Turkey Day Gang 2009

[jeniamt]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! I will poke around for some more info about Flounders. Okay, next question... has anyone flown into Orlando the morning of the cruise? Baltimore to Orlando is an easy flight but will I be a nervous wreck if our flight is delayed? (okay, I'm sure I would be) But it sure would be easier to get in that morning and head right to the boat. The idea of 4 kids plus my almost 92 DGM getting checked in and out of a hotel seems like a pain. Plus, DH is worried about taking a extra day of work.

That leads me to my next question... DH LOVES Disney World but isn't too psyched about the cruise. He is wondering for what we are paying for the cruise, we could have stayed at Grand Floridian for a week. I think he thinks its going to be all pool time and eating. Both of which he points out he can do at Disney plus everything else it has to offer. So for the men out there... what is your favorite part of cruising?

Thanks again, Jen

 

[pillow]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! I will poke around for some more info about Flounders. Okay, next question... has anyone flown into Orlando the morning of the cruise? Baltimore to Orlando is an easy flight but will I be a nervous wreck if our flight is delayed? (okay, I'm sure I would be) But it sure would be easier to get in that morning and head right to the boat. The idea of 4 kids plus my almost 92 DGM getting checked in and out of a hotel seems like a pain. Plus, DH is worried about taking a extra day of work.

That leads me to my next question... DH LOVES Disney World but isn't too psyched about the cruise. He is wondering for what we are paying for the cruise, we could have stayed at Grand Floridian for a week. I think he thinks its going to be all pool time and eating. Both of which he points out he can do at Disney plus everything else it has to offer. So for the men out there... what is your favorite part of cruising?

Thanks again, Jen

Hi there. We live in Richmond - not too far from you. We have flown in the morning of the cruise before, but I made sure it was a direct flight (not sure what BWI offers, but Dulles has direct flights - check Air Tran and Jet Blue). If your luggage is lost, you're SOL!! You might want to consider flying in Friday night after your dh gets off work (even if you get in late) and staying at the airport Hyatt. The hotel is located inside the airport - couldn't be easier! Then you can sleep in and catch a relatively early shuttle to the ship and be one of the first groups to board.

I think the cruise and WDW are completely different experiences. For us WDW is WORK. The cruise is much more relaxing. My husband and kids enjoy the cruise more than WDW. Also, the Eastern cruise stops at some great places. Some of the beaches on St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and St. John are to die for!! And I think my husband's favorite thing on the cruise is the drink of the day - oh, and child care!

I think its just something your dh will have to experience.

Jodie

 

[MommyMinnie]

Jen,
My DH's favorite part of cruising is the character greetings. He's really just a big kid. We also enjoy visiting the cities in the ports of call.
At WDW he's a major thrill rider but he gets along fine on the ship.

 

[ICEMANPAD]

I am from Baltimore originally, but do not fly down the day of the cruise...come in the night before...due to Homeland Security regs, if you are not on the boat by 4pm, your only hope is to fly to St Marten, and even if the boat were going to Key West, which it is not, you still could not board it there (but that is a Jones Act law, not Dept of HS)...the old rule that if Disney made your flights they might hold the ship days are over.

As to the men...hmmm...maybe Wendy can get her husband to comment and I am sure Rob will speak up too, but candidly there is plenty to do, even if you don't care for the schtick. We have some friends that tried to do it all their first cruise (hello Willie if you read this), but soon found out what they ultimately got was worn out. DH should find plenty to do, and I will be the first to say I am frequently at activities separate from Lisa and Mason (10 at time of the sailing)...especially at CC where I am always involved in the hard core volleyball game (there is a second net for the less hard core).

Chuck

 

[ICEMANPAD]

and as to excursions, the 12 meter World Cup yacht race in St. Marten is simply the best excursion out there, though nook early...we will be booked on it again this time.

Chuck

 

[pillow]

and as to excursions, the 12 meter World Cup yacht race in St. Marten is simply the best excursion out there, though nook early...we will be booked on it again this time.

Chuck

Curious - what did you like about that excursion? I was thinking that we might just head to the beaches for the day.

Jodie

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

OK, I'll chime in here too. A trip to WDW is filled with rides and shows and running from here to there. Don't get me wrong, we love it...but a cruise is completely different.

First, think relaxation! Ahhhh....there's something nice about waking up in the morning, getting your breakfast and heading for a lovely table overlooking the water. Trust me, your eyes will not believe how blue the water is...and how many different shades and hues of blue exist! DH and I are NOT the spa type, but we both enjoy walking around the ship exploring the various nooks and crannies. We also enjoy finding a quiet area on the deck, reading a good book and watching the water go by. When we want activities, there are many to choose from on the ship...from the very active, to the sedate, to the silly.

Last time, we made a point of going to see a Disney movie in the theater, going to the character meets (especially Jack Sparrow), we played several games of who wants to be a mouseketeer, and enjoyed watching our son hang out with his new friends. We also spent time talking with other families, etc. Unfortunately, DH was a bit under the weather one afternoon, but he was pleasantly surprised to find some good stuff on TV including sports and movies (which was great since he was expecting Hannah Montana and Suite Life all the time)!

Going to the various ports was a lot of fun too. We had a lot of fun going to the beaches, shopping and in general exploring!

In all honesty, the best part of the cruise is that you get to explore new places...and you still get the wonderful Disney touch of magic! It's the best of both worlds.

Hope this helps.

Karen

 

[jeniamt]

Wow guys, you have posted lots of great things for me to share with DH. I'm looking forward to relaxing and not having to run from one ride to the next!

