Hi, I enjoyed reading other peoples' trip reports before I cruised, so I am "paying it forward".
After an approximately 1,200 mile drive, we arrived at the Disney Cruise terminal at about 10:30 AM. The lines were long, but moved rather quickly, and we were placed in group 5 for boarding! The actual boarding process began at about 12:30 PM, and finally we got our pre-cruise photo, and were announced in the main atrium! I immediately went to change my Palo reservation to a Sunday brunch (which I did with no hassle), and my husband took care of getting an extra set of rooms keys, because our family of 5 was in 2 inside staterooms. We set out for deck 9 for Topsiders lunch buffet. My favorite was the chilled mango/orange soup, and the steamed shrimp! My DS 9, opted for pizza from Pinocchio's. I loved having that drink station on deck 9 throughout my cruise! The girls swam in the pools, and my son found a friend and played ping pong. At 3:00 PM, I met my fellow "DIS" board friends in the Promenade lounge. It was great because 2 of my 3 kids met a friend at this meeting, which made their cruise special for them. It was fun to see and recognize people throughout the cruise. At 4:00 PM we had the life boat drill, and at 4:30 the sail away party began! "Upside Down" by the A-teens opened it up, and the Disney characters and a live band partied away! My husband and I enjoyed the "Drink of the Day" a Bahama Mama. At 6:15 we went to the Welcome Aboard show, and enjoyed the comedian, Gary DeLena, and the magician Freddie Fusion. The kids enjoyed the show, too, and we could really feel the ship moving by this point! I checked out the gym after that (you can sign up for free classes during the week in spinning, yoga, and water aerobics), and we got ready for our first dinner in Parrot Cay. I liked Parrot Cay, and loved my entree the first night (grouper with tiny shrimp on top). The crabcake appetizer was good, too. My DD 13 got the ribs, DH got the mixed grill, and DD 11 ordered a steak. My DS 9, ordered off the kid menu. The cream brulee cheesecake was also good! AFter dinner, my younger kids checked out the Oceaneer Lab.
Day 2: We hit Topsiders for breakfast (I miss my Mini Mickey waffles with Strawberry sauce and whipped cream!). There was always enough variety to keep my kids happy. They liked the bacon, hash browns, and cinnamon rolls. My husband and I ate brunch at Palo's today, so we didn't eat with the kids. Our server was Marco, from Italy, and he was wonderful. He brought us dishes to try, liked the pizzas and pasta, and gave us a wonderful tour in the beginning of all the choices. It was one of the highlights of my trip. We went into Key West, and mainly did shopping. Shop around for prices - I bought 2 batik wrap skirts at $4.99, and later found them on Duval street for $2.99 each! We all bought a shirt at Crazy Shirts, which isn't cheap, but the tee shirts are cool! They even had some with a pirate theme, which my DH bought for Pirate night. I found some nice glass dangly earrings that were blue-green, the same color of the caribbean waters! We took the kids to eat lunch at Jimmy Buffet's restaurant, but DH and I were too full from Palos to eat. We also spotted a guy on a motorcycle with a parrot perched atop his head driving down Duval STreet! (Only in Key West!) We went back on the ship in the afternoon, where the girls and I watched the sunset on Deck 10, and then went to watch "Herbie Fully Loaded". DH and DS watched football, and played foosball. Our dinner tonight was at Lumiere's. I had the cod, and the white chocolate domes with raspberry sauce for dessert (delicious!). OUr server, Melanie, also brought us the cream brulee to try. Desserts on this boat were great, in my opinion! Several characters made a quick trip through the dining room, including Daisy and Donald Duck, The mad hatter and the Queen of hearts. MY DD 11 also got a photo taken with Pluto today. I bought a Cruise scrapbook and papers in the onboard store, and 3 eyepatches. DD 11 bought a cute navy DCL tank top. DS 9 went to a sports night with his kid club. DD 11 went to hang out with a friend, and DD 13 went to check out the Stack. Our towel animals tonight were an alligator and a puppy. My kids loved getting these animals each night, as well as the chocolate on their pillow.
