Hi, I’m Julie McCoy, Your TR Director

[jenseib]

It was now time to head for the last show of the evening. It was going to be a Magician who was on Americas got Talent (I think that is the show he was on at least).





We found seats but it was a little harder tonight as the place was really filling up. I think because many people had been on a few back to backs on this cruise and this show was different, many came.

Landon came out and Oh my Word!!! He looks like a mixture of my son and my Ex husband. It was really weird how much he looked like them.





He had darker hair like my son, but had more looks like my ex. ….though my son looks A LOT like his dad.


His magic was more showy than good. It wasn’t bad, and some things I couldn’t even begin to figure out how he did, but he did a lot of showy stuff with it and in my opinion it took up time and we didn’t see many actual tricks.


His first trick went wrong too. The dog was supposed to appear when the cape was taken off the cage. Instead we saw hands pushing a dog up and the dog wouldn’t stay. The 2nd time the dog was there. But he joked about it not working later in the show and the girl was actually supposed to be in the cage the 2nd time.





The girl was his wife I believe…or at least his girlfriend and she was featured in the show quite a bit…and we were not impressed with her at all.





This was kind of a comedy joke where he did some deductions and told a person this was their baby picture…..of course the baby looks unisex so it could be anyone and it was made more like a joke than something amazing. It was kind of funny.





He brought up an audience member and told him to pick a number…any number out of the phone book and circle it. This was so hilarious. This guy did NOT understand what to do at all. He just kept standing there and he kept telling him what to do and he would give them the deer in the headlights look.





He had to explain it over and over and we were laughing so hard, but finally the guy got it.





Now he is going to figure out the number.







And yes he had the exact number….how the heck he did this I have no clue.





Then the wife sang and he went around doing some showy tricks in the dark.





Sadly she wasn’t any better than the singers from the shows.




And of course he is going to make her float.







Another guy was brought up on stage and I believe he had given him some money to put in the envelope.









I think he lit the envelope on fire and then cut open an orange and the money was now in there.




This part was also a bit showy….




We didn’t see what was so amazing about this one as the girl was behind the paper the whole time…at our angle we could see parts of her.










He then picked a lady out of the crowd and I think she had to think of a number and then he went to work writing numbers on his paper. I believe she had to write her number on a small piece of paper and hold on to it.




Not only did he guess her number but every number he put in a list would add up to that number every which way. It was pretty amazing.





She kept asking him how the heck he did that.


That was the last bit and it was crowded so we slowly made our way out of the theatre. We happened to be walking next to the lady who had been asked the number so I asked her if she was in on it and she said no. She was totally shocked and she said she was so nervous when he picked her. She was quite befuddled so she was either a good actress or she really was telling the truth. Mom and I were trying to figure out how he had guessed it. We wondered if there was some sort of camera on her that could see the number and then he was told?



I do love Magic and I love to try and figure out how it is done, though many times I have no clue. This was a pretty good show. Not the best magician but still good and fun. I just wish there was more magic and less of the showy stuff like his wife singing and dancing around in between things.


Mom was tired and was mostly packed. She didn’t have enough room in her suitcase so I told her I would put some stuff in mine since I brought 2 big ones. Well she had packed some during the day and I found out she put all her shoes in mine and it was the one I had already packed full and heavier. I had wanted her to put them in the other one….and then she had put them in the outside zipped pocket which made it front heavy. I was going to rearrange them but it was still underweight…..I REALLY wish I would have.

I finished my packing and we put our cases out in the hall to be picked up.


It was so sad that we had to head home tomorrow but we knew our families were probably missing us.

Mom went to bed but I wasn’t tired.

I took my laptop up top and logged in online. I still had quite a bit of my free internet minutes unused so I started to chat with 2 of my co-workers. They filled me in on things going on and I told them about the cruise. As I was chatting with them some more people came up top and we all started talking so I logged off and we all chatted about different things…what we did on the cruise, people we met….and things about home life, etc. I had a nice time talking to several different people that night. It was getting late, but I still wasn’t that tired…and I had internet minutes to use.


The internet was really slow tonight and spotty. I moved to a few different tables to try and pick it up.


I decide to go see the Movie Under the Stars. It was Maleficent which Mom and I had just watched a few days ago but I didn’t mind watching it again. There were quite a few people over there watching tonight. I took a seat and tried to get online but it wasn’t a good spot to pick up much. After watching a bit I moved again and got online one final time and chatted again with my friends and answered some emails.

