Disney Magic Back in LA 2008
 

The Disney Magic will be back sailing the waters of Mexico from LA in 2008. Disney has applied for a permit for May to Sept 15, 2008 from the Port of LA.
Itineraries have not yet be disclosed, but more than likely this will be 7 day cruises sailing the Mexcian Rivera again, including Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. :D

We are actually planning on one of these cruises- yaay!

Is it too early to start a 2008 Swanking thread?

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish she'd just stay here, darn it. ;)

Now, I wonder if I have time for our boat restoration to be finished in time for the Mini-Magic to meet her inspiration when she arrives at port........

Nevah!!! :D

Oh grrrr! We were going to do a Mexican cruise in January of 08. Now I have to decide between going in Jan, on another line, when the timing is more convenient, or waiting to do the Disney - when I might not be able to go any more.

OMG! We are so going to try to go on this!

For those of you who haven't been - it's seriously the epitome of Disney magic. Every CM smiles and treats you like a VIP, the entertainment is tops, the decks are steam-washed nightly, and there is always something receiving a fresh new coat of paint.

The Magic is just that. Pure magic. :D

I agree with Disneyphile. Our cruise (7 years ago - yikes!) was excellent. Time for another one.

Do they fly the pink longjohns where Disneyphile took her infamous tumble?

One of the reasons I liked it is because it is Disney enough to be good service but most of the time I didn't feel like I was surrounded by Disney. I ignored most of the Disney-specific stuff.

But it was a great time.

OMG. Photo op for the trip this August! :snap: :evil:

Hmmm....I might be willing to try to postpone my planned cruise until later in 08 if there were actual plans for on-board swankery.

Anyone lined up to book their trip on the 31st? Keeping your travel dates secret so we won't end up on the same cruise? :p

From the release posted on MousePad, it states that the 15-night Panama Canal repos will start at $1,699 per person, yet the 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises will start at $1,599. Seeing as one of those is obviously the better deal, guess which one I'm looking at. :D

I wish I could do a repositioning! Alas, I can't bring myself to be away from the cats for that long. (sometimes Boris won't eat when I'm gone, although he does like my primary pet sitter.)

:D

I'll be going on the westbound PC crossing next May!!! :D

It will be my parents, a good friend, and me. (Ken can't go due to work/school constraints.)

Who's up for Swanking at Sea? At $1,699 per person for 15 nights, it's a steal. And the Panama Canal is swanktacular.

You have to go. ;)

Cherny and I are considering going on the repositioning too.

We could totally have a swanking!

C'mon.... you know you wanna do it.... all the cool kids are doing it....

:evil:

I'm just excited because I've never been to Central or South America (hell, I've never been to Mexico, unless you count downtown LA). Okay, the Magic is cool too, but... the Panama Canal!!!!

Plus, how hard is it to plan a trip that's like 16 months away? Totally doable!

Okay, a quick thought, for those of us who are into coordinating swankings... shall we arrange a mutually beneficial dinner seating time? And does that have to be done at the time of booking, or is that chosen later?

And, it's 100% refundable (including the deposit) up until February 10th, 2008. 'Tis best to throw down that $500 deposit on a spot, and then back out later, instead of missing a prime opportunity. And, from what I've seen across Disney boards, it's going to sell out quickly.

Bookings open at 5am PST on January 31st (in less than 2 weeks).

15-Night Panama Canal Cruise

Explore sun-kissed lands brimming with beauty and steeped in history during a 15-night eastbound or westbound cruise through one of the world's most legendary trade routes, the Panama Canal. Travel from Port Canaveral or Los Angeles aboard the Disney Magic® and enjoy stops in picture-perfect Aruba, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Disney's very own Castaway Cay. And experience a full week at sea where delightful entertainment, delectable dining and fun-filled activities surround you at every turn.

Ship: Disney Magic®

Rates: From $1699 per person*

Departure Dates:
5/10/08 (Westbound)
8/17/08 (Eastbound)

Westbound Itinerary:
Saturday (5/10) – Port Canaveral
Sunday – Castaway Cay
Monday – Sea
Tuesday – Sea
Wednesday – Aruba
Thursday – Sea
Friday – Panama Canal Crossing
Saturday – Sea
Sunday – Sea
Monday – Acapulco
Tuesday – Sea
Wednesday – Puerto Vallarta
Thursday – Cabo San Lucas
Friday – Sea
Saturday – Sea
Sunday (5/25) – Los Angeles

It has to be done at booking. I usually choose 2nd seating, because it is mainly adults, and it sucks having to come back in on a port day at 4pm to get ready for 5pm dinner. ;) 2nd seating is usually 7:30pm.

I've had experience with both, and 2nd seating is really the way to go, especially for those who like to stay up late. :)

Also - to guarantee the same dining rotation, you can call DCL after booking to link your reservation with another - just need the person's last name and ressie number. DCL will make notes of it and assign accordingly. :)

And, check out the canal:



That is so gorgeous and exotic. :D

Hmmmmmm.




Hmmmmmm.

yeah. hmmmm

And for those who can't swing the 2 weeks away from home - we're tentatively scheduled for the May 25th sailing down to Mexico.

You have all heard the news the Disney Magic is coming back to LA for sailings to Mexico May 25 to Aug 17, 2008 and they will be doing two repositioning cruises through the Panama Canal. Craig's Travel is making a special offer to all of you on these cruises.

Let's take Lounge of Tomorrow to Sea!:D

May 10,2008 - Panama Canal Westbound - Join Disneyphile, Mystery Guest, and other LOT's for a 15 day swanking at sea. This is the adult swank adventure.

Aug 17, 2008 - Join the Wolfpack as we sail Eastbound through the Panama Canal for a 15 day swanking at sea. This is the kid friendly swank adventure.

