April 30th, 2017 - Southern Caribbean aboard the Magic!

[CluelessDisFan]

Hi everyone we are going on this cruise and we are excited this our first time on this itinary, but out 4th cruise with Disney
Would love to join FE there are 4 of us. My boys are going to be 10 and the older one will celebrate his 14th bday on board. So excited!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful cruise, and may you find helpful things in this thread along the way. Please pm brianap92 with your info for FE.

 

[MissMet]

Hey everyone. After looking into literally EVERY all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic, and booking two different hotels, we scratched that whole idea and decided to go with DCL, as their childcare is above and beyond ANYONE else.

I'm Lisa and will be sailing with my husband and our two kids, DS(2.5 by then) & DD(13 months by then). We will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary on the last night of our cruise. We honeymooned in PR, stayed right in Old San Juan, for a few days before spending a week in Antigua, so this will be quite the honeymoon redo- we didn't even realize all the similarities until after we booked! We were just excited to not be going to St Thomas/St Maarten again! We will be heading in to PR a few days early as we LOVE PR.

This is my 7th DCL cruise, my 3rd on the Magic. I love the Magic! It was my first DCL cruise and I also sailed my first Transatlantic cruise on her, so you can probably see why. I really do prefer the classic ships over the newer ships. We will be planning to make a lot of use of the nursery this trip as we love to snorkel and that's out of the question with our little ones in toe. We're especially excited to see Barbados as my Grandfather lived there for quite some time when he was in the British military- we still have (very) extended family there. We're also excited because on a whim I checked the stateroom availability today and was able to secure a "sideways cabin" right on deck 5 so that'll be a huge help with our little ones, both in room layout and convenience to the nursery. Also choosing late dining this time and planning to feed the kids in the room while we get ready and then dropping them in the nursery for the night so we can ENJOY our meals. We sailed on the Fantasy this past October with our DS when he was one and I was pregnant with DD and we tried early seating for the first time and hated it. We much prefer late seating- so much more relaxed for us and better/relaxed waiter service too.

If you don't have small kids, Runaway Beach in Antigua is amazing!! We were the only ones there the day we went. Gorgeous beach with a mix of calm waters at one end and waves at the other. Also rock formations you can climb and explore. It's really in the middle of nowhere though so more of the type of place where you take a cab and then set a pick up time. There's just one small restaurant with bathrooms. But if you don't mind seclusion, it's gorgeous!

Since you're going to get a ton of beach/water time on the cruise, if you're heading in early I highly suggest staying right in Old San Juan. So much to do and so walkable. Taking a trip out to the rainforest is fun too. Our favorite Old San Juan restaurants are El Jibarito, Raíces, & Princesa Gastrobar. El Jibarito is where the locals eat, great place. A lot of times they'll have a man singing and playing the guitar- the whole restaurant ends up singing along, we would have too if we had a clue what they were singing!! Raíces has a more touristy feel but we love it as the atmosphere is so fun. Princesa Gastrobar is super romantic, but you could probably bring kids. Outdoor restaurant built under the trees right along the fort walls by the Paseo de La Princesa. Really nice!!

As you can see, I'm really excited!

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Hey everyone. After looking into literally EVERY all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic, and booking two different hotels, we scratched that whole idea and decided to go with DCL, as their childcare is above and beyond ANYONE else.

I'm Lisa and will be sailing with my husband and our two kids, DS(2.5 by then) & DD(13 months by then). We will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary on the last night of our cruise. We honeymooned in PR, stayed right in Old San Juan, for a few days before spending a week in Antigua, so this will be quite the honeymoon redo- we didn't even realize all the similarities until after we booked! We were just excited to not be going to St Thomas/St Maarten again! We will be heading in to PR a few days early as we LOVE PR.

This is my 7th DCL cruise, my 3rd on the Magic. I love the Magic! It was my first DCL cruise and I also sailed my first Transatlantic cruise on her, so you can probably see why. I really do prefer the classic ships over the newer ships. We will be planning to make a lot of use of the nursery this trip as we love to snorkel and that's out of the question with our little ones in toe. We're especially excited to see Barbados as my Grandfather lived there for quite some time when he was in the British military- we still have (very) extended family there. We're also excited because on a whim I checked the stateroom availability today and was able to secure a "sideways cabin" right on deck 5 so that'll be a huge help with our little ones, both in room layout and convenience to the nursery. Also choosing late dining this time and planning to feed the kids in the room while we get ready and then dropping them in the nursery for the night so we can ENJOY our meals. We sailed on the Fantasy this past October with our DS when he was one and I was pregnant with DD and we tried early seating for the first time and hated it. We much prefer late seating- so much more relaxed for us and better/relaxed waiter service too.

