Unplanned Double Dip to CC on 8/15-8/22!!

[kritter]

Going to attempt to do my first trip report!!

We started out on our "Magical Journey" on Aug. 14th...

It was DH(Bruce)-our Prince Charming
Me(Kristin)
Our twin Princesses Hanna and Hope who are seven!!

This would be our third Disney Cruise and the first time staying the night before at the port.

The last two cruises we stayed at WDW before the cruise. This time my DH (Bruce) thought it would be BEST to do WDW after the cruise since the last two times prior it took me and the kids two weeks to get back to "real-life." We were sooo depressed to leave the Magic.

We arrive at the airport after an early morning flight out of NY......We left the house at 4:15 in the morning. So when we arrived the kids were rather cranky and tired....The rental place did not have our car ready. So we had to wait in the airport for a bit. Once we got to the car we were like WHAT??:scared1::scared1: I had rented a FULL SIZE SUV...This car was a joke. So after some discussion my husband was able to get us a full size. Well what Avis called a full-size anyway....

Arriving at MCO:http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/P8140001.jpg
Two tired kids and goofy ones on the way to the port:http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/P8140003.jpg
We headed to the port, with a side stop at Publix, and the package store..

The kids were happy to get checked into the Radisson and get some swimming in!!
Swimming at the Radission:http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/P8140004.jpghttp://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/P8140006.jpg

Then off to get ready to meet our friends the Stolte's who we met on our first cruise for dinner at Grill's!!

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More to come I promise.... and The Magicial Upgrade we made!!:banana::banana:

[davidls]

Hey Kritter,

Nice start to your TR. Looking forward to reading it all. Davidls here, my wife, granddaughter and I will be shipping out with ya'll next Oct 16th.:cool1::thumbsup2 I wanted to read what you had to say about Cozumel. You mentioned on our Oct 16th thread that Cozumel was your least favorite. Wanted to read why. Keep up the good reporting!!!:thumbsup2

[Skyw]

:banana::banana::banana: Yeah more trip reports!!!

[kritter]

Sorry, it has been a while since I continued. School started so it has been a bit busy around here....................


Ok, so after dinner at Grill's we headed off to sleep at the Radission in a nice newly renovated room. This was our first time staying at the port. g at the port. We usually have stayed at SSR the night before our cruises.....

Before, heading off to dream land I checked the hurricane tracker once more time. UT-OH, not looking too good. Tropical-Depression number two is now named Anna and looks like number three will be named later today...

The kids are anxious and ready to go, dressed by 7:45 and ready to head to the port. Uh, a bit early girls.....So they play outside with Jacob, collecting coconuts...They were all so cute. Us adults were busy watching the weather anxious to see what happens when we get to the port!!

The girls and Jacob playing with the coconuts they collected waiting to go to the port::
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The girls when they see the Magic::
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The Magical Magic::
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[kritter]

Not sure if I mentioned that we are traveling with a few of our friends:

Heather and her family from Maryland (who we met on our first cruise in 2004 from the Dis)
Heather's family consists of her Husband Tim, and two children Jacob and Timmy.

Also traveling with us are our other friends from Orlando Janice, Scott and their two children Katie and Tyler.

We also have a Large group of Disers that we have met thanks to our cruise met thread who we are excited to spend time with !!

We get dropped off at the port and the guys leave us to go and return the rental cars to Avis.........There is a lot of people there coming off the ship and people getting dropped off etc......You can feel the excitment in the air..............................:banana::banana:D id I mention that we are sooooooooooooooooooo excited?? Heather and I are about to scream we can't wait to get inside of the terminal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The kids are sooo excited too................

We wait a bit for the men to return and then we are headed inside. Once at the counter we discover the itinerary change....YEAH, A DOUBLE DIP AT CC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:banan a::banana: This is our most favorite island in the ENTIRE WORLD!!!!!!!! I WOULD LOVE A CRUISE JUST TO CC!!

The itinerary goes like this::

Sat. -Departing. P.Canaveral
Sun-CC
Mon.-Sea Day
Tues.-Grand Cayman
Wed.-Cozumel
Thurs.-Sea Day
Fri-CC-Weather Permiting if not Key West.(We are pulling for another stop at CC)
Sat-Get off the ship....(UGH!!)

Heather, and I inquire about any upgrades my family and I are currently in a cat. 4 and if we can upgrade Heather and her family are going to try to get our cat. 4....GREAT news, I am able to get an upgrade to a CAT 3...........The other GREAT news is that Heather is able to also get upgraded to a CAT 3............YEAH, we can't wait to get onboard........

I was soo excited I forgot to take pictures of the concierges waiting area....LOL!!

Here is one of the kids looking out at the fish in the water....
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We are sooooooooooo excited we are going on a Double-Dip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:banana::cool1:

[kritter]

Here comes Goofy::

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Here comes Mickey Mouse::

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Once we get announced Heather and I head off to the Concierges Welcome Reception..

Look who the kids see::

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[OurOhana]

I'm enjoying your trip report, and looking forward to reading more.

If you don't mind my asking, how much did it cost to go from a category 4 to a 3? We're in a 4 for back-to-backs on the Wonder in 10 days. We're assuming the jump is out of our price rang, but not sure. Thanks.

[Kay1]

Awww. . . those pictures are adorable. I love the one of Mickey and all the kids.

:)

[cakesnjammom]

I love your report!!!!!!!!!!!! Your girls are gorgeous....cannot wait for more....a double dipper!

