October 17, 2009 Western

[KJF]

You guys are so much more organized than me - I haven't even looked at the shore excursions yet! When we booked the cruise last May, it seemed sooo far away & I didn't want to get my hopes up in case we had to cancel for any reason - not used to booking so far ahead. But, since we are down to 5 months & can book early Aug, I need to get moving now I know in Key West we'll wander on our own - maybe jump on the trolley or train tours. We've been there for a few long weekends (before kids), so we're really looking forward to going back - so relaxing there. Need to look into the others though.

I also still need to book the hotel at the airport for the night before (getting in around 9:30, so will stay there instead of traveling to the port). I also need to book transportation to the port - will do a van instead of the DCL transportation that morning. I really need to get moving here!!!

Christina - welcome to the group!! It should be a great ship for your first cruise!

Jennifer - glad to hear it's official - my kids are close in age to yours - DD7 & DS5. We'll have to hook them up! We're also having a belated celebration of my DH's 40th & our 10th anniv (both are in Aug), which is the main reason we decided to due the cruise this year.

 

[beansf]

As far as booking an excursion NOT through Disney, I am a bit nervous about it, but the company I am working with has good word of mouth and I am choosing to believe this posted on their website:

Question: Am I charged if my cruise ship cannot visit Grand Cayman?

Answer: If your ship is unable to visit Grand Cayman due to weather, or any other reason, we will AUTOMATICALLY cancel your reservation, at no cost to you.

Question: If I take your tour, will I miss my cruise ship?

Answer: If you book a tour with us, we guarantee that you will get back to the cruise ship pier, before the last tender back to your ship.


I was thinking I should fill in some of my details for you guys. I am 37 and will be travelling with my 37 y.o. hubby. We will be celebrating our 4th anniversary (which is actually 10/12).

We are not going to DW this trip, although I would really like to go! We have been to Australia with Adventures by Disney, but never to Disneyworld. It is ridiculous! One of these days...I am hoping to go maybe in January, 2011 with my sister. My hubby keeps teasing me that once I go I will want to go all the time and DL will no longer be good enough for me. I seriously doubt that is true, because DL is just so convenient to those of us in No. Ca.

 

[kerickson]

You guys are so much more organized than me - I haven't even looked at the shore excursions yet! When we booked the cruise last May, it seemed sooo far away & I didn't want to get my hopes up in case we had to cancel for any reason - not used to booking so far ahead. But, since we are down to 5 months & can book early Aug, I need to get moving now I know in Key West we'll wander on our own - maybe jump on the trolley or train tours. We've been there for a few long weekends (before kids), so we're really looking forward to going back - so relaxing there. Need to look into the others though.

I also still need to book the hotel at the airport for the night before (getting in around 9:30, so will stay there instead of traveling to the port). I also need to book transportation to the port - will do a van instead of the DCL transportation that morning. I really need to get moving here!!!

Christina - welcome to the group!! It should be a great ship for your first cruise!

Jennifer - glad to hear it's official - my kids are close in age to yours - DD7 & DS5. We'll have to hook them up! We're also having a belated celebration of my DH's 40th & our 10th anniv (both are in Aug), which is the main reason we decided to due the cruise this year.

KJF
I booked our hotel (we're staying at the Sheraton Suites near the airport the night before), but I still need to plan port transportation. My husband has some Avis credits, so I'm thinking of renting a car at the airport when we get in, then driving down ourselves the next morning, then probably take a towncar back. I need to start looking into costs, etc.
We're also celebrating my husband's 40th and our 9 year anniversary!

I also booked really far in advance. It's tough when you do that to remember when you need to start the various planning phases. I need to put a countdown list together. Anyone interested in providing input?
I'm thinking of organizing by month, then by week the last month. I'll get started on something offline, but if anyone has suggestions I'll add and then post!

 

[calmpets]

This is probably a silly question, but does the Dismeet group usually arrange an actual meeting onboard? I've never been part of the forums before any of my previous sailings, so I'm not sure how it works.

 

[kimberleeJohnston]

This is probably a silly question, but does the Dismeet group usually arrange an actual meeting onboard? I've never been part of the forums before any of my previous sailings, so I'm not sure how it works.

