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

[jsimpson111]

Love the port tips! Thank you.

 

[jsimpson111]

After much thinking, research, mind changing, and considering what everyone in our family did/did not want to do this is what we finally decided on:

Grand Cayman - My older 2 boys (13 and 11) are snorkeling.

Costa Maya - Jungle Beach Break - The prices for wave runner rentals and massages were cheaper in Costa Maya.

Cozumel - Chocolate Factory Tour (on our own, $10 a person)

We are booking the chocolate tour thanks to your post. My kids are very excited! Thank you!

 

[jsimpson111]

I think we are just going to do the beach breaks at GC and Cozumel...daughter is happy as long as there is water... at Costa Maya was going to stay on the boat or do some shopping until I found a link to this...

no admittance fee?
$2 per person taxi ride?
$2 Coronas and tequila? (I can't drink anyhow but if I could....)
$25 for an hour long massage?
able to reserve tables/chairs on the beach?
count me in...

So might skip the $66 per person Cozumel beach break and shop there instead... Anyone know if there is decent shopping for souvenirs in Cozumel? Was going to shop in Costa Maya but free vs $66 per person (well okay daughter would be $49) is kinda more appealing


Love this... I think we will see you there!

 

[jsimpson111]

We are lucky enough to.cruise 4-5.times a year, so we have been.there, done that at all the ports. We LOOOVE the quieter boat when.in port...we never leave.the boat . Most cruise staff on the cruise lines think we are nutty for staying on the boat the whole time

I agree we love to stay on the boat, most of the time when we are in ports!! Ususally we pick one port to get off and do something different.

 

[soccermom1422]

I'm starting to buy candy for the CM's. Other than the CM's at guest services who get our autograph books, photo mats, etc. signed for us, who else do I need to have candy or other sort of thank you token for?

 

[SucalT]

GC- I am diving, DW & DD will be doing the Dolphin Swim and turtle farm

CM- Maya Chan, private all-inclusive beach. I have never been, but it is highly recommended.

Cozumel- Mr Sancho's Beach for horseback riding and parasailing. Love Mr Sancho's!

 

[Piper]

I love how active this thread is now!! Six weeks from now, we'll be on board and in the Gulf!

 

[Milio99]

Question on Paradise Beach... I was looking at that one as well, would you happen to remember about how deep the water is out by the slides/toys? Daughter has had swimming lessons and is GREAT in our pool which is over her head, but when we take her to lakes/rivers/open water she freaks and gets clingy/won't go out far.

It's pretty deep, I couldn't touch the bottom. Granted, I'm really short life vests are available and I made my boys wear them. The older one was 10 at the time. Some adults were wearing them too. The water toys are kind of difficult to pull yourself up on. That was the only downside. The pool is huge and beautiful, though.

 

[Milio99]

I wonder if Frankenweenie will premiere on the ship? It's due out in theaters Oct. 5th.

 

[kpaulson]

It's pretty deep, I couldn't touch the bottom. Granted, I'm really short life vests are available and I made my boys wear them. The older one was 10 at the time. Some adults were wearing them too. The water toys are kind of difficult to pull yourself up on. That was the only downside. The pool is huge and beautiful, though.

Thank you she refuses life jackets tho so we shall see

 

[TxMermaid1]

I wonder if Frankenweenie will premiere on the ship? It's due out in theaters Oct. 5th.

If it is due out on the 5th.... then there us usually a premier on the ship at 12.01AM the day it comes out. So am sure we will see it.

 

[SeeJennyCruise]

Grand Cayman: We still can't decide what we want to do here!! We might do the semi submarine thing. We also might just explore on our own. I head they have a good trolley/bus system. Anyone that's been there before...is exploring on your own doable here? There's a car museum we'd like to go to and also the Tortuga rum factory. I'm wondering if we can do those 2 things AND the semi sub tour. I wanted to do the turtle farm, but I think I got outvoted on that one.
.

The rum factory is about a 20 minute ride from the pier in the middle of town. The rum factory and turtle farm are close to each other. I've not been to either but it seems everyone who goes to the turtle farm is glad they did.

There are plenty of shops and restaurants right off the main street Harbor Drive. If you walk a couple of streets back you will find a town square called Hereos Square with a statue honoring those who served in the military.

 

[TxMermaid1]

Grand Cayman: We still can't decide what we want to do here!! We might do the semi submarine thing. We also might just explore on our own. I head they have a good trolley/bus system. Anyone that's been there before...is exploring on your own doable here? There's a car museum we'd like to go to and also the Tortuga rum factory. I'm wondering if we can do those 2 things AND the semi sub tour. I wanted to do the turtle farm, but I think I got outvoted on that one.

Costa Maya: I think we will just shop and go to the beach here. I here this is the best place for a beach massage.

Cozumel: We booked the Mayan ruins tour. I believe it also consists of a tour of a tequila factory and some minor sightseeing. I don't remember everything about it offhand.

Grand Cayman is a fun place with lots to do . The rum factory is interesting but not what you think. It is more of a shop not so much a factory. You can watch them making rum cakes sometimes. The rum cakes are awesome and so is the rum fudge. If you like chocolate the rum fudge is a must. The only place I have seen it is at the rum factory.

My grandson loves the rum cakes... he was 10 when he went there.. now he is 12. I had to promise to bring him some. I will get them at one of the outlets in town.

