Before getting into the actual trip report, heres a bit about the preparation for our trip. Since my mom lives in Florida 6-7 months out of the year, weve grown accustomed to 2-3 day stops at WDW at least once a year, sometimes twice. So, were definitely Disney fans -not just the stories and characters, but the brand, itself. If youve been to the parks, and then go to your regional amusement park, you know theres a huge difference in the way Disney does things. From the way they treat their guests to the way they load the rides, its always done first class, and with precision.
About this time last year, we started thinking about our upcoming 25th wedding anniversary this year. Rather than the two of us going away for a week, we chose to make it a special family trip. We had already been thinking going on a Disney Cruise someday, and decided this was the perfect excuse to do it. So the cast is me, DW, DD13, and DD9. Late Spring last year, we booked Category 8, Deluxe Oceanview room, assigned room 7014 at time of booking. I dont think the extra $$ will be worth paying for Verandah room. Years ago, before kids, we cruised on RCCL and Princess, and felt that we really werent in the room much. We waited until this past Christmas to tell the kids.
The DIS boards have been a great source for research. Its amazing how many months Ive poured over these boards to find information to plan our trip. BTW, now that Ive done it, I laugh a bit at some of things people worry and fret about (me included), that really dont much matter once the cruise gets going. Still, its good to have a plan, and research so as not to say later I wish Id have known....
So here was the plan:
Fly from Ohio to Tampa, Florida the Thursday before the cruise. Stay with my mom for two nights, before driving about 2-1/2 hours to the Cape. Drop off rental car at Budget, take shuttle to the terminal.
Key West: No plans. Maybe rent an electric car to drive around, but will wait to see what its like when we arrive. My kids found that there are a couple geo caches in Key West, so perhaps well look for those if we have time.
Sea days. Hang by the pool. Were not sure how well balance family time, kids club time, adult time, but plan to all eat dinner together in the dining rooms, and go to the main show as a family each night. Well figure out the kids clubs as we go.
Grand Cayman: booked 3 hour Stingray City excursion directly with Captain Marvins (10-1pm time slot), thanks to the recommendations here and on cruisecritic. We want to stop at 7-mile beach for waverunners and lunch, and during e-mail correspondence with the folks at Captain Marvins, they said they would drop us off on the way back to town.
Cozumel: Booked Dolphin Swim (directly) at Chankanaab, 2pm (local time) slot. Originally, we tried to be cheap by just booking the kids, but learned that DD9 needed an adult present. Given that the Dolphin swim qualifies for free admission to the park, and a free transportation deal if all four of us participated, it was just about the same for all four of us to do it, rather than only three of us. We thought about Paradise beach for water sports but realized we would have to move quickly to get the Dolphin swim in, and then move on. Plus, if we do two things in GC, perhaps we should slow it down a bit for Cozumel.
Castaway Cay. No plans. Probably just a beach day. Maybe waverunners if we werent able at GC. Kids can do activities with their clubs if they want to.
After the cruise, well drive to my moms place for a couple nights before heading back to Ohio on Monday.
Coming up next day one!
About this time last year, we started thinking about our upcoming 25th wedding anniversary this year. Rather than the two of us going away for a week, we chose to make it a special family trip. We had already been thinking going on a Disney Cruise someday, and decided this was the perfect excuse to do it. So the cast is me, DW, DD13, and DD9. Late Spring last year, we booked Category 8, Deluxe Oceanview room, assigned room 7014 at time of booking. I dont think the extra $$ will be worth paying for Verandah room. Years ago, before kids, we cruised on RCCL and Princess, and felt that we really werent in the room much. We waited until this past Christmas to tell the kids.
The DIS boards have been a great source for research. Its amazing how many months Ive poured over these boards to find information to plan our trip. BTW, now that Ive done it, I laugh a bit at some of things people worry and fret about (me included), that really dont much matter once the cruise gets going. Still, its good to have a plan, and research so as not to say later I wish Id have known....
So here was the plan:
Fly from Ohio to Tampa, Florida the Thursday before the cruise. Stay with my mom for two nights, before driving about 2-1/2 hours to the Cape. Drop off rental car at Budget, take shuttle to the terminal.
Key West: No plans. Maybe rent an electric car to drive around, but will wait to see what its like when we arrive. My kids found that there are a couple geo caches in Key West, so perhaps well look for those if we have time.
Sea days. Hang by the pool. Were not sure how well balance family time, kids club time, adult time, but plan to all eat dinner together in the dining rooms, and go to the main show as a family each night. Well figure out the kids clubs as we go.
Grand Cayman: booked 3 hour Stingray City excursion directly with Captain Marvins (10-1pm time slot), thanks to the recommendations here and on cruisecritic. We want to stop at 7-mile beach for waverunners and lunch, and during e-mail correspondence with the folks at Captain Marvins, they said they would drop us off on the way back to town.
Cozumel: Booked Dolphin Swim (directly) at Chankanaab, 2pm (local time) slot. Originally, we tried to be cheap by just booking the kids, but learned that DD9 needed an adult present. Given that the Dolphin swim qualifies for free admission to the park, and a free transportation deal if all four of us participated, it was just about the same for all four of us to do it, rather than only three of us. We thought about Paradise beach for water sports but realized we would have to move quickly to get the Dolphin swim in, and then move on. Plus, if we do two things in GC, perhaps we should slow it down a bit for Cozumel.
Castaway Cay. No plans. Probably just a beach day. Maybe waverunners if we werent able at GC. Kids can do activities with their clubs if they want to.
After the cruise, well drive to my moms place for a couple nights before heading back to Ohio on Monday.
Coming up next day one!