The Widow & the Spinster Take a Bougie WBTA Cruise That Didn't Suck! - Lookout Cay, a One and Done 3/31

[franandaj]

Well, this guy can't do it!

Are you moonlighting as a server at a fine dining restaurant to make extra cash?

That's an improvement.

Yeah, it would be nice if I could do it consistently.

Heh. I can see that. But... I probably would've done the same as you did.

I realized that there were a limited number of days that I could enjoy the Rainforest room, and I better take advantage of it.

Freshly harvested?

Ewww....that would be gross.

The whole arc, too!

I know! Rare to see that, especially at sea!

Great shot!

Thanks!

I'm not into character meets, as I think you know, but... I really do appreciate just how amazing they are.

The characters themselves, really do a fantastic job.

Excellent choice.

Love me some papradelle!

So decadent! Yum!

I'm glad she enjoyed it.

Really! Awww...

Such and cutie and so well behaved.

Like this shot.

Thanks!

threw him overboard????
Oh. My version is more fun... or sinister.

We'll go with your fantasy.

Oh! Not to self. I still haven't seen it. Need to.

It's a really good movie, and pretty funny as well.

Glad they replaced that for you.

Yeah, the first one wasn't good.

My 4th choice on that menu.
In no particular order (based on how I feel at that moment) Apricot trio, creme brulee, and apple pie.

Wow! Only the Creme Brulee might have even interested me at all, the other two, probably not so great on the ship.

 

[pkondz]

Are you moonlighting as a server at a fine dining restaurant to make extra cash?

The secret’s out!

Yeah, it would be nice if I could do it consistently.

You and me both.

Ewww....that would be gross.

Old seaweed is better than new seaweed?

We'll go with your fantasy.

Yuss

 

[franandaj]

Day 17

We set the alarm for 7AM, but it wasn't necessary. Both of us were up at 6AM. We are getting closer to land.

We can even see it from the ship!

I got dressed and went to get Coffee at the Vista Cafe and it was closed! This was our day at Lookout Cay and evidently a lot of the Cast Members were already going to shore to get set up. I had to go to the Cove Cafe for my free coffee. I took this shot of the long walk from deck 11.

You can even see the Cast Members making their way to get the area all ready for guests.

All the supplies and stuff they are going to need to transport to the site.

For some reason I thought this would be the beach we would be at, but I was very wrong.

We went up to the buffet for breakfast. I wanted some oatmeal, and Jill went for Mickey waffles.

We went back to the room, and it wasn't long before the announcement was made that we could go to the Island. Luckily they were disembarking from Aft so we didn't have to go far to get off the ship, but then we had that super long walk down the pier. They had these little wagons so that the kiddos didn’t have to walk all that way.

We made it halfway!

I'm including this shot now, but we actually took it on the way back. The line was way too long to stop on the way to the island.

The walk from the ship to the actual island was 12 minutes for us and we didn't walk fast at all. 9:12-9:24AM

After we walked all that way, then we had to get on a tram. Not exactly sure how much time passed between reaching the island and boarding the tram, maybe 10 minutes. The tram ride took 9 minutes to get to the main stop. 9:33-9:42.

The tram ride was narrated by “creatures who lived on the island”, I took this short video on the way to the main area.

The shops were mobbed, we took a few photopass pictures and then we set out to find serenity bay.

It was quite a walk, but we made it.

We got the last two seats at the bar. We ordered some drinks that were supposed to be like a Dole Whip with Rum, but all you could taste was the rum. There was no pineapple flavor.

They did have this cute little gummy pineapple I had to fish out of the drink.

It was very windy out there.

At about 10:30 we decided that we didn't want to sit and wait for another hour for lunch. We had seen videos of the lunch buffet covered in flies, and did not have any confirmation that the issue had been solved. While we were waiting to disembark the next day, we asked another lady who had stayed for lunch what the fly situation was like. She told us that she tossed her food because of the flies.

We made our way back to the tram stop and even though the tram was basically empty, it left and we had to wait for another one. Eventually we got a tram and now had the long walk back to the ship.

