Just got back...some quick comments from #29

[inkkognito]

Hi everyone,
Tony is letting me have the PC for a little while while he unpacks and starts the laundry (loves to travel and does domestic stuff, too...you call tell why he's a "keeper" ). Meanwhile, here are some quick observations and highlights from #29:
We made our 29th docking at Castaway Cay, but hubby and I (GASP!) did not go to the island! We had sworn that on one trip we would stay on the ship just to see what it was like so we could report on it. The thing that made us choose this time was the fact that the adult pool was closed for refurbishment, so adults were allowed to use the crew pool. I'm a sucker for seeing new areas, so we spend the morning there. We'll be posting some great photos. The onboard buffet is excellent...no lobster burgers, but the jumbo peel and eat shrimp more than make up for it!
As I mentioned in another post, the hydrotherapy bath is definitely gone from the spa. That area is now an additional treatment room.
Allow a LOT of time for disembarkation. It is probably due to the Orange security level, but you now must show both your drivers license and birth certificate to disembark at Port Canaveral. We waited in line for half an hour to get off the ship, and then we had to wait to show our ID to get through to Customs (of course, no one paid any attention to the announcement so everyone was taking forever digging through their luggage).
The new menu at Parrot Cay is as delicious as ever!
I have to run as hubby is cruelly taking over the PC now, but I'll have my trip report ready this week.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[tchalene]

Do you have to have your driver's license if you have a passport?

 

[AnnMorin]

welcome home!

 

[DISNEYGATOR]

Sounds like you had a good time.. I don't think I could be that strong and not get off at Castaway, no matter how many times I had been there. Kudos for your will-power!!

You mentioned the adult pool was closed for refurbishment, is this for a while or was there a time estimate for when it would be opened again... call me lazy, but I like being able to just walk across the deck for my chicken fingers!

Any recommendations for the new menu at Parrot Cay.. I am still bumming because the O-rings and Potstickers are gone.

 

[sara]

Welcome home!!!! Glad you had another wonderful cruise!

Sara

 

[PammyK]

Also just back...sadly, didn't get to meet Barb & Tony or any DISers.

At disembarkation, I used my passport and did NOT need any other form of ID. The process was slower than I expected, although when we got to the customs agents checking IDs we went through in a snap.

Regarding Quiet Cove pool being closed, it was just for Saturday at Castaway Cay. I wish I'd had time to check out the crew pool on Deck 5 but I was enjoying Castaway Cay too much to make it there.

 

[inkkognito]

Yep, passport is fine too. Hopefully things will start going smoother once this becomes more routine. Since the higher alert just started, I don't think anyone was really ready for it. Maybe Disney can advertise it in the Navs. and emphasize it at the disembarkation talk to hurry things up in the future.
As far as I know, the adult pool is now open again...I think it was just a one day thing where they painted it and and replaced pumps and filters (at least according to hubby). I love the adult pool, but I really enjoyed the new life experience. Interestingly, I learned something new...although the crew pool used to be salt water, it is now fresh water. Also, although the signs on the side say that it is four feet deep, I couldn't stand...neither could hubby, and he is almost six feet tall!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[ike]

Glad you had a wonderful cruise! We are going on the 4 day Wonder in one week. How was the weather? Did anyone get sick? Were they taking Palo/spa reservations as soon as you board? Thanks...

 

[PammyK]

I can answer those...

The weather was gorgeous! Especially yesterday at Castaway Cay. The sun was shining, temperatures were warm and the water was refreshing.
We didn't see any evidence of sickness although there did seem to be something going on next door in the Walt suite. Not sure what though. They continue to post warnings regarding good hand washing but buffets were self service. We also noticed this morning that they were removing the bedspreads from the rooms as they were turning them over for the next cruise.

Wavebands opened for Palo reservations just before the posted time of 1:30. We boarded fairly early so we had time to enjoy the buffet at Parrot Cay before heading to Wavebands.

 

[meab]

also back today. didn't meet up with anyone either.

no problems for us changing our dining rotation, getting a reservation for palo, and 2 times slots for flounders (good thing we did this early though, since they were booked solid later on).

we were one of the first people on board. we got our lunch at PC and then headed straight over to wavebands. I think we were given the number 6 or so, and we got exactly what we wanted (party of 6 at 6pm on Sat).

palo was definitely a highlight. tritons was also very nice. animator's palate was slightly disappointing...sorta wished we went to parrot cay now. ok, next time!

and yes, there will be a next time.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by tchalene
Do you have to have your driver's license if you have a passport?

