My cruise

[Meriweather]

I haven't gotten to write anything yet....and when I do it will be short ;)

But I had to share this photo :teeth: pirate:

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/meriweather123/CopyofImage0015.jpg

[DJT]

Great picture, Nancy! You look so happy! :rotfl2:

It's also nice to put a face with a Dis name.

Donna

[Missy1961]

I love that picture. So now I have another reason to be jealous, not only did you go on a cruise, but you got to meet (and hug!) Jack Sparrow!

You look great! thanks for sharing it.

[mommytotwo]

Looks like a fun cruise :goodvibes .

[JLitfin]

Nancy, you look like you are having a blast. Love the photo.

[Meriweather]

Thanks. It was wonderful
I wasn't going to go see him because when we passed the first time the line was kind of long.
But I needed to go back to the ship for something and NO ONE was there.....couldn't have him be lonely now, could I? ;)

[Meriweather]

I think I am just about caught up on things around here, so I am gathering up all the Navigators and will work on the mini trip report this afternoon.

If anyone has any questions or topics they want addressed, let me know and I will do my best. :sunny:

[Kirby]

Nancy, I look forward to hearing all about it!

[Meriweather]

Cruise Mini Trip Report

First, we were really looking forward to doing a LOT of relaxing on this trip. It has been a stressful few months with making the decision to move, putting our house up for sale, buying a new one and Dave traveling a LOT.
This was our first DCL trip.

5/9/08
Left home at 2:30 am!! :eek: Dave had just arrived home at midnight from being in Montreal all week….poor him. Like I said relaxing was something we were looking forward to. And warm weather! :sunny:
Our plane out was at 6:00 am. Plane change in Atlanta and landed in Orlando at about 5:00 pm. We spent the night at the Airport Hyatt.

5/10/08
We took the Disney Cruise Line bus from the airport to Cape Canaveral.
Boarded the ship about 12:30 pm. Lined up right away to get a Palo reservation.
Then to Topsiders Buffet for lunch.
Checked into our room about 1:30. 2052. Perfect for my request. Midship.
Looked around the ship that afternoon and settled in.
There was also a Walking Ship Tour.
Our room steward was Arya.
“Adventures Away” departing deck party.
The Show this night was “All Aboard”. Disney Magic Performers, Comedy and Music of John Charles (became a favorite), and Comedy and Hypnosis of Ricky Kalmon.
We had the the middle late sitting for dinner…..8:15 pm.
We started our dining rotation with Lumiere’s. The menu was titled “Let the Magic Begin” with cruise casual dress.
Our table mates were William and his mother, Pat from Texas, Jason and his wife, Julia from FL, Teri from MA and Cathe from NY.
Our head server was Jeff from Kenya, server Chintana from Thailand (what a sweetie) and assistant server Carlos from Peru.

5/11/08
Castaway Cay day
The day was spent on the beach reading for me and partly for Dave. He also had a parasailing excursion, which he enjoyed immensely. It was a very hot and humid day.
Of course my day was made with private meeting with Captain Jack Sparrow :faint: pirate: :teeth:
Lunch was at Cookies Barbecue and of course, shopping was done. I had already done a lot of that on the ship :teeth: One of my favorite vacation attractions ;)
Show this night was Ricky Kalmon, Hypnosis Show
Dinner was in Animator’s Palate and the title of the menu was “Show Dinner”. Dress was cruise casual.

5/12/08
Day at Sea
Activities: Captain’s Welcome in the Atrium
Aruba Shopping presentation
DVC member celebration…..we each received DVC caps. We already had received a door magnet, a logbook and lanyards. And during the cruise received 6 pins, a pen and some tattoos :teeth: Very nice.
Disney’s Art of Entertaining- this was an ongoing adult only presentation. Today was a ship’s chef presenting an appetizer, Foccacia Bruschetta. We always got samples :teeth:
Napkin folding. Fun! We got obsessed with it and had our server give us lessons. Most of our table mates got into it too. Every night we did more.
The first presentation about the Panama Canal. Very informative and interesting.
Show this night was “The Golden Mickeys”. Celebrating the musical heritage of Walt Disney in toe-tapping tribute to Disney Studios Classic films.
Dinner was at Parrot Cay and titled “Golden Mickeys” with formal attire.

