Our Thanksgiving Fantasy - Nov 22-Dec 1 - COMPLETE!!

[jecskc]

Thanks for the email.
I miss castaway cay ! I forget how lucky we were last trip when we double dipped

I know. The double dip was so great. Do they even do those any more? I would do one again for sure.

 

[DSRMary]

Castaway Cay is my favorite place EVER! It is just so relaxing and beautiful. We've reserved a cabana for our cruise in April and I'm so excited!!! Loving the TR! Don't want it to end!

 

[jecskc]

Castaway Cay is my favorite place EVER! It is just so relaxing and beautiful. We've reserved a cabana for our cruise in April and I'm so excited!!! Loving the TR! Don't want it to end!

I would love to reserve one of those Cabanas, but dang they are expensive. I can't justify the cost. I would try and do it if I had the money though.

 

[scottny]

Great updates and pics.

The island looks so pretty.

 

[MEK]

DD looks like she is having a great time on those slides!

DS looks like he is having a great time hanging out with his new friend, although I think he might be a little over dressed for CC. Kids!

That is a good rule they have about not letting kids under 18 off the boat. I like that.

 

[jecskc]

Great updates and pics.

The island looks so pretty.

It is very beautiful. I wish I were there right now.

DD looks like she is having a great time on those slides!

She loved the slides !!

DS looks like he is having a great time hanging out with his new friend, although I think he might be a little over dressed for CC. Kids!

He is waaaay too cool for a bathing suit or anything like that. He made some nice friends on the boat that he still keeps in touch with via Facebook and other social media. And texting. There is always texting.

That is a good rule they have about not letting kids under 18 off the boat. I like that.

We liked it, too. DS really enjoyed his independence on the boat and we were fine with that. But getting off the boat without one of us was an entirely different matter.

 

[jecskc]

Day 8 – part 3

For those of you cruising soon, here is a map of the island.



When I last updated, DD was done riding the slides and DH had gone back to the boat to get DS so he could hang out with his friends.

DD and I decided we needed some lunch, so we head over to Cookies BBQ to get some grub.









They have your basic backyard BBQ type foods. Hotdogs, hamburgers, ribs, chicken, slaw, chips, cookies ….. really tasty food.



After that, DD wanted to head back to the boat and see if she could catch ANOTHER viewing of Frozen, so we hopped on the tram back to the front of the island.



It was decorated like a reindeer. Ahhhh – Disney.

When we got back to the front, DD wanted to look around in the shop there, so we did.



We ended up buying a t-shirt for me.





A cover up for DD. She calls them a “towel dress” which I think is cute.



And a key chain for DD as well.



I just loved all of their beachy décor. I took several photos.











Then we headed back to the boat. But not without taking several photos on the way. DH stayed to keep up with DS and make sure he got back to the boat OK. I don’t think they let them back ON the boat either without a parent present, so I think that is why he stayed. I want to say that this was about 2 or 2:30 PM. All aboard was 4:45 PM. So I wanted to stay and enjoy the beach, but DD wanted to go back and see Frozen again – sigh. Anyhoodle – photos on the way back—



DD loves Olaf













I love this one –

 

[jenseib]

I too have taken 40+ pictures from the ship to the tram.
Disney has a from that allows kids to get off the ship. I actually have it in a folder on my computer.

This is basically what is says.
UNACCOMPANIED ASHORE Caribbean Ports of Call
I represent that I am the parent or guardian of the child/children listed below who are under the age of 18 and hereby authorize the listed children to debark the ship unaccompanied by a parent or guardian in the port(s) I have initialed below. I accept full responsibility for the actions of the children while ashore and release and hold Disney Cruise Line harmless from any and all responsibility or liability arising from the listed children being ashore unaccompanied by a parent or guardian as well as the acts of the children while ashore.

I know many teen parents like to use it. It also has a section to allow them to get off the ship with other adults who you select too.

I love the Christmas decor on the island. That is just so cute.

 

[jecskc]

I too have taken 40+ pictures from the ship to the tram.
Disney has a from that allows kids to get off the ship. I actually have it in a folder on my computer.

