Inaugural Western 5/11/02 Who is going?

[cmatt]

Can someone explain to me why the it would cost to go to the beach other than transportation???

key west beach break 45.00

grand cayman--beach break 45.00

cozumel--49.00

someone tell me why i would want to pay 200.00 for 4 to go to the beach what am i missing here????

cmatt little help here

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi Folks
Man I go to bed early and when I get up I have x# of posts to read? Boy we are getting excited. I was wondering if you have to pay for the launch in GC? Add that to the $200. to go to the beach...not! I am sure you can get a cab right in GT. We are renting a car at GC which is less than the $90..00 excursion price for the 4 of us to go to the beach. On Cozumel and GC you should be able to get a taxi to take you to the beach for much less.

Cozumel
• Transportation
For Cruise Ship Passengers

Public buses run all day to the north and south beaches from the municipal dock and cruise-ship piers. They are very inexpensive (about US$0.50), but their schedules are irregular. Taxis are a better choice; they operate 24 hours a day. Taxi rides are inexpensive—expect to pay about US$2-$3 from the cruise-ship piers to town for up to four people. Taxi tours of the island (for up to four people) cost about US$50-$60 for four hours. Do not hesitate to bargain and always agree on the price beforehand.
Rental cars are available downtown, where several international firms have offices. Rentals can also be arranged at the major hotels and at the airport. Prices start at about US$30 a day. Drivers must have a license and be at least 21 years old. Be aware that streets and roads are narrow and not always up to the standards of other countries. Insurance generally does not cover you if you drive the vehicle on a dirt road and get stuck. Also, there’s only one gas station, but the island is so small you won’t even need a tankful. Driving is on the right.

Scooters and mopeds can be rented from vendors along the malecon and the side streets leading east. Rentadora Cozumel (Ave. Sur 172) offers mopeds for about US$25 a day. Mexican law requires the use of a helmet. This mode of travel can be particularly dangerous because of road conditions and careless drivers, so be careful. You can rent a bicycle in the International terminal for US$8 and ride to San Miguel (less than 3 mi/5 km away).

Ferries sail regularly from the municipal pier in Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. A ride cost about US$7 per person and takes 40-45 minutes. Tickets are available on the ferry docks at Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. The schedule is posted at the pier, but boats generally leave every 60 to 90 minutes between 5 am and 10 pm, but schedules are subject to change during different seasons. The water can be rough, so take along remedies for seasickness.

Cayman Islands Georgetown

Transportation
For Cruise Ship Passengers

Small public buses—they’re vans really—stop every 15 minutes or so along Church Street (the main street on the waterfront) going to Seven Mile Beach and West Bay. A one-way fare along this stretch costs about US$2.

Taxis are excellent for short jaunts or full-island excursions. You can catch one where you come ashore, in town or at Spotts. Cabdrivers are quite knowledgeable. Rates are fixed, but the total price will vary by the size of your group and your sightseeing plans. Expect to pay about US$10 per person per hour for four people on a short taxi tour. Longer excursions in larger vehicles may be US$25 per person per hour. Agree on a price and the currency used beforehand.

Bicycles and scooters can be rented at several shops, including Bicycles Cayman at Ashton’s Scuba View (in Georgetown) and Soto Scooters at Coconut Place (on Seven Mile Beach). Bikes rent for US$10-$16 a day; scooters run US$20-$25. Unless you’re experienced with driving on the left, scooters aren’t a good choice for a one-day trip.

Rental cars are available from international and local firms. Rates for automobiles, vans and Jeeps run US$25-$70 a day—the price depends on the size of the vehicle and the season. (Local companies don’t offer any appreciable savings over rates posted by the big-name firms.) A temporary license fee of US$7.50 is added to each rental.

Island roads are in good repair. Local driving habits reflect the Caymanians’ friendly attitude—most offer the right-of-way to tourists. Remember: Driving is on the left.


Have not heard from DISCrusinmommie but here is the list I got from her, so far I have 25? Does anyone know someone at DCL?
DISCruzinmomie was contacting someone?

This is who I have on the initial list:
Joeandjoanne-4
Tigger 24- 4
WDWgoose-2
Cmatt-2
Tnrobin-2
Angelbile-4
Hygene99-2
Grupmygirl77-2
jennifersmith23-2/3?

See if this takes?

 

[jennifersmith23]

Thanks Joe & Joanne (BTW who is it that writes the posts???Is it Joe or Joanne...I never know what to call you) for the information on the islands. After the Xcaret excursion, I imagine I may look around town and do some shopping. Is Carlos and Chalies in Cozumel?

