How 7 Days with DCL Trumps 5 Trips to WDW~ Fantasy Eastern Caribbean, Oct 4-11

[petals]

You made it to Florida although your journey reminds me a little bit of my first trip to Florida, I was only ten but clearly remember one day we were heading to Kennedy Space Centre and my Dad was driving and as we got near Momma suddenly went it's that way go there (she was wrong) and the ten year old in the back seat went well done Mammy now we're going to Miami and we're running out of petrol!

The hotel looks nice and yay for Stacey being on the tv

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

I'm here!!!! I have been a little MIA on your PTR but I plan on making it up with this. I am so curious about a cruise.........must learn more.

That sounds like a wonderful way to start off the trip~~~glad it didn't ruin anyone's good time!!!!

 

[Chicago Mo]

If we don't get an update soon I am calling D~ and Suzi over here...

 

[oopsiDAISY]

I just realized that I didn't post comments on the post before this one. Oh you poor things...you went waaaaay outta the way before you realized it. At least everybody was good sports about it and quackattack still got a kiss from the hubby.

You mean old Mama you making those poor kids have to watch television while you took a nap. What in the world were you thinking? Oh yeah, you were thinking about SLEEP! I bet that you needed it after that long ride.

I've done that whole thing where I figure there wouldn't be a need for lunch since we ate a big breakfast and had plans for a big dinner. Didn't work out for me either.

We had fun telling that story to our other friends on the cruise, for sure.

Yes, children and especially teenagers, do need more food than we do, don't they...

ummm foggy lens? NO ALLOWED! there is a cleaning cloth on the Jiminy bag! Bad Connie.

Glad you got some sleep.. I cannot agree more you need that nap IN A BED after a long ride!!!yet everyone's requests are being met like food... Yeah those little midgets do demand food sometimes. and i have NO idea where they put it..

I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THE SHIP!!!

Totally forgot that cleaning cloth was in there... no excuses. I will say, it never happened again.

Oh, but we still have other things to cover in this TR before we get on that ship...

Oh yes, the hazy pictures from AC to 190% humidity. I think we've all been there.

The pool looks like, as does the hot tub. I am with you though...I don't like my pool too cool or my hot tub too hot.

A light lunch and tv sounds like a relaxing afternoon to me.

It was a wonderful afternoon. I did NOT want to be tired when we embarked on this adventure the next day!

Made it here finally! Sounds like a fun time in the big van.

Oh, and I'm reserving my spot now in the big 15 seat van! You guys will probably pass right near my house on the way down, you can just pick me up on the side of the road.

Bagelnana is here!!! OH, I am Sooooooo lost on that van trip PTR. That thing has gotten HUGE! I think I will just have to wait until I KNOW I can do it before I start chiming in too much.

Sounds relaxing, the pool looks great. I would have been in there with the kids. Being from up north.....any pool in FL is heated to me

I'm with Mo......I can't wait to see the ship!!!

Well, we southern belles are just pampered, and need our water temperatures just so! We will get to the ship....















eventually.

Awesome update, foggy lens n all.

The pool looks heavenly... Can we call you Goldilocks now?

Can't wait to see the shipp!

OK, you are in charge of all the food stops on the way... Food network sounds fabulous to me, as long as there is red meat involved, I am good.

D~

You can call me Goldilocks if you want to....but my hair is definitely not, nor ever will be, blonde.

I have been working on that restaurant list for our trip, carefully choosing places to stop at the right times... just not sure where on the PTR to post it.

I, too, would've not been swimming in the pool. I hate cold water.

I can't wait to hear about your evening plans.

Yes, I am a wimp...don't like extreme temps for anything!

Oh you got it! your on the way!! We will meet at one of the thousand Waffle Houses.. you bring the peaches.
I am DYING to see this boat!!!!
Goldilocks!!!
ohhhhhhhh Food Stops... at this point it will take a Day just from Connie to Disney with all the stops we will make!!!

Well...as someone from the South, and I am sure Ariana would agree with me....we DO NOT go to Waffle House!



....... except in the middle of the night after closing down bars.

Oh, but I must extend the suspense just as long as I can before showing you the ship.

Not sure how fast YOU were driving when you drove down last month, but it DOES take a whole day to get from my house to Disney. MO=

You made it to Florida although your journey reminds me a little bit of my first trip to Florida, I was only ten but clearly remember one day we were heading to Kennedy Space Centre and my Dad was driving and as we got near Momma suddenly went it's that way go there (she was wrong) and the ten year old in the back seat went well done Mammy now we're going to Miami and we're running out of petrol!

