This was our second cruise - me, Wendy, 32/33 high school teacher and my mum, Doreen, 68 and going through her second childhood!! We did the eastern Caribbean one last year and loved it.
We started off our vacation a week before at our timeshare in Orlando and spent the night before the cruise at Hilton in Downtown Disney.
Please accept my apologies for my spelling - I promise I am not an English teacher!!
Sat 6th July
We left the Hilton at about 9.15am and only made 1 wrong turn. We were at the port by 10.30 and dropped off the luggage. The first view of the ship is always awe inspiring. We returned the car to Avis and because we had no luggage easily got the shuttle bus back to the ship. We started chatting to the two gentlemen on the bus and it turns out 1 of them was stormkrow! I had told mum all about somebody organising a vow renewal on our cruise and here we were speaking to him. We met him and his wife on deck 7 aft on Sunday - they are wonderful people and we were glad they enjoyed the ceremony. I just hope I marry somebody as romantic or as my sister would say just hope you marry somebody! We checked in very easily and stood in line ready to board chatting to people. We were onboard by 12.30 and they announced our names and where we came from. Well did the young photographer not come up to us and ask where in Scotland we were from she was also from Aberdeen and lives 10 mins from us. We chatted later on the week and she even knows some of my ex pupils!! I took mum to the buffet and then went to Palos. I was 3rd in line and easily got my reservations. I then went back to the buffet and had some lunch before we headed to the stateroom. It was the same category as last year but actually seemed bigger. We met out stateroom attendant Claude from the Bahamas and he was charming. Our Castaway club gift of a beach towel was lying on the bed. We unpacked our carryons and headed up to the pools for a cocktail. We had already signed mum up for the rainforest room but as we were having cocktails she announced she fancied a manicure of course by this point there were few times left and the time she took we later realised clashed with the Castaway Club party so it finally had to be made for later in the week.
I then decided to go for a swim before the lifeboat drill. This was easy and then we did some more unpacking before the sailaway party which we enjoyed with some Bon Voyage cocktails.
After the welcome aboard variety show we got changed for dinner. We had a different dining rotation and anxiously awaited our dining companions. They were 10 mins late which added to our anxieties. Our servers were lovely though David from England and Anita from Crotia. The head server was Christofe who used to be in charge of Palos he even remembered us from last year. Last year we thought him rather aloof but he couldnt be nicer this year. Eventually our table mates as Amanda called us turned up. We shouldnt have worried as they were a delightful family from Oklahoma Amanda (11), Boo (6) Bob and Dee Dee. We started off in Parrot Cay with a lovely meal our servers eager to please. The children loved the banana bread.
I think I finished the evening off with a stroll up on deck before crashing out. Well that was the plan but I remembered we would need some small change for tips for room service and went to the safe well would it not open. Turns out my key was demagnetised so I had to get somebody up to open it!
Sun 7th
My 33rd Birthday
We woke up to a call telling us our room service breakfast was coming and we enjoyed that before having a stroll on deck 4. I went to the church service at Offbeat while mum went to the rainforest room.
Then we celebrated my birthday with a champagne brunch at palos with a wonderful view of us docking at Key West. We ate ourselves silly I had a goats cheese and sun dried tomato omelette and mum had pancakes. We then got ready for Key West. Mum went parasailing and I went along for the ride. She had a great time and we got a great view of the island and the ship. After a quick shower it was back to sight see. We had a great time on Duvall Street and had drinks at Ricks and Fat Tuesdays and I got a henna tattoo on my wrist which unfortunately has faded. We went back but not before buying some key lime pie and had room service and then headed out for the sunset celebration at Mallory square. It was great fun although there were some suspicious characters hanging around. There was a bagpipe player, a guy juggling cats, fire eaters and stalls. We actually went back to the ship to view the sunset with cocktails before having our meal at Lumieres. I was presented with a card from the characters and a cake as well as being serenaded a great way to celebrate my birthday.
Mon 8th
Day at Sea
Another room service breakfast it is a wonderful way to wake up! While mum went to the rainforest room and the shopping talk I went to the Dazzling deserts talk. I had done the Art of Entertaining series on the last cruise when Corey had been the chef why, because it is expensive and Im not paying!and he was excellent. This chef wasnt as good but it was interesting. He made a caramel flan which we all got to taste as well as some champagne. It was too hot to sit on deck so I grabbed a booand went to the Promenade Lounge a mimosa helped complete the scene!
