Cruisin into Spring Training-VWL & 4 Nt Dream 3/22-28/13 COMPLETE! 8/11

[toniosmom]

I would LOVE to, but I think we will have baseball endlessly then. Have you seen all the stuff on CC about the Breakaway in the past few days? Looks awesome (except for the smoking-yuck!).

I've been watching a lot of stuff on the Breakaway. Looks like I will be staying away from some areas -- hate the smoke. I'm a little concerned about the reports that there is a long wait at the MDRs. Our big group won't be doing much in the specialty dining rooms, so the MDRs are going to be it for us. Even the buffet set-up (two long lines instead of stations) is not going to be much fun at all. I'm hoping they re-work that prior to November. Regardless, I will be trying the slides and the ropes course.

Things have been nuts around here lately -- we need to do that lunch one day, but it's going to have to wait until July. June weekends are crazy between baseball and various family obligations.

Have you seen the RCCL Quantum that will be sailing out of Bayonne late next year? I may have to try that one in a couple of years. I wish DCL would come back to NYC for a little while. We couldn't sail last summer but would definitely do it if they came back to this area.

 

[podsnel]

Tell us how you really feel about smoking. You guys really did hit the table mate jackpot. I do love a sit down breakfast...the buffet really doesn't do it for me.

I've never been in the gym on the ship except to stand around to wait for the spa raffle on the first day.

Jill in CO

Hey- I understand people like to smoke- I just don't want to smoke with them! I gave it up 20 years ago before I got pregnant with Sean- then smoked socially with girlfriends for a couple of years- quit for good before I had Tyler. Both my parents dies from smoke related diseases- my father from lung cancer, my mother from a stroke (and when she had that stroke, they also found she had bladder cancer, which is also common in smokers). After all that smoking reality 101, 2 & 3, I was off for life! It's just really too bad the design of the ship allows the smoke to permeate every indoor public area. So I guess if I still smoked, I would LOVE Breakaway- but since I don't, I won't!

And yes- we TOTALLY hit the jackpot with the tablemates- it was excellent!

Oh, I love Boulevard! You have such great taste (pun intended)!! I may have mentioned before that we go to Boulevard's sister restaurant Prospect quite a bit so we are big fans of Nancy Oakes. As for dim sum, you are in luck! You are within a short walk of one of the best dim sum restaurants in the city called Yank Sing at the Rincon Center location (lunch only). Their signature dish is the Shanghai steamed dumplings. So yummy! The other dish we like is the crispy pan fried noodles. It's not on the menu or the carts they push around, but you can order it from the waiter. It's a good idea to make a reservation - ask for a table inside. The tables in the courtyard can be quite loud. Yank Sing is pricey for dim sum. If you want to watch your budget, two items I suggest you avoid are the sea bass ($19.00) and peking duck ($5.75 a piece! ) unless of course you are big fans of either. If you just want a place for Chinese food in Chinatown (no dim sum) I suggest R&G Lounge. It's not great, but not bad. The best Chinese restaurant in the Bay area is actually in a city south of SF at a restaurant called Koi Palace. Given your packed schedule, I'd say it's not worth the drive.

Thank you AGAIN for all the tips- I was thinking of Yank Sing, and did see it was so close- but then saw a bunch of bad reviews of it being too pricey and not worth it- but who knows where these reviews come from- so I am THRILLED to hear you recommend it! Thanks for the advice!

Whew Ellen! You sure know how to do a town right! It sounds like you've hit the highlights in terms of seeing and eating your way around the Bay area. There are a few other restaurants not far from your hotel that you might want to check out. Certainly not destination restaurants, but if you happen to be nearby and need a place to eat then Heyday (http://heydaysf.com/about-us/) is good for a quick bite. It's the SF version of a fast food restaurant (organic, locally sourced, sustainable . . . yadda yadda). The chicken is delicious!

The menu looks great! Sounds like a good spot to p[ick something up!

The other restaurant on your way to the ballpark is called Townsend (http://www.townsendrb.com/index.html). Not a must do, but a good neighborhood restaurant that does serve consistently good breakfast/brunch. For drinks and a pretty view along the Embarcadero, I would recommend the Waterbar (http://www.waterbarsf.com/). The oysters are great, but the entrees not so much, especially for the price.

I will keep both in mind- the waterbar looks especially pretty for a cocktail with Pods.

