Sam & Paul's first DCL together - Part Twoe

Fantasia Sam

I've been here so much longer!
Joined
Feb 5, 2000
Messages
5,250
Sunday 18th May 2003

Finally dawn came and we went down to breakfast at the hotel. Nice little breakfast buffet, sausage, bacon, biscuits etc. Also a chef to make omelets or eggs whatever way. Paul had a plain omelet and I had eggs over easy. Nice little breakkie set us up well. Back to the room and we got our stuff together and headed on down to the hotel lobby. I checked us out and then we waited for our shuttle to the Port. It turned out our server from the night before was also driving our shuttle. We got to the port at 10.30 and we were one of the first arrivals.

We were the first in line for the non-US check-in desks and it took but just a few minutes to check all of our paperwork, credit card and fill in the “no we don’t have SARS” form. We then had a walk around the terminal, it’s very spacious and extremley nautical. We took a seat at the very end of the terminal and looked at the ship you could see the CM's on board giving the whole ship a really good clean. At check-in we were given our Welcome information sheet which told us where to get lunch, what time and where to make reservations, what time the boat drill was and when we could get into our staterooms. I got my all important highlighter (an essential item for cruising) out and marked off what we were gonna do.

After a little while we saw that a few people were starting to line up by the entrance and so we decided to get in line as there seemed to be nothing better to do. There were about 6 groups in front of us. As we realized it was gonna be nearly an hour before they let us board we sat on the floor and people watched and read our Passporter for more tips etc. At around 11.15 Mickey came out and the place went like a mad house. He was taken down to by the model of the Magic (very intricate model for you model lovers) ship and then everyone lined up to have their photo taken with him. We knew there would be plenty of other ops to have our picture taken with him so we stayed where we were.

As we were waiting in line I realized that we hadn’t checked what our restaurant rotation was – I was pretty sure it was gonna be Tritons the first night, what with us being just 2 adults, but no we were put on the PTAP – Parrot Cay, Tritons, Animators and then Parrot again. In a way this was a godsend as the clothes we wanted to wear to Tritons were gonna need a press and we didn’t want to be doing that on our first night.

At 12ish the CM’s started to mute that we’d be boarding very soon and to make sure we had our Keys to the World Cards (KTTWC) to hand and picture ID for those over 18, this was difficult for us as Paul doesn’t have a picture driving license and as I don’t drive I don’t have one anyway (we’d had to surrender our passports at check-in and photocopies of these would be sent to our stateroom later) and we started to worry that we wouldn’t be allowed aboard. I did remember to bring an old work ID card. Anyway embarkation began at 12.10 and I showed my ID but Paul didn’t show anything and they didn’t ask – fine for us but a tad worrying that they didn’t check properly. As we went through the Mickey Ears we had to have our KTTWC swiped so that they knew we were now aboard. Just before the gang plank from the terminal to the boat we had an official welcome picture taken by the onboard photographers from “Shutters” and then as we entered the Disney Wonder, deck 3 midship Atrium, one of the CM’s announced us to the rest of the guests and CM’s. We were finally aboard the Disney Wonder

There were lots of CM’s welcoming us aboard and it was a very magical feeling. We were directed to the back (aft) of the ship to have lunch in the restaurant, Parrot Cay or we could go up to deck 9 and have the same buffet lunch in Beach Blanket Buffet. We went for the BBB option. There are two sides to the BBB and each side there are 2 lines with the same food. A server hands you a tray with plate, napkin and silverware on. The buffet included a variety of mixed salads, hot pasta dishes, Roast Lamb, potatoes, some seafood, soup there was also another salad bar at the end, a tough choice I can tell you. You are offered water or tropical juice. You then just go and sit where you want – we decided it was a little too humid to sit outside so we stayed inside. Whilst we were eating there was a CM offering a welcoming cocktail (for a charge) to get people into the spirit but we declined, plenty of time for Sam to have cocktails ;). We then headed to the amazing dessert bar, so many desserts, so little room in my belly. I decided on the dark and white chocolate mousse but it was quite rich so I then had a the apple crisp/crumble with the most wonderful fresh vanilla sauce, creamy and not too sweet with a runny custard consistency.

After lunch we decided to walk along deck 9 towards the front (forward) of the ship. We passed all three pools and I was starting to worry that there weren’t that many sunbeds by any of the pools especially the Adult poo. When we got to the forward we went in to see if the Spa had opened yet to take bookings. We’d read that we needed to make these as early as possible. It had just got to 1.00pm and the Spa wasn’t going to be taking bookings until 1.30. I was the first one at the Spa and decided to start a line by waiting outside the entrance. Paul went on down to the line in one of the clubs Forward on Deck 3 to make our Palo’s reservation, that too is a necessity if you want to get to eat there.

