I'm giving up Black Friday for a Disney Cruise! A DCL PTR/TR - 1/28 NEW PTR!!!

[jenjolt]

What a gorgeous location!!! I really really want to visit the Caribbean!!!!

LOVE the Disney Magic and it is for those reasons I keep going back and back, moments like that are priceless!!!!!

Have you transitioned back to school life yet?? Last week was rough but thinking I have a handle on things this week!!!!

 

[Happydog]

It's interesting to read about your pirate night. SO very different than on the Alaska cruise. If there was a buffet, I missed it. Then again, ours was inside so.... NO Jack there though either. I will be very interested to see what the kids think on the next cruise, whenever that is of it compared to what we experienced. I can't wait for fireworks at sea though! Tired little pirates for sure. NO flaming here, we let our kids tuck themselves in at least twice I think. Ok, they are a little older but still. I wouldn't do it anywhere else either.

I know it does seem like they have to adapt to the cruise, the climate, the environment, etc. makes sense... You will have a great time in the summer, I am sure the weather will work out for you... I don't think it is hurricane season yet, right? I have to say my kids sleep HARD. And we knew they wouldn't wake!!! People talk about concerns with their kids on these ships, I honestly didn't see it, maybe I am very pollyanna-ish, but I felt they were very safe, everywhere.

I love it! That's the Disney magic right there.

Sapphire beach looks beautiful. Both your St. Maarten and Sapphire beach pics have me dreaming about the Caribbean. And really wishing Disney would come out with the darn 2013 magic itineraries so we can decide what the heck we are doing!

I know I know!!! We have two other cruises booked... not sure if we will keep them there or change.... I hear the Magic is going to be in Europe, which might be why the itineraries have not been posted... This was from one of the Palo servers...

It was fun seeing so many characters just because. I think that was what made it so special.

Thanks for the tips on seasickness and the eastern caribbean cruise. We are cruising the Fantasy next December and I have motion sickness problems. I had no problems with using my Meclizine on the Wonder for a 4 day bahammas trip but this helps me anticipate.

If you are really prone, may want to consider those patches... we just used Bonine, and were fine! The Caribbean, once you are there between the islands is fine it seems (my DFIL is retired Navy so I trust him ) and I agree, the water between the islands was really calm, but it was the "blue" water getting there from FL which was choppy and conditions windy.

What a gorgeous location!!! I really really want to visit the Caribbean!!!!

LOVE the Disney Magic and it is for those reasons I keep going back and back, moments like that are priceless!!!!!

Have you transitioned back to school life yet?? Last week was rough but thinking I have a handle on things this week!!!!

Oh it was the LONGEST short week!!! LOL!! UGH!

Yep, I agree, moments like those are priceless.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Wow, what a beautiful location. Love your pictures.

Wow, a cruise in November and next July---I am super jealous!!! Is it Thanksgiving week? We are taking a Bahama cruise that week. DH agreed to a short one to see if he liked it and then a longer one if he does!

I bet your boys had a ball with Stitch. Too funny about the woman in the elevator.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Wow, what a beautiful location. Love your pictures.

Wow, a cruise in November and next July---I am super jealous!!! Is it Thanksgiving week? We are taking a Bahama cruise that week. DH agreed to a short one to see if he liked it and then a longer one if he does!

I bet your boys had a ball with Stitch. Too funny about the woman in the elevator.

 

[Charleston Princess]

More fun posts!!!

I would not have enjoyed standing in that long line! Yuck!

Oh, my! See, missing the boat would be one of my worries! That would send me into a panic! Glad that person was able to make it back onboard!

I am dying laughing over the woman with Stitch in the elevator. You're right -- I would probably react that way over someone like Daniel Craig, but Stitch? Not so much! I really cracked up that she kept taking pictures of him getting off the elevator! So precious!

I am all about bribery -- both with my two younger ones and Charles. It just makes life easier!

What a nice evening -- did you buy goodies while you browsed?

 

[Happydog]

SO this morning was our final “at sea” day.

It was also THANKSGIVING!!!

Today was our scheduled “character breakfast”. Fun stuff!! I took the boys and with me was my DMIL… Here are the photos to show you our morning…

Everyone in the restaurant got “napkin” hats to sport during breakfast…. Alas, I didn’t get MY photo, but you can see everyone else’s!!! LOL!!!

Pancakes are serious business...

While our napkin art hats were pretty simple, there were some far more involved, which included creamers, coffee mugs, and plate covers!!!

