DAY 1 Embark on the Ship, The Disney Wonder
Sunday, September 14. We highly recommend the hotel we stayed at the days prior to the Cruise, Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista. Leaving Orlando, We made to Port Canaveral, found car rental return place. Budget had a free shuttle to Port and it was so smooth and hassle free checking in and boarding the ship.
We were immediately greeted by staff offering directions to our cabin. It was very pretty. It was bigger and more attractive than our cabins on previous cruises with Carnival and Royal Caribbean
We took a quick look about the ship. It is huge so well have a lot to see and do. We registered for Palos, changed our seating to main. We were all hungry so we headed to Beach Blanket Buffet for a very tasty lunch. In fact it was one of my favorite meals of the trip. . I had great gourmet salads and sandwiches and the best chocolate mousse. We separated for a while as DH went exploring and to the ESPN zone while Sarina and I went & registered for the childrens Oceaneers Club, and checked out the spa. We went to the Sail away party by the Goofy deck & enjoyed the bands and Mickey & Minnie dancing/ confetti throwing. Afterwards we met up with the folks from the Disney Message Boards.
At 6 pm we had our first meal in the dining room. The first evening was at Animators Palette. We were blessed to be seated with a couple that was vacationing with their grand daughter. She was only 6 months older than our 3-year-old daughter and they became instant best buddies. They talked and giggled and pointed throughout the entire evenings dinner event as the dining room let up and changed colors and flashed scenes from Disney movies as the animator painted the room. It was fun and we enjoyed good food.
Soon it was time to head to the Walt Disney Theatre for the highlight show of the cruise named Disney Dreams. It has won several awards and was indeed very well performed and enjoyable to watch. It featured Peter Pan, Aladdin, Cinderella, Lion King, Little Mermaid and Beauty & the Beast. Our little one was mesmerized.
DAY 2 Our Private Island!!
Monday, September 15. Today was supposed to be spent in Nassau but because of Hurricane Isabel they switched the two destinations on our itinerary and we went to Disneys Private Island Castaway Cay first! As was becoming habit, we slept in leisurely and headed to a big buffet breakfast. We ate at Parrots Cay, a very festive dining room with bright, beautiful tropical decorations and banana chandeliers! They serve a great breakfast. With full tummies we stepped off the boat onto the gorgeous private island.
We were in the Bahamas! White sand and clear turquoise water as far as the eye could see. In the Disney manner, a tram was there to scoot us off to the family beach. Finally, barefoot on the ocean! This is why we came! We found 3 beach chairs and an umbrella and claimed our spot on the edge of the family beach area. We floated and floated and swam in the beautiful, perfect Bahamas turquoise water. The weather was great. We enjoyed family time and played in the water and on the hammocks. Lunch, was hamburgers and ribs with punch and cookies & cream ice cream. We closed the beach down! We finally left as they were folding up the chairs and blowing the horns to come back to the ship at 3:30 pm!!!! What a perfect day at Castaway Cay!
Unbelievably, our daughter hadnt gotten enough swimming in for the day so we went straight from the island to the Goofy Swimming Pool on board the ship.
The evening for 6 pm dinner, we dined in Parrot Cay. Our child was sooooo exhausted from the day at the beach & pool that she fell asleep before the end of the first course. The food was excellent as always. I ended up holding her and letting her sleep in my arms. She woke up a bit after dinner and we took her to the club as they were having a special event Do Si Do with Snow White, It was cute. Returning to our cabins we spotted Cinderella in the Atrium and got a pic with her.
