October 27th eastern cruising around the moon

[howleyfamily]

Our trip actually started on Oct.24th...we had 6 people in our party..DW Donna..DH Mike...DD Jenni..DS Michael2..and grandparents Alice and Dan..well our first day started crazy we were up at 500am to get ready for a 800am flight from Allentown to Sanford, Florida...Anyway we had 15 bags to try and fit into our minivan....It wasnt gonna happen...way too much..so I packed up another car and we took 2 cars to airport in driving rainstorm...We got to airport..wearing shorts and tshirts and temp was around 50..lugged all the luggage in and just made it...Donnas parents had never been on a plane before so they were very nervous....We arrived in Sanford at 1015am and went to Alamo for rental car..they found a Toyota Sienna that fit all 6 of us and all the luggage..so Donna was happy we got 1 vehicle and did not have to follow each other around..We had a house rented in Kississimee about 40 minutes from airport...It had 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and its our pool....we unpacked and jumped into pool...the first night we just went out to dinner then chilled.

 

[howleyfamily]

Our next day Thursday the 25th we went to Seaworld..we were one of the first people at park..it was warm but not too hot...it was our first time there so it was fun.. the kids and me sat up front for the dolphin show and Shamu show and we got soaked...DH sat up top with her parents and took pictures..
overall a very good day...when we got back to house me and the kids ran through house and jumped right into pool..it was funny...next stop the highlight of the whole trip Discovery Cove.

 

[howleyfamily]

We arrived at 830am..they gave a tour of the park..then sent us to get breakfast..informed us that dolphin swim was at 955am..so we had some time before then..The park has a very large freshwater heated pool..with a winding river leading around the edge of park..as you float down the river it goes through a waterfall into the Aviary..where you can feed hundreds of birds and some small deer..they also have a stringray pool that is only knee deep where the kids could feed the stringrays...they also have a very large coral reef area with lots of different tropical fish and where you can snorkel...After the dolphin swim you can do whatever you like whenever you like...They provided sunscreen..towels..lockers...snorkel gear and vests...all the food..breakfast, lunch and snacks...drinks including beer and winecoolers...a 7 day Seaworld pass was included...overall a very relaxing day with service on par with Disney...very nice beach area..they also only allow 1000 guest per day so it never felt crowded...even though weather was overcast..it was a very nice day in water and out of water..Next Day Saturday October 27th The Magic

 

[howleyfamily]

We arrived at terminal around 11am...porters took all our bags at curb and I parked the van while everyuone else waited inside....very organized and lots of people where there ahead of us..we seen lots of Green disers shirts in Terminal...we were all wearing ours too...checkin was very smooth and less than 1/2 hour..we had number 7 boarding pass..we got on around 1215pm and they announced us as we entered..they also said the green family after seeing our shirts....they tried to direct us to Topsiders, but we went right pass and down hall to Parrot Cay...DH brought a water package in Promenaude lounge on the way...Lunch was very good and we went right to cabin afterwards...luggage started arriving , 1 at a time almost every 5 minutes..everything there, nothing missing..cabins 6536 and 6538 were very nice <cat. 6> and balconies were very nice..we had no problem storing empty suitcases..Dh then told me there was no tuxedo..we had ordered it to be there when we arrived...after safety drill..up to deck 9 for sailaway party...also tuxedo was there when we returned from safety drill..we had brought bubbles to use during party..but my teenagers thought it was uncool, there was a family in front of us with little children and we gave them the bubbles...then back to cabins to get ready for 600pm dinner..tonight is was at Lumieres.

 

[howleyfamily]

Before I forget, me and my son Michael went to Dis meet at family pool at 300pm..we met lots of dissers, Kim, Vital, Padisney couple, Melanie and Eric...Dizzi and her family..Pam and her family...we didnt get involved with Disser activities as we had extended family along and we were learning as we went as this was our first cruise, but it was nice to know other people onboard....we decorated our door and got lots of good comments..Thanks to everyone who wrote on the board..anyway back to Lumieres..we did not see our stateroom host at all...Okay Lumieres was where we met our great server Dobrinka from Bulgaria..and so so assistant Percy from Peru...also met Marco, great head server...food was excellent and I tried escargot..it must be a aquired taste..I just could not eat them knowing what it was ...We skipped the show as my daugther and my DMIL were feeling seasick, during dinner seas were getting rough..me and my DS went up to play basketball..wow it was rough and everytime you put your foot down the deck it wasnt there...weird feeling...My DS then went to the stack<were he stayed till 100am..we were exhausted at about 1000pm so went to bed early...next day Sea day.

