09/05/09 LABORless MAGICal Meanderers

[THUNDERMOUNTAINMOMMA]

Thanks for all the hearty welcomes!

I have started thinking about excursions, too. All I know for sure, is that I want us to see the ruins in Cozumel. We'll probably Trolley hop in Key West. I have no clue about Grand Cayman! Castaway Cay is usually a Serenity Bay day for me. Dh and the kids prefer to swim in the empty pools onboard all day. Sometimes they join me for a little while on the family beach.

Those posted pictures are great! Thank you for helping to build our excitement! (Like we need more....hahaha!)

 

[UGAFan0829]

Well, I am certainly glad to know that I'm not the only one who's already thinking about the shore excursions. I was talking to my husband this morning, and he just laughed at me. I told him that the OCD part of me really needed something to plan. He did make it clear though, that I was NOT allowed to make any plans for the beach...that we just had to go with the flow. So I guess researching and picking out condos for that trip was enough!!!
So...on with the shore excursion discussion. For Key West, I think we will probably do our own thing as well. Someone else here on the boards had mentioned doing the konk train tour, and then going back and hitting the places that we wanted to. That's an idea, but I'm not sure yet. I know that we want to check out Sloppy Joe's, Margaritaville, the Key Lime pie place, Hemingway's House and the Southernmost Point. I'd also like to check out the sunset celebration that they have, if the boat doesn't leave too early. I've read lots about Key West having really beautiful sunsets, so I'd love to be able to take one in.
As far as Grand Cayman, I have no idea. I'd love to be able to experience one of the beaches, but as far as which one I have no clue. I think everyone has their own opinion as to which is best. I do know that I would like to try out Stingray City and maybe snorkel.
I really don't know about Cozumel. When I looked at the shore excursions available through DCL, there were a couple that sounded interesting. I think I would like to do the horseback riding, but I'm not crazy about visiting a live ranch. The dune buggys sound fun too. But then there are all the beaches too.
So I guess I still have a lot to figure out.

 

[ibela]

Wow you guys don't mess around with the OCD!

I haven't even considered shore excursions yet but once my WDW trip has passed (2 months to go, woohooooooooooooooo) and my corporate activity planning has passed (3 months) then I may start thinking about this. I too need SOMETHING to plan.

 

[aussieinvasion]

Missy Ive heard the boat is actually a great place to get pics of the gorgeous sunset at Key West, but then you miss all the fun and games down at Mallory Square and all the crazy street performers.
For Grand Cayman I hear a lot of people and tour operators refer to Seven Mile Beach but I dont know about the others. We will definately do Stingray City but the sandbar only as it will be too much for my DD to do the snorkelling. The tour we are considering does the sandbar first,stops off at the Rum Cake Factory,Governor's House, Turtle Farm, Hell rock formation and drop off at 7 Mile Beach. It goes from 10am-2pm and is $60 pp. Dont know about kids prices. I think after all that we'll be just about ready to collapse on the beach Anyway, I think we get in relatively early so my idea was to do a bit of souvenir shopping at the port and then they pick us up on the bus at 10am. A lot of people on the disboards have mentioned Blue Iguana at the port as a cheap souvenir outlet as apparantly its pretty pricey on the island.
I would love to do horseback riding. Maybe next trip when kids are older Considering this is supposed to be our 'once in a lifetime, we'll never be able to afford to go back again' trip
Irene I think Im starting to scare myself with the OCD I just read over what I have written and I think I need help. I cant believe its only 2 months until you go now. How exciting. I bet your family cant wait. Can you fit me in your car? Are you still driving by the way? Did you talk hubby into stopping over or are you still driving straight through?? Well this will keep you pre-occupied for a few months. Im sure we will grill you when you get back for info
Has anyone considered the Romance At Sea package? I know its not available to book yet but I was wondering if anyone here has had it before or is considering it?

 

[ibela]

For Grand Cayman I hear a lot of people and tour operators refer to Seven Mile Beach but I dont know about the others. We will definately do Stingray City but the sandbar only as it will be too much for my DD to do the snorkelling. The tour we are considering does the sandbar first,stops off at the Rum Cake Factory,Governor's House, Turtle Farm, Hell rock formation and drop off at 7 Mile Beach. It goes from 10am-2pm and is $60 pp. Dont know about kids prices. I think after all that we'll be just about ready to collapse on the beach Anyway, I think we get in relatively early so my idea was to do a bit of souvenir shopping at the port and then they pick us up on the bus at 10am. A lot of people on the disboards have mentioned Blue Iguana at the port as a cheap souvenir outlet as apparantly its pretty pricey on the island.
I would love to do horseback riding. Maybe next trip when kids are older Considering this is supposed to be our 'once in a lifetime, we'll never be able to afford to go back again' trip

We went to Grand Cayman once on a cruise and went swimming with the stingray b/c 'everyone' says that's the best place in the world for it. Personally, not my cup of tea. I was scared of them (ok, so kids weren't but I still was!) and after the guide said they never hurt people I got scratched by 1, apparently I unexpectedly moved in its way. Not sure what we'll do this time around, need to finish with my WDW trip and the corporate cruise.

Irene I think Im starting to scare myself with the OCD I just read over what I have written and I think I need help. I cant believe its only 2 months until you go now. How exciting. I bet your family cant wait. Can you fit me in your car? Are you still driving by the way? Did you talk hubby into stopping over or are you still driving straight through?? Well this will keep you pre-occupied for a few months. Im sure we will grill you when you get back for info
Has anyone considered the Romance At Sea package? I know its not available to book yet but I was wondering if anyone here has had it before or is considering it?

