Questions about my upcoming cruise from a newbie... About This Page:

[Susu]

Hi,
I am new to the boards and new to cruising. We are booked for Oct 17 for a 7 night cruise on the Magic and are very excited. I will be traveling with my husband (both of us are 45) and two of our children (ages 11 and 9). I have several questions that I thought maybe some of you could help with regarding our cruise.

1. We are in a Cat 9 on Deck 2 (2110)...any info on this cabin?

2. I have booked an Elemis Sole Delight Foot Treatment with Pedicure and an Exotic Rasul spa treatment for two...any feedback on either of these? What do you tip for Spa services?

3.Is President Truman's Key West worth the money?

4. Is the Romantic Escape at Sea worth the extra money if the kids are along with you?

5. We originally requested first dining but right now are wait listed for that...but now I am wondering if we might not want to keep second dining...since it will give us more time on our excursions. Pros and cons?

6. I have my 9 year old registered for Oceaneer's Lab, but the 11 year old is too "old". Will he be happy all day in the Ocean Quest? It seems like there is less to do in there, and I wonder if he will miss the labs and classes that are sheduled in the Lab? I was told that I could request that he attend that with his sister once we are on the ship, but then again...maybe they would both be happier in separate places. (They don't always enjoy each other's company!) I guess I just wondered how much there was to do for the 11 year old and if he would be bored spending several hours at a time in OQ? Also, we have the option of letting him sign himself in and out...does anybody do this? I would be concerned about an 11 year old wandering around the ship alone and wondered how safe this was.

7. Do I understand correctly that if you have 2nd dining that they will take the kids back to their clubs after they eat with you (being served more quickly than the adults?) Will they do this with the older ones as well? Do you have to sign up for this or just request it from your server?

8. If I take my laptop along, will I be able to connect wirelessly? Is there a charge for this?

9. How realistic is the idea of doing laundry in the self-service laundry rooms? Do most folks just pack enough clothes for every day?

10. We have booked Palo for dinner at 7:30 one night...can we keep the kids in their clubs that night and have them just eat dinner there? Is it possible that once on board we can book an additional Palo brunch? It is not available online at all right now to book.

Ok...that is enough for now... I am sure there will be more later!

TIA!
Susu

[iamgrumpy]

Welcome! I was new to cruising not to long ago and remember how worried I was about everything but you have come to a great place and hopefully we can help!

Originally Posted by Susu

Hi,
I am new to the boards and new to cruising. We are booked for Oct 17 for a 7 night cruise on the Magic and are very excited. I will be traveling with my husband (both of us are 45) and two of our children (ages 11 and 9). I have several questions that I thought maybe some of you could help with regarding our cruise.

1. We are in a Cat 9 on Deck 2 (2110)...any info on this cabin?

I have heard great things about Deck 2 Cabins, your not that far from Deck 3 and some of the dining and the Clubs are only a few decks up. When disembarking for the Islands your only 1 floor up from the exit door so easy on and off. You can Read Stateroom Reports :here:

2. I have booked an Elemis Sole Delight Foot Treatment with Pedicure and an Exotic Rasul spa treatment for two...any feedback on either of these? What do you tip for Spa services?

I have heard fantastic things about the Foot Treatment its on my list of things to try next time. I travel with my mom so we don't have a need for the couples treatment but others here might be able to help. But I will say that My mom and I both spent a lot of time in the Rainforest Room and the week long pass was worth it for us! Those tile chairs are sooooooo comfy and relaxing!

3.Is President Truman's Key West worth the money? Haven't been but interested myself since I will be visiting Key West in July 2010.

4. Is the Romantic Escape at Sea worth the extra money if the kids are along with you?

I would say yes, just because the kids are along doesn't mean you can't pamper yourself and your SO.

5. We originally requested first dining but right now are wait listed for that...but now I am wondering if we might not want to keep second dining...since it will give us more time on our excursions. Pros and cons?

There are so many places on board to stop and have a snack that I would keep the late dining, if the kiddos get hungry grab a snack late afternoon then go to the show and enjoy dinner afterwards. We had late dining, and it gave us more time to get changed, relax, have a cheese platter from Room Service before heading down to the show and drinks. Then we had dinner and could enjoy the night activities.

6. I have my 9 year old registered for Oceaneer's Lab, but the 11 year old is too "old". Will he be happy all day in the Ocean Quest? It seems like there is less to do in there, and I wonder if he will miss the labs and classes that are sheduled in the Lab? I was told that I could request that he attend that with his sister once we are on the ship, but then again...maybe they would both be happier in separate places. (They don't always enjoy each other's company!) I guess I just wondered how much there was to do for the 11 year old and if he would be bored spending several hours at a time in OQ? Also, we have the option of letting him sign himself in and out...does anybody do this? I would be concerned about an 11 year old wandering around the ship alone and wondered how safe this was.

