1-3-04 magic western day 4 grand cayman

[jollytammy]

Magic Western—Tues. Jan 6, Grand Cayman

Woke very early to get everyone up and eating breakfast so that we could catch one of the first tenders to get us to the island. We had made reservations with Native Way for Stingray City for 8:30, and guest services advised that we try and catch the first tender. As we arrived at the Buena Vista theatre on Deck 5 they were just getting ready to send the first group down, so we were able to get on the very first tender to the island. The trip went by very quickly. We were dropped off at the South Terminal and headed for the North Terminal where we were to meet up with Native Way. I stopped and asked someone where Native Way was located, and they said to wait under the Gazebo and they would find us there. A large group arrived, also waiting for Native Way. When Native Way arrived, they took the large group first, told us they would be back in half and hour and left. We wondered around and looked in a few shops, even tried some rum cake. I don’t like rum, so the cake wasn’t a big hit. The prices in Grand Cayman are high, so we refrained from making any purchases.

When Native Way returned, they carried us to a van, and then to the boat. We had a woman on the tour who was videotaping it, but I never felt like she actually took enough film of my family to warrant the $50-60 price of the video. Punch and water was provided, and you could sit in the sun or in the shade. It was a pleasant ride out to the sandbar, and when we arrived there were several other boats already there. Lots of people were all ready in the water, which actually helped convince my husband it was safe to get in the water. Native way provided snorkeling equipment, and we grabbed what we needed and got into the water. My DS13 and DH loved it, but DS9 wouldn’t get out of the boat. Eventually he got in and clung to my DH’s back.

The stingrays were cool and the Native Way people were wonderful. They were persistent in not letting you get away without petting and kissing the stingrays. After about an hour, we got back in the boat. We traveled a short distance from where the sandbar was and snorkled around a reef area. The water was clear and the fish were really beautiful. This was actually my favorite part of the tour. DS9 loved it, and was the last one in the boat. It was very relaxing and an enjoyable time. We declined the video offer, gave our tour guides a tip and were driven back to the terminal. We decided to go back to the ship because we were all hungry and a little tired. I would highly recommend Native Way. It was only $25 a person, and we didn’t have to give our credit card information until we arrived.

Grand Cayman seemed very commercialized and you could hardly see the famous 7 mile beach for all the hotels going up. After we returned, to the ship, we ate lunch. The boys went swimming and I took a nap. Everyone came back to the room about 5:00 and we all started getting ready for dinner. We were back at Lumiere’s for dinner. Tonight was “Around the World” menu.

After dinner we went back and changed and headed to the Walt Disney Theatre for Hercules the muse-ical. If you see nothing else, this is the show. My kids loved it. It was just a great production, and wish we could have seen it again. The kids talked about the show the rest of our trip, and DS13 was upset that they weren’t selling a video of the production.

Afterwards, back to the room for room service and to sleep. Tonight we set our clocks back one hour.

 

[BAKAROMA]

Great report. My wife is still nervous about ari and water temps and how it will feel. What can you tell me?

 

[disneystyle]

Hi Jollytammy,

We met you and your family on this trip!! We were patiently waiting together for NativeWay to pick us up.
It was great getting to know you and DH over the week and running into you at different places on the ship.
I'm still so envious of the great deal you found on vanilla and I could kick myself for not buying lots of bottles for the ladies that work in our office and my friends...Oh well...
Isn't it hard being back ?... I still have my suitcases on my bedroom floor. They are mostly unpacked and hopefully will be put in the attic tomorrow.

For us on this trip we were having a good week, a little let down we were not getting to as much of the entainment venues as on previous cruises (both adult and family) we blame this on early dining and it made a longer night for the kids. On previous cruises they would rest in the afternoon, have a late afternoon snack, go to the shows then to the family entertainment and then to Dinner, they would then get their second wind and last until midnight or after in the kids club. Last schedule provided lots of special family interaction and also couple time for dh and I. The eastern for us with the extra day at sea also didn't feel as rushed. On the Western with early dining, by 9:00 to 9:30 our son was paging us to pick him up, he was ready to be put to bed.
In fact, we saw you out at the track one EARLY morning while he was entertaining me full of energy.
However, we went from the cruise being o.k. to just incredible the last couple of days.
On Thursday night we had an unbeleivably great meal at Palo with Marco the Server. The food was sooooo good. The service was impeccable. Our regular server, Tommy, was also another highlight of our trip.
Friday I picked up pillowcases at Customer Service that every single character had signed for the kids. A CM that was previously helping at a scheduled character signing saw that I was holding them and said it would be easier if they (6 characters) could sign them later and I could pick them up at the desk the next day. When I saw all of the signatures I almost lost it, I was beaming and said this is truly "Magical" with mist in my eyes, the CM at the desk laughed at me, but I know they were touched it meant so much to me. It gets better.... at the Character Farewell our daughter was getting Cinderella's signiture and Cinderella leans down and whispers in her ear that she (Cinderella) feels so lucky because she was able to sign dd's pillowcase and she knows dd will only have sweet dreams when she lays her head on her new pillowcase. I'm still amazed Cinderella made the connection from case to my daughter. I'm sure they had lots and lots of things to sign. Oh the Magic of Disney!!!
Doesn't Disney know what they are doing by ending the trip with perfection at Castaway Cay? Walking, biking, swimming, eating soft serve cookie dough ice cream and laying by the beautiful sea on the most beautiful island I just wanted to scream "This is the life, Please don't make me leave!!!" Our group of eight voted they should start and end the cruise at Castaway Cay. (Day 2 and 6)
Take care jollytammy, tell your family hello. It's nice to relive it all over again and include my mini version in your report.
Thanks so much for recounting your experiences, I've enjoyed reading all of them. Take care jollytammy.
Best Wishes,

Disneystyle (Debbie)