11/14/09 - Special Western - 2 CC stops

[LindaBabe]

We want the Dolphin Encounter, but have been reading on the boards that Dolphin Discovery has a new policy regarding cruise ship bookings. Anyone already booked? Who is in the Encounter group? I remember one of the families that was in it, switched sailings...My group consists of DH, myself,
DD8, and DD4 (1 month away from turning 5).

The only "official" word on the chakanaab website was this comment on the bottom of the dolphin page

If you get to the Mexican island of Cozumel in cruise ship, verify your Schedule before booking to avoid inconveniences. The Time Zone in Cozumel is CST-Central Standard Time (UTC/GMT-6 hours) during winter and CDT-Central Daylight Time during summer (UTC/GMT-5 hours).

 

[mousemom11]

Hi Again,

Just saw some posts on the Dolphin Excursions. It sounds like the Royal swim is the one we want. The park looks great.
Could we join up with you? If you already have it set, no worries.


Thanks

Please join us, we'd love to have you. Right now it is my family of 4, plus Hypermommy's youngest DS. I can't remember which time we booked. I have it in a file at the office, so I'll look it up and post it tomorrow.

We chose Chankanaab over Dolphinarus because Chankanaab has other things to do besides the dolphins. Before/after your Dolphin swim at Chankanaab, you can lounge and swim at the beach. It's also a Nature Park. Whereas Dolphinarus is just the dolphins.

 

[xxcell]

Thanks, yes right now it is my DD9 going on 10 and my wife. My DS16 and me are still trying to decide what to do on cozumel. But my DD is so excited. It would be great to join you and thank you again.


PS- Still trying to get the abbrevs down-LOL

 

[mousemom11]

Thanks, yes right now it is my DD9 going on 10 and my wife. My DS16 and me are still trying to decide what to do on cozumel. But my DD is so excited. It would be great to join you and thank you again.


PS- Still trying to get the abbrevs down-LOL

My DD's will be 11 and 8 on the cruise, so it sounds like our DD's will get along famously.

We have booked the 11 am Royal Swim for 11/18/09 at Dolphin Discovery in Chankanaab on Cozumel. I just went out on their website and they are offering nice discounts if you book in May. It looks like you would be eligible for a 20% discount.

Here is a link to their website. http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-activities-dolphin-royal-swim.asp

 

[xxcell]

Hi and Thanks. Just booked it. 11/18/09 @ 11 AM-Royal Swim.

I hope that was correct? Wasn't sure if I should have selected the package deal.

We got the 20% discount,thanks.

Yes, our dd's should get along great. Hopefully they can meet on board prior to trip.

jeez,I wish it was sooner for the cruise, but at least its something to look forward to when summer is over.

Thanks again for the info and see you soon

 

[sandiegosusie]

Just booked our Encounter also...the four of us for 180.00 was not bad at all! DD4 was free, plus the 20%! I feel pretty good about that one!

 

[sandiegosusie]

Well, actually piling stuff that I don't want to forget about! It's never tooo soon!

 

[mousemom11]

Hi and Thanks. Just booked it. 11/18/09 @ 11 AM-Royal Swim.

I hope that was correct? Wasn't sure if I should have selected the package deal.

We got the 20% discount,thanks.

Yes, our dd's should get along great. Hopefully they can meet on board prior to trip.

jeez,I wish it was sooner for the cruise, but at least its something to look forward to when summer is over.

Thanks again for the info and see you soon

Yes, that's the right one. We're having a DIS meet on Saturday, the 14th at 2 pm in the Promenade Lounge the day we embark, so that we can all get acquainted. One of our activities will be "find your excursion buddies", so we'll be sure to look you up.

 

[Travelbee]

Just booked our Encounter also...the four of us for 180.00 was not bad at all! DD4 was free, plus the 20%! I feel pretty good about that one!

Sandiegosusie - Which time slot is your Dolphins Encounter? It'll probably be just me & DD6. DH surfs and swims with dolphins all the time (at least that's what he claims).

Mousemom - thanks for the tip about 20% off!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Hi folks! THINKING about book here. It would be myself, DD(2) and DM. I'd be using DVC points, which would be a great deal for this cruise. Gotta love the week before Thanksgiving!! Does anyone know who the crew would be? Would Brent and Christian be on this one? We've had them twice now and they are a blast!

