10/05 4-night, our first cruise. Sharing with our DIS friends.-4/13 +/- awards

[PaDisneyCouple]

I wrote this over a several day period after we returned from our first ever cruise. A 4 night with DCL in 10/05. Originally designed for DW's scrapbook (a work still in progress, with plans for completion before we cruise again this fall), I suggested sharing it the other day. In its original form, it is 19 pages of Word Documents. I sized it for her scrapbook. DW agreed, as I think there are no state secrets contained herein.
Let the cutting and pasting begin:
Sean

An early wake-up time got us on the road to BWI before sunrise. Our Saturday morning flight via Southwest was on time and uneventful.

Upon arrival at Orlando International, we collected out things and awaited the arrival of Happy Limo.

After a quick grocery stop, we found ourselves entering the African jungle that is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

The lobby at AKL was crowded and full of life. The architecture, sounds, and smells of Africa were everywhere.

Once we reached the point of check-in, we found out why the lobby was so crowded…
The Cast Member checking us in informed us that he had a surprise for us. Having booked the cheapest room with a AAA discount, we figured we were being upgraded to a room with a view of one of the savannahs…
We were informed that AKL was overbooked, and that they were offering an upgrade to their flagship resort: Disney’s Grand Floridian.

But our Master Plan was to try one night at AKL, with its famed restaurant Jiko, animals wandering the savannahs, and cultural education.

A little Pixie dust, and a room was found for 2 weary travelers.

After getting settled into our room, we headed out to the main savannah viewing area: Arusha Rock. It was here that our education began. Cast Members were stationed on the Rock to answer our questions. We also learned why the Lodge was so full: a celebration of Botswana’s independence (9/30) had taken place there the night before.

From the overlook, we could see several species of animals grazing on their afternoon snack. Inspired by this, we headed down to The Mara, a quick-service location, for some food of our own.

Our next stop was Zawadi Marketplace, the largest retail location in any of the Disney Resorts.

Luckily, we had early reservations at Jiko that night. The place was packed. Long stretches of time elapsed between visits from our overworked and distracted server. Sean dined on filet, while Christine had braised lamb shank.

Early-to-bed, early-to-rise got us back to Arusha Rock before the animals woke up.

Expecting another Lincoln Towncar from Happy Limo, we took up positions under the Porte Cochere and waited for our transportation to Port Canaveral.

 

[Skyw]

Yeah!!! I love long detailed reviews. Can't wait for the rest.

 

[LovableGluttons]

Well call me Oliver!


I got a fever and the only cure is MORE trip report!

Come on now.

Glutton drool is NOT pretty!

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

When last we left our First-time cruisers, they were waiting for the transfer from AKL-PC to arrive...

Finally, a gentleman from a Ford Excursion approached. It turned out that we’d been upgraded.

The ride, through alternating bands of sun and rain, took about an hour.

And then, off to the left, was the Disney Wonder…

The check-in process at the port was similar to an airport: security, metal detectors, and lines.

It was here we discovered that there was a large, themed, group on our cruise: the Ebert and Roper Film Festival at Sea.

The terminal was spacious, with a museum-quality model of the Disney Wonder in the center. At the far end, there was a 12-foot tall Mickey silhouette that served as the entrance portal to the ship.

At 12 o’clock, it was, “All aboard”. Everyone wanted to be first, so we waited a few minutes. In true Disney fashion, the line moved quickly. After 10 minutes of waiting and another 10 in line, we were headed up the gangway to the embarkation photo point.

Next, it was time for our grand arrival…

The Cast Member asked us our names as we came off the gangway.

Then, as if by Disney Magic, the PA system welcomed Sean and Christine Burns aboard.

Another Cast Member came over to welcome us to the ship and direct us to the nearest food.

Our first official stop onboard was lunch at Parrot Cay. We sat at table #48, and enjoyed many trips to the buffet. Shrimp, fresh fruit, salads, and roast turkey were just some of the foods we tried.

As we left lunch, we happened upon a contest at the Internet Café. The prize was unlimited Internet access for the length of the cruise. Defying all odds, Sean won.

Finally, it was time to discover our stateroom, number 5632.

