Sept 14, 2013 - Western Fantasy Cruise!!!

[kathywolf]

Wish we could do the beer thing, but way too much weight! Also, everybody's family is messed up! So we should all fit right in, RIGHT?

 

[jenf22]

Wish we could do the beer thing, but way too much weight! Also, everybody's family is messed up! So we should all fit right in, RIGHT?

I understand the logistics are difficult. We'll be in Orlando for a couple of days before the cruise and will have a rental car. So visiting a liquor store before the cruise shouldn't be a problem. It will kind of suck to carry 12 bottles of beer around the ship until our room is available, but I'm hoping it'll be worth it for my husband.

Yeah, families are the best!

 

[jenf22]

Speaking of beer! Like I said, I adore beer. Not a wine drinker at all. My only problem is how much I swell up on the cruises. It's not just a little. Even when I avoid beer and any soda mixers, I swell like a balloon. What is up with that?! I'm thinking maybe I'll find some diuretics to take with me this time to try to keep it under control. I've got some kick-butt strappy Jessica Simpson heels that fit perfectly but when I wear them on the cruises I look like I've smushed Fred Flintstone's feet into them. It's really quite ugly. See?

When I get puffy, I find I actually need to drink more water. I never drink enough on vacation. As soon as I struggle to get a ring off, I do down a bottle of water.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Thanks. Actually, Mauser got another chance. The doctor said he wasn't nearly as bad as we thought, but he does have ulcers in the corners of his mouth and they're probably pretty painful right now. So he sent us home with some liquid to squirt on them that should help. He thinks maybe we can get another month or so if he starts to feel better. Fingers crossed this works!

Kelly - we're still trying to figure out the beer exchange thing. My husband is a beer lover and brews his own too. So when I read the thread on it, he jumped at it. I think the ideal scenario is you get 12 or more people who all bring a 12 pack of their favorite beer. Then you just trade off. Ideally everyone would get 12 different beers to try out through the cruise. I figured they could do the trading at the meet up. So far I have Phil, my dad, and 2 other people. I figured if we could get 6 people, everyone could bring 2 different 6 packs. I'm waiting to see how it works out on some more recent cruises.

We'll have to trade stories about messed up families!

Well yay for good news for Mauser!

I'm thinking the logistics with the beers will make it impractical to try to do. I don't want to rule it out entirely yet. I'll be thinking on it.

Wish we could do the beer thing, but way too much weight! Also, everybody's family is messed up! So we should all fit right in, RIGHT?

Family. All I'm gonna say is if they weren't so...uh...colorful life wouldn't be near as interesting. Of course there's days when I'm ready to move to the other side of the earth and never come back.

I understand the logistics are difficult. We'll be in Orlando for a couple of days before the cruise and will have a rental car. So visiting a liquor store before the cruise shouldn't be a problem. It will kind of suck to carry 12 bottles of beer around the ship until our room is available, but I'm hoping it'll be worth it for my husband.

Yeah, families are the best!

Yep. If Tracey and I both did the beer thing we'd be hauling around 24 bottles...PLUS our liters of liquor.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

When I get puffy, I find I actually need to drink more water. I never drink enough on vacation. As soon as I struggle to get a ring off, I do down a bottle of water.

That's what we thought on the last 2 cruises. We drank ice water and munched ice like crazy. Still, we both were swollen as all heck. I don't know what's up with that. I guess I'll go to the doctor before the trip and ask him what we should do. Maybe he can give me a couple options. If nothing else, mix a few more drinks and we're not likely to really care how huge our cankles get. LOL!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Excursions!!! I'm not on the FB thing and am curious what everyone else is planning.

So far we haven't really planned anything solid for Grand Cayman. We did a private charter to Stingray City and snorkeling at the coral gardens last time. We were thinking we'd either do some snorkeling on our own without any excursion or just play it by ear. I think mostly we want to stay low-key and keep our options open.

