On to the Islands 
St. Martten Day. Well, thanks to all the great info from the dis boards we decided to be bold and book a charter boat on our own. We went with Aquamania adventures, got a wonderful boat (actually meant to seat 40 people), the Santino, a great captain Horace and had an incredible day. The water that day was definately rough but he knew where to take us for the perfect snorkeling and swimming. All equipment provided, french bread, gouda cheese, sodas, beer and wine. Full day from 9-3. For all seven of us plus my mother and father in law it was 600 bucks. Seems pricey but definately as reasonable as a disney excursion for each of us. The captain met us at Great Bay Marina. Took us to the french side to a nice protected reef for snorkeling, dropped us at a local chicken/rib place for lunch and then a beautiful beach for swimming. Had appropriate sized life vests and snorkel equipment for the little ones, and Horace took them into the water himself so we could relax. Lots of fish Stopped in one store and bought cute tropical outfits for the girls to wear for tropical night (five bucks each and adorable)
St. Thomas day. We decided to get a taxi and head to Megans bay. Incredible day. We went early, got there by 9:30, rented one chair, one float, had lunch at the grill and headed back to the boat around 1pm or so. All total with taxi and stuff under a hundred bucks. The water was incredible and not very crowded on the beach. Werent alot of cruise ships in that day. Definately recommend Megans Bay.
So busy seeing everything on these two islands, missed out on shopping completely, boo hoo for that one.
And, finally Castaway Key. Wonderful, incredible, just as I hoped it would be. We knew to send one person off the boat quick to get our chairs and stuff and that worked out perfect. Dh got a wonderful spot with chairs/umbrellas/hammock very close to cookies/bathrooms and stuff. I waited and got off the boat about half an hour later with the kiddos. Good thing we did it that way, heard lots of complaints from families who stood backed up in the hallways and on staircases during the mad rush off. Girls did banana boat ride, loved it. Definately wear your swim goggles. Didnt do the snorkel trail since they got enough of that on the other islands. Food at cookies was good and plentiful. The fruit was the best part (and dont miss the chocolate chip cookies). The little ones went into the club on the island for about an hour because they wanted to play with the other kiddos. They really enjoyed all the water games. Stayed on the beach all day, really sad to get back on that boat.
We were very aggressive with the sunscreen all week and no one got even a hint of burn. Take some scalp spray or q tips to put sunblock between the braids. There were some sad little girls with red heads on the boat.
Our dining rotation was aplapla and that worked out great. I must admit was a little panicked about packing the right clothes. And, was surprised to see everyone much more underdressed than I anticipated on the seven night cruise. Maybe it was just early dining but there didnt seem to be alot of tuxes or suits for that matter. Saw several people in shorts EVERY NIGHT and maybe they should have been at topsiders buffet?
The girls loved the shows, we did too and could sit through them all more than once (and looking forward to doing that next year on the western)
We packed light and found the laundry room to be no problem (if you get there early). Brought laundry tablets with me, shout wipes and wrinkle release spray all of which were a big help.
Also got to experience the ships doctor when lil pumpkin got an ear infection. Since dh is a doc and I am an RN wasnt too impressed with the fact that she prescribed the amoxicillin for four times a day at twice the dose she should get for her weight. Anyways, easily straightened out and not worth brooding over. Grand total 150 with meds.
Disembark was a piece of cake and kudos to disney for such a good system. Spent the night after at Animal kingdom lodge to ease our way back to reality.
Dont know what else I've forgotten but feel free to ask me any questions. All in all we loved it, looking forward to doing it again next year (maybe even later this year).
Thanks for all the help/support in planning this trip
grlzmom
St. Martten Day. Well, thanks to all the great info from the dis boards we decided to be bold and book a charter boat on our own. We went with Aquamania adventures, got a wonderful boat (actually meant to seat 40 people), the Santino, a great captain Horace and had an incredible day. The water that day was definately rough but he knew where to take us for the perfect snorkeling and swimming. All equipment provided, french bread, gouda cheese, sodas, beer and wine. Full day from 9-3. For all seven of us plus my mother and father in law it was 600 bucks. Seems pricey but definately as reasonable as a disney excursion for each of us. The captain met us at Great Bay Marina. Took us to the french side to a nice protected reef for snorkeling, dropped us at a local chicken/rib place for lunch and then a beautiful beach for swimming. Had appropriate sized life vests and snorkel equipment for the little ones, and Horace took them into the water himself so we could relax. Lots of fish
Stopped in one store and bought cute tropical outfits for the girls to wear for tropical night (five bucks each and adorable)St. Thomas day. We decided to get a taxi and head to Megans bay. Incredible day. We went early, got there by 9:30, rented one chair, one float, had lunch at the grill and headed back to the boat around 1pm or so. All total with taxi and stuff under a hundred bucks. The water was incredible and not very crowded on the beach. Werent alot of cruise ships in that day. Definately recommend Megans Bay.
So busy seeing everything on these two islands, missed out on shopping completely, boo hoo for that one.
And, finally Castaway Key. Wonderful, incredible, just as I hoped it would be. We knew to send one person off the boat quick to get our chairs and stuff and that worked out perfect. Dh got a wonderful spot with chairs/umbrellas/hammock very close to cookies/bathrooms and stuff. I waited and got off the boat about half an hour later with the kiddos. Good thing we did it that way, heard lots of complaints from families who stood backed up in the hallways and on staircases during the mad rush off. Girls did banana boat ride, loved it. Definately wear your swim goggles. Didnt do the snorkel trail since they got enough of that on the other islands. Food at cookies was good and plentiful. The fruit was the best part (and dont miss the chocolate chip cookies). The little ones went into the club on the island for about an hour because they wanted to play with the other kiddos. They really enjoyed all the water games. Stayed on the beach all day, really sad to get back on that boat.
We were very aggressive with the sunscreen all week and no one got even a hint of burn. Take some scalp spray or q tips to put sunblock between the braids. There were some sad little girls with red heads on the boat.
Our dining rotation was aplapla and that worked out great. I must admit was a little panicked about packing the right clothes. And, was surprised to see everyone much more underdressed than I anticipated on the seven night cruise. Maybe it was just early dining but there didnt seem to be alot of tuxes or suits for that matter. Saw several people in shorts EVERY NIGHT and maybe they should have been at topsiders buffet?
The girls loved the shows, we did too and could sit through them all more than once (and looking forward to doing that next year on the western)
We packed light and found the laundry room to be no problem (if you get there early). Brought laundry tablets with me, shout wipes and wrinkle release spray all of which were a big help.
Also got to experience the ships doctor when lil pumpkin got an ear infection. Since dh is a doc and I am an RN wasnt too impressed with the fact that she prescribed the amoxicillin for four times a day at twice the dose she should get for her weight. Anyways, easily straightened out and not worth brooding over. Grand total 150 with meds.
Disembark was a piece of cake and kudos to disney for such a good system. Spent the night after at Animal kingdom lodge to ease our way back to reality.
Dont know what else I've forgotten but feel free to ask me any questions. All in all we loved it, looking forward to doing it again next year (maybe even later this year).
Thanks for all the help/support in planning this trip
grlzmom