The hotel looks nice and yay for Stacey being on the tv

Wow, yes that one definitely WOULD stay in the memory bank! For years we have teased my dad about his "shortcuts" from place to place...they usually require another hour added to a trip. :

I'm here!!!! I have been a little MIA on your PTR but I plan on making it up with this. I am so curious about a cruise.........must learn more.

That sounds like a wonderful way to start off the trip~~~glad it didn't ruin anyone's good time!!!!

Yay, you made it!!! My reports tend to be slow moving, so it won't be difficult to keep up.

The cruise was so fantastic. Cannot wait to really get into the "meat" of the report!

If we don't get an update soon I am calling D~ and Suzi over here...

I know, I know....please don't call in the big guns, I am back!! Work has been so insane since I got back. I have been on the verge of pulling my hair out on so many occasions. Last night I grabbed all my stuff to leave work: keys from desk drawer, phone from top of desk, lunchbox from underneath the desk, shopping bags from errands I ran on my lunch break... out the door on time.



Until I got to the school to pick Charity up from basketball practice, and realized I had left my purse locked in my file cabinet drawer.

 

[Pluto0809]

Well...as someone from the South, and I am sure Ariana would agree with me....we DO NOT go to Waffle House!

Um, I LOVE Waffle House. Maybe it's because I'm not actually from the south. Mom has to eat there every time she comes to visit.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Ahhhh, we had spent time by the pool, noshed on some pizza, chillaxed, and watched some Stacey. It was indeed a nice afternoon. But, there was still some fun to be had before we went to sleep on this night before our cruise!

If you ever book a cruise, any cruise line, and it leaves from Port Canaveral be sure to look up the Port Canaveral Web Cam. On this web cam you can watch EVERY cruise sail away right there in the comfort of your own home. We had done this several times leading up to the cruise, watching the Disney Fantasy leave without us...yes, we tortured ourselves. Hey, we all do it. It is part of the reason we spend hours and hours reading these reports and looking at pictures of the places we love and miss.

So, what does THAT have to do with our plans for the evening? The home of the Port Canaveral Webcam is a restaurant called Fishlips. That is where we would have dinner that night! There was another cruise line that had left port earlier in the afternoon, but we were not there to see it. I know several other cruise group friends had been there, but we were not.

And NOW starts the endless amount of foodporn pictures I have for this report...seriously, brace yourselves.

We started out with a few shared appetizers. First we have: Calamari (which I am assuming we all know what it is) and in the same photo:
Cajun Angels~ Bacon wrapped shrimp blackened and served with mango salsa.



And our third appetizer is where I got the nifty update title: Sharkbites~served with Thai Chili Sauce.



Those were actually little "nuggets" of shark meat. The apps were delicious, but the winner for me was the Cajun Angels, delicious!

On to the entrees...and remember, there are NINE of us eating!

I had Lobster Ravioli~ tossed in a lobster sherry cream sauce with asparagus:



Can I just say...NOM NOM!!! This was one of my favorite dishes of the whole vacation, and we hadn't even made it to the boat!

Next we have Crab Legs and Fries. This was an adventure for Rochelle's DS as he had never had crab legs before! Brian and I taught him how to crack them (since he was sitting on our end of the table). It was fun, and he LOVED them.



Jillian had Past la Donna~ grilled chicken, roasted tomatoes, broccoli and parmesean cheese over penne pasta. It normally came in a cream sauce, but she asked for red sauce instead.




I am not sure who ordered the next entree, since we just passed the camera around for everyone to take a photo of his/her dinner. From looking at the menu online, I can tell it is Potato Crusted Cod~served with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus.



Next is Charity's. I know because she ordered what Jillian did, but she stayed with the cream sauce. Pasta la Donna...



Not sure who's is next, but it is definitely Fried Shrimp with fries and cole slaw. I am going to go out on a limb here and say the Potato Crusted Cod was Rochelle's and the Shrimp is Stephen's. One thing I did learn about them this week is that Rochelle is more adventurous with food choices than Stephen. So, here is the shrimp.



Next is definitely Brian's. I know, because he was sitting next to me. Yes I am a smart one, don't ya forget that! Triple Sticks~ Grilled skewers of beef tenderloin, shrimp and grouper served with orzo pasta salad and grilled zucchini.