Costa Maya. Last time we went on our own out to Mahahual and did standup paddleboarding with an expat from Texas there. She was such a cool lady! I did appreciate Mahahual and found myself enchanted by it. It felt so 'real'. But, ya know, we probably have a soft spot for hurricane damaged places and the spirit they hold. Again, not sure we want to plan much of anything. I guess we'd be more likely to take a cab back out there than anything else. We looked at Maya Chan a bit but just about every review we saw mentioned the less-than-pristine water. Not so sure I want to do that. Definitely wouldn't want to hang around the port compound area...although, I may plan to take some $$ and stock up on antibiotics (again) to keep at home (this time). Yes, they're OTC in Mexico.

Cozumel. I want to do the manatee interaction thing at the same place where the dolphin experience thing is done at Chankanaab. I love manatees. Big soft spot for me since I was a tween. I'm sure we'll hang a little at Chankanaab, maybe snorkel there. ((We have our own snorkel gear.)) I'd like to hit the Margaritaville in Cozumel this time. I'd also like to go back to the Mega store across the street from Margaritaville. Mega is like Mexican Walmart. I know it sounds crazy but it was such a cool experience shopping at the Mexican Walmart the last time we were there. We needed cold/flu meds. We found the 'Pharmacia' readily but all the packages are in Spanish. You can recognize what stuff is by the labels but it's all NOT English. We asked random people to read us stuff. It was so fun! I'd like to take more time to wander and see more of what they have. It's definitely a way to gauge differences from what we're familiar with at home. And, seriously, how fun would it be to bring ordinary stuff home to family/friends that's random but the labels oddly different??? I think it's GREAT!!!! I definitely have a strange sense of humor, I know. Then...**sigh**...there's Starbucks in Cozumel. I need pictures for posterity. I skipped it last time and I regret it like you wouldn't believe. I'm a huge Starbucks fan. It's a wrong that must be made right.

 

[RayOfRedondo]

HI Ray
welcome to the cruise, i have added you to group A, please could I have a room number and a faviourite disney character. THanks

Zoe

Hello Zoe:

I do not have a room number, as yet. I am GTY. Will let you know once I know. My favorite Disney character is Stitch.

TTFN,

Ray

 

[jenf22]

Excursions -

Grand Cayman - Boatswain's Adventure Marine Park
Costa Maya - Maya Chan
Cozumel - Cozumel Highlights and Mayan Ruins
Castaway Cay - Floats and Castaway Rays

I really want to do the manatees too! Our Cozumel excursion has an end time of 1pm. There is a 3:30pm Manatee Encounter that we could probably do. I'm just worried about getting there and back on our own and not missing the ship. That's also a really full day especially since it's Pirate Night. But we want to do ruins somewhere and had decided on Maya Chan for Costa Maya. I wanted to do the Island Tour and Stingray City in Grand Cayman, but it's not one of our options (though it's on the DCL website). It had all three of the things I wanted to see - Hell, Stingray City, and the Turtle Farm. So when that didn't show up I got all confused! We were also really hoping for a cabana (my mom REALLY wants one!), but since there are about 5 other people on this thread alone looking for one, I seriously doubt that's gonna happen!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Yeah, I think the 3:30 could cut it a little close, too. I mean, if the tour ran at all late you'd be in a fix. I wouldn't do it that late. I'm paranoid of missing the ship. LOL! Know what this means??? You gotta go back and do it again so you can hit the stuff you wanted to do but couldn't fit in one day! Yeah! LOL!

Maya Chan. Still thinking on it. We're interested but undecided. We'll see. I wonder how the availability is holding out.

I didn't even think of Castaway Cay...I guess because we didn't get off the ship that day on our last Western. Oh. I take that back. Tracey stepped off long enough to take a pic for posterity. That's me on the top of the gangway on the left in the bright top.




I'd love to get a cabana again, too, but am okay with not having one. We've done them twice: once on the family beach and once at Serenity Bay. I'd rather someone who hasn't had one before or has more need gets one over us. We know where to go and what to do to be comfortable and have a great time. Ya know? Don't give up. People have gotten them after being sold out before. You never know. If you don't try then you're 100% sure not to get one. If you try at least you have a chance no matter how minute that chance is. Right???

