June 23rd 2012 - Commandeering the Disney Fantasy - Pirates back in the Caribbean

[got2travel]

And for those of us not on Facebook, how do we order them?

PM Shelly (bippittboopityboo) oe something like that ..LOL

Close, but not quite

BIP (aka Shelley) is BibbidyBobbidyBoo

 

[3princessMommy]

Speaking of BibbityBobbityBoo - Has anyone gotten any info on booking the BBB onboard the Fantasy?

 

[DisneyMama27]

I don't know about you but I was not that happy when the state legislatures decided no more waivers would be issued for "early starts". I loved getting out before most of the rest of the country. We booked it for WDW the second school ended and now, by the time we get out, a lot of other schools are as well.

You are just around the corner from me!

Yeah, it stinks...we used to get a week in the fall - perfect for WDW! Not so much now. I miss those days. Not much better to do in Texas in August - might as well get school started!

I have a 12 yo DD and some on the FB page are talking about their kids friending each other on FB so they can get to know each other before the cruise. Yell over on our FB page if you are interested.

I just joined the FB page (Shari Sawyers)...I guess I will give in and finally let DD join FB. She already texts like CRAZY so I have held off on any other social outlets for her (she does love Instagram too), but I would like her to start getting to know the other girls on the cruise. She's my social butterfly, so I doubt she'll have any trouble.

 

[DisneyMama27]

Welcome!

This is a really fun group! Have you joined our Fb group? There is always a lot going on there. We have a bunch of teachers in the group ---- I am a 'frequent flyer' sub for a middle school -- -love it!

Did you really read all 190 pages?

I am not THAT fast a reader, so no..I am working on it, though, a little at a time!

This IS a fun group - can't wait to meet you all! I have joined the FB group too.

Question for you Western experts: recommendations for Costa Maya excursions? My boys are planning to scuba dive, so it's me and the girls and we don't want to just wing it. I think they'll want to have a beach day, but I can't tell which one would be best. Any opinions?

Thanks!!
Shari

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Good morning fellow cruisers. Another month has gone by.
We now have only

months to go to the Fantasy.

 

[sparklechicks]

Reminder - April 9th is the final day to sign up for the FE! What are you waiting for?

Here is the link to the sign up for the FE Exchange!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...mkey=dFhBeDMySE10UTRkdGxZdUlqRlM0R1E6MA#gid=0

If you have already signed up and would like to verify you are on the list and/or see the people that are participating please use this link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Al6Muqg1mgszdFRxSkpTSmY0YVpfakx5NmdaN1B6YXc#gid=0

If you need anything or have any questions please feel free to PM me.

TY
Stacey

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Good morning fellow cruisers. Another week has gone by.
We now have only

weeks to go to the Fantasy.

 

[ranidayz]

Excited to stay up till midnight tonight!

 

[got2travel]

I am not THAT fast a reader, so no..I am working on it, though, a little at a time!

This IS a fun group - can't wait to meet you all! I have joined the FB group too.

Question for you Western experts: recommendations for Costa Maya excursions? My boys are planning to scuba dive, so it's me and the girls and we don't want to just wing it. I think they'll want to have a beach day, but I can't tell which one would be best. Any opinions?

Thanks!!
Shari

There seem to be 2 popular choices for Costa Maya. Those of us that want to see the ruins are booking DCLs excursion because of the limited port time. Then there are a lot of people planning a beach day on their own. Many people are planning on going to Tropicante, a beach front restaurant that you can reserve chairs, umbrellas, tables, etc ahead of time. They even have free Wifi. If you do plan to go, tell them you are with the Disney Pirate Group.

http://www.sandalsandskis.com/Tropicante.html

 

[KayR]

Excited to stay up till midnight tonight!

Tonight. Yess!!!

This is the time there is an advantage to being on the West Coast, its 9pm for us. Normally the problem is the other way round and we have to get up at silly oclock in the morning. Thanks DCL!

-Kay

 

[ranidayz]

Tonight. Yess!!!

This is the time there is an advantage to being on the West Coast, its 9pm for us. Normally the problem is the other way round and we have to get up at silly oclock in the morning. Thanks DCL!

-Kay

Now we seem to have a disadvantage as we have to wait until 3 am to book port arrival time.... i guess i will stay away when my insomnia hits and take advantage of it for once.

 

[Dizzyworld]

Question for you Western experts: recommendations for Costa Maya excursions? My boys are planning to scuba dive, so it's me and the girls and we don't want to just wing it. I think they'll want to have a beach day, but I can't tell which one would be best. Any opinions?

