We are back from March 20 cruise

[AboutTheMouse]

We went to Rockin Bar D directly after we walked on board. There were only about 4 or 5 other people there for reservations. I was surprised, as I expected there to be considerable lines for the ressie rush.

No problem with the spa either. No lines at all and we got the treatments that we wanted at the times we wanted.

Edited to add: For tables, we were at table 26, which was starboard right next to the wall and behind a server station and next to the kitchen doors. A lot of activity, but a great view of the sunset on the way to St. Thomas. Anything was better than cooking those meals in my own home.

The only downside was a poor location in AP. Couldn't really take it all in with the server station blocking the view.

 

[IFlossU]

I believe you stated before your cruise you were going to be in room 6540. We have that room booked for May, and I was just wondering how you liked it.

 

[AboutTheMouse]

We were in 6600 and 6602. Great location, just in front of the aft elevators and stairs. I wouldn't have changed our location at all. The midship elevators were really slow if you needed them. Being aft, it was a quick walk up or down the stairs to get to most of the activities.

 

[JJsmama]

IN regards to the very rough seas and high winds:

In what way did this alter your cruise? Were there things that were closed or unsafe b/c of it? Was it safe to be up on deck? ETC.

Thanks.

 

[plutospup]

Kathy, I'm so glad you also noticed the missing Disney music. I was very surprised when I heard "Sinatra"-type music (and a Christmas tune 2/28) in the hallways. For two months DD6 & I sang along with "LaVida Mickey" in preparation for the cruise. We were disappointed not one song was played the entire cruise. In my letter to DCL I mentioned this. I went on to say how the current music could be found on any cruise line, however, we purchase DCL for the "Disney touch".

 

[mobetsy]

On Thursday night around 9 or 10 I went out on Deck 4; it certainly wasn't a place to stay for long, though I got sort of a thrill out of being in the wind and spray! I imagine all the exterior decks were only for the brave and casually dressed that evening, though it wasn't actually raining so getting wet from rain wasn't an issue. I wasn't out there on Wednesday late night (after 10 PM), but since the seas were similar, I'd think it was about the same. I wasn't aware of anything being closed, though I guess it's possible. What amazed me was the way the servers in the dining room could keep carrying trays piled high with plates with the ship rocking so much under them

 

[tecdavidt]

We signed up for the Bridge tour through our concierge. If you are in a cat. 1, 2 or 3 go to Sessions after boarding and the team is there to sign you up for any spa appointments, hairbraiding, excursions, Palo, childrens programs, etc. We were surprised they offered Bridge tours and were pleased they are doing them once again. The bridge tour is for all guests who sign up.

We went up on to deck 10 to see what the weather was doing Thursday night. We had a good time but we really couldn't stand in front of the glass, the wind was too much. The teens were having a great time pretending they were skating on the decks.

The rough seas and high winds didn't alter any ports. They just took a different route to Castaway Cay to avoid the rouge seas--hmm, we had 20-30' waves, just think how bad the Atlantic was (the normal route). The only activity shut down Thursday night that I could see would be outside pools & bars. I did feel sorry for those who did get sea sick and it was so strange to see cast members handing out sea sickness bags to guests after dinner.

Kathy

 

[howardlee2]

OK, i'll bite. we flew in fri, rented from enterprise and drove to the radisson. sat am we attempted to drop off 6 of our 8 with luggage at the port but, disney for some unexplained reason, wouldn't let us turn into the dropoff until 10:45. i did send 2 teenagers to stand in line(they let THEM in!). last year there was no such prob. we then returned the 2 rental cars and had enterprise get us back to the port and by the time we checked in they just started to board the ship so my DW and i were separated from the rest and had to wait over half an hour to board after the LONG line disappeared. so much for the welcome photo of our group! at least we were able have my MIL make palo ressies on the night, but not the time we wanted (walkie talkies!!) lucky we had her go in as it looked like many times were already gone by the time we got on. we were able to get caught up with everyone at the end of lunch - in time for the kids to see the rocket launch.

 

[62travelDisney]

Originally posted by IFlossU
I believe you stated before your cruise you were going to be in room 6540. We have that room booked for May, and I was just wondering how you liked it.

IFlossU, I just PM.d you.

 

[geffric]

We had a GRREAT TIME....

My oldest was one of the teens on deck 10 at the bow on Thursday night.. he said that at one point the bow of the ship went down and a wave came all the way over deck 10..

We were lucky that the waves on Thursday night didn't bother us. DH and I had a chance to get to rockin bar d that night.. It was very empty but still fun...

Our table was in the middle of the room , we were 64.. and it was fine but I would have been nive to see out sometimes too.

Both my boys had a great time and meet many of the other boys of the DISers..

I was very fortunate to have Palo brunch with Miss Eoyore and he husband.. we had a great time.. and the brunch was awesome!!!

 

[tecdavidt]

I'll try this again, I started this and then I must of hit a wrong button and who knows where the partial post is.

Geffric, we had the PLAPLAP rotation first seating and we had table 64. It was a nice location but we prefer to look outside the windows at the ocean.

