I'm giving up Black Friday for a Disney Cruise! A DCL PTR/TR - 1/28 NEW PTR!!!

[ariel1025]

So very excited to hear your review on the itinerary, and, even more so, the Magic

[Roxychica7]

Hi! I've bounced over from CP's TR and have read many of your old TR's lately. They are SO fun! Your boys are adorable and I'm also a Marylander! Definitely joining in on this one!!

[renee123]

I'm traveling on the magic in a few weeks so hope to read you review soon!

[DisMomAmy]

Late to the party... I'm glad to hear you had a great trip. Can't wait to hear all about it.

[OurDogCisco]

Yay... I can't wait to hear about your trip especially since we'll be doing a Thanksgiving Cruise next year too but on the Fantasy. Still excited to hear about yours.

[dort]

Can't wait to hear all about the cruise
I have been looking over the different cruises trying to decide if we want to use up some of our vacation points for a cruise.

[Native NYer]

Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

[Happydog]

Well, folks. It has been a week. A week and a few days, so I finally been able to resurface over here on the DIS to start my TRIP REPORT from our MAGICal Thanksgiving Holiday week of fun!!! OH yeah!!!

Boy this was a great trip. So much to say. I will take my time this month to share it all! I have to say after being on the Dream, for the past two cruises, for a 4 and 5 night cruise, it was really nice to be on a boat for the whole week, cruising seems to really make the vacation feel like a true vacation (at least for me and from my perspective). I think because you really are unplugged from so much. Or CAN be, if you opt to. And it made the week so wonderful in many respects, and really just made being with my family, my inlaws, and with the Disney Magic on the Eastern Caribbean a GREAT Thanksgiving week holiday, and one I will remember!

So lets get going!!!!
Here are the stars of the show... DS6 and DS9. They really had a great time!



Here they are at Mount RUSTmore on Castaway Cay... this was the final full day of our cruise, but look at those sun-kissed smiling faces!!! Really, that says it all!

More in the next post!!! Thanks for sticking around, and thanks for joining if you are here for the first time!!!!

[LuvEeyore]

Sounds like you had a great trip. The kids sure looked happy at Castaway Cay. Cant wait to hear more. We are on an Eastern on the Fantasy next Decemeber.

[Happydog]

Originally Posted by jenjolt

WOW I'm so excited about your cruise!!! I know you guys are going to have the best time ever!!!! Wish I could go along!!! Can't wait to see your FE gifts!!

Hey there!!! I am woefully behind, Jen!!! I have to get my act together for this TR, let alone Christmas cards and such! I have to get your address missy! And I owe you a cookie recipe!! I will show the FE gifts, got the photos loaded!

Originally Posted by Charleston Princess

I am beginning to feel a bit like the White Rabbit -- always running late! That's why I texted you yesterday -- I knew I couldn't miss your send-off!

The goody bag contents are great! Do you have a pattern you used for your drawstring bag? I think my two need some for the summer trip if I can manage to figure out how to make them.

The charm bracelet is CUTE, CUTE, CUTE! I love Shag's artwork and what a deal on the price! That will be very fun to wear this week!

The cruise itinerary sounds fabulous! You are going to have so much fun!!!

No worries! I understand that White Rabbit syndrome! Well, I am running late with my holiday plans a little... in fact I was of work today, so I could catch up -- I had an appointment, but decided to take the whole day so I could finally get things at my house under wraps!!! The drawstring bags I got the pattern online, they are HUGELY easy to make!!! You can do it!

The bracelet, boy, ask Anita, I hemmed and hawed about that dang bracelet. So not sure I needed to spend the $. Not sure I really would get enough wear out of it. BUT, I am so happy I grabbed it. I LOVE it. I wore it three times during the week-long cruise, and will definitely get my wear out of it on the other cruises. SO it was a good choice in the end! And yes, a FANTASTIC deal.

This TR has finally set sail!!!!

Originally Posted by wigdoutdismom

Everything about your cruise sounds fabulous! I'm green with envy!

It was fabulous, lots of fun to share!!!

Originally Posted by Native NYer

Have a fantastic cruise!

Thank you!! We did!!!! more coming up this week!!! I have finally got my photos loaded!