Here is the offer. Book either of these two cruises or any one of the 7 day Mexico sailings for 2008 with
Craig's Travel and you will receive a shipboard credit as follows:

Inside Stateroom - $100.00
Outside Stateroom - $150.00
Verandah Stateroom - $200.00


The cruise goes on sale Jan 31, 2007 and will sell out quickly. Don't delay get your deposit in early.

Call Tim @ 800-339-9099
or
Email: Tim@CraigsTravel.com - Subject line: Disney Cruise

Don't forget to mention Lounge of Tomorrow when booking!

And just to add a tad more peer pressure:



:p

This is right after I will have graduated. I'll have the vacation time.
I think I am in.

:clap:

You know, I wish it stopped at a more exotic local.

We'll pencil you in for a future DCL cruise to Tahiti. :p

I'm waiting for the Disneyland --> Tokyo Disneyland or WDW --> Disneyland Paris cruise.

This one does look like fun, though. The only time we've done a Disney cruise was 7 years ago this month (wow - time flies).

Still thinking it over...

Hmmmmmm

Sounds tempting.

If you book through the special being offered (Craig's Travel) we will be asking for second seating at the time you make your reservation. Second seating always goes first, so make sure to book early. We will also be referencing all reservations so everyone will be dining together. We will be faxing all resevations to the dining coordinator prior to sailing to make sure you are together. :)

Don't make me post more photos, because I will. ;)

:p

Don't make me retaliate with NZ photos!

No one for the shorter sailing? :(

I'd love to go on the shorter sailing, but I'll be spending the summer trying to ride coasters before they close forever...

Sorry Pru,
For only $100 more I'm all for the rare opportunity of this Disney repo cruise.

I wish I could be gone that long. :( But between a sick kitty who doesn't eat properly when I'm gone and an unknown job situation, I'm pushing it to schedule much of anything. I'll feel a bit evil about crossing my fingers that someone else is similarly situation, but I'll probably do it anyway. :evil:

We have to agree, for the extra $100 we are seriously thinking about the west bound repo cruise. Although it looks like when it comes to my LoT friends that will be the adult cruise, Of course there is always the kids clubs for the young man!
I'm just excited that after I brought it up, my husband must have checked it out because he said he'd rather do the repo cruise. That shocked the h*ll out of me.

So how many swankers would it take to sink that boat?

I can honestly say that this is one attraction I'd rather not sink ;)

But I presume it would be a function of how many staterooms the boat has.

So, like I know you need a passport but do you need shots (vacanations) n stuff too?

Just don't inhale the gnats when you're in the jungle - trust me on this...

I don't think I'll do any cruises until they put a rollercoaster aboard ;)

Perhaps we'll hit rough seas? You've seen the Poseidon Adventure

Nope. Just a passport. :)

I guess that would count as adding a loop although technically it might be more of a corkscrew.

YAY!

I really enjoyed the cruise we did but I'm just not impressed with the itineraries. Neither for the West Coast cruises nor the repos.

Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta? Blech. Might as well just spend three days in San Diego for all the foreignness you'll experience. (I know the Caribbean isn't much better but at least it is multiple countries and our cruise was lucky in that normal stops were hurricane damaged at the time so we hit a couple unusual ports instead.)

A 15 day cruise isn't bad but a 15-day cruise where 8 of the days are at sea is, in my opinion. I'm not a "sit by the pool" type person so it doesn't take long to experience all the wonders of on-board life (good company goes a long way to help with that but 8 days it a lot of time to fill.

Going west replaces one of the at sea days with Cartagena so it is slightly better.

I guess the west coast of Mexico just doesn't interest me much. I wish they'd repo to Seattle, Victoria, or Vancouver and do a two week Alaska cruise. I'd be all over that.

My laptop has RCT loaded on it... does that count?

So, who's payin'???

You know with a length of rope, a kayak, and a grappling hook - it could be almost free

Are you suggesting we wakeboard the Magic?

Actually, I was looking for an excuse to buy a grappling hook - I keep trying for Mouse Adventure

Works for me!!!:snap:

I don't know why, but this post inspired me to create this:

Right. Are there no ports for places like Panama or Costa Rica? Belize?

I think that's my major problem with the cruise. If I don't like the cruise experience (I've never really been too interested in cruising) then the port experiences had better be exciting. But, the line up just isn't thrilling for me.

It all depends on what you do with it. The people on our cruise that went into town or took the shopping tour came back to the ship very disappointed and bored. Whereas we found some fantastic things to do.

In Puerto we took a tequila factory tour that took us through the absolutely gorgeous jungles, visiting some dude's farm house where he also happened to distill tequila (best tequila we tasted that day as a matter of fact).

In Mazatlan we spent an afternoon kayaking on the ocean and picnicking on an island beach.

And in Cabo, we eschewed the overpriced snorkeling trips sold on-board, opting instead to get up early and head to the docks to fend for ourselves resulting in having an entire isolated beach to ourselves for an hour (along with the great story of the one-armed, non-English speaking guy who abandoned us there).

The couples that we shared our dinner table with were jealous of us after every port.

I will agree with you on one count: good company is important. If you're lucky, like we were, the folks you sit with for every meal can make for great people to hang out with. Otherwise, if you aren't traveling with people you know, it's important to make an effort early in the cruise to somehow meet people you wouldn't mind hanging out with for hours on end. We loved every minute we were at sea, relaxing, drinking, and having a blast with the people we'd just met (and, of course, retreating to our cabin like good honeymooners).

The price is starting to bug me - knowing that I could take essentially the same trip for half the cost - and in a suite. I hate having to arrange these things so far in advance, particularly when the "right" choice depends on how some personal things shake out between now and then. Grrr. I'll probably have to put a deposit on the Magic cruise and a cheaper one for January and see how things sort themselves out.

Oh, I certainly agree that a great time can be had anywhere, and the more open you are to leaving the beaten path the better the odds.

