August 28, 2004 "LOST AT SEA" Cruise

[SeaSpray]

6 weeks to go

What do all of you think about me not doing the weekly countdowns anymore, since Jason's been doing a great job of giving us a daily countdown? I don't mind doing it, but now that we're getting so close, I think the daily countdown is more exciting than the weekly one.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by Karel
Jason - since you have been to Chankanab, would you recommend this for a family? I was all set to go there but I have been disturbed by recent posts about a 'smell' from the ocean. Is there a beach to sit and swim or just a small wading place for young kids? Now I'm thinking Paradise Beach.

I hate this excursion stuff. I feel like I have one chance to get it right and there's too much to pick from.

Karel

We went to Chankanab on our cruise last August and liked the park a lot. It seems to have a lot of activities: beach, walk-through gardens, various water activities for rent, bars, restaurants, mini-golf, etc. (Keep in mind that you pay for entry to the park and then most of the other activities come at an additional charge.) We actually didn't arrive until a couple of hours before closing so we pretty much just hung out in the water on the beach.

The only disappointment that I had was the fact that we couldn't find the "sandy" beach. The area where we got in the water was pretty much just a rocky ledge. I'm not sure if this is all Chankanab has or if we just missed the sandy beach part. If, in fact, Chankanab does not have any sandy beach access I probably wouldn't recommend it, especially for those with children.

Joanna has also been to the park and she has another take on it that perhaps she will share with us.

 

[Mjasp]

6 weeks
Sorry Terry, If you don't mind doing the weekly one, I like the weekly format, puts it more in perspective for me. But that is up to you.

Mr. Sanchos...Carol, where are you, you lurking? I don't know the cab fare amount BUT Mr. Sanchos is FREE to go to. They have a small pool, a water trampoline (not free) and a bar/snack bar/restaurant. I wasn't there, but Darwin91 was there on our 2002 cruise, PM her for specific details I can't give you.

What will happen if you pick a bad excursion, well since we picked Chankanaab last time and we weren't thrilled with our choice, you will just have to go back on the Western for unfinished business.


Have a great weekend
Joanna

 

[winnyis]

Can you do me a favor.... look up the Grand Cayman Island Tour in your passporters book and tell me what the rating was. I would be curious to see what others thought of it. If its a dud I dont want to waste $100 on it

Im still hoping DD gives in and agrees to go to Captain Marvins snorkeling again.. but so far shes not -LOL

5 More weeks for me... YIPPEE...

Ginny

 

[Karel]

Originally posted by Mjasp
What will happen if you pick a bad excursion, well since we picked Chankanaab last time and we weren't thrilled with our choice, you will just have to go back on the Western for unfinished business.
Joanna

Joanna - can you tell me what you weren't happy about with Chankanaab??


Thanks, Karel

 

[winnyis]

Has anyone ever done the Fury Catamaran Excursion in Cozumel... I have heard that it got a rating of "10" in the Passporter so I went ahead and booked it for my family...
Since DD is so uptight about the stingrays I figured this would still allow us to snorkle this trip and not have her freak out.


I figured I can always cancel it if I change my mind... but I know it books up fast and I wouldnt be able to get it if I waited til I got onboard.

 

[Mjasp]

Originally posted by Karel
Joanna - can you tell me what you weren't happy about with Chankanaab??


Thanks, Karel

We thought it was going to be a beach, but it was a little bay type area, all rocky, the kids liked it but we didn't, our friends snorkeled there and thought the snorkeling was beautiful but the beach area was a disappointment.

Doreen...Can you also check out what website they give for the GC Island Tour (on your own). We are doing that excursion, but if its only a $20 difference to do it on your own, I think I'll just do it through Disney.

Joanna

 

[winnyis]

Are you going on the Island Tour through Disney.... if so which one... my family is booked on the 10AM tour....

 

[Mjasp]

I didn't book it yet, but it will be the 10 AM excursion. That is one thing I have to do this week, is book my excursions. I'm having a cruise meet tonight for the 16 of us that are going, but everyone doesn't know each other so after tonight they will. Then tomorrow I'm going upstate to our friend's cabin on the lake. So next week is a must for booking our excursions. Anyone going on the glass bottom catamaran in Key West?

Chankanaab was more of a personal disappointment than a disappointment due to the park itself. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't what I envisioned.

Joanna

 

[Reenieny18]

Ginny: Grand Caymen Island tour got a 7 rating. Some of the commets in the book were: Very Touisty,The Author of the book didnt like it since she felt it was more of a souvenir tour. Most cruisers reviews were positive. Air conditioned bus. Turtle farm was the best for the kids. Ask if you can hold a turtle. The Fury Catamaran did get a rating of 10 we were going to do that,, but instead we will snorkle in GC. This has a 35min sail on a large, smooth catamaran with a great crew. Snorkel for 45 min, and then a short sail to a gorgeous beach the food is about $8/person then back for a 30-45 sail back with music and dancing. 4 hrs/$42/$24(6-9).

I hope this helps

Doreen

 

[Reenieny18]

I am not sure what website you need. There is nothing listed with the GC ISLAND TOUR area. But, the end of the GC chapter has GC on your own. some of the web sites are:http://grandcaymencruiseexcursions.com,

www.nativewaywatersports.com ,

www.cayman.org/captainbryan

www.captainmarvins.com Let me know if this is what you needed.. Remember I am BLONDE and soon to be 40
Doreen

 

[winnyis]

thanks for looking those excursions up for me... I think a 7 out of 10 is ok for me.... DD has been wanting to see the turtles for the last 3 years we have been there so Im willing to do that for her.

Im glad to hear the fury catamaran is good...Every other time in Cozumel we have spent the whole day shopping and then are too pooped from the heat to do anything else... I figure i have a few hours before the excursion and a few after to shop so that will be plenty.

Thanks again for looking them up

Ginny

P.S. Im also blonde soon to be 40..... dont put us together.. or we will be in real trouble - LOL

 

[Mjasp]

Please don't take offense to this, but I just have to say it. I am a brunette I will stand between you and be the interpreter.

All kidding aside, Thanks for the GC site, I'll check it out later.

 

[winnyis]

Joanna - ROFLMAO - aside from being the interpreter... you can stand between us and hold us up after we do too much birthday partying.. LOL


(and dont worry no offense taken!!!)

Ginny

 

[MoranClan]

Hey Cruisers..

We may rent a jeep and drive around Grand Cayman for a few hours...We figure we can see more that way..

Anyone want to rent a Van...hehe

Bobby

 

[rcomputers]

We got our Docs today!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing but true!
Looks like they were sent out yesterday (from Celebration) by UPS. Maybe they send them to Canada first because it takes so long to get here?
Woo Hoo!
Let the games begin!

Gail R

 

[Mjasp]

WOO HOO Docs for you

That is early

Now lets see who is second. Did you book through a TA or directly through Disney?

 

[MoranClan]

Originally posted by rcomputers



We got our Docs today!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing but true!
Looks like they were sent out yesterday (from Celebration) by UPS. Maybe they send them to Canada first because it takes so long to get here?
Woo Hoo!
Let the games begin!

Gail R

Very Nice..

Ok Who won the Pool...hahahahaha

Now who is Next..Muahahahahaha

Bobby

 

[rcomputers]

Booked through Disney on our DCL criuse last August.
This really is a surprise! We were concerned about missing the Docs because we are leaving for Florida quite early in August, but this is just great! I can't wait 'til husband gets home so I can surprise him!
Yahoo!
Now why do I have this sudden craving for a fruity martini or something?


Gail R

 

[Karel]

Wow ! That's super. Now I'll be jumping every time the UPS man comes around...