[kritter]

Our first night on the MAGIC was WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our dining rotation was PLA--Thanks, to our Wonderful TA for securing us with this rotation.....

Ok, our room. When we entered we were soooooo HAPPY with the upgrade we took::


Below are some pictures of our Cat. 3...............It was PERFECT!!

This is the first bathroom as you walked into the room::
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The dining room table::
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The sink area::
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The living room::
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Masterbedroom::

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Desk/Hallway into the master bathroom::
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Master closet complet with robes and slippers::

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Master bathroom jacuzzi tub::
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Masterbath sink::
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Masterbath shower::

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Balcony::

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Entertainment center::

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The Beautiful Flowers that were awaiting us::

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[HeatherD]

Entertainment center::

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Great update! I'm hoping for an upgrade to Cat 3 on our upcoming cruise (if it's not too costly at the port), so it's nice seeing pictures. However, I have to know...."It's important the the doors to your stateroom remain" WHAT? :confused3 (I'm assuming closed, for privacy and that darn air conditioner regulation with the verandah door, but still....)

[uncw89]

Hi, Kristin,
I just found your report. I love the pics of the room! It looks awesome! I hope to stay in a Cat.3 one day!

[jenanderson]

Hey Kristin!

I did not know you were writing a report...I am so excited to read it all! :cool1:

I LOVED your room :lovestruc. I was so happy when I found out that you were able to upgrade!

We had such a great time on the cruise with your family and so many more of the DIS members from our group. I am hoping that when the 2011 information comes out that many of us will book on the same cruise again!!!

Keep up the writing - I can't wait to hear more about your impressions of the trip!

Jen

[kritter]

Great update! I'm hoping for an upgrade to Cat 3 on our upcoming cruise (if it's not too costly at the port), so it's nice seeing pictures. However, I have to know...."It's important the the doors to your stateroom remain" WHAT? :confused3 (I'm assuming closed, for privacy and that darn air conditioner regulation with the verandah door, but still....)

LOL,, I think it was that they had to be closed...............

[kritter]

hi, kristin,
i just found your report. I love the pics of the room! It looks awesome! I hope to stay in a cat.3 one day!

hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kritter]

Hi Jen!!!!!!!!!!!!! MISS YA!!!!!!!

[kritter]

Hopie at the Life-Boat drill::

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Next up the Sail-Away Party::

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Brent the BEST CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Sail-Away::
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And were off::

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Hanna chill'in on Deck Four::We decided once the characters went in that we would head down to Deck-Four how peacfull it was::
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Up Next CC~~Our First Stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:banana::banana:
Tonight, we ate at PC!!

[annichan]

Hey Kristin, I've finally found your trip report and am looking forward to reading all about it! All the more so since I have my own cruise ahead of me in, well, only one year, one month, and one week --- same as you ;)

[Melcatfish]

Hey Kristin, just found your trip report - love that photo of Hopie with her life jacket on - so cute. I was really sorry not to be able to meet up with you guys on the cruise but I am glad you all had a great time :)

Mel
x

[pinkygirl]

hey Kristin!!! love your report so far, can't wait to see more pics:goodvibes

[PoohJen]

Hi Kristen - great pics! I'm so glad you got one of the Hand Wavers - I love the Hand Wavers!:goodvibes:laughing::yay:

[kritter]

What a gorgeous day we had here at CC!!!!!!!!!

Last night we had dinner at PC....I have to say our servers were nothing to "write home" about this time. One of our table mates has a server allergy to nuts. Last night, they served a desert with nuts in it.............UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!:scared1::scared1: Luckily, her husband knew it had nuts in it......

Lovely day at CC!

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Ooooh, what a WONDERFUL day.........It was soooooooooo hot and nice..........

Tonight, we are eating in Luminere's!!

Here is a photo of the Anniversary cake all three couples got tonight::

Our friends and us from Orlando are celebrating 15 Years and Heather and Tim 10 years::
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Up Next a Relaxing Day @ Sea!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup2:thumbsup2

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[disfaninca]

Loving you trip report so far Kristin!!!!!
Hope and Hanna look so cute!!!

[pperfectmom]

Awesome TR Kristin!:thumbsup2 I am so bummed we had to cancel our cruise with you for next year. I'm still hoping we can rebook, but it looks like we might have to do a 4 night instead.:sad2: Thanks again for hooking me up with your TA. I'm hoping I still get a chance to use her services.

[gduvall]

Great trip report so far, keep it coming!

[kritter]

This morning we finally got to sleep in....Did I mention how much I love the bed, robes, and slippers that we get in our room............It is a little slice of heaven. I love the bed and the rocking of the ship puts me right to sleep every night.


This was the morning that we got to go by Cuba and Havanna. This was the first time in ten years that the crew got to see this view of Cuba...Brent, told us last night that since we were leaving CC and coming to Grand Cayman that this was a different route than what they normaly take to GC. Since the Western usually is leaving from Key West not GC. We were only about 4 miles from the Cuban Coast. We had a great view of Havanna. I missed a bit of it since I had to go to my massage:
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We had breakfast delivered to our room from Luminere's this morning. The kids were sooooo exhausted they slept right through room-service bringing the food in. So we took some time to sit out on the verandah and enjoyed some peace and quite...........Did I mention I LOVE THIS ROOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This morning I had my stone massage with Janice and Heather. We were not orginally scheduled for this but with the itinerary change we had concierges change it on the first day and boy this was the best.............90 minute STONE MASSAGE!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh I loved it.......

