T-Day Cruisers 2011, November 19-26th, 2011

[Lauri]

OK, I'm back. Glad to see others are getting their cruise docs too. My DH favorite part was where it said once aboard to just relax. We're all in need of that right now.

We still haven't figured out what we're doing in St. Marteen. We did the Under Two Flags Tour when the kids were younger (13 and 10.) I think we're just looking for some beach relaxation time, maybe with some watersports. Anyone pick a beach to go to yet? The family does not want to go to Maho to see the planes.

Lauri

 

[Scooby3x1y]

OK, I'm back. Glad to see others are getting their cruise docs too. My DH favorite part was where it said once aboard to just relax. We're all in need of that right now.

We still haven't figured out what we're doing in St. Marteen. We did the Under Two Flags Tour when the kids were younger (13 and 10.) I think we're just looking for some beach relaxation time, maybe with some watersports. Anyone pick a beach to go to yet? The family does not want to go to Maho to see the planes.

Lauri

My family DOES want to go to Maho beach to see the planes, but we are also looking for a nice beach to go to after that. With DS being a pilot, we're all excited to see him blown away. Personally, I don't want to be covered in jet fuel, I just want to laugh at him rolling down the beach...

Anyone have suggestions for St. Marteen?

 

[ICEMANPAD]

OK, several responses:

....The cable car would be fine for a 5 year old, but my understanding is that the official excurion is sold out, though you can probably do the ride on your own.

....I cannot tell you how many times our 12 year old (as of 10/15) has been to Disney World, but this will be his 14th cruise...ok he is spoiled...

....we also got our cruise docs, but....

Chuck

 

[ICEMANPAD]

...we have a cabin change to announce

As of now, we will be in 6652...(and will probably stay there, though with us, that is never a certainty)...

Chuck

 

[ICEMANPAD]

and as to packing, we generally do that the night before we leave...just remember, the Magic, unlike the Dream, has lower to the ground beds and thus lugage storage for thick suitcases is difficult...on the Dream this was corrected, though the beds cannot be split into two singles...that said, I am sure Lisa will overpack anyway....

But I note we almost always return with 30-40% of clothes, especially those casual not for dinner clothes, unworn.

Chuck

 

[Scooby3x1y]

...we have a cabin change to announce

As of now, we will be in 6652...(and will probably stay there, though with us, that is never a certainty)...

Chuck

Now Chuck....you're not going to be the problem child are you?

Just kidding....I got it changed.

 

[Mean Queen]

OK, several responses:

....The cable car would be fine for a 5 year old, but my understanding is that the official excurion is sold out, though you can probably do the ride on your own.

....I cannot tell you how many times our 12 year old (as of 10/15) has been to Disney World, but this will be his 14th cruise...ok he is spoiled...

....we also got our cruise docs, but....

Chuck

I guess I will have to look into another excursion or check it out on its own.

Living in Florida does have its advantages. When we lived in Orlando one year, Disney told us we had entered the gate over 100 times in less than a year (that's with all the park hopping.) This will be our 8th cruise, but we are planning on 2 more next year. I really want to be platinum!

 

[ICEMANPAD]

FYI Mean Queen: Platinum is great, but unless they have changed things, and I have heard mixed comments on this one, platinum benefits come on the 11th cruise, ie after you have completed 10.

And yes, you are entirely correct that there are benefits to living in Florida including, sometimes, cruise rate benefits. But part of the reason for that is we can book late and not need airfare which can be much tougher to obtain late.

Chuck

 

[ICEMANPAD]

Also, Lori, we will be the problem child with cabin changes, though I think we may be done this time. Lisa missed one of the cruises this summer at the last minute due to work, but Disney agreed to give us a credit, though they had no obligation to do so, so long as we first submitted a travel insurance claim and received a declination. Given the timing, we just received the declination and used the credit to upgrade this cruise instead of putting it towards next summer on the Fantasy. Hence the major upgrade.

However, if there happens to be a chance at the port, which is probably unlikely b/c it is Thanksgiving...I think they will come very close to selling out in the end...we may switch again...but I will take the walk and drop any later changes on all FE's for cabins participating in the exchange should that occur.

Also, our new location will help everyone burn the calories from all that good food. Our cabin is as far aft as one can get.

Chuck

 

[StacieinAtlanta]

We got our cruise documents today too.

I am getting so excited!!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Also, Lori, we will be the problem child with cabin changes, though I think we may be done this time. Lisa missed one of the cruises this summer at the last minute due to work, but Disney agreed to give us a credit, though they had no obligation to do so, so long as we first submitted a travel insurance claim and received a declination. Given the timing, we just received the declination and used the credit to upgrade this cruise instead of putting it towards next summer on the Fantasy. Hence the major upgrade.

