Cast: DD6, DW, DMIL, and "the Pup"
It was 5:30am and I was already awake. Our cruise was about over, and it was time to head home. I went up to deck 10 and watched as we approached the Port Canaveral channel. It was dark and cool. Before long we were docked, and the "ballet" had begun. The forklift drivers were quickly loading and unloading luggage, supplies, etc. If you get the chance, stop for a few minutes and watch this. It's quite a show!
After a brief stop at Topsiders, I returned to the room. The family was awake, and ready to roll. We gathered up our remaining belongings and we were off for our final Topsiders breakfast. We took our carryons to breakfast with us, however, I would not recommend this. There is plenty of time to have breakfast, and return to the room to collect your carryons. Soon we on deck 3 waving goodbye to the crew. We quickly found our luggage, and the porter carried it to the tents where the Avis van would pick us up. The past two years we flew USAirways. We were able to checkin at the port, and drop off our luggage even though we didn't use Disney transportation to the airport. This was a great convenience. This year I used United FF miles. Unfortunately, they don't have checkin at the port so we had to take our luggage to Avis. The Avis van pickup was much better this year. Last year a fistfight (I'm not kidding!) almost broke out because the line (or lack of it) was very disorganized. This year the organization was much better, and soon we were off to Avis. Our minivan was ready, and away we went...it was 9am. Since our flight didn't leave until 2pm we headed to theBelz Outlets in Orlando, and did some shopping. Before long we were back at the airport, flying home. Unfortunately, there was a storm in the midwest that affected East Coast flights. Our connection in Washington, D.C. was delayed almost 5 hours! By the time we arrived home it was midnight. My own bed felt good, but tonight the Magic wouldn't rock me to sleep.
Final Thoughts
Each of our DCL cruises have been different. Not only Eastern vs. Western, but we did different things each time. As DD grew up we did different activities (Mickey 200, Mr. Toad's Wild Race), and as a family we went to Studio Sea, as well as the Family Cabaret in Rockin' Bar D. DW & DMIL checked out the spa for the first time.
We didn't rebook onboard for several reasons: Two major expenses upcoming: inground pool & new car (work overtime!). Also we've done the Eastern & Western itineraries several times with DCL and other cruiselines - we're ready for something else. Although I love the ship, DCL seems to be cutting out some of the special "Disney things", such as Disney music. I can go on any cruiseline and listen to Big Band tunes. After 3 DCL cruises, only one featured "excellent" dinner serving teams. The other two were mediocre at best. Honestly, I'm not that hard to please, and this disappointed me. Is DCL a good cruise...YES! I would still highly recommend it. The shows are the best, and the crew is one of the friendliest afloat from the guys in the yellow jumpsuits to the captain. Will we do another DCL cruise?...pleeeeassse bring on a southern Caribbean itineary! It's a great family vacation!
It's been fun reliving the cruise through these posts, and I hope you have enjoyed it, too. In the meantime happy sailing, may you have fair winds, and following seas!
It was 5:30am and I was already awake. Our cruise was about over, and it was time to head home. I went up to deck 10 and watched as we approached the Port Canaveral channel. It was dark and cool. Before long we were docked, and the "ballet" had begun. The forklift drivers were quickly loading and unloading luggage, supplies, etc. If you get the chance, stop for a few minutes and watch this. It's quite a show!
After a brief stop at Topsiders, I returned to the room. The family was awake, and ready to roll. We gathered up our remaining belongings and we were off for our final Topsiders breakfast. We took our carryons to breakfast with us, however, I would not recommend this. There is plenty of time to have breakfast, and return to the room to collect your carryons. Soon we on deck 3 waving goodbye to the crew. We quickly found our luggage, and the porter carried it to the tents where the Avis van would pick us up. The past two years we flew USAirways. We were able to checkin at the port, and drop off our luggage even though we didn't use Disney transportation to the airport. This was a great convenience. This year I used United FF miles. Unfortunately, they don't have checkin at the port so we had to take our luggage to Avis. The Avis van pickup was much better this year. Last year a fistfight (I'm not kidding!) almost broke out because the line (or lack of it) was very disorganized. This year the organization was much better, and soon we were off to Avis. Our minivan was ready, and away we went...it was 9am. Since our flight didn't leave until 2pm we headed to theBelz Outlets in Orlando, and did some shopping. Before long we were back at the airport, flying home. Unfortunately, there was a storm in the midwest that affected East Coast flights. Our connection in Washington, D.C. was delayed almost 5 hours! By the time we arrived home it was midnight. My own bed felt good, but tonight the Magic wouldn't rock me to sleep.
Final Thoughts
Each of our DCL cruises have been different. Not only Eastern vs. Western, but we did different things each time. As DD grew up we did different activities (Mickey 200, Mr. Toad's Wild Race), and as a family we went to Studio Sea, as well as the Family Cabaret in Rockin' Bar D. DW & DMIL checked out the spa for the first time.
We didn't rebook onboard for several reasons: Two major expenses upcoming: inground pool & new car (work overtime!). Also we've done the Eastern & Western itineraries several times with DCL and other cruiselines - we're ready for something else. Although I love the ship, DCL seems to be cutting out some of the special "Disney things", such as Disney music. I can go on any cruiseline and listen to Big Band tunes. After 3 DCL cruises, only one featured "excellent" dinner serving teams. The other two were mediocre at best. Honestly, I'm not that hard to please, and this disappointed me. Is DCL a good cruise...YES! I would still highly recommend it. The shows are the best, and the crew is one of the friendliest afloat from the guys in the yellow jumpsuits to the captain. Will we do another DCL cruise?...pleeeeassse bring on a southern Caribbean itineary! It's a great family vacation!
It's been fun reliving the cruise through these posts, and I hope you have enjoyed it, too. In the meantime happy sailing, may you have fair winds, and following seas!
