Western Trip Recap April 19-26

[anty30]

Hi everyone. I am just going to post a brief recap of our fantastic trip.
This was our 2nd Western trip on DCL. Love the ports and it fell on our vaca week, so we thought we would do it again.

Flew down Friday
Rented a car from Budget
Stayed at CI&S - would highly recommend this hotel. It was convenient, clean and comfortable.
Arrived at port sat. around 10:30 am. DH dropped off the kids (I have 2) and me with the luggage and he went to return the car. This worked out well because by the time he returned we were all checked in.
Got Boarding #3
On the ship by 12:30pm
Cabin #2614 - Cat 9, Deck2 - Room was a bit noisy in the am.
Had 8:15 APPLAPL dining rotation
Servers were Alonso from Costa Rica & Jana from Czech Republic
PALO Brunch Sun. Wonderful.
KW was beautiful, no excursions booked
GC was fun - did Pirate Adventure through DCL, we all thoroughly enjoyed it.
PALO dinner Tues. night - Fabulous
Cozumel - did Dolphin Encounter at Chankanaub Park
DS got scared and refused to go in at the last minute, but it was a great excursion. LOVED the park as a whole. Lots to do. Would recommend it.
Castaway Cay - what can I say? It is beautiful. Did the Banana Boat ride. Had fun. DD loved it. Wear goggles if you do it.
Sat. - Disembarked by 9am
Rented a car at Budget
Arrived at MCO by 10:30 am
Flight back to NY @ 12:45

Hits:
PALO Brunch & Dinner - dont miss them!!!!
Great weather all week. Not one drop of rain!!!!
More relaxing 2nd time around because you are not in a rush to see and do everything.
Bingo was fun. Never won, but had a good time. Final Jackpot was 10K!!!
Meeting DIS friends
Pirates and Dolphins
Kids were in the clubs almost the whole week so we had a lot of adult time.
Deck 4 loungers!
Chicken tenders.
Mickey Bars!
Fireworks.
Sleeping in the sun.
Castaway Cay BBQ

Misses:
New menus
New dining rotation
Cost of picture packages
Castaway Club gathering (seemed pointless)
Our stateroom host this time around was a ghost (no personal connection like last time)
Dining room servers were ok, not great


I took over 400 pictures, but have not had time to download them yet.

Overall it was a fantastic trip. We booked another one. Kids loved it. Any questions, let me know.

Thanks,
Anty30

 

[MassDisLovers]

Hi Anty , thanks for sharing, it will be fun to see what others on 'our' cruise post about the week. BTW - I'm with you on that DCL Alaska cruise. Meg says we have to go when she has college break or we can't go at all She pointed out that she "was there in Palo" when you shared what your server had told you, so that means she "has to go". In fact, she wasn't all that thrilled with her first-ever Palo experience (she's not a very adventurous eater) so she thinks hearing your news was the best part of being there!

 

[Googelibear]

Thank you for the report.
I too like sleeping in the sun and I cannot wait to do it on this beautiful ship

 

[anty30]

Hi Anty , thanks for sharing, it will be fun to see what others on 'our' cruise post about the week. BTW - I'm with you on that DCL Alaska cruise. Meg says we have to go when she has college break or we can't go at all She pointed out that she "was there in Palo" when you shared what your server had told you, so that means she "has to go". In fact, she wasn't all that thrilled with her first-ever Palo experience (she's not a very adventurous eater) so she thinks hearing your news was the best part of being there!

I'm glad I could brighten her PALO experience. It was great meeting you and your family. I thought all of the DIS friends were wonderful and truly enhanced our DCL trip.
Anty

 

[King Charming]

I wholeheartedly agree that seeing familiar faces on the ship to talk to and wave at enhanced our experience too. It was really great to meet you and all the others. With over 50 people showing up for our thread meeting Sat. afternoon, you almost always saw someone you recognized. Can't wait for the pics.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Thanks for sharing!
Will you be rebooking?

 

[anty30]

Thanks for sharing!
Will you be rebooking?

