6/13/2009 Western on Magic

[Texas Disney Fan]

What is everyone choosing for the Grand Caymans? Beach? My kids would NOT like Stingrays (freak them out), so that is a no go. Any suggestions

We are doing the Pirate ship excursion. It looks fun and has had good reviews.

We are doing the Pirate ship excursion as well.

 

[Texas Disney Fan]

Y'all were here WAY, WAY before me. So come up with a name for the cruise or ideas for pics, and I'll design something. Maybe the magnets could be my gift to everyone for their doors for the FE! (plus ya know I'd have to get something else fun for the kiddos).

Sounds great.

 

[triplefigs]

What is everyone choosing for the Grand Caymans? Beach? My kids would NOT like Stingrays (freak them out), so that is a no go. Any suggestions

We are doing the Pirate ship excursion as well.

Is that thru Disney or an independent operator?

 

[sinnika]

Is there a place on the dis board to find out about non-disney excursions? I want to start doing some planning and other than the shore excursion book DCL sent, I haven't found much else. Help!!

 

[nikkistevej]

Is that thru Disney or an independent operator?

It is through Disney- here is the description from their website.
Pirate Encounter
Shiver me timbers! Set sail on a tender boat to one of the world's last wooden brigs, the magnificent Valhalla, where you will be greeted by pirates! Upon your arrival, embark on a 45-minute coastal cruise along Seven Mile Beach and drop anchor for a refreshing swim stop. Walk the plank and splash down into the breathtaking blue of the Caribbean. Then, savor the flavor of a cup of fruit or rum punch before taking off on a scenic 30-minute journey back to the tender boat on your way to Georgetown Pier.


Port of Call: Grand Cayman Activity Type: Water Sports Activity Level: Moderate Duration: 2.5 hours Price: Adult: $42 (ages 10 and up)
Child: $28 (ages 3-9) Ages: 3 And Up Additional Information Travel time via tender boat from the pier to Vahalla, and back again, is approximately 10 minutes in each direction.
The boat anchors in open water. Guests will not be able to swim to the beach at any time.
Beverages are included.
This tour is not recommended for Guests with limited mobility or wheelchairs.
Due to very limited shady areas, Guests are encouraged to bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and/or additional clothing. Cameras and backpacks are also recommended.

 

[Theta]

He was in the Navy for 18 years! He once spent 2 weeks on an aircraft carrier and they were out to sea for several days.

First, I have been following this thread for a while, I have one cabin booked but need one more and have been looking and looking for a few months now...anyway, I have been lurking on this thread, but I am waiting to join in when I KNOW we will be joining you.

I had to reply to sinnika, I am not sure if you know, but there are some AWESOME military rates for this cruise on Travelocity. You should check it out and see if your DH is eligible. I know it is for active and retired military and you can book up to three cabins. There are some balconies that are just a little more than the cat 12 pricing.

 

[pclaire]

Hi everyone! I've started making my reservations! I'm about to go into trial for the entire month of march, so I figured I better get moving. Got the flights from Denver, 1 night at the Radisson and the dolphin swim in cozumel.
I'm not sure what we are going to do in Key West or the Caymans.
On our last cruise we went parasailing in Key West, which we may do again. I do know we don't want to be outside walking around much. Last cruise was in March, and it was brutally hot and humid wandering around after our excursion (of course, we were looking for key lime pie on a stick so we weren't suffering all that much).

In Grand Cayman we did a snorkel and stingray tour through Cap't Marvins on our last cruise, which was great, but we wanted to try something different. We won't be doing the turtle farm once my dd learned they have turtle soup at the snack bar! We're thinking of doing the Reef, Rays and Rum Point with Nativeways - it'll be similar to what we did before, but we'll end up on a beach for lunch. My dd and I love to snorkel, it would be a shame to miss it in Grand Cayman. Looks like every tour goes to stingray city, so we'll probably have to go there again. It was cool, but once was plenty. I like the regular snorkeling better.

We tend to book our excursions independently, they are often cheaper, less crowded, and the operators have more flexibility to change things up, for example if the current is too rough in a particular place. Last time we went to Key West, all the watersport excursions from Disney were cancelled, but we were still able to go parasailing. The operators just had us wait for about 45 minutes until the winds died down. It was perfect and we would have hated to miss it!
I think a logo would be a great idea! Wish I was clever enough to do something like that . . . I'm also up for a meet, whenever works for everyone

 

[Theta]

First, I have been following this thread for a while, I have one cabin booked but need one more and have been looking and looking for a few months now...anyway, I have been lurking on this thread, but I am waiting to join in when I KNOW we will be joining you.

I had to reply to sinnika, I am not sure if you know, but there are some AWESOME military rates for this cruise on Travelocity. You should check it out and see if your DH is eligible. I know it is for active and retired military and you can book up to three cabins. There are some balconies that are just a little more than the cat 12 pricing.

Sorry Taina,

I just checked again and the military rates have gone up for this cruise. They are still a pretty good deal, around $4000 for a balcony, compared to teh $8-9000.

 

[nikkistevej]

Hi everyone! I've started making my reservations! I'm about to go into trial for the entire month of march, so I figured I better get moving. Got the flights from Denver, 1 night at the Radisson and the dolphin swim in cozumel.
I'm not sure what we are going to do in Key West or the Caymans.
On our last cruise we went parasailing in Key West, which we may do again. I do know we don't want to be outside walking around much. Last cruise was in March, and it was brutally hot and humid wandering around after our excursion (of course, we were looking for key lime pie on a stick so we weren't suffering all that much).

