Disney Magic 22-29 Mar missed Grand Cayman, found the shaker of salt... (photos too!)

[SMDent]

Sailing # 604 of the Disney Magic, 22-29 March .

Highlights only:
22 March - Arrivals, snow in the upper mid-west had the bulk of the family late arrivals, they and baggage made the ship before the "Emergency Drill"

On Deck 4, station 4, that was our youngest niece (age 2) that was not having fun dressed up and being told to stand here.

Rainy-drizzle, grey skies, not a fun departure down the channel to the sea.

23 March, Easter Sunday - Frankly DCL "blew-it," big time. The Catholic Mass was held in the movie theater, Buena Vista Theater, (in 2003 when we last sailed over Easter Sunday, Mass was held in the Stage Show Theater, Walt Disney Theater) the movie theater was WAY TOO SMALL. Standing room? I know most of my family did not attend Mass since they could not get near the doors at all.

In the entire week, this was the only time I was disappointed with DCL. Christiaan I don't think was aware of the extent of the problem till AFTER Mass was dismissed and many throughout the day let him know of their displeasure.

Key West port call was great! And the first stop of our tour of "Margaritaville" and "Hard Rock Cafe" joints.

I was "over ruled" in the vote to either do a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" or go back to the ship. We did do "Topsiders" instead of the normal rotation. No one wanted to dress-up in a hurry.

24 March - Sea day #1, perfect!!! Did some wine tasting, saw a show, went to the pool and the spa. It was the perfect vacation day.

25 March - Woke to heavy seas, we figured that Grand Cayman was a "no-go" since in 2005 there were problems with getting people back from Grand Cayman.

 

[SMDent]

We encircled the island, and there was talk of exchanging some people. I think someone else posted about that.

Instead, enjoyed another sea day, darn, missed Margaritaville and Hard Rock Cafe, guess we'll have to do a repeat cruise someday.


27 March - Cozumel Mexico. Beautiful!!! We docked (no tenders) and were off on our adventure to the Mayan Ruins in Tulum (if you go on a Western, and want an interesting side trip this is a good one)

Water, looking down from the deck -- clear to the bottom!

Playa de Carmen

Tulum Ruins Park


Mixed reviews about the local company doing the tour. As previously posted in these discussion boards. You get to "hike it" through Playa de Carmen to a bus lot. Board your bus and away you go.

There is no area closer to the ferry docks for the buses to go and pick you up. But the route through town seems to be a meandering one, that takes you past all the "tourist traps."

There is also a "rest stop" about 5-7 minutes away from the Tulum Ruins. There are restroom facilities there, as well as a couple small grocery/drug store types of places and more "tourist traps" why we waste almost 20 minutes is still beyond me.

The ruins are really interesting. And depending on your groups' guide can be dull or exciting. We had a good story teller, so it was an interesting visit.

There is a small pretty undeveloped beach area. There ARE showers, just not like the ones most Americans or Canadians in the 21st century are used to.

 

[SMDent]

The ferry back to the island of Cozumel was a bit rough. Think of White Water river running, not above a class III, but it was fun for 10 minutes, for 30 minutes, a little too long.

Husband and I then set out on our quest, Margaritaville and Hard Rock Cafe, both visible from where the Disney was docked. We skipped all the tourist traps and walking along the sea-wall to the "tiny" Hard Rock Cafe's store for shirts and then going the OTHER direction South to Margaritaville!

We got our cheeseburgers in paradise with a signature "Margarita." Life IS Good.

We walk back to the ship with an hour to spare. Even beat my sister, her family and my mother back! We cleaned up a bit and went to dinner to have dessert with everyone.

This was also "Pirate Night"

Husband skips the jacket (it was too warm) and we go on down. My "stuffed" parrot on my shoulder was a hit, and DH enjoyed playing with the "pirate gear" we bought the night before in the store on board.

We took some formal photos and went to take a short nap before the big party.

It was windy and I thought a little "less" crowded than any other party I've seen on deck before. Really surprised that there were not more people there.

Now, I'm not really into "disco" remixed, I was around the first time, but ... the entire week of DCL sponsored parties had a "disco" flavor, Maybe that's why it was not too well attended.

We danced, we took photos that did not turn out, and we ate a little bit more before going to bed.

27 March - Another Sea Day, husband and the "guys" went tequila tasting. mom and I went on the "kitchens" tour.

 

[plutojudy]

Thanks for the nice trip report. We also missed Grand Cayman in 2003, but got there in 2004. Good luck next time.

 

[SMDent]

For some reason this wasn't posting above; me with two CM (Natalie and Sheiklah) and my "parrot"

 

[anty30]

Can you post the 8pm dining rotaion? I would appreciate it.

Great pics. Love the Tulum pics.

 

[momdislover]

omg, in the picture of the sail away celebration my family was standing beside you!!!!! My son was behind the lady in the blue pants. i remember because he was upset that he could not see

 

[MN Dis Fans]

Guess I was to busy watching them get the last cargo on the ship, and watching the late stragglers (later found out they were from Wisconsin) board the ship via the gang plank, instead of through the normal entrance on Deck 3.

SMDent Great trip report so far. The Easter Mass. I couldn't believe how many people were there! I was kind of querying my DW, like why do we need to go 10 minutes early! I'm glad we did, or we never would have got a seat.

 

[SMDent]

Been busy with college classes and having some out of town friends visit. Will post more pics later today

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Thank you for your report - can you tell me how long you were on the bus for the tulum ruins tour. Thanks.

 

[SMDent]

The ride was actually less than 40 minutes (from the ruins back to Playa de Carmen) going out it SEEMED much longer since we made a 20 minute stop at a "tourist trap" for a restroom break.

There are plenty of restrooms at the plaza where the parking lot is for the ruins, and lots of "tourist trap" shops too.

There are also "showers" if you want to go down to the beach. These are rather privative, "rinse and go" things. located near the rest rooms in the rear of the largest structure.

The hurricane damages from last year, are still visible and the building is mostly empty.

 

[SMDent]

The passenger ferry from Cozumel to Playa de Carmen and back was rather wild and bouncy! It's a double hull (think catamaran type of two hulls) hydrofoil jet boat. It goes fast, it's small and depending on the swells, bouncy!

 

[SMDent]

From the Pirate Party

Moon rise

Baking/Pastry galley, located between Lumiere's and Parrot Cay, from the galley tour on Thursday/Sea Day.

Dining in Lumiere's on Thursday, I got my "blue" drink!

 

[SMDent]

Our little spot's view

Some more new sights...

Leaving the island

Vacation is about over leaving port on the bus