I was walking past the Embarcadero near your hotel recently and I noticed that there's a bike rental place nearby. Not sure where you're renting from, but if you're picking up at Fisherman's Wharf you might see if you can drop off at the Embarcadero location. That way once you get off the ferry you are practically home. That gives you more time to take a nice little break in Sausalito and get some tasty ice cream at Lappert's. Although the BEST ice cream in SF (really anywhere!) is Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous, especially their lemon poppyseed, earl gray, and blueberry cream . . . but I digress.

I got a groupon from Blazing Saddles, I think- not sure if that was the one you saw?

And wait....Lappert's- is that like Lappert's in Hawaii??? OMG- we LOVED that place in Kauai last summer! I just looked- it does seem to be similar- same awesome flavors- thanks for pointing that out, we will DEFINITELY be having ice cream in Sausalito!

Your story about your table mates gave me a good chuckle because it reminded me of our experience. On our Disney cruise to Alaska we were at a table with 2 other families. One had a 4 year old son and the other family had a 16 year old boy. I got to the table first and the 16 year old was looking forward to meeting my daughter. Imagine his surprise (and disappointment) when my 3 year old DD showed up. He was such a nice young man and I did feel bad for him that he was "stuck" with two preschoolers the whole week. Anyway, looking forward to reading more!

Awww....poor kid! I hope he found some buddies over in Vibe! And some older girls!

Thanks as always for the advice-

serious table mate jackpot! I do think they are very good about matching folks up. We had amazing luck on both our cruises with compatible families and like aged kids. On our Alaska Cruise the E's hung with our table mate kids for much of the tirp. Really wonderful!!! And even more so at Tim's age, it can really make a trip for someone.

I am sure Disney does its best, but I am also pretty sure we seriously lucked out. It did make the trip for Tim. Every night after they left, Steve would go on and on about how much his son liked my son- and of course, the feeling from our end was mutual. Pretty cool!

 

[podsnel]

Drea-

Ok- so it was like Timmy was meeting the West Coast version of himself- it was CRAZEEEEEE AWESOME!!!!!!!
That is AWESOME!!! I hate to say it but im not sure the boys will have much in commen when we meet up in August.. other than age, ipods in the ears, and maybe checking out girls LOL

Timmy is actually really happy he'll have another kid his age to hang with- he is friends with all different kids of boys- although I think his best friends are sports kids, he is friends with all different groups of kids. He's like his Mom- he finds something he likes in just about everyone.

Life of Pi. And Steve says, "David Magee?"
Btw FINALLY saw this... when I rented it the boys and E just looked at me like really??? ... we now own it LOL We finished watching it and were just in aww.

I am so glad you guys liked it!!! It is that kind of a movie- really awe inspiring.



And I promise, I did NOT go to the post office in Nassau, LOL!!

The actual date for our 4 nites on the Dream is now 10/23/14. I don't think Joan will be joining us, but she is not cancelling yet. The four of us (Evie & Tom and Pods and I) are planning to go to F&W for 4 nights before hand. Planning to stay at BWV. Why- do you think you and E would come?

I couldn't bring the camera on the Aquaduck because no cameras were allowed. Maybe someone dropped theirs at some point or something so I was not allowed.

I still haven't cancelled the Breakaway next summer, just in case they fix some of the issues- I STILL think it looks like a lot of fun, but between the smoke everywhere, the kids clubs being closed in port until 7pm, and the nickel and diming everywhere, the whole thing is becoming less and less attractive to me. Such a shame. We did book 2 cabins on Allure 8/17 though- so we'll see who wins!

 

[podsnel]

I've been watching a lot of stuff on the Breakaway. Looks like I will be staying away from some areas -- hate the smoke. I'm a little concerned about the reports that there is a long wait at the MDRs. Our big group won't be doing much in the specialty dining rooms, so the MDRs are going to be it for us. Even the buffet set-up (two long lines instead of stations) is not going to be much fun at all. I'm hoping they re-work that prior to November. Regardless, I will be trying the slides and the ropes course.

I think the long waits will get better- it's all so new, ya know? I think I would just plan on (if it doesn't improve) having someone go down and get the reservation ball rolling and then wait in the bar- so if you want dinner at 7, maybe you should go down at 6, KWIM? Did you see Gambee's review? That one was VERY informative.

Things have been nuts around here lately -- we need to do that lunch one day, but it's going to have to wait until July. June weekends are crazy between baseball and various family obligations.

Yea- us too- it has been insane here lately with Timmy graduating from 8th grade. One thing after another. On top of everything else, I am a little wiped out.

