The "Double Double-Dip" 17 Day Florida Vacation - 1,233 Pictures Report

[bubba's mom]

and what do YOU want?

 

[bubba's mom]

Hey, I cheated and went straight to the Cruise part (although I promise I'll go back and read the rest later )

Great start to your cruise - sounds like you were having a blast at Wavebands, one of our favourite places on the ship

I meant to say this earlier....that's okay...you can cheat! We don't flame here

 

[tlinus]

and what do YOU want?

maybe this will get us a new installment

even half of one

 

[bubba's mom]

maybe this will get us a new installment

even half of one

on July 28th...i believe you said "that will hold over the trip report piggie in me for a few days "

....don't be gettin' impatient....Miss 13 days since an installment!










gimmie time....next day is typed....just haveta insert pix

 

[damo]

Bubba is such a cutie pie!!! Barb you put us all to shame with the trip reports. They are amazing.

 

[goofy!]

Barb,

Fantastic trip report!

And I have to go with the consensus - Bubba is absolutely adorable, in a grown-up way of course. I bet you have the girls texting and calling all the time already!

 

[bubba's mom]

Day 5 - Monday, June 30, 2008

Castaway Cay...the first time....

This day started at 7am for the Bubba family. We opened the curtain to let the sunlight in (and would later discover Bubba preferred the curtain open as he enjoyed laying in bed and being able to see the water below outside the window. Every night, we'd leave the curtain open just for this reason.) We needed to get ready, eat and be off the boat as soon as they allowed us to at 8:30am. We were scheduled for the 9am stingray snorkel excursion at Castaway Ray's.

I peeked out the window and was surprised we were just pulling into Castaway Cay. I thought we'd already be there when we woke up, but nope. Today, we were pulling in bow/front first to Castaway Cay, which made me happy, because that's why I booked the left (port) side of the ship , so we could see Castaway Cay from our window...until I started really researching the DIS and kept reading that they normally back into Castaway... I was very happy we didn't back in to Castaway Cay.

Just before 7:30, we headed to Beach Blanket buffet and loaded up for the day. There was a good assortment of everything...cereal, and milks (white & chocolate), pastries, eggs & bacon, omlet station, etc.... And Bubba was thrilled with Mickey waffles....but, wait, who told the kid he could have marshmallows for breakfast? ...it's vacation....

After stopping by the cabin to gather our snorkel gear and stuff, (and taking a peek out the window at Castaway Cay), we headed down to Deck 1 to wait to be let off the ship. We sat on the top step while people gradually formed a line up the stairs behind us. It wasn't even 9am and 3 people recognized me already from dancing the night before at WaveBands!

Promptly at 8:30am we were let off the ship (we were the 3rd or 4th family off)YAY! and we walked to the stingray lagoon. What a hike...all the way past the family and sport beach, but, it was a beautiful walk, quiet and only us.

I did manage to snap a picture of She Sells gift shop on the island on our way.

When we arrived at Stingray Ray's, there were a couple of other people already there and slowly a few more trickled in.

We sat and learned a little about stingrays...Did you know they don't have teeth? They have boney plates to mash their food. Did you know their barbs are trimmed....like toenails. They grow back and don't hurt to be trimmed down. We also learned the 'stingray shuffle'...which, Bubba wasn't thrilled to do...but I remedied that situation easily

So, after about a 15 min. talk about the stingrays, it was breakfast time...and boy did they know it! They were all hovering around the shallow water and the ramps. The DIS was right on this little tip....Not only were they eager to eat, some of them were fighting for food....and fighting on the ramps right in front of us! What an experience!

Bubba was a little afraid at first, but then DH helped him and then he wasn't so timid. They recognize the black Mickey "plates" as food is there and they swim up to you, pause and suck the food from between your fingers. (Bubba with a demo) Now, I've read it feels like a vacuum sucking the food, but I didn't feel any 'sucking'. Once they started to swim away is how I knew they ate. Mickey plate (in background) just eaten off of.

Their breakfast consisted of shrimp and calamari (from the ship) and a special homemade concoction they called "jell-o"..which, contained vitamins and healthy ingredients for the rays, and, I will admit, it did have a jell-o consistancy. The CM told us they enjoy it and think of it as dessert/junk food. They also told us that they don't feed them on Thursdays that I didn't understand...and didn't think to ask! Maybe no ship in port that day? The CM also said she lives on the island to care for the rays....kewl job!

