Surprise! We're NOT going to Disney! 9/18-9/25 <<Update 3/24 Page 21>>

[Captain_Oblivious]

The Dream makes for a nice backdrop while enjoying the beach. The ship is really massive!

It is really cool to look up and see that in the background.

... but all good things must come to an end.

Why? Give me one good reason.

 

[ashw100]

thanks for reading!!

If I could do it again I'd opt for the 4 day cruise. The 3 was nice but it was too short. It did help knowing that we were spending a few days in WDW after.

I'm not sure if you read about our Nassau day but the beach we went to was very easy and it would be perfect for your family (if you are into sitting on a beach all day)

Thank you for the kind words.

That is good to know. I was leaning toward the four day but thinking it would be too much for the little guys. I very much enjoy sitting on beach so, this is right up my alley.

The fish swimming under your chairs is pretty cool. I know my little one would be trying to catch them too.

 

[KatMark]

 

[petals]

Luvin the updates. That picture of you in the water with the three kiddies is to cute even Gabby is smiling in it

 

[afwdwfan]

Looks like a great day on the beach. Did Juliana ever succeed in touching a fish?

 

[CaseFace5]

Hi There!

I'm following along from Kathy's TR. You have a beautiful family!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[that's nice]

The party looks like such fun!

“They made sure they hit every candy station”. uh huh, THEY made sure. Then later YOUR stomach was hurting? Maybe there is a connection?

I can neither confirm or deny your statement.

So cool how Crush comes by to talk at Animator’s Palate. (And so sweet of Gabby to keep the secret from her sister and brother.)

It was really cool.... too bad everyone was gone when he came by.

Was special for Melody to take Juliana out to further enjoy the night.

It was nice for them to have some alone time without the little ones.

Such a treat for runners to have a place to get their run on while on their cruise.

Cruise and exercising should not go together in the same sentence.

Oops on the beach meet up mix up.

Yea, that stunk.

Having little ones on a vacation can be a challenge, thing don't always go as planned, but love how you and Melody are going with the flow.

Honestly, Gabby was great. She never really gave us a problem except for some crankiness when she got tired.

Too far behind everywhere to make lots of comments (even smart ones) like I normally do.

Huh? You are never behind here.

But I loved the update, and the family pic and the kid pics (and Mel with kids) are great. Beautiful beach area.

Castaway Cay was really nice and relaxing one we finally found each other.

I wanted to wish one of our favorite DIS families a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Thank you Kathy. I hope you and Mark had a relaxing Thanksgiving.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thanks Mo... hope you did as well.

Great pictures as always! Fish swimming under your chairs?!?! CRAZY!

The kids were getting a kick out of it. Gabby was loving it.

Fantastic family photo's Again your family is beautiful!!!

Thank you.

The ship is HUGE!

Yea, it's pretty big.

 

[that's nice]

Glad you saved the afternoon once you all got together. A beautiful day on a private island. I will have to remember the half priced drinks after 3 if I ever find myself there.

Pat, Castaway Cay clears out quickly once 2pm rolls around. I've spoke to a few people about this and they all said the same thing. Leaves a lot more room at the bar to get a quick drink.

It is really cool to look up and see that in the background.

I took so many pictures of it but the ship is so massive I couldn't help myself.

Why? Give me one good reason.

Well, if there was no bad there would be no good. If there was no mediocre they would be no good or bad.

That is good to know. I was leaning toward the four day but thinking it would be too much for the little guys. I very much enjoy sitting on beach so, this is right up my alley.

Whichever you choose, it will be better than sitting home.

The fish swimming under your chairs is pretty cool. I know my little one would be trying to catch them too.

It wasn't only our kids trying to get them. All the kids in our area were trying to get them. It was pretty entertaining to watch.

 

[that's nice]

Butter? Salt? Plain? White cheddar?

Luvin the updates. That picture of you in the water with the three kiddies is to cute even Gabby is smiling in it

We've been able to catch her smiling a little more. But it has been really hard up to this point.

Looks like a great day on the beach.

And lucky for you it wasn't a nude beach.

Did Juliana ever succeed in touching a fish?

She might of touched one. If she said she did, then she did. I wasn't going to argue with her.

Hi There!

I'm following along from Kathy's TR. You have a beautiful family!

