September 22, 2007 -- WESTERN

[CustardTart]

...Take it as it comes and just have a good time.

 

[papa]

Here is a link to a lot of Key West web cams.http://webcam.keywest.com/

The magic docks at Mallory square. Be aware that some of the bar or saloon web cams can have inappropriate scenes or language. Mike

 

[CustardTart]

Great news! Just got off the phone with a Disney Wedding planner and it looks like our vow renewal will go ahead! I contacted them a week ago and as I hadn't heard back, I felt pretty sure there were no slots available - they only have 2 per cruise. BUT there was a cancellation and so we're booked in for Thursday 27th!!!! I really can't believe it - it'll be the absolute icing on the cake as far as the cruise is concerned...

 

[Bareacuda]

This will be the tail end of our curise... so going with the flow is just what I'll be doing.
And if we get diverted to another port... what's another new adventure
We were on the maiden voyage of the Magic... "we" did have some problems with the bath rooms leaking water and some other minor things go wrong, most of us took it in stride and went on.

Funny story: When we arrived at CC the post office opened with some ceramony wht Mr.Rodney(Pres. DCL at the time), the line was from the post office to the ship!!! It was HOT 1 August!!!
Some guy from the end of the line was talking to everyone in front of him, getting more involved with the people in front of him, and walking to add more people to this long on going conversation. Before we all relized it... he was at the front of the line and was about the 4 person to get stamps and in the PO
Boy... I wish I could have done something like that... I guess Im too polite!

There is a cool excrusion in St Thomas to do ... it's the Captain Nautica, a fast boat trip and 2 great snorkle locations... snack included. Can't wait to do that again

 

[papa]

Last September on the 11 day we did the pirate sail and snorkel in St Thomas.

Enjoyed St Thomas, even though we had been there before. Mike

 

[eva]

If anyone is interested, Frommer's has a book out on ports of call in the Caribbean. You can pick it up on Amazon for $13.25. It is called "Frommer's Caribbean Ports of Call" and it just came out fall of 2006. I think that I might pick it up and read up on Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Then I will throw it in my suitcase, just in case we get diverted.

While I am at it, I am going to order a book on Alaska cruises. We are planning one for 2008 and I can't even decide which line to cruise on. What makes it tougher is that I am planning this whole thing for all the adults in DH's family.

 

[CustardTart]

I've got the standard Frommer's Caribbean 2007 which unfortunately doesn't list Cozumel but does include pretty much everywhere else - it's a very informative book.

 

[eva]

Karen, I saw that book listed on Amazon too. Before I order anything on-line, I am going to stop by Barnes and Noble to look through them a bit first. That is one of my favortie past-times. DH and I go there every couple of weeks to browse through books and have a coffee at Starbuck's. The only problem is that I normally can't get out of there without spending at least a couple hundred dollars on books and cds.

 

[American Scrapper]

Thanks Eva! I may have to run over to the Barnes & Noble by us and see if they have that book. It never hurts to have something like that onhand.

Kathy

 

[papa]

Eva our 4 year old grand daughter goes with her mother to starbucks and gets a decaf mocha frappuccino. Pardon my poor English, but I ain't paying $4 for a preschooler to drink coffee. Mike

 

[scrapperjill]

Eva...I think that's the one I was looking at around December in Boarders. But since it was a 2006 book they shipped it off once 2007 was here. I may just have to check for it on line I did just get a book called...Caribbean By Cruise Ship by Ocean Cruise Guides....at a small localy owned book store. It's from 2004 but it only cost me $7 because it's slightly used . I figure not much could change in a couple years....and the book should still give us a good over view of what to do in diffrent ports.
Anyways...I may just check on line for the other book also. If that is the one $13.25 isn't bad I think it was over $20 when I was looking at it in December.

Papa....I like that web cam thing. How fun.

Custard Tart...Way COOL news about the renewal. Are you going to keep it a secret for a suprise?

 

[papa]

Here are some web cams and information on Grand Cayman. http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/WebCam.htm

Lots of good information there. Mike

 

[scrapperjill]

That's a good site Papa Lots of good ideas.

I forgot to share my excitement earler....I got our airfare last night Way COOL!!! With the help of a fellow Diser I got a smokin deal that I couldn't pass up. $217pp Round trip and DIRECT from Portland to Orlando Oh AND to make things even better I found out that the diser that gave me the tip is on the SAME cruise Anyhow....now that we have air fare the whole cruise/vacation is that much more real and exciting. Our flights leave on Sept 17th so we'll get a few days at the world before the cruise Anyhow...I just had to share.