We each fed them three times....(guess they needed to save some breakfast for the next group) and then we were allowed to swim/snorkel with them. I inquired about Big Momma and was told she hadn't been eating and was penned in the back of the lagoon (I think they were trying to kick up her appetite or something...who knows?)...but, we were free to swim back there and see her if we wanted. So, we did.

We also saw some fish. For the most part, the water was a bit cloudy from the sand in the shallow water being kicked up...but, it was a great experience and we, including Bubba, were glad we did it!


Random pix:Bubba feeding one. DH taking his turn. Bubba's first 'ocean' snorkel. My son & I. Just havin' a great time! The Disney Wonder from the stingray lagoon. My son and my husband having a great time.


My Mom didn't pay or participate in the stingray breakfast or snorkeling, but she was able to sit with us and learn about them and sit on a bench on the beach and watch us feed and swim with them. When we were finished, we grabbed our gear out of the storage bin there on the beach. We were also given a button to commemorate our stingray snorkel. We headed to the family beach....catching a wedding along the way.

We found a spot on the beach to camp out and left Mom in her chair and the 3 of us headed out to the snorkel lagoon. We made our way toward the water and got lifevests hanging on the lifeguard stand along the way. We got our masks on and then DH helped Bubba get his fins on. Then, we told him to turn around and walk backwards. Oh the look on his face!! I had to explain to him that you can't really walk forward in the water real well with fins on, walking into the water backward would work much better for him. Learned his something 'new' for the day.

I didn't take the camera with me this time, and of course, I wish I had. Bubba and I were swimming along and we thought we saw a HUGE shell moving along the ocean floor. (when I say 'huge', I mean the size of a dinner plate!) The longer I watched it, the more convinced I became that it was the current along the bottom of the ocean carrying it along. Nope. DH came over and said he saw 'legs'... It was alive! Bubba thought this was way cool!

We found the underwater Minnie (that I had DH take a picture of the next time we were at CC. He said it was hard to see what he was taking a picture of, so this is what he got...Bubba's arm!) ...and Ryan thought that was neat to see her. He saw a lot of fish and Bubba also found an underwater treasure chest....and he was thrilled!

It wasn't too long after that DH complained his snorkel was leaking badly. I was getting tired and wanted to go back to shore and grab my float and relax. Bubba wanted to stay out and snorkel with Dad. So, I switched gear with DH and headed back in...leaving father and son to enjoy some "boy" time. There is a lot of distance to cover snorkeling at Castaway Cay....so, if you tire easily (or have a kid or small child), don't count on being out there too long. At least, the interesting things to see are marked with a white balloon so you have an idea of where to go.

I arrived back at camp to find Mom in her chaise lounge. We decided to go get our floats. I carried back two mats and one donut float (for the boy). It wasn't too long before the boys were back and joined us.

We were spinning Bubba in his donut float, and man was he having a blast! He convinced me I HAD to try, so I did. The boy wasn't lyin'...what fun! (okay, so I'm crazy...but, we spent a lot of money for this cruise/vacation, and darn it.... I'M having fun too! ) Lemme tell ya, it doesn't look like that donut spins that fast, but when you are ON it, it's movin'.....

(sound w/ video)
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://img.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v283/barbpics/Disney%20Cruise%202008/Day266.flv">

DH & DS , my son & I , Bubba & Mom , Bubba spinnin' out and Bubba paddlin' back in.

I believe it was around 1pm when everyone decided to grab a bite to eat. Cookies BBQ had a very nice selection of eats.

Burgers, chicken, hot dogs, ribs, side dishes, ice cream, cookies, drinks....you couldn't possibly leave hungry.

Cookies BBQ pix: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, pavillion to eat under, drink station and the condiment station.

Please eat at the pavillion...this is what happens when you don't.

Since it was getting to be about 3pm, and this was our Pirate Night, we decided to start heading back to the ship. We stopped to take the obligatory pictures along the way...the ones we didn't have time to take on the way IN because we were in a hurry to get to the stingray excursion. Mom needed to take the tram back to the ship, and Bubba wanted to join her. So, they rode, we walked.

Bubba at Mount Rustmore. Ship mast , I think we're going the wrong way,

Flying Dutchman, 2 , 3 , 4 and 5.

