July 9th 2005 - West Coast Cruise.

[Regina]

Just dropping in to let you know that the prices for Puerto Vallarta have been added as well as the Meeting Times for all of the excursions.

 

[jel0511]

Just dropping in to let you know that the prices for Puerto Vallarta have been added as well as the Meeting Times for all of the excursions.

Thanks!! that definately helps with my planning... Las Caletas, here I come!!!

Memo to all July 9th Cruisers: Has anyone thought about what they are going to do in Cabo San Lucas? I know most of us have pretty much decided on our Mazatlan excursion (Randi's Happy Horses) and Puerta Vallarta (those of you brave enough to do those rip lines), but what about Cabo? I'm really not sure what to do there, most of the excursions don't look all that appealing. I'll be on a beach in Puerta Vallarta, and the horses on Matzatlan, what to do on Cabo. I'm thinking of the Catamaran tour, but it leaves at such bad times in the afternoon. I might just get off and shop for awhile and then enjoy a near empty ship for the afternoon. Any thoughts?

 

[hayesktrm]

In Cabo, I think we'll do this one at 9:00 AM -- Santa Maria Sail & Snorkel Experience (4 - 4.5 hours) Meeting Time: 8:20am, 9:00am. Looks like fun to me.

 

[jel0511]

In Cabo, I think we'll do this one at 9:00 AM -- Santa Maria Sail & Snorkel Experience (4 - 4.5 hours) Meeting Time: 8:20am, 9:00am. Looks like fun to me.

That does sound like fun to me too, but with our 4YO out of the age limit for us.... bummer

 

[hayesktrm]

Lori,

That scared me. I went back to the their website to make sure my DD was old enough and I only saw the 10 and up. Then I noticed that 5-9 were just less expensive. Thank goodness. My DS would be very upset if he couldn't snorkel.

- Karen

 

[jel0511]

Lori,

That scared me. I went back to the their website to make sure my DD was old enough and I only saw the 10 and up. Then I noticed that 5-9 were just less expensive. Thank goodness. My DS would be very upset if he couldn't snorkel.

- Karen

Sorry Karen, didn't mean to scare you. It's just with DS being under 5, it really takes a lot of the fun excursions out of the mix for us.

 

[hayesktrm]

Sorry Karen, didn't mean to scare you. It's just with DS being under 5, it really takes a lot of the fun excursions out of the mix for us.

Look at the bright side, Lori, you get to start your vacation 7 days before the rest of us! I keep looking at your countdown and thinking, "she gets to start the fun before the rest of us."

 

[Sarangel]

Sorry Karen, didn't mean to scare you. It's just with DS being under 5, it really takes a lot of the fun excursions out of the mix for us.

Hey, it could be worse, Lori... With our DD being just 2 at the time of the cruise that pretty much kills *all* of the excursions for me & DH. We're thinking of finding one excursion for each of us to go on solo, since Mike really wants to go fishing, but I knew from the beginning that we were going to spend a lot of time with DD & not a lot of time on the excursions. My best hope is that most of these places will have good beaches that I can take DD to play in the water some...

Somehow, I think we'll live with whatever we get.

Sara

 

[jel0511]

O.K. you guys are right. I'll stop hanging my head.....

Sara - Most of the beach type excursions are fine for kids under 3, DCL just doesn't charge for them. You should contact DCL closer to our sail date and ask them which excursions you can take your DD on with you. I know any of the Beach Break ones would be fine, as when I was on the phone with the DCL rep, anything beach oriented you were allowed to bring children under 3. I've also been where you are, our first Disney Cruise, DS was 18 months, so we spent a lot of time together. DS did LOVE Flounders, so you and your DH still might be able to get a little alone time.

I also have to admit I'm considering joining Chris and Cheri on the Canopy Tour in Puerta Vallarta. It really does look like a fun time, but I'm also a little afraid of heights. I'm also concerned about having to leave my kids on the ship while we're gone, since they can't come. Cheri - I guess you're leaving your DD in the clubs since DCL has an age limit of over 12 on this excursion? I'm really thinking about doing it, but I have to get over leaving the kids on the ship. If I chicken out, we'll definately be doing Las Caletas.

 

[mommykeg]

Here are my thoughts right now--they seem to change often!

Puerto Vallarta--Dolphin Swim for DD8 and Dolphin Kids Encounter for DS4. It is something that they seem really excited about. The Canopy Tour seems cool to DH and I, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable leaving the kids on the ship.

Mazatlan--Randi's Happy Horses

Cabo San Lucas--take water taxi over to Playa Medano...beach, parasail, waverunners, banana boats. maybe take a boat over to see Land's End and snorkel on Lover's Beach.

That would give us dolphins, horses, and a beach day!

