Mickey's So Long Summer Cruise 2.0

[Mojodisney]

Hey Mojodisney,

Here is a brief recap of my trip:

Got down to Florida four days before the cruise. Had a good time relaxing and we visited MK Sunday evening for the light parade and fireworks

Left Kissimmee at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning so that I wouldn't get to the port too early. Arrived at Budget around 10:30 a.m. and only one person working the counter They only had one shuttle to the port so after waiting until around 11:30 a.m. we decided to share a van with another family to get to the terminal.

By the time we got to the terminal around 12:00 noon they were calling boarding number 22 There was a long line to check in and we got our boarding photo around 12:50 p.m.

The ship is beautiful and the crowds only were noticable at the character greetings and shows. We had RAEER rotation and we loved it. I think that I may want the equal restaurant to Royal Palace on the first night of our 2012 Eastern Carribean Cruise. This is because it is midship deck 3 and you didn't feel much movement as in the other restaurants.

The food was good and sometimes great! Listen to your server's advice. They were on point. The seating is tight in the restaurants. The princesses walked around RP both nights that we were there. They didn't take pictures.

We had connecting 4D staterooms and they were the perfect size for a family of five. My youngest DD started out in the top bunk bed but finished the cruise sleeping in the murphy bed. My middle DD slept in the top bunk the first night but preferred the bottom bunk in her cabin for the rest of the trip.

We had an excellent stateroom host and he gave us ice daily and opened the divider between the cabins for more veranda space. You don't need to bring door stops anymore. The doors have a magnet that keeps them open.

Shows were good but we may miss a few the next time if they are the same in order to enjoy other activities. We went to the Golden Mickey's matinee and went to see "The Help" movie in the evening.

Ate at Cabannas on the last morning, we asked our stateroom host if we could leave our carryon's in one of the cabins if we got back by 8:00 a.m. He said no problem and we were through customs on our way back to budget by 8:30 a.m.

Any other questions

Joe, that is great you had a good trip. I was reading that other people didn't have good stateroom hosts so I'm glad you had a good one.

So here are a few questions : Did Castaway Cay seem more crowded than last year? and How was "the Help"? I've read the book and am excited to see the movie and have heard it is really good.

thanks Joe!

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Joe, that is great you had a good trip. I was reading that other people didn't have good stateroom hosts so I'm glad you had a good one.

So here are a few questions : Did Castaway Cay seem more crowded than last year? and How was "the Help"? I've read the book and am excited to see the movie and have heard it is really good.

thanks Joe!

We got off the Dream late both days. Both times we went all the way to Pelican point. We only ate lunch at Cookies 2 and got back on the ship the first day. The second day we got off around 11:00 a.m. and went bike riding first and then looked for a spot to sit.

It was full at Pelican point so we began to walk back towards the ship and found chairs for a family of five. It began to rain and cleared out more people. The sun came out and then it poured We went back to the ship and wouldn't you know it the sun came out and it didn't rain again for the rest of the day.

The family went to the Aquaduck as soon as we got back on the ship and I video taped them It was about a 20 minute wait.

I really liked "The Help" it was very good but a few things were left out from the book. If you never read the book, you would never know. There was a nice crowd in the Theater but everyone was not on top of each other.

I was told by my servers (both formerly of the Wonder) that 70% of the staff is new to DCL. We lucked up because they were from the Wonder and used to shorter cruises and since they are used to the turnover of passengers. They even asked us what type of pace to serve the food (quick or slow) and if the kids wanted there food earlier or with the rest of the group.

Any other questions

 

[Mojodisney]

Thanks Joe. I think that is all for now. Still hoping we will be able to cruise the Fantasy in 2012, but not looking too good. May try to push it out to 2013.

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Thanks Joe. I think that is all for now. Still hoping we will be able to cruise the Fantasy in 2012, but not looking too good. May try to push it out to 2013.

No problem,

I forgot to talk about Nassau.

We arrived and the Carnival Pride was there. Later the Carnival Sensation arrived.