And that includes Cabo, Puert Vallarta, and Mazatlan.

That does not mean, though, that they have any inherent appeal as destinations. I'm sure it is possible to have a good time in Modesto, but I'm not going to pay through the nose to go there.

Now you're just talking crazy talk.

Pay through the nose? The Disney cruise 7-day is a little pricier than the same cruise on other carriers, but it's still about $200/day for lodging, 24 hour food, transportation between cities, and some entertainment.

And that is paying through the nose...for destinations I don't have any particular interest in.

If I wanted to go to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan, then no that wouldn't be terribly expensive (just slightly expensive compared to equivalent cruise lines).

I'm with you there, Alex. There are so many more places of interest in that general area. Belize, Costa Rica, Panama are all places I'd be interested in visiting sans cruise. I'm not sure the cruise aspect alone can override the destinations. But, I'm still thinking about it.

There are just so may places I want to go!

Belize!

There's Magic in the Starze.

Now, THAT'S more like it!

I am so in. I am looking forward to 15 days of lounging around and sipping umbrella cocktails.

Imagine dining Club 33 style every evening, with a different menu every night, offering cuisine from around the world.

Don't like to be poolside in the sun? Lounge on the promenade deck, relaxing on padded teak lounges.

Catch a show, from comedy to jazz.

There's even a coffee house lounge. :)

I bet there's no topless deck on the Magic.

Topless? I want Neked!

Yeah, I've done it and this definitely is not enough to overcome uninteresting destinations for me. But I know a lot of people who pay the same price to stay on the Magic for a week even if it never left the dock in Los Angeles because they love being on the boat so much.

I would be one of those people. ;)

That was one of the main draws for us to book the transatlantic repo - 8 sea days, 6 of them consecutive in the middle of the ocean. Good times! :snap:

I think one of the reasons I love those days is that no one can reach me (unless they spend $8.99/minute to call or I spend money on the internet service) and I don't have to think about the world (unless I turn on CNN on the tv, and I avoid that like the plague). When I'm at sea, the whole world could go to hell in a handbasket, and I wouldn't want to know about it. To me, it's the ultimate vacation, mainly for those reasons. ;) I get to spend a lot of time with my thoughts and personal interests, and am able to fully relax.

Same here. And I can't possibly explain it. If I'm at home, I can't stand to be inside with nowhere to go and the same things to do over and over. If I'm vacation on dry land, you'd sooner catch me dead then wandering around the hotel, no matter how swanky it is. I'm the kind that has a detailed itinerary for every hour of every day weeks ahead of my departure date, and backup plans should something not go to schedule.

But put me in the middle of the ocean, and that magically gets shut off. I don't care what I'm doing or what I'm not doing or what I could be doing. All I care about is making sure I know exactly what food is available at what hours and when sunset is so I don't miss it.

I'd probably go crazy on a cruise...

:snap:

I agree with that as well. Our Disney cruise was the most relaxed I've every been by the end of it (and highlighted just how tense work had been making me and played a huge role in Lani and I deciding I should quit).

If Disney were the only cruise line around and that itinerary there only one I'd probably take it. But they aren't (and they aren't even the best one around) so I'm ok with being picky about the ports of call (price was 70% of why we bowed out of the Mediterranean cruises but the uninteresting ports (or ports where we couldn't stand the thought of only being there for 8 hours) was the other 30%).

I would add that I'm hesitant about Disney cruises...blackjack is an important factor in my cruising equation.

Yes, I almost didn't go on the Disney when I learned they didn't have a casino.

But if you liked your cruise(s) on other carriers I think it is safe to say you'll like Disney (assuming the good company requirement, of course) even without it. And as tacky as "a Disney-owned private island" sounded to me, it actually made for a very nice day (though I wouldn't want to stay there any longer than that).

When I travel, I don't plan heavy itineray's. I like to wander, explore, see what the location reveals to me. I always have a general idea of what I WANT to see before hand I just don't plan out my days. If I feel like lounging, I lounge. One of my best memories in Paris involved lounging in our room with a view of the Eifel tower listening to the buskers play their accordian in the square below. That is something I couldn't have planned, but it is a treasured memory. I also never seem to have a problem tuning out the world when I'm on vacation.

The only cruises I've always been interested in involve destinations - Alaska, the Mediterranean or Agean. The big draw for me with this cruise is crossing and Panama Canal, but, without a port, it's sort of like driving through New York City. What fun is that?

Do you mean crazier? ;)

Yeah. :p

Vegas...

Yeah, I don't like Vegas either.

I know. I'm a freak.

I love Vegas, because I'm a freak (It's the greatest town for peoplewatching)

Eh, gambling in Vegas is depressing. Not that it stops me when I'm there, but there's something wholly different about wandering bleary-eyed out of a casino in the middle of the night to miles of neon and heat vs. getting up from the table to go stare at the moon reflecting off the ocean for a while.

I can understand that.

My husband is obsessed with that damn quarter machine where you plunk in $100 to win a $5 wrapped around 3 $1s. And then he gets seriously cranky. I'd be thrilled to be on a cruise with no opportunity for quarter machine obsession.

I love that. Especially how servers usually learn within a couple days how you take your coffee or other drinks and have them waiting for you without even having to ask. On our honeymoon, our stateroom hostess even noted what time we'd usually wake in the morning, so she didn't disturb us until way after then.

It's like I tip them to think for me. ;)

You're already there!

I'd like to do one of those cruises to Antarctica one of these days. But I doubt I'll get there this decade.

So, today, I'm all about taking this cruise.

Ask me again tomorrow and I may have a different answer.

:rolleyes:

If you're going as a group of people I'd recommend maybe having everybody kick in a bit extra towards getting one part of the party into one of the larger suites that you have somewhere largerish to hang privately if the mood strikes (and a very nice balcony).

