Once upon a time a family took a WONDERful 4-day cruise..5/17/09 5/21/09

[srethlake]

Every great story starts with once upon a time, every great cruise should start the same way. I will give a summary of our daily notes in the near future. Overall we had a great experience. Few glitches along the way but most of them were our fault.
Here is a quick background of the O-H-I-O cruisers. Moi- been on 8 cruises but my first with Disney. DH- been on 7 cruises but never a Disney cruise. I brought my 3-year-old wild boy on his first cruise who enjoyed himself more then you know! I will bring daily updates and some of the glitches in the near future. I will also answer any question you may have. My biggest tip is to RELAX and enjoy the magic.

 

[frdeb1999]

Welcome back!! Looking forward to hearing more!!

 

[LC30]

Every great story starts with once upon a time, every great cruise should start the same way. I will give a summary of our daily notes in the near future. Overall we had a great experience. Few glitches along the way but most of them were our fault.
Here is a quick background of the O-H-I-O cruisers. Moi- been on 8 cruises but my first with Disney. DH- been on 7 cruises but never a Disney cruise. I brought my 3-year-old wild boy on his first cruise who enjoyed himself more then you know! I will bring daily updates and some of the glitches in the near future. I will also answer any question you may have. My biggest tip is to RELAX and enjoy the magic.

Hey there! We missed you at the meet. But am looking forward to hearing about your trip and comparing our stories. I don't know about you guys but my 2.5 year old was wild and crazy! Up early each morning ready to go and not wanting to nap or go to bed. So we really got to enjoy lots of things. Catch up soon!

 

[srethlake]

We were one of the crazy ones that were forced to wait to fly out until the day of the cruise thanks to a dance recital scheduled for the previous day. Although cute and fun, I would rather have enjoyed some relaxation and sunshine the prior day.
Tip: Listen to what disboarders say, fly out the previous day and stay in a hotel!
We finally arrived in Jacksonville around 10:00 am the day of the cruise. I am sure many of you have kids. Although my husband is a pretty much a wannabe race car driver, my son's bladder and boredom still prevented us from arriving to the port before 1:30 pm. Listening to board tips, DH dropped off rental car at Avis while I checked in.
Tip: Again, good tip from board, Leave him with driver's license and Take the passport from one member of party, have them return the car, and the rest of the party head to terminal.
LET THE LINES BEGIN.
Tip: Have patience at while checking in.
You first have your ID's checked while entering the gate.
Next you stand in a security line
Once you make it in the terminal, you stand in another line to complete check in.
No real direction from staff, but did remember on boards you can check your kids in on the ship or in the terminal. 3-year-old on verge of melting down from excitement (one of many-lucky us). If line, I would bypass checking him in on head to the ship. Not much of line, still waiting for DH for 40 minutes so figure head that way. Pick-up our pager (do not lose, most expensive thing you will buy from cruise that doesn't have the mouse on it-lucky us we did not lose), get asked a few questions and head back to meeting place (ship model) to wait for DH who shows about 10 mintues later. Get photo pictures taken quickly and board ship. Announce names- decided to have them say "Kaden's family" (in attempt to keep the beast from coming out) and head PC for lunch after 2:00. By this time we are STARVING...I tried the strawberry soup (very tasty!!) and light food to hold over until dinner in PC later that night. As LC stated we missed the meet and greet much to my dismay. I figured we were going to be late and as a result I think some of my fish extenders were delivered to surprised guests. Luckily someone put a note in our FE on room changes (thank you).
TIP- Do FE, yes delivering can be a pain, but I am not sure if we just had a really GREAT group but my son made out like a bandit! Seriously, we were spoiled to the max! Thanks to each of you!!
Coming-up: Call nanny 911, my kid is "cheeky" in the club..rain rain in Castaway Key...

For all those fellow cruisers it is STILL raining here in Jacksonville as we remain in town for a wedding this weekend. Then the post-cruise-vacation depression will start.

 

[MagicMe]

Can't wait to hear your take especially since you are experienced on other cruise lines.

 

[Narnia_girl]

thanks for posting such a current report!! I'm looking forward to hearing more.

I have a question: when your DH drops you at the terminal to return car, where/when do the luggage get unloaded? Do they go with you into terminal for check in?

 

[srethlake]

thanks for posting such a current report!! I'm looking forward to hearing more.

I have a question: when your DH drops you at the terminal to return car, where/when do the luggage get unloaded? Do they go with you into terminal for check in?

Great question. We actually handed it over to the baggage attendant who scooted them off directly to the ship. We didn't see them again until they arrived to our stateroom.

 

[srethlake]

Life boat drill is one of those necessary evils. I will say that Disney is the most organized and quick drill I experienced. I am not sure if we just had a good boat of people who did what they were told to do, or it was the crew. Very quick and painless!!

Sail away
Although the weather was warm we had a lot of fun, very crowded. We did head-up to find on of our meetings on deck 10 but I couldn't remember left or right side. We were on the right of the screen and didn't see anyone that looked familiar but I looked hard..Bummed. The party was cute and my son had a really good time. We had bubbles as someone recommended and brought a streamer for my son to wave but was blowing in people's faces. I decided not to make enemies on day one of the journey! There were a few rude people who tried to push their way in front of my son, but I just smiled and remembered "I am on vacation"!! Compared to other cruises I think Disney really won again" got the party going".
Meal time:
I thought the food on the trip was good. Mind you, I am pregnant with twins so I right my tastes are sort of wacky.
I had the following for dinner that night:
Jamaican-Marinated Chicken Tenderloins- they were very tender and good
Cream of Mango Soup- I really liked this cold soup, reminded me of a sorbet/mousse.
Glazed Portobello Mushrooms- it was ok
Lemon Meringue Pie- I like the small portion, I was so full by the end of dinner

We met our dinner mates who actually were truly wonderful; they had a 4-year old boy who was well-behaved compared to my son. They shared our Archos (form of dvd player without the DVD's) during dinner. The meals seem to last forever for the kids he was bored very quickly. We became fast friends with our tablemates and were lucky to be paired with them! More on that later.

