October 22, 2005 Roll call

[SuzPasq]

I'm just in the prelimary stages of planning this trip, so I've not yet done my excessive/obsessive researching...please excuse my lack of knowledge.

It's been three years since we did the Western itin, and I was 5 months pregnant at the time and not interested in seeing Cozumel. Now, I'd love to take advantage of some of the things there are to do at Chankanaab Park. Does anyone have info on taxis (or maybe even a minivan because there might be 8 of us) to the park, or know if it's within close walking distance of the port? We generally skip the DCL approved excursions and do our own things. We will do that in Grand Cayman, and I know exactly where we'll spend the day, and how much the taxi ride should cost. I love to have that type of information to help me spreadsheet our trip.

 

[JeffKiel]

Chankannab is one of our FAVORITE spots to hit when in Coz. There are two docks, one near downtown and one ~1 mile away. Both are too far from Chankannab to walk (IIRC it is 3-4 miles down a busy road). Cab fare was reasonable (~$10-$15). You can see their "mini" ruins, do a dolphin encounter, lay on the beach eating some wonderful pico and chips, it is a day in paradise to me

 

[scrapperjill]

Boy...the thread go busy yesterday...

We haven't recived much from our TA either...the only papers I've got are the faxes from Disney that was sent to our TA...when we made our payments. She'd (our TA) would send those to us as a payment reciept. I haven't even recieved the excursion pack...or the stateroom gift list...we recieved one last year so I just expected they'd send one again.

To be honest I'm not that happy with the TA we went with and REALLY wished we would have either shopped around or just stuck with DCL. We rebooked onboard...and they asked if we'd like to transfer the reservation directly to our TA that we used the first time...Without thinking about it we both said sure...BIG MISTAKE. Our TA hasn't done a thing for us this time...and even delayed sending in my parents last payment so they missed out on making Palo reservation on line. Of course since they paid off their balance log before the cut off date we didn't think to double check things before trying to book Palo when we could...Ohhhh I was NOT happy. And I think the TA got that...when I called (It was a weekend or before office hours) I left a message asking her to call either myself or my mom in reguards to the problem...as of yet we haven't heard a word from her. After her office opened...I checked online at DCL and found the payment had gone through and they could book then...but it was to late....there wasn't anything left. But now talking about the excursion booklet today...it looks as if I'll need to pay her a visit or give her a ring...to see what's up.

We were just thinking of Cozumel...and what we should do. Anyone have any other ideas of what there is to do in Cozumel? Anyone done Mr. Schanco's?

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Put us on the list of haven't heard anything from DCL or our TA. No payment receipts, no excursion booklets, nothing. Luckily we all have found such a great forum for sharing ideas and information! I feel much more prepared this cruise...even though I used the DIS before last year's cruise, just the experience has made me feel more prepared.

We are going to Chankanaab (that is DD and I) to do the Dolphin Encounter and the Sea Lion Swim. We are both animal freaks and cannot wait! We booked outside of DCL because DCL does not offer the Sea Lion Swim. We had booked the same excursions last year but since we never made it to Cozumel, we did not get to do them. We did, however, get lucky enough to book space on the Dolphin Encounter on our unexpected stop in Nassau. After the excursions we plan on spending time at the beach at Chankanaab. DH is doing a scuba excursion, so he's really going to miss out IMHO!

If anyone is interested in meeting up and sharing a cab to the park that morning PM me. There are only two of us going.

Let's all send some much needed prayers and pixie dust to the folks in the Gulf Region who have experienced Katarina. It is truly devastating. DH and I are planning on making some donations today.

What happened to the countdown timers?

 

[pdarrah]

Cozumel - We are going to be snorkeling at Cozumel. The reef there is beautiful and the "drift" snorkeling is wonderful (very relaxing!) We are doing the same excursion we did last year. It is the 2-reef snorkel with Eagle Ray Divers. IF we have time and aren't too tired, we may change it into a 3-reef snorkel on the fly. Chellie at Eagle Ray is really nice and extremely knowledgable - she was able to identify everything we saw for us.

I have read a lot of good things about Chankanab and Mr. Sanchos - but we love to snorkel and we can't really do that here in the midwest!

pdarrah

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Scrapperjill,

Really feel these travel agents are bad - ours was the same and I was only able to book Palo for the last night at 6.p.m. Really wanted to book brunch but nothing was available and all this was because I had to chase the travel agent up to pay over our money.

Feel I will do it all myself in future and that way I do not have problems.

Have still received no replies from Disney and assume that now all is paid they should come back to me. All I have had is two acknowledgements on my emails but no reply. This was back on the 23rd August, really too bad.

Have just booked the one to one session with a personal trainer for one of my daughters today she is well into keep fit and had planned to re-stock her kit while were are in the Orlando area before the cruise. Anyone done this and is it worthwhile please.

