10/15/2011 - Taking the West by Magic!

[Cayley]

It is through Island Marketing LTD. They offer other excursions as well.]

Thanks for the link. I think I'm going to book the same excursion. We were going to go with Moby Dick Tours, but this sounds like more fun than taking a catamaran with 50 people on it & we still go to Stingray City.

Yeah! They booked us for the 11:00.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

OK, tipping guidelines from my cruise docs. This is the total for each position per person in your group: (I had that as the word party, with a colon and it came out to be this... )

Server: $28
Assistant Server: $21
Head Server: $7
Stateroom Host: $28

You can add or subtract from those amounts based on how the service is as you wish. You can pay in cash, or put the tips on your stateroom account (if you do this, then I'd recommend not waiting until the last day to go to Guest Services, the line will be crazy long!)

A lot of people say to tip extra in cash, but I've also head that the CMs prefer to have their tips put on their paychecks, makes it easier to send back home!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

It is through Island Marketing LTD. They offer other excursions as well.


Thanks for the link. I think I'm going to book the same excursion. We were going to go with Moby Dick Tours, but this sounds like more fun than taking a catamaran with 50 people on it & we still go to Stingray City.

Are you new to our cruise meet rk33l4n? If so, welcome aboard! I can add you to the meet thread if you like...

 

[rk33l4n]

Cayley - Did you book with or with out the pre-arranged transport? It seems like a better deal to arrange it with them, but it makes me a little nervous depending on them to get back to the port on time.

 

[rk33l4n]

Are you new to our cruise meet rk33l4n? If so, welcome aboard! I can add you to the meet thread if you like...

We booked a few weeks ago. This cruise was the compromise to get my wife to go to the MNF Ravens game in Jacksonville the Monday we return. This is our 1st cruise and these boards have been invaluable in helping with our planning.

 

[diznpat]

Easy to do, you got it!

Now to see if I can squeeze my much bigger behind into the dress I bought for my last cruise, or if I'll be going naked!

I wasn't even aware that naked was one of the options for formal night. This will also help with my overpacking although I will need to be extra careful when applying sun screen

 

[ivet]

If you are interested- we are thinking of getting a day pass to the Marriott on grand cayman. I saw on cruise critic that it is 12 bucks for a day pass. I am going to call them and see if that info is correct. You get use of their beach, chairs, towels, umbrellas and pool. Sienna will be looking forward to the pool as she wont be able to use it on the ship- and she loves the pool. I hope it works out.

If anyone else wants to join-once i confirm i will let you know-although i wish we were doing stingray ray city

We'd love to know - havent booked anything for grand cayman so this sounds very interesting. THANKS!

Sonia

 

[Cayley]

Cayley - Did you book with or with out the pre-arranged transport? It seems like a better deal to arrange it with them, but it makes me a little nervous depending on them to get back to the port on time.

I booked our transportation directly through them. From what I read, they drive us back right when the excursion is over.

 

[momtylerashley]

Thanks so much for the information...also what about leaving tips in the room for the maids? So much to think about....I have no more brain cells left!

Renee

For the cruise, you have 4 tipped positions, the head server, your server, assistant server and stateroom attendant. This tip is I believe $12 per person in your party per day broken up between them. I'll check my cruise booklet for the amout per position for the whole cruise, it's in there.

Some people like to bring treats for the CM in the clubs, or just to hand out, I never have but with the abundance of Halloween candy, and the fact that we'll be out there a week ahead of time, I may buy a bag and hand them out this cruise.

On your excursions, it's usual to tip your guide if you have one. This would be someone who is telling you about where you are, it's history, why it's cool, etc., not just a guy who drives a bus. We tipped maybe $20 for our family of four in the past for a whole day excursion YMMV.

For you dolphin trip, you'll want to tip your cab driver, and possibly your encounter leader. I'd take around $100 with you to pay for cabs and tips over and above your excursion cost. You may not need that much, I don't know what it'll cost to get there by cab, but I'm always better safe that sorry!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Thanks so much for the information...also what about leaving tips in the room for the maids? So much to think about....I have no more brain cells left!

Renee

You don't have "maids" on the cruise, you'll have a stateroom host/hostess. It's the same person throughout the cruise, you'll see them in the hall all the time and unless they're shy, will probably get to know them. That's one of the 4 tipped positions that you give their tip on the last day, so nope, you don't need to tip every day for the maids.

