11/11/06 Double Dip - Short Report & Pics

[Wojo]

Hi all! We just returned from our first cruise, and what a great cruise it was! We cannot say enough about Disney Cruise Lines, and how well they treat their guests. :thumbsup2

The cruisers were: Me (Dave), Shelly (DW), Mike (Oldest DS), Kyle (Youngest DS), Bob (good friend), Melanie (good friend & Bob's DW), Katie (Bob & Melanie's DD)

I'm not much for posting, so you won't be getting a lengthy trip report outta me...sorry. :) Just wanted to say that these first timers had a blast, and are now hooked. We rebooked for the 12/1/07 western. :teeth:

Here are the pics that were mentioned in the title. 11/11/06 Double Dip Pics (http://new.photos.yahoo.com/dav_woj/album/576460762344578223#page1) (best viewed by clicking on "Slideshow") :)

[LITTLEKID58]

Great pics.. they look like you all had a blast.

liz

[TiggersPal]

Hi all! We just returned from our first cruise, and what a great cruise it was! We cannot say enough about Disney Cruise Lines, and how well they treat their guests. :thumbsup2

The cruisers were: Me (Dave), Shelly (DW), Mike (Oldest DS), Kyle (Youngest DS), Bob (good friend), Melanie (good friend & Bob's DW), Katie (Bob & Melanie's DD)

I'm not much for posting, so you won't be getting a lengthy trip report outta me...sorry. :) Just wanted to say that these first timers had a blast, and are now hooked. We rebooked for the 12/1/07 western. :teeth:

Here are the pics that were mentioned in the title. 11/11/06 Double Dip Pics (http://new.photos.yahoo.com/dav_woj/album/576460762344578223#page1) (best viewed by clicking on "Slideshow") :)


Thanks Dave!!! I got all caught up from the ones I had seen in the "Cove"... was great to meet you and the DW!!! Hope to see you on another cruise!

:disrocks:

[imlazar]

was that your room with the mickey ears on the door number? I thought that was the most clever of all the decorations I saw.

[ibouncetoo]

Enjoyed your photos Dave. How come you didn't take any of me? hehehehe

[mom2of2]

awesome pics Dave! we saw the one of Paradise Beach and my mom said "that looks like Paradise Beach" and the next shot said just that! very very cool!!! We loved it there.

[michelle9343]

Dave
Great Photos. It looks like you guys had a great time. I wish that we had actually met while on board. It is cold in Florida today (feels like the 30's with the wind) I wish we were back on the Magic!!!!!

[Wojo]

was that your room with the mickey ears on the door number? I thought that was the most clever of all the decorations I saw.

We had three rooms decorated with the Mickey ears. This was all done by DW, and I'm sure she'd say that she "borrowed" the idea from somebody on these boards. :thumbsup2 :)

[Wojo]

awesome pics Dave! we saw the one of Paradise Beach and my mom said "that looks like Paradise Beach" and the next shot said just that! very very cool!!! We loved it there.

We really enjoyed Paradise Beach. The only disappointment was the snorkeling. The hurricane pretty much destroyed the area for any snorkeling from the beach. :sad2: Kyle (DS) and I went on the 2 hour snorkeling excursion right from Paradise Beach. It took us out to Palancar and Columbia reefs. AMAZING!!!

[DisneyZell]

you guys had Adrian! did you like him? we thought he did a great job...I just plunked him into my trip report today...along with his Fiance! very cool! Thanks for sharing the pics. :cool1:

[mom2of2]

We had Adrian at Topsiders as well and loved him!!! I wish he had been our regular server.

My DH and DS8 paid for the iceberg/tramp use and me and DH15 went on a wave runner, and DH had a massage which he really enjoyed. We had Freddi as a server and we kept him running that's for sure. We had the amazing quesadillias and I loved the pico!!!

[mom2dil]

Hey we were neighbors! My family and I were in rooms 2601, 2605 and 2606. WE saw those cute ears and I thought- genius! :thumbsup2 We had door signs too but I was so stupid and forgot to take a picture of them. Mine was just a scapbook page that said "What a Bunch of Characters" and then it had mickeys and minnie with our names under them. It also said"Disney Magic welcomes the Nyquist Family". I think I saw you in the halls- many times while I was trying to wrestle my boys back into the stateroom to go to bed. They didn't want to give it up every night!
It was really a wondrful trip- MAGICAL in every way! :wizard:

[txaggie94gigem]

dave and shelly....

great pics!!! miss the cruise already!

it was great fun to meet both of you and your friends...i am glad you enjoyed your first cruise!!!

[Dixielady908]

Great pics.....looks like you had a great time.

Your last picture was soooo sad.....I havent gone yet and I'm sad knowing that it will be over sooo fast......

Thanks for sharing

Denise :banana:

[pandamom]

Great photos! We had Adrian and Aditida (spelled wrong) for our servers also (5:30 11/11 double dip) and they were awesome!

[shelwoj]

you guys had Adrian! did you like him? we thought he did a great job...I just plunked him into my trip report today...along with his Fiance! very cool! Thanks for sharing the pics. :cool1:

We loved Adrian and Aditya. They were the reason our teens came to dinner each night! We plan on requesting Adrian next year. Aditya will be home in India finishing school.

