February 11, 2006 Roll Call

[GotMouse?]

I'm paid up too! WooHoo!! I can't believe it'll only be 90 days away this weekend! I think we're going to lay low on the excursions this time, I want to enjoy the ship as much as I can. Although we might do Rum Point on Grand Caymen. Last time we did the island tour w/Sting Ray city. It was fun but, there were too many boats in one spot so it was crowded with people , lots of kids screaming cuz they were scared of the rays and the smell of fuel made me kinda sick.

We did the Tulum Ruins on Cozumel. That was really cool! HOT!! But so awesome to see those ruins.

So, this time I'm all about laying around the ship and eating! With a couple of massages thrown in for good measure! Gotta do the banana boats on Castaway tho!! They still have those don't they?? They're a blast!

I'm getting SO excited!

Lisa

 

[RAC]

We made our final payment today! Not long now!!!! I wanted to see if there were any other DD out there that are around 8-9 years old interested in being pen pals with my DD before the cruise. We did this on our first cruise and it worked out great, she felt like she knew someone before we ever boarded the ship. Just post or email directly if anyone is interested.

 

[Squeakcat]

I just tried to make excursion reservations, and it is showing nothing available for Cozumel, and very little available for other ports. Can this be true already?

 

[atakaratemom]

I think they have just taken off all of the Cozumel excursions for now. I was really excited to get our Palo reservations. I reserved dinner, brunch and high tea! Last time I couldn't reserve anything for Palo ahead of time, although we did end up getting a dinner and brunch reservation once we were on the ship. I still like the security of having my reservation in advance. I booked our Grand Cayman excursion, but I am still thinking we'll just do Key West on our own. Does anyone know if we really need to book Castaway Cay activities in advance? It seems I read somewhere that you could pretty much pick your activities once you got there. Since we did the West Coast cruise, I am not familiar with how things work at Castaway Cay. Maybe one of you who have been there can offer some advice.

 

[GotMouse?]

Hi Mary!
If you want a cabana massage, you have to book that asap....Banana boats are booking quick too! Other than that, I wouldn't worry. You're gonna LOVE Castaway!! It's beautiful there!

Lisa

 

[GotMouse?]

We made our final payment today! Not long now!!!! I wanted to see if there were any other DD out there that are around 8-9 years old interested in being pen pals with my DD before the cruise. We did this on our first cruise and it worked out great, she felt like she knew someone before we ever boarded the ship. Just post or email directly if anyone is interested.

The other family that we're traveling with has an "8-will-be-9-by-cruise" DD! We've been a little worried about her because all the rest of the kids are teens....I'll ask her if she would be interested in a pen pal.

Lisa

 

[atakaratemom]

Thanks Lisa for the Castaway Cay info. I went ahead and booked the Banana Boat for DH and DS. Unfortunately my DD is too young, so I guess we'll just watch from the beach. I saw your post on the main forum about booking Palo on Valentine's Day for your anniversary. I booked our dinner reservation on Valentine's Day too. What could be better than chocolate souffle at Palo on Valentine's Day!

 

[umber]

I'm also doing the dance of joy about my Valentine's dinner at Palos!!! Awwww, could it be anymore perfect?

There was no way I could get up at 3am to make my ressie so I was thrilled that I still got a ressie when I logged on at 8am that Sunday morning!

 

[atakaratemom]

Great news! The Cozumel excursions are available on the DCL site now. I just booked the Fury Catamaran Sail and Snorkel. Since the January 28 Western is being rerouted to Nassau, it looks like our cruise will be the first return to Cozumel for DCL. I am so hoping that it stays this way.

 

[umber]

From Disney:
As you may be aware, Hurricane Wilma passed directly over the island of Cozumel. While Cozumel is involved in its recovery we will be unable to call on this port. Therefore, we have changed our itinerary for our western Caribbean sail dates as follows:

November 5, 2005 March 11, 2006
December 17, 2005 March 25, 2006
January 14, 2006 April 8, 2006
February 11, 2006 May 8, 2006
February 25, 2006 May 20, 2006

Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida
Sunday Key West, Florida
Monday Day at Sea
Tuesday Grand Cayman, The Cayman Islands
Wednesday Costa Maya, Mexico
Thursday Day at Sea
Friday Disney's Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida

 

[atakaratemom]

That message was there briefly, but it has now been changed. It is now as follows:

Thank you for your interest in the ports of call featured on our western Caribbean itinerary.

