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DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2000
- Messages
- 2,791
Cast: me(39) , DH(40), DS (14), and DS (12)
We have been on the 3 & 4 day cruises, but this was our first 7 day. It was also our first time booking a cruise using our DVC points.
4/9
We flew in to Fort Lauderdale this time rather than Orlando due to a great rate I found on airfare. Yes, it was a longer drive, but it was doable and saved us around $1000 compared to the other flights I was looking at, so we felt it was worth it. We landed around 10:00 and took the shuttle to Budget rental car. There was a huge line which took over an hour to get through, but we were finally on our way to Vero Beach by noon.
This was our first time at Vero Beach, and we were very impressed. I would love to come back as a 2-3 day unwinding type of trip after spending time at WDW. We arrived sometime between 2-2:30, and our room was not ready, so we changed and headed over to the pool. Though it was crowded, we managed to find chairs for all of us, and the boys took a swim while DH and I relaxed with a couple of drinks. We were able to get to our room around 4:00, which was an ocean view inn room with the most spectacular view! We were on the 4th floor in room 2418. DH had secretly booked a deep tissue massage for me for 5:00. When he told me, I felt kind of guilty because I had secretly booked the REAS package which included a couples massage on the ship! I told him about the REAS at that point, and offered for him to have my massage, but he insisted I keep it. Wow, was I glad I did! It was honestly the best massage I have ever had! I could feel it in my back for about 2 days after the massage, kind of like you would after a good workout on muscles you haven't used in ages! I told DH we had to come back to Vero again just for another massage!
We had a nice walk on the beach, dinner at Shutters, then back to the room. Did one load of laundry, then fell asleep.
4/10
Got up and saw the most beautiful sunrise from our balcony, then started to get ready for our drive to the port. We left Vero around 9:15, and began our drive up A1A. We enjoyed a very scenic drive and had breakfast in Melbourne Beach. We also made a stop for beer, which is all we bothered to bring onboard.
Arrived at budget at 11:30. We toyed with having DH drop us off at the port, but I was kind of nervous about splitting up, so we stayed together to drop off the vehicle. It only took about 10 minutes for us to drop the car off, jump in the shuttle and head to the port.
By the time we got to the port, they were beginning to board. The Castaway Club line was definitely shorter than the regular line, so we headed over there. Check in was easy and we were in line to board in no time.
As we boarded the ship and they said our name, I got a little misty eyed, though I hid this from the rest of the family (they tease me enough as it is!). OK, so now they know. Anyway, we headed up to Topsiders for lunch, then to our room. We had booked a cat. 8 this time, after 2 cruises in a cat. 6. I really only missed the verandah a few times, and think I would actually save the $$ and book a cat. 8 if we cruise again. Since I had booked the REAS, all of our reservations were already in place and I didn't have to worry about doing the ressie scramble. Our excursions were prebooked as well, so I had nothing to do but relax!
The boys went up to play basketball and I planted myself by the adult pool for the afternoon. It was great! I stayed there until I had to get back to the room for the drill.
After the drill, there was a mini DISmeet on deck 10 at the sailaway party. We met the families of DVC4US, the Goodeguys, Denvick, KennyK,and Beachbum3. It was great to finally put a face to people we've been chatting with for so long!
We skipped the first night show and just relaxed in the room, then left for our 8:30 seating in AP. Turns out the Goodeguys were seated right next to us, and DVC4US was just a few tables over. Our servers were Dennis from the Philippines, and Maria from Hungary. They were great! Our head server was Alain, who was also fantastic.
We went back to the room and just hung out, while DS 14 went to check out The Stack. He came back around 11:30, and we all fell asleep! We were exhausted and I guess we really needed a good night sleep! Looking forward to touring Key West tomorrow!
We have been on the 3 & 4 day cruises, but this was our first 7 day. It was also our first time booking a cruise using our DVC points.
4/9
We flew in to Fort Lauderdale this time rather than Orlando due to a great rate I found on airfare. Yes, it was a longer drive, but it was doable and saved us around $1000 compared to the other flights I was looking at, so we felt it was worth it. We landed around 10:00 and took the shuttle to Budget rental car. There was a huge line which took over an hour to get through, but we were finally on our way to Vero Beach by noon.
This was our first time at Vero Beach, and we were very impressed. I would love to come back as a 2-3 day unwinding type of trip after spending time at WDW. We arrived sometime between 2-2:30, and our room was not ready, so we changed and headed over to the pool. Though it was crowded, we managed to find chairs for all of us, and the boys took a swim while DH and I relaxed with a couple of drinks. We were able to get to our room around 4:00, which was an ocean view inn room with the most spectacular view! We were on the 4th floor in room 2418. DH had secretly booked a deep tissue massage for me for 5:00. When he told me, I felt kind of guilty because I had secretly booked the REAS package which included a couples massage on the ship! I told him about the REAS at that point, and offered for him to have my massage, but he insisted I keep it. Wow, was I glad I did! It was honestly the best massage I have ever had! I could feel it in my back for about 2 days after the massage, kind of like you would after a good workout on muscles you haven't used in ages! I told DH we had to come back to Vero again just for another massage!
We had a nice walk on the beach, dinner at Shutters, then back to the room. Did one load of laundry, then fell asleep.
4/10
Got up and saw the most beautiful sunrise from our balcony, then started to get ready for our drive to the port. We left Vero around 9:15, and began our drive up A1A. We enjoyed a very scenic drive and had breakfast in Melbourne Beach. We also made a stop for beer, which is all we bothered to bring onboard.
Arrived at budget at 11:30. We toyed with having DH drop us off at the port, but I was kind of nervous about splitting up, so we stayed together to drop off the vehicle. It only took about 10 minutes for us to drop the car off, jump in the shuttle and head to the port.
By the time we got to the port, they were beginning to board. The Castaway Club line was definitely shorter than the regular line, so we headed over there. Check in was easy and we were in line to board in no time.
As we boarded the ship and they said our name, I got a little misty eyed, though I hid this from the rest of the family (they tease me enough as it is!). OK, so now they know. Anyway, we headed up to Topsiders for lunch, then to our room. We had booked a cat. 8 this time, after 2 cruises in a cat. 6. I really only missed the verandah a few times, and think I would actually save the $$ and book a cat. 8 if we cruise again. Since I had booked the REAS, all of our reservations were already in place and I didn't have to worry about doing the ressie scramble. Our excursions were prebooked as well, so I had nothing to do but relax!
The boys went up to play basketball and I planted myself by the adult pool for the afternoon. It was great! I stayed there until I had to get back to the room for the drill.
After the drill, there was a mini DISmeet on deck 10 at the sailaway party. We met the families of DVC4US, the Goodeguys, Denvick, KennyK,and Beachbum3. It was great to finally put a face to people we've been chatting with for so long!
We skipped the first night show and just relaxed in the room, then left for our 8:30 seating in AP. Turns out the Goodeguys were seated right next to us, and DVC4US was just a few tables over. Our servers were Dennis from the Philippines, and Maria from Hungary. They were great! Our head server was Alain, who was also fantastic.
We went back to the room and just hung out, while DS 14 went to check out The Stack. He came back around 11:30, and we all fell asleep! We were exhausted and I guess we really needed a good night sleep! Looking forward to touring Key West tomorrow!