We ran into our Palo server Victor on the way back, he was going to check out the island.

[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued in Next Post]

We saw the gangway Aft and headed in that direction only to be told that it was closed once we had almost reached it. So then we had to turn around, walk back to the point where the walkway hit the ship’s platform, and then go all the way to Midship. Once onboard then we had to walk all the way aft, back to our cabin.

Jill wasn't hungry yet, but I was getting there. At her seaweed massage the day before, her therapist had mentioned a special they were having today for a massage and mini facial. After that death march we decided we could use one!

We went to the spa and they were able to fit us in at 2:15. It was just noon now, so we decided to get some lunch and then come back and use the Rainforest room before our treatments. Leaving the spa, I took this pictures of Ramone’s where we had ordered tacos on several days of the cruise.



The buffet had just opened so we decided to check that out. There were plenty of tasty offerings there. Jill had a slice of pizza. I had some Spaghetti Bolognaise, some BBQ ribs, and corn and broccoli. You can see the long walk off in the distance behind my beverages.

Jill told me that they had Bread Pudding near the end of the buffet. I hadn’t ventured back there. She knows I love bread pudding so I couldn’t resist a helping of that.

Then it was back to the Rainforest Room. For about 20 minutes we had the entire room to ourselves.

Well except for the technician who was working on the other hot tub, which actually was taken out of service while we were in the still working one.

Eventually we headed to the tile loungers and spent a while there until we were overheated. Then we went and changed out of our bathing suits and into our spa robes. We waited in the relaxation room for our massages and facials.

The massage was nice, she said that my back was really tight. This was massage #4 in less than two weeks. If it was still that tight, I must be in bad shape. I had never had a facial before, and I think I got a little bit gypped. Jill said that normally you get a face massage when they are applying the various creams and such. My gal just slathered the stuff all over my face and really didn’t take the time to do any kind of massage.

Once we went back to the room it was time to come to reality and pack up to get off the ship. Jill finished pretty quickly. It took me a little longer, but we were both done well before dinner.

Dinner tonight was in Animator’s Palate and it was the night where you do the drawing. I did a homage to Fran and drew a cat. If you followed my last cruise trip report, you might remember that Fran drew a cat with little drops of blood dripping from the claws.

Here’s the menu.

We both ordered the Lobster Bisque.

I had the lamb chops.

Jill had the beef Wellington. Both were pretty good.

They brought us the dessert menus.

For dessert I had the orchard Peach tart. Sorry about the blurry photo. Also it wasn’t that good.

Jill got the Celebration Cake, I think that was kind of meh too.

The show was pretty cute, our characters got lots of screen time.

And then it was off to put our luggage outside our door and go to sleep. But first the last towel animal.

And my stats.

 

[jedijill]

We can even see it from the ship!

Land ho!

This was our day at Lookout Cay and evidently a lot of the Cast Members were already going to shore to get set up. I had to go to the Cove Cafe for my free coffee. I took this shot of the long walk from deck 11.

This was the first time the Dream had docked at Lookout Cay since it had been in Europe all summer and the crew were excited.

but I was very wrong.

Very Very Wrong.

We went up to the buffet for breakfast. I wanted some oatmeal, and Jill went for Mickey waffles.

They were yummy!

We got the last two seats at the bar. We ordered some drinks that were supposed to be like a Dole Whip with Rum, but all you could taste was the rum. There was no pineapple flavor.

It was awful! The bartenders were trying to get used to the new location and it was chaos. Not enough seats at the bar and the drinks were very subpar for the price.

At about 10:30 we decided that we didn't want to sit and wait for another hour for lunch. We had seen videos of the lunch buffet covered in flies, and did not have any confirmation that the issue had been solved. While we were waiting to disembark the next day, we asked another lady who had stayed for lunch what the fly situation was like. She told us that she tossed her food because of the flies.

We chose.....wisely.

Eventually we got a tram and now had the long walk back to the ship.

Dear god the walk back is long. We should have grabbed the golf cart back but I didn't want to take a seat from someone who really needed it but in hindsight...it wasn't busy and no one was waiting.

