Taking on the Wonder June 14th 2007 Trip Report w/ Pictures! (Completed 8/3 pg. 9)

[timandlesley]

YEAH!!!!!! Can't wait Darlene!
Lesley

 

[frdeb1999]

Looks like you had a wonderful time!!! The pix are wonderful!! Thanks for sharing them!! And can't wait for our upcoming trip!!!

 

[CruisinEars]

Jumping on board for this one. Great tr Darlene. We are going on the Magic next may and I am so excited to cruise for the first time. I love the variety of pictures you have. Some views that I haven't seen before, very cool. Also thanks for the drypak info. I think I will be getting a couple before our trip. My 9 yr old ds just got a very nice digital and I don't want it to get ruined.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Ok I'm working but I promised I would post more tonight so I'll finish up our night in Nassau. =o)

The Pirate party was starting off great as usual, we offered up two of our seats to a mom who seemed to have her hands full and looked liked she could use a rest so we thought who better to share with.

Of course the only thing I would add here is Captain Jack, yes I'm addicted and even for those non Jack crazies I'm sure he'd be a great add-on.

We partied to the normal dance music, got to see Stitch, Captin Hook, Smee, Goofy, Minnie, Donald, etc. It's very high energy and gets pretty rocking.

Stitch getting his groove on...



Mr. Smee and Captain Hook Safety Dance...




More dancing and partying...



Our view from our seats... you can see 1/2 screen and 1/2 of the stage. A bit of both worlds.

And our ship gets taken over by some pirates...



After awhile it was time for my favorite part, Mickey comes to save the day... and with this line "Well folks I promised you a party, so here's a party in the sky".



And we are treated to some wonderful fireworks. Where else can you see fireworks at sea? No where, that's right, yahoo, it's a DCL exclusive and really cool to see!



The fireworks are shot off from the starboard aft area and we picked the port aft, doh! You could see them but we had to stand up....hey this is vacation I want to sit and see my fireworks too.

Some blurry photos as I forgot my tripod in the room...

After the fireworks the dance party continued for a bit before moving on to the showing of Pirates 2 Dead Man's Chest on the big Ariel view screen.

And the buffet opened up, like we need any more food....

There was an entire hot section with hand rolled crepes, chilli con carne, tacos, turkey legs, fajitas, etc. Also there is an entire section of cakes, pies, and other deserts with way too many calories...lol. Advice jump in line early it gets quite long once everyone leaves the dance floor. There are also little gold Mickey pirate coins all over the tables which are chocolate, we always grab a handful to save for later.

Our plan tonight was to head to the Beuna Vista Theatre for a showing of Pirates 3: At World's End. So I sent John to snag us some seats while I loaded up on all the goodies. This sooooo would beat popcorn and coke for the movie.

Loaded down with 100+ pounds it felt like of chocolate cakes, stawberry cakes, raspberry cakes and cakes I had no idea what they were but they looked good I made my way through the crowd to find John. When I arrived at the theatre only dropping a few pieces on the way the place was packed and it was still 10 minutes or so before the movie was to begin. There was not a seat in sight and I could not find John. Carrying enough food for an army I made my way down the stairs looking for my love who got the easy part of this mission I was now thinking. I see a hand pop up in the front row, yahoo it's John and he's got a seat for me.

I'm seated next to two young kids on my right who are eyeing my cake and John to my left who is well also eyeing the cakes...lol. We sit back and realize John Sr and Sue aren't going to make it and enjoy our dessert while the movie begins. We'd already seen this movie on land but thought it would be cool to see it on the sea, ambiance and all you know.

But after a LONG day in Nassau on our, hmmm Sue's mission for free treats we were fighting to stay awake. I looked at John who was holding his eye lids open and we agreed as soon as I got my first glimpse of Johnny we could bolt.

So off we went, a sea of other guests ran down the stairs as we passed to snag the seats. As we left we noticed 30+ people on the stairs, standing in the back, etc. WOW!

When we got back to the room we were greeted with this cool little guy.

The little black clip is actually my hair claw we used it to keep the curtains shut at night and while we changed to add more privacy, as we learned sometimes the curtains can swing open with the waves...yikes!

John hit the bed as soon as we got in and I ran down to Wavebands to let John and Sue know where we were and make sure they had made it out of the party ok. They were enjoying a mixed drink and listening to the tunes of 70's nights. Hey, they've still got it, pretty cool.

I headed back to bed to dream of our upcoming day in Paradise....

Up next....Castaway Cay, Snorkeling (hey where are all the fish), Updated Disney Dreams and saying goodbye is soooo soooo sad!

