Sept. 11th, 2004!!! Roll Call!

[cathyscrapper]

Hi,

If you have late seating doesn't that mean that you go to the early shows. So, wouldn't you still be rushing around to get back to see the shows. Just a curious question since I have never cruised either. We did early seating with two little ones.

Cathy

 

[HookedonMagic]

We've done both early and late dinner...we prefer late seating, even when travelling with the kids.

Cathy,

You are right, but, while early dining is at 6:00pm, the early show begins at 6:30pm. That gives us slow pokes a little more time to get moving (plus the option of skipping shows we've already seen and enjoying extra time at the nearly empty pools.) Also, while we always dress nicely for dinner, we sometimes go casual to the shows. Generally, they are over by 7:30 so we still have an hour to dress for dinner. Just our preference!

Lisa

Less than 8 weeks! Yippee!

 

[trekkie518]

I agree, Lisa, Late seating is great. My kids are older, 15,13, and 12. They aren't always excited about the menu at the restaurant of the night, so they eat early at topsiders or pluto's, etc, but that way they get to ssee the shows early, and have time to at least be hungry again for dessert . Since we started going without the kids, we have always had late seating, so I'm not sure how much diffrence there is with early seating. I like knowing that regardless of how long it takes to eat, you don't have to rush to make the show.

Angie

 

[HookedonMagic]

Hey Angie,

I'm from Michigan, too. I was born in the Soo, but spent my teen years in Mt Pleasant. My husband grew up mostly in Midland. My friends and I shopped at Fashion Square in Saginaw all through high school.

 

[natale1980]

I can't wait... although it seems like most people on Mickey's Boat will have kids.... I guess thats to be expected since it is a Disney Thing...... I'm sure all it will do is encourage the baby cravings

-nat

 

[cathyscrapper]

Hey Lisa and Angie,

We moved from Michigan a year ago. We spent 8 years in the Lansing area. Great state!

Awesome scrapbook store in Saginaw (The Scrapbook Peddler)!

Cathy

 

[scrapperjill]

Hey...any one have any ideas on what to do in Key West and/or Cozumel?

Counting down the days....not much longer now

 

[HookedonMagic]

Hey Cathy,

My husband and I are both Spartans...we were in E Lansing several years after graduation...our daughter was born there! Both my brother and my parents live there now.

 

[ldb1030]

I think in Key West, we'll just play it by ear and at Cozumel we'll do a beach, on our own!
I can not believe how close it's getting! The 2 years since we booked has flown by!

 

[femmfaerie]

Originally posted by scrapperjill
Hey...any one have any ideas on what to do in Key West and/or Cozumel?

Counting down the days....not much longer now

The snorkeling in Cozumel is amazing! It is much much better than Castaway Cay.

Also, if you have free time in the Grand Caymans the 7 mile beach is absolutely gorgeous, it is about 10 minutes away from the port and is $4 round trip by taxi.

 

[femmfaerie]

Originally posted by femmfaerie
My sister and i will be joining you! This will be our second cruise. Just us two, we cant wait!

My Mother and Aunt would like to go also now, does any one know if the cruise full?

 

[scrapperjill]

femmfaerie ....I just checked the DCL site...looks like there are some cat. 4 and 5's left.

We were also thinking of just playing it by ear at Key West then doing a little snorkeling and beach time at Cozumel along with shopping...all on our own. Oh...we were also talking about renting one of the electric cars in Key West..to putt aound in???

Has any one done any snorkeling on their own in Cozumel??

At Grand Caymans were doing the Stingray city thing...and some beach time...any one know anything about the Rum Point area??

 

[HookedonMagic]

ScrapperJill,

We've been to 7 mile beach on Cayman a number of times...very easy to get to by taxi (5-10 minutes from the pier)...nice, safe and clean. I, too, have been looking at trying Rum Point this time. Looks nice, but a little more work to get there...it is a 45 minute ferry boat ride from the Hyatt (which is a 10 minute taxi ride from the pier.)

Are you planning to snorkle from the beach in Cozumel or from a boat? If you type cozumel beaches into your search engine, you'll find some very good websites. Paradise Beach, Mr Sancho's and San Francisco Beach all look very nice...good facilities, restaurant, chairs, etc. We went to Chankanaab in March...we did not snorkle, but saw lots of people with all the gear heading back and forth from the water.

Anyone planning on spa treatments? We've done the Surial...if you are bringing your children, it is a great way to have a little private mom and dad time! Any spa "experts" with recommendations on other treatments? Your help is appreciated. Thanks!

Happy Planning.

Lisa

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Hooray! So glad to hear that there will be other 6 and 7 year old girls on the Sept 11 cruise! Mine is 6 with no siblings. She's exicted but was nervous that she would have no "friends" to play with!

 

[Lisa SB]

Don't worry - I have two six year olds - who are very shy - would love to meet up at our meet n greet so the kids can get acquainted - I want an easy transition into the explorer club so I can do some shopping on my own!!

See you at 3:30 at the pool
Lisa

 

[ThreeSmiths]

3:30 Sounds great! My daughter is also very shy and reserved, but warms up quickly. She seems to do very well with others that have a similar personality.

This is our first cruise, and although I've done what seems like endless hours of research, I haven't found much about towels.......can anyone tell me if beach-type towels are provided at the pools? What about for shore-excursions? I got the idea from something I read that towels are provided, but they are rather small (like bath towels), and that towels are not provided for shore excursions.

 

[TraSee]

There are good size towels...a little larger than standard bath size by the pools. On Castaway Cay they hand out the same size towels as you leave the ship and head to the island. As for the excursions, I would bring my own.
See you soon!

 

[HookedonMagic]

Officially, DCL provides towels only for DCL sponsered excursions. If you are going to the beach on your own, you should plan to bring your own towels.

Unofficially, we always just send a member of our group up to deck 9 to get towels before we venture off the ship (and to return them when we get back.) We've never had a problem doing this, but you never know when they'll decide to enforce their policy. If you have room in your luggage, you may be better off including a couple of towels!

 

[amgpmg]

Welcome ThreeSmiths! I received your email and will update you on the cruise list. I have a couple more parties to enter and then will send it out again.

I hope that everyone recieved the information so far and has not had a problem with the list. I tried to make it as reader friendly, but did not want to risk removing anything mentioned. Everyone has given some great information! I cannot wait to meet everyone.

I am getting so excited!!!!!!!!! I have booked our airfare, we are getting in the night before, and now need to start putting away our tip envelopes and costs for any excursions. I too cannot decide what to do in Key West and Cozumel, but figured we would just tour Key West on our own. We will definitely be heading to Margaritaville as we are huge Jimmy Buffet fans, other than that maybe some shopping our touring.

Cathyscrapper, good thing my DH doesn't read these boards, or he would be worried that I might be roadtripping to Mich soon. I am always looking for a good Scrapbook store. We have a few here, but since Archivers opened the small LSS have closed for business. I love Archivers, but sometimes can get better deals from the other places. And after this trip, will need all of the deals I can find.

Kathy

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Thank you TraSee and HookedonMagic for the useful info on towels. I think I will pack some, because I like to have a large, cushy towel at the pool or on the beach!

Thank you Kathy for the Welcome and for confirming you got our info. I look forward to receiving the list!

Hopefully I can get more good advice on something that just popped into my mind....if you book your own shore excursions, for example a stingray city excursion, how easy is it to arrange your own transportation to the tour operator? Or do they normally meet within walking distance of the port? If you have to pay for transportation, like a taxi, do you end up still saving $ versus booking with DCL?

Also, has anyone ever done the Jungle Tour in Key West?

Stacy