Just everyone having fun, made the atmosphere lively and enjoyable. Breakfast, not so much, in that it was a pretty standard fare.... I am curious to see if the Character breakfast menu on the Fantasy will be the same... or will be the menu offerings at the other sit-down restaurant... on the Dream, the breakfast in the Royal Palace was more elaborate, but the buffet had many more options on the Dream vs. the Magic... So it is interesting to note the differences in the food selection and offerings from ship to ship. I was somewhat disappointed by that. This amazing yogurt that I LOVED on the Dream, as well as eggs benedict, they didn't have on the Magic... ONLY at Lumiere's I presume... we didn't end up at a sitdown breakfast other than the character breakfast.

Here comes MICKEY and the rest of the crew!

After Breakfast, we headed towards the lobby and had the plan to play shuffle board...

We got distracted by the gingerbread house, and of course DS6 ignored the "do not cross this red line" baracade... He wanted to touch the house to make sure it was real.. I said USE your EYES!!!!! LOL!!!!

Out on deck after breakfast we enjoyed some sunshine and smooth sailing...
alas, both shuffle boards were in use, but we still liked being outside for a bit.

A beautiful day ahead!!!

MORE COMING UP in the NEXT POST!!! TEA!!!! AND LOUNGING, AND DINNER!!!!

 

[Happydog]

So the boys and I went back to the cabin, and DH was there waiting for us. We decided that we wanted to go get some pool time in, and since the boys have spent the past two days at the beach, we decided they could get some club time in and we could get our adult poolside in!

Here is the view from my lounge…

Of course, as you can see I was not motivated to do much else but take pictures from where I was lying!!!! I know my inlaws went to the final "martini" tasting, and enjoyed that, but us, DH and I just relaxed with books, Ipods, drinks, and the sun... They have music playing in the adult pool area, and really it was one of my favorite afternoons...

So we sat by the pool for a good three hours, before getting down to the cabin to get cleaned up for our final Palo’s event… the HIGH Tea! Now, we did Tea with my DBIL and his partner back on our first cruise... I don't remember everything, but I do remember enjoying it. In my mind, the Tea was nice, but Brunch is MUCH better. There were plenty of lovely treats to go around, but I just really enjoy brunch!!! It was VERY empty. Like I think four other couples that I saw. Perhaps the other Tea times (on the other days) were busier. So, word to the wise: If you find that there are no openings to make reservations initially, I have heard that Palo dinners, tea, brunch, is easier to get LATER in the cruise (on a 7+ night sailing) so never fear! Obviously this was the case for us. AND my DMIL and DFIL were in that boat, because they made the reservation quite late. I didn't take many photos.. well, hardly any at all!!! I didn't take food photos, but we had little tea sandwiches, then scones, YUM, and then sweets, like macaroons and little tartlets, etc... it was nice. I am curious to see the difference on the Dream, if we can... I now know they have Tea and Brunch on the ship for our four day cruise. We got to know some of the staff the past two cruises on the Dream, so I am hopeful we will be able to get on board and get one of those reservations!!!

Here in this first photo you can see (sort of!) how EMPTY the place was...

ALL of us... courtesy of our server, who also told us that in 2013 the Magic was heading back to the Mediterranean! LOOKING into that one!!

After Tea, I went with my DMIL and DFIL to get booked on a future cruise YAY!!!

The cruise desk was ALWAYS busy, lots of cruising to be booked apparently! And it makes sense because when you are in the midst of such a great time, it is really easy to want to have another lined up. It is the Disney way. You know they really do market that well. It is both troubling and well, admirable. They clearly know what they are doing!! AND, judging from what was booked, what categories were ALREADY at GTY vs. being able to pick a room and what was sold out, CLEARLY people all over were doing the same thing... (if you think about the fact that they have THREE ships sailing at the same time... LOL!! SO, yep, we booked. Three. And since then, I have been able to modify one of these cruises which was in a category I didn't really want, and the price difference was $50.00.... CAN you believe it!!! From INSIDE DELUXE (on the Fantasy) to Ocean View Family stateroom... I was thrilled!

At that point, it was late in the afternoon, so the boys were extracted from the club, and we were off to get cleaned up for THANKSGIVING DINNER!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Wow, what a beautiful location. Love your pictures.

Wow, a cruise in November and next July---I am super jealous!!! Is it Thanksgiving week? We are taking a Bahama cruise that week. DH agreed to a short one to see if he liked it and then a longer one if he does!

I bet your boys had a ball with Stitch. Too funny about the woman in the elevator.

