06/24/2006 - Special Western Cruise - Who Else!?

[PRINCESS VIJA]

musicgirl, I am getting ready to teach... .... no, actually I am excited! Today was lots of fun watching and learning, slowly I will be picking up more and more and my coop is so nice, helpful and welcoming! She is fantastic at what she does, and I am so lucky to have her as my coop! Hopefully I will have some bright ideas for lessons and do a super duper job for the kids!

I took to heart what you said about the price of parks and such around the cruise and we might be rethinking our trip. DC might be out... it is just too expensive and we don't have that money right now. Hmmmm, hard to give up that dream of swimming with the dolphins.... Is there any excursion at cozumel or costa maya that does that? I didn't think so, but maybe I'll have to look into it.

 

[musicgirl]

Princess, yes, there is a place in COZ that you can swim with the dolphins at Chank. Park. I'm not sure of the status since the hurricane however because they said that the park was completely gone. I have heard that it should be up and running by then, including the dolphin swim.

I didn't mean to discourage you about DC. It would be a dream of mine. My mom still laughs at how hard I tried to just touch the dolphins at Sea World (when it was in Ohio!) I keep re-working the numbers. Spend less here, spend more here.

I at least know that dh doesn't care what we spend because he knows I'm careful with money. I'm not saying I could just go book a cruise for this year or spend a full week at WDW and he wouldn't care. But if I wanted to get tickets for 2 days at all the parks, he'd go along with it and have a great time.

Here's the site I was referring to about Chank. Park.

http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/CozumelChankanaab.htm

 

[bairdbeth]

Princess, we were going to book the Dolphin swim at Dolphin Discovery at Cozumel, but the park was completely demolished by Wilma. I e-mailed them and they "hope" to be fully functional by June. I am holding off my reservation as you have to pay in full upfront and some are having difficulties with getting refunds in a timely manner. For the 4 of us it would be close to $600. That is cheaper than Discovery Cove and we picked the most expensive package. I will see if they open partially in March as they predict before I book. Good luck with student teaching! It is hard to believe that I did my student teaching 20 years ago! While I love my job, this years group is very "needy" and not independent so I will definetly be ready for this cruise!!!

 

[Jillpie]

Hi everyone! I'm back from my surgery. I had a complete hysterectomy last week and I'm still recovering. I missed you all! So much has been added to this thread, I love it!

I have big changes in our plans. We added another couple of days at DW. Now we're going down on Monday of that week before the cruise! I'm so excited. We'll be at the BCV. But right now I"m on a waitlist for a one bedroom for the 19th and 20th, so we'll see...now I gotta figure out how to pay for passes. But I just can't wait to do the parks, before we were just going to do the pools etc., but now we'll see everything.

Lorie! I can't believe your changes! Good for you to do DW before the cruise, awesome. You asked about certain restaurants...we've been to Beaches and Cream, awesome burgers and the best ice cream I've ever had..especially the "no way Jose". Also, we've done Earl of Sandwich, loved it. Very very good sandwiches. Oh, just don't do BandC right after Illuminations, its packed.

See you guys later!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Hey guys, originally we were going to fly in thursday and hit epcot at night. Then we were going to hit MK when we came back on the saturday after the cruise. Hmmm... I love to commando, but I don't know how the family would do with that. I am thinking maybe of reworking it and keeping Discovery Cove and skipping epcot and MK. I just don't know..... Anyone have a winning lottery ticket they want to split? I gues I want to keep DC because you get to take a ride with a dolphin... I have dreamed of doing that for a long time. I think the cozumel experience is getting in the water and petting the dolphin, but not "riding".

Jillpie, wising you a speedy recovery! And how cool that you are going down so early. That is fantastic, you lucky girl!

 

[musicgirl]

Princess, I'm glad you decided to keep DC!!! I'm very jealous!!!! I think if you can do it, go for it. I have heard that it is incredible. The fact that there is a very limited amount of people permitted in the park each day is a big plus as well.

There is still plenty of time to win the lottery!!! I think I'll go play!!!

 

[bairdbeth]

We did Discovery Cove last summer and loved it. It is expensive, but I thought worth every penny. Holding on to the fins for a ride with our dolphin Diago was awesome. I spent alot on pictures and the video(which is sooo worth the money!) You will have a blast!

 

[musicgirl]

You are all a bad influence on me!!!! Jill warned me that I might not be able to resist the parks!!!!

I've been looking into the park tickets, and boy do they have some great deals. I'll have to investigate a bit further.

I just sent in my taxes (did it myself!!) and we are getting back a little more than last year, so perhaps I can use this as long as it doesn't get audited!!!!

I think some of it may depend on the weather as well. When we did our land/sea trip, it rained everyday at WDW. And not just the afternoon showers. It rained from noon on. It didn't stop us though. We put on our raincoats and went. I wasn't about to "lose" my money's worth.

So I guess what it boils down for us, we get there, check the weather, if it is nice both days, go to Epcot (?) and TL. If the weather is going to be yucky, we'll just hang out and sight see.

 

[PLutobeaus]

Hey there,
My daughter and I are going on this cruise. We have never been on a cruise and we are so excited. We would love to her from anyone who has done this before. Is it as nice as the photos? I hope the weather will be great.

 

[musicgirl]

Welcome PLutobeaus!!!!

Well, many of us our return cruisers so if you have any questions, just ask. The trip is awesome.

