November 11, 2006 - MAGIC - Special Western "Double Dip" Cruise 11/11/06

[Vanvmom]

Our group of 16 on the "Native Choice" tour has the 8:30 time, and we are all doing the "tourist trans" as well.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I had a dream David met us all at the pier with a big bus! Since everyone on the tour was from the same ship, they just came and got us. I know once a while back I read a post where someone said David met them at the pier, so I'm sure that's what prompted the dream.

Dee, for now, the Magic is leaving Cozumel at 6PM(ish) since they have to tender. They are anticipating a dock to be available in July and more docks being available by October, so if we don't have to tender, we may be able to stay later. There are currently four ships scheduled to be in Cozumel on 11/15 (according to Cruise Cal). I guess we'll have to keep an eye on this....especially if anyone was planing some nightlife in Cozumel.

Anybody use Safe Sea? Peg's on their web site looking at it right now.

 

[TiggersPal]

Ok for some reason their website doesn't work. I've sent an email asking for their number to try and order it... but would like some feedback if anyone knows where else it can be purchased...or if it works. Just trying to get all the "little" orders out of the way (packing stuff). I made a big order for the mini travel size things like pepto, and stuff that we might need but not use - "justincase" stuff.

Ok, think I might need some food... more later!

 

[quackattack]

Hi All,
It has been some time since my last post. We have been trying to decide about changing our cruise plans. DS wants to go to WDW. We have decided to change to a 4 night Wonder cruise & some time at the Not So Scary Halloween Party.
The sad part is that we have decided to postpone until 2007.
I will probably still lurk. I don't want to miss all the fun that you all will be having. I can live vicariously.
I hope you all have a great cruise and I will be checking in from time to time.


Rochelle

 

[clynne]

Dee...we're on the 8:30 Native Choice tour, too! No way we're hoofin' it, we'll be looking for the tourist transportation booth, too. Can you make reservations for that? I just checked our confirmation and it didn't mention making reservations. So, will we have to get off the ship immediately after docking?

Jackie...where did you order your mini travel size stuff from? I've accumulated a lot of stuff so far (DH thinks I'm nuts! Does he love me because of it, or in spite of it?), but can I really be overprepared?

Carolyn

 

[ibouncetoo]

. So, will we have to get off the ship immediately after docking?
YES....we'll have to knock over and trample the people who are on DCL excursions....are you all with me on this?

Jackie...where did you order your mini travel size stuff from?
Peg will have to field this one, she did the ordering.....and as I understand, picked up MORE stuff at Walmart today!

Carolyn

I think when we get closer in maybe those of us doing the Native Choice should share family names and have a list so no one get's left behind. Just in case there is trouble getting off the ship. My DCL reservation says we get in Costa Maya at 8A and the Native Choice stuff says 'one hour after ship docks'.

 

[clynne]

Oh, I don't know, Jackie, I think trampling fellow cruisers just doesn't sound very Disney to me! But, if that's what it's going to take to insure a morning with the hottie (or his cohort), well, then, we'll just have to give it our all.

Do you know if the tourist transportation is just lines of taxi-like cars, or is it buses? Just transporting all of the people from the DIS group who've chosen to post that they're on this tour seems like an undertaking, especially if it's just cars...

Carolyn

 

[ibouncetoo]

Here's the skinny:

• Getting
  
  from the Costa Maya Port to Mahahual, village:

The easiest way to get from the Costa Maya port, to Mahahual, is using the
tourist transportation service available at the terminal. There's only one company offering the service and they have only one location there. Just ask anyone and you'll be directed to their only booth at the place. They charge $3 per person and the ride takes around five minutes.



Taxis (Yellow Taxis) aren't allowed to enter the port and pick up passengers.



Walking to the village is something recommended only for the ones who really love walking. Walking distance from the port to Mahahual, is some 2.5 miles.

It's likely that once you leave the terminal, yellow taxis won't pick you up on the street.

Click here to see a map showing the way from the Costa Maya Port to Majahual village.

• Our Location:

When you get to Mahahual, look for the "Cat's Meow Restaurant" on the main street. Main street is only a few blocks long and in front of the beach. The restaurant is on the first block as you enter the village.

We recommend you to print this map, and use it for further reference when you're in Majahual.



All our tours start from Cats Meow Restaurant. You can also look for the guys on the street (Ivan & David) with the sign reading "The Native Choice".



If you have any difficulties finding us, please call us at: (983) 834-5901. (If you are in Costa Maya, dial only the last seven numbers).

You can also call David's cell phone: 044 (983) 123-8151.



At the end of the tour we can drop you off either at the village or at the port depending on your plans.


HMMMMMM, David's cell pone number!

Here's a link to their web site and you can print the map. http://www.chacchobenruins.com/wst_page10.html

I'm thinking lunch at the Cat's Meow after and maybe a dip in the ocean right there in Mahahual......or back to the shopping area......or back to the ship for a nap!

EDITED TO ADD: Later on let's all talk about taking/sending school supplies to the village school aslo.

