Wishes 10/8/11 WP/GF-- Love's First Kiss-- Trip Report Complete

[One_Song]

Down in the GF lobby, we checked in with the cruise representatives. We waited for a bit for everyone that was also leaving from GF, about twenty minutes or so. Then they led us out to the bus. The GF was its first stop, so we had our choice of seats.

I was ready to get going!

I look naked, but I promise I'm not.

We had to make a few stops before we left WDW (and a few too many for my taste… get me to that ship, already!!)

In retrospect, I might have preferred that we drive ourselves. The ride was very rough and the driver made no attempt to not jostle us. I am fairly susceptible to motion sickness, and this day was no different. Later in the drive, they play promotional videos for the ship, and then some Disney trivia. That helped, it distracted me (and was fun).

Soon there was a buzz of excitement from the left side of the bus. And there it was—the ship!

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

I *love* your jewelry.

 

[One_Song]

But, but THEN what happened?!?

I don't know why I'm so goofy on your PJ. Pardon my sass.

In all seriousness, I think it's certain items, especially certain scents, trigger particularly strong emotions within us, so I feel getting unexpectedly upset over flowers is completely reasonable.

I *love* your jewelry.

Haha I love your sass! Your comments always keep me laughing. I was so excited to go on a cruise, I bought very tropical jewelry and clothes. And man, flats and a long slinky dress are really comfortable! I should start dressing that way all the time!

 

[One_Song]

We got off the shuttle, breezed through security, and entered the cruise terminal. There were lots of people milling about and several VERY long lines. We knew that, because we were club level guests, we had a separate check-in somewhere. After walking the room, we found it: a desk with two cast members, tucked in a corner, with no line.

We got checked in, no problems!

I loved that hat, I called it my Newport Beach hat. I told you, I was really excited to have cruise clothing!

We got our stateroom keys and were ready to go.

Then we made our way down the hallway, and onto the ship!! We were announced as "the Huffmans" when we entered the lobby. What a perfect way to start our honeymoon cruise.

A cast member appeared out of nowhere and said she would show us to our room (club level rooms are ready as soon as you board). We barely had time to look around the gorgeous lobby, but I have pictures of it later.

She led us to the elevators

She took us to our floor and pointed us to the correct hallway. The club level decks have gates between the elevators/stairs and the stateroom hallways. I guess it keeps people from walking through the hallway to get from Point A to Point B, but it felt a little too exclusive for me. Kind of creepy.

Anyway, after a slight mix up of me reading the numbers on our check-in sheet incorrectly and trying to get into someone else's room, we found our beautiful stateroom. It was really incredible, even nicer than GF. These pictures I feel like do not do justice to the gorgeous room because of poor lighting. I have more pictures to post later, and a video somewhere.

The entry hallway and a sitting area

The bedroom

That bag is a little gift since I am a Castaway Club (former Disney cruiser) member. It was a cute bag with two water bottles and a key chain.

The dinette table

Walk-in closet in the hallway

The master bath. The master bath also had a stall shower and a water closet.

 

[One_Song]

Ok I have the video! It's a compilation of all the footage we took on our cruise. It includes our room, views from the balcony, the Aqua Duck as seen from our balcony, pulling into Nassau, and clips from Castaway Cay (no pretty beach scenes though, it was a cloudy day )

Here it is:

Our Disney Dream Voyage

 

[Jennifer48]

DH & I stayed at the BWV on our 1st wedding anniversary. We would walk over to B&C for lunch or some ice cream quite often. One of the CM got to know us and even remembered us a year later! The No Way Jose is the best sundae there!

Your jewelry is so pretty! And your state room, amazing! I can't wait to read about club level experience.

 

[Designer Rose]

First of all, I am very much enjoying your PJ! You are a great storyteller!

Second of all, love your cruise outfit! I may need your help designing mine, haha.

Can't wait to read the rest of your TR! My fiancé and I will be spending our honeymoon on the Disney Dream, so I'm always excited to read about everyone's experiences.

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Okay, so glad I am all caught up now! I definitely think you should take a Beach Club trip in May--- and it should be over Memorial Day weekend. Just saying. And your sundaes look delish!!!

Your cruise outfit is adorable. I would look like a 105 year old lady in that hat. Also, your room is GORGEOUS!!! I can't wait to hear about the cruise: I went on a disney cruise when I was 16, and I still daydream about it.

