March 26 Western: Disembarkation (Boohoo!)

[PPFQP]

Who? A very depressed to be departing family! Me (37), DH (40), and twin DD's (9)

Saturday morning we woke up already back at the dock. It was rainy and wet and overall very depressing to be back in Port Canaveral. To think that we had been so excited to be there just a few days before!

We were all up and ready and just kind of biding time until it was our time to go to breakfast. Having late seating is a definite benefit on the last morning, making it much more leisurely! The breakfast staff seemed quite rushed, but as always, even post-tip, they did their utmost to meet our needs. Deneval even ran downstairs to get dd a donut! I warned her that her days of demanding extras like that were quickly coming to a close!

And that was it -- time to get off. The disembarkation/luggage retrieval/customes process is so smooth. How is it possible that there are nearly 2,000 people, all getting off within the same time frame? It was very unrushed and pleasant, except for the fact that we were having to leave, that is! We joked with the porter to sneak us back on the ship.

Our Tiffany driver was waiting for us, and we were whisked back to the airport. Back to HARSH reality -- long lines, big crowds, hectic, rushed, blah, blah, blah. It's such a shock to realize that the rest of the world is not devoted to our happiness like the CM's on the Magic!

Then it was hurry up and wait for our flight back home. ::::sigh::::: Every time I saw the cast members in the airport holding up Disney cruise signs, I wanted to shout at them, "WAIT!! TAKE ME BACK!!" I was so jealous of the people getting to board, I couldn't stand it.

So, tha'ts it. We absolutely loved it. Every single one of us, even DH who had to pay the bills. He readily admits that it was well worth every penny. It was the perfect vacation for us, and the only negative thing we have to say is that they make you get off the ship after 7 days! We booked another 7-day for 2006, but will probably push it back to 2007 once the dates are announced. I hope they continue the double CC itinerary in 2007; that would be ideal!

So, that's it! Thanks for reading all my reminiscences. It was fun getting to relive it one more time. If you have any questions, please post or PM me -- it's fun to be able to share advice after all those months of asking questions myself. This board is absolutely without a doubt the best source of information out there!

 

[nluvwithmickey]

I just hate hate hate the feeling of depression you get once you get back at the airport and see the DCL clerks waving their Mickey gloves greeting new passengers when you are actually leaving.....That is the part I dread most.

What great memories you brought back to share with us. I actually felt the CC breeze on my face and heard the children's laugh in the background too!

Glad to know you booked another cruise, now you have another one to look forward too!

 

[VictoriaRose]

Great report!

How did you like the yoga class?

 

[PPFQP]

How did you like the yoga class?

It was pretty good. I have to say that it was not as good as the class I attend at home. It is definitely designed for beginners, and all the classes I attended were exactly the same. I would have liked to try the open air class (either on the ship or on CC), but they just weren't at convenient times for me.

I will say that it is very interesting doing some of the poses when the ship is moving!

One class was very crowded, and that definitely took away from the experience. You can't experience the full range of motion in your poses, and it's hard to relax when you're packed like sardines.

I didn't try any of the other fitness classes, but they do offer a wide variety, from aerobics to abs to pilates.

 

[Anastasia]

Thanks for the very detailed trip report. I actually stayed up late last night reading it. I felt like I was there with you. We are in the process of booking our first cruise, and it was nice to be able to read through the day by day report. I was a little concerned about being bored on the 7 night, but after reading your report, I don't think it will be an issue.

Thanks so much for taking the time to write the report.

 

[PPFQP]

I was a little concerned about being bored on the 7 night, but after reading your report, I don't think it will be an issue.

You'd have to work very hard to be bored! Our days were very full and busy and we just couldn't do it all. Besides which, just sitting and watching the sea go by is enjoyable enough to fill a few hour!

I hope that you end up booking -- it's a great experience!

 

[septbride2002]

Thanks for sharing your report. We leave in 26 days and I am so nervous as a first time cruiser! The yoga classes sound like fune and I am definately a beginner. I want to do some sort of fitness but not necessarily anything overly exerting either

~Amanda

 

[PPFQP]

Thanks for sharing your report. We leave in 26 days and I am so nervous as a first time cruiser! The yoga classes sound like fune and I am definately a beginner. I want to do some sort of fitness but not necessarily anything overly exerting either

~Amanda

Which cruise are you doing? On the Western, there was yoga at 8:15 on Sun and Wed. and 7:30am on the sea days. There was also open air yoga (that is supposed to be a bit advanced) at 10:30 am on Fri (CC) and another day on the ship. Anyway, be sure to go to the spa shortly after boarding and sign up for whatever classes you might like to try.

 

[septbride2002]

Which cruise are you doing? On the Western, there was yoga at 8:15 on Sun and Wed. and 7:30am on the sea days. There was also open air yoga (that is supposed to be a bit advanced) at 10:30 am on Fri (CC) and another day on the ship. Anyway, be sure to go to the spa shortly after boarding and sign up for whatever classes you might like to try.

I'll be doing the Western in 26 days! YEA!!!

~Amanda

 

[Stimpy]

I read all your reports and they were great! Thank you so much for sharing your vacation with us!

 

[My 2 Princesses Boat]

I loved reading and reliving my cruise thru your daily posts! The Grand Caymen thing was long and a little scary. I could've stayed on CC forever! We learned that 30 people live on that island! DH missed lunch because he couldn't get our little one out of the water and by the time I came back from lunch with older DD, they already shut down, so I felt bad that he missed it. Our younger DD was in kids club for an hour that morning and was eating lunch when we picked her up. We too thought the cruise was worth every penny, even DH who paid for it all

 

[Keggy]

Thank you for posting your wonderful report. I have not done the Western itinerary and would love to! I appreciate you taking the time to post.

It sounds like you have a wonderful family!

Kelly

 

[bratray]

hi

what a wonderful trip report! so well detailed- i don't know if i can wait the 23 days to my cruise- i am more excited then ever after reading your report!!

sounds like your family had a great time!! even with a few "hiccups" you managed to make the best of it and still enjoy this wonderful opportunity to cruise with your family

thank you for taking the time to post and share your memories with us

 

[dkmjgal]

THANKS SO MUCH for posting about your trip. We are leaving in 9 days and this is our first ever experience with a 7 day cruise. We did the 4 day disney 1 1/2 yrs ago and LOVED it. Reading about Disney Dreams brought a tear to my eye. My daughter(also 9) just LOVED that!

I am even more excited to go now thanks to you!

kelly