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

[BuzzLightYear3]

LadyNTramp-- Welcome! I'm another one of the mom's with a DS 13 (by the time of the cruise anyway).....we just got connected here in the last few "pages" of this thread. We're going to join in on the Costa Maya Maj Beach visit and the other stuff that Lorie is arranging. Hope you can join as well!

My DS also isn't too thrilled about the teen club idea.....I can understand their perspectives.....I'd be intimidated too if I was a 13 year old boy who was mostly interested in video games/sports, perhaps a little interested in girls (but not enough to admit to my mom), and was then thrown into a situation with complete strangers where I was expected to act like a teenager overnight.....going to dances, etc. I'm sure there are a lot more activities than that, but I bet that's the part that's intimidating! When I passed on the Ocean Quest info to my DS he was much more psyched (maybe "relieved" would be a better word.) Anyway, it'll be great to get them all together.....once they find a "comfort zone" maybe they'll even give the teen club activities a try afterall.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Phewww, I just read 11+ pages of this thread to get caught up! I am still student teaching but for the next 2 weeks I observe so I better use that time wisely and plan.

Musicgirl, I still am not sure what we are doing. Alot has to do with money. I think at CM we will do the ruins excursion because we would want to see some ruins and in case coz is cancelled, this will be the way to go.

Has anyone heard any reviews on the submarine ride in coz? Is it worth it???

I think we would probably opt for #1 for the DIS meets and meet before Sail away. The only thing is I will have to consult the kids, they may want to be down on deck 9 in the thick of things. We'll see.

QUESTION time after reading through all these pages....

#1 do we know what the evening activities are? I read formal on Monday, Semiformal on Thursday... When is the Pirate night?
#2 are there other themes I should know about
#3 WHat is the age for Mickey Pool?
#4 is it 3 am central or eastern time to make reservations?
#5 Palo for brunch or dinner? WHy brunch?
#6 ziplock bags... Why?
#7 WHere can I find info on the Treasure hunt on CC?


I know a ton of questions, but I was taking notes as I read through the posts.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Another quick question...

Does anyone still need email friends for their kids? DS 11 and DD 7 would love to "meet" with kids before the cruise. Let me know!

Oh and Musicgirl, thanks for the countdown song... LOVE IT! Hard to believe it is 99 days! WOOOHHOOOOO!

 

[Minnie7701]

Goodmorning all!
My DH picked enough Paint Chips to go around! He went to HD yesterday and they stilled had them, he called me up and I told him to take them all.heheh
Is it June?
Since these will be our first cruise on disney, how do the kids club/activites work? Do you sign them up for the day and pick them up whenever or you have to sign them up for each activity seperatly?

 

[musicgirl]

I'm glad someone appreciates my song. DH-Bill, he just laughed at me!!! He thinks I'm a bit crazy anyway when it comes to planning. However, neither he nor ds-Andrew would ever admit that they are glad that I do all the work!!

Buzz-tell your ds to just have fun and not worry to much about the Stack. Andrew went and it became mostly a place to meet kids or hang out. His group did do a few of the activities, but they mainly just goofed around.

For those that do have some shy ones, the meet at the sail away would probably be a good idea so they could hook up right away. And even though my ds is 15, he's a real goof ball so it's easy for him to hang with any younger teens as well as his own age and above. You see, Andrew has been around teens his entire life since he was dragged to band practices since he was 6 weeks old. He spent EVERY day at the high school during their last class of the day (band) while he was in gr. 1-8. So, he can hook up pretty easy with just about anyone who is willing to put up with him!!!

PV-here's the scoop on what I know off the top of my head.
-Palo-Bill and I like to eat in the dining room with Andrew in the evenings and I don't care for the dinner menu at dinner in Palo. The brunch menu is alot more appealing to me. I'm a picky eater and the dinner menu is a bit too fancy for me.

-ziplock bags-These come in handy for taking food off the ship to the ports. You can put ice in them for a soft sided cooler. I'm going to take a bigger one for excursions to keep clothes/towels dry. I will also use them to take home any wet clothes.

-I know nothing about the treasure hunt. sorry-Anyone else????

