toolmanjan
Love DVC Vero Beach
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2008
- Messages
- 376
Cruise Report
Disney Magic Western Caribbean
10/30/09 11/7/09
Family of 4 Me the DD, DW, DS (16) DD (13)
Disney wife had a broken toe. She broke it packing for this vacation of all things.
First a few thoughts for our next cruise with Disney
We used Florida Towne Car for the trip to and from Orlando airport. For a family of 4 it was cheaper than taking the DCL bus.
Yes for those of you that didnt know DCL does charge for the bus service.
Our family state room was mid ship on deck 8. The pool deck was right above us. In the morning we were awaken to the sound of the crew arranging the deck chairs for the day. This happened early (7am) every morning. We would choose deck 6 or 7 next time.
If you purchased the DCL or ESPN glass 22oz beer mugs on a previous cruise you can bring them back with you and receive the discount when you have them filled. (you pay for a 14oz but get 22oz) DCL sell new ones for $14.95 ea.
If you are DVC members like us and would like to add points the best deals to be had are on the cruise.
Dont go near Shutters to check out your Cruise photos around dinner time. The place was a ZOO every night at this time.
We would think twice about a cruise during Jersey week again. (For those that dont know NJ teachers convention lands on the first week of Nov. 90% of our schools have off) We are from NJ. We go on vacation to get away from the Jersey Attitude. Ill leave it at that.
Now the good stuff
We chose second seating for dinner and would do so again. There were a lot of empty tables. The dinning rooms were relatively quite. Our servers had our table and one other. The servers were outstanding. Dean our waiter and his assistant Iputu could not do enough for us.
On our last cruise we chose first dinner seating. We found ourselves sleeping by 9:30. So we missed the adult shows.
The only meal we didnt like was on the Pirate night. We each ordered something different. None of us liked what we ordered.
We go for the more fancy meals when we vacation - barbecue ribs and chicken just dont cut it.
We had breakfast at Luminerers twice service was excellent food was good. Edward, our server, one morning was happy to fill my request of strawberries with cream and brown sugar with more than I could eat. They reminded me of Breakfast at Boatwrights Dining Hall at Dixie Landings. (Yes I still call it Dixie Landings)
Breakfast and lunch at Topsider was always good. They had a good selection every meal so you always found something you liked. The food was always fresh and hot.
The pizza by the Goofy pool was very good also.
Our first stop at Key West was enjoyable. We borrowed a wheel chair from the ship for my wife. My son pushed her around Key West. I didnt find the shop keepers pushy like I have read in other DIS posts. We ate at the Hard Rock Café. The food was good but expensive.
We were back on the ship in time for the second half of the Jets Miami game. My son and I watched the game at Diversions they had 4 or 5 different games on at once.
The first day at sea was relaxing. We found chairs on deck 10 overlooking the goofy pool opposite the big screen. They showed movies and Disney shorts through out the day. We had a pleasant afternoon being served adult beverages by Baboo one of the pool waiters. He gave us great service and great conversation that day and the rest of the cruise. The Mickey and Goofy pools were very busy. The quit cove pool was not as busy. The crowd at the pools lightened around 4 pm when people prepared for the first dinner seating. We took full advantage of this.
At our second stop Grand Cayman the weather was very hot 90+ with passing clouds. It looked like it would rain from time to time but never did. We walked around for 2 hours or so checking out the shops. If you were looking for jewelry or watches this was the place. I cant say that the pricing was much better than home. We were back on the boat by 1pm. We took advantage of the less crowded pool areas.
Cozumel was our third stop. It rained in the morning and tapered off in the afternoon. Overall we all were disappointed with Cozumel... I have been to Costume two times before. I always loved walking around the town just taking it all in. This time was different. All the shop keepers were trying to get your attention. They were all very pushy.
We had lunch at Margaretville; the food was good and not too expensive. They had a girl going around making balloon hats she made us all hats and was not afraid to ask for a tip. In fact none of the staff there were bashful about asking for a tip. This was a big turn off for my wife and me. Im not afraid to give a generous tip (I worked for tips in my younger days). Give me good service and you will get a good tip. Cozumel - next time well stay on the ship!
Second day at sea was also relaxing. We started the day at parrot Cay for the Character Breakfast. We got lots of pictures and enjoyed a nice meal.
It rained on an off with some sun in between. The pools were again very busy. We played bingo the early and the last game of the cruise. No winnings to show. The progressive game paid out $6900.
We hung by the pool until it started to rain very hard during late afternoon. The large raindrops combined with the wind felt like razor blades hitting our bare skin.
