February 25, 2006 Western Magic Cruisers!!

[BusyMomIANH8115]

I hope Disney has "Frozen Drinks of the day", cause I am going to NEED them

Here is a little something to get you thinking :

"Snow Flakes"
Disney Cruise Line
Holiday Cruises


1 oz of rum
3/4 oz dark creme de Cacao
2 oz Vanilla ice cream
2oz Coconut cream

Blend with ice, garnish with coconut shavings
Enough ice to make it a frozen type drink.


Source: disboards [DOT]com

I suspect you have the ice already ....

 

[feiste]

We just signed up for the Chaccohoben Mayan Ruin tours through DCL while in Costa Maya. Anyone else doing this?

We are thinking of doing this. Did you sign up w/ Disney, or through another company?

 

[kshabare]

Okay, my tolerance for this storm is wearing thin. Norm's upstairs making chocolate covered pretzels. I'm going to have to work out for a full hour tomorrow and live on water and fat free popcorn. Oh wait - chocolate covered popcorn? OMG!

Kim

 

[feiste]

Grand Cayman - Private boat to stingray City.......

We have been looking into an excursion to stingray city, and came across this site on the web.....

http://www.absolutedivers.com/stingray_city.htm
http://www.absolutedivers.com/rates.htm

For $400 for 8 people, we could charter a private boat for a 1/2 day and set our own iteniraty. We have 4 people in our group who are interested in going. Is there someone out there with 4 people who might be interested in combining forces with us on this, and splitting the cost?

If that price holds, it would be about $50/person. A little more than the $40/$27 that Captain Marvins is asking, but this way, we could set our own schedule and be a little more carefree!

Any interest out there?

We are still looking for anyone who might be interested in doing this with us. Check out the website, it looks very cool. We had a private charter catamaran in Anguilla a few years ago, and it was amazing. We would plan on doing Stingray City (timed to avoid crowds) and a little relax time at Rum Point Beach. The four people from our party doing this would include DH, DD, DD8 and DD5. It would be great to find another group with a couple kids, but completely not necessary.

I hope someone can join us!

Jennifer

 

[MoiraRD]

Hi everyone!

I have been pondering the Chacchoben ruins tour. I would absolutely LOVE to see them, but I can't book through DCL because I have a DD4. I have read that I can book directly with them, so my question is, do David and Ivan have any age limitations for their tour? And are there multiple times we can choose from? I want to go on this tour, but not at the expense of missing the boat!!

Thank you!

Moira

 

[BusyMomIANH8115]

. Ivan said meet at 11:30 what if we do not get there till 11:00- I am wondering if I should just stay with DCL and know I am safe??

I am only speaking for my experiences but when I have used well researched (Rick often checks into these things by asking around on the boards!) off site contractors I haven't had any problems (I haven't had problems at all with this topic, actually).

The groups are often smaller and more personal than the cruise ship can offer and I have had wonderful experiences. Often I have traveled with groups I have met through the boards, and had so much fun.

The cost is cheaper for me and I normally don't pay much of the total price, if anything up front. The guides are pretty knowlegable about the ship docking times and normally plan their tours accordingly they couldn't get paid otherwise

They seem to make every effort to wait on people and work from their list to check everyone in.

I have been with outside tours that have gone above and beyond with trying to accomodate and please the groups and seen fantastic bits that I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise.

BUT you do lose the reassurance from the cruise line by doing this. If you pay all upfront you could lose or be ripped off. The cruise people won't help you. If you don't pay upfront and get there to noone at the assigned meeting place or a guide who seems off you haven't paid yet ( or hopefully just a small percent as a place holder) you're not out much.


It is a bit of a leap of faith and only you can really decide if this is for you or if you feel safer with the cruise tours

Whatever you decide it will be so much nicer on vacation, sitting by a palm tree with sunscreen and a drink!!

 

[SallyB]

Gary and Sally- I have booked the tour with DCL and David and Ivan... I am so nervous about not being on a DCL excursion... what if??? I have no idea what time we are getting into Costa Maya.. Ivan said meet at 11:30 what if we do not get there till 11:00- I am wondering if I should just stay with DCL and know I am safe?? I really thought all my planning was done to some extent.

Aruba.. they said 11:30am OR 1 hour after the ship docks. That is why I went with them.. plus they come highly recommended WooooHoooo!! without that assurance I probably wouldn't have gone with them.. only because of timing. But I feel pretty secure

 

[SallyB]

Okay, my tolerance for this storm is wearing thin. Norm's upstairs making chocolate covered pretzels. I'm going to have to work out for a full hour tomorrow and live on water and fat free popcorn. Oh wait - chocolate covered popcorn? OMG!