DAY 3 Nassau, Bahamas
Tuesday, September 16. As our new custom, we slept in leisurely and ate a big buffet at Parrot Cay
It was time to enjoy Nassau. We elected to not do any formal excursions through the cruise line but rather do the day on our own. We took a glass bottomed water taxi across the harbor to the Atlantis Hotel & Casino. There my dear husband explored the casino while my daughter & I explored the aquariums. They have over 3000 forms of ocean life there in their aquariums according to the brochure. It was beautiful. We saw 4 sharks, sting rays, other sea creatures, and many fish. Then we headed to the public beach near the Atlantis. We found a spot in the shade and just took in the ocean and the culture. Native vendors strolled the beach selling their wares necklaces, coconut drinks, scarves, t-shirts, braid weaving, etc. We spent several hours lounging by the ocean, playing in the sand, and jumping about in the surf. The waves were too rough to swim in but we still enjoyed the water. DD got her hair braided with Pink beads, we bought water, Gatorade, shell necklaces from the vendors. Soon it was time to go. We toured some more aquariums in caves by the beach. Again, we closed down the place as we boarded the ship at 5:30.
We quickly showered and got the sand off and prepared for dinner. That evening was the day we had reservations for dinner to celebrate our 10-year anniversary at Palos. DD ate a hot dog and was dropped off at the Club for fun with the other 3-4 year olds and the counselors. DH and I went to the top of the ship to Palos and watched the sun set. The food was outstanding. My hubby said it was the best food he had in his whole life. He had steak and mashed potatoes as his main course. I had lasagna. The service was first rate; we also enjoyed the wine selection. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary and was just exquisite.
The evening show was Hercules. I thought it was a good, humorous show. I found out later that while we enjoyed Palos that our little daughter had a special event in the kids club called Tea with Wendy. Wendy from Peter Pan came and had a tea party with the 3-4 year olds and shared cookies with them and told stories. My toddler proudly informs me that in England a cookie is called a biscuit!
DAY 4 A Day at Sea
Wednesday, September 17. As our new custom, we slept in leisurely and ate a big buffet at Parrot Cay. We could get used to this. The last few days have been so filled with activity we are all ready for a day at sea! After breakfast, my hubby went exploring and in search of a good spot and deck chair. Sarina and I go exploring and do a little shopping. (For the record she picked out two coloring books one about Princesses, and one about the ship). The rest of the day we spent at the pool. Lunch was good and was deck side with pizza, wraps, fruit, and ice cream. The breeze and weather were great -fresh, salty air
At 3:45 the Kids club is having a special going away program so we get showered and changed and check DD into the club so she can participate. The kids go to the Walt Disney Theatre and put on a show for all the parents. It was so sweet. Our daughter was on the front row. My favorite was when they all sang Its a small world after all and when Mickey came out and performed with them.
The last night we were back in Animators Palate. The food was very good as usual. At the close of dinner, the staff came over and brought Michael & I a cake and sang a happy anniversary song. After dinner, our DD participated in a special Tarzan night. Then we checked her out to join us for the final show of the cruise a program called the Golden Mickeys. The best segments I felt were Pocahontas and Lion King. I wasnt blown away by it, I Disney Dreams much more but is was good.
After the show they had the final farewell from the characters and we went to the Atrium and visited Mulan, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White and more
From there we strolled the deck one last time to watch the thundering waves and see the dark night sky. Then it was time for packing our suitcases and putting them outside our stateroom and going to bed. Our daughter was so tired she fell asleep with her clothes on.
The last night the waves were high and rough due to Hurricane Isabel. The cabin slammed back & forth. The closet doors kept waking us up, as they would slap to and for. Disney needs to invest in some latches. Thankfully we were so exhausted we slept anyway. Also, thank goodness for Dramamine.
DAY 5 Returning home
Thursday, September 18. We had to do a wake up call from Mickey to ensure we were out of our staterooms by 8am. We went to Beach Blanket Buffet and had our final big vacation breakfast. Disembarking was 10 times better than on Carnival or Royal Caribbean. We very smoothly disembarked and retrieved our luggage, checked our luggage portside with Delta and took a Disney Bus to the airport.
Summary
It was a full and wonderful family vacation. We are thankful we could go on such a nice trip and it as a memorable vacation Disney Cruise Line is wonderful.
