December 13, 2008 Western Caribbean!! Let's get acquainted!

[SILLYANDI]

We are only doing excursions on GC and CC.
Snorkel/stingray City catamaran thing on GC
The Eco tour jet ski thing (me & DD11) and
Bottom Fishing for the boys (DH & DD7)

This is way more than we've ever done! Our last cruise was the 4 night wonder and we got a day room at Atlantis for the perks (pools, Dig,etc)
And on our Mex Riviera we didn't do any excursions, just enjoyed the boat.

I definitely want to wonder around Key West, but Cozumel may be just a quick look around. We HATE the vendors pushing all that Mexican trinket stuff.
Marcy

We usually get a taxi in port too but we are trying something different-we booked Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel & Native Way 3 hr tour for Grand Caymen (did both through the vendors) so this will be an experience for us!

Ewww Marcy, I never thought about the vendors pushing stuff, I would love to just stay on the boat but none of us have ever been out of the states, I just dont know!!

We've been to Mexico a lot and if you just walk passed they won't bug you. Just don't make eye contact!

It's 20th anniversary cruise so I booked just him and I.

How neat! I'm sure DD will understand.

I really was disappointed that they did away with the banana boat. We loved that.

I was too, I had finally talked the kids into going then it was gone when I went to book it!

DH isn't the group excursion type guy, he likes to move around at his own pace. I did look at the zip line excursion but I KNOW I WOULD BE THE ONLY ONE WHO WOULD DO IT.

Michele, Casey is like your DH, he does not like group things, he doesnt like crowds much so that is why I really am trying to stay away from the excursions

My Dh is also not a crowd excursion type guy, but TOO BAD! He's gonna get dragged along and gosh darn it he is going to have fun because I said so!

does anyone know if you can rent hobiecats or similar 1-2 person sailboat/watercraft on CC?

Yes they have lots of different types of boats that can be rented by the 1/2 hour!


I'm so glad that we all got what we wanted & when we wanted it.
A little for all of our new crusiers taht they get the same luck!

 

[PenskeSth1]

Strange about the waiter trying to push expensive wines. We had one on our E/B Panama. Our friends treated us and it was our first dinner there. He insisted on calling me sweetie the whole time and tried to persuade us to purchase a $228 bottle of champagne.
Bren

I sure hope this is not something Disney is promoting (the wine pushing). We have never encountered any problems like this on either of our past cruises. Actually DH and I had a wonderful time and enjoyed our waiter. This will be very disappointing if this is something Disney is pushing the waiters/waitresses to do. Like I said before we have a wine we like to purchase (it sure isn't any $200 or $300 bottle either) We just ask for that as soon as the waiter/waitress comes over.

Andrea your FE turned out nice! I guess I need to go to Michaels and look for some do dads to decorate mine. DD is going to pick up two black Mickey antenna toppers to go on the end of the dowel.

Sommer I am glad ya all got the Ressies you wanted.

Now like Andrea said A little pixie dust to those who are new to DCL. Hope they get the ressies they want.

Lucinda...Johnny Cash and Hank Sr.are two of my favorites every since I was a little girl along with George jones and Conway Twitty ...(country gal here)

 

[SILLYANDI]

I just had to show all of you the outfits I made for the girls. I am suddenly susie homemaker! (Well, actually my house is a mess because I have been sewing instead of cleaning!)

Here they are

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

I just had to show all of you the outfits I made for the girls. I am suddenly susie homemaker! (Well, actually my house is a mess because I have been sewing instead of cleaning!)

Here they are

OM ANDREA, HOW CUTE!!!! I love them!! You need to tell us how you did it! Was it hard?? Your girls are tooo cute!!

LOL @ dragging hubby and having a good time irregardless, thats what I will be doing to

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

LOL Michele, yeah you and Case have the music going!
I am an old 80s girl, I like my Journey, Heart etc

 

[cripps626]

cute outfits andrea!!

