2/28/04 Magic Western...anyone onboard?

[yamahaboy]

ya i got a call from the hospital yesturday and i have a minor fracture. he said about 3 weeks. im hopeing for the best

 

[divindisney]

Hi all, We will be joining you on 2/28 - 4 adults, 4 kids. Can't wait! Now that I've found some divers I have questions!! DH and I both dive and planned to in both Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Should we bring our own equipment? Is diving in cozumel a bad idea because of the time/wind? Also, if we do not do a boat dive in Grand Cayman won't we miss out on the great reef? What is the best diving here? Do we need to book the dive excursion with DCL now? Do you think this excursion will fill up? And I'm sure I have many more??? Any thoughts on leaving the kids (3 & 5) on the ship for that many hours while we are diving. Is this too long for them? And many more ??'s I'm sure! Thanks

 

[yamahaboy]

sry to get off topic but how old are your other kids??

 

[divindisney]

Our kids are DD- 5, DS -3. My two best friends are meeting us from California - One of them has two girls ages 8 and 10.

 

[mailman028]

Welcome Divindisney.I've never dived Cozumel.But Grand Cayman is another story.Been to all 3 Islands.They have the Best diving so far that I've done.My friend Jeff and I are gonna dive at Eden Rock dive center.They have shore access to 2 very nice reefs.They are very easy dives, and they have a few tunnels to go through.Here's their website. http://www.edenrockdive.com/ But if you want a little bit harder dive,then parrots landing is about 1/4 mile down from Eden rock.There's a very nice wall about 200 to 300 yards from shore.If you want to do that dive let me know and I'll give you some directions on how to find it.It's a little bit of a swim but not bad at all.I can't help you with the kids and pager problem.My wife and Jeffs will be watching ours while we dive.Diving at Eden Rock give us better options.We are gonna dive early so we can spend the rest of the day touring the Island(Turtle farm,Hell etc...).On a boat you have to wait for everyone else,and we only have so much time in Grand Cayman.You also should book an excursion soon if you plan on taking that route.I hope I helped ya.If you need any other info either e-mail me or post it here.Mike

 

[mississaugamom]

Yippee - more divers!!! DH and I did a one-week dive trip to Cozumel in the early 90's and dove every day but one while we were there. The best diving there is on Palancar Reef. It's drift diving, so you definitely need to book an excursion. (I'd be tempted to just book through DCL, but there are certainly dive operators available on the island.) It really is fantastic diving though if you've never been there. I think I was the one who commented about the time of the dive; the excursion group doesn't leave the ship until 11:40 am, and it's listed as 4 - 4 1/2 hour in length. This puts us back at the ship around 4:00. If we have early dinner, there's not really much time to shop or look around in town. We're taking our 7 yr old DD with us. She's an excellent swimmer and loves snorkelling, so we felt too guilty not taking her anywhere in Cozumel. The snorkel excursion leaves about 2 hours ahead of the dive one, so it takes a lot less time out of the day.

As for Grand Cayman ... I'm still determined to get on that dive excursion somehow!!! Our original plan was to leave DD in the club while we were diving - no qualms about it. She would be well looked after and entertained while we were gone. However, we're travelling with our dear Aunt and Uncle who insist they want her to stay with them while we're diving. Okey-dokey!

With the Disney scuba excursions, all equipment is included, so we're only planning to bring our masks and snorkels with us. (Maybe our regulators - depends how much room I have left in my carry-on.)

Feel free to post or PM any other questions! Only 18 more days!

 

[jbix00]

Originally posted by divindisney
Our kids are DD- 5, DS -3. My two best friends are meeting us from California - One of them has two girls ages 8 and 10.

Cool! My youngest DD is 8 and our niece (totallytigger's DD) that will be onboard is also 10!!! Looks like they all will be in the same club together!

DW & both DD's picked up their dresses for the formal dinner this past weekend at the mall...sending in my ressie for my tux this week....going Saturday to pick up our own snorkle equipment and to the pool Sunday to try them out.....

18 days to go and it's going to sneek up on all of us so quick!

YE-HAH!!!

 

[MamaGriz]

I just got fax confirmation of an excursion this morning, and I noticed that our stateroom number has changed. We were in 2604 (a cat 9), now it is listed as 7608 (cat 5)!!!

We may get a verandah after all My DH is working graveyard this week, and I couldn't wait to tell someone (without waking him up too soon).

It won't be long now.

 

[mississaugamom]

Great news on the cabin upgrade!!!!!



I am SO ready for this trip! DH was in a car accident last night (thankfully he wasn't hurt) but there was extensive damage to his car. Hopefully it will all get sorted out and fixed before we leave.

Do we have any dates/times for a DIS meet? 7 yr old DD is anxious to meet some friends for the Club!

 

[MamaGriz]

I'm sorry to hear about the accident , I'm glad to hear your DH isn't hurt. My DH, DD (6) and DS (9) were in a car accdient nearly a year ago. Aside from the car, and a torn up shoulder on my DH, our peace of mind was seriously shaken for many weeks. My whole life was in that car .... you get the picture.

I don't think we've come up with a time or a place for a meet yet. Being a newbie, I don't know when there will be time. Do any repeat cruisers want to step up and pick a time and place? I'll be there.

