Up early with a Mickey wake up call! So cute. We went up to Topsiders and did the right thing, sat at a table by the pool. I really didn't care for the tables inside at all. Made me think of Sizzler steakhouse atmosphere.
We were not the first off the ship, but did OK. They were unloading at both aft and forward, so not too crazy. We waited for the tram, just missed one, so it was a wait. We just had too many kids and bags, to walk it. We skipped photos, sure wish we hadn't done that. It isn't that crowded that you have to rush over, there were photographers everywhere to take with Mickey and also one with ship in the background. I didn't know to go there but we ended up setting up right across from the playground thingy in the water. Chairs were available and someone just grabbed the hammock next to us. Because they threw a pair of shorts on it and left for the next THREE HOURS, I used it quite a lot. Got pictures of both kids in it too. DH felt funny since it wasn't really "ours". That's OK, I bought him one for his birthday when we got home! Now we have a little reminder of Castaway Cay in our backyard.
We spent the morning drinking Konk coolers, I walked over to the red shack bar, they were playing Christmas music with a carribean beat. there was a sewage smell on the way which was near a few hammocks over that way. They were full of people later, so I guess it didn't bother them. We played with the boys in the water(6 yr old still enjoyed the 99cent blow up tube I brought) until the playground opened and then DS 6 ran around on that for awhile. Tip, there is lots of seaweed on the bottom as you walk farther out from this area. Bring water shoes if you are squeemish like me. Also, I thought I'd find an abandoned float later in the day, but never did. I guess you better rent one if you really want one. One man found a huge starfish and he picked it up, we all enjoyed that. I liked that you could take your low beach chair right into the water! Lunch was great with the Lobster burgers not disappointing at all! I had two as a matter of fact! Food that kids will eat is a nice touch. My DS 2 loves corn. The cookie dough ice cream is soft serve and is blended in but good. The kids wanted to go back in the water, then DS 2 fell asleep on the lounger. This was perfect, I read my book in the hammock, then had a few more frozen drinks, while DH played with DS 6. We didn't explore much, and I did forget about the whale dig. I think DS 6 would have loved that. Amazingly clean bathrooms. Time flew and we left about 3:00 to get back on the ship. The rehearsal for the kids show was at 4. We got cleaned up, got him off to that. Did not attend disembark talk. Packed the rest of stuff, went to see the kids show. It was cute, free Tee shirt, slides of kids in programs doing stuff. DS 6 wasn't in there that much, but did do the Pirates training with Captain Hook, another day was Pinochio (free picture with child) and also slime making! (these are not labeled so grab a good one!) He did get featured on one slide. The song was it's a small world. This is the one time I did cry because it really is a small world when you look at all the parents watching and waving to their kids and giving them thumbs up. We all love our kids.
Dinner was at Animators Palette and we were just stuffed! the dessert Chocolate decadence had a tall glass of white whipped creamy stuff that was out of this world! I didn't think I had room, but I made room for that. The waiter did a cute show around the room, everyone waving their napkins at them. We overtipped everyone. I gave the four Flounders workers phone cards and $5 each. Only one CM in Oceaneers stood out, gave her a phone card. DS 6 got a cute bucket style hat for free from club. These were given out the last night so attend if you want one. DS 6 had made alittle friend and it was his birthday, so we looked up his room to see the decorations on the door and sang with them at dinner for his cake. We finally got around to checking out the "secret" deck 7 aft deck with the boys and saw dolphins swimming near the ship. We had the deck to ourselves and looked around the edge at the lucky people who had the big verandas near there. Our kids were excited to see that the moon was visable in the daytime. (amazing what kids find thrilling) We then took the kids to the clubs for the last time. DS 2 was clapping with glee when he saw the nursery and toys.
DH and I couldn't decide what to do, lounged on deck 4, saw last part of the farewell show, saw the very long Til we meet again (videotaped it for the kids) and collected the Pixie Dust.Dh and I had disagreement on what to do. I wanted to wait and see the Pub night, he wasn't comfortable with kids in clubs so late on 2nd night in there. We ended up trying to do the Pub night, but it got a very slow start, and we got a page from DS6 wanting to go to bed. Very nice day, the whole week was perfect weather, ship started to really rock at this point, took off my patch a few days before, so quickly took some dramamine and off to sleep.