Then it was onto the pool to catch up with the kids and DH at the pool. They were doing exercises with Goofy~~too cute.....

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Seeing Stitch @ the Pool!!::

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Tonight, was also Formal Night, and we had to get ready early because our WONDERFUL TA had arranged a private cocktail reception just for all of us who booked with her. The kids all got ready early and went to see the Hannah Montana Movie so we had time to finish getting ready alone. Thanks, to Jessie for taking all of the kids. Jessie and Bri, were two girls from our state that we met here on the Dis before we left and they were AWESOME in helping us out with the kids...Thanks, girls we miss ya!! It was soooo nice and we all got such nice pictures. So nice to see everyone dressed up....Thanks, to Nicole for being able to rearrange it to formal night and to a sea-day!!

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Also, tonight the kids met up with our dear friend Erica who is a CM aboard the Magic.................We met her on our last cruise and have stayed in touch with her. We love ya Erica!!

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Tonight, was the Golden Mickeys, the kids all got interviewed it was soo cute...................
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Another, great day aboard the MAGIC...........

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[kritter]

After another Wonderful nights sleep we awake to the Beautiful Grand Cayman!!

Last night Brent explained the whole tendering process and how to get a tendering ticket. It was nice that we did not have to go down to the Walt Disney Theatre for a ticket we just called concierges when we were ready to leave our room and they escorted us off of the ship to the tendering boat.....

We went to the Beach called Seven Mile Beach..........Ohhh, it was perfect. Before we headed there we went into a few stores. It was a bit cloudy at first but we went into Del Sole, and Diamonds International. Then we grabbed a taxi and headed over to Seven Mile Beach.....Great, price to get there in the taxi and ten dollars got you two lounge chairs for the Beach...........................

The tendering over was nice too....

The sun came out and it was amazing that we could see the Magic from the beach and the one and only rain cloud rained over the ship it was neat.............No where else did it rain that day.....
Here are a bunch of photos and video from the beach that day::
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Coming back on the Tender::

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Oooh did I mention it was HOTTTTTTTTTTTTT today.......With the humidty it was over 100!! But we love it hot so it was a GREAT DAY!!

Words can not descibe how great these last few days have been. We have been onboard two other times and this cruise is just as MAGICAL as the last two but it really has been great. Up NEXT THE WORST DAY IN COZUMEL!!!!!!! We are lucky to be ALIVE no joking!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cakesnjammom]

still here enjoying your TR so much! Where did you find the girls' Disney cover up/sun dresses...too cute! gorgeous pics too! thanks...keep it coming popcorn::

[beansf]

Up NEXT THE WORST DAY IN COZUMEL!!!!!!! We are lucky to be ALIVE no joking!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh no! Talk about a cliff hanger! :scared1:

[elgerber]

Hey Kristin! Did you take some of these pics with Bruces new waterproof camera? Does he like it?

[kritter]

still here enjoying your TR so much! Where did you find the girls' Disney cover up/sun dresses...too cute! gorgeous pics too! thanks...keep it coming popcorn::

Thank you. I got them at disneyshopping.com

[kritter]

Hey Kristin! Did you take some of these pics with Bruces new waterproof camera? Does he like it?

Yes, he loves it there is a story coming up about that.....The replacement camera came today.....!!!!!!!!!!!

[kritter]

We arrive in Cozumel this morning. I must say today was another BEAUTIFUL day...............Thank you to our WONDERFUL CAPTAIN.........We have had Captain Thourd twice on a cruise that has been affected by a hurricane I have to say he is the BEST.........Totally, can take you around the bad weather and knows just where to go to make you have sunshine.......................

It was another HOT HOT HOT HOT day........We knew we wanted to go to a beach. My husband did some research before we left on different ports of call just in case there was a storm and we got diverted. He had discovered that Play De Mia looked nice. We asked the concierge team and this was the beach they also HIGHLY recommended to go to. DCL~ does offer an excursion to this beach too..

So we get off a the ship a bit later than we had planned. But it felt GREAT to get to sleep in a bit.

It is a bit of a walk from the pier/boat to the main shopping area. The shopping area was sooooooooo nice....We went to Diamond International to collect a charm for the girls charm bracelets. If you have girls this is a cute thing to do they offer a free 14 Karat gold bracelet and then you can get free charms at each of the different ports of call. They provide you with a little card that tells you what islands have a Diamonds International on them and that will give out the free charm. Grand Cayman was not listed on the little card but they still were giving out the free charms........Very Cute bracelet............

After that we go to get a taxi........Oh the fun begins...........Now it is HOT, the kids are ready to swim and eat somewhere too....But we have been told to be VERY careful about eating and drinking in Cozumel. So we have bottled water, etc. with us. We tell the first taxi driver that we So we decide that we have water/drinks for the kids and they can swim a bit then we will head back. We want to go to Play De Mia beach. He says, "What?? Who tell you to go there?" We explain the ship and that is where we want to go......After, a bit of going back and forth and him telling us it was going to cost about sixty american dollars per person to get onto this beach. We are like we do not care what it costs we are going to where we were told to go.... He is like no no I take you to nice free beach no we say we want to go to where we were told to go to. FYI~~Two days prior to this our friend emailed his friend who works in Mexico at a TimeShare he offered for us to go to his beach @ the TimeShare. We asked Brent what he knew about this beach. He told us he would look into it and let us know. He later phoned our friends room and told us he would advise against us visiting that beach that we should go to Play De Mia. Thank you Brent for looking into it. When we drove by it we now know why you told us not to go there.

