Anyone on Magica 3/26/06

[ncmapper]

Would anyone be interested in doing a half day fishing charter in either cozumel or grand cayman???...Cozumel was great the last time we were there...barely a half mile offshore and caught barracuda and tuna...let me know

[JPhotoz]

I can't beleive that I have not even really looked for any excursions yet. I guess I will have to get a move on it.

 

It is getting closer.

 

Jordan

[FLMom]

From what I read on the Cozumel board, I thought the location offering the dolphin encounter was still closed due to hurricane damage (Chakanab Park closed until at least April...?) Do you know where they are offering this excursion?? Our kids really wanted to do this but we're planning to do the sting rays in GC instead.

 

Maybe someone who has recently returned/reviewed can let us know if this is truly available and where they go ;)

 

Looking forward to our journey!

 

Well now I'm perplexed! They are actually offering it on the Costa website and it was also listed as an available excursion in the cruise docs I got last week. It let us book it online last night. I'm wondering if they have a standard list and haven't updated it... Can anyone comment on what's actually available?

 

Thanks for the heads-up on this one! If this is the biggest hiccup we encounter on the trip, it's going to be a GREAT vacation :)

[stowawaykc]

Yeah! We got our doc's today! No surprizes, everything looks correct.

 

Welcome NCMAPPER & CONDA011! Our "Crew" list is getting longer everyday,Maybe the lines for the buffet won't be a short as I once thought!

 

Wardidaho & Suzanne, I don't understand why they would allow you to book the dolphin encounter if the park is not open until April?? (I believe I also read that on another board) I suppose they will have an alternative site planned , I think they should have metioned something when you booked. But I agree that these little hiccups shouldn't make or break your fun.

 

Jordan, Don't feel bad, We haven't booked anything either. Soo many choices, soo little $$:) Although the Charter fishing with Ncmapper sounds like fun, I'll have to talk to DW about that one.

 

Ncmapper, are you familiar with any of the charters? Is there a particular one you are thinking about? I may be interested.

 

Check out the Magica pic's from the 2/26 Western cruise on another post, They are awsome! Nice job Joe, if you are reading this!

 

White as a ghost, squinting at that big fireball in the sky :) ,

Kurt

[ncmapper]

Stowawaykc.....there are several 1/2 day tours available...

Ocean Tours-

440 per boat 1-6 people

Albatros

420 per boat 1-4 people

Wahoo Tours

400 per boat 1-4 people

 

all drinks, beer and snacks are included

check them out for yourself by googling "deep sea fishing in cozumel"

 

Let me know what you think.....We would have to pre book

 

I have never been fishing in Grand Cayman...would love to try it though. If anyone else has any thoughts let me know

 

Mark

[conda011]

I had an email from cruise.com that docs were shipped yesterday. Doc's arrived this afternoon via DHL. Guess I will use Cruise.com for future cruises since they did give us a $90 discount from what the costa website price was. DW is so relieved now that docs are finally here.

 

We are getting close. Carlos and Charlie's here we come!!

[FLMom]

Hi everyone!

 

After much research tonight, I found that the Dolphin Discovery tours are not currently being offered at Chankanaab and are not scheduled to resume until late June, 2006. I ran across some rather offiical looking Mexican press releases that refer to the following website:

http://www.cometocozumel.com

 

Here is the page with Hurricane Wilma info:

http://www.cometocozumel.com/english/wilma/default.asp

 

On the page discussing Chankanaab and the Dolphin Discovery tours, it states that they are not currently offered:

http://www.cometocozumel.com/english/sub/activities-dolphin.asp

 

Bummer! The park looks really nice. There's always next time, right? If your curious, the tours are operated by Dolphin Discovery - their site is:

http://www.*****

 

So based on this - I'm not sure if every excursion involving Chankanaab is a "no-go" right now or just the ones with the dolphins.

 

To be safe - I've adjusted our excursions accordingly and we'll do the combo Punta Sur Eco Tour / Snorkel / Beach Break in Cozumel. We're also now reserved for the Dolphin Touch / Dunns River Falls excursion in Jamaica.

 

Thanks so much to everyone for the advance information. This board is filled with wonderful advice and it really saved us some potential disappointment, especially with the kids :o

 

Happy almost Friday!

Suzanne

[NEWFCANADA]

I had an email from cruise.com that docs were shipped yesterday. Doc's arrived this afternoon via DHL. Guess I will use Cruise.com for future cruises since they did give us a $90 discount from what the costa website price was. DW is so relieved now that docs are finally here.

 

We are getting close. Carlos and Charlie's here we come!!

 

Hi,

Just curious, where is the carloa and charlie's you are referring too? My bf was wondering actually. Any excursions booked yet? And do you know if at dinner, poeple are seated alone or with other people?