 

[disney honeymooners]

Grand Cayman- Boatswains
Cozumel- Jeep Wrangler Excursion
On Castaway Cay we just plan on laying around at Serenity Bay like we did on our last cruise.

 

[jenf22]

Hi again Kelly! I was looking at Grand Cayman excursions to see if some other company would do the Island Tour with Stingrays. I discovered Native Way and then discovered you in a post where you said you chartered them. How was it? Can you pick the tour? Will they pick you up at the ship? If it really is $500 for all 5 of us, that's not too much more than the $92 per person to do Boatswain. And maybe we could get a couple more people from here to join us. Details! I need details!

 

[DisneyDreamer2504]

Grand Cayman: ship day/explore on our own
Costa Maya: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
Cozumel: Adventure Park
Castaway: Serenity Beach

We aren't planning much as far as port adventures, bc we mostly want to relax. I really wanted to see some ruins, though I'm not particular about which. One thing I don't really understand is why everyone is so excited for a cabana at castaway. Can someone explain the allure to me?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Hi again Kelly! I was looking at Cozumel excursions to see if some other company would do the Island Tour with Stingrays. I discovered Native Way and then discovered you in a post where you said you chartered them. How was it? Can you pick the tour? Will they pick you up at the ship? If it really is $500 for all 5 of us, that's not too much more than the $92 per person to do Boatswain. And maybe we could get a couple more people from here to join us. Details! I need details!

Yep. We did Native Way and really enjoyed it. It was great to not have to do the excursion lineups, hurry up & wait, etc. We got off the ship, met the co-owner (cannot remember his name to save my life!), then we were off to the boat. It was just $500 for the 7 of us. I believe it's $500 for up to 10. You can make requests as to what you do. We asked for Stingray City specifically then said any good snorkeling because we all love to snorkel. Also, if you want something other than water & rum punch on your charter you can contact Sharon (the other owner) beforehand. They'll pick up anything you want, beer, sodas, whatever, and have it on the boat for ya. They'll give you the receipt and you pay them back for what the cost was. I loved the little ride to & from the marina. The fellow-owner who drove us over is born & raised Caymanian. He had lots of interesting little tidbits and answered all our crazy questions about life on the island. On the way back it was Sharon who drove us. She's from New York so her perspective was really neat because she could elaborate on things she knew would stand out to us. Like property taxes. When you buy property you pay your property tax once in a lump sum. They have other ways of funding the government there on top of that. Then, okay, the iguanas that are everywhere. Sharon said, "Oh yes, iguanas are like Grand Cayman's squirrels. They're everywhere...squished on the roads...sometimes a nuissance...." Interesting stuff! She even told us about the first time she saw some guys on a roadside catching iguanas. She asked her husband what they were doing. He told her, "Oh those are the Hondurans. They're catching dinner." So, yeah, I'd totally recommend Native Way. We felt the value for our experience was top-notch. We tipped 20% in cash plus brought cash to pay for the tour. Everything was great!

I'm not sure if they'll do trips to the turtle farm or other places in addition to the charter boat. You'd have to ask. Seriously, shoot them an email. Sharon will get back to ya pretty quick. She called me to set up the credit card guarantee so it's not like you have to make an international call or put your card info on the web. I thought that was pretty cool, too. Plus, it's a chance to clarify any details or questions you might have. Check out their website!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Grand Cayman: ship day/explore on our own
Costa Maya: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
Cozumel: Adventure Park
Castaway: Serenity Beach

We aren't planning much as far as port adventures, bc we mostly want to relax. I really wanted to see some ruins, though I'm not particular about which. One thing I don't really understand is why everyone is so excited for a cabana at castaway. Can someone explain the allure to me?

