September 29, 2012 - Ropin' Some Magic in the Western Caribbean

[Piper]

kayebeme--of course you are in!

Everyone can participate in the FE (as long as we know before August that they want to!) If we get a large number of cabins, we will just divide into manageable groups. I've been reading reports and it seems that most people enjoy working with 15 to 20 cabins. More than that can be difficult, so when we get up to 20, I'll split it into 2 groups. If I need to split, I'll try to keep cabins with like age kids together if possible. Of course, that may not work out based on the number (and ages) of participants, but I will do my best.

Also, If we do need to split and you want to participate in more than one group, that is an option, too. When we get closer to summer, I'll post the "list" so people will have a better idea!

Okay--I just counted and we have 17 cabins signed up for the cruise...not everyone has let me know about the FE, but we do have enough people who have that it is definitely ON! This is the total for this thread so far: 36 adults, 1-1 1/2 yr old girl, 1-3 yr old girl, 1-4 yr old girl, 1-3 yr old boy, 2-4yr old boys, 1-7, 1-8, 1-9, 1-11 & 1-12 year old girls, 1-8 yr old boy, 3-9 yr old boys and 1-11 year old boy. This is the info I have right now!

 

[disneynoodle]

What I'm most curious about is the in/out of this new-to-Disney port of Galveston. Do you think the service at this port will be up to Disney's level?

We have friends that sailed Royal Caribbean out of Galveston over New Years 2012 and they had a horrible experience at the port! It's got me worried.

They had to wait in a 4 hr line just to disembark. On the final day of the cruise, RC made everyone leave their cabin, they then lined everyone up inside the staircases and hallways. Our friend hit her knee on someone's wheelchair because it was so packed in the halls and most people carried their own bags off. She hit it so hard that she's now going to have surgery! One of their children got lost in the chaos and ended up on a different deck than the rest of the family. After they got off the ship and found their bags, they then waited in ANOTHER 3-hr line for customs. They said they have never seen Americans coming into their OWN country being treated in such a way before!

At Port Canaveral, we literally just walked off The Dream. There was a short line (20 min) for customs after we found our bags. It was very quick, but that port was designed by Disney, right? So, Galveston has never experienced Disney service. I hope Disney sets them straight before we cruise!

 

[Piper]

I've sailed from Galveston 4 times on different lines (including RC) and always been off the ship and through customs quickly. My DS and BIL sailed from there last Sept and had no difficulties either.

I wouldn't worry. Your friend's trip must have had some extenuating circumstances of which they were unaware. I've never heard of anyone going through anything like that.

FWIW both times I sailed on RC, they had you wait in an assigned lounge area until your number was called. It wasn't crowded and there were plenty of places to sit. I do know that some people wanted to "get ahead" and went to the deck that they thought was to be used for debarking, but I just waited in my "spot" and the number was called quickly. That is also what they did on Carnival and Princess. When we got to customs, it was a very quick process as they handled one group at a time as their numbers were called and had many, many lines to choose from.

 

[disneystick]

Well, since the new itn. has come out for the Magic in 2013....we decided to go on a 2013 cruise inside of this one. Love the fact that we now have a 8 night cruise and going to Key West also!!! Extra cruise night

Hope everything have a good sailing and take care of the Magic...we will be on her in April, 2013.

 

[Piper]

Since the Dis is soooo sloooow lately, I set up a Facebook page for our sailing....https://www.facebook.com/pages/Magically-Sailing-the-Sea-on-September-29-2012/312112488839826.

I hope people will use it to interact and get to know each other better. I am also hoping to post the spreadsheet with people's names, ages and cabin #s there.

Disneystick--we'll miss you and take good care of the ship for you!

 

[jenandjuice]

I'm booked!!!!!

Honeymoon Cruise HERE WE COME!!!!!! I'm just a tad excited....

I will join the facebook group when I get home

2 adults - Jenna and Jason room 7072

 

[AngieEstaAqui]

Just booked this date while aboard the Magic last week. Would love to join the FE group. I'll post cabin info when I get home, but participants will be myself and my daughter, 3, who will be turning 4 on the cruise (Oct. 4).