HI! NO, tentatively we are going the first week in NOVEMBER! During Election week.. that is when we have it booked right now... Thanksgiving was HUGELY expensive...

It is nice to start with a shorter one, you'll get hooked after four nights! A three night is a little short, but both will whet the appetite I guarantee!!!

More fun posts!!!

I would not have enjoyed standing in that long line! Yuck!

Oh, my! See, missing the boat would be one of my worries! That would send me into a panic! Glad that person was able to make it back onboard!

I am dying laughing over the woman with Stitch in the elevator. You're right -- I would probably react that way over someone like Daniel Craig, but Stitch? Not so much! I really cracked up that she kept taking pictures of him getting off the elevator! So precious!

I am all about bribery -- both with my two younger ones and Charles. It just makes life easier!

What a nice evening -- did you buy goodies while you browsed?

No, the line was NOT fun... but they tried to make it as painless as possible, but I was really thinking it would have been HORRIBLE in the summer...

It was really hilarious with the whole "star-struck" mentality.. I really had to laugh...

AH yes, bribery works wonders... We use it well, it is all about parenting strategies 101!!!! AND I agree, it works with the husbands too!!! LOL!!!

Oh I bought stuff, yes!!! LOL!!! BUT I have photos at the end of my TR, so you'll have to wait

 

[Charleston Princess]

I feel kind of gyped that we don't get a picture of you with your napkin headgear.

Lovely high tea!

Three cruises? So fun!!!

 

[Happydog]

I feel kind of gyped that we don't get a picture of you with your napkin headgear.

Lovely high tea!

Three cruises? So fun!!!

LOL!!! I don't know if my DMIL took one, I will have to ask!!! LOL!!!! I need to show my kids how to use my camera, then maybe I will get a few photos vs. being the photographer and third-person narrator of our trips!!!!

yes, three booked. More to tell LATER.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Three cruises booked?!?!

Sounds like a super relaxing day. Nothing like parking it in a lounge chair for some sunshine! Looking forward to hearing about Thanksgiving dinner.

 

[Happydog]

THANKSGIVING!!! Time for DINNER!!! We were excited to eat let me tell you!

So of course the menu was fabulous... yes, there was a lovely turkey dinner option, but why eat turkey when you can eat LOBSTER... OH boy!!! We all ordered the oyster rockefeller and the lobster, but we also ordered one turkey dinner, and we all shared. The boys had steak and shrimp, and really enjoyed their meal as well... here are some photos from dinner...

Dessert of Champions, AGAIN... LOL! The Mickey bar and the pudding. Every night, without fail!!!!

After Dinner, we decided to get some photos by the Christmas tree. These are a few that I took with my camera while the took the professional shot, I did end up buying one of these, but I will have to post them at the end! They cooperated, and we agreed to go play shuffle board after. So here are the photos of that!

AFTER photos, we went out to try any play shuffle board…
IT was rather windy! But still fun. We had just a little time to kill before the
show that evening…

SO of course after a little shuffle board we headed into the theater, my DMIL and DFIL had gone in to get seats early…

Here is DS6 very much excited by the glimmer of Tinkerbell, who flashed across the curtain and theater while we waited for the show to begin...

UP next… DISNEY Dreams!!!

 

[Happydog]

Three cruises booked?!?!

Sounds like a super relaxing day. Nothing like parking it in a lounge chair for some sunshine! Looking forward to hearing about Thanksgiving dinner.

Oh that was really the best part, it was just enjoyable and very relaxing... The sunshine was a welcome!

 

[eandesmom]

After Tea, I went with my DMIL and DFIL to get booked on a future cruise YAY!!!

The cruise desk was ALWAYS busy, lots of cruising to be booked apparently! And it makes sense because when you are in the midst of such a great time, it is really easy to want to have another lined up. It is the Disney way. You know they really do market that well. It is both troubling and well, admirable. They clearly know what they are doing!! AND, judging from what was booked, what categories were ALREADY at GTY vs. being able to pick a room and what was sold out, CLEARLY people all over were doing the same thing... (if you think about the fact that they have THREE ships sailing at the same time... LOL!! SO, yep, we booked. Three. And since then, I have been able to modify one of these cruises which was in a category I didn't really want, and the price difference was $50.00.... CAN you believe it!!! From INSIDE DELUXE (on the Fantasy) to Ocean View Family stateroom... I was thrilled!