Since I do not have photos of the food ordered by the "littles", Gabe and E, I am assuming they ordered typical kid menu fare like nuggets and mac and cheese.

Dinner was sooooo fantastic. Seriously, if you ever get a chance to visit Fishlips in Port Canaveral, DO IT!

Our happy little band of travelers:



After we finished eating dinner, Rochelle and I walked around the restaruant visiting with other friends from the cruise FB page. We took our cameras, but ended up NOT asking for photos as some of them were still dining. It was fun meeting these folks in person before even getting on the ship to spend the week with each other.

As we were leaving Fishlips it came a torrential downpoar. Stephen rushed out in the rain to get the van...and then it miraculously stopped as he pulled up to get us. Gotta love the FL weather.

Upon returning to the hotel, Brian and the kids and I rolled back to our room. Brian and the kids discovered earlier in the day that Disney XD would be showing the premier of the new show Star Wars Rebels. They were VERY excited to get to see this since we do not have cable or satellite at home any longer. They all piled on our bed, and in chairs to watch this. I immediately rolled over and went to sleep, really had no interest in seeing it. I found out the next morning that Brian was the only one able to stay awake for the whole hour long show. Apparently, that long road trip finally caught up to our kids.

The Quackattack family are night owls, and decided to go clothing shopping after dinner. They had ordered something online that was supposed to be delivered right before we left town. It did not come on time... despite Stephen getting in his car to chase down the FedEx van when it passed by their house while we were loading the van. Yeah, it really happened folks. Did I not tell you traveling with this family was going to be a blast? Anywho, they left after dinner to go and shop for said missing item. They had to scour all of Port Canaveral, and maybe even Orlando...but they DID find what they were looking for.

Nighty, night, friends...tomorrow is the BIG DAY!!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm with Connie on this one....we proper Southern ladies won't step foot in a Waffle House. Around here the Waffle Houses are where the bar flies (I'm trying to be nice when referring to those "ladies" who frequently shut down the bars.) go after all the bars close down.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oops, we were posting at the same time. You ate at Fishlips!!! You lucky lady you! The appetizers and entrees all looked delicious. I've tried alligator before and it ain't my thang but at least I tried it.

We tortured ourselves watching the sail aways too. As a matter of fact, I still watch the webcam every once in a whle.

 

[Pluto0809]

Why oh why did I read that update in the middle of the afternoon. Must. Resist. Candy. Dish!

I seriously want Jillian's dish right now. (minus the broccoli of course).

It probably won't surprise you at all that Jim and I love Star Wars Rebels. Bummer that you guys don't have cable to watch it but I'm sure it will be out on video eventually.

Oh and as for Waffle House I will clarify that I NEVER go there at night. Don't want to be mistaken as one of Lisa's "barflies". We usually do breakfast or lunch.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

All of the food looks delicious. I had planned for us to eat at Fish Lips the night before our cruise but we've had a change of plans. We are going to Disney World for a couple of days before so we won't be spending the night in Cape Canaveral. I still want to make it there one day. It just looks like a fun place to hang out.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Um, I LOVE Waffle House. Maybe it's because I'm not actually from the south. Mom has to eat there every time she comes to visit.

Okay, I am going to comment further on Waffle House at the bottom of this post...

I'm with Connie on this one....we proper Southern ladies won't step foot in a Waffle House. Around here the Waffle Houses are where the bar flies (I'm trying to be nice when referring to those "ladies" who frequently shut down the bars.) go after all the bars close down.

Keep scrolling for further commentary on Waffle House...

Oops, we were posting at the same time. You ate at Fishlips!!! You lucky lady you! The appetizers and entrees all looked delicious. I've tried alligator before and it ain't my thang but at least I tried it.

We tortured ourselves watching the sail aways too. As a matter of fact, I still watch the webcam every once in a whle.

Fishlips was AH.MA.ZING. Should you decide to take another cruise...which, yes I know, it will take a lot to pull you away from the World, BUT, if you do...go to Fishlips. It is Goooood!

I have not allowed myself to watch the webcam since we returned. I am sure I will do it again eventually. But, until then, there is a lady from our cruise FB page who lives in Cozumel with her husband. Every other Monday when the Fantasy docks there with the Western Caribbean cruisers, she and her hubby have breakfast somewhere near the dock and post a picture of the Fantasy for us. It is TORTURE!!! We seriously LOVED this cruise, can you tell?

