February 12th, 2005 Western. Who's going???

[disneypilots]

Bump !!!!

I hate having to scroll down for our chat link.

4 weeks to Key West. I can hear the music at Sloppy Joe's already !!!

The Key West Cam shows the Magic in Port at Mallory Square.

Mark

 

[JenGang]

Jen--My girls are looking forward to meeting yours. They are really interested in what goes on in the clubs. Have your girls done the sting ray thing & didnt like it or just rather stay in the club?

Wendy

My girls are chickens and won't even consider doing the stingray thing. LOL So I told them that they have to stay in the Lab while we're gone because I refuse to pay for them to go with and just have them sit in the boat the whole time. They were fine with that. I told my girls about your girls and they're excited to meet them too!

 

[rifgirlsmom]

Jen-My oldest Shannon hz also out grown her shorts. A few things do fit, and she always has her basketball stuff. But I'm told by her that those shorts are for practice only. I'm just concerned, after the summer we just had, how warm or cool could it be in Feb. Never even been out of Michigan in feb before our disney trip was 1st week march & florida had record highs one day. I'm also a bit worried about her on the stingray thing but she claims that she'll be fine. The younger one is working up to kissing a ray, friend of her did that
Mark-did you by chance do the Fury Catamaran sail or the Bottom fishing on cc?
Anyone Else?
This is our 1st cruise also, have really learn alot here. Also other places suggest here. I'm sort-of a over planner but really hope to relax once on board. Looking for fun in the sun
Wendy

 

[disneypilots]

Wendy, We have not done the Catamaran, but we met some folks who did..They said it was a blast. The Bottom fishing is new, havent heard anything about it.

The most desired excursions from our other Western Cruises were

Key West : Sunset Schooner

Grand Cayman : Stingray City and the Sea Turtle Farm. A note regarding the Stingrays....... If you have children that a frightened by large sea creatures (some of the rays are 5-6 feet wide & long), you wont get them into the water. Our DD, 13, is going with the intent of swiming with the rays. Our DS, 11, have said the boat ride would be cool, but is still working on the idea of getting that CLOSE to them. The boat trip is great, with fabulous scenery. The water is incredible. So we are going to take the chance that DS, will get into the moment and swim. Will continue in another post. Mark

 

[disneypilots]

Continuing Grand Cayman Excusions...............
The Sea Turtle Farm is great to do once for adults and teenagers, and the younger children have a blast. You get to see hundreds of these creatures, and even hold one if you wish.

Cozumel : Number one by far is the Dolphin swim. Quite expensive, and fills up very quickly. DW and I did it in 2003, we still talk about it. Tulum Ruins is a Day long event (8 hours). The Ecological Park (included with the Dolphin swim) is alot of fun. We are going to try the Atlantis Submarine, DS wants to go very badly (we are working this into getting him to swim with the Stingrays... lol). Beach trips are popular as well.

Its best to book early, that way you wont be diasappointed by a sellout. We are hoping to join you on Capt Marvins in Grand Cayman. Will continue in part 3. Mark

 

[disneypilots]

Castaway Cay Excursions : Parasailing and the Banana Boats are very popular. We will be in a Hammock (I hope) until our Parasailing trip around 3 pm.

If you have any specific questions about shopping or anything else, dont hesitate to ask. The more you plan upfront, the more you relaxe on the cruise.

What dining time to you have ?? Due to our late booking, we ended up with second dining. Will just have to eat more Pizza, Burgers, and Ice Cream during the Day !!!!

Mark

 

[rifgirlsmom]

Mark- We have early dinning, hope that works out for us. We usally do eat eary, but I'm worried about getting back on time & if the kids will want to leave the clubs. Did you do the disney stingray & turtles or thru captain marvins? Still leaning to a beach day on Cozumel, not sure if will book excursion for that, sounds like its quite easy to just take taxi to a beach. I've read good things about Paradise Beach, also Nachi Cocom. I'm wondering about the times to go ashore & get back on board. Are the times on the disney site correct? Anything I should know about there. Thanks for your advice. Wendy

 

[disneypilots]

Hi Wendy, Nice to have a day off, but its soo cold here. Michigan Winters can really take their toll............... LOL
The first seating for dinner (early seating) does tend to cut it close with shore excursions. We have found that the excursion by itself is ok, but if you want to stay and do some shopping (each port has its great deals, let me know if you want any clues as to what we have found....), getting back to dinner would be rushed. We havent missed the boat yet !!!!
We are going to try Capt Marvins for the first time this cruise. Our friends have used them and say they are the best. We have used Disney to do the Turtle Farm and the Stingray swim twice. Once with just Laura and myself, last year with DD & DS. The kids just watched from the boat. Hope they will participate this year. Hope this helps.

