Our 1st Cruise - Disney Dream/WDW/Legoland -Nov 30-Dec 8, 2011 (Updated 1/5/2012)

[mjbradeis]

Well we somehow made our way through the throngs of cabdrivers/tour guides getting yelled at and chased down by a lady named “Beverly” as in Beverly Hills who wanted to braid the girl’s hair. We walked to Hard Rock and decided that we had seen enough of Newark with Palm trees and made our way back to the Dream. I think we lasted a total of 20 minutes in Nassau.

I hope that ports on the Fantasy are better next year because Nassau sure lived up to what everyone on DIS had said about it.

We dropped off the girls at the Oceaneer’s Club for a while and we decided to walk around the ship and enjoy the view of Nassau from the safe confines of Deck 11/12 lol

Two more cruises where headed into the port

We had decided to grab the girls get some lunch and head over the Buena Vista Theater and watch The Muppets Movie, it was really funny and nice to be able to relax and enjoy the movie.

Before we picked up the girls and headed down to the Enchanted Garden for dinner we stopped back at the room and our Pirates Night Bandana’s had been dropped off; on the way to dinner we stopped in the lobby to get a picture with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, and the Christmas tree.

Girls doing their best Pirate Impersonation: ARGGGHHHH

After dinner we enjoyed the Pirates Party

After the Pirates Party we headed back to the room to get the girls changed into their pajamas for Pluto’s PJ Party in the Oceaneer’s Club

It was a quick change after Pluto’s PJ Party to get the girls ready to go see Buccaneer’s Blast Firework’s. Our camera does not do well with night shots so this is the only “good” fireworks picture we got.

After Buccaneer’s Blast Cabanas was open and we grabbed some snacks before heading back to the room for the night

We had prepaid our tips prior to the cruise so our vouchers and envelopes had been dropped off.

Next up Castaway Cay!!!!!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I'm here!! I'm hoping to do DCL (3 night) in either April or Oct of this year!! I've never done a cruise before

Did you have/need passports when you got off in Nassau??

I was wondering if you could come and go off the ship in Nassau but based on what you said in the report..you can! We're looking at maybe the 2 hour historical tour but that would be it.

 

[mjbradeis]

I'm here!! I'm hoping to do DCL (3 night) in either April or Oct of this year!! I've never done a cruise before

Did you have/need passports when you got off in Nassau??

I was wondering if you could come and go off the ship in Nassau but based on what you said in the report..you can! We're looking at maybe the 2 hour historical tour but that would be it.

Glad you find our TR enjoyable, as I had stated this was our first cruise as well. So please feel free to ask questions!

Passport cards where presented at Check In. We where told to put the passport in our stateroom safe, that we would only need photo ID, to re enter the port at Nassau. Passports where not needed again until we disembarked and went through customs.

You can come and go as you please since you are docked and not tendered.

We loved the Dream so much that we booked a trip next December on the Fantasy.

 

[Tracerr00]

Great report so far!! I'm loving this review because I have no idea what to expect on our first cruise. We are traveling with another mom and daughter and they are set on walking around Nassau but my DD and I were not so sure. Now I know for sure that I'm just going to let those two go by themselves while DD and I stay on the ship. So glad I read that!

 

[Tracerr00]

I also forgot to mention that I love seeing the Bitty Baby and the AG doll in all of the photos (I happen to work in HR for AG!).

 

[basketkat]

Loving your trip report so far!! My girls are big AG doll lovers...I love that your girls' dolls sailed too!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[mjbradeis]

Great report so far!! I'm loving this review because I have no idea what to expect on our first cruise. We are traveling with another mom and daughter and they are set on walking around Nassau but my DD and I were not so sure. Now I know for sure that I'm just going to let those two go by themselves while DD and I stay on the ship. So glad I read that!

Thanks for the compliments Tracerr00!! Yeah I was quite surprised how pushy the cabbies, and hair braider's where, it was a definite turn off for us.

I also forgot to mention that I love seeing the Bitty Baby and the AG doll in all of the photos (I happen to work in HR for AG!).

Loving your trip report so far!! My girls are big AG doll lovers...I love that your girls' dolls sailed too!

