Sept. 14, 7 Day Roll Call

[TxJasmine]

Tracey, I know just how you feel! We are also in a cat. 8 and would love to get upgraded!

As far as excursions go - on Grand Cayman we are going to the turtle farm and the beach. The turtle farm is a nice place and it's something that kids would enjoy (we have a 5 and 7 year old). In Cozumel we are planning on going to Chankanaab which sounds like a good place for kids (although we've never been there). Key West has a little aquarium that your DD may enjoy.

One of the reasons we like the Western itinerary so much, is that there are more things to do with kids in each of the ports than there are in the Eastern.

 

[btbwalczak]

TxJasmine,

I have read a couple other comments about the turlte farm. Did you book this on your own or thru DCL? The only thing I see thru DCL is the Grand Cayman Island Tour which includes the turtle farm.

Thanks for all the great tips

Tracey

 

[TxJasmine]

Tracey,

We very rarely book tours through the cruise lines because it is usually much cheaper to do things on our own. We just get off the ship and see who makes us the best offer. Sometimes we just rent a taxi or we go on a local tour van. It all depends on what they offer and where they take us. There are usually a hundred of locals waiting outside the gates for the cruise ship passengers to disembark. This can be very intimidating if you aren't used to it, but in many years of traveling and in numerous cruises, we've always done it this way and never had any problems. Usually we end up seeing much more than those who took the organized tours; we save money; and it's usually more pleasant because we aren't competing with a busload of people trying to look at the same things.

 

[tokathy]

I just read a post from someone currently on the Wonder (Using the unlimited internet option) and they said their dinner times were 5:45 and 8PM.....I guess they are still fine tuning that.....I wonder (Wonder..get it...) if the Magic's dinner seating times will be the same?????

Kathy

 

[ruvidu]

GOOD MORNING GROUP,
I am now offically ready. I bought a pair of grey slacks, 6 pair of low cut socks and a pack of underwear. I am now ready to go see Mickey.
Oh yeah, I also bought 50 green leis for those who will look us up and say hey. I wish I could bring more but I have to save room for the new underwear. Remember, large man, orange shirt = 1 green lei. If I don't give them all out in the terminal, I will bring them to deck 10. WHICH SIDE OF THE SHIP?
Question for those other returning cruisers. Tell me about Palos Brunch. We have cruised the Magic 3 times before but have never been to Palos. We are now thinking about Sunday brunch so we can watch the ship pull into Key West.
We had planned on having room service dinner in Key West so we could watch the Sunset but our upgrade moved us to the other side of the ship. We are now debating on just what to do that night. We will probably be in Animators and there are no windows there so that option is out. We are thinking now about grabbing an early dinner in Key West, join the fun at Mallory Square for a while and then head back for a snack before bed time. Can you tell that food is a priority in my life.

Tracey, we are doing the Trolly Tour in KW. In fact we already have our tickets. I ordered from the net and saved a little but a bunch over the cost a DCL excursion.

Russ

 

[pmouse13]

I feel so out of touch...my darn computer had to go in for servicing last week and I just about went crazy not being able to get my fix on these boards!!!!! My husband was ready to go out and buy me another one so I would stop complaining.
Finally received my cruise docs about 7 days ago. I am really getting excited now. My husband is even getting in the spirit. Caught him making a list of things he needs to bring.
Russ,
Where did you find the green lei's? I saw that you received an upgrade. What a wonderful surprise for you. My phone hasn't made any noise yet but it could still happen. I can't believe it's right around the corner. So far my kids still have NO idea. I can't wait to see the look on their faces. It will be worth a million bucks.
See you all soon.

 

[TxJasmine]

Russ,

As far as deck 10 goes - whichever side of the ship you choose is where we will meet. Your orange shirt will serve as a beacon for the rest of us!

 

[ruvidu]

Wondered where you have been. What Cat. are you in now?
I got the leis at a party supply store here in upstate SC. We are having a luau tonight with some friends to send the Summer on it's way and I got them when I picked up the other supplies.

OK, we meet on the side closest to the terminal. That is the only decision I am making today.

Russ

 

[whytcrystal]

Hi all! I just can't believe it is less than 2 weeks away! Went camping this weekend and couldn't stop beaming. Drank a 'new' drink called 'Carribean Vacation' in honor of the cruise! Had one at the 99 and they are delicious! Well, going to pack, see you all soon.

Paula- Good to see you back, was wondering where you were!


Christy

 

[Stepherella]

How come eveyone's cruise counter says that we are already on board? Is this a malfunction? Just curious!

-Stephanie

 

[tokathy]

Hello fellow 9/14 Magic cruisers;

I just thought I'd take a minute of my Labor Day to log on and stare and smile at the countdown clocks!!!!

See you all on deck 10 for sailaway!!!!

Kathy & Skip

 

[hnokes]

We are all getting sooo excited over here too!! See you all on deck 10 for sailaway party with a carribean cocktail in both hands...tee hee!!!