Deciding who actually gets to sleep there might be difficult though (draw straws).

And I'm going to post some more pictures tomorrow. ;)

Hey! Someone has info about shore excursions! Looks like they're probably using the last repo's info, because they're not promising that these are accurate, but hey, wouldn't be surprised if it's damn close to what's offered!

(More to come below...)

And....
Hmm... horseback riding on the beach... that sounds pretty cool :) How about the next port?

(Yes, there's still more)

And:

And finally:
They don't have any info on Acapulco, and the westbound repo isn't hitting Mazatlan, but this gives a pretty good idea of the types of things offered :)

While it's probably not the same tour as we took, if it interest you at all I HIGHLY recommend the Tequila tour. And not just because I loves me some tequila. Of all the excursions we did, taking the tequila tour did the best at getting us OUT of the touristy port area of the city to where we could see more of the REAL city.

And that's just it .... if I'm spending hard-earned vacation dollars, and ultra-rare vacation time ... I want to see some real places. Not be stuck in a floating hotel on the same-everywhere ocean surface.

I don't care if the places I visit are touristy, or if they are reeking of authenticity. I don't care if beautiful hotels are part of the experience. I don't care if ocean is part of the experience.

A Norweigian coastline cruise where I can see majestic fjords or glaciers calving icebergs into the sea ... that appeals to me. Otherwise, a cruise ship (imo) is simply a hotel in the middle of absolutely nowhere.


By the way, Morrigoon's twelve ports'o'call itinerary quotes feature tons of appealing stuff .... but I note that NONE of it has anything to do with being on a cruise ship.

Just don't slip and fall this time, okay?

So, no excursions where you can bring infants? (No, this is not an announcement, don't get excited.)

Sooooooo, if the base price for the repositioning cruise is $1599 what is the next step up? Is there a price list somewhere that i am missing?

The official price list hasn't been announced yet.

Pru - from what I understand Disney does not allow children under 3 to attend Disney sponsored excursions. Something about insurance and liability.

Oh well. At least they have a nursery on board, which isn't even an option on most cruises.

Just a reminder that ressies open at 5am tomorrow morning!

Come sail with us!! :D

Oh crap. I gotta gather up my deposit.

Tim can book without it, and hold it for up to 5 days, if that helps. :)

Yup, I know. Thank you! :)

I still gotta get it together. Time to shake down the money tree!

You mean I have to get up at 5AM to book this cruise.... Arghhhh! I don't do early mornings.
Does it really sell out that quickly or am I just on hold or redialing for a few hours?

No, you just have to talk to Tim at Craig's travel and HE gets up at 5am (and then you get a shipboard credit and your cabin counts toward group amenities like a cocktail party!)

I just spent half of my deposit on theater tickets. :eek:

You don't have to book tomorrow, just the lower and deluxe suites will go quickly. The things we have offered would still count, even if you decide to book later on.

We are hoping for a deluxe staeroom with verandah. I suppose it's to late to call or email Tim now, I guess tomorrow will do.
By the way, who's Tim? I take it he's someone you all know?! My husband looked at me sideways when I said we should book through Craigs.

Who's Tim. - I am Tim, I am the owner/operator of Craig's Travel. The agency has been in OC for 32 years and I have been there for 18 years, the last 6 as owner. I am friends with Disneyphile, Morrigoon and many others on this board. The rates are the same no matter how you book this. Disney is only offering a $25.00 shipboard credit for booking online with them and I am offering for verandah staterooms a $200.00 shipboard credit.

Just send me an email with the names of those traveling and the type of stateroom you want to reserve. I will confirm the room and then we can make arrangements for deposit.

Email me at: Tim@craigstravel.com

Our hope is if we get enough cabins on this sailing that we will be able to offer group amenities(though no group pricing). This is not guaranteed, but if we get enough cabins through one source then I have a better negotiating power with DCL.

:D

He's Wolfy999's husband:)

Thanks everyone for your help, an email has been sent to Tim. I am sure I will have a million questions for you all, especially DP since she seems to be our resident Disney cruise expert!

For those interested in shore excursions here are two websites you can go to. Both of these companies use the same tour operators the cruise lines do, but for less money.

www.shoretrips.com

www.portpromotions.com

You rang? :D

Do other shore excursion companies allow infants? For the low-key things like "drive to the beach and sit"?

I hope to go in 2008 :)

This is what appears to be available on the Disney web site as of this morning.

Tim just got us Category 12, with early booking discount.

Total pricetag - $1,546 per person. :D (Not including transfer in Florida, since we haven't decided on doing WDW just yet.)

What's the lotto up to now?

If I were going through the crossing, I'd want a balcony cabin for all those at-sea days. (One of my favorite things for at-sea days and nights is to be in the cabin resting with the balcony door open so I can hear the water.) That is SO far out of my price range for the crossing.

Our reservation for a cat 6 on the regular May 25 sailing is $4333.30.

Just got off the phone with Tim. Everyone who contacted him has their reservation and their requested category. He will be contacting everyone via email or PM with more details.

Ummmmm........


I just booked the Westbound crossing. :eek:

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, Crazy Legs is my roommate. So, she is going too. :)

What category did you book? :)

Great news on all accounts!!

I'm so excited, but my husband is staring at his pocketbook. I keep reminding him we have over a year to pay it off and it's a once in a lifetime opportunity! I'm just giddy!

And on a Category 11, after the deposit, it's less than $100 per month per person to pay it off. :D

Now I'm stressing about someone to share the cabin with. Two friends are iffy because it's 18 months away.

Cat 11 (I think). Tim??????

Jeezzz, must be nice!!

Westbound sailing is selling out quickly, if anyone is interested please get ahold of myself or Mrs. Nesbitt tonight.

Maybe you westbound cruisers will stop by for a brief "hey howzit" for those, (well, me) sailing the week after?

