**It's UNOFFICIAL** The '13 Unofficial WDWMagic Girls Cruise!

[Disneyfalcon]

I have a question. OK, I have a couple questions:

(1) What about drinking water on board? I don't drink soda or most other sweetened beverages. (If I'm gonna have that many calories in a glass, I'll have a glass of wine ) Will they serve water with dinner, and does it taste funny? Can I get water at the beverage stations? I'm kind of allowing for having to bring some bottled water on board in my carryon...but it would be great if I didn't have to. Because getting bottled water for my carryon is going to require a LONG walk to the Hess station from BLT.

(2) I notice quite a few mentions about buying multiple swimsuits. Are y'all planning on spending a lot of time at the pool, or is that just so you don't have to wait for one to dry out? I can't swim. I have swimsuits, and I can lie about somewhat decoratively, considering my age (which I'm planning on doing at the cabana--I will be the official stuff-watcher) but the chances that I'm getting wet are slim. I own 3 swimsuits--am I packing all of them??

I am really looking forward to this trip and to meeting all of you wonderful ladies. And I am eternally grateful to my husband, this cruise is my birthday present!

The transfer we booked can stop at a grocery or liquor store if we want! FYI.
I don't know if the water tastes funny, I'm not a good judge. You can get it at the beverage stations though!
I'm not planning on living by the pool at all! I'll wear one at Atlantis and one at CC, but probably not much if at all onboard. Well, maybe the hot tub in the evenings! I'll bring two (probably) so one doesn't have to dry out!

 

[Tiggerish]

One more question--I knew I had more than two.

Cell phones--we are completely cut off on board, is that right? Purchase internet minutes, I know of. Cell phone calls or texts are a no-go?

(Hubby will be very upset if true. I won't be as upset. [terrible, I am] Work may want me to have email, in which case I'll bill them)

 

[Disneyfalcon]

One more question--I knew I had more than two.

Cell phones--we are completely cut off on board, is that right? Purchase internet minutes, I know of. Cell phone calls or texts are a no-go?

(Hubby will be very upset if true. I won't be as upset. [terrible, I am] Work may want me to have email, in which case I'll bill them)

Check with your cell phone company. You do not want to use Cellular at Sea, ever. That can be insane. In Nassau you may be able to add an international texting plan cheap though! I haven't tried Nassau but in Europe it was like 50 texts for $10.

 

[Tiggerish]

Check with your cell phone company. You do not want to use Cellular at Sea, ever. That can be insane. In Nassau you may be able to add an international texting plan cheap though! I haven't tried Nassau but in Europe it was like 50 texts for $10.

Yeah, just came back from Europe where we paid the ridiculous price of $10 for 50 texts. Thanks for the info, I will check on it. And if I'm out of touch for a few days, no one will be happier but me!!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Yeah, just came back from Europe where we paid the ridiculous price of $10 for 50 texts. Thanks for the info, I will check on it. And if I'm out of touch for a few days, no one will be happier but me!!

Hah! I understand!

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

@Tiggerish I'm not really planning on swimming much, either, but I am bringing 2 suits so I don't have to wait for one to dry if I happen to spill my drink! LOL
And we will have a lovely birthday party in the cabanas.

 

[joanna71985]

I'm getting nervous about not receiving my Mickey Mail. Someone please reassure me that it will arrive soon

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I'm getting nervous about not receiving my Mickey Mail. Someone please reassure me that it will arrive soon

It will! Totally will.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Ah man!! I thought we had that updated! I'm sorry!

Its all good! Kinda comes with the territory when ya move so much but I'm sure YOU know that.

 

[englanddg]

Its all good! Kinda comes with the territory when ya move so much but I'm sure YOU know that.

Can I still come?

I'm ready ladeez!

Seriously though, I merely poked in to let you know that your friend at Cabana's is back in commission...


DSC00808 by englanddg, on Flickr

 

[sweetpee_1993]

@Tiggerish!

1. The water onboard is great! I'm almost exclusively a water drinker in my daily life & I'm picky about taste. I mostly drink Dasani or Nestlé bottled. Will go thirsty before I wet the inside of my mouth with that nasty Aquafina. The water is purified via an onboard desalinization system so essentially you're drinking condensate. Tracey is familiar with process things and says its really one of the cleanest ways to have your water. It tastes amazing! It is dispensed at the soda station, too. At all sit down meals one of the first things that happens is someone coming to pour your water. Its part of the service. At Cabanas things are a tad different, you go fetch your own beverage from their beverage spots but there's water there, too. And, if you would like, you can buy a bottled water package. Its pricy and its Evian . You can actually go online and order it right now or they'll offer it onboard. On embarkation day they'll be out selling water packages. After that you can order them via room service. Lots of water options!

