August 22nd 2009 Western Carribbean Anyone?

[trimix]

Has anyone made any concrete decisions yet???

We are leaning towards-
Key West- maybe the Butterfly Conservatory and then walk around a bit and then back to the ship
Grand Cayman- either Nativeway or Captain Marvins snorkeling trip
Cozumel- a day at Paradise Beach

Any other ideas for us??????? (dd is 10 ds is 11)

So far, I only have plans for Key West and Castaway Cay.
In Key West we will hit the southernmost point buoy, Blond Giraffe, and hopefully the conch farm.
In CC my DD will do the Wild Side, in the morning I'll do the stingray feed with DS followed by snorkeling, and later in the day I'll do the wave runner excursion.

In Grand Cayman I had planned to take the bus to Hell and the turtle farm before snorkeling off the beach, but the admission to the farm is the same price as an island tour with Captain Marvin's so we just might use them instead. I would like to snorkel off the beach afterwards.

No plans for Cozumel. I had some real bad experiences last summer that totally threw me off my diet, and I gained most of the weight back. Instead of my goal weight of low to mid 200s, I am still morbidly obese and not fit enough for the scuba diving I had wanted to do. When I can finally get my wife to look at excursions we'll see if anything interests her. We'll probably do lunch at Ernesto's and the San Gervasio ruins on our own.

 

[gonzalj1]

Has anyone made any concrete decisions yet???

We are leaning towards-
Key West- maybe the Butterfly Conservatory and then walk around a bit and then back to the ship
Grand Cayman- either Nativeway or Captain Marvins snorkeling trip
Cozumel- a day at Paradise Beach

Any other ideas for us??????? (dd is 10 ds is 11)

I think we made our concrete decisions about a year ago we were so excited!

Key West - We'll be doing the butterfly conservatory, southernmost point and maybe some shopping.
Grand Cayman - Boatswains Adventure Park (on our own)
Cozumel - Disney's Beach break excursion
Castaway Cay - DW and I have a couples massage booked in a cabana

I'm curious if anyone has done any of these and would care to share their thoughts on our plans.

I'm a little worried about KW with the little ones. I'm not sure what else there is to do with a 5 and 7 YO. Ideas?

 

[trimix]

John,
For younger children at Key West, I would suggest the baby conch farm.

I am not sure which dock Disney uses. Looking at aerial photos of Key West, it appears there is a dock at Mallory Square, a second about halfway between Mallory Square and the Little White House, and a third very long dock that ends at Fort Zachary Taylor.

If we ock at one of the first two docks, the conch farm is a reasonable 0.3 mile walk from the dock. And Blond Giraffe has a store very close to the conch farm. If the kids complain towards the end of the walk, chocolate dipped frozen key lime pie on a stick will make everybody happy - except the person who mops the floor

 

[stsomewhere]

The only definite plans we have are the Tulum RUins tour. This is the whole reason we decided to do a Western.

Key West- Walk around town. I need to get a new Margaritaville shirt (a margarita since we are there). Dh wants Key Lime pie on a stick

Grand Cayman- We are playing be ear. Either the beach or just a quick stroll through the town (just so the kids can say they have been there) or the beach. We don't want to over due it since we have a 8 hours excursion the next dayfollowed by pirate night.

Castaway Cay- We would like to make it to the adult side this cruise. I was thinking about letting the kids sleep in and go before they wake up for an hour. we will be spending some time at the heads up bar for Konk coolers

 

[skelly_wi]

We went over to friends houses this weekend, and I guess we were so good as selling the cruise, now they want to join us on the trip. But apparently all the rates have gone back up, there are no kids go free specials and it's not looking like they're going to make it.

Anyone have tips on whether DCL reduces their rates as it gets closer to sailing? Trying to make this work for them.

Wayne -- sorry, should have included the right information when I introduced myself. I'm trusha, DH is Joel, DS1 is Vijay (8), DS Justin (5), and the baby DD Bella (1) if you could update when you're next in your listing? Still not sure if we'll be able to do the FE, but it sounds like a lot of fun. Cabin number 8548.

And, that door is going to look amazing!

 

[dancingdisneygirl]

Has anyone made any concrete decisions yet???

We are leaning towards-
Key West- maybe the Butterfly Conservatory and then walk around a bit and then back to the ship
Grand Cayman- either Nativeway or Captain Marvins snorkeling trip
Cozumel- a day at Paradise Beach

Any other ideas for us??????? (dd is 10 ds is 11)

Key West- we are going to the Pirate Museum and just walking around

Cozumel- My mom and I are doing the dolphin excursion w/Dolphinaris, then possibly going to Paradise Beach

Grand Cayman- we are thinking about Boatswain, doing it ourselves

CC- no excursions

 

[jhryb]

We went over to friends houses this weekend, and I guess we were so good as selling the cruise, now they want to join us on the trip. But apparently all the rates have gone back up, there are no kids go free specials and it's not looking like they're going to make it.

Anyone have tips on whether DCL reduces their rates as it gets closer to sailing? Trying to make this work for them.

It looks like they are offering the 50% off the kids rate for this cruise now if you sail in a cat 8 - 12. There are some rooms available in cat 10 and there may even be other category choices

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

First, welcome aboard to our new posters.

Second, love the magnets Wayne! I was just thinking about digging up the Mickey ears for our room number some nice person made us for our last cruise! I feel so inadequate .

And, the only excursion we have planned is the catamaran/sting ray snorkel thru DCL on Grand Cayman. We plan to wander around Key West (and it appears that we will see most down at the southernmost point), do a little shopping on Cozumel and enjoy the uncrowded ship, and just relax on CC.

Hey, did anyone else happen to see that the Pirate Night on a recent Western itinerary was on Tuesday night? Supposedly it was because the ship didn't leave Cozumel until 1 in the morning. Does anyone know if that was just a one time thing?

