This was the best trip we have ever taken! And everyone agrees - from our kids (DD's age 3 and 7) to my parents who are 70+. Calm seas and perfect weather!
Got an upgrade!
Found out before we left home, from catagory 9, deck 2 to catagory 5 deck 7. Had a verandah and LOVED it! Booked 14 months out through a local TA here in Washington.
Hyatt at MCO
Got a senior rate (because my paretns were with us) of $123. Beautiful hotel, great service and SO convenient - especially since our plane ws 1 1/2 hours late and by the time we got to our room it was after 10:00 PM. Would definitely stay there again.
Florida Tours
picked us up at 9:00 AM. Prompt and courteous. Clean van, had car seat and booster for the kids as requested. Paid $120.00 plus tip. Got teary when I first saw the ship!
We were the third family in line at the Port, had to wait at the gate as the terminal wasn't open yet. That was fine - recognized a fellow DIS board member and time flew as we chatted. Once inside check in was quick. We took turns walking around the terminal and ran into more Dis board members.
Next thing I knew we were boarding, our names were announced and I got goose bumps - we were finally there!! Deposited DH and DD's on a couch and went to make Palo ressies. Got first choice for dinner (Tuesday) and brunch (Thursday). Had APL rotation. Went to Top Siders and sat outside to have lunch. Went to make Spa reservations - should've gone right after Palo ressies were made, all I wanted was a Well Being Massage and booked it for 10:00 AM on Key West day. Not my first choice, but it was fine. Kinda hard to decide when to do it, not wanting to interfere with character Bfast or brunch ressies.
Stateroom 7608 & 7610
We received these rooms as an upgrade and were very happy to get the verandah. Wouldn't re-book them, as I felt they were a little noisy due to being so close to the elevators. Water pressure in 7608 was really low, but not in 7610. Made a comment about it on the survery. Really liked Deck 7 and being Aft. Never had more than 4 foot seas (I don't think), but was a little surprised at how much movement we felt - but it didn't bother any of us. The Secret Deck 7 was great - and it was almost always empty!
Family of the Week
The pixie dust continued on Sunday morning when we woke up with a note on our door saying we had been chosen as Family of the Week. This meant
daily surprises from room service - chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, cheese platter, etc. Could also order off the dining rooms menus and have it delivered to our room, but never did.
Key West
met family and friends for brunch. The new Pirate Museum was a little spendy at $12.95 per adult, a little on the small side but VERY well done! The "real" pirate inside is a dead ringer for Capt. Jack Sparrow - I did a double take, thinking it was Johnny Depp! He had the voice down and everything.
Sea Days
The pools were crowded, no big surprise. I believe the Mickey pool was closed 3 times during our trip due to potty accidents. I liked being up on deck 10 at the goofy pool as you could hear live music. The adult pool was heaven, the very few times I got to enjoy it!
Kids Clubs
My DD 7 like the club better than the lab. My DD 3 wasn't keen on being there without her big sister. We went to Palo for brunch and my parents took DD 3 to the club - they let DD 7 stay, even though her group was in the lab. The counselors are VERY accomodating. It doesn't hurt to ask!
Not to be missed , as far as DD & is concerned, making "Flubber" and the "Graduation" show - they get Mickey graduation hats and T-shirts. A little hard to make the Graduation show as the kids must be in the club by 4:00 and that's on Castaway Cay day (had to leave by 3:00ish to get her showered, etc.)
Shows were great! Golden Mickey's and Disney Dreams are not to be missed!! Especially Dreams!
Grand Cayman - Capt. Marvin's
Booked the Sting Ray City Tour with Capt. Marvin's. $88.00 (for the 4 of us). Very nice boats, great staff. The weather was windy and the seas were choppy, which was disappointing. Should've taken sea sick meds - didn't get sick, but was close! DD 3 was a little scared of the rocking boat and didn't get in the water. DD 7 did and did great, despite getting knocked around by the waves a bit. I was a little intimidated by the size of the sting rays. Got in the water, but hung back from the crowd. One lady on our boat was stung - just too many people and the rays swarming around. They poured vinegar on her wound and I guess that helped (I wasn't even aware it happened, my husband told me about it, so it must not have been too big of a deal).The crew brough a small sting ray to the back of the boat for the little kids to see and touch (who didn't get into the water). Very thoughtful! Would definitely recomend them! The island has lots of damage still visible from hurricane(s).
