4 Night Wonder out of Miami (update 3/1-Complete)

[Pinkocto]

Day 2, Key West:

I woke up around 5:30 am and was so very thirsty. We were on Deck 7 so I took the elevator up to Deck 9 and was happy to find some delicious cold water at the beverage station. I ran into a CM who was a bit startled to see me, I was in my pajamas I was thankfully able to go back to sleep until 8:30. Mom had been exploring the ship since 7:30 and was ready for some breakfast. We decided to head down to Tritons since we had really enjoyed our sit down breakfast at the Royal Palace on the Dream. Tritons did not disappoint.

Mom had some coffee

I had a diet coke

Mom had a Krispy Kreme

I had a cinnamon roll, one of my favorite things this cruise

Mom had a veggie omlette which she raved about

I had frech toast with grilled pineapple. I did not like the pineapple hot but the other fruit was delicious. The french toast itself was really good.

Mom also wanted to try the waffle sandwhich with dulce de leche, she said it was a bit dry. We were both expecting a lot more dulce de leche, it only appeared to be drizzled on the waffles

With our bellies full we headed out. It was a marvelous breakfast and we would be back to Tritons. I highly recommend doing a sit down breakfast on the ship, it's a wonderful way to start the day.

The restaurant was really pretty, I just loved the mural.

 

[Pinkocto]

After breakfast we headed up to the room to grab my shower stuff and bathing suits and headed to the spa. We spent a few hours just relaxing and enjoying the Rainforest Room. We had the place to ourselves and it was fabulous. We tried all the saunas and enjoyed the loungers and finally dragged ourselves out of there. I had gotten a little hungry, all that relaxing really works up an appetite!

I went to get some fries, and I think mom went to get us some drinks. I love just walking up to the window and they give you whatever you want. I ended up getting a double portion because I just knew mom would want some. We found a nice little table on Deck 10 and watched the end of Brother Bear. Now I have never seen this movie and I must say I had quite a few tears at the end. I can't seem to help it, I'm a total softy. Oh, the fries were magnificent by the way.

I tried to get in some journaling but it was quite windy so after the movie ended we went down to sit by the Quiet Cove. We no sooner had we sat down when mom said she wanted to go to BBB and get some broccoli she had seen when she had gotten the drinks earlier. So back to that end of the ship we went and got some more food. There were quite a few selections but I could see right away that it did not compare to Cabanas on the Dream. Yes, I continued to compare the two ships the entire cruise. How would I be an adequate DISer if I didn't bring you guys my thoughts. I'm sorry to say I don't have a picture of the whole buffet, there were just too many people there.

We sat out in the back and enjoyed the sun.

My plate. Olives at the bottom, caprese salad, fish in the middle (not good), polenta (very dry), fried shrimp (too soft) and a tomato and mozzarella sandwich. I put the caprese salad into the sandwich and it was very delicious.

Mom's plate. Lentil salad under the broccoli, caprese salad, olives, tomato and mozzarella sandwich, and an onion foccocia. She loved everything.

I went back and got a salad

Mom went back and found some desserts

White/Milk chocolate mousse, she loved it

Tiramisu, very good she said

A sailboat race going on off of Key West

I thought this was quite cool. I was taking all this pictures directly into the sun so had no idea if they came out at all until later

Some new friends that joined us for lunch

 

[ImprovGal]

thank you for the correction, that's too funny! Now that you say that I can hear him announcing himself in that wonderful accent. In the back of my mind I thought I was wrong but couldn't find anything in my journal.

I'm amazed we never crossed paths. I loved that the ship was small enough I kept running into people. The Dream was so big it was very rare to see the same people twice.

Very nice you were able to do the next one as well. How did you enjoy the cruise?

I had such a fantastic time on that cruise (and the next as well)! It was a little strange having a 4 day cruise with absolutely no sea days. It certainly made embarkation day seem a bit more scheduled than usual. Key West was the only time I got off the ship, though. I used Nassau and Castaway Cay days as the times to play Disney movie catch-up and saw Frankenweenie, Brave, and Wreck-It Ralph.

I think we just must have sailed in different circuits as I did keep running into the same guests as well. At least I can say that I wasn't one of the DVC Member Celebration villagers that apparently tried to torch you.

 

[franandaj]

Nice updates. Sounds like you had a very relaxing time. I enjoyed having breakfast at Tritons as well. I never considered that an inside stateroom would have blackout qualities for sleeping.