[Happydog]

Originally Posted by wigdoutdismom

Welcome back Happydog!!!
Can't wait to read all about your adventure at sea!

Oh it was quite an adventure! Looking forward to sharing...

Originally Posted by Charleston Princess

Welcome back, Happydog!!! I am very excited about this cruise report -- well, I am always "very excited" to read about your adventures! Good luck getting caught up!

Thanks CP!!! I love sharing my adventures don't you worry! I got behind but now I am ready to really post away!

Originally Posted by 2xcited2sleep

Welcome back! Can't wait to hear all about it. So glad you had such a fun time. And always great to have a next adventure you can look forward to!

Oh Hey C!! We sure did. We had a wonderful time, it was great fun and you know me, I always have to have that Disney fun lined up!! LOL!!!

Originally Posted by LuvEeyore

Sounds like you had a fantastic week...well worth missing black Friday fot!! Cant wait to hear all ablout it!!

Hi there! We sure did, and yes, I didn't miss Black Friday TOO much ...

[Happydog]

Originally Posted by ariel1025

So very excited to hear your review on the itinerary, and, even more so, the Magic

Well the cruise was great fun, and we really enjoyed the itinerary!! More all about it in the next weeks!

Originally Posted by Roxychica7

Hi! I've bounced over from CP's TR and have read many of your old TR's lately. They are SO fun! Your boys are adorable and I'm also a Marylander! Definitely joining in on this one!!

Well, HELLO! Welcome! I am glad you are enjoying my old TR's! I love writing them, I have to read them again myself!!! Thanks for the compliments on the guys. They are great troopers and always enjoy our Disney fun. I can't wait to take them back to the parks! You'll have fun on this TR I promise!!!

Originally Posted by renee123

I'm traveling on the magic in a few weeks so hope to read you review soon!

WELCOME! Well, I will get a move on, then!! YOU WILL LOVE all the holiday decorations!!!! SO pretty and festive!!!!

Originally Posted by DisMomAmy

Late to the party... I'm glad to hear you had a great trip. Can't wait to hear all about it.

Hey there Amy!!! Welcome!!!! We have just started the fun over here...

Originally Posted by OurDogCisco

Yay... I can't wait to hear about your trip especially since we'll be doing a Thanksgiving Cruise next year too but on the Fantasy. Still excited to hear about yours.

Oh boy! We have a cruise booked on the Fantasy next year as well, but earlier in November. You will have a great trip!!! The itinerary is Eastern or Western?

Originally Posted by dort

Can't wait to hear all about the cruise
I have been looking over the different cruises trying to decide if we want to use up some of our vacation points for a cruise.

I don't know how many points you need, but cruising with Disney has been a great escape for my DH and I, as well as with our kids!

Originally Posted by Native NYer

Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

Hey! Well, we are starting up this TR, so get ready!!! LOL!!!

[wigdoutdismom]

I'm always thankful when someone has time to devote to their trip reports! There is nothing more valuable than some good DIS time and it seems that most of us don't have enough of it anymore!!!

[Happydog]

So let’s get started! This trip was planned last February. It was a four night Couples escape cruise on the Dream. We booked a four night for February 2012 (which is in just a few short weeks! ) and we booked the Thanksgiving week cruise on the Magic. We also booked my in-laws into this cruise as well, and that was a first for me: Our first family cruise with the kids was the June, 5 night double castaway-cay cruise – but a cruise with my inlaws??!! And their first??!!

I am happy to say it was a great treat, we had a wonderful time, and we all rebooked on the boat! But more about that, later.

SO… we departed from our home in Maryland on Friday, November the 18th. I left work a little early, and went home to finish packing and preparations for our week away. MY DH picked up the kids, took them to an activity, and then brought them home. Our flight was scheduled to depart after 9pm, so we were getting into Orlando really late. We had booked a car rental, and the Hilton in Coco Beach for the night. Things were surprisingly easy for us that evening, we had done LOTS of preparation the weekend before and that week, but I managed to get all the bags ready and though we still had a little last minute scrambling, things went off without a hitch! SCORE!

Here are a few photos that night…



And that is MY wine, obviously!!! LOL!!

The boys were very sleepy, it being well past their bed time! This photo taken in Orlando, just made me laugh, with the drinking fountains...