Why oh why did I read that update in the middle of the afternoon. Must. Resist. Candy. Dish!

I seriously want Jillian's dish right now. (minus the broccoli of course).

It probably won't surprise you at all that Jim and I love Star Wars Rebels. Bummer that you guys don't have cable to watch it but I'm sure it will be out on video eventually.

Oh and as for Waffle House I will clarify that I NEVER go there at night. Don't want to be mistaken as one of Lisa's "barflies". We usually do breakfast or lunch.

Hahahaha!!! I can always count on making you hungry at random times when I post my food porn, Ariana! Of course, you can say the same for me, too.

Brian is so disappointed to be missing that show right now. We have Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime, but unfortunately Disney does not have shows on those...only the ABC affiliate Disney stuff is available through them. Yes, we will have to wait until video is released...same thiing I am having to do when Downton Abbey season 5 comes out. Lucky for me, the video of Downton is released before the US season of it is finished showing.


Okay....some clarity about Waffle House, because I am sure Mo and some of my other "yankee" friends will not understand this southern lady snobbery about it.

Waffle House has been expanding and building lots of new locations in the last few years. I have heard they are nice, they are clean, etc...

BUT, for those of us who have been around the south for a LOOONNNG time, we know that Waffle House restaurants have been too. They had gained a reputation of being dirty (I mean come on, open 24/7...how do we REALLY know how often those griddles that EVERYTHING is cooked on are cleaned? YUCK) It also had the reputation for attracting all sorts of people...all sorts, and I will leave that at that. And then, like Lisa said...it attracts the middle of the night drunks and druggies with the munchies. So... we who have been around a long time just cannot bring ourselves to even try out these "newer and cleaner" Waffle House restaurants.

 

[jedijill]

Ugh, I hate Waffle House although I admit back in my Army days it was a popular place after partying on Saturday nights.

I love Fishlips! The food is good and I love the view!

Jill in CO

 

[mickeystoontown]

Adding one more thing to Connie's description of why we don't go to Waffle Houses. One time Lacey's Mission group stopped at a Waffle House after an extremely long church youth conference and the Waffle House Staff literally pulled out a water hose and hosed down the inside of the restaurant while they were sitting at the booths. Who the heck hoses down the inside of a restaurant? Although now that I think about it, with the people who frequent our local Waffle Houses, it probably needed hosed down AND bleached.

 

[Chicago Mo]

oh my love for food!!!!
I am STARVING right now because of it! how was Shark?!?! what did it taste like?

I want to see this BOAT!

We seriously LOVED this cruise, can you tell?

No i can't since you don't update much...

Okay....some clarity about Waffle House, because I am sure Mo and some of my other "yankee" friends will not understand this southern lady snobbery about it.

Please do.

Waffle House has been expanding and building lots of new locations in the last few years. I have heard they are nice, they are clean, etc...

There were ENUMERABLE amounts of them on the drive!!! it turned into a joke! like we wouldn't go to one unless ALL the lights were lit. since there is one every two minutes it was easy to find. so Kentucky it was.

BUT, for those of us who have been around the south for a LOOONNNG time, we know that Waffle House restaurants have been too. They had gained a reputation of being dirty (I mean come on, open 24/7...how do we REALLY know how often those griddles that EVERYTHING is cooked on are cleaned? YUCK) It also had the reputation for attracting all sorts of people...all sorts, and I will leave that at that. And then, like Lisa said...it attracts the middle of the night drunks and druggies with the munchies. So... we who have been around a long time just cannot bring ourselves to even try out these "newer and cleaner" Waffle House restaurants.

well... This is really nasty. Same reason i don't eat at Denny's. Thankfully the one we ate at was very clean we sat where the griddle was and the guy was cleaning it constantly! plus they had good coffee.. there were NO undesirables either.

Adding one more thing to Connie's description of why we don't go to Waffle Houses. One time Lacey's Mission group stopped at a Waffle House after an extremely long church youth conference and the Waffle House Staff literally pulled out a water hose and hosed down the inside of the restaurant while they were sitting at the booths. Who the heck hoses down the inside of a restaurant? Although now that I think about it, with the people who frequent our local Waffle Houses, it probably needed hosed down AND bleached.

Chef Ramsey would not approve..

SERIOUSLY this is horrible!!!

I can say i'm not hungry anymore...