 

[Bareacuda]

That's a good site Papa Lots of good ideas.

I forgot to share my excitement earler....I got our airfare last night Way COOL!!! With the help of a fellow Diser I got a smokin deal that I couldn't pass up. $217pp Round trip and DIRECT from Portland to Orlando Oh AND to make things even better I found out that the diser that gave me the tip is on the SAME cruise Anyhow....now that we have air fare the whole cruise/vacation is that much more real and exciting. Our flights leave on Sept 17th so we'll get a few days at the world before the cruise Anyhow...I just had to share.

Cool News! And congrats on the deal. Im such a whimp on doing my own air... I just let DCL do it all for me, I guess it makes me feel like I "have people" doing things my way!

Ann

 

[papa]

My wife doesn't like to fly so we always drive down. Takes about 12-14 hours. Depends on how many potty breaks and stopping to stretch our legs.

Every time that we have been to Grand Cayman we have always tendered to the piers. I don't remember whether or not they had decided to build a dock for the cruise ships or not.

When we are in Cozumel, the cooks and bakers in our cruise group should not pass up the chance to get a big bottle of Mexican Vanilla. We got some and it tastes better than most vanilla extract that we have tried. We got a liter bottle in 2004 on our Disney western cruise and are hoping to be able to get all of the kids a bottle when we return. Mike

 

[American Scrapper]

Sandi - that is great news about your airfare!! I should start looking, but you know me, I am always waiting until the last minute.

Papa, that is one thing that I have been waiting to get to Cozumel for, the Vanilla! I don't bake much, but LOVE vanilla and heard it is so much better then the imitation stuff.

Kathy

 

[scrapperjill]

Vanilla in Mexico...YES. I've been waiting a LONG time to pick some of that up. However I've read SOOOO many negative threads on it over the years that it did make me start to wonder. Before our last cruise I did some research on what to look for when buying vanilla in Mexico...so I guess when the cruise get's closer I'll have to look into it again.

I'm such a planner...that I have a hard time even thing about letting go of the control to let someone else do all the planning.

We'd probably drive also if we lived with in a reasonable distance...it would be nice to not have to worry about booking flights and finding a good deal...but from Washington State to Orlando...well...it would just take TOOOO long. When we finally decide to go to Disneyland we'll drive...we did it before and had a nice drive.

 

[CustardTart]

...Custard Tart...Way COOL news about the renewal. Are you going to keep it a secret for a suprise?

I've blabbed already, Sandi! Wanted to make sure DH was really up for it and, bless him, he is!

...I got our airfare last night Way COOL!!! With the help of a fellow Diser I got a smokin deal that I couldn't pass up. $217pp Round trip and DIRECT from Portland to Orlando Oh AND to make things even better I found out that the diser that gave me the tip is on the SAME cruise Anyhow....now that we have air fare the whole cruise/vacation is that much more real and exciting. Our flights leave on Sept 17th so we'll get a few days at the world before the cruise Anyhow...I just had to share.

That's a great deal, Sandi! It definitely feels more real as each part of the trip is sorted! Where will you stay in the World before the cruise? We've just got to organise where to stay as we arrive at MCO the day before the cruise...

I have never heard anything about Mexican vanilla before so thanks for the heads-up!!! And thanks, Mike, for the web-cam links...

 

[scrapperjill]

Last year we stayed at Pop...for the first time and enjoyed it. Seeing that we'll be on a tight budget we'll be going "value" at WDW so were thinking of staying at Pop again. We really weren't in the rooms or at the resort much at all...so for the savings it's worth it. I wouldn't mind trying other value resorts...but after looking on the resort boards Pop has it's own buses and a few other benifits that keep drawing us back. We've only been to WDW once (3 nights before our cruise in 2005)...so we've still got a lot to learn and see.

I think when we get off the ship Sat we'll pick a diffrent value resort to try for the one night. I know we could probably find another hotel closer to the airport for less for that one night...but I figure we won't have a car and don't know our way around Orlando SO if we stay at a WDW resort we can use the disney transportation, spend time at DTD and/or other resorts and just putt around seeing some sights in that area fairly easy. Who knows they may even have MNSSHP that evening that we could go to?

 

[papa]

When we get off the ship we head to the WDW to ease the transition to reality. Last year we stayed at all star sports and did the parks for three days. Mike