Cozumel, Dolphin Discovery, Chankanaab Park
At almost $100 per person, this was pretty steep, but SO worth it! Booked though Disney. Just loved the experience! 15 people in our "pen", 3 dolphin and 2 trainers. 30 minutes standing on a platform in the water. Bought pictures of each of us with the dolphins and the DVD. This was one of the highlites of our trip. We really enjoyed Chankanaab as well - the park is beautiful and everything was very clean. Would do this again!
Castaway Cay is the ultimate! My only complaint is that you don't have enough time there!!!
Debarkation and Customs
You have to get off the ship way too early in the morning
out of your stateroom by 8:00 AM. We found our luggage quickly, thanks to some bright yellow pom poms my DM made for each of our suitcases. A porter helped us and we were through customs so fast I wondered if it was legal!
Budget Car Rental was a little on the slow side. They had two shuttles running and we were lucky we were the only ship in. The older gentlemen is still working there and is very slow. If another ship was in and you were trying to catch an early flight out, this might be a problem.
Radisson Resort at the Port was nice. $175 for the 2 King beds whirlpool suite with hide a bed couch. Was fine for the 6 of us. The pool and grounds were very nice, the room a little on the noisy side - could hear doors slamming, etc. Next time would like to try Ron Jon's instead.
Best Bets:
*Buying a "Passporter"
*Reading the Dis boards
*Having a Dis Board Meet - we had 10 - 12 families attend. Lots of great folks, some were on our excursions, which added to the fun. We got together again for Pirate Night. Very fun!
*Over the door shoe holder came in very handy. Could find everything.
*Plastic zip lock bags and ordering sandwiches from room service. Did this on excursion days and it was very helpful not to have to worry about finding food.
*Bought the DCL insulated bag to carry our sandwiches in. $10.00. Very handy.
Didn't re-book.
Next trip will be to Disney World for a week, hopefully in 2007. Maybe after that a Disney Cruise in 2009. But we WILL go again!
My thanks to all of you. This trip wouldn't have been what it was without all of the helpful advice I got here. If I can help anyone, please le me know!
Lynn / LostGirls
Got an upgrade!
Found out before we left home, from catagory 9, deck 2 to catagory 5 deck 7. Had a verandah and LOVED it! Booked 14 months out through a local TA here in Washington.
Hyatt at MCO
Got a senior rate (because my paretns were with us) of $123. Beautiful hotel, great service and SO convenient - especially since our plane ws 1 1/2 hours late and by the time we got to our room it was after 10:00 PM. Would definitely stay there again.
Florida Tours
picked us up at 9:00 AM. Prompt and courteous. Clean van, had car seat and booster for the kids as requested. Paid $120.00 plus tip. Got teary when I first saw the ship!
We were the third family in line at the Port, had to wait at the gate as the terminal wasn't open yet. That was fine - recognized a fellow DIS board member and time flew as we chatted. Once inside check in was quick. We took turns walking around the terminal and ran into more Dis board members.
Next thing I knew we were boarding, our names were announced and I got goose bumps - we were finally there!! Deposited DH and DD's on a couch and went to make Palo ressies. Got first choice for dinner (Tuesday) and brunch (Thursday). Had APL rotation. Went to Top Siders and sat outside to have lunch. Went to make Spa reservations - should've gone right after Palo ressies were made, all I wanted was a Well Being Massage and booked it for 10:00 AM on Key West day. Not my first choice, but it was fine. Kinda hard to decide when to do it, not wanting to interfere with character Bfast or brunch ressies.
Stateroom 7608 & 7610
We received these rooms as an upgrade and were very happy to get the verandah. Wouldn't re-book them, as I felt they were a little noisy due to being so close to the elevators. Water pressure in 7608 was really low, but not in 7610. Made a comment about it on the survery. Really liked Deck 7 and being Aft. Never had more than 4 foot seas (I don't think), but was a little surprised at how much movement we felt - but it didn't bother any of us. The Secret Deck 7 was great - and it was almost always empty!
Family of the Week
The pixie dust continued on Sunday morning when we woke up with a note on our door saying we had been chosen as Family of the Week. This meant
daily surprises from room service - chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, cheese platter, etc. Could also order off the dining rooms menus and have it delivered to our room, but never did.
