disneygatorfan
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2004
- Messages
- 575
CAST:
Myself (26F)
Grandmother (70F)
This was the 2nd time I treated my grandmother for birthday/Xmas with a cruise. We did the same cruise in 2003, and loved it.
Saturday 12/11--Day 1
We got to port extra early, since we were being dropped off, and our ride needed to get a quick start. We were there so early, that we couldn't even get to the port yet! We were like the 2nd family to walk in the terminal once we were allowed in! We checked in, no problem and were assigned stateroom 7616 (CAT 5, deck 7). We didn't get in the "line" right away, since we don't usually make any ressies, so we aren't too worried about the rush, and I didn't want to make my grandmother stand for the first hour and half. So once the line started to move, we just jumped in and were on the ship in no time. I noticed that they let people bypass the embarkation photo. Usually I was always stopped to take it, so that really seemed to speed up the process. Also, they had started to check in the kids clubs at the terminal where the cafe used to be... so that seemed like an added bonus for those with kiddies. Wish you could get your palo ressies then too!!
Once we got onboard, we were directed to parrot cay for the buffet lunch. Usually I end up getting directed to Topsiders, but it was nice eating in Parrot Cay, cause it was VERY chilly that day at port. Buffet was good, but I am not a big buffet person really, so I stick to the salads and the desserts! They are great on the buffet, plus the chilled mango soup!!
We walked around the ship a little, and before we knew it, it was time to head to the room. 7616 is my best room yet. I reccommend it to anyone. It's just a a few rooms down from the aft elevators, so you are close, but not too close. It's also super easy to get up to Topsiders, via the stairs, and the drink station on deck 9. We must have run up and down tons of times for sodas, ice cream, cookies, fruit, chicken fingers. It was great. No noise at all, since its rooms below and above you. Was a great location. Our stateroom host was very nice. She always did the towel animals, and smiled and greeted us every time. She was very pleasant, but I have never had a bad one yet!
We unpacked, and sat out on our verandah--it was chilly, but relaxing. We grabbed some hot chocolate from the beverage station, and bundled up. I am a goofball, and for some reason, I love watching the load, and unload the supplies on the ship. It's amazing when you think of all they get on and off in just a few hours. Before we knew it, it was time for the dreaded boat drill, so we grabbed our life vests and headed to Animators. Boat drill went incredibly fast this trip. I was amazed because this was the first time everyone in my muster station showed up! So we were in and out fast. After that, we went up to the deck party.
It was chilly on deck, and breezy... but there were still tons of kids in the Mickey Pool. We lucked out and got two chairs near the goofy pool stage, and sat and watched the party. The band this year wasn't as good as I remembered, I couldn't really hear the male singer. He was cute though, so his looks made up for his lack of voice!!
Time kept ticking, and we didn't move though. Eventually we got the anoucement that a families flight was delayed and the captain was waiting for them to arrive, so we left 30 mins late or so. The deck party had died down before the ship began to move really, so we headed back to our verandah and watched the ship leave from there. Of course, once again, I missed the DIS meet. I always seem to miss it. I think next cruise I am going to suggest a DIS meet after the deck party. There is just so much going on that first afternoon. So unfortunately if you miss the first DIS meet, you don't know any of them the rest of the cruise 
We got ready for the variety show.. and let me just say, I fell in love during that show. For those of you that were on the 12/11 sailing.. let me just say that that first juggler was the most gorgeous man I ever saw in my life!! The show was cute, and then we just went and listened to some music in the piano lounge before it was time for dinner.
This was also a new thing.. I have never had anything other then the LAP rotation. This time though, I had APL... it was interesting rotation. Also another first.. we ended up being seated with one of my coworkers and his wife.. and thats it. It was GREAT having just the 4 seats. Was like a private little dinner. Our serving team was Fitz and Christi... and let me just say Fitz was the absolute BEST server I have EVER had on DCL or any other line. He smiled the entire time. He was so cheerful, fun and happy. He just oozed d Disney enthusiasm. I can't say enough how wonderful he was. The food was great, I never hand any complaints about the main dining room menus. I am sure there are some dishes that are better then others, but I stick with the server reccomendations a lot of the times, and they are always great. After dinner, we checked out the adult theme party for a little bit.. and then we were beat so we turned in. I fell asleep watching the in-room movies.. which I love having....
