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<font color=green>DVC @ The Boardwalk</font><br><f
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2000
- Messages
- 31,459
Cast - myself and DH (MarkRG - who did his reports live from the Magic). Also along were Mark's parents Bob & Susan. This was our 5th DCL cruise - their 3rd.
Our goal - to relax and enjoy! With so many new ports for us we were interested in the experience. Since we have no kids the reports won't cover that. Since this was our 5th cruise we also opted out on all the big shows. I must say though that this was the most wonderful cruise I've ever taken. So on with the show:
Another day and another new port for us. This morning we are in Cozumel. As we are pulling in we see that two ships are already docked. Carnival's Pride (which left Port Canaveral with us) and Celebrity's Century (which was in Grand Cayman with us). They are at the far docks, but we are docking right downtown! They were soon joined by another Carnival ship.
We had breakfast down in Lumieres this morning as Mark's mom wanted Oatmeal and they were the only place serving it. Nice to have a sit down breakfast once in a while instead of the buffet.
The ship got cleared at 10 am and since our tour wasn't until noon we headed out to do some shopping. Here's a hint. If you didn't go to the shopping talk (we didn't) at least watch the shopping talks on TV. They ran 3 - one the actual talk from the ship, one with the ship guy talking about all ports while in Key West and a third with someone else from Shopping in Paradise actually showing you the shops. We found the last one the most valuable. Between that and our shopping map we knew what we were looking for. They really hawk on the streets and try to get you in their shops, but a polite no thank you and walk on by.
Since our tour was leaving right as lunch was starting we opted for a quick visit to Pluto's for a burger for Mark and chicken fingers for me.
Soon we were on our way. A big air conditioned bus and a great tour guide named Ruben. Our first top was an San Gervisio ruins. The ruins themselves are fascinating, but Ruben really made it for us. He really got into the history and while other groups were going by we were really getting a history lesson. After looking at the ruins we got about 20 minutes to shop there (six or seven little shops with much the same as in town) and then back on the bus. Waiting for us was our choice of ice cold beer or ice cold Pepsi (we did the Pepsi and boy did it hit the spot).
The second part is a ride around the coast. Beautiful unspoiled beaches as this side of the island doesn't have many buildings or developement (its the side that gets hit hardest by storms).
Soon we arrive at Playa Sol. A very nice beach were we were to spend an hour. Honestly we were on the tour for the ruins and the beach held no interest (especially with my sun-burned shoulders). So we did the walk through. Got our free drink (we opted for the bottled water). Walked through the shops quickly - same old, same old. Took a quick tour of thier little zoo and then back on the bus to read the books we packed. Exciting huh? Well like I said we did the tour for the ruins, not the beach. This does look like a great beach place if you were going to spend the day.
Back in town we had a little more time for shopping at the mall right near the pier and then back on board in time for dinner.
Tonight was Mexicalifragilisticexpialidocious night in Parrot Cay!
Mark had the grilled shrimp - being the chicken I am (ha ha) I had the plain roasted chicken
During dinner a Mariachi band came in and played for us. They were also in the atrium before and after dinner.
Tonight was the deck party. Now with this being my 5th cruise you would think I would be sick of deck parties. Truth be told - I had never been to one! Don't know why but we always missed them by either being too tired or sick. I was bound and determined to make this one! We got some seats up on deck 10 and watched as those which much more energy (youth in some cases and Carlos and Charlies glasses in others) filled the dance floor. A word here about the cruise staff - they are amazing! They have so much energy. It made me tired just watching them.
The party itself was great. Cute appearances by the characters. Could have done without the Solid Gold Dancers, but all in all a good party.
They also had a buffet up on deck 9, but we aren't into eating late so we took pictures but no food.
We were soon pulling away from Cozumel and it hit us that we only had two full days left. It was all going too fast!
Our goal - to relax and enjoy! With so many new ports for us we were interested in the experience. Since we have no kids the reports won't cover that. Since this was our 5th cruise we also opted out on all the big shows. I must say though that this was the most wonderful cruise I've ever taken. So on with the show:
Another day and another new port for us. This morning we are in Cozumel. As we are pulling in we see that two ships are already docked. Carnival's Pride (which left Port Canaveral with us) and Celebrity's Century (which was in Grand Cayman with us). They are at the far docks, but we are docking right downtown! They were soon joined by another Carnival ship.
We had breakfast down in Lumieres this morning as Mark's mom wanted Oatmeal and they were the only place serving it. Nice to have a sit down breakfast once in a while instead of the buffet.
The ship got cleared at 10 am and since our tour wasn't until noon we headed out to do some shopping. Here's a hint. If you didn't go to the shopping talk (we didn't) at least watch the shopping talks on TV. They ran 3 - one the actual talk from the ship, one with the ship guy talking about all ports while in Key West and a third with someone else from Shopping in Paradise actually showing you the shops. We found the last one the most valuable. Between that and our shopping map we knew what we were looking for. They really hawk on the streets and try to get you in their shops, but a polite no thank you and walk on by.
Since our tour was leaving right as lunch was starting we opted for a quick visit to Pluto's for a burger for Mark and chicken fingers for me.
Soon we were on our way. A big air conditioned bus and a great tour guide named Ruben. Our first top was an San Gervisio ruins. The ruins themselves are fascinating, but Ruben really made it for us. He really got into the history and while other groups were going by we were really getting a history lesson. After looking at the ruins we got about 20 minutes to shop there (six or seven little shops with much the same as in town) and then back on the bus. Waiting for us was our choice of ice cold beer or ice cold Pepsi (we did the Pepsi and boy did it hit the spot).
The second part is a ride around the coast. Beautiful unspoiled beaches as this side of the island doesn't have many buildings or developement (its the side that gets hit hardest by storms).
Soon we arrive at Playa Sol. A very nice beach were we were to spend an hour. Honestly we were on the tour for the ruins and the beach held no interest (especially with my sun-burned shoulders). So we did the walk through. Got our free drink (we opted for the bottled water). Walked through the shops quickly - same old, same old. Took a quick tour of thier little zoo and then back on the bus to read the books we packed. Exciting huh? Well like I said we did the tour for the ruins, not the beach. This does look like a great beach place if you were going to spend the day.
Back in town we had a little more time for shopping at the mall right near the pier and then back on board in time for dinner.
Tonight was Mexicalifragilisticexpialidocious night in Parrot Cay!
Mark had the grilled shrimp - being the chicken I am (ha ha) I had the plain roasted chicken
During dinner a Mariachi band came in and played for us. They were also in the atrium before and after dinner.
Tonight was the deck party. Now with this being my 5th cruise you would think I would be sick of deck parties. Truth be told - I had never been to one! Don't know why but we always missed them by either being too tired or sick. I was bound and determined to make this one! We got some seats up on deck 10 and watched as those which much more energy (youth in some cases and Carlos and Charlies glasses in others) filled the dance floor. A word here about the cruise staff - they are amazing! They have so much energy. It made me tired just watching them.
The party itself was great. Cute appearances by the characters. Could have done without the Solid Gold Dancers, but all in all a good party.
They also had a buffet up on deck 9, but we aren't into eating late so we took pictures but no food.
We were soon pulling away from Cozumel and it hit us that we only had two full days left. It was all going too fast!