We had the Asian buffet at Parrot Cay. I went to the Behind the Scenes tour and even got to stand on the stage and then I went for a swim. It was then time for the Castaway Club Reception. There were some lovely nibbles and cocktails. The captain made a nice speech and he and some of the other officers came round to chat.
It was time to get changed for formal night I was lucky enough to have been asked to be a bridesmaid last year and the bride wanted us to have dresses that we could use again so this was the perfect opportunity. We went to Hercules and then to Sessions which we had never been to before. We had marvellous martinis shaken not stirred and then went to Animators Palate the baked tomatoes were awesome. I went to the sock hop for a short while and then we finished off the evening by going to the desert buffet in Lumieres more chocolate!
Tues 8th
Grand Cayman
This was an early start as we had to tender but it was very efficient. We ordered room service breakfast for 7am and were at the theatre by 7.40am and got on the 3rd tender by 8am. From the tender I could see where we were going to and could see we could easily walk it. We were at Captain Marvins by 8.15am. They were just as friendly in real life as they had been by email. We didnt see Ruth as she was on vacation but they were all great. I cannot recommend them enough. They offered to watch our bags while we went for a coffee at the English bakery down the road. It was such a nice place they even put chocolate hearts on the cappuccino.
Mo took us in his taxi to the dock so we got to see some of the island. Marlin and Le mar were our guides and were excellent- there were about 20 of us on the boat. There were 3 snorkelling stops and iced water and fruit juice were always available. The final stop was at the stingcity sandbar. This was where fishermen used to clean the fish so stingrays used to come for the food. We got the opportunity to hold them, feed them and some people even kissed them! They feel like velvet and nobody got stung. I was so glad we did this on our own as some of the other boats were packed our guides were able to help us.
On the trip back I felt rather ropey, slight sea sickness so I took it easy once we reached Georgetown. We went to the Wreckers pub and mum ad some lunch I just had a soft drink! We shopped our way back to the ship, sampling lots of rum cake and fudge. We had a drink at Hard rock I had stingray beer which is a dark beer and then took the tender back to the ship. Like others said they made this so painless and there was always officers overseeing everything.
We ordered room service and then went to the Cinco de Mayo deck party and had the 2 for 1 margaritas. I went to see Return to Neverland and mum went to the rainforest room. It was then time for Palos which was excellent as always. I had a strawberry salad appetizer, fillet of beef and the soufflé.
Wed 10th
Cozumel
After another room service breakfast cant you tell we love this aspect of the cruise! We got ready for the beach. I had toyed with the Tulum ruins but decided it was too long a day. So after research on the internet I opted for Mr Sanchos beach. This was an excellent choice. We were off the ship by 10.15am and after walking through the shopping mall far cleaner than I was expecting- we got a taxi. This cost $15 for both of us and the driver was nice and friendly. This beach was just beyond Play del Sol beach but I am sure it wasnt as crowded. To get to the beach you walk past some small shops, the beach is clean and there are lots of chairs and loungers. We set up camp at a table near the bar and we had our own waiter. He watched our stuff although there were lockers. The sea was gorgeous and the bar had swings instead of seats. We had lunch of nachos, dips, wings, ribs and some wonderful Papaya Mahis and of course Sol beer. For the whole4 hours we were there it only cost us $30. The rest rooms were spotless and there were outdoor and indoor showers.
When we left there were plenty of taxis and we took one back to the main town for $15. We again shopped our way back to the ship wonderful silver jewellery. We had a drink at Adobes I looked into Carlos and Charlies but decided that I had enough to drink at that point. Again we had room service before we went to see Lilo and Stitch which was hilarious.
Tonight was Mexicalifragi . deck party so we get decked out into island gear. It was a blast and there was a great Mexican buffet. I havent said much about our servers but they were excellent. They were so good with the children even cutting their food with them and getting more cherries with them but they were also great with the adults, never rushing us.
