bobbi565
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2007
- Messages
- 871
We just got back from our first cruise, the 3 night Bahamian on the Wonder, January 25 - 28. It was fantastic and we've already booked a 7 night Western for May 2008, but what a crazy time we had! My trip report features my DS4, DH42, and me 41
Being the big planner that I am, I had it all figured out: we'd take a 2:00 SWA flight from Maryland to Orlando where a Tiffany Towncar would take us to the Radisson at the Port. We had reservations for the Radisson's 10:30 shuttle to the port so we could check in early and board as soon as boarding begins. Nice and relaxing! Well, in spite of his excitement about the airport and eagerness to fly, when the moment of truth arrived, DS had a meltdown. As soon as we boarded the plane, he dissolved into tears and began wailing that he wanted to go back and he wouldn't fly. As the plane began to fill, DH and I realized that there would be no calming the little guy, and this flight was not going to be a happening thing!
We hustled DS off the plane and received extremely sympathetic and courteous treatment from the SWA personel (who were undoubtedly grateful that we didn't force them to kick us off the flight like the family recently in the news!) who issued us flight vouchers and helped us deal with our checked luggage that was on its way to Orlando. In fact, the baggage claim service agent, Melissa, heard our story and exclaimed, "You must make that cruise! Get in your car and start driving!" Which inspired us to do just that. DH grabbed a cab home and came back in our car to get us, and we headed south. Shortly, it became obvious that our car was not behaving normally (for the first time in the 4 years since we bought it!) and we were not going to make it to Florida in it. Quickly, DH phoned a friend (it's about 5 PM at this point) and told him, "Get online and find me a train that will get me to Orlando by tomorrow!" Shortly, he returned our call with the news that the Amtrak Silver Meteor would leave Richmond at 9:50 PM and arrive in Orlando at 12:55 on Thursday. We were off! A call to Tiffany Towncar got us a driver who would pick us up at Amtrak, bring us to the airport to retrieve our luggage, and deliver us to the port, whew!
Well, after a delay at the station in Orlando, the train arrived at 1:20, and we were to the port by 3:00, checked in, and in the stateroom by 3:30 (with DS wearing a pull-up and my sweater tied around his waist after soiling himself at the port in all the excitement!). After all this, we were ready to relax!
Our stateroom, 2558, was lovely. DS was excited to open the family fun pack DH and I got him, and DH was surprised by a bottle of Korbel with which I greeted him. After a glass of champagne, I brought DS up to the safety drill (DH was on the phone trying to locate a lost blankie--- a whole other story---and headed up moments later) after which we attended the sail away party on deck 9. DS was a little overwhelmed by the noise and activity and decided to explore the deck instead. When we came upon the Mickey Pool, he absolutely had to go in. In spite of chilly, windy weather, the pool itself felt like a bathtub and there were about 1/2 dozen kids already swimming, so I just couldn't tell him no. We went back to the room, changed him into his suit, and headed up to the pool for a short dip before dinner. The Mickey pool and its slide quickly became one of DS's favorite places. Reluctantly, he allowed himself to be bundled up, shivering in the cold air, and hustled down to dress for dinner.
Our dining rotation was APT, which was great, because DH and I had Friday Palo reservations, and I was hoping that Parrot Cay would be the dinner we missed. So night one we headed to Animator's Palate. The seas were rough that night, so as we headed for dinner, we could feel the ship rockin' and rollin'. We'd dosed DS up on Children's Bonine, but DH and I decided to risk going au natural. I began to feel a bit light-headed and off balance, but never nauseated. As I commented to our dining companions, considering I'd spent a good portion of my college career trying to achieve just that sensation, I didn't find it all that unpleasant. It did make for an interesting dinner in the restaurant as lights twinkled and b&w paintings came alive with color. The food was fantastic. After dinner, we checked DS in at the Oceaneer Club and let him run around a bit. DH went back to the stateroom to recover from the last hectic 24 hours, and as my presence appeared to be superfluous to DS, I bid him farewell and headed back down to Deck 4. I strolled Mickey's Mates and Treasure Ketch, then headed over to Shutters and purchased the 5 8 X 10 photo package. I went back to the OC to get DS, and finally had to drag him crying from the place because he didn't want to leave!