See you all soon!
Greg and Heidi Nokes

 

[ruvidu]

We slept in and then went over to our small town Labor Day festival. Americana at it's best. Hot Dogs, Funnel Cakes and politicians.

Stephanie - Is the wedding coming along OK? We have been talking about you.

Chritie - Are you tent or camper campers? We have done the full route at one time or another. What was in the drink and what is a 99?

Greg, Heidi, Skip and Kathy - Hey!!

We are going to start putting some clothes in some suitcases today. I took some shirts to the cleaners and told them to fold, not hang them because I was going on a cruise. I try to rub it in everywhere I go.

Did anyone but me watch the Magic pull into Key West yesterday?

So good to hear from everyone.

What will each of you be doing two weeks from today?

Russ

 

[Janice Eccleston]

Hi guys!

Two weeks from today, we'll be relaxing before getting dressed for the early dinner setting. Crossing off the days, counting the hours, siphoning the minutes and scrolling past the seconds.
Can't wait! Cut out my last blouse to sew last night, and started packing some items this weekend. And to make it even better, we will be in the Animal Kingdom Lodge at WDW from Dec. 7-14.
A two-treat year! See you all there.
Jan

 

[btbwalczak]

Hey everyone!!

We are all so excited & counting the days. Still wishing for an upgrade but not holding our breath. So far our only snag is that the flight attendants for our airline (Midwest Expres) went on strike this past Thursday They have not done a full walk out but are targeting certain flights. Guess we won't know until the day of the flight what exactly is going to happen.

Wish I could enjoy one of those cocktails with you at the sail away party but being 20 weeks pregnant, that is out of the question. Oh well, it's for the best reason in the world so I can handle 20 more weeks!!

Ok Russ, now I don't feel so anal for starting to pack some things already! My husband just shakes his head & laughs. He'll do his packing the morning we leave.

Happy Labor Day to all

Tracey

 

[ruvidu]

Janice, you are doing the Processional and MVMCP arn't you?
We went last year about the same time you are going this year. We had booked Port Orleans, French Quarter. After 9/11 they closed it and upgraded us to Wildnerness Lodge. We are hoping to go again in 2003. We did everything. Miss Vivian is a scrapbooker and that trip took two large post bound books to handle it. Christmas time at WDW is awsome. We spent one day at Epcot visiting the Santas from every country. The one from the US is the real one. I will see if I can post a photo for you to see.

It may seem like we are getting an early start on our packing but remember, we roll out of the house at 5:00 AM on the 12th.

Keep us informed on what you all are doing to get ready.

Two weeks from right now we should be enjoying the show at the Disney Theater.

Russ and Miss Vivian

 

[tokathy]

Hi 9/14 ers.......

Russ asked what we all are doing so far to get ready for the big day....well today I tried on a few pair of slacks to make sure they have the extra "growing room" I'll need for all the cruise food....I noticed years ago that clothes shrink if hung in the closet too long! Now I have to try and find matching blouses. I have our Tropical night dinner clothes all ready...(jungle print shirts)..I think that's Wednesday night... Gotta hit the attic and dig out my back pack for beach day on Cozumel. This is all new for me, I usually get ready the morning of...Tracey, your husband is not alone out there, there are many of us last minute packers.

Now one more glance at the countdown clocks and a big grin and I'm off...................

Kathy

 

[Janice Eccleston]

Russ,
Yes, we are excited about the Christmas trip. We had made reservations for the Caribbean Beach, and since it is going down for renovations, we got upgraded to the Animal Kingdom Lodge,
Savannah View for $10 more a night. Can't beat that!
We already have our reservations for dinner at the San Angel Inn and the Processional, and our tickets for MVMCP came in the mail last week. We have been to WDW in 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997, and 2000, but always in Sept. - never in Dec. We are looking forward to the Holiday Happenings. We were on the Magic for the Eastern cruise last Sept. 1-8, so this year is going to be a whole new trip. Disney does everything right.
Jan

 

[whytcrystal]

Hi All-


Russ-
We have gone from tent to camper to pop-up and now to a Coleman Caravan. It is not a pop-up but is not classified as an RV. The bed is hard-sided but slides out. I LOVE IT! Now for the important stuff. The drink has Absolute with Citrine, Blue Caraco and Lemondae in it. Depending ow yo mix it it is Blue or aqua but yummy either way.

Started packing yesterday and still sewing.

See Ya
Christy

 

[whytcrystal]

Hi All-


Russ-
We have gone from tent to camper to pop-up and now to a Coleman Caravan. It is not a pop-up but is not classified as an RV. The bed is hard-sided but slides out. I LOVE IT! Now for the important stuff. The drink has Absolute with Citrine, Blue Caraco and Lemondae in it. Depending ow yo mix it it is Blue or aqua but yummy either way.

Started packing yesterday and still sewing.

See Ya
Christy