I thought it was interesting the Wonder was blowing black smoke...never saw a picture of it doing that before...kinda freaked me out a bit.

Disney Wonder pix: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and here.

Cya!

Walkway to the ship....with Castaway Cay Postoffice on the way.

Once aboard, I went to the top of the ship to score some pictures of Castaway Cay from up there. It's just so beautiful, you end up taking the same pictures over and over.... Just can't get enuf!

Random CC pix from ship. Back of the Flying Dutchman, random Pic 1, 2, 3, Heads Up Bar & family beach, 4, 'Welcome' bridge, 5, back of Dutchman again, 6, Castaway Postoffice, walkway and 7 and a picture of the crew's pool.

On my way back to the cabin, I noticed the deck was being set up for the Pirate Party that night. And, because I was there, and just HAD to, I took yet another picture of the Quiet Cove pool, Teen Aloft and Mickey pool....this time with people at them!

We arrived back to our cabin to get ready for Pirate Night dinner and we were left a nice plate of cookies. Score. It was nice to have a little something to 'nibble on' while we got ready for dinner. Thought they were yummie and this was a nice touch.

Pirate dinner was in Parrot Cay tonight...and, what I thought, was the most 'appropriately themed' restaurant for Pirate night. PC1, PC2, PC3 and PC4.

We were dressed to the nines.

Island fare was the menu for the evening. Bubba handed me his menu, and I gave him 3 choices of what he could order. Mom ordered a Chilled to the Bone Honeydew Melon & Mango soup for an appetizer and DH had a Black Beard's Jumbo Crab Cakes for starters.

Bubba had ordered: chicken, I had Castaway Cay's Chicken Breast Rubbed w/ Pirate Island Spice, DH had the Treasure-of-the-Seas Grilled Shrimp and Seared Scallops and Mom had The Black Pearl's Oven-Roasted Beef Tenderloin. All very delicious, of course.

Pirate menu: front, back, appetizers, soup & salad, Chef's Recommendations, lighter fare, main courses, 2, the all important desserts, specialty cocktails and coffees.

Toward the end of our meal, the servers had a parade around the dining room. After they passed us twice (we were toward the front of the dining room on the main aisle), DH said, "Let's take a spin around the dining room." So, we jumped on the end of the parade line, did the "under the pole mambo" and took a spin around the dining room. Now, there weren't many people dressed for pirate night and we noticed a lot of people taking our picture. Once around was enough, and we sat back down to enjoy dessert. DH had a Shiver-me-Timbers White Chocolate Cheesecake and Mom had Floating Island of Tropical Fruit Treasures (which was meringue & fruit with a vanilla sauce).


Of course, we couldn't miss a photo op with Jack himself. We didn't catch him on Castaway that morning because we were off the ship too early! So, we stood in line (which wasn't too long actually) for our picture with Mr. Sparrow. ...and lemme tell ya...this dude was SO into character! You could almost swear it was Johnny himself. The slurred speech, the body language...everything. He was awesome. Our professional pic with Jack. Afterward, my boys just had to goof around!

We dropped Bubba off at the club again and told him we'd be back to pick him up for the Pirate Party up on deck, while Mom, DH & I caught the ventriloquist show of Lynn Trefzger (Some of her show can be found on YouTube... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw45EHTBn3o. She was very good and funny. We think one of the best parts of her show is that she cracks herself up! If you ever cruise and she is performing, I recommend you see the show. She had 'family' shows and an 'adult' show...both were good!

After the show, it was approaching 9:30 and the Pirate party on deck was going to get under way soon. We stopped by Studio Sea to pick up Bubba and then we headed in the direction of Deck 9 for the Pirate Party. Goofy, party, Dale dancin', Stitch, Mr. Smee and Capt. Hook. A picture of all of them.

When the party was in full swing, we headed up to Deck 10 to the right (starboard) side of the ship. We wanted to be sure to get a good view of Mickey and the fireworks that would be shooting off that side. They did their show...Captain Hook showed up, so did Mr. Sparrow. Screen shot of Jack.

Mickey made his brief appearance and then ziplined it across the midship (between the stacks). Just as I was thinking "Uh-oh, he's not gonna make it to the other side", the fireworks started. Which, redirects your attention. So, my thought was 'darn! I wanted to see them 'reel' Mickey in' ...but they don't want you to see that, so they start the fireworks to redirect your attention.