 

[howleyfamily]

Started out early with breakfast at Topsiders..very windy..but sunny..plates and cups were flying around everywhere..lol...DD was feeling better but DMIL was very ill...we ditched the kids and headed out to wavepool..LOL...the pool was rocking and rolling..but it was fun too...when we got back there was a bag from Melanie and Eric with moonpies for the kids..very thoughtful..thanks guys...kids went and were doing their own thing..we explored ship..DH got a gold chain at Treasure Ketch...then at 100pm I went to Diversions and watched the Eagles game with about 10 other Eagles fans< they won>...after we got ready for dinner....Next Animators Palate

 

[howleyfamily]

We enjoyed dinner here, but we were a little let down..I think we expected too much from the light display ..again food and service was great...It was also formal night..we went to the show Twice Charmed ...very good show..but walking down the aisle with rocking seas was a challenge...almost fell...how they arent falling on stage is a miracle...we went up to deck to look for full moon..but it was too cloudy and windy...we went back to cabin to sleep..next day Sea Day #2

 

[howleyfamily]

Today was our Palo brunch day..the kids went to topsiders...Palo brunch was good..our server was Girish from India..he was very nice and put some things for us to try together and brought them to table ...the stollen bread was awesome..at the same time the dis group was in private room at Palo..the food was good, but very fancy...also the pizza was very good...when we left we saw Eric on deck 10, and chatted a little..the seas were still rough, but we must be getting used to it....we found out that our scheduled excursion in St. Marteen was cancelled...so we just decided to go to beach and shop in St. Marteen...another relaxing day around ship...dinner was at Parrot Cay..DMIL was feeling lots better after Palo, dinner was at Parrot Cay..then the show Disney Dreams..very good..again we were tired..early to bed..next up St. Marteen

 

[howleyfamily]

I woke up early and was out on balcony as ship silently slid into harbor..It was very pretty seeing the island as we crept in...we were the first cruise ship there..I think that 3 more came in after us...I think what woke me so early was the fact that ship wasnt rocking anymore..so I woke everyone up and we went to breakfast at Topsiders...we ate while they docked ship and then off onto the Island...we went to the water taxi..$5.00 each for whole day..we used it 4 times...anyway we were never in St. Marteen before so we went to beach directly across from the cruise ship area..we rented chairs and umbrellas for $15.00..we stayed about 2 hours..mainly because we did not want to get sunburned this early in trip..water was very warm and beach was very clean..the locals were friendly and we were not harassed to buy things...we went back to ship to change and had lunch onboard then we went shopping...I recommend going across from cruise ship area as these stores were cheaper..the stores as you come off ship are more expensive and more crowded...we were very much done around 5pm and heading back to ship on water taxi, when my DD was looking sad..I asked her what was wrong..she said she wahted to go to a electronic store as our head server Marco had told us they were very cheap...so me and DD jumped off water taxi..while the rest went back to ship..anyway she ended up getting a Ipod very cheap saving over 300.00 and was very happy...she used her own money and I was proud that she was so savy when she brought it..she even haggled..next.pirate night tonight

 

[howleyfamily]

Dinner was at Lumieres and we got special pirate menus and bandannas..the kids dressed up as pirates..and the servers were so into it...after dinner we searched around ship and did some things like arcade, shops, checked out some of the bars..we dont drink much so really just wanted to see inside of them..then up to deck 9 for pirates in the caribbean party..it was loud..and fun..then the fireworks which were nice..not nearly as loud as on land..the sky looked like it was clearing the moon was peeking in and out..and we were hoping to get some real good weather and a reduction in the rocking and rolling of the ship..wow were we wrong..after party we went to bed, my son began his nightly haunt of the ship and head out to the stack..next day St. Thomas

 

[howleyfamily]