All in all, a great first day..
Myself (26F)
Grandmother (70F)
This was the 2nd time I treated my grandmother for birthday/Xmas with a cruise. We did the same cruise in 2003, and loved it.
Saturday 12/11--Day 1
We got to port extra early, since we were being dropped off, and our ride needed to get a quick start. We were there so early, that we couldn't even get to the port yet! We were like the 2nd family to walk in the terminal once we were allowed in! We checked in, no problem and were assigned stateroom 7616 (CAT 5, deck 7). We didn't get in the "line" right away, since we don't usually make any ressies, so we aren't too worried about the rush, and I didn't want to make my grandmother stand for the first hour and half. So once the line started to move, we just jumped in and were on the ship in no time. I noticed that they let people bypass the embarkation photo. Usually I was always stopped to take it, so that really seemed to speed up the process. Also, they had started to check in the kids clubs at the terminal where the cafe used to be... so that seemed like an added bonus for those with kiddies. Wish you could get your palo ressies then too!!
Once we got onboard, we were directed to parrot cay for the buffet lunch. Usually I end up getting directed to Topsiders, but it was nice eating in Parrot Cay, cause it was VERY chilly that day at port. Buffet was good, but I am not a big buffet person really, so I stick to the salads and the desserts! They are great on the buffet, plus the chilled mango soup!!
We walked around the ship a little, and before we knew it, it was time to head to the room. 7616 is my best room yet. I reccommend it to anyone. It's just a a few rooms down from the aft elevators, so you are close, but not too close. It's also super easy to get up to Topsiders, via the stairs, and the drink station on deck 9. We must have run up and down tons of times for sodas, ice cream, cookies, fruit, chicken fingers. It was great. No noise at all, since its rooms below and above you. Was a great location. Our stateroom host was very nice. She always did the towel animals, and smiled and greeted us every time. She was very pleasant, but I have never had a bad one yet!
We unpacked, and sat out on our verandah--it was chilly, but relaxing. We grabbed some hot chocolate from the beverage station, and bundled up. I am a goofball, and for some reason, I love watching the load, and unload the supplies on the ship. It's amazing when you think of all they get on and off in just a few hours. Before we knew it, it was time for the dreaded boat drill, so we grabbed our life vests and headed to Animators. Boat drill went incredibly fast this trip. I was amazed because this was the first time everyone in my muster station showed up! So we were in and out fast. After that, we went up to the deck party.
It was chilly on deck, and breezy... but there were still tons of kids in the Mickey Pool. We lucked out and got two chairs near the goofy pool stage, and sat and watched the party. The band this year wasn't as good as I remembered, I couldn't really hear the male singer. He was cute though, so his looks made up for his lack of voice!!
Time kept ticking, and we didn't move though. Eventually we got the anoucement that a families flight was delayed and the captain was waiting for them to arrive, so we left 30 mins late or so. The deck party had died down before the ship began to move really, so we headed back to our verandah and watched the ship leave from there. Of course, once again, I missed the DIS meet. I always seem to miss it. I think next cruise I am going to suggest a DIS meet after the deck party. There is just so much going on that first afternoon. So unfortunately if you miss the first DIS meet, you don't know any of them the rest of the cruise We got ready for the variety show.. and let me just say, I fell in love during that show. For those of you that were on the 12/11 sailing.. let me just say that that first juggler was the most gorgeous man I ever saw in my life!! The show was cute, and then we just went and listened to some music in the piano lounge before it was time for dinner.
This was also a new thing.. I have never had anything other then the LAP rotation. This time though, I had APL... it was interesting rotation. Also another first.. we ended up being seated with one of my coworkers and his wife.. and thats it. It was GREAT having just the 4 seats. Was like a private little dinner. Our serving team was Fitz and Christi... and let me just say Fitz was the absolute BEST server I have EVER had on DCL or any other line. He smiled the entire time. He was so cheerful, fun and happy. He just oozed d Disney enthusiasm. I can't say enough how wonderful he was. The food was great, I never hand any complaints about the main dining room menus. I am sure there are some dishes that are better then others, but I stick with the server reccomendations a lot of the times, and they are always great. After dinner, we checked out the adult theme party for a little bit.. and then we were beat so we turned in. I fell asleep watching the in-room movies.. which I love having....
All in all, a great first day..