Most of them do.....some are really elaborate with Palo reservations in the private room, but thats more for DISers than have been cruising together for years.
Sometimes DISers with kids plan to meet at the kids clubs, and then there are also meets at the Adult Pools or if people share the same intersts they can meet in port. Its all kind of what "our" group feels like doing.
We could always pick a day when our cruise plans are more set in stone and meet for a drink in the Promanade Lounge or something.....
It is also helpful if people post pictures in their siggy, if you feel comfortable, then you become more recognizable on ship!!
I think it would be fun to plan a meet!

 

[yazee1]

This is probably a silly question, but does the Dismeet group usually arrange an actual meeting onboard? I've never been part of the forums before any of my previous sailings, so I'm not sure how it works.

That's not a silly question at all. Yes, actual meetings are often planned. Like Kim said, when and where is up to the group. In my limited experience of three cruises, having a meet on boarding day does not work out so well. It's just too busy a day. The exception to that is a meet in the port. It won't work out for everyone (no plan does) but the fact is that once you check in, if it's early enough, you're not going anywhere for a while.

I agree that seeing photos ahead of time is very helpful, if not in the sig line then maybe a Yahoo group. That way you don't spend ten minutes standing around at the meeting place either not realizing the couple near you is part of the meet or the exact opposite in which you ask the couple who has been standing nearby if they are Dis-meet friends, they aren't and they look at you like just asked them where to find some pot.

On two previous cruises, the meet members had a Yahoo group. We shared pictures there and discussed the FE arrangements. Knowing what each other looked like made it possible to greet each other on sight even if it wasn't at a meet. In fact, most of my first meetings with DIsboard members where at the hotel or in the port. On one memorable occasion, a Dismeet friend I had never met in person before practically saved my life (or at the very least my dignity). We were in the port, and I was standing in line waiting to check in my family. The dismeet friend recognized me from my picture and came over to say hi. Unfortunately, I was suffering a severe low blood sugar moment (I'm hypoglycemic) and was about to pass out. I had just enough wits about me to apologize to her for not being able to recall her name and explain that I was having a low blood sugar moment (but not enough wits to get out of line and buy a snack). She immediately whipped a granola bar out of her skirt pocket and had me eat it. I'll never forget that.

 

[yazee1]

Thats a great plan! I imagine you can save quite a bit of money not paying Disney prices too!

Yes, that is very true. Either way, on-line or at the port. The first time we went with a local vendor in port it was really not planned. We got off the ship with our snorkel gear intending to find the shop we booked with on a previous cruise. I can't remember the name of it. We had just crossed the street from the port when an excursion vendor (with a certificate around his neck) approached us showing us pictures and a pamphlet. The pictures were obviously enhanced but the price was good. Nevertheless, I was PMS'ing and not feeling too timid about haggling. I think the man wanted 60.00 for each adult and 45.00 for my son. I said no thanks and started walking away. He immediately called out 45 for the adults and 1/2 price for the boy. This time I stopped and countered with 30.00 for each adult and free for the kid. He made a wincing face and agreed. Good thing, too. This place's idea of transportation to the dock was a ride in an old pick-up truck, no air conditioning, no muffler (at least it sounded like it), and no passenger side window glass. At the dock, we boarded the glass-bottom boat. It wasn't so bad, but the glass bottom was probably plastic and it was very scratched up. No way could you see fish through it like the pictures in brochure. The "open bar" on the boat was a large cooler of iced beverages. The crew was very nice, though and we did get in some great snorkeling.

 

[kimberleeJohnston]

Yes, that is very true. Either way, on-line or at the port. The first time we went with a local vendor in port it was really not planned. We got off the ship with our snorkel gear intending to find the shop we booked with on a previous cruise. I can't remember the name of it. We had just crossed the street from the port when an excursion vendor (with a certificate around his neck) approached us showing us pictures and a pamphlet. The pictures were obviously enhanced but the price was good. Nevertheless, I was PMS'ing and not feeling too timid about haggling. I think the man wanted 60.00 for each adult and 45.00 for my son. I said no thanks and started walking away. He immediately called out 45 for the adults and 1/2 price for the boy. This time I stopped and countered with 30.00 for each adult and free for the kid. He made a wincing face and agreed. Good thing, too. This place's idea of transportation to the dock was a ride in an old pick-up truck, no air conditioning, no muffler (at least it sounded like it), and no passenger side window glass. At the dock, we boarded the glass-bottom boat. It wasn't so bad, but the glass bottom was probably plastic and it was very scratched up. No way could you see fish through it like the pictures in brochure. The "open bar" on the boat was a large cooler of iced beverages. The crew was very nice, though and we did get in some great snorkeling.