We get into the taxi cab and think we are headed to Play De Mia, then the driver tells us I taking you to a free beach you will like much better......Uhhh, No we want to go to Play De Mia. No no I insist.....Ok, what are we to do he is the driver? Right? He takes us down a dirt road. About 25 minutes away from the pier. :scared1::scared1: Did I mention no AC in the car windows opened the kids are sweating/ and asking for water. I try to reach in the back of the car to reach our small cooler with water in it. It is tucked way far away from me I can not reach it. I tell the kids wait till we get there it can't be too much farther. We are all at this point getting a bit alarmed about where he is taking us.....

As we finally get to Mr. Sanchos Beach. We pull up and there are horses there, etc.....It was a bit strange looking but we could see the beach and it looked nice. So as we get out a few rather bigger muscle type mexicans approach my husband and our friend Scott. They ask for our bags.....WHAT!!:scared1::scared1:Our bags? They want our cooler with our water in it. No water on the beach they tell them. You purchase water only here.....Not since I looked at the bottle and it says made in Mexico....My husband tries to explain the kids are hot etc....No they take the coolers. They orginally wanted our bags too but he was like no way we are not giving you our bags. The cooler was a done deal they took it and said when we were ready to leave they would return it to us. We all think well lets get back into the taxi and leave. Nope, that is not going to happen the taxi are amazingly all gone. We are told we have to stay and purchase something here before we can go. They escort us to a table with an umbrella.

At this point the kids are all melting down all four of them....Crying, they are hot....We are approached by a waiter...Who tells us he can bring them a cup of juice...Uh, no sorry we are not drinking anything that does not come in a bottle....Oh then we find out all they have that comes in a bottle is beer......Oh that does us a ton of good with four kids under 11 years of age......Great beer. Our friend orders a beer....The kids are crying and I have to say Janice and I are a bit freaked out at this point. There are about maybe 12 other people in chairs on the beach. But young people we are the only family there. Until, another family that we reconize from the ship shows up as well. They approach us and tell us this is not where they wanted to go but ended up here due to their taxi driver as well. They have kids too who are upset and thirsty too....

My WONDERFUL husband is able convince the manager of the beach to allow us to get a drink box out of the cooler. They tell us the kids can share one drink pouch.....Come on.....The kids drink it down in two minutes........I now remember that my sunscreen is in the front of the back-pack cooler too.....After much convincing they let us get our sunscreen.

My one daughter decides she wants to go into the water with my husband. Oh if things can not get any worse. He says sure I will take her snorkeling........He get all of his and her snorkel gear out which they did not confiscate from us... Amazingly, enough!! Then takes our brand new underwater camera....into the water and does not check to make sure the charger compartment is closed.....He dives in and BYE, BYE Camera. It will not work any longer since the compartment is open....OH, great.

My other daughter is siting at the table with Katie crying they are hungry........Ok, what to feed them at this bar/beach. More people from Carnival ships start arriving here saying the same thing as us this is not where we wanted to go but the majority of them are young and seem ok to be drinking/doing shots, etc......Great atmosphere for kids.........??

So the camera is now broken, well on the bright side we still have the video camera which can take pictures too......I dig into my beach bag and found some packaged peanut butter crackers that I had unopenened from the airplane ride down. The kids share them and this seems to keep them content for a bit....We ask can we have one of our bottles of water out of our cooler......Sure, finally they say we can. Janice and I walk to where the man is "guarding" all of the stuff they have taken as people are getting out of taxi's......We go into the cooler as a few people who work there are saying some pretty nasty comments to us.......And making obscene gestures at us too...Come to find out as we get a bottle of water out they all have their seals broken they apparently, have opened up all of our water. Thank you your soo kind......So we now are unsure if we should drink any of the water that we brough and why did they feel the need to open our water up??VERY ODD to say the least. We take a few drink pouches and we know they are not happy with us as the manager sees the children drinking them.

We tell him that we are ready to head back to the ship now. He proceeds to tell us and the other family from the ship that we reconized that if we want to go back we will need to go into the few little open-air shops next to the beach and purchase something..............What, I say......Bruce, says to me do not argue if you want to go back to the ship go in and buy the kids something. So after four Mexican dresses, two Mexican dolls, two ankel bracelets we are now able to get a taxi back to the ship...................The kids at this point are wipped out.....keep in mind our friend also bought six beers while we were there and they charged him $120.00 American dollars.............:scared1::scared1:

We finally are able to head back to the ship........

When we get on the kids all eat and have drinks, swim and are much happier. We tell Nicole what happened to us and she is horrified and like do you have your passports, etc....Yes, we do............

Later, that evening we are coming out of the show and Brent stops my husband and says, "Dude, you did not take your family to that beach did ya?" Bruce replies, "Yes," Brent was like I am glad that your all ok. He had heard and was like that is not a beach we recommend families go to....................

We all have since laughed about what happened to us. But we are VERY lucky that nothing bad happened to us. I have to say I do not care if I ever visit Cozumel again. These taxi drivers should feel shamefull that they do this to tourists on vacation..........I understand that tourism is down in Mexico due to the swine-flu, economy etc......But this was just plain wrong........................