I should note that the turkey was the best I've ever had that wasn't prepared by DW or Mom. On stressful days at work, when I need a moment, I go to my happy place: walking down deck 3 to PC for the first time

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

And now for tonight's installment:

It was like Christmas morning when we entered the room. There were gifts from Disney Cruise Line and All Seasons Travel, our Romantic Escape at Sea items, and our shore excursion tickets.

As we poked around the room, there was a knock at the door. Three Cast Members and a large machine were in the hallway. Somehow, they knew before we did that there was water out on our balcony. We politely declined their offer to clean it up.

And then, another knock, and we met our cabin steward: Fritz.

Fritz, who was from the Philippines, quietly informed us of his purpose and asked if we had any needs.

After some more settling in, we headed out to explore the 960 foot long 85,000-ton Disney Wonder.

Eventually, we found the Spa. It was there that we first met Melissa, the personal trainer. Christine asked her about the Pilates Reformer, which we had seen during our Spa tour.

After returning to our stateroom, we participated in the mandatory lifeboat drill.

Then, it was time for the Sail-Away deck party. We changed into our swimsuits and headed to Quiet Cove adult pool. Unfortunately, it was closed for a private party.

Seizing opportunity, we headed to the bow of the ship, where we took up positions overlooking the starboard wing bridge. The Captain, Harbor Pilot, and another officer were at the controls of the “barbeque grill” as we cast-off our mooring lines and headed up the channel to the open sea.

A duel of ships horns took place as we passed the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas.

Once clear of land, we headed back to our room to change for dinner. From our protected Category 7 stateroom, we could see an interesting dance taking place. A small tender came up along our starboard side. Closer and closer it crept. As the ships nearly touched, the Harbor Pilot descended a rope ladder from the Wonder to the boat below.

Our first dinner was scheduled for Parrot Cay. We arrived at table 9 first, and found seating for 8. Perhaps we were one of four couples for this table?

Commentary from your host:
Fritz was great. There when you needed him. Friendly. Efficient. We'd never had service like this before. I mean, the room was made up in the morning, and prepared for bed at night. We carefully saved each towel animal for the duration of the cruise. Had a little zoo by the end: lobster, monkey, swans, and can't remember. Chris and I decided to have some fun with them, too. We made one of our pirate night bandanas into a head scarf for the monkey. 2 of our highlighters (for the Navigators) were turned into his eyes. I think Fritz enjoyed seeing what we did to the animals each day.

Coming up next, the first meal at sea.
Sean

 

[LovableGluttons]

Oh wow!!


I would have loved to see the Harbor pilot leaving the ship.

That's really neat!!!

Loving the trip report!!!

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

Great start! I love trip reports.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

Today's chapter recalls our first meeting with our tablemates through our Nassau morning. We had an instant connection, for some reason .

And then they arrived… “How did a young couple like you get put at a table with a family of 6 like us?” asked the Mom.

It was the Schaeffers: Mom, Dad, 3 Daughters, and 1 Son. Jen, the Mom, was a member of the Dis Boards that Sean visited to get cruising information. The Father, was a Naval Academy graduate. In order, the daughters were: Quiet and a junior in high school, Quiet with an affinity for doilies and seasonal fruit, and Young with a need for a Mickey ice cream bar. The Son loved his chicken fingers.

Since all the food was included, we decided to indulge our indecisive selves and order 3 entrees: gnocchi, salmon, and grouper. To finish, Christine had the banana bread pudding and Sean attempted to decline desert. Igusto, our Server, would have none of it. As Sean replied, “No, thank you,” he stated, “OK, one slice of cheesecake for you”. Now fully packed, we zigzagged back to our stateroom in the 15-foot seas that had been rocking the ship all evening.

Our first full day on the ship began with an early wake-up call from Mickey Mouse himself. Christine had an 0630 appointment with Melissa for a private Pilates Reformer session. Dressed for fitness, we headed up to the Beverage Station on deck 9 for some juice. Then, we attempted to relocate the Spa.

After some wrong turns, we were there. Christine filled out the requisite paperwork and waited for Melissa to arrive while Sean hit the treadmill. The fitness center was almost full already. Challenged by the still rocking ship, Sean had to keep one hand on the machine at all times for stability. Done with a full workout, Sean was allowed into the classroom where Christine was still training. Pleased with her session, Christine booked another one for early the next morning. Still dressed for fitness, we headed for Beach Blanket Buffet for some breakfast.