This is basically what is says.
UNACCOMPANIED ASHORE Caribbean Ports of Call
I represent that I am the parent or guardian of the child/children listed below who are under the age of 18 and hereby authorize the listed children to debark the ship unaccompanied by a parent or guardian in the port(s) I have initialed below. I accept full responsibility for the actions of the children while ashore and release and hold Disney Cruise Line harmless from any and all responsibility or liability arising from the listed children being ashore unaccompanied by a parent or guardian as well as the acts of the children while ashore.

I know many teen parents like to use it. It also has a section to allow them to get off the ship with other adults who you select too.

I love the Christmas decor on the island. That is just so cute.

Thanks Jen !! That is great info. I was certain there was a form to sign or something, but we were happy to keep that secret from DS so we could be sure of where he was. I am sure that form comes in useful for some parents with older teens, though. I can see myself signing that if my kids were with a group of friends and they were a responsible 16 or 17 years old. I am not sure I would allow them off at a foreign port without us, but Castaway Cay would be fine, I think.

It is so easy to take TONS of photos at Castaway Cay. I just love it there. Loved the Christmas stuff, too.

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Another great update I just can't get over all the great Christmas decorations that they have. It looks so fun.

 

[jecskc]

Another great update I just can't get over all the great Christmas decorations that they have. It looks so fun.

Thanks !! They really did have some great Christmas decorations. Some of them were fun and whimsical and others were just beautiful. All of it was amazing and really got you in a festive mood.

 

[annie170]

Very cute decorations!

I know what movie you'll be buying as soon as it's released on dvd!

I noticed the disney cup in your lunch photo. Did you have to pay separately for the food there, or was it included as part of the cruise?

 

[jecskc]

Very cute decorations!

I know what movie you'll be buying as soon as it's released on dvd!

I know, right? I'm kinda excited to see it again myself.

I noticed the disney cup in your lunch photo. Did you have to pay separately for the food there, or was it included as part of the cruise?

All of the food at Cookies BBQ was included. You could have as much as you want. There was ice cream, too. It was good !!

 

[marDgreen88]

All caught up! I think it's just awesome that you were able to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal in the middle of the ocean! And the ship looks absolutely gorgeous. If I ever do a Disney cruise, I'm definitely hoping it's on the Fantasy! I didn't know they did an on-board gingerbread house! Seriously, Disney is the best.

 

[jecskc]

All caught up! I think it's just awesome that you were able to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal in the middle of the ocean! And the ship looks absolutely gorgeous. If I ever do a Disney cruise, I'm definitely hoping it's on the Fantasy! I didn't know they did an on-board gingerbread house! Seriously, Disney is the best.

Hey Marissa !! It really was lovely. I agree - Disney IS the best !!

 

[tazdev3225]

Caught up. I am ignoring TR's this week.

The island looks like a fun way to spend the day. I have been talking to my husband an I may have convinced him to ink about a cruise. Only problem is he hates the beach and does NOT want to go to Mexico. Not sure what we will do yet but I am pushing.

 

[jecskc]

Caught up. I am ignoring TR's this week.

The island looks like a fun way to spend the day. I have been talking to my husband an I may have convinced him to ink about a cruise. Only problem is he hates the beach and does NOT want to go to Mexico. Not sure what we will do yet but I am pushing.

There is plenty to do besides go to the beach - TRUST me. You could got see the ruins, I heard people really enjoyed that.

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[MEK]

Love the last picture of DD. So cute!

Thanks for posting the map. I will be there next October. I'm actually on a double dip cruise which should be a lot of fun!

 

[jecskc]

Great update!

thanks wiigirl

Love the last picture of DD. So cute!

Thanks, I love it, too. Snoap everywhere !!

Thanks for posting the map. I will be there next October. I'm actually on a double dip cruise which should be a lot of fun!

We did a double dip last year and it was awesome. You had the chance to go back and do the stuff you missed the first time. And to tell the truth - some of those foreign ports in Mexico and the Caribbean really aren't all that great.