January 4, 2014 Fantasy, Trust, and Pixie Dust!

[julmops]

Excursion wise this is what we are thinking:

Grand Cayman: Fat Fish Adventures jet ski, stingray city and snorkel (I am a little bit nervous about this but I am going to be a big girl and try it out lol....who knows maybe I will love it.)

Costa Maya: A relaxing day at Maya Chan

Cozumel: just walk around the port check it out, then head back to the quiet ship ride the aquaduck and spend the day in the rainforest spa.

Castaway Cay: explore the island and have a beach day.

What are you guys planning for excursions?

For us, we're thinking about Stingray and Beach Combo for Grand Cayman. For Costa Maya, not 100% sure due to the pretty short time available and it will be my 40th birthday on the day so I'd like the day to be special. For Cozumel, quite a few options but undecided yet and might as well enjoy the boat. For Castaway Cay, my partner wants to try Parasailing as he was booked this January but the weather prevented him to enjoy it.

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

Does anyone happen to know what the difference between ship time and port time will be in Grand Cayman...OR if the port times that they list are based on the actual port times of the ports? I dont think i am making sense...here is the deal:

Fat Fish jet ski is at 11:15....umm we don't get into Grand Cayman until "11:30". My question is, is that 11:30 ship time or 11:30 Grand Cayman time? If it helps, Grand Cayman will be Eastern Standard time. Not sure if this tour will work out after all...I already had an outfit planned :-( Lol

 

[luv2sleep]

Does anyone happen to know what the difference between ship time and port time will be in Grand Cayman...OR if the port times that they list are based on the actual port times of the ports? I dont think i am making sense...here is the deal:

Fat Fish jet ski is at 11:15....umm we don't get into Grand Cayman until "11:30". My question is, is that 11:30 ship time or 11:30 Grand Cayman time? If it helps, Grand Cayman will be Eastern Standard time. Not sure if this tour will work out after all...I already had an outfit planned :-( Lol

Ship time is always local time. If we cross time zones they will put a little note in your room the night before to move your clocks forward or back. So 11:30 is Grand Cayman time.

On the Hawaii cruise we had to change our clocks 3 times during the 4 day crossing there and back (6 clock changes) to keep up with local time even though we were at sea those 4 days.

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

I am aware of all of the clock changes, but I have been on cruises before where port time and ship time were different. Still doesn't seem likely that we can do the excursion, ah! So many road blocks.

 

[luv2sleep]

I am aware of all of the clock changes, but I have been on cruises before where port time and ship time were different. Still doesn't seem likely that we can do the excursion, ah! So many road blocks.

Not that I've experienced. You might want to ask on the main board to see if in Grand Cayman the times are different.

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

Posted on the main board, getting nice information... A couple ppl said they had their native choice excursion at 11:15 and made it another person said they had the same port times but got into cayman at 10:30.... Sooo I don't know. Lol

 

[luv2sleep]

Posted on the main board, getting nice information... A couple ppl said they had their native choice excursion at 11:15 and made it another person said they had the same port times but got into cayman at 10:30.... Sooo I don't know. Lol

Grand Cayman is a tender port. They made it even with the time it takes for lining up and getting to the boats and then to shore? I think certain guests are allowed off first also. Don't know who though.

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

That's what they said... I think concierge and dcl tour can leave first.

 

[luv2sleep]

That's what they said... I think concierge and dcl tour can leave first.

I remembering it taking forever to get off the ship in Cabo (also a tender port). Hopefully it won't take you long. Does DCL offer this?

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

Nope dcl does not offer and unless the tour company adjusts their schedule I won't book it. Second choice is native way (sport boat rather than jet ski) as they have a time slot just for Disney Fantasy guests (although that is at 11:30) they must know something we do not.

 

[luv2sleep]

Nope dcl does not offer and unless the tour company adjusts their schedule I won't book it. Second choice is native way (sport boat rather than jet ski) as they have a time slot just for Disney Fantasy guests (although that is at 11:30) they must know something we do not.

They will make allowances for cruise ship passengers. You can call and see if they'd do the same for you. They might and they might not. DCL is a huge company so they might work with them in order to keep their business.

 

[Kabuli1]

How's everybody?

I haven't been on in awhile, getting ready to move downstate and it is STRESSFUL!!!! Next week I work up here on Monday, empty and drop off my vehicle (get a ride home) and drive downstate. Then on Tuesday drive to Springfield, pick up a different vehicle, then drive down near St Louis to meet my new regional folk and head out to my new territory. It will be such a change for this city girl going from a smallish urban territory to a huge rural route! AND I haven't found a place to live!!!

I don't even know whether my closest airport will be Indianapolis or St Louis yet, so I don't have my tickets for January. Midway is always cheaper, I will miss Midway.

Just wanted to comment on the port/ship time thing. Last Feb out of Miami on the Wonder they did not change ship time to reflect local time and they told us over and over not to change our watches and not to ask locals the time. But this is not always the case and I think the longer cruises may change especially since the ship will be in the Central time zone for more than a day or so.

No clue about shore excursions for us. Will probably decide just before online checking opens for me. Hopefully I will be getting settled someplace by then.

Enjoy today everybody!

Karyn

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

Good luck with the move!!!!!!!


I finally figured it out! We found another company (great reviews on trip advisor) that offers the jet ski/sting ray/snorkel tour at 12:30, this will for sure accommodate us Finally have that booked! I also put in our Maya Chan request for Costa Maya. Still not planning anything for Cozumel, but that may very well change.

WDW packages come out tomorrow, I am going to be looking to see if anything catches my eye that will make me want to switch my current DTD Hilton hotel to a Disney owned property. And next weekend my ADR window opens up, I am planning on trying to get two of the hot spots (le cellier and be our guest) So up uber early is the plan and hoping for a little bit of magic and pixie dust. We just bought a nice camera for the trip and have been playing around with it trying to learn the ropes!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

 

[luv2sleep]

Made an ADR to watch Illuminations and am thinking about T-Rex. Where are you trying to book?

 

[cflmom]

Made an ADR to watch Illuminations and am thinking about T-Rex. Where are you trying to book?

We tried for Be Our Guest, but there was nothing available. I booked at The Crystal Palace but will keep trying for the other one.

We've seen Illuminations and enjoyed it and T-Rex was awesome!

 

[luv2sleep]

We tried for Be Our Guest, but there was nothing available. I booked at The Crystal Palace but will keep trying for the other one.

We've seen Illuminations and enjoyed it and T-Rex was awesome!

We saw it last month and loved it! After it was over my son exclaimed, "Again Again!" So back we go, lol. He has an issue with loud houses so I book La Hacienda so we can watch it behind glass.

The loud noise issue is why I'm concerned about T-Rex. I showed him a video though and he seemed ok with it.

 

[luv2sleep]

Hummm getting a little concerned about how to do WDW prior to the trip. Do you think we can arrive at dusk and still get in to see the holiday decorations? I hear the parks are crowded and can be at capacity by the afternoon. Then they don't let people in. We are going Jan 1-4.

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

Do you have access to touring plans? I can look up your dates and tell you the "crowd prediction" for the days you are going.

 

[luv2sleep]

Do you have access to touring plans? I can look up your dates and tell you the "crowd prediction" for the days you are going.

I don't use them. When I check crowd calendars all I get is high. I bet it will be! What did you find?

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

I will have to look when I get home later for you. I will say that my date are as low as the crowd calendar can get we are talking 1-3 out of 10 for all my days, which will be really nice. I'll look for you and post it later though