January 20, 2013 - 4 Night Bahamian Cruise

[kristieseem1]

Not sure if this will work, but here's our pictures from the cruise

Ok, that didn't work. Trying one more time...lol

http://s362.beta.photobucket.com/

 

[georgiasmom]

Not sure if this will work, but here's our pictures from the cruise

Ok, that didn't work. Trying one more time...lol

http://s362.beta.photobucket.com/

Still isn't working :-(

A

 

[DisDreamers]

Does anyone know how full our cruise was? I meant to ask on board and I forgot. I'd like to know how different it would feel during school vacation.

A

When we rebooked I was told the ship was at about 75%. Never having cruised before I felt the crowd levels were just right. It was not too packed. Sadly I think the cruise we booked for this coming Autumn is going to be crowded. Once we got home I realized that we already have something pending for the week we booked that cruise, so we are most likely going to have to move the date anyway.

I did learn two very important lessons on this trip:
1.) We normally use a car service to and from the resorts every year. 7 years later I now realize that renting a car, especially when traveling to Port Canaveral, is the way to go! We loved having the freedom to go wherever and whenever we wanted to. We could zip on over to the Hess and grab a ton of water cheaper than at the resort or the parks. We bow to the awesomeness of Dollar Rent-a-Car!
2.) Never.....ever....ever go to the parks after a cruise unless it's just for a short visit. (my personal opinion) OMG We were so relaxed and happy coming off the boat only to be tossed into a sea of tour groups and long lines. It's just not right to get all relaxed only to have your feet swollen and sore at the end of each day. Instead of coming home relaxed we were exhausted! Oh well, we did get to see the New Fantasyland expansion so that was worth it.

Thanks to all for the wonderful gifts. This was our first time participating and it really made the trip. All I can say is you guys were sneaky! We would check our fish extender only to leave a few seconds later and there were more surprises. It was awesome! We found Pumba's room by accident. I figured there was a room change and we just did not get the memo since we did not make the meet-n-greet.

Hey by the way…did you guys see some crazy lady fall down the stairs in the WD Theater before "Believe"? Yeah, that was me! So if we did not get to meet in person, you now know who I am. I am reallly sorry if you were the person whose pants I grabbed as I fell....

 

[Baysailers]

Hope everyone got home safe. Back at work today in PA and had to do the morning commute in freezing rain/sleet mix. I miss the Bahamas!!!

Had a great time meeting everyone and thank you all for the FE gifts. DD had a fantastic time checking every time we went back to the cabin. Some of you guys are really creative!

We put $ down on a "dummy" cruise and are looking for a winter 2015 cruise when the dates come out. However, we decided we need a 7 day, 4 was way too short. Anyone else planning the next one?

Hope everyone is adjusting to reality!

Wendy

 

[DisDreamers]

Hope everyone got home safe. Back at work today in PA and had to do the morning commute in freezing rain/sleet mix. I miss the Bahamas!!!

Had a great time meeting everyone and thank you all for the FE gifts. DD had a fantastic time checking every time we went back to the cabin. Some of you guys are really creative!

We put $ down on a "dummy" cruise and are looking for a winter 2015 cruise when the dates come out. However, we decided we need a 7 day, 4 was way too short. Anyone else planning the next one?

Hope everyone is adjusting to reality!

Wendy

I totally agree! We both felt 4 nights was just not long enough so we booked at 7 night cruise for October.

 

[Jodstertx]

Wanted to thank ya'll .... We had a great trip and the treats were awesome! Some of you way-out did your selves!!! thank-you thank -you!! misses the meet and greet..dang it.. Ready to go again!!

 

[kristieseem1]

http://s362.photobucket.com/albums/oo63/kristieseem1/Anniversary Cruise January 2013/

How about now? Lol

 

[georgiasmom]

http://s362.photobucket.com/albums/oo63/kristieseem1/Anniversary Cruise January 2013/

How about now? Lol

That worked great photos!

 

[georgiasmom]

When we rebooked I was told the ship was at about 75%. Never having cruised before I felt the crowd levels were just right. It was not too packed. Sadly I think the cruise we booked for this coming Autumn is going to be crowded. Once we got home I realized that we already have something pending for the week we booked that cruise, so we are most likely going to have to move the date anyway.

I did learn two very important lessons on this trip:
1.) We normally use a car service to and from the resorts every year. 7 years later I now realize that renting a car, especially when traveling to Port Canaveral, is the way to go! We loved having the freedom to go wherever and whenever we wanted to. We could zip on over to the Hess and grab a ton of water cheaper than at the resort or the parks. We bow to the awesomeness of Dollar Rent-a-Car!
2.) Never.....ever....ever go to the parks after a cruise unless it's just for a short visit. (my personal opinion) OMG We were so relaxed and happy coming off the boat only to be tossed into a sea of tour groups and long lines. It's just not right to get all relaxed only to have your feet swollen and sore at the end of each day. Instead of coming home relaxed we were exhausted! Oh well, we did get to see the New Fantasyland expansion so that was worth it.

