Our Magical Honeymoon, July 24th Eastern Cruise
Russ and I drove down from Philadelphia, PA. We left Thursday morning and stayed over in Manning, SC. The reason we chose Manning is because our last name is Manning. We just thought it would be cool to stay there once we saw it on the map. It was just an hour and a half past the half-way point. We took a detour on Friday. We stopped in Savannah, GA. I had always wanted to stop at Juliet Gordon Lows house. She is the founder of Girl Scouts. It was great. We arrived at the Radisson Resort at the Port around 4pm. I called and left a message for the Skaars. But they didnt get the message until they checked out the next morning. Oh well. We had the 10:30 am shuttle so we met up with them on that.
We arrived at the Port and were in line by 11:15. They were opening the ship an hour early that day. We only had to wait about 25 minutes to get on the ship. It was great. Since we had the REAS package we didnt need to rush around and get reservations. We walked right to Parrot Cay and had a nice lunch. I loved the Cold Mango Soup. If anyone has that recipe, please send it this way. We walked around for a while and were in our room at 1:30. We had room 2603. Very nice room. Though the galley was right above. We would hear things sliding around upstairs. But it was only during the daytime that we heard that. At 3:30 we went up to the Goofy pool and met everyone else. It was great to meet everyone. Then off to the boat drill.
For dinner we had the APL rotation. We were seated at table 64. About half way through dinner, Nick, the head server came over. He asked us if we would like to sit with other people for the rest of the week instead of by ourselves at a table for four. We said sure that we are flexible. He was very grateful. We spent the rest of the evening walking around and enjoying the ship.
Sunday, we slept in for a little bit. We at 10:30 reservations for a couples massage. It was wonderful. We had the spa sampler. Though, the facial really dried out my forehead. We relaxed for a while before heading up to Palos for tea. The tea was nice. For dinner we went to Parrot Cay. Nick had another head server take us to our table. Right after I sat down, the other group at the table (it was a table for 8, 6 people were there) said that they were waiting for someone else and that all the seats were taken. So we were escorted back to the entrance. Nick was confused because the computer only showed 6 people at the table. He then found us a seat for the night. It was at a table for 4. There were 2 kids there. Their parents were at Palos for the night. As we were sitting down they kept telling Erasmo (the other head server) very loudly that they didnt want us there. Well, we ended up staying there for dinner. Nick gave us a bottle of wine for the night. He came over at the end and offered us the nights we were supposed to be in Animators Palate to have us eat in Palos, no charge. We were reluctant but agreed. We did tell him we had Palo reservations for Wednesday night. He cancelled those and made reservations for us for Tuesday and Friday night.
Monday, we slept in. We went to breakfast at Topsiders. It was nice. We then went to the DVC members meeting. We were unable to stay for long. We had brunch at Palos. It was nice. But most of what they served I couldnt eat. I am allergic to shellfish and I am lactose intolerant. But we had a good breakfast and the orange juice was wonderful. We headed back to the room to change. Then Russ got his book and rent to Quiet Cove to read and swim for the morning/afternoon. I went shopping and such. Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for dinner. We were off to Lumieres. A table was placed in a corner of the main floor for us. Dinner was wonderful.
Tuesday, we had the Under 2 Flags Tour on St. Maarten. It was cool. Bought some Clinque in Margot. It was much less than it cost here. Back in Phillipsburg, Russ bought a Cuban cigar. He was in heaven. He says it was the best cigar he has ever had. We did a little more shopping then went back to the ship. We took naps. Dinner was in Palos. It was nice. Again, there was not much on the menu that I could eat. But I had the filet mignon. Russ had the lamb. Both were really good. Dessert was the best! The chocolate soufflé was to die for.
Wednesday, we were in St. Thomas. We woke up early for the customs inspection. Decided we didnt want to go back to sleep. We went back and ordered room service for breakfast and took our showers and such. We were off the boat as soon as we could. Took a taxi to Front Street. Went to the Hard Rock Café to pick up a hat for my brother in law. Then hopped a taxi back to the ship. We did some shopping in the mall by the ship. Bought our liquor to take home. It will all be gifts with one exception. Russ bought a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue. Went back on board and changed into our swim suits. We spend the rest of the day at Quiet Cove. It was great, not too many people around. Dinner was nice. We were in Parrot Cay. Our server was Oka and our assistant server was Chris from St. Vincent. Both are wonderful.
