First cruise, first trip report!
Cruisers: DH, me, DD, age 19 and her girlfriend, also 19
We arrived in Orlando about 3:45 p.m. Picked up luggage and SUV from National and drove to Cocoa Beach where we stayed at Quality Suites. Arrived about 5:30 and found out a rocket launch was scheduled for that evening so we headed to the beach to watch. It was really neat to be so close to a launch. Then ate at Captain J's on the beach. We had grilled chicken and cheeseburgers which were very good. The Quality Suites was very clean but very plain decor. We had a king suite with a king bed in bedroom, and queen sofa sleeper in living area. Girls said sofa sleeper was very uncomfortable. Continental breakfast had the usual offerings. For $74, it was well worth the price for us but if I had kids I would want to stay some place with a pool.
Thursday morning, we left our hotel about 10:20 and were at the port about 10:30. DH dropped us and the luggage off and went to the park the car. We went through security and had our paperwork checked at the kiosk and by then DH had rejoined us. No wait to check in. After that we went to get in line and took turns looking around the terminal and outside at the ship. Girls and I played rummy until it was time to board. DH was on cell phone taking care of some last minute business. There were probably 20 or so people in front of us. When we started to board, there was a problem with our DD's friend's KTTW card and we had to step into another room for them to give her another one. Then we went to Guest Services to have them switch room keys for DD and me as we had to book with DH and DD in one room and me and DD's friend in another. No line at GS so that went smoothly and we were off to Parrot Cay for lunch. By then we were awestruck with the beauty of the Wonder. We were seated with Marilyn (mshuck), her DH, DS, and DGD, who is absolutely adorable. We enjoyed visiting with them very much and thought our trip was off to a wonderful start. The only thing I really remember of that meal was the cold strawberry banana soup and the cheesecake. MMMMMMMM! We then headed up to Deck 9 to check out the pools. About 1:30, DH and I went to see if our room (#6134) was ready. It was and our luggage had already been delivered. We unpacked quickly and then went up to get the girls so they could unpack in their room (#6133). Left the pools about 3:30 so we could get ready for the lifeboat drill. We were in Animator's Palate. I was kinda worried about this as my DH is claustrophobic but it didn't bother him at all. In fact, he was fine everywhere on ship. Of course, we never used the elevators as he can't handle them anywhere! After the lifebaoat drill, we went up to Deck 10 to watch the sailaway party. Boy, the ship can really move on!!!!! Then we went to get ready for Hercules and dinner at Tritons. Hercules was okay. I'm glad it was first as I would have probably been very disappointed in it after watching the other two musicals. At dinner, we had Febin from India as our server and Christine from Austria as our assistant server. They were both very nice and attentive but perhaps a little shy. We had our own table for four. We each ordered a different appertizer. Although I tried to be adventurous, I couldn't even try the escargot. None of us were too impressed with any of the appetizers. DD and I had the cauliflower soup which was delicious. DH and DD's friend had the mixed garden salad which they enjoyed except for the goat cheese croutons. Both of them were raised on a farm and hate goat cheese because it reminds them of how goats smell! LOL! DH and I still farm and raise beef cattle but no goats. For entrees, DD had the braised lamb, DDF had the prime filet of cod, DH had the garlic roasted beef tenderloin and I had the roasted duck. We felt the beef tenderloin was the best! For desert, the grand marnier souffle with chocolate was our favorite. We went to the dueling pianos after dinner and had a great time. Then played cards in our room until 1 am when we called room service for tomato soup and a roasted turkey sandwich. To be continued . . .
Donna
Cruisers: DH, me, DD, age 19 and her girlfriend, also 19
We arrived in Orlando about 3:45 p.m. Picked up luggage and SUV from National and drove to Cocoa Beach where we stayed at Quality Suites. Arrived about 5:30 and found out a rocket launch was scheduled for that evening so we headed to the beach to watch. It was really neat to be so close to a launch. Then ate at Captain J's on the beach. We had grilled chicken and cheeseburgers which were very good. The Quality Suites was very clean but very plain decor. We had a king suite with a king bed in bedroom, and queen sofa sleeper in living area. Girls said sofa sleeper was very uncomfortable. Continental breakfast had the usual offerings. For $74, it was well worth the price for us but if I had kids I would want to stay some place with a pool.
Thursday morning, we left our hotel about 10:20 and were at the port about 10:30. DH dropped us and the luggage off and went to the park the car. We went through security and had our paperwork checked at the kiosk and by then DH had rejoined us. No wait to check in. After that we went to get in line and took turns looking around the terminal and outside at the ship. Girls and I played rummy until it was time to board. DH was on cell phone taking care of some last minute business. There were probably 20 or so people in front of us. When we started to board, there was a problem with our DD's friend's KTTW card and we had to step into another room for them to give her another one. Then we went to Guest Services to have them switch room keys for DD and me as we had to book with DH and DD in one room and me and DD's friend in another. No line at GS so that went smoothly and we were off to Parrot Cay for lunch. By then we were awestruck with the beauty of the Wonder. We were seated with Marilyn (mshuck), her DH, DS, and DGD, who is absolutely adorable. We enjoyed visiting with them very much and thought our trip was off to a wonderful start. The only thing I really remember of that meal was the cold strawberry banana soup and the cheesecake. MMMMMMMM! We then headed up to Deck 9 to check out the pools. About 1:30, DH and I went to see if our room (#6134) was ready. It was and our luggage had already been delivered. We unpacked quickly and then went up to get the girls so they could unpack in their room (#6133). Left the pools about 3:30 so we could get ready for the lifeboat drill. We were in Animator's Palate. I was kinda worried about this as my DH is claustrophobic but it didn't bother him at all. In fact, he was fine everywhere on ship. Of course, we never used the elevators as he can't handle them anywhere! After the lifebaoat drill, we went up to Deck 10 to watch the sailaway party. Boy, the ship can really move on!!!!! Then we went to get ready for Hercules and dinner at Tritons. Hercules was okay. I'm glad it was first as I would have probably been very disappointed in it after watching the other two musicals. At dinner, we had Febin from India as our server and Christine from Austria as our assistant server. They were both very nice and attentive but perhaps a little shy. We had our own table for four. We each ordered a different appertizer. Although I tried to be adventurous, I couldn't even try the escargot. None of us were too impressed with any of the appetizers. DD and I had the cauliflower soup which was delicious. DH and DD's friend had the mixed garden salad which they enjoyed except for the goat cheese croutons. Both of them were raised on a farm and hate goat cheese because it reminds them of how goats smell! LOL! DH and I still farm and raise beef cattle but no goats. For entrees, DD had the braised lamb, DDF had the prime filet of cod, DH had the garlic roasted beef tenderloin and I had the roasted duck. We felt the beef tenderloin was the best! For desert, the grand marnier souffle with chocolate was our favorite. We went to the dueling pianos after dinner and had a great time. Then played cards in our room until 1 am when we called room service for tomato soup and a roasted turkey sandwich. To be continued . . .
Donna