Now the bad thing about St. Thomas is you must get up early and present yourself to immigration..our time was at 715am...but some were alot earlier..we had a early excursion planned so it actually helped get everyone up and moving..we went to the Coral World Semi sub adventure..when we arrived at Coral World they took us to this barge like boat then down inside it was like a submarine..very nice views of fish and we went around the bay...then Coral World which was ok...we then walked down to Coki Beach..wishing we had brought our swimsuits..the weather was ok warm but overcast..the excursion was worth the cost only 49.00 per person..we got back to ship around 1230pm..we didnt really like the area around ship in St. Thomas so we just hung about on ship..dinner was animators palate without the light show..then off to Disney Dreams..my DD was feeling sick again and the seas were rising..it was tough walking around ship..they had a big halloween party tonight also..overall a nice day..next Seaday #3

 

[howleyfamily]

This is when we started hearing we maybe wont go to Castaway Cay...the day was ok weatherwise..warm but overcast and a couple of light showers...but the water was rough..during the day it did not feel too bad...but at night forget it..anyway tonight we went to Palo for our 22nd anniversary dinner..we had also got the REAS package and felt like it was well worth the extra money...we liked Palo and seen Pam and her husband there..our server was Sasha and he was very good...we rushed out and skipped dessert as we want to make the show and the kids were waiting for us..Sasha was trying to make us stay and we did not understand why..here they were preparinga special cake for our anniversary and we did not realize it..they gave it to us the next night..the show was nice..but the sea was really getting bad..during the show they announced that they would decide tomorrow morning if we would go to Castaway or not...we were very upset with the possibility of missing Castaway Cay..next Dissapointment

 

[howleyfamily]

Well I woke early and out on balcony because we were cruising slow and water was calm...I realized we were going to Nassau and was very dissapointed we had done no research on Nassau and really had no idea what to expect.....I then noticed the Magic coming in behind us..a lot of prople were excited about this..but we would have took Castaway Cay over this...we decided to make the best of it and rented a van and driver for a tour and trip to Atlantis..the weather was nice and sunny but you could see water was still rough...we went to a old fort where they had like a flea market set up and then Atlantis which was a beautiful place we were back onboard by 100pm...I dont think I would do Nassau on our own..areas were very scary and locals very pushy..but it turned out to be a nice day..next last night

 

[howleyfamily]

Well during dinner they surprised us with a cake and they all sung to us..it was a nice moment...we went to show then after we packed and settled in...Now the seas that night were very scary and horrible...at times I wondered if something wasnt wrong..it was that bad..anyone who went through this night understands what I mean..I think a lot was caused by the high rate of speed the ship was traveling to get back to Florida..anyway we survived..but with little or no sleep...we had 700am breakfast at Lumieres and disembarkation was painless we left parking lot at 800am...we had 2 more days in Florida so we went down to the keys..overall the cruise was great..we were upset about missing Castaway cay but otherwise it was great...St. Marteen was awesome and St. Thomas was good..but I would never go to Nassau again..the ships food and shows were very good and the service beyond what I expected..We will cruise again but not till 2009...I think it would have been better if our kids were younger we had 2 teenagers so they werent into Disney that much..but they both said they loved the cruise..we took over 400 pictures and have thousands of good memories also we met lots of nice people on the ship and the islands.

 

[Babs417]

Great report I felt the same about comming home and how rough it was, I was up all night

 

[howleyfamily]

After leaving the Magic we drove down to Key Largo..first stopping at Everglades Alligater farm...we checked into the Holiday Inn in Key Largo around 2pm and then went down to Sombrero Beach in Marathon for some beach time we missed by not going to Castaway Cay...the next morning we drove down to Key West to see the Magic docked there..spent the day there and went to Robbies Marina to feed the Tarpons on way back to hotel...on Monday we drove back to Sanford for a 620pm flight back to Allentown and we arrived home around 1000pm...overall it was a great trip..also a very expensive trip..but it was worth it...just wishing we had got to Castaway Cay...well gives us something to plan on in the future.

 

[jns]

Great report
Thanks for sharing

 

[Babs417]

Good job cant wait to do it again

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

Great report!!

I wanna go to Discovery Cove!!



Christine

 

[howleyfamily]

Merry Christmas to all....especially the dissers from Oct. 27th