Sept 4-8 2005 Wonder S.S. Member Cruise!

[WDWLVR]

My first time snorkeling was at Castaway Cay during the first Member Cruise - and we had a great time. As Mary said everyone has to wear a vest. The water is calm - there's a breakwall. They also have life guards stationed around the snorkel course. I think as a family you guys should have a very good time. You can snorkel as little or long as you want (well until you have to get back on the ship).

Will this be the first time you all have snorkeled?

Gail - you guys are brave. That water was COLD on that cruise! We didn't go in. Of course we knew we would be back in May.

 

[alikat99]

Have you already booked it or are you going to book onboard?

Nope, haven't booked yet. I'm waiting to do it onboard. I'm hoping for a good incentive, but the regular onboard booking incentive is pretty good anyway.

 

[grumpy-1]

Mary, congratulations for being accepted for publication in Passporter. As first time cruisers we would like to be included in the drawing

 

[WDWLVR]

Ok so far we have

apurplebrat

bcvprincesses

cgcw

HookdonWDW

grumpy-1

in the drawing.


Nice to see some interest. Good luck to all of you!

 

[MaryJ]

Congratulations Mary! Please add my name to the drawing too.

 

[Stitch#1]

Mary, congrats on having your tip put in the Passporter. We would like to be entered in your drawing.

We concur with CGCW. We have been to WDW often enough that it is second nature. Not too sure what questions to ask concerning the cruise. Everyone's information on the excursions has been helpful. I registered my DS for the Lab today and we plan on getting the Castaway Cay Getaway Package with the snorkeling and biking. We will probably wing it in Key West.

 

[#1Mouse]

Cindy you will do fine snorkeling. It is worth learning how to do and you will really enjoy it. It is very easy to do and you really don't have to worry because the life vest really does keep you afloat. Oh, and I didn't see any scary creatures in the water either. After I turned 40 (ok a few years after I turned 40) I decided it was time to start doing some things that I have never done before (I'm not a big water person and going on the cruise was my first step in trying something new). I figured since being on the ship was pretty neat, I might as well try snorkeling. Since then I have snorkeled in Nassau & Grand Cayman, parasailed at CC (definitely worth doing) and even tried Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach.

Yes Mary, the water was a bit chilly on the 1st Member Cruise, but once we were in it was fine - or was it because we were numb and couldn't tell how cold it was! I had to do it because I wasn't sure when we would ever cruise again............little did I know my excitement for my first cruise would rub off on my sisters & brother and we would all be on a cruise 6 months later!

 

[cgcw]

Cindy you will do fine snorkeling. It is worth learning how to do and you will really enjoy it. It is very easy to do and you really don't have to worry because the life vest really does keep you afloat. Oh, and I didn't see any scary creatures in the water either. After I turned 40 (ok a few years after I turned 40) I decided it was time to start doing some things that I have never done before (I'm not a big water person and going on the cruise was my first step in trying something new). I figured since being on the ship was pretty neat, I might as well try snorkeling. Since then I have snorkeled in Nassau & Grand Cayman, parasailed at CC (definitely worth doing) and even tried Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach.

Thanks, Gail. Since I passed 40 a couple years ago (a long couple ) then it's really time I give it a try. My kids will be surprised as I'm usually not one to join in. Especially when it comes to more adventurous things.

Parasailing is one of the things Cameron wants to do. Since he's only 10, I know he's going to need an adult to go with. I'm thinking DH Gary will probably be a better candidate. I will just tell him it's a boat trip and he'll be fine with it. I'll casually forget to mention the part about parasailing. (Now I hope he stays out of this thread for a while ).

 

[WDWLVR]

Ok so far we have

apurplebrat

bcvprincesses

cgcw

HookdonWDW

grumpy-1

MaryJ

Stitch#1

in the drawing.

 

[WDWLVR]

I did parasailing a couple of years ago on CC because I had always wanted to do it! So glad I did!

Funny thing is on our first cruise that made it to CC (our first didn't because of a hurricane) I tried snorkeling and freaked out in the water. I had snorkeled in the past but was getting vertigo. My eyesight had gotten so bad (with age and chemo) that I couldn't tell what was up. So Mark went alone. A few years later when I went for new glasses he has me ask about a perscription mask. I love it. Now I can do snorkeling!