Day 3: I actually made it to the gym this morning (had to start working off all those great desserts). I had an omelet at Topsiders (they have a station there where they will make one to order). There is always a variety of fresh fruit on the boat, too, which I love - especially the pineapple! DS went to the lab to make "flubber" , and the rest of us just caught rays on deck 10. Lunch at Parrot Cay was an oriental buffet, where they also did make your own stir fry. I liked the mango mousse dessert. We went to the matinee performance of the Golden Mickeys , which was a good show. Many "broadway" numbers of Disney hits. I did a craft in the afternoon (tile picture frames), and took DD 11 to meet Minnie Mouse (dressed in her Golden Mickey's gown!). DH and DS saw "Sky High" tonight. We got a family portrait taken tonight since we were dressed up. Our formal dinner was at Annimator's Palate. I had maple glazed salmon, and a mocha ice cream sundae for dessert. DS went to a Pinata party in the lab, and the girls hung out with friends. We got a bunny and a snake for our towel animals.
Day 4: Ran this morning on deck 4 for a change of pace. My husband ran here frequently throughout the cruise. We ate at Docksider's again, and prepared for our excursion in the Grand Caymans (reef and shipwreck snorkel). Our first destination was Cheeseburger Reef, where we snorkeled and saw lots of fish, right in view of the Magic. Our next stop was the wreck the Callie, which was a 1945 ship blown up by the British. There were lots of fish, but it wasn't as scenic as I thought. We shopped for awhile afterwards, but the kids were tired, hungry, and cranky. I did go to the post office and get some stamps and mailed some postcards. WE went back to the ship, and ate a late lunch at the various restaurants on DECK 9. There are several good choices, and you can split up and get what you want. I liked the fruit plates and wraps at Goofey's Galley, and felt I was eating healthier. I did 1 load of laundry, and the girls and I went to see "Twice Charmed" which got a standing ovation! We ate in Parrot Cay for the "Master Chef" menu. I liked the seafood with creamy angel hair pasta, and got a chocolate dessert that looked like a swan! STich made a surprise visit to the dining room. The characters are much more accessible on the ship than in the Disney park.
Day 5: Costa Maya: This morning we had our character breakfast in Parrot Cay. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale were all there, and come to visit you at your table. Lots of Photo Ops! Our server, Al, made my DS a "Goofy" hat made of napkins, and DD 13 a peter pan hat. It was such a nice touch. Costa Maya was different. The vendors are quite pushy, and you have to bargain for everything you buy! I got some pottery turtles and lizards, and a nativity set. Me and the girls also got nice silver necklaces here. My DH liked the mayan calenders, and bought one for himself, and a nice leather wallet, too. We took a break, and went back to the ship for lunch. There were 2 other cruise ships in port, so we did not do the pool in the port. It is a seawater pool, and I am kind of a germ-a-phobe, so I would not let my kids swim in it. They did enjoy looking through the tidepools and spotting fish and shells. The beach in port is too rocky for swimming, but I heard the beach excursions were good. Also, you can take excursions to see the Mayan ruins here. We saw Chicken Little tonight, and starting getting dressed for Pirate Night. My DS 9, went all out! The kids got more character autographs, and we all loved the Pirate dinner menu! You get to keep the menu, and a bandana as a souvenier. I stuck with seafood again, and was not disappointed. We went to the deck party, and liked the show and fire works, but with the late dinner seating we were too full to eat anything off the pirate buffet.
Day 6: Overslept today, and hit the gym. Had to take DD 11 to the "princess" autograph and photo session at 10. GET THERE EARLY! I waited and did more laundry, and DS and DH won a foosball tournament. They actually got medals, too! The lunch buffet was seafood. DH and I played BINGO, but alas, did not win. The jackpot of $4,800 was split between 2 people. We watched our kids graduate from the Oceaneer Lab afterwards, and the kids get to keep the t-shirt and mickey ears graduation hat they wear in the show! Tonight's show was Disney Dreams, and it was wonderful. I loved the little mermaid part! WE had a Captain's Gala dinner in Annimator's palate - 3 of us got the lobster tails. The baked clam and grilled shrimp appetizers were both good! 4 of us ordered the chocolate lava cake for dessert - yum! My DH got cherries jubilee, which looked wonderful. Later this evening, there was a dessert buffet in Lumieres. Go just to see the food sculptures, and the chocolate fountain! DS played extreme dodgeball and did a Kim Possible mission with his kid club tonight. DD 11 and I got our photo taken with Goofey in his tuxedo! We got a frog towel, and a monkey hanging from a hanger.