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for the kind comments and thanks for reading!

 

[that's nice]

Knock, knock.
Who's there?

 

[that's nice]

We walked back to the Dream after spending all day on Castaway Cay. We went straight to the room to get everyone showered. We heard the ship blast its horn and we started pulling away from the island.



Gabby was happy that she was all cleaned up.



Everyone was ready early so we had a few minutes to walk around and explore the ship a bit more before dinner.

The pumpkin tree in the lobby was in full bloom.



If you look up in the right hand corner, you can see Mickey meeting with people. Now follow the line. There was no way we would of been able to wait and make dinner on time. We had to skip him again.

Dinner time was coming up quickly. We were eating at the Enchanted Garden. I don't think the sunscreen worked all too well on my face.



Once again our waiters were amazing. He was shocked that I ordered seafood instead of beef, which I ordered the previous 2 nights, so he suggested that I get a side entree of the prime rib which was cooked to perfection.

Something tells me Gabby had the pasta.





I don't know what got into her but she did not want help eating. She did a great job but she must of dropped 4-5 pieces of silverware on the floor (as well as numerous pieces of pasta). The servers were always right there with another set.

The head server came over and delivered us a little anniversary dessert after our meal and put on a little show that the kids got a kick out of.





Christopher and Juliana couldn't pass up the opportunity to eat 1 more Mickey Bar.



Wow, I was red!



Once again, dinner was awesome. The food quality was top-notch & the service was second to none. We felt sad leaving dinner knowing that we wouldn't get to see our servers again. We really had a connection with them and they were awesome with the kids.

We went back to the room to freshen up after dinner and we had a towel flower waiting for us.



The bunk was already pulled down for Juliana...



Christopher was practicing his angry thumbs-up.



From the balcony, we could see a thunderstorm in the distance. It must of been 30-50 miles away. We could see the bolts of lightning but we couldn't hear the thunder. The skies were clear above us. It was really cool to see.

Once we were done in the room we still had some time to kill before showtime... we stopped back at the pumpkin tree for some pics.



Looks like I was drinking bud light...



We walked over to the theater. The show tonight was Disney Believe. This was to be the final show for this cast who had spent 3 years on the Dream preforming it. It was great! I waited till the end of the show to take some pics... I didn't want to get kicked out!





Gabby fell asleep about 1/2 way through. Christopher fought his eyes for the final 20 minutes but he did make it to the end. Then he passed out as we were walking out of the theater. We walked the sleeping kids up to the room and I helped Melody get them to bed. Juliana wasn't ready for sleep just yet, so we went down to the stores to do a little shopping. After talking Juliana out of numerous stuffed animals, nonsense toys, and a bunch of other stuff she didn't need, we found her a really nice DCL tshirt. I also bought a DCL Christmas ornament.

After spending some time in the stores, we walked toward the elevators to head to the room for a change into bathing suits, when we saw a bunch of characters out. Most of the lines were very long but for some reason Goofy's was short. We hopped in line and within a minute or 2, Juliana was saying hi to an old pal.



The CM told me I was only allowed to take 1 picture in order to keep the line moving. I'm glad it came out good.



I asked Juliana if she wanted to see a few more characters, but she had one thing on her mind- SWIMMING! A quick stop in the room, and Juliana was back in the pools, swimming away. She swam till they closed the pools- We also had some pizza and ice cream. If was a great ending to the night. We didn't stay out too late since we had to be up and off the ship early the next morning.



Up next.. one trip ends, while another begins

 

[KatMark]

We walked back to the Dream after spending all day on Castaway Cay. We went straight to the room to get everyone showered. We heard the ship blast its horn and we started pulling away from the island.



But you ahd a good day...so that is good.

Gabby was happy that she was all cleaned up.



Look...another smile!

Everyone was ready early so we had a few minutes to walk around and explore the ship a bit more before dinner.

The pumpkin tree in the lobby was in full bloom.



Cute.

If you look up in the right hand corner, you can see Mickey meeting with people. Now follow the line. There was no way we would of been able to wait and make dinner on time. We had to skip him again.

Wow!

Dinner time was coming up quickly. We were eating at the Enchanted Garden. I don't think the sunscreen worked all too well on my face.



It sure didn't; or you'd been hitting up the liquor cabinet.