I don't have kids so I'll leave this for someone else to explain and discuss.

7. Do I understand correctly that if you have 2nd dining that they will take the kids back to their clubs after they eat with you (being served more quickly than the adults?) Will they do this with the older ones as well? Do you have to sign up for this or just request it from your server?

I think the servers try to serve the children first generally asking them nicely before the meal starts might help but I'm not sure if they bring the children up or if one of the adults would have to bring them and then return to the dining room. Hopefully someone with personal experience can help!

8. If I take my laptop along, will I be able to connect wirelessly? Is there a charge for this?

yes in your state room you can connect to the internet, there is additional charges for internet and make sure you disconnect before turning your PC off because if you don't disconnect from the server, and just turn it off you will still be charged for the time connected. I believe its around .75 Cents a minute and they have different packages available. If you have a phone like the Iphone or Blackberry that is continuously connecting to the internet, make sure you either have international plan, or turn it off completely to save $$.

9. How realistic is the idea of doing laundry in the self-service laundry rooms? Do most folks just pack enough clothes for every day?

We did laundry on our sea day, we got up early, did it first thing in the morning, and then went on with our day. We brought enough for the week and then some but there were a few things we felt we had to have clean so we did laundry.

10. We have booked Palo for dinner at 7:30 one night...can we keep the kids in their clubs that night and have them just eat dinner there? Is it possible that once on board we can book an additional Palo brunch? It is not available online at all right now to book.

The kids can go to the club while your in Palo's I would feed them maybe at one of the places on deck 9 or Topsiders then have them go to the club that way you know that they ate and are all set.

When you first Board go to the location for Dining Changes when we went it was in Rockin Bar D. They were able to help us change our Palo Dinner Time and we were able to book Brunch. But they are limited and not guaranteed to have something available but you can check or be put on a waitlist there as well if nothing is open. Tea was booked online when we went, and nothing was available when we got onboard either. We were the 2nd person in line for dining changes so it does happen that they don't have things available.

Ok...that is enough for now... I am sure there will be more later!

Ask away that is what we are here for!


TIA!
Susu

Amy

[gismo1554]

Originally Posted by Susu

Hi,
I am new to the boards and new to cruising. We are booked for Oct 17 for a 7 night cruise on the Magic and are very excited. I will be traveling with my husband (both of us are 45) and two of our children (ages 11 and 9). I have several questions that I thought maybe some of you could help with regarding our cruise.

1. We are in a Cat 9 on Deck 2 (2110)...any info on this cabin?

Not been here but if you look on some review sites you might find info on the specific cabin. Cat 9 reooms are lovely!

2. I have booked an Elemis Sole Delight Foot Treatment with Pedicure and an Exotic Rasul spa treatment for two...any feedback on either of these? What do you tip for Spa services?

Not done the Rasul yet but doing that on our next cruise so youll have to let us know what its like. The foot treatment my mum did and she loved it. Tipping is at your discretion but I did 15% as wasn't sure on Spa etiquette.

3.Is President Truman's Key West worth the money?

Sorry not done this. My parents did the train that goes around Key West and costs very little. It was very good way to see everything without spending a fortune.

4. Is the Romantic Escape at Sea worth the extra money if the kids are along with you?

As it's your first cruise this would give you the ability to book Palo & Excursions etc 120 days in advance. That's passed anyway for you so I would say its probably not worth it. The spa (rainforest) you get included in your treatments or is $15 a day per person and you don't need the week pass as you wont end up going each day. You can buy the gift seperately and I think its around $100. The breakfast in bed is nice but with the kids not very romantic as is the turndown service so I would say no.

5. We originally requested first dining but right now are wait listed for that...but now I am wondering if we might not want to keep second dining...since it will give us more time on our excursions. Pros and cons?

I think it just depends on what you like. If you eat early then keep on the wait list. You have no more time on excursions as dinner is arranged so that excursions get back before eating. It's 6:30 I believe for first sitting and 8:30 for second.

6. I have my 9 year old registered for Oceaneer's Lab, but the 11 year old is too "old". Will he be happy all day in the Ocean Quest? It seems like there is less to do in there, and I wonder if he will miss the labs and classes that are sheduled in the Lab? I was told that I could request that he attend that with his sister once we are on the ship, but then again...maybe they would both be happier in separate places. (They don't always enjoy each other's company!) I guess I just wondered how much there was to do for the 11 year old and if he would be bored spending several hours at a time in OQ? Also, we have the option of letting him sign himself in and out...does anybody do this? I would be concerned about an 11 year old wandering around the ship alone and wondered how safe this was.

