Traveling were me (40) DH (45) and DS (18 months)
We left for the start of our vacation on Thursday June 2, 2011. We left from Newark Airport to Orlando at about 4pm. The flight was great and we arrived in Orlando without any issues. We spent the night at the Country Inns and Suites for $79 with a free shuttle from the airport and breakfast in the morning. Highly recommended. Clean room and quite comfy.
The morning of June 3rd, we hired Executive VIP limos for our transfer to the port. Marlene was on time and super friendly. We left the hotel at 11 and arrived at the port at about 12.
Upon arrival at the pier, our luggage was whisked away and we went in line for security.
They check our ID to be sure we were on the muster list and off to check in. The line for security x-ray was quick as well as the line to check in. We filled out our medical forms and by the time I was done I was next. The cast member that checked us in was so nice and extremely friendly. We chit chatted and then realized that we did not get a boarding number. She pixie dusted us with #7! They just called #6! Mickey and Goofy were in the waiting area taking pictures. They called our number and made our way through the crowd. This is not an easy thing to do with a stroller. We took our Welcome Aboard Picture and made out way to the entrance. We were announced as Zach and his royal entourage .
There was a cast member waiting to help us. She gave us some info on our room and ushered us to the elevator for Lunch at Cabanas. All I can say is wow! The spread was quite amazing! Stone Crab legs, lamb chops wowee!
We walked around after eating waiting on our room. We were on 10-656 deck 10 aft port side. We are the last room that faced the port side. It was a hike for other parts of the ship but it was just steps away from Cabanas. Once we were allowed in our room, we were quite surprised. It was beautiful. The pak and play was set up and ready for my son. I also ordered from Baby Travelite some Rice milk and it was waiting. We quickly checked things out and changed to head up to the pool. Nemos Reef is great for toddlers. Zach had a great time. Only negative is that they do not monitor the bigger children. They tend to knock the little ones over. The pools were nice and I never thought they were crowded.
First Sail Away party was a lot of fun. All the characters were out singing and dancing sadly Zach was sleeping (he does a lot of that during peak party time LOL). Phil and I shared a sail away drink and then headed down to get ready for dinner.
We met our wait staff I only remember our drink waiter s name Mikey! Our servers were amazing and went above and beyond for us. Zach is lactose intolerant and we requested Rice Milk. The head waiter came right over when we arrived and told us that whatever we needed just ask. Dinner was very good. This first night was in the Enchanted Garden. We were seated at table 9 it was just the three of us which actually was quite nice.
Day 2 Nassau
We woke up to the Dream pulling into Nassau we got ready and headed up to Cabanas for breakfast. There werent any seats inside so we ate out on the deck it was a little windy but it was a beautiful day. Breakfast was a great spread steak and egg, egg benedict..cereals, fruit, pancakes, waffles, sausage you name it!
We decided not to take any excursions as we were not sure how Zach was going to do on a structured day. After breakfast we got off the ship. When you arrive in Nassau, you enter a building where there are licensed cab drivers waiting to take you where ever on the island. They group you together with others going to the same place. We started with 12 of us going to Atlantis but ended up with 7. It was a flat rate of $4 each and Zach was free. We walked around the grounds of Atlantis for a bit, but then wanted to go on the beach we purchased the day pass for $69 each and headed over. The water was very rough! Zach was quite afraid but we made the best of it. We had some lunch that was included in the price and toured the aquariums. We then headed back to the ship $4 again back to the pier. We walked around the shops at the pier, picked up some gifts and headed back to the ship. We washed up and prepared for dinner. Tonight was the Royal Palace!
The Royal Palace is really beautiful! The attention to detail was amazing. I am not going to tell you everything but there are some nice details! Dinner was excellent. The French Onion Soup was super delish DH had two! The entrees and desserts were great as well. Zach fell asleep before dinner but woke at dessert time our head waiter came over and offered him dinner and 5 minutes later it arrived. I really loved how well they took care of us!
Tonight was Villians night we did get to see some of it but Zach was antsy so we had to leave.
Day 3- Castaway Cay
Again we woke as we were pulling in all I can say is WOWWWW!