Kim

ROFLMAO KIM!!!!!!!! I have so much to lose I stopped worrying about it till after the cruise. I'm doing WW and Curves till then but I'm not going to worry if I'm not perfect about it because I know come cruise time I'm going to enjoy the different types of food and get back on plan when I get home. The thought of going on a cruise was depressing otherwise.

 

[SallyB]

We are still looking for anyone who might be interested in doing this with us. Check out the website, it looks very cool. We had a private charter catamaran in Anguilla a few years ago, and it was amazing. We would plan on doing Stingray City (timed to avoid crowds) and a little relax time at Rum Point Beach. The four people from our party doing this would include DH, DD, DD8 and DD5. It would be great to find another group with a couple kids, but completely not necessary.

I hope someone can join us!

Jennifer

Jennifer, we had already booked Stingray city with Captain Marvins.. sorry

 

[SallyB]

Hi everyone!

I have been pondering the Chacchoben ruins tour. I would absolutely LOVE to see them, but I can't book through DCL because I have a DD4. I have read that I can book directly with them, so my question is, do David and Ivan have any age limitations for their tour? And are there multiple times we can choose from? I want to go on this tour, but not at the expense of missing the boat!!

Thank you!

Moira

Moira.. we are going to be in port for some 12 hrs.. if they keep with the timing of Cozumel. You will have plenty of time. Check out their site to see what they have to offer. We just booked with them last night.. well technically they take your name and reserve your spot. They dont have the technology so they dont take any CC #'s. SO if something happened with the ship.. you have lost nothing. But they tend to go out at 11:30am or an hour after the ship docks. If you go for the basic tour, it's $43 per person and the bus has AC. I don tthink there is any issue with age, but you can ask them. They ahve an email right at their site. Just email them and you can ask them to hold your spot for whichever type of tour you want. Here is their link: http://www.chacchobenruins.com Maybe we'll see you on the tour

 

[GDUL]

Gary and Sally- I have booked the tour with DCL and David and Ivan... I am so nervous about not being on a DCL excursion... what if??? I have no idea what time we are getting into Costa Maya.. Ivan said meet at 11:30 what if we do not get there till 11:00- I am wondering if I should just stay with DCL and know I am safe?? I really thought all my planning was done to some extent.

We are thinking of doing this. Did you sign up w/ Disney, or through another company?

Our friends and my wife and I have gone back and forth on this for the past 3 days. We finally decided to go with Disney even though it's a little more expensive. It came down to having the "insurance" of knowing that the Magic wouldn't be leaving without us if we booked through DCL. David and Ivan's tours sound great but we've also heard good things about the DCL tour. Being first time cruisers, we're somewhat apprehensive about booking non-DCL excursions. I keep having this recurring thought of the van breaking down somewhere in the jungle and we have 15 minutes to get back to the ship - LOL! I wouldn't want to be left anywhere - unless, of course, I could find a job there - then who knows! If we cruise again in the future and I feel comfortable with how things work, we may decide differently.

 

[MoiraRD]

Thanks so much, Sally! I really want to go, but I am having the same fears as Gary - what if the bus breaks down?? Yikes!! That is just my luck!! This is our first cruise as well and I don't want to be left behind anywhere! I am going to drop them an email to see what they say about my DD4. Thanks again!

Moira

 

[SallyB]

Thanks so much, Sally! I really want to go, but I am having the same fears as Gary - what if the bus breaks down?? Yikes!! That is just my luck!! This is our first cruise as well and I don't want to be left behind anywhere! I am going to drop them an email to see what they say about my DD4. Thanks again!

Moira

I figure if the tour gets over at 3 or there abouts and the ship doens't leave till 10pm.. even if they broke down, I'm sure we have plenty of time to get back to the ship. now if we were leaving port at 5pm.. I'd rethink things.

 

[MoiraRD]

I figure if the tour gets over at 3 or there abouts and the ship doens't leave till 10pm.. even if they broke down, I'm sure we have plenty of time to get back to the ship. now if we were leaving port at 5pm.. I'd rethink things.

You are right, I really shouldn't worry!

I tend to be a bit of a worry wart at times. I drive myself crazy!!

I think I am going to go ahead and reserve a spot and just enjoy the trip (especially the air conditioned ride!!)!

Thanks for the reassurance, Sally!

Moira

 

[Mr508MA]

Our friends and their 2 kids going on the cruise with us were visiting us this weekend. We made our alien green name tags and they turned out pretty nice! Thanks for the tips Holli!

Name tag tips ? what did i miss ?

Anyone else schedule any spa services on the ship? The day before we leave I've got a massage and pedicure scheduled. I wanted to do something on the ship so I scheduled a manicure for formal night day. Also may do the rainforest room ... that sounds awful relaxing!

Have a great week everyone!