 

[Piper]

Welcome aboard! We'd love to have you join our group!

 

[BendeleFamily]

We are booked for our cruise! This will be my first Disney Cruise but I have cruised 2 other times on other cruise lines. Having a nice vacation with my little ones & my friends and their little ones. Definitely want to participate in the FE. Sounds so fun! Will be sailing with my 2 daughters; a 3 almost 4 year old and a 1 1/2 year old. Can't wait!

 

[jenandjuice]

I know we don't have a complete list for FE yet, or how many groups and so on, because it's super early....BUT I'm gonna get started on fe stuff because it passes the time while I'm waiting for the trip!

Also, I plan on doing quite a bit of crafty things for the fe exchange so the earlier I start the better

The questions I have for those participating....

1) if I buy treats, are there any allergies I should be aware of? I don't want to buy anything that'll go to waste....and I won't be buying this stuff til MUCH closer to the cruise, but while I'm asking questions, I thought I'd ask now

2) From all females/girls I want to know favorite colors...I will try to accomodate as best I can if I can get some requests

3) For young ones under 2, I want to make something special and need to know clothing size.

PM me or post here.

Note to Piper...my fiancee and I will probably want to be in both fe groups, depending on the number of participants/cabins

 

[Staceykins]

Hi!
My name is Stacey, Husband is Jeremy and daughter is Layla.
I am new to this. I have never even been on a cruise before.
Some friends of mine have booked this cruise and I am going to be booking tomorrow.
My three year old daughter and I will be going on this cruise.
Any tips as to what to expect, what kind of activities are there going to be and about the fish thing you hang on the door. What is that all about?
Any info helps since I am so new to this.
We are super excited! Thanks!

 

[Staceykins]

Hey Tracy!! Let me know the FE info because we want to participate too!

 

[Piper]

If I don't have your email address, please PM me. I have made a chart listing names and ages of children, how many adults are in each cabin, cabin numbers etc.

As of now, we just have enough for one fish extender group. I am hoping that as it gets closer to the date, we will have more. Also, since some of us are going to craft gifts, when do you think the cutoff day for joining the exchange should be?I would say Aug. 15 so that people will have time to make things, but I am flexible.

Also, I will send you the info I have next week if I have your email address, cabin number, adult's names and children's names and ages. Then people can start working with what we have.

 

[Milio99]

Piper, how many cabins are in this first group?

 

[disneynoodle]

I wanted to let jenandjuice know about my daughter's pecan allergy. She has severe facial, mouth, tounge, and lip swelling when she eats pecans. We keep an epipen handy in case her throat ever decides to close.

She and I are the only females in our group and we love pink, turquoise, and purple.

Can't wait to see the FE gifts!

 

[Staceykins]

Hi!

1. We have no allergies! (thankfully)
2. My daughter and I both love pinks, purples, yellows, aqua
3. My daughter is going to be 3 in July, so no worries here!

I am so excited to be a part of this FE group! Now I just need to come up with some fun ideas!

I know we don't have a complete list for FE yet, or how many groups and so on, because it's super early....BUT I'm gonna get started on fe stuff because it passes the time while I'm waiting for the trip!

Also, I plan on doing quite a bit of crafty things for the fe exchange so the earlier I start the better

The questions I have for those participating....

1) if I buy treats, are there any allergies I should be aware of? I don't want to buy anything that'll go to waste....and I won't be buying this stuff til MUCH closer to the cruise, but while I'm asking questions, I thought I'd ask now

2) From all females/girls I want to know favorite colors...I will try to accomodate as best I can if I can get some requests

3) For young ones under 2, I want to make something special and need to know clothing size.

PM me or post here.

Note to Piper...my fiancee and I will probably want to be in both fe groups, depending on the number of participants/cabins

 

[Staceykins]

Okay, we are booking our trip.
Cabin # 6503

Yay so excited!

 

[Staceykins]

sorry for this empy post, but need 5 to PM someone!

 

[Staceykins]

nope says 10 so 5 more, sorry!

 

[Staceykins]

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