Everyone have a great day...Only 51 days and 21 hours till I leave for port...yayyyyyyyyyy

Thank you,
Jennifer

 

[cotomom]

So yesterday, I asked my TA to poke and prod regarding some things and he came back with Sunday is to be FORMAL night, and Thursday is Semi-Formal night. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Would love to start 'those' plans!

Kendra

 

[SQUIGGLE]

I'm kind of figuring that the formal and semi-formal nights will be the "at sea" nights. I surely could be wrong; but I can't see the formal night on Sunday which is Key West. Don't ya think LOTS of folks will be off the ship to watch the sunset.

 

[jennifersmith23]

I know I will be off the ship until 8PM... I hope formal is not on Sunday. It sounds like he may be thing of the Eastern Itinerary. I'm guessing Monday and Thursday for formal & semi formal.

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi Folks
My vote would be for Formal on Thursday, Captains Gala and Monday for the Semi-formal. If it changes from the Eastern it screws up the presentation nights in each rotation. Sunday being Master Chefs and Thursday being Captain Gala. I will just have to rearrange my tentative schedules..now which one was that.....? Where did I put it? CMATT and WDWGoose did you see it? Twice at least.....

Jennifer....Joe here doing the posting. Joanne sometimes gives comments while on the chat Fridays, but she is SSSSOooooooo quiet ......just like me

WDWGoose: Pinky fellow IS slower. Ditto on the schedule...

Who has EXCEL? Anyone?

CMATT: Have home in Florida, Fort Walton Beach. Were to move there a few years back but retirements were put on hold due to WORLD SITUATIONS. Rented right now, we will occupy soon enough. 8 hours from WDW, but still a FLORIDA resident. Had trouble yesterday with Yahoo and EBAY but now they are working.

Oh by the way Grapenuts? Are you crazy? You know what happened to Uwell (sp?) Gibbons? He died from too many grape nuts....of course he used whole milk...

168 pounds? Current weight or what you expect to gain on this cruise? Read that other thread on DCL limiting food and portions. Goofy club or whatever will have to fill us up between rations I have not seen 168 in a few weeks

WDWGoose: Eyes going? Pink/Green/Purple? I dont see any purple but if thats what you see then ok?

Robin: OK with the floods? Her lectric must be out?

Anyone want to link dinner table assignments? Man too many crazy folks here to think about eating together I am game but then again who wants to eat with a old fogie? Be Joanne, Brian, Jacquie and me if they let me so I am inquiring. We have late seating.

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi folks
Here is copy of Jennifersmith23 post from the front of the boards. Sorry Jenn.

Made my 5/11 Western Excursion Ressies - New Info
Just some info I thought I would pass on...

According to the lady at the reservation center, the times for the itinerary are slightly different than what Disney posted.

Key West 12:30 - 10:00
Grand Caymen 7:30 - 5:45
Cozumel 10:30 - 11:00
Castaway Cay 9:00 - 5:00

Don't know that this information is 100% accurate, but it is what my shore excursion confirmation says. FYI...

Thanks,
Jennifer


It looks as though this may present some changes to the itinerary. If so, this would mean there would be time enough to allow for Formal Attire on the second night (sunday).

It would probably also mean that the Formal and Semi-formal night will remain the same.

I just called DCL and according to Special Services (Ben who is going with us) DCL will probably switch formal to Monday and keep semi-formal Thursday. Just a guess on his part and we should call back in about a month? If what Jenn says is true then they probably won't switch.

Is he (they DCL) crazy or what...how can we plan stuff at that late date? I am going to call DCL every 5 minutes till this gets straightened out...but I will admit I am really flexible so it only matters somewhat.

 

[jennifersmith23]

Big OOOOOPPPPPS here. Key West is 12:30 to 10 not to 5. I must've just been typing along and completely misread the paper. I am sorry. Everything else is correct though.

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi Folks
Here is an update on the post above. I called the DCL Reservation number (Lynne speaking) and told them I had reservations for this cruise and had some questions. First, the brochure says Formal/semi-formal nights are usually on nights when you are at sea during the day. Since this is normally Sunday and Thursday will this apply since we will be at Key West on the normally scheduled SEA DAY? She said there will be no change to the Formal and Semi-formal nights.

I also asked about any time changes in ports that she was aware of, based on Jenns post above? She mentioned that we had to be back on board at 9:30PM when in Key West, all other times as on the DCL site are accurate. I mentioned that since this is Formal Night would it be kind of crazy to be in port and then have to rush back to attend formal night activities? She mentioned that this is what they (DCL) were doing and if people missed the activities by staying on shore then that would in fact happen. I again asked if she were sure? She put me on hold and came back with the same answer? Sounds screwy to me?

