Howdy everyone,
We had a fantastic cruise! It did rain for the sail away party, so they had it in the atrium. People had a good time, but it wasnt as good as the actual deck party. It was crowded and hot, people on all 3 decks watching so it was really hot. But that was the only real rain we had. It only lasted about an hour, but it really dumped hard a couple of times. We had kind of rough seas too, only 12 foot swells. But that was enough to get some people sick. Luckily we have never been bothered by the movement, so it was great for us.
This trip was extra special since the duo in the prominade lounge was Don and Tommie. We had cruised with them before and we really connected with them and their style of music. So we were thrilled they were there again. As we sat down right in the middle of a song they both recognized us with a big wink and smile. As soon as the song was done they welcomed us and chatted a little before continuing to play. Then when they were done, they came right over and sat down with us and visited. They remembered most of the songs we loved and they played them everytime we showed for a show. They always announced this song is for our friends Greg and kathy and pointed to us. They are very talented and very down to earth type people. They came and visited with us at the pool, on
castaway cay and all over the ship. We forgot our cam corder and I commented I wished I'd brought it so I could of recorded them to have at home to watch. They brought their own cam corder to the next show and had us use it to record them, and they talked a lot to us on the tape to make it more personal for us, sang all our favorite songs and Tommie came over and got me up to sing and dance with her with one of my favorite numbers. That was hillarious, since I have NO rhythm and luckily she kept the mike away from my mouth as I cant sing either!!!! They are going to make us a copy and send it to us soon. They also introduced us to the drummer of the house band and he was as nice as they were. He was always running into us and talking music with us, inviting us to their shows and acknowledging us when we did go. At their show my husband and I even got in a conga line that went around the family pool. That was a first! My Dh is a watcher, not a doer with dancing. So am I most of the time. But it was just a wonderful time for us both. We felt very special because everytime we turned around some entertainer was talking to us both on and off stage. People were begining to wonder who we were, I think. We were also introduced to the lead singer, Eddie in the pool band, and he visited with us too. He was a very nice man.
We didnt do any excursions in Nassau, since we have done everything there that we ever wanted to do on other trips. We strolled around and shopped some in the straw market. It was cloudy, but very warm.
Castaway Cay was the same, cloudy, but hot with a good breeze. The seas were rough enough they cancelled the parasailing, glass bottom boat, deep sea fishing. So I'm sure some people were unhappy with that. But everything else was up and running and lots of fun. We hiked as far as you can go to the other side of the island and back, just in time for lunch.
The pirate party was awesome, but I was dissapointed that not very many people dressed up. But I have heard that for some reason people on the shorter cruises just dont particiapte as much in their dress. But it was still fun and we did go to the Little Matey's pirate party before dinner to watch the little kids dressed as pirates get to dance on stage. They had a ball and were so cute to watch. Each one received a piece of pirate gold for going to the party.
We sat at a large table with 2 families of three, so there were 8 of us. They were very nice people, however one lady did get sea sick and left the first night, but was better the next 2 nights. Our wait staff an dfood was excellant. The new staggered dining ties really made service a lot faster, so dinner didnt take 2 hours to get through. that was nice.
The only bad part of the entire trip was having to get OFF the ship at Port Canaveral to come home again.
But knowing we are going again soon really helped.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in about 2 months.
Kathy
I assume they'll have more space available for booking onboard.
Wow!, GrowingUpDisney--30 people! I thought that a lot of us were going! It's a blast when you are blessed enought a have a large group from your family go on vacation together. couple quick Q's:
Reading your trip report brings excited anticipation for December!!! 
I can't believe the time has passed by so fast!!! My first post on this thread was on page one, and although I don't post very often, I do read the posts of others here. I feel all of your excitement here! 
! But I'm looking forward to dressing up. I believe the rental company discussed in the Magical Disney Cruise Line Guide allows you the use of the tux for the entire cruise. We're eating at Palo for Semi-Formal, should look nice.