The early eating crowd had passed, and we got straight into line. The food was abundant, as always. Sean was even trying fresh fruit with his omelet.

Back at the room, we discovered that we were berthed next to the same Royal Caribbean ship as at Port Canaveral.

The vast majority of cruisers got off the ship at Nassau, so we decided to enjoy having the Wonder almost to ourselves. First, we headed for Deck 9, and the Quiet Cove adult pool. We had our pick of chairs and location, so we decided on a pair that was partly in the sun.

After a few minutes of reading, we indulged in a strawberry daiquiri.

Next: Bridge tours, massaging, and semi-formal night.

Sean

 

[Babs417]

Keep it comming cant wait forour trip

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

Then, it was time to hit the pool. The Quiet Cove adult pool is 2 rectangles inside of each other: the outer rectangle has water that is about 8 inches deep, while the inner one is the actual pool. This allowed us to cool off our feet first before getting completely wet. Our next stop was the Jacuzzi.

After indulging in some lunch, it was time for our bridge tour. Our group of 15 was led into the bridge area. There was a suspended walkway one deck above the open bridge space, allowing us to look down on the control area of the Disney Wonder. A technician was installing some new radar equipment during our tour. Our guide detailed how Disney treats fire seriously on-board. Dozens of alarms occur each day. The cause can be as simple as using an aerosol spray too close to a detector. The system is setup so you’re your telephone is called if an alarm in your cabin is activated. If you don’t answer the call, you’re going to get a visit from the fire team to make sure all is ok. Large binoculars and charts were everywhere.

Next, it was time for some R and R: our couples massage at the Vista Spa and Salon. We were led to our private massage room by our two female masseuses. The massage was a mix of styles. Despite his request for a relaxing massage, Sean received some serious deep-tissue work. A bell signified the end of the massage, and the beginning of the sales pitch. They were trying to sell us the products used on us during our treatment. We politely declined.

By now, it was late Monday afternoon. It was semi-formal night at dinner, so we washed off the massage lotion and got dressed for dinner in the main dining room: Triton’s.

And now a few words from your host:
Of course, multiple products HAD to be mixed together to achieve the lotion utilized on Sean. Such relaxation couldn't happen any other way. And well look, they're totally different from the products applied to Christine. The more to sell you! I think we'll stick with our local massage therapists. We're glad we did the bridge tour, as it seems they've gone the way of the dinosaur. And they've extended the fitness center over it. The adult pool is very quiet on a port day.

Next up: semi-formal dinner. I promise!
Sean

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

We posed for pictures with Mickey in his tuxedo and Minnie in her finest, and then entered the glass-enclosed room. The wait staff was dressed in a sea foam green jacket that complimented the colors of the walls and artwork.

Sean dined on filet with green chili sauce, while Christine had a dish we can't remember :-( . Our desert choices were augmented by a special Anniversary surprise desert from Disney.

After dinner, we headed to the shopping district. We scouted the shops the night before, but on Monday, it was time to buy. A hat, clothes, and two new Cruise Line watches were among the items purchased. A new Disney pen for Sean was purchased since, “Santa would have a hard time keeping secrets on a ship”. On the way back to our room, we were passed Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, in the hall. She was kind enough to pose for a picture with Sean.

Tuesday: another day, another early morning trek to the fitness center for Sean and another private Pilates class for Christine. After burning so many calories, we headed to the buffet breakfast at Parrot Cay.


There was a buzz among the guests and Cast Members: today is Castaway Cay day. Our timing was great, as many had already eaten so that they could be first in line off the ship. Little did they know….

We found out from the Parrot Cay staff that one docking attempt had already been aborted due to high winds and seas. Conveniently, the blinds in the dining room were lowered so we couldn’t get a clear view as our second attempt was made. “Captain John is very persistent about trying to get into port at Castaway,” we were told. With much effort, we made it. From deck four, and then our verandah, we could see it. Calling us to come and enjoy.

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

Thank goodness you made it. I always get so bummed when people say they could not go.

