Way Early Roll Call For March 4, 2006 Eastern.........

[Ariel&Flounder'sMom]

Our friends did this cruise in November and they just told us the same thing. I didn't realize the kids club went that late. I think this will work out perfectly. We get our nice anniversary dinner out of the way and the kids have a blast. And we'll be done with dinner earlier than our regular late seating anyway. Anyone else going to Palo the first night?

Hi! I just saw your post, and I have one thing to watch out for: if you have Animator's Palace that night, you really don't want to miss the light show. They only do the light show the first night for each rotation, so it only runs the first 3 nights of the cruise. I think you and the kids would be really disappointed to miss it.

Are you early seating or late? You could always sit with the kids for the show, and not eat. Then, have your dinner at Palo later??

Just thought I'd chime in... Kristin

 

[MeRiVan]

Thanks! I didn't think of that. We have late seating, so maybe once we have our dinner rotation schedule we can talk to the people at Palo about it. You're right, we don't want to miss the light show.

 

[mikayla'sMom]

Hi all! I was booked on the 8/19/06 "Special Western", but I am pergnant and rescheduled for this one. I had that cruise booked 18 months in advance and now have no choice on room, no choice on seating, no Palo and I paid more for this cruise. Anyway, it seemed a little unfair, since Disney says I can't go. All that aside I am thrilled to be going. My dd does not know yet, she still thinks we are going in August and celebrating her 7th Bday! We will wait till it is closer. Our party is me, Dh and DD-6. I just made reservations at the Marriott Cocoa Beach. I was going to book the Raddison, but had heard alot of bad things. I think I am going to book FL Tours to get us to & from the port. They include a stop at the grocery store. I said we should rent a car and my husband said "no way". I sure hope we have smooth sailing and great weather. We will enjoy no matter what!

 

[drise]

I just booked the Radisson for fri. nt. and stayed there last year before the cruise. What bad things did you hear about it? You should be able to book Palo when you board, they hold back some reservations. I haven't booked yet either.

 

[sandraB]

THere is another thread, that discusses the fact that the kids clubs are not for drop off the first night anymore. It is an open house for families...it is supposed to help the kids not be intimidated by that first night...

Anyway, anyone with first night palo might be out of luck.

Just thought I would let you all know.

Happy planning!!

Sandi

 

[mikayla'sMom]

I just booked the Radisson for fri. nt. and stayed there last year before the cruise. What bad things did you hear about it? You should be able to book Palo when you board, they hold back some reservations. I haven't booked yet either.

I got a bad vibe from Trip Adviser. Alot of the reviews said the rooms were not kept well. They said they smelled, were stained and in need of re-hab. I believe there has been some fixing up, but it may be for the non-standard rooms. There were alot of comments about the pull out sofas having holes in them. This is were my 6 yr old would sleep, so I didn't want to chance it.

I know that a lot of people stay there without incident. You have stayed there yourself. I just didn't want to take the chance.

Good Luck!

 

[2Princesses/2Princes]

We are doing Coki Beach in St.Thomas and Orient on St.Marteen.

ANyone been to either?


Hi Sandra!
Last spring we went to Orient Beach - we had a great time. Yes, you do see some interesting "scenery" - but nothing to be put out at. Most of the "nudies" stay on their own part of the beach. The water was so warm. We can't wait to go back!!

I noticed that when we are in St. Marteen there is only 2 cruise ships in port that day. (Magic and MSC Opera)

But, St. Thomas is a different story - 5 total!! That should make for a nutty day shopping in port. Oh well, we are still trying to decide what to do there. When we were there before we went to Magen's Bay. We would like to see something different this time.

Happy planning everyone!!!!!! Stacy.

 

[sandraB]

what would you say is not to miss on St.Thomas......

We had thought of Coki Beach, but I am starting to look at Sapphire Beach also.

We would also like to do the tram maybe? SHould we do that first thing...if there are 5 ships in port, then go to a beach???

Will it be hard to get taxis?

 

[2Princesses/2Princes]

Hi.
No, it isn't hard to get a taxi in St.Thomas - they are lined up for you when you get off the ship. They will ask you where you are going and direct you to the appropriate one - very easy.

We have only been to Magen's bay, so I can't help you out with Coki or Sapphire. The recommendations that I've been reading are for both. (real help!!)

