11/06/04 Western New and Improved Official Thread!

[MiaSRN62]

Anyone planning on booking with Capt Marvin's for the stingray snorkel ? If so, which excursion---they have 3 (2hr,3hr and 6 hr). I know it's still not 100% sure we're going here, but just thought I'd book any way ?
Also, is anyone doing a Key West excursion ? I'm still on the fence with this one. The catamaran snorkel looks nice ? Anyone know what time we actually dock in Key West ?

 

[jel0511]

We're booked on the half day excursion with Captain Marvins. I think that's the 3 hour one. In Key West, we're going out on our own and visiting the Butterfly Museum and probably walking around.

 

[jerry112]

We are also already booked with Captain Marvins. The 1/2 day excursion also. Key West is the butterfly museum with my DD7 and my DH and DS are doing the catamaran race.

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by jerry112
We are also already booked with Captain Marvins. The 1/2 day excursion also. Key West is the butterfly museum with my DD7 and my DH and DS are doing the catamaran race.

We seem to be running paralell lives on this cruise. Are you also going to Paradise Beach on Cozumel?

 

[MiaSRN62]

I was thinking of a 1/2 day trip with Capt Marvin also and then adding on the side trip to the turtle farm and Hell. My kids expressed an interest in this.

 

[mikedog]

Is Captain Marvins an offered excursion thru Disney or one you book directly with the operator?

 

[Mindymom]

mikedog,

You need to go directly through the carrier. Check out www.captainmarvins.com

We scheduled the 2 hour trip. I sure hope we end up going to GC. Swimming with the Stingrays sounds pretty fun.

 

[mikedog]

Mindymom,

Thank's My DS10 and DS9 are crossing their fingers we go to Grand Caymans (me too)

 

[jel0511]

Again, it looks like Grand Cayman is looking murky. Here is a quote from kab407, they are on the Magic right now.

I've asked the folks at the Guest Desk and they are saying that the earliest they expect to retrun to Grand Cayman is Dec/Jan. They tend to think Jan is more realistic.

Here is a link to the thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=6678993#post6678993 This response is on page 3.

At this point, I don't think we're going to really know until we board, unless DCL makes an announcement before that we're NOT going to GC. Oh well, we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[CatLady]

A couple questions... regarding GC, how do you get to/from the turtle farm? I've never been to GC, and I'm curious about ground transportation there.

Also, if DCL isn't admitting they aren't going to GC, then I am guessing that they aren't taking reservations for Costa Maya? My sister is very intersted in seeing the ruins there, so we'll probably take the excursion. I'm worried about it filling up if we don't jump on it. We don't want to spend our entire day in Cozumel going to the ruins, and I've seen the ones on Coz when I was stuck there from hurricane Isadore. Heck, I've seen nearly everything on Coz that can be opened when a storm is in the area, I think!

Mostly, though, we're just excited how soon it is! Since this cruise is part birthday present, we were thinking of getting some magnetic letters to write fun birthday messages either on the inside or maybe even the outside of the door. The outside might be too embarrassing, though!!

 

[jel0511]

It is my understanding that DCL isn't allowing any of the Western Cruises that are going to Costa Maya as an alternate port to pre-book anything. I guess to keep it fair for those who might not find out before boarding. So, if we do end up going to Costa Maya, we'll have to book once on board.

 

[jerry112]

Originally posted by jel0511
We seem to be running paralell lives on this cruise. Are you also going to Paradise Beach on Cozumel?

Well, we are actually undecided at this point. We do have the catamaran sail snorkel and beach party booked, but are seriously considering paradise beach. I only booked the excursion so we wouldn't miss out if we chose that at the last minute! If we can't snorkel with the stingrays in GC then it might be nice to get some snorkelling in at Cozumel.

I'm sure we'll keep bumping into each other, though!
Karen

 

[MiaSRN62]

If we can't snorkel with the stingrays in GC then it might be nice to get some snorkelling in at Cozumel.

