any1 going in december 17 2005 on the west

[Richfield Autopia]

Saturday December 17th - Embarkation Day

DisMeet - Meet your fellow Disers

3:00 Promenade Lounge (This is the time and place correct?)

Do the teens meet here too, or would there be a better place for them?
Did we decide on a second time and place in case someone is late embarking?

The Promenade Lounge is a good place for a DIS Meet. It's quiet and not crowded, and there's a bar for those who want to unwind after travel, standing in lines, and lugging carry-ons around.

I like the idea of a DIS Meet on embarkation day. Not everyone will be able to make it because embarkation can be hectic, with boarding, lunch, unpacking, and finding ones way around.

A DIS Meet at 3:00 PM would be a short meet, because at around 3:30 PM on embarkation day, passengers are sent back to their staterooms to prepare for the mandatory safety drill at 4:00 PM.

One possibility would be to schedule a second DIS Meet in the Promenade Lounge at 3:00 PM on the first full day at sea, which in Monday, December 19. People who had a good time on Saturday can return. People who missed the Saturday DIS Meet would have another chance.

 

[tamicampbell]

Our TA caleed Wednesday to say that our documents arrived. We are so happy. I went and picked them up yesterday. We are sooooo excited. Do in the doc dance

Hugs
Tami

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanskgiving!!!!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

WE have met at the 3 p.m. time in the promenade lounge before and had about 45 minutes before returning for the safety drill. It worked great for us. If people want we have no problem with a second meet in the promenade lounge on a sea day. But remember lots of people will be attending different events all over the ship around that time too. But at least with 2 chances, most of us should be able to meet.
What do the rest of you think about doing this after reading Richard Autopia's suggestion for a second meet . We will be there on the first meet for sure, a second one I dont know if we will be busy or not.

Princess momma, all the meets I have read about the entire family was there and the teens just sort of walked off to one side and started chatting. Some of them may of made their own plans for meeting later without adults around, but usually the entire family is at the first meet.

see everyone in a few days,
mom x4,grandma x4
Kathy

 

[cheermom4ever]

Hi Kathy,

My son (age 6) and I are so excited about this cruise (our first). Our docs arrived today! We are on Deck 2 in a cat 9 (which is what I booked). We will plan to attend the first meeting. I've noticed that you have cruised many times before. What shore excursions have you booked? Have you made any spa appointments? Any recommendations. Thanks!

Donna

 

[krhardy]

UGH! I'm so jealous! My docs still haven't arrived (but then again, I haven't been home this weekend). I DID however get all my stuff from AAA for our 3 days at WDW before the cruise...WOO HOO!!!
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving...ours was nice. We spent yesterday on Khakismus's DD's boat on the Tennessee River for Chattanooga's annual light parade...always fun! Kinda kicked us off into high gear for the season. Especially, when I realize that I've only got 2 weeks to finish getting everything ready before we leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cheermom4ever]

Hi Kelley,

We are also going to WDW before the cruise! We are staying 2 nights at French Quarter and going to MVMCP on the 16th! Anyone else going?

Donna

 

[Carol36]

Still no Docs here!!! Maybe we will receive them this coming week!!!

Carol

 

[princessmomma]

Hi Kelley,

We are also going to WDW before the cruise! We are staying 2 nights at French Quarter and going to MVMCP on the 16th! Anyone else going?

Donna

Hi Donna,

My family and my sister's family will be at MVMCP on the 16th too! This is their first time to WDW and I just know it and the cruise will just blow them away.

Colleen

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Hi Donna,
glad to hear your docs have arrived. I think everyone waits for that day because then it all seems like your really going!! You have something to physically hold on to.
Yes we have cruised many times with DCL, but this is the first time on the western cruise for us. At Key West we are just going on our own to shop, maybe th epirates museum, or aquarium or what ever looks good at the time.
At Grand Caymen we are taking the island tour and at costa maya we are doing the chacchoben ruins tour. all through DCL. I know others are less expensive and very good, but it is just more convenient this way. No worries!
On castaway cay we wait until we get there to see what the weather is like before actually book anything. Things dont fill up very often there, so we wil see if it's warm enough to snorkel or the banana boats perhaps. My DH and I always walk the trail to the far side of the island, past the adult beach and back. It is so quiet and so many pretty flowers and shrubs to see and a nice view of the ocean at the far end. we did rent bikes once and rode down the path on them. That was fun too.
What excursions did you book? I know you'll have a blast with your son, he is the perfect age to really enjoy a disney cruise. Just be sure and read the navigator from the kids clubs as well as the one in your room so the two of you can decide what looks like the most fun to do each day. Usually the day before castaway cay you can build a kite with your son and then he can fly it on a special place on the beach. It will tell you about it in your navigator. That is really a fun project.
Looking forward to meeting you on board.
Kathy