Day 7: Castaway Cay - it truly is paradise. I got up and watched the sunrise this morning - it was stunning from deck 10. I worked out again, and ate my last Mickey waffle at Topsiders!
DD 13 went on a wildside excursion with her fellow teens, and we snorkeled and found Mickey at the family beach. DS also tried the "treehouse" out in the water, and DD 11 got her hair braided. I paid $40 for the crown of her head to have corn rows and beads. It is $2 a braid. I got stamps at the post office - they are so cool - the Disney Magic is on them! We saw so many characters here, and the lines were non existent! we bought some shirts that were on sale at the store, too. The lunch at Cookies bbq was good, and convenient. We settled in on the sports beach - less crowded and had a wonderful day. The weather all week has been sunny and beautiful. We went back to the ship about 3:30 Pm. I went to shutters and finalized my photos. DH went to the debarkation meeting at 4:30. It was MOBBED do this earlier! We had our last dinner, which was sad. I had seafood pasta, and eveyone else had the garlic crusted beef tenderloin. There was a kid that threw up in the dining room next to us, so that was not good! We did give out our tip envelopes tonight, too. Our service during the cruise was great! Eric and Albert took care of our staterooms, and Melanie and Al were our servers. We did have a head server, too, whose name escapes me now. After dinner we were frantically packing up our stuff to get our luggage out side of the cabin by 11 PM. We didn't get to see "until we meet again" because of this, but we did pick up some "pixie dust" off the carpet for ourselves! WE got a towel sting ray, and a lobster. Our kids visited their new friends for the last time.
Day 7 woke early, showered, and tried to lug all our bags to breakfast. Why did we buy so much stuff? You have to be out of your stateroom, (no returning!) by 8 am. Breakfast was good, but sad. My DD 11, cried about leaving the ship. The debarkation process went smoothly. We had a wonderful time - Farewell, Magic, until we meet again! I already miss hearing the steel drum band on deck, all the great food and service, and the Disney Characters. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I am so glad we did it! After 2 days, I finally lost my Sea Legs!
Claire
After an approximately 1,200 mile drive, we arrived at the Disney Cruise terminal at about 10:30 AM. The lines were long, but moved rather quickly, and we were placed in group 5 for boarding! The actual boarding process began at about 12:30 PM, and finally we got our pre-cruise photo, and were announced in the main atrium! I immediately went to change my Palo reservation to a Sunday brunch (which I did with no hassle), and my husband took care of getting an extra set of rooms keys, because our family of 5 was in 2 inside staterooms. We set out for deck 9 for Topsiders lunch buffet. My favorite was the chilled mango/orange soup, and the steamed shrimp! My DS 9, opted for pizza from Pinocchio's. I loved having that drink station on deck 9 throughout my cruise! The girls swam in the pools, and my son found a friend and played ping pong. At 3:00 PM, I met my fellow "DIS" board friends in the Promenade lounge. It was great because 2 of my 3 kids met a friend at this meeting, which made their cruise special for them. It was fun to see and recognize people throughout the cruise. At 4:00 PM we had the life boat drill, and at 4:30 the sail away party began! "Upside Down" by the A-teens opened it up, and the Disney characters and a live band partied away! My husband and I enjoyed the "Drink of the Day" a Bahama Mama. At 6:15 we went to the Welcome Aboard show, and enjoyed the comedian, Gary DeLena, and the magician Freddie Fusion. The kids enjoyed the show, too, and we could really feel the ship moving by this point! I checked out the gym after that (you can sign up for free classes during the week in spinning, yoga, and water aerobics), and we got ready for our first dinner in Parrot Cay. I liked Parrot Cay, and loved my entree the first night (grouper with tiny shrimp on top). The crabcake appetizer was good, too. My DD 13 got the ribs, DH got the mixed grill, and DD 11 ordered a steak. My DS 9, ordered off the kid menu. The cream brulee cheesecake was also good! AFter dinner, my younger kids checked out the Oceaneer Lab.
