September 29, 2012 - Ropin' Some Magic in the Western Caribbean

[Milio99]

PIF!!! I guess this means I'm really going on a cruise!

Is anyone doing excursions on their own in port? I've been looking at a few that look interesting, and would be significantly lower than Disney is asking. We did our own excursions on the Eastern and had no problem. Just wondering if any of you had seen anything worth checking out.

We will be doing Stingray City in Grand Cayman on our own then probably back to the ship. In Cozumel, last year we went to Paradise Beach on our own. We may do that again or do the Fury Catamaran if it's offered. We loved Paradise Beach, lots of fun for the kids.

 

[Milio99]

Another question about dress for men and boys: Will yours be wearing shorts to the dining room? It's a pretty hot topic on the main board. Are jeans okay? It seems like to many wear shorts, does anybody really care? Disney doesn't seem to. I really want to know others opinions on this!

 

[riley2008]

Another question about dress for men and boys: Will yours be wearing shorts to the dining room? It's a pretty hot topic on the main board. Are jeans okay? It seems like o many wear shorts, does anybody early care? Disney doesn't seem to. I really want to know others opinions on this!

I know my husband won't be wearing shorts for dinner...well, unless he sees everyone else doing it. I hear the dining rooms tend to be cooler, so I'm guessing it'll be pants. That's what we'll at least start out with anyway. My boys also have a couple of pair of pants that roll up - looks cute with a nice casual polo shirt and deck shoes.

Also, it'll be September, so we'll also have back-to-school pants that actually fit and aren't worn out! Also, just my opinion, my boys wear denim all winter, so we kinda equate jeans to play clothes. (My boys can't make jeans look tidy. After they wear them one time, we often have holes and faded knees. Currently, DH doesn't have any jeans that aren't grass-cutting clothes.)

I'm planning on packing the boys each their tux/suit, 2 pairs of khakis, 1 pair of roll-em-up pants and a pair of nice plain khaki shorts.

If we didn't have late dining (and the cool to cold dining rooms), I'd probably be more inclined to go more casual - shorts for the boys and maybe DH, maybe.

I think as long as people stay away from t-shirts over their bathing suits and plastic flip-flops, they are fine, and even then.....(maybe Disney should have different dress codes for each MDR???)

 

[jenandjuice]

Dining room attire...such a HOT topic on these boards

Throwing in my two cents here, bc y'all are gonna be my cruising buddies so maybe you won't judge us too much

My fiancee is not a dress-up kind of guy...AT ALL

He will dress up for palo of course, and formal night. But other than that he'll probably wear khaki shorts, he is way more comfortable in them than jeans. He will bring jeans and will probably wear them the first night, but if he sees more than 1 other guy wearing shorts then I could almost guarantee he won't put the jeans back on the rest of the trip!

Instead of trying to force him to "comply" or be stuck eating the buffets every night (which I DON'T wanna do, because I'm looking forward to the MDRs), I'm gonna just have to grin and bear it if anyone glares at us!

 

[Canadian Tyler]

PIF!!! I guess this means I'm really going on a cruise!

Is anyone doing excursions on their own in port? I've been looking at a few that look interesting, and would be significantly lower than Disney is asking. We did our own excursions on the Eastern and had no problem. Just wondering if any of you had seen anything worth checking out.

We booked all 3 excursions on our own. The Disney prices for the same excursions are crazy. There's some instances where I'd want to go through the cruiseline, but not this time.

Costa Maya - Booked Nohoch Kay beach break through Island Marketing
Cozumel -booked Dolphin encounter through Shore Excursions Group
Cayman - booked Boatswain's directly on website

 

[happytexasmom]

Dining room attire...such a HOT topic on these boards

Throwing in my two cents here, bc y'all are gonna be my cruising buddies so maybe you won't judge us too much

My fiancee is not a dress-up kind of guy...AT ALL

He will dress up for palo of course, and formal night. But other than that he'll probably wear khaki shorts, he is way more comfortable in them than jeans. He will bring jeans and will probably wear them the first night, but if he sees more than 1 other guy wearing shorts then I could almost guarantee he won't put the jeans back on the rest of the trip!

