Just a little humor on my part 
I may try to find time to do a trip report later on this week with pictures but wanted to share some overall general tips that I found useful being a first time cruiser. First let me say - we almost cancelled this trip many times due to just "life" but I think this had to be the best family vacation we have EVER taken - my girls will surely remember this vacation the rest of their lives! We just had an absolute BLAST! We were on the Western 11/29 through 12/6. My daughters are 11 and 8.
Here are some tips I discovered were helpful. Things I didn't realize or learn about until I was there ... etc. Hope it helps someone and please ask if you have questions.
- We stayed at the Radisson Port the night before departure. We enjoyed our stay - there was pool side music, Ryan who does the caricatures was awesome - the pool was terrific as well. You park your car in the cruise lot. Make sure to reserve a spot on the shuttle AHEAD OF TIME or it fills up. They are so efficient: bring your tagged bags to the front of lobby and they cross off your name - announce it when shuttle arrives, pack your bags and then leave them at the sidewalk on the port. Disney takes it from there.
- Even though we were early - arrived at port around 10:30 we got a boarding pass of 9. It goes so fast - Disney is so efficient with everything - the waiting was a blink of the eye and we were on the ship soon after they started boarding. I thought 9 would keep me off the ship for hours. Not so at all. As a matter of fact - my daughter said what number did we get? I said we are 9 out of 200 (of course I had NO IDEA how many numbers there were and she was like WOW we got lucky
)
- The overdoor shoe holder was very helpful. Just make sure they are clear pockets. I know ... uh duh!
but I didn't consider that when I made my discounted purchase It is helpful in that you can easily find deoderant, toothbrushes, lanyards, etc.
- We LOVED our room 7546. The verandah was nice. I haven't been in other rooms to compare - but I thought we had so much drawer space and closet space and just space in general.
- I packed the girls clothes in ziplocs. One for each day with socks, undergarments, etc. So they would just pull the labeled ziploc out and go. The bags came in handy during the trip as well.
- The kids' clubs awesome!!!!!!!! My 8 year old LOVED it. She did so many fun things ... she basically closed the club down at midnight almost each night. While her mom was over at Rock n D Bar!!
My 11 year old I was worried about: giving her the responsibility of checking in and out - was it all video games? etc. However, She had lots of structured fun things. She was very responsible to meet us for dinner, or when we were doing something as a family. She did karokee, treasure hunts, guitar hero challenges, games, etc. She loved it!! It worked out so well - I didn't need to worry whatsoever.
- The adult shows - AWESOME!! As people have mentioned - Bishop, the Charles guy, the ventriloquist -- all top notch acts. The piano bar - order a martini, and cheese/crackers / listen to some wonderful pianists in the most comfortable chairs and then head over to Rock n D bar where David always has something fun for the adults.
- Hot stone massage was absolute heaven.!!!
- Don't need to do disembark talk. It plays on the TV.
- Topsiders is nice change of pace for dinner. We had the best Porter house steak and it was sit down served dinner. I think that is the only place you can get Porter House. Very relaxing and service was great. Food was delicious.
- Theatre shows were well worth it. Very nicely done and entertaining for whole family.
- Dolphin excursion - we did Royal Swim outside of Disney. Can't say enough about this experience. The whole outfit is run so efficiently. Easy to get taxi. $10. 15 min ride. The dolphin swim is pricey but as a once in lifetime event - it was SOOOO WORTH IT!!! My girls will remember that their whole life. Ask me questions about it if you have any. They have hooks on the fence where you are in the water for waterproof cameras and you each get a turn doing your thing with the dolphin so easy to snap photos of each family member. We ended up also buying their photos because they were so nicely done. The park was really nice as well - nice pool and the eatery they have right on the premises had really yummy Mexican food.
- Pub Night - last night of cruise - FUN - GO AND DO IT!!
- Loved the tip idea I got from the boards re: bringing dollar bills. Brought $50 in ones and kept in bedside table. When ordered room service, always had a few bills on hand to tip room service. My kids even got in on the act
- Don't know if it was a slow day on Castaway Cay but there were plenty of lounge chairs etc. The Konk Koolers - you have to try at least one!! They really are without exaggeration - so YUMMY!! We did the parasailing and my kids got into the snorkeling. It is quite condusive to young kids being able to snorkel.... especially first timers.
- Ginger snaps came in handy. My kids who are the worst with car sickness - did absolutely fine. I gave them a Bonine on sea days and they never had one issue. I felt it the first night and one night right before Cayman islands - I came out of the theatre where I couldn't walk up the aisle straight. My husband thoguht I was "tipsy" ... but it was from the boat not the martinis I think that night I retired early with a Bonine and some ginger snaps and was fine throughout the cruise.
- The sail away party was fun - the pirate night was fun though it rained for 5 minutes. We thought it was over but heard it cleared up momentarily so we missed the fireworks.
I have more tips but I have to think a little more on it ... and need to go out in the FRIGID cold to pick up my daughter for swim team practice.
Oh lord, I'd give anything to be back on the Magic!!!