There is stuff on for his age, not just in Ocean Quest. They use other areas of the ship I believe as well as Ocean Quest itself just has lots of video games which he might enjoy more. Also as you said, you may not want to force them to be together as I know what siblings are like.

7. Do I understand correctly that if you have 2nd dining that they will take the kids back to their clubs after they eat with you (being served more quickly than the adults?) Will they do this with the older ones as well? Do you have to sign up for this or just request it from your server?

Not sure on this one as its a new policy. I think you let the server know though.

8. If I take my laptop along, will I be able to connect wirelessly? Is there a charge for this?

Yes you are charged but I think you can buy a package and it works out a reasonable price.

9. How realistic is the idea of doing laundry in the self-service laundry rooms? Do most folks just pack enough clothes for every day?

We laundered and its very usable. Just try to get there early on sea days as it gets busy.

10. We have booked Palo for dinner at 7:30 one night...can we keep the kids in their clubs that night and have them just eat dinner there? Is it possible that once on board we can book an additional Palo brunch? It is not available online at all right now to book.
Ok...that is enough for now... I am sure there will be more later!

TIA!
Susu

I think you can take them to club to eat. And yes you may be able to book an additional brunch onboard just go to Rockin' Bar D when you get on board and ask.

[marnieknight]

I have 2 boys ages 8 & 11. Our oldest will be in Ocean Quest. We are going to let him come and go as he pleases. He must come back to the stateroom, where I will have a notebook, and leave us a note as to where he will be. I told him that if I looked for him and could not find him he would lose this priviledge. My boys do better separated. We go 9/5. Will let you know how it goes.

[marnieknight]

Oh one more thing. We are also second seating which is great. You can let them know that you want to do the Dine & Play I think it is called and they will serve the children first. Then about 30 minutes later someone from the kids clubs will come and pick them up at the front of the restaurant. We like to eat together and then take the kids to the clubs after we finish so we can have some adult time.

[Sonny Eclipse]

Originally Posted by marnieknight

Oh one more thing. We are also second seating which is great. You can let them know that you want to do the Dine & Play I think it is called and they will serve the children first. Then about 30 minutes later someone from the kids clubs will come and pick them up at the front of the restaurant. We like to eat together and then take the kids to the clubs after we finish so we can have some adult time.

Great tip. I didn't know that one.

[HeatherD]

Just so you know, for the Play and Dine, it will only apply to the kids that are in the club/lab - so the 11 yo would be responsible for himself, they would only take the 9 yo with them. And Play and Dine only applies (AFAIK) to late seating. All my research is showing that I won't be able to use it at our early seating.

[has]

You and your kids will have the time of your lives.
We cruised on the Magic June 2009 with my mom and nephew 12.
My nephew thought the tweens area would be borning. As soon as he tried it out, we never saw him. He loved the crew members and the new friends he made.

Our next cruise is June 12, 2010 N. European capitals and have requested 2nd dining. 1st dining was just too early and a race to get back to the ship and be dressed for dinner. Our waiter/waitress were fantastic. We let them know the night before what our excursions were and that we would be late for dinner. They were so accomadating and loved to hear about our adventures.

In Key West, we went to the Butterfly house and aquarium. My nephew loved the acquarium as we all got to hold a shark. We ate lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Deck 9 has great food choices for adults and kids. Mom and I ate at the buffet and my nephew devoured the chicken fingers.

Room service is also fantastic. My nephew loved it. He still couldn't believe he only had to tip them and that's all it cost.

Your boys will be fine roaming the ship by themselves. There are so many other kids and the crew members are fantastic. My nephew still keeps in contact with many of the crew members.

Read your daily Navigator newspaper that is delivered each night. You will all have a hard time trying to fit everything in. That's another reason we're going again so soon is to make a bigger dent in all the activities that are available.

Happy Sailing.

[JEB13]

Hi Susu,
We (Daughters 17, 15, and me - Dad 48) just returned from a 7 day Eastern on the Magic 8/8. It is a fabulous ship and an exceptional crew. You will come away feeling like Princes and Princesses, with a little bit of priate in there, too.

1. We are in a Cat 9 on Deck 2 (2110)...any info on this cabin?
The deck 2 cabin are great. Many repeat Disney cruises we met stay there as they are just as luxurious as higher decks, but more convient to ports (deck 1), restaruants (deck 3 & 4), clubs - adult (deck 3), clubs - kids (deck 5), etc. You won't be disappionted.