No.

Anne

 

[plutojudy]

Welcome back!!! How was Candace? Such a Sweetie!!!!!
We are thinking of staying onboard during Castaway Cay trip this cruise. Maybe go ashore to shop and eat, except now you said the magic word....shrimp.
Are the return gifts still towels?

 

[GinaAnn]

When we were on 1/26 all the paint was peeling off the bottom of the adult pool. I was surprised that they had left the pool open like that cause the paint chips were quite sharp on the feet.

 

[PrincessDeb]

We just got back, too! What a wonderful cruise. We will definitely be doing it again, although I think we will bring the kids next time and stay for a whole week. Three days just wasn't enough! While at Dueling Pianos the first night, my husband said something to me about "Yesterday when we got on the boat..." and I had to remind him that we had just gotten on that day! We had done so much already that if felt like we had been on the boat forever. Castaway Cay was so beautiful-we wished we could have just taken a cruise there. On the plane ride home, we were talking to someone who had been on the Carnival Fantasy which sailed at the same time and was in Nassau on the same day about what her itinerary was. She said that they went to Nassau and then had a day at sea. We felt so superior. I would definitely recommend this to anyone.--Deb PS I saw Barb and Tony multiple times on the first day but was too chicken to say hi. Sorry, Barb! The only other time I saw them was at Parrot Cay on the last night and I didn't want to interrupt their dinner. Thanks again for all the info, Barb!! PPS We had Deb Dip from India for our dinner server. He came on the Wonder from Venice-he's actually been on the boat for 4 years. "Wonder"-ful!

 

[ZebraStripes]

We are just back this weekend. Here is my spin on the birth certificate passport debarkation thing. Silly me thinking that birth certificates weren't needed to get off the ship, I packed them in the luggage that was picked up the night before. We get off the ship and go downstairs to the luggage area, dig them out of the suitcase thinking someone would look at them. Ha, silly me again. Not only did we throw our immigration form into a box on a desk where there was no attendant, no one bothered to look at birth certificates or drivers licences off the ship!! We went from the ship to the parking lot without anyone checking anything.

 

[downontheBW]

We just got off the Wonder yesterday, too. I was surprised how long disembarkation took - 45 minutes! We had a reservation with Happy Limo to pick us up at 9am so we ate quickly and left our 8am breakfast at 8:35 (since I had read here that disembarkation was quick). We finally made it to the parking lot across the street at 9:20 and the limo was still waiting - I was concerned that he would be gone but we lucked out this time!

Wow - great weather for February! It was around 83 (or more) and partly cloudy both in Nassau and Castaway Cay. It had been 50 at Illuminations the Wednesday night before the cruise.

 

[inkkognito]

Deb, I wish we would have met up with you! We met quite a few DISers throughout the cruise...usually we wear our Platinum Castaway Club shirts so we can be easily identified.
ZebraStripes, I wonder if they finally gave up on checking after awhile...that crowd was unbelievable!! Fortunately, I keep our birth certificates in my "all-inclusive document envelope" that I stash in the front pocket of my carry-on bag so I'm prepared for just about anything.
downontheBW, were you in a limo or a van? When we got to our towncar, there was a Happy Limo van next to it, brightly painted with their logo. I was wondering if it was waiting for another DISer! We were running later than our pickup time, too, but they are great about waiting. When I injured my knee and our luggage got accidentally taken by someone else many trips ago, we were WAY late and of course didn't have a cell phone with us, but thank goodness they were still there. We had an early flight this time, but next time (March) it's pretty late so we're going to arrange a late pick-up and just take our sweet time.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[downontheBW]

Barb,

We were picked up in a Black Cadillac - not too shabby! I'm surprised there weren't more folks using limo services. If more people do, they'll have to figure out a system for it - can you imagine 100 or more Towncars waiting by that little white tent?

 

[perdidobay]

I just got back Monday night from the 2/6 cruise. I saw Barb and Tony at the Castaway club reception and said a quick hello. I also saw Tony at Parrot Cay the last night, talking to PJ
DD and I had a great time and the weather was so perfect... our servers and stateroom host were the best!
It took us a long time to disembark too, but I thought it was just because we were leaving much later than DH and I usually do.....
I can't wait to go back

 

[smjj]

If they check your ID before you get on the ship, why do they need to check it again to get off the ship?? I understand the need for security and all but I just don't understand that part. Am I wrong??...smjj