hezzie
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2002
- Messages
- 269
Cast: Me, DH, DD(7) and DS(5)
After the Golden Mickey's, headed up to Deck 9 for the Pirate Party. It was very crowded, but a lot of fun. The kids spent most of the time right up front watching the Cruise Crew dance, so my DH and I stood to the side and enjoyed watching them! The fireworks were great! Again, we were both tired, so we decided to go to bed before the buffet was served. I was still so stuffed from dinner at 6, I'm not sure who was going to be eating. I can't imagine eating at 8:30 and being able to eat anything on the buffet. Well, after missing the docking in Nassua, my DH had me set the alarm so we would not miss Castaway Cay! I have to admit, we slept quite well and found it to be quite quiet. The only disturbance was the first night when my DS kept rolling over and hitting the metal bar on the murphy bed. My DH would sit up thinking he had fallen out of bed. Needless to say, the next two nights, a pillow was placed between the bar and the person sleeping! So we all got up, put or bathing suits under our clothes and headed for breakfast and to watch the boat dock at Castaway Cay. As we walked along Deck 10, the wind was very strong and I immediately thought about all the posts I had read about the ship not docking b/c of the wind. I can't imagine how windy it must have been when the ship didn't dock, b/c it was quite windy for us. After breakfast, we went back to the room, collected our beach bags and headed out. As were were in the room an announcement came over the speaker reminding everyone what was need to disembark. So we make our way from the front to the back of the ship and down to Deck 1 to disembark. That's when I realize I don't have the kids KTTW cards with me (yes those items they reminded us to bring!). So my DH gives me the look and then heads back to the room to get them. As I stood there with the kids, I began to feel much better about myself as almost everyone had to wait b/c someone in their party had forgotten ID or their KTTW. It was actually quite funny!! Hey...we're on vacation....we're not required to think of everything!! Anyway, off we go, more pictures, checking out everying as we go. We kept looking back at the ship and just couldn't believe we were actually there. As we passed Scuttles Cove, we checked it out in hopes the kids would want to spend some time and them we found an place on the family beach. The kids and DH hit the water (which was much colder than I would have expected! I was thinking bath water and it was more like Cape Cod on a warm summer day!) After swimming for a while, the kids decide they want to try Scuttles Cove, so we drop them off and we make our way to the tram to Serenity Bay. We just wanted to check it out. It was beautiful and very very quiet! Almost too quiet. We decided to get a drink at the bar and then head back to the family beach. We grabbed some lunch at Cookies and then headed to back to the beach for some quiet time without the kids (i.e., enjoying the drinks and sunbathing). Once we got the kids from the club, my DH and DD did some snorkeling. About 3pm, we decided to head back to the boat (although it was somewhat overcast, I felt I was getting a little too much sun!). Back on the boat, the kids hit the pool, had some ice-cream and just enjoyed the ship. I made my way down to the room to get some packing ready and then go to the disembarkation meeting. I had learned everything I needed to know about the packing and the next night. By the time I returned to the room, the kids were back and getting showered for dinner. Once I was done my shower, my DH was well versed on the whole disembarkation speech, as he had watched the whole thing in TV. So, if you don't want to miss time at the pool, no need to attend the meeting, just check it out on the TV as you are getting ready! Since we were ready early, I finished the packing and somehow managed to get the items we needed the next morning in the two carry-on bags. I just added our evenings clothes to the suitcase before putting them out for 11pm. It was a challenge, but I managed to make it work. That evening, we attended Disney Dreams, which was nice, but our least favorite of the 3. If (I mean when) we go on another 3nt cruise, I think we will skip some of the shows and check out the other entertainment on board. Morning came very quickly! A major disadvantage to having the first seating for dinner. It seemed like everyone, including the servers were just as tired as us! Of course, we were on vacation and they worked the entire time, so I can't understand it! After breakfast, we made our way off the boat slowly, stopping for a picture with Captain Henry in the atrium. Finding your luggage is so organized and easy to do, it's very impressive. We were off the ship within 10 minutes. As were driving away, I could not believe that we had just spent 3 nights on the ship. It seemed like a dream. We still had 2 days back at the parks, which was nice! We didn't have to give up the "magic of Disney" just yet!!!
