11/11/06 Double Dip - Short Report & Pics

[Wojo]

Yes, that was my sister in law- she had her two small boys with her and I had my boys with me so we had staterooms full of testosterone Did you have Reeda as your stateroom steward? She was wonderful! I am so mad at myself for not rebooking- did you rebook?

Yep, we rebooked while onboard for the 12/1/07 western.

We had originally planned on going to WDW next year, camping at Fort Wilderness CG, and then cruising again in '08. By Thursday I knew that I couldn't wait 2 years to cruise, so we cancelled WDW and rebooked DCL.

Check with Dreams Unlimited for a quote. They have some competetitive deals that could put you pretty close to the price you would have gotten if you had rebooked onboard.

 

[Wojo]

Here are some additional pics, taken while snorkeling at Castaway Cay, Costa Maya and Cozumel. These were all taken with the disposable underwater cameras. We got about 27 good pictures out of 81 taken.

Snorkeling Pics

The pics are arranged by location...Castaway Cay, Costa Maya, then Cozumel. The Cozumel pictures were taken during an excursion to Palancar and Columbia Reefs. Costa May pics were taken right off shore.

Things I learned while taking these pics. I learned that I REALLY enjoy taking underwater pics. I also learned that distance is your enemy. The light streaming through the water is pretty and all, but it plays havoc with taking underwater pics. Closer is better! Shelly has given me the green light for purchasing an underwater housing for our digital camera before next year's cruise.

 

[miatamel]

We LOVED LOVED LOVED Adrian at Topsiders. After the second or third night in the dining rooms, we quit going there and just went to Topsiders so we could have Adrian (plus it isn't as chaotic). We made sure to tip since I didn't know how that worked since he wasn't on a regular rotation. I was told he was getting promoted to dining downstairs anytime. So if you are going back, you should request him. I also hoped you mentioned him on your comment card, as I did. Just a doll, he was!

 

[GrayFal]

Here are some additional pics, taken while snorkeling at Castaway Cay, Costa Maya and Cozumel. These were all taken with the disposable underwater cameras. We got about 27 good pictures out of 81 taken.

Snorkeling Pics

The pics are arranged by location...Castaway Cay, Costa Maya, then Cozumel. The Cozumel pictures were taken during an excursion to Palancar and Columbia Reefs. Costa May pics were taken right off shore.

Things I learned while taking these pics. I learned that I REALLY enjoy taking underwater pics. I also learned that distance is your enemy. The light streaming through the water is pretty and all, but it plays havoc with taking underwater pics. Closer is better! Shelly has given me the green light for purchasing an underwater housing for our digital camera before next year's cruise.

It was so nice meeting you and Shelley on the cruise....
My college age DD is going on a (shudder ) Carnival Cruise that will stop in Cozumel...was there any charge to use Paridise Beach? and how much was the 2 hour snorkeling trip - your pictures are amazing!!!

DH and I took the Dune Buggy and Snorkel trip thru DCL for $85...the snorkeling was just okay - not nearly as good as Castaway cay - but the buggy ride and coastal scenery was fantastic.
I am looking for a more budget friendly place/trip for my DD and friends.
TIA

 

[Wojo]

It was so nice meeting you and Shelley on the cruise....
My college age DD is going on a (shudder ) Carnival Cruise that will stop in Cozumel...was there any charge to use Paridise Beach? and how much was the 2 hour snorkeling trip - your pictures are amazing!!!

DH and I took the Dune Buggy and Snorkel trip thru DCL for $85...the snorkeling was just okay - not nearly as good as Castaway cay - but the buggy ride and coastal scenery was fantastic.
I am looking for a more budget friendly place/trip for my DD and friends.
TIA

It was good to meet and talk with you and Sarah.

Paradise Beach is free to sit, relax and swim. If you want to use the floats, the water trampoline, or the water iceburg it is only $9.00 US. The taxi ride there cost $13.00 US. Very reasonable.