Day 2: We hit Topsiders for breakfast (I miss my Mini Mickey waffles with Strawberry sauce and whipped cream!). There was always enough variety to keep my kids happy. They liked the bacon, hash browns, and cinnamon rolls. My husband and I ate brunch at Palo's today, so we didn't eat with the kids. Our server was Marco, from Italy, and he was wonderful. He brought us dishes to try, liked the pizzas and pasta, and gave us a wonderful tour in the beginning of all the choices. It was one of the highlights of my trip. We went into Key West, and mainly did shopping. Shop around for prices - I bought 2 batik wrap skirts at $4.99, and later found them on Duval street for $2.99 each! We all bought a shirt at Crazy Shirts, which isn't cheap, but the tee shirts are cool! They even had some with a pirate theme, which my DH bought for Pirate night. I found some nice glass dangly earrings that were blue-green, the same color of the caribbean waters! We took the kids to eat lunch at Jimmy Buffet's restaurant, but DH and I were too full from Palos to eat. We also spotted a guy on a motorcycle with a parrot perched atop his head driving down Duval STreet! (Only in Key West!) We went back on the ship in the afternoon, where the girls and I watched the sunset on Deck 10, and then went to watch "Herbie Fully Loaded". DH and DS watched football, and played foosball. Our dinner tonight was at Lumiere's. I had the cod, and the white chocolate domes with raspberry sauce for dessert (delicious!). OUr server, Melanie, also brought us the cream brulee to try. Desserts on this boat were great, in my opinion! Several characters made a quick trip through the dining room, including Daisy and Donald Duck, The mad hatter and the Queen of hearts. MY DD 11 also got a photo taken with Pluto today. I bought a Cruise scrapbook and papers in the onboard store, and 3 eyepatches. DD 11 bought a cute navy DCL tank top. DS 9 went to a sports night with his kid club. DD 11 went to hang out with a friend, and DD 13 went to check out the Stack. Our towel animals tonight were an alligator and a puppy. My kids loved getting these animals each night, as well as the chocolate on their pillow.
Day 3: I actually made it to the gym this morning (had to start working off all those great desserts). I had an omelet at Topsiders (they have a station there where they will make one to order). There is always a variety of fresh fruit on the boat, too, which I love - especially the pineapple! DS went to the lab to make "flubber" , and the rest of us just caught rays on deck 10. Lunch at Parrot Cay was an oriental buffet, where they also did make your own stir fry. I liked the mango mousse dessert. We went to the matinee performance of the Golden Mickeys , which was a good show. Many "broadway" numbers of Disney hits. I did a craft in the afternoon (tile picture frames), and took DD 11 to meet Minnie Mouse (dressed in her Golden Mickey's gown!). DH and DS saw "Sky High" tonight. We got a family portrait taken tonight since we were dressed up. Our formal dinner was at Annimator's Palate. I had maple glazed salmon, and a mocha ice cream sundae for dessert. DS went to a Pinata party in the lab, and the girls hung out with friends. We got a bunny and a snake for our towel animals.
Day 4: Ran this morning on deck 4 for a change of pace. My husband ran here frequently throughout the cruise. We ate at Docksider's again, and prepared for our excursion in the Grand Caymans (reef and shipwreck snorkel). Our first destination was Cheeseburger Reef, where we snorkeled and saw lots of fish, right in view of the Magic. Our next stop was the wreck the Callie, which was a 1945 ship blown up by the British. There were lots of fish, but it wasn't as scenic as I thought. We shopped for awhile afterwards, but the kids were tired, hungry, and cranky. I did go to the post office and get some stamps and mailed some postcards. WE went back to the ship, and ate a late lunch at the various restaurants on DECK 9. There are several good choices, and you can split up and get what you want. I liked the fruit plates and wraps at Goofey's Galley, and felt I was eating healthier. I did 1 load of laundry, and the girls and I went to see "Twice Charmed" which got a standing ovation! We ate in Parrot Cay for the "Master Chef" menu. I liked the seafood with creamy angel hair pasta, and got a chocolate dessert that looked like a swan! STich made a surprise visit to the dining room. The characters are much more accessible on the ship than in the Disney park.