Once again our waiters were amazing. He was shocked that I ordered seafood instead of beef, which I ordered the previous 2 nights, so he suggested that I get a side entree of the prime rib which was cooked to perfection.

Something tells me Gabby had the pasta.



Yes, I believe you are right there Mr. Genius.



And enjoying it too!

I don't know what got into her but she did not want help eating. She did a great job but she must of dropped 4-5 pieces of silverware on the floor (as well as numerous pieces of pasta). The servers were always right there with another set.

The head server came over and delivered us a little anniversary dessert after our meal and put on a little show that the kids got a kick out of.





Very nice of them to do that, Mr. Red.

Christopher and Juliana couldn't pass up the opportunity to eat 1 more Mickey Bar.



He looks like he knows this is his last one...poor guy.

Wow, I was red!



You've got to stop hitting that liquor cabinet.

Once again, dinner was awesome. The food quality was top-notch & the service was second to none. We felt sad leaving dinner knowing that we wouldn't get to see our servers again. We really had a connection with them and they were awesome with the kids.

That is great that you had such great service.

We went back to the room to freshen up after dinner and we had a towel flower waiting for us.



I like!

The bunk was already pulled down for Juliana...



I gather Ana slept on top.

Christopher was practicing his angry thumbs-up.



This kid cracks me up.

From the balcony, we could see a thunderstorm in the distance. It must of been 30-50 miles away. We could see the bolts of lightning but we couldn't hear the thunder. The skies were clear above us. It was really cool to see.

Once we were done in the room we still had some time to kill before showtime... we stopped back at the pumpkin tree for some pics.



Looks like I was drinking bud light...



Nice pictures; but I told you to stay out of that liquor cabinet.

We walked over to the theater. The show tonight was Disney Believe. This was to be the final show for this cast who had spent 3 years on the Dream preforming it. It was great! I waited till the end of the show to take some pics... I didn't want to get kicked out!





Nice job, Tim.

Gabby fell asleep about 1/2 way through. Christopher fought his eyes for the final 20 minutes but he did make it to the end. Then he passed out as we were walking out of the theater. We walked the sleeping kids up to the room and I helped Melody get them to bed. Juliana wasn't ready for sleep just yet, so we went down to the stores to do a little shopping. After talking Juliana out of numerous stuffed animals, nonsense toys, and a bunch of other stuff she didn't need, we found her a really nice DCL tshirt. I also bought a DCL Christmas ornament.

After spending some time in the stores, we walked toward the elevators to head to the room for a change into bathing suits, when we saw a bunch of characters out. Most of the lines were very long but for some reason Goofy's was short. We hopped in line and within a minute or 2, Juliana was saying hi to an old pal.



The CM told me I was only allowed to take 1 picture in order to keep the line moving. I'm glad it came out good.

Hmmmm....wonder if the people who were Mickey were listening to that?



Great picture.

I asked Juliana if she wanted to see a few more characters, but she had one thing on her mind- SWIMMING! A quick stop in the room, and Juliana was back in the pools, swimming away. She swam till they closed the pools- We also had some pizza and ice cream. If was a great ending to the night. We didn't stay out too late since we had to be up and off the ship early the next morning.

Seriously, do you have a pool in your backyard? That girl never wants to get out of the water.

Up next.. one trip ends, while another begins

YAY...my part is coming up.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

wow, 2 for 1 drinks would definitely keep me at the beach until at least 3pm

too bad the line for Mickey was so long - but at least you got to meet Goofy later.

Dinner sounds great - love the idea of a side of beef and yeah, I think it is safe to surmise that Gabby got the pasta Also that you got a bit of sun

Wow - to be on a boat doing the same show for 3 years! That case definitely must have been full of mixed emotions performing that show.

You all must have had some mixed emotions as well seeing the cruise portion of the trip come to an end but knowing there was more adventure to come

 

[Poolrat]

Oh yes Sir - Look who got some sun.

Nice last night for a cruise. Looks like everything was going smooth and dinner and the show were great.

Nice that Juliana had some big girl time to shop and swim.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Wow! you did get some sun!!!
Good for you! another WOW two pictures of your darling Gabby smiling!!! she is just so precious! all of them are!!!