Will be so glad to get packing at last - have bits all over one of our spare bedrooms looks as if I will need a couple more suitcases at this rate.
We are taking formal gear, anyone on this site doing the same please.
Brenda

 

[SuzPasq]

I forgot to quote, so I'm sorry I can't address the person by name-- Would the person who said they've already booked the dolphin experience Chanakanaab please tell me where/how?

 

[scrapperjill]

We are hoping to do some snorkeling in Cozumel...but just from the shore. I know in Hawaii...you can to all sort of places and jump right in and go...so that's sort of what were looking for. I hear the snorkeling in Cozumel is great....We'd also like to have some beach time and do some shopping .

Stacy...I know my mom...and our friend (Kim) that's going with us wanted to do the dolphin thing...so they may like to catch a ride with you...for that matter our whole group may want to go to that park. for the day.

Oh...and I did call our TA today...to inquire about anything arriving for us...all she said...was "I just called DCL last week or so...and they said documents wouldn't be sent until a few weeks before the cruise." I then clarifyed what I was looking for (The excursion pack and stateroom gift information..) and she said "Oh...yea those things are hear.."...Okay great!! Then why hasn't she called or sent them to us??? There goes an extra trip across town to pick them up. .

 

[ThreeSmiths]

I forgot to quote, so I'm sorry I can't address the person by name-- Would the person who said they've already booked the dolphin experience Chanakanaab please tell me where/how?

Hi SuzPasq! I don't know if this will be removed, so I'll spell it out: Go to dolphindiscoverydotcom and go to reservations, then scroll down to Cozumel. You should be able to make reservations from there. I had GREAT customer service last year when I had to request a refund since our cruise did not make it into Cozumel. And this year I had to make a special request to book a time for the Dolphin and Sea Lion package, b/c their website said that there was not available space for my date. I emailed them a special request and they booked us! The cost includes entrance to the park all day, but you do need to arrange for your own transportation to the park. I figure even paying for a cab it's still cheaper than booking thru DCL, and there are more options. PM me if you have questions!

Sandi, I'd love to share a cab with your mom & Kim if they decide to go....we can discuss more later!

Stacy

 

[afoss]

JeffKiel- This is going to be great! Since we are going to WDW a few days before hand, we are going to just buy all her gifts there. Maybe a princess dress to wear on the ship. Less to pack, at least on the way there.

Let's try to meet at the 3pm DIS greet at the Mickey pool. Will you be there? Abby is very excited about Lauren. She thinks having birthdays so close means instant friends.

Cozumel- I love just going to the markets. We rented a convertable bug car and drove around the island and had a blast. Just make sure you don't park in restricted areas or you will go to jail

I haven't gotten anything from DCL or my TA. I think I will e-mail him to see if there is anything he can send me.

Formal wear - just bought a black shelveless dress with beads down the neckline. It's only knee-lenght. My DH may rent a tux and my daughters will wear their princess dresses. Hoping we'll take a good picture to use as Christmas/Holiday cards.

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!

 

[SuzPasq]

The last three years we cruised I was pregnant and nursing, so I was really limited by what I could wear. I managed to find one formal dress each time, but none of them were as formal as I'd like to get. This year we'll probably bring our true formal wear--my husband is trying to lose weight so he'll fit into his tux and I have a gorgeous super formal black dress. Last year we also had our boys dress up too, but just in coat and tie on formal night. On semiformal night they just wore oxfords and khakis.

 

[scrapperjill]

Hey everyone...I don't mean to be a pest about this but I just wanted to put in another blurb about the buttons

I'm making dis buttons for anyone who would like them. Everything cost wise it taken care of...Many fellow disers pitched into the button fund... so now I have ALL the supplies and the design ready to go. Just give me the word and I'll make them.

All I need is Names of everyone in your group and your stateroom number Again...the stateroom number is JUST so we can get the buttons to you IF you don't make it to the first dis meet at 3pm by the Mickey Pool where we plan on handing them out...(in other words....I won't be printing the room number on the buttons). Just PM me your information if your intrested...Or if you have any questions about them...just ask

And where did the count down timers go??? I'm missing it...

 

[Skallywag]

As I was trying to put together our plans asked Disney for confirmation of the times and they have sent me the following. Looks as if we will have more time in port than originally thought although know this can change.

Thank you for choosing a Disney Cruise Vacation! Below are the approximate arrival times for your
cruise.