Here are a few pictures from today::

[B]http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02566-1.jpg

This is the long pier you have to walk down in Cozumel::http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02567.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02564-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02565.jpg

The kids in their dresses::http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02570.jpg
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02572.jpg

The beautiful robes that the kids got to wear during our stay::
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02573.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02568-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02576-1.jpg
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02575.jpg

Today, was an intersting day to say the least. Up tomorrow Sea Day...........And only two more days aboard the Magic!!!!!!!!!!!

Oooh, sorry I forgot to post some pictures of pirate night which was the day we went to Grand Cayman!!

[kritter]

Sorry, that I forgot to mention this earlier in the TR..............


The night we got back onto the ship from Grand Cayman was pirate night..............We also had a concierge's reception that we were invited too...There was a special guest there as well...


Check out the photos below:

It was such a fun reception/night!!::
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02559-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02560-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02563-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02562-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02561-1.jpg

[jenanderson]

Kristin -

I am still loving your report! :goodvibes You guys had such a horrible experience in Cozumel - I am just thankful that you all came out of it safe and sound.

I am sad that everyone is getting to the end of their trip reports....what will I do when it feels like it is totally over?

Did the girls get to keep those beautiful robes? Did you guys get to keep any of the wonderful little things?

Say hello to the family!!!!
Jen

[cakesnjammom]

whew...thanks for the heads up about Cozumel...creepy!

[kritter]

Kristin -

I am still loving your report! :goodvibes You guys had such a horrible experience in Cozumel - I am just thankful that you all came out of it safe and sound.

I am sad that everyone is getting to the end of their trip reports....what will I do when it feels like it is totally over?

Did the girls get to keep those beautiful robes? Did you guys get to keep any of the wonderful little things?

Say hello to the family!!!!
Jen

Jen,

I tooo am sooo sad I miss it sooooooooooooo much......

The kids robes no we did not get to keep....The adults robes you could have purchased them....I did not purchase one. But if it had been anything like the kids ones I would have bought it. I did keep the slippers which I would presume you were supposed too...That would be gross to reuse slippers....:scared1::scared1:

On the last evening we did get a BEAUTIFUL Ducky Williams print with Cinderella looking out of a port hole with the three mice.........Sooo,, nice!!!!!!!!!!

So when are you coming to CT for a visit??

[kritter]

whew...thanks for the heads up about Cozumel...creepy!

It is sooooo creepy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jenanderson]

Jen,

I tooo am sooo sad I miss it sooooooooooooo much......

On the last evening we did get a BEAUTIFUL Ducky Williams print with Cinderella looking out of a port hole with the three mice.........Sooo,, nice!!!!!!!!!!

So when are you coming to CT for a visit??

I am still having such a hard time adjusting to real life and daily find myself wishing that I was still there!

I am so glad you got the print - it sounds beautiful.

I would love to come to CT for a visit!!!! I seriously would love to do a trip to the coast next summer....we will have to see how the money goes this year. It would be great to see you and your family again!!!!

[pinkygirl]

the girls dresses were so cute!!! love all the pictures:goodvibes

[Pinkgurlshubby]

It's pretty sad about Cozumel but better to know and be informed. Their loss when people stop going on excursions. We'll be staying close to the ship.
Well then again, since we've been to St.Maarten we will probably never rent a car there again. The only places we need to go to are within walking distance from the ship.

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Ciao Kristin !!! :goodvibes
Just found your trippie !!!! THANK YOU !!!!
I LOVED :banana: to remember each day of our cruise through your pics and memories ... :confused3 until I read about your adventures in Cozumel !!!
That is TOO BAD !!!:scared1: I'm really sorry you had to go through that really :scared1: awfull adventure !!!!! Really scarey !! I'm glad you all are fine !!

I have to say though that Marco and I had a nice stroll around Cozumel "town" , no one tried to force us to buy or do something we didn't want to !! We did have to say a few "NO, thanks !" ... but that was it !!
I suppose you unfortunately got a bad/wrong taxi guy - I feel I have to say we visited Cozumel other times ( during other cruises) and had a great time ...

( Maybe you would have wanted to decide NOT to board that taxi !!! and look for another one !?!!)

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience - as Mexico is a nice place and e.g. our tour ( by Disney) we took in the afternoon was very interesting , no one was pushing us in any way ... I bought a silver bracelet -I wanted to buy it - no pressure at all !! :confused3

Anyway all of your photos are GREAT !!!! and all in all it looks like you all had a wonderful time on the cruise !!! :yay: I'm so happy to see all of you, kids and friends, had anyway a blast !!! :hug:

Keep the photos coming ......... PLEASE !!!
:wave: laura

[Melcatfish]

Loving the photos but sorry to hear of the terrible time you had in Cozumel, thank goodness you were all safe at the end of the day.

Mel
x

PS The girls robes look gorgeous.

[JFHeeren]

Loving the trip report!

We were on the same cruise and had some "fun" in Cozmel, nothing like you experienced. The vendors were really desperate for any sale, which worked to our advantage. There were times though where I thought they were too aggressive, and even walked out of one shop because of "switching" tatics. We (my wife an I) honeymooned in Mexico 15 years ealier and had been to Cozmel for a few hours back then. Was a much different experience this time thru.

2 families did not make it back to the ship that day, and I believe were left behind. I wonder if they ran into the same type of situation you did and just did not make it back in time because of it. It was real scary reading what happened to you and your family, making you spend money before returning you to the ship is horrible.