I was sure we were going up the Florida cost. I could see lights off in the distance and it was so neat to see that hue as we sailed along.

When I was sure I was close to using almost all my minutes I went back to the room to go to bed. I really did not want this trip to end. Yes I missed my husband and Claire and I was excited to soon be meeting my new granddaughter, but it was just so nice not having to worry about anyone else but myself.

It didn’t take too long and I was out like a light. I knew I should’ve went to bed earlier as I knew tomorrow was going to be a long day, but I just couldn’t.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am not sure what I would have made of the magic show, but then this is not really my thing. I looks like you had a very pleasant last evening.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

I am not sure what I would have made of the magic show, but then this is not really my thing. I looks like you had a very pleasant last evening.

Corinna

I like Magic but some is better than others...this was not the best, but it was still enough to keep my interest.

 

[jenseib]

Oct. 4, 2014, Saturday, Day 8.


Rise and shine! I got up very early. Sadly our time was coming to an end. I headed up top to see where we were at.





I believe we were just docking then.








Another ship coming in as well.




























I had a seat and relaxed for a bit. M had come up there too and we chatted. I hadn’t seen her the last few days so we caught up a bit. I asked her about Princess’ disembarkation process and told her the number that we had been assigned. I was hoping since we had a late flight that we could just hang on the ship and be one of the last to walk off. She told me no, they are pretty strict on how it works and unless you request to walk yourself off with luggage you have to go with the assigned time. I wasn’t too happy with that. We were assigned a fairly early time. At least much earlier than I wanted to get off.

M offered to take Mom and I to her house to wait for our flight. It was a generous offer but there was no way I was going to impose….and I also know Mom would never do it either.


Another plus for Disney…..I have always just gotten off when I wanted to and one time I waited till they said all passengers had to be off before I left.

We said our goodbyes and I headed back to the cabin to finish getting ready for the day and then once we had everything we went the Carib Café to get some breakfast.





A view of our morning.





After lingering over breakfast we headed to the Piazza to just sit and wait till it was time to get off the ship.








I can’t believe I had never even gone in here the whole time to check it out and take pictures.








We sat for quite some time. Mom had turned her phone on and there were several messages from my Dad. “Why aren’t you calling me”…”You said you would call”…”I called Verizon and they said you could make calls from the ship, why haven’t you called.” Then there were texts from my sister to both of us. “Dad wants you to call him. He says mom told him she would call him every day and he hasn’t heard from you since you got on the ship”.


We just busted out laughing. First off I heard Mom tell him on more than one occasion she would not be calling him from the ship. I told him we couldn’t call as well. And her last call to him before we set sail she also told him she wouldn’t be talking to him till we got back. As for making calls from the ship…sure you can…for an expensive price.

Mom called Dad and he was so worried something had happened. We just kept laughing and she went on to tell him once again that her phone was turned off and that she had told him over and over she wouldn’t be calling. Crazy guy.

I called home as well….I wasn’t missed so much. LOL! Yes they did miss me, but they weren’t gushing all over me.


While I sat I found this paper and took it home with me. I thought it was a cute game and shared it with some friends lately and we tried to figure them all out.





We did some more people watching….seeing some of our favorite characters leave the ship.









Finally it was time to head to the Island dining room where we checked in and had a seat. We had to wait here to be let off the ship. I guess there was a backup downstairs so we had to wait a bit longer than normal and the next group was already checking into the dining room before we were called to disembark.


Finally we did get called and headed out. Again, doing it on Disney is a bit more magical somehow.


We headed out but they stopped us at the top of the escalator and told us we had to wait as it was still really crowded downstairs. I guess several custom agents had taken a break and they weren’t caught back up yet.

 

[jenseib]

After waiting a few minutes they let us go down to find out bags. Mom and I decided to get a Porter. It’s well worth the tip money to get one.

We got in line and it moved pretty slowly. I did more people watching because it is just so funny to listen to conversations and watch people who have been together for a week and either are sick of each other or just ready to get home.


Once we passed through customs…which was just a breeze…our porter led the way to the Alamo shuttle.












He dropped our stuff off and told us which shuttle to watch for. Several different car rental shuttles would be coming through. We saw several come and people get on them and then refused and had to get off and unload their bags. I am not sure if it was the wrong shuttle for these people or if they just wanted to try and see if they could use the shuttle verses a taxi.


