Just disembarked- any questions?

[randumb0]

We wanted to go to that, but I fell asleep: two desserts and an active Castaway Cay day will do that to you... Did the characters perform at all during the show, or was it strictly photo ops the whole time?

They walked down the stairwell for one last photo opp. Then they all lined up and as their name was announced they walked up the stair and disappeared

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

Our ports of call were Cozumel and Castaway Cay.

Any questions? I'd be happy to share about our cruise.

I'm curious if DCL is offering excursions to the mainland again when docked in Cozumel?

 

[randumb0]

I'm curious if DCL is offering excursions to the mainland again when docked in Cozumel?

I know there was one that included a ferry to the mainland to see some ruins

 

[pixiedustedme]

I'm curious if DCL is offering excursions to the mainland again when docked in Cozumel?

Yes! We took the DCL excursion to Chichen Itza on Tuesday.

 

[grantclaire]

Hi we were on the Magic cruise right before you. I thought the ship was in great shape and the staff was excellent.

 

[pixiedustedme]

Hi we were on the Magic cruise right before you. I thought the ship was in great shape and the staff was excellent.

Agreed! Throughout the cruise you see people fixing and cleaning different parts of the ship. That kind of diligence is how they keep her in such good shape after 20 years of service. My son kept commenting that she looked new rather than old.

The service was very good, too. Staff seems to care about you. I was misty eyed the night before disembarking, because the cruise was such a pleasant experience for us.

 

[grantclaire]

Glad you had great time! Have an example of the service to share. We skipped going to the dining room the first night, had late seating and we were tired from a long day of travel. The phone rings in the am and it is the dining room supervisor letting us know that he would have a nice private table for us and hoped to see us for dinner! Did you like Rapunzel's? I thought it was fun!

 

[pixiedustedme]

Glad you had great time! Have an example of the service to share. We skipped going to the dining room the first night, had late seating and we were tired from a long day of travel. The phone rings in the am and it is the dining room supervisor letting us know that he would have a nice private table for us and hoped to see us for dinner! Did you like Rapunzel's? I thought it was fun!

Yes, we liked Rapunzel's. Meeting Rapunzel and Flynn was nice, and the thugs were amusing. One almost stole our bread bowl, then dropped it back on the table, calling it "peasant food". I liked the decor and ambiance of Rapunzel's better than Carioca's, so it's definitely an upgrade.

 

[honeybeesmom]

Welcome back, can you please tell me about the current Dooney's on board? Thanks as we will cruising soon .

 

[pixiedustedme]

Welcome back, can you please tell me about the current Dooney's on board? Thanks as we will cruising soon .

I didn't pay attention to the handbags, sorry.

 

[Carlson7484]

We are curious the process of beer, wine or mixed drinks on the trip? And also, when at castaway cay is there included food in the island or just in the ship?

 

[honeybeesmom]

Thanks anyways.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We are curious the process of beer, wine or mixed drinks on the trip? And also, when at castaway cay is there included food in the island or just in the ship?

Alcohol is paid for above and beyond the cost of the cruise Food on the island is free at the two facilities (Cookies One and Cookies Two as well as over at Serenity Bay) - think of it as another dining room, just on the beach.

 

[pixiedustedme]

We are curious the process of beer, wine or mixed drinks on the trip? And also, when at castaway cay is there included food in the island or just in the ship?

You can bring up to six beers or two bottles of wine/champagne with you when embarking, and keep it in your stateroom fridge. All other alcohol must be paid for onboard.

The food, nonalcoholic beverages and desserts on Cataway Cay are all complimentary.

 

[Dug720]

Alcohol is paid for above and beyond the cost of the cruise Food on the island is free at the two facilities (Cookies One and Cookies Two as well as over at Serenity Bay) - think of it as another dining room, just on the beach.

This.

And just to clarify, Serenity Bay is 18+ - even the dining area there. I only clarify because I've seen some parents try bring their kids and say that they thought since it wasn't ON the beach they could all eat there. (The tram doesn't help this since the announcement says something like "Welcome to Serenity Bay. When the tram has come to a complete stop, please take small children by the hand" or something - I know "take small children by the hand" is mentioned because my sister and her friend and I were laughing/perplexed that they would have that on the Serenity Bay tram since children should not be disembarking there in the first place.

