Are we the only ones who didn't care for Key West?

[trishy]

I was not impressed the first time we went - and that included only a couple of hours of tourism on the streets. The first half included a DCL snorkeling excursion. The second time we went, we did the land tour - was completely bored. I agree this is a waste of what could've been a perfectly good sea day. In desperation of trying to find some fun in this locale, we even rented some jet skis and putted around. That was a bit of fun for a short while. Just not an exciting place for some. However, I don't think DCL is trying to please just this family.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Originally posted by Gina
Just my two cents here... I didn't find Key West terribly seedy or anything, I just find it completely, utterly useless as a port-of-call. It makes as much sense to me as stopping at any other US city during a cruise. It would be, to me, the same as if I sailed from Galveston and stopped at some Mississippi coast town on the way to Mexico. It's a waste of a good sea day, to me.

A big part of why I say been-there-done-that for the Western, and am going back to Eastern this next time...

-gina-

I agree with you on that - I love the extra day at sea (especially when they are back to back)on the Eastern, but am so glad we did the Western. I feel that if you are cruising, why stop at a US port? I go on a cruise to discover foreign lands, cultures, history(so to speak) that I can't see in the states.

About sellers being in your face - that doesn't bother me either - I can say no politely and they go away. We loved Cozumel - maybe because we went to Channakkab Park (a BEAUTIFUL place), and would love to go back. Unfortunately it rained the afternoon we were there so we didn't get much shopping done, but I love to haggle with the merchants and their prices. There is alot of bars, etc, but not once did I see any pornographic shirts, pipes, etc. If they were there, it wasn't in my face, and my dd certainly didn't notice it either.

On the DCL survey it asked our opinions and I did write about my concerns about KW. If we didn't have young children (2,4,8) then maybe I might have enjoyed it more, but I would much rather had another sea day or another port to visit.

Shirley - I have a home in Mt. Desert, Maine and it is sooo different for my dd than it was for me and I miss that. I love that island dearly,but hate seeing what it is turning into - so I feel for you and how you love your little town. That's why I was hesitant to post. I hope to go back one day w/o kids and try to enjoy the adult side of everything!

By the way - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Dear Lovethatmouse,
I appreciate your imput honest and no I don't mind the imput about Key West - inside it breaks my heart that what was once has now become - "lets us see how much we can take everybody for" attitude --- I sometimes go "downtown" and come away teary-eyed for my family would have torn up all of downtown - believe me ----this was not the way things were, but I look at Cape Canaveral and this once was a place that I said I would never live and here it is the "heart" of Brevard County - CC cleaned its acted up and it was as bad as Key West is now - do I believe it will ever go back to the way it was - no cause there is never ever a going back --
Anyhow thanks again and may you and yours be blessed this Blessed Day of Christmas
Always
Shirley and Norm
2 ol' conchs

 

[erikthewise]

Keep in mind that you don't necessarily see the best part of any island getting off a cruise ship. St. Thomas, for example, must seem like nothing more than an endless series of second-rate jewelry shops to the cruise day-guest who just walks off the boat and looks around. And the docking of cruise ships is the cause of some of whatever seediness you find there. Without the cruise ships, many of those jewelry stores wouldn't be there. It's the same at Key West.

I was fortunate to be able to spend three days in a very nice Wyndham resort on the south shore of Key West -- much different from the north shore. The island is only a little over a mile wide from north to south, so there is plenty of time to explore much of the western end of the island and see more than the average tourist trap places. If you have a good map, you could even find a public beach.

 

[rae519]

It is NOT a DISNEY friendly/child friendly port and I was embarassed to walk down the street with my Mother (I'm 48 and she's 74) to get to the Church and Southernmost Point.

It was disgusting and vulgar.

I vowed that if we said Western that I'd never get off the ship again for any reason at Key West. I don't want to have to explain to Michael (my 8 year old son) all the things that we saw, and heard.

Hey, Disney, are you listening???????

Rae

 

[snelsonbrown]

Norm and I go back "home" every couple of months - while we are there - rarely do we go "old town" except to check things out to find out if they are for real or trying another gimmick to duke the people that come down there - I am very embrassed that the things that are allowed to happened there - do - this is one of the reasons I send the key west packets out so that everyone can plan their excursions and not be subject to what is surrounding them - if you get off the main drag - you will not be as subjected as to what you are North Duval street - remember this is when I was stunned to learn that a naked restaurant had just opened up there and made my comments here known - one of our classmates made the remark, we should border off Key West and Duval Street from the maps - Remember to not subject yourself or the family - stay off Duval Street - you can use Simonton Street or Whitehead Street besides it's safer - Rae I am so sorry that is why I tried to warn you - Norm and I stay East of White Street - we meet all the ol' conchs every morning at a local's restaurant on White Street and we talk about when Key West was really a paradise - as I said we do not explose ourselves to what is really happening down there - believe me what few ol' conchs is left down there - are not happy campers.
Anyhow must go and get some coffee.
much love always
Shirley

 

[minniemouse1]

In October on our cruise was the first time I had been to key west and I am not eager to return. We did see alot of offensive t-shirts, bumper stickers, bongs, etc. We also saw bums on the street and others begging for money. I think we probably noticed more than the average because we were moving slow (we were a group of 9). I was glad that our children were 1 and 2 and not old enough to ask questions. I also agree that this port is a waste of a good sea day and we are not doing this itinerary again.

