Was Live Now Great Memories From the May 27th Double Scoop Cruise

[BWVPam]

Someone asked in a previous post on this thread about the Dolphin Excursion. We did the one in Costa Maya. Overall it was a great experience. We were met at the pier and guided to some very nice new motor coaches for our ride to the beach. I would say it was about a 30 minute bus ride. Upon arriving at the beach, you go into a special area to get your instructions about the swim with the dolphins. You get to see a short video and then they go over the rules. Everyone wears life jacket.

Here is where we made our mistake. We decided that hubby would do the observer so he could watch the kids in the water and video tape them. The area that they have the observers in is so far away from where you and the dolphins are swimming. He and our friend that was also an observer were both very disappointed that you couldn't really see anything from where they were at.

Also, take cash with you on this excursion. We all had our credit cards and just took a little cash. Unfortunately, the food they serve you only takes cash and it was pretty expensive. They did have an open bar for the excursion. After the swim, we ended up going back on the first bus so we could get back.

I enjoyed the swim and the kids said it was their favorite thing. I did buy the picture of each of the kids with the dolphin kissing them. We actually got to swim out into the water and the dolphins did tricks around us. They swam in a circle around us very fast, they did jumps in the water. We would make a line and they would jump over our heads, etc. I think we were in the water with them for about 45 minutes.

My husband told the excursion desk that they should try and discouirage people from doing the observer, or at last acknowledging how far you would be from the rest of your party. He was told that several people had complained also, and they were going to be meeting about it. Anyway, a couple of days later, they removed his charge for the observer from our account. I know that they did this also for our friend that was also on this sailing.

 

[TiggersPal]

I appreciated the dolphin excursion information very much. I think our excursion does a "foot push" - where they lift you out of the water...you didnt' mention that - might be a different swim? Anyway, appreciate the tips as to cash, observer information and all. I'm looking very forward to this on my double dip in November!

 

[whnim64]

...Also, take cash with you on this excursion.

Also note that The Native Choice (David and Ivan) excursions are on a cash-only basis. They do let you know that when they send your confirmation e-mail.

 

[wdwgoose]

HAY ALL






























I'm ON DA LIST






A TYPE BLOOD





15 - 20 GROUP



SO I'M NOT AT THE TOP BUT I;M THERE






gaRRy

 

[armyfam]

HAY ALL






























I'm ON DA LIST






A TYPE BLOOD





15 - 20 GROUP



SO I'M NOT AT THE TOP BUT I;M THERE






gaRRy

This is wonderful news, gaRRy!
I loved the sign and Tinkerbell drawing. What terrific friends you have. We are also praying for you.
Keep up the good attitude--that always goes a long way.

BTW, one of my surgeon's was a Marine. Great guy and rides a Harley! He's a real character.

susan

 

[tinytink]

HAY ALL






























I'm ON DA LIST






A TYPE BLOOD





15 - 20 GROUP



SO I'M NOT AT THE TOP BUT I;M THERE






gaRRy

gaRRY,

Congrats! oorah!!! We'll be praying for you.

Sempre Fi

DH-Active Duty 1997-2001, Reserves 2002-2004

 

[DVCDebb]

Didn't get a chance to post during the trip, barely got a chance to check my work email.

Not going to do a full trip report but a couple comments.

Everything far exceeded our expectations and what we remembered from our first cruise.

I know someone asked about the "Cozumel" (it was not in Cozumel) Dolphin excursion. We did this and it was great. The ride there was long but comfortable. You stood on a platform and had a lot of interaction with the dolphins. The food was great, as was the beach but you only got about an hour at the beach before the bus left. It was in the middle of this exclusive private complex with nice shops, a small zoo and a private beach. In comparison the Costa Maya dolphin excursion you actually were swimming in the water, some people might prefer this but it would not have worked for my kids (DS4, DDs7&8). Also that excursion did not include lunch. Only other issue with "Cozumel" was that you were there all day, no option to leave early.

Double Dip was great, fantastic weather, got some nice shots of the rainbow!!!

Was lucky enough for my kids to get picked to go on stage in the Golden Mickeys (the 1st 3 dwarves at the 8:30 show) as well as DS4 getting called for "Who...Mouseketeer" (Jimmie on Thursday night) and DD7 and DW for "How well do you know your family?"

I will probably post some photos at some point.

I heard that someone was airlifted out from Costa Maya. Anyone else hear of this?

Hope everyone had as great a time as we did.

Jim

Yes, 4 yr old boy almost drowned in pools. Was there when parents were tracked down and ask conceirge what they heard about it. He was to stay in hospital a couple days. Glad he was okay

 

[BWVPam]

Gary -- that is great news about the list. Keep us posted and you will continue to be in our prayers.


It was great getting to meet you at the Rad.!!

 

[chip&dale&fun]

I appreciated the dolphin excursion information very much. I think our excursion does a "foot push" - where they lift you out of the water...you didnt' mention that - might be a different swim? Anyway, appreciate the tips as to cash, observer information and all. I'm looking very forward to this on my double dip in November!

Adding to what Sandi posted....most non-ship excursions ill be on a cas only basis.....for the Mexican ports....and the non-port shops also require cash.....First time we took real money with us for ages....The good news, no credit card bills...

 

[WDWLVR]

Finally got all the pictures downloaded and scanned so i thought I would add a few to the report. They bring back such wonderful memories!

