WDW/DCL Western Caribbean Honeymoon Extravaganza!! DONE!!! - PG 51!!

[YoNoSe]

Say, where did your other 1/2 get his "Please stand clear of the doors" t-shirt?? I want one .

They are still available. I saw the shirt multiple times on our honeymoon. I'm sure if you call the park merch phone number and describe it they will find it for you.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Day 8 ~ July 26, 2009
Key West​

We got off the boat in Key West around 12:30. Originally, we had booked the GPS walking tour, but decided to cancel it and just walk around on our own.

I wish that I would have planned something specific to do instead of just walking around.

Hmm....where to??

Do you see Tom's elbow? Looking a little red and swollen still.....

In just a matter of minutes, we realized just how hot it was! I mean HOT! And we really didn't have a destination. We walked up to Duval Street, as I heard that's the place TO BE in Key West. We quickly realized that Key West is a "beach town"....kind of like ANY beach town with souvenir shop after souvenir shop. I mention that I hate shopping, right? Well there really wasn't anything for us to do here!! (Again, I wish I had planned something specifically but from what I've read, people said Key West was the best place to just walk around). Since it was so hot, so we decided to stop in somewhere for a drink. Well Sloppy Joes was crazy packed and if I'm going to a bar, I need a SEAT! I can't just stand and it was too intimidating to even attempt to go in. So we walked a little further and found a place called The Lazy Gecko. I got a mango margarita, which was good.

Honestly, those were the ONLY pictures we took in Key West because after my drink, we went right back to the ship! I know, I know...it doesn't even seem like we even tried but it was too hot to just wander around aimlessly when all that was around were souvenir shops!! Total time on Key West was MAYBE an hour...tops!

Some pics I took on the ship after we got back from Key West. Mickey was getting a little inappropriate with Minnie, don't you think?!

We walked around Decks 9 and 10 for a little before settling back in our "section."

Tom went and got us some food. At this point, I still didn't know how the food thing worked! But he came back with a delicious taco and chicken fingers, with delicious honey mustard dipping sauce! (Since coming home from the cruise, we've bought a GIANT squeeze bottle of Ken's honey mustard!)

We hung out, ate, drank....then all of the sudden, out of nowhere comes Goofy!! YAY! Something interesting!

Good thing Goofy came by, because little we did realize, right on the other side of the wall were Kenny and Michelle! (Remember, that couple we met the day before?) So we say hey to them and notice they are sitting with another couple......who know my name!! "Are you Nikki?" YES! Another DISer! It was WideEyedWonder! How funny that the "other couple" that Kenny and Michelle were vacationing with were DISers! We HAD to get a pic!

They were asking us about our honeymoon, and were trying to hook us up with some freebies but to no avail...thanks for trying!

Oh look! You can see Sloppy Joes from the ship! No wonder it was so crowded in there...it was Hemingway's birthday, which apparently is a national holiday in Key West! (I heard he only lived there for like 2 weeks, though.)

Then we spent some time watching some men looking for something in the ceiling. This entertained us for a good 20 minutes. Tom especially liked the antenna topper.

We probably sat in the "section" for at least 2 hours before deciding to get up and go explore a little more, since the navigator listed "board games at Diversions." Well I love board games so we went to check it out. (We realized that they ALWAYS have board games there, not just during that time.)

First we played some checkers.

Then we went over to a table to play Trouble, where Tom discovered that they had Boddington's!

I won the first game. Tom won the second. We did NOT have a tie breaker. (I don't blame ANYONE for losing interest at this point.)

Around 6:30, they put out some chips and salsa, cheese sauce, some other toppings. But by then, we were going to be having dinner soon so I didn't want to eat too much. It would have been nice if it was put out earlier.

Okay, I feel like this is the most boring TR at this point! But seriously, this is what we were doing! Watching men find SOMETHING in a ceiling and playing board games. It was kind of fun but I can play checkers in my living room...and I did NOT pay all that money to do something I can do in my living room!!! What were we doing wrong??!?!?! I just didn't get it.

After our games we went back to the room to get ready for dinner at Parrat Cay.