 

[grumpy-gramps]

Strange about the waiter trying to push expensive wines. We had one on our E/B Panama. Our friends treated us and it was our first dinner there. He insisted on calling me sweetie the whole time and tried to persuade us to purchase a $228 bottle of champagne. Still very concerned and annoyed as our friends paid and wonder just how much he did get out of them. Would definitely not bother again as food was not that good and I had expected an Italian flavour which it definitely was not.
Bren

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You,

Ever since they changed the menu , the food has gone down a little and being pushey with the wine just saves me money as I start deducting from their tip when service becomes about them and not me.
Some things are still good but we will see in December..
have a great week,
gg

 

[PenskeSth1]

I just had to show all of you the outfits I made for the girls. I am suddenly susie homemaker! (Well, actually my house is a mess because I have been sewing instead of cleaning!)

Here they are

Andrea they look adorable! You are very talented!

 

[Aunt KatKat]

Hi Katherine,

I do have a 5yo DS. He just started Kdg. this year. How about your DS? I'm still trying to learn about everyone so is he your only son? Ben thinks he's older because of his older brother and older friends. He loves superheros and Pokeman. I think an introduction is in order.

Mandy,

Daniel just started kindergarten. He is my only son. He has an older sister, so he is used to playing with an "older" crowd. He also loves superheros, but has no idea what pokeman is! (mom's fault, I don't want to go there until I have to)

I still think all of us California types should have a meet around Halloween time!

Andrea, what do you think?

Katherine

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

afternoon everyone!

 

[Stinasmom]

Andrea-- Super job on the Minnie outfits! Your girls are adorable.

You should have them wear these on embarkation day and we'll all pick you out in the terminal and have a mini (or Minnie!) meet there while waiting to board.

We don't have a fabric store in town... believe it or not! So, I am behind in my FE making and all that. I have to go to Portland (OR) at the end of September, so I am compiling a list of things to get including FE and door decor stuff, as well as Halloween costume makings... etc. The big plus to waiting until I get to Portland is that Oregon doesn't have sales tax!

Michele- Maybe hiring a taxi to show us around Cozumel is a great idea. That way we can avoid the glut of touristy stuff right at the port. If the weather is nice we could take our beach towels and get let off for a while.
At last check we are in Cozumel until 9:30 pm, so that does allow for a lot of off ship time...

On the other hand we are scheduled to leave Grand Cayman at 4:30pm, so I was too scared of booking a non-Disney sponsored excursion. Sure don't want to miss that ship!

Marcy

 

[SILLYANDI]

On the other hand we are scheduled to leave Grand Cayman at 4:30pm, so I was too scared of booking a non-Disney sponsored excursion. Sure don't want to miss that ship!

Marcy

I was joking with DH that we should leave whoever is being rotten that day on the ship so they won't leave without us!


Thank you everyone ofr the compliments!


Kat-I definitely want to get a Cali Meet going. I am open for anything. If you (or someone else) wants to plan something I would be more than happy to be there-I'm not familiar enough with DTD here to plan anything I think...

 

[SILLYANDI]

Michele- Maybe hiring a taxi to show us around Cozumel is a great idea. That way we can avoid the glut of touristy stuff right at the port. If the weather is nice we could take our beach towels and get let off for a while.
At last check we are in Cozumel until 9:30 pm, so that does allow for a lot of off ship time...

Marcy

How did you find out we will be at Cozumel until 9:30? I was worried about getting back to the ship in time from a 3:30 excursion, but it looks like we will be ok now!

 

[PenskeSth1]

Marcy, I believe all aboard is around 6:00 in Cozomel because that is Pirate night. I know last time I was thinking great we don't have to be on the ship until around 9 p.m. NOT...We had to be on board by 6 or 6:30. I remember because DH bought me a new wedding set at Diamonds International and he had to wait for them to set the diamond, I was worried he wouldn't make it back to the ship on time.