I think I still like the verandah, Fran likes having natural light come into our room, but that does give me something to think about for sleeping really well.

 

[fredgirls]

Wonderful updates! Thank you!
I am getting so excited!
We didn't do a sit-down breakfast last time, so will definitely do that.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Great pics!

 

[tdizzle]

Thank you for sharing! I'll be on the Wonder 3/30 after having taken two Dream cruises - your comparisons and those fabulous pictures have helped a great deal.

 

[henrylarry6]

All pics are awesome. Love it.

 

[dgbg100106]

I must say that the sit down breakfast is the only way to go... Actually I hate buffets, and tend to do the sit down options for every meal. I am just much happier that way.

I think I like the formality of it.

 

[jenseib]

I'm enjoying reading your trip report, particularly because I was on this cruise (and the one following it) and somehow our paths never crossed so I'm always interested in seeing how other people keep busy on the ship.

Just a minor note: That charming cruise director is Ray. Capt. Fabian was our captain.

I was going to say, I thought that look like Ray. he was our cruise director on the Dream in March 2011.

 

[rentayenta]

Great update. Photos, and comparisons. I like the honest perspectives too especially about the food.

Also never gave any thought to the bonus of being able to sleep with an inside state room. I'm a very very light sleeper. That's something to consider.

 

[Pinkocto]

I had such a fantastic time on that cruise (and the next as well)! It was a little strange having a 4 day cruise with absolutely no sea days. It certainly made embarkation day seem a bit more scheduled than usual. Key West was the only time I got off the ship, though. I used Nassau and Castaway Cay days as the times to play Disney movie catch-up and saw Frankenweenie, Brave, and Wreck-It Ralph.

I think we just must have sailed in different circuits as I did keep running into the same guests as well. At least I can say that I wasn't one of the DVC Member Celebration villagers that apparently tried to torch you.

I can't imagine staying onboard on CC day, I'm absolutely in love with that place! I did miss a sea day. I have 3 of them on the upcoming cruise and I'm really looking forward to them. I wanted to take mom to Wreck-It Ralph but it didn't work out time wise. That movie is so cute!

That must have been it. The thought didn't even cross my mind

 

[Pinkocto]

Nice updates. Sounds like you had a very relaxing time. I enjoyed having breakfast at Tritons as well. I never considered that an inside stateroom would have blackout qualities for sleeping.

I think I still like the verandah, Fran likes having natural light come into our room, but that does give me something to think about for sleeping really well.

I had been planning for months to go find key lime pie at a few places but it was just so nice on the ship I didn't want to leave!

I'm glad I experienced the inside stateroom so I now know I have no problem with it. Last year I said I'd never do anything but a verandah since it was so nice. Now I'll just do whatever works for the pocketbook at the time of booking.

 

[Pinkocto]

Wonderful updates! Thank you!
I am getting so excited!
We didn't do a sit-down breakfast last time, so will definitely do that.

Oh yes, you must do a sit down breakfast at least once. It's a fabulous way to start the day. We went to Tritons 3/4 breakfasts.

 

[Pinkocto]

Great pics!

Thank you!

 

[Pinkocto]

Thank you for sharing! I'll be on the Wonder 3/30 after having taken two Dream cruises - your comparisons and those fabulous pictures have helped a great deal.

Very exciting! Your cruise is coming up soon!

 

[papertraveller]

Great updates, Pam!

I'm hoping to catch up on a few movies on the Fantasy when we sail in a few weeks. Oz will be just released, and I'd like to see both Lincoln and Wreck It Ralph. Funny how these schedules just get so filled up -- can't forget to relax, either!!

 

[Pinkocto]

All pics are awesome. Love it.

Thanks so much

 

[Pinkocto]

I must say that the sit down breakfast is the only way to go... Actually I hate buffets, and tend to do the sit down options for every meal. I am just much happier that way.

I think I like the formality of it.

The only reason we missed one breakfast was because there was a clock malfunction during the night and the restaurant was closed. Besides that we would have done sit down every breakfast. I love being waited on, especially on vacation. Biggest problem is they always pause and act a little odd when I want a diet coke for breakfast instead of coffee or juice.

 

[Pinkocto]

I was going to say, I thought that look like Ray. he was our cruise director on the Dream in March 2011.

I guess I really liked the name Fabian, Ray didn't stick with me at all

It was cool to see him in person, he was on the little videos they posted when the Fantasy was being brought over. In my mind I thought, 'I know you!' on the first night when he introduced himself. Apparently not enough though since I completely forgot his name