We got off and went shopping at Del Sol and my wife wanted a wedding band to go with her blue diamonds that she got in St. Martin

We negotiated a great price because nobody else was buying at Venetian's Jewelry that day. We went back to the ship to take our bags and to prepare to go to Atlantis. A member of my church knows people in Nassau and she got us free day passes to Aqua Adventure

We took the ferry to Paradise Island round trip and will never do that again. While the views were great, I can't swim and the boats didn't look the safest

On our way back to the Dream, my DD 19 can't find her passport She knows she brought it with her and it may have fell out at Atlantis

Since we took bags back to the ship, I suspect that she left it on the Dream. Me and the youngest DD go to the ship to look while my wife goes to pick up her ring.

We go to the cabin and the passport is sitting on the
desk While we are getting off the ship, my wife is approaching the ship with both girls. She told security that both girls were with her and they kept walking after showing there ktw cards

After quick showers, we were off to dinner

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

This post is about things that I didn't like about the Dream:

Let me start by saying forget about the children's pools. If you want to keep your children alive

Some of the people were very rude. They acted like they were the only one's on vacation.

The elevators aren't big enough for the crowds. Get used to taking the stairs.

When you go up to deck eleven the door ways that used to be two doors wide are now like a door and a half. One door is a full door and the other is a half door that needs to be opened on the inside.

Kids were running the halls late at night because there parents were probably down in the District night club area.

Some of the seats in the balcony of the WD Theatre have visual obstructions.

The buffet breakfast is the same thing everyday. This is probably going to be boring during a 7 night cruise.

No one tells you were to go to get made to order omelets at Cabanas.

Do not go the EG for a buffet breakfast near breakfast closing time. They only have two lines and it can take awhile.

They Head waiters kept telling us the last two nights to put excellent on the dining evaluation. I felt like I was at my service department at the car dealership.

They gave out the tips forms on the 3rd night of a 5 night cruise

The lines for the Character Photos were outrageous some people had to leave because they were late for dinner.

The serving team in the restaurants no longer perform except on the last night when they say thank you for cruising with DCL. In other words, now give us our tips and get off the ship

 

[Mojodisney]

Yup, Michele is flying today. How can you tell? A natural disaster strikes. Our flight is delayed for hours!!!!

Michele, how are you guys doing? Hope you made it home safe with the earthquake and then Irene.

How are all of you doing back East in the aftermath of Irene?

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Just an update about my new job. I went to turn in my ID on Friday afternoon at the School District and while I was still in the building, they called me and told me that my new job started on Monday, August 29th at 9:00 a.m.

Signed my letter of acceptance today and got a few extra $$$ to pay the bills from this cruise

Oldest DD goes to college tomorrow. Was supposed to go last week but the school told her to stay home until after Hurrican Irene.

 

[Mojodisney]

Just an update about my new job. I went to turn in my ID on Friday afternoon at the School District and while I was still in the building, they called me and told me that my new job started on Monday, August 29th at 9:00 a.m.

Signed my letter of acceptance today and got a few extra $$$ to pay the bills from this cruise

Oldest DD goes to college tomorrow. Was supposed to go last week but the school told her to stay home until after Hurrican Irene.

Congratulations Joe!!! Glad the district is smart enough to keep you on staff.

Wishing your daughter a great year at college. Very smart of them to have the kids stay home for the hurricane.

 

[gottolovedisney]

Congratulations Joe!!! Glad the district is smart enough to keep you on staff.

Wishing your daughter a great year at college. Very smart of them to have the kids stay home for the hurricane.

Congratulations on the job!! I am sure Disney will be grateful for your extra pay raise!!!

...did anyone see the thread about disney changing the alcohol on board policy in September....let's hope it is a rumor!

Glad you are OK from the hurricane. We made it through OK, but all around us, within 5-10 minutes, there was severe flooding-- so many people were evacuated and lost everything...so sad.

Michele--I am sure when you have time that you will have lots of wonderful stories about your hurricane experiences....can't imagine working in NYC when disaster strikes.

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Congratulations on the job!! I am sure Disney will be grateful for your extra pay raise!!!

...did anyone see the thread about disney changing the alcohol on board policy in September....let's hope it is a rumor!

Glad you are OK from the hurricane. We made it through OK, but all around us, within 5-10 minutes, there was severe flooding-- so many people were evacuated and lost everything...so sad.

Michele--I am sure when you have time that you will have lots of wonderful stories about your hurricane experiences....can't imagine working in NYC when disaster strikes.

