souls on vacation
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2013
Bear with me, as I believe this is the place we are to compose our trip summaries, but, as a newbie, I am still learning the ropes!
We found out about this cruise as a gift from my mother-in-law. She wanted to bring all of her children and their families on a Disney cruise (wonderful gift!!) She also invited my parents. They happily accepted, as they had not been on a cruise in 20 years(!)
First things first, I am a terribly OCD planner, and have found the DIS boards invaluable in planning our cruise. I felt very well prepared, and by using your collective tips, I truly believe we got a lot more than we would have gotten, had we come aboard unprepared. So thank you!!
Pre-trip, we decided to participate in the FE exchange. Being completely uncreative, without an artsy-craftsy bone in my body, I did the best I could, but the final result was rather bulky! I had to carry on a huge back packed only with FE gifts! Before getting on board, we were thinking this was going to be our first and last FE exchange! More on that later...
We drove down from Jacksonville the Wednesday before the cruise and checked into the Country Inn and Suites. We arrived just around 3 o'clock, and were able to check right in. We shared a one bedroom suite with my parents and our 2 children, girl 9, boy 5. We could actually see the port from our 3rd floor room. The hotel was clean, the staff was very efficient, and, admittedly, it isn't the Four Seasons, but for a pre-cruise accommodations, it fit the bill.
We ate dinner at the Backwoods Steak house, which was just 2 miles down the road (A1A) on the left.
The cocktails were delicious, the appetizers were plentiful, steaks were beautifully cooked, and the prices were reasonable....as was the wait. We were there early (5 o'clock) and got right in, not bad for a party of 6. After dinner we went back to the hotel and just relaxed and chatted. We all went to bed relatively early, but I dare say none of us slept very well...can't tell if it was excitement or the very, very soft beds!
We found out about this cruise as a gift from my mother-in-law. She wanted to bring all of her children and their families on a Disney cruise (wonderful gift!!) She also invited my parents. They happily accepted, as they had not been on a cruise in 20 years(!)
First things first, I am a terribly OCD planner, and have found the DIS boards invaluable in planning our cruise. I felt very well prepared, and by using your collective tips, I truly believe we got a lot more than we would have gotten, had we come aboard unprepared. So thank you!!
Pre-trip, we decided to participate in the FE exchange. Being completely uncreative, without an artsy-craftsy bone in my body, I did the best I could, but the final result was rather bulky! I had to carry on a huge back packed only with FE gifts! Before getting on board, we were thinking this was going to be our first and last FE exchange! More on that later...
We drove down from Jacksonville the Wednesday before the cruise and checked into the Country Inn and Suites. We arrived just around 3 o'clock, and were able to check right in. We shared a one bedroom suite with my parents and our 2 children, girl 9, boy 5. We could actually see the port from our 3rd floor room. The hotel was clean, the staff was very efficient, and, admittedly, it isn't the Four Seasons, but for a pre-cruise accommodations, it fit the bill.
We ate dinner at the Backwoods Steak house, which was just 2 miles down the road (A1A) on the left.
The cocktails were delicious, the appetizers were plentiful, steaks were beautifully cooked, and the prices were reasonable....as was the wait. We were there early (5 o'clock) and got right in, not bad for a party of 6. After dinner we went back to the hotel and just relaxed and chatted. We all went to bed relatively early, but I dare say none of us slept very well...can't tell if it was excitement or the very, very soft beds!