Yes, we did rebook. I would like to do a different itinerary since we have done the western twice. I booked for Dec. 2009, but willchange it to 2010 when those dates come out.

 

[Hypermommy]

Great to see what you did. It was so much fun to know people before we even started the cruise and I know it's going to be great just seeing what everyone did.

Alaskan cruising huh? Now that could be great!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Yes, we did rebook. I would like to do a different itinerary since we have done the western twice. I booked for Dec. 2009, but willchange it to 2010 when those dates come out.

EXCELLENT!

It's going to be agonizing having to wait, won't it???

I know because by the time we cruise next year it'll be just shy of two years from our last one.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I enjoyed your report. What was the news from Palo?

Post pics when you can!!

 

[anty30]

2 years is a long time to wait, thats how long we waited for this past one. It just makes you appreciate it more!

PALO was great. Our server told us one of the new ships will definately 100% be going to Alaska. That was big news.

Still have not downloaded my pics. Will hopefully get to it by the end of the week. Going back to work really stinks.

 

[Empress Room]

PALO was great. Our server told us one of the new ships will definately 100% be going to Alaska. That was big news.

As I recall, when DCL announced its new contract with Port Canaveral last month, it said that both of the new ships would be committed to Florida for a minimum number of calendar days for a five-year term, so if either of the new ships is actually going to Alaska, it would have to be on a very limited basis (much like the current West Coast/Mexican cruises).

IMO, it would make sense to establish those two new ships' itineraries in Port Canaveral for at least a few years before venturing away - particularly since the new contract calls for it. It may, however, make sense that either the Wonder or the Magic is placed permanently on the West Coast to service the new DVC offerings in California (and even Hawaii) and, in turn, conduct Alaska cruises during the summer months.

As with bus drivers at WDW, crew member and cast member "rumors" should be taken with a liberal shake of salt...

 

[lillygator]

Yes, we did rebook. I would like to do a different itinerary since we have done the western twice. I booked for Dec. 2009, but willchange it to 2010 when those dates come out.

did you have to put down a deposit for everyone in the party or was it a dummy booking?

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

Hi recent cruisers -

Can any of you tell me if Keyon is still on the Magic?

Thanks!

 

[anty30]

lillygator- I did have to put $250 down per person. I will switch the date when 2010 dates come out this fall.

fourfox- i dont know a Keyon, so I am sorry I dont know if he/she was on the ship.

Ant

 

[anty30]

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcsWjZw2btmaV&emid=sharshar&linkid=link2


Link to pictures

 

[a7moulton]

Ant,
Hey, those are great pictures! I also was toying with the idea of next year RCCL. I think the kids need alittle more of a challenge. I also enjoy staying onboard a bit more so the idea of having a skating rink, ect. sounds fun! What ship are you planning on? It probally would be nice if we could go at the same time to see familiar faces!
Talk soon! Colleen

 

[anty30]

Ant,
Hey, those are great pictures! I also was toying with the idea of next year RCCL. I think the kids need alittle more of a challenge. I also enjoy staying onboard a bit more so the idea of having a skating rink, ect. sounds fun! What ship are you planning on? It probally would be nice if we could go at the same time to see familiar faces!
Talk soon! Colleen

Colleen,
OMG, I would love it if you guys did the same cruise. Ava would be very happy (and occupied ).
We are doing RCCL, Adventure of the Seas, April 5, 2009 out of PR.
The cancellation policy is the same as DCL, up to 70 days before, 100% refund. We booked for the 4 of us in an oceanview cabin, $3200.00.
Stops include: Aruba, Curacao, St. Martin, St. Thomas.
Ice rink, in-line skating, rock wall, arcade, etc.
Book it!!!!! Boston & NY together again!!!!
Antoinette

 

[MassDisLovers]

Colleen,

You'll love it. We did that ship last year!

Karen

 

[a7moulton]

Ant,

Just wondering, what made you pick that one? What do you think air costs? Actually, Karen, you can probally answer that one, especially coming from Boston. The date is too far out at this point to check.
I am definately looking into it, maybe Karen and others will join us!!!

That would be sooo much fun!!!
I'll start pricing!!
Colleen