I saw the info about the possible alcohol limit. It seems that the adults are not drinking enough of DCL's booze

I saw one lady take a glass of wine from her room and head towards one of the dining rooms.

On another note, I went to my dry cleaners today and they had a note on the door that they were closed until after Labor Day due to the flooding from the hurricane.

I called the number on the door and told them that they needed to open because they had 12 of my dress shirts for work Since she gets a lot of my money, she stated that should would call me tomorrow to set up a time when I can pick up my clothes

 

[Mojodisney]

On another note, I went to my dry cleaners today and they had a note on the door that they were closed until after Labor Day due to the flooding from the hurricane.

I called the number on the door and told them that they needed to open because they had 12 of my dress shirts for work Since she gets a lot of my money, she stated that should would call me tomorrow to set up a time when I can pick up my clothes

That is what I call customer service. She is probably also happy to get your money to help with the clean up.

 

[gottolovedisney]

That is what I call customer service. She is probably also happy to get your money to help with the clean up.

...wonder what shirt size her husband is..wonder if he "borrowed" anything while they were closed
- think that was a Seinfeld episode for any fans out there....

 

[gottolovedisney]

I saw the info about the possible alcohol limit. It seems that the adults are not drinking enough of DCL's booze

I saw one lady take a glass of wine from her room and head towards one of the dining rooms.

On another note, I went to my dry cleaners today and they had a note on the door that they were closed until after Labor Day due to the flooding from the hurricane.

I called the number on the door and told them that they needed to open because they had 12 of my dress shirts for work Since she gets a lot of my money, she stated that should would call me tomorrow to set up a time when I can pick up my clothes

Anyone that thinks passengers didn't drink enough of DCL's booze didn't hang out with Michele and Cigy

 

[Mojodisney]

Anyone that thinks passengers didn't drink enough of DCL's booze didn't hang out with Michele and Cigy

Knowing Michele, that was ontop of what they brought on. The DCL bartenders know her by name and greet her with hugs when she boards.

 

[LuvsBlueDiamonds]

All right people... I'm alive... and kicking!

I will do a trip report... nothing fancy.. my thoughts on WDW/DCL/WDW.

Yes, we flew home after the quake... arrived 2am Wednesday morning in Smalbany.

Emails start flying from my network... Hurricane. Gee, ya think???

Spent less than 48 hours home... Jetted to NYC. Spent 4 days in NYC trapped like a rat thanks to Scamtrak.

Cigy's family rescued me Monday... spent the night with them... slowly made my way back home Tuesday.

Shocking...back in NYC today!

 

[LuvsBlueDiamonds]

As far as the new alcohol policy goes... somehow i feel personally responsible for the changes.

Oh Lord, Meridians and me... a match made in heaven!!!

However... i had plenty of help from my friends... mostly being carried back to my room one night. Thanks Cigy, didn't mind walking in those heels!

 

[LuvsBlueDiamonds]

For those of you on the boat... (sorry Mojo, we missed you so much)!!!

Did you hear the horn blow twice when we left Castaway Cay on Saturday (our last stop)?

Yup, that was me/us. I was lucky enough to get a tour of the bridge with some of our MSLSC. Honestly, the highlight of the trip for me. Captain Henry asking me blow the horn leaving CC, but I wanted all to share in the excitement...

So... he tells us when to press the button so we can leave CC...

Nothing happens... the doors and windows were shut on the bridge for safety... and we never heard the horn. Looking sad and pathetic... he let us do it again.

Yup, only we would screw up an opportunity of a lifetime!!!

Some pics from the bridge... must courtesy my friend Mrs. Cigy...

 

[gottolovedisney]

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Back To school!

tomorrow is the big day for us....I am happy to get them back into a routine, but am dreading all the homework as much as they are!! am keeping my fingers crossed for a stress-free year!!!

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Way to go Michele and Cigy7. We heard both horns as we were on the verandah video taping us leaving CC.

I must admit that I was impressed that the Captain and Ray the CD went out of their way the whole cruise to speak to everyone they passed

I even went up to deck 13 on the Sea Day to video tape all of the horns being played at noon

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Where is everyone going for vacation next summer

We are on the Fantasy for the August 25th cruise