1-26-08 Western -- "Non-Disney" People go cruising

[purplepeg]

Purplepeg,

Thanks. Our room was exactly like yours, just reversed with bed on left as you came in.[/QUOTE]


You are very welcome

 

[ecomerford]

We got back from the tender and decided to just chill out in the stateroom for a while. The boys crashed out on the sofa while DW and I sat on the veranda with a little wine and our books. This is the day that the veranda photos in post #47 above were taken. The weather was perfect, the sea was rolling by, the boys were happy. Life was GOOOOOD.

Tonight was Palo night. We had 8:30 reservations (it was that or 6:00), so we decided to order room service for the boys. We decided to frop them at the Club for Monstropolis and then head to Sessions for a nice quiet glass of wine before dinner.

After all the DIS reviews, we were definitely looking forward to Palo, so we decided to head up a little early and sit at the bar. We checked out the wine list (have I mentioned we like wine?), but most of the wines by the glass were Italian, as you’d expect for an Italian restaurant. The problem is that while DW and I love Italian food, we’re not huge fans of Italian wines. We asked the barman for some ideas and said that he’d call over the sommelier.

Of course, who came over but Shawn from our wine tasting the previous day. We got chatting and immediately realized that we had a kindred spirit in terms of liking BIG wines (Cabs, Zins, Petite Syrah, etc.). I pointed out a bottle of Caymus that looked interesting (though well beyond what we’d usually spend) and asked if any of the Italians could match up. When the answer was no, we decided to go with the Caymus – hey, we’re on vacation!

Just as the wine arrived, we were introduced to our server, Corina (I think) from Romania. She took us to our table and took us through the menu. It all sounded so good. Of course there were the breads and cold appetizer plate, which was all good, but we didn’t want to fill up too much. Then there was the Quattro Formaggi Pizza (hmmm), then appetizers (Tuna carpaccio for DW, creamy Polenta for me), then we split lobster ravioli (didn’t want to overdo it, right?), before digging into our main courses (Filet for DW, garlic-crusted rack of lamb for me).

Let me just say WOW. We just kept eating and eating. The service from Corina was impeccable throughout. She was attentive and charming, but never rushed us. In fact, before we knew it, we’d been there over two-hours. Shawn also stopped by frequently to refill our glasses, chat about wine, and tell us about the life of a sommelier on DCL.

BTW, for those that care, the Caymus was magnificent. Of course, good wine tastes even better with good food, but it all worked. We actually went with the, er, cheaper, of the two Caymus options and had no regrets.

Of course, we weren’t done yet. There was the soufflé and a couple of other desserts to try too. Maybe a little port… Eventually after 11PM it was time go. We waddled to the Club, picked up the kids and headed to bed for the restless sleep of the over-stuffed.

Up NEXT: Do we HAVE to go to Cozumel?

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

 

[kaysmommie]

Great updates and pics! Thanks for the Stateroom details and verenda pics. I upgraded to a CAT 6 with verenda, looks nice and relaxing to me. I would love to have a CAT 4 though as then my DD could use the murphy bed instead of that bunk. She moves around alot while sleeping . Enjoyed your Palo update too. I have to agree those aquatrikes are really hard to pedal.

 

[ecomerford]

DizzneyDAnn,

You are clearly a woman of few words but numerous smiley faces. I suppose I would be the opposite on all counts.

Thanks for checking in.

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

To the contrary, I am usually very chatty and quite outspoken, but I am just enjoying your report and feel no need to add anything. It's perfect.

 

[poffles]

Lovin' this report. Keep it coming.

 

[CPer'sMom]

I am just enjoying you report and feel no need to add anything. It's perfect.

ITA ~ Great report! Very much enjoying reading it and seeing the pictures.

 

[ledsed]

Can't wait to hear more. We are in the process of booking our 1st!

 

[ArizonaMom]

Great TR!! Planning our first cruise in July on the Wonder, so this is perfect info for me.

 

[michellem1118]

The hazards of discovering a new trip report are many.... As usual, I've just spend more nearly an hour reading through 5 pages of trip report, only to discover... it's not finished yet!

Now I'll have to keep "stalking" this great thread for updates.

 

[clower5luvzdiz]

We LOVED Corina on our first DCL Cruise... on the Magic... when we went back to Palo's on the Wonder we didn't get the best server ever... he was nice... but not the knowledge of Corina... we also bought a $100.00 bottle of wine on the Wonder that Corina saved us from on the Magic by listening to what we wanted... not what would go best with the food.

I am glad you enjoyed Palo's and it sounds like... you will doing DCL again! If our kids are given a choice of WDW or DCL they will choose DCL every time and so will my and my DH just because we can have fun together or fun apart and share our experiences.. unlike the parks that are sooo tiring and dirty.