Have you seen the RCCL Quantum that will be sailing out of Bayonne late next year? I may have to try that one in a couple of years. I wish DCL would come back to NYC for a little while. We couldn't sail last summer but would definitely do it if they came back to this area.

Of course! I would have LOVED to have sailed on Quantum next summer, but of course she won't be ready by then. And THAT one will be out of Bayonne, making it even more convenient. I was the same as you about the NYC Magic cruises- just couldn't swing it on a summer when we were already going to Hawaii, not even one of the overpriced 2 nighters to nowhere, LOL! Too bad when they made all the crazy changes to the DCL itineraries for next fall they didn't also move the Magic from Europe back to NYC....that would have solved all of my summer 2014 issues.

 

[podsnel]

So... I kinds jumped the gun a little there on my last post- I guess I had NOT seen Alex yet, and Tim just went off to see if Vibe was open again, then couldn't get in again, so he went to shoot hoops. I was still up on the adult deck, enjoying the view of Nassau-







I didn't realize at this point that Timmy was not here-



The British Colonial Hilton-



I decided it was time for lunch, and I was going to just go grab a couple of sammies on deck. On the way-



A CM saw me taking pics and asked if I wanted to be in one-



The 666 Deck didn't look so bad on this day at ALL!





As I was walking around, I was surprised to see Timmy shooting hoops again-



He said the door was still locked. I asked him if he was hungry, and he said not yet, but could we play mini golf instead? Yea buddy!





That was quick and fun- very cute!

We decided to hit the buffet at Cabanas instead of just grabbing some sammies or pizza for lunch. GOOD CHOICE. Because on Nassau Day, the buffet has coconut shrimp. And it is YUMMMMMMMMM-OOOOOOO!



The proud Shrimpateers-





Have to run to pick up Sean- he had an overnight at his school last night- I'll see ya real soon with the rest of lunch!

 

[podsnel]

Ok- coconut shrimp, which was perfection, pasta with Bolognese, also really good, polenta and string beans-



Also had a little sushi-



Timmy went with the lunch of champions-



That was not going to cut it as far as I was concerned, so while I went to get a couple of crab claws, cuke salad and mango salsa-



I picked this up for Tim-



And he enjoyed every bite!



A little side bar on Timmy- he is graduating from 8th Grade next week, so there have been a ton of year end things going on- last night was the dance, and yesterday morning were the 8th Grade Awards. Not only did he yell and wave to me when I went up on the stage (I am the Pres so I get to hand out 2 scholarships), rather than hiding in humiliation because I was even THERE...like Tyler probably did when I went up for his grade a couple of years ago.... he also gave me the big 2 thumbs up on my speech- very sweet. But what was REALLY cool about that awards, was that Timmy got 2- one was just to acknowledge his involvement in a group called Heroes, that collected food for Sandy victims in NJ. A very nice thing. The second award was the citizenship award- that is the award they give to the kids who help out around the school- the kids who are the peacemakers, the ambassadors, the ones who help others navigate what the Asst. Principal called the Disneyland of middle school with a very diverse group of students. Very, very proud of him. Turns out, Timmy really IS a good kid!

So I guess at some point after that, I did go to see Alex (who I will see in just a few days in NYC ) who informed me he needed a different key, I got it for him, and he went off to Vibe. Me? I had more alone time....







Ahhhhhh........



Soon enough, it was time to get ready for dinner- tonight we would be dining in the Royal Palace!

 

[KristiMc]

Coconut shrimp looks very yummy. Congrats to Timmy on his awards!

 

[podsnel]

Coconut shrimp looks very yummy. Congrats to Timmy on his awards!

Thank you!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

What a nice relaxing port day! I'm thinking that Nassau is not such a popular place anymore - I wonder if they will find a new place to stop anytime soon? Too bad Tim had so much trouble getting into the kid's club. Cute pic of you at the horn. I was thinking it would not be a good time for them to do the "drill."
Well, that looks like a really nice buffet - coconut shrimp and sushi! Yumm! Fun pic of the servers!
Congrats to Timmy and to YOU for raising such a fine young man - feels good doesn't it? Good luck in the big baseball rush that is Summer! Nice to know you'll be able to come up for air for your trip in August!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Congratulations to Tim on his awards!

Really looks like you had a great day. Staying onboard the ship was a good call!

 

[starousse]

Loving your trip report.

 

[jenseib]

wonderful shots of Nassua from the ship. Lunc hlooks good. I hear my tummy grumbling

 

[CRdisMom]

Okay so Nassau is in the Bahamas. Is Atlantis worth making a special trip for?

