VWL/Eastern Fantasy Cruise/AKV CL all wrapped into a fabulous b-day trip - Complete

[Pinkocto]

I left off with us heading to Serenity Bay for lunch. I had been looking forward to an exact replica of a sandwich I had in January but I was not in luck. They didn’t have the same bread or dressing. It was ok, I still had a very delicious lunch.



I started with this



And made this



Mom had a veggie burger



And let a cookie warm up in the sun



We also had some fruit



then I went up to get pictures of everything. I had forgotten pictures of all the meat offerings last time so I got pictures of everything.







I should have gone back to get a picture when they replenished the ribs, sorry

























Lots of sauces to choose from

 

[Pinkocto]

I got a piece of mahi mahi which was very delicious



Part of the seating area



And went back for some dessert




With our bellies happy we headed out to sit on the beach.






The Castaway Air Bar



It looked gorgeous but it was WINDY!





A few people had braved the water



And then who did we see down the beach, Captain Jack!





I’m not sure if you can rent these cabanas or if they’re just for massages



Since it was so windy we decided to head to the family beaches to do some exploring. We watched some pelicans for a few minutes



And then headed out

 

[dgbg100106]

The mahi mahi and the beach look very appetizing..

 

[rentayenta]

CC looks amazing. I love the photos. Does the family beach serve the same food as Serenity Bay?

Was that mango? Mango is my all time favorite fruit.

And Captain Jack? Awesome!! Does CC always have characters? I'm dying this looks so fun!

 

[eandesmom]

I am finally all caught up!

Random thoughts in no particular order

at your room steward flunking towel animal school

San Juan looks lovely, I am so excited to go there! love the fort tours

Your trip is very windy so far, really nice that you had the rain forest room pass and heated loungers

I would NOT like para sailing in that wind

So much yummy food I lost count but your mom had my favorite brunch entree, the florentine, YUM!

LOVE that carpet. Love it! Just the carpet pictures have me dying to go on the Fantasy.

 

[Pinkocto]

The mahi mahi and the beach look very appetizing..

I can't wait to get back there

 

[Pinkocto]

CC looks amazing. I love the photos. Does the family beach serve the same food as Serenity Bay?

Mostly the same food at the family beach. The one time we went there I forgot to take photos. I don't think there were as many options though.

Was that mango? Mango is my all time favorite fruit.

It was and it was perfectly ripe. If there's not any at the family beach you can just catch the tram over and get some. I can't for the life of me remember the fruit they had at the family beach.

And Captain Jack? Awesome!! Does CC always have characters? I'm dying this looks so fun!

Yep, always you guys are going to love it!!! Just like on the ship, they have the time and place where the characters will be on the island. It will be posted on the daily navigator.

 

[Pinkocto]

I am finally all caught up!

Random thoughts in no particular order

at your room steward flunking towel animal school

I know, it was pretty funny.

San Juan looks lovely, I am so excited to go there! love the fort tours

It was a beautiful city, we had a great day exploring. When are you going? Did I miss a trip you have planned?

Your trip is very windy so far, really nice that you had the rain forest room pass and heated loungers

It was super windy, it wasn't like that the previous March so we weren't prepared for it. That's one reason we booked May for next year instead, hopefully it will be hot enough even if it is windy we won't mind.

Loved the rainforest room, we definitely got our money out of those passes.

I would NOT like para sailing in that wind

it was not pleasant. I was holding on for dear life!

So much yummy food I lost count but your mom had my favorite brunch entree, the florentine, YUM!

She said that was fantastic, and was sad she was too full to finish it. There's never a shortage of good food on the ship that's for sure!

LOVE that carpet. Love it! Just the carpet pictures have me dying to go on the Fantasy.

I was in love with those carpets. They were as much artwork as the paintings on the walls, IMHO. The details were just amazing,

 

[eandesmom]

It was a beautiful city, we had a great day exploring. When are you going? Did I miss a trip you have planned?

Long ways off. Jeff and I are booked on the 9/20 Magic S. Caribbean Sailing out of San Juan

It was super windy, it wasn't like that the previous March so we weren't prepared for it. That's one reason we booked May for next year instead, hopefully it will be hot enough even if it is windy we won't mind.

We had a super windy at sea day in August on the Dream, definitely needed to be in a more protected area. It was warm but with all that wind, not exactly hot. Then again it was during hurricane season

I was in love with those carpets. They were as much artwork as the paintings on the walls, IMHO. The details were just amazing,

SO pretty! Decor wise I would not be at all surprised if it turns out to be my favorite. Some day, when I actually make it on it, we will see.