Anyway... waiting for more!

 

[ecomerford]

Wednesday morning – Cozumel Day – started like most others… by the Goofy pool. We spent so much there this vacation. DW and I reading our books, laying on the loungers, and the boys going back and forth between the hot tubs and the pool while checking out Ariel TV. Since we docked in Cozumel at 9:30AM, the pool area was wonderfully empty.

At 11:00, DS5 (Mr. Competitive) and I headed down to Promenade Lounge for Putting Challenge. There were even fewer people onboard than during Pitch-it Golf during the Key West port day. In fact, it ended up being just DS5 and I. Pitching was hosted by Naomi from New Zealand that we’d met during Bingo. Naomi’s claim to fame is a freaky skill of being able to make a baby crying sound (for the Baby of Bingo, B-1!). Believe me, it is truly disturbing. Now, if Naomi had set up the putting on the large carpeted area of the Promenade Lounge we would have been fine… but NO. The fiendish woman had set up the putting on the dance floor where you had to navigate around two tables to get to the hole. If was like putting on concrete – absolutely impossible. It took me 12 putts on the first try! DS5 actually managed it in 4… Hmmm. Then he followed with 25 putts. We ended up having a great time, and Naomi was great with DS5. At the end of our game, Naomi gave him the prize – a DCL sunglasses case stuffed with DCL golf balls and tees. This was the BEST EVER, since Santa had brought him his first golf set only a month before.

After golf, we headed back to the Goofy Pool. After our pricey Grand Cayman beach lunch the day before, we figured we’d let DCL feed us, so the whole gang chilled by the pool and chowed down. We were having such a good time that we probably would never have left the boat, except that we’d prepaid for the Dolphin encounter.

I had actually got a good deal (relatively) on the Dolphin encounter at Chankanaab Nature Park. The regular rate is $79/adult plus $69/child plus park admission $8.80/adult and $5.50/child for a total of $324.60. I booked late (3 weeks before the trip) and only the 3:30 time was available, but they had a special of free park admission OR kids 4 and under for free. I was working through Cozumel Insider (www.cozumelinsider.com) and somehow managed to get the deal to cover my 5-year old AND get the free park admission for a total of $227. I would recommend Cozumel Insider. They were very responsive and are a great source for every type of excursion on the island.

I’ve read other reports where people didn’t like Cozumel, but I actually preferred it to GC. First, we didn’t have to deal with vendors, and second the port area was a lot less crazy. There were plenty of taxi’s that left when you wanted to and only charged $10 to take the whole family on the 15 minute ride to Chankanaab.

The park itself was very nice with clean, modern buildings and restrooms, a cool pool area, and even a little beach. The grounds looked very interesting too. I have no regrets about Goofy pool time, but we could have happily sent the day there. We checked in at 1:45 and they offered to move us up to the 2:00 time, which we jumped at. The boys were tired after our late Palo night, so we had hoped to get a nap in before the excitement of Pirate Night.

The Dolphin encounter was great with a couple of caveats. One, the metal grate that you stand on was very hard on bare feet. I’d recommend water shoes. Obviously it was covered with a walking mat at some point, but that had long since worn off in most places. Second, the water was pretty cold, so DS5 was shivering the whole time. DS7, DW and I were okay. The trainer was great, and the dolphin, Athena, did all kinds of tricks, hugs, kisses, etc. Very cool. She was actually pregnant (the dolphin, not the trainer), which made it even more interesting. The whole thing lasted 45 minutes.

The Encounter was cool – highlighted by the chance to kiss and hug the dolphin. I would have loved to do the Royal Swim, but DS5 was too young. We did get to see other people do the Royal Swim, getting pulled along by the dolphins and also pushed along by their noses. It looked very cool, and I’m sure would make an awesome memory. FYI – if you book through DCL you can only do the Encounter, so book directly to do the swim.

There are signs as you walk onto the dock saying “No Cameras” because obviously they want to buy the ones that they’re taking. However, we took our disposable waterproof and did not have a problem. Of course it’s not digital so I don’t have shots to attach. (Yes, I know I could scan them in, but this TR is already WAAAY longer than I expected. Why can’t I just shut up?)

Directly after the show, they shuffled us all as a group into a viewing room to watch the video of our Dolphin Encounter. I was ready to head out, but it was actually fun to see it all again, and it was amazing how quickly they produced the whole thing, fully edited with sound track, title captions, etc. Then they shuffled us down to the gift shop to sell us the video and photos. I think the starting price was $110 for everything (video plus 16 photos). We really just wanted one of each boy so ended up paying $14. At that stage he was willing to throw in two more for $20 total, but we passed. Moral of the story – if you want 4 shots, initially insist you only want 2.