It seemed to take a long time till the Alamo shuttle came. I even walked around a bit and came back.

Finally it arrived and we got boarded and handed off our bags to the lady driver to load them. We sat right up front across from the driver’s seat. I took a picture of it because my friends and I have a joke about driving the bus and I sent it to them and asked if I should jump in the seat.





Too late, she was already in there.





She took us to the Alamo drop off and we unloaded.





We then had a bit of trouble trying to figure out how to get to the check in counters. We found a bathroom and then used some elevators to go up and then down…basically we got a little bit lost. And the bags were so stinking heavy. One of mom’s bags had a broken zipper all of a sudden. We don’t know what happened there and she was annoyed with that issue. And that bag she threw her shoes in…kept flopping over because it was front heavy.


We finally found where to get our boarding passes and drop off our luggage…waited in line…with my stupid suitcase falling over more than once…and then made it to the counter…..only to be told we could not check our bags in till so many hours before our flight…and we had like 2-3 hours before we could. You….have…got….to …be….kidding…me!!!!!!!!


At this point I was feeling stressed…and I now hated my suitcases. They were heavy and flopping all over. Mom had issues pulling them so I took the heaviest and left her with the smaller light ones. I was sweating. Someone did tell us before we left the counter that curb check in would take the bags earlier and we could drop them off there in less than an hour! YES!

So we parked our rears on a bench and waited till the time approached. I opened the suitcases and rearranged stuff. I was tired of the stupid thing flopping over.


We did more people watching, used the restrooms, I looked up our boarding passes on my phone and finally the time came where we could head over and drop off the bags.


Boy did that feel good to be rid of them.

We then headed through security, which I don’t remember much of, but I do believe it was busy, but moved well enough…and then found our gate. Now we had hours to waste still. Our flight wasn’t till 4:50 PM. The whole airport was just crazy busy with people. I assume several ships just unloaded and now everyone was waiting for their flight.


I found a spot at a table with a plug and parked myself, plugged my computer in and worked on editing pictures. Mom found a seat off a little ways away.


A couple came and sat by me and we got to talking. They were so nice and they had just been on the same cruise. We chatted for quite a while and it was nice to pass the time with them. I now had lost Mom. She was no longer sitting where she had been and I looked all over. The guy from the couple asked if he should be looking for a lady with 2 tone hair too. LOL! I said, well hers is highlighted…so yes!

I never did see her and just gave up on her figuring she knew where I was and she could find me if needed.


After a bit she did just that. She was starving and wanted to get lunch. I hated giving up my prime seat. I knew as soon as I would leave it would be snatched. Any chair near a plug was prime real estate here.


We gathered our things and walked over to the burger joint. There was a line up, but it seemed like they were seating people fairly fast.


I got a tap on my shoulder and it was J and her husband from the ship. We chatted a bit and there was another couple waiting also who had just gotten off the ship. Both of them had also sailed Princess before and we talked about how we all felt that there didn’t seem to be a lot of activities on the ship. Now there was stuff going on most of the day, but not many choices. Both couples said this was not the norm for Princess. I am not sure why this ship was lacking…perhaps the cruise director? I can’t really say as I don’t know how those things get scheduled. Don’t get me wrong….we had a good time, but it would’ve been nice to have a few more activities to choose from during the day….especially sea days.


We got seated and we could tell the staff was over worked and having a hard time keeping up. We made orders, but we knew it was going to take a while.


In the meantime…every time they cleaned a table they would pile it all up on this one other table. It was kind of funny.





It got worse as time went on. A manager came out and yelled at everyone in the area for doing that…yet she made no effort to clean it up, nor did the wait staff.

I think they had to be understaffed because they were running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

Once again I asked for mayo for my fries and I had to ask more than once to get it and I think my fries were almost gone by the time it arrived.




The food however was very good.

After we ate…and we took out time with the slow service…plus there was nowhere for us to be….we went and found seats. It was still crazy busy and of course I couldn’t find a seat near a plug. After a while I went to another gate and found one and sat there and worked on pictures for a long time. As the time got closer to our flight I went and found mom. The terminal was busy all day long. The gates were all packed and it never lessoned when a flight would load. Many people must’ve been flying home today.


Finally it was time to board. We got in line and found seats together and settled in. We lucked out this time and got a whole row with no one else with us. SCORE!


The flight was uneventful and I worked on pictures on my laptop and dozed off a bit.