Unfortunately, the pictures are NOT as good as it gets!!! There is no way the pictures can even come close!! At least that's what I have always thought.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I haven't posted in awhile because I am afraid that we are going to have to postpone our cruise. I am very sad about it too! Especially since that will mean not getting to meet all of you! DS is looking at some really expensive high schools and we are having a hard time spending what would amount to a good chunck of tuition on a week. We are taking a week in the parks (we can do that for so much less) and considering different cruise options for later. I hope everyone has a wonderful, magical trip! Please have an extra dessert for me and write trip reports too!

Angie

 

[SPJammer]

Just wanted to say Hello to everyone here. We just booked our first ever Disney Cruise and we are really looking forward to it. There is a totally of 7 of us in our party. Me, DW, DS - 16, DS - 11, DD - 14, DD - 12 plus a friend 17.

Just wanted to say Hi and see ya'll on the cruise.

 

[musicgirl]

Oh no Angie, I'm so sorry to hear about you postponing the trip. Well, I know I can have an extra dessert for you!!!!

Welcome SPJammer! It sounds like you have quite a crew!!!!! It looks like you are new to these boards as well. You'll will find a ton information on these boards.!!!!

I just noticed all the new cool smilies!!

 

[musicgirl]

I just noticed that the 2nd Pirates of the Caribbean movie will be out in July..

I wonder if we will get a sneak preview????? We got to do this a few cruises ago.

 

[bairdbeth]

Seeing a sneak of Pirates would be awesome! My DD (who is 9) thinks Johnny Depp is "hot" (I was hoping that kind of thinking would start later?!)

 

[PLutobeaus]

I posted this one originally at 625 days out!!!

Children's ages are at the time of the cruise.


Cruise List


Harryo-dh & dw, dd-15, ds-12, ds-11

SPJammer-dh & dw, 2 dd, 2ds and 1 friend

bairdbeth- mom and dd-10 room 6580 her friend and ds-10 6578

Crazy Momma-Susan and dh, ds-9 room 6576

JKLLady-dh & dw, dd-20, ds-9 room 8036

BuzzLightyear3-dw &dh, ds-13, dd-9, ds-6 room 6016 & 6018

littleowensmommy-Kathy & Ted, owen-7, Amy-5

Debbie H- dh & dw, ds-22, dd-20

PRINCESS VIJA-Vija & Glenn, ds-11, dd-7

Disney Doc- dw, dh, twins(boy & girl)-17 room 6072 & 6074

Jillpie-Jill & dh, Pat-18, Andrew-14, Brendan-13

BethA-dw & dh, ds-10, ds-17 room 8530
Brother-Joe and wife, Maureen, kids-20, 17, 14, 11
her parents-Joe and Betty

musicgirl-Lorie & Bill, Andrew-15 room 7127

rebcam-Rebecca, dh, ds-11, dd-7

soccercruiser87-Travis-18, his mom and dad, his aunt and uncle, cousins, Matt-14, Sarah-12 and one of his mom's patients-Steve

jtjcwise-jeff & dw, ds-9, ds-6, 7623
his sister in 7625
his parents in 7622

jlawall-joann, dh, dds-22, 19, 16

barbarac dw and dh, ds-12, dd-9 room 2126

? LADY N TRAMP-Susan and dh, dd-18, ds-13

? jdsmom

bartjwb-John and Shirley and Kaitlyn-8

disgal1-dh, ds-20,17 6050

PLutobeaus-plus daughter

Lorie

Does any body have any advice for first time cruisers? I am not sure of the questions to ask. I got the passportrs book on the DCL, and it has been very helpful so far. What about the dolphin discovery in Cozemul? My daughter is 10, and she is wanting to go to the dolphin discovery. Any feedback? What about Castaway Cay? I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions on any thing concerning DCL.

Thanks
PlutoBeaus ( Terry )

 

[musicgirl]

Terry, I haven't done the dolphin swim in Coz. I thought someone else mentioned that they would be doing this.

If your dd is interested in getting her hair braided, sign up are at 5:00 or 5:30 outside the theater/preludes on the 1st night. Very reasonable.

Check out the available navigators, they won't be exactly the same, but it will give you an idea of the activities.

If you buy any drinks at the bars or special drinks, the tip is already included.

Pop is free at the drink station near the pool.

Tell your dd that sometimes the clubs/lab (sorry I'm not up on which is which) usually are pretty quiet the 1st night. don't let her give up to easily if she doesn't like it right away. I believe you can register for her on-line.

Diversions has board games to play.

Hit the pools early in the morning. On the 1st day, if you pack your pool clothes in your carry on (or she can wear it under her clothes) the pools are pretty empty before the safety drills. She's lucky that she can enjoy the Goofy pool which is less crowded than the Mickey Pool. She should be allowed to use the mickey pool, it is the one with the slide.

Here's a tip thread started by our own Jillpie!!!

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=834700

 

[Jiminy Cricket 3]

I (DH) have been lurking in these message boards for a month or so. I've learned a great deal. We (DW, DS-12) will be joining all of you on the cruise in June. We are so very excited as we have not been on a cruise before. We last visited Disney World 2 years ago. Thanks for all the information that has been exchanged on this thread and the others. It's been a great help to us.

 

[musicgirl]

Welcome Jiminy!!! Hopefully we can get a great dis meet!!!

 

[SPJammer]

Thanks for all the information that has been exchanged on this thread and the others. It's been a great help to us.

Hello Jiminy, this is our first cruise also and I feel like a veteran all ready even though I have yet to set foot on either ship. Was talking with our TA today and he went to point out something about the cruise and I finished the sentence for him. He looked at me funny and I told him that I have been reading the DIS forums. He said that he would have to check it out.

Forgot to put this in the last post but we are in rooms 2500 and 2502. Guess that is what you get for booking a June cruise in January of the same year. we're just happy to be on the boat.