Day 5: Costa Maya: This morning we had our character breakfast in Parrot Cay. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale were all there, and come to visit you at your table. Lots of Photo Ops! Our server, Al, made my DS a "Goofy" hat made of napkins, and DD 13 a peter pan hat. It was such a nice touch. Costa Maya was different. The vendors are quite pushy, and you have to bargain for everything you buy! I got some pottery turtles and lizards, and a nativity set. Me and the girls also got nice silver necklaces here. My DH liked the mayan calenders, and bought one for himself, and a nice leather wallet, too. We took a break, and went back to the ship for lunch. There were 2 other cruise ships in port, so we did not do the pool in the port. It is a seawater pool, and I am kind of a germ-a-phobe, so I would not let my kids swim in it. They did enjoy looking through the tidepools and spotting fish and shells. The beach in port is too rocky for swimming, but I heard the beach excursions were good. Also, you can take excursions to see the Mayan ruins here. We saw Chicken Little tonight, and starting getting dressed for Pirate Night. My DS 9, went all out! The kids got more character autographs, and we all loved the Pirate dinner menu! You get to keep the menu, and a bandana as a souvenier. I stuck with seafood again, and was not disappointed. We went to the deck party, and liked the show and fire works, but with the late dinner seating we were too full to eat anything off the pirate buffet.
Day 6: Overslept today, and hit the gym. Had to take DD 11 to the "princess" autograph and photo session at 10. GET THERE EARLY! I waited and did more laundry, and DS and DH won a foosball tournament. They actually got medals, too! The lunch buffet was seafood. DH and I played BINGO, but alas, did not win. The jackpot of $4,800 was split between 2 people. We watched our kids graduate from the Oceaneer Lab afterwards, and the kids get to keep the t-shirt and mickey ears graduation hat they wear in the show! Tonight's show was Disney Dreams, and it was wonderful. I loved the little mermaid part! WE had a Captain's Gala dinner in Annimator's palate - 3 of us got the lobster tails. The baked clam and grilled shrimp appetizers were both good! 4 of us ordered the chocolate lava cake for dessert - yum! My DH got cherries jubilee, which looked wonderful. Later this evening, there was a dessert buffet in Lumieres. Go just to see the food sculptures, and the chocolate fountain! DS played extreme dodgeball and did a Kim Possible mission with his kid club tonight. DD 11 and I got our photo taken with Goofey in his tuxedo! We got a frog towel, and a monkey hanging from a hanger.
Day 7: Castaway Cay - it truly is paradise. I got up and watched the sunrise this morning - it was stunning from deck 10. I worked out again, and ate my last Mickey waffle at Topsiders!
DD 13 went on a wildside excursion with her fellow teens, and we snorkeled and found Mickey at the family beach. DS also tried the "treehouse" out in the water, and DD 11 got her hair braided. I paid $40 for the crown of her head to have corn rows and beads. It is $2 a braid. I got stamps at the post office - they are so cool - the Disney Magic is on them! We saw so many characters here, and the lines were non existent! we bought some shirts that were on sale at the store, too. The lunch at Cookies bbq was good, and convenient. We settled in on the sports beach - less crowded and had a wonderful day. The weather all week has been sunny and beautiful. We went back to the ship about 3:30 Pm. I went to shutters and finalized my photos. DH went to the debarkation meeting at 4:30. It was MOBBED do this earlier! We had our last dinner, which was sad. I had seafood pasta, and eveyone else had the garlic crusted beef tenderloin. There was a kid that threw up in the dining room next to us, so that was not good! We did give out our tip envelopes tonight, too. Our service during the cruise was great! Eric and Albert took care of our staterooms, and Melanie and Al were our servers. We did have a head server, too, whose name escapes me now. After dinner we were frantically packing up our stuff to get our luggage out side of the cabin by 11 PM. We didn't get to see "until we meet again" because of this, but we did pick up some "pixie dust" off the carpet for ourselves! WE got a towel sting ray, and a lobster. Our kids visited their new friends for the last time.Day 7 woke early, showered, and tried to lug all our bags to breakfast. Why did we buy so much stuff? You have to be out of your stateroom, (no returning!) by 8 am. Breakfast was good, but sad. My DD 11, cried about leaving the ship. The debarkation process went smoothly. We had a wonderful time - Farewell, Magic, until we meet again! I already miss hearing the steel drum band on deck, all the great food and service, and the Disney Characters. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I am so glad we did it! After 2 days, I finally lost my Sea Legs!
Claire