 

[tinkerbelx]

We'd love to know - havent booked anything for grand cayman so this sounds very interesting. THANKS!

Sonia

Looks like this was a bust. I called the resort and they said it would be half the daily rate and they couldn't reserve anything, i would have to call the day of. Anyway if we decide to do a beach day we are going to cab it down to the royal palms and hang out there. I heard they have chairs, umbrella's and a pool for adults only. Food and booze too.

Cayley had given me this site and they allow under 3 to go to stingray- so we are now considering this. it was only 35 per person and baby is free!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Looks like this was a bust. I called the resort and they said it would be half the daily rate and they couldn't reserve anything, i would have to call the day of. Anyway if we decide to do a beach day we are going to cab it down to the royal palms and hang out there. I heard they have chairs, umbrella's and a pool for adults only. Food and booze too.

Cayley had given me this site and they allow under 3 to go to stingray- so we are now considering this. it was only 35 per person and baby is free!

If you're talking about Captain Marvin's we're booked (I hope, just got the confirmation!) on the first trip that AM at 8:30 (ashore time is 7:30), Jillian is going for the first time I'll be going for the second.

 

[amazingact21]

OK, tipping guidelines from my cruise docs. This is the total for each position per person in your group: (I had that as the word party, with a colon and it came out to be this... )

Server: $28
Assistant Server: $21
Head Server: $7
Stateroom Host: $28

You can add or subtract from those amounts based on how the service is as you wish. You can pay in cash, or put the tips on your stateroom account (if you do this, then I'd recommend not waiting until the last day to go to Guest Services, the line will be crazy long!)

A lot of people say to tip extra in cash, but I've also head that the CMs prefer to have their tips put on their paychecks, makes it easier to send back home!

Thanks for posting. I saw these prices somewhere else, but it's always nice to see them reaffirmed. Helps with planning!

 

[Becker5]

We also are taking a Island Marketing tour on the Hannibal Stingray City Catamaran tour. Had good marks on trip advisor. Hope it all works out.

 

[tinkerbelx]

If you're talking about Captain Marvin's we're booked (I hope, just got the confirmation!) on the first trip that AM at 8:30 (ashore time is 7:30), Jillian is going for the first time I'll be going for the second.

it was on the Hannibal- times were 9:30-1:00. however i like your start time better. is it an all day thing? the one i am looking at is 3 1/2 hours.

 

[Cayley]

FYI. I read reviews for Island Marketing on Cruise Critic and they were all positive. I was a little nervous booking an excursion on our own so I feel better after reading that!

 

[The Browns]

I don't want spoilers of what characters we'll see on the ship or at the excursions...BUT.........someone PLEASE tell me if there will be some of the Peter Pan/Neverland characters?!!!! I'm just dying to know in anticipation for my son! I know they tore down the Flying Dutchman but I'm really hoping he'll get to meet some of the Characters from the movie/show.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

it was on the Hannibal- times were 9:30-1:00. however i like your start time better. is it an all day thing? the one i am looking at is 3 1/2 hours.

That's a little longer that ours, it's their short cruise, so it's 8:30 to 10:45, we'll get back, look around a bit and probably be back on the ship for lunch!

I don't want spoilers of what characters we'll see on the ship or at the excursions...BUT.........someone PLEASE tell me if there will be some of the Peter Pan/Neverland characters?!!!! I'm just dying to know in anticipation for my son! I know they tore down the Flying Dutchman but I'm really hoping he'll get to meet some of the Characters from the movie/show.

I have seen Peter Pan and Captain Hook as well as Smee, but I don't think any of the other Lost Boys (why does that make me think of vampires with Keifer Sutherland, am I dating myself? ) are on the ship.

 

[rk33l4n]

FYI. I read reviews for Island Marketing on Cruise Critic and they were all positive. I was a little nervous booking an excursion on our own so I feel better after reading that!

My wife and I just booked the 11am tour too. Looks like fun

 

[tinkerbelx]

That's a little longer that ours, it's their short cruise, so it's 8:30 to 10:45, we'll get back, look around a bit and probably be back on the ship for lunch!

I have seen Peter Pan and Captain Hook as well as Smee, but I don't think any of the other Lost Boys (why does that make me think of vampires with Keifer Sutherland, am I dating myself? ) are on the ship.

I think we might crash your tour b/c of the lil one- this way we will be done by nap time. Still waiting to hear what the rest of the family has to say.

And i am with you.... the lost boys always makes me think of that movie. Ahhh the 80's!