Lots of ???...

[ShopGirl40]

Hey guys...I just opened my own business and have not been able to devote much time to this vacation so I need advice and would love lots of input! (A really big thanks in advance!!!) We leave July 15th for sailing on the "Western" magic July 17-24...

1)Which characters will the kids see on the ship?

2)Is there really such a thing as Tea with Wendy? If so, when and where?

3)What can we do on our own (myself, DH, DS=13 & DD=8) in Cozumel and Grand Caymen...we're not much on excursions but enjoy shopping and seeing things within walking distance of the ship...any suggestions?

4)When do you get your dining rotations?

5)What is the earliest time we should be at the terminal for check in and when do you really get to start boarding the ship?

6)Fri nt we are staying at the Radison in Cocoa Beach and using their shuttle to the ship...anyone else done this....were you satisfied???

ANY and ALL other information that you think might be helpful would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!

Thanks guys...ya'll are the greatest and I love this board!!!

 

[TheWog]

Welcome to the Boards... we will help as best we can.

1) You will see all the characters... Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Chip, Dale, Capt. Hook, Lilo & Stitch, the Princesses, Maxx, tons of characters. Go to the Character Breakfast as well. You can be a pirate with Hook in the clubs. There are some special Club events with characters. Slumber party with Goofy, etc.

2) Yes, there is, I have no idea when or where sorry. You do need tix and to sign up early though.

3) Cozumel, there is some shopping and stuff like that I think close by. But most of the places are taxi rides. Grand Cayman, same thing, shopping close to the pier, but 7mile beach is a taxi ride away.

4) Dining rotations are issued when you check in. Refer to your KTTW card.

5) A lot of people on the boards love to be there at around 10:30 when it opens. Actual boarding begins around 12:00.

6) Sorry, did not do this.

Have a great trip. Wish we were going.

 

[aliwas]

Have a magical time on your trip, I'll try to answer a few of your questions as we just returned.

1. We saw Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, Pluto, Max, several princesses, Lilo and Stitch are just a few that were in the lobby for pics. Many other characters are in the shows including Woody and Jessie, Peter Pan, Beauty and Beast and many other. I believe I saw pics with Donald Duck but never saw him.

3. there was lots of shopping areas around the docks, but also some kind of major construction project in Cozumel that had streets tore up and lots of equipment.

4. Dining rotations are printed on your Key to the World card when you check-in

5. We arrived at around 11:00 and the line was already very long, so I guess you can get there around 10:30 or so

6. We stayed at the Radisson last week and were very pleased with the shuttle service. No problems getting one.

Hope this helps a little, sure you will get some great advice.

 

[floridaminnie]

For Tea with WEndy you can actually go to Guest Services ahead of time, before they put it in the navigator, to go pick up tickets. That way you won't waste time in line.

 

[MaryPSU]

Hi - and welcome to the July 17 cruise! My family, our friends, and my parents are all cruising with you ... be sure to check out our Cruise Meets thread to 'meet' several other folks who will be on the same cruise (go to Cruise Meets - which you can get to from the top of the Cruise Line Forum - then look for the thread that begins with "July 17").

We are sailing with DD8 and DS10 ... along with our friends' DD7 and DD11. We too are staying at the Radisson (will have a rental car, not doing the shuttle service) ... and will be at the pool on Friday evening. Be sure to send Cam (within the cruise meets thread) your info so she can send you green ribbons, which will help us to meet each other!

I think everyone here has answered your set of questions, but there are also some great tips within our July 17 cruise meets thread. Please let us know if we can help you any more!

Mary

 

[MamaQuack]

In Cozumel we took a 3 minute taxi to the Mexican rodeo. It was awesome! Then we walked around the shops at the port and grabbed a snack.

In Grand Cayman we go our own taxi and went to see the turtle farm. He also took us on a little private tour of some of the famous homes, etc. Then we went back and ate lunch in one of the places that overlooks the port. There were many shops there too.

 

[talicskai]

My DD5 and I found this to be a waste of time.....they have it in Studio Sea and it is really crowded. The tables are small and I could hardly hear Wendy. I recommend that you go really early and try to get a table at the front.

 

[vossjemi]

When we went to grand cayman we rented a car through grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com. It was through Avis. We booked the cheapest car w/full insurance (most US ins won't cover you in another country) for $43 flat. Pickup is at the blue iguana a couple blocks from the pier. When we arrived at the avis counter at the airport (10 minute ride away), all out of cheap cars, so we got upgraded to a jeep at no extra cost!!!

It was great! We took a driving tour of the east side of the island (real easy as its a small island), but be sure to drive on the left! We ended up at Rum Point (wonderful secluded beach w/lots of amenities...snorkel trips, food, showers)...think corona beach commercial w/out the cruiseship crowds! Rum Point is basically across the sound from where the cruise ship ports. Its actually closer here to Stingray City than most of the other excursions from georgetown..15 minute boat ride. We got to Rum Point by 10:30 am & took the stingray snorkel by 11:15 am through red sail sports desk (we did reserve in advance, but you don't have to). Then, we lounged at Rum Point...we DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE!!!

Thank goodness our PC cruise next year stops in GC again! I loved that island!

 

[kcashner]

There are lots of characters and character times on the ship...they are noted in the Navigator that is put in your room each night, and there is a character list for the day by guest services. Characters come to the pool area, by guest services, by the theatres, and to the kid club/lab. Once, we even had a character in the Spa! Mic/Min, Chip & Dale, Pluto, Goofy, Max, lots of Princesses, Lilo & Stitch, Capt. Hook (Hook is a Cod Fish....you'll understand after you cruise)....the list varies, but it keeps growing.

Tea with Wendy is on sea days. Go to Guest Services as soon as reasonably possible after boarding and pick up tickets. One person can get tickets for your entire party.

You will find your dining rotation/seating info on your KTTW card at check in. If you don't like what you see, go to "dining changes" listed on the Welcome Aboard letter you get at check in and request a change.

The terminal area opens to incoming traffic at 10. The counters open for check in at 10:30. The ship starts boarding at about 11:45. We usually arrive about 11 and have never had any trouble getting the ressies we want. Remember that one person can go to each place (send DH for Tea tickets, you go make Palo ressies).

 

[ksjayhawks]

We rented a taxi in GC and did the turtle farm and "Hell" (a rock formation in the middle of the island) tour. There are plenty of shops, but it seemed very crowded to us when we were there. We did the stingray excursion in the p.m. You take tenders in GC.

In Cozumel, there is plenty of shopping, places to eat, etc. You are right at the dock, so can come and go as you wish. There is also a miniature golf course that might be fun. There are threads about it on this forum--sorry I don't have the links.