5/13/08
Day at Sea
Activities: Art of Entertaining- entrée, Stuffed Chicken Ratatouille and Fondant Potatoes.
Behind the Scenes (another ongoing presentation for adults only :teeth: ). Jeff Kurtti- Behind the Magic, Walt Disney Imagineering. Walt Disney Family Museum. He is helping to get the museum going. It is to be in Northern CA and it will be family related, not company related.
Making of the Disney Magic. A short film and then question and answer session with one of the officers.
Show this night was “When Mickey Dreams”. Dreams come to life in this musical…and nightmares too.
Dinner was at Lumiere’s, menu titled “French dinner” and dress was cruise casual.
Late night cabaret was with John Charles.

5/14/08
Aruba
Ashore 8 am – 6 pm
Our shore excursion was Sea and See. Bus ride for a while to a light house with a great view of the shore and the ships in the harbor. Then on a boat that was half underwater with port holes to look out (like the submarine rides at the parks) and we traveled around a shipwreck. Then back on the bus to go to the other side of the island to see a natural stone bridge. And of course, a stop at a souvenir shop. It was enjoyable seeing some of the island away from the tourist parts.
Show this night was Kevin Johnson, comedy and ventriloquism (another favorite….we had lunch with him one day).
Dinner was at Animator’s Palate, menu was “Taste of the Caribbean” and dress was tropical.
There was a tropical deck party this night.

5/15/08
Day at Sea
Activities: Art of Entertaining- dessert, Montelimart nougat and pistachio cream sauce.
Second Panama Canal presentation “Transitioning through the Panama Canal”
Art of Table Service…..setting a nice table. Questions and answers followed.
Art of the Theme Show Ship….walk around the ship and see how it is set up as a show place.
Origami flowers and then also origami animals.
Show this night was Scott Record- Impressions
Dinner was at Parrot Cay, menu was “Island Dinner” and dress was cruise casual
Late night cabaret was Kevin Johnson
Midnight showing of Prince Caspian

5/16/08
Panama Canal day
We entered the section where we wait for a pilot to board the ship about 8 am. We went through the first set of locks. Then into a lake. There were 2 more sets of locks. It was very interesting seeing the rise and fall of the water. There was another ship coming though. Great to see it. Also a submarine was ahead of us.
It took about 8 hours to complete them all. We watched most of it from deck 4 and from our room which actually was low enough to go under the surface so we could see the sides of the canal.
It was also amazing to see all the locals line up to see a Disney ship and a glance at Mickey Mouse :teeth:
It was a hot day and the ship had photographers down on the land taking pictures of the passengers watching everything.
Very fun and interesting day.
Dinner was in Lumiere’s, menu was “East Meets West”, cruise casual dress.

5/17/08
Day at Sea
Activities: Art of Entertaining- Guest selection- Portabello Moussaka
Desperate Shipmates. This was a new ongoing mystery game started for adults. We were presented a stolen painting, some suspects and a few facts. We would receive phone calls, TV transmissions and more meetings to gain more info over the next few days.
Cheese Seminar with tasting ;)
Don “Ducky” Williams, senor character artist. Told his story and did drawings to raffle off. Very charming and interesting man.
Show this night was “Twice Charmed”, Story of Cinderella in a new way.
Dinner at Animator’s Palate, Menu “Prince and Princess”, dress semi-formal

5/18/08
Day at Sea
Behind the Scenes- Jeff Kurtti- Artistic output that helped Walt Disney visualize Disneyland. Artwork used in developing Walt Disney parks.
DVC mixer
Show this night was “The Art of the Story”. How the story is told through the characters.
Dinner was at Parrot Cay, menu was “Master Chef” and dress was cruise casual.