We were not the first off the ship, but did OK. They were unloading at both aft and forward, so not too crazy. We waited for the tram, just missed one, so it was a wait. We just had too many kids and bags, to walk it. We skipped photos, sure wish we hadn't done that. It isn't that crowded that you have to rush over, there were photographers everywhere to take with Mickey and also one with ship in the background. I didn't know to go there but we ended up setting up right across from the playground thingy in the water. Chairs were available and someone just grabbed the hammock next to us. Because they threw a pair of shorts on it and left for the next THREE HOURS, I used it quite a lot. Got pictures of both kids in it too. DH felt funny since it wasn't really "ours". That's OK, I bought him one for his birthday when we got home! Now we have a little reminder of Castaway Cay in our backyard.
We spent the morning drinking Konk coolers, I walked over to the red shack bar, they were playing Christmas music with a carribean beat. there was a sewage smell on the way which was near a few hammocks over that way. They were full of people later, so I guess it didn't bother them. We played with the boys in the water(6 yr old still enjoyed the 99cent blow up tube I brought) until the playground opened and then DS 6 ran around on that for awhile. Tip, there is lots of seaweed on the bottom as you walk farther out from this area. Bring water shoes if you are squeemish like me. Also, I thought I'd find an abandoned float later in the day, but never did. I guess you better rent one if you really want one. One man found a huge starfish and he picked it up, we all enjoyed that. I liked that you could take your low beach chair right into the water! Lunch was great with the Lobster burgers not disappointing at all! I had two as a matter of fact! Food that kids will eat is a nice touch. My DS 2 loves corn. The cookie dough ice cream is soft serve and is blended in but good. The kids wanted to go back in the water, then DS 2 fell asleep on the lounger. This was perfect, I read my book in the hammock, then had a few more frozen drinks, while DH played with DS 6. We didn't explore much, and I did forget about the whale dig. I think DS 6 would have loved that. Amazingly clean bathrooms. Time flew and we left about 3:00 to get back on the ship. The rehearsal for the kids show was at 4. We got cleaned up, got him off to that. Did not attend disembark talk. Packed the rest of stuff, went to see the kids show. It was cute, free Tee shirt, slides of kids in programs doing stuff. DS 6 wasn't in there that much, but did do the Pirates training with Captain Hook, another day was Pinochio (free picture with child) and also slime making! (these are not labeled so grab a good one!) He did get featured on one slide. The song was it's a small world. This is the one time I did cry because it really is a small world when you look at all the parents watching and waving to their kids and giving them thumbs up. We all love our kids.
Dinner was at Animators Palette and we were just stuffed! the dessert Chocolate decadence had a tall glass of white whipped creamy stuff that was out of this world! I didn't think I had room, but I made room for that. The waiter did a cute show around the room, everyone waving their napkins at them. We overtipped everyone. I gave the four Flounders workers phone cards and $5 each. Only one CM in Oceaneers stood out, gave her a phone card. DS 6 got a cute bucket style hat for free from club. These were given out the last night so attend if you want one. DS 6 had made alittle friend and it was his birthday, so we looked up his room to see the decorations on the door and sang with them at dinner for his cake. We finally got around to checking out the "secret" deck 7 aft deck with the boys and saw dolphins swimming near the ship. We had the deck to ourselves and looked around the edge at the lucky people who had the big verandas near there. Our kids were excited to see that the moon was visable in the daytime. (amazing what kids find thrilling) We then took the kids to the clubs for the last time. DS 2 was clapping with glee when he saw the nursery and toys.
DH and I couldn't decide what to do, lounged on deck 4, saw last part of the farewell show, saw the very long Til we meet again (videotaped it for the kids) and collected the Pixie Dust.Dh and I had disagreement on what to do. I wanted to wait and see the Pub night, he wasn't comfortable with kids in clubs so late on 2nd night in there. We ended up trying to do the Pub night, but it got a very slow start, and we got a page from DS6 wanting to go to bed. Very nice day, the whole week was perfect weather, ship started to really rock at this point, took off my patch a few days before, so quickly took some dramamine and off to sleep.
