Jammin' to Jamaica - Aug 30 2014 ~ Fantasy ~ 7-Night Western

[sweetlovin']

River boarding is an amazing way to experience the thrill of Jamaica’s Rio Bueno River. You will first be transferred to the river, located 20 minutes from the Falmouth Cruise Ship Pier. Once you have arrived at the facility your adventure begins with a short walk through the rain forest to meet your raft at the starting point. After some instructions from your guide, you will be given your board and from there the adventure begins.

You will be provided with a unique glove that will allow you to maneuver easily down the river; this glove will assist you to maintain your balance as you guide yourself to an amazing experience. To participate in this tour you must be able to swim and weigh no more than 220 lbs.

Steer with your limbs as you hang on and spring over cascades while plunging into the streaming water to tackle seven raging rapids. After about 35 minutes you will enter the deeper sections of the river, where you can jump into the refreshing water for a chance to swim and admire the natural beauty of your surroundings. Here you will spend the next 20 minutes frolicking in the natural beauty of your surroundings.

As you go over one final cascade you will pass under an old colonial stone bridge and slide down spiraling currents into the blue Caribbean Sea. Once at sea, your guide leads you to a private beach for a cool drink and some relaxation time before it’s time to board your bus again.

River boarding on the Rio Bueno is an amazing experience that allows you to explore the beauty of Jamaica while having an adventurous and exhilarating trip.

This is called Sledging in New Zealand. I did this there in Sub zero temps. FREEZING!! But it was fun. It was a ton of work and really difficult even for big guys, so I doubt Julie and I will do it. A lot of fun for older teens and adults only though.

 

[sweetlovin']

I swore I posted and it just disappeared.

We have the late dining right now and I think in Jamaica we are going to do the river tubing and horseback riding on and in the beach.

After being picked up at the pier, you will drive to the corral approximately 40 minutes away. After saddling up, you will set out with your trained tour guide for a scenic countryside trail ride with trained guides. Ride through wooded areas, where the Taino Indians used to hunt for food. Learn about the culture of these first Islanders, their beliefs, habits and existence, before Columbus landed and the island was colonized under the Spanish flag. Ride through a natural wetland, shaded by almond and coconut trees, and see the excavations carried out by archaeologists, keen to uncover the deep rooted history of this area.

On arrival at the stretch of deserted beach, you will strip down to your bathing suits, while the saddles are removed from the horses. You will then set out on a bare back horse ride experience in the Caribbean Sea, an experience not to me missed. Total time with the horses is approximately 90 minutes. Time in the water is approximately 10 - 15 minutes.

The return ride takes you along the deserted beach, where herons and other water birds fish in the shallow waters. Through the mangroves, which hide the remains of an eighteenth century warehouse, and by an ancient waterwheel which powered the old sugar mill on this former sugar plantation.

You will then drive to the river where you will be given a tube for a lazy float down the river with your guide. A stop will be made where you can swing on a rope and fall in the river before continuing on. Your driver, will safe guard your belongings during the trip, and will meet you at the end of the river for the return drive to Falmouth. Float takes between 45 - 50 minutes.

 

[sweetlovin']

Hi guys,

We are doing the early diners.
And in Sept 2012 we did the Xplor park in Cozumel unless you are in very good shape i would not due it again. You have to walk up stairs into the towers to zip line ( alot of towers very high up ) im in ok shape by the time i got to tower number 7 i was the slow one.
And in Grand Cayman we did the Dolphin extreme swin and Turtle Farm loved it. Maiyoli

Sounds awesome!! I just saw our excursions for Jamaica. I booked through United's website and I can book the DCL excursions through them right now. So, it looks like they have the horseback riding in the water (as Lisa pointed out) and river tubing in one excursion. I'll let Julianna look tonight, but I am thinking that will be it. They also had zip lining and a few others. I'll call them later and make sure these are the ones DCL will be offering, but it looks like we are good to go on these.

Maiyoli - good to know about the Xplor park. The extreme swim is what I was looking at with Julie, but we will see. Cozumel has a push/pull dolphin excursion that looks like fun as well. We might do that.

Right now, we have the late dining. On the dream Julie loved to do the games like Disney Trivia and Pictionairy and things. So after the show, we would run up and play a game before running down to dinner. Hopefully, they have thos as well.