We ran into our Palo server Victor on the way back, he was going to check out the island.

I miss Victor!

We saw the gangway Aft and headed in that direction only to be told that it was closed once we had almost reached it.

I was pissed. There were no signs and it was a long walk after a really long walk.

Then it was back to the Rainforest Room. For about 20 minutes we had the entire room to ourselves.

Heaven!

Once we went back to the room it was time to come to reality and pack up to get off the ship. Jill finished pretty quickly. It took me a little longer, but we were both done well before dinner.

I hate packing but we managed to get everything in!

Jill got the Celebration Cake, I think that was kind of meh too.

Very meh.

The show was pretty cute, our characters got lots of screen time.

I have a future as a Disney animator!....Not!

Final thoughts on Lookout Cay. I didn't like it at all. They need a shuttle to Serenity Bay. The plants/trees have not grown in yet and there is NO shade anywhere. The water is rough where they put the beaches. One island attendant said there was a much better/calmer beach but it wasn't really accessible. I didn't think the facilities were big enough for the amount of people on the Dream. I am not a beach person but far prefer Castaway Cay. I probably won't get off on Lookout Cay again.

Jill in CO

 

[DnA2010]

You guys haven't been, have you?

Just brunch, changing that soooonnnn!!!

nice one! got the whole thing!

All that candy surrounding that lady was donated by people on our FB cruise group.

what the?! that's a lot of candy indeed!

this one is so nice!

I got pappardelle with ragu. I love pappardelle and anytime I see it on a menu, I usually order it, unless I hate the sauce.

I do see this show up in tour reports here and there, you don't see it much here

Good girl Belle

So she brought me another one which was much more tender and tasty

That's Disney, they do want to make it right if they can

We both got the molten chocolate cakes.

Yum!

Towel Animal

Gorilla maybe

 

[DnA2010]

You guys haven't been, have you?

Just brunch, changing that soooonnnn!!!

nice one! got the whole thing!

All that candy surrounding that lady was donated by people on our FB cruise group.

what the?! that's a lot of candy indeed!

this one is so nice!

I got pappardelle with ragu. I love pappardelle and anytime I see it on a menu, I usually order it, unless I hate the sauce.

I do see this show up in tour reports here and there, you don't see it much here

Good girl Belle

So she brought me another one which was much more tender and tasty

That's Disney, they do want to make it right if they can

We both got the molten chocolate cakes.

Yum!

Towel Animal

Gorilla maybe

 

[pkondz]

Attempt #3 at replying...
I'm getting pretty tired of fighting with the Dis. Between the plethora of ads, pop-ups, pop-downs and redirects...

Getting cloooser!

I had looked it up previously. That sucker is half a mile long!!
Surely they could have planned for shuttles with a distance like that.

All the supplies and stuff they are going to need to transport to the site.

It's like planning an invasion!

Oatmeal without brown sugar is just gruel.

but then we had that super long walk down the pier.

And they're still walking to this day...

They had these little wagons so that the kiddos didn’t have to walk all that way.

That's good, at least.

We made it halfway!

Did they have benches at the halfway point? Medical teams?

The tram ride took 9 minutes to get to the main stop. 9:33-9:42.

Yeesh! I have no idea how fast it was going, but I'm gonna guess another couple miles?

The tram ride was narrated by “creatures who lived on the island”, I took this short video on the way to the main area.

Erm... The little I listened to... I found it more annoying than entertaining. Maybe I'm being too harsh.

What the heck is that behind Jill? Dead palm tree?

Like the roofs.

It was quite a walk, but we made it.

more walking...

Ah! See why now. Didn't know it was adults only. I'd have done the same thing, I think.

We ordered some drinks that were supposed to be like a Dole Whip with Rum, but all you could taste was the rum. There was no pineapple flavor.

Some people would say that was a good thing.

They did have this cute little gummy pineapple I had to fish out of the drink.

There it is! There's the pineapple!

We had seen videos of the lunch buffet covered in flies, and did not have any confirmation that the issue had been solved.

Ew!

While we were waiting to disembark the next day, we asked another lady who had stayed for lunch what the fly situation was like. She told us that she tossed her food because of the flies.

