DH Chris
DW Kristin
DD Maya -6
DD Morgan-3
we would like to participate in the FE and magnet exchange.. we have not yet been assigned a stateroom number yet but will pass along the info as soon as we get it
Welcome! I will add you to the FE list and the list of cruisers on page one.
just booked ...
dont have a stateroom number yet as we are Guarantee status selected..
what does Guarantee status selected mean anyway? should I be concerned
also, any help as to what to do at each port, and how would be appreciated
was thinking at key west-aquarium, butterfly farm, and just walking around, but have no idea as to how far things are from ship
also thinking about turtle farm, but do we do just farm or pay for whole experience there?
then just shopping at other port
thanks for input
Guaranteed means you are guaranteed that catagory room or better (ie catagory 9 guaranteed means you will get a cat 9 or better room).
As far as checking in at the port (it usually opens around 10am) it is all very easy and there are tons of people around to help. Depending on how you are getting there you will either be dropped off or park at the terminal then walk through the security clearance area (think airport security) then up the elevator or escalator to the check in desks. You will be directed by an employee to the next available desk, show them yourt cruise documents, passports, etc and they will process everything (I suggest you fill out your cruise docs on line ahead of time and bring the printouts for confirmation- it's much faster than filling out the ones they mail and you don't have to wait for them to type all your info in).
Once they have checked you all in (maybe 5-10 minutes?) you will be given a boarding # and they usually point out where to register your kids for the clubs (far right side of terminal- to the right of the Mickey Ears entrance). You can register your kids on line also and simply check in at the kids club desk to get their wristbands and a pager for you. (another 5-10 mins). Once this is complete you are free to lounge around or check out all of the fun stuff in the terminal- the mini ship, the characters, the big ship out the window...
They will announce boarding and call boarding numbers. You will see the line and have no problem figuring out where to go to get on. Prior to boarding they welcome you and take a group photom then they will announce your family as you walk onto the ship (my kids' favorite part). My kids like to think of some funny tongue twister about our family to have them announce.
After that it's all up to you! You are free to do as you please on the ship until the muster drill!
Key West is a very pedestrian friendly place- there is the conch train and pedibike cabs all over that can take you anywhere you want to go. We always visit with family there so we don't "see the sights" but we have walked with our kids past the butterfly farm and all the way to the southern point bouy (our youngest turned 4 on our last cruise).
We LOVED Chankanaab and the Dolphin Discovery, even the little ones did (and if you book directly with them, they were free under 8, not sure of the policy now). I can't say enough about Capt Marvin's excursion on Grand Cayman, although the stingrays are like overgrown pigeons and scared the bejesus out of all of my kids.
I'm looking at the turtle farm on our own for this trip because the kids wanted to do that last time and we didn't.
AND I have ruled out the Sea Lion experience at Dolphin Discovery because we went ocean kayaking this week and found out that 2 of the 4 kids are more scared of sea lions than sting rays (picture a curly haired, blond angelic 10 yr old girl floating peacefully through the bay, a cute and unsuspecting sea lion pops his head out of the water 5 feet from her bow and suddenly she turns into a crazed and armed lunatic swatting her paddle aimlessly at the water screaming like a banshee).
I have the greatest daughter in the whole world !
Jacksonvile,FL
I guess I should have looked harder, or maybe I was in an outdated thread. Hubby and I will be joining ya'll on this cruise. We've only had it booked since June 2009 !!!
