2/23/08 Western Caribbean Trip About This Page:

[mumof2grls]

We just got back from our 7 day Western Caribbean trip. This was our first cruise and we were somewhat disappointed. My husband and 2 girls (ages 2 1/2 and 5), and myself had connecting staterooms. The rooms were wonderful and our stateroom host was the best. The biggest thing we were disappointed with, was the excursions. Our first stop was Key West. Since our kids are little we opted for and electric car rental. We drove to the Southern most point of the US and then drove around for a while. Our impression of Key West was YUCK. It was not very clean and the locals were not who I would want my daughters to be around. Our shuttle bus driver used off color language in front of my kids...very low class.

Our second excursion was much better than the first. We were in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman was wonderful. Very clean and easy to navigate. We did the semi-submerged boat tour. We all enjoyed it very much. After the tour, we stopped for lunch and then shopped in a few of the jewlery stores. We did need to leave a bit earlier than we wanted, my 5 year old was not feeling well.

Our third stop was in Cozumel. IMO it was a HUGE waste of time and money. We went through Disney and opted for the Cozumel Beach Break. As soon as we got off the ship we followed the guide to our shuttle bus. This was not a quick easy walk. My husband ended up carrying our 2 yr old. We also had to walk past what looked like a jail. Right on the sidewalk was an armed guard complete with a machine gun. It really didnt give you the warm and fuzzies!! After about a 15 min bus ride we finally got to the beach. From the outside it looked like it was going to be fun. As soon as you got off the bus, they guide you down a long sidewalk lined with stores - of course the store employees are very encouraging for you to buy something. Due to the high winds, all the extra activities were closed the day we were there. Our kids would have been happy to play in the sand, but we couldnt find any sand for them to play in. Every square inch was covered in beach chairs. We tried the pool, but you can only swim for so long. My husband and I both thought that this would be a good excursion if you like a "spring break" type of beach. We decided to leave - along with a few other families. Be prepared to have $15 for the cab ride back to the boat. In our opinion, this is not a family beach day, rather a huge drinking party. I am suprised that Disney would promote this for families.

Castaway Cay was wonderful. It was colder the day we were there, but the kids were able to play in the sand. We had a hard time to find something for our kids to eat. Most of the lunch is picnic type food, and our kids do not care for that kind of food. My husband and I enjoyed the food and the hammock under the palm tree!!

Overall I didnt think the food was that great. Dont get me wrong, it wasnt bad, just not spectacular. Room service is limited, but they were very prompt and our order was always correct. We did eat at Palo and again I wasnt too impressed. I think my expectations were much higher than reality, so I was disappointed.

My 5 yr old loved the kids clubs. Unfortunately, she was only able to go for 2 days then she got sick. When we got home we went directly to urgent care, and she had a double ear infection, pink eye and possible strep throat!! We actually all are sick - it really is gross to think that we all got sick on the ship!! We were even very careful not to get sick. We always cleaned our hands, and didnt even swim in the pools because it was so jam packed with people. If you need tylenol or motrin while on the ship be prepared to pay $9 a bottle!!! And a visit to the Dr will cost you about $130. I think the strep test ran about $36.

We also liked the nursery. My 2 1/2 yr old didnt want to leave when we went to pick her up.

My kids loved the character appearances and the shows. I think Disney is very well organized when it comes to the characters. You didnt feel rushed, but at the same time, the line moved quickly.

We would of had a much better time if we were healthy. We missed 3 dinners and a few shows we had to watch on TV. We also had very rough seas for about 2 days. Being on the 8th floor, you really felt the movement. It was so bad one of the nights we all camped out on the couchs on the the 3rd floor lobby.

Overall, I am glad we went, but I dont think I would ever do a Disney cruise again. It just isnt a fit for our family. Maybe when the kids are older it might be a different story.

[Twice Charmed]

do you have any pics of twice charmed.

[DyanKJ130]

to hear that your cruise wasn't quite what you were hoping! for sharing your experience with us! I have enjoyed reading it

[mumof2grls]

We saw twice charmed on TV, so no I do not have any pictures

[Grandmasam]

So sorry it didn't live up to your expectations! Two of my DGDs and I went in October, and loved it! But we did not get sick, had smooth sailing, and were out for only 3 nights. Hope that this doesn't really put you off cruising for ever! Give it another try when the kids are a bit older, and were everyone is feeling good.