 

[cheermom4ever]

Hi Colleen,

I grew up in Wilson, NC (about 40 miles east of Raleigh). I am happy to hear someone else is going to MVMCP the night before. It just worked out to be the best night for us to do it. We're driving down on Thursday and I was afraid I would be too tired to go that night. It's about 6 1/2 hours for us to drive from the FL panhandle. We've been to the party before and it is so special. You will love it! A great way to start the cruise.

Donna

 

[spotncleo]

Hi Donna, our family is doing the MVMCP on the 16th as well. We did the halloween party 2 years ago so if its anything like it, we will have so much fun! This will be our only chance to be in the MK this trip so we really want to make the most of it. I have been running around trying to find matching hats/scarves for our family picture, my hubby thinks I'm a little crazy but its fun!! Have a great time and I hope to meet onboard!
Laura

 

[jgrant03]

my family recieved our cruise docs today in the mail very exciting my family and my cousns family are alos goin to the MVMCP on the 16th too

 

[cheermom4ever]

Hi Kathy,

I'm glad the western cruise is a first for you. I know you are excited. I hated to book an excursion in every port so we are doing Key West on our own also. The aquarium and pirate museum is also on our list. In Grand Cayman I booked a Stingray City Tour with Captain Marvin. I'm thinking about changing it to Rays, Reef and Rum Point with Native Way. I've read good reviews about both. This excursion is definitely for my 6 yr old. Water and stingrays not my thing but I'm willing to try anything once. I booked the ruins tour also. My DS is excited about this tour and has already told his teacher about it. She wants a picture. The Beach Day is tempting (sounds very relaxing) but maybe another time. Waiting until you get to CC to book an excursion is wise. I am a little worried about the water temp and weather. I went ahead and booked the Stingray Adventure because I've read good reviews about. Another Stingray thing. What am I thinking? Oh well! Hoping for the best. As for the Spa I've booked the Stone Therapy Treatment and a facial. I've read mixed reviews about both. Have you or anybody else tried either of these? Donna

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Hi Donna,
I have never done a spa treatment. Nobody in my family has done one either.
Most reviews I've read, people liked their treatments but really hated the pushy sales pitch afterwards to buy their products. I've heard that the people are very pushy and rude at times to get you to buy their beauty products. I have read this probably 20 times in the last 3 or 4 months.
So I have avoided that. I tell my DH to give me a massage and he will be saving a ton of money! Ha! Ha!
Maybe we will see you on the ruins tour or when we are exploring Key West. Once we meet on board it is pretty easy to spot people around the islands.
It wont be long now. i still have a few things to do, but I will be ready when the time comes.
I have read lots of good revues about the sting ray excursion at castaway cay too. My family likes to snorkel there, if it's warm enough. I don't swim, I sink, so I'm the official movie taker of the group, pictures too. I am famous for my shots of the clouds, instead of the people!! I learned to make sure the cam corder is not on zoom when you start to use it or you get skies and no people. I get teased all the time about that one, so now every time I use the cam corder I make sure I get at least one shot of the sky just to tease everyone.
well, tiem to sign off, see you in a few days,
Kathy

 

[princessmomma]

I'm thinking about changing it to Rays, Reef and Rum Point with Native Way. Donna

Donna,

We are doing the Stingrays with Native way and probably the pirate museum in Key west as well! That along with MVMCP, I don't want you to think we are stalking your family!

Still no docs for me, my sister received hers in Canada last week. Dunno what has happened to ours??

Colleen

 

[Richfield Autopia]

WE have met at the 3 p.m. time in the promenade lounge before and had about 45 minutes before returning for the safety drill. It worked great for us. If people want we have no problem with a second meet in the promenade lounge on a sea day. But remember lots of people will be attending different events all over the ship around that time too. But at least with 2 chances, most of us should be able to meet.
What do the rest of you think about doing this after reading Richard Autopia's suggestion for a second meet . We will be there on the first meet for sure, a second one I dont know if we will be busy or not.