After a bit I realized that our landing time was fast approaching but yet there seemed to be no preparations….and then it hit me. We were going to Nashville to transfer and there was an hour difference. UGH! What I thought was going to be a short flight was actually an hour longer than I thought.


Oh well.

We did finally land and we bee-lined to the next gate. We didn’t have a lot of time between flights. Well no need to rush…as we arrived we heard others say our flight was being delayed. Oh good lord!

It ended up being well over an hour…closer to 2 hours. We called my Aunt to let her know since she was picking us up. Now I am one who hates to go home after a vacation. I miss my family if they are not with me, but I still don’t want to go home….they should come to me. LOL!

But when you are finally flying home and the fun is all done, then… I just want to hurry up and get there. We both were getting snappy a bit now. Not mean to each other, but just tired and wanted to be done traveling. I could tell Mom was really annoyed about the delay….but there is nothing you can do about it, so we just wait.


I did find a seat at the next gate that had a plug and I plugged in for some extra charge. Mom sat with me and we did some people watching as well. It seemed to be that a lot of planes were late coming in. Ironically I had a layover in Nashville in Feb of last year as well and most of the flights were delayed that day too.


Finally our flight arrived and they called the A group to line up, so Mom and I did. Mom and I were talking and some lady was asking why we were lining up since it was too early. I told her I thought the A’s were called and many of them were lined up, but this lady went on and on that they were not called. It started to annoy me. Why the heck did she care? I was tired of sitting and I was going to be on a plane sitting again for a good long period so I didn’t mind standing.


Finally we were let on the plane and it appears that another flight had been canceled so we had extras joining us on this flight. They got priority boarding before the A group. Already when we boarded the plane was getting pretty full.

We found seats, but no such luck getting a row to ourselves this time around.


Luckily the flight from Nashville to Detroit isn’t too long and before long we were getting ready to land again.

We found our luggage and called my Aunt. It was pretty chilly. Nice smack in the face of being back to reality. My Aunt soon pulled up and we were on our way home.

She dropped me off first and then took my Mom home. Since I had some of Moms things in my bag I told her I would get them to her in the next few days.


Of course my youngest daughter Claire was waiting up for me and super excited to have me home…..my husband was sawing logs but did wake up long enough to give me a kiss and say he was glad I was home. I must admit he has really stepped up to the plate at taking care of Claire while I traveled over the past year and I am super grateful for it.


So the good news is, my oldest daughter Paige did not have her baby while I was away.


She was scheduled to be induced on Oct. 7, so that day I went in around 11 AM to be with her…..and waited and waited and waited. Gracie Mae was born after midnight…I don’t remember the time now, but I think it was around 1:10 AM. I stuck it out all day, as did one of my sisters and Paige’s boyfriends mom did as well. Paige asked us all to leave the room when it was time to have her. She said she would’ve liked to have me in the room, but didn’t want others in and didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings so she asked us all to leave…which was fine with me. After what felt like forever but in reality wasn’t too long at all, Shane came and brought us all back to the room to meet our newest family member.


And with that, I will leave you with a picture of my granddaughter.

 

[JKSWonder]

Aw, look at that baby's face! Super sweet.

 

[dolphingirl47]

What a shame that they have such a strict debarkation policy. Looks like you a very long and tiring day travelling. Your granddaughter looks precious. Thanks for sharing. I thoroughly enjoyed travelling along.

Corinna

 

[wendiloveswalt]

I really enjoyed your report. And that baby is gorgeous! Congratulations! That had to make up for vacation being over.

 

[Angeejoe]

I just read thru your TR, thanks for sharing. I only have 1 cruise under my belt on the Fantasy last year, and I wondered what other lines would be like. I felt like the Fantasy really wowed me with its looks & furnishings, and while this ship was perfectly fine (reminded me of a nice hotel), it didn't have the extra magic that disney does so well.

I'm also wondering if we live in the same neck of the woods from your descriptions, I live in Toledo.

 

[littlenellbell]

Great report! On our recent cruise we were talking to a group of people about the difference between Disney and other lines. Someone brought up a good point. They said the other lines are perfectly fine if you are going on a cruise for the different Ports and excursions. When they go on Disney they mostly stay onboard to enjoy what the actual ship has to offer. Based on your report, I would love to go on a Princess Cruise, however I would plan and put more money into excursions.

Love the picture of Gracie! She is a little doll!