Up Next: Dinner and Parrat Cay (Hopefully FOOD PORN will keep you interested in this TR!)

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Wow, since I just found your trip report today (have no idea where I've been that I missed it), I am going to start at the beginning, so please forgive me.

Your wedding was superb!!! Beautiful dress, hair, and I loved your jewelry!! Your makeup looked beautiful in the pictures, but it's so hard when you look in a mirror and don't see "yourself". Tom looked so handsome and your wedding and reception pictures are fantastic!!

LOVED your cake and tables!! Oh my goodness girl!! What an absolute genius you are!!! Fantastic, all the way around!!

I am so glad your cake was good despite a lazy baker! And how crazy that your photographer got lost!

Love your mickey/minnie kissing shirt!! Adorable! Especially with your ears! I can't believe your ME bus experience. Sheesh! Talk about being a party pooper!! Great secret keeping about the poly!

Your cat is so gorgeous! I am so not a cat person, so guess who cats gravitate to? Yep, yours truly. I just have always been around dogs and I understand them better. What is it about cats anyway? They come up to you, rubbing against your leg, purring, you bend down and pet them. They lie down, asking for a belly rub and to thank you dig their claws into your hand and bite you! Ouch!!

Thank goodness for kidney stone resolution!! I hope Toms elbow gets better soon in your trip report. It looks VERY painful!

I must say I have enjoyed all of your food porn and your photopass pictures, but the test track photo just stands out so vividly as when I saw it I was !!! Can't wait to see even more!!

How sad that you had to deal with the stress of transportation, kids misbehaving and lunch crowds, as a start to your cruise. It's so hard to have expectations and have them crumble. I hope that if you choose to cruise again, that it will be a completely different experience. The really bad thing is, that if you don't like the food you can't exactly run down the street for take-out!

Well those are some of the things I really wanted to comment on, but I know I forgot a million others. Sorry to hijack your thread with this long post, but I am so enjoying this ans wanted you to know!!!

Looking forward to more. Oh yes... I think it is SO cool that you welcome your students to school each morning with disney music!!!

Wow, thank you SO much for you detailed reply! It's nice to hear what people think!! Thank you for all the compliments on the wedding. I'm so glad everything turned out the way it did. I worked really hard to make sure it was all perfect!

Yes, all cats are like that! I have to tell you, I didn't "get" cats either until I got mine, which were hand-me-down from my sister. Once you know them personally, you'll have a different opinion of them!!

So glad you like the photopass pics! I was really happy with them too, especially since I pre-ordered the CD! I LOVE that Test Track allows you to scan your photopass card! I wish more rides had that. We ALWAYS do a posed picture for most of the rides, but Test Track is the easiest to try different things on!

Again, thanks so much! And I hope you enjoy the rest of the TR!

 

[PopArtGal]

I love board games. Sadly, no one else does lol

 

[YoNoSe]

Haha - it really is amazing how boring we are!!! Vacationers across the country have a blast in Key West and we spent the day playing checkers on das boot.

Like I've said before - we were as much of a problem as the cruise was - we just aren't cruisers!!!!

We totally should have booked something to do. Walking around in the heat was brutal. We had things booked for every other port. I guess we just didn't take the heat into account.

Anyway, chalk this one up to our inexperience.

Luckily, we do enjoy a good game of checkers.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Sorry guys. Didn't you know the pool is where all the fun is at?

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I love board games. Sadly, no one else does lol

You are not the only one. I love boards games, I kick butt at Monopoly and Disney Trivial Pursuit. Life is also always interesting.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Sorry guys. Didn't you know the pool is where all the fun is at?

There were too many people in the pool!!

Seriously, that pool was not big, and I'm not really comfortable just splashing around that many people!! We DID go in the pool one day and I did lay out a couple of times. At this point, we were still getting adjusted to being on this boat!

