October 20th 2007 Western Magic Part 8

[JLDSMD]

yep! we loved hanging around onboard. Call me crazy. Of course the double dip would change that because I would definately go back there as many times a possible!

I saw your pics of the beaches on the Eastern. You are so right. I had already told Laura that we wouldn't bother with any excursions, we'd just hang out at the beach!

You're not crazy. Actually people that cruise a lot think of the Ship as their destination, not where they're going. We planned this one based on the week. It didn't matter where we went. That will be the same in 2009 (unless Alaska is offered - then we will choose by itinerary).

If you go Eastern, you'll have a tough decision with St. Thomas - Meghan's Bay on St. Thomas or Trunk Bay on St. John. Both are great. Just depends if you want to water taxi for 30-45 minutes over to St. John.

On St. Maarten, we did Orient Beach, but to be honest, the beach where the ships come in was just fine with me too (did both).

 

[millerpjm]

Has anyone done a 3 or 4 day? Are they long enough? I didn't want to get off the ship after 7 days!

Sigh...until the 2009 itineraries come out, I guess I'll have to go back to planning my vacation for next year. My (now) second favorite vacation spot - Door County WI!

 

[JLDSMD]

Well, aren't prices quite a bit higher in the summer too? I haven't been able to compare much since the Magic has done special itineraries 2 years running...and I could NOT afford the Med!

Either an Easter or double dip would be nice - I want to do more beach stuff. We really only had one beach day (CC) and I didn't feel like I got enough sun/water time in. Although my burnt-to-a-crisp skin would disagree!

Not sure - like you said, the Magic was gone this year and will be gone next year. Can't look at next year because the prices are inflated. I would think August would start coming down - it is the height of hurricane season.

As for Beach days on a Western, besides CC, you have Grand Cayman (seven mile beach - if in doubt, ask Karen how nice it was) and if the wind wasn't bad, the beaches in Cozumel are nice too. The only port day you wouldn't get a beach would be Key West - that would be a good "ship day".

 

[JLDSMD]

Has anyone done a 3 or 4 day? Are they long enough? I didn't want to get off the ship after 7 days!

Sigh...until the 2009 itineraries come out, I guess I'll have to go back to planning my vacation for next year. My (now) second favorite vacation spot - Door County WI!

We did a 3-night in Oct '05, over teachers convention weekend. It was nice but short. I would like to have the extra day at sea that the 4-night provides, but you're sailing Sun-Thur. You might as well just take Fri off and go for a 7-night Sat-Sat.

 

[medicalman]

Hi Scott .

Good stuff this english ale eh??

tetley is good as long as its tetley smooth ,

it was a pleasure to meet you as well mate .

shame i cant send you some out i could send you some really good real ale , you will just have to come to the uk and try some for yourself.

are you cruisein again?

Hi Sean, Glad to have traveled with ya. And a big thanks for tuning me onto Boddingtons. What a great tasting ale. I saw at a local store that they do sell it here in AZ. But I wanted to ask you about Tetley's ale. How is it? and how does it compare to boddys?

Scott(1)

 

[millerpjm]

Not sure - like you said, the Magic was gone this year and will be gone next year. Can't look at next year because the prices are inflated. I would think August would start coming down - it is the height of hurricane season.

As for Beach days on a Western, besides CC, you have Grand Cayman (seven mile beach - if in doubt, ask Karen how nice it was) and if the wind wasn't bad, the beaches in Cozumel are nice too. The only port day you wouldn't get a beach would be Key West - that would be a good "ship day".

I think we'd do 7 mile beach in Grand Cayman if we went on another Western. I was sort of sorry we didn't plan anything after the Pirate thing (which, in the beginning, those pirates scared the stuffing out of Thomas - he was convinced they were going to throw his shoes overboard!). And now that we've seen Key West, we could easily stay aboard that day. This was our second trip to Cozumel (Pete didn't even get off the ship and all I did was shop) so that would be another good stay on the ship day.

Jeff, you just talked me into another Western

Actually, anywhere would be fine...Disney doesn't really go anyplace I wouldn't want to go!

 

[millerpjm]

It's so funny...it seemed like all our days were filled, but there were so many things we didn't get to do onboard.

So, before my memory fades, here's my to do list for the next cruise:

Palo (brunch or dinner)
Various locales on Beat Street (we didn't do many night-life activities)
I never got a strawberry smoothie or Konked Kooler (although I have the recipe - thanks DIStaggers!)

Stay aboard during a port day (if doing Western) and hog the hot tub at Quiet Cove!

Anyone else?

I forgot one - Stingray Encounter on CC. Thomas wasn't old enough to go this time, but he would be next time.

 

[JLDSMD]

I think we'd do 7 mile beach in Grand Cayman if we went on another Western. I was sort of sorry we didn't plan anything after the Pirate thing (which, in the beginning, those pirates scared the stuffing out of Thomas - he was convinced they were going to throw his shoes overboard!). And now that we've seen Key West, we could easily stay aboard that day. This was our second trip to Cozumel (Pete didn't even get off the ship and all I did was shop) so that would be another good stay on the ship day.

