Was wondering who here has experience being on a cruise (Disney in particular) and being able to still swim. Swimming keeps me mentally and emotionally grounded (something I will need when dragging a 3 year old and a 5 year old around for a week), which is why I don't want to give it up for the week I am away. I realize I can run for cardio in a pinch, but ideally I would like to hit the water a few times! I am all but certain swimming while on the ship will be out of the question (correct me if I am wrong here, those who have experience), but we spend a few days on the Castaway Cay Island. Anyone have experience swimming there? Pool? Open water? Good spots/best time to go?
I am indifferent to the whole cruise/vacation thing. I am really just there to chaperone my kids :P
Only other hitch is determining how far I swim. Hopefully there is a marker to at least give me a distance. I don't have the electronics to monitor distance. I suppose I could use google maps to just measure distances from one side of the swimming area to the other.
Cal -- Here's my suggestion...and what I did before I began using a waterproof GPS watch (that I put on the crown of my head under my swim cap). Download an app to your cell phone that will use the phone's GPS capabilities...such as Strava (it's free). When you get to the beach...pick out a landmark for your start/finish that will be easy to see from the water. From that point...start the app. Then, walk down the beach and at every quarter-mile...or 'whatever' meters if you choose to use that measurement...find a landmark and make a mental note of the landmark and distance. In other words...walk 100 meters. Note that you're at the "towel cabana" for example. Walk to the 200 meter mark. Note that you're at the refreshment cabana for example. Etc, etc.
One other piece of advice I'd offer...before you take off for your swim...get in and just float around for a few minutes. Take note of any currents, tide, wind, and other weather conditions. If you don't, you could swim a half-mile down the beach in 'record time' only to discover that you have to swim back against a strong current. It might be worth it for you to do just a little online research (or ask locals) about currents at the specific beach where you'll be.
Have fun.
Dan
Only other hitch is determining how far I swim. Hopefully there is a marker to at least give me a distance. I don't have the electronics to monitor distance. I suppose I could use google maps to just measure distances from one side of the swimming area to the other.
Cal -- Here's my suggestion...and what I did before I began using a waterproof GPS watch (that I put on the crown of my head under my swim cap). Download an app to your cell phone that will use the phone's GPS capabilities...such as Strava (it's free). When you get to the beach...pick out a landmark for your start/finish that will be easy to see from the water. From that point...start the app. Then, walk down the beach and at every quarter-mile...or 'whatever' meters if you choose to use that measurement...find a landmark and make a mental note of the landmark and distance. In other words...walk 100 meters. Note that you're at the "towel cabana" for example. Walk to the 200 meter mark. Note that you're at the refreshment cabana for example. Etc, etc.
One other piece of advice I'd offer...before you take off for your swim...get in and just float around for a few minutes. Take note of any currents, tide, wind, and other weather conditions. If you don't, you could swim a half-mile down the beach in 'record time' only to discover that you have to swim back against a strong current. It might be worth it for you to do just a little online research (or ask locals) about currents at the specific beach where you'll be.
Have fun.
Dan
