Since Ive spent the last few month reading as many trip reports as I could I thought I should add to the forum.
Our cast of characters include myself - Julie 42 married no kids, my sister Donna 46, and her daughter Katie 12.
We arrived on Friday night because we hail from Upstate NY and never know when Mother Natural is going to throw us some crazy weather and also because Disney lets you bring on your own adult beverages and we wanted to stock up. We had a private car (Happy Limousine - I think) who met us when the plane landed and stopped by the liquor store for Malibu Rum and beer and then to the grocery store for pineapple juice before dropping us at Country Inn and Suites. The hotel was fine for what we needed and had a nice breakfast plus shuttle to the port.
Saturday we took the 11:00 shuttle to the port. Donna has been on a couple of cruises so we were able to check in very quickly - really really easy. We then just had to hang out for a bit but there was a nice observation deck where we could check out the ship. I think we only waited maybe an hour and a half before we were able to get on the ship. Katie had us announced as the Seymorbutts. She wanted the cast member to add from Plumberscrack, NY but thankfully the CM reminded her that it was a Disney Cruise.
We went to Parrot Cay for lunch and it was good but I think on my next cruise Ill just head to the pool and get something from one of the quick service spots.
After lunch we walked around the ship for a bit until our room was ready. We had a veranda room on deck 6. All I can say about the room is WOW. After reading all the reviews I expected to be cramped and have no storage space. We had plenty of room with space left over. Katie commandeers the steamer truck, Donna took the dresser, and I had all the drawers in the desk. The closet has plenty of space to hang everything plus stored our luggage. The bathroom were plenty big enough and the bath can easily be used to bath children.
The first night we ate at Animators Pallette and met our wait staff - Green, Sandor, and Godwin. They were great. I had read that dinner took forever etc. these guys were on their game. Everything flowed perfectly. We never felt rushed but we never waited. On the first night Katie ordered a Shirley Temple with extra cherries and every night after that when we arrived at dinner Green had a bowl of cherries waiting to Katie. Also, as a 12 year old she is sometimes a kid and sometimes a teen (something I am completely not used to). On the first night she asked for the kids menu with crayons so every night after that they were at her place every night and we knew where she would be sitting. Our dining companions were a family from Quebec. Parents and their 14 years old son. I though Disney did a great job sitting us with a group that matched ours but the mom and son werent comfortable speaking English and we know almost no French but it worked out - me using HS french and a lot of sign language. They were really nice to sit with and we definitely enjoyed their company.
Sunday was Key West. We spent the day walking around the town which is really easy to do - everything seemed to be within walking distance.
Monday was a sea day and we had no problem getting a spot at the adult pool - completely relaxing with cushioned loungers. Katie spent most of her time in the kids club.
Tuesday we were in Grand Caymen. We chose the beach break. The highlight of the day was the ride to the other side of the island on a catamaran. I noticed a single guy sticking to himself and said to my sister I bet he works on the cruise. Later that night, while at guest services, the CM said to my sister do I look familiar - yup it was the guy from the outing.
Wednesday we did another beach day. This is when I realized how much I loved Disney Cruise Line. There was an area of the beach for cruise people. All was calm and lovely until Carnival showed up and it seems that the Jersey Shore castoffs had arrived - ugh so loud and so drunk and so twenty something! (Man, I sound OLD)
Thursday was another sea day. Donna and I went to Palo for brunch and it was really amazing. I cant remember our servers name but she was great. Donna saw her later on the cruise manning the drink station and commented that they had her all over the place. We got a bit of a storm that day but it worked out since we had plenty of sun already.
Friday was Castaway Cay and yes it is everything that everyone says. It took us two tries to get into the port because it was so windy. Donna and I spend time at the adult only beach. When we went to lunch Godwin from the dining room was there, recognized us, and came over to talk. He explained that sometimes he doesnt get time to spend with some tables because hes needed to help out the table with servers that arent as experienced as our servers. We had a really nice chat.
Friday night Donna and I had reservations at Palo - definitely get in there if you can. We took Katie to the dining room so that we could get her situated and say goodbye to our serving team.
Saturday was disembarkment day - BOO! Getting off the ship was really easy! The line seemed really long - into the atrium but it moved quickly. There was someone there to help me find my luggage and customs was so easy that I turned to my sister and said Did we just go through customs? Ive flown back into the US and the agents actually scared me and almost made me cry but this time was a breeze.
We took Disney transport back to the airport and it was incredibly easy. We arrived at the airport around 8:30 with plenty of time to check in and do some shopping before catching our 12:05 flight back to Albany.
So here is an overall impression:
Room - Oh my amazing - the veranda is where its at and if you can you should get one!
Food - Dining room food was ok - definitely edible. Staff - great.. Palo is amazing - seriously heaven on a plate
Service - Really I dont know how the cast member do it. They work incredibly long hours for months on end but somehow still are able to make you feel like you are special and like theyve never answer all the questions that every guest ask them every day ie do you have family, when do you get to go home, how long have you been on the ship etc.
So in case you are wondering, yup I booked again on board for October of 2011- Im hooked. And I now this is blasphemy on the boards but if I never visited the Magic Kingdom again I could live a full life but if I never took another Disney Cruise Im pretty sure I could not die happily.
Magical people on the ship - Wyan (completely spelled wrong) our state room attendant, obviously all of our wait staff, Aline at the Café Cove, and TJ - an excitable boy from BINGO).
This is just an overview so if you have any questions please let me know and thanks to everyone on these boards for all the information they provide!
