Trip Report: Day One Aug. 2nd, 2003

[jlawall]

Hey, WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!

We had the best cruise ever!!! I didn't think it was possible after last summer but, this cruise was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

First day we checked in around 11am. We were boarding by around 12 noon. We ate lunch at the Parrot Cay buffet and then put on our suits and went swimming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We met a few cruisers who had cruised before and they shared tips about their other trips.

Later on we met our servers - Sompong from Thailand (Sammie to us!!) & Joel from Phillipines. They were outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight we took it easy due to travel fatigue.....

More to follow........

JoAnn

 

[jlawall]

I want to add alittle to Day One.....we played Bingo with Bingo King Andy, Karen and Que. They were hysterical and did a super job all week. We were completely hooked. My DD Jessica won $59! It was the only time we won all week. Attendance at Bingo was up quite a bit from last year. There are now 3 choices - Jumbo Pack ($35); Value Pack ($20) and Kiddie Pack. You only get the raffle ticket if you get the Jumbo Pack.

Deck party was great. Staff did an excellent job. Weather was good as well. We really liked Cruise Director Jim. He has a great sense of humor. Well, that's all for Day One.

 

[jlawall]

Sorry, I keep remembering more details.....during the lunch buffet at Parrot Cay, we purchased the Wine Package. This included several varieties of wine (7 bottles in total). This was a wonderful addition to our dinner meals.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Details on the wine package please!

We are probably going to do this in September to share with another couple. We will go with the "classic" package I think because the wine we tasted and loved on the ship last year is on the classic list and not the premium. Selbach-Riesling! Fabulous.

Anyway, tell all. And, what do you mean you purchased it at the lunch buffet? Not at dinner?

 

[jlawall]

Hey Sonia,

I'm pretty sure we also chose the Classic. (It was the cheaper one and had what we wanted on it.) At Parrot Cay lunch buffet, we were eating and a wine steward came to our table and sold us the package. Each evening, our assistant server came to us and we chose the wine we wanted. I believe it was $145 and then the tip was added in to the initial payment.

JoAnn

 

[holly1994]

We also just came back from the Aug 2nd cruise. We opted to do something different this time. We found a website that had a list of the wines in the package. My husband and I then purchased 6 bottles of wine and a bottle of champagne at Sam's Club and brought these on board. The cost was half of what Disney was charging for the same wines. We then enjoyed our wine before and after dinner in our stateroom. We also poured ourselves a glass and brought it with us to the show nightly.
You might want to lug this many bottles on board. But my husband packs light and used a carry on for the bottles.

 

[jlawall]

I just want to mention that we arrived about 11am at the terminal. While my DH and I checked in, my DDs were waiting in line to board the ship. They stayed there until it opened up around 12. The one drawback to arriving early is that we did not have our names announced. They were announcing names after we boarded.

 

[jlawall]

I bumped my trip reports in case anyone has some recent questions about the Western itinerary!

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for bumping them up, I'm going to read them all right now Thanks for taking the time to write these all up!