So, some things I walked away with after our first cruise....be prepared to be overwhelmed, you will feel lost for the first 2 days and by day 3, you can give others directions to different locations on the ship, don't forget your ID and KTTW for everyone leaving the ship (including the kids), be prepared for that bill that slides under your door the last night. For an all inclusive cruise, we somehow managed to get a rather hefty bill (hmm...my massage, the bahama mama, pina colada, mud slide, beer mug and all the refills and all those tips, really add up!!). If anyone plans on drinking some beer, buy the mug...it pays for itself after the first day or two. Stop and enjoy the moment b/c it flies by. Take naps so you can enjoy the night life! It will be 2nd seating dinner for us next time so we can take a late afternoon nap and be able to enjoy all the evening activities. Now it's time to figure out when we are going again!! :thewave:
After the Golden Mickey's, headed up to Deck 9 for the Pirate Party. It was very crowded, but a lot of fun. The kids spent most of the time right up front watching the Cruise Crew dance, so my DH and I stood to the side and enjoyed watching them! The fireworks were great! Again, we were both tired, so we decided to go to bed before the buffet was served. I was still so stuffed from dinner at 6, I'm not sure who was going to be eating. I can't imagine eating at 8:30 and being able to eat anything on the buffet. Well, after missing the docking in Nassua, my DH had me set the alarm so we would not miss Castaway Cay! I have to admit, we slept quite well and found it to be quite quiet. The only disturbance was the first night when my DS kept rolling over and hitting the metal bar on the murphy bed. My DH would sit up thinking he had fallen out of bed. Needless to say, the next two nights, a pillow was placed between the bar and the person sleeping! So we all got up, put or bathing suits under our clothes and headed for breakfast and to watch the boat dock at Castaway Cay. As we walked along Deck 10, the wind was very strong and I immediately thought about all the posts I had read about the ship not docking b/c of the wind. I can't imagine how windy it must have been when the ship didn't dock, b/c it was quite windy for us. After breakfast, we went back to the room, collected our beach bags and headed out. As were were in the room an announcement came over the speaker reminding everyone what was need to disembark. So we make our way from the front to the back of the ship and down to Deck 1 to disembark. That's when I realize I don't have the kids KTTW cards with me (yes those items they reminded us to bring!). So my DH gives me the look and then heads back to the room to get them. As I stood there with the kids, I began to feel much better about myself as almost everyone had to wait b/c someone in their party had forgotten ID or their KTTW. It was actually quite funny!! Hey...we're on vacation....we're not required to think of everything!! Anyway, off we go, more pictures, checking out everying as we go. We kept looking back at the ship and just couldn't believe we were actually there. As we passed Scuttles Cove, we checked it out in hopes the kids would want to spend some time and them we found an place on the family beach. The kids and DH hit the water (which was much colder than I would have expected! I was thinking bath water and it was more like Cape Cod on a warm summer day!) After swimming for a while, the kids decide they want to try Scuttles Cove, so we drop them off and we make our way to the tram to Serenity Bay. We just wanted to check it out. It was beautiful and very very quiet! Almost too quiet. We decided to get a drink at the bar and then head back to the family beach. We grabbed some lunch at Cookies and then headed to back to the beach for some quiet time without the kids (i.e., enjoying the drinks and sunbathing). Once we got the kids from the club, my DH and DD did some snorkeling. About 3pm, we decided to head back to the boat (although it was somewhat overcast, I felt I was getting a little too much sun!). Back on the boat, the kids hit the pool, had some ice-cream and just enjoyed the ship. I made my way down to the room to get some packing ready and then go to the disembarkation meeting. I had learned everything I needed to know about the packing and the next night. By the time I returned to the room, the kids were back and getting showered for dinner. Once I was done my shower, my DH was well versed on the whole disembarkation speech, as he had watched the whole thing in TV. So, if you don't want to miss time at the pool, no need to attend the meeting, just check it out on the TV as you are getting ready! Since we were ready early, I finished the packing and somehow managed to get the items we needed the next morning in the two carry-on bags. I just added our evenings clothes to the suitcase before putting them out for 11pm. It was a challenge, but I managed to make it work. That evening, we attended Disney Dreams, which was nice, but our least favorite of the 3. If (I mean when) we go on another 3nt cruise, I think we will skip some of the shows and check out the other entertainment on board. Morning came very quickly! A major disadvantage to having the first seating for dinner. It seemed like everyone, including the servers were just as tired as us! Of course, we were on vacation and they worked the entire time, so I can't understand it! After breakfast, we made our way off the boat slowly, stopping for a picture with Captain Henry in the atrium. Finding your luggage is so organized and easy to do, it's very impressive. We were off the ship within 10 minutes. As were driving away, I could not believe that we had just spent 3 nights on the ship. It seemed like a dream. We still had 2 days back at the parks, which was nice! We didn't have to give up the "magic of Disney" just yet!!!
So, some things I walked away with after our first cruise....be prepared to be overwhelmed, you will feel lost for the first 2 days and by day 3, you can give others directions to different locations on the ship, don't forget your ID and KTTW for everyone leaving the ship (including the kids), be prepared for that bill that slides under your door the last night. For an all inclusive cruise, we somehow managed to get a rather hefty bill (hmm...my massage, the bahama mama, pina colada, mud slide, beer mug and all the refills and all those tips, really add up!!). If anyone plans on drinking some beer, buy the mug...it pays for itself after the first day or two. Stop and enjoy the moment b/c it flies by. Take naps so you can enjoy the night life! It will be 2nd seating dinner for us next time so we can take a late afternoon nap and be able to enjoy all the evening activities. Now it's time to figure out when we are going again!! :thewave:
3 day report. If I may ask, how did you handle your tips? Did you prepay so to speak at guest services before your disembarked(?) the ship or the morning you left? I have read most say it is easier to pay before hand. Thanks again for your detailed report! 