2. I grew up in Central Florida. We swam like fishies most every day 9-10 months out of the year. We always had multiple swimsuits the way regular folks have outfits. Plus, I'm a girl. I like variety and choice. I have probably 6 or 7 swimsuits. I'll likely bring 3 or 4 just so when I do suit-up I have a choice depending on my mood. Like shoes. Which shoes do I feel like wearing???? Lol! Its crazy, I know. And, just so you know, the private lagoon by the cabanas is super shallow. I don't think it gets over waist deep. Well, maybe if its high tide it would get waist deep. The entire family beach areas including Pelican Plunge, the snorkel lagoon, the stingray lagoon, the watercraft rental area, ALL of it is in a protected lagoon which means no wave action. You will not have to worry about waves shoving you around or currents pulling you out. Its very calm. Just so you know and have that bit of info. Even for a non-swimmer Castaway Cay offers a wonderful opportunity for fun in the water.

3. In the back of the cruise docs book there's some little emergency contact cards you can tear out. Give your husband one! You're never unreachable should there be an emergency at home. There's a number that can be called and contact is made with the ship. There's ALWAYS communication with the ship. They can locate you if they need to. You can buy Internet time for emailing. If your hubby still wants better contact, maybe look into a satellite phone rental before we go. When we briefly lived in Atlanta after Katrina in late 2005/early 2006 I worked for a satellite phone dealer and rental company. Satellite Phones Direct. They have units they rent out to people traveling international or on cruises & such where communications cannot be just optional. Its worth checking into. I will warn you, tho, satellite phones can be a PITA because you must have a clear, unobstructed view of the sky for them to maintain a signal. Clouds are okay. Structures are a no. So, picture yourself standing on a top deck away from tall things to place a call. Obviously you won't be receiving calls whenever either because you'd have to be standing out on deck with the phone catching a signal at the precise moment you get a call. Minutes can cost anywhere from $1 or $2 or more per minute. It can be expensive. I know there was a movement towards prepaid minutes to reduce airtime costs when I left so you might can get the minutes cheaper. You'd have to look and see.

Hope all that helped!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Can I still come?

I'm ready ladeez!

Seriously though, I merely poked in to let you know that your friend at Cabana's is back in commission...


DSC00808 by englanddg, on Flickr

Your hotness would cast too large a shadow. You have more chest hair than me. No, you may not join. Perhaps if you have an accident and mangled your face. Maybe go visit a wax salon. We could change our minds (we're women).

So good to see Nigel! Thank you!!!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I'll probably bring 2-3 swimsuites. Like @sweetpee_1993 I like to have a variety depending on my mood!!

I got my package in the mail today!! YAY!! So exciting to look over everything! And how awesome are the KK bags we got?!? Woot woot!!!

Question for you girls: I have a passport... somewhere.... not sure where. I am going to attempt to locate it. If I cannot, will I be ok with just my license and birth certificate? Or should I go get a passport card?

EDIT: Oh and also, can we still keep our cell phones on but just somehow turn off the signal or internet capability? Like airplane mode? Cause I still want to be able to use my phone for pictures and to tell what time it is. I DO NOT however, want to pay ridiculous roaming charges!!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I'll probably bring 2-3 swimsuites. Like @sweetpee_1993 I like to have a variety depending on my mood!!

I got my package in the mail today!! YAY!! So exciting to look over everything! And how awesome are the KK bags we got?!? Woot woot!!!

Question for you girls: I have a passport... somewhere.... not sure where. I am going to attempt to locate it. If I cannot, will I be ok with just my license and birth certificate? Or should I go get a passport card?

EDIT: Oh and also, can we still keep our cell phones on but just somehow turn off the signal or internet capability? Like airplane mode? Cause I still want to be able to use my phone for pictures and to tell what time it is. I DO NOT however, want to pay ridiculous roaming charges!!

You will be okay with a license and official birth certificate.
You can definitely put your phone in airplane mode! We do that as soon as sailaway commences!

 

[plaz10]

I am bringing 2 bathing suits - I enjoy swimming...not really being in a swim suit lol.

I just bought more tank tops online. I'm going a bit overboard (GET IT?!) with buying new clothes for this cruise. But I can't help it!!! I'M TOO EXCITED TO SAVE MONEY AND WEAR WHAT I HAVE!

Plus...I don't want to wear anything I've previously worn in trip reports. Obviously. Aside from sleepwear and my traditional arrival at WDW EPCOT shirt...I'll need to not repeat. Great. big. stuff.

 

[Mrs.Skellington]

Also you can turn off your email notifications. With AT&T it's free to receive text messages and I believe it's .50 per message you send. And 1.25 a minute per call either received or made. These are at sea only. Prices may differ when on the islands. I copied the message they sent me and I saved it in my pictures in my phone.
I'm really happy that my husband will be able to send me text messages to update me on the kids and I plan on one a day. I can't wait to send the pictures of all of us girls.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'll probably bring 2-3 swimsuites. Like @sweetpee_1993 I like to have a variety depending on my mood!!