5/19/08
Acapulco
We had different shore excursions this day. We had a little time before we had to meet for those, so decided to step off the ship and look around. BIG mistake. We were accousted by at least 50 taxi drivers and tour drivers. They would not leave us alone. We gave up and when back onboard.
Dave’s shore excursion was Petroglyphs. He had a good time and found it interesting even though they had to walk up 500 steps!! It was a very hot day too.
What was I thinking!! L I booked a 4 hour cultural walking/shopping tour. It was too hot to enjoy it as I should have. We went to a museum…..very little air conditioning and when the rooms were packed with people, it got really hot.
We went to a mask museum also. Very interesting.
Then to one of the town centers and a church.
Shopping was at a cruise approved center with the usual shopping places. And the a stop at a flea market.
Show this night was “Los Coporales Festival Folklorico”
Dinner was at Lumiere’s, menu was “Mexican Riviera”, dress cruise casual.
Minnie’s Fiesta Grande Deck Party was in the evening.

5/20/08
Day at Sea
Activities: Art of Entertaining- guest chef from Hollywood and Vine- Coconut Key Lime Marinated Ceviche
Another session with Don “Ducky” Williams
Behind the Scenes with Jeff Kurtti- How the Show Goes On
Fruit and Vegetable carving
Towel folding
Show this night was Joey Fatone and Alfonso Ribiero singing
Dinner was at Animator’s Palate, menu was “Around the World”, dress was cruise casual

5/21/08
Puerto Vallarta – 8 am to 5:30 pm
Our excursion was pretty much all day. It was an Off Road Adventure.
WWII Mercedes-Benz Jeep/trucks. We went on the back roads for around 100 miles over the 8 hours. We stopped in San Jose to walk around and look at a town with the tortilla factory, leather shops, church, etc. Stopped by a cemetery. Went to a gorgeous bed & breakfast place that the tour company rents out for these excursions. We had a buffet lunch there and access to the beautiful beach for a couple of hours.
Our tour group was Michael, Anna, Paul and Glenda from Wales, Ashley, Kaitlyn, and Megan from MA, Rob from IA, Sarah and James from London, Dave and me and our tour guide, Sandra from OH. Driver was local, Luis.
Very enjoyable time.
Show this night was the Crew Talent Show
Dinner was at Parrot Cay, menu was “Taste of California” , dress cruise casual.

5/22/08
Cabo San Lucas
We decided to just walk around the town here. Very doable. (we were here last spring).
So we walked around and did some shopping. Ate lunch at CaboWabo.
Show this night was Mike Super, Magician and illusionist …loved him.He used people from the cruise for his illusions, so it was just so much more confusing.
Dinner was at Lumiere’s, menu was “Pirates IN the Carribean”, dress was pirate.
We had our dinner reservations at Palo’s this night, so missed this fun time….the only time we could get it.
Then there was a PitC deck party and fireworks.

5/23/08
Day at Sea
Activities: Art of Entertaining- Pumpkin Seed Crusted Lamb with Coconut Compote
Debark presentation L
Autograph session with Joes and Alfonso….very nice guys
Behind the Scenes with Jeff Kurtti- The Sherman Brothers
Desperate Shipmates conclusion
Show this night was “Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic”- A little girl discovers the power of dreams. Peter Pan and many classic characters spring to life.
Dinner was at Animator’s Palette, menu was “Captain’s Gala”, dress was formal
Late night cabaret was with Mike Super

5/24/08
Day at Sea
Activities: Autograph session with Ducky
Autograph session with Jeff Kurtti (he has written 19 books)
Art of Entertainment- Churros with Milk Chocolate and Kalua Sauce
Food and Beverage department Question and Answer session
Galley tour
Packing L
Show this night was “Remember the Magic!” Disney Magic Performers, Jeff Civillico, physical comedy and Mike Super, magician and illusionist
Dinner was at Parrot Cay, menu was “Till We Meet Again”, dress was cruise casual

5/25/08
Breakfast at Parrot Cay.
Disembark at 9:30.
Through customs and onto bus to airport. Flight at 1:30 pm.
Home at about 6:00 pm.

Great trip.
All the entertainment was excellent.
The dining room food was excellent….but lots of seafood selections. Dave loved it, me not so much.
Topsiders buffet was good. Always a variety. We did eat lunch often in the dining rooms. Parrot Cay was a seated buffet. Nice to see the themed meals.
We spent a lot of time sitting on deck at Quiet Cove, the adult pool area. Also in our room.