Thanks to all for the wonderful gifts. This was our first time participating and it really made the trip. All I can say is you guys were sneaky! We would check our fish extender only to leave a few seconds later and there were more surprises. It was awesome! We found Pumba's room by accident. I figured there was a room change and we just did not get the memo since we did not make the meet-n-greet.

Hey by the way…did you guys see some crazy lady fall down the stairs in the WD Theater before "Believe"? Yeah, that was me! So if we did not get to meet in person, you now know who I am. I am reallly sorry if you were the person whose pants I grabbed as I fell....

I totally agree about the parks after. We usually go to the parks for 7-10 days off season so do everything at a slow pace. We spent Friday at MK and Saturday at EPCOT ALL DAY BOTH DAYS. We were wiped!

On the car we don't agree. We stayed at the Hyatt MCO the night before cruise. Got on first bus and were literally the FIRST people to check in. Boarded right after concierge level folks and daughter was first kid in the pool. we had the pool to ourselves for a good half hour at least!

A

 

[myacammom]

We rented a car at the airport and drove it to the Cape and dropped it off there and took a shuttle to the port. I think we've decided we wouldn't rent a car again. The $28/day price quickly turned into $200 and although we toured Downtown Disney (first time for my girls) I think next time (can't wait for next time! lol) we will either stay at an MCO hotel and take the DCL transfer to the port or get a shuttle to the Cape resort we stayed at (Radisson - highly recommend). I was impressed with how soon we got to embark. We were #8. I heard someone in line say that 'newbies' get lower boarding numbers - any truth to that?
I think we're looking at the 7 night eastern (St Maarten) one next winter - sound good Georgiasmom? lol

 

[georgiasmom]

I think we're looking at the 7 night eastern (St Maarten) one next winter - sound good Georgiasmom? lol

Sounds good to us!!!!

 

[jeanneg4of4]

Just got back home and wanted to thank everyone for their FE gifts. It was the grandkids birthday and they were so happy because they thought everyone had brought them special gifts. They also enjoyed delivering the FE that they brough. We need extra luggage to bring the FE and I thought we would just use the bag to take home souviners. Um, no. We had just as much, if not more to take home.
Overall we had a blast and booked another cruise. I usually like longer cruises but felt that 4 days were perfect with the kids. We ended with 5 days at WDW staying at AOA in the Lion King section. Not my favorite resort. The kids even said that they liked the POR better. Go figure.

Jeanne

 

[DisDreamers]

I totally agree about the parks after. We usually go to the parks for 7-10 days off season so do everything at a slow pace. We spent Friday at MK and Saturday at EPCOT ALL DAY BOTH DAYS. We were wiped!

On the car we don't agree. We stayed at the Hyatt MCO the night before cruise. Got on first bus and were literally the FIRST people to check in. Boarded right after concierge level folks and daughter was first kid in the pool. we had the pool to ourselves for a good half hour at least!

A

We must have been right there with you. We were one of the first to check in and were in boarding group 6. I asked the cast member if 6 was a good number. She just stared at me. I quickly explained how this was our first time cruising. She smiled and then said "Well let me put it this way, there are 40 boarding groups so I would say 6 is a good number." We had a good laugh.

For us renting a care was the most economical route since we do not care for Magical Express. We were staying a Disney both before and after the cruise. We only paid $184 for a week. That is less than 1/2 of what it would have cost for a car service where you also have to factor in tips. Getting around Disney is a piece of cake. I don't know why we have been so afraid in the past. We absolutely loved it!

 

[myacammom]

Another reason we likely wont rent a car is to avoid all the tolls on the way to the cape. It was crazy lol. We're not accustomed to those in Canada lol.

 

[DisDreamers]

Another reason we likely wont rent a car is to avoid all the tolls on the way to the cape. It was crazy lol. We're not accustomed to those in Canada lol.

I agree there! It was annoying but they are everywhere here in Houston Texas. Next time we will get a Sun Pass. That will be so much easier. Since we are regular visitors it will be worth it.

 

[sseem76]

We must have been right there with you. We were one of the first to check in and were in boarding group 6. I asked the cast member if 6 was a good number. She just stared at me. I quickly explained how this was our first time cruising. She smiled and then said "Well let me put it this way, there are 40 boarding groups so I would say 6 is a good number." We had a good laugh.

For us renting a care was the most economical route since we do not care for Magical Express. We were staying a Disney both before and after the cruise. We only paid $184 for a week. That is less than 1/2 of what it would have cost for a car service where you also have to factor in tips. Getting around Disney is a piece of cake. I don't know why we have been so afraid in the past. We absolutely loved it!

We arrived at the port at 10:50 and checked in and received a boarding number of 3. We where on board by 11:30. We drove from PA and parked at Park n Cruise. WOW what a savings and great service too. As far as tolls Not a big deal for us. We have the Pa Turnpike and have to pay a toll to go north or south.

 

[Pumba's Dad]

I had number 3, but we didn't board until 3:30...

 

[georgiasmom]

Our photos are here

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151229348302742.452248.509942741&type=1&l=6eecd44801