Cruising the Dream on our 1st cruise ever!!! (5 Night Double Dip)

[Shell54]

I am all caught up. Thanks for sharing.

There won't be any need anymore in future to go to Guest Services to sort out the tips. They changed the system recently and the tips get automatically get charged to your stateroom account and the tip tickets delivered to your stateroom unless you make alternative arrangements with Guest Services. We really liked this. Not only did this save me time, but the lines for Guest Services were generally shorter.

I am glad that you enjoyed the parasailing. We did this in 2009 and loved it even though we are both terrified of heights.

I don't think that there will be any more double dips and the reason for this is that they have 4 ships now. The Fantasy calls at Castaway Cay once a week, the Dream twice and the Magic once. This is going to get even worse come December, when Fantasy will call at Castaway Cay once a week, the Dream twice and the Wonder twice. They still need some downtime for maintenance.

Corinna

I'm really scared of heights too but I really want to do the parasailing so maybe there's hope for me yet. We'll be on CC in 2 weeks

 

[tiggrbaby]

You can give a combo of cash and a ticket.

 

[franandaj]

The trip was so wonderful. I am totally in love with cruising now

Even though the food wasn't the best we were still very glad we spent the last night with out table mates. As good as I'm sure Palo is, it would have been bittersweet. Some people you only get to know for a short time, and I'm glad we made the most out of our time with them.

There's still tons of pictures from the WDW part of the trip so more updates to come.

OK....ready whenever the Jambo part of the trip starts!

 

[MEK]

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This is such a cute picture! Love it!

Sorry your last dinner was not impressive, although the food looks good in all the pictures. The restaurant is really cute too.

So glad the vacation is not over yet, just changing!

 

[Pinkocto]

OK....ready whenever the Jambo part of the trip starts!

I was going to do an update last night but I fell asleep at 8:00. Waking up at 4:15 is not condusive to updating TRs

 

[franandaj]

I was going to do an update last night but I fell asleep at 8:00. Waking up at 4:15 is not condusive to updating TRs

No worries! I'm not trying to rush you, just getting excited since I didn't get to see it first hand.

 

[Pinkocto]

This is such a cute picture! Love it!

So glad the vacation is not over yet, just changing!

We were so excited to finally be there we almost couldn't contain ourselves

It was a good thing, because I felt very sad for everyone heading home in the morning.

 

[Pinkocto]

No worries! I'm not trying to rush you, just getting excited since I didn't get to see it first hand.

Oh I didn't feel rushed, I'm totally enjoying reliving this trip I was just amused how early I fell asleep, since I really meant to do an update.

You'll get back there soon, I know it any new progress?

 

[Pinkocto]

Thank you guys for the tip suggestions, I'll make sure to take some extra cash just in case.

I did take cash for room service tips, but we never ordered a single thing from room service. I thought for certain mom would get a Mickey icecream bar every day since those are one of her favorite treats at WDW, but she never did. But for anybody who doesn't know, they do have them in the dining rooms and through room service. Of course mom wanted one the first day we had to actually pay for one...

 

[cjlvsccm]

Thank you guys for the tip suggestions, I'll make sure to take some extra cash just in case.

I did take cash for room service tips, but we never ordered a single thing from room service. I thought for certain mom would get a Mickey icecream bar every day since those are one of her favorite treats at WDW, but she never did. But for anybody who doesn't know, they do have them in the dining rooms and through room service. Of course mom wanted one the first day we had to actually pay for one...

Naturally.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Corinna what happens if you want to leave extra for some of the tips? We gave our stateroom hostess more than 'recommended' since she was so wonderful to us, and it was so easy to do. But if they're automatically putting them on your account I wonder if you even can.

I'm glad you were still able to enjoy parasailing even with your dislike of heights. It was really very amazing. We'll definitely be doing it again in the future.

That's true about all the ships being at CC, and I didn't even factor in maintenance time. My biggest problem with that is that now they have the extra ships they could branch out and go to more exotic places rather than adding more Bahamas and Carribean itineraries.

They charged the tips about half way through the cruise so by then you would have a fair idea if you would want to add to the tip and you could arrange this with guest services. We have always only ever charged the recommended amount to our stateroom account and topped up the tips with cash were appropriate. They do not get the tips that are charged to stateroom accounts every week (I think they are paid out once or twice a month) and always assumed that they would appreciate a bit of disposable cash for the inevitable Walmart run.

I am pretty sure that DCL has some exciting new itineraries up their sleeves. My gut feeling is also that we will find out about those in the not too distant future. It has never sat easy with me that the 2013 itineraries for the Magic and Wonder have only been released until September 3rd, 2013. This makes sense for the Magic who is destined for an extended dry dock in 2013, but no sense whatsoever for the Wonder. My money is on Australia and New Zealand during the winter.