 

[jenseib]

Aw, look at that baby's face! Super sweet.

thanks...she sure is....and I have her today and she is napping so doing some quick work and fun while she naps.

What a shame that they have such a strict debarkation policy. Looks like you a very long and tiring day travelling.

I have heard from others that I could've went the day before and asked for a later time....Wish I had knew that then.

Your granddaughter looks precious. Thanks for sharing.

thanks. She is getting so big now. I think that picture is almost 3 months old now.

I thoroughly enjoyed travelling along.

Thanks for joining.

I really enjoyed your report. And that baby is gorgeous! Congratulations! That had to make up for vacation being over.

It was the only perk of going home!

I just read thru your TR, thanks for sharing. I only have 1 cruise under my belt on the Fantasy last year, and I wondered what other lines would be like. I felt like the Fantasy really wowed me with its looks & furnishings, and while this ship was perfectly fine (reminded me of a nice hotel), it didn't have the extra magic that disney does so well.

I haven't been on the Fantasy yet but it's on my bucket list...

I'm also wondering if we live in the same neck of the woods from your descriptions, I live in Toledo.

And yes, we are from the same neck of the woods. I live West of Toledo.

Great report! On our recent cruise we were talking to a group of people about the difference between Disney and other lines. Someone brought up a good point. They said the other lines are perfectly fine if you are going on a cruise for the different Ports and excursions. When they go on Disney they mostly stay onboard to enjoy what the actual ship has to offer. Based on your report, I would love to go on a Princess Cruise, however I would plan and put more money into excursions.

Love the picture of Gracie! She is a little doll!

Very true...though a lot of the newer ships in many lines are super fantastic as well.The bad thing about other lines is that they charge for everything.

 

[jenseib]

Final thoughts of the cruise.
I really enjoyed the Princess line. There were some things l liked better than Disney and some things that I didn’t. Given the choice…..if money was not in play, I would pick Disney over Princess….but I am a Disney addict through and through.


The food in the main dining rooms were comparable, the buffets, not so much. Disney won that round.


Our stateroom host was the best we have ever had on Princess. I must say that I have only had one really good one on Disney so far. Princess wins that round.


Entertainment wise…Disney wins. Disney has the best shows and the talent was much better. Disney seems to have more activities in the day, but again I heard that this was not the norm for Princess to have so little to do.


I never tried the pools out on Princess so I can’t compare, but I do love the adult pool on the Disney Magic…that being said, I only used that during a girls cruise.


Décor wise, the Caribbean Princess was nice but I like Disney’s better for the most part. I was however really impressed with the Piazza. I thought it was pretty and it really was a fun place to hang out with food nearby. The atrium on the Disney ships just never seemed to have that much activity all day like it did on the Caribbean Princess. We could spend hours there watching people. I have to say Disney wins for Décor all around, but I love Disney, so I am bias. I do know the newer ships look fantastic though.


The casino….Disney doesn’t have them. I can take them or leave them. It was fun to have but not something I miss if a ship doesn’t have it. The bad part is that smoking is allowed in one half on most nights and even for a smoker I found it a bit too smokey.


I never got a chance to visit the kids clubs but my guess is that the Disney ones are a bit more magical. This particular cruise did not seem to have very many kids on it. But the kids did seem to enjoy themselves. I think my daughter Claire, who was 9 at the time I sailed would’ve had a good time, but she likes to hang out with me. And as long as she got swim time she would be a happy camper.


I do want to get back on a Princess ship. I don’t know when that will be. I really want to try one of the newer, bigger ships ideally. They look so pretty.


It was a nice vacation and my Mom really had a good time too. It was nice to get away and nice not have to take care of anyone else.


Mom wanted me (and Claire) to join her and Dad in March, but Skip wants to do a family trip so we declined. We still don’t have anything planned as of yet, but I am hoping Disneyland right now. I went last Feb. for work and they both want to see it for themselves now.
Thanks for reliving this wonderful vacation with me!

 

[JKSWonder]

I was a great report. I really appreciated reading the comparison from DCL to another line, since I am looking to start branching us out. Primarily a financial decision, although my kids are also getting older. Allison is about to be 14 and I think the Disney shine is likely beginning to wear off for her. Time to start looking for new things to do. After this summer that is. We have WDW planned for August, although they don't know it yet. I'm letting them sweat it out for a bit about whether or not we are taking a vacation this year. Torturing them just a teeny, tiny, itty bit is about some of the only Mommy fun I get to still have.