[shelwoj]

Hey we were neighbors! My family and I were in rooms 2601, 2605 and 2606. WE saw those cute ears and I thought- genius! :thumbsup2 We had door signs too but I was so stupid and forgot to take a picture of them. Mine was just a scapbook page that said "What a Bunch of Characters" and then it had mickeys and minnie with our names under them. It also said"Disney Magic welcomes the Nyquist Family". I think I saw you in the halls- many times while I was trying to wrestle my boys back into the stateroom to go to bed. They didn't want to give it up every night!
It was really a wondrful trip- MAGICAL in every way! :wizard:

You had a stroller, right? Wrestling the boys to bed, heehee, I remember those days! Now they are teens and are learning the consequences of staying up too late. I do remember the signs on the doors but couldn't put them together with names from here. Hope our boys did not snore too loudly for you. :confused3

Our trip was "Magical" enough that we are rebooked for 12/1/07!

[mom2dil]

Yes, that was my sister in law- she had her two small boys with her and I had my boys with me so we had staterooms full of testosterone:) Did you have Reeda as your stateroom steward? She was wonderful! I am so mad at myself for not rebooking- did you rebook?

[Vanvmom]

Shelly & Dave (Bob & Melanie too)! You guys were the first cruisers we ran into on our vacation (enjoying what looked like some very yummy drinks at the bar at the Residence Inn). It was fun meeting you guys. Your photos look great! I knew you'd find DCL addictive! :cool1:

[Wojo]

Shelly & Dave (Bob & Melanie too)! You guys were the first cruisers we ran into on our vacation (enjoying what looked like some very yummy drinks at the bar at the Residence Inn). It was fun meeting you guys. Your photos look great! I knew you'd find DCL addictive! :cool1:

You were the first cruiser we met too! We have definitely found it addictive. :)

[Wojo]

Yes, that was my sister in law- she had her two small boys with her and I had my boys with me so we had staterooms full of testosterone:) Did you have Reeda as your stateroom steward? She was wonderful! I am so mad at myself for not rebooking- did you rebook?

Yep, we rebooked while onboard for the 12/1/07 western. :cool1: :)

We had originally planned on going to WDW next year, camping at Fort Wilderness CG, and then cruising again in '08. By Thursday I knew that I couldn't wait 2 years to cruise, so we cancelled WDW and rebooked DCL. :woohoo: :)

Check with Dreams Unlimited for a quote. They have some competetitive deals that could put you pretty close to the price you would have gotten if you had rebooked onboard. :thumbsup2 :)

[Wojo]

Here are some additional pics, taken while snorkeling at Castaway Cay, Costa Maya and Cozumel. These were all taken with the disposable underwater cameras. We got about 27 good pictures out of 81 taken. :confused3 :lmao:

Snorkeling Pics (http://new.photos.yahoo.com/dav_woj/album/576460762347405430)

The pics are arranged by location...Castaway Cay, Costa Maya, then Cozumel. The Cozumel pictures were taken during an excursion to Palancar and Columbia Reefs. Costa May pics were taken right off shore.

Things I learned while taking these pics. I learned that I REALLY enjoy taking underwater pics. :thumbsup2 I also learned that distance is your enemy. The light streaming through the water is pretty and all, but it plays havoc with taking underwater pics. Closer is better! Shelly has given me the green light for purchasing an underwater housing for our digital camera before next year's cruise. :cool1:

[miatamel]

We LOVED LOVED LOVED Adrian at Topsiders. After the second or third night in the dining rooms, we quit going there and just went to Topsiders so we could have Adrian (plus it isn't as chaotic). We made sure to tip since I didn't know how that worked since he wasn't on a regular rotation. I was told he was getting promoted to dining downstairs anytime. So if you are going back, you should request him. I also hoped you mentioned him on your comment card, as I did. Just a doll, he was!

[GrayFal]

Here are some additional pics, taken while snorkeling at Castaway Cay, Costa Maya and Cozumel. These were all taken with the disposable underwater cameras. We got about 27 good pictures out of 81 taken. :confused3 :lmao:

Snorkeling Pics (http://new.photos.yahoo.com/dav_woj/album/576460762347405430)

The pics are arranged by location...Castaway Cay, Costa Maya, then Cozumel. The Cozumel pictures were taken during an excursion to Palancar and Columbia Reefs. Costa May pics were taken right off shore.

Things I learned while taking these pics. I learned that I REALLY enjoy taking underwater pics. :thumbsup2 I also learned that distance is your enemy. The light streaming through the water is pretty and all, but it plays havoc with taking underwater pics. Closer is better! Shelly has given me the green light for purchasing an underwater housing for our digital camera before next year's cruise. :cool1:
It was so nice meeting you and Shelley on the cruise....
My college age DD is going on a (shudder :rolleyes1 ) Carnival Cruise that will stop in Cozumel...was there any charge to use Paridise Beach? and how much was the 2 hour snorkeling trip - your pictures are amazing!!!

