10/27 2012 A little Halloween MAGIC!

[gaildmoody]

Tropicante is a la carte while Costa Maya is all-inclusive. Only you can decide if it is worth it to you.

Again, I am not trying to convince anyone anyone, just putting the info out there. Their Disney specific info is at:

http://www.costamayabeachresort.com/costa-maya-events/disneycruises.html

Alcohol and beach activities included?

 

[weHEARTmickey]

We are on our way home from the Disney Magic!!! Oh my goodness, we can't wait to take the kids & MIL in 2 weeks! We had an amazing time, and are completely addicted to Disney Cruise Line. I'm so thankful the geniuses at Disney chose Galveston Our "at sea" days were actually our favorite days.

We did not care for the 7 mile Beach Break in Grand Cayman. We paid $36pp to be dropped off a few miles from the ship, & were given a reserved chair, umbrella, & bottle of water on a VERY CROWDED area of the beach. We gave up our chairs to walk to a more remote part of the beach. Instead of taking the shuttle back to the ship, we paid either $6 or $8 TOTAL for a taxi back. Soooooo, we could've paid less than $20 TOTAL for a quick taxi over & a bottle of H2O. That extra $52 could've gone towards a spa treatment! I came on the ship so concerned that I'd be left due to non-Disney excursions. Now we know! Of course, use your brain & don't push your time limits, BUT We've learned our lesson. There are taxis everywhere in G.C. so I would definitely suggest going on your own, if you were considering the 7 Mile Beach Break. The beach is gorgeous!

Unfortunately, we didn't care for Costa Maya much. We are scheduled for the dolphin swim next trip. We will probably board the ship as soon as we are finished with that. We were caught in a huge storm & had to take refuge under the Señor Frogs hut. I realize this is a party area & I should've expected some abnormal behavior. But those waitresses were so vulgar! They were blowing whistles non-stop, "forcing" people to take shots, then shoving men's faces in their breasts. We were appalled. When they started walking towards us, we pushed out our hands, shook our heads no, & said "No thank you!!!" Thank goodness that rain finally stopped! Just warning you, because that is not something I want my children to see when we go back. Costa Maya has still not recovered from the hurricane, so the shop owners/workers seem desperate for customers. They are more menacing here than I've ever seen in a Mexican marketplace.

Cozumel was gorgeous! It was the highlight of our port days. We took the "All Terrain ride with Snorkel at Punta Sur Nat'l Park" (sorry, can't remember the exact name.) We drove our souped-up atv's 25 miles to Punta Sur & snorkeled. We saw all sorts of fish, lobsters, two starfish, and a sea turtle. Our guide was amazing, and spoke English very well. He was full of information about the Mayan ruins, saltwater crocodiles, Punta Sur, and snorkeling. They provided as many bottles of water as you needed, along with Rice Krispy treats. This was such a refreshing excursion for us. We called it the "Grand Finale."

Anyway, it was a great trip & I can't wait for October 27th to get here!

 

[EDelashmit]

We are on our way home from the Disney Magic!!! Oh my goodness, we can't wait to take the kids & MIL in 2 weeks! We had an amazing time, and are completely addicted to Disney Cruise Line. I'm so thankful the geniuses at Disney chose Galveston Our "at sea" days were actually our favorite days.

We did not care for the 7 mile Beach Break in Grand Cayman. We paid $36pp to be dropped off a few miles from the ship, & were given a reserved chair, umbrella, & bottle of water on a VERY CROWDED area of the beach. We gave up our chairs to walk to a more remote part of the beach. Instead of taking the shuttle back to the ship, we paid either $6 or $8 TOTAL for a taxi back. Soooooo, we could've paid less than $20 TOTAL for a quick taxi over & a bottle of H2O. That extra $52 could've gone towards a spa treatment! I came on the ship so concerned that I'd be left due to non-Disney excursions. Now we know! Of course, use your brain & don't push your time limits, BUT We've learned our lesson. There are taxis everywhere in G.C. so I would definitely suggest going on your own, if you were considering the 7 Mile Beach Break. The beach is gorgeous!

Unfortunately, we didn't care for Costa Maya much. We are scheduled for the dolphin swim next trip. We will probably board the ship as soon as we are finished with that. We were caught in a huge storm & had to take refuge under the Señor Frogs hut. I realize this is a party area & I should've expected some abnormal behavior. But those waitresses were so vulgar! They were blowing whistles non-stop, "forcing" people to take shots, then shoving men's faces in their breasts. We were appalled. When they started walking towards us, we pushed out our hands, shook our heads no, & said "No thank you!!!" Thank goodness that rain finally stopped! Just warning you, because that is not something I want my children to see when we go back. Costa Maya has still not recovered from the hurricane, so the shop owners/workers seem desperate for customers. They are more menacing here than I've ever seen in a Mexican marketplace.