Thanks

[conda011]

Hi,

Just curious, where is the carloa and charlie's you are referring too? My bf was wondering actually. Any excursions booked yet? And do you know if at dinner, poeple are seated alone or with other people?

Thanks

 

 

Hi, Carlos and Charlie's is a few miles into town. Last time we were there, a taxi was $6. The cabs are parked and waiting right near the pier. Just say "Carlos and Charlies, por favor" and they drop right at the door. :p . They are just as easy to catch on the way back too.

We will be there in the afternoon after a snorkeling excursion. We are looking at the Catamaran Fury again in Cozumel, but havn't booked.

Gonna be doing the San Yacht in Jamaica though (open bar :D ).

 

As far as dinner goes, you will be seated with other people. Though on the Carnival Glory they did have tables for 2. What seating time did you get?

[NEWFCANADA]

Hi, Carlos and Charlie's is a few miles into town. Last time we were there, a taxi was $6. The cabs are parked and waiting right near the pier. Just say "Carlos and Charlies, por favor" and they drop right at the door. :p . They are just as easy to catch on the way back too.

We will be there in the afternoon after a snorkeling excursion. We are looking at the Catamaran Fury again in Cozumel, but havn't booked.

Gonna be doing the San Yacht in Jamaica though (open bar :D ).

 

As far as dinner goes, you will be seated with other people. Though on the Carnival Glory they did have tables for 2. What seating time did you get?

 

Hi again,

we booked the later seating for dinner. I think it is 8:15 ( not sure though). I want to book an excursion in jamaica but my bf doesn't. That is how bad our last experience there was!! Terrible! When we stopped in grand cayman last cruise, we loved it but it began to rain so we went back to the ship. This time by bf wants to spend more time there, they had a really nice rolex store that my bf loved. I liked the shopping in Mexico so we probably won't do an excursion there either. He wants to do one in key west, but none of them intrest me. I have to go over them again. What dinner seating did you guys choose, and where are you 2 from. I can't remember reading it.

 

Not much longer now.

 

Thanks

[bound4somewhere]

Hey everyone, just checking in. Wow, we're REAL close now!!:D I think I may start to gather our "stuff" for the cruise and go over everything that needs to be packed. Does anyone else have a suitcase just for shoes?!!:eek:

I know...I should pack only a few that would go with everything BUT, at the moment that's not gonna happen. Well, maybe that will be a challenge for this trip, yes I think I'll try. The older I get the less I want to pack and lug around.

 

So how's everyone else doing? Started to get a base tan last weekend just so I wouldn't be the brightest/whitest onboard;)

 

Take care and see ya's all in ONLY 15 more days!!!!

 

Kathy & Thom

[conda011]

LOL, We are starting to "gather our things" also. though not packing yet. Two more weeks and we're in fort lauderdale. Wow the hotel rooms are so much more expensive during spring break!:eek:

 

NEWFCANADA, we chose the early seating. I forgot to say that Carlos and Charlies is in Cozumel. I just saw on their web site that they opened a Senor Frogs in Grand Cayman. Based on your bad experience in Jamaica it seems better to book an excursion. We agree that key west is limited on excursions. Once we walked around town, the second time we rented bikes and were able to see the entire island. We are from Albuquerque, New Mexico USA.

 

Take care everyone! Two more weeks till rum runners and pina coladas!

[stowawaykc]

Stowawaykc.....there are several 1/2 day tours available...

Ocean Tours-

440 per boat 1-6 people

Albatros

420 per boat 1-4 people

Wahoo Tours

400 per boat 1-4 people

 

all drinks, beer and snacks are included

check them out for yourself by googling "deep sea fishing in cozumel"

 

Let me know what you think.....We would have to pre book

 

I have never been fishing in Grand Cayman...would love to try it though. If anyone else has any thoughts let me know

 

Mark

 

Hi Mark,

All of the charters look like they would be awsome. I have done deep sea fishing in Fla. several times, and had a great time. I live in northern Ohio, and normally fish in Lake Erie or smaller inland lakes or rivers. But there is nothing like being on the ocean, where you never know what you might hook into! Having said that, I don't think a fishing trip is going to be doable for me on this cruise. We don't have any "hard" plans at this time, but we do have some ideas on what we want to see in the ports. There just isn't enough time in the ports to do everything. I hope you are able to find a spot on one of the charters, And if you do, I want to hear all about it.

 

Is anyone else interested in meeting up somewhere on the ship so that we can all meet each other, It would be great to put faces with the names on this thread. I know that the 1st day will be busy, but maybe sometime after the late dinner we could meet at one of the pool areas on deck? It would be a shame to be on the ship together for a whole week and never meet the friends we have made on this site.