At that point, it was late in the afternoon, so the boys were extracted from the club, and we were off to get cleaned up for THANKSGIVING DINNER!!!![/B]

It's funny, I didn't have the patience to actually deal with the desk. I just filled out my card, dropped it in, got my quote and then called and said "go ahead and book it using the CC on file for our stateroom". Worked like a charm!!!! Of course, I wasn't booking THREE. I do wish I'd have booked 2 though so I had a dummy to be able to move when that darn Med itin. comes out! I looked at the 2013 late Nov Fantasy, great deal but kids are too old to take out of school, very sad. I can believe it on the inside deluxe, those virtual portholes are driving up prices!

I was pretty unimpressed with breakfast on the Wonder (other than brunch) it will be interesting to see what it is like on the Dream. Your afternoon looks just perfect to me.

Fun Thanksgiving dinner and love the tree pics of the boys.

 

[Happydog]

Disney Dreams is the show that I remember seeing back ten years ago when I took the same cruise on the Magic with my DBIL. It was our first Disney cruise. We had a great time and it was partly because of this memory that I was anxious to book the same itinerary for my family. So needless to say I was very much looking forward to this show!

I took lots of photos, but it is hard to narrate, so the premise is that a little girl (with the help of Peter Pan) discovers the magic and importance of dreams or something like that LOL!!! and she learns to fly… there was some sort of requirement for this to happen before dawn or some thing like that, blah blah blah (you know creates Dramatic Tension ) but she basically visits several different Disney stories to find the answers… Really, does it even need to have a story line??!! Not sure… but regardless, the show numbers are the important part… LOL!! After seeing Disney Dreams , and having seen Believe, on the Dream, I tend to prefer Believe -- but maybe it is because the technology is newer, but I also like the staging better I think. Either way, I don’t want to sound like a critic, both shows had amazing performers and great show numbers!!! Now, this show WAS on the 3 night cruise aboard the Wonder as well… when DH and I went on our own little getaway cruise a few years back. After seeing the show title and recalling it, he “politely” declined to see it this time (this evening) so I went with my in-laws and the boys (since they hadn’t seen it) and DH went to the Cove café for some reading time… and frankly it is just another example of how there is something for everyone on these cruises!! I know that in February when we go as a solo couple we will probably skip a few shows. Just because we have seen them now a few times! It isn’t something you have to feel compelled to do. And with other entertainment available, why not?! We will probably try to catch some of the adult fun and games on this coming cruise instead… so that will be the way to try something new!

So, back to Disney Dreams… As I mentioned in the previous post, Tinkerbell was flying around the theater, mostly on the curtain ...

And then the curtain opened into the bedroom of the character, sorry, I can't recall her name!!!! LOL!!!

CONTINUED in the NEXT POST!!!

 

[Happydog]

From Cinderella, we go Under the Sea with Ariel...

And then for the grand finale, all the characters come back out, I can't recall the song, but the end is really great... they are all on stage together, and it is neat seeing all the different movie characters represented!

It was a great show to see, and we all enjoyed watching it. The boys really enjoy the effects, the songs, and the production was really a great feel good ending!!!

FORTUNATELY, it was not our LAST night on the ship, LOL! SO that made it easier!!! In fact, it was Thanksgiving night, and in the morning we were going to be at Castaway Cay, and what a great way to spend our LAST full day on the ship!!! We were thrilled!!! There was a midnight showing of The Muppets movie, but we could not stay up for that!!! So off to bed we went! We saw The Muppets the next day, as it was playing all afternoon and evening!

NEXT UP!!! CASTAWAY CAY!!!! Wait till you see the holiday decorations at Castaway Cay!!!! Seeing the island all decorated for the holidays was one of the highlights of this cruise!!!!

 

[Happydog]

AND now....

YAY!!!!

So here is my Disclaimer about these upcoming posts:

I took more photos at CCay this trip than I did where we were there for our double dip cruise this past June. And I got some GREAT photos of the kids, and the island all decorated for Christmas!!!! It was AMAZING to see!! And, with my waterproof camera, we got some fish, and I was more comfortable pulling it out to take photos because I didn't worry about the sand...


So I had visions of this ....

BUT first…. I had to get through this ….

GASP!!!!!


YEP, that was what it looked like on the second deck before they let people off and onto the island. DH and I had decided that this time I was going to go solo and get lounges for us as well as his parents. We were headed to the far beach, and we wanted to get some together, so in order to do that, I had to get into the fray of this crowd... we unfortunately didn't get to take a photo in front of the ship as a family, but the past few times we had tried that one, I have not been thrilled with the outcome... I was hoping I could get the boys to visit with a few characters though!!!