 

[TiggersPal]

http://www.minimus.biz/

Here is the place I ordered all our "travel size" things! It take a little bit to search through all the stuff - but guess what? I tried some stuff on Magellan's web site (i.e. the Badger balm) for sleep issues - and AMAZON . COM had it too!!!! And it was cheaper. We also got our underwater camera's off amazon.com and because I shop there all the time, I got free shipping. I'm so excited!!!!!

OH - hey, one question came up at breakfast with Jackie and I... has anyone ever heard of people getting over to BELIZE while on Costa Maya? It just seems CRAZYYYYYY not to over there and check it out. I would get to Check oFF BELIZE on my life list - and "central Amercia" at the same time. I read from the passporter (thanks sis for leaving it at my house so I could paruse it) that one should only use the excursion travel and not even THINK about renting a car... but what about crossing borders? Has anyone ever looked into this? While waiting with anticipation for you "pros" out there to help me out.

 

[CJLKIM]

When we got off the ship in Costa Maya last year there were signs for the certain tours then you walked into the main area of Costa and around to where the shuttles and etc. were. Was pretty easy to find.

 

[TiggersPal]

When we got off the ship in Costa Maya last year there were signs for the certain tours then you walked into the main area of Costa and around to where the shuttles and etc. were. Was pretty easy to find.

So you CAN get to Belize? I couldn't find anything in passporter about it!

 

[CJLKIM]

So you CAN get to Belize? I couldn't find anything in passporter about it!

I was referring to the tourist transportation. I haven't read anything on going to Belize...but let me see if I can find something.

 

[TiggersPal]

I'll see what I can find too! HEY - I just noticed your signature changed... are you not getting married on the cruise now? (Sorry if I'm being nosy).

 

[CJLKIM]

So far I can't find anything on going to Belize - maybe it's the distance and issues with crossing the border and etc....

As far has my signature: Hey....you noticed....we were talking about that a few weeks ago in chat....nobody had noticed (except Dee who thought I had just screwed up on the signature). Yes, we have moved the wedding up. We're getting married Friday morning at Castaway Cay.

 

[michelle9343]

I am with Peggy Jo way to excited reading the live thread from the 1st double dip. It has really made me even more obessed (which I didn't think was possible )Luckily we are going to be at Fort Wilderness for the 4th of July so I have some planning to do for that . But really all I can think about is cruising!!!!
Question for you guys. If we are still tendering at cozumel how hard do you think it will be for a wheelchair to get off the ship. At this point my DH doesn't even want to attempt to take Angelina off in Cozumel because he is afraid how hard it would be .
quackattack
Sorry you had a change of plans.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Morning Double-dippers!

quackattach, so sorry you won't be joining us now And don't just lurk...pop in and say 'HI' once and awhile, OK?

Michele, I know I saw a thread about tendering and wheel chairs, but don't recall which ports it was about. Why don't you just start a thread and I'm sure there will be DISers in the know?

Carolyn, just realized I didn't answer your question about bus/car transportion in Costa Maya. The tourist transportion, I'm still researching, but I guess I just assumed it was a trolly like thing...don't know why I thought that. I know that the Yellow taxi cabs are not allowed at the port. Think I'll head over to the 'live' thread and see if one of them can answer that. As far as transportation to the ruins, I believe Ivan, in his e-mail to Wendy, indicated that we will be transported in one large vehicle (bus, I assume) and then divide into smaller groups at Chacchoben. Yes, the vehicle is air conditioned.

Off to do more DISing before it's time for work!

 

[clynne]

Peggy, thanks for the web site! I'm going to check it out. I was excited to see how close to Belize we were going to be, too, but even if you can take a side trip there, I think we'll pass on this trip.

Jackie, thanks for checking out the tourist transportation. I was wondering how big the groups will be once we get to the ruins. I guess I'd been thinking they would be pretty small, but already such a large group is going. Will they bring in another guide?

Hope everyone had a great weekend...spent mine doing yardwork to surprise DH when he gets home from Cleveland tomorrow. Just a little (LOT!) less for him to have to face.

Carolyn

 

[faireygod mother]

I am so excited that they had a cake decorating demo and a scrapbooking demo on the ship. Wow I hope they are not at the same time. Thisis right up my alley. I am very excited about this cruise.

Hope to chat with some of you tonight

 

[JJsmama]

I've not been on the boards much, but I don't see a "Live from the first Special Western" thread. I thought they were going to do one. I can't blame them, they need to just enjoy their own cruise! But I can't wait for the trip report.

 

[TiggersPal]

JJsmama - there is a live thread posted for the double dip cruise going on with the Magic right now... If I could get over there and back here with the link I would...one of the guru's of this thread can do that for you.

I will most likely be at the gym at chat time, but will hopefully be back home with dinner in had and hit the computer before you guys wrap it up. I was going to run to the stable too, to put medication in Mystic's eyes, but I can do that in the morning before work... so I'll see ya later - guys!