Yes Cat 11, your cabin is to be assigned.

I was trying to jump on the DCL web site today and ended up calling DCL. They gave me a room number and asked me all sorts of info. I gave it to them, so you may find they're ahead of things when you charge my CC (which is fine, BTW).

Is my cabin assigned yet?

This cruise stuff is so confusing :(

It might seem like that, but it's really not. I'll cover a lot of the basic stuff once the reservations are out of the way. :)

We're in room 6511 according to Disney, but Tim hasn't been told that yet.

I'm guessing we didn't get a secret porthole room, so I guess we need to pick a location.

Okay I guess we don't have a room number yet. So uh... where is everyone???

I'm totally gonna sit on that room review site when I get on the horn to pick a room :) I'm thinking probably wanna be as high up as possible, right? D-phile?

You are better off leaving as a guarantee. You will then have a chance for an upgrade. Disney is having major issues with their computers over this, one time you call you can get cabins, the next you can't. They say they will have this resolved by tomorrow.

As for the secret porthole rooms. They were not offered at the price I got you, they were in a higher category at $600.00 more person when the system went live and then by the time we could request them by phone(they cannot be booked via the computer) they were over a $800.00 for that category. I did not want to risk losing the lower price I had and did not want to call you and Chernabog at 5:00am to see if you wanted to spend $800.00 more.

And we don't, so no worries :) THanks.

Are we going to be getting rooms near each other? I was thinking 6th or 7th floor look good. But if everyone's going to be near each other, that'd probably be more fun.

I want a chance for an upgrade - a room with a verandah please. ;)

We've got a whole ship! I'm not worried.


Soon, I will start in on the port excursion questons. How is Todos Santos? Which stop should I do snorkeling? Where should I shop? Or the decisions we'll have to make!

One of my favorite things about major trips is all the happy time spent looking forward to it. Love that we have 16 whole months of looking forward to it to do!!!

I want a grappling hook

(sigh)


Allright, you whiner. You can have our spare. I'll just have to clean the sturgeon guts off it.

Me not do boats well.

We discovered on our Alaskan cruise that Eric is prone to the same, GC. Bonine* really helped him.


*That's an anti-nausea med, for all you people with dirty minds.

Thanks for the tip Wendy, I'll pick some up just in case Gary has the same issue.
According to our invoice from Tim, we have cabin 6554.
I'm excited and nervous and ....everything all at once. It's a good thing I have lots of time to plan and research!

Hmm... looks like Deck 6 is the hip happening place to be :)

We have all the record crossed referenced so we will try and get hem near each other. Weh we started booing at 5am they would let us select cabins, then they quickly pulled it to guarantees and then cabins again. It kept changing, so some got cabin assignements whiel others got a guarantee.

Not Afraid received hers as this was a room being held for someone else who then decided not to go so I changed the names on this record to give her the better price like the rest of you have. Dphile got her assignment as she needed handicapped cabins. You cabin will be on deck 6 or 7.

I wish we could upgrade you all to verandah's but Mickey does not like me that much. :D

As for ports - Castaway Cay has snorkeling, but it will be much better in Aruba. Aruba is also know for its beaches and casinos. Some shopping, but nothing like St. Thomas. Puerto Vallarta is a great spot for silver, just make sure of what you are purchasing also good for leather items. Cabo as really changed and there are some nice galleries down there with prices slightly less than here in the States. Acapulco may be a nice place to do a off road tour. Beach is not as nice here as it was in the 70's so I do not recommend water activities here. Puerto Vallarta has some great jungle tours also.

Official excursions will not be out until probably 2008, but if you go to www.shoretrips.com and click on Mexico you can see excursions offered. This company supplies most of the tours the cruise ships use. They just offer them without the cruise line mark up. You are buying direct.

I've been perusing Shoretrips. I already have a list of possibilities. CALM DOWN LISA! ;)

Todos Sants caught my eye because it is supposed to be a community of artists and the markets have lots of artisan goods. But, it could be tacky art for all I know.

You will SO love the artisan excursions - it's right up your alley. :cool:

personally I'm excited about horseback riding on the beach :) oh, and shoping ;)

Deposit has been sent in. Cat 11 gty - no room # yet.

Indi was 18 mos when we did DCL. It was pretty great. We didn't do any Disney organized excursions, but we went to the beach and hung out, went to Atlantis, did lots of stuff onboard. We didn't leave him in the nursery at all and we still had a blast as a family. The servers were so great with him at dinner. One of them actually cut my food while he was nursing!

Oh, but the all night puking kind of sucked. You can't give a baby seasickness pills.

Different tours have minimum age requirements. If there are age restrictions it will be posted on the excursions. Some do not allow any infants for insurance reasons.

Ah well. If all I get is a vacation where the view changes while I get to sit on my butt, I'm okay with that. And there's no guarantee that we'd be toting spawn anyhow.

I think I am going to have to cancel. If anyone needs a roommate please let me know. I put the deposit down for 2 people (me and an unknown roommate) but I didn't think I would have this much trouble finding one.

/sigh

:(

I might have someone interested - there are still a couple nice people who I know well and have been thinking about going. I'm working on schmoozing them.

Here's the catch, and why you don't want to cancel just yet - the rate that we got was due to a system glitch which was corrected later that day. You're locked in at that rate, and you can't get it back if you do decide to go later on but already cancelled. And, it's already over $2,000 per person.

I know. I am trying to hold out as long as I can. I'm still working on my freinds but they aren't buying the "it requires saving less than $100 a month for the next year" line.

I know someone. Remember Gretchen/Bluepeople? She wants to go!

Less than 5 months now, kids! :D

Right after the holidays, it's time to start planning any excursions or other things we might want to do as a group. :)

Anyone else going June 8-15?