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Awesome! Gorgeous! Love it!

Question though, disregard the comment if I'm just completely retarted but.... whose Pamela?? haha.

I can't believe how amazing that room is! I hope to one day talk Dave into braving the cruise ship! =[ He's afraid of it.

 

[One_Song]

DH & I stayed at the BWV on our 1st wedding anniversary. We would walk over to B&C for lunch or some ice cream quite often. One of the CM got to know us and even remembered us a year later! The No Way Jose is the best sundae there!

Your jewelry is so pretty! And your state room, amazing! I can't wait to read about club level experience.

We will have to try the No Way Jose next time! And club level on the ship was PHENOMENAL, even better than GF. We definitely made use of it!

First of all, I am very much enjoying your PJ! You are a great storyteller!

Second of all, love your cruise outfit! I may need your help designing mine, haha.

Can't wait to read the rest of your TR! My fiancé and I will be spending our honeymoon on the Disney Dream, so I'm always excited to read about everyone's experiences.

Thank you! The Dream was probably our favorite part of the honeymoon, we're trying to figure out when we can go again. You and your DF will LOVE it! And planning cruise outfits is sooooo much fun!

Okay, so glad I am all caught up now! I definitely think you should take a Beach Club trip in May--- and it should be over Memorial Day weekend. Just saying. And your sundaes look delish!!!

Your cruise outfit is adorable. I would look like a 105 year old lady in that hat. Also, your room is GORGEOUS!!! I can't wait to hear about the cruise: I went on a disney cruise when I was 16, and I still daydream about it.

Haha, that would be so awesome if we could take a trip at the same time and meet up!! I will keep that in mind. Oh my gosh I loved that hat! I was walking around like I was hot stuff My fashion sense is very me, I have no mind for what's trendy.

Awesome! Gorgeous! Love it!

Question though, disregard the comment if I'm just completely retarted but.... whose Pamela?? haha.

I can't believe how amazing that room is! I hope to one day talk Dave into braving the cruise ship! =[ He's afraid of it.

Haha, I'm Pamela-- I've always gone by my middle name. I really hate it actually, every time I fill out a form I have to decide if I should put my "real" name or my "actually-respond-to" name. I thought switching my first and middle names when I got married, but Michelle Pamela sounds funny to me. I can't drop it because I'm named for my godmom. My sister also goes by her middle name, and now she's passed it onto her kids. I told her they would resent it. Not gonna happen with my kids, they get to go by their first names like everyone else!

Anyhoo, you have to talk Dave into it. Is he afraid of being on a boat or does he get seasick? I wear those scopolamine patches when I cruise, I get queasy very easily.

 

[One_Song]

We took a little time to really soak in our phenomenal room. There were so many little details, it was just fascinating to explore. There were tons of different lights, and many of them had dimmers. The bathrooms were so nice—marble and shiny and with super nice amenities. I also noticed that the lighting in the room is very flattering; it’s definitely something you will appreciate when you’re in swim suits all day! We could see the Aqua Duck (the Dream’s water coaster) from our balcony.

When we looked through all the info sheets on our desk, one jumped out at us. We had a letter explaining that Cake Boss was going to be on our cruise filming an episode! It said we may see Buddy Valastro & his family around the ship, but that filming would not interfere with our experience in any way.

This was an “ah-ha” moment for us. Brandon had booked the cruise completely by himself. We had considered different honeymoon options for months after our engagement. We both love to travel, but we were worried that if we went to a big city (like Rome or Paris), we would exhaust ourselves wanting to see and do everything. He was willing to do a beach/island trip, but I know he doesn’t like to just lay on the beach. We looked into Key West extensively (it would have been so cheap to get there) but couldn’t find the type of luxury accommodations we wanted. We had discussed Disney a few times. But, I was afraid that Brandon secretly didn’t want a Disney honeymoon but just didn’t want to hurt my feelings. One day I came home from work and he said “I booked a Disney cruise for part of our honeymoon today. Now you HAVE to take the Disney honeymoon.” It was so exciting and exactly what I wanted! I think I literally jumped into his arms without invitation!