We also did not enjoy cozumel but personally thought it was better than key west. we did not notice as much suggestive merchandise. We had been to cancun before and enjoyed it.

Enjoyed Grand Cayman the most, well besides CC. In my opinion nothing beats CC.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by snelsonbrown
- Rae I am so sorry that is why I tried to warn you - Norm and I stay East of White Street - much love always
Shirley

Now Aunt Shirley, we aren't holding you or Uncle Norm responsible for that - Mom wanted to see what the big deal was about and I showed her. She is very innocent, as you know, so this was a BIG shock to her. So yes, we were warned but you know us New Yorkers - we are big risk takers. I think she dedicated her rosary for the morals of that area!!!!!

So no need for any apologies - we were warned and I already knew, - hugs to Rose and a pat to our second favorite Papillion!

I do think Disney needs to reeval that as a port though!! And by the way, Cozumel is just Mexico condensed on an island and Grand Cayman is better away from the town also.

Love,
Rae

 

[Buckleybunch]

Last Dec we drove to key west.. ( yes it's a long drive from Disney world- won't do that agan) .
Any ways, in my opinion, for couples with children, stay at the beaches- they are beautiful. For couples that enjoy the night life go downtown.

Rob and I have talked about going back to Key West with just us, because it is a lively place..

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My boyfriend grew up in Key West and was telling me all these wonderful stories about Key West so when we stopped at the port I was very excited. Unfortunatly it had changed a lot since he had been there last. The sunset was beautiful and I loved Mallory Square. It was fun to see the chickens just wandering around the streets and going to the most southern point of the U.S. but unfortunatly we had a bad experience there and I tried to not let that experience get in the way. We went into a store and while we were in the store a guy came in and robbed the store with a gun. I know this happens everywhere, but it was very scary to me and left me with a bad memory. I was terrified and just wanted to get back on the boat and wasn't able to enjoy the rest of the island. But when I go back I am willing to give it another shot and go there with an open mind.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by Pooh_Friend#1
We went into a store and while we were in the store a guy came in and robbed the store with a gun. I know this happens everywhere, but it was very scary to me and left me with a bad memory. I was terrified and just wanted to get back on the boat and wasn't able to enjoy the rest of the island. But when I go back I am willing to give it another shot and go there with an open mind.

OH MY WORD! Are you sure you weren't in downtown Detroit? (Apologies to my Detroit born husband)

Rae

 

[ennazus]

I can't wait for the next time our ship docks in Key West... because we are going to stay on the ship.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Pooh friends
You say your boyfriend was raised in Key West? Was his parents natives? How long ago was that? Since I know all the ol' conchs and their families, I was curious if I knew him or his family?
You can write me at snelsonbrown@aol.com
Thanks
Shirley

 

[AnnMorin]

This time when we hit key west. I wish DCL would reconsider it, an extra day at sea would be better in my opinion. (that is what we plan on pretneding we have)

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have spent a few long weekend vacations in Key West, and DH and I like it very much. For those of you going in January, consider Art in the Park, a sculpture exhibit on the grounds of Zachary Taylor State Park. We were there last MLK weekend, and I wound up contacting one of the artists and I have 5 of his sunflower "sculptures" in my Ohio garden. If I remember correctly, he says he will do water lilies this year.

The Truman White House is a wonderful tour for pre-teens and teens and adults. There are some free exhibits that are interesting if you don't want to take the tour, but the tour is great.

There is a train museum, at the end of the pier, it's a walk, but you learn about the train that went from NYC to Cuba, and the workers and what happened to it. Walk along the pier, and you see the large pretty fish that swim right up to the dock.

I enjoy history, and used to bring our sons to things like this. Each has thanked me for showing them these types of sites, they are 26 and 29 now, and we never stop tiring of touring interesting places together.

Because of the rough seas, I don't recomend the snorkeling, at least that's what we experienced earlier this month. However, I know that the seas there are nice sometimes, one March we went snorkeling at Dry Tortugas National Park, but that's too far for a cruise day trip.

There are nice, wholesome things to do and see in Key West!

Bobbi