And they all lived happily ever after
Sunday, September 14. We highly recommend the hotel we stayed at the days prior to the Cruise, Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista. Leaving Orlando, We made to Port Canaveral, found car rental return place. Budget had a free shuttle to Port and it was so smooth and hassle free checking in and boarding the ship.
We were immediately greeted by staff offering directions to our cabin. It was very pretty. It was bigger and more attractive than our cabins on previous cruises with Carnival and Royal Caribbean
We took a quick look about the ship. It is huge so well have a lot to see and do. We registered for Palos, changed our seating to main. We were all hungry so we headed to Beach Blanket Buffet for a very tasty lunch. In fact it was one of my favorite meals of the trip. . I had great gourmet salads and sandwiches and the best chocolate mousse. We separated for a while as DH went exploring and to the ESPN zone while Sarina and I went & registered for the childrens Oceaneers Club, and checked out the spa. We went to the Sail away party by the Goofy deck & enjoyed the bands and Mickey & Minnie dancing/ confetti throwing. Afterwards we met up with the folks from the Disney Message Boards.
At 6 pm we had our first meal in the dining room. The first evening was at Animators Palette. We were blessed to be seated with a couple that was vacationing with their grand daughter. She was only 6 months older than our 3-year-old daughter and they became instant best buddies. They talked and giggled and pointed throughout the entire evenings dinner event as the dining room let up and changed colors and flashed scenes from Disney movies as the animator painted the room. It was fun and we enjoyed good food.
Soon it was time to head to the Walt Disney Theatre for the highlight show of the cruise named Disney Dreams. It has won several awards and was indeed very well performed and enjoyable to watch. It featured Peter Pan, Aladdin, Cinderella, Lion King, Little Mermaid and Beauty & the Beast. Our little one was mesmerized.
DAY 2 Our Private Island!!
Monday, September 15. Today was supposed to be spent in Nassau but because of Hurricane Isabel they switched the two destinations on our itinerary and we went to Disneys Private Island Castaway Cay first! As was becoming habit, we slept in leisurely and headed to a big buffet breakfast. We ate at Parrots Cay, a very festive dining room with bright, beautiful tropical decorations and banana chandeliers! They serve a great breakfast. With full tummies we stepped off the boat onto the gorgeous private island.
We were in the Bahamas! White sand and clear turquoise water as far as the eye could see. In the Disney manner, a tram was there to scoot us off to the family beach. Finally, barefoot on the ocean! This is why we came! We found 3 beach chairs and an umbrella and claimed our spot on the edge of the family beach area. We floated and floated and swam in the beautiful, perfect Bahamas turquoise water. The weather was great. We enjoyed family time and played in the water and on the hammocks. Lunch, was hamburgers and ribs with punch and cookies & cream ice cream. We closed the beach down! We finally left as they were folding up the chairs and blowing the horns to come back to the ship at 3:30 pm!!!! What a perfect day at Castaway Cay!
Unbelievably, our daughter hadnt gotten enough swimming in for the day so we went straight from the island to the Goofy Swimming Pool on board the ship.
The evening for 6 pm dinner, we dined in Parrot Cay. Our child was sooooo exhausted from the day at the beach & pool that she fell asleep before the end of the first course. The food was excellent as always. I ended up holding her and letting her sleep in my arms. She woke up a bit after dinner and we took her to the club as they were having a special event Do Si Do with Snow White, It was cute. Returning to our cabins we spotted Cinderella in the Atrium and got a pic with her.
