September 1, 2007 Eastern Magic! Early but Excited!

[rmrjb]

Don't bother w/ Birnbaums... the PassPorter's is pretty good though. It has a ton of information, but I've found I've learned a lot from reading TR's/postings here and on cruisecritic.com. I'm still trying to figure out what to do in St. John/St. Thomas. I keep finding mixed reviews.... have you looked into any of the excursions yet? Big Ray (DH-- Our 12 yr.old. is Ray, too...) has been giving me a hard time (ajokingly, of course!) about all the time I'm spending looking on-line, reading, and then changing my mind depending on the day I am just SOOO excited! I actually just picked up rolling Pilots bags for the kids to use for their carry on's today. Wait 'til they find out those are really for my shoes they'll be responsible for carrying!!! What airline are you guys on? We're coming in the day before so we don't feel rushed. What about you guys?

 

[ReallyFunMom]

Hi Melinda! I have boy/girl twins who will just be shy of 7 on the cruise. We're going, along with my 5 1/2 year old son and husband. Its our first DCL cruise too and we cannot wait!

WELCOME!

We'll be on with two boys ages 7 and 8. (Newly 7 and almost 9.) Anyway, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the kids club groups age 5-7 together. Just thought you might like that your kids would be all together. I was happy mine were last cruise but they felt very comfortable and made friends quickly so I think its fine they will be in different groups this time. Looking forward to our first 7 night cruise!

 

[rmrjb]

Glad to hear of another 9 yr.old boy on board for my son, J.T., to hang out with. Fortunately, none of my kids have ever had seperation issues & they all make friends pretty quickly (hmmm.... not sure where they get that from!!!) We're almost down to the 6 mo countdown!!!!

 

[CraftyCrissy]

I actually just picked up rolling Pilots bags for the kids to use for their carry on's today. Wait 'til they find out those are really for my shoes they'll be responsible for carrying!!! What airline are you guys on? We're coming in the day before so we don't feel rushed. What about you guys?

You are too funny about the shoes! I have to get a roller for my daughter. Her current one is a hand-me-down with Arthur on it and she informed me she is NEVER using it again! heee heee I am very, very determined not to overpack (this will be our 4th cruise - 1st DCL - and for the last 3 as well as our last DW trip I overpacked majorly!)

We're not 100% on flying down there yet. Most likely we will fly Jet Blue (they're not booking past September 4th right now - I check daily!) Their typical rates Newark to Orlando are $99. We are going to go down a couple of days early and do at least the Magic Kingdom. The last time we went to DW was almost two years ago and the kids are dying to go again. I want to fly down on Wednesday afternoon and do Thursday/Friday at the parks and then drive/car service to port early Saturday morning. DH only wants to do one day in the parks because God forbid he not be in the office an extra day (don't get me started). We have to figure out the logistics of where to stay (on or off site), transfers to and from port, into the park, etc. If Jet Blue would just get their September dates up........

I'm also on a weight-loss train. I am determined to be comfortable in a bathing suit for the cruise (not to mention the entire summer leading up to it!) I keep coming to these boards to motivate myself when I am craving the ice cream cake in the freezer!

 

[rmrjb]

Ok... WIERD.... I am SOOOOO on the weight-loss train with you!!!! Although I'm not stressing too much, (you know that "You're not the worst one I've ever seen" story- my biggest fear is BEING that worst one!!) I would still love to be in better shape that I am now. That being said, my intentions are to completely throw down that entire week and not care about a thing. Little side note.... I started dating Big Ray when I was 15. He has seen me at my absolute heaviest, my absolute lightest, and everything inbetween. He hasn't left yet, so I figure I;m as good as gold Anyway... we are headed in to MCO 8/31. Don't discount any of the other airlines, though. My Travel Agent got our seats back in Dec. and they are only $10 more than Southwest. I went ahead & pd for the peace of mind.... just a thought.

So.... ummmm... you never answered my ? about the shore excursions.... I promise not to stalk you!! Glad to hear you're somewhat of a "Cruise Veteran." We've never been on a cruise at all, so I'll probably be bugging you w/ questions. Tell me if it gets to be too much!

Melinda

 

[rmrjb]

Hey, Guys.... I'm starting a new 9/1 thread.... this one is so far back its a pain to get too.....

 

[KrisannB]

can you tell me what the title of the new one is so I can find it? I only get to check in every so often and I cannot seem to find a new thread.

Krisann

 

[rmrjb]

The new thread is: 9/1/07 Eastern on the Magic... Anyone else?

Krisann- Is your DD still going to be 11 on the cruise? I have a 12yr old son who is at that awkward inbetween stage.... on the older end of the Oceaneers Lab, but he's too young to be in The Stack. Is she feeling the same way?

Melinda

 

[CraftyCrissy]

That being said, my intentions are to completely throw down that entire week and not care about a thing.

So.... ummmm... you never answered my ? about the shore excursions.... I promise not to stalk you!! Glad to hear you're somewhat of a "Cruise Veteran." We've never been on a cruise at all, so I'll probably be bugging you w/ questions.

