April 13, 2013 - Western Caribbean Fantasy Cruise

[pershing]

I got an idea Pershing.....if your kids are anything like mine, they won't give up an old toy even if it is broke! Tell them they can fly, but as a family you need to earn the money. Have a yard sale, sell on ebay.....clean your house out of all the things they are holding onto but don't really need!!!!!

Yes, they are that way! That's a great idea! I have a ton of stuff I'd like to unload onto ebay. Garage/yard sales are tough as we are tucked away and not near a main road. Although, to combat that locals have a block yard sale and I think my friend mentioned her block was gonna do one. Thanks, mdurette!

I found this excursion opinion threads:

Best Excursions for Grand Cayman, Cozumel & Costa Maya?

Post Your Western Excursion Reviews Here

Cozumel Xcaret, Xel Ha or Secret River

So far it seems like the only people who liked Costa Maya was the poster who went to Maya Chan. I'm always up for a private beach. Although I'm nervous about Costa Maya in general!

Other excursions I'm looking at:

Cozumel: Secret River

If we do it, I'm dragging all 3 DS's off for it! It sounds awesome!

Grand Cayman: Stingray City

Probably just the 2 youngest for that one. My middle DS who has autism is afraid of dogs and horses, so I'm positive he won't go in the water- the Stingrays would equal dogs swimming towards him, I bet! lol He would enjoy just seeing them though.

My youngest would love the turtle farm too.

Captain Marvins, Moby Dick, Native Way, Island Tour- how do you choose which one to go with? Or does it even matter?

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

pershing
We did stingray city when we were young and had no kids. I still remember it like it was yesterday. That was awsome. The sting rays are huge. They are wild but there must be so may ships doing this as soon as you get in the water they come running kind of like my dog with his food. There are lots of them everywhere.

 

[brich]

So you are also from Mass. Interesting. I looks like a lot of people are from mass

School vacation in Mass that week...

 

[brich]

So far it seems like the only people who liked Costa Maya was the poster who went to Maya Chan. I'm always up for a private beach. Although I'm nervous about Costa Maya in general!

I enjoyed Costa Maya in April but we did the Chacchobin Ruins tour. Seems our fellow cruisers in April only like Costa Maya if they had an excursion or beach resort to go to. Those who didn't like the port only hung out around the port...

I keep saying, if you like a beach resort and are looking for something in Cancun, we loved Mr Sancho's... Doing it again most likely for this trip as well...

 

[pershing]

I enjoyed Costa Maya in April but we did the Chacchobin Ruins tour. Seems our fellow cruisers in April only like Costa Maya if they had an excursion or beach resort to go to. Those who didn't like the port only hung out around the port...

I keep saying, if you like a beach resort and are looking for something in Cancun, we loved Mr Sancho's... Doing it again most likely for this trip as well...

Cancun? Don't you mean Cozumel? I don't know Mexican geography so you have me looking at a map! They are a 2 hour ride away from each other.

Depending on money and my nervousness about being on mainland Mexico, we may be checking out Mr. Sancho's. (What a name! Sounds like you're hanging out in some guy's backyard! 'Yeah, we're all going over to Mr. Sancho's. He lives on the beach. ) Ok, it's Monday. Need to have some tea.

 

[gfolchick]

We've been to Mr. Sancho's two times and enjoyed our day there. I believe now it is an all inclusive price, when we went it was pay as you go. They have a small infinity pool, tables with umbrellas, loungers, showers, clean bathrooms (the clean bathrooms are most important in my book )

We may try the catamaran boat this time around, our kids are older and I think they'd really enjoy it.

 

[pershing]

No one could accuse us of being a chatty bunch, huh?

Trip-wise, I'm thinking of looking at Jetblue's prices when they open up. I drove to Boston and back the other day and thought to myself 'I can't drive to Florida! It would drive me crazy!' So now I'm re-thinking my original plan.
As always!

I guess most of us hang out on the other parts of the disboards. I hang out on:

Budget board- love the deals they post, learned how to really coupon from the websites they recommended.
DVC Rental Board- We always rent from DVC owners. I'm always looking to see if someone's desperate to unload the remainder of their points at a low price.
Transportation Board-flying and car rental. The 2011 April car thread was amazing this year. Everyone worked together to get the best price.
Main Cruise board- not too much. Alot of the questions are repetitive, but I glance every now and then.