Does Disney not know where maggots come from?? So gross.

Eventually we got a tram and now had the long walk back to the ship.

Whelp... Definitely was worth getting off the ship.

We saw the gangway Aft and headed in that direction only to be told that it was closed once we had almost reached it.

How hard would it have been to put a sign up or have someone directing returning guests? Sheesh.

After that death march we decided we could use one!

Jill had a slice of pizza. I had some Spaghetti Bolognaise, some BBQ ribs, and corn and broccoli.

I'd have some of all of that.

Jill told me that they had Bread Pudding near the end of the buffet. I hadn’t ventured back there. She knows I love bread pudding so I couldn’t resist a helping of that.

Yum!
If I'd have missed that and heard about it later, I would not have been a happy camper.

Eventually we headed to the tile loungers and spent a while there until we were overheated. Then we went and changed out of our bathing suits and into our spa robes. We waited in the relaxation room for our massages and facials.

This was massage #4 in less than two weeks. If it was still that tight, I must be in bad shape.

I haven't had a massage in ages. I am scared to think how bad it would be.
(And fyi, this is now attempt 5 at replying as I got halfway through that last sentence before getting redirected (twice) again. Love the Dis*.)


*not so much now

I had never had a facial before, and I think I got a little bit gypped. Jill said that normally you get a face massage when they are applying the various creams and such. My gal just slathered the stuff all over my face and really didn’t take the time to do any kind of massage.

I've never had a facial either, but... yeah, sounds... incomplete.

I did a homage to Fran and drew a cat.

We both ordered the Lobster Bisque.

My choice too.

I had the lamb chops.

Jill had the beef Wellington. Both were pretty good.

Those were a toss up for me. I had picked the rack of lamb at first, but then saw the filet was a wellington.

For dessert I had the orchard Peach tart.

Three for three!

it wasn’t that good.

Well, poop.

The show was pretty cute, our characters got lots of screen time.

the last towel animal.

A heart, I presume.

Land ho!

Really, Jill. It's fine you point out the land, but calling Alison that is a bit rude, no?




I'm kidding! Kidding!!

Final thoughts on Lookout Cay. I didn't like it at all. They need a shuttle to Serenity Bay. The plants/trees have not grown in yet and there is NO shade anywhere. The water is rough where they put the beaches. One island attendant said there was a much better/calmer beach but it wasn't really accessible. I didn't think the facilities were big enough for the amount of people on the Dream. I am not a beach person but far prefer Castaway Cay. I probably won't get off on Lookout Cay again.

Not exactly a glowing endorsement.
I doubt I'll ever take a Disney cruise, but... If I do... I've been warned.

 

[DnA2010]

Whoa baby, it does look long, I must say!

We made it halfway!

Halfway!

Nice shot, good idea doing it on the return!

Looks like the follage is starting to grown a bit

We ordered some drinks that were supposed to be like a Dole Whip with Rum, but all you could taste was the rum. There was no pineapple flavor.

Booo, bring on the actual dole whip with the rum!

It was very windy out there.

Every video I've seen of the island has said it's super windy

You can see the long walk off in the distance behind my beverages.

This shot really shows the distance! Glad lunch was good!
My understanding was they had sorted the fly situation, but sounds like not!

Jill said that normally you get a face massage when they are applying the various creams and such. My gal just slathered the stuff all over my face and really didn’t take the time to do any kind of massage.

I've had a couple of facials/mini facial and they were massages with various creams and scrubs

Quite a unique pair!

Wait I didn't realize Jenny was on the cruise, why haven't you written about her

But first the last towel animal.

Awww cute!

I've really enjoyed this trip indeed!

 

[missjackiemcg]

We split an order of the Tomato Burrata salad. I let Jill have half the Cheese and she let me have all the tomatoes.

I'm always looking for someone to pass my tomatoes off to, but no one ever offers me their cheese in return!! Jill is a good travel partner to have!!!

I'm joining the consensus that this is supposed to be a bat.

Beautiful!!!