I agree....and this is the only reason I'm considering a snorkel excursion in Key West also. I did book the Fury Catamaran sail/snorkel/beach with DCL this week for Cozumel.
I wish DCL would let us in on what their plans are "officially", because we all are going back and forth here about GC vs Costa Maya. I booked with Capt Marvin for Nov 9. From his staff's perspective, everything seems to be a "go". So does this mean it would be strictly a Disney decision if we went to Costa Maya ? There have been news reports from GC that they are open for tourism as of Oct 29. So if they're willing why wouldn't DCL be ? I'm a little fuzzy on this.

 

[scottygirl]

Hello Fellow Cruisers!!

Well I STILL have not received my doc's, maybe today. I am sharing with you the response I received yesterday from an email I sent to Nativeway regarding our Stingray excursion:

Hi Jackie,

Pleasant Greetings from Grand Cayman!

First, thanks to your church group. It's the kind of kindness that they've
displayed that keeps people motivated. I am sure the money is needed, and will
be used wisely.

You are all set! According to the Cayman officials, we will began to see
cruise ships again, beginning October 29.

So, we will be waiting for you with open arms!

Sharon


So the mystery continues are we going to GC or not?


jerry112 and MiaSRN62, we are doing the Catamaran Sail Snorkel and Beach Party. Join us it will be fun!!

TTFN,

Jackie

 

[MiaSRN62]

jerry112 and MiaSRN62, we are doing the Catamaran Sail Snorkel and Beach Party. Join us it will be fun!!

We'll be there Jackie !
Looks like you got a very similar response from Nativeway that we received from Capt Marvin's. Let's hope their confidense in our arriving on Nov 9 becomes a reality.

 

[poohssmum]

Yippee! They were waiting for me when I went home for lunch yesterday! I am so freakin' excited! It's almost time to start packing!

 

[chefnm]

We finally got our Doc's last evening. I was getting worried, the rest of our clan all got their's last Friday. After finally touching them and a cold Corona I was in a much better mood.

For anyone that is still trying to get the green Mickey Heads at HD the official color is "Alien Green". If anyone needs any just PM me and I'll go and pick up a bunch, seems not many people here in Amish Land grab that color so HD always seems to have a bunch.

I guess I'm in the minority when it comes to GC. Even though we would like to do Stingray City and the Turtle Farm, I would now prefer to go to Costa Maya. I'm sure that GC has some things to do but do you really want to see an Island that was ravaged by the Hurricane. I'm sure it was beautiful before the storm but what do they have now? Trees with no foliage, buildings damaged, utilities not completely restored. Either way I'll just be happy to be on a "Magical Vacation".

 

[jerry112]

I agree with you chefnm about GC. I truly feel sorry for them and have no problem sending $ to help out but do I really want to see all that devestation when I'm on vacation? We were there last year so we know how beautiful it can be. Whichever port DCL chooses, I do plan on thoroughly enjoying it!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'm sure that GC has some things to do but do you really want to see an Island that was ravaged by the Hurricane. I'm sure it was beautiful before the storm but what do they have now?

I know....I'm weird....but I do still want to see GC. I've heard Costa Maya is very impoverished and been reading reports about dirty beaches ? So, it may be a toss-up between the two. Also heard the vendors are very pushy in Costa Maya. We got that in Nassau so I'm really still leaning towards GC. I haven't been to either so I really can't objectively compare but I do know there have been so many positive reviews/comments from past cruisers for GC and I'm lucky if I find anything even similar in commentaries from people returning from Costa Maya. Some posters (from these boards and the cruisecritic boards) are gong so far as to even suggest getting off the ship at Costa Maya is a waste of time. I'm reading mostly negative reviews. That's what really has me worried about CM.

 

[chefnm]

We booked our trip through Cruise.com because my friends wife is a manager there. They have traveled extensively through the Caribean and Mexico. I just spoke to him on Tuesday and he said that they have been to Costa Maya twice and each time they enjoyed themselves. Not a lot to do, so they just sat on the beach drinking Coronas and Dos Equis and relaxed. He said the beach was clean and he did not feel that the vendors were pushy.
Obviously everyone has there own perspective. I would still rather see a nice tropical area than an area that has been used and abused by hurricane.
Just my thoughts!