DH and I took the Dune Buggy and Snorkel trip thru DCL for $85...the snorkeling was just okay - not nearly as good as Castaway cay - but the buggy ride and coastal scenery was fantastic.
I am looking for a more budget friendly place/trip for my DD and friends.
TIA :joker:

[Wojo]

It was so nice meeting you and Shelley on the cruise....
My college age DD is going on a (shudder :rolleyes1 ) Carnival Cruise that will stop in Cozumel...was there any charge to use Paridise Beach? and how much was the 2 hour snorkeling trip - your pictures are amazing!!!

DH and I took the Dune Buggy and Snorkel trip thru DCL for $85...the snorkeling was just okay - not nearly as good as Castaway cay - but the buggy ride and coastal scenery was fantastic.
I am looking for a more budget friendly place/trip for my DD and friends.
TIA :joker:

It was good to meet and talk with you and Sarah. :)

Paradise Beach is free to sit, relax and swim. If you want to use the floats, the water trampoline, or the water iceburg it is only $9.00 US. The taxi ride there cost $13.00 US. Very reasonable.

The snorkeling excursion cost $35.00 per person, and they do expect a tip as you're exiting afterwards. It is a two hour excursion to Palancar and Columbia Reefs on a catamaran (roughly 1 hour in the water and 1 hour in the boat), and includes margaritas and sodas. They send you into the water up-current of the reef and then you let you drift across it, so you see a good bit of the reef. They had a master diver in the water at all times.

Hope that helps. :)

[woody73]

Wonderful photos, Dave. Brought back lots of memories. Thanks for sharing.

Woody

[GrayFal]

It was good to meet and talk with you and Sarah. :)

Paradise Beach is free to sit, relax and swim. If you want to use the floats, the water trampoline, or the water iceburg it is only $9.00 US. The taxi ride there cost $13.00 US. Very reasonable.

The snorkeling excursion cost $35.00 per person, and they do expect a tip as you're exiting afterwards. It is a two hour excursion to Palancar and Columbia Reefs on a catamaran (roughly 1 hour in the water and 1 hour in the boat), and includes margaritas and sodas. They send you into the water up-current of the reef and then you let you drift across it, so you see a good bit of the reef. They had a master diver in the water at all times.

Hope that helps. :)
THANKS!
Exactly what I was looking for for the kids.....I know that DizneyCruiser Janice and her Dsis Linda rented Jetskis there, also.

And Woody, I just read your 'tags' - I always bring my own snorkel!!!
How did your DW's picture with Capt Jack on CC come out???
Would love to see it :thumbsup2

[woody73]

. . . And Woody, I just read your 'tags' - I always bring my own snorkel!!!

How did your DW's picture with Capt Jack on CC come out???

The tag fairy has some sense of humor!

The picture is great. Capt Jack liked that DW wore her pirate outfit on Castaway Cay just for the photo.

Woody

[shelwoj]

By the way, how many of you saw me make an idiot of myself with the juggler? :blush: My stomach hurt for 2 days from laughing! :rotfl

Then the next day Dave and I were in the pool games making idiots of ourselves again! :blush:

Lucky for me no one had a camera at either event! :thumbsup2

[shelwoj]

We LOVED LOVED LOVED Adrian at Topsiders. After the second or third night in the dining rooms, we quit going there and just went to Topsiders so we could have Adrian (plus it isn't as chaotic). We made sure to tip since I didn't know how that worked since he wasn't on a regular rotation. I was told he was getting promoted to dining downstairs anytime. So if you are going back, you should request him. I also hoped you mentioned him on your comment card, as I did. Just a doll, he was!

Our Adrian was from the United Kingdom.

[mom2of2]

DS15 and I did the wave runner at Paradise beach and it was $55.00 for 30 minutes. We had a great time!!!

[Vanvmom]

Our kids didn't want to rent waverunners if they would not be allowed to be the driver. They've driven them before when we camp with friends. LOVE it! Jumping the waves is my favorite part, yet you won't see me go near a motorcycle. Go figure :confused3

[GrayFal]

Jumping the waves is my favorite part, yet you won't see me go near a motorcycle. Go figure :confused3
Maybe because you think water is more forgiving then 'road'...although at 50 mph, hittingthe water isn't mch fun, either !!!

[Vanvmom]

I think it may be a bit more that there is a bigger surface area contacting the water with a waverunner than the surface area of wheel to asphalt on the motorcycle. I'm not very "well-balanced," so to speak. I'm less likely to fall off the waverunner than I am the motorcycle. :rotfl:

[TiggersPal]

Well I sure love the ECO Tour at Castaway Cay and especially at the end where I did a couple of illegal 360's!!!! One of the boys kept yelling at me, saying "your trouble" I think he's right!! I couldn't help myself!!! I love jet skiing!!!:rotfl2:

[woody73]

"You are so busted!"

Woody

[TiggersPal]

"You are so busted!"

Woody


Oppps me and my big mouth!!! That wasn't the only time I was called "trouble" but I'll save that for another :blush:time... :cloud9:

[woody73]

Oppps me and my big mouth!!! That wasn't the only time I was called "trouble" but I'll save that for another time...
LOL!!