[Mulan2]

Kritter
How awful what happened to you in Cozumel. Sounds like a kidnapping to me!
We went on the Tuum excursion and that was fine since it was thru Disney.
Glad we had great weather thanks to Capt. Thord since we were obsessing over the storms right before we sailed!
I can't believe those 2 families got left behind. Does anyone know if they caught up?
Love your TR. Keep it coming.

[polyforme]

Hi Kristen,
What a great trip report and so sorry to hear about your experience in Cozumel!! Very scary!!!! Love all your pictures. We are going on a cruise Nov. 2010 and we have booked the Walt suite so I have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind.

We are taking my parents on this trip and suprising them with the suite (they think we booked them a cat. 12 room-this is their first cruise). We are hoping to actually make it to the room before they find out but will they know because of the reception? What is the welcome reception like and do you not go to lunch but to this reception?
Also is it costly to upgrade from cat.4 to 3. Is it any cheaper doing it at port?

Thanks again for the trip report. It is what keeps me going since we have a long wait until our cruise!!
Kathy

[staffieri]

Heather, and I inquire about any upgrades my family and I are currently in a cat. 4 and if we can upgrade Heather and her family are going to try to get our cat. 4....GREAT news, I am able to get an upgrade to a CAT 3...........The other GREAT news is that Heather is able to also get upgraded to a CAT 3............YEAH, we can't wait to get onboard........

I was soo excited I forgot to take pictures of the concierges waiting area....LOL!!

Here is one of the kids looking out at the fish in the water....
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/P8150045.jpg

We are sooooooooooo excited we are going on a Double-Dip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:banana::cool1:[/QUOTE]


We sail Sept 19th we are in a cat 4/ How mauch was your upgrade? What time did you arrive at the dock.

[BigRed1]

Something to be said for booking your shore excursions through the ship. Either way, you should report it to Disney and to the Mexico or Cozumel Department of Tourism. Sending you a PM.

[mommykeg]

Hey...I have a question about your dining rotation. Was it PLAPLAP, or was it PLAAPLA (with the 3rd and 4th night in the same restaurant)? I had heard that they went to the latter on the Western cruises, and wanted to find out from a recent cruiser.

[kritter]

Loving the photos but sorry to hear of the terrible time you had in Cozumel, thank goodness you were all safe at the end of the day.

Mel
x

PS The girls robes look gorgeous.

Thanks, Mel!!

[kritter]

Loving the trip report!

We were on the same cruise and had some "fun" in Cozmel, nothing like you experienced. The vendors were really desperate for any sale, which worked to our advantage. There were times though where I thought they were too aggressive, and even walked out of one shop because of "switching" tatics. We (my wife an I) honeymooned in Mexico 15 years ealier and had been to Cozmel for a few hours back then. Was a much different experience this time thru.

2 families did not make it back to the ship that day, and I believe were left behind. I wonder if they ran into the same type of situation you did and just did not make it back in time because of it. It was real scary reading what happened to you and your family, making you spend money before returning you to the ship is horrible.

What,,,,, they did not make it back?? HOw did you find out?? What happened??!!

[kritter]

Kritter
How awful what happened to you in Cozumel. Sounds like a kidnapping to me!
We went on the Tuum excursion and that was fine since it was thru Disney.
Glad we had great weather thanks to Capt. Thord since we were obsessing over the storms right before we sailed!
I can't believe those 2 families got left behind. Does anyone know if they caught up?
Love your TR. Keep it coming.



That was me too obessing over the weather the night before in the hotel room. Glad, we had good weather............................


Did you ever hear what happened to these two families??

[kritter]

Hi Kristen,
What a great trip report and so sorry to hear about your experience in Cozumel!! Very scary!!!! Love all your pictures. We are going on a cruise Nov. 2010 and we have booked the Walt suite so I have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind.

We are taking my parents on this trip and suprising them with the suite (they think we booked them a cat. 12 room-this is their first cruise). We are hoping to actually make it to the room before they find out but will they know because of the reception? What is the welcome reception like and do you not go to lunch but to this reception?
Also is it costly to upgrade from cat.4 to 3. Is it any cheaper doing it at port?

Thanks again for the trip report. It is what keeps me going since we have a long wait until our cruise!!
Kathy


Hi Kathy,

The reception is more of a planning reception. Concierge, sits with you and helps you plan/book excursions very helpfull if there is an itinerary change or anything. They will register the kids for the clubs, and help you with Palo's and spa treatments.......There are little finger foods and free drinks.......I went then DH went in himself later on in the afternoon. I recommend one of you going in first thing before it gets really crowded. We did not take our kids they wanted to swim and honestly they would not have cared for the food very much......

The cost for going from a four to a three was $1,000.00!!

[kritter]

Heather, and I inquire about any upgrades my family and I are currently in a cat. 4 and if we can upgrade Heather and her family are going to try to get our cat. 4....GREAT news, I am able to get an upgrade to a CAT 3...........The other GREAT news is that Heather is able to also get upgraded to a CAT 3............YEAH, we can't wait to get onboard........

I was soo excited I forgot to take pictures of the concierges waiting area....LOL!!

Here is one of the kids looking out at the fish in the water....
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/P8150045.jpg

We are sooooooooooo excited we are going on a Double-Dip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:banana::cool1:


We sail Sept 19th we are in a cat 4/ How mauch was your upgrade? What time did you arrive at the dock.[/QUOTE]



It was $1,000.00 for the upgrade and we got there around ten o'clock or so!!:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[kritter]

Something to be said for booking your shore excursions through the ship. Either way, you should report it to Disney and to the Mexico or Cozumel Department of Tourism. Sending you a PM.