I caught Alfred and Seymours adult show at 10:15 very funny. A must see.
Our last day at Castaway Cay. This was my favorite day of our cruise. We went to shore as soon as we could. My son ran ahead to get chairs together on the family beach. We ended up near the snorkeling area. This is when my DS & DD proceeded
To wear me out. First my DD and I did the snorkeling. We swam out to the red markers that marked the must see underwater things. We had a nice time trying snorkeling for the first time. There is not a lot to look at under the water here. You wont see this lagoon on the Discovery Channel! But we did have fun!
The wind was strong on the water making swimming on a tube or mat hard. Even snorkeling was tough with the wind. The wind pushed you right to left along the beach.
My son wanted to try a kayak. Little did I know this included me. We rented a 2 person kayak and paddled off. We followed the ropes along the side of the ship 100yrd away. We were to the jetty in 5 minutes. With the wind at our backs we should have been. Then came the turn to run along the rocks wind at our right side oh what fun! We were able to turn into the wind and head back. I took us about 20 minutes to get back to where we started. The life guard at the beach when we returned said there were 30 mph winds just off the beach. Nap time!
The food was very good at Castaway Cay. Our friend Baboo
again gave us excellent service bringing drinks at our request.
I know that Disney has a cruise where 2 stops are made at Castaway Cay on occasion. Next time we will consider this.
After the until We Meet Again dinner I went to see the Juggling-Comedian in Rockin Bar D. I dont remember his name. He was entertaining. The cruise staffs last night skit followed him. They were rather funny.
The next morning we had the late seating of breakfast. Then it was time to disembark. We must have been one of the last families off the ship because there was not much luggage left at the dock. This made it easy to find ours.
Our driver from Florida Town Car was waiting for us. We made it to the Airport by 10:30. We had a 4:15 flight. So we hung out and people watched. I will book an earlier flight next time.
We had a great time. Took lots of pictures. Got a great tan, but its fading fast. Ate too much every night. Drank too much every day and night. Relaxed. Played too much bingo again! Had fun as a family!
7 day Eastern next time w/two stops at castaway cay!
Jan
PS: we never saw Calvin our cruise director either. On our last D-Cruise we saw our CD Andrew from Australia all the time!
Disney Magic Western Caribbean
10/30/09 11/7/09
Family of 4 Me the DD, DW, DS (16) DD (13)
Disney wife had a broken toe. She broke it packing for this vacation of all things.
First a few thoughts for our next cruise with Disney
We used Florida Towne Car for the trip to and from Orlando airport. For a family of 4 it was cheaper than taking the DCL bus.
Yes for those of you that didnt know DCL does charge for the bus service.
Our family state room was mid ship on deck 8. The pool deck was right above us. In the morning we were awaken to the sound of the crew arranging the deck chairs for the day. This happened early (7am) every morning. We would choose deck 6 or 7 next time.
If you purchased the DCL or ESPN glass 22oz beer mugs on a previous cruise you can bring them back with you and receive the discount when you have them filled. (you pay for a 14oz but get 22oz) DCL sell new ones for $14.95 ea.
If you are DVC members like us and would like to add points the best deals to be had are on the cruise.
Dont go near Shutters to check out your Cruise photos around dinner time. The place was a ZOO every night at this time.
We would think twice about a cruise during Jersey week again. (For those that dont know NJ teachers convention lands on the first week of Nov. 90% of our schools have off) We are from NJ. We go on vacation to get away from the Jersey Attitude. Ill leave it at that.
Now the good stuff
We chose second seating for dinner and would do so again. There were a lot of empty tables. The dinning rooms were relatively quite. Our servers had our table and one other. The servers were outstanding. Dean our waiter and his assistant Iputu could not do enough for us.
On our last cruise we chose first dinner seating. We found ourselves sleeping by 9:30. So we missed the adult shows.
The only meal we didnt like was on the Pirate night. We each ordered something different. None of us liked what we ordered.
We go for the more fancy meals when we vacation - barbecue ribs and chicken just dont cut it.
We had breakfast at Luminerers twice service was excellent food was good. Edward, our server, one morning was happy to fill my request of strawberries with cream and brown sugar with more than I could eat. They reminded me of Breakfast at Boatwrights Dining Hall at Dixie Landings. (Yes I still call it Dixie Landings)
Breakfast and lunch at Topsider was always good. They had a good selection every meal so you always found something you liked. The food was always fresh and hot.
The pizza by the Goofy pool was very good also.