We are doing a shore dive in the morning and just messing around town in the afternoon.

You should have time to do the things you listed.

 

[Piper]

I have been thinking about those of us who want to doing a "group trip report." We could all choose a different color to use for our posts and do a pre-trip and trip report from the perspective of different families. I know we have those who are couples, with young children, with pre-teens, with teens and those of us who are "senior" and my point of view from an ECV.

I think it would make it interesting to see planning and the trip from different points of view. We would also probably have tons of pictures (and people love pictures.) Also, we would have a lot of different cabin types and people always want to see actual photos of cabins. Would anyone like to join me?

 

[dylan'smom]

I called DCL and asked about upgrades and they told me only at the embarcation - can't do it prior. So I am confused. But it's our first cruise so many I didnt know how to ask right.

If you booked any of the "restricted" fares, they require no changes, so then you still get a chance to upgrade at the port - worth checking out!! Get there early for the best choices.

I wonder if Frankenweenie will premiere on the ship? It's due out in theaters Oct. 5th.

If it is due out on the 5th.... then there us usually a premier on the ship at 12.01AM the day it comes out. So am sure we will see it.

Yay!! Frankenweenie!!!! I really want to see that & the boat is the best place to watch films!! (Just avoid the very last row....)

I have been thinking about those of us who want to doing a "group trip report." We could all choose a different color to use for our posts and do a pre-trip and trip report from the perspective of different families. I know we have those who are couples, with young children, with pre-teens, with teens and those of us who are "senior" and my point of view from an ECV. I think it would make it interesting to see planning and the trip from different points of view. We would also probably have tons of pictures (and people love pictures.) Also, we would have a lot of different cabin types and people always want to see actual photos of cabins. Would anyone like to join me?

That's a cool idea. I am not very good at getting trip reports done (as in 'ever' lol) but I would LOVE to read it!!

.

 

[IlovemythreeC's]

We just booked the Sept. 29 cruise ~ we are so excited We cruised on the Fantasy in March and are soooo excited to go on the Disney Magic.

Are there any scheduled meets on this cruise? I will scroll through the thread, but wanted to ask as well

We are just now looking at excursions ~ thinking of going to one of the all-inclusive beaches in Cozumel and not sure what yet in Grand Cayman~

we are super happy and hope to meet some fellow Diser's ~

I have a 16 year old son, 12 year old daughter, and a 5 year old son. We are also travelling with a family with 6 kids ~ 15 (girl), 14 (girl), 12 (boy), 9 (girl), 6 (girl) and 3 (boy). These are all great and fun kids who I hope will meet some friends on the ship.

 

[soccermom1422]

Welcome to the group! There is lots going on here.

We are going to meet at the Promenade Lounge at 3:00 on the first day of the cruise. There is a t-shirt design that many people are using to iron on red shirts.

If you would like to sign up for the FE gift exchange, there is a link on post #684.

There is a roll call link on post #719 since not everyone on this thread will participate in every activity.

Finally, there is a Beauty and Beast Champagne Tasting group. There is more info on this on post #771.

 

[TxMermaid1]

We just booked the Sept. 29 cruise ~ we are so excited We cruised on the Fantasy in March and are soooo excited to go on the Disney Magic.

Are there any scheduled meets on this cruise? I will scroll through the thread, but wanted to ask as well

We are just now looking at excursions ~ thinking of going to one of the all-inclusive beaches in Cozumel and not sure what yet in Grand Cayman~

we are super happy and hope to meet some fellow Diser's ~

I have a 16 year old son, 12 year old daughter, and a 5 year old son. We are also travelling with a family with 6 kids ~ 15 (girl), 14 (girl), 12 (boy), 9 (girl), 6 (girl) and 3 (boy). These are all great and fun kids who I hope will meet some friends on the ship.

Welcome to the group... to make some things easier I have posted links t the FE list and Champagne Girls, Beauties and the Beasts event in my signature below. Please feel free to join us.

 

[jsimpson111]

We just booked the Sept. 29 cruise ~ we are so excited We cruised on the Fantasy in March and are soooo excited to go on the Disney Magic.

Are there any scheduled meets on this cruise? I will scroll through the thread, but wanted to ask as well

We are just now looking at excursions ~ thinking of going to one of the all-inclusive beaches in Cozumel and not sure what yet in Grand Cayman~

we are super happy and hope to meet some fellow Diser's ~

I have a 16 year old son, 12 year old daughter, and a 5 year old son. We are also travelling with a family with 6 kids ~ 15 (girl), 14 (girl), 12 (boy), 9 (girl), 6 (girl) and 3 (boy). These are all great and fun kids who I hope will meet some friends on the ship.

Welcome to the group. This is my first Disney cruise so I am not much help to you!!

 

[Belle6000]

I have been thinking about those of us who want to doing a "group trip report." We could all choose a different color to use for our posts and do a pre-trip and trip report from the perspective of different families. I know we have those who are couples, with young children, with pre-teens, with teens and those of us who are "senior" and my point of view from an ECV.

I think it would make it interesting to see planning and the trip from different points of view. We would also probably have tons of pictures (and people love pictures.) Also, we would have a lot of different cabin types and people always want to see actual photos of cabins. Would anyone like to join me?

I'd be interested in this.