Kim

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

Hum... didn't realize that the age limit was 12 for the zip lines. Boy is Cassie going to be ticked off! I think she would hang-glide if we would let her. Her 12 year-old brother is not even sure about the Matterhorn. I'll have to think on that one ..... yup! she's on the ship. I'll go back and get her if time allows. Unless, of course, one of our new DIS friends wants to take her to the beach with them she's quiet refined and doesn't eat much ( I'm just kidding by the way)

I wonder if we all got together, if we could get our own catamaran-snorkle thing set up in Cabo. What I like about non-Disney excursions is more control over your time. Most excursions seem to take all day. Last cruise, one of our obessive planners put together a day that let us do a few things where most people were only on the beach. Just a thought anyway.

love these new bananas!

 

[mommykeg]

Cheri--

The time element is exactly why I was thinking of going to Playa Medano in Cabo. It's near the ship, has lots of watersports, etc. available...and plenty of boats leaving all day to Land's End and Lover's Beach. I thought it would be more relaxing to be in charge of our own time. Also--restaurants on the beach for lunch. A charter catamaran/snorkel thing sounds like it could be fun, though.

Kim

 

[GrumpyMom1]

Cheri--

The time element is exactly why I was thinking of going to Playa Medano in Cabo. It's near the ship, has lots of watersports, etc. available...and plenty of boats leaving all day to Land's End and Lover's Beach. I thought it would be more relaxing to be in charge of our own time. Also--restaurants on the beach for lunch. A charter catamaran/snorkel thing sounds like it could be fun, though.

Kim

That's what we have planned for Cabo - just spend the day at the beach.

Cheri - the zip line excursion offered by DCL is not the Los Veranos one that is talked about frequently on cruisecritic - http://www.canopytours-vallarta.com/. This one allows children as young as 6. If we were to do the zip lines (which my kids have decided they don't want to do), we would do it through this company, not the ship excursion.

 

[jel0511]

Cabo San Lucas--take water taxi over to Playa Medano...beach, parasail, waverunners, banana boats. maybe take a boat over to see Land's End and snorkel on Lover's Beach.

Kim - that does sound like fun!!! It this beach easy to get to. We might have to tag along with you on this one.......

 

[mommykeg]

Lori--From what I've seen and read online and in a book I have called The Unofficial Guide to Mexico's Best Resorts, the beach is visible from where we tender in. Apparently you just take a short "water taxi" over to the beach. Come along with us...the more the merrier! I'm looking into different watersports vendors right now...I'll keep you posted!

Kim

 

[jel0511]

Lori--From what I've seen and read online and in a book I have called The Unofficial Guide to Mexico's Best Resorts, the beach is visible from where we tender in. Apparently you just take a short "water taxi" over to the beach. Come along with us...the more the merrier! I'm looking into different watersports vendors right now...I'll keep you posted!

Kim

That definately sounds like an invitation, so count us in!!! Kim, we're either going to be GREAT friends, or be totally sick of each other after this cruise, but I'm definately hoping for friends . Our boys are the same age and will be in the clubs together. You DD is a year older than mine, so probably won't be in the clubs together unless you decide to move her down. AND, we're riding Randi's together. Now, if I could convince you to come to Las Caletas with us....... We're definately not doing the dolphins, since we're going on an Eastern either later this year, or next July (still working on that one) and want to go over to Anguilla to do them there. Also, we'll be at Sea World the week before, and I think there is a place where we can see the dolphins there.

 

[hayesktrm]

Mommykeg:

I would love to know more about the beach. Is it an official excursion or do you just go on your own? Would love more details if you have them.

How is cookie sales going? DD is doing pretty good this year. She wants the stupid cat thing so it looks like I'm going to have to buy a lot of cookies and freeze them! We went to winter camporee two weeks ago in Frazier Park. The girls were so good and we had such a good time. Did you go to winter camporee?

Back to the cruise--I was so excited after seeing on the posts last week that I took out my new personalized princess t-shirt and wore it (I promised myself I wouldn't wear it until the cruise). I did get lots of compliments. DD has a matching one.

Have a great day everyone--must run off and get ready for a Brownie meeting!

-Karen

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

do you ever make milkshakes with your cookies? I bought 12 boxes. I have to do something with them besides just shovel them in (although ...... ) The lemon ones don't work very well, but the Tagalongs and the Thin Mints make most excellent shakes.

 

[hayesktrm]

Cheri:

What an absolutely wonderful idea. Okay, now I can't wait to get my thin mints so I can make a thin mint milkshake. How many cookies do you put in for each serving?

Even if we're off-topic, does that still count towards us getting a free drink from your husband, lol.

-Karen

 

[Sarangel]

OK, this is only sort-of off topic. Mike, Lexi & I will be going down to DL over the President's day weekend... Any of our Southern CA folks interested in a little pre-cruise meet?

Sara