Our first stop at Key West was enjoyable. We borrowed a wheel chair from the ship for my wife. My son pushed her around Key West. I didnt find the shop keepers pushy like I have read in other DIS posts. We ate at the Hard Rock Café. The food was good but expensive.
We were back on the ship in time for the second half of the Jets Miami game. My son and I watched the game at Diversions they had 4 or 5 different games on at once.
The first day at sea was relaxing. We found chairs on deck 10 overlooking the goofy pool opposite the big screen. They showed movies and Disney shorts through out the day. We had a pleasant afternoon being served adult beverages by Baboo one of the pool waiters. He gave us great service and great conversation that day and the rest of the cruise. The Mickey and Goofy pools were very busy. The quit cove pool was not as busy. The crowd at the pools lightened around 4 pm when people prepared for the first dinner seating. We took full advantage of this.
At our second stop Grand Cayman the weather was very hot 90+ with passing clouds. It looked like it would rain from time to time but never did. We walked around for 2 hours or so checking out the shops. If you were looking for jewelry or watches this was the place. I cant say that the pricing was much better than home. We were back on the boat by 1pm. We took advantage of the less crowded pool areas.
Cozumel was our third stop. It rained in the morning and tapered off in the afternoon. Overall we all were disappointed with Cozumel... I have been to Costume two times before. I always loved walking around the town just taking it all in. This time was different. All the shop keepers were trying to get your attention. They were all very pushy.
We had lunch at Margaretville; the food was good and not too expensive. They had a girl going around making balloon hats she made us all hats and was not afraid to ask for a tip. In fact none of the staff there were bashful about asking for a tip. This was a big turn off for my wife and me. Im not afraid to give a generous tip (I worked for tips in my younger days). Give me good service and you will get a good tip. Cozumel - next time well stay on the ship!
Second day at sea was also relaxing. We started the day at parrot Cay for the Character Breakfast. We got lots of pictures and enjoyed a nice meal.
It rained on an off with some sun in between. The pools were again very busy. We played bingo the early and the last game of the cruise. No winnings to show. The progressive game paid out $6900.
We hung by the pool until it started to rain very hard during late afternoon. The large raindrops combined with the wind felt like razor blades hitting our bare skin.
I caught Alfred and Seymours adult show at 10:15 very funny. A must see.
Our last day at Castaway Cay. This was my favorite day of our cruise. We went to shore as soon as we could. My son ran ahead to get chairs together on the family beach. We ended up near the snorkeling area. This is when my DS & DD proceeded
To wear me out. First my DD and I did the snorkeling. We swam out to the red markers that marked the must see underwater things. We had a nice time trying snorkeling for the first time. There is not a lot to look at under the water here. You wont see this lagoon on the Discovery Channel! But we did have fun!
The wind was strong on the water making swimming on a tube or mat hard. Even snorkeling was tough with the wind. The wind pushed you right to left along the beach.
My son wanted to try a kayak. Little did I know this included me. We rented a 2 person kayak and paddled off. We followed the ropes along the side of the ship 100yrd away. We were to the jetty in 5 minutes. With the wind at our backs we should have been. Then came the turn to run along the rocks wind at our right side oh what fun! We were able to turn into the wind and head back. I took us about 20 minutes to get back to where we started. The life guard at the beach when we returned said there were 30 mph winds just off the beach. Nap time!
The food was very good at Castaway Cay. Our friend Baboo
again gave us excellent service bringing drinks at our request.
I know that Disney has a cruise where 2 stops are made at Castaway Cay on occasion. Next time we will consider this.
After the until We Meet Again dinner I went to see the Juggling-Comedian in Rockin Bar D. I dont remember his name. He was entertaining. The cruise staffs last night skit followed him. They were rather funny.
The next morning we had the late seating of breakfast. Then it was time to disembark. We must have been one of the last families off the ship because there was not much luggage left at the dock. This made it easy to find ours.
Our driver from Florida Town Car was waiting for us. We made it to the Airport by 10:30. We had a 4:15 flight. So we hung out and people watched. I will book an earlier flight next time.
We had a great time. Took lots of pictures. Got a great tan, but its fading fast. Ate too much every night. Drank too much every day and night. Relaxed. Played too much bingo again! Had fun as a family!
7 day Eastern next time w/two stops at castaway cay!
Jan
PS: we never saw Calvin our cruise director either. On our last D-Cruise we saw our CD Andrew from Australia all the time!
. One thing you can't debate is our crazy high property taxes!!!