I may try to find time to do a trip report later on this week with pictures but wanted to share some overall general tips that I found useful being a first time cruiser. First let me say - we almost cancelled this trip many times due to just "life" but I think this had to be the best family vacation we have EVER taken - my girls will surely remember this vacation the rest of their lives! We just had an absolute BLAST! We were on the Western 11/29 through 12/6. My daughters are 11 and 8.Here are some tips I discovered were helpful. Things I didn't realize or learn about until I was there ... etc. Hope it helps someone and please ask if you have questions.
- We stayed at the Radisson Port the night before departure. We enjoyed our stay - there was pool side music, Ryan who does the caricatures was awesome - the pool was terrific as well. You park your car in the cruise lot. Make sure to reserve a spot on the shuttle AHEAD OF TIME or it fills up. They are so efficient: bring your tagged bags to the front of lobby and they cross off your name - announce it when shuttle arrives, pack your bags and then leave them at the sidewalk on the port. Disney takes it from there.
- Even though we were early - arrived at port around 10:30 we got a boarding pass of 9. It goes so fast - Disney is so efficient with everything - the waiting was a blink of the eye and we were on the ship soon after they started boarding. I thought 9 would keep me off the ship for hours. Not so at all. As a matter of fact - my daughter said what number did we get? I said we are 9 out of 200 (of course I had NO IDEA how many numbers there were and she was like WOW we got lucky
)- The overdoor shoe holder was very helpful. Just make sure they are clear pockets. I know ... uh duh!
but I didn't consider that when I made my discounted purchase It is helpful in that you can easily find deoderant, toothbrushes, lanyards, etc.- We LOVED our room 7546. The verandah was nice. I haven't been in other rooms to compare - but I thought we had so much drawer space and closet space and just space in general.
- I packed the girls clothes in ziplocs. One for each day with socks, undergarments, etc. So they would just pull the labeled ziploc out and go. The bags came in handy during the trip as well.
- The kids' clubs awesome!!!!!!!! My 8 year old LOVED it. She did so many fun things ... she basically closed the club down at midnight almost each night. While her mom was over at Rock n D Bar!!
My 11 year old I was worried about: giving her the responsibility of checking in and out - was it all video games? etc. However, She had lots of structured fun things. She was very responsible to meet us for dinner, or when we were doing something as a family. She did karokee, treasure hunts, guitar hero challenges, games, etc. She loved it!! It worked out so well - I didn't need to worry whatsoever.- The adult shows - AWESOME!! As people have mentioned - Bishop, the Charles guy, the ventriloquist -- all top notch acts. The piano bar - order a martini, and cheese/crackers / listen to some wonderful pianists in the most comfortable chairs and then head over to Rock n D bar where David always has something fun for the adults.
- Hot stone massage was absolute heaven.!!!
- Don't need to do disembark talk. It plays on the TV.
- Topsiders is nice change of pace for dinner. We had the best Porter house steak and it was sit down served dinner. I think that is the only place you can get Porter House. Very relaxing and service was great. Food was delicious.
- Theatre shows were well worth it. Very nicely done and entertaining for whole family.
- Dolphin excursion - we did Royal Swim outside of Disney. Can't say enough about this experience. The whole outfit is run so efficiently. Easy to get taxi. $10. 15 min ride. The dolphin swim is pricey but as a once in lifetime event - it was SOOOO WORTH IT!!! My girls will remember that their whole life. Ask me questions about it if you have any. They have hooks on the fence where you are in the water for waterproof cameras and you each get a turn doing your thing with the dolphin so easy to snap photos of each family member. We ended up also buying their photos because they were so nicely done. The park was really nice as well - nice pool and the eatery they have right on the premises had really yummy Mexican food.
- Pub Night - last night of cruise - FUN - GO AND DO IT!!
- Loved the tip idea I got from the boards re: bringing dollar bills. Brought $50 in ones and kept in bedside table. When ordered room service, always had a few bills on hand to tip room service. My kids even got in on the act
- Don't know if it was a slow day on Castaway Cay but there were plenty of lounge chairs etc. The Konk Koolers - you have to try at least one!! They really are without exaggeration - so YUMMY!! We did the parasailing and my kids got into the snorkeling. It is quite condusive to young kids being able to snorkel.... especially first timers.
- Ginger snaps came in handy. My kids who are the worst with car sickness - did absolutely fine. I gave them a Bonine on sea days and they never had one issue. I felt it the first night and one night right before Cayman islands - I came out of the theatre where I couldn't walk up the aisle straight. My husband thoguht I was "tipsy" ... but it was from the boat not the martinis
I think that night I retired early with a Bonine and some ginger snaps and was fine throughout the cruise.- The sail away party was fun - the pirate night was fun though it rained for 5 minutes. We thought it was over but heard it cleared up momentarily so we missed the fireworks.
I have more tips but I have to think a little more on it ... and need to go out in the FRIGID cold to pick up my daughter for swim team practice.
Oh lord, I'd give anything to be back on the Magic!!!
Fortunately, I had taken some dramamine or bonine earlier that afternoon where some of the folks hadn't. Some advice...if it's windy or the seas are rough, you might want to take some dramamine or bonine ahead of time vs. waiting until you start feeling sea sick because then it's too late.
