February 10, 2007 7-Day Western Who's coming?

[yankeegal64]

The excursions are next. Does anyone know of any sights and/or threads re good excursion choices for kids (7,5). I'm afraid to make a commitment - I want to do it all... but then again, look what happened with my Palo reservation.

I hope this link works also:
http://www.caymanactivityguide.com/forums/
It's the best info site I have found for Cayman Islands. Lot of coupons and excellent info from the locals. Because of it I booked an excursion through one of their recommended vendors for the snorkel/stingray. Very, very nice people.

 

[yankeegal64]

It seems to me not so long ago we had to survive the "BRITISH INVASION" Do you guys sing by any chance?

Hi Joksten. We have someone in our group (best friend's DH) who loves to do karaoke. He actually won some award for breakdancing in high school (don't think we don't get lots of mileage out of that!). I'm going to do my best to get him picked for the John Travolta contest (if they still do that this time). My brother was chosen to be in the "Bon Jovi band" when we went with him but I wasn't there (couldn't hang and was in bed already) and didn't get to see it. Video cameras will be rolling this time!

 

[yankeegal64]

Hi Deebs - welcome

I just recently began organizing my trip and have realized I've left things too late!!
For example... I just tried to reserve Palo - and no deal Does Disney only allow so many reservations to be booked in advance or am I completely out of luck?

Check when you get on the ship because people cancel. Keep checking everyday that you want to go. I had made reservations and cancelled as soon as I got on the ship and realized we wouldn't have time.

 

[yankeegal64]

Ah the ridicule us poor Leaf fans have to put up with

Although we can't say the Sens have been off to their best start ever either!!!

I was born in Buffalo and am a big Sabres fan...thankfully they make up for the Leafs!!!

I grew up in MI and had to travel back and forth to Buffalo when my mom was in Roswell. That town is freezing! True Buffalo wings though.

 

[joksten2000]

 

[Mags'Mom]

Deebs
We will be travelling with our DD(3), is your son planning to go to the Lab?

 

[4duncansfromcanada]

I hope this link works also:
http://www.caymanactivityguide.com/forums/
It's the best info site I have found for Cayman Islands. Lot of coupons and excellent info from the locals. Because of it I booked an excursion through one of their recommended vendors for the snorkel/stingray. Very, very nice people.

Thanks. Had to clean my carpets last night so no planning done. Man, why does life have to get in the way of planning this cruise?! Thanks for the link.

 

[yankeegal64]

bumping along to keep us upfront!

 

[yankeegal64]

Hey Ocean Breeze. Rumor going around on the boards that someone in your group is going to have a Birthday while onboard. Who would that be (if you don't mind me asking)? I am actually hitting the big 43 while onboard.

 

[Ocean Breeze]

Hey Ocean Breeze. Rumor going around on the boards that someone in your group is going to have a Birthday while onboard. Who would that be (if you don't mind me asking)? I am actually hitting the big 43 while onboard.

Happy Birthday in advance!

No birthdays while onboard, but we are cruising to celebrate my 50th (OUCH that hurts to say...) and my mom's 70th birthday.

We decided we'd celebrate these momentous occasions together on a cruise! I mean, what better, eh??? But when????

My birthday is in July and July is a great time to be in Canada so we weren't going to cruise then. We stayed home and enjoyed our backyard and the golf courses.

My mom's birthday is in October, still a nice time of year here and still hurricane season.

Soooo, what to do? That was easy--cruise in the middle of the cold, dark, gray, damp winter!!! How about February? GREAT!

My reasoning was this: December is a VERY busy month for us. Beside Christmas, it's our son's birthday. Plus it's only started to get cold and that's OK. You are hoping for a white Christmas, so you can deal with it. And it's still new, so not too bad. In January you need to recoup from Christmas and you're still not too sick of the cold...yet! Then there's February. Now, I'm usually thinking ARGHHH will it ever be warm again? Or light? It is definitely starting to wear thin on me. By March, you can start seeing the end of the tunnel and you are starting to panic that you haven't skied enough or done enough winter things because you were complaining about it being too cold and you still haven't made it to Ottawa to skate on the canal, and... So you have to stay home in March. And by April, well heck, it's starting to warm up!?!?!

Besides, there's Valentines Day in February. My mom lives in So Cal, miles away from us, and this way she'd have a date (her grandson) on Valentines Day! My DH and I have booked Palo that night!!! Plus we can do all the planning in cold, dark January. Makes it very tolerable!!!!

So, that's the LONG answer to your very short question!!

 

[yankeegal64]

Thanks for the Birthday greetings Ocean Breeze! My mind actually stopped processing birthdays at 29. Whenever anyone asks how old I am, I automatically think 29 and then reality hits.

