11/04/06 Anyone Out There Yet?

[jsfein]

I just found this site and was considering it for our cozumel day if we don't do the Jeep Tour.

http://cozumelcruiseexcursions.com/AllInclusiveResort.htm

I actually have booked this all inclusive for our day in Cozumel. From what I have learned, what you are purchasing is a day pass at the Reef Club resort which is an all inclusive hotel on San Francisco Beach. The reviews on Trip Advisor are pretty positive. Its $40/adult and $20/child. I've been torn in deciding between this and just going to Paradise Beach. In addition to the Magic, I believe there are 3-4 other ships in port with us. From what I've read, Paradise Beach can get crowded. My thought is that the all inclusive may not be as crowded. With the $8 wristbands at Paradise for the water sports, food and drinks, I figure that the cost at the all inclusive will probably be only slightly higher.

What do you think (as if I haven't already over-analyzed it enough).

 

[lindaso]

I got a Palo brunch ressie for Thursday thinking that my youngest will be used to the Club by then. I just read a trip report and the family got a day room at a hotel on Grand Cayman. I'm going to look into it and see if it's something good for us as I was just planning a beach that day.

 

[JCLNJ]

mmouse37- Thanks for the info for Cozumel. We are going to look into that.

 

[lindaso]

Does anyone know the actual times of arriving and departing each port?

 

[jsfein]

Does anyone know the actual times of arriving and departing each port?

According to DCL website:

7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Ship:
Disney Magic®

Ports of Call:
Key West
Grand Cayman
Cozumel
Castaway Cay


Cruise Itinerary Day Port Ashore Onboard
Saturday Port Canaveral — 4:00 p.m.
Sunday Key West 11:30 a.m. 7:30 p.m.
Monday At Sea — —
Tuesday Grand Cayman 7:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday Cozumel 9:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
Thursday At Sea — —
Friday Castaway Cay 9:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
Saturday Port Canaveral 7:35 a.m. —

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the times shown for Grand Cayman and Cozumel are ship time (eastern standard), but that the local time at these ports is central. So I think that means that we arrive in Grand Cayman at 6:30 a.m. local time and at Cozumel at 8:00 a.m. local time. For those booking non-DCL excursions, I suppose its important to understand the time differential.

 

[lindaso]

Jason, thank you for the info. I don't know why I couldn't find that myself.

I'm intrigued by the day room idea but I see that for Key West it wouldn't be worth it b/c we'd need to be back for dinner too soon. But it may work in GC afterall.

And thank you for spelling out the time change. When I made my royal swim ressie ages ago, I knew there was a change, I just didn't know which way it went!! It looks like we have plenty of time to get there.

 

[pklein09]

...I'm up trying to make my Palo ressies at 2:20 in the morning on (technically) Monday the 21st. It won't let me!!!!!!!!!!! It's telling me to come back at the 75 day mark. I guess I'll try again at 5 when DH gets up for work. Anyone else have this problem???

 

[jtaylor123]

Reservations open up at 3:01 am EDT. I got Palo dinner but brunch was gone by 3:04

 

[jsfein]

I got into the reservation system at 3:00 a.m. EST as well, but didn't get the Palo brunch or dinner slots I had hoped for. Guess I'll try again once onboard in 75 days!!

 

[pklein09]

Well, I was having stress dreams till 4:20 - mostly about getting to the airport on time!!!! I managed to get a dinner on Wednesday at 7:00. I know that's pirate night, but I don't think that starts till late. I was hoping to get 2 reservations because we have 2 cabins, but it didn't happen. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Friday were also available for dinner, but we're celebrating 3 birthdays - one on Saturday, one on Sunday and one on Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll see if a brunch or tea opens up once we get on the boat. I'm just happy to have something in hand.

See everyone in 75 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michelle

 

[jtaylor123]

Any suggestions for Cozumel?

My kids want some pool time, so we may just stay on the ship. Has anyone used Shoretrips excursions or Island Marketing rather than DCL's excursions?
The Cozumel Deluxe All Inclusive Resort Day Pass at cozumelcruiseexcursions com/AllInclusiveResort looks pretty good.

 

[pklein09]

Someone mentioned earlier that they save half the Palo ressies for those of us newbies who can't book till the 75 day mark. Do they save any ressies for those people who have no idea to book early and think they can book when the reach the ship? I wondering because we have 2 cabins but only 1 Palo ressie. I was really hoping to get a brunch. I wondering if I have any hope if actually getting one!!!

Thanks!!!

--Michelle

 

[love2travel]

Someone mentioned earlier that they save half the Palo ressies for those of us newbies who can't book till the 75 day mark. Do they save any ressies for those people who have no idea to book early and think they can book when the reach the ship? I wondering because we have 2 cabins but only 1 Palo ressie. I was really hoping to get a brunch. I wondering if I have any hope if actually getting one!!!

Thanks!!!

--Michelle

Yes they do save some ressies for when people reach the ship. When you check in at the port you will be given a Navigator and on there it will tell you where to go to make Palo ressies, but do it as soon as you board the ship.
I was only able to get a brunch, no dinner, so I am going to try for a dinner when we board. Good Luck!

Teresa

 

[pklein09]

Thanks Teresa!!!

 

[love2travel]

Your welcome, that's what we are all here for, to help out each other!

 

[Suzy Mouse]

Hey everyone!! Sorry for the MIA....I had a wipe out while roller blading(new hobby ) the other day and did some damage (could have been worse)...it just hurts too much to sit for long periods of time.


Anyway...I have a question....Has anyone noticed if their rooms have ever changed before they go onboard. I'm not talking about an upgrade. I logged in on the dis cruise site and noticed that the 2 rooms we booked are changed. Before they were on 2 separate decks...now they are on the same deck next door to each other. hmmmm.... just curious.

ETA: I just noticed it is an upgrade. Disney was working it's magical ways to put us together with my dad. Now we have adjoining rooms. PERFECT!!!!

 

[PrincessFAN2006]

We have three kids all different ages so of course they will be in different clubs we had DD 13 DS 9 & 5 If anyone else has children this age I would love to hear from you. This is our first cruise and I am worried my teenager will be bored being alone I think the boys will be fine.

 

[jsfein]

We have three kids all different ages so of course they will be in different clubs we had DD 13 DS 9 & 5 If anyone else has children this age I would love to hear from you. This is our first cruise and I am worried my teenager will be bored being alone I think the boys will be fine.

Welcome to the thread. There is a list on page 11 of the thread (which you'll see you have been added to) that includes the ages of the many kids who will be on board with us DISers. You'll find that there are plenty of other kids the same ages of yours.

 

[PrincessFAN2006]

Is anyone planning on going to scuba dive while we are at Cozumel or Grand Cayman? My husband just got certified.....

 

[love2travel]

Welcome to the thread! No scuba diving for us, sorry!