 

[BippityBoo]

Ha! I CARE if you play board games

Seems like Key West was just Summer hot and filled with tourists! I dont blame you for going back! Tacos and Goofy sound good to me! To be honest, the main appeal to me for going on the cruise is the babysitting! Seriously, if we get some food and a drink without having to change a diaper or answer a silly question...then it's worth the money!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Day 8 ~ July 26, 2009
Dinner at Parrot Cay​

We missed the show again tonight. I think it was the same deal as yesterday...we didn't really know what to do or something. I don't know...just out of sorts, I guess.


OK, Parrat Cay.

Tom started with the Baked Crab Martinique and I started with the Jamaican-Marinated Chicken Tenderloin.

Second course, I got the West Indies Romaine Salad and Tom got the Cream of Green Asparagus.

For the main course, I got the Island-spiced Grilled Rib-Eye of Beef and Tom got the Braised Jerk-seasoned Pork Chop.

For dessert, I got the Chocolate S'more Vanilla Cake and Tom got the Parrot Cay Sweet Temptations.

After dinner, it was late and we were tired so we went back to the room.

Another thing that I think is important to note is that most of the "adult" activities started at like 11:00pm. I like to relax and digest after dinner, and when dinner ends at 10:15, that means sleep. (But I wouldn't want the early dinner because I'm sure it was PACKED with kids.) I'll stay up late occassionally but I'm not about to START my evening out at 11! If I'm already out and having a good time, that's one thing, but I'm never in the mood to get started so late!

 

[BippityBoo]

Ohhh 11PM!! That is about when I am ready to retire

I really liked that crab thing that your DH got...looked good! Most of the food looks like pretty typical "cruise food" would you say? Except for Palo..but dont you have to pay extra for that?? BTW..did you happen to see if there were any kid friendly options at dinner? My daughter is strictly a grilled cheese kind of girl

 

[PopArtGal]

I get you.

During the school year(well during the week), I often go to bed at 9pm. Yep. I'm a party pooper but I'm exhausted.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Ha! I CARE if you play board games

Seems like Key West was just Summer hot and filled with tourists! I dont blame you for going back! Tacos and Goofy sound good to me! To be honest, the main appeal to me for going on the cruise is the babysitting! Seriously, if we get some food and a drink without having to change a diaper or answer a silly question...then it's worth the money!!

Yeah I think that's the thing too. Me and Tom hang out and relax at home A LOT. I'm sure for a lot of people, especially people with children, the cruise is a way to relax in a way that you just CAN'T at home with kids.

Ohhh 11PM!! That is about when I am ready to retire

I really liked that crab thing that your DH got...looked good! Most of the food looks like pretty typical "cruise food" would you say? Except for Palo..but dont you have to pay extra for that?? BTW..did you happen to see if there were any kid friendly options at dinner? My daughter is strictly a grilled cheese kind of girl

Umm, not sure about the kid options. The food this night was also not great. My salad was actually gross. Yes, Palo was fantasic, very different from the other dining rooms, and yes, you do pay a little extra for it.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I get you.

During the school year(well during the week), I often go to bed at 9pm. Yep. I'm a party pooper but I'm exhausted.

YES! Even in the summer, I'm in bed at like 10! I'm sorry, but I like to sleep!

There was one summer a few years ago that I totally let myself go...staying up until 2am, sleeping past noon. It was not pretty. Now I can't even sleep past 9am, even if I tried!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

There were too many people in the pool!!

Seriously, that pool was not big, and I'm not really comfortable just splashing around that many people!! We DID go in the pool one day and I did lay out a couple of times. At this point, we were still getting adjusted to being on this boat!

Yeah, the pools are rather small. Sounds like the ship was packed the week you were on it!

I agree that getting out of dinner so late does not make one inclined to then go out and "party". I had that same problem.

 

[YoNoSe]

The food was not fantastic that night but the crab dish was not bad. One of our tablemates requested the recipe, in fact.

 

[SunnieRN]

To inappropriate Mickey!! That fresh little scamp!!

I will most definately take your word on cats. I will admit my daughter had a VERY cool cat at one time. His name was Charlie and he let the kitten she got suck on his toes. It was so sweet, and she eventually sucked all the hair off his toes. She was a poor little pound kitten that was raised on a bottle. When my daughter got Delilah, Charlie became her "mama".

