Roll call for the 10/23/2004 Western Magic. Who's with us?

[jenmack]

Thanks Pamela, I went on Capt. Marvin's website & I saw that too. That's pretty easy, and inexpensive. I keep going back & forth about bringing our little one. I keep weighing the pros & con's.

-Jen can't wait for October 23rd...

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Jen - If your little one is free, could you just book it and make that decision at the last minute? I guess it would depend on whether Capt. Marvins needs to know in advance or not.... You'd think that they wouldn't care since he wouldn't be snorkeling or need equipment. If they were OK with that, you could see how he was doing at the club since we don't get to Grand Caymen for a couple of days. Then, if he loves the club you could leave him or if you think he would be happier with you, bring him along.

I am sort of thinking along those lines for Key West. My DS5 is NOT very good about walking (he's perfectly capable - he just doesn't like it!) - it has been a battle to get him to mostly give up his stroller. We have already told him that it is not going on this trip and he is going to have to walk more! Since most of the things we would like to do in Key West involve walking, I am very tempted to leave him in the club. The plan is to have him spend a couple hours there the first night and maybe on Sunday morning so we will have an idea if he would be happy there for a few hours while we were away on shore. If we're not sure, then we'll probably bring him along and just scale back on what all we do....

Pamela

 

[jenmack]

Pamela, I think that's a good idea. I already e-mailed Capt. Marvins about our Ds 3 & I think we will introduce him along w/ his sibling's to kids club the 1st night & just see how the rest falls into place. Thanks alot & I'm off to bed -Jen

October 23rd Here we come!!!

 

[skylynx]

Re: Long Black Gloves

Hey, Pamela...bring your gloves along. I'm sure bringing mine. In fact, when I got them for our first cruise, I had no clue what glove wearing "etiquette" was (for example, at the captain's cocktail party, are both gloves or just one on or off when you eat buffalo chicken wings and swirl your cocktail?) Naturally, there was a website that contained more than the average human would ever need to know about gloves and glove wearing protocol. If you'd like, I can dig it out...it's kind of funny.

Dress-up divas/gents...there are so many great photo ops for the nights you glam it up. We even had total strangers take our picture when we were posing for our own "Love Boat"-style photos by the railing at night on deck 10. On the way to Palo we ran into Goofy in the elevator (won't ever happen on Royal Caribbean) and HE initiated a photo! We got lots of smiles and appreciative nods from our fellow cruisers. We dressed up both on cruises with and without the kids (though my DS8 complained bitterly about his tie).

This is our first cruise on Magic with actual "formal" nights--we kind of just made our own on Wonder. We are really looking forward to not being one of the four couples onboard overdressed for every occasion!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Hi everyone, a busy summer with my FIL and hail damage to the house, brand new truck with 2300 miles on it and our 5th wheel. Having to fight insurance company, roofers and whoever else in between. Calgon take me away!

Heidi (PoohFriend), check Frontier website for a one day sale for your flight. The sale is for the 29th ONLY.

My hubby brings a suit and I bring my formal dresses. It seems to me that there is probably more suits than tuxes. With that said, tuxes look sooooo much better though. Especially for the pics. My hubby just doesn't own one and refuses to spend the money to rent. I understand that too. We are just happy to cruise.

 

[Mom2Princesses]

Why is it I don't own a pair of black gloves and all you wonderful divas do?



I am bringing only one "dressy" dress (and it's not all that dressy but very pretty)

My other dresses are basically sundress types (casual), maybe a touch dressier than the "norm" My DH is bringing 2 suit jackets w/ dress pants -- no suits though.

I am having problems right now trying to find shorts in my area -- it's like everyone has given up on summer in Michigan!

I am really starting to get excited -- I will post when I know more about the excursions, but I must admit, I intend on leaving my DDs ages 4 and 6 on the ship at Key West and probably Cozumel too!

 

[JonJehrio]

My wife and I will be on this Cruise. It will be our first time on the Western. It's our 10th anniversary, so we will be traveling with both set's of parents, and 2 other couples I grew up with. There will be 10 of us total. I hope the weather is nice.

 

[pdarrah]

Hi JonJehrio,

Welcome! It sounds like you will have a great time with your whole group coming along with you!

I have put together a website for all of us on this cruise. It is at www.bwdarrah.com/dcl. If you would like to be included, just post here or PM or email (pdarrah@sprynet.com) and I will add you and however many of your group you would like. In addition to a list of all of us who are cruising, there is also a "links" page with a lot of links to stuff in Key West and some stuff in Grand Caymen & Cozumel. (I am still adding to it as I find stuff...) If you prefer not to be included, that is fine - I just don't want to leave anyone out who would like to be there.

My DH and I are 'celebrating' our 15 year anniversary on the cruise. It was really in June, but we are postponing it until October.

