Western 8/2 - 8/9

[hollywood320]

We sailed the Western Carribean on 8/2 thru 8/9. I have to admit I was skeptical at first because it was just my wife and myself going on a Disney ship, but since we are DVC members it was really the only cruise we could afford. We went down to FL on 8/1 and spent a night in the Radisson at Port Canaveral. This was a nice place and I recommend going down the day before. On the morning of the 2nd we caught the first free shuttle from the Raddison to the Port. This was at 10:20am. By the time we gave our luggage to the baggage guy and got inside it was a little after 11. We checked in and then waited in line. Some people decided not to wait in line to board the boat and waited on the couches, but we were glad we waited in line because the line to board when further than we could see once boarding started. It was also good b/c as soon as we got on the boat (approx 12:15) we separated. I immediately made reservations for Palo's dinner and brunch and she made appointments at the Spa. It is recommended you do these two things first thing b/c it is first come first serve.

The islands were nice. We like Key West the best. We tookt he Conch tour there. It was about an hour and was really nice. Then we walked around ourselves up and down Duval St. Sunset at Mallory square was really nice, also. There were hundreds of people there and it was a good time.

The Cayman Islands were OK, we went swimming with the Stingray's there. That was fun. Next was Cozumel which also was really nice. We took at glass bottom boat tour and then did some shopping. Shopping was good and the people there come down on their prices sometimes as much as 50%. Castaway Cay was the last island. That was relaxing. It started to rain though towards the end of the day.

Life on the boat itself was great. The boat was spotless. You could constantly see people cleaning every last piece of the boat. I thought the food was beyond excellent. I read a lot of poor reviews of the food before I went, and was a bit worried. The food was really, really good. As for Palo's, this was the best food I have ever had. Palo's is an absolute must for anyone going on this ship, or you'll have missed out on the best part of the boat. The nightlife on the ship died around 12. The bar stayed open until 2 and at closing each night it was the same 15 or so people along with us. The shows like 60's, 70's, and 80's night were really good. There was this band on the boat called "Spirit", they seemed as if they were still in their beginning stages with each other, but they were OK. The other bands like the "Hollywood Duo", were really good.

The stateroom, although small, was honestly about twice as big as the stateroom I had when I sailed on Carnival. We were in room 6066 which is pretty much the exact middle of the boat. It was a nice room with a balcony. The balcony was really nice and I recommend that, also. The sea's were extrememly calm and one hardly noticed they were on a boat at all. Sometimes when we were towards the front of the ship you could feel it sway, and one night at Parrot's Cay it was swaying a bit. I noticed a lot of people walking around with a patch behind their ear. I don't know if the boat gave them out or if they just all happen to buy the same remedy for motion sickness, but I honestly hardly felt the boat move at all.

In conclusion, this was a magnificent vacation that I cannot wait to do again some years time. I highly recommend this to anyone and hope other people find this helpful and have as good as a time as I did.

Feel free to email me with any questions

Thanks

Dave

 

[jlawall]

Thx for the report. I am wondering who you guys are. We arrived at the same time and did similar activities....did you wear cowboy boots? Did you play Bingo? Just thought I'd ask!

 

[hollywood320]

I did not wear cowboy boots, but in the bar every night we sat with the couple from florida. The guy who whistled and yelled all the time and his wife. He one night wore his new boots he bought in Cozumel with a pair of shorts. I also was hanging out with Robert. Both Robert and Kevin were part of the Bon Jovi and Village people.
No, I didn't play bingo either.

I don't know if you read my other replies to your postings, but I remember you from Rockin Bar D.

Dave

 

[jlawall]

Sorry! Yes, I do remember Robert, we met him and his partner the first day. And I guess Kevin is cowboy boots guy. I think we were really lucky to sail with such a fun group!

 

[rae519]

Yup, it was a great cruise!!!!!

Rae

 

[disneyfan551]

What did you have at Palo that you enjoyed? Would love to hear a review...

 

[hollywood320]

At Palo's I had the prosciutto pizza that was awesome and then I had the lamb that was really really good. Our server also brought us out some kind of stuffed shells with riccotta and spinach. That was really good, too.

I remember my wife had the Fried Calamari for appetizer which she said it was the best she's ever had, and she has that all the time, I don't eat seafood so I can't give my opinion on that. She also had some kind of pasta with shrimp for dinner which she also said was excellent. Again, I don't eat seafood so I couldn't give my opinion on it. I live in Northern NJ and have been to a lot of good restaurant's around here and in NYC also. Palo's definitly ranked among the best I've ever had in my book.
I can't imagine going on a Disney Cruise and not going there for dinner. I think I may go on another cruise just to go to Palo's

For dessert we each had the chocolate souffle. No complaints there. By that point I was so stuffed but wanted to try other desserts. Table around us had some good looking stuff but I just couldn't fit any more food. Plus, we had to get down to Rockin Bar D.

Dave