 

[mdurette]

OMG.....I think the thought of driving to Florida sits better than driving into Boston. I absolutly HATE it.....I have many friends that do it daily for work. I honestly don't think anyone could pay me enough!!

We just returned from a week in Williamsburg.....it was alot of fun.

April just seems too far away for me to make any major plans. I still have yet to make my inlaws reservations for the cruise.....just too lazy! I better get on that soon.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Just got back from the "scouting" cruise for April on the Fantasy and had a terrific time. I'm still catching up on email and sleep, LOL. Ended up with terrific weather despite the storm in the gulf. The only PA we did was Fury Catamaran in Cozumel, which was really fun. If anyone has any questions, let me know, but I don't want to say too much for those who like making their own first impressions.

 

[jmrbc9900]

Hi everyone. My family is booked too on this cruise. It's the 5th or 6th for my DH & I & 2nd for my DD. it's the three of us traveling - me(35), DH (37) & DD (3). Anyone else with young ones? I've seen the fish extenders before & always wondered about them. We might want to participate too; my DD loves presents. I asked to join the FB page too. Also from MA, as it seems so many are.

Anyone have any experience with the kids club for 3 year olds? She's pretty outgoing and goes to daycare but I just want to make sure she wouldn't just be wondering clueless if there's no organized activity that I told her to do.

 

[pershing]

Hi everyone. My family is booked too on this cruise.

jmrbc9900!!!

Unfortunately, I can't help with having a 3 year old on the cruise. My DS's were 5, 6 and 8 on the first cruise we did on the Wonder in 2003.

This thread might have some answers. Since the Dream and the Fantasy are twins: Taking a 2yr old/ 3 yr old on the Dream

Here's another thread that maybe helpful: Cruising With a Toddler.

 

[pershing]

OMG.....I think the thought of driving to Florida sits better than driving into Boston. I absolutly HATE it.....I have many friends that do it daily for work. I honestly don't think anyone could pay me enough!!

We just returned from a week in Williamsburg.....it was alot of fun.

April just seems too far away for me to make any major plans. I still have yet to make my inlaws reservations for the cruise.....just too lazy! I better get on that soon.

I have many friends who commute to Boston each day also! I did it in my 20's but was living in Wakefield at the time. Big difference!

Williamsburg is like half-way, isn't it? Was it an easy drive? My car seemed much healthier a couple months ago when I was contemplating driving.

Jetblue will be opening up April soon. I'm just gonna check out the prices and see if I can swing it. I've been working non-stop lately as we are having a banner summer, it seems.

Overtime is a great thing!

 

[pershing]

Just got back from the "scouting" cruise for April on the Fantasy and had a terrific time. I'm still catching up on email and sleep, LOL. Ended up with terrific weather despite the storm in the gulf. The only PA we did was Fury Catamaran in Cozumel, which was really fun. If anyone has any questions, let me know, but I don't want to say too much for those who like making their own first impressions.

How was embarkation? What was your boarding time? Parking? Or did you take Disney Transfers?

Any spa treatments?

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

How was embarkation? What was your boarding time? Parking? Or did you take Disney Transfers?

Any spa treatments?

Embarkation was a piece of cake--literally about 20 minutes from drop off to announcing in the atrium. We arrived about 1 pm (my time was 1-1:30). I REALLY wanted an earlier time, but as I signed up for the cruise last minute via the DVC deal, they were all taken. There were some concierge rooms available to upgrade, and I was hoping to get one, but by time I was there they were all gone. The good thing about arriving at that time was that the rooms were ready, and we were able to drop off our carry-ons before heading up to Cabanas for lunch.

I used a limo service, and they were great. I'm *so* glad I did after a painful experience with the Magical Express (a big misnomer IMO, LOL) a few days before. We arrived at 2 am on our way to AKL for a couple days and literally sat there with NO information (and the surliest Disney employees I've ever experienced). Finally we gave up and took a cab. Waiting 30 (plus?) minutes at that time of the night was painful, and not just for the kids, LOL.