Just gotta look into airfare. Trying to convince some friends and family to jump onboard with us. Hope to be joining you all! Always wanted to double dip!!!!

 

[Hypermommy]

Hey there, hi there, ho there everyone!!!

Can you believe I put in 18 hours on the computer last Saturday and NONE of it was pleasure surfing? Work, work, work. I've got such a rotten boss!!!! But at least I'm starting to get caught up. LOL

Let's see, 12pm Central means 1pm Eastern. So six months from now we'll be dining at a lovely pre-board buffet (probably Parrot Cay) and getting ready for the DisMeet in an hour!

Oh what a nice and wonderful thought!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is a good deal for a suite but I just booked the Caribe Royale nearby before reading your post. It's also a suite with free parking but no hot breakfast for $129 with the Mousesavers discount. I checked Expedia for Buena Vista Suites just to compare but the price was $140???

Lisa - checked into POFQ... nice place! But we're opting for a non-Disney resort to save a few $$ for the DOTD.

I have to admit that I'm still cheap enough to choke a bit when someone mentions $129 for a hotel and saving $$ in the same sentence. Please don't get me wrong.... I understand completely what you're saying. It's just that my family is still in favor of the $40 a night places when you can get them. You know.... the ones where they leave the light on for ya!

I may be in the minority but I'm not worried about the new menus. I know that there was a bit of an uproar about the changes (especially from people who hadn't even cruised yet which I always think is a little funny - no offence) but I figure that as long as I don't have to cook it, serve it and clean up after it, it's all good!!

Having said that of course I can't wait until someone sails in June and posts the new menu - I want to see all the yummy goodies too!!

Maybe I should go check out that thread (yeah, in my spare time, right?). I can't imagine why anyone would be concerned about the menus. It's gonna be good food and I don't have to cook it and I get to have as much of it as I want.

But now one question..... they're not messing with the porterhouse steaks at Top Siders are they (I think that was the name of the restaurant)? That could be a problem.

New to the Boards. We are going on the Double CC cruise too. Can't wait.

Hey there and !!!! If you haven't already, send me a PM with your email addy so I can get you access to our spreadsheet (where we keep track of who's doing what). I'll also respond to your PM with the addy of our "private" boards. (everyone who's been here for a while knows what I'm about to say and is probably tired of hearing it.... they're not really _private_ as in they're not behind any kind of security but I don't make the website addy public either.... just wanted to let you know because with people's kids involved I want to make sure everyone knows the level of security).

So you're going to join us for the Royal Dolphin Swim!!!!! Well, at least join my 13yo EM#2 (there's an acro that you won't find on the list ... EM = eating machine. It's a term that my DH came up with that so totally fits my kids because I never KNEW how much a teenaged boy could eat). I'm going to the park with y'all but he's the only one from our family getting in with the dolphins.

I'm sooooooooo glad to be going with MouseMom's family and now yours! I have to admit the idea of being alone with my child in Mexico was not a comforting one. I'm not so concerned about DH and EM#1 because they'll be on a Disney thing (the zipline). But every time a commercial for that show "Locked Up Abroad" comes on, I cringe. I know, I know... I'm being a worrywart. But I just can't help it. But I don't have to worry about it now because I'm going to be with you lovely folks!

Just booked the cruise and tickets for the DD and can not wait! It will be myslef, DH, DS (5), DS (2).

I have been reading the links and would like to join in on the FE fun...how does it work? We have never done this before. THX to all those who are organizing.

And to you too!!!!! I just saw your PM and send you the link to the private board. (no... I won't say it again... I figure you read it just above and besides, I think I put it in my PM to you too). There's some planning and games going on over there too.

FE is lots of fun... basically you make an extender to go beside your door (there's pics of them somewhere but I'm not sure where right now... just search for "fish extender" and you should find some). Anyway.... then you check it whenever you come back to your room because lots of people are going to be leaving stuff for you in your FE. And you leave stuff in other people's FEs. I don't remember exactly how many are doing it right off but there's a link in my signature to the last time I posted numbers from the spreadsheet.