I'm really scared of heights too but I really want to do the parasailing so maybe there's hope for me yet. We'll be on CC in 2 weeks

I was so close to chickening out at the 11th hour, but I am glad that I didn't.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

So we've made it to disembarktion day, but I realized I left out a little bit of the evening before.

Before we headed back to the room we went up to Deck 13 to look at the stars one last time and take a little stroll, but didn't stay too long because it was very windy. It was always very calm and empty after dark on the upper decks. And then we went down to the shops one last time, they were open until midnight that last night which I thought was nice. Of course the shops were packed with last minute shoppers, and even though I wanted a bunch of beautiful items I only bought two magnets.

Then we finally headed back to the stateroom where I filled out the questioneer and wrote a little in my journal. I think I finally got to sleep around 12:30. It was hard knowing the next day we'd have to be leaving even with the knowledge we were going on to more fun.

I woke up at 6:50 and mom had been up for a little while packing up the last few things. Breakfast on the last morning can be had at Cabanas, or the restaurant you dined at the night before which was Animator's Palate for us. At Cabanas you're not held to the time schedule they have you on if you go with the other choice. If you have main dinner seating breakfast is at 6:45, and if you have 2nd seating your breakfast is at 8:00. Eight is much more my preference so I'm glad that's what we had. After checking all the cupboards and closets and safe numerous times we said goodbye to our lovely stateroom and headed out. We bumped into our stateroom hostess in the hall who hugged us both and we said thank you's upon thank you's for how wonderful she had been and teary eyed we left. She really did make the trip that much more magical. I'm sure each and every stateroom host/hostess are wonderful but she was ours and it was definitely sad to leave.

We stopped by Shutters on our way to breakfast and picked up our picture. Mom liked this nice frame they had for them so of course had to add it. It's amazing how easy money gets spent with Disney. Even though they had charged the room for all our purchases we were still able to use our keycard that last morning. The charge showed up a few days after, but it was nice and easy instead of having to get out the wallet which I'd been free of for five days.

All of our table mates were there at breakfast, and of course there before us like always. It was very nice spending one more meal with them all. I wasn't very hungry at all so just got some fruit and a diet coke.

Mom had been pouring over the menu for ages and I finally convinced her to get the veggie breakfast burrito. Big Mistake. She wouldn't even try it. She did not like how it looked. I felt like I was trying to convince a child to eat their vegetables. I knew we wouldn't be eating until noon so had a good four hours until the next available food, but she was not interested. Finally she had some croisants and coffee.

The family of four headed out about 15 minutes before we did, and the mother/daughter team sat with us for a while chatting and then headed out too. I was taking my time and lounging about because there was absolutely nobody in the atrium when we were at Shutters and I had read that the later you leave the less crowds you'll have to mess with because most people try to leave the ship early. I was absolutely shocked to find the line to leave the ship had reached the restaurant we were currently in. Panick mode set in. The disembarktion paper specifically said that if you were taking Disney transportion disembark no later than 9:00 for a 9:15 bus. This made me think there was only one bus, or one time the buses left. I kept myself as calm as I could but kept thinking of all the alternatives we had. Would they refund us our money, could we get a cab, how much would the cab cost, or would we be stranded? What were we going to do! We slowly inched forward and finally made it to the terminal where I asked a CM about the bus situation. She said they would keep shuttling people as long as there was anybody left, don't worry. Thank goodness, I could relax.

One last swipe of our keycards that we were off the ship, downstairs to collect our bags, through the customs line, and into our bus that was taking people to Disney World We waited for about 25-30 minutes before everybody was off the ship, it appeared that ours was the last bus headed that direction but at least they do indeed wait for everybody. An uneventful ride with Disney videos to entertain us I tried to catch up in my journal but did not succeed. AKL was the first resort they stopped at which was nice, but I will admit it was not the best having to lug all our suitcases ourselves instead of finding them in our room later on after being delivered by the Magical Express service. Just being nit picky

We checked in around 11:30, our room wasn't ready so we left our bags with bell services and headed off to our scheduled lunch at Sanaa. We waited for the transport bus for a few minutes, but our reservation time was coming up fast so decided to walk. Of course it passed us as we were heading there, but it was a nice walk with beautiful weather so it wasn't all bad.

Straight down to Sanaa, and I requested a window seat so we could watch the animals which was so cool. I was looking forward to eating here since we love Indian food, but the problem is we have such a fabulous Indian restaurant at home we were let down a little. I'm still glad we went but not sure when we'll be back.