[Kenny]

I am very glad you shared your experience with us. I am sorry it wasn't up to expectations. Your TR does not discourage me from going on this same cruise in Oct., but it does give me some things to look out for.
Thanks

[CastawayCayley]

Hi,

We were on the same cruise and I can see what you're talking about, especially about the food. I remembered it being so much better on my 2 previous trips. I was also sick, but I came on board with a cough that got worse on the cruise, I don't believe I picked up anything onboard. My son played a lot in the kids club and he didn't get sick, so I'm really sorry to hear your 5 yr old wasn't so lucky. Wednesday and Thursday were really rough days for sure.

To give you an idea of the sea-conditions, this shot was taken looking at Cozumel from Deck 10 on Wednesday afternoon:


Wednesday night at the Pirate Party the bathrooms were filled with barf bags and the Mickey Pool overflowed. We actually heard that all the Cozumel excursions had been cancelled because of the weather, but now I see some of them, like yours, did go on. We didnt plan any excursions at all, so we didnt get off the boat in Key West or Cozumel, but we went to lunch at a place we knew in Grand Cayman and had a great day there. I know a lot of people were disappointed with Grand Cayman because the boat had to go back to Key West in the middle of the night Sun/Monday morning because of a life-or-death medical emergency and we were about 2 hours late getting into GC. On Thursday, our second day at sea and my DH's birthday, my DH went up to Signals and hung out with the wait-staff who were all bundled up in jackets with the hoods tied tightly around their heads.

That being said, I really don't think this was a true indicator of a Disney Cruise. I was lucky enough to know that when the weather is with the ship, the trip can be a real paradise. I know that if this was the first trip I had taken I would also never want to go back. Other than the quality of the food, the thing that was wrong with the trip was the weather, and if Disney can figure out how to control that, they will! I give it about 5 years, lol. I don't know what happened with the food though, but the nights I ordered steak, I most definitely saw that it was not up to the usual amazing standards as my previous trips. The night of the Lobster tails I was actually kind of grossed out by them. But it was also a rough-sea day so maybe I was just woozy. And I'm a little spoiled/particular about my lobster being from New England and all. Our servers were absolutely fantastic and we really enjoyed the dining room shows, and at least the desserts were delicious! I even got 2 on the first night when I told my server I loved Creme Brulee (he snuck me one and it wasnt even on the menu!) We felt that Castaway Cay made up for the other two days; the water was chilly but the day was beautiful. My son ate fruit and chips, it was hard enough to get him to stop playing in the sand for more than 5 minutes so we didn't push the food, we figured he'd make up for it at dinner, which he did.

I feel terrible that things weren't up to snuff for you. I was also disappointed that I didn't get to do a lot of the things I was really looking forward too (especially the behind the scenes tour of the theater and a photo with Capt. Jack Sparrow ) I will, however go back again. But I have the benefit of this being my 3rd trip. I still have faith, lol.

Oh, and Mof2G, ignore my PM, I saw this after I sent it!

Oh, and one other thing; I heard from Pubmaster Paul in Diversions on the last night that Patrick Dempsey was on our cruise! I didn't see him, but then, I never recognize celebrities, he could have been sitting right next to me and I wouldn't have realized it was him.

Again, sorry this wasn't the magical cruise it should have been. I hope you are all feeling better now.

[StarlightStarbright]

I'm preparing for a western in December, and your report has helped me realize that I have to choose the excursions carefully, reading as much as possible about them, as I can't afford to waste money. I realize that nothing is guaranteed, even if it sounds wonderful. I think my 22 and 16 year old sons would love to see the jail in Key West LOL (from the outside, of course), but I see how the area isn't the greatest for families to be walking around in.

I hope you enjoy any future cruises!

[NanaTink]

Sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise. We have taken three cruises with Disney and loved them all. Hope you will cruise again when your girls are older. Thanks for sharing your trip.