Hope everyone who was celebrating enjoyed the 4th.

 

[wayneg]

Wayne -- sorry, should have included the right information when I introduced myself. I'm trusha, DH is Joel, DS1 is Vijay (8), DS Justin (5), and the baby DD Bella (1) if you could update when you're next in your listing? Still not sure if we'll be able to do the FE, but it sounds like a lot of fun. Cabin number 8548.

No problem, updated your info click here

 

[stsomewhere]

First, welcome aboard to our new posters.

Second, love the magnets Wayne! I was just thinking about digging up the Mickey ears for our room number some nice person made us for our last cruise! I feel so inadequate .

And, the only excursion we have planned is the catamaran/sting ray snorkel thru DCL on Grand Cayman. We plan to wander around Key West (and it appears that we will see most down at the southernmost point), do a little shopping on Cozumel and enjoy the uncrowded ship, and just relax on CC.

Hey, did anyone else happen to see that the Pirate Night on a recent Western itinerary was on Tuesday night? Supposedly it was because the ship didn't leave Cozumel until 1 in the morning. Does anyone know if that was just a one time thing?

Hope everyone who was celebrating enjoyed the 4th.

I think it was just that one cruise.

 

[shelleyr25]

Well, just spent the better part of the afternoon working on my door decorations. Ran out of magnetic tape so hopefully I can pick some up tomorrow and be done. I am very happy with them and will stick them on my washer tomorrow and post a picture!!

 

[wayneg]

Ran out of magnetic tape so hopefully I can pick some up tomorrow and be done.

We ran out also, ordered from Ebay, came in 2 days quicker and cheaper than me going searching for some.

 

[shelleyr25]

We ran out also, ordered from Ebay, came in 2 days quicker and cheaper than me going searching for some.

I have an AC Moore right near me, they usually have it in stock.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Never participate in reality television!

That was a good one.......all kidding aside, we view the money spent on DCL vacations as far cheaper than the cost of a divorce. So anytime we annoy each other we remind ourselves of the great time we'll have on the ship.

Happy belated 4th of July to everyone in the states. We had a glorious weekend weather-wise as we had several consecutive sunny days.

On Saturday I took the kids to Camelbeach water park in PA. Its at the ski resort where we ski in the winter. We've been skiing at Camelback for seven years but never went to the waterpark in the summer.

Let me tell you, it was extremely weird seeing the resort in the summer. For one thing, you get to see the ground you are walking on rather than being on top of snow.

But the weather was chilly. There was a cool wind blowing all day and the sun was in and out. I ended up not going on any of the water rides and instead finished reading Angels and Demons and took a multi hour nap.

The next day we had my family over to celebrate DD's 13th birthday. The weather was perfect that day.

Now both kids are in Boston for the week with their camp. I thoroughly enjoy watching whatever I want on the big TV in the living room when the kids are away. Too bad I watched the Mets lose badly against the Dodgers on the big TV. Ugh.

Getting back to thoughts on this cruise......I finally got my fish extender. I wimped out and bought one on Ebay. No way I could make one that nice.

Glad everyone is interested in a get together in the Walt suite. I'm thinking we should hold it on the Monday sea day as opposed to the Thursday sea day because I think the Castaway Club reception will probably be on the second sea day. And after busy days in Grand Cayman and Cozumel I will likely be sub-conscious on Thursday afternoon.

Oh...regarding the possibility of a 1:00am departure from Cozumel.....we had that happen to us once. You cannot predict that at all. It happens when the captain decides to reward the CMs for good performance reviews. It allows the CMs some much needed time off the ship that they otherwise wouldn't get.

Now I need to make my door decorations. Just made a note to myself to do that this week since I have no distractions.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Been making lots of door decorations last few weeks, thought we had done but Karen has found some more she likes so will do them next weekend.
Probably have too many so might have to rotate some.
DMIL been making our Fish Extender this weekend, some patches for it have arrived from US but just ordered some more today, they usually take about 5 days to get to UK.

Heres pics, stuck them all on fridge today.

Okay Wayne....I am truly humbled by these door designs. No way I can come even close.

But I have to ask where you got the designs for some of the pictures you have on the bottom of your fridge? I'd love to copy them for my door.

 

[wayneg]

Okay Wayne....I am truly humbled by these door designs. No way I can come even close.

But I have to ask where you got the designs for some of the pictures you have on the bottom of your fridge? I'd love to copy them for my door.

Someone on magnet graphic thread designs them, http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu9/milliesky/ loads in cruise album.

I read a thread a few week back, someone asking why would you waste your time doing this, I thinks its fun from designing to decorating. Beats a plain door IMO.

 

[shelleyr25]

Just finished my magnets (although thats not to say I may not add some others) LOL!
Not as busy as wayneg's but I dont think I should have any problems finding my door after a few margaritas!!

 

[TheFatMansWife]

love the door magnets.
I like the idea of being able to find your room after a few cocktails.
will have a go at making some this weekend.

 

[wayneg]

I like the idea of being able to find your room after a few cocktails.
will have a go at making some this weekend.

Also makes doors stand out for FE gifting, just look down a corridor and you can tell which are Dissers.

Shelley, they look great, like the DIS member on board

Been to dentist today, had problems for past 2 weeks with a tooth, not been able to have anything hot or cold without a lot of pain. Hopefully he has cured it.

2 locals here died with swine flu both had secondary problems. A 9 year old girl she also epilepsy and a 42 year old teacher also had lung and kidney problems. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Staff39s-grief-for-Dewsbury-swine.5438557.jp

 

[shelleyr25]

Thanks guys!! Wayneg- good luck with the tooth, you need to be able to do a lot of eating starting 8/22 so you need to be in tip top shape!!