Key West
met family and friends for brunch. The new Pirate Museum was a little spendy at $12.95 per adult, a little on the small side but VERY well done! The "real" pirate inside is a dead ringer for Capt. Jack Sparrow - I did a double take, thinking it was Johnny Depp! He had the voice down and everything.
Sea Days
The pools were crowded, no big surprise. I believe the Mickey pool was closed 3 times during our trip due to potty accidents. I liked being up on deck 10 at the goofy pool as you could hear live music. The adult pool was heaven, the very few times I got to enjoy it!
Kids Clubs
My DD 7 like the club better than the lab. My DD 3 wasn't keen on being there without her big sister. We went to Palo for brunch and my parents took DD 3 to the club - they let DD 7 stay, even though her group was in the lab. The counselors are VERY accomodating. It doesn't hurt to ask!
Not to be missed , as far as DD & is concerned, making "Flubber" and the "Graduation" show - they get Mickey graduation hats and T-shirts. A little hard to make the Graduation show as the kids must be in the club by 4:00 and that's on Castaway Cay day (had to leave by 3:00ish to get her showered, etc.)Shows were great! Golden Mickey's and Disney Dreams are not to be missed!! Especially Dreams!
Grand Cayman - Capt. Marvin's
Booked the Sting Ray City Tour with Capt. Marvin's. $88.00 (for the 4 of us). Very nice boats, great staff. The weather was windy and the seas were choppy, which was disappointing. Should've taken sea sick meds - didn't get sick, but was close! DD 3 was a little scared of the rocking boat and didn't get in the water. DD 7 did and did great, despite getting knocked around by the waves a bit. I was a little intimidated by the size of the sting rays. Got in the water, but hung back from the crowd. One lady on our boat was stung - just too many people and the rays swarming around. They poured vinegar on her wound and I guess that helped (I wasn't even aware it happened, my husband told me about it, so it must not have been too big of a deal).The crew brough a small sting ray to the back of the boat for the little kids to see and touch (who didn't get into the water). Very thoughtful! Would definitely recomend them! The island has lots of damage still visible from hurricane(s).
Cozumel, Dolphin Discovery, Chankanaab Park
At almost $100 per person, this was pretty steep, but SO worth it! Booked though Disney. Just loved the experience! 15 people in our "pen", 3 dolphin and 2 trainers. 30 minutes standing on a platform in the water. Bought pictures of each of us with the dolphins and the DVD. This was one of the highlites of our trip. We really enjoyed Chankanaab as well - the park is beautiful and everything was very clean. Would do this again!
Castaway Cay is the ultimate! My only complaint is that you don't have enough time there!!!
Debarkation and Customs
You have to get off the ship way too early in the morning
out of your stateroom by 8:00 AM. We found our luggage quickly, thanks to some bright yellow pom poms my DM made for each of our suitcases. A porter helped us and we were through customs so fast I wondered if it was legal!Budget Car Rental was a little on the slow side. They had two shuttles running and we were lucky we were the only ship in. The older gentlemen is still working there and is very slow. If another ship was in and you were trying to catch an early flight out, this might be a problem.
Radisson Resort at the Port was nice. $175 for the 2 King beds whirlpool suite with hide a bed couch. Was fine for the 6 of us. The pool and grounds were very nice, the room a little on the noisy side - could hear doors slamming, etc. Next time would like to try Ron Jon's instead.
Best Bets:
*Buying a "Passporter"
*Reading the Dis boards
*Having a Dis Board Meet - we had 10 - 12 families attend. Lots of great folks, some were on our excursions, which added to the fun. We got together again for Pirate Night. Very fun!
*Over the door shoe holder came in very handy. Could find everything.
*Plastic zip lock bags and ordering sandwiches from room service. Did this on excursion days and it was very helpful not to have to worry about finding food.
*Bought the DCL insulated bag to carry our sandwiches in. $10.00. Very handy.
Didn't re-book.
Next trip will be to Disney World for a week, hopefully in 2007. Maybe after that a Disney Cruise in 2009. But we WILL go again! My thanks to all of you. This trip wouldn't have been what it was without all of the helpful advice I got here. If I can help anyone, please le me know!
Lynn / LostGirls
Thanks for the great review. My 