Julie
Our cast of characters include myself - Julie 42 married no kids, my sister Donna 46, and her daughter Katie 12.
We arrived on Friday night because we hail from Upstate NY and never know when Mother Natural is going to throw us some crazy weather and also because Disney lets you bring on your own adult beverages and we wanted to stock up. We had a private car (Happy Limousine - I think) who met us when the plane landed and stopped by the liquor store for Malibu Rum and beer and then to the grocery store for pineapple juice before dropping us at Country Inn and Suites. The hotel was fine for what we needed and had a nice breakfast plus shuttle to the port.
Saturday we took the 11:00 shuttle to the port. Donna has been on a couple of cruises so we were able to check in very quickly - really really easy. We then just had to hang out for a bit but there was a nice observation deck where we could check out the ship. I think we only waited maybe an hour and a half before we were able to get on the ship. Katie had us announced as the Seymorbutts. She wanted the cast member to add from Plumberscrack, NY but thankfully the CM reminded her that it was a Disney Cruise.
We went to Parrot Cay for lunch and it was good but I think on my next cruise Ill just head to the pool and get something from one of the quick service spots.
After lunch we walked around the ship for a bit until our room was ready. We had a veranda room on deck 6. All I can say about the room is WOW. After reading all the reviews I expected to be cramped and have no storage space. We had plenty of room with space left over. Katie commandeers the steamer truck, Donna took the dresser, and I had all the drawers in the desk. The closet has plenty of space to hang everything plus stored our luggage. The bathroom were plenty big enough and the bath can easily be used to bath children.
The first night we ate at Animators Pallette and met our wait staff - Green, Sandor, and Godwin. They were great. I had read that dinner took forever etc. these guys were on their game. Everything flowed perfectly. We never felt rushed but we never waited. On the first night Katie ordered a Shirley Temple with extra cherries and every night after that when we arrived at dinner Green had a bowl of cherries waiting to Katie. Also, as a 12 year old she is sometimes a kid and sometimes a teen (something I am completely not used to). On the first night she asked for the kids menu with crayons so every night after that they were at her place every night and we knew where she would be sitting. Our dining companions were a family from Quebec. Parents and their 14 years old son. I though Disney did a great job sitting us with a group that matched ours but the mom and son werent comfortable speaking English and we know almost no French but it worked out - me using HS french and a lot of sign language. They were really nice to sit with and we definitely enjoyed their company.
Sunday was Key West. We spent the day walking around the town which is really easy to do - everything seemed to be within walking distance.
Monday was a sea day and we had no problem getting a spot at the adult pool - completely relaxing with cushioned loungers. Katie spent most of her time in the kids club.
Tuesday we were in Grand Caymen. We chose the beach break. The highlight of the day was the ride to the other side of the island on a catamaran. I noticed a single guy sticking to himself and said to my sister I bet he works on the cruise. Later that night, while at guest services, the CM said to my sister do I look familiar - yup it was the guy from the outing.
Wednesday we did another beach day. This is when I realized how much I loved Disney Cruise Line. There was an area of the beach for cruise people. All was calm and lovely until Carnival showed up and it seems that the Jersey Shore castoffs had arrived - ugh so loud and so drunk and so twenty something! (Man, I sound OLD)
Thursday was another sea day. Donna and I went to Palo for brunch and it was really amazing. I cant remember our servers name but she was great. Donna saw her later on the cruise manning the drink station and commented that they had her all over the place. We got a bit of a storm that day but it worked out since we had plenty of sun already.
Friday was Castaway Cay and yes it is everything that everyone says. It took us two tries to get into the port because it was so windy. Donna and I spend time at the adult only beach. When we went to lunch Godwin from the dining room was there, recognized us, and came over to talk. He explained that sometimes he doesnt get time to spend with some tables because hes needed to help out the table with servers that arent as experienced as our servers. We had a really nice chat.
Friday night Donna and I had reservations at Palo - definitely get in there if you can. We took Katie to the dining room so that we could get her situated and say goodbye to our serving team.
Saturday was disembarkment day - BOO! Getting off the ship was really easy! The line seemed really long - into the atrium but it moved quickly. There was someone there to help me find my luggage and customs was so easy that I turned to my sister and said Did we just go through customs? Ive flown back into the US and the agents actually scared me and almost made me cry but this time was a breeze.
We took Disney transport back to the airport and it was incredibly easy. We arrived at the airport around 8:30 with plenty of time to check in and do some shopping before catching our 12:05 flight back to Albany.
So here is an overall impression:
Room - Oh my amazing - the veranda is where its at and if you can you should get one!
Food - Dining room food was ok - definitely edible. Staff - great.. Palo is amazing - seriously heaven on a plate
Service - Really I dont know how the cast member do it. They work incredibly long hours for months on end but somehow still are able to make you feel like you are special and like theyve never answer all the questions that every guest ask them every day ie do you have family, when do you get to go home, how long have you been on the ship etc.
So in case you are wondering, yup I booked again on board for October of 2011- Im hooked. And I now this is blasphemy on the boards but if I never visited the Magic Kingdom again I could live a full life but if I never took another Disney Cruise Im pretty sure I could not die happily.
Magical people on the ship - Wyan (completely spelled wrong) our state room attendant, obviously all of our wait staff, Aline at the Café Cove, and TJ - an excitable boy from BINGO).
This is just an overview so if you have any questions please let me know and thanks to everyone on these boards for all the information they provide!
Julie