However, if there happens to be a chance at the port, which is probably unlikely b/c it is Thanksgiving...I think they will come very close to selling out in the end...we may switch again...but I will take the walk and drop any later changes on all FE's for cabins participating in the exchange should that occur.

Also, our new location will help everyone burn the calories from all that good food. Our cabin is as far aft as one can get.

Chuck

No problem! I'm totally teasing you!

 

[Snowwhyt]

Has anyone upgraded at the port the day of the cruise? Is it a better deal than doing it ahead of time? I'm still debating moving up to a balcony view.

We went right for the counter when we arrived last year on the 2010 Thanksgiving cruise and a sign was posted that they were full and unable to upgrade. So if upgrade was important you would want to do it in advance(end of second week in Nov). Some room changes "pixie dust" were given after the luggage tags were sent out. I went back on our thread and found that the first week in Nov several people had been given upgrades. A couple were quite large. No upgrade for us though.
When final payment was due several rooms opened up all upper deck. The weekend before our trip the option to purchase our cruise on the Disney web site had been removed.
They had some rooms with flooding issues on the cruise just before ours. That may have been why we were full. Also the Magic had just been in Dry Dock for an over-hall the month of Oct with new carpet in much of the ship and change in the drink station. I also was told new washing machines and dryers. Maybe some rooms were still unfinished. We had been told construction people had been on the ship right after dry dock to complete some rooms. I would guess that would have been done by our cruise though.

Do you guys think they will be showing the new Muppet movie on our sailing?

If I were to guess...
We were offered Tangled as a Midnight showing on Wed night. The movie was due to be released on Thursday.
Muppets will be offered (I'm guessing) on Tue night because it opens on Wed before Thanksgiving.

 

[tigger2esq]

is there WiFi on board the ship?

I have a blackberry for work and will need to access my work email at some time during the trip (if only to dump messages so I dont get overwhelemd when I return. it being a holiday will reduce the number of emails I get but wont do away with them completely).

I dont need phone coverage to get my emails--only an internet connection as I can access them through a web portal.

I imagine I will have international cell phone coverage from the ports if needed/necessary.

thanks! (yes in an ideal world I would just "unplug" for the week but unfortuately in my line of business I am unable to do so for any length of time without SOME disaster occurring.... I have made a pact with my DH that when we are on vacation I leave my BB plugged in at an outlet in the hotel room bathroom and I only check it first thing in the morning and then again near the end of the day)

Renee

 

[Scooby3x1y]

is there WiFi on board the ship?

I have a blackberry for work and will need to access my work email at some time during the trip (if only to dump messages so I dont get overwhelemd when I return. it being a holiday will reduce the number of emails I get but wont do away with them completely).

I dont need phone coverage to get my emails--only an internet connection as I can access them through a web portal.

I imagine I will have international cell phone coverage from the ports if needed/necessary.

thanks! (yes in an ideal world I would just "unplug" for the week but unfortuately in my line of business I am unable to do so for any length of time without SOME disaster occurring.... I have made a pact with my DH that when we are on vacation I leave my BB plugged in at an outlet in the hotel room bathroom and I only check it first thing in the morning and then again near the end of the day)

Renee

Since nobody has answered yet.....

There is wi-fi, but you do pay for it. The internet rates aren't cheap, and you can find them on DCL website. If you haven't used your phone out of the country before, definitely check on your carriers rates. For us, it was cheaper for us to purchase an internet usage package, and sometimes, we just paid by minute.

With our Blackberry's, we received Data wherever, but while we are in port the up/down load was faster. Each ship has several computers that you can use for your internet plans that you purchase. They are faster to navigate your email then on your Blackberry, and make it so you don't have to take your laptop.

We're self-employed, so both my dh and I travel with laptops. It's convenient, and necessary for us to stay in touch.

Here's the link to the official info: http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/services/internet-cellular-services/






x

 

[ICEMANPAD]

On the Dream, they eliminated the computer lab, though they had loaner laptops - I had my own. I suggest bringing your laptop, but the connection will be slow. Best bet is to use your Blackberry in ports...gotta be careful when you are on ship in port or at CC using Blackberry that you end up on right network or it can get expensive....that said, I will be using my Blackberry in St. Thomas and St. Maarten, but don't forget, unless you are in retail, it is Thanksgiving so most work will be closed or effectively closed as of about noon Wednesday, and the two islands are Tues/Wed, so really you don't miss too many workdays.

Chuck

 

[gcoolie]

Excited about our second Thanksgiving cruise. The first was 2009. Traveling with DH 41, DD 14 (birthday on the ship), DS 8, and my parents.

Excited for my kids to meet others this time. They didn't get involved in the kids club stuff much last time.

Had one great excursion last time on St. Thomas and not so good on St. Maarten, so would love suggestions.

Trying to read through all the posts, but there are a ton! I have never posted on a forum before, so sorry if I breach some etiquette on accident.