It's a splurge. Seriously. It's a huge splurge. I'm not a big beach person. Honest, before Castaway Cay I pretty much just didn't go to the beach. At all. Get ready to laugh. The sand drives me insane. I don't like the sticky feeling of my hair or skin after I've been in salt water. It feels gross like being dirty. I'm weird, I know. So, the cabanas are like this little haven for me. I can get out of the sand. There's the fresh water shower and foot wash right there at your little "home". That right there makes me beyond ecstatic. LOL! You have a concierge who brings you things or will take you via golf cart anywhere you may want to go (within reasonable distance). There's inclusions with the cabanas that justify at least some of the cost: snorkel gear, sand toys, sunblock, bottled water, canned sodas, snacks, fruit tray, bike rental, and float rental. Granted, you can get drinks at the soda stations and food at the grub-places at no additional charge. But it's canned sodas and bottled water. We didn't use all ours so we loaded them into our backpack and took them back to the ship with us for later. Tacky? Maybe but we paid for them so why not??? Also, you can use your call button to order bar drinks. You have your own hammock right there at your cabana. There's a little changing area that curtains off inside them. The loungers and seating are all super-cushy. You have a ceiling fan! You have a safe. You don't have to carry your towels from the ship or go get towels from the huts. Great big cushy towels are stocked inside and waiting for you. The location on the family beach is insane. The private lagoon is very nice because there's only a few other people there. The view from the family beach to the ship is worth the price of admission, too. This is from cabana #7 in January this year:




And out in that private lagoon looking back towards the cabanas. You can see the open family beach futher down:




I think there's also some amount of hype that makes them so popular. They're hard to get so naturally people want to check 'em out to see what they're all about. For those with little kids or family members who don't normally tolerate beach days very well (for health reasons or whatnot), they're more of an asset. But, for us, they're an extra luxury that we enjoy when possible but it's not necessary by any means.

 

[lgough]

Was anyone on this board lucky enough to get a Cabana? I check every night for a cancellation we would love to split a Cabana with another couple / family if anyone is interested please let me know ...wishful thinking and a sprinkle of pixie dust

 

[jenf22]

Was anyone on this board lucky enough to get a Cabana? I check every night for a cancellation we would love to split a Cabana with another couple / family if anyone is interested please let me know ...wishful thinking and a sprinkle of pixie dust

There are 2 or 3 people on the Facebook page that have mentioned getting a cabana. I check a couple of times a day too (actually just did!). We'd share with you if we were lucky enough to find one! There are 4 adults and a 6 year old boy in our party. Would that be ok?

 

[zippyzo]

Was anyone on this board lucky enough to get a Cabana? I check every night for a cancellation we would love to split a Cabana with another couple / family if anyone is interested please let me know ...wishful thinking and a sprinkle of pixie dust

We managed to get a cabana think we have #1 which is the wheelchair accessible one, my dad is so exited about it as jt will give him a base while we go off and cycle or do some of the other activities that he cannot join us in.

Roll on September!

Welcome to all the new members.

 

[lgough]

To Jenf22- we would love to share a Cabana- I will keep trying and let you know if I get lycky
Lisa

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I hope y'all score a cabana. They're so amazing!

 

[jenf22]

Hi guys! I emailed Native Way a couple of days ago about the Island and Stingray Tour in Grand Cayman. Sharon wrote back and said we were confirmed for the 11:45am tour. So now I'm torn as to if we should do it It's only $60 per person and is the excursion I wanted to do through DCL. But I always get nervous about non-DCL excursions and I've never been to a port where we have to tender. Plus she said to be there at 11:30am since the tour departed promptly at 11:45am. How does that work when we don't arrive until 11:30??? Right now we've booked the Boatswain excursion (which is the complete Turtle Farm) for $92 per person through Disney. And then we're planning Castaway Rays again for $35 per person. For less money we could do the excursion I originally wanted and try new stingrays (we'd skip Castaway Ray). What to do????

Is anyone else interested in this excursion with Native Way? Maybe if there were enough of us, we'd get a private tour. Here's the link

http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/tour_details.htm#Stingray and Island