Sorry for all the posts. I just realized I never hit post on this one.

 

[maiyoli]

Sounds awesome!! I just saw our excursions for Jamaica. I booked through United's website and I can book the DCL excursions through them right now. So, it looks like they have the horseback riding in the water (as Lisa pointed out) and river tubing in one excursion. I'll let Julianna look tonight, but I am thinking that will be it. They also had zip lining and a few others. I'll call them later and make sure these are the ones DCL will be offering, but it looks like we are good to go on these.

Maiyoli - good to know about the Xplor park. The extreme swim is what I was looking at with Julie, but we will see. Cozumel has a push/pull dolphin excursion that looks like fun as well. We might do that.

Right now, we have the late dining. On the dream Julie loved to do the games like Disney Trivia and Pictionairy and things. So after the show, we would run up and play a game before running down to dinner. Hopefully, they have thos as well.

Sorry for all the posts. I just realized I never hit post on this one.

Thanks that sounds awesome, I hope it's the same for Disney

 

[sweetlovin']

Thanks that sounds awesome, I hope it's the same for Disney

If you are comfortable with it, there is kids thread to let the kids get to know each other

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend

 

[maiyoli]

If you are comfortable with it, there is kids thread to let the kids get to know each other

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend

Thats so funny,my daughter is posting on the thread right now. Both my girls had a blast in the kids club. We were able to enjoy the adult stuff this time around what a diffrence.

 

[LiseG]

Maiyoli, Mike Oceana and Zoe

Let's skip the hurricane and just do the Fantasy !

I'll add you to the first tread and the FE list. Are your in-laws going to play on the DIS with us too?

My daughter will be 13 at cruise time and is Pink23 on the Kids Only.

 

[LiseG]

Thanks that sounds awesome, I hope it's the same for Disney

I'm enjoying all the ideas for excursions. The river rafting I was looking in Jamaica is a lot more tame:

Rafting on the Martha Brae is a unique Jamaican experience not to be missed by any visitor to the island.

Highlights:
- Ride on a 30 ft bamboo raft, over three miles of the Martha Brae River.
- Jamaican lunch

Full Descriptions:
Rafting on the Martha Brae, the island’s #1 rafting attraction is located approximately three miles inland from the town of Falmouth.The embarkation area, “Rafter’s Village”, encompasses six acres of beautifully manicured lawns situated on a natural horseshoe island. It offers a fully appointed recreational facility which includes picnic grounds, a full service bar, two souvenir shops, swimming pool and restrooms. Before embarking on the tour, guests can also take a stroll through “Miss Martha’s Herb Garden”, a presentation of Jamaica’s herbs famous for their medicinal and healing properties.

Established over thirty years ago, Rafting on the Martha Brae boasts a compliment of eighty licensed and experienced raft captains. Thirty-foot long bamboo rafts are boarded from a concrete pier, under the supervision of a licensed dispatcher. The raft ride is operated over a three-mile stretch of the picturesque Martha Brae and lasts approximately 1 ½ hours. Once on the raft, guests can learn about “The Legend of the Martha Brae River” The attraction has over the years played host to a number of celebrities including HRH Queen Elizabeth II, heavy weight champion Lennox Lewis, Chuck Norris, Dionne Warwick, Spike Lee, Kenny Rodgers, former NBA star Patrick Ewing, Jane Seymour of “Doctor Quinn – Medicine Woman” fame and the late Johnny Cash.

The disembarkation area known as “Martha’s Rest” also offers a souvenir shop, bar, lounge area and restrooms.

Lunch includes: Fruit drink with either jerk chicken, jerk pork or grilled chicken plus roll, fries and salad.

I'm not sure yet ... 1 ½ hours drifting down a river might be a little slow paced but it will be out 20th Anniversary that day. Maybe that would be nice.

 

[LiseG]

One Year and 6 months 'til our Cruise
​

 

[maiyoli]

I have always wanted to go to Jamaica, so I got so happy I booked as soon as I found out. My family and my in-laws always make me the planner. It is so hard to find something for everyone.

 

[sweetlovin']

One Year and 6 months 'til our Cruise
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Or 78 more Fridays!!