Thanks!!
Shari

My DH is going scuba diving too. Since our son won't be joining us, he will have to go alone. He's also doing that in Grand Cayman. Alli and I are still up in the air what we want to do? We might walk around the port area, but spend most of the day on the ship. I need another week to do it all......someday......I hope.

 

[3PrincessGrandma]

Now we seem to have a disadvantage as we have to wait until 3 am to book port arrival time.... i guess i will stay away when my insomnia hits and take advantage of it for once.

Our wonderful son-in-law (BigAWL) is doing all that for us so I get to peacefully sleep the night away

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Good morning fellow cruisers. We now have only

days to go to the Fantasy.

 

[DisneyMama27]

There seem to be 2 popular choices for Costa Maya. Those of us that want to see the ruins are booking DCLs excursion because of the limited port time. Then there are a lot of people planning a beach day on their own. Many people are planning on going to Tropicante, a beach front restaurant that you can reserve chairs, umbrellas, tables, etc ahead of time. They even have free Wifi. If you do plan to go, tell them you are with the Disney Pirate Group.

http://www.sandalsandskis.com/Tropicante.html

Thanks! We are still waffling on what to do. That is, DH is still waffling... I am ready to make plans, but he has not decided for sure whether they will dive or just snorkel with us girls...

So divers, how great is the diving there, and which ports are the best for diving, if he doesn't want to dive at all of them? He's never been, but has always wanted to, and is on the verge of starting the certification with DS14. (I can't dive due to ear surgery a few years ago, but DS is more excited about it than I ever would have been. )

 

[3princessMommy]

Thanks! We are still waffling on what to do. That is, DH is still waffling... I am ready to make plans, but he has not decided for sure whether they will dive or just snorkel with us girls...

So divers, how great is the diving there, and which ports are the best for diving, if he doesn't want to dive at all of them? He's never been, but has always wanted to, and is on the verge of starting the certification with DS14. (I can't dive due to ear surgery a few years ago, but DS is more excited about it than I ever would have been. )

Are you considering the snorkeling excursion? I've got a DD10 and we are planning to try the 2 reef snorkel. It would be great if there was someone else her age for moral support!

 

[sparklechicks]

Hello Fellow Disboard Cruisers:
I wanted to share this anyone who might be interested... We booked our excursion (not with Disney) for Grand Cayman with Native Way Watersports. I spent many hours reading the boards here and other reviews. Sharon (the owner) actually changed the departure times for me since our time in port is so short. They are taking my family of 5 (2 adults 3 kiddies) out to do the Stingray Sandbar, Coral Gardens and Starfish Snorkel. Cost is $40 for adults and $30 for kids. The boat only holds 20 more. (25 total) Here is the website:

http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/

If you are interested in joining us just email Sharon and tell her you want to join us (the Smaretsky's) ..... 112 days to go!!!!

and no money down

Hi Everyone

The price for this excursion with Sharon and Nativeways is actually $35 for adults and $25 for kiddies. I believe there are still spots open and if my count is correct there are currently 3 boats going out (she added more) and I believe 45 people.

The stops include Stingray City, The Reef and the Starfish sandbar. Sharon said she is going to make her famous Island Rum as well.

88 days to go......

 

[sparklechicks]

Question for Everyone...

I was reading a thread where they brought TY gifts (in addition to the regular tip money) for all of the people on the ship who made their vacation extra special - such as the Room Steward and Servers etc. I love the idea and was just wondering if anyone has done it before and if you have what did you bring to say THANKS?

 

[LVaughn]

We bring international phone cards to add to the tips. We've done it every cruise, and we've only cruised DCL (save our honeymoon on the Big Red Boat in 1993). We had enough left over that we gave a stack to the cruise staff at the end of our last cruise. They've always been appreciated.

 

[mkygrl]

Question for Everyone...

I was reading a thread where they brought TY gifts (in addition to the regular tip money) for all of the people on the ship who made their vacation extra special - such as the Room Steward and Servers etc. I love the idea and was just wondering if anyone has done it before and if you have what did you bring to say THANKS?

On our PC cruise ..we LOVED our wait staff....So we just paid attention and bought them each something at one of the ports...for our Asst server we got him a a "booney" type hat..he mentioned in one of our conversations that he hated the sun on his head and in his eyes...He loved it...and for our head server there was a day she was not able to go into a port so we purchased some items for her as well....