Instead of trying to force him to "comply" or be stuck eating the buffets every night (which I DON'T wanna do, because I'm looking forward to the MDRs), I'm gonna just have to grin and bear it if anyone glares at us!

I wouldn't worry one little bit about it, if Disney is ok with the attire then who cares what others think. Enjoy ur expensive vacation however u want as long as u are going by the rules

 

[riley2008]

Dining room attire...such a HOT topic on these boards

Throwing in my two cents here, bc y'all are gonna be my cruising buddies so maybe you won't judge us too much

My fiancee is not a dress-up kind of guy...AT ALL

He will dress up for palo of course, and formal night. But other than that he'll probably wear khaki shorts, he is way more comfortable in them than jeans. He will bring jeans and will probably wear them the first night, but if he sees more than 1 other guy wearing shorts then I could almost guarantee he won't put the jeans back on the rest of the trip!

Instead of trying to force him to "comply" or be stuck eating the buffets every night (which I DON'T wanna do, because I'm looking forward to the MDRs), I'm gonna just have to grin and bear it if anyone glares at us!

I guess I should clarify a bit. My DH is also NOT a dress up guy, but he LOVES linen pants and Hawaiian shirts. He hates to tuck in shirts. So, he'll be in pants, shirt-tail out and probably (the horror) his brown leather Margaritaville flip-flops.

I think the only people that will end up standing out or even getting commented on are the ones who show up in a suit and tie on pirate night. And I don't think that will happen. (Why I was worried about my boys in dressy clothes for formal night...I was hoping there would be others...otherwise they'd be back to the room to change so fast. I really want them to look nice a few nights.)

 

[jenandjuice]

I guess I should clarify a bit. My DH is also NOT a dress up guy, but he LOVES linen pants and Hawaiian shirts. He hates to tuck in shirts. So, he'll be in pants, shirt-tail out and probably (the horror) his brown leather Margaritaville flip-flops.

I think the only people that will end up standing out or even getting commented on are the ones who show up in a suit and tie on pirate night. And I don't think that will happen. (Why I was worried about my boys in dressy clothes for formal night...I was hoping there would be others...otherwise they'd be back to the room to change so fast. I really want them to look nice a few nights.)

I totally hear ya, if the kiddo was coming with us, he'd be dressing up all the time, it's the best way to get awesome pictures!

 

[txtricia]

I guess I should clarify a bit. My DH is also NOT a dress up guy, but he LOVES linen pants and Hawaiian shirts. He hates to tuck in shirts. So, he'll be in pants, shirt-tail out and probably (the horror) his brown leather Margaritaville flip-flops.

I think the only people that will end up standing out or even getting commented on are the ones who show up in a suit and tie on pirate night. And I don't think that will happen. (Why I was worried about my boys in dressy clothes for formal night...I was hoping there would be others...otherwise they'd be back to the room to change so fast. I really want them to look nice a few nights.)

This was a hard one for us. Hubbie and I have done almost 20 different cruises on different lines now and we have always followed dress codes... pants for dinner shorts for day. Now my better half belives a tie is a fancy noose so he tends to follow the Tommy Bahamma school of dress with linen loose drawstring or cargo pants but does wear pants. BUT the boys have always done nice dress pressed shorts and have always looked appropriate and adorable. So we are struggeling now becasue the dress code says no shorts. Age makes no difference. I am a HUGE girlscout rule follower but I think its silly that a 4yr old boy can't wear dress shorts to early dinner. So our "plan" is to bring pants for every night (dress pants/suite for formal and semi, 1-2 pairs of khaki, and same in navy) and shout wipes to keep them clean ... not sure if I will waffle and break the rules though either...