Just before 1.30 they let us into the Spa – I made my hair and manicure appointments at the desk in the reception area and then had to walk all the way around and into the gym until I got to the desks for other treatments. I made my massage appointment for the day at Freeport which I’ll tell you about later. When I was finished Paul was waiting for me and we headed on down to see if our stateroom was now ready. I was getting really really excited now as I’d never seen a stateroom before. Our room was 7570 and was just past the midship elevators and stairs. We walked in and I was immediately struck by just how big the room was. Paul, who has cruised many times had managed my expectations so that I would know not to expect the sort of standard of room you get at the Yacht Club. So I was expecting something really really tiny but the stateroom was just perfect. We had a verandah as well and we wanted to check it out but it took us a while to figure out just how to open that door, we got the hang of it after a day. I took pictures of the cabin whilst it was in pristine condidtion.
246State_Room_1-med.JPG

246State_Room_2-med.JPG

On the bed there was a towel as a present from the Castaway Club (Paul had previously cruised on DCL) and then there was a welcome present of Sparkling non- alcoholic cider (very refreshing) and petit-fours (delish)from Dreams Unlimited as they had had over 10 parties booked through them on this particular cruise.

We then decided to explore the rest of the ship as it was only just past 2.00pm so we went down to Deck 3 and had a look at the clubs and bars. There is a Walking Ship Tour at 2.30pm and we did start to do it but we decided we wanted to go at our pace – which is faster than the tour so we broke off from the group. Once we’d had a good nose around we decided to go back to the room and see if our luggage had arrived. In the books and on the boards it suggests that you take in your hand luggage your outfits for dinner that night just in case your luggage doesn’t turn up and I was a bit concerned about that as we hadn’t bothered. It was past 3.00 as we walked down our corridor and we were actually surprised that outside our door was our luggage. So we took the luggage in and unpacked whilst watching the welcome video on the TV, which gives you advice and tips about cruising e.g. where not to smoke, how to do your lifejacket up etc.

246Paul_lifeboat_drill-med.JPG


It was now nearing the boat drill time and this is mandatory you have to go to the drill with your lifejacket on.

Then a claxon sounds and you have to make your way to your designated meeting point where they check you off. I think that this is important to attend as nothing is open whilst it’s going on so you’re not missing out on anything anyway. Our meeting point was midship Deck 4 and we all had to line up stateroom by stateroom. We gave our stateroom and then were standing there for about 5 minutes there was a little announcement and then we were allowed to go back to our cabins. Bearing in mind that every passenger was involved in this I thought we’d be like cattle getting back to our cabins but we got back to our cabin so quickly without loads of crowds. This bode well for my first experience of being on a cruise ship, a confined space, with lots of people.

As soon as we’d taken our life jackets off we headed on out to go to the sail away party. As we left the cabin we bumped into our Stateroom Host, Conrad. He wanted to check with us that we had received our gifts and everything – I think Paul had to sign to that fact. The we were off we got all the way up to deck 9 when I remembered I’d left my camera back in the room. Very glad we were only on deck 7 LOL. Deck 9 was very busy a little party was on the way, dancing and music etc. We decided to go up to Deck 10 but not before we picked up a cocktail. These were being sold at the top of the staircase, Strawberry Daquiri type drinks with or without the alcohol. We ordered on with and one without and I wondered how the CM knew which were which as they were all on a tray. Then she asked which of us was having alcohol, ofcourse I was quick to say me, and she took another glass, which looked full of water. I then realized this was the alcohol as she poured a hefty amount of rum onto the top of my drink for me to mix in. I just knew I was going to enjoy it here. The drinks came to $14 but you got to keep the glass as a souvenier, which we did.

Once we were on Deck 10 we headed forward and waited for the Sail-Away. Finally they let the ropes go and we started drifting away from the dock side. As we headed on down a little way the whistle or whatever you call it blew to the tune of “when you wish up on a star” and we were on our way. Down below we could see the staff with their Mickey hands waving us goodbye, we were now following the cruise ship Carnival Fantasy down the channel.
246Fantasy-med.JPG

We passed a couple of bars and restaurants and waved to lots of people there. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining and it was a fabulous feeling. We could see our hotel from the deck and I took a couple more piccies. It was getting busy around us and we were nearing the sea so we went on down to Deck 7 and aft where there’s another little public deck. We could see the Soverign of the Seas following us and the sun was glistening on the water.
246Soverign_of_the_Seas-med.JPG


We then thought it was time to go back to the room. We opened the sparkling “cider” and had some petit fours and watched the shopping presentation on TV this had been given earlier in the Buena Vista Theatre and filmed for others to watch later. We had decided to give the Welcome Aboard Variety Show a miss so that we could just take our time getting ready. Once changed for dinner we went on down to Deck 3, it was a bit mad so we quickly found solace in the Cadillac Lounge where they were serving cheese and grapes. This lounge is for Adults only at all times and was great for us it’s totally in the style of a Cadillac car e.g. the bar seats are actual Cadillac car seats. There was a new lounge pianist trying out the equipment and he was very good. Our server, Dessy, brought us some cheese over to get us started and we ordered a couple of drinks – this became a ritual every night of the cruise.