We aren't doing any excursions in Cozomel, just paradise Beach. We had a great time there in 2006. DS loved the huge ice berg out in the water and DD and I enjoyed the water trampoline. If you haven't been to this beach you pay like 10 or $15 bucks per person if that and you get a lounge chair and all access to there water toys. (canoes, ice berg, water trampoline, and snorkle gear) although you do have to pay a deposit on the snorkel gear If I remember right. The food there is great too! We seen alot of people from Rccl and Carnival there.

 

[PenskeSth1]

I found out what a small world it is today while out shopping for items for our FE exchange. While at Michael's talking to DD about different items for exchange a women came up to me and politely said "I don't mean to be eavesdropping, but are you going on a cruise"? I smiled and said, "yes we are." She asked, "is it a Disney Cruise?" I said, "why yes it is." Then she asked if we are going at the end of this month. I told her no we are going in December. She is going on the Magic the end of this month!

She said she was picking up stuff for there fish extender exchange too. Small world. I told her to take good care of the Magic for us. Lucky her, she gets to sail on the Magic right after dry dock. She is a Diser too!

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Michele- that is very cool meeting another Diser that way...very small world.

I just wanted everyone to know that I may be mia for awhile. We have some serious things going on with DH, he went to the Dr for a growth on his face, he thought it was mole or wart, Dr is much more concerned and said it could be very serious ( the lump looks alike like merkel cancer, which is terminal, a little nursing school and internet isnt always a good thing). On top of that, they sent him in for an immediate EKG and bloodwork, he is hearing something in his heart that "just is'nt right" as he put it. So my world is crashing a bit on me right now, but am hoping and praying and I know the Good Lord won't give us more than we can handle.

Onto more Disneyfied news. We did decide on our excursions and after many emails with Moby Dick's tour owner we have booked the stingray city/snorkel through them and am going ahead with our booking for the Dolphin Encounter at Cozumel. I am excited about that!

Went formal dress shopping online tonight...out of curiousity how many of you are planning to go "formal" as in gowns and tuxes? I dont want to be too overdressed, we were going to do the tux thing and DH bring his suit..so chime in, how dressy are we all getting!


Disney hugs and dreams to y'all and Clampett on!!

 

[Stinasmom]

Lucinda--
Hugs, prayers, wishes and pixie dust to you and your family. I hope that your DH's medical issues are resolved quickly and easily. Hang in there best you can... we'll all be on that ship soon enough leaving the world's worries behind!

Mich- It would make sense to have all aboard from Cozumel at 6pm due to the fireworks and pirate party... I found and old navigator that said 9:30 pm... We shall see, huh! I am sure we'll want to be aboard for pirate night dinner anyway!
That's cool about finding another Disney cruiser in Michaels! Even from our small town we have run into friends/neighbors in Disneyland and Hawaii... very small world.

Marcy

 

[PenskeSth1]

Lucinda,
Prayers and hugs from us too, for you and your family! Hopefully everything will be ok.

We don't wear tuxes for formal night, but I do wear a long dress and DH wears a suit with a jacket.

Marcy,
I think our Navigator back in 2006 said that all aboard was 9:30 too. I was disappointed that we had to leave so early. We didn't feel we spent enough time there. I liked Cozomel (one of my favorite ports). I think St. Thomas was my favorite.

 

[cripps626]

Lucinda,
You and your family are all in our prayers. Keep us posted.
For the formal evening I think DH will just wear a jacket, no tux...I'm wearing a cocktail dress (knee length) left over from last year's Christmas party.

 

[dweitzel0]

Hey KATIESMOMMY,

Good luck with the medical issues. Keep you head up until you hear from the doctors, and stay off the internet until you find out what you are really dealing with. Sometimes getting a little information can be unnecessarily worrisome.

About formal night - I'm not wearing a tux, but will probably bring a suit. The DW and 2 DD's will probably wear dresses, but thats the wife's decision I suppose.