September 3, 2005 --- Who is going?

[lisa702]

my DD almost 6 Skye did not spend much time in the club the last time we sailed DCL last September BUT we're hoping she'll spend just a little time there so we can dine at Palo AND maybe a see little bit of night life. She too is shy and has trouble making friends. She started day camp last week for the summer and didn't make a new friend until yesterday. Her favorite place is definately the Mickey pool! Although this time time she has informed me she'll be "shopping" alot in the gift shops with me! She collects snow globes and last year we got her the little one with Capt Mickey. I have a feeling we'll be buying the bigger one this year! Have a great day!

 

[gdulaney]

Kim,
Welcome!!

We have a set of Cobra microTalk 2-way radios (with a 5-mile radius). They work really well. The biggest problem (headache) is that with so many folks using 2-ways, you do get some bleed-over. We plan on which channel to use and change as needed.

We also take a pad of post-it notes and that way we can leave each other notes. In under 3 months we'll be writing some notes on board the Magic!!!

Ginny

 

[lisa702]

I booked my excursions yesterday. I booked the tours for both ports. In St Thomas the tour begins at 8 am. Will we have enough time to do customs and make the excursion time? DH does not have much interest into going to the ports and at least this way I'll get a taste of St Maarten and St Thomas. If he knew about the beaches he might change his mind!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Will we have enough time to do customs and make the excursion time?

If I remember correctly from our last cruise, the people with excursions booked through DCL for early morning had early Immigration appt times. You should be okay.

 

[lisa702]

Thanks Mary

 

[pogopossum]

since we haven't made it to the virgins last two cruises, i was curious about lisa's question about doing customs in time for excursions. is there something special about customs there, or is it like the bahamas and cozumel, and we just wait until cleared to go ashore?

lisa, did you book excursions through dcl or on your own?

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Immigration on St Thomas morning is different than coming from CC to Florida. Because you are coming back onto US soil from a foreign country (St Maarten) all passengers must present themselves to Immigration officials.
Citizens of foreign countries go to Rockin Bar D with their passports. Citizens of the US go to The Walt Disney Theater with passports or Birth certificate and photo id. All members of the family must show up- you are marked off on a list as you enter the theater.
It's fairly easy, you file into the theater, are directed to a row to sit, then when it's time for your row, you walk up to the front, meet the Immigration officer who looks at the docs, asks what country you are a citizen of, asks one or two questions of your kids, then off you go to enjoy your day.

I've done it twice, and I have to say, it's very well organized, and quick.
Don't try to skip it, because no one gets off the ship until everyone has met the Immigration officials. And if you oversleep, you get a visitor at your door to wake you up.

 

[lisa702]

Pogopossum
I booked the excursions thru DCL. Less for me to stress about! I swore I wasn't gonna stress about hurricane season but its always on my mind! We have bought a generator and getting the plywood ready for our windows. I figure if we plan ahead like that, we are certain to have a hurricane free season! Now if we hadn't planned ahead, we would get slammed for sure!

 

[pogopossum]

thanks for the info, i had seen on another post that non-us citizens had to do the immigration thing, but i guess no one mentioned that we did as well. that pretty much cinches our excursion plans, i've read about car rentals near the dock and the ferry over to st john, and i think that we'll just do that, then it won't matter how long it takes. our other consideration is that most excursions with snorkeling or boat involved won't include our 4 year old, so we won't have to deal with that either.

 

[lisa702]

Just wanted to point out that we are down to 2 and 2 (2 months 2 weeks)!!!!!

 

[gdulaney]

Lisa,
I can't believe it!!!!!!

Ginny

 

[MickeyManiac]

This weekend we will finally be at the 75 day mark for us 1st timers. I am so excited. I'm just wondering if anyone would be willing to share what excursions they decided on. There are so many choices.

And, when is the best time to book Palo for dinner? Since it's our first DCL trip we really don't want to miss anything big. ie, Pirate Night, shows, etc.

TIA-
I've gotten tons of great advice from the boards, but I'm still feeling a little lost.

Rachel

 

[lisa702]

This weekend we will finally be at the 75 day mark for us 1st timers. I am so excited. I'm just wondering if anyone would be willing to share what excursions they decided on. There are so many choices.

And, when is the best time to book Palo for dinner? Since it's our first DCL trip we really don't want to miss anything big. ie, Pirate Night, shows, etc.

TIA-
I've gotten tons of great advice from the boards, but I'm still feeling a little lost.

Rachel

You could always "double dip". I scheduled Palo for St Thomas night at 9pm. We'll eat at our 6 pm scheduled dinner with DD and then drop her off at the Oceaneer Club and have our Palo at 9PM.
We are doing the tour excursions in both ports to get a taste of each. Haven't really planned anything for CC except renting floats and having a very relaxing day.

 

[gdulaney]

Rachel,

If you can't decide, you could book brunch. It's partly a buffet and partly table service. You start off with a tour of the buffet, which is full of seafood, salads, desserts, breads, etc. Then you are offered cooked-to-order entrees. You also get either a glass of champagne or a mimosa included (additional drinks are available to purchase).

Ginny

 

[Drcell01]

Since we are sailing with 10 other family members from all over the country we tried to schedule somethings on our own (most of them like early seating and we usually don't eat at home until 7:30 pm or later) and a few with other family members. We scheduled Palo dinner for the second night at sea (just my wife and I) and we are doing Palo brunch on Thursday day at sea before CC (with several others from our family).

 

[tekmnky]

Don't know if it's too late to speak up, but I'm booked on the 3 Sep Eastern also. Hoping for a hurricane-free float on the ocean!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Welcome Aboard Tekmnky

 

[pmarcum]

Add another couple & infant (8-month old) to the Sept. 3rd. cruise. We hve been on many cruises but our first with a baby. We have a couple of questions:
1) What night is the Pirates night?
2) Are there other special event buffets during the cruise?
3) For those seasoned Disney cruisers with infants - is the in-room refrig. baby food/bottles?

Thanks for any info and 76 days and counting....

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Hi PMarcum...welcome

I haven't cruised with an infant in over a decade, and I am sorry to say, I haven't noticed what other families with infants did on DCL. But hopefully I can help with your other questions.

Pirate Night is on the night of St Maarten, Tuesday. There is a buffet, during the deck party. And on Thursday night there is a dessert buffet. It's pretty late 10 or 11pm, I think.

The fridge in the room is more of a drink cooler, and I wouldn't trust it for the baby's bottles. For bottles, I would have the room steward bring ice, and keep the ice bucket filled. Or, if you use powdered formula, you might want to try to get some of the bottles that hold the powder and water seperate- you combine themm when you are ready to feed, and there is no need to refrigerate. (this will work especially if you bring your own bottled water aboard, it's cheaper that way)

If I can help any more, let me know

 

[gdulaney]

Welcome Aboard tekmnky and pmarcum!!!

Ginny