Every night on the cruise there are formal portraits taken in the atrium, some with and some without characters. If you plan to buy more than just a couple of these then it may be worth your while to buy a package we felt we didn’t need to. So about 8.15 we headed out to the main atrium and we had a formal portrait taken with Mickey and Minnie (my scanner doesn’t work so I can’t show you this shot) then we walked along the deck to the aft for Parrot Cay. We were a bit nervous about who we’d be sat with. We entered the restaurant and it was all tropical looking, it reminded me a bit of the Enchanted Tikki Room at MK. We were taken to our table which was one for 4 where our table mates were already waiting. Peggy and Farrell, from West Virginia, were celebrating their 30 year wedding anniversary on their first cruise. They loved Disney and were a little apprehensive about what to expect from the cruise. As we were chatting and introducing ourselves our Waiter come up. Ary from Bali was great he said hello to us and knew our names and introduced himself to us he was very full of life and I knew we were gonna get on. Then Yolande, assistant server, introduced herself, she was a sweetheart from South Africa and like Ary so friendly and helpful. Ary went through the menu and told us all his favourite dishes then left us to decide. Whilst we were deciding Yolande came and took our drink order, Paul had some wine and I went for th Cape Cod Margarita (on the rocks) – normal Margarita with a splash of Cranberry, it was good. I looked around and the place was buzzing it was very very noisy but we could still hear each other speak.

And now for the food, whilst munching on some beautiful warm banana bread, everything on the menu looked so good and so choosing from the menu was going to be hard but we finally made our choices. I went for the Hot Crab Newburg – this was jumbo lump crab in a cheesy sauce baked so that it had a crispy topping. It was served with different flavoured deep fried tortilla crisps for dipping with. The flavour was not too cheesy and you could really taste the crab. It was like dipping into heaven. Paul went for the BBQ glazed Chicken Wings, this is one of Paul’s favourite meals at home so he was like the cat that had got the cream with these. Paul also ordered a Boston Bib Lettuce Salad which he said was very crunchy and fresh. Next course and although I really wanted the Mixed Grill I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to eat even half of it, so I ordered the Grilled Rib Eye Steak. Paul went for the Roasted Beef Prime-Rib both pieces of beef were excellently cooked, very tender and served with double-baked potatoes and sour cream, a favourite of mine and these were very very good. I rave on about the twice baked smashed potatoes that they serve at Darryls but these potatoes were even better. There was also caramelized onions and green beans. We managed to eat what we could these were big pieces of meat I can tell you. Next thing Ary came along with the dessert menu, oh good grief I didn’t think I had any room. So I chose the dessert that would most tempt me to eat more than I should ;), the Crème Brulee Cheesecake for me and Paul went for one of his favourite dishes at home the Apple Pie. The Apple Pie was quite a big individual pie topped with granola crunch crumbs and was supposed to be served with Sour Cream Lime Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream, however Ary forgot the ice cream so he took it away and when it came back it had 2 massive scoops of ice cream on it. This dessert was so big it even defeated Paul. We couldn’t believe how good the food was and it was definitely as good as say the Concourse Steakhouse in WDW. We loved it.

When we came out of the restaurant it was past 10.00 and we decided to go for a little walk but we were so full and tired that we only managed to walk back to the room. When we got in there our bed had been turned down and there seemed to be a towel monkey. Our personal navigator for the next day had also been delivered and I went through this highlighting activities etc before finally turning into bed completely exhausted.

 
Thanks for the brilliant report.

It sounds truly magical, you have got me so excited now!

The Mickey & Minnie Portraits sound excellent, can you remember how much they (or a package) cost? - this would be a great momentum of the trip.

The Stateroom looks wonderful, what category did you have?

Can't wait to read some more ;)

Richard. :)

(btw, The food sounds great too!)
 
Actually Sam I'm amazed you couldn't find loads of sunbeds available around the adult poo. ;)

Both Tam and I are enjoying your reports enormously and the lovely pictures.
Tam's appetite has suddenly increased enormously after your food descriptions. She is now also worried because of all the wonderful things she didn't get to try.

Kev
 
Sam, this is a fabulous report :) complete with great photos!

Your dinner at Parrot Cay sounds delish - at the end of your reports, do you tell us which is your fave restaurant on the ship? ( I won't cheat and look before I've read them in order ;) )
 

Great report Sam!

Funny about the ID getting on the ship though, both times I've been (and don't have ID) they made us show the receipt they gave us for the Passports!

Looking forward to the next report :)
 
Oh Sam I've only been on a cruise once and that was donkeys years ago, before the DCL had ever been thought of, and because I get queezy I have never been since, but what with your description, Kevin's and my very own Simon's I am quite tempted. Carolyn
 
Sam - Thanks for another fab report!!!!!
 
Sam-

What a great report!!!
I've been toying with the idea of trying a cruise, but DH was in the Navy forever and is frowning on going to sea again.... :(

However, there'll be hope for me now, with your marvelous reports!! :teeth:
 














Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE







New Posts







DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top