 

[mailman028]

I love drift diving,it's the only way to dive.I call it lazy man's diving.Just grab a flag sit back and enjoy.The boat drops you off then picks you up.Mississaugamom do you and your hubby dive in Canada?Are you drysuit certified?I used to dive a lot,but parenthood called so its on the back burner for a while.I volunteer at the Florida Aquarium in tampa to keep my feet wet.They put you to work but hey it's free diving.LOL.The tanks are only about 25 to 30 feet deep.I would love to dive in Cozumel but maybe next time.Just a little over 2 weeks to go. I hope everyone has a great day.Mike

 

[mississaugamom]

Hi Mailman! DH and I are both NAUI Master Diver certified, but we aren't drysuit certified. All our training has been here in Canada and our checkout dives were done at an Underwater National Park in Tobermory where the water surface temperature hits a balmy 60 degrees by the end of summer! At depth, it's registered about 42 degrees on our consoles. We never invested in the expense of drysuits when we can survive in our heavy wetsuits (and hoods, and lobster-claw gloves, etc). We "invested" our dive money in Caribbean destinations instead

Like you, we've done a lot less diving since parenthood, but we've done enough to keep current (even if it meant freezing up here!).

17 days and counting!!!

Yamahaboy - take care of that wrist - you'll need it for CC Parasailing!

 

[plutospup]

Alright everyone, let's stay healthy out there! We're getting closer, and closer!

Missisaugamom...Sorry to hear about DH's accident. Glad he's ok. He probably needs a little Caribbean R&R after that!

Mamagriz...Congrats on the upgrade! Enjoy the verandah.

 

[mailman028]

That's a little to cold for me.My first check out dive the water temp. was about 72 degrees,and I thought that was cold.If I can't wear a shorty forget it.LOL.Here's something ya'll get a laugh from.I love to catch lobster,went with a friend and his dad to the keys(We stayed on marathon).Well caught close to our limit.So here I am in the florida keys catching lobster,I live about 10 minutes from the beach and I hate seafood.Don't like fish,lobster,shrimp at all.Is that sad or what.Gave my share to my wifes bosses.I don't do any tech diving.I don't do caves either.There's a bunch of springs about 2 hours from here,crystal river area.That's where a did my first checkout dive.I'm advanced cert. you need to be rescue cert. for the Aquarium's insurance.If it weren't for that I wouldn't have that.LOL.Mike

 

[mississaugamom]

Wow - the seafood's one of the big things I'm looking forward to eating onboard! I've read so many posts about the lobster tails, the crab claws and the buffet shrimp that my mouth keeps watering!

I'm sure there's plenty of takers for your share!

Keep smiling (and keep warm!) everyone

 

[mailman028]

hi plutospup..its mailman028 wife jane, we stay at the raddison night before the sailing....did you like the hotel?ANything to do around there?any good food? thks , i like your countdown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[plutospup]

We were ok with the Radisson. We would have booked there again except (8 months out)they didn't have any non smoking rooms available. My feeling is the Rad could be a great property with a little work, but as of our last visit (4/25/03) it was just alright. The front desk staff during our two visits was absolutely clueless. Despite asking there was no bell service (Unfortunately, we don't travel lightly!). One room was very nice, the other last year looked worn. The pool area is very nice, but the water in March was like ice!!! When Avis was at the Rad it was a great convenience, unfortunately, it moved down the road. Overall, for a one night stay it's fine, but it's not a Disney quality hotel.

Near the hotel...on each side there are restaurants. Zachary's, and Kelsey's. Kelsey's features Italian food. We very much enjoyed it. Across the street is a McDonalds. Not too far from the Rad is a Manatee lookout. Of course, down the road in town is Ron Jon's. ...and also if you get the chance stop at "The Perfect Gift" and meet Shirley & Norm!

 

[mailman028]

plutospup....shirley and norm huh.. thks for info on the raddison, boy they sure make that website look absolutely beautiful...lol..we figured we wanted to stay close to the port and since most of the hotels there have free cruise parking, mights as well do that then pay at port. We will definielty go to Kelseys that night, since Itialian food is my FAVORITE!! I saw this site for Ron Jons resort, it looked awesome with a lazy river running thru the pool area, and the property looked gorgeous...but i couldn't find any prices...maybe they don't let one stay for only one night. Not sure. thks again for info.... We are getting close now everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[totallytigger]

Everyone needs to stay healthy and safe!!

!st yamahaboy hurt his wrist--now someone with a car accident Now's not the time to fall apart!!!

Hang in there everyone--we're almost there!!

 

[divindisney]

I got nervous about missing the ship so we decided to drive down from Charleston a night early and just booked the Radisson. We won't have much time to do more than take a little dip and sleep so it will do. Hope the pool is heated! I got certified in Catalina, California and I thought 64 degree water was freezing!! When I did my first warm water dive in Jamaica where we go married, I was hooked!! Did lots of diving the first 2 years! Since the kids, we've only dove once- in Cozumel. This will be our third trip there. I also emailed the Red Sail Sports (DCL dive operator) about catching the Sting Ray city tour after diving. They said it can't be done because the dive boat doesn't get back until 12:20 or 1. I really wanted to do both as well! Does anyone know about the dress for kids in the dining rooms/formal night, ect? Can't wait!!!