 

[WDWLVR]

Silly me - i forgot we were having company over tomorrow. I'm going to extend the deadline until 6 pm. They should be gone by then. Don't want you guys looking for me at 3 pm and I'm not near the computer.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

Attention first time cruisers!One of my tips that I sent to Passporter was accepted for publication and I got a free copy of the third edition. Funny thing is I got two copies of the third edition. So I'd like to offer one of the copies free to a first time cruiser.

If you are interested post here and I will put your name in a drawing. Entries will be accepted until 3 pm Central Sunday afternoon (which should give just about everyone a chance to check the thread). I'll put the names in a hat and Mark will pick the winner. Then I'll pm you for your address and it will be on its way on Monday.

The Passporter is a great book to prepare for a Disney cruise and I hope to help one of you with your plans. If no one is interested I'll post this offer tomorrow afternoon on our May thread but thought we would give our DVC neighbors first crack at it.

Hi Mary! Congratulations on your post in Passporter. I'd like to be entered into your drawing. I haven't been here in a while but am excited for the DVC cruise. Can't wait to meet everyone. I'll post a picture soon. Have to get my digital camera back from DS. Annmarie

 

[toddp3]

Thanks Todd for the killer chilli info.....I luv Chilli, but I'm not sure I'd be eating it at 2 A.M.

I have quite the iron-clad stomach, and when the mood strikes I eat what it calls for In general, I don't remember having a single bite of food I disliked on the entire cruise - and ask anyone who knows me I'm highly... food-oriented. But Cheryl was having trouble sleeping and decided she wanted something, and hey chili was on the menu, so who am I to argue.

One thing people should remember is this, if you sit down to dinner and see two things you like, ask for both (especially desert - I had double deserts most nights). The wait staff will pretty much bring you anything you want if its in the kitchen if you want something that's not on the menu.

 

[toddp3]

Yay Mary! Grats on the tip publication.

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning Cruisers!​

We sail in 8 weeks!​

​

Happy Sunday!

We sail in eight - isn't that great?

 

[WDWLVR]

Ok so far we have

apurplebrat

bcvprincesses

cgcw

HookdonWDW

grumpy-1

MaryJ

Stitch#1

BCVOwner2002

in the drawing.


This is great - I didn't realize we had this many first time cruisers. Yeah!

Anyone else? I'll be taking names until 6 pm Central this evening.

 

[WDWLVR]

Since we do have so many new cruisers I thought it might be nice to give some tips. These aren't all mine - they also include ones I've read over the years. Anyone please feel free to add to them.


Tip: When your Key To The World Cards (known as KTTW) are given to you they are tied into your credit card for charging purposes. Many parents like to visit guest services and have their children's cards deactivated. This helps in case the card is lost or if "little Johnny" learns how to pay for smoothies or arcade cards. Hmmmm-wonder if it will on Mark - he loves his smoothies.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Congratulations on having your tip published! Somehow I missed that in my daily read!

Bobbi

PS. I like to check out the photos too, thank you!

 

[Malone]

I
The kids and I were talking today about doing the snorkeling at CC. If I remember correctly, it's offered for ages 5 and up. Walker just learned to swim (not great but enough to keep a float) and is no longer afraid of water. For anyone whose done this, is it truly a family event? We can swim although I'm not too fond of the ocean. I'm making the assumption that there is some type of vest to keep everyone afloat? Is that right? Can anyone tell me more about it than the brief description offered online? Thanks.

We did the snorkeling in Sept. 2003. It was 2 days after Hurricane Isabel had been through, so it was pretty stirred up still (even though we were out there first thing). But we could still see the landmarks and plenty of fish. My daughter was then 5, and she and my husband stayed together. She either piggybacked with him or they held hands and they floated along together. About 1/2 way out was enough for her.
One thing is to be sure to get some disposable underwater cameras. The pictures are a great reminder of something so cool! And it's a great activity for the kids to do---Parker was so proud of her pictures when we got home!
The pictures of us in our snorkeling gear were fun also!

Good luck snorkeling!
Carrie

 

[Malone]

I wanted to share a picture of a door magnet I created, but I can't figure out how to get it in the post. I looked around the boards and found that I have to use photobucket.com, but that site doesn't come up on my server.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Carrie