Eastern Carribean Disney Cruise in Feb07

[bmg251]

Hi Everyone, Wanted to get some tips since this will be my 1st cruise. Is it to cool in February. I read some reviews that in disney's private island is a little cool in Feb. I'm traveling with a 6 year old and my husband any tips are greatly appreciated.

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Hi, we have gone in January a few times and march. The weather was beautiful, around 80 every where accept in Florida.
The wind was a little cool on CC, but it was warm.
The water was too cool for me to get in, but many others did swim. Plenty to do on the island even without getting in the water.

I would take one pair of warmer clothes just in case. The ship does tend to be a little cool in the evenings. They seem to turn up the AC in the evenings when most people are inside.
Also due to the breeze if you want to take a late night or early morning stroll on deck a jacket and long pants will be needed.

we have been 12 times, 4 times on the Eastern, so if you have any more questions, please ask and I will try to answer if I know the answers. Going on the Eastern in November again!!! I can't wait.

your going to have an awesome time!!!!

mom x4,grandma x4

[bmg251]

Thanks, so much for the quick response. I read a couple of your responses to other questions, and your just amazing...you sure are the queen of cruises. We love to travel, my concern with cruising is the rocking. My other concern is for. ex. the Eastern carribean is it enough time to view the islands..ex. st. martin. I also heard that we have to dress up for dinner is this true..

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Hi,
the dress code is simple on DCL compared to some lines.
basically it is casual all but 2 nights.
casual means no shorts or tank tops .
Khakis or dockers and a collered shirt for men and boys are perfect.
slacks, skirt or dress are fine for a woman or girl. some even have worn jeans, but I dont recomment doing that as you will feel out of place if you do.
Formal and semi formal night on the 7 day are the dress up night. A few wear tuxes, but most men wear a suit or a sport coat and slacks with a tie. A few women will have long gowns or nice black dresses, but the majority just wear a nice dress or pant suit . I wear a dress thatis 8 years old, not formal at all, just nice. it is dark blue,knee length, long sleeve and looks like a crushed velvet, cost $20 when I bought it and I have never flet out of place. They wont turn you away or say anyhting if you just wear clean descent clothes. Last month I saw an older man in Lumieres on formal night in shorts and an old white t-shirt!!! That was a bit much since shorts are not allowed, but nobody said a word to him.

You also have another option on the Magic . They have the buffet open all but the first and last night from 6:30 to 8:30. This is more casual andit is NOT a buffet at dinner, only the salad bar is serve yourself. They will seat you and you will be waited on , plus you will order from the same menu as the restaurants have, so you wont miss the good food. This is where the waiters train before they advance ot the main dining rooms, but they are very good and try 110% to please. this is a great option if you dont want to dress up or just want to try some place different after eating in all 3 restaurants once for the experiences they offer.

we had plenty of time to see the islands. For first time people I would advise taking a site seeing excursion for the over all view of the islands.

If you want to shop at St. Maartin, go to the end of the pier and on your left is a place for water taxi's. It is $5 per person for all day going back and forth on them. Just keep your bracelet on as proof you paid. It is a 5 minute ride to the main shopping area. several blocks of shops plus a few tent type stores where you can bargain for prices somewhat. There is a shopping presentatin on board the ship before each port which give you a lot of info. If you miss it, they will replay it on TV all evening the night before you arrive.
Shopping at St. Thomas is right next to the pier, walking distance, unless you tender, then it is right across the street from where you get off the tender boat. 2 different shopping areas there.
Prices are much cheaper on the eastern as opposed to the western.

The ships have great stabilizers to help eliminate rocking as much as possible. The first evening everyone notices the movement until you get your sea legs. 2nd day you dont even notice it, unless you have rough seas, which is just the luck of the draw so to speak. The least motion on the ship is dead center on decks 2 and 3. This is the least amount of movement. If you strolling on the ship during the day and want calm, go to the atrium area to sit. it is dead center on the ship and on deck3. padded comfy chairs too!!
Deck 4 has a walking deck with padded lounge chairs that is good is you want fresh air too. it is quieter on deck 4 if you want to relax or read. shuffleboard is layed there, but much quieter than decks 9 and 10. also the very back (AFT) of the ship on deck 7 has a secret deck that is nice and quiet to sit on. But NO shade there.
If you decide to take some sea sickness medicines, start a couple days before the cruise to see how they affect you. Look for non drowsy formula. Some people sleep all the time after taking them, dont want to sleep your cruise away! There are wrist bands that work on pressure ponts on your wrist that work great for alot of people with NO medicines going into your body. Also ginger pills and green skinned apples work. Dont know why, but they do. Plus always keep some food on your stomach. you'll be less queasy than if your stomach is empty.
Also if your really worried about it go to the doctor and get a prescription for the ear patch. you see tons of people wearing these on board. One side effect some people get is blurred vision, so you would need to see ahead of time how they affect you. Must not be too bad as you see dozensof people wearing them.

Most younger kids are not affected because their inner ears have not fully developed yet. Plus one good thing if you do feel queasy, it will go away as soon as the ship stops, such as at all the ports, so you wll feel good then.
After 12 cruises I have only seen a hand full of people who were actually down in bed sea sick and they hadnt taken anything ahead of time. Most are not bothered all that much, just feel a little funny until they adjust to the movement.
I have only had rough seas one time in March. 30 foot swells, and 65 MPH cross winds. That was fun!! It was rocking really hard, we had the ship all to ourselves that night, actually 2 nights. It reminded me of riding on the train. But once out of 12 trips is agreat average!!! The stabilizers really work great!!!

hope this helps some,
Kathy

[bmg251]

Ok. hopefully you are not getting bore of me asking too many questions.

We are booking a balcony room for 3. I was wondering is there any particular site that you would recommend me booking my cruise with. I was thinking disney cruise...any recommendations. Thanks again!

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Howdy,
we always book directly through DCL. if you ever need to make a change or have aproblem you get helped ASAP. When you use atravel agent it seems they usually take a message, then call DCL and then get back to you which takes a few days most times.
I also think DCL can fix some problems when you book directly where agents cant do it. In other words sometimes DCL will bend it's own rules for a guest, where an agent cant. I know some agents will offer you a $50 room credit if you book with them, but w elike th epeace of mind of booking directly with DCL. We have had things come up in th epast and they took care of it ASAP. great customer service.

I am not bored at all with your questions, please feel free to ask all you want. i may not know all the answers, but I will try.;)

Kathy

[Busygirl100]

We cruised with a five year old and booked a Navigator balcony. I was very comfortable with the little one on the balcony because it is closed in on the bottom. I know some people do not like them because they restrict the view but I thought they were great with a child in the room.