One Is Not Enough! Back-2-Back on the Magic-12/1 & 12/8 (Updated 1/4: Transition Day)

[LindaBabe]

Fabulous report! I loved every minute of your cruise and appreciate all the time it took you to write it!

 

[Kelley Family]

Thank you so much for your wonderful report! It was ton of fun to read.

 

[MemereMouse]

Felt like I was right along with you. Great report!!!

 

[CraftyMouse]

Felt like I was right along with you. Great report!!!

Thanks Mom! And you will be right along with me in just 3 short weeks!

 

[EmilyLovesTheMagic]

Crafty, I just have to say how much I enjoyed your TR. It seems like you had a wonderful time. I would love to do a B2B at some point. It seems like it would be fun, not only to virtually have the ship to yourself for a few precious hours, but to go through the last night of the cruise with all of the fun activities like Jackpot bingo (congratulations, by the way!) and Pub night and Castaway Cay without being sad that I'll have to leave the ship the next morning. This may sound awful, but I'd kind of like to rub it in everyone's face that they have to leave the ship and I don't. Mentally, of course.

So, thanks for sharing your experiences and pictures with us! I'll be on the EB Repo as well!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Subbing - I have to read this one!

 

[Disney owl]

thanks for sharing

 

[deleckidesign]

Michele:

Here I am at work...just finished reading your ENTIRE trip report. It's quite long but once I started reading, I just couldn't stop. After reading, I feel like I was right there with you. Looks like everyone had an amazing time! Can't wait until my cruise in May 08

Michelle

 

[deleckidesign]

Oooh, almost forgot. Congrats on the BINGO win!

How much are the Bingo cards? Cheaper at the beginning of the week and more at the end? Just curious!

 

[CraftyMouse]

Michele:

Here I am at work...just finished reading your ENTIRE trip report. It's quite long but once I started reading, I just couldn't stop. After reading, I feel like I was right there with you. Looks like everyone had an amazing time! Can't wait until my cruise in May 08

Michelle

Yup, it was long, but I'm glad you liked it! We all did have a great time and I'm sure you will have a fantastic cruise in May!

Oooh, almost forgot. Congrats on the BINGO win!

How much are the Bingo cards? Cheaper at the beginning of the week and more at the end? Just curious!

Thanks! It was quite shocking. Bingo cards are $35 per 4-game session. They are the same price for the jackpot session but they also offer an extra card (good for only the last game of that session which is the one for the big jackpot) for $15. So at the final Bingo session you can pay $35 for one card that is good for all 4 games or $50 for two cards, one good for all four games and one good for just the final game.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Crafty, I just have to say how much I enjoyed your TR. It seems like you had a wonderful time. I would love to do a B2B at some point. It seems like it would be fun, not only to virtually have the ship to yourself for a few precious hours, but to go through the last night of the cruise with all of the fun activities like Jackpot bingo (congratulations, by the way!) and Pub night and Castaway Cay without being sad that I'll have to leave the ship the next morning. This may sound awful, but I'd kind of like to rub it in everyone's face that they have to leave the ship and I don't. Mentally, of course.

So, thanks for sharing your experiences and pictures with us! I'll be on the EB Repo as well!

Can't wait to meet you on the EB Emily!

It certainly was nice to sit on Castaway Cay that first Friday knowing that we still had a whole week left. I heard lots of others commenting on their travel plans the next day and it was a great feeling knowing that we'd still be onboard. I didn't rub it in anyone's face but it did give me the warm-fuzzies inside!

 

[loralie]

I loved your trip report! I have never been on a Disney cruise but reading your report makes me want to go on one so bad. Right now it is not in the budget but as soon I can I am going to book one for me and my DH and my 2 boys.

Thanks for taking the time to write such a wonderful report and your pics are awesome.

Loralie

 

[pamouselover]

subbing, so I come back and read!

 

[CraftyMouse]

Transition Day Observations...

I had meant to put these tidbits into my trip report but completely forgot!

1. The staterooms are turned over very quickly. The hosts/hostesses begin working on them as soon as guests leave and continue until 1:30. Plastic garbage bags are hung along the hallway handrails every 3-4 feet for all of the trash. All stateroom doors are propped open during this time and remain that way until just before 1:30. This made it very easy for the crew members to get in and out of rooms to deliver gift items, dining tickets, cribs and other items. As we walked around the ship we could see into each stateroom, which was interesting.

2. The pianos were all tuned on Saturday, in between Disembarkation and Embarkation.

3. They play upbeat music in the staterooms (over the PA system) during transition time but, contrary to what I had read, they do not blast it. It was played at a comfortable level.

4. The drink station on Deck 9 is still open and functioning during transition time. All other ship services were suspended.

5. Just before 1:30 CMs walk up and down the stateroom hallways with bottles of air freshener, spraying it liberally as they go.

I thought these things were interesting and definitely something the regular DCL cruiser doesn't get to see!

 

[purplepeg]

It's so neat to be able to hear about these unknown things that happen. I always think it must be tough for the crew to get to know a family and then say goodbye only to start again just as enthusiastically the next week with a different family. They obviously do a great job

 

[CraftyMouse]

You'll NEVER guess who just called our house! Go ahead...guess...

It was Luis! We sent him some Christmas cookies and a note to tell him we'd be back in August and he called to say he got them. He has promised Katharine many, many desserts when we return so all is right in her world.

 

[pamouselover]

Hi, It took me two days but I read it all! What a great TP!
You pictures are so great. ? for you, will the CM's take pictures for you like they do at WDW? And the ones you had taken at the beach are they expensive? I am a picture nut, so I am guessing I should buget high for pictures on my cruise.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Hi, It took me two days but I read it all! What a great TP!
You pictures are so great. ? for you, will the CM's take pictures for you like they do at WDW? And the ones you had taken at the beach are they expensive? I am a picture nut, so I am guessing I should buget high for pictures on my cruise.

Yes, the CMs will take pictures for you. I saw that happening frequently.

The pictures at the beach...do you mean the ones at Castaway Cay? If so they are taken by the Shutters photographers so they cost the same amount as the photos on the ship.

For our 2-week cruise I purchased the largest photo package which was $300 for 15 8x10s and 12 6x8s. They have smaller packages as well, or you can purchase photos individually. I believe the 8x10s were $20 and the 6x8s (which is the size of the photos from Castaway Cay) were $10 or $12 each. If you think you'll want a lot of the photos (I always do) I'd budget for the biggest package. You can purchase it at the beginning of your cruise and, if you don't use it up, they will downgrade you to a lower package and refund the price difference. Or you can purchase the least expensive package and upgrade, if needed.

 

[smeecanada]

For our 2-week cruise I purchased the largest photo package which was $300 for 15 8x10s and 12 6x8s. They have smaller packages as well, or you can purchase photos individually. I believe the 8x10s were $20 and the 6x8s (which is the size of the photos from Castaway Cay) were $10 or $12 each. If you think you'll want a lot of the photos (I always do) I'd budget for the biggest package. You can purchase it at the beginning of your cruise and, if you don't use it up, they will downgrade you to a lower package and refund the price difference. Or you can purchase the least expensive package and upgrade, if needed.

Thanks, Michele. We never really figured out how Shutters worked on our cruise, so never got any photos. I saw one photo - that looked like a stock photo - ie no passengers in it - of the ship at CC. Are there many of those available for purchase? I saw it and then I wanted to show it to DH but I couldn't find it when we went back.

Do you purchase a package and pick up your pictures as you go - I have know idea how many photos we'd like at this point?

 

[smeecanada]

Okay, I'm going to quit posting for awhile, this is the second double post I've had today. Geesh