Pamela

 

[skylynx]

Hey, divas, making Audrey Hepburn moments need not cost a fortune: I got my long black gloves for around $16 at Claire's/Afterthoughts/The Icing at the local mall (all the same chain, I think), so it wasn't a real extravagance. Plenty of low-end (but still tres sparkly) rhinestone jewels and assorted danglies there, too. They only make you FEEL like a million dollars

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Yes I tried to get the airfare sale but when you read the fine print it won't work out for me. Atleast I still have a few more months to wait it out!!!

 

[jenmack]

Hi Everyone! I an seeking advice about a Cozumel excursion that you can book through DCL.

We want to do the excursion A Chankanaab Park w/ the dolphins.
It say's that afterward the time w/ the dolphins you can enjoy the park, botanical garden's, beaches, snorkling & I guess there is a really unique lagoon there too.
Does the price we pay for the dolphine part include the entry fee into the park? I read somewhere that it is a $10 enrey fee for those who want to just visit the park. Do you pay the $5 dollar snorkling rental fee or is that included in the whole price? Do you have to pay for the botanical garden, lagoon, beaches? I quess that even though the DCL shore excursion book say's that it's offered to us I want to know if we have to pay for it.

Also, how far is it from the ship to the park?

Thanks, any advice would help. -Jen

p.s. The black gloves sound great!

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Jen,

I looked into that excursion and I believe that the fee covers the dolphin stuff and admission to Chankanab. You would have to pay to rent snorkel equipment. The botanic garden, lagoon, beach, etc. are included in the admission to Chankanab.

You might want to look into doing it on your own. All you would need to do is book the dolphin thing direct (I know there is a link to it on our cruise site) and grab a taxi at the pier to Chankanab. Taxis are plentiful and have set rates - I think it is around $10 each way. There are also plenty of taxis when you leave Chankanab. As I understand it, the DCL excursion uses the taxis - they just herd everyone out and put them in the taxis (& pay them of course) and do something similar on the return.

We have decided not to do the dolphins since our DS is only 5 - I am sure he would love it, but it is expensive and he would get more from it and would remember it better when he is older. I still haven't decided what we are going to do at Cozumel, but Chankanab is still on the list....

I hope that helps some.

Pamela

 

[abitjaded]

Welcome Jon from PA. Whooee, a group of ten. We often have WDW parades of many, but not this time. Sounds wild.

Yipes, gloves! Had to wear white gloves all through high school for pep club, and it felt a bit like Lady Macbeth, out darned spot. The stupid things always looked awful. Then had to wear them for Rainbow Girls. Since then, I've figured out I cannot even wear a white tee shirt without slopping something on it the first time. But black, now there is a thought. Denise, would love to see that glove web site.

But otherwise we will be dressed up. DH and I work(ed) for State Universities and we do not even get Holiday Parties any more, so this is my big chance to get the guys in something other than jeans and tees. DH has a black suit, plain, "suitable for weddings and funerals" and he will bring that. The kids also have black blazers, but the pants change, too skinny, too tall. I made them all tuxedo style vests and bow ties that we will recycle this cruise.

We were thinking of grabbing a cab to Chankanaab, also. Then if the snorkeling is crowded we may bail to Palancar. We dove there many moons ago and the coral was amazing.

Since this whole itinerary is so good for snorkeling, those who plan on trying it at Cozumel, Cayman and Castaway Cay may want to check into getting your own gear. Just about every major city has more than one dive shop (look under "Scuba" in the yellow pages. There is nothing better than the luxury of your own well-fitting mask and fins. A dive shop will set you up right for less than you may think. There are many grades of gear, from the most pricey for deep dives, to affordable, nice snorkel grade. If you rent even two places it may pay for itself. Dive shops will often offer a free or cheap check-out instruction in a pool if you purchase from them. If you keep the stuff clean it can last for many years. We also have cool backpack, netted, that holds all our gear but leaves the sand behind. If you have your own stuff, you are freed from the mass herdings of excursions.

Carla

 

[DudetteTwo]

Just wanted to say "Good Evening". I went to the pool for the FIRST time all summer. Joyce & I were supposed to go to a "Disney Meet" in KOP but she hurt her back this week & is practically bedridden.

SANDY: Remember save Key West for all the "FESTIVALS". I don't know what "Hell" is & I am not sure I want to go to hell!

Hope you all have a great weekend. Toodles JEANNE

 

[DMoss3377]

Hi everyone.

Finally settling in. We've had some visitors which have helped to make us feel more at home. Still looking for a job.

DH and I are really looking forward to this cruise...and to seeing everyone. We're in desperate need of some all out, who cares who sees, funky, silly, crazy fun. And a whole lot of BBC's.

Miss talking with everyone, hopefully I'll be around the thread a little more.

