~ºoº November 27, 2010- Western Magic! ºoº~

[ukintheus]

My Passporter came today. Very cool timing bcz DH is busy on business for a few days so I can really get into my reading. Plus get caught up on some of my TV that he doesn't like to watch

I know we won't do dolphins in the Caymans, I want to do 7 mile beach and be super-lazy.

 

[ukintheus]

Thank you for your comments on the graphic. Feel free to use it as much as you want. Here is a link to a larger version which should print out better. If that's not big enough, let me know.

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq214/CKCruising/CruiseLogoNovember1Big.jpg

Chris - just bumping my comment in case you didn't see it earlier. The link is for the "cruising into Christmas" version, unless I'm not being savvy and missing something.

 

[smordini]

I started on my FE gifts today. Being able to do things a little at a time just extends the trip for me. Half the fun is the planning! Of course DH thinks I'm nuts And, if the group grows a huge amount more, I'll have to make some changes. Having never done this before, I hope I'm not going to mess it all up!

I do have to say that as I schlepped groceries in 100 degree heat yesterday, and then cooked/cleaned/did dishes/did laundry this weekend...the thought of someone waiting on me 24/7 on the cruise seemed heavenly!

Closer to the time we will all be praying for good weather for those with travel that could be affected by it. I know the travel is stressful but it will be so worth it!

How's the new Passporter???? Anything majorly different/new for excursions that someone can point me to (when mine arrives of course!)

Believe it or not, it has felt like a 100 degree's in Wisconsin this past week!! I run a garden project for youth , between the heat and the millions of mosquitoes that have descended on us it is miserable. It is only nice in Wisconsin for a couple of days then it snows. I can't wait for the cruise. Nice weather and I hope mosquito free.

Shelley

 

[CKCruising]

Chris - just bumping my comment in case you didn't see it earlier. The link is for the "cruising into Christmas" version, unless I'm not being savvy and missing something.

How about this one

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq214/CKCruising/CruiseLogoNovember3.jpg

 

[ukintheus]

How about this one

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq214/CKCruising/CruiseLogoNovember3.jpg

Perfect! Thank you so much.

Browsed the new Passporter last night. As Darcy mentioned, not too much new for our particular cruise, but it was good to re-read some of the things I had forgotten about.

Shelley - I hear you on the heat. At least in the South we KNOW that we are supposed to get hot weather and it be unbearable.

 

[DLW8]

I think this has been one of our hottest summers here in Connecticut as well...we had about 2 weeks in a row of mid 90 - 100's and HUMID. It was awful (and my electric bill showed it from running the ACs all the time).

Today was another hot day, but not humid at least. But, when you are out at a little league world series game, it is HOT....I think I burned my scalp! Yikes!

 

[DLW8]

I decided that I want to be able to make excursion and Palo ressies at the 90 day mark, so already made the final payment on our cruise! Now to actually figure out our excursion plans!

I really think we will do the dolphin swim in Grand Cayman. Other than that, Key West on our own and still totally blank on Cozumel.

Happy Thursday everyone!

 

[CKCruising]

Good to hear that Darcy. One less thing to worry about.

The excursions are still "Under discussion" for us. This will be our 6th cruise and we've never done a non-ship excursion. This time I am looking at them for every shop.

I will probably do the parasailing in Key West as it is cheaper ($40pp) and my dd6 can do it. we will probably take the trolley tour, but do it ourselves as then you can hop off and on.
For Cozumel, we might do Nachi Cocom. It looks nice if we want another beach day.
For Cayman, I think we are doing the stingrays. Now just to figure out how to get there. The wave runner tours look cool.

 

[J&K'sPrincessMommy]

Dawn - We just changed our reservation from the Country Inn and Suites to the Radisson! We got a great price and heard that the pool is awesome. I know that this sounds crazy, but I also like that there is a McDonald's across the street that looks like it has a playplace. I bet my kids will be up at 6 am so I will need them to burn off some energy before we head over to the port.

Stephanie

LOVE that there is a McD's there too- keep the pre-cruise cost down I saw pictures of the pool and it looks fantastic- jus hope the weather holds out.

Where can I find info on the own-your-own Key West trolley tour? That actually sounds really neat!

 

[CKCruising]

LOVE that there is a McD's there too- keep the pre-cruise cost down I saw pictures of the pool and it looks fantastic- jus hope the weather holds out.

Where can I find info on the own-your-own Key West trolley tour? That actually sounds really neat!

There are 2 companies...
Old Town Trolley (The one the cruise line uses - The price is close, but you can get on and off) http://www.trolleytours.com/key-west/
Here is a coupon for a free child if you wait to buy tickets the day we arrive http://www.keywestchamber.org/coupons/coupondownloads/trolleycoupons.jpg

City View Trolley http://www.cityviewtrolleys.com/keywest/index.php

I hadn't decided if I could wait to buy tickets or needed them beforehand.
Both are close to the pier.

 

[J&K'sPrincessMommy]

That is great! Thank you so much!
Free children are always good when you are traveling with 3 of them
This really does look fun & cute too

 

[thepeacekeeper]

We're getting closer in choosing our excursions. It's looking like a package from Shore Trips in Grand Cayman and possibly a dolphin experience in Cozumel. Key West may be one of those wander around ports, although key lime will be at the top of the list. I know the boys really liked those T-shirts that change color in the sun, so I'm guessing we'll be hitting that store too. We never did go to mile marker 0 last time. How far away from port is that?