Jeff, you just talked me into another Western

Actually, anywhere would be fine...Disney doesn't really go anyplace I wouldn't want to go!

You really should get to an Eastern sometime though. It is just stunning.

If you do a double dip, you'd get two beach days at CC, a beach day at Costa Maya (unless you want to do something) and then Cozumel to either beach or ship it.

As for the Pirate Excursion, we had to laugh. DS was scrubbing that deck because he didn't want to walk the plank. You would have loved SMB after the Pirates. Karen's family and mine went up to Hell beforehand and then the beach, but we shared a cab with Jessalynn's family (we dropped them first at the beach) - they were going to the beach and the lady that was taking us had room so they went with her. I'll have to see what I have for pictures to post. The water there is just beautiful.

 

[JLDSMD]

I forgot one - Stingray Encounter on CC. Thomas wasn't old enough to go this time, but he would be next time.

That was fun. DS was still scared of them there too. I tried to snorkel with them, but with the everyone doing the "stingray shuffle", too much sand was stirred up.

If you want an awesome stingray experience, go on Grand Cayman. On CC you get to feed them, but not really swim with them. Don't get me wrong, it was still good.

Wonder if they released them yet this week with the pending storm moving in. Wonder how long it will take to get them back. When they got hit by the Hurricanes in '05 they were all released. They come back fairly quickly though.

 

[millerpjm]

You really should get to an Eastern sometime though. It is just stunning.

If you do a double dip, you'd get two beach days at CC, a beach day at Costa Maya (unless you want to do something) and then Cozumel to either beach or ship it.

As for the Pirate Excursion, we had to laugh. DS was scrubbing that deck because he didn't want to walk the plank. You would have loved SMB after the Pirates. Karen's family and mine went up to Hell beforehand and then the beach, but we shared a cab with Jessalynn's family (we dropped them first at the beach) - they were going to the beach and the lady that was taking us had room so they went with her. I'll have to see what I have for pictures to post. The water there is just beautiful.

Eastern would be nice - and Mom would definitely go to. She's done an easter (on a different cruise line) and she said she really liked St. Maarten & St. Thomas.

That was fun. DS was still scared of them there too. I tried to snorkel with them, but with the everyone doing the "stingray shuffle", too much sand was stirred up.

If you want an awesome stingray experience, go on Grand Cayman. On CC you get to feed them, but not really swim with them. Don't get me wrong, it was still good.

Wonder if they released them yet this week with the pending storm moving in. Wonder how long it will take to get them back. When they got hit by the Hurricanes in '05 they were all released. They come back fairly quickly though.

I think I like the idea of the stingrays at CC because it's only an hour, so if DS is scared of them it's a short time before we're done. I've heard a lot of neat things about Singray City on GC though - I was contemplating it when I found out we couldn't do stingrays on CC.

Sigh...I guess I'll have to join the 2009 itinerary watch thread!

 

[MinnMick01]

Hi Scott .

Good stuff this english ale eh??

tetley is good as long as its tetley smooth ,

it was a pleasure to meet you as well mate .

shame i cant send you some out i could send you some really good real ale , you will just have to come to the uk and try some for yourself.

are you cruisein again?

Hi Sean,
We plan on cruising again, but we learned the hard way that with our junior high and senior high schools out here, that if a student misses more than 10 days a semester then they get turned over to the truant courts. We would be interested in '09, but more like '10 or '11. Maybe when the Alaska one goes (loved that cruise on HAC). Cross fingers for Hawaii?

As for the ale, I will keep checking our specialty stores or wait and see what the new chain of Grocery stores for the UK carry. There are a few popping up around our house.

Scott

 

[B9erSteve]

Yep, I wouldn't miss CC. I was truly impressed with that Island!

 

[MinnMick01]

Jeff, Any idea when the itineraries for '09 are published?

Scott

 

[Karen Mouse]

Ok, I am sooooooooooo sad - I'm catching up on pages I missed - I am actually getting excited reading your posts - I know the cruise is over, but your excitement is contagious

Wishing all you KK's a MAGICal week.............

I'm going to do my best to snap some shots of the Magic tomorrow from the port and two palms cam.............

thank you

Signing off and heading out in about 1/2 hour.

I hope everyone has had a great evening and mini meet last night in Florida.

See you all there.

For the Konked Kruisers...............

This is Rose/Scouter.............

turning the lights out

Here's the first pic of the day, not much longer now and the KK's will be boarding the Magic!!!

Here you go, I was able to get the Magic as she sailed by the Two Palms cam, now it's time to get pics of my DD before she heads off for the Homecoming Dance. Have a MAGICal week all.......

i WANNA GET BACK ON

 

[millerpjm]

i WANNA GET BACK ON

Me too!

 

[Karen Mouse]

I guess this is what's called an FO..................



Sorry, couldn't resist.........

