Table for Two- "Magic"al Cruise 1/4/05

[neverlandclub]

If you are like me, you get asked all the time, "Disney again???" I answer with a loud, "You got it!" We love Disney, our kids love Disney. Disney treats us right. So when it came time to FINALLY do a vacation without our 4 kids, I think our friends figured we would at last be doing a non-Disney trip. How wrong they were. Even for a couple, Disney is the only place for us. And since we wanted a completely stress free and pampered experience, we headed for the Disney Magic for 4 wonderful days. We were planning to do the Wonder, but this special cruise was at the perfect time. Plus, we were hoping to see our favorite cast members again. It was a win, win situation. So prior to our cruise, we were asked, "A Disney cruise without kids? Why would you do that?" Well read on and discover why this was the trip of a lifetime for us and we would, and will, do it again!!

Cast- Just myself and my DH, Shawn

Monday, 1/03/05

We headed for Orlando this afternoon. Great flight. Got our bags and headed to the lobby of the airport Hyatt. We dropped our bags in our room and headed out to get a taxi. We went to Downtown Disney for the evening. It was a beautiful night. After a little shopping in World of Disney, we made our way to the Portabello Yacht Club. It was so nice out we decided to eat outside. We have always loved this restaurant because we honeymooned in WDW at the Grand Floridian, and this was the first "fancy" dinner we had as husband and wife. The food was great. We grabbed a taxi back to the Hyatt, hung our breakfast order on the door, and went to bed.

 

[neverlandclub]

Tuesday, 1-04/05- All Aboard!

After a wonderful breakfast, we headed down to the lobby to check in for the Disney Cruise Line bus to the terminal. This is a very easy process and we were on the first bus to arrive at Port Canaveral. We originally sat behind a mother and her kids, but moved because her son seemed determined to hit me in the eye with his pirate sword. We moved to the back of the bus instead. We watched "The Emperor's New Groove" while we traveled to port. I love that movie. We arrived and went through security fairly quick. The line for Castaway Club members was empty so we got checked in without a wait. We grabbed a spot in line, anxious to start our kid free vacation. (Let me say here that I love my children more than life. I spend nearly every moment with them. I did miss them during this trip but I feel I am a better mother for having gotten this break. I needed this cruise more than I realized.)
We had booked the Romantic Escape at Sea package. We did this before and loved it.I had already secured ressies for one night at Palo and the brunch (we got the brunch as a thank you from Disney for swithching our early sitting to late to accomodate a Make a Wish family), as well as our couples massage.But I wanted to add another Palo (hey, I got no kids, remember?) and an Ionthermie treatment. We boarded at about quarter to noon. After our picture was taken we headed to Rockin' Bar D and got ressies for the last night of the cruise at Palo. Yippee! I asked if our favorite server was still in Palo and she was. Yippee again!
I rushed over to get my spa, but they weren't going to be open for another hour. No problem. We went to Topsiders for lunch and I got my Drink of the Day- a Bahama Mama! Now, this is the life. The food was yummy. After that I got my Ionthermie appt for early the next morning and then we headed to Cove Cafe. I have never seen this as I am usually at the Mickey Pool. Very nice. I had an apple martini and then we went in search of our room.
It was ready at 1:30 and it was perfect. We had a navigator's verandah. I loved it. We were at the ADULT pool in no time. Later we took our dramamine and headed to the DIS meet in the Promenade Lounge. Finally got to put faces with names. From there we went to Hercules and tried to stay awake. (ADVICE- Do not take Dramamine if you are going to drink. You will feel like you've been drugged!) The show was great, but I was groggy. Dinner was in Lumiere's. We had Phillip from Croatia and Pasari from India. Very nice guys. It was a nice, relaxing evening. Tomorrow was Nassau.