 

[ukintheus]

We're getting closer in choosing our excursions. It's looking like a package from Shore Trips in Grand Cayman and possibly a dolphin experience in Cozumel. Key West may be one of those wander around ports, although key lime will be at the top of the list. I know the boys really liked those T-shirts that change color in the sun, so I'm guessing we'll be hitting that store too. We never did go to mile marker 0 last time. How far away from port is that?

Jeff - I was looking at Key West maps last night trying to figure out the same thing. I looks like about 13 blocks, but not really sure how big those blocks are?? I googled it a few times and didn't really come up with anything, but I'm trying to research it. If you find out anything let me know, I'm thinking that we may try to walk it. I know it's too hot in the summer but I'm thinking that in November it might be a more pleasant walk? That walk takes you down Duval and also goes past the Hemmingway House, which I was wanting to see also.

 

[ukintheus]

I found this posted about cruise destination reviews. Hemingway House is pretty close to Southernmost point, so that tells me it's about 20-25 mins tops to Southernmost point. Also interesting snippet about a CVS. (I'm sure Western cruise veterans already know this )

Quote: At Key West, we made no specific tour plans. Instead, we decided to go to the Hemingway House. It's about a 15 min. walk to see it. If you love cats, this place is for you. We then went across the street to the old lighthouse and walked up 88 steps to get to the top. It's quite a climb but the view is great! We then walked over to Duval Street and enjoyed window shopping and taking photographs of the interesting shops and people hanging out there. A tip for you...don't buy expensive water bottles onboard the ship - you can buy it at Key West and bring it onboard - there is a CVS on Duval St, about 2 or 3 blocks from the ship.

 

[thepeacekeeper]

Hemingway House is pretty close to Southernmost point, so that tells me it's about 20-25 mins tops to Southernmost point.[/I]

Looks like you're right on! I took some time and did more digging and found the marker is at the corner of Whitehead and South, (you can see it on Google maps). It's a little over 1 mile from Mallory Square, so that would be about a 5 minute drive or 20-25 minute walk.

 

[iloverags2]

A tip for you...don't buy expensive water bottles onboard the ship - you can buy it at Key West and bring it onboard - there is a CVS on Duval St, about 2 or 3 blocks from the ship.[/I]

Oh! I hope they mean bottled water, as in bottled spring water! I so don't want to carry that on when we board on Saturday (I will already have my hands full with FE stuff!). If I can hold off until Sunday in Key West, that would make me sooooo happy!

 

[ukintheus]

Oh! I hope they mean bottled water, as in bottled spring water! I so don't want to carry that on when we board on Saturday (I will already have my hands full with FE stuff!). If I can hold off until Sunday in Key West, that would make me sooooo happy!

I'm pretty sure CVS carry several brands of bottled water, I'm sure they have to have some spring water. You might not be able to get large packs of them all, but it would be easier than having to bring them on board on Sat. After all, in Key West all we'll be juggling is our bellies full of key lime pie

I have discovered that having plenty of time to research excursions may not be quite as beneficial as I thought...I think I'm more undecided now than I've ever been!! With the exception of Key West, which we are for sure doing on our own, I'm reconsidering everything else.

 

[lisamarch]

I have discovered that having plenty of time to research excursions may not be quite as beneficial as I thought...I think I'm more undecided now than I've ever been!!

I agree. I've made a decision for Cozumel three times now. I look, it sounds good, DIS boards report well...then tripadvisor gives bad reviews. Or vice versa. I post like crazy on tripadvisor and trust them, and I trust here...so it's a matter of looking at how recent the review are. Then considering my family, etc. etc. And changing my mind again!

Thank goodness for you guys. My DH is sick and tired of hearing about it!

 

[DLW8]

I'm pretty sure CVS carry several brands of bottled water, I'm sure they have to have some spring water. You might not be able to get large packs of them all, but it would be easier than having to bring them on board on Sat. After all, in Key West all we'll be juggling is our bellies full of key lime pie

I have discovered that having plenty of time to research excursions may not be quite as beneficial as I thought...I think I'm more undecided now than I've ever been!! With the exception of Key West, which we are for sure doing on our own, I'm reconsidering everything else.

I am a big water drinker and hate the water in WDW, however, it is VERY good on the ship. I mean their "tap" water that you can get at the beverage station on deck 9 or you can order a pitcher of it for your room. Before you lug a case of water from Key West back onto the ship, be sure to try it out.

I will however, be heading to CVS to get some bottles for while we are out on Key West, but not planning on bringing any back to the ship. Plus, then I can use the empty bottle while on the ship.

 

[favoriteslave]

Good Afternoon All:

I just wanted to pop in and see how everyone is going. My son had to remind me to make my ressie's this morning. We got everything we had wanted. Palo's Tuesday night (first time we've been able to go to dinner there) and the Stingray Snorkel and Island tour for Cayman. We will cross our fingers that we actually get to the Stingray, this will be our 3rd time going to Cayman but we have yet to get to go ashore due to sea conditions.

I hope all is well with everyone. Myself and DS are headed out to go school shopping. All I can hear is the sound of cash registers cha-chinging.

Have a great Saturday.