It's good to hear that you weren't shooed out of the Promenade Lounge at 3:30 PM. 45 minutes would be much better than 30 minutes.

I agree that it's likely that people will be at a scheduled event or otherwise occupied (such as relaxing by a pool) on Monday afternoon. In fact, I might be at the wine tasting, so I might not make it to a 3:00 PM meet on Monday. But a 3:00 PM meet on Monday is still probably a better option for a second meet than trying to do something Saturday night on embarkation day or on Key West day.

 

[Richfield Autopia]

At Grand Caymen we are taking the island tour and at costa maya we are doing the chacchoben ruins tour. all through DCL. I know others are less expensive and very good, but it is just more convenient this way. No worries!

Kathy,

In the past, I've used cruise line excursions rather than private excursions for the convenience and the "no worries" factor, despite the higher price. For example, I used one of the DCL excursions to Stingray City at Grand Cayman last year.

However, I'm expecting a far better, more memorable Chacchoben Ruins experience with the private excursion. This is based on the Costa Maya board at CruiseCritic.com, as well as some Google searches of "Ivan David Chacchoben."

I'm not worried about getting back to the ship, even though the tour is based in Majahual village rather than at the Costa Maya port complex. The tour should be over by 4:00 p.m. The vans that Ivan and David use depart from Majahual, but, at the end of the tour, they provide a choice of being dropped off in Majahual or at the Costa Maya port complex.

The "all aboard" time for the Disney Magic should be 6:00 PM, and the ship should sail at 6:15 PM.

On November 19, I wrote:

I just booked the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins tour at Costa Maya through http://www.chacchobenruins.com/ for myself, my wife, and our two teenage daughters.

This is not the same Chacchoben tour that's offered as an official shore excursion. I'm sure the official tour is great, but, in this case, this independent tour seems even more promising. On the Costa Maya board at CruiseCritic.com, various posts gave glowing reviews of the quality of the tours given by Ivan and David. Ivan Cohuo was born and grew up at the Chacchoben Ruins. His father, Serviliano Cohuo, farmed the area, but did not disturb the Mayan ruins and surrounding jungle on his property.

The tours by Ivan and David are less expensive than the official excursion ($43 vs. $69 for adults). If the only difference were price, I would book the official DCL excursion for convenience. But the real difference is getting a small group tour presented Ivan and/or David, who get very high marks for their knowledge and presentation skill.

On Wednesday, December 21st, the tour will depart from their location in Majahual village (the town near Costa Maya) at 11:30 a.m., or one hour after the ship docks.

Booking the tour is a 2-step process. First, you need to fill in a form to inquire about availability. Then, after you get a positive reply, you need to confirm and provide the names of the people you are booking. There's no credit card deposit needed (for now at least). At the beginning of the tour, you pay in cash (US Dollars or Mexican Pesos).​

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

HI Richfield,
Yes i have read very good reports about Ivan and David's tours. In fact I would say excellant revues on several sites. I know it will be an excellant tour for all those who choose it.
We have family doing the DCL tour and so we are all sticking with it, although I do appreciate the information you posted.
I know your going to have a fantastic time. Just as we will,
looking forward to meeting you soon,
Kathy

 

[Richfield Autopia]

We have family doing the DCL tour and so we are all sticking with it, although I do appreciate the information you posted.

I'm sure the Chacchoben excursion through DCL will be great too.

Many years ago, we went on an excursion to Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen through Celebrity Cruises. Our guide was absolutely excellent, and the motor coach transportation was very comfortable. It seems the Mexican government has high standards for licensed tourist guides to archaeological sites.

Enjoy!

I look forward to meeting you on December 17.

 

[Momma2girls]

Our documments weren't in yesterday's mail, I am hoping they arrive tomorrow.
Richfield- count us in on the Chacchoben tour. I just signed us (4) up for it. I hope we get back to the ship in time for our Palo dinner reservations!
Kathy- thanks for the advice regarding the letter for allergies. I sent that off in Oct.
Colleen- where in Canada will your sister be travelling from? I am originally from Canada.
I've joined this thread late- but hope to meet some of you soon!
I am wondering how I can tell that this group is meeting on the promenade on the 17th. Basically, how do I identify people from this thread?

Sandi