If you don't have small kids, Runaway Beach in Antigua is amazing!! We were the only ones there the day we went. Gorgeous beach with a mix of calm waters at one end and waves at the other. Also rock formations you can climb and explore. It's really in the middle of nowhere though so more of the type of place where you take a cab and then set a pick up time. There's just one small restaurant with bathrooms. But if you don't mind seclusion, it's gorgeous!

Since you're going to get a ton of beach/water time on the cruise, if you're heading in early I highly suggest staying right in Old San Juan. So much to do and so walkable. Taking a trip out to the rainforest is fun too. Our favorite Old San Juan restaurants are El Jibarito, Raíces, & Princesa Gastrobar. El Jibarito is where the locals eat, great place. A lot of times they'll have a man singing and playing the guitar- the whole restaurant ends up singing along, we would have too if we had a clue what they were singing!! Raíces has a more touristy feel but we love it as the atmosphere is so fun. Princesa Gastrobar is super romantic, but you could probably bring kids. Outdoor restaurant built under the trees right along the fort walls by the Paseo de La Princesa. Really nice!!

As you can see, I'm really excited!

Hi Lisa! I love all of your insight into the islands! I'm looking forward to hearing more from you as you start your itinerary. Thanks for joining the thread, and I hope you have an amazing anniversary trip!

 

[smylfamily]

Sorry folks we had to change our trip to the April 9th sailing, I won't be able to join the FE with this group, but at least I'm still going, have fun everyone!!!!

 

[Dianne Rowland]

Hey everyone. After looking into literally EVERY all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic, and booking two different hotels, we scratched that whole idea and decided to go with DCL, as their childcare is above and beyond ANYONE else.

I'm Lisa and will be sailing with my husband and our two kids, DS(2.5 by then) & DD(13 months by then). We will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary on the last night of our cruise. We honeymooned in PR, stayed right in Old San Juan, for a few days before spending a week in Antigua, so this will be quite the honeymoon redo- we didn't even realize all the similarities until after we booked! We were just excited to not be going to St Thomas/St Maarten again! We will be heading in to PR a few days early as we LOVE PR.

This is my 7th DCL cruise, my 3rd on the Magic. I love the Magic! It was my first DCL cruise and I also sailed my first Transatlantic cruise on her, so you can probably see why. I really do prefer the classic ships over the newer ships. We will be planning to make a lot of use of the nursery this trip as we love to snorkel and that's out of the question with our little ones in toe. We're especially excited to see Barbados as my Grandfather lived there for quite some time when he was in the British military- we still have (very) extended family there. We're also excited because on a whim I checked the stateroom availability today and was able to secure a "sideways cabin" right on deck 5 so that'll be a huge help with our little ones, both in room layout and convenience to the nursery. Also choosing late dining this time and planning to feed the kids in the room while we get ready and then dropping them in the nursery for the night so we can ENJOY our meals. We sailed on the Fantasy this past October with our DS when he was one and I was pregnant with DD and we tried early seating for the first time and hated it. We much prefer late seating- so much more relaxed for us and better/relaxed waiter service too.

If you don't have small kids, Runaway Beach in Antigua is amazing!! We were the only ones there the day we went. Gorgeous beach with a mix of calm waters at one end and waves at the other. Also rock formations you can climb and explore. It's really in the middle of nowhere though so more of the type of place where you take a cab and then set a pick up time. There's just one small restaurant with bathrooms. But if you don't mind seclusion, it's gorgeous!

Since you're going to get a ton of beach/water time on the cruise, if you're heading in early I highly suggest staying right in Old San Juan. So much to do and so walkable. Taking a trip out to the rainforest is fun too. Our favorite Old San Juan restaurants are El Jibarito, Raíces, & Princesa Gastrobar. El Jibarito is where the locals eat, great place. A lot of times they'll have a man singing and playing the guitar- the whole restaurant ends up singing along, we would have too if we had a clue what they were singing!! Raíces has a more touristy feel but we love it as the atmosphere is so fun. Princesa Gastrobar is super romantic, but you could probably bring kids. Outdoor restaurant built under the trees right along the fort walls by the Paseo de La Princesa. Really nice!!

As you can see, I'm really excited!

Hello! We are staying in San Juan for 5 nights before the cruise. Any recommendations for places to stay?

 

[MissMet]

Hello! We are staying in San Juan for 5 nights before the cruise. Any recommendations for places to stay?

Depends on the type of stay you want. Beach or in Old San Juan?

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Anyone booked already or looking into flights and hotels? I've just started comparison shopping, and I'm liking the Sheraton. They say on the website they're steps away from the marina. And they're really selling me hard with their picture of Disney cruise ship docked outside through a picturesque window from a dining room. Lol

I started tearing up in Miami when we first saw the Magic docked across the bay. I'd love to wake up to a view of her on embarkation day.

