the info if you want. Let me know on the boards. We'll be there for 3 nights, till Friday morning. Just a quick vaca. DH needs to get away from work. It would be great to meet up if we can arrange it.

Have to go Movies in the park tonight. Be on in the morning.

See ya,
Michelle

 

[MLB]

Thanks, Sweetspot!! The dolphin and ray swim sounds like so much fun. Once we hit the 60 day mark, do we make reservations directly through DCL or through the travel agent? My daughter would love that!

Talk to you tomorrow, Michelle! enjoy the movie!

Best, Margie

 

[SweetSpot]

At the 60 day mark you call (877) 566-0968 to book the excursion. Normally DCL won't talk to you if you have a TA but I called this number and was able to book my (or reserving CC floats) on the first cruise. I think our 60 day mark is August 31st.

I have yet do do one of those movies in the park. Someday...

 

[drm]

I think I am finally doing this correctly. Also traveling with Michelle on the Halloween cruise. We have a large group with many children. However there are none the same age as my DD who is 13. She would love to get to know someone before cruise time. She loves to talk on the computer. I had to throw her off so I could post this message.
Debbie
drm

 

[mhb]

Good Morning everyone. Glad to see you are all on (DRM, MLB).

Sweet Spot you sound like a TA yourself I'll have to email you with some more questions. By the way the movie was Finding Nemo and we were all there. Next time we'll let you know.

Ginger: When I get off this board I'll Pm you with the details.

Emma: It's hard to believe you're still taking exams. When we get on the ship I'd love to hear about all of them. Seems like here in the states they are done different.

By the way, I will be calling Disney on Monday to find out more about this other way to get to the port. Seems like DCL may not be the way to go for our family of 5. If I can save some money and still get there in one piece, with no headaches that may be the way to go.

DMC_cruisers04: Thanks for trying to check for me, but I thought I would find someone on the main board faster. Seems people really do read everything. LOL

Well, I better get to the garden before it gets too hot.

See you all later.
Michelle

 

[Jamashp]

Hi Michelle,

There must be some sort of deal for towns with movies. Our town (Allentown, NJ - Exit 7A off NJ Turnpike) just had free movies in the park on Friday night too. And yes, it was also Finding Nemo.

We had softball (as always it seems), so we missed it. Looked like it would have been a lot of fun.

Enjoy your quick get-away to Florida.

Scott

PS - We are also a family of 5. We decided to rent a minivan from Budget to/from port.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Scott, think you're right. We've several places that do movie night. And more than not they are Disney movies.

Michelle, let us know what you hear about Yellow Bus. Also price out a few options. I checked DCL transfers, FLTours for a town car and Hertz (DW is a Gold #1 member) and the rental came in lowest (although we're only three) for two one-way rentals (10/28 -10/30 and 11/6 - 11/8).

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Have great day!

 

[mdvasquez]

Good afternoon everyone. It's been a while since I've posted. You all have been busy chatting away.

WELCOME MARGIE!

Well, my DS is officially finished with high school. We had a small graduation party for him the night before grad. And the ceremony was on the 5th of June in the evening. It was a beautiful night, but a little sad for me. One down and three more to go.

KAREN: I think that Brendan will be cruising with us. He is working three days a week for the summer, so he will have some money to go.

Have a great day everyone.

Dena

 

[mdvasquez]

DEBBIE: I have a 13 DD who will be cruising with us. If your daughter is interested in chatting with her, send me a pm.

DENA