The river raft looks awesome as well. We'll see as it gets closer. I'm taking 5 vacations before this one, but I feel much more prepared for this one than any of the others. Maybe I won't feel that way as it gets down to 3 Fridays, but 78 Fridays to go and I am on top of it.

 

[sweetlovin']

We did Dolphins on Sabrina's 5th Birthday (2005) in Cozumel at Dolphin Discovery Cozumel at Chankanaab National Park (Back then there was only one Dolphin destination... no Dolphinaris). We liked that we could stay and play on the little beach as long as we wanted before heading back to the ship.

How/where do you get a passport stamped... we've never tried on a cruise.

I can't wait to see what DCL will offer! On that "other" lines, I spotted horseback riding (including riding as the horse swims in the ocean), Dolphins and Ziplines. Chuck did parasailing at Catalina Island once. Sabrina hasn't tried it yet. Hey, that's another thing the girls can talk about on the KID ONLY thread!

You can go doubles on the parasailing. So Sabrina could go with one of you, if she is into that. Julie was just a little nervous when we got out there, but once she did it, she loved it.

Now Juls wants to try paragliding. I did this in Switzerland, so maybe if I go back with kids we will try it. We have an extra day in Austria this summer, so maybe we will try it then if all the kids want to. I know they all want to go luging and zorbing and I was able to find those in Austria as well.

I was wondering if Sabrina is home schooled. Julie will be by the time this cruise starts and my son has already started for a little while now. All of my kids love school, but none of them want to go to middle school. Plus, Julie says if she home schools, she will be able to go on more vacations. LOL!

 

[sweetlovin']

I have always wanted to go to Jamaica, so I got so happy I booked as soon as I found out. My family and my in-laws always make me the planner. It is so hard to find something for everyone.

I know how much work goes into planning a vacation for my family. It is so much work when you are planning it with other people!! I can relate to how hard that can be.

I am usually the planner for our trips too. I don't mind most of the time, but when it includes inlaws or family that isn't one of my crew, I go crazy. My mom is trying to meet up with us in Germany and Austria in July. Now, I have had this trip booked since last Sept and my mom just asked me if I could plan all her flights. She wants to go to Rome, Paris, Germany and Austria. UM..I'm coming from Tokyo, so I am not going to any of the other European countries.

I don't mind meeting up and organizing activities, but I can't plan other people's vacations for them.

Sorry, vent over. I hope your planning is a lot easier

 

[maiyoli]

You can go doubles on the parasailing. So Sabrina could go with one of you, if she is into that. Julie was just a little nervous when we got out there, but once she did it, she loved it.

Now Juls wants to try paragliding. I did this in Switzerland, so maybe if I go back with kids we will try it. We have an extra day in Austria this summer, so maybe we will try it then if all the kids want to. I know they all want to go luging and zorbing and I was able to find those in Austria as well.

I was wondering if Sabrina is home schooled. Julie will be by the time this cruise starts and my son has already started for a little while now. All of my kids love school, but none of them want to go to middle school. Plus, Julie says if she home schools, she will be able to go on more vacations. LOL!

Can you adopt my whole family I would love to go to all the places you have been to we are planning a trip to New Jersey for our family reunion and a trip to Disney/Universal.

 

[LiseG]

You can go doubles on the parasailing. So Sabrina could go with one of you, if she is into that. Julie was just a little nervous when we got out there, but once she did it, she loved it.

Now Juls wants to try paragliding. I did this in Switzerland, so maybe if I go back with kids we will try it. We have an extra day in Austria this summer, so maybe we will try it then if all the kids want to. I know they all want to go luging and zorbing and I was able to find those in Austria as well.

I was wondering if Sabrina is home schooled. Julie will be by the time this cruise starts and my son has already started for a little while now. All of my kids love school, but none of them want to go to middle school. Plus, Julie says if she home schools, she will be able to go on more vacations. LOL!

Maybe Julie and Sabrina could double parasail? She's been up in a hot air baloon a number of times. Guess we'll see what they want to do by then.

Sabrina goes to the local middle school. She starts volleyball again next week and will be on swim team again this summer.

 

[sweetlovin']

Can you adopt my whole family I would love to go to all the places you have been to we are planning a trip to New Jersey for our family reunion and a trip to Disney/Universal.

LOL! I feel like my list is so long for the places I want to go. I will adopt as long as I don't have to do all the planning. I could use some help.