 

[Milio99]

We went on a Carnival cruise last year. My DH and boys started out wearing pants to dinner but after seeing everyone else in shorts they refused to wear pants. They don't mind dressing up for formal night as that's "special" but I don't see them wearing pants other nights, especially if they see others in shorts. I think I'll just pack them a pair of jeans and play it by ear

 

[jenandjuice]

4 MONTHS!!! And we'll be on the boat!!!

 

[txtricia]

4 MONTHS!!! And we'll be on the boat!!!

Love the way you think! Can't wait. I have 10 more weeks of my MBA then it will be time to pack and I can start thinking of cute FE's in the meantime.

 

[happytexasmom]

4 months!!! And we'll be on the boat!!!

yeay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Piper]

I am in my new apartment and almost unpacked...internet connected..still need to get drapes hung. (I am hoping to find someone to do that soon--I can't climb anymore so I have to depend on others for help. It is hard since I have always been pretty self-sufficient! ) Lucy has adjusted to the move (except she won't use her "potty pad" anymore and will only "go" outside.) It is nice having more space.

 

[riley2008]

I just realized that the Fantasy out of Port Canaveral will have the SAME itenerary as us (except the addition of Castaway Cay for them as we all head back to home port).

I am not sure I really want to look at the Fantasy at EVERY port and deal with all those people. When I first thought about it, I was excited to be able to get to see the Fantasy, but then... Yes, I know other ships dock in the ports on the same days too and we were looking forward to that, but the same ship and people for three days.

I KNOW!!! A DIS MEET with the Fantasy people at one of the ports!

ETA: I may be off by a day (I hope so.)

OKAY, PANIC OVER!! and, darn, no DIS meet!

October 2; Grand Cayman - only the Magic in port http://www.caymanport.com/shipschedules.php
October 3; Costa Maya - only Magic in port http://www.cruisetimetables.com/visitingcostamayamexico-oct2012.html
October 4; Cozumel - (staying on the ship - maybe 10,000 people in port that day!) 4 ships in Port, luckily DCL seems to be first http://www.cruiseportinsider.com/cozumelschedule2012.html

 

[jenandjuice]

OKAY, PANIC OVER!! and, darn, no DIS meet!

October 2; Grand Cayman - only the Magic in port http://www.caymanport.com/shipschedules.php
October 3; Costa Maya - only Magic in port http://www.cruisetimetables.com/visitingcostamayamexico-oct2012.html
October 4; Cozumel - (staying on the ship - maybe 10,000 people in port that day!) 4 ships in Port, luckily DCL seems to be first http://www.cruiseportinsider.com/cozumelschedule2012.html

Glad I don't have to stare at the Fantasy all trip

I am in my new apartment and almost unpacked...internet connected..still need to get drapes hung. (I am hoping to find someone to do that soon--I can't climb anymore so I have to depend on others for help. It is hard since I have always been pretty self-sufficient! ) Lucy has adjusted to the move (except she won't use her "potty pad" anymore and will only "go" outside.) It is nice having more space.

Hope you're enjoying your new place!

 

[Piper]

Hope you're enjoying your new place!

Thanks. Other than a fall a couple of days ago (which was my own fault--I wasn't using the crutch and it is so less crowded that "grabbing places" are fewer) things have been going well. I still have some arranging to do, but I am really enjoying the space. Lucy has realized that she needs to use her "potty pad" to supplement outside times....so we are all doing better.

 

[Piper]

I like the number of days until we cruise: 111. I'm going to like it better when we get under 100!

 

[Centex]

ours will be 3 and 18 mo. formal night they will be Cinderella and Prince Charming. Semi formal night it's coordinating dress and suit. The whole family will be fully dressed pirates. Even the Grandparent if we can talk them into it!

 

[Piper]

My sister and I will be dressed for Pirate night also. I'm not quite sure what I will be doing for formal and semi-formal night. I have clothes ready, but I am having a LOT of edema in my left foot (so bad that wearing a tennis shoe caused bruising.) I may just have to get dressed up and wear flip-flops with a minimal strap near my toes.....I know not picture perfect and not what Disney wants. If they can't get it under control, it is either flip-flops or barefoot! I have been dealing with this for months and it is getting worse instead of better.