Thats fuuny, but sounds like you got a deal!!
I love the description of the truck...too funny. Your braver than I am, but it does sound like a lot of the tour we have taken in Playa...lol

 

[calmpets]

I agree that seeing photos ahead of time is very helpful, if not in the sig line then maybe a Yahoo group.

I'd be happy to add a photo to the signature line, if I could just figure out how to do it! I've added smilies and a ticker, but can't seem to figure out how to do the photos. I figured out how to do it as an avatar, but I like my little kitty cat one.

 

[TheDawnPatrol]

Evening All,

Was just curious if anyone had done any tours at Key West before? I will try and find a snapshot of the whole group and get it posted to the site.

Regards,
Pete

 

[yazee1]

No, we've never taken a tour of Key West. It might be nice to do that this time either on the open trolley or walking if possible. I prefer walking.

 

[yazee1]

The kids finished the trip chain. It is now draped around the school room. It's so long it looks like birthday party decorations hanging from the ceiling.

 

[TheDawnPatrol]

No, we've never taken a tour of Key West. It might be nice to do that this time either on the open trolley or walking if possible. I prefer walking.

Good Call! I would imagine wandering around Key West in October would be great.

Pete

 

[kimberleeJohnston]

The kids finished the trip chain. It is now draped around the school room. It's so long it looks like birthday party decorations hanging from the ceiling.

Love it!!! Your kids are cute, what are their ages???
Also...can you explain the trip chain??
I would love to do a tour of Key West, Im not sure our little ones would be to thrilled with it, all they seem to care much about is a beach, and chocolate dipped keylime pie on a stick....lol

 

[yazee1]

Good Call! I would imagine wandering around Key West in October would be great.

Pete

I'm on the fence whether to wander on our own or pay to participate in a walking tour. I emailed the Chamber of Commerce for pamphlets and maps, and ordered a recent but used guide book so we can do our own tour. On the other hand, you can't ask a piece of paper questions like you can a local tour guide. If it's just Warren and I taking the tour, we might spring for the guided walking tour.

 

[yazee1]

Love it!!! Your kids are cute, what are their ages???
Also...can you explain the trip chain??
I would love to do a tour of Key West, Im not sure our little ones would be to thrilled with it, all they seem to care much about is a beach, and chocolate dipped keylime pie on a stick....lol

Thanks, Kimberlee. Will -14, Spencer -11, Leah - 8. The trip chain is something we made in preparation of our first cruise to help the younger two kids understand how long it would be before we went on the cruise. This way I wasn't being asked every day, "How long until our cruise?" Each link has a day of the week, the date and how many days left until the cruise (or leave for the cruise). Here's a close up of the links from a chain we made years ago. I can't seem to resize it on Photobucket. I apologize for its massive size.

 

[kerickson]

I would love to do a tour of Key West, Im not sure our little ones would be to thrilled with it, all they seem to care much about is a beach, and chocolate dipped keylime pie on a stick....lol

Where do you get the chocolate dipped keylime pie on a stick? I love key lime pie and chocolate, sounds yummy!

 

[kimberleeJohnston]

Thanks, Kimberlee. Will -14, Spencer -11, Leah - 8. The trip chain is something we made in preparation of our first cruise to help the younger two kids understand how long it would be before we went on the cruise. This way I wasn't being asked every day, "How long until our cruise?" Each link has a day of the week, the date and how many days left until the cruise (or leave for the cruise). Here's a close up of the links from a chain we made years ago. I can't seem to resize it on Photobucket. I apologize for its massive size.

What a fantastic idea!!! Love it!

 

[kimberleeJohnston]

Where do you get the chocolate dipped keylime pie on a stick? I love key lime pie and chocolate, sounds yummy!

Im pretty sure it is called Blonde Giraffes! I have never been there myself but read a trip report from someone that had just returned from Key West and they ranted and raved about the treats!!! It could potentially be the highlight of my vacation!

 

[shancan911]

DH's Aunt LOVES Key West, and raves about the Blond Giraffe's CCKLPOAS. That and the Southernmost Point are the only things on my agenda for the day. I think I'll try to talk my crew into walking, but I think the Southernmost Point may be too far