Just got back from Disney Cruise

[misslissa]

Hi all,

I just thought I'd let you all know that I just returned from a 7 Night Western Disney Cruise, flying with flights I booked myself out of Toronto on West Jet. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have!

On another note, for the first time as an adult, DH and I flew out of Toronto. We generally fly out of Buffalo. I hated it for so many reasons, it seemed so disorganized, not very secure and the process of customs seemed so tedious. Buffalo has always been so quick, simple, the airport is smaller... Just a few of my observations! We did get a great air price out of TO, cheaper than BUF, but seriously... I'll be leaning more towards Buffalo from now on... I find the drive to be worth it!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Be sure to post your review over in the Disney Cruise Line section at Cruise Critic!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com

BobK/Orlando

 

[Pugmom25]

Welcome back! Can you tell me what kind of cabin you had? I'm wondering about the space in a Cat. 5 or 6 room. We'd like a balcony room so that when DS is asleep we can sit out on the balcony. Based on the pics I've seen I can't see how you would get out on the balcony when the sofa bed is pulled out. That's where DS would be sleeping so I have no idea if a balcony room is even worth it if we can't get to it to enjoy the view while he sleeps. Also, what boat were you on?

Thanks!

Christine

 

[nonzerosum]

What excursions did you do and how would you rate them? We're doing the Western in March 2009.

 

[highland3]

Please, details (from a Canadian perspective)!!!!! All the good, the bad and the goofy.

 

[Echie]

Are you doing a trip report with pics? I'd love to see photos!!

 

[misslissa]

I haven't put much thought into doing a trip report, but maybe I will (with a Canadian spin, of course). I do have lots of work to catch up on!

Anyway, we stayed in a Catagory 10. I wasn't sure how this would work out because we generally love large, luxurious hotel rooms, but this was really good. We actually had many verandah rooms across the hall and when I poked my head in on the last day... they were exactly the same. Since I was having lots of sleeping trouble before we went on the trip, the room without windows helped me out right away! I could sleep like a baby for the first time in months! We booked 2 more Catagory 10s for a trip 9 months from now.

For excursions, we didn't book anything in Key West. And, I don't think we would do that again. While I love walking, wandering and shopping (we walked to the southernmost point as well), it was extremely hot. So, having someone to do the narrating and driving for us would have been ideal. Once we walked far, it was hard to find public transit back too so we ended up walking both ways. We stopped in for key lime pie, there were plenty of opportunities. Bought some stuff from a gift shop, and had some beer and nachos at Sloppy Joes. It was a good day, but a very long and hot one.

At Grand Cayman, we booked the island tour and stingray city snorkel through DCL. While it wasn't a perfect excursion, this was my favourite one. The island tour portion was very rushed and we were unintentionally the last people back at the bus at each stop. I didn't love this part... but the stingrays were great. The bus dropped us at a boat launch and we went onto a smaller boat out to the stingrays. The ride was about 35 mins. The guides here were great, and the stingray interaction was amazing. Very relaxed and you could pretty much do what you wanted... I was scared to do this excursion but it was very fun and well worth it. Once we got back to the boat, we did pop into a few souvenier shops.

In Cozumel, I had decided to do Chankanaab park on our own. It is about a 15 minute taxi ride from the port. The many people hounding us at port told us it was $16 for the ride, but DH is Spanish and got us a rate of $10 each way. Last minute, we booked the dolphin excursion before we left home, it is also at Chankanaab park. The park was beautiful, the restaurant was good. It was extremely hot again but we walked through the "ruins" and it was pretty interesting. DH rented some snorkel stuff and we really enjoyed the snorkeling. The dolphin part was okay, but I don't think I would do it again because the interaction is so structured. However, I think I would definitely go to Chankanaab again and again... it was beautiful.

At Castaway Cay, we did the banana boat ride. While it was super exhilarating and fun... my arms hurt for two days afterwards from holding on so hard!!!!!!!!

 

[nokidz]

we are taking the Western in mid October. We have a Nav balcony stateroom, Cat 7 on deck 5. this will be our third cruise in a year and a half.
We dont plan on doing any excursions at any of the Ports. We love to wonder around.
Any suggestions on the "dont miss this" list? Pics would be fun to see too.