You know, I can't imagine Hemmingway birthday crowds, intense heat and a town full of touristy shops would be a good mix when you have no idea what to do, or how to find something different. To me I always equate the idea of a cruise with exotic locales, lots of leisure time and good food and a drink or two. Doesn't sound like a summer holiday in key west fits that bill. I haven't ever been on a cruise, so I have no idea what I would have done, but your choice of board games and drinks sounds fun and relaxing!

As for Parrot Bay, how disappointing that food that looked so good didn't taste so good.

Looking forward to more and enjoying it all. Don't even think it's boring! I have never even been on the wonder, so I'm loving this!

 

[SunnieRN]

The food was not fantastic that night but the crab dish was not bad. One of our tablemates requested the recipe, in fact.

That did look very good!

 

[Jillpie]

I think I'm starting to understand your "funk" now. When us crazed planning Disers go to DW, we have a plan. We have a daily schedule, we know basically where we're going, where we're eating, what show we'll see that night. When we get on a cruise for the very first time, all of that goes out the window and we're like HUH? We kind of walk around dazed, like we should be going 100 mph and the cruise forces us to stop. So I think that is why people are always asking to post the navigators, menus etc here, so they can make that plan. I had a few things planned, but enjoyed the :winging" it part of the Magic too, especially going to the adult show at night at Rockin Bar D, did you get a chance to see that? And having dinner with other Disers, that was so much fun. Anyway, I'm still loving your report, and the pictures!

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Again, I wish I had planned something specifically but from what I've read, people said Key West was the best place to just walk around.

You see, you read the posts about Key West wrong...what they really said was "the BEST thing to do in Key West is to walk around".

As in "the best you can hope for during a nuclear war is a quick and painless death". See the connection? It's not like you want a nuclear war, but if you find yourself in one, well, might as well walk around, err, I mean hope for a quick and painless death.

All joking aside, Key West isn't bad, it's just, well, a small town tourist/drinking spot with some cool history, but it's, well, USA. If you are not getting drunk or shopping, there doesn't SEEM like a lot to do (although we didn't try any snorkeling, sailing, fishing, or jet-skiing).

We ended up walking around (with Kenny and Michelle and their DD), looked in a few shops, and ended up getting frozen chocolate dipped key lime pie on a stick at The Blonde Giraffe. After that, we dropped the kids off at the kids club, and hung out at the adult pool, where we met the coolest newlyweds. AT THAT POINT IN TIME WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT A BORING TIME YOU GUYS WERE HAVING. This was our Palo dinner night, and we added Kenny and Michelle onto our reservation...and we just "hung out" until dinner.

Now that I think about it, one of the reasons we had so much fun was that we ended up hanging out with so many cool people on the cruise (including, when it comes down to it, our kids!) (Moet, for example, is right up our alley!) We were actually rushed trying to get to beer tastings, fitness training classes, movie show times, galley tours, blah blah blah.

Anyways, it seems like you guys were almost isolated, even though you knew some people on the cruise. With that in mind, and not knowing what events (tastings, etc.) were happening when, I can see how the cruise could seem tedious and like it was lasting FOREVER!

I would have so loved to see you in your ears...some *ahem* ADULTS *ahem* (using the term loosely!) wear them everywhere on the ship (bless her big heart!):

on the other side of the wall were Kenny and Michelle! (Remember, that couple we met the day before?) So we say hey to them and notice they are sitting with another couple......who know my name!! "Are you Nikki?" YES! Another DISer! It was WideEyedWonder!

They were asking us about our honeymoon, and were trying to hook us up with some freebies but to no avail...thanks for trying!

Sheri (my wife) was actually a bit "pissed" that they gave you nothing! *sigh*.

Then we spent some time watching some men looking for something in the ceiling. This entertained us for a good 20 minutes...First we played some checkers...Then we went over to a table to play Trouble...We did NOT have a tie breaker. (I don't blame ANYONE for losing interest at this point.)

Oh. My. God. (as we say in California). After your experience just getting to the ship, this is just icing on the cake! Oh. My. God.