So glad you had a great last night! can't wait to hear your side of the next part of the trip!

 

[petals]

great pictures. Boo to last night on the ship though and Ana wanted to swim?! Really?!! I think she's going to turn into a little mermaid

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We heard the ship blast its horn and we started pulling away from the island.

Boo.

I don't think the sunscreen worked all too well on my face.

You are looking rather lobster-ish.

He was shocked that I ordered seafood instead of beef, which I ordered the previous 2 nights, so he suggested that I get a side entree of the prime rib which was cooked to perfection.

Side orders of beef? Yes, please!!

Wow, I was red!

We're approaching global thermonuclear meltdown levels here.

From the balcony, we could see a thunderstorm in the distance. It must of been 30-50 miles away. We could see the bolts of lightning but we couldn't hear the thunder. The skies were clear above us. It was really cool to see.

That sounds really cool.

The CM told me I was only allowed to take 1 picture in order to keep the line moving. I'm glad it came out good.

What is he, the photo Nazi?

 

[afwdwfan]

Did you actually even use any sunscreen?

Looks like a nice evening on the ship. Can't go wrong with the 2 entrée technique. I'm glad to see that Gabby enjoyed her pasta. It is always a bad feeling when you go out to eat with a kid that age because you know your server will hate you for the mess you're about to leave them.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

We heard the ship blast its horn and we started pulling away from the island.

That’s a sad sight…

Gabby was happy that she was all cleaned up.

Gabby Smiles!

If you look up in the right hand corner, you can see Mickey meeting with people. Now follow the line.

Whoa…
With a line like that, one would think they were waiting to see Anna and Elsa.

I don't think the sunscreen worked all too well on my face.

Yep…
Ya’ got cooked.

Once again our waiters were amazing. He was shocked that I ordered seafood instead of beef, which I ordered the previous 2 nights, so he suggested that I get a side entree of the prime rib which was cooked to perfection.

Meat with a side of meat.
Good call.

Something tells me Gabby had the pasta.

Something tells me Gabby played with pasta
(and then ate a little bit just for the heck of it).


A good call on her part.

The head server came over and delivered us a little anniversary dessert after our meal and put on a little show that the kids got a kick out of.

They do good work. I’ve never been disappointed by the level of service DCLs serving and housekeeping staff offer.

Christopher and Juliana couldn't pass up the opportunity to eat 1 more Mickey Bar.

Least either of them receive another of the dreaded “empty” plates.
Besides, any time is a good time for a Mickey Bar.

On one of our previous cruses I ordered up one of those bad boys when nothing on the menu suited me.
Our table mates thought I was a bit nuts but the servers considered it a genius move.

Wow, I was red!

“a bit… just a bit”

We went back to the room to freshen up after dinner and we had a towel flower waiting for us.

That’s a new one.
Was that made with a blanket? Can’t say that I’ve seen towels like that on any of our past cruises.

Christopher was practicing his angry thumbs-up.

Arrrrrg!



Get all the silly pictures you can before they reach the self-conscious stage.

From the balcony, we could see a thunderstorm in the distance. It must of been 30-50 miles away. We could see the bolts of lightning but we couldn't hear the thunder. The skies were clear above us. It was really cool to see.

It is really cool when they sail around the weather events like that.
The unobstructed views offered by the seas allow for some intriguing vistas

Looks like I was drinking bud light...

The most correct use for the extra pockets on a pair of cargo shorts.
Beer holsters.

The CM told me I was only allowed to take 1 picture in order to keep the line moving. I'm glad it came out good.

Hummm…
If the line was shorter I’d of thought they wouldn’t have been quite so picky.
Wonder if there’d been as much of a prohibition if you were planning to buy pictures taken by their photographers?

I asked Juliana if she wanted to see a few more characters, but she had one thing on her mind- SWIMMING!

She does have her priorities.

We also had some pizza and ice cream.

Like I said… Priorities in order.

 

[CaseFace5]

So sad that it was the last night of your cruise, but yay to heading to Disney, and even bigger yay to meeting up with Kathy and Mark!

That dinner looks delectable! Looks like Gabby really enjoyed her pasta! But that smile when she was all cleaned up is so cute!

The pictures of your fish (I mean Juliana) with Goofy are adorable too!

Can't wait to read more!