On the people mover shuttle at MCO!



Asleep at Baggage claim! LOL!



We arrived at the hotel shortly after midnight, and once checked in and in our room, we definitely took advantage of a good night’s sleep!!!

The next morning my sleepy heads were definitely no longer sleepy. They were EXCITED!!! We were going on our cruise!!!



We drove to the terminal after a quick stop at CVS, and DH planned to drop me off with the boys and the luggage, and since it was about 10:30, we figured we would stand in line while he dropped of the car. Well, when we got there, there wasn’t a line, and we were told we could check-in and head on into the terminal… WHAT? Really? Cool… so DH took the car back, and we went right on into the terminal. No crowd, no line… See?





Now I am not sure if this was because the cruise wasn’t sold out, or because we just were there at the right time, not sure, but it was really a nice surprise and a relaxing start to the day. Our check-in time was 11am as it was, but still it was a surprise nevertheless!

So I took the boys up the stairs expecting to get a boarding card and then wait for DH. However they didn’t immediately hand us one, so we went ahead into the queue to get out cruise cards, and to give our documents. Well, I explained that DH was dealing with the car, but she said no worries, and she completed the booking process for all of us except him, and because she had all of our photos on file, we didn’t need to do that again. She gave us our silver lanyards, and our room keys, and said when DH returned to come to her line, she would hold his paperwork. She gave me my boarding #, which, as you can see, was :



NOW. This is the lowest boarding group we have EVER received! And it was really kinda fun to get that! I was secretly thrilled, of course, and so excited that we would be one of the first on the ship! HURRAY!!! She also told me to have DH bring my inlaws with him, and she would get them situated as well. Can I say WHAT a nice CM at the cruise checkin desk! Again, things couldn’t be nicer on this day, and I was really feeling the Disney magic and pixie dust!

So I got the boys settled, they decided to set up their army men for a battle while we waited, and I texted DH. He was already on the shuttle back to the ship! It was great timing, and sure enough my inlaws had also just arrived. So, with that, we had maybe 30 minutes to wait before they began the boarding process. The new Navigator gave us plenty to pour over as we waited with anticipation for the tell-tale “bells” to chime, signaling the beginning of the first boarding group! And sure enough. They called the “family” of the day to board, and then groups 1 -4!!!!

WE were going on first! OH yeah! What fun!! So I was able to get a few more photos than I normally do, and it made the whole start to the cruise really memorable for all of us.





Once on board, we headed through the lobby of the ship, stopping to admire the gingerbread house, and the fun ice sculpture they had as well as the other Thanksgiving decorations… Never mind the HUGE Christmas tree!!! But I have lots of photos of the Christmas decorations to share soon enough!



Just one of the Gingerbread house! It doesn't do it justice, I have some great shots later in the trip.

CHeck out these Thanksgiving ice sculptures and vegetable Turkey sculpture!





I am sure you can see DH and the boys turning the corner here in the lobby! So hopefully you can appreciate the quick snap shots!!!

We made our way to the back elevators, and rode them up to Top Siders, the buffet, for lunch.




Lunch was fine, typical fare, and not the same items as they had on the Dream. Something I did notice a few times while on the Magic, but it didn’t stop me from finding plenty to lunch on! LOL! And, it wasn't crowded and we had a great table out in the sunshine, which was a far cry from the cold weather we left back home!



Next update, the Sail Away PARTY!!!!

[Happydog]

Originally Posted by LuvEeyore

Sounds like you had a great trip. The kids sure looked happy at Castaway Cay. Cant wait to hear more. We are on an Eastern on the Fantasy next Decemeber.

Oh I have some great photos from our two stops, at St. Thomas and St. Marteen. You are going to have an amazing time! And the new boat on that long cruise will be great... That was our main motivation for booking a week-long cruise on The Fantasy!

Originally Posted by wigdoutdismom

I'm always thankful when someone has time to devote to their trip reports! There is nothing more valuable than some good DIS time and it seems that most of us don't have enough of it anymore!!!

Well, I am just warming up to it!!!! We never did get that F & W trip done! I have to check with Michelle.... that was her job!!!

I know it has been a busy fall, hasn't it??!! Well, you enjoy getting ready for Christmas!!! DISNEY is just a few weeks away!!!