Thursday, we spent the day relaxing. We went to the show tonight for the first time. Disney Dreams was very nice. At dinner that night we made mention that we wanted to eat in one of the regular restaurants on Friday night. Nick was able to find us a table for Friday night. A couple was going to Palos and their kids were going to be one of the clubs. Thank goodness. I really wanted to eat in Animators Palate Friday night.They announced at the end of the show that they are showing The Village at 12:01. Russ went. He liked it. I was asleep by 10:45.
Friday, I was up early and had breakfast at Topsiders. It took me a moment to realize that Chris was working there. He came over and we talked for a while and watched the ship pull into Castaway Cay. That was neat. I took some breakfast back for my husband. We were off the ship as soon as we could and went right to the snorkeling area. We brought our own equipment and just borrowed the vest. We started with the yellow route. It was great! As we were getting out of the water, I took off my mask and realized my face was burning. I mentioned it to Russ and he said I had a bad rash where the mask was. Then I realized that mask was made with latex. Another allergy of mine. I washed my face and went to first aid right away. They gave me an allergy medicine and I was better. But I was bummed that I could not go snorkeling again. We went over to the adult beach and went in the water. The tide was out so the water wasnt very deep. We had lunch there at Castaway Air Bar. It was ok. The hamburgers where not done enough to my liking. We had 1:30 reservations for parasailing. I couldnt believe we were doing this. We are both TERRIFIED of heights. I will never be doing that again. I had my eyes closed and was saying prayers the entire time I was up there. Dinner was great! We gave our tips to everyone.
The trip was wonderful. There is a lot I didnt include. I will have pictures of our towel animals and the romance turndown service. Words cant express the how lovely everything looked.
Overall, it was a wonderful trip. Cant wait to go back.
Russ and I drove down from Philadelphia, PA. We left Thursday morning and stayed over in Manning, SC. The reason we chose Manning is because our last name is Manning. We just thought it would be cool to stay there once we saw it on the map. It was just an hour and a half past the half-way point. We took a detour on Friday. We stopped in Savannah, GA. I had always wanted to stop at Juliet Gordon Lows house. She is the founder of Girl Scouts. It was great. We arrived at the Radisson Resort at the Port around 4pm. I called and left a message for the Skaars. But they didnt get the message until they checked out the next morning. Oh well. We had the 10:30 am shuttle so we met up with them on that.
We arrived at the Port and were in line by 11:15. They were opening the ship an hour early that day. We only had to wait about 25 minutes to get on the ship. It was great. Since we had the REAS package we didnt need to rush around and get reservations. We walked right to Parrot Cay and had a nice lunch. I loved the Cold Mango Soup. If anyone has that recipe, please send it this way. We walked around for a while and were in our room at 1:30. We had room 2603. Very nice room. Though the galley was right above. We would hear things sliding around upstairs. But it was only during the daytime that we heard that. At 3:30 we went up to the Goofy pool and met everyone else. It was great to meet everyone. Then off to the boat drill.
For dinner we had the APL rotation. We were seated at table 64. About half way through dinner, Nick, the head server came over. He asked us if we would like to sit with other people for the rest of the week instead of by ourselves at a table for four. We said sure that we are flexible. He was very grateful. We spent the rest of the evening walking around and enjoying the ship.