WELL DONE

I didn't see the Magic docked at Grand Cayman yesterday, but here's a pic of the Magic docked at Cozumel today 10/24/07.

IS THAT ME BEING BLOWN OFF THE DOCK?

I thought you fine folks could use a bump while you were gone ...

Jason and I made it home from WDW yesterday and are sadly settling back into reality. Hope you are all having a great cruise - I wake every morning and think: today the KKs are here and tomorrow they'll be there ... yadda yadda yadda.

Can't tell you how much I enjoyed meeting Cass and Rob, Karen and her family, and the AFEGs ... what a special group of non-Americans!

Hope Plankton is behaving himself - looking forward to hearing all about your cruise when you get back.

Brenda

Details of Planky later - he was well behaved (most of the time ) - had a few towel animal incidents (I have photographic evidence ) - thank you for loaning him - he was a great trsvelling companion - he was the star of the show

Was that taken from one of those things...erm.....what do you call them again?............ oh yeah - a balcony - it didnt look so good from out tv view

We're home.

Landed a couple of hours ago and we're getting ready for, as Sally from the Peanuts would say, "Tricks or Treats".

We turned the lights back on here for everyone in WI. Turned the heat on too. 35+ degree difference from Castaway Cay yesterday.

I'll be back on later tonight or tomorrow.

But until then, just wanted to say this was the funnest cruise we've ever had and all the KKers were great. Maybe we'll get KK2 set up for 2009.

Talk to you all (ya'll for Paige and Rob) later.

Hope trick or treating was fun

we have about 650 pictures!

my one card is completly full and the other is half way and then my dad got 200

I know that feeling - up to about 800 photos I think

:

It's so strange... this has been a part of our lives for over a year. I hope we can keep this going for a while.

Robin (It's all over now..I guess I'm no longer Tart Girl)

We'll keep it going if we all post photos

 

[Scouter]

So, who all rebooked now?

Who's all looking at Oct 2009?

Who will go Alaska in Aug 2009 if it comes true? If not, will you go Oct 2009?

Just wondering what we're planning for KK2.

Bob said he'd go if they go to Alaska, but August could be tough for us.
Prime time vacations at work and since we both work for the same place it's tough to get the same week off.
That's why we booked in October, we knew not many people were off then.

If no Alaska, then we're not going again in 2009. Bob wants to travel lots of other places too. Me too, Europe, Africa, India, Asia.
I want to go everywhere!
But need the $$$.

 

[Scouter]

We rebooked and will be there for KK2!!! We also booked my sister and family and my dad so Alex can stay in his room so we don't have to go to a cat 4. Harrison is booked for that one!!!!!!!

Yeah, Harrison's first cruise!

 

[Karen Mouse]

I've loved all your dis tags!

... the CD's people made and listened to the music while unpacking.
He loved that!

Thanks everyone

I agree - there were some lovely things given - thank you all.

Ellis keeps asking "put the horn back on Mom" - every 5 seconds

I am going to go through mine on Tuesday when my kids go to school I think. The CD I made is just a mixture of Louisiana music, some cajun, some zydeco, some New Orleans jazzband......I didn't write down the names of the songs, sorry. But my favorite is the last one on the CD. (I think I've already told Linda and Sean and their spouses.) The lyrics are: "I don't like golf. I don't like swimmin'. I just like chasing...big butt women!"

Loved your cd Paige - we bought a cd when we were in New Orleans - it brought back great memories

Wow, I feel better.

anyone else wearing their fat clothes to work tomorrow?

Tomorrow? - I'll be wearing mine for a year

a post-cruise FO

Hi Jen

I got my first client for my business so I am off to work on that.

Wow! - well done Carrie great start - hope its really successful for you

Hey all, I was going to post this on the main board, but figured I'd try here first...

Did anyone manage to get any video of Michael Harrison's act on the first night of the cruise at the 8:30 show? He picked my son Robert to do the ventriloquist act where he was making him say stuff like "I like Dolly's!" and stuff like that. I didn't have a camcorder with me and only managed to grab some short video using my cellphone. Would be great if anyone had anything else I could get a hold of.

Thanks!

Sorry no, but your son was brilliant - "I like Dollys!"

Hi tablemate.

Missed you at dinner last night and the night before that. Will miss you tonight and the next 720 nights until we cruise together again.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - missed you too my friends

you guys arnt going to get rid of us!!

glad to hear it

 

[JLDSMD]

Jeff, Any idea when the itineraries for '09 are published?

Scott

From what I've read on the rumor thread and what Jocelyn said on the ship, they're hoping by the end of December. But they keep pushing that date further and further.

They came out 10/19 in 2005 for 2007, but the 2008's didn't come out until Jan 31, 2007. Also, they only released the first and last 4 months of 2007 when they came out. For 2008, they released them all and it was a nightmare that first day because EVERYONE wanted to get one of the repos. Anyone trying for other dates was better off waiting until later that day or the next day. They should have staggered the release.

It all depends on what they have up their sleeve. I'm hoping by Xmas, but it could be next year.