ThreeSmiths
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2004
- Messages
- 321
Just returned from the 9/11 "Western" Magic and thought I'd share our experience:
Although we were scheduled to do the Western itinerary, we were kept away by Ivan. Instead our schedule was as follows:
Sunday: at sea
Monday: at sea (arrived in San Juan in p.m.)
Tuesday: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Wednesday: at sea
Thursday: Nassau
Friday: Castaway Cay
We were disappointed that we were not able to go to Cozumel and Grand Cayman. DH was booked to dive at each island. DD and I were booked for stingray city on GC and Dolphin/Sealion swim on Cozumel. Alas, Capt. Tom did a nice job keeping us safe and out of the path of Ivan.
Ports:
San Juan was okay. Had I known we were going and had time to research, I might have been able to find more to do and see. Worth seeing: Old San Juan and the forts of San Cristobal and El Morro. Take a cab from the port for a couple bucks and you'll save $ over the tour and have more time to explore. If you go with a tour, you do not get to spend much time exploring. Skip: Tour of Old and New San Juan: BORING!
Shopping is not great, lots of souvenier shops with lots of junk.
Nassau:
Better than San Juan. Again, had I known we were going and had time to research, I might have been able to find to do and see. Worth doing: Walk the shops if you like shopping....be prepared to say "No thanks" 394 times. (That's in the first block
. Dolphin Encounter was great! Don't forget to bring $ for photos, video, drinks/snacks or souveniers. Some friends we met went to Atlantis and rented a "day room" and were given four arm-bands for full use of the water park and aquarium all day. $150.00 for the day room (a great deal, considering admission to the aquarium is $29.00 per person alone!)
Skip: The public beach at Paradise Island if the seas are rough. Be advised: Locals will rent you beach chairs for $10/each. Negotiate and you will probably be able to get them for less (we got two for $15.00.) If you do go, take a cab from the port and specify that you want to go to the public beach access. If you say you want to go to Atlantis or Paradise Island, you will not always be dropped off at the beach access, and might have a long walk to get there.
Castaway Cay:
Wonderful, probably our best day! The beach is lovely, especially the adult beach. Cookies barbeque serves a great barbeque-style lunch.
Worth doing: Get off the boat early and get chairs under an umbrella AND palm tree for maximum shade. DO NOT walk to the adult beach, it is a long, hot walk! Wait for the tram. If you want to snorkel at the family beach, go early before the water gets cloudy. The water at the adult beach stays more clear, but not as much to see. Also, if you plan to snorkel a lot (or at more than one port) bring your own equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) as rentals are $25.00 on CC.
Fun things to do on board:
BINGO! Never won, but lots of fun!
Movies: Bring a sweater into the Buena Vista and Walt Disney theaters....it can get very chilly! A great way to get out of the sun! Bring drinks with you from the drink station on deck 9 and bring snacks from home, as there are not always snacks on sale during the movies (especially if you are in port).
Don't miss the Oceanears club and lab's special presentation on the final night, and be sure to let your kids participate! It is priceless!
Comedians: A great way to get a great laugh! Go to the adult shows in the evenings in Beat Street. They are incredible!
Room: Avoid room 2653 like the plague! It is on deck 2 aft, the final room at the end of the hall. It's a cat 10 It is not and ajoining room. This room is extremely noisy, especially when the ship is pulling into port. The entire room (walls and everything) vibrated loudly!
Go to your Dis Meet or arrange one! We met some great people that we spent time with and had lots of fun and laughs with. It is always fun to have friends on board!
Favorite CM: Our stateroom hostess "Otti" from Hungary. She arranged DD's stuffed animals in cute and clever ways each morning and evening, and made the most fun towel animals. Our room was always immaculate and welcoming, and she was very friendly and sweet to us, especially DD.
Food: Good, but not great. I actually had some stomach issues for several days.
Overall, a great trip considering all of our itinerary changes!
Although we were scheduled to do the Western itinerary, we were kept away by Ivan. Instead our schedule was as follows:
Sunday: at sea
Monday: at sea (arrived in San Juan in p.m.)
Tuesday: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Wednesday: at sea
Thursday: Nassau
Friday: Castaway Cay
We were disappointed that we were not able to go to Cozumel and Grand Cayman. DH was booked to dive at each island. DD and I were booked for stingray city on GC and Dolphin/Sealion swim on Cozumel. Alas, Capt. Tom did a nice job keeping us safe and out of the path of Ivan.
Ports:
San Juan was okay. Had I known we were going and had time to research, I might have been able to find more to do and see. Worth seeing: Old San Juan and the forts of San Cristobal and El Morro. Take a cab from the port for a couple bucks and you'll save $ over the tour and have more time to explore. If you go with a tour, you do not get to spend much time exploring. Skip: Tour of Old and New San Juan: BORING!
Shopping is not great, lots of souvenier shops with lots of junk.
Nassau:
Better than San Juan. Again, had I known we were going and had time to research, I might have been able to find to do and see. Worth doing: Walk the shops if you like shopping....be prepared to say "No thanks" 394 times. (That's in the first block
. Dolphin Encounter was great! Don't forget to bring $ for photos, video, drinks/snacks or souveniers. Some friends we met went to Atlantis and rented a "day room" and were given four arm-bands for full use of the water park and aquarium all day. $150.00 for the day room (a great deal, considering admission to the aquarium is $29.00 per person alone!)Skip: The public beach at Paradise Island if the seas are rough. Be advised: Locals will rent you beach chairs for $10/each. Negotiate and you will probably be able to get them for less (we got two for $15.00.) If you do go, take a cab from the port and specify that you want to go to the public beach access. If you say you want to go to Atlantis or Paradise Island, you will not always be dropped off at the beach access, and might have a long walk to get there.
Castaway Cay:
Wonderful, probably our best day! The beach is lovely, especially the adult beach. Cookies barbeque serves a great barbeque-style lunch.
Worth doing: Get off the boat early and get chairs under an umbrella AND palm tree for maximum shade. DO NOT walk to the adult beach, it is a long, hot walk! Wait for the tram. If you want to snorkel at the family beach, go early before the water gets cloudy. The water at the adult beach stays more clear, but not as much to see. Also, if you plan to snorkel a lot (or at more than one port) bring your own equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) as rentals are $25.00 on CC.
Fun things to do on board:
BINGO! Never won, but lots of fun!
Movies: Bring a sweater into the Buena Vista and Walt Disney theaters....it can get very chilly! A great way to get out of the sun! Bring drinks with you from the drink station on deck 9 and bring snacks from home, as there are not always snacks on sale during the movies (especially if you are in port).
Don't miss the Oceanears club and lab's special presentation on the final night, and be sure to let your kids participate! It is priceless!
Comedians: A great way to get a great laugh! Go to the adult shows in the evenings in Beat Street. They are incredible!
Room: Avoid room 2653 like the plague! It is on deck 2 aft, the final room at the end of the hall. It's a cat 10 It is not and ajoining room. This room is extremely noisy, especially when the ship is pulling into port. The entire room (walls and everything) vibrated loudly!
Go to your Dis Meet or arrange one! We met some great people that we spent time with and had lots of fun and laughs with. It is always fun to have friends on board!
Favorite CM: Our stateroom hostess "Otti" from Hungary. She arranged DD's stuffed animals in cute and clever ways each morning and evening, and made the most fun towel animals. Our room was always immaculate and welcoming, and she was very friendly and sweet to us, especially DD.
Food: Good, but not great. I actually had some stomach issues for several days.
Overall, a great trip considering all of our itinerary changes!