Can't wait to read more!

Thank you as well basketkat!

Both of my girls are addicted to AG, they where given the choice of bringing one thing with them on all of our trips. DD7 has always brought her Bitty Baby, DD5 just got her AG doll for her birthday in November.

Here is a picture that you will enjoy:

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Loving your report so far! Thanks for sharing!!

We are going on a 4 night cruise on the Dream leaving on April 1, so your report is getting me very excited!

 

[my2disneyboys]

loving your report- your pictures are all so amazing!!! I cant wait to hear/see more!!

 

[mjbradeis]

Thanks all of you are too kind!

 

[mjbradeis]

Castaway Cay – Part 1

I wanted to get an update in; because I am not going to be able to submit another till after the first of the year. (Having some issues with Photobucket, so I am going to try and use Flickr for this update)

Let’s give you a little background on me and the beach, I hate it lol We live very close to the Jersey Shore (no I don’t hang out with Snooki), and I do everything in my power to stay away from the beach. I do not like the sand, I do not like salt water, see where I am going here LOL. Well my DW and DD’s love the beach, and the deal was if they would go on a cruise I would go on Castaway’s Beach.

Loved the warning sign, really excited me about entering the water!

We picked out a good spot on the family beach, was very quiet as we got off early.

And the proof that I was actually on a beach

Castaway Cay to be continued…

Have a Happy and SAFE New Years!!!!

 

[basketkat]

It is so beautiful there!!!

 

[jenseib]

Your girls are just so cute. I have been to Nassau twice. It's ok, but not great. Last time we did a tour that took us to Blue Lagoon so we really didn't have much access to the Bahamians. I'm not sure what we will do this next time.

 

[mjbradeis]

It is so beautiful there!!!

It was like a living postcard!!!

Your girls are just so cute. I have been to Nassau twice. It's ok, but not great. Last time we did a tour that took us to Blue Lagoon so we really didn't have much access to the Bahamians. I'm not sure what we will do this next time.

Thank you very much, I am extremely lucky! We have no plans on going back to Nassau, but if we did I don't see us getting off the ship.

 

[mjbradeis]

Well I hope everyone had a great holiday season!

Only 339 days, 13 hours, 59 minutes, and 31 seconds till we are back at DCL; but who’s counting LOL

Ok let’s pick up where we left off at Castaway Cay:

My DD7 made a hidden mickey on accident, I see future imagineer in the making!

The fish swam right up to you, was truly amazing!

Well I had enough of the beach so we decided to head over to Spring-A-Leak

We all ate lunch together at Cookie’s BBQ Too; thought meal was excellent! Ribs where great!

After lunch we decided to drop DD’s off at Scuttles Cove and head out to Serenity Bay.

After having a Konk Cooler (and falling in love with them!) at Serenity Bay we decided to head back to Heads Up Bar to get some good pictures of the CC with the Dream.

Picked up DD’s at Scuttles Cove and got them a vanilla smoothie in coconut cups

We then made our way back onto the Dream

Castaway Cay was absolutely amazing, and that is coming from a beach hater!!! It truly was like a postcard coming to life!!! Cannot wait till we go back to CC next year!

Next up Royal Palace and the dreaded end to our time on the Dream

 

[basketkat]

What a great day at Castaway Cay!!! You all look so relaxed and like you're having a great time!

 

[LuvEeyore]

Glad you loved Castaway Cay. I hope on our cruise we are able to dock as everyone in our crew will love castaway cay!!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

What a nice day!! I'm not really a beach fan either but I have a feeling I'll love this!! We went to Vero Beach (Disney Resort) last summer and it took me a day before I sat on the beach but once I did, I was a kid again and loved it!!!

How much were the extra drinks you bought? I'm trying to judge how much $$$ I'll need for fruity adult beverages!!!

 

[momtoejanda]

I am with you on the beach hater part. I have a 1 hr tolerance for the beach but I think I could spend days at CC.

Great pictures!!! Keep them coming!

 

[Goldeelox9]

Every DCL trip report I read makes me want to get back on board! Glad you liked Castaway Cay....It's my favorite place on earth!