 

[MissMet]

Anyone booked already or looking into flights and hotels? I've just started comparison shopping, and I'm liking the Sheraton. They say on the website they're steps away from the marina. And they're really selling me hard with their picture of Disney cruise ship docked outside through a picturesque window from a dining room. Lol

I started tearing up in Miami when we first saw the Magic docked across the bay. I'd love to wake up to a view of her on embarkation day.

Just an FYI. While it is steps from the pier, that pier is only for visiting ships. That is not where we will embark or disembark the ship. So it's a great location in Old San Juan, but you'd have to get a taxi to get to our pier which is in San Juan.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Just an FYI. While it is steps from the pier, that pier is only for visiting ships. That is not where we will embark or disembark the ship. So it's a great location in Old San Juan, but you'd have to get a taxi to get to our pier which is in San Juan.

Yeah, I was looking it up. Is it correct that Disney cruise line is docked at the Pan-American pier? It's not near old San Juan at all.

 

[MissMet]

Yeah, I was looking it up. Is it correct that Disney cruise line is docked at the Pan-American pier? It's not near old San Juan at all.

Correct. It's not too far, but you definitely need transportation to get to it. I don't think there's any hotels real close, walking distance, & all the ones I've been looking that are near by don't even offer shuttles.

 

[Lizard915]

Hello!
My hubby and I are so excited to be going on this cruise! This will be our second cruise, first on the Magic. Can't wait!

 

[4discruisers4evr]

Hi everyone this is our families 4th Disney cruise , but our first one on the Magic. We are super excited!! Our daughter Maddie is also celebrating her 14th birthday on the cruise!

 

[Jess_S]

Welcome to everyone who has joined the meetup thread in the last few weeks! I've been reading Caribbean travel guides and trip reports and I'm getting even more excited about how great the itinerary for this cruise is. (My son likes finding the ship icon that designates the cruise port on the map of each island we will be visiting.)

For those who are interested in a special Disboards mixology session, please message me. Once we have enough participants, I'll reach out to DCL.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Hello!
My hubby and I are so excited to be going on this cruise! This will be our second cruise, first on the Magic. Can't wait!

You'll love the Magic, she's a great ship!

Hi everyone this is our families 4th Disney cruise , but our first one on the Magic. We are super excited!! Our daughter Maddie is also celebrating her 14th birthday on the cruise!

I hope your daughter knows how lucky she is! She's going to have a spectacular birthday!

 

[Zaidag26]

Hello, my name is Zaida and my husband is Ernesto we have two kids Javier 7 and kailynn 6. This is our first Disney Cruise we are very excited and can't wait. I have been looking up in Pinterest things that we must take lol. We are from Miami, Fl we have our flight booked and we are looking for a hotel. If you can please recommend one we would appreciate it. I'm very new to this page as well I don't even know how to add my picture lol

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Hello, my name is Zaida and my husband is Ernesto we have two kids Javier 7 and kailynn 6. This is our first Disney Cruise we are very excited and can't wait. I have been looking up in Pinterest things that we must take lol. We are from Miami, Fl we have our flight booked and we are looking for a hotel. If you can please recommend one we would appreciate it. I'm very new to this page as well I don't even know how to add my picture lol

I'm so excited for your family! Welcome to disboards, I hope you enjoy it. One thing I found really helpful on our first cruise was waterproof watches, we used them since we didn't have our phones to keep track of time. It kept us on schedule for things so we didn't miss out on the things we really wanted to do.

 

[Zaidag26]

I'm so excited for your family! Welcome to disboards, I hope you enjoy it. One thing I found really helpful on our first cruise was waterproof watches, we used them since we didn't have our phones to keep track of time. It kept us on schedule for things so we didn't miss out on the things we really wanted to do.

Thank you, I will definitely bring waterproof watches.

 

[mhconley]

Checking in...

We booked this cruise on day one using a placeholder we booked on an Eastern Caribbean last October. We're a family of three, DS will be 14 when we cruise. We've booked 4 nights at the Condada Vanderbilt Hotel prior to the cruise. It will be our first time in San Juan and our third Disney cruise, our first not on the Fantasy. We're really looking forward to cruising on the Magic and visiting the leeward isles.

Martin

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Checking in...

We booked this cruise on day one using a placeholder we booked on an Eastern Caribbean last October. We're a family of three, DS will be 14 when we cruise. We've booked 4 nights at the Condada Vanderbi ftlt Hotel prior to the cruise. It will be our first time in San Juan and our third Disney cruise, our first not on the Fantasy. We're really looking forward to cruising on the Magic and visiting the leeward isles.

Martin

Welcome Martin! I hope you and your family have a wonderful time aboard the Magic!

 

[Spiralgirly]

Kids and I are getting excited! Less than 200 days! We will happily join the FE!