Just imagine this - St. Thomas had a record # of cruise ship passengers in port for one day on April 5th/2005 --- a whopping 18,800 passengers!!!!!! Now that must have been crowded!! So, I guess we don't have it that bad!

Bye for now. Stacy.

 

[2Princesses/2Princes]

Hi!
I was going to look into booking a private excursion to St. John's. Was wondering if anyone else would be interested in joining our group? We are a family of four. It's just that the price per person might be cheaper if a larger group were involved.

I was thinking of them picking us up at the port, taking us to St John's, touring around there for awhile, and then going to a beach over there for the rest of the day then returning us back to the ship. Approx 6 hrs or so.

Any suggestions? The excursions with Disney mostly are from ages 5 and up, and our son is only 4.

If anyone is interested - let me know. I want to check it out sometime this week. Who knows? Maybe the price will be crazy - but then again it may not be. Don't know until I try. Let me know. Stacy.

 

[MeRiVan]

My DH and DS6 are taking the Atlantis Submarine Adventure from 9:30am to noon that day. I was thinking about taking DS3 to the beach that day just because I feel funny about having only 1/2 the family off the ship. I'm not sure why that bothers me. We might be interested.

 

[Qball]

We've just booked Coral World on the St. Thomas day for 8am. I agree that there's not much for 4 and under. St. Thomas is the shorter land day (8am to 4:30pm). I think we're going to just hang out on some beach in the afternoon.

Does anyone know if the "good" shoppiong is St. Maarten or St. Thomas?

I posted a thread on the main part of this board about hiring a taxi and it was suggested that you could hire a taxi for about 100 dollars a day...that's way cheaper than any excursion. I think that's what we're going to try in St. Maarten.

 

[Qball]

getting really excited to go!!! But depressed about this winter weather and how it's affecting my skin. Even though it's a pretty mild winter compared to the usually -40 below and with wind chill -60 and that's celcius....I should be wearing longjohns...my legs are so scaly and dry as my hands...so if you see "lizard girl" you'll know it's me.

 

[sandraB]

I have been so fed up with my hair being dry and icky, I decided to try an at home color!!!

I am now a red head! Not a good idea.

ANyway...I am hoping by the time the cruise comes around it will be back to normal.


My skin is icky, my hair is red and all I think about is escaping this winter weather!!! We are supposed to have snow/freezing rain tommorrow am, so the kids are going to bed with their pj's inside out to increase the chances of a snow day!!!

I am kinda hoping for one too....I would love to just stay home tommorrow!

 

[allcanadian]

Stacy, we are also going to St John's but we have booked the Disney excursion because our boys are 5 and 8 so our youngest is just old enough for the disney excursion. I agree with you about it is diffacult to book alot of the excursions because there are not alot of options when your kids are younger than 5. Hope you find someone to go with you. Shelley

 

[McManusClan]

This will be our first cruise - can't wait. Any tips or advice? We will stay with friends in Orlando for 2 days before and after the cruise...I can't wait to get out of Michigan's cold weather! Anyone else from Michigan cruising? I have a 5 year old boy and an 8 year old girl.

 

[2Princesses/2Princes]

Welcome McManusClan!

You'll have a great time! Ditto the remark about getting out of the cold weather - I can't wait!!

 

[Ariel&Flounder'sMom]

Welcome McManus clan! Your DS and my DD5 will be in the club together! My DD can't wait - she's already planning on spending all of her time in there - and abandonning us as she did our last Disney cruise.

Does anyone know anything about Goofy's pj party? What is it? What night is it?

Also, has anyone done any of the behind the scenes tours - like cooking or wine tasting or towel folding?

It's getting close - DD's and I are going to make a countdown chain today - so they can take a ring off everyday as we get closer.

 

[sandraB]

I know its a little early, but I have allready started pulling out suitcases and clothes!

I am trying to figure out what the boys need, and what still fits!

I am also trying to coordinate all our outfits so the pictures look nice!! I am a full time student, so any reason at all not to do my school work!!


I feel like I am obsessed with this trip! I think about it too much, and embarrased at how much time I spend reading these boards!!!!

Sandi

 

[princessesrule]

Well Sandra, Not to be left out so are we, getting our clothes out and packing up umbrellas, glow necklaces and suitcases out, we are obsessed. You are not alone.