Arrive 10/23/05
Key West 10:30am
Depart 22:15

Arrive 10/25/05
Grand Cayman 6:15am
Depart 17:00

Arrive 10/26/05
Cozumel 9:15am
Depart 23:00

Arrive 10/28/05
Castaway Cay 8:15
Depart 1700

Brenda

 

[JeffKiel]

Amy: We are bringing a princess dress for the pirate night as well, and yes, we will be at the 3pm get together at the Mickey pool. We arrive on Friday ~ noon and plan on staying at the Radisson (need to call tomorrow for res.), as well as a post day when we get back. We are trying to remove the travel stress to try and enjoy the cruise even more.

I will talk to Patti (DW), maybe we can plan something together to make it even more special for the newly minted 4yo's

 

[Walt & Di]

Di and I second cruise, first with Princess Alaska and now with DCL. We will be in 7570. Arriving on Friday around 10:00 PM and staying at Radisson. We will stay at WDW until Sunday Nov 6th after cruise. Diane and I are Disney Fans. To many stays to mention. Looking forward to the cruise. Love this forum and allears. We are not bringing Kids or grandkids, since they are in school. But looking forward to bringing them later. We are on second dinner seating. Would love to participate in any DIS fun.

Thanks .

Walt & Di

 

[ReneeQ]

Hi Everyone! Welcome to everyone new in the last few weeks! Life has been crazy (and I don't even have kids!)! Since I last posted we had MILs BD party and it went great! I also gave a bridal shower last weekend with two other friends, for another friend's stepdaughter. AND her other stepdaughter is getting married 7 weeks later! Yes, my friend's two stepdaughters are getting married 7 weeks apart! So I'll be co-giving another shower AND going to the first wedding, all before the cruise. Also will be going to Atlanta for my nephew's 8th BD in early October, so lots going on before our MUCH NEEDED cruise vacation.

Now, here's the best part! My in-laws 40th anniversary is next year and my husband and his three siblings wanted to do something awesome for them. There was talk of everyone (12 total) going to Gatlinburg, which I REALLY didn't want to do. My husband and his siblings (the four "kids") decided on their budget and wanted to "present" the trip at MILs BD, while we were all together, and give them time to plan. My husband REALLY wanted to send just his parents (not all of us) on a really big trip, since if we weren't all having to pay to go, there was more money to use on them.

They ALWAYS talk about wanting to go on a cruise. So, we're sending my in laws on the 7 day Disney cruise next year, in a verandah cabin! I'm sooo excited, you would think I'm going with them! I knew you all could appreciate this! We gave them the choice of Eastern or Western and a choice of dates. They were absolutely speechless and both cried, even my FIL!

They have until Oct. 15th to decide, then hubby and I are going to book it while we're onboard (with you all!) and get the discount! I am so excited!

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Walt & Di - Welcome to our cruise thread! If you haven't seen it yet, we have a website also. The link is in my signature. If you would like to be included on the "Who's going" page, just send me an email with your info.

ReneeQ - Wow, you are busy! What a cool gift for your in-laws.

Formalwear - Yup - we'll all be dressed up. DH and DF both have tuxes. Since DF & DM love to ballroom dance, DM has more formal gowns than she can possibly use! I have a very nice "formal" dress I bought last year - it's not floor length since I am only 5'3" and a little overweight and just look dumpy is long dresses. The best part - I found a tux for DS6 on ebay for only $25 (after shipping) so even he is going to be dressed to the nines for formal night!

Pdarrah

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Welcome Walt & Di! ReneeQ -- what an awesome suprise for your in laws!!! I hope my kids are so good to us one day! My mom has never been on a cruise, and really wants to go on one. My step-dad, however, has cruised and does not really care for it. So one day I'm going to have to take her on a cruise so she can experience it. Maybe I can talk step-dad into going too!

Formal night....you guys are lucky...DH is not into dressing in a tux at all. Last year we skipped formal night all together b/c he did not want to dress. He said that on his vacation he should not have to dress up if he does not want to. I agreed, and we ate at Topsiders instead. This year, however, I told him that we ARE going to formal night and that he can wear a black suit and tie instead of a tux, which he is okay with (well, not really, but he's doing it for me ).

It's getting closer, I can feel it!!!!

 

[MNmousecouple]

Hello all,
Hate to ask a question I know I have seen answered somewhere on here but I can't refind it. In one of the ports (Grand Cayman we think) there was mentioned a longer customs or such procedure for getting off in port. Anyone know what it is we are thinking of?

Thanks for any information

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Keith & Deborah,

I think you may be thinking of the Eastern itinerary. They have to go through immigration at St. Thomas. At the Western ports, the ship is cleared as a whole through customs without the passengers having anything to do with it. DCL has this calculated into their "arrival" times so that unless there is a problem or they just run late, we should be off the ship by the stated times. Last year, the ship was usually cleared a little earlier than the published time! The reason we don't have the immigration stuff at Key West is because we have just left a USA port and haven't stopped at a foreign port before getting to Key West.

Does that help any?

pdarrah