 

[LovableGluttons]

Oh thank goodness you got to see Castaway Cay!

I would have been crushed if we had to miss that!


I'm going to have to pick your brain on the cruise meet thread about the spa.

I really want to try that out!

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

Once again, our planning paid off. We were able to stroll off the ship, gather 2 towels apiece, and head to fun in the sun. Christine had booked parasailing, so we stopped at Marge’s Barges.

The high winds had the staff concerned, so they send out a test boat to see if operations could begin. We were told we could reschedule for the afternoon or wait next to the shack. After about 20 minutes, everyone else in the waiting area had disappeared. So we went over to the shack where we were told that the morning tours were cancelled. Christine was offered a full refund or the chance to book an afternoon flight. She decided to think about it, so we headed off to the main area of the Cay.

She Sells Sea Shells was our first, and unfortunately due to Mother Nature, last stop. We lucked into some sale merchandise, pins, and a fluffy beach towel for Sean. The Cast Member had just finished packaging it for delivery to the ship when we noticed that it was getting quite crowded in the store.

Rain. They sunny skies had turned gray and opened. People were seeking cover anywhere they could. And it looked like it was here to stay. After a few minutes of getting more and more friendly with everyone, we decided to head back to the ship. With towels around our heads and one protecting our beach bag, the half-mile trek began.

Our frustration grew with each step. We did find time to stop at the Bahamas post office to purchase some DCL stamps. After passing through the metal detectors and wiping off, we sloshed up to our room.

We were soaked. It looked as though we had decided to go swimming with all our clothes on. “Look, it is going to clear,” proclaimed the Cast Members. So we dressed anew for beach fun and headed to Parrot Cay for lunch. Disney hadn’t planned on hundreds of guests eating lunch onboard, so an emergent call went out to the chefs and dining staff. Hence the hotdog and hamburger specialty stand at lunch.

And now, your host:
It took some of our items until the end of the cruise to dry out. We'd heard on the DIS and elsewhere that you should shop first if you can. Too many tales of finding something one liked, and it being gone during the afternoon shopping crunch. I guess the good news was: we were inside, and we could've been farther from the ship than we were
Sean

 

[smeck]

Once again, our planning paid off. We were able to stroll off the ship, gather 2 towels apiece, and head to fun in the sun. Christine had booked parasailing, so we stopped at Marge’s Barges.

The high winds had the staff concerned, so they send out a test boat to see if operations could begin. We were told we could reschedule for the afternoon or wait next to the shack. After about 20 minutes, everyone else in the waiting area had disappeared. So we went over to the shack where we were told that the morning tours were cancelled. Christine was offered a full refund or the chance to book an afternoon flight. She decided to think about it, so we headed off to the main area of the Cay.

She Sells Sea Shells was our first, and unfortunately due to Mother Nature, last stop. We lucked into some sale merchandise, pins, and a fluffy beach towel for Sean. The Cast Member had just finished packaging it for delivery to the ship when we noticed that it was getting quite crowded in the store.

Rain. They sunny skies had turned gray and opened. People were seeking cover anywhere they could. And it looked like it was here to stay. After a few minutes of getting more and more friendly with everyone, we decided to head back to the ship. With towels around our heads and one protecting our beach bag, the half-mile trek began.

Our frustration grew with each step. We did find time to stop at the Bahamas post office to purchase some DCL stamps. After passing through the metal detectors and wiping off, we sloshed up to our room.

We were soaked. It looked as though we had decided to go swimming with all our clothes on. “Look, it is going to clear,” proclaimed the Cast Members. So we dressed anew for beach fun and headed to Parrot Cay for lunch. Disney hadn’t planned on hundreds of guests eating lunch onboard, so an emergent call went out to the chefs and dining staff. Hence the hotdog and hamburger specialty stand at lunch.