ANYWAY, the point is, Brandon had tried to book the nicest suite, but at a year out it was already booked (not complaining, btw, our room was a dream). He went on a waiting list, but it never became available. Hmmm…. Pretty sure the Cake Boss was in that room

 

[iixheartxyouxox]

I'm really loving all the honeymoon details so far! I always get really excited when you have an update because you tell the story so well. So far you have convinced me that I have to take a disney cruise like right now! lol and funny story: When I saw the video you posted and it was a cloudy yucky day at castaway cay I thought to myself, "I wonder if thats the same cruise cake boss went on?" because I saw the episode last week and it rained for the ceremony which was supposed to be on castaway cay. So when i just read your post I knew I had to comment. Can't wait to read more!

 

[One_Song]

Soon we were ready for lunch. I consulted our Personal Navigator (onboard guide) to find what places were open for lunch. We settled on Cabanas, a buffet restaurant on one of the upper decks—actually, it was on the same deck as our room. There was only one above us.

We meandered around the pool decks a bit. It is so cool, Disney really makes beautiful ships. One really annoying thing though: there were cast members everywhere selling the “drink of the day”. They were fruity cocktails in souvenir glasses that the CMs carried on trays. The fourth or fifth time someone asked us, we said, well alright. Turns out they were $15 each! That’s crazy! We were a little miffed, but we bought them anyway. I guess that’s what they’re hoping for, that you’ll be too timid to hand them back to the guy with the tray.

Anyway, we found Cabanas, which was almost empty. I guess not many people were on the ship yet (club level boards early), or not settled in for lunch. We stashed our stuff at a table by the windows and each made a plate. I wasn’t that impressed with the selection, but they did have boiled shrimp. I am a born-and-bred beach girl, and I love any kind of seafood.

We returned to our table (see how my plate is half shrimp? Also, I think you could fit Brandon’s food inside of the little space formed by my food)

This is my “Ummm I’m eating here!” face

Lunch was really pleasant. The food was good, the view was pretty, and our drinks were delicious. It turns out that your anger over the drink’s price dissipates in direct relation to how much of it you have consumed (aka, they were strong and I was feeling happy )

This Carnival ship was docked next to ours

And also polluting like crazy

Just as we were finishing lunch, a rainbow came out!

I think the weather knew it was our honeymoon!

 

[tric8783]

Love everything Michelle, as usual!
I think the security door in your stateroom is actually a pullman bed! Since the video was right when you got your room, you probably figured it out later in the cruise
Your video and talking about your room makes me want to go on that cruise and stay there so bad!! lol Can't wait to hear more and see what else you guys find on the ship!!

We have been on Royal Caribbean's Oasis two years ago now this May and DF feels like that's since its's the newest and biggest ship it will be hard to top- I think the Dream just might spark his interest!

I went on that small Carnival boat for a bachelorette trip two years ago now - what a disaster it was! Some drunk party-er decided to make a false bomb threat the morning we were supposed to get off, so we ended up not being allowed to dock for hours- ughhh just seeing that stupid ship makes me quiver. lol It also had the worst layout everrr.

Looking forward to hearing more about the Disney ship, is it easy to get around etc?

I love your cruise wear, too!

And if you can't go to Disney in the end of May we'll be at the BC in early May and you can peep my wedding on the beach there! We've stayed at the YC and BW but haven't stayed at the BC yet, we're looking forward to it! And the sweets lover I am somehow we haven't been to Beaches & Cream- we'll definitely go during the wedding trip! We always get ice cream at the Sweets Shop at BW instead!

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Everything looks so fantastic, I love the videos!

Cake Boss on your trip is exciting, though!

 

[Jennifer48]

must go research Club Level on DCL. My DH thanks you for putting that idea in my head!

 

[One_Song]

I forget to mention yesterday, we have been featured on the Disney Wedding Blog! I am thrilled. I can't tell you how many times I clicked through page after page of DWB looking for inspiration or specific DFTW information. The blog is awesome!

Disney Wedding Blog Spotlight

New brides, you really should poke around the site, if you haven't already. It was so helpful to me.
_________________________________________________________________

I'm really loving all the honeymoon details so far! I always get really excited when you have an update because you tell the story so well. So far you have convinced me that I have to take a disney cruise like right now! lol and funny story: When I saw the video you posted and it was a cloudy yucky day at castaway cay I thought to myself, "I wonder if thats the same cruise cake boss went on?" because I saw the episode last week and it rained for the ceremony which was supposed to be on castaway cay. So when i just read your post I knew I had to comment. Can't wait to read more!