He had breakfast in the Enchanted Garden it was great again. If there was something you wanted that was not on the menu ask..it will appear! We got off the ship pretty early around 8:30 and walked to Pelican Point. We took some pictures on the way I think it was too early to see any characters on the walk but we enjoyed the beautiful sights. We found some chairs and an umbrella and head in the water. The beach has the softest sand. The water here was so much calmer, since it is in a cove. DH and I took turns on the water slide it was a workout and fun at the same time. You have to swim out to the slide. There are life vest to assist you in the swim. As DH, Zach and I got in the water together a small sting ray swam by to say good morning. He did not seem afraid of the people. There was also a jelly fish but someone got him away pretty quickly. At about 11:30 they opened Cookies and again I was blown away by the spread. Everything you would expect at a BBQ and more. We then spent a lot of time at the water fountain area (I forget the name sorry). Zach had a blast. It was a nice place to cool down out of the sun. We did some shopping and headed back to the ship. Today was Aquaduck day for us. I was so much fun. We waited less than 15 minutes each. Zach spent some more time in Nemos Reef. We then met with Mickey. I guess since everyone was on the Island we had him to ourselves for a good 20 minutes.
We got some great pics!
Tonight was Pirate night. We did get dressed up and headed to Animators Palate. The waiters were dressed up too. The menu was great again! We finished dinner and changed for the Party well we did not make it that late again but we did see the fireworks from our room. They were loud!
Day 4 Sea day we lazied around this day hate a late breakfast and headed to the pool there was an accident in one of the pools and it was cleared out and cleaned. We had lunch in the Royal Palace..shrimp cocktail steak, burgers yummm! The Good Bye show made me cry!
The last nights dinner Animators Palate again I did not enjoy the food was just ok. The menu just wasnt for me. We said our good byes and gave our envelopes.
Day 5 Debarking
Ive been on a lot of cruises and I never had such a great experience. Everything is so smooth!
Luggage was in order and organized. Found in two seconds.
I have to say that this was an amazing trip and we did book again while on board for the Magic out of NY.
We left for the start of our vacation on Thursday June 2, 2011. We left from Newark Airport to Orlando at about 4pm. The flight was great and we arrived in Orlando without any issues. We spent the night at the Country Inns and Suites for $79 with a free shuttle from the airport and breakfast in the morning. Highly recommended. Clean room and quite comfy.
The morning of June 3rd, we hired Executive VIP limos for our transfer to the port. Marlene was on time and super friendly. We left the hotel at 11 and arrived at the port at about 12.
Upon arrival at the pier, our luggage was whisked away and we went in line for security.
They check our ID to be sure we were on the muster list and off to check in. The line for security x-ray was quick as well as the line to check in. We filled out our medical forms and by the time I was done I was next. The cast member that checked us in was so nice and extremely friendly. We chit chatted and then realized that we did not get a boarding number. She pixie dusted us with #7! They just called #6! Mickey and Goofy were in the waiting area taking pictures. They called our number and made our way through the crowd. This is not an easy thing to do with a stroller. We took our Welcome Aboard Picture and made out way to the entrance. We were announced as Zach and his royal entourage .
There was a cast member waiting to help us. She gave us some info on our room and ushered us to the elevator for Lunch at Cabanas. All I can say is wow! The spread was quite amazing! Stone Crab legs, lamb chops wowee!
We walked around after eating waiting on our room. We were on 10-656 deck 10 aft port side. We are the last room that faced the port side. It was a hike for other parts of the ship but it was just steps away from Cabanas. Once we were allowed in our room, we were quite surprised. It was beautiful. The pak and play was set up and ready for my son. I also ordered from Baby Travelite some Rice milk and it was waiting. We quickly checked things out and changed to head up to the pool. Nemos Reef is great for toddlers. Zach had a great time. Only negative is that they do not monitor the bigger children. They tend to knock the little ones over. The pools were nice and I never thought they were crowded.
First Sail Away party was a lot of fun. All the characters were out singing and dancing sadly Zach was sleeping (he does a lot of that during peak party time LOL). Phil and I shared a sail away drink and then headed down to get ready for dinner.