Sunday, we slept in for a little bit. We at 10:30 reservations for a couples massage. It was wonderful. We had the spa sampler. Though, the facial really dried out my forehead. We relaxed for a while before heading up to Palos for tea. The tea was nice. For dinner we went to Parrot Cay. Nick had another head server take us to our table. Right after I sat down, the other group at the table (it was a table for 8, 6 people were there) said that they were waiting for someone else and that all the seats were taken. So we were escorted back to the entrance. Nick was confused because the computer only showed 6 people at the table. He then found us a seat for the night. It was at a table for 4. There were 2 kids there. Their parents were at Palos for the night. As we were sitting down they kept telling Erasmo (the other head server) very loudly that they didnt want us there. Well, we ended up staying there for dinner. Nick gave us a bottle of wine for the night. He came over at the end and offered us the nights we were supposed to be in Animators Palate to have us eat in Palos, no charge. We were reluctant but agreed. We did tell him we had Palo reservations for Wednesday night. He cancelled those and made reservations for us for Tuesday and Friday night.
Monday, we slept in. We went to breakfast at Topsiders. It was nice. We then went to the DVC members meeting. We were unable to stay for long. We had brunch at Palos. It was nice. But most of what they served I couldnt eat. I am allergic to shellfish and I am lactose intolerant. But we had a good breakfast and the orange juice was wonderful. We headed back to the room to change. Then Russ got his book and rent to Quiet Cove to read and swim for the morning/afternoon. I went shopping and such. Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for dinner. We were off to Lumieres. A table was placed in a corner of the main floor for us. Dinner was wonderful.
Tuesday, we had the Under 2 Flags Tour on St. Maarten. It was cool. Bought some Clinque in Margot. It was much less than it cost here. Back in Phillipsburg, Russ bought a Cuban cigar. He was in heaven. He says it was the best cigar he has ever had. We did a little more shopping then went back to the ship. We took naps. Dinner was in Palos. It was nice. Again, there was not much on the menu that I could eat. But I had the filet mignon. Russ had the lamb. Both were really good. Dessert was the best! The chocolate soufflé was to die for.
Wednesday, we were in St. Thomas. We woke up early for the customs inspection. Decided we didnt want to go back to sleep. We went back and ordered room service for breakfast and took our showers and such. We were off the boat as soon as we could. Took a taxi to Front Street. Went to the Hard Rock Café to pick up a hat for my brother in law. Then hopped a taxi back to the ship. We did some shopping in the mall by the ship. Bought our liquor to take home. It will all be gifts with one exception. Russ bought a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue. Went back on board and changed into our swim suits. We spend the rest of the day at Quiet Cove. It was great, not too many people around. Dinner was nice. We were in Parrot Cay. Our server was Oka and our assistant server was Chris from St. Vincent. Both are wonderful.
Thursday, we spent the day relaxing. We went to the show tonight for the first time. Disney Dreams was very nice. At dinner that night we made mention that we wanted to eat in one of the regular restaurants on Friday night. Nick was able to find us a table for Friday night. A couple was going to Palos and their kids were going to be one of the clubs. Thank goodness. I really wanted to eat in Animators Palate Friday night.They announced at the end of the show that they are showing The Village at 12:01. Russ went. He liked it. I was asleep by 10:45.
Friday, I was up early and had breakfast at Topsiders. It took me a moment to realize that Chris was working there. He came over and we talked for a while and watched the ship pull into Castaway Cay. That was neat. I took some breakfast back for my husband. We were off the ship as soon as we could and went right to the snorkeling area. We brought our own equipment and just borrowed the vest. We started with the yellow route. It was great! As we were getting out of the water, I took off my mask and realized my face was burning. I mentioned it to Russ and he said I had a bad rash where the mask was. Then I realized that mask was made with latex. Another allergy of mine. I washed my face and went to first aid right away. They gave me an allergy medicine and I was better. But I was bummed that I could not go snorkeling again. We went over to the adult beach and went in the water. The tide was out so the water wasnt very deep. We had lunch there at Castaway Air Bar. It was ok. The hamburgers where not done enough to my liking. We had 1:30 reservations for parasailing. I couldnt believe we were doing this. We are both TERRIFIED of heights. I will never be doing that again. I had my eyes closed and was saying prayers the entire time I was up there. Dinner was great! We gave our tips to everyone.
The trip was wonderful. There is a lot I didnt include. I will have pictures of our towel animals and the romance turndown service. Words cant express the how lovely everything looked.
Overall, it was a wonderful trip. Cant wait to go back.