After all the excitement we took another $10 cab (no waiting) back to the ship. Here are the boys on the dock amid the towering ships:

Up NEXT: A Pirate’s NIGHT for me

 

[Ima Princess]

Hello fellow cruiser!

I've enjoyed reading your report about my cruise. We were on the ship with you, and even "encountered" Athena just before you (2pm) -- we probably passed each other on the dolphin decks.

Glad you had a great time! Here's my take on the trip (without photos):
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711418

CC

 

[CRSNDSNY]

What an excellent Palo evening -- sounds DELICIOUS!

Glad you had a good Dolphin experience. Can't wait for more TR!

 

[JKMJ441724]

I’ve read other reports where people didn’t like Cozumel, but I actually preferred it to GC. First, we didn’t have to deal with vendors, and second the port area was a lot less crazy. There were plenty of taxi’s that left when you wanted to and only charged $10 to take the whole family on the 15 minute ride to Chankanaab.

We had a great time there. No dolphin encounter for us. Our kids were too small. The beach area water was much warmer. As soon as we made it out of that area, we could tell about a 10 to 15 degree drop in water temp.

After all the excitement we took another $10 cab (no waiting) back to the ship. Here are the boys on the dock amid the towering ships:

It makes you realize just how big they are (the ships - not the boys). The next set of ships are supposed to be even bigger.

Keep up the good work!

 

[VacationKicks]

I had actually got a good deal (relatively) on the Dolphin encounter at Chankanaab Nature Park. The regular rate is $79/adult plus $69/child plus park admission $8.80/adult and $5.50/child for a total of $324.60. I booked late (3 weeks before the trip) and only the 3:30 time was available, but they had a special of free park admission OR kids 4 and under for free. I was working through Cozumel Insider (www.cozumelinsider.com) and somehow managed to get the deal to cover my 5-year old AND get the free park admission for a total of $227. I would recommend Cozumel Insider. They were very responsive and are a great source for every type of excursion on the island.


The park itself was very nice with clean, modern buildings and restrooms, a cool pool area, and even a little beach. The grounds looked very interesting too. I have no regrets about Goofy pool time, but we could have happily sent the day there. We checked in at 1:45 and they offered to move us up to the 2:00 time, which we jumped at. The boys were tired after our late Palo night, so we had hoped to get a nap in before the excitement of Pirate Night.

The Dolphin encounter was great with a couple of caveats. One, the metal grate that you stand on was very hard on bare feet. I’d recommend water shoes. Obviously it was covered with a walking mat at some point, but that had long since worn off in most places. Second, the water was pretty cold, so DS5 was shivering the whole time. DS7, DW and I were okay. The trainer was great, and the dolphin, Athena, did all kinds of tricks, hugs, kisses, etc. Very cool. She was actually pregnant (the dolphin, not the trainer), which made it even more interesting. The whole thing lasted 45 minutes.

The Encounter was cool – highlighted by the chance to kiss and hug the dolphin. I would have loved to do the Royal Swim, but DS5 was too young. We did get to see other people do the Royal Swim, getting pulled along by the dolphins and also pushed along by their noses. It looked very cool, and I’m sure would make an awesome memory. FYI – if you book through DCL you can only do the Encounter, so book directly to do the swim.

There are signs as you walk onto the dock saying “No Cameras” because obviously they want to buy the ones that they’re taking. However, we took our disposable waterproof and did not have a problem. Of course it’s not digital so I don’t have shots to attach. (Yes, I know I could scan them in, but this TR is already WAAAY longer than I expected. Why can’t I just shut up?)

Directly after the show, they shuffled us all as a group into a viewing room to watch the video of our Dolphin Encounter. I was ready to head out, but it was actually fun to see it all again, and it was amazing how quickly they produced the whole thing, fully edited with sound track, title captions, etc. Then they shuffled us down to the gift shop to sell us the video and photos. I think the starting price was $110 for everything (video plus 16 photos). We really just wanted one of each boy so ended up paying $14. At that stage he was willing to throw in two more for $20 total, but we passed. Moral of the story – if you want 4 shots, initially insist you only want 2.

Great Info, we are looking forward to the Dolphins on our cruise in Aug. 2009. How can we wait that long!

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

 

[cnj]

I completely agree with your opinions on Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We did not like Grand Cayman at all. But, we loved Cozumel and can't wait to go back. I can't wait for your thoughts on Castaway Cay.

 

[ecomerford]

I completely agree with your opinions on Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We did not like Grand Cayman at all. But, we loved Cozumel and can't wait to go back. I can't wait for your thoughts on Castaway Cay.

Of course, my opinions are based on a half-day on each island. I'm sure there are nicer parts of GC if you venture farther from the port. If there's a next time, I'll probably do some more research in advance.