Kathy

 

[Muushka]

Just wondering if anyone besides my husband and I were surprised that the Magic was able to dock at Castaway Cay?

It seemed like the winds were so strong and I thought that they did not dock when there were high winds. Don't get me wrong-nobody wanted that ship to dock more than me and husband .

 

[Padre Disney]

Pop Century at WDW is GREAT!!! we will stay there again some time in the future.

The hummerzine ride to the port was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

We have never taken an Eastern cruise before so we were very surprised at how bad the weather was compared to our Western cruise last year. Was disappointed that the captain never said that the weather was not normal. But then again you can't hear the announcements in your rooms half the time. On our first three day we heard everything in our room. On the other cruises we have had to open our door and stick our heads in the hall to heat what is being said. I think we only heard one announcement inside our room during our cruise. What is the norm for announcements?

We had second seating with APL table 23. Table 23 is great at parrot cay for the character breakfast. The door they come out off was near our table so they walked past both sides of the table. VERY COOL!!!

My youngest and I ended up missing dinner on Thursday night because of the rocking. Most of the others in our group did okay. We were on deck 6 forward. Spent lots of time midship deck 4 in the big chairs. Saw many people get sick and even came across a guy using the trash can right in front of the elevaters on deck 4 near the theater. Aren't there bathrooms right around the corner from the elevater?????

SOOO surprised we docked at CC. After the week we had I figures we would not get in.

Did anyone else notice the helicopter at castaway on Friday? We had just got off the paddle boats when we saw lots of activity near the ship. By the time we returned to our seats at the far end of the family beach we saw the helicopter come in. Never saw it leave.

Still rocking and not feeling to great yet!! My bed is terrible at night. I think I have worse motion sickness at night then I did on the ship.

 

[tecdavidt]

Glad you made it back Bev. We missed the helicopter. We also were worried we may not make it into Castaway but we did As far as announcements, usually we can not get them in the stateroom unless it is for the safety drill or on debarkation day. Kathy

 

[AboutTheMouse]

We didn't see the helicopter either. Someone must have been evacuated. I can't think of any other reason for a copter at Castaway Cay.

I think that the rocking has finally stopped for me. Thanks Kathy for reassuring me that our sea conditions were NOT normal. I missed the captain's announcement that we were going a different route to Castaway Cay than what is normal. Can you imagine what it would have been like had we travelled the "normal" route?

I keep thinking - today is Monday, we were at sea. Tomorrow would be St. Maarten.

Disney, take me away!

 

[tecdavidt]

I know what you mean About the Mouse. Each day we are re-living our cruise.
Kathy

 

[geffric]

we didn't see the helicopter either??? Hope things were okay?

Bev.. we spend a lot of time on deck 4 too..love those comfy blue cushions.. In fact I mentioned to DH that it was my "happy place"...I could just sit there and watch the water, read and nap all day...sigh.. just like i did a week ago ..

We couldn't hear announcements in our room either..

Did anyone besides us find the Bars too smokey to be in?.. I don't remember that from our last trip..

 

[MickeyMagic]

Well, that was some cruise! Not exactly the one I'd dreamed about for 18 months, but memorable! Our first cruise on DCL was August 1999 and we were rerouted because of a hurricane and I really think this cruise was rougher. I never expected high seas and just okay weather in March! Good thing, I booked another cruise while onboard!

What's this rumor about a couple people being left behind? I was travelling with my DD12 - please tell me we got left behind and this is just a dream (nightmare?) that I am back to work!

On my way from the ship to CC, I saw a golf cart being driven by what looked like a Bahamian policeman with a male passenger. Shortly after I saw the helicopter landing and wondering if there was a connection. Never did see the helicopter leave, either. Forgot all about it until now....

My previous 7-day cruise back in January 2002, I was rocking for 2 weeks, but I'm fine after this one (so far anyway). Guess I did the rocking on the ship. My sister is having a hard time though with the rocking and dizziness, but she also has a cold. I think the time it bothered me, I came home with a cold that time.

I won the second to the last game of bingo along with another person. We each got $417!! The next game was the final jackpot game and that guy won over $5000 - can you imagine? He was a nervous wreck while that verified the numbers.

Getting very long.....

It was fun to meet some of you at the sailaway party

MickeyMagic (aka Sue)

 

[howardlee2]

I believe the helicopter was for the entertainment reporter Sam Rubin of the WB who was broadcasting live from CC on Fri am!! according to my BIL, he was on WGN-TV in Chicago from CC that day.

 

[mobetsy]

Do any of you have a digital photo of the QM II from St. Thomas or St. Maarten? I realized that I didn't take one with my digital camera, only my film one, and I'd like to have one for the computer collection! I'd also like to have it really be from when we saw her, not from some other time. I'm thinking of having a CD done as well as prints when I get the film developed, so that I have everything in digital format; still, I'd like to know if I can get one from one of you.

I heard from a bunch of people at home about Sam Rubin being on a Disney cruise last week; I guess they all strained their eyes looking for me From the sound of it, I gathered he was on the Wonder; perhaps they did his CC segment a bit separately?