 

[timandlesley]

Very cool Darlene, thanks for the update, I just love the videos. About what time at night do these shows happen?
Lesley

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Very cool Darlene, thanks for the update, I just love the videos. About what time at night do these shows happen?
Lesley

The Pirates in The Caribbean Party takes place right after late dining, the music and whatnot gets started around 9:30pm and the actual party with the characters starts around 10pm I believe, with fireworks shortly after that.

The other shows, like Golden Mickeys, Hercules, etc take place at 6:30pm and 8:30pm. If you have early dinner you'll dine at 5:30/5:45 or 6pm and then see the show at 8:30pm or if you have late dinner you'll see the show and then dine at 8:00/8:15 or 8:30pm.

 

[mruhaak]

Darlene,
I love your video clips! Thanks!

Also, speaking as a ANOTHER mother of 2 small children who sometimes is overwhelmed... Thank you for sharing your seats!!

 

[sejejoemmiev]

Loving your TR!!!! Pictures and Video's...........you cant beat that. I feel like I am there all over again...well almost!! Anxiously awaiting Castaway Cay.

 

[ILUVEVERYTHINGDISNEY]

Loving your TR!!!! Pictures and Video's...........you cant beat that. I feel like I am there all over again...well almost!! Anxiously awaiting Castaway Cay.

YES! Love the trip report but we need more!!!!!! Its great. I am becoming addicted to reading all these trip reports. I think I need to stop!!!!

Welll. . . . . Maybe not!

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Thanks for all the comments guys, glad your enjoying it. Will post more tonight or tomorrow, we've had a busy week. Till then...

 

[2angelsinheaven]

So I've been delaying my post on Castaway Cay but I think it's been long enough so here we go...

We both were up pretty early considering that we were up till about 2am the night prior. We basically rolled out of bed, slide into our bathing suits and headed down to Parrot Cay for some yummy food. Today I got a bit adventurous and ordered an omelet and boy was it good, bacon, cheese and mushrooms. Followed it up with my chocolate croissant and a hot cup of coffee and a pepto, there would be no tummy aches today I planned on spending the entire day on the beach.

John and I had bought some snorkeling sets from BJ's before the trip and were anxious to explore the snorkeling lagoon at the family beach as we had not tried this in our previous trips. We hurried through breakfast and headed down to deck one. Sadly it was raining again, three times in a row for us at Castaway Cay that it has been rainy but I was determined to have fun even if it was in the middle of a deluge.

We snagged some towels from the large cart of them next to the gangway and headed off on our way. Our first stop was to be the post office, even though it was Saturday I had checked in Nassau and was told that the PO on Castaway would be open, well apparently not or the rain kept the staff away because they were closed for the day, darn! Sorry to all our friends who didn't get a post card, now you know why.

No fear though, we were quickly cheered up when we saw this lovely lady outside of the PO.

Man, we look beat. =o)

After snapping a photo with Daisy we headed to catch the tram to the Family Beach. The shutterbug in me took over and I snapped a few more photos on the way.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

We arrived at the Family Beach and something told me the snorkeling lagoon was a bit past here so we walked, and walked, and walked.... hum, no lagoon. So I asked for directions...oh the snorkeling lagoon is way back there, ok. So we turned around and started back. When we arrived John picked out a nice location for us, we picked a chair that we could spot easily from the beach and set down our things.

I headed down to the beach to pick up four snorkeling vests. Let me tell you I despise these things but they are mandatory so we obliged. We suited up and headed in. I quickly stuck my head in the water expecting to see beautiful fish and reefs but alas the storm had kicked up all the silt and sand

and we were swimming in a ocean of nothingness. Bummer.

John Sr. trying to see something...

John Sr and Sue quickly bowed out after the lack of visibility got to them, we however were determined to see something. Heck afterall I had spent over $100 on snorkeling gear, it was going to happen...lol.

John and I had a plan, we would swim on our backs all the way out to the end of the lagoon and then put our faces in the water and head in seeing if we could see anything on the way in.

This plan was going well till I started to get a wee bit green in the face from all the knocking around the waves were causing. I was "sea sick" in the sea. So I tell John lets head back in, he agrees as he's fighting the waves and a leaky mask. We take some time to snap photos instead of hunting down the elusive fish in the muck.

Here's John infront of the ship...

Looking back towards the beach and bar...

Check out the waves...

To be countinued...

 

[THUNDERMOUNTAINMOMMA]

Oh no! To be seasick in the sea does not sound like fun!

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Oh no! To be seasick in the sea does not sound like fun!

Yes it was no fun at all, the waves were pretty big not sure if you can really tell from those photos but we were really rocking and rolling around. The weather was pretty nasty but we were determined to see something...