 

[neverlandclub]

Wednesday, 1/05/05- Nassau

This was a lazy day. I began with Ionthermie at 8am with Pavi. She was very nice and the treatment was very nice. It feels like when your foot falls asleep, that tingling, but eventually you don't notice it. I love how it tightens and tones you.
After that I grabbed DH for brunch in Parott Cay. Then it was off to the adult pool to await our couples massage time. We had Giselle and Lizzie. These girls are so funny and we talked the entire time. I was so relaxed after that we went to the Rainforest for a while. We spent a little time in Nassau,then the rest of the day relaxing around the ship. Tonight we had dinner in Palo. We asked if Gemma was working tonight and said we would wait at the bar for a table in her area. I had an awesome martini and we chatted with Danielo, our bartender. He promised to make me a chocolate martini the next night. Then dear Gemma came over and welcomed us back. She gave us an awesome table for two with a stunning view of the Atlantis hotel, all lit up. The meal, like the service, was outstanding. We told her if there were any cancellations for the next night to call us. She looked at the book, and we were able to get a ressie for the next time. Whoo Hooo!!!! Now, let me explain my feelings on Palo. I love this place. The food, the atmosphere, the service- this is my club. I don't need to dance, I'm allergic to cigarette smoke, so this is where I like to be. We will stay in Palo each night until they kick us out. (So far they never have but we do seem to average about 2 1/2 hours for dinner )
We returned to our cabin to find a heart made of rose petals on our bed and kissing swan towels. So beautiful!

 

[neverlandclub]

Thursday, 1/06/05- Castaway Cay

Let me just say this day could not have been more perfect. First, we had our Champagne Breakfast in Bed. How can a day be bad that starts that way? Second, we saw Serenity Bay for the first time. Just lovely. Third, we discovered that not all the cabana massages were booked and snagged ourselves a noon appt. Now, that is heaven. If you have to choose between in the spa or on the beach- go for the beach. There is more room, a great view, and the beds are more comfortable. Fourth, we were able to grab 2 hammocks near Head's Up bar after we ate lunch. Now that is paradise. And, fifth, we ended our day in Palo's. No day in my life had ever been more relaxed.

 

[neverlandclub]

Friday, 1/07/05- Our final day at sea

Now if yesterday was lazy and wonderful, today was even more so. Oh, to have a day to do absolutely NOTHING. I started my day at 8am with a Lime Ginger Scrub, which included a 25 minute massage. Heaven. Then we were fortunate enough to join our Palo pals, another DIS couple (Hi,T & J ) who were also traveling without kids, for Brunch. It is always fun to meet new people, especially ones who understand the "Disney difference" when vacationing. We had a lot of fun, and I must say, it was nice to have someone else to talk to. By now I was running out of new things to talk to my hubby about. In fact, I had started waiting until dinner to tell him about my calls home to the kids, just so I would have something new to say.
After an amazing meal, we lazed about the remainder of the day. I really love the secret deck 7 overlook and the adult pool. And of course, the Rainforest Room. Ahhhhh. We packed up leisurely. We saw Disney Dreams. Now, I had skipped Pirate night intentionally because I didn't want to do that without my kiddos. But I love this show. I did get teary, I always do. And as I watched this beautiful little girl, must have been around 3 years old, dancing in the aisle and singing along- I really missed my kids. (But, I did not feel guilty as I am taking them on a cruise this Thanksgiving.)
We went down to the dining room to thank our servers ( they assured us they understood why we were in Palo each night and they would do the same if it were them) and to give them their tip envelopes. Then we strolled the deck and headed to Palo. We traded in our champagne from our welcome romance basket for a cold one. Dinner was lovely and we made sure to get a photo with Gemma. She made our trip very special. We felt like royalty up in Palo. It was gonna be hard to go back to reality.

 

[neverlandclub]

Saturday, 1/08/05- Home.

We got off the boat with no problem. I had saved some rose petals and I wrote "THANKS" on our bed for our steward. He was great. We had an easy trip to the airport and a great flight home. I was thrilled to see my babies again. I know they missed us, too.

Moral of this trip report- If you can manage a trip alone, do it! You deserve it, you need it. If you can do a Disney cruise, do it. It makes it impossible for you to do anything except relax. I had forgotten what relaxed felt like. Next year, we're going for a week!!!!