I just wanted to throw this out there in case anyone is having a hard time getting the stingray excursions in Grand Caymans and would like to join us. After much research we have booked with Soto Tours. They take you to Coral Gardens to snorkel and then to Stingray Sandbar. We have done this excursion before with Disney but I was looking for something a little less crowded this time and someone that was highly recommended. The price is $35.00 for adults and $25.00 for kids. They provide transportation to and from the port and will drop you off somewhere else after the excursion if you want (Rum cake factory, turtle farm, beach etc). This is the link if anyone is interested:
http://www.sotoscruises.com/
We are going on the earliest excursion and I've already asked Kerry if we could go a little earlier than the 9:30 depart. I've read that Blackbeards Rumcakes are better so I don't know where we are going to decide to be dropped off yet. We have 2 in our group that have no desire to snorkel but like the sandbar idea so they will be staying onboard. Just throwing that info out there. As you can see I am wayyyy to into planning.

 

[yankeegal64]

 

[deebs]

Welcome Deebs!

My mom is coming from CA--Westlake Village in SoCal. Where are you coming from?

What a small world...we're from Agoura Hills, about 5 minutes away from your mother!

 

[deebs]

Deebs
We will be travelling with our DD(3), is your son planning to go to the Lab?

Yup...this is our first cruise where he's old enough to participate!! I'm really hoping for some mommy and daddy time while the kids are in the clubs. I'd happily meet up that first day to introduce the kids before the kids actually hit the clubs!

 

[deebs]

Welcome Deebs! Great to have more! We're trying to get everyone together so the kids can meet on that first day. I suggested the deck above the adult pool because it'll be less crowded and hetic. Anyone have suggestions for a time? We'll be on the ship early but I think right before the sail away party would be best so everyone can get situated. What does everyone think?

I'm game. The last cruise we went on we saw the big Disboards cruise meets, but didn't participate. It would be lots of fun to meet people from the boards, especially for the kids!

 

[joksten2000]

Who would believe. Our Daughter is really big and the baby has dropped, she is still working, but will finish this week. Really good news. The State started an acelerated Master's program for 50 workers in the State and she got selected, they pay for everything a two year program, three days one month(All day Friday, Sat. & Sun) two days the next(Friday & Sat.) for each class. Must be a lot of work at night. The class starts in Jan. but she's already had the first class so she won't start till March. Saves them a bundle of money.

 

[4duncansfromcanada]

Yankeegal - I was looking into the cayman link you posted. It is so hard to make a decision!! as i mentioned we're traveling with 2 boys (7 and 5). I am tempted with the stingray excursion because it seems like a chance in a lifetime opp. but am not sure if the kids will appreciate/like it. i think we may rent a jeep and take a trip to the turtle farm, etc. - maybe follow the "go east" tour posted on your link! Do the Stingray tours book up quickly to your knowldege?

Happy to hear your good news joksten!

 

[deebs]

we signed up for the Pirate ship/beach trip in Grand Cayman. I didn't look at the link posted, but it seemed like it would be fun for the kids. (3 & 5)

4Duncansfromcanada- I've done the stingray excursion in the past and its incredible. I do think it might be a little scary for your 5 year old. I have a 5 year daughter and I know she would be terrified. Adults scream when they first get into the water. Its pretty overwhelming having the stingrays come up to you....just wanted to let you know!

 

[4duncansfromcanada]

thanks deebs.. i can't believe i can't make a decision! i want to experience everything... and if i don't make a decision soon i may end up experiencing nothing!

But now i am frustrated - so i'm going to bed.

 

[YenSid1222]

Hello all you 2/10ers! Well, I just got back to Texas after getting to see the Magic on Saturday before her 10 day set sail. Now that I have (finally) been on board, I am more excited than ever! February can't get here fast enough!!

We got out to the Port by 7am, which is the earliest time a crew member can leave the ship. After her being at sea for 2 months, it was great to see her walking out of security. After a quick breakfast and taking her to the mall to get some final secret Santa stuff the cast is doing this week, it was time to go on board.

First, I must say that it is a VERY secure ship! We had to go through 2 metal detectors and my sisters gifts we were giving her were scanned in two different x-ray machines. After that process, we were down on Deck One where everyone's bags were being loaded. We went up to Deck 2 and checked out her crew room. She lives right up near the bow of the ship and is almost right under the stage of the Walt Disney Theater. She LOVES that because she can leave her room and be "at work" in less than 3 minutes. Beats my commute each day!

After taking a look around at the crew quarters, we went out to the guest areas of the ship. The first people were arriving on board, so I got to hear them announcing all the names. We checked out just about everything! I walked up and down so many stairs in the course of like 45 minutes! The ship was just amazing. It was even more exciting to see it still empty. I stood in the Walt Disney Theater looking out at the empty seats...that was a great moment to take in.

Anyway, I just can't wait!! For the whole thing...the meals, the ports and especially the shows!!!!!

Only a month and 3 weeks to wait!