After the fireworks, we didn't hang out...Bubba wanted to go to the Oceaneers Lab (yeah, I know...big surprise there!) So, he got changed into some shorts and t-shirt and we dropped him off.

Mom had an elephant towel and we had (what I assume was) a rabbit.

After we dropped him off, I do believe DH & I ended up back in WaveBands dancing for awhile , while Mom took in a 'Best of (Neil) Diamond & (Barry) Manilow' show. We would have missed the beginning of Wall-E and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl movies had we even tried...so, we just decided to change and head to WaveBands.

We must have been at WaveBands for awhile, because we left Bubba in the Lab until it closed.... at 1am!

Boy picked up, headed back to our cabin to get ready to turn in ....another tiring, fun-filled day!

 

[d4est]

YAY!!!! More trippie!!

 

[d4est]

Okay...you've got me hooked! I want to do this cruise...

1 question...how warm was the water when snorkling?

It looks like you guys had a blast. Loved the video of Bubba in the tube...he was having the time of his life, it seems!

 

[bubba's mom]

Barb,

Fantastic trip report!

And I have to go with the consensus - Bubba is absolutely adorable, in a grown-up way of course. I bet you have the girls texting and calling all the time already!

Thank you Michele...luckily, no girls yet...at 9.5 yrs, girls are still "just friends"....but, I know my day will come (thank goodness for cellphones, huh? they won't be calling the house line )

1 question...how warm was the water when snorkling?

The water was about 80 degrees I think. I don't like the cold water, so I won't go in if the water isn't warm or heated (like the pools). I'd say it was 'cool' just for a minute, but very easy to walk in. I was surprised it wasn't warmer (like bath water), then I remembered the last time we were in the Caribbean, we were further south (Jamaica) where the water would be warmer. I don't know if I could handle CC water any earlier in the year, but definately late Sept. to early October

 

[tlinus]

as usual.....wonderful installment - well worth the wait

I have to be sure to show all the cruise pics to Jim.........they may make him forget about the you-know-whats he's afraid of out there in the Caribbean.

Thanks for sharing Barb!!

 

[bubba's mom]

as usual.....wonderful installment - well worth the wait

Yes! Show him. Show him all these people are smart and know the 'you know what's' aren't out there.

remember that, kay?

 

[t-and-a]

Barb, I am blown away by your cruise pics and your report! I want to go on a cruise from looking at all you have posted here! I'll have to work on Tim though......he says he doesn't think he would like a cruise. I beg to differ. It looks like an awesome vacation!

 

[bubba's mom]

Alison...he would like it....how does he know if he doesn't give it a try? That's why they have 3 and 4 night cruises..... We like to go to different ports without having to worry about getting there ourselves. Ya go to sleep, wake up and there ya are...a different port/country! Easy way to travel! By the time I'm finished my report, who knows...you might have convinced him to TRY it....just like we are convincing Jim

 

[jlawall]

Thx for sharing your trip, I'm going to have to post my trip (w/o pics ) but it will be fun to relive it all. Thx again for the wonderful memories!

 

[bubba's mom]

JoAnn...why NO pix?


Just realized that I forgot to post our purchased pictures from Pirate night. In my defense, I had a long day at work yesterday and I was pretty tired by the time I got around to finishing adding pictures and posting last night.

I added two, but for those who've already read up to this point, here they are:

 

[jtrain]

Awesome report! I'm so envious because when we went on the Disney Cruise Hurricane Floyd destroyed it and we couldn't go there.
But after seeing this report I think we're going to start planning a return trip!

 

[RAPstar]

Brab! I love your pirate costumes! Another great update!!

 

[keishashadow]

your best installment ever!

you've really captured the spirit of the cruise

makes me feel like im there

 

[t-and-a]

Alison...he would like it....how does he know if he doesn't give it a try? That's why they have 3 and 4 night cruises..... We like to go to different ports without having to worry about getting there ourselves. Ya go to sleep, wake up and there ya are...a different port/country! Easy way to travel! By the time I'm finished my report, who knows...you might have convinced him to TRY it....just like we are convincing Jim

Sounds wonderful! I really need to direct him to your trippie and maybe he will see that a cruise could be fun. He's always been under the impression that you might have to rush at your excursion days to get back to the ship before it leaves you and that you wouldn't get to see much in the time allowed.