 

[Flossbolna]

Thank you for the wonderful report! I loved seeing a different cruise line and Princess was always on my list of lines that I might want to try. Your trip report confirmed that for me.

Hope you will figure out your family trip soon - and Disneyland sounds like an excellent choice with the 60th anniversary going on! I will be looking forward to your next trip report - wherever you end up going!

 

[jenseib]

I was a great report. I really appreciated reading the comparison from DCL to another line, since I am looking to start branching us out. Primarily a financial decision, although my kids are also getting older. Allison is about to be 14 and I think the Disney shine is likely beginning to wear off for her. Time to start looking for new things to do. After this summer that is. We have WDW planned for August, although they don't know it yet. I'm letting them sweat it out for a bit about whether or not we are taking a vacation this year. Torturing them just a teeny, tiny, itty bit is about some of the only Mommy fun I get to still have.

Thanks for reading along. We really did enjoy the trip. I must say, I have a couple of friends getting on the Wonder today and I really am so jealous. 2 are ones I saled with in 2012 and I wish I was back with them again.
Sometimes it's fun to torture our kids. LOL!

Thank you for the wonderful report! I loved seeing a different cruise line and Princess was always on my list of lines that I might want to try. Your trip report confirmed that for me.

Thanks for reading. We did have a good time. It's not Disney, but it still is a nice vacation.

Hope you will figure out your family trip soon - and Disneyland sounds like an excellent choice with the 60th anniversary going on! I will be looking forward to your next trip report - wherever you end up going!

I hope so too. We have a lot going on here with the farm and cold weather, so Skip is really ready to get away, but can't yet.

 

[Beth D]

Great updates! I'm kind of sad that this is done! You need to start another TR so i have reading material!

 

[jenseib]

Great updates! I'm kind of sad that this is done! You need to start another TR so i have reading material!

I am still working on my other TR though. I have a little more to go on that one. ....and then I need to travel somewhere!!! anywhere!!!!

 

[JCinMN]

I enjoyed your report (and the others of yours which I have had a chance to read) and the comparisons with the Disney ships. I am platinum on Princess and am just taking my second DCL trip next month. For the price and what you get, I find Princess to be our favorite option. Our daughter (now 8) preferred both the Princess and HAL's kids clubs to The Club/Lab on the Fantasy which she found overwhelming as a single child not knowing other kids. She came home with many more free give always on Princess from the kids club than DCL and Princess had a pirate night for the kids where they got face paint and hunted for treasure. Princesses rooms have so much storage and even the inside cabins feel very spacious as you noted. While traveling with kids, the DCL cabins are superior as the sofa and bunk area is separate and has a dividing curtain.

I loved all the photos too and am looking forward to reading about your next adventure!

 

[jenseib]

I enjoyed your report (and the others of yours which I have had a chance to read) and the comparisons with the Disney ships. I am platinum on Princess and am just taking my second DCL trip next month. For the price and what you get, I find Princess to be our favorite option. Our daughter (now 8) preferred both the Princess and HAL's kids clubs to The Club/Lab on the Fantasy which she found overwhelming as a single child not knowing other kids. She came home with many more free give always on Princess from the kids club than DCL and Princess had a pirate night for the kids where they got face paint and hunted for treasure. Princesses rooms have so much storage and even the inside cabins feel very spacious as you noted. While traveling with kids, the DCL cabins are superior as the sofa and bunk area is separate and has a dividing curtain.

I loved all the photos too and am looking forward to reading about your next adventure!

Thanks for reading. We are cruising NCL this summer to Alaska...My husband and daughter with me this time around.
Our inside room on Princess was huge but it wasn't a normal inside room. I have seen pictures of the regular ones and they are pretty small...though I have sailed inside on NCL before that was about the size of a closet. Disney, especially with the new bed types on 3 of their ships are really spacious for putting suitcases underneath. I have never done an inside yet on them. I do have an ocean view booked for next year though.

Claire is shy...and I am going to try and get her in the kids club on the first night of our NCL cruise and hope she can make a few friends. She did well last year on the Magic and I hope she can find a few she likes this cruise. But we enjoy hanging as a family so if she doesn't feel comfortable I won't push it.

 

[JCinMN]

Have fun in Alaska! The scenery is beautiful regardless of the ship. We enjoyed our Alaska cruise as a family of 3. Bon voyage!