2. I have booked an Elemis Sole Delight Foot Treatment with Pedicure and an Exotic Rasul spa treatment for two...any feedback on either of these? What do you tip for Spa services?
I lived in the spa. The services are fabulous. The rainforest was wonderful and open to you on your treatment day. A 3-day pass cost $42. I was too busy to use it more than once. I did a Hot Stone full-body massage and it was heaven. The special treatments for two are in VIP spa rooms with time on the balcony - sweet! They will try to sell their quality spa products. Get them if you like, I did, but you can find them on-line for the same price, free shipping, direct. I tipped 15% on services, not products. Tell Pavi that Thomas says hello.

3.Is President Truman's Key West worth the money? No info.

4. Is the Romantic Escape at Sea worth the extra money if the kids are along with you?
Save the money for the Spa.

5. We originally requested first dining but right now are wait listed for that...but now I am wondering if we might not want to keep second dining...since it will give us more time on our excursions. Pros and cons?
With older kids we had second dining at 8:15. It took a day or two to get used to the later dinner. But besides more time for excursions, you get the earlier show (6:15). It worked out great. Many younger kids from surrounding tables left on the Dine-and-Play at 9pm (couselors meet the young ones at the rest door). Your 11 yr old will confidently navigate the ship solo, or with new friends. Dinner lasts until 9:45 or so. There is no rush to get through the 4 courses. I would keep 2nd dining.

6. I have my 9 year old registered for Oceaneer's Lab, but the 11 year old is too "old". Will he be happy all day in the Ocean Quest? It seems like there is less to do in there, and I wonder if he will miss the labs and classes that are sheduled in the Lab? I was told that I could request that he attend that with his sister once we are on the ship, but then again...maybe they would both be happier in separate places. (They don't always enjoy each other's company!) I guess I just wondered how much there was to do for the 11 year old and if he would be bored spending several hours at a time in OQ? Also, we have the option of letting him sign himself in and out...does anybody do this? I would be concerned about an 11 year old wandering around the ship alone and wondered how safe this was.
There is so much to do for each age group, no worries for him. He will want the alone time to grow and meet neww friends. Each group also does other time in other places, sports on deck, movies, etc. Plan in the family time: the show, dinner, movies (G-Force played), pool time together, character pictures, and you have great time together and apart.

7. Do I understand correctly that if you have 2nd dining that they will take the kids back to their clubs after they eat with you (being served more quickly than the adults?) Will they do this with the older ones as well? Do you have to sign up for this or just request it from your server?
Yes, see above answer. The club counselors and servers will both need notification.

8. If I take my laptop along, will I be able to connect wirelessly? Is there a charge for this?
I loved being away from my laptop and cellphones. My girls had to adjust. The prices are very expensive ($50 to start) and my day was filled! Do consider the Wireless cafe, and their computers.

9. How realistic is the idea of doing laundry in the self-service laundry rooms? Do most folks just pack enough clothes for every day?
Very feasible. $1 for detergent, $2 a wash, $2 to dry. Empty in the morning. Packed in the afternoon. We brought enough clothes including dinner ensemble.

10. We have booked Palo for dinner at 7:30 one night...can we keep the kids in their clubs that night and have them just eat dinner there? Is it possible that once on board we can book an additional Palo brunch? It is not available online at all right now to book.
I didn't get to Palo's, but was not disappointed in the excellent fine dining in the main dining rooms. You may want to forgo the brunch. Feed the kids prior at Topsider's or on deck 9 fast food prior and they will be fine. Believe me, no one goes hungry!

The most magical night was dressing up for formal night. 10-15% of the men wore tuxes. Most (65%) wore dark suits. All the ladies wore nice cocktail dresses. The glitz of that night was Magical!

[Susu]

Thank you so much everyone for all your detailed answers! It makes me feel more confident hearing the same answers again and again...evidently you all really know what you are talking about!

[VB_Family]

in Key West the best thing to do is your own thing... don't do an excursion.... go out on the town and enjoy... walk... lots of places to see!!

[HeatherD]

Originally Posted by Susu

Thank you so much everyone for all your detailed answers! It makes me feel more confident hearing the same answers again and again...evidently you all really know what you are talking about!

Either that or we've all drunk the same Kool-Aid!

Have a great cruise!

[hoosiermomma2]

This is a dream of mine. We are going on our first ever WDW vacation in Sept--I can't wait until I can book a disney cruise. I enjoyed reading the explanations as well!

Enjoy! it sounds like you will have an awesome time!

[TorontoGirl]

My DH and I planned a walking tour for ourselves with Google Maps and the offical Key West Tourism website. We are going to Hemmingway House, Shipwreck Museum, Aquarium and Blond Giraffe (for Key Lime Pie on a Stick!) It will take us most of the afternoon with plenty of time to get back to the ship for our Palo ressie. Plus you can buy passes to alot of places in Key West online and save money! Check out the offical tourism page and its links or the websites of any place you want to visit. Again Google Maps is VERY helpful becasue Key West is such a small place!

Have Fun!