 

Kurt

[JPhotoz]

In tried to contact Orville Taylor to get a tour, tubing and beach for the time that we are in Jamaca but i did not hear back from him. This is the only place that we feel that we should have someting booked since it is not all that safe to just go off on your own. When they say it is not safe, does that mean that it is less safe then NYC. I don't think NYC is unsafe but some might. I am just trying to get a comparision. Has anyone lined up a tour excursion for Jamacia?

 

Jordan

[ncmapper]

Kurt,

No problem.....it is tough sometimes when there is only so much time in the ports.....btw....one of the funniest tshirts i've ever seen

 

"I live with fear every day...but some days she lets me go fishing"

 

I think meeting would be great....let me know if you figure something out.

 

Mark

[conda011]

nice quote Mark.

 

I also agree that coming up with a meeting place would be a great idea.

Let us know what is finalized for time and place.

 

Denise & Antonio

[bound4somewhere]

In tried to contact Orville Taylor to get a tour, tubing and beach for the time that we are in Jamaca but i did not hear back from him. This is the only place that we feel that we should have someting booked since it is not all that safe to just go off on your own. When they say it is not safe, does that mean that it is less safe then NYC. I don't think NYC is unsafe but some might. I am just trying to get a comparision. Has anyone lined up a tour excursion for Jamacia?

 

Jordan

 

Hi Jordan. I have spent time in Negril, JA years ago and we went on our own quite often for shopping, restaurants, etc. We never saw any crime or violence. The only thing we encountered that became bothersome was the locals trying to sell you "anything". They can be VERY persisitent and all one has to do is treat them with respect and that same persisitence. I cannnot compare JA to NYC but if one has lots of common sense then I think if in either place you'll do fine. Now I do suggest a tour around Ocho Rios for the knowledge...to be with someone that knows where to go and where to avoid. If you're just wanting to shop and go to the beach, I'm sure a government/licensed JUTA taxi would be fine for you. They have the JUTA sticker on the taxi if I remember correctly, just remember to discuss the fare before you get in.

 

Thom and I have booked a private tour with Marva Shaw @ knowjamaica.com She'll pretty much take you wherever you'd like to go and charges for the vehicle/driver and you pay any entry fees in addition. She was fantastic regarding replies and quite flexible. We love music and enjoy reggae and Bob Marley, so we'll be going to Nine Mile to visit Bob's childhood home and his resting place, shopping and a stop at Reggae Beach. The scenery up to 9mile will be awesome I'm sure and we're looking forward to visiting JA again. Her people are proud and good but living everyday in a "tourist destination" and barely making it by themsleves could be a bit frustrating I would think to the locals.

 

Anyway, sorry this is a bit long. I hope you have a blast whatever you chooose to do. Relax and Enjoy!!:)

 

Kathy

 

p.s. Thom and I are up to a meet and greet onboard...just tell us where and when!

[JPhotoz]

Jamacia Excursion

 

Well We booked with Peat Taylor. It is $20 for adults and $15 for the girls. We will be going tubing, to the beach (Mohogany Beach any thoughts?) My girls want to have their hair braided so he said that will be about $40 PP. We still have to pay the $20 PP for the tubing. Is $40 PP alot for hair braiding?

 

Jordan

[JPhotoz]

Here is a question for you.

 

I thought I read somewhere that you can get cash from the casino from your credit card. This tranaction is not treated like a cash advance but like a purchase. I don't think that this was on the costa Cruise. Would this work on a Costa also?

 

Get gambling chips via credit card then later cash them in for cash. I don't want to carry so much cash since the excursions would be paid in cash.

 

Also get points or miles on credit card of your choice.

 

Jordan

[JPhotoz]

I just thought of a great idea.

 

I scanned our passports and birth certicates and emailed them to myself, then I saved in folder of email box. This I can retreive from anywhere. I also put them on Photobucket in my account (picture hosting service) This I can pick up anywhere. I also saved them to a flash drive (jumpdrive) This I will bring with me and can open files on any computer. I also saved them on my laptop.

 

I will also be bringing the real passport etc. This is just my back up.

 

Jordan

[makins77]

Well we just watched as the Magica left port, without us once again. But wait a minute, hey we only have 2 weeks. Just 2 weeks between we all and paradise. 3 cheers for us.

[JPhotoz]

I watched it leave too.

 

I like to watch the ship. I guess I have too much time on my hands. I don't know if you have seen the aft cam too.

 

http://webcams.costa.it/ShipInfo.asp?name=Magica&channel=2

 

It is better to look at when it leaves a port.

 

Jordan

[stowawaykc]

Hi Everyone!,

Jordan, I like the flash drive idea, just have to keep it seperate from the original doc's, wouldn't want to lose both in the same bag.

Alcohol, credit card, casino...... Bad combination for me! :D But I like the creative thinking.

I've read a bunch of posts on the Ohos Rios excursions, Peat Taylor got a lot of great reviews, so did Marva Shaw and Paul Lafeyette. All sound like they are very accomodating, and pleasant as they take you around. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.