Chip and Dale were going down to their location by the post office, so they had to make their way through the crowds... normally we don't get off this early, but it seemed to me that they started this process a little later than I normally remember... At anyrate, I got through the ID check line, grabbed towels, and started my trek... initially I had decided NOT to take the tram, but as we came up to the stop, it was about to pull away, and I just decided to hop on. I ended up getting over to the other beach in no time, and was one of the first people there!!!! I was able to get five chairs right in the front row, and the location was as close to perfect as I was going to get! I called DH on the wave phone, and he was not far behind with the boys... I busied myself getting towels organized, and such, and my inlaws arrived shortly after as well.

DH had dropped the boys off at the club on the island, so they could participate in the Dino dig activity... he came and we all relaxed for a bit, before I went to go get the guys...

We had Conch coolers in no time!!!! And it was just as well, because it is a long walk back to the kids club area!!!! LOL!!! I forget what it is called right now, but I will add the name...

Here are a few I took on my way over there...

THEN when I checked them out we saw two characters with NO line, and I asked the guys to go... DS9 had no problem hanging with Pluto... and they both were cajoled into saying "HI" to Minnie....

She is too too cute.

After the photos, we stopped to get the boys some sand toys.... ALAS, can I say how irritated I was with myself, that the two things I couldn't find before we took off for this cruise were the following:

1. The two brown belts that they both have and I know I had set aside to pack but then couldn't find them

2. The Castaway Cay sand toy bag we bought in June!!!!

I didn't see myself wanting to get the same exact set again... and funny thing, you know what they wanted? A Castle bucket. Yep. The Cinderella castle bucket. At first I was like, "really?" And then I looked at the price... SCORE.... here I was thinking they would be OUTRAGEOUS. But frankly, they were really reasonable... At least relatively speaking... they were $7.00 - $8.00 apiece I think, I KNOW no more than that... It is Disney merchandise, afterall, and on an island, you don't have many choices!!!! Their Island at that!!! But I will say we stopped at one of the beach shops in Cocoa Beach before getting on the ship, and they had kids for maybe a few dollars less, but hardly as nice. Sharp edged cheapo stuff. And so for a few more $ I was willing to go for Cindy's castles... Red and Blue thank you very much... The big kit in the bag I had bought before was $22.00 or something like that, and while I was still spending almost as much for two, at least it was something different... And the played with them all afternoon! I know these will get plenty of use at the BEACH CLUB in June!!!

So we made our way BACK to our chairs, and they headed out to play in the sand, what they love to do best!!!!

MORE in the NEXT post!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Lobster for Thanksgiving? Yes, please!

Adorable pictures of the boys in front of the Christmas tree!

Fun pictures from the show!

Looking forward to more Castaway Cay adventures!

 

[Linda67]

Wonderful updates again
It's such fun reading along about your Cruise, you all look to be having a blast!

 

[Happydog]

The inlaws enjoying their first Conch cooler! AND of course just soaking up the sun and fun.... My DMIL complained that my DFIL needed to go to a tanning booth before we left for this vacation, she said he'd blind everyone with his white skin!!!! AND of course then she said with his belly he wouldn't be able to fit!! LOL!! He is an old navy guy from the midwest, she from Long Island... they are an interesting pair... I am so glad they had a great time on this trip.

SAND PLAY = two very content kids....

I think I took this one later in the day, but here is a snap of the water's edge and of the guests siting in the water and playing in the waves.

Certainly closer to 1:00 at this point, we decided we better go grab some lunch... so we headed over to Cookie's TWO for some BBQ!

My inlaws decided to go see Serenity Bay, and we wanted them to enjoy this neat part of the island, so we went our separate ways and agreed to meet up in their cabin before dinner...

So, what about lunch??? Well, I love this BBQ. They have great fare on Castaway Cay.... ribs, burgers, a great potato salad, and other fixings... grilled fish, chicken, plenty choices... and of course ICE cream, cookies, etc!!!

Okay, okay, so they had ice cream BEFORE lunch... we're on vacation!!! LOL!!!

We couldn't tell if DS6 was conducting a symphony or trying to eat ribs in a "dainty" fashion.... judging by the condition of his face after, I think it must have been a hand fending off anyone who tried to take the piece of chicken off of his plate!!!

Needless to say, after a fab lunch, and a hose down of all the BBQ sauce from hands and faces, we headed back out to the beach... something SPECIAL was going to happen today on CCay! The two ships, the Dream and the Magic were going to meet in passing by Castaway Cay! Pictures coming up NEXT!!!!