Saw another post about using magnets on doors. Are they really magnetic?

 

[StacieinAtlanta]

Anyone want to split a private tour with Bernard's Tours while in St. Maarten.

The tour is 6.5 hours and they said that they will take us wherever we want to go. But here is the general tour info:

"From the cruise terminal in Phillipsberg, St.Maarten, Bernard's Tours will pick you up at a time convenient to you. Your first stop is at the Great Bay, overlooking the city. This is the perfect site to view the Waterfront and Cruise Liners docked in the harbors.

At Cay Hill, the next stop, you get a breathtaking, magnificent and panoramic view of the Princess Juliana International Airport, the famous Samson Bay Lagoon and the ever popular Marina, home of the annual Heineken Regatta. Your journey continues until you arrive at Marigot on the French side where you can savor the cuisine, architecture and typical French Creole culture of the Caribbean. Just a few minutes away, the La Savanne Look out Point provides a picture perfect view of the Grand Case district and the neighboring island of Anguilla. Having seen the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, it is now time to have a dip.

You will spend 2 hours at Orient Beach, where you will enjoy the beach and shopping in the area.

And there is the favorite, Maho Beach, where you can watch the airplanes fly right over your head as they approach the airport. You will get to maho in time to see the big planes and have time for a drink."

There are five of us (myself, my husband and three kids) and I have already paid the deposit. I just thought that I would check to see if anyone else was interested in going.

Bernard's comes highly recommended. The tours are usually $40 per person and the private tour is not much more.

I wanted to do a private tour because with three kids (ages 8, 6 and 4) I thought that it would be easier than having to wait around in places plus we could kind of pick and choose what we wanted to do.

So PM if you are interested.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Excited about our second Thanksgiving cruise. The first was 2009. Traveling with DH 41, DD 14 (birthday on the ship), DS 8, and my parents.

Excited for my kids to meet others this time. They didn't get involved in the kids club stuff much last time.

Had one great excursion last time on St. Thomas and not so good on St. Maarten, so would love suggestions.

Trying to read through all the posts, but there are a ton! I have never posted on a forum before, so sorry if I breach some etiquette on accident.

Saw another post about using magnets on doors. Are they really magnetic?

GCoolie,

Welcome! There is so much for you to learn!!!! Register, get an account, it's free. I remember coming as a guest the first time. It took me forever to find my way back to where I was. After you register, it kind of keeps track for you.

Yes, most of us make magnets for our doors. Some get crazy, some do not. We are about to close our FE list. Are you interested in joining? Here are a couple of links to check it all out, and get informed.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2068966

There is amazing information here. Even if you have cruised 20 times, there is always something new to learn. If you look at the list for Fish Extenders, and Door Magnets, that will explain everything.


Lori

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Anyone want to split a private tour with Bernard's Tours while in St. Maarten.

The tour is 6.5 hours and they said that they will take us wherever we want to go. But here is the general tour info:

"From the cruise terminal in Phillipsberg, St.Maarten, Bernard's Tours will pick you up at a time convenient to you. Your first stop is at the Great Bay, overlooking the city. This is the perfect site to view the Waterfront and Cruise Liners docked in the harbors.

At Cay Hill, the next stop, you get a breathtaking, magnificent and panoramic view of the Princess Juliana International Airport, the famous Samson Bay Lagoon and the ever popular Marina, home of the annual Heineken Regatta. Your journey continues until you arrive at Marigot on the French side where you can savor the cuisine, architecture and typical French Creole culture of the Caribbean. Just a few minutes away, the La Savanne Look out Point provides a picture perfect view of the Grand Case district and the neighboring island of Anguilla. Having seen the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, it is now time to have a dip.

You will spend 2 hours at Orient Beach, where you will enjoy the beach and shopping in the area.

And there is the favorite, Maho Beach, where you can watch the airplanes fly right over your head as they approach the airport. You will get to maho in time to see the big planes and have time for a drink."

There are five of us (myself, my husband and three kids) and I have already paid the deposit. I just thought that I would check to see if anyone else was interested in going.

Bernard's comes highly recommended. The tours are usually $40 per person and the private tour is not much more.

I wanted to do a private tour because with three kids (ages 8, 6 and 4) I thought that it would be easier than having to wait around in places plus we could kind of pick and choose what we wanted to do.

So PM if you are interested.

Stacie,

I PM'd you, we're very interested. However, DH said that Orient Beach is a clothing optional beach. The other part is a nude beach. I'm not sure about your kids, but I don't want to take my teenage/adult boys there.

 

[StacieinAtlanta]

Stacie,

I PM'd you, we're very interested. However, DH said that Orient Beach is a clothing optional beach. The other part is a nude beach. I'm not sure about your kids, but I don't want to take my teenage/adult boys there.

OMG, no way that I would take the kids to that beach!! Whoops.

Although DH would probably never want to leave.