Explanation to TA's why leaving Key West earlier

[kellyb2000]

I am throwing this out here VERY cautiously, but do you think it has anything to do with the night life in Key West? I just happened to read an article this morning from the NYTimes online that was talking about a certain festival coming up and the city councilmen are trying to bring it down a notch or two because it has gotten so wild. Let me say I have never been to Key West and I'm not trying to start a big ugly debate. I just know that if this is the norm in Key West at night, then this family wouldn't be getting off the ship then anyway.

Here's a link to the article in case anyone is interested.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/20/national/20keys.html?oref=regi

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by kellyb2000
I am throwing this out here VERY cautiously, but do you think it has anything to do with the night life in Key West? [/url]

Excellent point. I used to visit Key West a bunch back in the 80's and didn't visit again until earlier this year. My wife and I decided there was no way we'd take our kids very far into town if we ever visit with them.

Sam

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Originally posted by KEH
Okay, Andrew, fess up. you just want another video of the naked people boat! lol.

If it was a lot of beautiful ladies I would demand they stay late, but the people, showing off there 'bits' where not much to write home about, and should have had more modesty.

This move makes DCL a lot of money. If people are on shore they're not buying drinks on board the ship. DCL makes a ton of money when people buy drinks/snacks for the shows and games, wine at dinner, shop on board, etc. I don't blame them, but I don't have to like it either.

Agree!!!

 

[MM in KW]

There is probably a myriad of reasons for Disney to leave KW early, the least of which being customer demand. It is true that the locals complain about the cruise ships, but frankly the days that the Magic is in port, it is only one of maybe two or three ships. Bottom line, Key West is a tourist town and the locals know deep down that they cannot do without the money that the cruise ships bring in.

I am not sure if anyone has ever noticed, but the Magic is the last ship to leave Key West anyway (around 10:00p). I have no idea how much they paid people to be able to stay since the rule used to be that ALL ships had to leave by 6:00p as to not obscure the Sunset Celebration each night at Mallory Square. Where they dock at the Hilton is prime real estate and it is possible that their "stay docked until 10:00" contract expired.

All that being said, Key West is an incredible town. Yes is does have debauchery, but more than likely, so does your hometown to one extent or another. Key West is the second oldest city in Florida and is brimming with history, architectural beauty and fantastic restaurants. I hate to make an assumption, but from reading the countless posts on Disboards, I believe this to be true, most people don't venture six blocks from the ship. If they do, they complain that they had to walk a mile to the Southernmost Point. These being the same people that will walk five or six miles at Disney World and not raise so much as a peep.

I could laud my tiny town forever and I would be glad to offer ideas for adults, couples or familys so that your brief experience in Key West is a truly memorable one.

 

[underdesea]

The festival discussed in the NY Times article, Fantasy Fest, is a once-a-year event and is not typical of Key West nightlife in general. Also, the nightlife is centered on Duval Street. If all cruise-ship passengers do is walk up Duval Street to Margaritaville and Hard Rock, then walk back to the ship, they miss the great things the island has to offer and come back saying "What an awful place." (I think someone else on disboards described it as "hedonistic.")

My DH and I aren't party people, but we love Key West. We have vacationed there several times, but we spend very little time in the tourist bars and shops on Duval Street. There are many beautiful historic homes to tour, and plenty of locally owned restaurants with wonderful food. There are also numerous museums worth visiting. We love just strolling the side streets in Old Town and admiring the architecture and the lush landscaping. Like all things in life, you get out of Key West what you put into it (in this case, in terms of research and effort in exploring the island).

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by MM in KW
All that being said, Key West is an incredible town. Yes is does have debauchery, but more than likely, so does your hometown to one extent or another.

I feel completely safe walking with my kid in my hometown. I can't say the same for KW. Not for physical danger reasons - but for fear of him seeing something he's too young to see. The Scooby Doo bong I saw in a shop window on Duvall comes to mind as one of many examples.

How do you explain a Scooby Doo bong and t-shirts with foul language to a 6 year old?

IMHO, the more I think about it, KW is probably an inappropriate stop for a family oriented cruise line. My memories of KW in the 80's are far different than what I experienced earlier this year.

Sam

 

[MM in KW]

Sam,

You bring up a good point. It is very sad that there are shops in KW that insist on displaying that kind of merchandise. The city is trying to get it's arms around it but to the shop owners it is a First Ammendment issue so it may take some time to get that kind of stuff in the back room where it belongs. Not having children (by choice) I cannot offer you a way to explain things to your child. I am sure there are plenty of things you have had to explain and will have to explain in the future so I do not want to step on your toes as a parent on the best way to handle these kinds of situations.

Of all the streets in Old Town (the area closest to the cruise ships), Duval, while being the most commercial, is also the street that my wife and I avoid the most. I agree with Underdesea that you need to venture off Duval and explore some of the other streets, particularly Whitehead, Simonton, William, Eaton, Fleming and Southard.

As you probably know, Key West is a bar town and although I feel that children can get something out of Key West with all the history, it is not fueled by attractions for kids. Depending on your child's age, you could go see the Hemingway House or the Lighthouse. You could go to the Butterfly Conservatory or the Aquarium. You could take a snorkel cruise or enjoy some cuisine that they would normally not have access to.

Sorry this got so long, but I do hope with a little planning you and your family can and will enjoy Key West.

 

[underdesea]

As far as Key West being an inappropriate stop for a family-oriented cruise ship, many popular cruise destinations contain plenty of bars and merchandise that aren't appropriate for kids. Take Carlos and Charlies in Cozumel (and elsewhere in Mexico), for example. I visited several of the bars in that chain in my younger days, and while they were great fun, they weren't for families. I think the key is to research destinations in advance as best you can and find out the ideal places to go for your particular group (couples, families, singles--and, equally important, the places to avoid--and then plan your shore excursions and touring plans accordingly. There will always be surprises good and bad--that's part of traveling--but thanks to boards like this and so many other Internet resources, there is a wealth of information out there.

 

[paulmc80]

Well, Disney should be used to debauchery. I can thnk of one disney employee (well sorta employee) that goes around with no pants all the time. Even in public mind you!

 

[erikthewise]

I'm sure they just want to make sure we stay out of trouble! Always thinking of us they are.

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by MM in KW
Of all the streets in Old Town (the area closest to the cruise ships), Duval, while being the most commercial, is also the street that my wife and I avoid the most. I agree with Underdesea that you need to venture off Duval and explore some of the other streets, particularly Whitehead, Simonton, William, Eaton, Fleming and Southard.

A perfect strategy, in my opinion. (And parents take note.)

I know KW very well. My dad and I had friends there. We'd fly down every now and then and stay in a trailer on the island just to the east of KW - near the dog track and commercial fishing boats. Couldn't leave without having paella or going trolling for 'cuda.

I remember when the McDonalds was still the old style - something out of the 60's with the big arches on either side - and before they put it up on the big mound. I went in there one morning and ordered a ham biscuit. The dude at the counter said "This ain't North Carolina, son!"

I heard the dog track was torn down as well.

Next time, we'll stick to the aquarium and other places on the island away from Duval.

Sam

 

[jlawall]

Bottom line......after spending an exceptional day in KW jet skiing, and touring the local eateries, we walked along with my family and some local was puking right along with us as we walked back to the ship, there is plenty that noone wants to be a part of.....leave early DCL!