In Grand Cayman we did a snorkel and stingray tour through Cap't Marvins on our last cruise, which was great, but we wanted to try something different. We won't be doing the turtle farm once my dd learned they have turtle soup at the snack bar! We're thinking of doing the Reef, Rays and Rum Point with Nativeways - it'll be similar to what we did before, but we'll end up on a beach for lunch. My dd and I love to snorkel, it would be a shame to miss it in Grand Cayman. Looks like every tour goes to stingray city, so we'll probably have to go there again. It was cool, but once was plenty. I like the regular snorkeling better.

We tend to book our excursions independently, they are often cheaper, less crowded, and the operators have more flexibility to change things up, for example if the current is too rough in a particular place. Last time we went to Key West, all the watersport excursions from Disney were cancelled, but we were still able to go parasailing. The operators just had us wait for about 45 minutes until the winds died down. It was perfect and we would have hated to miss it!
I think a logo would be a great idea! Wish I was clever enough to do something like that . . . I'm also up for a meet, whenever works for everyone

We are only doing 1 excursion through Disney ourselves- the Pirate boat excursion in Grand Cayman. It was so much cheaper to do the Dolphin Discovery on our own.

 

[Paula13]

Hi everyone!
On our last cruise we went parasailing in Key West, which we may do again.

Could you tell me about this? My DD & her DF wants to parasail..against my better judgement! But, DH said they will be fine. I figured the 'safest' place would be Castaway Cay. I saw another post about Key West & it is MUCH cheaper than Castaway. Just curious if it was safe? Or, appeared safe? I'm a bit paranoid, but also frugil Any thing you could tell me about your experience, I would appreciate it!

 

[sinnika]

First, I have been following this thread for a while, I have one cabin booked but need one more and have been looking and looking for a few months now...anyway, I have been lurking on this thread, but I am waiting to join in when I KNOW we will be joining you.

I had to reply to sinnika, I am not sure if you know, but there are some AWESOME military rates for this cruise on Travelocity. You should check it out and see if your DH is eligible. I know it is for active and retired military and you can book up to three cabins. There are some balconies that are just a little more than the cat 12 pricing.

Hi Theta,

The military rate we were paying for a cat 6 was $4500 for 4, the cat 11 was $3600 with the military discount (through DU). The cat 12's we got (available to everyone if they have the patience to constantly check) after days of searching were $1500 for 2 in the first cabin cat 12, and $2100 for 3 in the second cat 12. So $3600 for 5 people - 3 adults and a 12 and 13 year old. Plus I like the fact that it gives us more space than having 4 people in a cat 11 and only one bathroom and one closet. For families willing to split up, 2 and 2, if there are 4 of you, that would be $3000 for 2 cat 12's if you can find them! Keep checking, there have been several of us that have scored! I'll check travelocity, and if I can get balconies for close to what I'm paying for these cat 12's, I'm in!

 

[sinnika]

Sorry Taina,

I just checked again and the military rates have gone up for this cruise. They are still a pretty good deal, around $4000 for a balcony, compared to teh $8-9000.

Sorry Theta,
I should read the thread before replying! Keep trying for your cat 12 - I'm sure there may be some great deals out there!

 

[triplefigs]

So where is everyone booking their excursions if NOT thru Disney? How do you know which tour groups are reputable and not a rip off?

 

[nikkistevej]

So where is everyone booking their excursions if NOT thru Disney? How do you know which tour groups are reputable and not a rip off?

I just did my Dolphin Discovery through their website, and same with the Key West trolley.

 

[triplefigs]

Here are some links to a few of my designs in Photobucket.

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/triplefigs/DCL/
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/triplefigs/Spring Summer/
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/triplefigs/What Happens in Disney/

They can obviously be changed, etc to ANYTHING we want for our logo, but it gives you a jumping off point. Biggest thing I need is a NAME for our cruise. Maybe something with Fun in the Sun? Or What Happens at Sea... (those are my designs also).

 

[triplefigs]

I just did my Dolphin Discovery through their website, and same with the Key West trolley.

Was the Dolphin Discovery at Cozumel? Fun? And on the Trolley, is that the one that lists the train too? Can you get on and off to stop, or is it a solid tour? The Electric Cars at Key West look fun too! We'd have to rent 2 though for the 5 of us.

 

[triplefigs]

Just a few.

 

[nikkistevej]

Was the Dolphin Discovery at Cozumel? Fun? And on the Trolley, is that the one that lists the train too? Can you get on and off to stop, or is it a solid tour? The Electric Cars at Key West look fun too! We'd have to rent 2 though for the 5 of us.

The Dolphin Discovery was the one in Cozumel, and if you book the trolley through their website or buy the tickets in Key West- there is unlimited stopping. We were also thinking about the electric cars.

 

[nikkistevej]

Just a few.

I like the first one alot!!

 

[sinnika]

So where is everyone booking their excursions if NOT thru Disney? How do you know which tour groups are reputable and not a rip off?

I would love to hear some ideas too! I just ordered the 2008 DCL passporter from Amazon (the 2009 is not out yet) and their 300+ page book has pages and pages of info about the ports, so maybe there's some listings of non-disney excursions? Does anyone who has this book know the answer? I'm all about saving money on excursions so we can spend it on board for bingo and maybe the Spa! My DS esp loved playing bingo on our last cruise!