 

[skylynx]

Hello, everyone

Spent the weekend at the airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin with my husband (private pilot). This is an equal opportunity marriage...I happily tag along with him for hours looking at unidentifiable bits of airplanes in exhibit halls in exchange for his being dragged about to endless horse-related shows and expos and grand displays of muck buckets and fly spray without a single complaint. We've been married five weeks today...so far so good!

Carla and other LBG (long black glove) divas...here's the website where I found info on the etiquette of glove wearing. www.gaspargloves.com/etiquette.htm I agree the short white gloves are dirt magnets and best suited for garden parties (that I never get invited to). They are polar opposites, as far as I am concerned, from long black ones, which stay clean, drip glamour, and have the added bonus of being exceedingly um, inspirational to my DH. (He calls them my "come hither" gloves.)

Those of you considering the Chankanab (sp?) trip might want to search the main cruise forum for info...I read a few posts recently claiming the beach at that park was stinky and people were very disappointed. It could have just been a bad day or a few grumpy cruisers, but it might be worth checking it out before you plunk down a fortune for the excursion.

 

[abitjaded]

Denise, love the glove site. Do you have the long black vinyl ones? Madonna ain't got nothin' on you, Babe.

Were the complaints about Chankanaab due to the sandy beach quality? Usually if the beach is good for snorkeling the sand part leaves something to be desired. Just too rocky, or bad care-taking?

Oshkosh Airshow! Does your DH have his own plane? My DH and my late Father were both pilots. DH used to drag me on rentals all the time, we used to have enough strange gear failures that, I think, finally, he got cured. My Dad belonged to the OX-5 Club, and I, too, used to be drug to numerous Airshows. You mean DH has not yet convinced you to get your Pinch-Hit? My Stepmother is a 99, and has headed up a few chapters in Michigan and New York. At the age of 70, she still flies (my Dad's old Rockwell) and has convinced her SO to get his pilot's license, too. They are supposedly flying to Denver in August, but the last couple of planned visits were scrapped due to tubo failures, sheesh.

But then, I could tell you about my knees and how they have never been the same since a horsey-encounter, and a broken arm, etc. Which is more dangerous, horses or planes?

Ooh, Jeanne, back problems. I feel for her. Every year I blow my back gardening, but this year blew it out going to BUY the plants. coughed sitting in the car and that was it. I can give chapter and verse of just about every back treatment know to man, ranging from Kyphoplasty for collapsed disks (my Mom), to physical therapy (DH and all his sibs), low doses of antidepressants to loosen muscle and silk underwear (best friend's DH), to time and massive stomach-upsetting doses of Ibuprofen (me). Hope it is mending. Too much baby-lifting?

Hell is a place on Grand Cayman, sounds like a big chunk of rock and a post office to mail stuff from Hell. But then, if you have back problems, who needs to visit. With back problems you have already been to Hell.

Carla

 

[skylynx]

Hey, Carla

The gloves aren't vinyl, they are sort of like spandex-y but not glossy. Verrrrry classy to accessorize the kind of black dress you could NOT wear to a funeral.

Ah, the plane thing...DH had 1/3 ownership in a (Rutan) Long EZ when he was still living in England (he is a Brit). Sort of looks like a white Star Wars starfighter. (Same plane John Denver met his untimely demise in over Monterey Bay). DH was accumulating hours towards his American pilot's license when 9/11 put a stop to it (he was living in DC airspace at the time and most private pilots were grounded). He will begin again as soon as we can afford it. I thought the horse was expensive!

I was hoping enough ladies would be into the LBglove thing that we could do a formal night gathering that would make the "Red Hat" ladies go green with envy. I'll have mine on, regardless. If you are interested, let me know, and we'll see who else might like to play.

 

[jenmack]

Hi Everyone!

I was wondering if any of you have been to or heard of Paradise Beach in Cozumel? I'm thinking of that as an alternative to Chakanaab Park.

The "black gloves" I'm strongly thinking of buying myself a pair now. It sound's like a lot of fun.

 

[pdarrah]

Hi All,

I'll wear black gloves if you do! DH justs groans and says I am "weird". He is a very conservative dresser.

There is some info on Paradise Beach at http://cozumelmexico.net/Cozumel-Beaches.html - there is a map near the bottom of the page, just click on the name of the beach for more info and some photographs. Also, I think I saw some good comments on the boards when I searched on "Cozumel"

I am still debating on Cozumel, but am leaning toward doing a snorkel excursion with Eagle Ray Divers. They have a 3-hour, 2-reef snorkel (Starts from their office at noon) which sounds like it may work for us. I don't think DS5 would be up to much more than that since we are already doing a 3-hour snorkel trip on Grand Cayman the day before. The other options are just going to a beach to play or to a "beach" that has good snorkeling. The dune buggy tour sounds fun, but I am not sure it would be safe for DS5 (if they even allow kids). One advantage of the snorkel tour (beside what should be fantastic reefs) is that it is only 3-hours so we would still have time to go to a beach or shop afterwards.

Pamela