As you may be aware, Hurricane Wilma passed directly over the island of Cozumel. While Cozumel is involved in its recovery we will be unable to call on this port. Therefore, we have changed our itinerary for our western Caribbean sail dates as follows:

November 5, 2005
December 17, 2005
January 14, 2006
Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida
Sunday Key West, Florida
Monday Day at Sea
Tuesday Grand Cayman, The Cayman Islands
Wednesday Costa Maya, Mexico
Thursday Day at Sea
Friday Disney's Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida

November 19, 2005
Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida
Sunday Disney's Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Monday Day at Sea
Tuesday Grand Cayman, The Cayman Islands
Wednesday Costa Maya, Mexico
Thursday Day at Sea
Friday Disney's Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida

December 3, 2005
December 31, 2005
January 28, 2006
Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida
Sunday Key West, Florida
Monday Day at Sea
Tuesday Grand Cayman, The Cayman Islands
Wednesday Day at Sea
Thursday Nassau, Bahamas
Friday Disney's Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida


We do not anticipate any additional western Caribbean voyages will need to be modified. However, as Cozumel continues the recovery process, we will monitor their progress closely.


It changed this morning and then the Cozumel excursions showed up on our Shore Excursion Reservations so it seems at least for now they are planning for Cozumel for our cruise. It seems to keep changing every day though, so you never know what will happen.

 

[definately dory]

HI Everyone,
This will be mine and my families first disney cruise and we are so excited!! There will be six of us, my husband, 9yr daughter, 4yr daughter, my mother, my mother in law, and of course myself. My 9 year old would love to talk to some girls her age to get know a few before we all sail. Since we have never done this before any "must do" tips would be great!! My husband wants to do the sting ray tour, for anyone who has done this, is it worth it.

Counting the days till we leave here in Nova Scotia Canada

 

[sweeks82]

Hi definately dory-

We are also taking our first Disney cruise. My 8 1/2 year old niece will be on the cruise and I know that she would love to correspond with your daughter.

 

[definately dory]

Sweeks82 that would be great!!

 

[atakaratemom]

Hi Dory and Sweeks! We just did our first DCL cruise on the west coast last summer and got totally hooked. It was our best family vacation ever and we can't wait to go again. I can't answer any questions about excursions since this will be our first cruise from Florida, but there are others here who can give you lots of help and advice in that department. I know what it's like to be a first time cruiser. I had so many questions. Fortunately I found this Board and all of the great info I got here before our cruise really helped.

 

[definately dory]

I am so confused So many things to choose from and to make it even more confusing we are doing a week at Disney first and we have never been there either! Is Palo a necessity for anyone who has been there? It is mine and my husbands 10th anniversary while we are on the ship and thinking about making ressies for that night or will we miss out on something good at one of the other restaurants if we do that. SOOO many questions, I could ramble on all night. LOL

 

[atakaratemom]

I would say Palo is a must for at least one meal. It would be a wonderful place to celebrate your anniversary! The great thing about a 7 day cruise is that you are in each dining room at least twice so you won't miss out by going to Palo for one dinner. If you don't want to miss anything in the dining rooms you can always schedule Palo for brunch which is amazing. Many people prefer brunch to dinner. Personally I love both, which is why we booked dinner, brunch and high tea this time!

 

[gmcutter]

We are paid up! I posted at the very beginning of this thread and just now got back on. Life has been busy! I know that our 75 day window is coming up and have to get back up to speed on what is happening here.

This is our first cruise ever and looking forward to it! We are headed to Wilderness Lodge for 2 days before and DW then Cape Canaveral for 1 day before. Then onto the ship... We have one DS, age 7. Anyone else bringing someone that age? I've seen alot of 8-11 year olds but no 7's.

We are going to try and book the dolphin excursion, but I dare say that will be tough...

I'm anticipating getting the PLA rotation for dinner and we have late seating (asked for that). And hope to get Palo reservations on Day 4. Wish me luck!

I'm now working on my door sign. As soon as it's finished I'll post a picture. How about any one else?

The Cutter Clan
Magic, Room #7072

 

[definately dory]

Does anyone know exactly when the 75 day window starts. I want to book excursions that we decided on before everyone changes their mind AGAIN! While on that note we have decided to do the swim with the sting rays, if anyone has done this will it be ok for a nine year old?

 

[detroitdad]

Haven't visited this thread in a long time. Glad to see more names. Here's a recap on our party-

Myself
DW
DD 12
DS 8
DS 6
DS 4

Looking forward to our first cruise ever. Was really surprised to see the possible change in itineraries but it looks like it is back again. Hopefully it will stay that way. We've booked a dolphin excursion at Cozumel (not through Disney) and it would be so disappointing if that had to be cancelled. I suppose that sounds petty given the people having to cope on Cozumel so I suppose I shouldn't complain. It will still be a great vacation regardless of visiting Cozumel, but the dolphin swim is what they are looking forward to most of all!

Also have the stingray/snorkel excursion booked for Grand Cayman.

Does anyone know which night is Pirate night? Want to avoid booking Palo's the same night. Hopefully we will still be able to book something on line as 75 days out is this Sunday.