FYI the movies showing.
On Ariel view …the pool screen:
Cinderella
Peter Pan
Robin Hood
Lion, Witch and Wardrobe
Panama Wild
Aladdin
Pinocchio
Lilo and Stitch
Cinderella 3
Cheetah Girls 2
Little Mermaid
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
PotC, Curse of the Black Pearl
Honey, I Shruk the Kid
Pixar Short Collection
Island at the Top of the World
Mulan
Hunchback of Notre Dame
3 Musketeers
High School Musical
High School Musical 2
Fun in Acapulco
Night of the Iguana
Muppets Treasure Island
Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

And in the Buena Vista Theater:
A Bug’s Life
Underdog
Enchanted
Dan In Real Life
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Finding Nemo
Ratatouille
Toy Story 2
The Incredibles
Heartbreak Kid
The Mexican
College Road Trip
Step Up 2
Mask of Zorro
The Bucket List
The Kite Runner
Dreamgirls
PotC: At World’s End
Prince Caspian

[Meriweather]

Any questions?? Just ask.

Here is the link to pictures.

This one is the most interesting....the ship :)
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=231762932/a=53015705/t_=53015705

This one is the land things....but Castaway Cay is in there
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=218755395/a=53015705/t_=53015705

[Girldreamer02]

Even though you went longer than we are going you still got me psyched up to go on our cruise. I am pretty excited. Which boat were you on? Thanks for sharing! :thumbsup2 :goodvibes

[Meriweather]

The Magic....so I assume you are going on The Wonder.
I heard the food on the Magic is better.....but how bad can a cruise be. You will have a great time!

[Kirby]

Sounds like you were kept pretty busy! I think that a cruise would be fun but I Joe wouldn't commit to more than a 3-4 day one.

[Meriweather]

3-4 days is a good starter. We did a 4 night last Oct.
It will just make you want more ;)

[Evita_W]

WOW!!! I want to go on a cruise now!!!:cool1:

So cool to share your photos with us! I LOVE them! :hyper:

[Meriweather]

Did the photo links work for you? A lot of people are having problems with them :confused:

[Kirby]

Loved your pictures! Didn't have trouble viewing them at all.

What kind of cabin did you stay in? Did you have a porthole or a regular window? I think that if I stayed went on a cruise, I would have to have a balcony or something.

What's the motion like on the ship? I'm not sure if I could hack it. I have trouble with motion sickness.

[Pooh67_68]

No, they want me to join snapfish.



I thought about a cruise, but John said no way. I thought it was because he would get board, but nope he hates water, and once I thought about... he never goes near water for anything but to shower. He wont even do the water rides at Disney.

[Evita_W]

Did the photo links work for you? A lot of people are having problems with them :confused:

I didn't have any problems because we have a membership to the same photo download place you uploaded to. :thumbsup2

I think that is why some might have some trouble...:confused3

[Meriweather]

Loved your pictures! Didn't have trouble viewing them at all.

What kind of cabin did you stay in? Did you have a porthole or a regular window? I think that if I stayed went on a cruise, I would have to have a balcony or something.

What's the motion like on the ship? I'm not sure if I could hack it. I have trouble with motion sickness.

I have problems with motion sickness too.
Location plays a key role. You need to be low and central.
I like deck 2, mid ship.
The big ships have great stabilizers. You hardly feel any movement at all.
But, I always take the Meclizine along, just in case. I have only used it 2 days in the 4 trips we have taken. (total 33 days)

We had an oceanview cabin with a large porthole.
I have stayed in a veranda room. They are so small, I didn't think they were worth the extra money. I would rather just go out on deck to get some air.
We have stayed in rooms with a regular window also and also an inside room with no window. That was fine too.....the only problem I had with that, is you can't tell if it is light out when you wake up in the morning.

[Meriweather]

No, they want me to join snapfish.



I thought about a cruise, but John said no way. I thought it was because he would get board, but nope he hates water, and once I thought about... he never goes near water for anything but to shower. He wont even do the water rides at Disney.

Heidi, I can e-mail you the link if you want. maybe an invitation would allow you access without joining.
Well, if you want to cruise, so without him :rotfl: Take your mom and sister or a friend.
I am going with a friend in Sept. Can't wait!!

[Pooh67_68]

Yes please email me the link, thanks.


I probably should go without him, mom would love to go on a cruise.