We met our wait staff I only remember our drink waiter s name Mikey! Our servers were amazing and went above and beyond for us. Zach is lactose intolerant and we requested Rice Milk. The head waiter came right over when we arrived and told us that whatever we needed just ask. Dinner was very good. This first night was in the Enchanted Garden. We were seated at table 9 it was just the three of us which actually was quite nice.
Day 2 Nassau
We woke up to the Dream pulling into Nassau we got ready and headed up to Cabanas for breakfast. There werent any seats inside so we ate out on the deck it was a little windy but it was a beautiful day. Breakfast was a great spread steak and egg, egg benedict..cereals, fruit, pancakes, waffles, sausage you name it!
We decided not to take any excursions as we were not sure how Zach was going to do on a structured day. After breakfast we got off the ship. When you arrive in Nassau, you enter a building where there are licensed cab drivers waiting to take you where ever on the island. They group you together with others going to the same place. We started with 12 of us going to Atlantis but ended up with 7. It was a flat rate of $4 each and Zach was free. We walked around the grounds of Atlantis for a bit, but then wanted to go on the beach we purchased the day pass for $69 each and headed over. The water was very rough! Zach was quite afraid but we made the best of it. We had some lunch that was included in the price and toured the aquariums. We then headed back to the ship $4 again back to the pier. We walked around the shops at the pier, picked up some gifts and headed back to the ship. We washed up and prepared for dinner. Tonight was the Royal Palace!
The Royal Palace is really beautiful! The attention to detail was amazing. I am not going to tell you everything but there are some nice details! Dinner was excellent. The French Onion Soup was super delish DH had two! The entrees and desserts were great as well. Zach fell asleep before dinner but woke at dessert time our head waiter came over and offered him dinner and 5 minutes later it arrived. I really loved how well they took care of us!
Tonight was Villians night we did get to see some of it but Zach was antsy so we had to leave.
Day 3- Castaway Cay
Again we woke as we were pulling in all I can say is WOWWWW!
He had breakfast in the Enchanted Garden it was great again. If there was something you wanted that was not on the menu ask..it will appear! We got off the ship pretty early around 8:30 and walked to Pelican Point. We took some pictures on the way I think it was too early to see any characters on the walk but we enjoyed the beautiful sights. We found some chairs and an umbrella and head in the water. The beach has the softest sand. The water here was so much calmer, since it is in a cove. DH and I took turns on the water slide it was a workout and fun at the same time. You have to swim out to the slide. There are life vest to assist you in the swim. As DH, Zach and I got in the water together a small sting ray swam by to say good morning. He did not seem afraid of the people. There was also a jelly fish but someone got him away pretty quickly. At about 11:30 they opened Cookies and again I was blown away by the spread. Everything you would expect at a BBQ and more. We then spent a lot of time at the water fountain area (I forget the name sorry). Zach had a blast. It was a nice place to cool down out of the sun. We did some shopping and headed back to the ship. Today was Aquaduck day for us. I was so much fun. We waited less than 15 minutes each. Zach spent some more time in Nemos Reef. We then met with Mickey. I guess since everyone was on the Island we had him to ourselves for a good 20 minutes.
We got some great pics!
Tonight was Pirate night. We did get dressed up and headed to Animators Palate. The waiters were dressed up too. The menu was great again! We finished dinner and changed for the Party well we did not make it that late again but we did see the fireworks from our room. They were loud!
Day 4 Sea day we lazied around this day hate a late breakfast and headed to the pool there was an accident in one of the pools and it was cleared out and cleaned. We had lunch in the Royal Palace..shrimp cocktail steak, burgers yummm! The Good Bye show made me cry!
The last nights dinner Animators Palate again I did not enjoy the food was just ok. The menu just wasnt for me. We said our good byes and gave our envelopes.
Day 5 Debarking
Ive been on a lot of cruises and I never had such a great experience. Everything is so smooth!
Luggage was in order and organized. Found in two seconds.
I have to say that this was an amazing trip and we did book again while on board for the Magic out of NY.