Holy crap!! Is that the cruise you are going on? You didn't tell me it was DCL!!! :D

Oh, you and B are going to have such an amazing time. WOW!!! :)

Feel free to ask me anything at all. ;)

All of my duckets have been going towards this cruise. It's a long time waiting... but I'm SO excited. I just need the passport for B.

Also... don't worry T... I will definitely ask!!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

It will be money well spent, lemme tell ya.

Oh, don't I know it! I plan on hanging out with B (if she doesn't decide that the OceanEars Club is for her) reading, drinking coffee, reading and doing the "Who wants to be a Mousketeer" and singing karaoke.

I'm really giddy!!

I'm about ready to cancel my pending reservation. Alas, no new job lined up means no cruise for me.

I was actually considering this, but something has come up.

Um, you'll be lucky to even see her at all. ;) The club is that awesome. :snap:

:( Ok, I need to ramp up my prayers and thoughts on you finding an awesome job.

Something good, at least?

Something stupid :mad:

its getting so close to the repo-cruise.... which i cannot wait. first disney cruise for me.

Disney Magic Back in LA 2008
 

Not for me...all my $$$$ is going to Bon Jovi and then this summer to travel to see them one last time...now that Vegas is a definite can't do....not that i'd wanna cruise but my coworker went on one (which i would do) when they stopped in Cabo he went to Sammy Hagar's resteraunt and he was there in the flesh and my coworker didn't have a pen or anything just his camera when he went to take a pic with Sammy his camera battery died and he had no replacement lmao...too funny

No, something stupid has nothing to do with Bon Jovi.

Sadly, it's not looking too good for me either. I can't pay for the cruise until I pay off Alex for Barnum's ($5000) back surgery, so I can't do anything until someone buys a house.

If I could at least get something in escrow by that time, where I have good hope of paying for the surgery, I could probably get away with paying off my cruise. That's what I keep hanging on for and hoping will happen.

We're in discussion as well. Chris' work project keeps getting pushed back and the timeline revised. It may be impossible for him to take that much time off.

I am completely bummed I am missing out on the repo cruise because of a pending software release at that time. It's either going to be May or September. Either way, all summer vacation plans are in hiatus.

Ya know, I still stand by my promise that one day, when I'm rich, I'm renting out the Magic for a week, and you're all going.

Will ya hurry up and get rich already?

Yeah, get movin' already!!!

We just all need to pitch in and get the Swank Cruiser - 20 state rooms - bacon bar - jucuzzi - full bar - fuzzy water bar - deck chairs - pool tables and fireworks...

I am saving this for posterity. When you're walking that red carpet, award in hand, tabloid cameras a-flashing....

We'll all be celebrating with a cruise swanking shortly after. ;)

I sure hope everything works out for everyone....our swank Disney Cruise is getting a smaller group all the time!

DP, do remember me when your rich & famous...OK?

Keep your fingers crossed for me, Wolfy... hopefully something will work out for me here in the next month. (Know anyone that wants to take advantage of these fantastically low home prices? LOL)

Fingers crossed, for you and everybody else on the verge of cancelling!

I've got that one client, the relo deal... if he'd just get into escrow on something, I'd be good, you know? But then again, he was supposed to have bought by September, and that didn't quite happen, did it?

Still, I think the bottom (of prices) is coming imminently, so hopefully some people start getting off the fence.

But keep your fingers crossed for me, because the last thing I want to do is cancel this!

Shore Excursions are up!!!

Castaway Cay
Aruba
Acapulco
Puerto Vallarta
Cabo San Lucas

The Mexican cooking one in PV interests me (includes some horseback riding also).

The City Tour and Cliff Divers in Acapulco looks good too (since I don't want to venture into the City on my own).

Well, so much for that zip-line jungle tour in Puerto Vallarta. This one wins: Dolphin Trainer

Playing with dolphins and sea lions for 6 hours. To me, that is pure heaven. :D

Oh, and just a reminder, folks - DCL excursions are just added to your stateroom tab, so there's no need to come up with the funds prior to the trip. :)

What do you mean... don't we have to pay the tab at the conclusion of the trip?

Correct - it can be settled in cash or charged to your debit/credit card at the end of the sailing.

But, excursions do not have to be paid before the sailing, and can be cancelled up to 3 days prior to sail date.

I highly recommend booking all desired excursions right away, because some of them fill up quickly.

Excursions can booked 75 days prior to sail date for first-time cruisers, and 90 days prior for repeat cruisers. They can be booked directly online via your reservation. Very convenient!

I'll explain the process in more detail when we get closer. :)

I don't want to even look at the excursions. Not until I know if we'll be going or not. :(

Exclusive villa in Cabo, anybody?

Mark your calendars for the evening of January 26th, 2008, everyone!

I'm having a cruise planning/info party that's even sponsored by Disney Cruise Line!! :snap:

Even if you are not sailing on the one in May, you're more than welcome to come! There will be food, prizes, and fun, fun, fun!

*sigh* that's just over a month from now...

My honey just told me that he's going to save up to pay for my Sea Mammal Trainer excursion, because he really wants me to go play with the dolphins and sea lions. He's so sweet!

I think I just found the best excursion ever that all the ladies will love - in Cabo San Lucas:

B.O.B UNDERWATER ADVENTURE

Cruise through the translucent waters of Chileno Bay and explore the wondrous world below sea level with help from B.O.B. During your cruise, make your way to Chileno Cove where you will become acquainted with your new friend, B.O.B.

(The description also said what B.O.B. actually stands for in this instance, but of course, my mind instantly went elsewhere. ;) )

For those who aren't familiar with DP's reference:

Jeez Disneyphile, and my mind went to "Bring Own Beer", which would be even more nonsensical. Well I guess you know where our minds are ;) tee hee

I love how it tells you that electric wheelchairs aren't permitted for snorkeling :D lmao!!!