Cozumel was gorgeous! It was the highlight of our port days. We took the "All Terrain ride with Snorkel at Punta Sur Nat'l Park" (sorry, can't remember the exact name.) We drove our souped-up atv's 25 miles to Punta Sur & snorkeled. We saw all sorts of fish, lobsters, two starfish, and a sea turtle. Our guide was amazing, and spoke English very well. He was full of information about the Mayan ruins, saltwater crocodiles, Punta Sur, and snorkeling. They provided as many bottles of water as you needed, along with Rice Krispy treats. This was such a refreshing excursion for us. We called it the "Grand Finale."

Anyway, it was a great trip & I can't wait for October 27th to get here!

Sooooo jealous!!! I wish I could go twice! Thanks for the report!! CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Sooooo jealous!!! I wish I could go twice! Thanks for the report!! CAN'T WAIT!!!

You can! Have you seen the awesome deals Disney is offering? LOL! DH & I booked an IGT for $599pp, which is an "Inside Guarantee Stateroom." We ended up getting #5524 which has a "secret" porthole. It does have an obstructed view, but we could see water. It was a great surprise!! We're getting a verandah room with the "Travel Agent Appreciation" on 10/27.

 

[EDelashmit]

You can! Have you seen the awesome deals Disney is offering? LOL! DH & I booked an IGT for $599pp, which is an "Inside Guarantee Stateroom." We ended up getting #5524 which has a "secret" porthole. It does have an obstructed view, but we could see water. It was a great surprise!! We're getting a verandah room with the "Travel Agent Appreciation" on 10/27.

If my husband hadn't been so wishy washy, I'd have a verandah too with the TA offer, booger head...
I'm hoping to get DH hooked on Disney as he doesn't exactly love cruising like I do and rebook onboard, we will see

 

[weHEARTmickey]

I was thrilled that my DH loved it so much. I'm always game for extra Disney trips! By Disney coming to Galveston, they have changed our lives, HA HA!!

 

[EDelashmit]

I was thrilled that my DH loved it so much. I'm always game for extra Disney trips! By Disney coming to Galveston, they have changed our lives, HA HA!!

I'm hoping the same for us!!! So was your DH not on board like mine? We live in the DFW area, so Galveston is not so far!!!

 

[sinnika]

I was thrilled that my DH loved it so much. I'm always game for extra Disney trips! By Disney coming to Galveston, they have changed our lives, HA HA!!

So glad you and DH loved it! I love the sea days on the Magic. There is always so much to do! Or you can do nothing at all! Thanks for the feedback on your excursions. We are doing a DCL excursion of the ruins in Costa Maya this cruise. When we come back at Christmas, I'll plan a beach day at Tropicante since we will have the kids with us. I am hoping to go to Chankanaab with DH and just enjoy the beach and snorkel there. Since we are driving, we'll bring our own snorkeling gear including fins.
I anticipate more cruises out of Galveston on the Magic, or the Wonder when she arrives next Fall!

 

[SucalT]

Alcohol and beach activities included?

Yes, everything except massages are included.

 

[kevnsheri]

First time Disney Cruiser here, so how exactly do the Halloween cruises work? Do parents dress up? Do the cabins give out candy?

Thanks,

Looking forward to it!

 

[weHEARTmickey]

First time Disney Cruiser here, so how exactly do the Halloween cruises work? Do parents dress up? Do the cabins give out candy?

Thanks,

Looking forward to it!

After seeing all the costumes on Pirate Night, I'm gonna have to guess YES! Almost everyone on the ship will probably be dressed up! It was SO fun to see all the adults in pirate outfits. Can't wait!

 

[TinksMomma]

First time Disney Cruiser here, so how exactly do the Halloween cruises work? Do parents dress up? Do the cabins give out candy?

Thanks,

Looking forward to it!

We are dressing up!!

 

[Nikkim]

We are dressing up for halloween but only the kids for pirate night x

 

[grumpy's fan]

First time Disney Cruiser here, so how exactly do the Halloween cruises work? Do parents dress up? Do the cabins give out candy?

Thanks,

Looking forward to it!

We are dressing up for pirate night and halloween night. I don't have information as to whether cabins will be giving out candy or not. Disney advised that there will be "halloween activities" that night which are supposed to include trick or treat stations, adult costume contest and a kids costume parade (but halloween activities are ultimately decided by staff on ship and they advised the activities may change)

 

[bgsnmky]

we are just two adults and we are dressing up for both nights!!

 

[geauxvacation1]

Is it true disney crew announces each family as they enters the boat on disembarking day?

 

[SucalT]

Is it true disney crew announces each family as they enters the boat on disembarking day?

Yes, Disney will announce your family name upon embarking.

11 Days!

 

[geauxvacation1]

Thank you opps wrong word lol

 

[cruiserfamily05]

We too are booked on this cruise. We are a family of 5, We have DS 8, DD 8, and DD 11 months, We had to book two rooms to make it affordable. We booked inside gty. and just got our room assignments. Disney put us in adjoining rooms. So excited!

 

[geauxvacation1]

I've never been so excited to go on a cruise ESP being a surprise for my kids.