The Royal Voyage: Fantasy Eastern Caribbean Nov. 3 – 10, 2012!!! (with Pictures!!!)

[Woodmnky]

Can't wait for more. We leave with out almost 2 yo in 2 weeks.

[iloverags2]

You just cannot beat Disney service! How awesome you also had another attendant on your floor who was great as well. We experienced that on our Magic cruise this past May...our stateroom attendant rocked; and another attendant just down the hall was incredibly friendly as well. Gotta love Disney!

[shawy1269]

Great pictures! Cant wait to see more! I leave in 2 weeks!!!

[pjstevens]

sounds like a few of us are on that same cruise in two weeks!!!! Can't wait! Loving your report so far.

[MissDaisyofTexas]

I love your pictures. And how cool that you saw a manatee!

[SrisonS]

Thanks, everyone!!!!

[jen1098]

Looking forward to the rest of your report. We have 9 months before we cruise. We'll also be sailing with a toddler so I love reading reports with the young child perspective.

[SrisonS]

IMG_0622 by Scott Smith (SRisonS), on Flickr



After unpacking, we relax a bit before having to go to the emergency drill at 4:00. On the Magic, I used to hate the drill. I honor its necessity; but it was terribly uncomfortable. You had to don your life vests, head to a packed Deck 4, and brave the heat until the proceedings were finished. This time around, you’re required to take the steps down; as before. But instead of going outside on Deck 4, we met in the Walt Disney Theatre. You also didn’t have to wear the life vests. Thinking on all of that now, I realize that other people were directed elsewhere. The theatre definitely wasn’t full; and everyone on the ship couldn’t fit in there anyhow. But I’m not sure where they had to go.



IMG_0640 by Scott Smith (SRisonS), on Flickr



After the drill, we head to Deck 11 for the Sail Away Party. We had a really great spot for the show. And our daughter was able to stand in the very front, until some lady’s camera kept hitting her in the head. The worst part was that the lady even looked down at her, and pretty much didn’t care. Non-jerks would see a super little one next to them, and maybe step back or to the side, so that the kid could have a good view (and yes, the lady was standing, and she wasn’t a dwarf). We ended just pulling our daughter back and holding her. She seemed to be a little bit tired anyway. So at least she could get off her feet a bit. Note: Never mess with a photographer’s daughter. Your picture could end up on the internet, and you could be put on blast!!!


SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!
IMG_0623 by Scott Smith (SRisonS), on Flickr


IMG_0628 by Scott Smith (SRisonS), on Flickr


All-in-all, the party was still fun. There was also a VERY enthusiastic Cast Member dancing to Baby, by Justin Bieber. He wasn’t just dancing, but doing literal movements to the lyrics of the song. He was also a great MC to the baby crawling race I saw a few days later.


Part of his dancing…..
CM Dancing to Bieber!!!

[SrisonS]

Before we knew it, dinnertime was almost upon us. Our first stop in the rotation was Animators Palate. As much I loved the look in the Disney Magics version, this one absolutely trumps it!!!! There are a ton of clay models and conceptual drawings to decorate the room. And the various screens constantly show a number of visuals for your eyes to feast upon (pun sort of intended). If they had a restaurant like this in one of the parks (i.e. Hollywood Studios), I think it would be an instant hit. The atmosphere alone has a great inspirational Disney feel. So luckily for us, we would be eating here for 3 nights.


IMG_0648 by Scott Smith (SRisonS), on Flickr


As much as I look forward to getting to the meal, theres always a little apprehension during the first night. You never know who youll get for tablemates. Its a little awkward being literally face-to-face with, and being forced to eat/communicate with complete strangers. But as it turned out, we had a terrific pairing. We were with one other family (from Australia), and they had a 3 year old boy. They were on vacation for a few weeks straight; comprising of a trip to Disneyland, this cruise, and then Disney World. It was also fairly easy for all of us to warm up to one another. I think the fact that the little ones (mainly our daughter, this night) werent super perfect darlings, helped to put us in an understanding mode for the whole trip. So we didnt have judging eyes looking at us during all of the dinners; and us adults could still be sort of normal.

As I sort of touched on before; this dinner would be the end of our night. Our DD was a nightmare. She was so freakin tired, and just became impossible to deal with. And there was nothing we could do to settle her down. We probably couldve gotten her to relax by giving her her blanky; but of course, we forgot it in the room. I almost wanted to leave during the entrée portion. And I didnt even get to completely finish my dessert. So we were PRAYING this was only a one night thing (which it was).


IMG_0644 by Scott Smith (SRisonS), on Flickr


The food was great though. I had a pasta truffle thingy, which was excellent!!! My wifes Rock shrimp with cheesecake was quite unique, but still very good. I also very much liked the beef tenderloin, and my pineapple dessert I got 3/4 of the way through. It was also nice that the servers would cut up the food for the kids. Our DD only ate the French fries, but it was still a nice gesture. And they still did it every single night. Our dinner team for the cruise was Jessyca (from Peru), and Fiona (from the UK). They were both great; as were all of the servers we interacted with throughout the week.

Our Animators Palate entertainment tonight would be provided by the characters of Finding Nemo. The main attraction of course was being able to talk to Crush. Crush appeared on the screen, and would interact with the people in your area. If youve ever seen the Turtle Talk With Crush show as EPCOT, this is basically the same thing. Its still pretty cool though.


My Disney Pics on Flickr!!!

[LisaHK]

Great report so far and your pictures are wonderful. My daughter will be 2 when we cruise and I am a little worried.

[SrisonS]

Originally Posted by LisaHK

Great report so far and your pictures are wonderful. My daughter will be 2 when we cruise and I am a little worried.

What has you worried???

After this first day, we were almost regretting the trip. But all of the other days, she was great.

[iloverags2]

Ok, the woman with the camera? Just plain rude! So sorry your little one kept getting hit in the head with the camera...hopefully she was ok.

That truffle appetizer ROCKS! So loved it, and would definitely get that one again!

[LuvEeyore]

Can't wait for more especially your pictures. We leave Dec15. Your daughter is a cutie!!!

[Couchy]

great report so far... love the pictures

[pjstevens]

woohoo!!!! Another installment! Thanks so much!