Question for Disneyphile -- stuff like snorkeling on castaway cay -- you need to reserve all that stuff in advance??

The snorkel and float rentals can just be rented on the island itself. The only thing I'd bother reserving in advance are the speciality things like parasailing, etc.

I'd also recommend bringing your own snorkel gear, because Disney wants $25 just to rent it. It's flat enough to pack, and you can get it for about $10-$15 in most places, and then also use it in all ports. ;)

^^ Yeah I noticed it was pricey for that. Hmmmmm well I'll look through all the excursions and see what looks interesting... enough dolphin swims out there, jeez!!! hehe

They only offered one dolphin swim in Puerto Vallarta last time, and it booked up in 5 minutes. I think they learned. ;)

The dolphin swim was amazing.

But it costs $175...... and I can do the same thing in San Diego, right? I'll think about it tho. I'll decide on stuff in a few weeks when I have the time to really sit down with a list. I wish they had a column of PRICES tho, instead of having to look at each thing one-by-one.

Hanging on by a thread here, but my clients are all waking up at the same time... there's still a chance I may be able to stay on the cruise *crossing fingers and toes*!

Making no promises though, because it still depends on me getting something into escrow. (grumble grumble sold out from under us grumble)

^^ I hope so because I want you there so bad!!! I have a backup plan to definitely go on the cruise (thanks to some people who know who they are but I won't disclose on the net). But the best possible thing is if YOU are there!!! Maybe you can sell Alex's hockey equipment on ebay ;)

Well, if a certain condo* hadn't been sold out from under us while my client and I were preparing an offer, we might already be looking at this :( Now I have to wait until something else comes along (nothing good on the market right now) for him, or for some of my other clients to be ready to write an offer on something.

(*It was such a nice place too, gonna be hard to beat.)

Sea World is a lot more expensive than that, and I think you get 15 minutes. The one I did in Puerto Vallarta was 45 minutes with three dolphins. It was worth every penny. I'm signing up for the Dolphin Trainer for a Day excursion this time, so I get to play with the sea lions too. :D

WOOHOO!! :snap:

I'll help. :evil:

Just a word on the Dolphin swim......FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE!

Oooops...two words.

*Bump*

I'm booking my excursions next weekend!

SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!! :D

okay...only one excursion...

The dolphin swim for me and B!

And look at you!! one month away!! :D

That reminds me - PM me your address so I can send this box of cruise goodies to ya. :)

don't you have my moms addy... if only the cast away members didn't take the pirate adventure from me.. oh well.

I'm not sure y'all would really want any of this stuff - it's the kids activity stuff that was sent for the cruise party back in January.

That is, unless you really insist on coloring or connecting the dots. And, if so, then you can fight it out with LV's little daughter. ;)

-thinks about it-

she can have it.. but then you need to save some of the boose for me ;)

We'll save all the boose for you, no problem!

What is boose?

I think that's slang for loose butt.

Um. Ok. Yeah, he can have all of that. ;)

The booze is mine! lol:cheers:

Boose is what happens when you type Booze and use an S instead of Z after a long deep cleaning from the dentist and then getting new wires from the orthodontist during a spring break day...

not to mention not having any booze all week!

Braces & Booze don't mix....don't ask!

you've peaked my interests... considering i got the braces when i was 20, booze is not on the list of no nos next to popcorn and pretzels

Hey, you all ship out on the 12th from Florida correct? Anyone have pre- cruise Disney World plans as it seems I will be there.

Most of us are heading into Orlando on the 9th. The ship is sailing on the 10th. I don't think there are any plans for WDW for any of us, but I'm not 100% positive on that.

I know Cherny is doing IOA on Friday, the 9th.

Most of us arrive late on the 9th, staying overnight at the airport Hyatt, since we board the ship on the 10th.

Headliner and I arrive at WDW on June 18th. When do you all get back from your cruise?

We're bringing the ship to Los Angeles. So, technically, this is a one-way trip. ;)

Well that's pretty damn selfish of you!

Cool. I plan on being at Animal Kingdom and then have ticket for the Pirate Princess thing on the night of the 9th.

Awww.

You could always get a hold of DLRP_bozapot, I think he might try and meet us for breakfast at 8AM at the Hyatt on the 10th before we leave for the ship.

Yup, basically I am arriving in the evening of May 8th, I'm being taken right from the airport to Mannequins (bar in downtown disney) for a night of debauchery, then May 9th off to Islands of Adventure / Universal Studios Florida -- meeting up with Robert (Witches of Morva) and his friends there, as well as the people I am staying with-- Jonathan (DOOM BGI) and Chris (Brerrabbit1). Then the 10th I am going to meet the group at the Hyatt for the breakfast and shuttle to the ship!

Anyone who wants to join us for any or all of that is more than welcome :)

When I went in 2006 I felt I saw all I needed to of WDW -- I was WAY more impressed with IoA.

So who all from LoT is going?

The really cool people. :p

;)

Cool. I'll chat with Louis about the morning thing. So early 8am.;)

Cherney! I'm planing on hittind Pleasure Island on the 8th so I might see you. I went to Mannaquines last time. Kinda cool. We'll see. Feel free to grab my cell # from anyone who has it.

Or you could just PM it to me ;) hehe my flight does not arrive until 10:10 pm so I am not gonna be at the club until like 11:30 I think.

There's going to be a MouseAdventure on the cruise! :D

Free to play, and prizes too!!! :snap:

I so cannot wait.

You're all toast. Toast, I say!!! :p

:(

Oh bite me.

:p

(sigh)

I would, but you'd like it too much. :p

Holy crap... in exactly 17 days from this moment, we'll be boarding! :D

Oh, and Cherny - did you want to join in on the group brunch at Palo? I need to call back with the names of everyone participating.

I was cool for a little while but alas I'm back to just Jill, no cool, Le Sigh.