Thanks, Allen............. I will respond to you. We did let Disney know about it!!:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[kritter]

I soo don't want to finish this trip report then it means that have to really "return to the real-life."


Today, was our last sea day which was semi-formal night.......Our rotation was PLA!!


Here are the girls with their friend "Bri..." at the pool...............

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02578-1.jpg


Here are some pictures from semi-formal night........

Pictures with our dear friend Erika..........!!!!!!!!!!!
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02579-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02580-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02583-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02584-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02585-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02586.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02587.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02588.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02588.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02589.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02590.jpg

It was soo nice............Up next our last day at CC and the last day on the ship............Can you tell I am soooooooooooooo sad..........................................

[kritter]

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02647.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02648.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02650.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02651.jpg

[kritter]

This morning we got off the ship early to get to CC!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another gorgous day at CC........Thank you to the BEST captain in the entire world.............The weather was Perfect!!!!!!!!!!


The kids swam and we had another Fab. lunch @ Cookies Barbeque.........With more of the WONDERFUL ice-cream!!
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02552.jpg

Here are a few from CC::

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02605.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02551-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02618.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02619.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02611.jpg


Our last night on the ship::
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02656.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02657.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02658.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02591.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02592.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02593.jpg

[kritter]

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/kritter1234/DSC02659.jpg

[kritter]

We had a Great cruise we had. After the cruise we headed to WDW with two families from this cruise and another family from our last cruise so it is sad that we are leaving the cruise but looking forward to going to WDW......................We decided to do WDW this time after the cruise to "lessen the blow" of the cruise being over...........The last two cruises we have had such a hard time adjusting to "real-life" after the cruise.......................

I have to admit it was still just as hard to come home after the cruise......................I really miss it................................................ ...............and think about it almost every day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I will not bore you with any pictures of WDW but THANKS for reading my TR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:yay::yay:

[mommykeg]

Did you repeat your dining in Animator's Palate the third and fourth nights (PLAAPLA) or was it the traditional rotation (PLAPLAP)?

[kritter]

did you repeat your dining in animator's palate the third and fourth nights (plaapla) or was it the traditional rotation (plaplap)?

plapla!!!!!!!!!!!

[jbm02]

What,,,,, they did not make it back?? HOw did you find out?? What happened??!!

Kristin,
What great pictures on your trip report!! Loved the TR - sigh - is it really over?? The girls look adorable - as usual! LOL. But it was a little scary reading your report about Cozumel. We split up that day - DS went with my SIL & family to Talum, DH spent the day "floating" in the adult pool, and DD and DN were in the clubs in the morning while I stopped off ship to shop a bit. While the shop owners were a little "welcoming", they were not overly assertive. (although I have to admit, the ones that kept inviting me for a "sample of tequila" before 11AM took me aback a bit!..Hmmm...maybe if I wasn't alone I might have tried one! :rotfl2:)

As for the 2 families - I spoke with one of the ships officers the next day. Yes, 7 members of two families were left in Cozumel when they failed to show at the scheduled time. :scared1: In fact, the ship waited 45 minutes for them - but they did not show (the officer explained that DCL is fined for every minute they are late leaving port). It turns out thet they thought the ship was leaving later than the actual time. (I wonder if any of that had to do with our changing of the time - I spoke with Carnival passengers I met on Cozumel and they DIDN'T change their watches so when we compared times, we were off...) Anyway, the officer explained that the ship had been in contact with them and that they were okay. DCL faxed copies of their passports to Mexico (OMG - can you imagine being stranded in a foreign country without passports or sufficient cash/credit cards??). They had accommodations in Cozumel and were planning on flying to Port Canaveral on Saturday AM to meet the ship and get their luggage, etc. I hope that everything worked out okay for them. It is certainly a story I will never forget.

[jenanderson]

Kristin - How could you finish it???? I feel so totally sad now that it is done.:sad1: I kept thinking that as long as there were trip reports out there, I could still relive the trip.

Actually, I loved reading your report and seeing all your photos! Your girls are so beautiful and it was great to share the trip from your point of view.

I am dealing with the trip being over by doing many photo projects with all our beautiful photos. I keep thinking that I need to post some of them but haven't had a chance to really get around to it with school starting and the new job. I want to take down parts of our website and post my own trip report of sorts and put the photos up. We will see - maybe by the end of the month.

We have to be sure to keep in touch...we are planning with cruising with all our friends again if we can figure out how to coordinate it with everyone! :hug:

Miss you guys!
Jen

[kritter]

Kristin - How could you finish it???? I feel so totally sad now that it is done.:sad1: I kept thinking that as long as there were trip reports out there, I could still relive the trip.

Actually, I loved reading your report and seeing all your photos! Your girls are so beautiful and it was great to share the trip from your point of view.

I am dealing with the trip being over by doing many photo projects with all our beautiful photos. I keep thinking that I need to post some of them but haven't had a chance to really get around to it with school starting and the new job. I want to take down parts of our website and post my own trip report of sorts and put the photos up. We will see - maybe by the end of the month.

We have to be sure to keep in touch...we are planning with cruising with all our friends again if we can figure out how to coordinate it with everyone! :hug:

Miss you guys!
Jen

Jen,

I know I soooooooooooooo don't want it to be over........... I hate it. I was thinking about continuing it with a few things I forgot like how WONDERFUL our FE was, etc...............................