 

[timandlesley]

Darlene,
Oh no. . .bummer! Can't wait to see how it turns out. I know how looking forward to snorkling you were. That pirate ship on Castaway Cay is too cool, great pics. Can't wait for more!!!!
Lesley

 

[2angelsinheaven]

And a few more photos, including some self pics...

And then John snaps a photo of me...

And the waves chrashing over John...

By now I'm feeling really ill and I'm begging John to pull me to shore because the current is keeping me out and the last thing I want to do is "feed the fish" this morning. Of course being the sweetheart he is, he's laughing...thanks love.

Fighting the urge to share my breakfast a bit longer I snap a few more pictures as I beat feet to the shore.

John looking a wee bit disapointed in our snorkeling experience...

YES! Land...

I pull myself out and jog back to the chairs to find some water and gum to get rid of the yucky salt taste in my mouth. Here is a tip for all those who might snorkel or just swim while at Castaway, bring some gum, chew a piece after swimming/snorkeling if you get that yuck taste of salt and it will take it right away (learned this when I use to SCUBA dive) of course please be sure to throw it away in the proper place.

We locate John Sr and Sue swimming just off the beach and tell them we are heading to the Serenity Bay aka the adult beach to get some relaxing in. We pack up the gear and head to the tram. While waiting we meet a couple who asks about the drypak and we tell them all about it etc, they were pretty upset they didn't have one. Again I highly recommend these, way, way better than using a disposable uw camera and they are only $10!

So we board the tram for a nice cool ride to the adult beach, it's getting a tad brighter out so I figure maybe the clouds are moving out for the day, yahoo!

We get to Serenity Bay and Sue hunts down a hammock but no luck so we snag a couple of lounge chairs for the gear...

And four chairs that I proceed to drag into ankle deep water.

Ah, heaven!

John jumps in the water and declares the same.

I thought the sky was clearing up but it seemed now to be getting darker as you can tell on this photo it was everything but sunny out.

Here's John Sr walking out to find deeper water and John is floating in the water a bit ahead of him.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

There are an amazing amount of shells here and so as the John's swam...

Sue and I sat in the chairs and dug in the sand seeing what we could find.

Here are a few of the prettier ones I snap photos of...

After a bit John came to sit with me and look at the shells as well. John Sr and Sue took a walk out into the water, which btw is very shallow and rocky. Water shoes are highly recommended.

I tell John it might be a good idea to get some lunch before it gets yucky out and everyone agrees so we head over to the BBQ. Again, very good, I had ribs, a burger, salmon and some various salads and top it all off with two giant chocolate chip cookies. BBQ+Beach=Love!

We almost headed back in at this point because the sky wasn't looking any better we figured we'd try a bit more snorkeling and see what we could find. So John and I headed back to the adult beach and put on our masks. Now, let me tell you the water here is 1-2 feet deep till you get quite a way out then maybe it's 3-4 feet at the deepest point. When the tide goes out it drops even lower so go early.

Here is a silly self picture of me snorkeling...

The water here was much clearer we think because of the barrier that is built around the adult area to keep the waves out. No motion equals less stirring up of the sand, etc.

My first couple of photos turned out blurry and later I found out this was because I had my camera lens pretty far from the pvc rather than against it so it made the photos blur, but I'll share anyhow because they tell a story.

A sand dollar, there are tons of these both dead and still living, the living ones are green, the dead ones bleach and are white.

There are also huge sea biscuits as well and star fish. And we found loads and loads of crabs living in shells. I found out the hard way. I found one really pretty shell I wanted to show John so I picked it up and the entire time I was swimming around I thought ouch my hand keeps hurting, doh, blonde moment the shell had a crab in in.

A big conch shell full of crabs...

And some videos of the crabs, we thought they were pretty cool.

Due to photobucket issues, this will be continued as soon as it's back up.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

WOW! Those are some crazy waves!

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

I'm so sorry about the weather at CC Darlene!! You know what though....you had the same attitude we did last year (and will again in a week and a half). Rain or shine - we do not worry as long as our home is the Wonder!!! I'm glad to see it didn't get you down and you all still had a good time and enjoyed yourselves. The pics from SB are beautiful!!

God bless you with the waves and rocking. I don't know what I would do with that. I've gotten woozy in the theater at night with the shows before and once during graduation....NOT a fun feeling at all! And our weather and waves were nothing like yours! You are a trooper!!

Cannot wait to see you!!!!

Kelly (and Maddie says hi too!)

 

[Disneygrl36]

Lovin' your trippie.
Thanks for the 80's night videos. I am hoping 80's night is on my bday on our 7 night Eastern. I was a teen in the 80's so that will be so much fun.
DH & I both got glow necklaces on our 4 night Wonder cruise in Dec.
He was the Village People Indian & I was a Go-Go. Great times.
I will come back & finish up later. I am only on page 5.