November 15, 2008 7 night Western 11/15/08 11-15-08

[izma]

Well...I have certainly found the right place!

You people are a wealth of knowledge!

I am waffling between a day of snorkeling at cozumel and a dolphin swim. Perhaps we will snorkel at Grand Cayman. Anybody have an opinion on which place has better snorkeling?

I WILL have more questions!!!

A girlfriend might be joining us on our cruise with her 3.5 yr old. It's nice to know which companies will take little kids.

Is there any one here who is a runner and fancies a morning run on the cruise? It's so much easier to do if you have a running buddy....

Thanks for all the info!

 

[dmja716]

I heard there is awesome snorkeling in both Cozumel and Grand Cayman. The tour we are doing has 2 snorkeling stops. There are a couple companies I researched that do snorkeling in Cayman, the one we booked with and Captain Marvins dot com, I heard they were good too.
My DH is a runner. He said he will be glad to join you if it is early enough and he is not hungover

Well...I have certainly found the right place!

You people are a wealth of knowledge!

I am waffling between a day of snorkeling at cozumel and a dolphin swim. Perhaps we will snorkel at Grand Cayman. Anybody have an opinion on which place has better snorkeling?

I WILL have more questions!!!

A girlfriend might be joining us on our cruise with her 3.5 yr old. It's nice to know which companies will take little kids.

Is there any one here who is a runner and fancies a morning run on the cruise? It's so much easier to do if you have a running buddy....

Thanks for all the info!

 

[Disneyday]

Thanks dmja716
I will certainly book our excursions independently now I know you can get a refund. With 5 of us I am looking to save all the $ I can.

Izma, you get breakfast on the last morning at either 6.45 or 8am. You have to vacate your stateroom by 8am and I don't think they do room service that morning

 

[Disneyday]

OOps posted twice. Why can't I delete the whole thing?

 

[dmja716]

The only thing I am worried about is tendering in Grand Cayman. I heard they save the first tender for people who booked excursions through Disney but that is at 7:30am. Our tour operator told us to meet them at the pier at 8:45am so I am pretty sure that is do-able and we will have plenty of time.
In Cozumel you usually are docked so you can just step off the boat which is easier.

I would just be careful if you book excursions on your own to not do it too early/close to the time you are supposed to dock.

I also read a good tip to order room service the night before for whatever snacks/sandwiches you would like to bring ashore with you to eat on your excursions. Bring Ziploc bags from home too for this reason.

 

[izma]

Running is the best cure for a hangover, along with bacon and eggs!! I am not very fast but I can run for a loooong time! Perhaps I will work on my speed so that I don't hold hubby up.

Ooooh...I like the room service/ziplock idea. I am glad to hear we get breakfast the last day. My kids eat like a football team!!

What's there to do in Key West? I know a fair bit about many things but sadly nothing about Key West. My kids are ACTIVE - not hyper, but they'll be looking for action!

You guys are great.

 

[dmja716]

Running is the best cure for a hangover, along with bacon and eggs!! I am not very fast but I can run for a loooong time! Perhaps I will work on my speed so that I don't hold hubby up.

Ooooh...I like the room service/ziplock idea. I am glad to hear we get breakfast the last day. My kids eat like a football team!!

What's there to do in Key West? I know a fair bit about many things but sadly nothing about Key West. My kids are ACTIVE - not hyper, but they'll be looking for action!

You guys are great.

To answer your question on Key West, i have some websites I got from a woman here on the DIS named snelsonbrown "shirley" she used to live there. keywesttravelguide dot com, keywest dot com, and shoretrips dot com. We might do the aquarium , trolley tour or pirate museum, but I know they have waverunning and some fishing excursions there. Im sure you will find something to do there.

 

[MommyTo5]

Hi Everyone!

We just got back from WDW yesterday and had an absolutely wonderful time --- of course, I'm now 100% ready to get on with my DCL vacation planning. We haven't looked into excursions yet, but I'm planning to do that this week. We weren't able to tender to Grand Cayman on our last Western so the Stringray excursion is pretty much a given. I'll let you all know what we decide on.

Oh, and welcome izma!!!

~ Angie

 

[izma]

Hello all!

It's -39C here today...that's a fantastic -49C with the wind. For my friends south of the CAN/US border -40F is the same as -40C.

I have booked the dolphin swim. The time they gave me is 3pm. The Itinerary says we leave port at 6:30pm. Is this enough time? How long is the cab ride from the park to port?

Hellllp!!

 

[coastiewifern]

Hi everyone. We are excited we just booked our first disney cruise
This will be our first cruise with the kids. Myself-37, DH-38, son-9, daughter-6. I am beyond excited and have much reading up to do. I have one question for those who have been on DCL before. Do adults dress up for the pirate's dinner?

 

[Disneyday]

Welcome coastiewifern

Yes you do have a lot of reading to do but be warned, the Disboards are very addictive. I have got the afternoon off work and here I am on the computer. If DH asks what i've done with my afternoon I just say 'Oh Dis and that'

I think alot of people dress up for pirate night, some with just a pirate T-shirt and others with the whole outfit. I've read trip reports where people didn't dress up and wish they had.

I managed to get DD an Elizabeth Swann outfit ( its kind of black chinese style) in the Disney Store Sale for £3 ($6). I am still hunting for a bargain for the rest of us since I am hopeless at sewing

Izma -40!!! I thought it was cold here at +2c. Oh well just keep thinking of the Caribbean sun
Sue

 

[dmja716]

Welcome to the cruise thread coastiewifern

To answer your question on Pirate Night. I have never been on a Disney Cruise, but Ive seen pictures and read reports that yes adults do dress up.
If I can find a reasonably priced costume, I may just dress up. It makes for real cute pictures

izma, to answer your question. I am pretty sure you will have enough time to do your swim at the time you scheduled. I booked ours for 11am to be extra safe. Wow it is cold up by you.