Oh that is so funny! We watched that episode (mostly to see if we made it into any shots, those 2 stories coming later). When they said they were renewing their vows on the beach, I thought "Umm......not the Castaway Cay I went to!" Anyway, you should take a Disney cruise, they're great! Thanks for reading!

Love everything Michelle, as usual!
I think the security door in your stateroom is actually a pullman bed! Since the video was right when you got your room, you probably figured it out later in the cruise
Your video and talking about your room makes me want to go on that cruise and stay there so bad!! lol Can't wait to hear more and see what else you guys find on the ship!!

We have been on Royal Caribbean's Oasis two years ago now this May and DF feels like that's since its's the newest and biggest ship it will be hard to top- I think the Dream just might spark his interest!

I went on that small Carnival boat for a bachelorette trip two years ago now - what a disaster it was! Some drunk party-er decided to make a false bomb threat the morning we were supposed to get off, so we ended up not being allowed to dock for hours- ughhh just seeing that stupid ship makes me quiver. lol It also had the worst layout everrr.

Looking forward to hearing more about the Disney ship, is it easy to get around etc?

I love your cruise wear, too!

And if you can't go to Disney in the end of May we'll be at the BC in early May and you can peep my wedding on the beach there! We've stayed at the YC and BW but haven't stayed at the BC yet, we're looking forward to it! And the sweets lover I am somehow we haven't been to Beaches & Cream- we'll definitely go during the wedding trip! We always get ice cream at the Sweets Shop at BW instead!

Yes, we did figure out about the bed eventually! I miss our cruise so much when I look back at our videos and photos, we had such a great time. Especially the Dream, because the ship is new and in impeccable condition. We found the ship very easy to navigate. That Carnival experience sounds awful!! Right now, our big dilemma is whether to take a cruise or a WDW (BC) trip this year. It's a hard call!

Everything looks so fantastic, I love the videos!

Cake Boss on your trip is exciting, though!

It was pretty cool, we accidentally were present for the cake presentation! I have some funny Cake Boss stories coming.

must go research Club Level on DCL. My DH thanks you for putting that idea in my head!

Haha, sorry! I know it's a pretty penny, but it's wooooooonderful. The service is wonderful, they really do spoil you!

 

[lilsqueakrr]

LOVE your outfit! Can't wait to see more! ;D Where did you get your cute tropical outfits? I need me some for our honeymoon!

 

[One_Song]

LOVE your outfit! Can't wait to see more! ;D Where did you get your cute tropical outfits? I need me some for our honeymoon!

I checked local surf shops for sales a lot, they always have cute stuff. That red dress in the pictures above is Billabong. I also got a catalogue for Body Central, they had some little sundresses and the prices were way cheap. Honeymoon shopping is so fun!

 

[One_Song]

After lunch, we headed back to our room to put on our swim suits-- it was pool time!

Along the way, we ran into another of those CMs with the drink trays. We bought another round (Remember: the first round, we thought "geez what a rip off"; the second round was "OMG what a great deal!!")

During our entire cruise, we only went to the adult pool. It's very neat-- there is a central pool that is for wading, then two side areas that are maybe six feet deep. A ridge runs all the way around it that acts like a giant bench. Some places mist water, too. The best part is the bar adjacent to the pool, and the bar stools are still in the wading level of the pool. Sitting at the bar with your feet in the water was so exotic feeling!

The adult pool also has a hot tub. It is a little small, but it is on the far edge of the deck, and connects to a wall of windows. It also has a glass bottom, so it feels like the ocean is all around you! If you are afraid of heights, it may be a little intimidating, but I loved it!

We had about half an hour at the pool before we heard the announcement that we should all be at our emergency drill stations! I would have been worried except there were still tons of people at the pool with us... I guess they expect that lots of people will be late.

We did the safety drill, which was uneventful, and returned to the pool deck to watch the Sail Away deck party. We got great spots right along the top railing; nobody was standing on that side of the deck (which faced the stage), so I think people assumed you weren't allowed to stand there. We got another round of cocktails (they really make those accessible, and we were taking FULL advantage of it!) and tried to really soak in the show. It was so exciting-- our cruise was starting! Sadly we left the camera in the room.