I got my package in the mail today!! YAY!! So exciting to look over everything! And how awesome are the KK bags we got?!? Woot woot!!!

Question for you girls: I have a passport... somewhere.... not sure where. I am going to attempt to locate it. If I cannot, will I be ok with just my license and birth certificate? Or should I go get a passport card?

EDIT: Oh and also, can we still keep our cell phones on but just somehow turn off the signal or internet capability? Like airplane mode? Cause I still want to be able to use my phone for pictures and to tell what time it is. I DO NOT however, want to pay ridiculous roaming charges!!

See, I like choice, too. I know I'm sorta "known" for my crazy laundry thing but I assure you it's not because I enjoy laundry. I hate it. But, when I get down to 1 or 2 outfits with limited choices I feel awful. Prob'ly 'cause when I was little I didn't have a ton of clothes and my choices were quite limited then. I want variety, darnit! So, I do laundry like a crazy person. 1 outfit dirty is 1 outfit I can't wear if I want to! Grrrr!!!!

Make sure your birth certificate is an official one with the stamp thing and all that. I think I read that now for it to count your parents' names have to be on it. Things have changed so quickly over the years. Do try to find the passport because that is soooo easy.

I always keep my phone on but in airplane mode. I use my alarm. And camera.

I am bringing 2 bathing suits - I enjoy swimming...not really being in a swim suit lol.

I just bought more tank tops online. I'm going a bit overboard (GET IT?!) with buying new clothes for this cruise. But I can't help it!!! I'M TOO EXCITED TO SAVE MONEY AND WEAR WHAT I HAVE!

Plus...I don't want to wear anything I've previously worn in trip reports. Obviously. Aside from sleepwear and my traditional arrival at WDW EPCOT shirt...I'll need to not repeat. Great. big. stuff.

I'm too self-conscious to enjoy the whole parading about in a swimsuit. If only fashion would dictate full wetsuits! Sheesh! I love love loooooove swimming, though. I love it! So, I'll sacrifice the uncomfortable self-consciousness so I can be a fishy!

I'm desperate. I'm selling off dolls for cruise money because I was bad and didn't save more before now. LOL!

Also you can turn off your email notifications. With AT&T it's free to receive text messages and I believe it's .50 per message you send. And 1.25 a minute per call either received or made. These are at sea only. Prices may differ when on the islands. I copied the message they sent me and I saved it in my pictures in my phone.
I'm really happy that my husband will be able to send me text messages to update me on the kids and I plan on one a day. I can't wait to send the pictures of all of us girls.

Definitely everyone should check with their cell carriers to see what their current plan dictates. I know international texts are definitely not cheap for me (because I can always tell when Tracey's been texting with his brother who lives in Canada). The calling I'd be even more worried about because Tracey's parents did a very short voice call on their cruise on Oasis of the Seas a few years ago. What can they do? Another grandkid was born! That call cost them a few hundred dollars. Eeeek!

 

[plaz10]

Ok for those of you in Disney on the 7th - what are your plans?

I'm debating between a) going to dinner at 1900 park fare with some of you fine ladies or b) getting a Night of Joy ticket and going to the parks for 4 or 5 hours to enjoy shorter lines for a cheaper price.

There is no Wishes since it's Night of Joy - so there go my plans of watching from Top Of The World Lounge (I'll have to settle for lunch there)

Anyone going to MK for Night of Joy? Or should I just hang at the resort and do dinner at 1900 Park Fare?

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

Got MORE Mickey mail today!! This one is for the days in the parks afterwards. So excited.

Good info about AT&T - that's my carrier. I was planning on double checking with them anyway, but it's nice to know the Hubs can text me and keep me updated on DD's activities in Japan. And I'll need the clock, too, since every Mickey Mouse watch I own has dead batteries.

@plaz10 I think you should join us for dinner - it is going to be an epic precursor to the fabulousness that will be this cruise!

 

[Mrs.Skellington]

Got MORE Mickey mail today!! This one is for the days in the parks afterwards. So excited.

Good info about AT&T - that's my carrier. I was planning on double checking with them anyway, but it's nice to know the Hubs can text me and keep me updated on DD's activities in Japan. And I'll need the clock, too, since every Mickey Mouse watch I own has dead batteries.

@plaz10 I think you should join us for dinner - it is going to be an epic precursor to the fabulousness that will be this cruise!

I reread it after I posted and I was a little off on my numbers but its still manageable for me at least. Here is the copy of the texts. Notice how I kept asking the same question over again. I have it documented incase some strange charges show up on my bill. Lol