WOW-just back from the Western Magic plus WDW!!

[KarenB]

We (DH, DS 14, DS 15, me) had a terrific time on the Magic 7 night Western July 3-10. We flew home late last night after 4 extra nights at WDW.


Excursions:

Key West-Fury Catamaran Sail and Snorkel
Grand Cayman-Captain Marvin's Half Day Snorkel
Cozumel-Paradise Beach


Extras:

Palo's Brunch AND Dinner
Couples well being massage and facial


What we enjoyed the most:

Location of our cabin (7514)
Family cabaret shows (and adults shows)
Captain Marvins
Endless pizza (served by Edson)
Servers Sachin and Pieter
Castaway Cay


Tips to think about:

Go with a positive attitude. While these boards are great, don't dwell on negative posts you may have read here. If you aren't happy with something, let someone know! We didn't have any problems, but I cold "feel" that the crew was there to please each guest.

Keep in mind that you can't do it all. There are so many things to try and see, but just not enough time! Do what interests you and know most everything will be great.

Try new foods, activities, and excursions!!

Talk to your servers! They have interesting lives, but also families like us!

Don't fret if your children don't like the Stack! The cruise can still be great for teens!


Only one disappointment (besides it ending! )

Our teens are very interested in the "behind the scenes". Many are for 18 and older. I was disappointed when we told our oldest DS (15) that he could not go on the Galley Tour with us because of his age, but when we got to the tour, there were a few younger children with the "18 and older" tickets that were NOT 18.



I am sure I forgot many, many tips and highlights!! I'll be happy to answer any questions!

Karen

 

[staylor]

Glad you had a great time. Thanks for reporting!

 

[Mark_F]

Welcome back. We were also on that same cruise ... even the same excursion in Key West!

Here are my pix ... maybe you can find yourself!

http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=8v5l1ur.51ozs9d3&x=1&y=-s2y2eq

 

[scottygirl]

Karen,

How was the Fury Catamaran Sail and Snorkel? We (Me, DH, DS10, DS8 and DD8) are considering doing this excursion but in Cozumel. Maybe we should do it in Key West and Paradise Beach in Cozumel?

Thanks!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

HI KAREN!!!! Welcome home! We are looking at doing an Eastern in 2006 perhaps. Just found you in some of my Cayman pictures!
Scottygirl, we did the catamaran sail, snorkel and beach party in Cozumel and it was awesome. Check out my trip report "extended family magic" on Cozumel for details. I think it's the same company.
Robin M.

 

[KarenB]

Mark_F Look at picture #66. I have my back towards the camera in the blue bathing suit top! That was a great excursion. DS and I swam over two sharks about the size of a 14 year old!


scottygirl-that is a tough decision! We really enjoyed just hanging out on the beach in Cozumel. Paradise Beach is free and you can use chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, floats, the ice berg and trampoline at no charge. We ate lunch there-quesadilla, chicken tenders, burittos, bucket of beer, smoothie, soda, chips and salsa, and pina colada for $50. We thought snorkeling in Key West was great, but Grand Cayman snorkeling is out of this world!!!! The Key West Fury was a good way to get out of the heat and on the water. one hour out, one hour snorkel, one hour back. Free beer, water, and soda on the way back-they sure keep your glass full!!


Hi Robin!!!! Aahhhhh-wasn't it a wonderful cruise???? We would do it again, but since we added on DVC points, a beach cottage at Vero may be the next trip!

Karen

 

[KarenB]

.....a friendly bump for any questions!

Karen

 

[kellimomo3]

What did you think of Paradise Beach? We are planning on spending the day there with our kids in January in leiu of an excursion.....

Kelli

 

[NowaSki]

Were there any young kids on the Captin Marvin Excursion? We are thinking of doing it on our cruise in April '05. Our kids will be the following ages when we go: DD 4, DS 7, and DS 9.