And now, your host:
It took some of our items until the end of the cruise to dry out. We'd heard on the DIS and elsewhere that you should shop first if you can. Too many tales of finding something one liked, and it being gone during the afternoon shopping crunch. I guess the good news was: we were inside, and we could've been farther from the ship than we were
Sean

Did you Parasail at Castaway Cay? We herd they weren't operating anymore.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

I've been reading about the parasailing at CC recently. Our cruise was 10/05, and they were still operating then. DW ended up cancelling her parasailing. Oh, she was clinging to hope, but the weather wasn't in our favor. This past fall, at our CR getaway, we tried parasailing. That's right, we went together. It was great. Sammy Duvall's at the CR has it. Single/double, regular/higher and longer. It was a lot of fun. We took the disposable camera up with us, and got some nice photos.
Sean

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

Once again we struck out for some beach time. By now, it was afternoon. I thought the clouds looked foreboding, but the Staff kept insisting that things were getting better…

I was right. We didn’t even make as far as we did in the morning before we got wet. Frustrated, angry, and wet again, we refused to yield. We walked all around the shopping district. Then we boarded the tram to the Serenity Bay, the quiet adult beach.
There was so much water on the ground by now that the tram was creating a wake as it drove down the old runway. We didn’t even get off the tram. Instead, we rode it back to the Palm Central stop. Christine was very frustrated, and took the waterproof camera in hand and started walking back to the ship. Swathed in towels, Sean decided to board the tram at the Scuttle’s Cove tram stop instead.

Tensions were at an all-time high. Every bathing suit we brought with us was soaked, yet we hadn’t even set one toe into the ocean. Christine threw on some exercise wear and headed to the Fitness Center to work out her frustrations, while Sean took advantage of his free Internet access. Emails were sent to several surprised co-workers and Dad.

Tuesday’s dinner was also at Triton’s, but with a theme: Pirate Night. Mysteriously, pirate items appeared for sale in the stores. As we waited for dinner above the main lobby, we could faintly hear Captain John on the PA system. He was apologizing for the day’s weather. “And we certainly view Castaway Cay as the crown jewel of your experience with us. As such, I propose that we return tomorrow, around noon, so that you can enjoy this special Disney place.” Christine nearly screamed. It was obvious that few were listening to Captain John.
At dinner, all were given pirate-themed scarves. Christine fashioned hers into a stylish choker, while Sean’s became a pocket square. The menu was printed on a special take home scroll souvenir.

We decided to take in the evenings show after dinner: The Golden Mickeys. It was an Oscar-type musical featuring both live and animated participants.

Once again, some commentary from your host...
If you're a weather watcher or frequent boater, trust your instincts. Well... its the ocean... in the tropics- ok so the Finger Lakes don't get hurricaines forming over them, but many weather principles apply in both locations. The staff, being Disney positive, was no doubt trying to put a positive spin on things. We understand.
Even the ships weather data on the TV appeared to be dusted with pixie dust. The barometric pressure reading hardly changed during the entire duration of our cruise. Our cat 7 had a thermometer, compass, and pressure gauge on the verandah. This gauge did change, moreso than what the TV one did. Will we ever really get to CC? And be able to enjoy it? Stay tuned...
Sean

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

Wednesday was supposed to be a day at sea. Many on-board activities were scheduled. Some of which we wanted to do. But we were returning to Castaway Cay. So, some planning was called for. Once again we were at the fitness center shortly after 6. The number of exercisers was decreasing daily, and had finally hit 2: Christine and Sean. The stereo wasn’t even on yet. We enjoyed having the entire place to ourselves for the first 20 minutes of our workouts.

Another part of the Romantic Escape at Sea is the Champagne Breakfast in bed. Ours was scheduled to allow our workout first. As Sean was getting into the shower, it arrived. OJ, milk, a bagel, and an omelet for Sean. Tea, blueberry pancakes, and a banana for Christine.

Our first activity was the Q and A session with the Senior Staff: Captain John, the Cruise Director, the Chief Engineer, and Hotel Director were the participants. Christine was able to ask a question to Captain John about his career ladder and history at sea.
We learned many things during this 30 minute session: why we had to leave Castaway Cay Tuesday, how many engines there are, how many staff are in the hotel division, and how they process water and waste.

Next, it was time for a cooking demonstration at Studio Sea. The head chef at Animator’s Palate showed us how to make Caribbean Jerk Chicken and rice. Then, a sommelier educated us on pairing it with the proper wine: a Chardonnay with vanilla and oak flavors that Sean correctly identified.