I did do a spa treatment, trying the iontherapy (sp?) wrap based on the recommendation of someone on another one of the boards. It was expensive and IMO a big waste of money. My own fault though. If there was a way of getting rid of cellulite that easily we would ALL know about it. My teen also did a manicure in the chill area, and it was great. Would definitely do that again.

 

[DisneyWhirled]

Happy 4th of July fellow cruisers! Hope you all had a wonderful day! We had a small family cookout and enjoyed the good weather. The last of our company had just left when the skies opened up.

This trip seems so far away, but it will be here before we know it!

 

[pershing]

I still have yet to make my inlaws reservations for the cruise.....just too lazy! I better get on that soon.

Alot of catagories just opened up for our cruise. Not sure why. Or at least for my family profile it did. There are too many to be just for my family profile, I feel. It went from only having concierge available to having most catagories available.

What's the deal with that?

Oh, but the prices are higher than when we booked!

 

[brich]

Cancun? Don't you mean Cozumel?

LOL Why yes I do mean Cozumel.... thanks for keeping me honest.

Depending on money and my nervousness about being on mainland Mexico, we may be checking out Mr. Sancho's. (What a name! Sounds like you're hanging out in some guy's backyard! 'Yeah, we're all going over to Mr. Sancho's. He lives on the beach. ) Ok, it's Monday. Need to have some tea.

I'm not sure how many in my group will be doing the Mr Sancho's trip. I'm pretty sure at least my wife and I and our 3 kids, possibly the Grand Parents and the Aunt and Uncle... possible 5 more, but not sure on them yet either.... In any event, if your unsure about the trek over to Mr Sancho's, you're more than welcome to follow us off the boat, to the cab stand and right into Mr Sancho's. Heck you can follow us all ya want... lol Ya, it is a little intimidating at first but having done it once, I'm much more comfortable about it now

 

[brich]

We've been to Mr. Sancho's two times and enjoyed our day there. I believe now it is an all inclusive price, when we went it was pay as you go. They have a small infinity pool, tables with umbrellas, loungers, showers, clean bathrooms (the clean bathrooms are most important in my book )

We may try the catamaran boat this time around, our kids are older and I think they'd really enjoy it.

You have the option of either all inclusive or as you go. The all inclusive however is just food and drinks (big kid drinks and lil kid drinks) You may also have use of the kayaks but otherwise, the water toys are not included in the all inclusive ... Not sure we got a good deal or not by doing the all inclusive, but we had a separate section of the beach with our own pool. And we had a server always coming over for food and drink orders. The peace of mind that we already paid to eat or drink whatever we wanted was one less thing to worry about. Truly an effortless beach day

 

[brich]

How was embarkation? What was your boarding time? Parking? Or did you take Disney Transfers?

Any spa treatments?

We stayed at the Hyatt at MCO. Left our bags in our room, checked in to the cruise downstairs at the airport, had some breakfast, hoped on a bus, when we got to the terminal, our group was already called so we basically walked off the bus and right on to the boat. No wait at all... We flew in Friday night, and the Disney bus Saturday morning. Very relaxing and effortless experience. Will be doing this again for this trip.

 

[whamma]

Alot of catagories just opened up for our cruise. Not sure why. Or at least for my family profile it did. There are too many to be just for my family profile, I feel. It went from only having concierge available to having most catagories available.

Yes this is true and good for my family because now we're in!

I tried to book this cruise a few weeks ago but the only thing available was concierge. We booked a Christmas 2012 cruise for the Fantasy while we were on the Dream back in March 2011. Decided that we wanted to transfer the reservation to a Spring Break 2013 cruise on the Fantasy instead. I was crushed when nothing was available but "settled" for another 4-night on the Dream leaving April 14, 2013. I just happened to look at DCL's website today and was thrilled to find LOTS of availability on the April 13th Fantasy! So after spending HOURS agonizing over room selection and category--I just called and transferred our reservation. We've done the other DCL three ships and really want to try the Fantasy next.

I (DW 46) will be cruising with my DH-46, DS-16, and DD-10. DS can't wait. Loves VIBE and cruising on Disney because he can be on his own. DD likes to stick close to us--but that's fine too!

I'll look for the Facebook page. For now I am so happy to be booked!!!