 

[professorandmom]

I have to comment - your day at CC is absolutely what I expect when I get to heaven! I was misty eyed and it was YOUR trip
thanks so very much for sharing
Barbara

 

[neverlandclub]

Thanks. Hubby and I kept saying, "I can't believe how perfect this day is. We got everything we dreamed of." We were in heaven all right!

 

[Tera]

Hi Melissa - Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Hopefully one day, DH and I can have a trip like that. I'm sure it was very romantic and relaxing for you and your DH.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi from T & J

Your trip report was great and definitely an incentive to other parents who are considering cruising without their kids. You are absolutely right, we all need a little time away to recharge our batteries.

Hugs to you and your family.

 

[allears]

What fun to read your report. We too love Disney and our kids love Disney and we've loved the cruise experience with them. Then we got the oppotunity to book a cruise for just the two of us (using our refund and discount from our Hurricane Jeane cruise in September). We are excited at the prospect of a second honyemoon and can't think of a better place to spend it than on the Magic.

 

[Credit Man]

Thanks for the wonderful report.

 

[Verandah Man]

Melissa,

Loved reading your report!!!

We also took this cruise to recharge our batteries and to use it as a way to celebrate our MAGICal 30 years together. It was the first time in nearly 15 years, since adopting our DD, that we left her for more than a day.

We made the most of our 9 day trip, and we plan on doing it again, when the opportunity allows. Due to a physical condition my DW had, we weren't able to do quite as much as we had hoped, but we still had the most MAGICal time!!!

It was great seeing our server Prudence again, she is such a sweetheart, and we enjoyed our evening meals with her. We also got to spend some time with fellow DIS'er Melody and her hubby EB, we shared a lot of laughs with them at dinner, and throughout the cruise. We also had two other tablemates, one was a former CM at WDW, and the other is a current CM at WDW.

It was great seeing our DD at the airport upon our return, and she gave DW and I the biggest hug we have ever received from her. She also told us that she missed us a "GREAT" deal, and she was glad that we were able to make this trip, and to make an everlasting memory by meeting Capatin Thord and by blowing the ship's horn as we sailed from Castaway Cay.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd have to rate this trip an 11!!!

January 4-8, 2005 cruise photos link: http://community.webshots.com/album/247829913vYLSJL

Looking forward to more MAGICal times ahead,

Andy

 

[neverlandclub]

Thanks for reading, Andy. Happy Anniversary! I am so happy that you and Hazel had a wonderful anniversary trip. The cruise was perfect, wasn't it. I am sorry Hazel wasn't feeling 100% the whole time. Tell her I can totally relate to the physical condition she is dealing with. (Tell her she can contact me anytime.) We kept very low key. Doing nothing was the highlight of my trip. I remember hearing the horn blow twice when leaving CC. Now I know why. Good for you guys! We will be celebrating 15 years next April. I think a Disney cruise is the perfect way to celebrate it.

 

[Cruisin]

Melissa, I really enjoyed reading your trip report and also sharing the Magic with you on the Jan 4-8 Cruise.

We have also cruised once without any children. It is a nice experience.

We had our daughter with us this time but since she is 17 it was almost like cruising without any children at all.

I am glad that you enjoyed your cruise.

 

[KennyK]

Melissa,

Great trip report,

How I wish we were going on a cruise NOW with this cold spell upon us. Now I know why I want to move to Florida. "I hate the cold"!!!,

It definitely sounds like you had such a magical cruise. For me with my previous job I was away from home allot. Mary was always with the kids, in and out of Hospitals (daughter ashma, sons eye) while I was away traveling the US, or even the world, you know those quiet peaceful places, Iran in the 80's, Saudia Arabia in the 90's alone.

And back then who could afford the cost of a family vacation to Disney, let alone a vacation by ourselves.

When our kids were finally grown up was the first time to experience a vacation by ourselves and yes it was magical also.

God bless. We all need the recharging of our batteries to tackle the everyday tasks our kids excert on us no matter if they are young or old.

Talk to you soon.

A fellow Easter Bunny

Ken

 

[neverlandclub]

Hey Kenny.
We are going to have so much fun on the bunnyturkey cruise, can't wait. What a cruise away party we will have with that gang,huh?
Say hi to your family for me.