-schedule-This is a hard one since a double dip cruise has not happened before. We'll have to wait for the May double dip and find out how it is done.

Well, that's a start!!!!

 

[musicgirl]

Cool Minnie!!!!

No it's not June yet!! But keep singing our song everyday!!

The younger kids will have to be signed in and out. You can sign them up on-line so you don't have to do this the 1st day. You do have to go in to pick up the pager though.

You will get a special navigator for the kids activities. They can come and go whenever they want. You do have to be careful not go when they are in transition. Sometimes they will have an activity outside of the club area or take the kids to eat. When they are on the move, you can not sign in or out.

 

[musicgirl]

PV-They didn't list an age for the Mickey pool, but for the slide they list Height 32-64 inches, age 4-14. Hey I could make the height requirement. Your dd will probably like it, and your ds would probably like the slide, but he may be happier in the goofy pool.

 

[musicgirl]

Schedule from Dec. based on a similar Western.
Sun-Show-Rock n Roll comedy
Mon-formal night
-Show-Golden Mickey's with a party in afterwards
Tues-Show-Twice Charmed
Weds-Tropical/pirate night
-Movie Night
Thurs-Semi-formal
-show-Disney Dreams
Fri-show-Farewell Variety Show

 

[Minnie7701]

Thanks MG
I am also trying to start some type of plan for me, DH and kids. I told my DH about my plans and he said " why, why " can you believe. I told him he was welcome to call all the different excursion places and find $$ and schedule. He has been quiet ever since..heheh
Saturday - settle in and meet up with the crew
Sunday - CC spend time with kids maybe some snorkling
Monday - at sea?
Tuesday - CM party what else?
Wednesday - Coz we want to do the Dolphine ex with kids
Thurs - at sea?
Friday - CC sign the kids for treasur hunt and DH and I some quite time at adult beach...
Saturday - Don't want to talk about it!!!!!boohhhhoooo

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Musicgirl, Thanks so much for the info. I can hardly believe it is so close!!! I told DH that I feel like a fish out of water since I am usually obsessively planning our trips and would know minute by minute where we would be. I just know we are booked for the ship and nothing else right now. But what I do know... is we will enjoy our veranda!

Does anyone know what it is like at the Dock at Coz? Are there shops? I am sure they are pricey items, but just wondering if we can look around before we have to get back on the ship.

 

[SuJo]

I can't believe I have been missing out on this thread for over two years now. I booked the June 24th 2006 cruise over 2 years ago and have just been counting down the days and not checking the boards. Boy am I way out of touch. My eyes are tired and it is 12am . I am so excited I probably won't be able to go to sleep. Anyway, this is our second cruise with Disney and our first 7 day. My DH, DD12, and DD8 are really excited as well. I have noticed all the DS's going and am hoping that there are more DD's. I am still working out excursions and all the rest and only have 8 days before signup (OK now I am panicking) I am not sure what we will be doing but am looking for some good advice from this group. I am usually the big planner in our family (I have my DW trips on excel spreadsheets) but am not doing a good job this year. But I guess it is better late than never. I will be posting more questions after I have a night to digest all that has been written.

SuJo

 

[BethA]

In Cozumel there is a whole area for shopping right at the end of the pier. There is actually a mall type area and then the streets filled with shops. We were somewhat put off, as they all sell drug paraphenalia--most of it shaped like body parts--and a lot of statues depicting sex acts---not happy that my son-then 7, was with me--so watch where you go. There might be a better place to shop with more authentic items. these were all the same and cheesy--and not that cheap either. My husband took the teens to Mr. Sanchos to jetski and they enjoyed it there.

Are we the only ones not doing Palos and so many excursions? We have eaten at Palos, but prefer to stay with our family at dinner, and the brunch just makes me overeat.

Has anyone looked into the place in CM right near the pier that has the small hut type cabins?

I just realized that this is the first cruise in 3 years that my younger son does not have someone else his age going with our group. He'll turn 10 right before the cruise. I hope he will meet up with someone. Can you still do the 8-9 activities if you are 10? I think the 10-12 group might be too old for him. Anyone have any experience with that?

