A Pictorial Cruise Review, A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words "TITLE CHANGE"

[mafpi]

Some final thoughts:
Please utilize the disboards to the fullest. Things I learned
Do the FE. It is just magical. We ran into people on their 6th cruise and had no idea what the FE is.
Decorate your doors. Kids loved it and makes it easier to find. I took off the magnets the last night. The next day I took off to iron, and when I got back, I was trying to open the wrong door because no magnets.
Go straight to the pool when you board. Uninterupted swimming for the kids. The pools were crazy busy during the week, so I am especially glad I did this. You will have all week to explore the boat.
Gettingg things signed at guest services. This was great and my kids absolutely loved them.
My wife said my attention to detail really made this cruise extra special. Thanks everyone on the disboard, especially the DISigners and my fellow FE exchangers. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
If you can affrod the CD, do it and take pictures galore. After everything is said and done all you will have left are memories and pictures.
My kids really were looking forward to the Oceaneers lab and club. We really didnt use them that much, probably 6 hours total for the week. We are super busy people, and wanted this as a family vacation and didn't want to use the lab and club as babysitters so me and my wife can get alone time. After everything, the kids were happy how we did things.
PLease be nice to all the workers. They work very hard and go months without seeing there family. They are very good, but please be patient and understanding when things don't go totally your way.
Pin trading was good, but my kids loved vinylmation trading. We went one or twice a day. It came to the point that they were blind picking the same ones or ones they traded to them. Funny thing though, the very last trade they all got one they were extremely happy with. Persistence pays off.
The food was above average, not great. But no complaints.
We didnt do any excursons and still had a good time.
This was the best family vacation ever. It was worth every penny. Any cruise has food, ports, shopping, activites and swimming. You pick Disney for family entertainment, and the delivered above and beyond. We definately will be doing this again. Thank you for letting me share my week with you. I wasnt going to do a trip report, but I am glad I did. Please feel free to ask any questions.

 

[mafpi]

Also I added some thing to post 1 that I forgot.

 

[DisFanInCO]

I know I am not as wordy as Mindyjoy or DisFanInCO, theres are more detailed oriented and more interesting.

Your TR is perfect! Short and sweet, fewer words and more pics which is always good! I'm probably writing TOO much

You guys really looked FANTASTIC on pirates night. I was very impressed with your costumes

And more great family pics! You guys definitely got your money's worth with the CD. I'm very impressed

I don't know how, but we TOTALLY missed the dessert buffet on Friday. I just looked through the navigator and FINALLY found it mentioned on the back page in the "Operating Hours" section, which I NEVER looked at. Did Christiaan announce it or something?

 

[Mindyjoy]

LOL I am cracking up at that picture of Tim, hahahahahahaha! You are too funny and creative, I'm so glad we were on the same cruise.

Holly, the only way we knew about the dessert buffet was because our server told us that night. I wish we could have enjoyed it, we were soooo stuffed.

 

[mafpi]

Your TR is perfect! Short and sweet, fewer words and more pics which is always good! I'm probably writing TOO much

You guys really looked FANTASTIC on pirates night. I was very impressed with your costumes

And more great family pics! You guys definitely got your money's worth with the CD. I'm very impressed

I don't know how, but we TOTALLY missed the dessert buffet on Friday. I just looked through the navigator and FINALLY found it mentioned on the back page in the "Operating Hours" section, which I NEVER looked at. Did Christiaan announce it or something?

Thanks to my fellow dissers. There was a post two weks before our cruise about somone complining about missing the dessert buffet. Responses showed what day it was and wwhere to lookk for it on the navigator. Also mentioned was that they really dont advertise it. So I was in the lookout for it.

 

[mafpi]

Hi everybody. Well I am sure everybody is in the same boat(no pun intended)
and came home with more pictures than than they would ever had imagined. Well I had 217 shutter photos, I bought the CD, and 915 photos on my camera. Well I didnt just want to print them, and have them sit in a shoebox. I wanted a true momento that would last a lifetime. I am a member of groupon, and got an email saying that I can get $100 for $35 from picabo.com. I jumped at it. I did a 12x12 hardcover 32 page book. With shipping it came out to $99.82. The preview link is below. I am set to receive the book Wednesday. I will let you all know how it came out.
http://app.picaboo.com/WebView/Proj...9106d468de6a&version=108915&siteID=ViaPreview

 

[Toria]

Thanks. My daughter loved her bobblehead pin. Thanks for the compliment. I really try hard to teach politeness.

Wonderful TR! You have a beautiful family and loved the pics.

 

[Angie_Ohio]

I loved your trip report, too! I love vacationing with my family as well. My DH and I have 5 sons. Our kids spent very little time in the clubs. We did a lot of things together like you guys did. My guys like the shows, dinner together and just hanging out as a family. I am researching the MR cruise for my husband and I. But seeing your kids makes me think I should try to take them, too. Ahhh! We'll see.

 

[swx72]

Thanks so much for sharing. Am going with my DH and DD (4) on our first cruise/disney cruise in September to MR. Have already signed up for FE having seen all the information about it on the boards. I loved all the magnets on your door and have to ask did you design them yourself or is there someone who helps with them as I'd love to do something similar.

 

[WestCoastMama]

Great report! Everyone has a different style and that's what makes it interesting. We will be going on our first DCL, the Wonder this coming October. I completely agree that the details make the trip. That's why I'm so happy I found the DIS forum. You gave so many great suggestions. I would love to do an FE exchange!! But, having trouble finding others on our cruise. So we'll see...

I was going to ask you about the Shutters CD. But, it looks like it was worth it. Where did you do all the white background pictures? Was that part of your CD pkg.?

Also, I think it was PV that you went swimming at one of the pools. Did you pay $$. If so, how much? And how far from the port?

 

[mafpi]

Thanks so much for sharing. Am going with my DH and DD (4) on our first cruise/disney cruise in September to MR. Have already signed up for FE having seen all the information about it on the boards. I loved all the magnets on your door and have to ask did you design them yourself or is there someone who helps with them as I'd love to do something similar.

No I ddnt. Special thanks to all the DISigners out there. They are fantastic.

 

[mafpi]

Great report! Everyone has a different style and that's what makes it interesting. We will be going on our first DCL, the Wonder this coming October. I completely agree that the details make the trip. That's why I'm so happy I found the DIS forum. You gave so many great suggestions. I would love to do an FE exchange!! But, having trouble finding others on our cruise. So we'll see...

I was going to ask you about the Shutters CD. But, it looks like it was worth it. Where did you do all the white background pictures? Was that part of your CD pkg.?

Also, I think it was PV that you went swimming at one of the pools. Did you pay $$. If so, how much? And how far from the port?

Thank you. The white background was part of the photo opportunities. We decided to use the cruise for family pictures. They turned out great. There was a hotel off the beach, five minute walking distance in PV. For the life of me, I cannot think of the name. I will let you know if I do. There was no charge, but all they asked was for you to buy food and drinks there, and we did. Well worth it.

 

[Allesma]

Beautiful pictures, very nice TR and your princesses and prince are adorable!
Loved following your TR and thnx for sharing your photo album. I'm convinced to take the cd!

 

[mafpi]

Beautiful pictures, very nice TR and your princesses and prince are adorable!
Loved following your TR and thnx for sharing your photo album. I'm convinced to take the cd!

Definately do it. Here is a link to all my Shutters CD pictures
http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/mafpi1/Cruise Professional/