Before the cruise. Breakfast at Grills with RachelTori's family and MickeyMo's family.

With Ducky Williams.

Here we are on the bridge with Captain Tom and Captain Mickey!

After the cruise - our last DIS meet with BWVPam's family and the Ohio Mouse family.

 

[RachelTori]

Great pictures, Mary! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[BWVPam]

Hey Mary -- love the picture with all of us at MK with the OM family. Did you get the one of us at dinner at O'hanas. I would like to add that one to our collection. Started working on mine a little this morning. Not getting a lot accomplished. We are going to go see Cars this afternoon.

 

[WDWLVR]

Hey Mary -- love the picture with all of us at MK with the OM family. Did you get the one of us at dinner at O'hanas. I would like to add that one to our collection. Started working on mine a little this morning. Not getting a lot accomplished. We are going to go see Cars this afternoon.

Sure did! If you want the full size ones let me know and i can e-mail them to you. Or they will be on the CD if you are going to be part of the exchange!

 

[RachelTori]

Sue did! If you want the full size ones let me know and i can e-mail them to you. Or they will be on the CD if you are going to be part of the exchange!

Speaking of the exchange....... My stuff's in an envelope, ready to go! I'll go to the post office in the morning and send it off to you! Thank you again, dear Mary & Mark, for all your time and efforts in making this cruise so memorable. Love ya, Really Mean It!

 

[BWVPam]

Oh my,I forgot about the exchange. What are the details. We just got the ones off the small digital onto the computer this morning and we still need to transfer the ones taken with the digital movie camera.


Thanks

 

[RachelTori]

Oh my,I forgot about the exchange. What are the details. We just got the ones off the small digital onto the computer this morning and we still need to transfer the ones taken with the digital movie camera.


Thanks

Hi, Pam! We send a CD with our pics plus $5 to cover shipping & material costs to Mark & Mary. They will create something from our submissions that I'm sure will be a wonderful memento from our cruise. PM Mark and he'll send you the shipping details.

 

[MarkRG]

Hi, Pam! We send a CD with our pics plus $5 to cover shipping & material costs to Mark & Mary. They will create something from our submissions that I'm sure will be a wonderful memento from our cruise. PM Mark and he'll send you the shipping details.

I guess I should have posted a refresher by now.

There arn't many rules.

• Send a submission of whatever you want included to us. Include $5 for materials and return shipping.
• I can take the images, or even some digital video, as long as they're on CD or DVD.
• I can also scan images off reprints if you don't have digital. But don't risk sending me your only copies.
• The cutoff for submissions is June 30th. I hope to have most of the work done by then and start on the final product.
• The final product will be on DVD rom, if you need it on CD rom please warn me.
• I'm flexible, if there's anything that doesn't fit this, ask!

Sofar the people I've heard from via pm are:
US, the Scubas, the Tinks, Whnim64 & family, RachelTori, armyfam, Irene, Justmestace, WVMD, and DVCDebb.

 

[ohiominnie]

Yes, 4 yr old boy almost drowned in pools. Was there when parents were tracked down and ask conceirge what they heard about it. He was to stay in hospital a couple days. Glad he was okay

This must have been a different medical evacuation than we saw in Costa Maya. We saw a girl, probably 6-ish taken off of the ship via stretcher into a waiting ambulance just before sail away in Costa Maya. She was accompanied by her parents and siblings and a very small amount of luggage. We were hoping that they'd pick the ship back up in Cozumel the next day after finding out she was just fine. She did not look like she was in distress (no bags or tubing that we could see) Mike hypothesized on the potential diagnoses, but can't be sure. We figured if we asked anyone they wouldn't tell us anyway....confidentiality and all that.

 

[ohiominnie]

About the airlifting- I don't know about costa maya but I was standing out on deck 4 facing the gangway area when a helicopter came down in Castaway cay on Friday-- and I yelled down at one of the cast members there (in white uniform) if someone was leaving- and he said yes. I said are they said? He said "they are". Later today when leaving the hyatt- our bellhop helping us with the luggage to check them mentioned he heard someone died of a heart attack on Friday on the Disney cruise. (where's the crying emoticon?) So maybe that's what you are referring to?

Don't know if this has been cleared up or not. The medical evacuation from CC was definitely not someone who had died from a heart attack. It was an elderly gentleman who (from a deck 6 verandah) seemed to be doing quite well. He waved excitedly back to the ship from his wheelchair and was able to get up and walk several steps before climbing into the helicopter by himself.

My guess is that if someone actually did die on CC on that final day, it would be easiest for all involved to just keep the person in the ship's morgue until returning to Port Canaveral, 12 hours later.

 

[ohiominnie]

By the way, we did not buy our t-shirts until the 2nd trip to CC....the CM said..."what is out is all that is available. Once these are gone there will be no more". I took that to mean, they are only selling a certain amount each trip. By the way, this was on our way in...I forgot to look on the way out. There were no Adult meidums and I bought the last youth large.

We got off the ship on the second CC day for the sole intent of buying shirts. We did get one for everyone in the family. Put them in the bag, then threw them on our bed. When I went to pack them, took them out and MINE (of course) had two large pen marks on it. So took it down to Mickey Mates and some nice woman there had me fill out a form to get a replacement shipped to me......after they got more from the warehouse (b/c at that point they were out of adult M) Don't know when that would be, but will contact DCL if the second DD cruise comes and goes without a new shirt.