That would be a pretty awesome picture to get, but I'd hate to spend so much time waiting in line for it! Do they only do that whole group shot once during the sailing?

We watched some TV for a bit, but we were sick of Food Network, creepy Haunted Travel Channel shows, and I was ready to kill myself before watching another Home Improvement show. So we pulled up The Rescuers. Boy have Disney films evolved.

AGREED!!!! Each time we sail, I get sick of the Food Network shows and Guy Fieri really quick! Love the Rescuers--such a classic. My brother and I used to love watching that one!

 

[Steppesister]

Trying to get caught back up here! OY! I'd gotten so far behind!!

and lucky 13 is coming up in just over a month!

YAY!!

Isn't is divine?

VERY!

ee how the queue goes back and even extends along the wall? They went all the way past the Guest Services desk and into the shops.

The 10-15 minute walkway...... Eats up far too much island time.

Such fun!!! Their Halloween costumes are so great!

Luckily one tenant paid early so I had some money!

Love me some payday!

All that candy surrounding that lady was donated by people on our FB cruise group.

Holy moly!!! That is a LOT!

That looks truly uninspiring. Hopefully the chicken wasn't dry at least.

I got pappardelle with ragu. I love pappardelle and anytime I see it on a menu

My absolute favorite pasta! We eat quite a bit of that here at home.

I took this shot of the long walk from deck 11.

Soooooo long.

It was very windy out there.

We had massive wind too; so much so that we abandoned the island only a few hours in.

While we were waiting to disembark the next day, we asked another lady who had stayed for lunch what the fly situation was like. She told us that she tossed her food because of the flies.

They weren't so bad for us, but maybe because of the wind? They had some little fan things going too.

and I think I got a little bit gypped. Jill said that normally you get a face massage when they are applying the various creams and such. My gal just slathered the stuff all over my face and really didn’t take the time to do any kind of massage.

Yes, the last one I got was long and full of great massage. Face, scalp, neck.... just wonderful.

Jill got the Celebration Cake, I think that was kind of meh too.

I found the dining room desserts were just not overly tasty. Mostly dry and flavorless. Palo was a different story!

 

[franandaj]

Land ho!

Finally!

This was the first time the Dream had docked at Lookout Cay since it had been in Europe all summer and the crew were excited.

I wonder if they've changed their tune by now?

Very Very Wrong.

They were yummy!

Of course they were!

It was awful! The bartenders were trying to get used to the new location and it was chaos. Not enough seats at the bar and the drinks were very subpar for the price.

Yeah, they really needed a larger bar.

We chose.....wisely.

Dear god the walk back is long. We should have grabbed the golf cart back but I didn't want to take a seat from someone who really needed it but in hindsight...it wasn't busy and no one was waiting.

Yeah, I don't think I'll be doing that walk ever again.

I miss Victor!

He took very good care of us!

I was pissed. There were no signs and it was a long walk after a really long walk.

Yeah at least they could have had a sign saying "Boarding at Midship and Forward."

I hate packing but we managed to get everything in!

Yeah, after nearly two weeks it was sad to have to pack up.

Very meh.

I have a future as a Disney animator!....Not!

Final thoughts on Lookout Cay. I didn't like it at all. They need a shuttle to Serenity Bay. The plants/trees have not grown in yet and there is NO shade anywhere. The water is rough where they put the beaches. One island attendant said there was a much better/calmer beach but it wasn't really accessible. I didn't think the facilities were big enough for the amount of people on the Dream. I am not a beach person but far prefer Castaway Cay. I probably won't get off on Lookout Cay again.

Totally agree with this!

 

[franandaj]

Just brunch, changing that soooonnnn!!!

I know! I'm definitely getting excited!

nice one! got the whole thing!

Yup!

what the?! that's a lot of candy indeed!

Those kids must have been sugar overloaded.

this one is so nice!

Thanks!

I do see this show up in tour reports here and there, you don't see it much here

I make it at home a lot too, very tasty!

Good girl Belle

She's a very good girl.

That's Disney, they do want to make it right if they can

And I very much appreciate it, and actually now have come to expect it.

Gorilla maybe

No idea?