Mark

 

[disneypilots]

Hi All, We are all set for Capt. Marvins 11:15 2 hour Stingray trip. They said it was going to be 85 degrees today. Wooooo Hoooooo !!!!! Bring on the warm weather !!!!! Its a quick walk from the pier, we passed their office last year while we were looking around GeorgeTown. Cost for 2 adults and 2 children wasnt too bad.

The stop at the coral gardens should be cool, have never seen it before.

They said we should be back in town for Shopping and other activities by 1:30 pm. Should give us 2-3 hours to look around and shop.

We wont have to get off the ship until around 10 am, so I can sleep in, and eat breakfast before heading over. Thanks for the heads up on the 11:15 excursion. I love it when a plan comes together. Have a great day !!!

 

[JenGang]

Hi All, We are all set for Capt. Marvins 11:15 2 hour Stingray trip. They said it was going to be 85 degrees today. Wooooo Hoooooo !!!!! Bring on the warm weather !!!!! QUOTE]

WOO HOOO!!! It'll be great to have so many DISers on the same excursion. And I wish I was in Grand Cayman right now! We'd have really cold temps since last Weds. and it's getting old really fast. I'm sick and tired of feeling like you don't even want to go out of the house because of the weather. It's a balm -8° right now but it feels like -19°!

 

[MImom]

Yeah, glad there will be some DIS "friends" on the same stingray excursion.
My kids are talking tough, that they will get in the H2O and swim with them. We'll see if it really happens.
Wendy, we lived down south for two yrs, so I experienced two glorious winters there. Just like here the temps can vary, I'll just have to check out the forecasts. I know I wore capri's year round and loved it.

A silly question - how dressed up is everyone getting for formal night?
Dresses/suits or formal gowns/tuxes? My DH has to "dress up" for work so not interested in renting a tux for formal night. I would prefer to wear a nice dress, not a "formal". Will we be underdressed? How about the kids? Have seen pics of boys in tuxes, is this the norm? We need to get my DS a suit for his 1st Communion in the early spring, so may just get it early and have him wear it on formal night. Or can he just wear a dress shirt, tie and nice docker type pants? Thanks for the advice. Anne

 

[disneypilots]

Jen, are we going to plan a quick meet once we get onboard ?? Would be nice to put a face with the names. Just to say hello. Let me know.

Anne, the Formal Nights are kinda split between two groups. The first group is all dressed up in tux's and formal gowns, the other group kinda has dress slacks, sport coats, and summer dresses. Its your call, we look forward to dressing up, one of the few occasions I will put a Tux on for. I have a cool Mickey Mouse vest....... so I dont suffer too much lol.

Our DD 13, will be dressing up (She likes to), but we will be lucky to get a dress shirt and a tie on DS 11.

Mark

 

[JenGang]

Anne, The girls and I are wearing formal dresses and dh will be wearing a nice suit. Thankfully we can all still fit into our dresses from our cruies last Feb. It was very nice not having that expense this year!

 

[JenGang]

Mark, I really do want to do a quick DIS meet. How about if we all plan on meeting outside of Studio Sea at 3pm. That should give us all a chance to say a quick hello before the lifeboat drill at 4pm. That seemed to be an easy place for a meet when we went last year. If you have a suggestion for a different location, I'm open to that.

 

[disneypilots]

Jen, Sounds like a plan. Studio Sea at 3PM. How many people do you think will particpate ?? The thread seems to have only a few active participants. It makes it easier for us to remember the names lol........

For anyone who has not been on the boat before, its real easy to find. Its in the middle, right next to the atrium lobby.

Its been a busy DCL day, booked Capt Marvins, made reservation for Tuxedo rental, and learned a few more new things Disney. Whew......I need a nap !!!

This time last week I wasn't even thinking of a DCL Cruise. Was planning a RCCL trip for Easter. Then the miracle happened. How things can change in a week. My wife says I'll just cram all my Disney energy into a month of planning, versus an entire year !!! Wanna guess who plans all the vacations in our family. That's what they get by letting a Disney Fanatic loose........

 

[MortimerM]

Hi everyone,

I booked Cap't Marvins also but I've got the 10:00am trip. Sorry to miss out with everyone else. The DW and DD will be staying on board so I guess I'll be on my own.

We'll look forward to the meet at Sessions however.

 

[MortimerM]

Sorry,
I ment Studio Sea.
Mike

 

[disneypilots]

Mike, are you doing a half day or a 2 hour tour ??? There was still room today on the 11:15, 2 hour tour. Just to let ya know..........

 

[MortimerM]

It's the 1/2 day (10:00-1:00). Three hours, must be short days down there.
Mike

 

[MortimerM]

oops, Don't know how that smilie got in there.