[mommaU4]

OMG, everything sounds wonderful!! I'm so jealous!!! :rotfl: But I'm really happy you had a good time. You both totally deserved it.

I haven't checked out the pics yet, but I will. I do love the one with Capt. Jack though. :thumbsup2

Thanks for sharing! :)

[Girldreamer02]

Yep...your right we are cruising on the wonder...hope the food isn't bad...now you have me worried. Lol.

[Meriweather]

I don't think it is bad, just the Magic is better.....just some reports I have read.
I have only had good food on all cruise lines in the restaurants....the buffets are different. That is where they can get bad.

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Great trip report, sounds like you had a great cruise!
Missed seeing you on the boards but imagined you were having a tropical ball!

and that Captain Jack, to die for.....:faint:

Would you happen to have a cabin picture you could share?:)

[Meriweather]

I only have a couple. (excuse DH on bed....that is where he likes to spend his free time). Hard to get good angles because of it being so tight in there.
Here are 2....there are 2 closets by the entry door and a steamer truck with 3 deep shelves. The bathrooms are split so more than one person can get ready. Very small sections, but one has a sink and toilet and the other has sink and tub/shower.
We were in cat 9, oceanview.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/meriweather123/Copyofcabin.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/meriweather123/CopyofIMG_0902.jpg

[JLitfin]

Thanks for sharing and loved your photos. My DH and I are planning a cruise for winter, 2010, but he's not sure if he wants to do a disney cruise. I'm the one that's really into disney, but after seeing your photos I think a disney cruise is the one I'm going to pick.

Did you have to sign up for which restaurant you wanted to eat at each evening or were you assigned when and where to eat? Can reservations be made at Palo before entering the boat? Did you have to pay extra for eating at Palo? Was all food and drinks (not alcoholic) included in the price of the cruise? Were each meal a character type meal or just a few meals? I know my DH wouldn't want to eat with characters each evening. Did you cruise on your DVC pts, this is what we are thinking about doing, were there special programs for DVC members? I believe I notice you had a sign on your door for being a DVC member, welcoming you home.

Sorry for all the questions, but we are still trying to figure out how cruises work. I know most food and shows are included but want to figure out how many extras that are not included, trying to budget our finance for this trip.

[Meriweather]

Disney had superior entertaiment than the other lines we have done....and also food. We have cruised with HAL, RCI and Celebrity.
You can avoid the characters if you want. They usually have a central place they gather for photos.
You have assigned seating and rotation. It is noted on your card. Ours was LAP...Lumiere's, Artist's Palette, Parrot Cay...and they just rotate through in the same order for dinner. Lunch and breakfast is open seating.
You can book Palo's online when your time frame comes up for shore excursions and such. 75 days for first time cruisers. 90 days for Castaway Club members....and I think DVC. Not sure on that. I didn't know about it.
You can book one dinner, one brunch and one tea....any more you want you have to do onboard. There is a $15 charge for dinner and $10 for brunch and tea.
Food and drinks are included....not alcoholic or designer coffees ;)
And you had to buy snacky foods like candy, popcorn.
There was only one character breakfast.....and they did do some entertaining a couple of times at dinner. Because there is a finite time for meals, they do not stop at all the tables, so easy to avoid them. Pluto only stopped by us because of the bows ;)
We did not cruise on DVC points. We don't have enough, but there were a few that did. Most don't think it is worth it. I guess that is a personal choice.
There was 3 meetings for DVC members. They gave out things and had drawings for more items and we would get messages on the phone to come by the desk to pick up pins and such. It was a lot of fun.
they gave us DVC magnets, hats, lanyards, a pen, tattos for pirate night and pins.
The cruise line gave us lithos....special Panama ones and a trinket box.

The biggest extra expense for us (besides the souvenirs) was the tips. They suggest a flat rate for room host, head server, server and assistant server. That varies by the length of the cruise. And tip at Palo's.
Depends on how much you drink ;) I imagine some bar bills were VERY high.
Spa treatments are also extra and shore excursions.

[JLitfin]

Thanks for answering all my questions. Now I'm really looking forward to taking a disney cruise.

[Meriweather]

Very fun!! Let us know when you do.
I am ready for another.....