Thurs 11th
Day at Sea
Today was our character breakfast at Parrot Cay it was fun but the photographer didnt seem to think that adults like mum and I would like our photos taken however we enjoyed watching the children interacting with them. Again mum and I went our separate ways but we were going to meet up for the Q & A session with the Walt Disney Theatre cast. This was very interesting and there was only 10 of us plus the cast. We had decided on Lumieres for lunch and this is when we got to meet last years server Juliano. Mum was sure she had seen him in the distance on the Sat but because we were on a different restaurant rotation we hadnt seen him again. Well today she spotted him and she went up to speak to him so unlike her. It took him a moment but he remembered us.
I watched the adult pool games for a while I thought they were a hoot and John is hilarious. Then while Mum was having her manicure I booked next years cruise. Mary Jo is a cutey and she agreed to help keep it a secret. The $200 stateroom credit was to good to pass up.
Tonight was the Captains Gala so we went along for the cocktail reception Mai Tais and Cosmopolitans and to see everybody dressed up. Disney Dreams was excellent as ever and then I went to Dan Rileys show. His songs were hilarious but I was disappointed that so much of his later adult show was the same. The Captains Gala menu at Animators Palate was lovely ate too much as usual. We both had a riot at the 70s time warp disco.
Fri 12th
Castaway Cay
We docked early and had a lovely view of the island as we ate breakfast at Lumieres. we got off by 9.45am and set up camp at the family beach. We went for a swim before it got to crowded and then went for a walk to the shops and then to Heads up Bar for a konk cooler. By this time it was time for Cookies BBQ we loved the frozen yoghurt. Then we took the tram to Serenity bay. Last year because of the tides it was quite a steep slope in to the water but this year it was just perfect. In fact if we ahd known it was so good this year we would have gone straight there. There were a lot of jelly fish stings at the family beach this year. At the adult area it is had to believe all the crowds are so close by. We had to have a drink at Castaway Air Bar I think I drank as much this vacation as I have all year!
I went to the disembarkation talk while mum went to the spa and I stayed to watch the Childrens farewell show I was in tears and I didnt know any of them! I think the counsellors deserve a medal the children behave so much better for them than their own parents. After the final variety show Rich Purpura is a scream it was time for Its a Small World menu. I love the waistcoats the servers wear and the final flag waving. We had small gifts for everybody for David a bottle of Glenfiddich we didnt think it would be for somebody so close by!, for Christophe a calendar and Anita some chocolates. We also had Scottish dolls for Amanda and Bo. They all deserved their tips. Christophe then let the cat out of the bag by asking if we had rebooked I had managed not to say but my face gave it away! He then said we had to make sure we asked for the same team again and I am going to.
We missed the final goodbye in the atrium because we spent so long chatting to everybody and then it was time to get the bags out so glad we dont have to carry them! We werent too late as we ahd to get up for immigration at 6am!
Sat 13th July
Welcome Home
Immigration was very easy and we were back in the room by 6.20am waiting for our breakfast. We were back in parrot cay and it was a lovely way to say goodbye to everybody. We were off the ship by 9am and very easily got a porter to take our cases and escort us to where the rental car vans pick you up glad we were not trying to get Avis as there was a huge can. We were the only one in the Hertz one and it wasnt too long before we were off to Orlando in our car.
Just as we were approaching Animal Kingdom Lodge the heavens opened so we were very glad to drop the car off with the valets. I had only booked a standard room but I was incredibly lucky and got a room on the Kudu Savanah and got into it immediately. At various times we had zebra, giraffes and Thompson gazelles outside the room I love the thommies! Because it was still raining we took the bus to the marketplace and had lunch at Pucks express had a voucher to get 1 free!
We did some shopping and then back to AKL I took a book to read overlooking 1 of the savannahs but then the rain eased off so I headed to the pool. I just was on the top of the slide when the lifeguard blew for the pool to be cleared but they let me down the slide!!
Enjoyed a nap before our meal at Jiko. We have eaten 3 times at Boma but wanted to try here we had free glasses of wine with the DC card. The food was outstanding as was our server. Mum wanted the Moroccan chicken but for some reason it came with mashed potatoes she hates those with a vengence so she asked for cous cous instead. We all agreed that this was much more appropriate. I had the grains and veggies with tandori tofu which was excellent. We finished it off with coffee and gavua sherbet and stone fruits. To complete an excellent day we went back to the pool and hot tubs I love how these are open 24 hours.
The next 10 days were spent at WDW and Universal Studios - I hope to get those days finished in the next few days and will post them too - don't hate me too much!
Wendy
We started off our vacation a week before at our timeshare in Orlando and spent the night before the cruise at Hilton in Downtown Disney.
Please accept my apologies for my spelling - I promise I am not an English teacher!!
Sat 6th July
We left the Hilton at about 9.15am and only made 1 wrong turn. We were at the port by 10.30 and dropped off the luggage. The first view of the ship is always awe inspiring. We returned the car to Avis and because we had no luggage easily got the shuttle bus back to the ship. We started chatting to the two gentlemen on the bus and it turns out 1 of them was stormkrow! I had told mum all about somebody organising a vow renewal on our cruise and here we were speaking to him. We met him and his wife on deck 7 aft on Sunday - they are wonderful people and we were glad they enjoyed the ceremony. I just hope I marry somebody as romantic or as my sister would say just hope you marry somebody! We checked in very easily and stood in line ready to board chatting to people. We were onboard by 12.30 and they announced our names and where we came from. Well did the young photographer not come up to us and ask where in Scotland we were from she was also from Aberdeen and lives 10 mins from us. We chatted later on the week and she even knows some of my ex pupils!! I took mum to the buffet and then went to Palos. I was 3rd in line and easily got my reservations. I then went back to the buffet and had some lunch before we headed to the stateroom. It was the same category as last year but actually seemed bigger. We met out stateroom attendant Claude from the Bahamas and he was charming. Our Castaway club gift of a beach towel was lying on the bed. We unpacked our carryons and headed up to the pools for a cocktail. We had already signed mum up for the rainforest room but as we were having cocktails she announced she fancied a manicure of course by this point there were few times left and the time she took we later realised clashed with the Castaway Club party so it finally had to be made for later in the week.
I then decided to go for a swim before the lifeboat drill. This was easy and then we did some more unpacking before the sailaway party which we enjoyed with some Bon Voyage cocktails.
After the welcome aboard variety show we got changed for dinner. We had a different dining rotation and anxiously awaited our dining companions. They were 10 mins late which added to our anxieties. Our servers were lovely though David from England and Anita from Crotia. The head server was Christofe who used to be in charge of Palos he even remembered us from last year. Last year we thought him rather aloof but he couldnt be nicer this year. Eventually our table mates as Amanda called us turned up. We shouldnt have worried as they were a delightful family from Oklahoma Amanda (11), Boo (6) Bob and Dee Dee. We started off in Parrot Cay with a lovely meal our servers eager to please. The children loved the banana bread.
I think I finished the evening off with a stroll up on deck before crashing out. Well that was the plan but I remembered we would need some small change for tips for room service and went to the safe well would it not open. Turns out my key was demagnetised so I had to get somebody up to open it!
Sun 7th
My 33rd Birthday
We woke up to a call telling us our room service breakfast was coming and we enjoyed that before having a stroll on deck 4. I went to the church service at Offbeat while mum went to the rainforest room.
Then we celebrated my birthday with a champagne brunch at palos with a wonderful view of us docking at Key West. We ate ourselves silly I had a goats cheese and sun dried tomato omelette and mum had pancakes. We then got ready for Key West. Mum went parasailing and I went along for the ride. She had a great time and we got a great view of the island and the ship. After a quick shower it was back to sight see. We had a great time on Duvall Street and had drinks at Ricks and Fat Tuesdays and I got a henna tattoo on my wrist which unfortunately has faded. We went back but not before buying some key lime pie and had room service and then headed out for the sunset celebration at Mallory square. It was great fun although there were some suspicious characters hanging around. There was a bagpipe player, a guy juggling cats, fire eaters and stalls. We actually went back to the ship to view the sunset with cocktails before having our meal at Lumieres. I was presented with a card from the characters and a cake as well as being serenaded a great way to celebrate my birthday.
Mon 8th
Day at Sea
Another room service breakfast it is a wonderful way to wake up! While mum went to the rainforest room and the shopping talk I went to the Dazzling deserts talk. I had done the Art of Entertaining series on the last cruise when Corey had been the chef why, because it is expensive and Im not paying!and he was excellent. This chef wasnt as good but it was interesting. He made a caramel flan which we all got to taste as well as some champagne. It was too hot to sit on deck so I grabbed a booand went to the Promenade Lounge a mimosa helped complete the scene!
We had the Asian buffet at Parrot Cay. I went to the Behind the Scenes tour and even got to stand on the stage and then I went for a swim. It was then time for the Castaway Club Reception. There were some lovely nibbles and cocktails. The captain made a nice speech and he and some of the other officers came round to chat.
It was time to get changed for formal night I was lucky enough to have been asked to be a bridesmaid last year and the bride wanted us to have dresses that we could use again so this was the perfect opportunity. We went to Hercules and then to Sessions which we had never been to before. We had marvellous martinis shaken not stirred and then went to Animators Palate the baked tomatoes were awesome. I went to the sock hop for a short while and then we finished off the evening by going to the desert buffet in Lumieres more chocolate!
Tues 8th
Grand Cayman
This was an early start as we had to tender but it was very efficient. We ordered room service breakfast for 7am and were at the theatre by 7.40am and got on the 3rd tender by 8am. From the tender I could see where we were going to and could see we could easily walk it. We were at Captain Marvins by 8.15am. They were just as friendly in real life as they had been by email. We didnt see Ruth as she was on vacation but they were all great. I cannot recommend them enough. They offered to watch our bags while we went for a coffee at the English bakery down the road. It was such a nice place they even put chocolate hearts on the cappuccino.
Mo took us in his taxi to the dock so we got to see some of the island. Marlin and Le mar were our guides and were excellent- there were about 20 of us on the boat. There were 3 snorkelling stops and iced water and fruit juice were always available. The final stop was at the stingcity sandbar. This was where fishermen used to clean the fish so stingrays used to come for the food. We got the opportunity to hold them, feed them and some people even kissed them! They feel like velvet and nobody got stung. I was so glad we did this on our own as some of the other boats were packed our guides were able to help us.
On the trip back I felt rather ropey, slight sea sickness so I took it easy once we reached Georgetown. We went to the Wreckers pub and mum ad some lunch I just had a soft drink! We shopped our way back to the ship, sampling lots of rum cake and fudge. We had a drink at Hard rock I had stingray beer which is a dark beer and then took the tender back to the ship. Like others said they made this so painless and there was always officers overseeing everything.
We ordered room service and then went to the Cinco de Mayo deck party and had the 2 for 1 margaritas. I went to see Return to Neverland and mum went to the rainforest room. It was then time for Palos which was excellent as always. I had a strawberry salad appetizer, fillet of beef and the soufflé.
Wed 10th
Cozumel
After another room service breakfast cant you tell we love this aspect of the cruise! We got ready for the beach. I had toyed with the Tulum ruins but decided it was too long a day. So after research on the internet I opted for Mr Sanchos beach. This was an excellent choice. We were off the ship by 10.15am and after walking through the shopping mall far cleaner than I was expecting- we got a taxi. This cost $15 for both of us and the driver was nice and friendly. This beach was just beyond Play del Sol beach but I am sure it wasnt as crowded. To get to the beach you walk past some small shops, the beach is clean and there are lots of chairs and loungers. We set up camp at a table near the bar and we had our own waiter. He watched our stuff although there were lockers. The sea was gorgeous and the bar had swings instead of seats. We had lunch of nachos, dips, wings, ribs and some wonderful Papaya Mahis and of course Sol beer. For the whole4 hours we were there it only cost us $30. The rest rooms were spotless and there were outdoor and indoor showers.
When we left there were plenty of taxis and we took one back to the main town for $15. We again shopped our way back to the ship wonderful silver jewellery. We had a drink at Adobes I looked into Carlos and Charlies but decided that I had enough to drink at that point. Again we had room service before we went to see Lilo and Stitch which was hilarious.
Tonight was Mexicalifragi . deck party so we get decked out into island gear. It was a blast and there was a great Mexican buffet. I havent said much about our servers but they were excellent. They were so good with the children even cutting their food with them and getting more cherries with them but they were also great with the adults, never rushing us.
Thurs 11th
Day at Sea
Today was our character breakfast at Parrot Cay it was fun but the photographer didnt seem to think that adults like mum and I would like our photos taken however we enjoyed watching the children interacting with them. Again mum and I went our separate ways but we were going to meet up for the Q & A session with the Walt Disney Theatre cast. This was very interesting and there was only 10 of us plus the cast. We had decided on Lumieres for lunch and this is when we got to meet last years server Juliano. Mum was sure she had seen him in the distance on the Sat but because we were on a different restaurant rotation we hadnt seen him again. Well today she spotted him and she went up to speak to him so unlike her. It took him a moment but he remembered us.
I watched the adult pool games for a while I thought they were a hoot and John is hilarious. Then while Mum was having her manicure I booked next years cruise. Mary Jo is a cutey and she agreed to help keep it a secret. The $200 stateroom credit was to good to pass up.
Tonight was the Captains Gala so we went along for the cocktail reception Mai Tais and Cosmopolitans and to see everybody dressed up. Disney Dreams was excellent as ever and then I went to Dan Rileys show. His songs were hilarious but I was disappointed that so much of his later adult show was the same. The Captains Gala menu at Animators Palate was lovely ate too much as usual. We both had a riot at the 70s time warp disco.
Fri 12th
Castaway Cay
We docked early and had a lovely view of the island as we ate breakfast at Lumieres. we got off by 9.45am and set up camp at the family beach. We went for a swim before it got to crowded and then went for a walk to the shops and then to Heads up Bar for a konk cooler. By this time it was time for Cookies BBQ we loved the frozen yoghurt. Then we took the tram to Serenity bay. Last year because of the tides it was quite a steep slope in to the water but this year it was just perfect. In fact if we ahd known it was so good this year we would have gone straight there. There were a lot of jelly fish stings at the family beach this year. At the adult area it is had to believe all the crowds are so close by. We had to have a drink at Castaway Air Bar I think I drank as much this vacation as I have all year!
I went to the disembarkation talk while mum went to the spa and I stayed to watch the Childrens farewell show I was in tears and I didnt know any of them! I think the counsellors deserve a medal the children behave so much better for them than their own parents. After the final variety show Rich Purpura is a scream it was time for Its a Small World menu. I love the waistcoats the servers wear and the final flag waving. We had small gifts for everybody for David a bottle of Glenfiddich we didnt think it would be for somebody so close by!, for Christophe a calendar and Anita some chocolates. We also had Scottish dolls for Amanda and Bo. They all deserved their tips. Christophe then let the cat out of the bag by asking if we had rebooked I had managed not to say but my face gave it away! He then said we had to make sure we asked for the same team again and I am going to.
We missed the final goodbye in the atrium because we spent so long chatting to everybody and then it was time to get the bags out so glad we dont have to carry them! We werent too late as we ahd to get up for immigration at 6am!
Sat 13th July
Welcome Home
Immigration was very easy and we were back in the room by 6.20am waiting for our breakfast. We were back in parrot cay and it was a lovely way to say goodbye to everybody. We were off the ship by 9am and very easily got a porter to take our cases and escort us to where the rental car vans pick you up glad we were not trying to get Avis as there was a huge can. We were the only one in the Hertz one and it wasnt too long before we were off to Orlando in our car.
Just as we were approaching Animal Kingdom Lodge the heavens opened so we were very glad to drop the car off with the valets. I had only booked a standard room but I was incredibly lucky and got a room on the Kudu Savanah and got into it immediately. At various times we had zebra, giraffes and Thompson gazelles outside the room I love the thommies! Because it was still raining we took the bus to the marketplace and had lunch at Pucks express had a voucher to get 1 free!
We did some shopping and then back to AKL I took a book to read overlooking 1 of the savannahs but then the rain eased off so I headed to the pool. I just was on the top of the slide when the lifeguard blew for the pool to be cleared but they let me down the slide!!
Enjoyed a nap before our meal at Jiko. We have eaten 3 times at Boma but wanted to try here we had free glasses of wine with the DC card. The food was outstanding as was our server. Mum wanted the Moroccan chicken but for some reason it came with mashed potatoes she hates those with a vengence so she asked for cous cous instead. We all agreed that this was much more appropriate. I had the grains and veggies with tandori tofu which was excellent. We finished it off with coffee and gavua sherbet and stone fruits. To complete an excellent day we went back to the pool and hot tubs I love how these are open 24 hours.
The next 10 days were spent at WDW and Universal Studios - I hope to get those days finished in the next few days and will post them too - don't hate me too much!
Wendy