We had the bread sampler, Naan, Paneer Paratha, and Pappadam with sauces.

and the potato and pea samosas which were very very spicey.

and shared the Paneer Cheese and Spinach. I should have gotten the fish which I had my eye on, but didn't want to spend $22 at lunch.

At least Kermit had a nice view.

this bird was so stately on his rock. During our meal he would leave the rock then go back on, back and forth. He got very mad whenever another bird went on his rock, and would chase them away.

 

[Leshaface]

How long is the ride from PC to AKL? Isn't like an hour or something? I'm really surprised they didn't have a video playing of the World since that's where everyone was headed

I really want to try Sanaa! I've never (at least, i'm pretty sure I haven't) tried Indian food and I would love too. DH however, doesn't seem that interested.

The restaurant looks very wonderfully themed though!

 

[pequele]

We delivered some FE gifts before the show and also picked up our DVC gift of the day. There was a choice between some beautiful matted prints of various DVC resorts and we chose Vero Beach.
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So DVC members get a gift of the day? Is it only if we go on DVC points?

 

[Pinkocto]

This bird was such a hoot. Our view was just perfect, and we enjoyed watching the curious antics which we decided must be bug foraging techniques.

The restaurant had started to fill up a bit more so it was hard to catch our waiter's eye for the check, but finally did and soon headed out. I must say the bathroom was beautiful and unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me since I had the place to myself and wouldn't have weirded out anybody taking photos. Oh well, maybe we will have to go back. During lunch I got the text that our room was ready and our groceries had been delivered.

Heading back to Jambo House we did manage to catch the transport bus.

First order of business was to tell bell services our room number, and then headed to find the room ourselves. This was the first time staying DVC at Jambo House, and we had a deluxe studio which is definitely bigger than the regular hotel rooms. It was in the perfect location, Giraffe Trail right next to the first elevator. Well, our KTTW cards did not work so we asked a CM who was passing by if he could let us in. First he verified my text message that we were at the correct room, and thankfully opened the door. I left mom to wait for our bags to be delivered and I headed down with our key cards to try and fix the situation. The lady who helped me was an angel and had things fixed so fast. I saw our bags heading up while I was waiting so I was glad I left mom upstairs.

Situation resolved and with working keycards we relaxed for a little bit, enjoyed our wonderful balcony which was also bigger than in the regular resort room we had on the last trip. I wondered if it was just us, since we had a corner room, but all of balconies on the 5th floor extended out a bit further than the rooms below.

The bathroom was so huge in comparison to the one on the ship, well the whole room was for that matter, so we felt like we were in the lap of luxury

It was so wonderful to be back at Jambo House, but I was still amazed that the cruise I'd been planning and dreaming about for a year had come and gone. Time can be so finnicky that way. Here it is two months later and I can still put myself on day one just getting on the ship and looking around in shock that we were finally there. I hope I remember that feeling forever and feel just as excited every time I cruise. It was above and beyond all my expectations, absolutely amazing.

 

[Pinkocto]

So DVC members get a gift of the day? Is it only if we go on DVC points?

Oh no, if you go on points or cash, all DVC members got a gift. I know for certain because one day we were waiting for the CM and there was a family who had just stopped at the DVC desk for the first time, they didn't go to the meeting the first day, and they got all the gifts given up to that point. The CMs did not ask whether on points or not, just proof that they were members.

 

[Pinkocto]

How long is the ride from PC to AKL? Isn't like an hour or something? I'm really surprised they didn't have a video playing of the World since that's where everyone was headed

I really want to try Sanaa! I've never (at least, i'm pretty sure I haven't) tried Indian food and I would love too. DH however, doesn't seem that interested.

The restaurant looks very wonderfully themed though!

They did play the usual Disney videos and even a few cartoons. It was just mostly repeat from when we went from the airport to PC so I tried to catch up with my writing. From the airport to PC was actually less than an hour, more like 45 minutes, but yes, PC to WDW was about an hour.

The theming was top notch as usual with Disney. And the food was good don't get me wrong, we just have this fantastic and very authentic Indian restaurant we love to go to here in MD. So sadly since we've had what we consider the best everything will else will probably pale in comparison. But Sanaa is definitely worth a try, and I'm sure I would have been happier if I hadn't been a cheap skate and just bought the fish. Indian food is so delicious, you must try it!

 

[Toria]

I am at part dealing with breakfast and I must say it looks good. DH and I will try a sit down in July.

 

[dgbg100106]

Beautiful update.... I have found sometimes that when I get off the ship I am a little depressed, but if I knew I was going to AKL, I think I could get over the let down?

 

[Pinkocto]

Naturally.

It was too funny. She could have had as many 'free' ones as she wanted. But then again I'm glad we didn't feel the need to 'get our money's worth' of food. I am in no need of any extra pounds.