I then called special services number again and asked the same questions. The answer? DCL will switch nights. Formal to Monday and Semi on thurs? They had no changes in times. They added the caveat....please call back at a later time to confirm all this??????

Will someone else call and see if we get conflicting stories and post here? I also asked about the time meet for Cozumel Excursion which says 9:30 AM. This is for an excursion when the ship does not arrive until 10:30? It was explained this is the meet time ON BOARD? Gonna line you up for the first ferry I presume. They said the Magic will not stop at Playa Del Carmen prior to arrival at Cozumel.

Does this make any sense.....I'm confused

 

[jennifersmith23]

I signed up for the Xcaret excursion which is supposed to meet at 9:45. She did tell me that we were to meet in a room at that time, and that the boat actually docks at 10:00 (guests being let off at 10:30 according to the paper I have.)

I don't know any of this info for sure, and I got the times of my shore excursion confirmation form which list the ashore and departs times for all ports. If this information is incorrect, than it is incorrect on the paper. If Disney can't figure out which side is doing what than that kinda sux...

Hopefully they will get their act together before the cruise. That is the only thing not good about being the guinea pigs. You are the ones used to work the "kinks" out of the process. Oh well. It does not make sense that they would have formal night be on a port night. I have a friend whose mother is a VP or something in Disney Reservations so I will have to see if she can straighten this out for us. It would be really nice to know.

I'll keep ya'll informed.

Jennifer

 

[cmatt]

Thanks Joe for the info your going to be a pretty good neighbor after all,,

you are keeping busy with all your research now aren't you,,

what day or nite is palos,, trying to see which way we are sending the kids????

thanks cmatt

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi folks
Watching that darn bouncie green fellow. Do not know what is up have to wait to hear from Jenn. Thought I had the Theme nights, formal night and other stuff ironed out but looks not?

I had another thread going "Looney Cruise" Gonna change this to the Guinea Cruise? Just dont know losing interest...........

 

[cmatt]

Joe dont lose interest we need you ,,,

you are our very own research and development dept...

your doing a great job inkbounc inkbounc

thanks cmatt

 

[jennifersmith23]

I just called the Disney Cruise Line number, and the lady I spoke to said the theme nights are remaining the same...

Sunday - Formal
Tuesday - Tropical
Thursday - Captains Gala
Friday - Small World

This makes no sense whatsoever as you would think with Monday being open and a sea day, it would be a simple switch to move the nights. The rep spoke to her manager and confirmed this information.

She gave me an address to write to "voice my opinion" as it were. It is:

Disney Cruise Vacations
Guest Communications
PO Box 10238
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

I may shoot out a letter and ask them for confirmation and explain the issue. We have gotten a few different answers from a few people and I don't know who to believe.

The question then becomes, do we cancel any late night excursions in Key West to come to dinner or do we just miss formal evening? What are you guys going to do if it comes to that?

Jennifer

 

[TnRobin]

I called and was told Monday and Thursday night would be the formal and semi-formal nights. Guess it depends on who you talk to. I was told that Monday night was chosen so that the people taking the Sunset Cruise (a Disney excursion) would not miss formal night

 

[TnRobin]

I was just thinking (I know it is dangerous when I think) but they cannot have the Formal nights on Monday and Thursday. This will result in two nonstandard dinners in the same resturant. In order for the rotation system to work, you can only have a "special"" dinner once in each resturant.

using PAL as an example

Nights 1,4, and 7 in Parrot Cay
Nights 2, 5 in Animators Palate
Nights 3 and 6 in Lumieres.

If Monday and Thursday were formal then this rotation would never have the Animators Palate show with the color changing walls. They would only have Formal Night and Semi-formal night.

I guess it is good we did not sign up for the Sunset Cruise then. On a good note. Those people who do not wish to do formal night will have multiple dinning opportunities in Key West.

 

[jennifersmith23]

Unfortunately we did select the Sunset Cruise. I am kinda bummed because we won't be able to dress up and take our formal pictures. I really would like to do the formal night though. Maybe we can switch to late seating that night, but we will have barely enough time to shower and get dressed. (The sunset sail gets back at 8:00).

Oh well...

Jennifer

 

[Scott H]

Robin, you are so right in that it depends who you talk to. I have noticed this seems to be a trend with Disaney as of late.

I think if they get enough calls letter emails etc that the light bulb will come on with the cruise folks to do teh V-8 head slap and put the formal nights while we are at sea.

This is the adventure of being on the first western cruise. To boadly go where no Dis person has gone, new frontiers etc......

 

[Scott H]

I simply can not stand to see this thread soo low on the boards.