 

[Nora03]

Hi Ellen
Just stopping by to tell you how much I enjoy your trip reports. Way to go Timmy on your awards!

One of our grandson's is staying with us for a few months, until school and baseball season is over, and he sounds just like Timmy. His parents got new jobs in another city three hours away. He's on a AAA baseball team and plays hockey in the winter (goalie) like many canadian boys. We are so proud of him too. We are so busy with games/practices every night, tournaments on the weekends, etc. I don't know how I did it when my kids were young. We're retired now, so have lots of time for games, etc., but it is still tiring. So, I understand how busy you must be, with three growing/active boys!

By the way, I'm a grandma and I certainly know better to alternate purchasing wine for the table on a cruise!

Thanks again for giving us many hours of enjoyment with your trip reports. I love, love, love reading them! You have given me lots of great tips for our trips to WDW and even for our trip last year to NYC. I don't know why I haven't posted before, but want you to know that there are probably many people like me enjoying your reports.

Nora

 

[rndmr2]

Congrats to Timmy for his awards!

Love the pics of Nassau! That water is so pretty.

That Mini golf course looks fun!

Love the pics you take of your toes! Can't go wrong with a little pool time and proof you were there, LOL!

 

[RGirl]

Hi Ellen! I got WAY behind on all things DIS, but I am caught up now.

How amazing about your table-mates. And how great! I can't imagine how unpleasant it would be to be sat with folks who were unfriendly or with whom you had nothing in common.

How wonderful about Timmy's award. You must be so proud!

Thanks for all the updates - I am going to try to stay caught up better. Life - always getting in the way.....

You can substitute the French fries for any starch- so you can take away the mashed potatoes on something else and request the fries-

Hmm, I may just have salmon with french fries! I mean, we are eating at TWO steakhouses already, so it is very possible I won't be able to stand the thought of another steak. We shall see.....

I like enjoying the ship, too- and I prefer the eastern over the western like you- it's just so pretty on the eastern! On the Western, we did really enjoy Cozumel, though, because they have all-inclusives for the day that are pretty reasonable (We did Nachi Cocum, but I hear Mr Sanchos is also good), just in case you get a little wanderlust in port.

I am really enjoying the pictures of the pools and such on your port day. Gives me some hope that DD will be able to enjoy the kids pool or family pool without it being a crowded mess if we stay ont eh ship.

That's so cute!!!! Wait until she sees the clubs- OMG, they are AMAZING!!!!!! It will be in my next few updates, because when Timmy took a nap, I toured the kids clubs- and was COMPLETELY blown away!

Your club pics were great! I showed them to DD - she is just out of her mind to go. Too bad she has a bit (48 days plus a week in WDW) before she gets onboard.

Thanks! I have a little break in baseball, although PTA is in full swing right now, between year end stuff and training my replacement as President (and she's one of my close friends, so the training is a nice thing to look forward to!). So I should be doing more updates.

There's that life again - always getting in the way!

 

[englishrose47]

I think Royal Palace was my favorite restautant !!! Cabanas buffet the day we boarded was pretty darn good also!!!!

 

[podsnel]

What a nice relaxing port day! I'm thinking that Nassau is not such a popular place anymore - I wonder if they will find a new place to stop anytime soon? Too bad Tim had so much trouble getting into the kid's club. Cute pic of you at the horn. I was thinking it would not be a good time for them to do the "drill."
Well, that looks like a really nice buffet - coconut shrimp and sushi! Yumm! Fun pic of the servers!
Congrats to Timmy and to YOU for raising such a fine young man - feels good doesn't it? Good luck in the big baseball rush that is Summer! Nice to know you'll be able to come up for air for your trip in August!

Hi Tammie!

I found a foodie tour to do in Nassau when we go with other couples next October- so I would get off the ship for that. And I would go hang at Sandals or somewhere like that for the day- but in general, I agree- I wish there was somewhere new to go on these quickie cruises. Too bad we can't go to Key West instead. I'd be all for that! But I think the Dream is too big for that port, anyway.

And yes, it does feel very good to know Timmy is headed in the right direction- thanks!

 

[podsnel]

Congratulations to Tim on his awards!

Really looks like you had a great day. Staying onboard the ship was a good call!

Thank you! And yes, it was a very relaxing day!

 

[podsnel]

Loving your trip report.

Thank you! Sorry for the long break again- I am in NC with Tyler for baseball and just brought my ipad-