 

Makins77, I know what you mean about the ship leaving without us again! This has happened like 8 times since I found those web cams. I have this bad habit of checking the web cams several times a day, I think I have already taken this cruise 6 or 7 times in the past 2 months. Every now and then, you can catch the Magica on one of the other ships webcams that are in the same port that day. If you have not been to www.cruisecal.com, go check it out. it shows you all of the ships that are in any port on any given day. Also has some port cams. (most are kinda lame though)

 

Mark, That's some FUNNY S***, It aint right, but its funny! :)

 

Chris and I went to the local fabric store today and bought the matl. for our togas. You could spend a lot to make them yourselves, or you can buy the closeout stuff for about 2 bucks a yard.(Thats us!) 5 yards is more than enough to cover most people. We added a few little accessories and the price was approx. 15 bucks each.

I tried mine on for size and felt completely rediculous and embarrased when my kids laughed at me. In other words, This should be really fun, cause we will all be laughing at each other! :eek:

 

Here is an updated list of the Crew that has posted here so far: (I hope I am not missing anyone)

Stowawaykc- Kurt & Chris

Jphotoz- Jordan/Wife 2 Daughters (6 & 8 yrs old)

Wardidaho-Deanna & Gang (5 Adults, 5 Kids)

Indyjones/wife 2 Daughters (18 & 22 yrs old)

Twins -Karen & Sharon

Flmom-Suzanne, MIL, 2 Sons (7 & 10 yrs old)

Boundforsomewhere- Kathy & Thom

Soflocruisers- Mr, Mrs, 2 sons (8 & 8 mo.)

Illinioscruisers-Mr, Mrs, 2 sons (11 & 14)

Sclinard

Newfcanada

Conda011- Denise & Antonio

Ncmapper- Mark, DW, 2 Kids (I think)

Makins77

Let me know if I am missing the boat on any one. (Pun intended)

 

I am thinking that it might be better to plan our meet & greet for Monday afternoon, after Key west, but before the early dinner seating. I am sure that most of us will have had a long day on Sunday, And I don't want to meet you if you are going to be all crabby and unsociable (LOL).

Any thoughts on this?

 

I have been cutting what little hair I have left, a little bit shorter each week. (Trying to " tenderize" my melon a little) When it is completly gone, I know it is time to go. Last night I used the clippers with no attachment, next step is the razor, So we must be pretty close!

 

Take care all!

Kurt

[Magoda]

Hello all!

 

I will also be in the Magica 3/26. It will be myself and a good friend. I have been on 3 cruises prior, but they were as a kid - does the Sitmar cruise line still exist??? We are in our early 30's and ready to get a break from NYC for a week.

 

Thanks to everyone for the great information. I am still a little confused about the excursions. Does it matter if you get it through the cruise ship or from an independent business? Has anyone ever gone on a tour not sponsored by the cruise line and how did it work out? Maybe I should start a new thread on this one?????

 

Thanks,

Jill and Clint

[wardidaho]

Jamacia Excursion

 

Well We booked with Peat Taylor. It is $20 for adults and $15 for the girls. We will be going tubing, to the beach (Mohogany Beach any thoughts?) My girls want to have their hair braided so he said that will be about $40 PP. We still have to pay the $20 PP for the tubing. Is $40 PP alot for hair braiding?

 

Jordan

 

Hey Jordan and others,

We are also booked with Peat, we are doing Dunns River Falls, Tubing and the other excursions listed from his e-mail below.

 

Peat stated that he still had availability if anyone else is interested.

_________________

Numbers 1-5 are included in the regular tour and any 1 from 6-8

Below is the Ocho Rios Itinerary:

1. A visit to the Renown Dunn’s River Falls.

2. A tour of the Jamaican Neighborhood

3. A visit to Fern Gully, a picturesque location with various species of ferns.

4. Highlighted Shopping Tour.

5. Lunch at The Ruin’s Restaurant ( cost not included)

6. A visit to Mahogany Beach and other locations of your interest.

7. River Tubing (US$20.00 pp entry fees are not included)

8. Horse Back riding (cost not included.)the cost for horse back riding is US30.00 per person for 1 hour ride to and fro in the ocean and US$50.00 per child or US$55.00 per adult for 2 ½ hours country trail ride and ridden to and from in the Ocean.

 

Tour will last approximately 4 1/2 – 5 1/2hrs.

 

The cost is US35.00 per adult & US25 .00 per child inclusive of admission to Dunn’s River falls and transportation cost to the other locations, no charge for children under 3 years old. We have 15 and 30 passenger seats buses.

 

***You can pay in Cash or Travelers Cheque on completion of the tour ***

_________

Hope that helps others that might be interested in Jamaica excursions :cool: