Just Back from a Wonderful #30!!

[inkkognito]

Tony is busy unpacking, so I have taken over the computer. We got in a bit later than planned due to a flight delay (our ATA plane was coming in from Midway, which was fogged in this morning just like Port Canaveral). Ironically, I had been stressing out about getting to the airport on time because the flight was scheduled for 11 a.m. The ship didn't get cleared till after 7:30 a.m. We had booked Happy Limo for 8 a.m., and because we were one of the first off and had kept our luggage with us, we got out there at 7:45 and our driver was already waiting. Whew! There was no traffic, and the check-in and security lines were non-existent at MCO, so we glommed an exit row and got there early...only to find out that there was a delay of over an hour! So much for stressing out about being late! A good lesson for me.
The cruise was absolutely fantastic. We met lots of DISers (watch for a photo of DU's own Donna on our website in the near future) and had an absolute blast. Our streak at CC is not quite intact anymore...although we were able to dock, by 12:30 the rain was driving most people back to the ship. But we had disembarked at 9 a.m. so we still got in some quality island time.
I'll be putting together a full trip report, but meanwhile here is a quickie list of the excellent, the neutral, and the not so excellent:
-EXCELLENT: Disney continues to improve the buffets...look for more enhancements to the embarkation offers, as well as new breakfast items such as burritos and homemade muffins. Also, they have started showing Hercules and Disney Dreams on t.v. hourly, starting at showtime with continuous repeats till 10:30 p.m. Although nothing compares to seeing them with the energy of a live audience, it's a great way to catch a show that you might otherwise miss or to see Disney Dreams again.
-NEUTRAL: I think I'll be posting a poll on this becase I'm not sure whether I dislike or like it. Banana boat rides and boat rentals are now offered at the adult beach on Castaway Cay. Someday I might rent a kayak, but I'm not sure that watercraft and a banana boat pulled by a motorboat fit in with the name "Serenity Bay." Also, they roped off the middle part of the beach, which makes it very difficult to get out to the plane wreckage for snorkeling. Since we didn't get to spend a lot of time at the beach, I'm reserving judgement, but I'd like to see what others think.
-NOT EXCELLENT: 80's Night has been discontinued on the 3-night cruise, and they are back to 50's/60's Night. That's a shame, as I definitely preferred 80's Night. But maybe it's a blessing in disguise because at least the party isn't tempting us away from backing on the last night.
Overall, the cruise was AWESOME!! It was great to see our friends and to relax and enjoy a long weekend on our favorite ship. We even booked two more, which brings our total for 2004 up to 7 so we'll hit 40 on Labor Day weekend of '04.
Full trip report coming soon!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Tibbles98]

Glad to hear you had a great time, Barb and Tony!!
I always enjoy reading your reports!!!

Lisa

 

[>>^..^<<]

Wow.. your 30th cruise... it just seems like yesterday I was reading about your 29th... wait a minute.. I think that was yesterday!!!

LOL

Glad you had a good time... let me know if you are on the August 21st Wonder

>>^..^<<

 

[currycook]

Thanks for the great report and updated news.

 

[rae519]

Glad to have you back Barb!!!! Do you think DCL will ever give you the "suite" just because you are their biggest fan?! Hope so!

Rae

 

[pouncingpluto]

Can you explain to me about the plane wreck? What is it and where is it?

 

[Jeanny]

Rae's right, you should get a BIG discount because of all your cruises. I hope they DON'T charge you full price!

Welcome back, glad you had a good trip and can't wait for the reports.

Jeanny

 

[AnnMorin]

welcome back!!! I hope the new kitty is well and waiting for you

 

[inkkognito]

pouncingpluto,
The wreckage is pretty much straight out from the first massage cabana on the adult beach. There used to be more of it before the big hurricane, but there is still enough to attract a wide variety of fish (and Tony has even see a barracuda there a couple of times!).
rae519, "the" suites are gorgeous but they would be a waste for the two of us! I have simple tastes...I am very happy in the "Barb & Tony Suite" . As a matter of fact, for this trip we had t-shirts made with a photo of the door plate for 5650 and "The Barb & Tony Suite" as the caption. We're always either there or 5520 or 5020, so we're going to have shirts made for the two non-adjoining secret porthole rooms too and then we can always wear our room in case we party too much and forget our room number! Someday we'll be Florida residents and then we'll get those big discounts!
Tony is scanning the navigators, and while he was looking through all our papers, he noticed a new excursion on Castaway Cay. It's a hike and kayak tour...sounds really cool. We'll have to try it when the weather is nicer (if I can dare go in a kayak with Tony, as he tends to tip them).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[thedisneymom]

Glad to hear you had a "WONDERFUL" cruise. It always makes me smile to read your reports. You are my cruise mentor. THANKS!

 

[CathyCanada]

Barb, when I was talking to a DCL Top Accounts agent today, we were talking about requesting certain servers and she mentioned that there is a frequent cruiser who likes Croatian servers. I laughed and said I know the one!
Love to hear your spin on things, glad you enjoyed #30!
Cathy

 

[plutojudy]

Barb, sounds like Serenity Bay is no longer serene. We will not like that at all. We cruise in less than two weeks. Maybe we will just stay on the ship.

 

[DVCBob]

Hi Barb,

We will be leaving out of Midway on the 29th for our 2nd Disney Cruise (pales in comparison). The last I heard they were saying arrive three hours ahead of your flight. What is your opinion?

Thanks

 

[Credit Man]

Welcome back! Awaiting your report.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We left out of Midway Nov. 28th Thanksgiving morning. We had a 7:20am departure. We got dropped off at ATA terminal at 5:45 and had pleanty of time to spare. We actually had about 45 mins. before boarding. It was fairly busy too.

 

[atigeg]

>>^..^<<
I think we are on the 8/28 cruise (Labor Day Weekend)

DVCBob
I would plan on the 3 hours just to be safe, it might take less time, but I'd rather make the flight than miss it. Depending on your airline, and the time of departure. 2 hours may work with for ATA, but I do not think on Southwest. We didn't see the lines at Midway, but judging by the lines at the Orlando Southwest check-in on Sunday, I'm guessing it would of taken at least an hour by itself.

And you never know about the security lines either, when we got to Midway on Wednesday there was 1 person in front of us. An hour later when we went by it heading towards our gate, the lines were each 20+ deep.

 

[rae519]

Thanks for the info about the airplane wreck - never knew about it!!!

Also, I think that's so funny about the t-shirts with your room number on them. Guess I'm not the only one who gets possessive about my room - the other end of the AFT hallway from you!!!!

Glad you enjoyed #30!!!

Rae

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Wow guys, I can't believe you're back already! It seems like you just left! I'm glad you had a safe and wonderful trip!!

 

[inkkognito]

DVCBob, as you can see by my hubby's response, I have trained him to be a compulsive planner like myself! We like to allow three hours when we can, and we either spend the time in the food court or at an unused gate (much less stressful than at the crowded gate). We always check in at the baggage area even if we aren't checking bags, as we like to see if there are exit rows available and we don't want to have to worry about check-in at the gate. We were fine with two hours this time, but as Tony said, the security line got progressively longer. If war starts, things might get worse. Also, while at MCO you leave your checked baggage and go, at Midway you wait while it goes through the screening machine, so that might take awhile if it is crowded (so far, we've never encountered a line). And we park in the garage...if you are parking at a remote lot, you need to take the additional shuttle bus time into account.
Cathy, I am thinking that the agent actually meant the Segati's (I have a photo of them on my website...last I heard, their cruise number was in the teens). But we like Croatian servers too...Dragan in Palo is great, and we've had a couple of others in the main dining rooms who we really enjoyed too (and who can forget Sasha, the most famous Croatian, even tho' he is not a server!?).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[dzneprincess]

I'm sure this has been asked before but here goes:




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