'Twas a joke, that's all. I wish everyone on this board were going. And, I still hold to my idea that should I win the lotto or come into a nice windfall of money, I'm buying the whole ship out for all of us for a week. :D

Yes please! :) Many thanks!

Now that would be a sinking not to me missed. :D

That software release that was preventing me from going to begin with has been pushed back. I'd probably still be hard pressed to get the time off. But Grr just the same.

Sigh, I could never get 17 days in a row off work.


Mucho Fun to all the Finalists who are really going on this seabourne adventure-of-a-lifetime!!

Can I smack your boss? :(

Bring it on!:p

Nah, it's not his fault. I'm not sure I would have been able to get 2 weeks worth of coverage either (someone would have to fly out here and that would cost the company $$ in airfare, hotel bills and food).

And get video if possible.

Well, you could. You just wouldn't have a job when you got back (my issue as well).

I'm just bummed we had to cancel, not only sailing with cool friends but we had a good cabin to boot. Ah well, I still have hopes for a future cruise and maybe it'll be a LoT cruise to boot!

Have a great time. I can't wait to see the pics and hear the stories! At least I can live vicariously through all of my wonderful friends adventures on board!

I'm bummed we're not going, but with the way Chris' work schedule is going, it wasn't going to happen. We're just lucky he got the Coachella time approved before the freeze. This is the last vacation for a while (for him at least. ;)0

It also would have been fun to have Thurston join us as an "official" service dog. ;)

I'm bummed. Period.

But excited for those of you who still get to go!

for most of you it is one-way...

at least I got DLR for a few days and a nice plane ride home... and DLR has faster internet than home so easier to upload the 6+ gigs of photos to smugmug...

A hearty Bon voyage to all you Swankers heading out for your cruise!

May the seas be clam and the rum plentiful.

The rum won't be plentiful after I get to it. ;)

that just means I need to get to the bar and get a drink of the day before you buy all of them ;)

Hope you all have a wonderful time!

Well, I'm mostly packed... I think I'm going to need the vacation just to recover from that!

Left to do:

• Finish dress repairs
• Pedicure/Manicure
• Print door decorations
• Print Mom memorial t-shirts for me and Dad
• Print boarding passes
• Print/sign cruise contract
• Deliver make-up goodies to NA and GusGus
• Pack box of NAB goodies for mailing to BDBopper

It's gonna be a FULL day tomorrow! :eek:

Have a great time - and don't let anyone nor anything ruin your fun.

I wish they had 3-days from LA, I've never cruised and want to start out with a short one, without flying across the country.

I'm done! I'm packed! I got 5 hours of sleep last night and now I'm up at 6:30 a.m. (biological clock, grumble, grumble).. time to hop in the shower, get to work... and at 9:30 my airport van picks me up. My actual alarm is set for an hour from now but I'm too frickin excited. My last real vacation was in October 2006 so I'm BOUNCING!!! See you all when I get back on the 25th!

I am insanely jealous- but then I realize that had I joined you all on this trip would not have had my March trip and my perfect wedding and also would likely not have my November mountain get-away either.

So I'm ok.

Bon Voyage- ya'll stay safe!

Have SO MUCH FUN!

Cherny!
It's an understatement, but HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!

BONest of BON Voyages!

I wonder if it is too late to get a ticket?

Have a great time everyone!

I have successfully packed two weeks of stuff into just two suitcases, without the need to vacuum-pack, nor will I need to do laundry.

I rule! :D

(Actually, I've just done this before, so I know what not to bring. ;) )

Have a great time everyone, Bon Voyage!

Have a FANTASTIC time! I'm still very sad I won't be joining you, but I can't wait for pictures.

Have fun!

Finally started packing 1 suitcase & 1 carry on....I should have more than enough to make it through, but just in case I'm packing laundry soap for 2 loads.

nice... too bad my professor stiffed me... He got me nothing, even when i covered 2 classes in his absence... lol

She has an advantage... she's flying to orlando and boating back... I am boating to la then flying back... thus im making sure all my clothes fit into my BIG suitcase well, and my small one can be empty ;) that way I can bring enough Disneyland and Disney Magic back.

Pre-trip freakout!!!

Looks like I'll now have to print iron-ons for our memorial shirts.
And, I still have to finish my dress repairs and pack my make-up.

GAH!!!

I'm going to miss my roommate. I don't think that's ever happened before.

Bone voyagee! :D

I'm so grabbing booze the minute I board. ;)

My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean My Bonnie Lies Over the Sea. My Bonniest of Bon Voyages to you. Have a wonderfulsome adventure and may the winds be at your back.


All my love,

-s :iSm:

I'm soooooooo jealous.


But happy for you all as well- have a fantastic time, take lots and lots of incriminating pictures, and post (if you can) from onboard!:cheers:

memorial shirts?
-has been out of every loop due to issues on another board, and being in fla-

Some of us are finding nice ways of getting it free... well free for us ;) Love how dad has to do work on the boat... and check his mail daily.

hmm.. hopefully i board before you, and can get away from my grandmother for a little bit.

Her mother passed away a couple of months ago and was scheduled to be on the cruise.

oh yea... it slipped my mind from the finals and grades. :(

Bon Voyage T!! :D

Intesting...

I went looking to see if the Disney cruise ships have webcams like some other lines do. They don't.

But my search turned up this website which lists all the communication frequencies used on the ship. Just in case you want to listen in on what the laundry room is doing...

Hi all. Can't spend time reading right now, but just sent Ken another photo and email update, so I hope he posts it somewhere.

Gotta run! Expensive and slooooooooow internet!

Hi all. Can't spend time reading right now, but just sent Ken another photo and email update, so I hope he posts it somewhere.

Gotta run! Expensive and slooooooooow internet!

I wonder if they charged her double for that