The long awaited day had arrived---Sun. Feb. 8, 2004. Living 1700 miles apart from my Dad, we decided to escape our winter homes and meet in Florida for a visiting vacation. Having never been on a cruise before, my Dad and I decided it would be fun to go on a Disney cruise after our week in Orlando. We decided to make it the 4 day cruise to see how we handle cruising. Unfortunately, it wasn't the cruising that was our problem!!!
But I guess we should start from the beginning----
We caught our Disney shuttle from the airport. We really enjoyed the bus ride and the film about the cruise as we made our way to Cape Canaveral. We arrived at the dock rather early and breezed through check in. Then sat around and waited for boarding time.
Finally the time came! We were directed up to the buffet for lunch, since the staterooms weren't ready yet. That was fine. We were hungry! The food was great! The weather was cold and windy! After freezing on the deck for awhile, we were able to get a table indoors and finish our meal.
Then on to our room---Category 11, level 7, aft. We were very impressed with the use of space. Especially with the way the coach folds down into a twin bed---my Dad's bed. I also liked the way the curtains really made the rooms seem separate. I even liked being on the inside part of the ship and how dark it got at night. I was also surprised to find a bath/shower combination in the bathroom. So far, all's well!
Off to the jacuzzi---my Dad's favorite thing on vacations. But we couldn't stay long because of the mandatory evacuation drill. We later discovered another means of evacuation---but back to the time being!
Having read up about "ressies" on the forum, I figured we'd better get ours for Palo if we were going to go. By then, there were only Sun. night reservations left---fortunately for us. We took them. THen thoroughly explored the ship. Even watching our departure from the neat little viewing area at the aft of deck 7.
Our Palo reservations were for 7:30, so soon we were on our way there. I've never been to a 5 star restaurant, but I can't imagine it being better than Palo's! Service was excellent, food was excellent, company was excellent! The 3 hour dinner experience seemed to go too quickly.
When we left Palo's, we waddled upon the ESPN room. It was pro-bowl day, and, yes, I am a huge sports fan! We had to check and see if my quarterback (Bulger) was playing. He had just been put in. It was almost like watching the Ram's of a few years ago! We stayed for the whole half.
By then it was late and we were done for the day.
Day 2 started with breakfast in Triton's. How nice it is to order whatever you want and not be looking at prices! Breakfast was great, service was great, company was great!
Off to explore Nassau----somewhat disappointing. I'm not sure what I expected, but it pretty much reminded me of Freeport. But we did take the Atlantis excursion and thoroughly enjoyed that! I couldn't figure out why they spend so much time docked in Nassau and not in Castaway Cay!
THen it was more jacuzzi time. And a snack from the snack bar---hotdogs and kraut! Yum.
At 7:30 was the showing of Hercules. It was such a cute play!
From there we were off to our late dinner---at Animations. Again, great food, great service, great company! (a pattern seems to be developing!) We met our 6 other table mates---one of the couples had even just gotten married in Nassau! We thoroughly enjoyed talking with everyone. Of course the restaurant is known for it's special atmosphere, too---those of you have been there before know what I'm talking about; those of you who haven't, I won't ruin it for you.
At 11 pm we caught the pre-view of Miracle. That is an excellent movie! The theatre was grand, also!
Too soon, the day comes to an end!
Day 3---Breakfast on the upper deck again---ohhing at the beauty of Castaway Cay and not realizing the doom to come!
But I guess we should start from the beginning----
We caught our Disney shuttle from the airport. We really enjoyed the bus ride and the film about the cruise as we made our way to Cape Canaveral. We arrived at the dock rather early and breezed through check in. Then sat around and waited for boarding time.
Finally the time came! We were directed up to the buffet for lunch, since the staterooms weren't ready yet. That was fine. We were hungry! The food was great! The weather was cold and windy! After freezing on the deck for awhile, we were able to get a table indoors and finish our meal.
Then on to our room---Category 11, level 7, aft. We were very impressed with the use of space. Especially with the way the coach folds down into a twin bed---my Dad's bed. I also liked the way the curtains really made the rooms seem separate. I even liked being on the inside part of the ship and how dark it got at night. I was also surprised to find a bath/shower combination in the bathroom. So far, all's well!
Off to the jacuzzi---my Dad's favorite thing on vacations. But we couldn't stay long because of the mandatory evacuation drill. We later discovered another means of evacuation---but back to the time being!
Having read up about "ressies" on the forum, I figured we'd better get ours for Palo if we were going to go. By then, there were only Sun. night reservations left---fortunately for us. We took them. THen thoroughly explored the ship. Even watching our departure from the neat little viewing area at the aft of deck 7.
Our Palo reservations were for 7:30, so soon we were on our way there. I've never been to a 5 star restaurant, but I can't imagine it being better than Palo's! Service was excellent, food was excellent, company was excellent! The 3 hour dinner experience seemed to go too quickly.
When we left Palo's, we waddled upon the ESPN room. It was pro-bowl day, and, yes, I am a huge sports fan! We had to check and see if my quarterback (Bulger) was playing. He had just been put in. It was almost like watching the Ram's of a few years ago! We stayed for the whole half.
By then it was late and we were done for the day.
Day 2 started with breakfast in Triton's. How nice it is to order whatever you want and not be looking at prices! Breakfast was great, service was great, company was great!
Off to explore Nassau----somewhat disappointing. I'm not sure what I expected, but it pretty much reminded me of Freeport. But we did take the Atlantis excursion and thoroughly enjoyed that! I couldn't figure out why they spend so much time docked in Nassau and not in Castaway Cay!
THen it was more jacuzzi time. And a snack from the snack bar---hotdogs and kraut! Yum.
At 7:30 was the showing of Hercules. It was such a cute play!
From there we were off to our late dinner---at Animations. Again, great food, great service, great company! (a pattern seems to be developing!) We met our 6 other table mates---one of the couples had even just gotten married in Nassau! We thoroughly enjoyed talking with everyone. Of course the restaurant is known for it's special atmosphere, too---those of you have been there before know what I'm talking about; those of you who haven't, I won't ruin it for you.
At 11 pm we caught the pre-view of Miracle. That is an excellent movie! The theatre was grand, also!
Too soon, the day comes to an end!
Day 3---Breakfast on the upper deck again---ohhing at the beauty of Castaway Cay and not realizing the doom to come!