We will for sure to keep in touch. I still want you to come to CT for a visit.....:) :)

I would love to cruise again with you guys............Let us know when we are still unsure what we are going to do...........

[kritter]

Kristin,
What great pictures on your trip report!! Loved the TR - sigh - is it really over?? The girls look adorable - as usual! LOL. But it was a little scary reading your report about Cozumel. We split up that day - DS went with my SIL & family to Talum, DH spent the day "floating" in the adult pool, and DD and DN were in the clubs in the morning while I stopped off ship to shop a bit. While the shop owners were a little "welcoming", they were not overly assertive. (although I have to admit, the ones that kept inviting me for a "sample of tequila" before 11AM took me aback a bit!..Hmmm...maybe if I wasn't alone I might have tried one! :rotfl2:)

As for the 2 families - I spoke with one of the ships officers the next day. Yes, 7 members of two families were left in Cozumel when they failed to show at the scheduled time. :scared1: In fact, the ship waited 45 minutes for them - but they did not show (the officer explained that DCL is fined for every minute they are late leaving port). It turns out thet they thought the ship was leaving later than the actual time. (I wonder if any of that had to do with our changing of the time - I spoke with Carnival passengers I met on Cozumel and they DIDN'T change their watches so when we compared times, we were off...) Anyway, the officer explained that the ship had been in contact with them and that they were okay. DCL faxed copies of their passports to Mexico (OMG - can you imagine being stranded in a foreign country without passports or sufficient cash/credit cards??). They had accommodations in Cozumel and were planning on flying to Port Canaveral on Saturday AM to meet the ship and get their luggage, etc. I hope that everything worked out okay for them. It is certainly a story I will never forget.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it............I do not want it to be over.............LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :)

That is terrible what happened to that family!!!!!!!!!!! How awfull!!!!!!!!! I wonder who has to pack up their luggae??

[SoonerCruzr]

What a great thread!!

My husband and I :hug: sail this weekend on our first DCL adventure and I feel like we're already there!!

But since I'm not yet, I have a question for you about Grand Cayman.:flower3:
We have been there a couple times on previous cruises, and done Stringray City and shopping. We haven't made it to Seven Mile Beach yet and would like to explore it on our own.

From you pictures, it looks like you found a nice area.:yay: Did you request to be taken to a certain part of the beach? Would you recommend this area or would you go to one of the hotel beaches?:surfweb: Easy to get a cab back to the tender pier?

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

LOVING your trippie !!
Oh , maybe you can post some other photos from the ship or WDW :worship: PLEEEEASE !!!

As others said ... :lovestruc until we can read of our cruise , it isn't really off !!!

LOVED all of your pics - your girls have such a charming smile !!! and the 'TILL WE MEET AGAIN sign made me feel so emotional !!!!

Hope your return to "real life" can be soft and sweet ; I'm telling about my trip to my pupils ... so that we can have abreak during school time ... :cloud9: They tell me about their Summer adventures , that's a good way to remember and be happy !!!

I too would like to cruise again with you all ; as for 2010 we have already started to plan a trip to Hawaii islands ............... let's see what itineraries Disney will give for 2011 !!!! :banana::banana::banana:

Any ideas ????????

Ciao !!! THANKYOU for your trippie !!! Here it's raining ... but it brought me a lot of sunshine !!!!!!!!!!!!

:wave: laura

[pierresgirl]

Hi Kristin- love your report so far, wowzers on the cat. 3, that room is beautiful! Last year you gave me your TA's name for the cruise, I used her then and just last week booked my next DCL vacay through her. Off to read some more~!

[uncw89]

]Kristin - How could you finish it???? I feel so totally sad now that it is done.:sad1: I kept thinking that as long as there were trip reports out there, I could still relive the trip. [/COLOR]
Actually, I loved reading your report and seeing all your photos! Your girls are so beautiful and it was great to share the trip from your point of view.

I am dealing with the trip being over by doing many photo projects with all our beautiful photos. I keep thinking that I need to post some of them but haven't had a chance to really get around to it with school starting and the new job. I want to take down parts of our website and post my own trip report of sorts and put the photos up. We will see - maybe by the end of the month.

We have to be sure to keep in touch...we are planning with cruising with all our friends again if we can figure out how to coordinate it with everyone! :hug:

Miss you guys!
Jen

I agree! Kristin, I've loved reading your report and seeing your pics. I'm glad eveverything turned out OK in Cozumel! It sounded like a scary experience. I don't think I will try to do any excursions on my own next time I go to Mexico(if there is a next time!). We just walked around Cozumel and then went back to the ship and ate.

Please post more pics, if you get a chance. I forgot to take a pic of my FE and my door! Another reason to go back.:rotfl2:
Elena

[kritter]

Hi Kristin- love your report so far, wowzers on the cat. 3, that room is beautiful! Last year you gave me your TA's name for the cruise, I used her then and just last week booked my next DCL vacay through her. Off to read some more~!

She is great...........Glad your reading my TR...........Remind, me again what your first name is sorry I forget.......:) :)

[hmansure]

Hi Kristin - Excellent trip report! Thanks for sending me the link.

Interesting time you had there in Cozumel! On our previous trip there we left the kids on the ship and just went shopping. DW loves to haggle with the locals!

[pierresgirl]

She is great...........Glad your reading my TR...........Remind, me again what your first name is sorry I forget.......:) :)

Leyla- I'm from CT as well :thumbsup2