"Double Dipping Castaways" September 26, 2014, 5 nights on the Wonder

[Brittwoman]

Ok.....just got off the Wonder....we're book for this cruise

 

[Brittwoman]

Just signed up for the FE

 

[cruisinwithmaandpa]

Welcome to the thread

 

[Brittwoman]

Welcome to the thread

Thanks for the welcome

 

[love2pugs]

Brittwoman

 

[dizzi]

looking at this cruise.....
and wanted to bounce around some thoughts on this cruise iteneray,

never seen anything like it?

2 days of CC back to back?

whats that all about?

 

[cruisinwithmaandpa]

We actually booked this cruise because it stops in Key West. It's one of our favorite stops.

 

[RickFreeze]

We actually booked this cruise because it stops in Key West. It's one of our favorite stops.

Both times we went to FL we wanted to go to Key West, but man that is a loooong drive. What a bonus that not only do we get two days at CC, but Key West also.

 

[dizzi]

I love Key West too!!!



Honesty I am not big on Castaway Cay.
But the Out Friday Cruises are fitting our schedule.

And with the one day so short prob would not even get off the ship.

Unless they do they do the 5k both days (which is doubtful).

Just really wondered why? why 2 days back to back and what will they do stay docked? or sail around island?

 

[dizzi]

We totally love the drive to Key West.

We usually leave around 5am from our house an just make random stop along the way. We usually get to KW about 10am and spend until 6ish then head home.

We were just there last Saturday!

 

[Brittwoman]

We actually booked this cruise because it stops in Key West. It's one of our favorite stops.

I Key West too.....hoping to do the Bike Tour again....it was great

 

[cruisinwithmaandpa]

I love Key West too!!!



Honesty I am not big on Castaway Cay.
But the Out Friday Cruises are fitting our schedule.

And with the one day so short prob would not even get off the ship.

Unless they do they do the 5k both days (which is doubtful).

Just really wondered why? why 2 days back to back and what will they do stay docked? or sail around island?

From what I have read they pull away from the dock. Not sure if they anchor somewhere or cruise around.

 

[Jim Connell]

Hi Guys

When my wife and I signed up for this cruise, the main appeal for us was the not one; but two days at Castaway Cay. Everything that we have read seems to indicate that we would be guaranteed to have a good time there. The fact that the ship also stopped at Key West had little interest to us particularly after doing a little research via the Internet. However after reading some of the enthusiastic comments concerning Key West on this thread it would appear that we must be missing out knowing just what could make this place a good place to visit. So if it is not too much trouble could someone please enlighten two Canadian travellers on why they are so looking forward to visiting Key West?

Thanks
Jim Connell

 

[cruisinwithmaandpa]

For us we like that it is laid back and very safe. We have rented an electric car previously and toured the entire area including Southern most point. (We actually enjoyed driving by the cemetery, does that sound creepy?) There is some great history at KW. Sloppy Joe's Bar is famous for Ernest Heminway to visit. You can alo tour the Hemingway House, Truman Little White House, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. You can also take a trolley tour. We enjoy Turtle Krawl's by the marina (they have great oysters there). There are a lot of souvenir type shops, but also have some stores that offer very nice items. (These are my downfall). It is a very relaxed town which we enjoy and you don't have the pushy people like Nassau has.

 

[dizzi]

Key West.....

Well we also just love the drive down.

But besides that. Key West is a bustling small town. With a wide variety of things to do. But is an island with a island laid back feel. A lot of history shopping, drinking, museums, interesting places to eat. often some kind of festival, snorkeling, fun jet skiing, the list goes on.

I think for many, I know for me, it is also a "safe" place to play as we are not on foreign soil, so we can be more free to do what we can let loose a bit
more and not be tied to a cruise excursion.

What ever cruise we pick we will be doing the DUVALL Crawl as our kiddo's wlll be old enough to just enjoy sitting in a bar and having a drink and seeing the sights around us. While mom and dad have a drink at each bar listed, at the end you get a t-shirt if you have completed the list of drinks!

We have also done other things, like visited the cemetery, my kids were into horror movies and we spent about 2 hours there taking pics and reading VERY OLD grave stones.

We have rented an electric car and drove the whole way around the island.

We have done the glass bottom boat sunset tour.

Snorkeling in Key Largo

Also Mallory square at sunset

hope you enjoy.

 

[dizzi]

But let me say this just so you are aware!
Although I have a nice time on Castaway Cay, and so many passenger seem to be elated about the island, I am not.

I have been to other ships private islands that would blow CC out of the water!

We have now been to CC 3 times in 5 sailings.

Of course the fist time is very cool, to see all the little things Disney does well. But Disney has not done a great job in the water....Yes they have the Mickey and sunken ship underneath the water, but it isn't beautiful! When I snorkel I want beautiful! Also it was very far out to see, if you are not a REALLY GRAT swimmer it is tiring. The first time I went I was with 2 younger girls who I had to help pull back to the shore when we were done. And I am not a great swimmer myself. We did a lot of back floating to rest on the way back too.

The 2nd time we went to CC, we made sure to do a lot of excursions to keep us busy that day. We did the Jet ski tour and the Parasailing and rented one of the cottages (not worth the $).

The food is so so on the island but it is better in the Adult only area of island.

I cant speak for the Adult only are to much we did go take a walkover there, wised we had planned to spend the day, but wherewith friends with kids, which we wanted to be with.

 

[Jim Connell]

Hi Everyone

Just a quick thank you for everyone’s insight on visiting Key West. It was great to get some useful advice on just what can be done for enjoyment at this port of call. The only downside to this is that we are now more excited than ever about this cruise and it is still over a year away …..

Sincerely

Jim Connell

 

[rustyanchor]

We are going on our first Disney cruise in February and I am already nosing around trying to figure out what cruise I might want to book next with the 10% on-board booking discount... This itinerary looks great! 2 days at CC and also Key West which I have always wanted to visit! I was curious about the back-to-back days at CC would be handled, but it looks like someone else has already addressed that. I wonder why they don't just dock overnight? It would be so cool if they let you stay on the island later on the first day. Oh well. I guess I will see how our first cruise goes and how much we like CC... if we enjoy it as much as I think we will, then this will be our 2nd!

 

[RickFreeze]

We were told on our cruise in March that Disney doesn't have the facilities for guests over night. And they need to undock daily per agreement with the Bahamian government. They need to be granted permission daily to dock.

We are looking forward to this itinerary for the two days at CC and the Key West stop. Nassau was cool for a one time visit, we may go ashore for lunch at Arawak Cay, then back to the ship.

 

[Jim Connell]

This morning, June 17th, on the Disney Cruise Line Blog, there is a thread which suggests that our 5 night Sept 26 departure date on the Wonder may be cancelled due to the fact that this ship may be entering into dry dock for maintenance. (I tried to include a link to the blog thread but was not allowed)

As someone who has their 20 Anniversary celebration scheduled on this cruise I am sure hoping that this speculation is wrong and that this voyage will still go ahead as scheduled. So this morning I phoned the Disney Cruise line people and asked about the status of this cruise and I was informed that they had no information that anything had changed and that the rep that I was talking to said that she had read all available cruise news information just that morning. So I am concerned, but hopeful that this cruise is still a GO. If anyone hears any other news please pass it on.