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2 adults
My DH and I had 400 DVC points to use before April 1. We tried
unsuccessfully to swap them for a week in Key West so we made a
reservation for a Disney Cruise. We were able to book a category 7
on the February 5th, 2005 cruise. We had taken a 3 day cruise several
years earlier and knew we would enjoy the 7 day cruise.
When we left Port Canaveral it was cold. I am sure the characters
appreciated the weather. However, the cruise staff members
performing at the sail away party were quite cold. Their costumes
were composed of white shorts and striped polo shirts. I was very
glad that I had brought along my pea coat.
Once we got out of the channel the seas were quite rough. The waves
were 8 to 15 feet. The Magic has rocking and rolling all night.
Sea Sickness was rampant. The gift shop was having a run on
Dramamine and motion sickness bands. The curtains in the theater for
the opening variety show were swinging several inches off the ground back and
forth. I had a twinge of motion sickness but I was able to
overcome it with pretzels, ginger capsules and soda. We had the 8:30
dinner seating. At dinner the other two couples were no shows.
Although the seas calmed, we had 4 to 8 foot seas the entire trip
We only were able to visit St. Marten, St. John and St. Thomas. Even
though the Captain made three attempts to navigate the channel at Castaway Cay,
the seas were very rough and winds high to safely dock. I will not bore you with
detail from each day but I will be glad to answer any questions,
These are my tips and recommendations:
1. When you arrive at the Port, have one member of your group stand in
line to check-in/register and have another stand in line for boarding. The
member of the group checking-in will need to have the passports or the picture
ID and birth certificate of all members of the group 18
years or older.
2. After boarding you have the option to skip the Welcome aboard
picture by walking around the line. There will be plenty of
opportunities to have professional pictures taken during the cruise.
The Welcome aboard picture takes more time because everyone has to put down
their carry on items, straighten the children hair, etc.
3. Once on board go straight to the area where they are making Palo
reservations. You can make one reservation each for dinner, brunch
and high tea. You can request to be placed on the waiting list for
another night. Palo is worth the additional fee. It has the best food on the
ship.
4. If you are a wine or beer drinker, then try to pack it and bring it
on board. Wine can run 3 times the purchase cost per bottle and
beers are $4.50 each. I packed several bottles of wine and an 18
pack of beer. It proved to be a money saver.
5. I would recommend if you are a soda drinker pack a large plastic
cup with a top. It will keep you from making frequent trips to the beverage
station located on deck 9 Aft.
6. Bring a plastic collapsible cooler. Although there are small
refrigerators in the room they do not cool well. I requested that the
cabin steward bring ice in the morning at night. This was enough to
chill my beer, soda and wine. You also can take them along on shore
excursions.
7. Check out the room service menu. It gives you the option to have a
continental breakfast in your room each morning.
8. If you like fresh fruit take along some zip lock bags to store
extra fruit from breakfast. The fruit from room service is whole fruit.
9. I would also recommend you bring on bottled water. You can
purchase a case of Evian water on board for $27 plus tip.
10. Prepare your tip envelopes before you leave. You can add more
for those who have made your cruise truly special.
11. Make your shore excursion reservations before you leave. They
will be waiting for you at your cabin when you board,
Hope this is helpful to those making plans for future trips.
Martha
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