Is there another group posting for the same cruise? My mom seems to think I am bustn' in on your guy's group. She said the "Turkey Day Gang" has been sailing together for years and they are their own group. She is insisting that she has looked at another thread where everyone else who is sailing Thanksgiving 2009 posts. I have no idea what she is talking about and I told her you guys have been very welcoming and I like reading all your past experiences on the Magic.

Thanks again, Jen

 

[alwayslisad]

hello - this is my first TDAY CRUISE with this group of Turkeys and they have been amazing to me - so warm and friendly and loving - it is like my family on the computer - I cannot wait to meet you all and give lots of hugs - so tell me in advance if you dont want HUGS - I am a HUG LOVER!!!

This group is family...

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Hi Jen,

I was a "newbie" in 2007 and found that the Turkey Day Gang was extremely welcoming and helpful!!!! So, now that I'm a "veteran" , please know that a) you're not busting in on us and b) mom is welcome to come here and post too!

I consider myself extrememly lucky to have sailed on the 2007 Thanksgiving cruise as my family met some truly wonderful people.

So, I think it's perfectly fine to welcome you to the Turkey Day Gang 2009!

Karen

 

[ICEMANPAD]

2009 will mark 6 years in a row for us...

as to st martin, the 12 meter regatta is where you get to actually crew some of the retired world cup 12 meter yachts (yes, the real ones) along w/a few professionals and "race" in the bay...it lasts a couple hours and is immense fun...we were there on a breezy day and there were times that although we were seated, we were actually standing since the boat was that far over...but you really crank etc, although there are a couple honorary positions like keeper of the cooler..but you really fly over the water as those boats are very fast.

Chuck

 

[pillow]

2009 will mark 6 years in a row for us...

as to st martin, the 12 meter regatta is where you get to actually crew some of the retired world cup 12 meter yachts (yes, the real ones) along w/a few professionals and "race" in the bay...it lasts a couple hours and is immense fun...we were there on a breezy day and there were times that although we were seated, we were actually standing since the boat was that far over...but you really crank etc, although there are a couple honorary positions like keeper of the cooler..but you really fly over the water as those boats are very fast.

Chuck

That does sound quite fun! Wish we were there right now!

J

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Hi Rob,

Saw you on the other board about the "very spcial offer." Sorry, but it was a big yawn to me...kids free on 3 night cruises....nope!

Karen

 

[jollytammy]

My DH was worried he wouldn't like cruising, but he loved that he didn't have to "go anywhere." The food was right there, we could change in 5 minutes, and he loved how relaxing it was. We went to Disney world last christmas and came home exhausted, whereas we come home refreshed from a cruise. He's a die hard cruise fan now!

My DH loved relaxing on deck 4, the food, the shows, the food, oh, and did I mention the food?

 

[sherreis]

I haven’t been around much the past couple of weeks because I have been sick. Hard enough sitting in front of a computer screen during the day to work. Luckily, working from home has made it easier. I’m finally getting over this virus that has been so nasty. DH started with it last week and DS13 just started a couple days ago. Well – at least if I was going to be sick over Thanksgiving, it was this year vs. next year!

Welcome MommyMinnie and HyppyChick.

Rob – I don’t know where we’ll be staying yet. I’m figuring we’ll be flying in on Friday unless I get a good deal for Thursday night. I happened to be playing around yesterday and we could book a flight for next year for $600 RT each! When is the best time to catch good fares for a holiday week? Does anyone know?

Welcome Jennifer! Nice to see someone else from Maryland here. I’ll be down in your neck of the woods tomorrow for my company holiday party. We’re cruise newbies too and we have a DS8 too. As someone who didn’t know the turkey gang before last December when we booked, they have been very welcoming.

 

[pillow]

I happened to be playing around yesterday and we could book a flight for next year for $600 RT each! When is the best time to catch good fares for a holiday week? Does anyone know?

I didn't think airfares were out yet for next year. Where do you fly out of? Air Tran has cheap rates and so does Jet Blue. I think you can book Air Tran about 6 months out, so you might want to wait until then. We did the 3 nighter over Thanksgiving, and we lucked out and got a last minute fare on AirTran for $134 per person. What a steal! I was thrilled!

Jodie

 

[ICEMANPAD]

Cannot help too much on flights since we drive to the port, but Southwest has big Orlando hub...in fact i will be there tomorrow - the airport that is - have to go to Daytona for a few hours.

Chuck

 

[alwayslisad]

I am watching Delta out of Boston right now - can book on 1/2 it appears that my round trip cost will be 225 per person - I think that is awesome - we will be flying down on 11/15 and flying back to MASS on 11/29

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Cannot help too much on flights since we drive to the port, but Southwest has big Orlando hub...in fact i will be there tomorrow - the airport that is - have to go to Daytona for a few hours.

Chuck

Southwest from DFW to MCO right now is no bargain just as high as AA If the prices do not come down I will be forced to burn miles

Rob

 

[sherreis]

I didn't think airfares were out yet for next year. Where do you fly out of? Air Tran has cheap rates and so does Jet Blue. I think you can book Air Tran about 6 months out, so you might want to wait until then. We did the 3 nighter over Thanksgiving, and we lucked out and got a last minute fare on AirTran for $134 per person. What a steal! I was thrilled!

Jodie

We'll be flying out of BWI. I know I'll find it cheaper than 600 - I just had sticker shock when I saw that. On our trip in October we flew Air Tran for $54 each way - that was an awesome fare. I know it'll be higher around Thanksgiving. When we flew last year we flew Southwest and I paid $34 each way for that trip.