DAY 3 Nassau, Bahamas
Tuesday, September 16. As our new custom, we slept in leisurely and ate a big buffet at Parrot Cay
It was time to enjoy Nassau. We elected to not do any formal excursions through the cruise line but rather do the day on our own. We took a glass bottomed water taxi across the harbor to the Atlantis Hotel & Casino. There my dear husband explored the casino while my daughter & I explored the aquariums. They have over 3000 forms of ocean life there in their aquariums according to the brochure. It was beautiful. We saw 4 sharks, sting rays, other sea creatures, and many fish. Then we headed to the public beach near the Atlantis. We found a spot in the shade and just took in the ocean and the culture. Native vendors strolled the beach selling their wares necklaces, coconut drinks, scarves, t-shirts, braid weaving, etc. We spent several hours lounging by the ocean, playing in the sand, and jumping about in the surf. The waves were too rough to swim in but we still enjoyed the water. DD got her hair braided with Pink beads, we bought water, Gatorade, shell necklaces from the vendors. Soon it was time to go. We toured some more aquariums in caves by the beach. Again, we closed down the place as we boarded the ship at 5:30.
We quickly showered and got the sand off and prepared for dinner. That evening was the day we had reservations for dinner to celebrate our 10-year anniversary at Palos. DD ate a hot dog and was dropped off at the Club for fun with the other 3-4 year olds and the counselors. DH and I went to the top of the ship to Palos and watched the sun set. The food was outstanding. My hubby said it was the best food he had in his whole life. He had steak and mashed potatoes as his main course. I had lasagna. The service was first rate; we also enjoyed the wine selection. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary and was just exquisite.
The evening show was Hercules. I thought it was a good, humorous show. I found out later that while we enjoyed Palos that our little daughter had a special event in the kids club called Tea with Wendy. Wendy from Peter Pan came and had a tea party with the 3-4 year olds and shared cookies with them and told stories. My toddler proudly informs me that in England a cookie is called a biscuit!
DAY 4 A Day at Sea
Wednesday, September 17. As our new custom, we slept in leisurely and ate a big buffet at Parrot Cay. We could get used to this. The last few days have been so filled with activity we are all ready for a day at sea! After breakfast, my hubby went exploring and in search of a good spot and deck chair. Sarina and I go exploring and do a little shopping. (For the record she picked out two coloring books one about Princesses, and one about the ship). The rest of the day we spent at the pool. Lunch was good and was deck side with pizza, wraps, fruit, and ice cream. The breeze and weather were great -fresh, salty air
At 3:45 the Kids club is having a special going away program so we get showered and changed and check DD into the club so she can participate. The kids go to the Walt Disney Theatre and put on a show for all the parents. It was so sweet. Our daughter was on the front row. My favorite was when they all sang Its a small world after all and when Mickey came out and performed with them.
The last night we were back in Animators Palate. The food was very good as usual. At the close of dinner, the staff came over and brought Michael & I a cake and sang a happy anniversary song. After dinner, our DD participated in a special Tarzan night. Then we checked her out to join us for the final show of the cruise a program called the Golden Mickeys. The best segments I felt were Pocahontas and Lion King. I wasnt blown away by it, I Disney Dreams much more but is was good.
After the show they had the final farewell from the characters and we went to the Atrium and visited Mulan, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White and more
From there we strolled the deck one last time to watch the thundering waves and see the dark night sky. Then it was time for packing our suitcases and putting them outside our stateroom and going to bed. Our daughter was so tired she fell asleep with her clothes on.
The last night the waves were high and rough due to Hurricane Isabel. The cabin slammed back & forth. The closet doors kept waking us up, as they would slap to and for. Disney needs to invest in some latches. Thankfully we were so exhausted we slept anyway. Also, thank goodness for Dramamine.
DAY 5 Returning home
Thursday, September 18. We had to do a wake up call from Mickey to ensure we were out of our staterooms by 8am. We went to Beach Blanket Buffet and had our final big vacation breakfast. Disembarking was 10 times better than on Carnival or Royal Caribbean. We very smoothly disembarked and retrieved our luggage, checked our luggage portside with Delta and took a Disney Bus to the airport.
Summary
It was a full and wonderful family vacation. We are thankful we could go on such a nice trip and it as a memorable vacation Disney Cruise Line is wonderful.
And they all lived happily ever after