This summer is the longest trip my kids will have done. They've gone to other countries, but never country hopped or continent hopped like this summer. To be honest, I am getting insanely nervous about it. The flight from Chicago to Singapore is 22hrs and 30mins. Flights to Paris and London are 7-9. Not even close to an entire day. I like that it is direct, but in some ways, it would be easier to get off the plane with a layover. But, it was free, so we will just get it done. Once we get through the first week to 10 days, they will be used to the time difference and should perk up. I think the key for any international trip is to get there at night. After traveling that long, London, Singapore, Australia, if you get there at night, you can sleep while they are sleeping and it is easier to adjust. When you arrive in the morning and have to stay up all day before getting sleep, it takes your body a lot longer to adjust.I also find it easier going west than I do going east.

A family reunion sounds awesome!! Are you from New Jersey originally?

 

[sweetlovin']

Maybe Julie and Sabrina could double parasail? She's been up in a hot air baloon a number of times. Guess we'll see what they want to do by then.

Sabrina goes to the local middle school. She starts volleyball again next week and will be on swim team again this summer.

Volleyball is so much fun I had a bunch of friends that played on our high school team. I've never done a hot air balloon, that is awesome!! Julie would love to go with Sabrina if she is willing. I hope the weather holds out for it. Usually morning is better to schedule it, but I'll check times as it gets closer.

Julie explained that she wanted to finish 5th grade at her school, but home school 6th-8th. We don't really home school, we virtual school. They have teachers, go to classes (on line) have text books sent to the house and take tests just like regular school. Nico started when they put 35 kids in his class, after first quarter of 5th grade. I don't think he has ever looked back. We start school first week of August here, so Julianna would have been missing a week if I wasn't home schooling. Virtual or home school is a lot easier to take 4-15 days off to travel. 2015 she really wants to do the Panama Canal cruise, so we will see.

 

[LiseG]

Volleyball is so much fun I had a bunch of friends that played on our high school team. I've never done a hot air balloon, that is awesome!! Julie would love to go with Sabrina if she is willing. I hope the weather holds out for it. Usually morning is better to schedule it, but I'll check times as it gets closer.

Julie and Sabrina are talkig about parasailing on the KID ONLY thread

Virtual school sounds interesting. I think Sabrina has a friend that does that.

 

[maiyoli]

This summer is the longest trip my kids will have done. They've gone to other countries, but never country hopped or continent hopped like this summer. To be honest, I am getting insanely nervous about it. The flight from Chicago to Singapore is 22hrs and 30mins. Flights to Paris and London are 7-9. Not even close to an entire day. I like that it is direct, but in some ways, it would be easier to get off the plane with a layover. But, it was free, so we will just get it done. Once we get through the first week to 10 days, they will be used to the time difference and should perk up. I think the key for any international trip is to get there at night. After traveling that long, London, Singapore, Australia, if you get there at night, you can sleep while they are sleeping and it is easier to adjust. When you arrive in the morning and have to stay up all day before getting sleep, it takes your body a lot longer to adjust.I also find it easier going west than I do going east.

A family reunion sounds awesome!! Are you from New Jersey originally?[/QUOTE]

Wow thats a lot of time on a plane. I was born in Cuba and when i came to the states as a little girl my family was aready in New Jersey. I do have a big Family on my mothers side. On year we had a total of 86 people with 5 generations.

 

[maiyoli]

Maybe Julie and Sabrina could double parasail? She's been up in a hot air baloon a number of times. Guess we'll see what they want to do by then.

Sabrina goes to the local middle school. She starts volleyball again next week and will be on swim team again this summer.

I was so worried about putting my daughter in the middle school, but since she is in all gifted and advan classes, she is only there with the good kids right now she is in 8th grade. When she was in 5th grade she was able to be in plays. In 4th grade she was the evil stepmother the cinnderela and in 5th grade she was Snow white. She can draw really good. The teachers wanted her to go to the middle school of the arts but when she saw that none of her friends made it she turned them down. In the middle school she is in the school soccer team and on the JNHS and yet she is the most shy kid around.
The first Disney Cruise we when on she never left our side, we didnt have so much fun but on the Edge this last Sept she loved it. We were able to alots of adult fun. I didnt realize all the adult stuff to do on the cruise.