We are doing the Spa, each 1 for a day at sea [Sally the Elemis Aroma Stone Therapy & Me the well Being Massage] I can't wait for that...

I have booked the tour with DCL and David and Ivan... I am so nervous about not being on a DCL excursion... what if??? I have no idea what time we are getting into Costa Maya.. Ivan said meet at 11:30 what if we do not get there till 11:00- I am wondering if I should just stay with DCL and know I am safe?? I really thought all my planning was done to some extent.

Looking at the excursions offered by Disney at Costa Maya, some start at 10am, so i figured we'd be there by then.... These venders were recommended by other cruisers on these boards, They thrive on Tourist... If they screw you, you are going to tell all over the boards, & they won't get as much biz, But if you have a GREAT time & tell others, they can stay in business "Circle of Biz's"

Here is a little something to get you thinking
"Snow Flakes" Disney Cruise Line Holiday Cruises

1 oz of rum
3/4 oz dark creme de Cacao
2 oz Vanilla ice cream
2oz Coconut cream

Blend with ice, garnish with coconut shavings
Enough ice to make it a frozen type drink.

I suspect you have the ice already ....

Oh yes, plenty of Ice today.. snow finally stopped, moon is out, driveway is clear & sanded... ready for another work day.. That sounds so yummy.. I'll probably be hammered on my 1st Haven't had a drink in 2 years.. I don't drink when i could be driving.. I have a CDL license & if i get stopped driving (even my ATV) while drinking, I'd loose my license, which mean losing my job... won't be driving on the ship

We are thinking of doing this. Did you sign up w/ Disney, or through another company?

We did w/ David & Ivan, right at their site

I tend to be a bit of a worry wart at times. I drive myself crazy!!

Moira

No one let Moira DRIVE and don't let me drive if i got a frozen drink

Some "what IF's" we can prepare for, but some we can't... we can all worry ourself out of having fun... So when you start to worry, just say
"Don't Worry, Be Happy ", la la la la la la, lalala la la la, lalala la la

 

[MoiraRD]

No one let Moira DRIVE and don't let me drive if i got a frozen drink

Jeff, you are wicked funny!! Definitely made my night!! I needed a good laugh after watching all that snow hit us today!!

Moira

 

[hjensen]

Hi Jeff! Donna and I made our green mickey paint swatches into pins and are going to put our names on them. I put my DIS screen name on there...and then we'll wear the name tags around the hotel...the port...etc. I dont think I'm going to get the rest of the family to wear them...but thats ok!!

 

[feiste]

I figure if the tour gets over at 3 or there abouts and the ship doens't leave till 10pm.. even if they broke down, I'm sure we have plenty of time to get back to the ship. now if we were leaving port at 5pm.. I'd rethink things.

I don't mean to burst any bubbles but...
According to a Western Navigator (posted on someone else's site) for the Magic cruise on I believe 12/15 or there about, the all aboard time for Costa Maya was 5:30, departure at 5:45. This can probably be cleared up with a phone call to a travel agent tomorrow, but for now we are planning our Costa Maya activities as if we are going to be on the ship by 5:30.

Jennifer

 

[kshabare]

I made my green tags today too. I need to laminate them or get them onto a pin or something. I labeled them Kshabare and put Norm, Kim and Josh on each one. Last year we just clipped them to our backpacks and daybags so that people noticed mine at least. What else was there to do today anyway?

I think I'm going to get my opportunity to kayak in Costa Maya. The boys will probably go on those boats and I'll paddle myself silly. At least I can consider it exercise.

Sally, I've been working at getting back to Lifetime all 2005. I stayed at the same weight, within two pounds. Maybe psychologically I think I'm taller than 5' 2.5?? Wish I were - then my pudge would be stretched! Oh well. I can't wait for the midnight dessert buffet. Does everyone know about that night? Yah - it's to die for. One year we took a nap and set a wake up call from Mickey for midnight! Ha! Just a BLT, right? Bite, lick and taste?

Okay, time for bed - it's way past my normal bed time tonight.

If anyone has questions just ask - I love trying to answer them.

Kim

 

[Acctng Lady]

Holli and Sally, thanks for the information. I looked at the information on Saturday with my confirmation number, and Cozumel was still showing on the list of ports. However, I went back to it tonight after I received the posts, and it now shows Costa Maya. I will pass the information on to the rest of our family who will be on the cruise.

Our daughter and family will be flying from Baltimore on Saturday morning, Feb. 25. We fly out of Norfolk that morning, and will meet up with them in Orlando. We have signed up for the Disney transfer, so am not sure what time we will arrive at the Port.

Will let you know if we will have the green pins after I talk to my daughter. Will check in tomorrow during the day.

Thanks again for the information. Leta