 

[Amw1064]

I was on your cruise as well. The slim girl from Mexico was Maria I think. She was funny. We played Family Feud and she had trouble pronouncing things. She also ran the Disney music trivia in the Promenade Lounge. Weather was over all pretty good except for second day at sea was very windy. I personally think they should have more things to do on sea days. The ship was crowded and like previous posters said, with lots of little kids. I mean lots. We loved Rapunzels restaurant and the dinner show with it. Loved all the shows but have seen them over and over. I still think Disney Dreams is my all time favorite. My big complaint was there was no buffet after the pirate fireworks. That is my daughter's favorite thing on the ship. She is 16 now but we started taking her as a baby. I couldn't believe they didn't have it. (this was Disney cruise #29 so we are use to it) Also like previous poster, the Til we Meet Again show really stunk in comparison to other cruises. Sad to say but each cruise we take I see something else being taken away. I long for the day back 10 years ago and all the things they did. I think this will be our last Disney cruise.

On a positive note, we talked to our head waiter about the no buffet and it and my daughter was telling him how much she liked it and that she loved making the crepes so the next night at dinner when it was time for dessert, there was a huge plate of crepes and toppings. They do try to accomodate and our server was so nice. She was from Thailand and maybe 4 ft 10 (if that) and the friendliest we have ever had.

 

[Amw1064]

I'm curious if DCL is offering excursions to the mainland again when docked in Cozumel?

Yes they were.

 

[Amw1064]

Welcome back, can you please tell me about the current Dooney's on board? Thanks as we will cruising soon .

I didn't really look either. My daughter was showing me the Kate Spade.

 

[suedon70]

Yes! We took the DCL excursion to Chichen Itza on Tuesday.

Can you give a review of the excursion? We are thinking about doing this in Sept on our 7-night Fantasy cruise.

 

[pixiedustedme]

Can you give a review of the excursion? We are thinking about doing this in Sept on our 7-night Fantasy cruise.

DCL's Chichen Itza excursion cost $150 per person. We met at 7:15 in the Buena Vista theater, along with the other DCL-run Cozumel excursions. When they got the green light, the different excursion groups were separated and sent off. Our group, along with the group going to Tulum, was escorted to the ferry that went to the mainland.

The ferry was more comfortable than I expected. We were seated inside and it was a large boat, fully enclosed and climate controlled, with bathrooms, and the seating was similar to bus or airline seating. My son and I sat by a window and watched the ocean the whole way. For the first time, we saw flying fish, which was cool. The waters were calm and no one seemed to have any problem with nausea. The ferry ride lasted about 30 minutes.

Upon arrival at the mainland, we met our guide and were escorted a few blocks in to a parking lot with buses and vans. We were in a group of 16, and were placed in a van that would drive us to Chichen Itza. The van was climate controlled and clean, but not extremely comfortable. The legroom in the van was about what you'd get in a standard economy airline seat (aka cramped). But it was okay, and the van ride lasted about 2 hours. On the way there, they gave us iPads that were programmed with info about Chichen Itza, and we got to explore those on the way there, and educate ourselves about the ruins. The guide, who was not the driver, was very nice and a bit funny, and he talked to us about Mayan culture and history on the way there.

Upon arrival at Chichen Itza, they gave us cold bottles of water, and the guide led us through the ruins for about 30 minutes and talked about them. Then we were given about 45 minutes to explore the ruins independently. Due to my son being very hot, we spent most of that time sitting in the shade, but we were content. We'd seen the ruins and they were impressive and worth the trip in our opinion.

Afterwards they gave us more cold drinks, and also cold washcloths to cool ourselves off with. They took care of us very well. The drive back seemed longer subjectively, because we had no iPads and the driver was done narrating. Upon reaching the coast, we were about 10 minutes late for the 4pm ferry (ferries run on the hour), but fortunately our guide was in communication with them and they held the ferry for our group. We arrived back at the Disney Magic around 5pm.

The bottom line for me is that this was a cultural excursion to see a world wonder, and we did get to see that and learn about it. We also got great photos of the ruins. I'm very glad I had brought a good UV umbrella and that my son had a good hat. It's important to bring sun protection there (and rain protection: the show will go on regardless of the weather). I also recommend bringing a cash tip for the guide. Ours did a very good job of explaining the culture and of caring for our needs throughout the excursion. He also thanked us repeatedly for coming and especially for bringing our children to learn more about Mayan culture.