Western Union Schooner - Western Caribbean

[Thumper1]

Please tell me of your experiences with the Western Union Schooner excursion in Key West on the Western Caribbean itinerary. Are there places to sit down, what kind of refreshments are there, etc.

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[ExecuMom]

We did the Western Union on our 8/3 Western. We had heard raves about it.

It is nice, but a few things you should know:

1. No chairs. You can sit on the deck, lean on the railing or anything else that you can hop up on.

2. Refreshments - while we were there in August and it was stifling, they had two very large coolers filled with all kinds of non-alcholic beverages (mainly water and soda). My younger son does not like soda, and luckly we were able to dig through and find 2 cans of iced tea.

3. There is live music (almost harp-like) on board which is very nice and they release a dove into the air as part of maritime tradition (or something)

4. They do a little "show" with the sister schooner and with a PT boat and fire the canon on the ship (it's small don't worry).

The sunset is beautiful, but probably just as beautiful from the Magic. While I wouldn't do it again, I love to sail and it was very nice.

Hope that helps!

Michele

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi Lynne. My DS9 and I thoroughly enjoyed our sailing aboard the Western Union Schooner. It is registered as a National Historic Landmark and the captain and crew can provide you with a lot of information if you are interested.

There is ample seating all around the schooner, but no padded chairs to pamper an aching butt.

My son was so fascinated with the workings of the ship that one of the crew members let him assist with "special" chores on the bow of the Western Union. She entertained the dear lad (and his dad) with sailing stories and some local history.

As I do not drink alcohol, the ice-cold soda, tea and water provided for the tour participants was more than satisfactory in my opinion.

All in all, it is an enjoyable tour and one that I am glad I experienced. Will I take it again on our next Western Magic cruise? Nah. Too many other things I would like to try. Definitely a worthwhile "shore excursion."

 

[cruisnfamily]

Bumping for Sea Spray

 

[SeaSpray]

Thank you SO much for bumping this for me, Sonya!!!

I like the idea of this excursion because it's "something different". DH and DSs are not beach people (As for me, I could spend every day on a beach, especially in the Caribbean! :teeth), so I need to be creative to find fun, unique, but not boring excursions for our western cruise next summer. I like "active" excursions much more than passive ones. We won't be doing any tours where you don't get off the bus. The only excursion we'll be doing that requires a bus at all will be the Tulum mayan ruins excursion. But then once you get to the ruins you can walk around and explore and swim on the beach there.

 

[snelsonbrown]

I have some interesting pamplets on the Western Union to anyone interested in them - also you can call them at 305-292-1766 or go to www.schoonerwesternunion.com - I went on this schooner hummmmm about 60 or so years ago (now that is telling the age) - of course it has been refurnished etc and I understand a ship load of history to tell.
If I can help further - just drop me a note at snelsonbrown@aol.com