Speaking of the spreadsheet, y'all... I got the numbers from BigJack's family (you know... the ones that are bringing half of a small country on the cruise! ) and I was just about to compile spreadsheet numbers again when I noticed we had new folks sign up. So I'm going to give them a chance to get their info in (to the spreadsheet or to me and I'll get it in the spreadsheet). I'll post new numbers in a few days when it's updated. If anyone's looking for a specific piece of info, let me know and I'll get it out.

Well, actually piling stuff that I don't want to forget about! It's never tooo soon!

Okay, you've got me beat in the obsessed over the cruise department. Starting a staging area for packing six months before the cruise???? Yep, girlfriend, you've got me beat!

Hi folks! THINKING about book here. It would be myself, DD(2) and DM.

Join us, join us... we're lots of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ruh roh... the boss just saw me playing on the internet and is telling me to get my big butt back to work!!!! (ps... for the new families...I just started working for myself)

 

[mrp4352]

Well, actually piling stuff that I don't want to forget about! It's never tooo soon!

We have a big tub we use - things just get dumped in there as we find them and realize we don't need them until the next trip. (You know, important things like the over-the-door shoe hanger and the FE gifts we've picked up!)

 

[LindaBabe]

But now one question..... they're not messing with the porterhouse steaks at Top Siders are they (I think that was the name of the restaurant)? That could be a problem.

Well, yes. Steak is one of the problems.

This will be our 8th & 9th cruises with Disney (B2B) and we've always had good luck with the food. But I have to admit to being concerned after seeing the new menus and reading some of the early commentary.

Waiting to hear what is said after the new menus are implemented on the Magic the middle of June. I have a friend on the 7 day one week after they start, and I'm sure to get the straight scoop from her - she has a group spanning ages 5 - 80, and including 1 diabetic.

FE Gifts are in progress.

 

[xxcell]

Hi,

We sent a pm to you with our info, so we can be added. I hope you got it, could you let us know?? My pc froze when I was trying to send it, but it said it was sent,but I don't see it in my sent folder.

TY

Also, thanks for the big welcome. The Dolphin swim should be great.
Yes teenagers are Eating machines-LOL, My son devours anything he can get his hands on. Kills the food budget.

 

[binky1]

Holy Cow!! I'm away for the long weekend and I have so much to catch up on!!

A big welcome to our newest members. We'll probably be joining the Dolphin Encounter Group as well - gotta get on that soon I guess....better talk to BIL and his family.

I also have a cruise pile, oh and a little cruise box and maybe even a bag or two...

Cheers,
Lisa

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Has anyone been on the ship at this time? Will it already be decorated for Chritsmas? Or will we miss that by a week or two?

 

[mousemom11]

Has anyone been on the ship at this time? Will it already be decorated for Chritsmas? Or will we miss that by a week or two?

I think that the Magic may be decorated for Christmas during our cruise. I remember reading some threads about this last fall, and my recollection is that the decorations go up mid-November.

 

[gomagic]

For those of you who have mentioned about already packing things away, don't feel too bad because we have had stuff put back since we got back from our cruise in March. We came home, did the laundry and promptly repacked certain things for our next cruise. Everything we want to take on a cruise goes into rubbermaid storage containers until we need it again. We have an extra, small room in our house that doubles as closet/luggage storage/cruise storage area.

 

[LindaBabe]

We came home, did the laundry and promptly repacked certain things for our next cruise.

That's what we do too! Some things ONLY get used on the cruise - like my tiara, although that may not go this time - I haven't seen any one mention wearing one, although that was big with the previous disgroup we sailed with - and the water shoes, door signs, over the door shoe bag, the teddy bears pirate costumes . . .

 

[RookieMouse]

Hi all! Haven't been on in awhile so I thought I'd try and catch up.

The Dolphin Encounter looks like fun, we might just have to book that ourselves while the 20% discount is still available.

Welcome to all the new folks on the thread! Glad you are joining us.

Man!!! I need this cruise so bad right now... winter just won't go away here. We had snow flurries on the weekend... and on Monday... and on Tuesday... and woke up to a skiff of snow on the lawn this morning too But the weatherman says it is over and we should be looking at mid-20s by the weekend (yeah, right)

Now I have to go try and do some real work instead of loitering around here... but I don't wanna!!!

Happy Hump Day all!


John