Where did i read it takes you a full day to drive to Disney from Nashville?!?!

Took us 19 hours from CHICAGO!!! did you take back roads? going 25MPH?

 

[krdotson]

Visiting Fishlips was certainly one of the highlights! Like so many others, now I'm hungry.
Fishlips for lunch anyone?

 

[schmass]

Joining in! We did the same itinerary in September and loved it!

 

[cheekypoppins]

her now gonna read then comment since hubbys making lunch today lol

 

[cheekypoppins]

ok I'll have what B mans having!! mmm yummerz!!!That looks so yummy,omg shark bites??? I have got to try those!!!I can't believe how grown the kids look in these pics makes me wanna sob like they were mine TELL THEM TO STOP IT!!!

 

[OregonDisneyDreamer]

We're going on a 7 day Fantasy Eastern Caribbean cruise in January! I'm currently reading ALLLLL I can about it. We did a 3 day on the Dream in '11 and I am so looking forward to a longer cruise. Thank you for writing a trip report! It's been fun to read so far!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Ugh, I hate Waffle House although I admit back in my Army days it was a popular place after partying on Saturday nights.

I love Fishlips! The food is good and I love the view!

Jill in CO

Brian grew up in the north, but he has his own Waffle House horror story sick...he calls it Awful House.

Fishlips is fantastic. I am sure it will permanently become part of our cruise trips from now on.

Adding one more thing to Connie's description of why we don't go to Waffle Houses. One time Lacey's Mission group stopped at a Waffle House after an extremely long church youth conference and the Waffle House Staff literally pulled out a water hose and hosed down the inside of the restaurant while they were sitting at the booths. Who the heck hoses down the inside of a restaurant? Although now that I think about it, with the people who frequent our local Waffle Houses, it probably needed hosed down AND bleached.

THAT. IS. CRAZY. Seriously....crazy! Just another reason we will NOT be visiting an Awful House anytime soon...

oh my love for food!!!!
I am STARVING right now because of it! how was Shark?!?! what did it taste like?

I want to see this BOAT!

There were ENUMERABLE amounts of them on the drive!!! it turned into a joke! like we wouldn't go to one unless ALL the lights were lit. since there is one every two minutes it was easy to find. so Kentucky it was.

well... This is really nasty. Same reason i don't eat at Denny's. Thankfully the one we ate at was very clean we sat where the griddle was and the guy was cleaning it constantly! plus they had good coffee.. there were NO undesirables either.

Chef Ramsey would not approve..

SERIOUSLY this is horrible!!!

I can say i'm not hungry anymore...

Where did i read it takes you a full day to drive to Disney from Nashville?!?!

Took us 19 hours from CHICAGO!!! did you take back roads? going 25MPH?

How do I describe Shark? Tastes like chicken... It has a different flavor, but not a wild or overtly strong flavor. It was good, very tender. Everyone at the table liked it, so that right there should tell you it was no exotic flavor, or anything.

I am mean and torturous....



and not ready to show the boat yet.

I do believe enough has been said about Awful House. Just be assured that it will NOT be on my list of restaurants to visit during our EPIC Disney road trip.

So, the reason I say it takes a day is because it takes about 11-12 hours. to me, that is a long enough "day" of traveling.

Visiting Fishlips was certainly one of the highlights! Like so many others, now I'm hungry.
Fishlips for lunch anyone?

I'm in! We can sit on the upstairs deck and have lunch together. We can have fruity drinks and hear the band play! I want some more of that Lobster Ravioli!

Joining in! We did the same itinerary in September and loved it!

We will probably do the Western Caribbean itinerary next time, but I cannot imagine it beating out the Eastern. It was such a fabulous intinerary. We loved the four days at sea, so relaxing.

her now gonna read then comment since hubbys making lunch today lol

Oooh, can Ivan make my lunch tomorrow? Robin and I are going to Fishlips today for lunch, but I will need something yummy for lunch tomorrow.

ok I'll have what B mans having!! mmm yummerz!!!That looks so yummy,omg shark bites??? I have got to try those!!!I can't believe how grown the kids look in these pics makes me wanna sob like they were mine TELL THEM TO STOP IT!!!

Shark Bites are yummy! Oh, you have not begun to see how grown up my kids look in these cruise pictures...like seriously. When the girls really dressed up and fixed their hair and stuff....Brian and I wanted to lock them in the stateroom!!!