This has been hard for me, because I hate to see the year go so fast since my son will be graduating from HS and going off to college--he is going to West Virginia Univ. Usually I can't wait for the cruise to get here. He is only 17, so will still be in the teen group. The last Disney cruise he made a lot of great friends, so I'm sure this will be the same. Last year we went on RCL and left from Peurto Rico--almost all the teens--except the large group with us--spoke Spanish-so he didn't meet anyone--and was very disappointed.

Are your teens going to the beach party in CM? Do we know if they have jet skis there? Maybe we'll join you.

I finally paid in full yesterday-was waiting for tax refund to do it.

Beth

 

[musicgirl]

Welcome SuJo! Don't panic, you know the basics so just try to plan for the ressies next week!

Beth-it's a happy day when you pay if off!! I still can not believe ours is paid for and now just saving for the fun stuff!!!

Yes, you can rent jet skis at Maj. I've read $40 for 30 min. Ds loves jet skis and I think I read that he will be old enough to drive it. AHHHHH!!! He's actually getting his driver's temps at the end of the month!!!!

I know which beach you mean by the port. I'm not sure exactly what it is, if is private or not. I hoping that all those "in the dark" about Maj beach will go to that beach and not overcrowd ours!!!

I don't think you'll be the only ones not doing Palo. Bill and I like to stay with all our dinners in the regular rest. too so we can actually spend some family time. On sea days, that is the ONLY time we will see ds!!! As for brunch, it is more a treat for Bill. I don't cook much so he appreciates it all!!

 

[musicgirl]

Beth, I meant to add this about excursions. Personally, we are only booking one excursion for the family and that is in Coz. We are scheduled with Eagle ray for a snorkeling excusion, it is outside of DCL. Personally, I find that the DCL excursions are too expensive.

I'll also book the Wild side for ds for the 2nd CC. But other than that, nothing else. CM should be relatively cheap. About $15 for the taxi, $20 for food, and then the jet ski for $40. I figure I can do this day for around $100. I could go really cheap and just hang out at the port, but since we are pretty sure this is our last cruise for awhile, I'm going to make the most of it.

 

[carole88]

Hi Sujo - Welcome aboard! I have a DD 9 and a DD 12. They have been emailing some of the girls from this thread. If they would like a penpal before the cruise send me a pm with their email.

 

[SuJo]

OK, I am spending the weekend looking over all the excursions on Cozumel and Costa Maya . I looked into a tour on Costa Maya that is run by David and Ivan. Has anyone done this before? If so which tour did you take? It got rave reviews on another board and I was really hoping to see the Mayan ruins while we are there. I know this group has been talking about heading over to the Maj Beach but I thought I would also look into tours. The one I am really interested in is the CHACCHOBEN EXTREME tour. Has anyone done these before?

Susan

 

[musicgirl]

Susan, I think there are a couple of groups who are looking into the ruins. Some one else inquired about David and Ivan's a few pages back.

 

[Jillpie]

Hi Susan! My DH and DS also want to go on that particular ruin tour, so we'll be looking into booking that. So if you see two handsome fellas (one 18 yrs old ) thats gonna be them.

Beth, my son Pat will be graduating in June too! So this is a big trip for us, we're also doing DW before hand for five days. If you are doing DW first, please let me know, he'd love to have a buddy to hang with. He'll be going to MCLA (Ma. College of Liberal Arts) in the Fall. Three hours away...

 

[wendilyn]

Sorry I couldn't answer earlier!
At Cozumel we walked to Sally's mini golf on year, had a blast. another year we di Mr Sancho's which was also wonderful, but it was very windy, so the snorkeling wasn't safe.
I'll be traveling with our two daughters 13 and 16 and son 19. We'd love to join your group to Maj beach!
If anyone needs more suggestions let me know. This is our 6th cruise with disney,1 easter carb, 3 western carb, and last year we went to CA. We missed Castaway!
Wendy

 

[Jillpie]

Hi Wendy! Awesome, we have more beach party goers

I'd like to ask everyone again...is anyone going to Disneyworld before the cruise? We'll be there from Monday on, staying at the BWV. My oldest (18) would love to have a buddy to hang with, he loves us, but has so much more fun with kids his own age!