I do need to agree with some other posters, I think other cruise lines provide better selection and food then Disney, but it is still good. Our waiters didn't seem to push more then one entree until we went Palos which was very good!

Golden Mickeys were good and my son actually enjoyed every show and it did capture a 3-year-old attention.

Off to bed as we were exhausted.

I will try to post some photos later.

 

[srethlake]

The sun was out today, which is more then I can say in Castaway...

The next morning we had a planned wake-up call to hear Mickey's voice and catch and early breakfast to watch us pull into Nassau. We had been to Nassau before and had not planned to leave the ship long. I had to get my passport renewed this year so I figure I would have it stamped so it didn't look untouched. We had breakfast at the buffet. I found the breakfast burritos to be my favorite along with all the tasty fresh fruit I was growing accustomed to. We figured as we pulled into port we would let the boy go for a swim in the Mickey pool anticipating less crowds. Now, I would say our ship was pretty full. We tried to hit the pool right at opening until it started to become crowded day two and day 4. This worked out well for us. We had about 1.5 hours of pool time each day with the ability of moving around the pool!
Tip: Go to the pool right when it opens, you are likely to get least amount of crowds that early.
We decided to walk into Nassau to do a little shopping and then promptly return to the ship for a light lunch (Palo tonight).
DS wanted to head back to play in the club. He attended the Do is Do with Snow White and really enjoyed that. I thought we were pushing our luck that day with no nap, and boy was he "cheeky" in the club. While playing with one of the cast members he actually bit one. I was mortified. We picked him up during dinner and I was extremely apologetic as this is not in his nature and inappropriate. I luckily brought a GC's with me as thank yours to random crew members. I gave this man an itunes card and apologized. He was very kind and understanding and I was just glad it wasn't another kid and told me it happens every day!!

Random note: I also brought little treat bags of candy to give random cast members throughout the trip thanking them for all their effort and hard work. Everyone was very appreciative. I had my DS pass them out from officers, characters, kids club cast members, and even crews cleaning around the ship. I felt as if I was bringing a little sunshine to their day. I hope we did!! They work so hard!!

We headed to the early show of Toy Story. I thought the show was ok, the costumes were very cute and the cast members of the production work so hard. I am so glad to see they had a standing ovation at the end of the show. I definitely don't think this was my favorite show the entire cruise.

Decided to send him to the nursery at while at Palo as this boy required SLEEP!!
Palo was very tasty. If my husband wavered on the an item to order they brought him both. I think after two deserts he was stuffed!! They also brought me a congratulations plate after I told him as much as I wanted wine, I couldn't drink due to the pregnancy. I said it so randomly that I am surprised he remembered.
Tonight I ate:
Mozzarella and Plum Tomatoes- good- not great
Chicken Braciola- the waiter tried to talk me out of this but decided to stick with my choice, I liked it!
Chocolate Soufflé with vanilla bean- OMG- that was absolutely wonderful! DO ORDER THE SOUFFLÉ, YOU WON'T REGRET THIS!!

The nursery went ok. I guess they finally gave him a blanket 1/2 hour before we got there and he curled-up in a corner and went to sleep. I was hoping they would have done that earlier, but he was still on sensory over-load.

Off to bed, little did I know the next day was monsoon day on Castaway!

 

[Granny Hawkins]

Enjoying your report. Will check back later.

 

[LC30]

Wasn't the rain something? But it cleared up to be a nice day for us that afternoon.

 

[jessrose18]

do you have to have a passport to get off the ship in nassau?? how about to take the cruise?? thanks, last time we cruised it was unnessesary.

 

[srethlake]

do you have to have a passport to get off the ship in nassau?? how about to take the cruise?? thanks, last time we cruised it was unnessesary.

Another good question.
You do not need a passport to get off the ship in Nassau, but you do need a picture ID. Passport for cruising, I am not sure, I thought you did need a passport after a certain date. You were right, I didn't need mine on previous cruises, I just travel overseas with my job so I have always had a passport or and Visas. Post that question on the main page and someone who is wise can help you,

 

[Carol G]

Great TR, enjoying reading and looking forward reading more.

Passports are needed as of June 1, 2009 (tomorrow) I also understand they take another mug shot when you go on board for DCL security info. Is this true? :

How did you like coming back to the Buckeye weather? Can't wait til my cruise...

 

[srethlake]

Disney Terminal

[/IMG]

Hello Disney Wonder

Sail Away Party

DS & DH at Party on Deck 10

 

[srethlake]

Atlantis from the Ship:

Nassau from Ship:

We were upgraded to a category 9 I believe. We had two port holes on deck 1. No problems what-so-ever! I haven't seen too many photos of these cabins so here you go!

 

[srethlake]

Stage Area in Oceaner's Club:

 

[srethlake]

Great TR, enjoying reading and looking forward reading more.

Passports are needed as of June 1, 2009 (tomorrow) I also understand they take another mug shot when you go on board for DCL security info. Is this true? :

How did you like coming back to the Buckeye weather? Can't wait til my cruise...

Yes, as if your passport photo isn't bad enough, you do get your photo taken for security. I can honestly say I never saw this picture. I think it pulled it up as you boarded the ship from port. I don't personally like photos so I didn't sneak a look at all.

I have to be honest, it rained almost the entire time we were in Florida so coming back to sunshine and 70 -80 degrees was a nice change for once. I don't think you will hear me say that about Ohio weather!

Enjoy your cruise! I am very jealous!