Don't worry about bugging me! I don't mind at all!!!!

I too will be enjoying myself very thoroughly on the cruise. I plan in eating and DRINKING anything that pleases me! hee heee

Shore excursions - I've only briefly reviewed them but from I've been to all the ports on previous cruises. We probably won't do too much since my kids are afraid of their own shadows (even of our cat, who's been around before them!) so anything with wildlife is out!

St. Thomas - LOVE Magen's Bay. It is a gorgeous beach, very calm waters (I guess it really is a bay?) and beautiful all around. When we first went there it was our honeymoon and we did a bike tour that ended there. It was mid-August and about 140% humidity and 104 degrees and I just couldn't handle the ride! I was thrilled when it was over and we could just veg out at Magen's Bay. My guess is we may take a bus/cab over there again and hang out. My kids do like the beach very much. There's a lot of shadey areas.

St. John - LOVE Trunk Bay Beach. This is more beachy, in my opinion, although the water is still very bay-like to me (I'm a NJ gal meaning Jersey Shore and rough waves are the norm for me!) We did this with our kids on our last cruise (almost 5 years ago). There is about no shade here but the views are magnificent. I have lots of pictures of birds and lizards, although my kids were by none of them! We did that cruise with my entire family (parents, sister and her family) so all the kids, I'm sure, were either in Grampa's arms or in the gift shop with Gramma!!!!

St. Maarten - we did the Regatta there. Again, on our honeymoon and it was pretty hard work. Everyone gets a job. Mine was: Drink Gal. Yes, I passed out drinks to those doing the real work of making the yacht go! It was an amazing ride and really a great adventure. If you do this, sleep well and hydrate very well the night before! This is offered on DCL and the bike ride is here too.

I am really, really looking forward to Castaway Cay. I would love to do a Dolphin Encounter somewhere but I truly think my kids may stroke out if we do! I'll have to work them up to something this summer- at least a sting ray thing at Castaway Cay! I guess its not a bad thing that we're not into the whole adventure-vacation age yet, especially since I spent the kids' college funds to go on the cruise!!!

Oh - there's a new thread for our cruise. Guess I should go find that one too! hee heee

 

[KrisannB]

She will be 12 on the cruise and will be in the lab - from my understanding they are tougher on the age thing with the stack because of the older teens. We are going to give her sign out abilities on this cruise most likely - so she can be a little independent. We are still having reservations about the WB Repo when she will be 13 but just barely

Krisann

The new thread is: 9/1/07 Eastern on the Magic... Anyone else?

Krisann- Is your DD still going to be 11 on the cruise? I have a 12yr old son who is at that awkward inbetween stage.... on the older end of the Oceaneers Lab, but he's too young to be in The Stack. Is she feeling the same way?

Melinda

 

[kjguy43]

Have to get to the packing list and make sure we have all the essentials, think we may need to buy more suitcases. I am a bit worried about lost luggae. Got to get a suit for formal night. TG this is only 6 months away. Thsi cold weather has me yearning for the warm waters of the caribbean. Now they are talking about 12-18 inches of snow

 

[ReallyFunMom]

Bumping so doesn't drop off and lose all old information in case anyone needs to access it.

 

[ThinkTink510]

im really excited. i want to start packing now

 

[Castillo Mom]

Bumpity bump! Let's keep it going!

 

[ReallyFunMom]

Have ya'll figured out which excursions yet?

Is brunch offered every at-sea day? What is the time span offered to sign up for brunch? Any thoughts on which nights are best for Palo?

 

[Castillo Mom]

I haven't planned what night/day we're making reservations for Palo but as for excursions, I've already booked a private sail for when we're in St. Thomas. I booked with Rumbaba. Heard a lot of great things about them on another cruise discussion board. Not too sure what we'll be doing in St. Marteen other then shopping. Once we're on Castayway Cay, we'll probably just be beach bums, maybe do the banana boat ride.

 

[ReallyFunMom]

I haven't planned what night/day we're making reservations for Palo but as for excursions, I've already booked a private sail for when we're in St. Thomas. I booked with Rumbaba. Heard a lot of great things about them on another cruise discussion board. Not too sure what we'll be doing in St. Marteen other then shopping. Once we're on Castayway Cay, we'll probably just be beach bums, maybe do the banana boat ride.

I'm such a wimp, too afraid to book anything outside Disney thinking they might sail without me if there are problems. I've got to go back to my notes about excursions. What date can we start booking things, anyone done the "math"? I think I'll be trying for Palo on formal night.

 

[ThinkTink510]

My mom books our excursions. I dont know if she has done any yet. We are definatly doing the banana boat on castaway cay though. We did it last time and it was loads of fun.

 

[rmrjb]

OK.... I think I have this condition w/ relation to the cruise... 1st time ever & I keep flip-flopping w/ regard to excursions!

Is anyone else looking at excursions yet or am I the only one!!!???

 

[ReallyFunMom]

Bump so doesn't fall off.......