The snorkeling excursion cost $35.00 per person, and they do expect a tip as you're exiting afterwards. It is a two hour excursion to Palancar and Columbia Reefs on a catamaran (roughly 1 hour in the water and 1 hour in the boat), and includes margaritas and sodas. They send you into the water up-current of the reef and then you let you drift across it, so you see a good bit of the reef. They had a master diver in the water at all times.

Hope that helps.

 

[woody73]

Wonderful photos, Dave. Brought back lots of memories. Thanks for sharing.

Woody

 

[GrayFal]

It was good to meet and talk with you and Sarah.

Paradise Beach is free to sit, relax and swim. If you want to use the floats, the water trampoline, or the water iceburg it is only $9.00 US. The taxi ride there cost $13.00 US. Very reasonable.

The snorkeling excursion cost $35.00 per person, and they do expect a tip as you're exiting afterwards. It is a two hour excursion to Palancar and Columbia Reefs on a catamaran (roughly 1 hour in the water and 1 hour in the boat), and includes margaritas and sodas. They send you into the water up-current of the reef and then you let you drift across it, so you see a good bit of the reef. They had a master diver in the water at all times.

Hope that helps.

THANKS!
Exactly what I was looking for for the kids.....I know that DizneyCruiser Janice and her Dsis Linda rented Jetskis there, also.

And Woody, I just read your 'tags' - I always bring my own snorkel!!!
How did your DW's picture with Capt Jack on CC come out???
Would love to see it

 

[woody73]

. . . And Woody, I just read your 'tags' - I always bring my own snorkel!!!

How did your DW's picture with Capt Jack on CC come out???

The tag fairy has some sense of humor!

The picture is great. Capt Jack liked that DW wore her pirate outfit on Castaway Cay just for the photo.

Woody

 

[shelwoj]

By the way, how many of you saw me make an idiot of myself with the juggler? My stomach hurt for 2 days from laughing! :rotfl

Then the next day Dave and I were in the pool games making idiots of ourselves again!

Lucky for me no one had a camera at either event!

 

[shelwoj]

We LOVED LOVED LOVED Adrian at Topsiders. After the second or third night in the dining rooms, we quit going there and just went to Topsiders so we could have Adrian (plus it isn't as chaotic). We made sure to tip since I didn't know how that worked since he wasn't on a regular rotation. I was told he was getting promoted to dining downstairs anytime. So if you are going back, you should request him. I also hoped you mentioned him on your comment card, as I did. Just a doll, he was!

Our Adrian was from the United Kingdom.

 

[mom2of2]

DS15 and I did the wave runner at Paradise beach and it was $55.00 for 30 minutes. We had a great time!!!

 

[Vanvmom]

Our kids didn't want to rent waverunners if they would not be allowed to be the driver. They've driven them before when we camp with friends. LOVE it! Jumping the waves is my favorite part, yet you won't see me go near a motorcycle. Go figure

 

[GrayFal]

Jumping the waves is my favorite part, yet you won't see me go near a motorcycle. Go figure

Maybe because you think water is more forgiving then 'road'...although at 50 mph, hittingthe water isn't mch fun, either !!!

 

[Vanvmom]

I think it may be a bit more that there is a bigger surface area contacting the water with a waverunner than the surface area of wheel to asphalt on the motorcycle. I'm not very "well-balanced," so to speak. I'm less likely to fall off the waverunner than I am the motorcycle.

 

[TiggersPal]

Well I sure love the ECO Tour at Castaway Cay and especially at the end where I did a couple of illegal 360's!!!! One of the boys kept yelling at me, saying "your trouble" I think he's right!! I couldn't help myself!!! I love jet skiing!!!

 

[woody73]

"You are so busted!"

Woody

 

[TiggersPal]

"You are so busted!"

Woody

Oppps me and my big mouth!!! That wasn't the only time I was called "trouble" but I'll save that for another time...

 

[woody73]

Oppps me and my big mouth!!! That wasn't the only time I was called "trouble" but I'll save that for another time...

LOL!!