The docking process began shortly before lunchtime, so we stopped on deck four to observe the goings-on. Then we headed up to deck nine for photographs and lunch at Beach Blanket Buffet.

Christine got to ask a question of Captain John during the Q&A session. She inquired about what he went through to become a captain. He gave a very detailed and thorough answer. We learned that there were multiple officers onboard with the same license as his, allowing them to pilot the vessel too. The waste holding tanks weren't large enough to allow us to overnight at CC. And they must get 7? miles offshore before the tanks can be dumped. Plus, we had fireworks to shoot off for the PIC party.
Next up: will PaDC ever experience CC?
Sean

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

As the herd debarked the ship in search of the best beach locations, Sean headed to the Internet Café. He was able to secure “A” level boarding passes for the flight home, while Christine packed.

Then we headed down to the gangway. The crowd was long gone, and we landed on Castaway Cay without any delay.

Desperate for fun in the sun, and short on time, the crowds settled into the first patches of beach they came upon. Not wanting to waste a minute, we headed for the far end of Castaway Family Beach.

This end of the Beach was almost completely empty. We selected lounge chairs under an umbrella to shade ourselves from the intense Caribbean sun. To compensate all for the poor weather and cancelled excursions the day before, Disney gave everyone a free float rental. Christine went over and picked up our large, clear floating tube.

Already hot from the sun, we hopped into the water. After some pictures and cooling off, Sean headed back to the lounge chairs. Christine embarked on a photo-essay quest to reach the far corner of the Swimming Lagoon.

Upon her return to the chairs, we noticed gray, growing clouds in the distance. Aware of their significance, we decided that 2 and a half hours of beach time was enough. We boarded the ship after a minimal wait. It was just in time…

Within 10 minutes of our return to the ship, the skies opened. Most were so engrossed in their beach fun that they didn’t see it coming. We relaxed on our protected verandah and watched the soaked horde trudge back to the ship. It was time to get ready for our romantic dinner…

Hello, again! So, our 4-night ended up being a double-dip of sorts. In the end, we didn't get much quality CC time. But, we got some. We've already decided that we're not going to plan any CC excursions on our 10/07 cruise. We'd just like to get a chance to see and experience the place. DW also gave in to her husband, and we're going Double Dipping in 10/08. I started talking about it when the 2008 cruises came out. We'd decided not to do it, and then really started looking at pricing and the opportunities 2 stops presented. Current plan is the kayak/eco tour on the first stop, and relaxing on the 2nd.
Next up: Palo and packing.
Sean

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

Palo is an adults-only restaurant located at the aft Deck 11 section of the Disney Wonder. Reservations are required, and go quickly. With our REAS package, we automatically were set. We wanted to enjoy this special dinner during our last evening on-board.

We were among the first to arrive at Palo that night. A romantic table for 2 was waiting for us along the windows at the back of the restaurant. We could see Castaway Cay growing smaller as we sailed away.

Our server, Adina, was so attentive that she brought a dark napkin for Sean. This way, his dark suit wouldn’t get white lint on it. The menu contained many interesting items. We couldn’t decide, again, so we ordered extra to try.

Christine had the drink of the night, in a corkscrew stemmed glass, while Sean had a glass of chardonnay. Next came the flat bread we had chosen. A piece was served to each, and the remainder went into a warming tray at the server station. Dinner consisted of an 8-ounce tenderloin for Sean, and tortellini stuffed with crabmeat for Christine.

Feeling indulgent and romantic, we ordered the chocolate lava cake for dessert. It didn’t disappoint. There was one item remaining, Adina told us. Sean thought it was the bill, but it turned out to be a special plate: It wished us a Happy 8th Anniversary in liquid chocolate.

Hand-in-hand, we returned to our stateroom. While we were out, Fritz had decorated the room with rose petals. A pair of towel swans, nesting into the shape of a heart, sat in the middle of the bed. They gold foil covered chocolates were placed around them.

Our luggage had to be packed and in the hallway by 2300 to be picked up by the staff. We made it with plenty of time to spare, thanks to the work Christine had done that afternoon.

Palo is that good. The service and attention to detail were outstanding. We can't wait to try the brunch on our 7-night. Having most of the packing done already was a big help. We still forgot about 'til we meet again, and hope to make it this time.
Sean