So far we're still driving. No idea about straight or stopping though. I ordered our customized WDW maps and we're ordering our WDW tickets tonight. Oh, and I want to pre-order the photopass (save $25, good tip from the DIS) but I'll do that later. I'm about 65% through with my plans.

I considered the Romance at Sea package our last cruise and decided against it. IMHO, it's really expensive for what you get. I think if you order the stuff separately it'll still cost you less, it seems like the biggest perk you get from it is the ability to make your online reservations earlier so to me it wasn't that big a deal so we didn't do it.

Did you guys see the thread on the main forum about people having a meltdown over not docking in CC?

 

[UGAFan0829]

Has anyone considered the Romance At Sea package? I know its not available to book yet but I was wondering if anyone here has had it before or is considering it?

The DH and I actually did the REAS package on our last cruise. I have to say that I was a little disappointed, but it was still nice. We happened to cruise at the first of January, which was right after they had changed the package to include the robes and other stuff. We actually ended up getting the old basket, which did not include the robes. I went to Guest Services to ask about it, and they told me that the robes were still on backorder from the company in which DCL ordered them from. So, they had to actually mail us the robes and the picture frame in the mail, and we didn't get it until almost a month after we were home from the cruise. What we did get was the pretty wire basket, a bottle of champagne, a certificate for a free 8x10 from Shutters, and a box of chocolate. We also got a menu to order a champagne breakfast and passes for the rainforest room for the length of the cruise. (Which was only 4 nights by the way.) We also we able to make our reservation for Palo a bit earlier as well.
Because it was a shorter cruise, we never got the chance to check out the rainforest room, or the spa. We did get our 8x10 from Shutters, and we did dine in Palo. And we ordered our breakfast on our at sea day, which was really nice.
The basket really was nice even though some of the stuff wasn't included. I think it probably would have been more worthwhile if we had actually used the rainforest room (which we are going to try and do this time around).
The only thing that I had a complaint about, wasn't really a complaint, but more of kinda being made to feel a little uncomfortable when we went to Palo. When we were seated, the waiter brought me a beautiful rose, and told the DH and I "Congratulations on our marriage"...We kinda looked at him weird and told him that we weren't on our honeymoon. He then went on to tell us that he noticed that we had booked the Romantic Escape package, and that the package was normally for cruisers who were on their honeymoon. It was like he was scolding us for ordering the package and not being newlyweds. It was definitely very strange and uncomfortable!!!
Personally, I had heard of lots of people booking the REAS just because, and that was exactly why we had booked it!
So after saying all this...I have to say that I would probably book it again!!!
Hope this helps!

 

[ibela]

He then went on to tell us that he noticed that we had booked the Romantic Escape package, and that the package was normally for cruisers who were on their honeymoon. It was like he was scolding us for ordering the package and not being newlyweds. It was definitely very strange and uncomfortable!!!
Personally, I had heard of lots of people booking the REAS just because, and that was exactly why we had booked it!
So after saying all this...I have to say that I would probably book it again!!!
Hope this helps!

That's saying you can only have romance on your honeymoon?

Happy Wednesday!

 

[UGAFan0829]

That's saying you can only have romance on your honeymoon?

Happy Wednesday!

That is what he was implying, which certainly is not true!

 

[aussieinvasion]

Ummm people who have been married a while still want romance too.....that's crazy. You poor things. Heck, this maybe the only romance we get on this family holiday I am seriously thinking of taking it 'just because'. I figure hubby and I deserve something nice for ourselves too. The kids will be spoilt rotten, so why cant we be too?

On another note, Cruise is fully paid today !! Im so excited. The dollar went up again so we decided to pay off the balance. Now we just need to save for the airfares and our 10 night stay at WDW - eeek The cruise is actually turning out to be the cheapest thing in this holiday. Cruise $3500, airfares $8000 roughly !! Dont know about hotel and park passes yet but Im guessing it will be the same or more than the cruise.

 

[NYCDisneylovers]

We have not even thought of stuff to do on the islands yet . I'm trying to get thru this summer's cruise first.

 

[aussieinvasion]

Lucky you've got that to distract you Stacy Ive got nothing better to do than obsess about it

 

[NYCDisneylovers]

Lucky you've got that to distract you Stacy Ive got nothing better to do than obsess about it

We booked this cruise when we were on Mariner last summer, and then we are staying in Animal Kingdom villa's for a few days after that. As soon as that vacation is over then it will be full steam ahead for the Disney Cruise.

 

[NYCDisneylovers]

Happy Easter All

 

[aussieinvasion]

Happy Easter everyone. I have had wayyyy to much chocolate....

 

[THUNDERMOUNTAINMOMMA]

Happy Easter everyone. I have had wayyyy to much chocolate....

Ha! I have to ease off the jelly beans. I'm one bean away from a jelly bean butt!

 

[UGAFan0829]

I haven't posted a pic lately, so here ya go:

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter! Just a little over 500 more days to go!!!!

 

[NYCDisneylovers]

I just love that picture. I can't wait to be there.

 

[aussieinvasion]

Love it, Love it, Love it!! Cant wait. Seems to be forever away. Time is going so slowly... this is torture

 

[UGAFan0829]

Seems to be forever away. Time is going so slowly... this is torture

No kidding!!!

 

[ibela]

It's been a while. WHY does work have to get in the way of my vacation planning?

Happy Monday!

And thanks for the AP pic!