Friday morning, I was up before the sun. I got a cup of coffee from the beverage station, strolled deck 4, photographed the sunrise and some of the public areas of the ship, visited Guest Services, and checked in with the boys. When they finally got up and dressed, we brought DS to the OC for my plan to leave him for the entire day (I'm a full-time mommy, so this would be my vacation day), but this time, he decided he didn't want to stay unless we did. We checked him back out and brought him up to BBB for breakfast buffet. After he realized we meant to have a leisurely breakfast and not be rushed, he figured it was a better deal to hang at the OC, so I checked him back in while DH finished breakfast. We disembarked at Nassau, strolled Bay street and shopped for about an hour, then headed back to the ship. We changed into our swimsuits and headed to the Quiet Cove pool. DH lounged with a drink while I hit the Jacuzzi. After I made a little plate for lunch from BBB (crab legs...yummy!) DH couldn't resist the urge to check on DS at the OC. Of course, once he saw us, we had to take him with us. I didn't mind getting some more "at the pool" time, so I changed him into his suit, and he and I headed up to the Mickey Pool while DH napped. The little guy played in the pool while I lounged with a Planter's Punch, the drink of the day. After the pool, we went on the great character hunt! DS had been desparate to see Mickey all morning and Minnie was supposed to be trolling deck 9 from 4:00 - 4:45. At 4:30 DS and I combed every inch of the deck calling her name, but could find no sign of her. Just as we were about to give up, who do we spy but Mickey in his white captain's uniform with an entourage of crew members. I grabbed DS by the hand shouting, "Look! It's Mickey! Let's go say hi to Mickey!" but as we approached, DS started to pull back and whine, "No Mickey... don't want to see Mickey!" Apparently, Mickey was a little big for DS to deal with. I sat him down on a lounge chair and ran over to Mickey with my camera. Despite admonishments from his handlers that Mickey would be in the atrium at 5:15 for photographs, the mouse struck a pose and let me take a quick shot.
Back to the stateroom to change for Palo. We dropped DS at the OC and trucked on over for a meal from paradise! Our wonderful server, Zoran, insisted on bringing an additional dish or two of his recommendation for every course. We had to be rolled out of there! After dinner, DH went to get DS at the OC while I went to see The Golden Mickeys solo. It was very entertaining, but I admit, I had difficulty keeping my eyes open after the huge meal. When I got back to the stateroom DH & DS were enjoying the spoils of a very successful trip to Mickey's Mates!
After sleeping on much calmer seas, I awoke hours before the boys again, totally psyched to spend the day on CC! I'm a real beach bunny and DH is not, so I've not had as much beach time during married life as I did in my single days. I got myself up to Parrot Cay as soon as they opened at 8:00 to sample their breakfast buffet, which was WONDERFUL! Of course, DS was pooped from staying up late and didn't get up until 9:30 AM (unheard of!). I hussled him into his swimsuit and headed out for a day at the beach. Of course, Chip and Dale on the porch of the post office sent him into a bit of a panic, but we sandwiched him in between us, and perservered on to the family beach. The day was sunny and warm, and we got used to the chilly water quickly enough. Between a pile of new sand toys from "She sells" and a $6 tube to play in, DS (and his parents) were all set for the day. Of course a couple of Konch Koolers added to the picture made it all complete. At 2:00, I headed over to Serenity Cove for my Cabana Massage. All I can say is...HEAVEN! By the time I got back to the stateroom, DS had taken DH up and down the stairs (all 10 flights!) several times and had been to the Mickey Pool.
I asked DS if he'd like to go to the OC for dinner, or sit for a long dinner at Triton's, and he opted to stay with mama and dada. We all got dressed and headed over, but after about fifteen minutes, DS decided he'd rather go to the OC. I ran him up to deck five only to find that they'd all gone to dinner, so it was all the way up to deck 9 where I finally found them at the back of BBB. The counselors cheerfully welcomed a doubtful DS, who wasn't thrilled about being transfered to another restaurant, but they assured him they would soon be back at the OC and he joined them happily. At Triton's, dinner was delicous. Afterwards, we picked up DS and made one last stop to Mickey's Mates for a few MORE toys for DS and cruise shirts for DH and me. Since I was totally paranoid about getting the bags packed and out by 11:00 and doing our customs paperwork, we went back to the cabin for the night.
I did our farewell breakfast at 7:00 at Triton's solo while the boys slept in. When I returned to the stateroom, DH was getting dressed but DS was still sleeping like a log. After much jostling, we were able to get him up and out. We took Disney ground transportation to the airport (DS LOVED the cartoons on the bus) and grabbed a Hertz courtesy shuttle to rent a minivan for the ride home, which was happily uneventful.
Lemonade
Priceless