 

[franandaj]

Lunch at Serenity Bay looked wonderful! I would have been torn between the Chicken, Mahi Mahi and the Bratwurst! Between Fran and I we would have probably taken some of each and shared them. Yummy! The fruit looked really good too. I'm sure we would have been stuffed by the end of that meal. I think our next cruise has to include a dip a Castaway Cay! We already know that we have to change our cruise, I'm going to have to look into which ships we can switch to for next year.

I really need to get on vacation planning, but first we have to set our concert season for next year!

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

Thank you for the awesome report! Sooooo looking forward to the AKV CL portion as we are staying AKL CL in 9 days!! Can't wait to hear your thoughts and most especially see your pictures of the CL offerings!!

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Lunch at Castaway Cay looks amazing. I love that they had fresh mango.

I have recently read a trip report from one of my UK DIS buddies that mentioned Captain Jack Sparrow coming to Serenity Bay. When I read this in your trip report, I thought that must be something new as he had always hung out between the ship and the family beach. Then I realized that you were both on the same cruise.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

Long ways off. Jeff and I are booked on the 9/20 Magic S. Caribbean Sailing out of San Juan

Very cool, I'll be passing you in Puerto Rico, I'm doing the WBTA that ends the day yours starts. I'm excited about the new Aquadunk!

We had a super windy at sea day in August on the Dream, definitely needed to be in a more protected area. It was warm but with all that wind, not exactly hot. Then again it was during hurricane season

I'm a fickle lady when it comes to wind, I absolutely hate wind in my face and hair. Mom would be more than happy sitting up in the wind but I get so irritable!

SO pretty! Decor wise I would not be at all surprised if it turns out to be my favorite. Some day, when I actually make it on it, we will see.

It's definitely moms favorite. I love love love the decor but am not crazy how big the Dream/Fantasy are, I much prefer the feel of the classic ships. But then again, I'd be happy being on any of them, just get me cruising!

 

[Pinkocto]

Lunch at Serenity Bay looked wonderful! I would have been torn between the Chicken, Mahi Mahi and the Bratwurst! Between Fran and I we would have probably taken some of each and shared them. Yummy! The fruit looked really good too. I'm sure we would have been stuffed by the end of that meal. I think our next cruise has to include a dip a Castaway Cay! We already know that we have to change our cruise, I'm going to have to look into which ships we can switch to for next year.

I really need to get on vacation planning, but first we have to set our concert season for next year!

The CC lunch has become one of my favorites of the cruise, it's just simple delicious food. I've looked at a few itineraries that don't include CC but ultimately choose the ones that do. My TA will be the first one that doesn't which I'm bummed about.

So what did they do to your? Change from the Magic to Wonder? Let us know which one you switch to

How many concerts will you do?

 

[Pinkocto]

Thank you for the awesome report! Sooooo looking forward to the AKV CL portion as we are staying AKL CL in 9 days!! Can't wait to hear your thoughts and most especially see your pictures of the CL offerings!!

THANK YOU!!!!

I'm so glad you're enjoying it this is the last day of the cruise so hopefully will get to the CL portion this weekend. You're going to love it!

 

[Pinkocto]

Lunch at Castaway Cay looks amazing. I love that they had fresh mango.

They've had fresh mango each time we've gone. I always look forward to that lunch, it's so delicious!

I have recently read a trip report from one of my UK DIS buddies that mentioned Captain Jack Sparrow coming to Serenity Bay. When I read this in your trip report, I thought that must be something new as he had always hung out between the ship and the family beach. Then I realized that you were both on the same cruise.

Corinna.

Too funny That's the first time I've seen him on SB.

 

[Pinkocto]

While we were waiting for the tram Captain Jack made his own departure



Aside from being windy it was a gorgeous day



We went to explore the family beach as planned and found some areas we’d never seen before.







It looked pretty busy.



We need to check these slides out one of these days



You have to swim out to the slides



Off to continue our exploring



We found the Heads Up bar



Where I got a Konk Kooler which was as delicious as usual



The snorkeling area



Another angle of the slides



At this point we slowly made our way back to the ship taking in the sights along the way



Some little shops that sell souvenirs



Several hairbraiding areas





First picture of Mount Rustmore, this is a popular character meet and greet area

 

[dolphingirl47]

I love the photo of Captain Jack Sparrow's exit. The slides look tempting. I only have been to Castaway Cay once since they have been there and that day I did not feel too well. I hope I will get a chance eventually to try them.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

I love the photo of Captain Jack Sparrow's exit. The slides look tempting. I only have been to Castaway Cay once since they have been there and that day I did not feel too well. I hope I will get a chance eventually to try them.

Corinna

He gave off a great Captain Jack vibe!

Oh how very sad to not feel well on CC day.

They're on my list to try as well, right up there with shuffleboard which keeps evading me

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

I'm so glad you're enjoying it this is the last day of the cruise so hopefully will get to the CL portion this weekend. You're going to love it!

Oh I am so excited!

Thank you again!!