Welcome back from your trip Angie. Im glad you had a wonderful trip to WDW.

Take care everyone.

 

[MommyTo5]

Welcome back from your trip Angie. Im glad you had a wonderful trip to WDW.

Thanks Dana! If I can figure out how, I'll try and post a couple pics!

We're finally looking into excursions... I think DH and I may do the parasailing at Castaway Cay. Is anyone else thinking of doing this?

Parasailing (45 minutes, airborne 7-9 minutes)
Come experience the fun, thrills and excitement of the most enjoyable parasail ride in The Bahamas. No experience required. Our parasailing ride is designed to be enjoyed by guests ages 8 and older. While soaring single or tandem high above beautiful Castaway Cay you will enjoy a spectacular view of the shimmering sand, turquoise water, and breath-taking skyline. An unforgettable experience with an ultra-modern, state-of-the-art winch-boat for a fun and comfortable ride. Children under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
$75.00 all ages 8 and up

~ Angie

 

[MommyTo5]

Hi everyone. We are excited we just booked our first disney cruise
This will be our first cruise with the kids. Myself-37, DH-38, son-9, daughter-6. I am beyond excited and have much reading up to do. I have one question for those who have been on DCL before. Do adults dress up for the pirate's dinner?

Welcome aboard, coastiewifern!

I've updated post #40 (Page 3)... it should now be up-to-date with all of our DIS cruisers! I'm so glad to see so many DIS kids on this cruise! We'll have to figure out a way for them to chat and make friends prior to the cruise!

~ Angie

 

[izma]

Welcome coastiewifern!

I think dressing up for the pirate night is the way to go. Adults don't get enough chances to do this kind of thing and I think it makes it more fun for everyone! It also makes for better pictures and sets an example for your kids. It's way more fun to join in than just stand back and watch everyone else have fun!! That said...I've never been to a pirate party!!! SO full of opinions but lacking in experience!! I'll be wearing something piratey for certain! What night is the pirate party on? I'll put it in my itinerary....

I tried to get the dolphin swim for 11 (following your lead) but they gave me 3. I have to confirm and I think I'lll ask if we can get bumped into an earlier time slot. Just for my piece of mind!

It's cold here again today. I am esperately hoping P.Phil does not see his shadow!!!

Thanks for all your answers. I am glad that I am not the only person who plans incessantly months in advance!

 

[Disneyday]

Hi Angie
My DH and DD(16) are going to do the parasailing but I am too chicken.

I really wanted to go along to take pictures but apparently unless you are parasailing yourself, you can't go in the boat. and I think they go about a mile out so you would need a good zoom on your camera.

We are all doing the banana boat though. That looks alot of fun
Sue
p.s looking forward to seeing your pics

 

[izma]

Welcome aboard, coastiewifern!

I've updated post #40 (Page 3)... it should now be up-to-date with all of our DIS cruisers! I'm so glad to see so many DIS kids on this cruise! We'll have to figure out a way for them to chat and make friends prior to the cruise!

~ Angie

Oh Angie....I am having a little laugh at myself!

I just read back to post #40 and realized I hadn't stated my age. I'll be 40 in about 5 weeks! Denial I should think!! We are also following the cruise with a week at WDW. I have never been but I have been to DL. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions regarding strategy? I will keep the posts on WDW down - this is a cruise thread afterall!

There sure are a lot of kids/families here that are close in age and have similar interests. They will have sooooo much fun! My two are fans of the Wii and like their webkins as well. We will have to get them hooked up pre-cruise but...I'm not telling my kids for awhile yet!!

 

[MommyTo5]

Hi Angie
My DH and DD(16) are going to do the parasailing but I am too chicken.

I really wanted to go along to take pictures but apparently unless you are parasailing yourself, you can't go in the boat. and I think they go about a mile out so you would need a good zoom on your camera.

We are all doing the banana boat though. That looks alot of fun
Sue
p.s looking forward to seeing your pics

Awesome, Sue! Maybe we can all get the same parasailing time slot/boat and I can take some pics for you!

I really want to do the banana boat too... seems like it would be a wild ride!

~ Angie

 

[MommyTo5]

Oh Angie....I am having a little laugh at myself!

I just read back to post #40 and realized I hadn't stated my age. I'll be 40 in about 5 weeks! Denial I should think!! We are also following the cruise with a week at WDW. I have never been but I have been to DL. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions regarding strategy? I will keep the posts on WDW down - this is a cruise thread afterall!

There sure are a lot of kids/families here that are close in age and have similar interests. They will have sooooo much fun! My two are fans of the Wii and like their webkins as well. We will have to get them hooked up pre-cruise but...I'm not telling my kids for awhile yet!!

Congrats on turning 40 soon, izma! My DH is turning 40 on the cruise, so I'm trying to think of some ways to make it MAGICal for him.

Feel free to ask me anything regarding WDW. We've been 8 times now since our first family trip in 2001. We are usually in the parks for 2 weeks although this year it was only one due to the fact that we had to save part of DH's vacation time for the cruise. I absolutely love our time there... some many wonderful family memories.

~ Angie

 

[izma]

Oh!!!!

I forgot all about Thanksgiving (ours is different than yours)!!!

Would I be better off to go to WDW for 6 days BEFORE the cruise, store a suitcase full of cruise-unnecessaries at Bell services, and then spend a couple of days back at WDW AFTER the cruise...just to finish things off?