 

[KarenB]

kelli-we enjoyed Paradise Beach. The taxi fare was $14 (for the 4 of us). It was a 15-20 minute drive away from Cozumel. We were provided with lounge chairs, a small table, umbrella, kayaks, a water trampoline, a water iceberg to climb and slide down and floats-all free of charge. We had lunch delivered to our chairs which consisted of chips and salsa, burritos (2), chicken tenders, quesadilla, bucket of beer, pina colada, strwaberry smoothie, and a soda for $50. They rented snorkels, but we passed on that since we did a snorkel excursion in both Key West and Grand Cayman. Taxis were waiting at the beach to go back to the pier.

NowaSki-I believe the youngest on our boat was about 6 years old. The water is calm and about 9-10 feet deep. A crew member from the boat was in the water as well as a photographer. Floatation vists are privided and work well. I thought the water in Grand Cayman was much clamer and clearer than in Key West if you need to decide between the two.

Karen

 

[jlawall]

When I did the Stingray City Excursion last summer, there was a family with very young children with us. Some were adventurous and some were not. If you don't go in, you just sit and watch. They are right next to you and it works out pretty good. This is an excellent experience and I wouldn't miss it! (We're doing it again this summer!)

 

[MrsQ]

I have a question about the stingrays. Are they scary? I freaked when I saw a barracuda while snorkeling and I am unsure about the stingrays floating on by. Thanks

 

[KarenB]

MrsQ-the stingrays can be a bit intimidating for some. It seems as though they know people are bringing food so once we get in the water, they tend to swim towards you. The water is about 4 feet, so you are standing.

My youngest son was "stung" by a small stingray in Hilton Head last summer. I was very painful and he would not get off the boat for this. We talked to him about this before the trip and I do understand why he did not want to go in. I think he was the only one to sit out the entire time, but some went in the water for a short time, then back to the boat.

The cool part was that a crew member of the boat brought a stingray back to the side of the boat so those not comfortable could see it close up and touch it!!

Our tour was a half day snorkel tour which included two other stops so our son still went in the water at the other stops!!

Hope this helps!
Kare

 

[Monstro]

Originally posted by KarenB


Our teens are very interested in the "behind the scenes". Many are for 18 and older. I was disappointed when we told our oldest DS (15) that he could not go on the Galley Tour with us because of his age, but when we got to the tour, there were a few younger children with the "18 and older" tickets that were NOT 18.

Did you get tickets to the galley tour ahead of time? If so, where and when?

 

[KarenB]

Yes, we did get them ahead of time. It was listed in the Navigator for the time and the place was at the Shore Excursion desk. We also did the Bridge Tour which the times were also listed in the Navigator but those tickets were at Guest Services. I don't think there was any age limit for the Bridge Tour.

Karen

 

[Monstro]

Thanks for the Info!!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Room 7514
I have that room on the 14 day Panama cruise, you say good location, how is the size for a familiy of four, last tie we went fro a Cat 4 familiy room, but didnt use the varandah much.


__________________

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by NowaSki
Were there any young kids on the Captin Marvin Excursion? We are thinking of doing it on our cruise in April '05. Our kids will be the following ages when we go: DD 4, DS 7, and DS 9.

We did Captain Marvins with my 4 year old and she LOVED it.... my daughter jumped right in with the stingrays and loved it. She put on a snorkle mask but didn't like the mouthpiece so she just stuck her head in with the mask and looked at the fish then would pick her head up to breath and do it again... I would do it again in a heartbeat!

 

[musicgirl]

Karen, you mentioned the taxi was $14 for the 4 of you. Was that each way? Is it a set price or do you have to set it ahead of time?

Thanks, Lorie

 

[KarenB]

musicgirl-yes, that is EACH way. I learned on these boards that it is best to get a price from the driver before you get into the taxi. It should be a set price and there is a sign posted, but we didn't see it. We know the approximate price ahead of time from reading about it on this board.


Andrew DEREK UK-we loved room 7514. It was right off the forward elevators, but NO noise at all. We took the elevator or walked right up to the adult pool on deck 9. I would request this room again!!! Even though we did not have a veranda, we it was so easy to get to deck 9 and outside! Have a great time!

Karen