This is the fourth cruise for DW and I, second for both DS (5 and 7). I made the reservations in September when just checking rates (never call TA just to check rates 
). Since our kids mid-winter break was a week before many other schools, the rates were very reasonable. We ended up using the cruise as a Hanukkah present for the kids. They had fun counting down the 60 days to the cruise.
We flew down to Orlando from Detroit on Saturday afternoon on Southwest Airlines (through Chicago Midway). Getting to Metro Airport 2 hours early, gave us more than enough time to get the bags checked in and through the short security line
.
I love flying SWA on vacation. Everyone we came into contact with seemed to really enjoy their jobs. Smiles and good vibes abounded during our flights
.
After fetching our luggage in Orlando, we were on our way to the Hertz lot. Unlike the other major rental companies at MCO, Hertz uses busses to their huge off-site location. I found that this was very easy. We went down the elevator with our luggage and the shuttle bus was waiting for us. Since I am a #1 Gold member, we got right in our Taurus and were on our way to the hotel (no lines, no waiting
). We got a one-way, one-day rental for $38.
I booked us into the Amerisuites Airport Northeast hotel. It was just on the otherside of the expressway from the airport boundry. We've stayed at Amerisuites in the past and found them to be very nice for our family of four. Booking through the Entertainment Book, we got the room for $104 (taxes included). There are a ton of resturants right there (as well as a number of other hotels - including another Amerisuites as well
).
After breakfast at the hotel (included in room price), we were off to the port
. 45 minutes (and $1.25 in tolls) later, we were pulling up to the DCL terminal. We dropped the luggage off (tipping the porters) and then set off to Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. We wandered through Ron Jon's and Cocoa Beach Surf Company to pickup the required tee shirts and hats. I also snagged a shorty wetsuit just in case the ocean was cool.
Hertz has an office just a few miles from the terminal with a free shuttle service. We dropped the car off and in no time we were walking through security and climbing the escilators. Since we were returning DCL cruisers, we went into the Castaway Club line. We were next inline and check-in was a breeze (helps to have all of your paperwork completed ahead of time). The initial crush of people had already boarded, so we walked right on (stopping to sanitize our hands
).
WOW, what a great ship 
!
We were directed by a very friendly CM to lunch at Parrot Cay. After enjoying a wonderful lunch (including some ice cream for dessert), we set off for the Oceaneer Club to register the boys. By this time our cabin was ready and we made our way down to deck 2. This was our first cruise in an inside cabin and I was a bit concerned
. I am very glad to report that my fears were unfounded . We had 2601 (cat 10). It was just as big as our cat 9 (just minus the window). I liked the layout a bit better with the bed on the far wall. It just seemed more comfortable somehow. The only real complaint I have about this room was the occasional vibration and engine noise. We never heard a peep from above, but sometimes the engines would vibrate at just the right frequency and we would get a rattle in the walls. Our stateroom attendent (Anna) was just great. She was in and out very quickly twice a day. The room was always perfect. The kids loved the towel animals each night.
After a quick change, it was off to the Mickey pool. In no time, DW and I were having our first Bahama Mama of the trip watching the kids splash, play, dunk and have fun. The DIS meet was scheduled for 3:00 at Scoops. We could not get the kids out of the pool, so DW and I did double duty talking with all of our new friends and watching the kids.
We finally had to drag the kids out so we could go and get our lifejackets for the safety drill. We made it to our muster station just in time. Fifteen minutes later we were released. By this time, our luggage had been delivered. We moved the cases into the room and went back up to deck 9 for the sailaway party. The RCCL Mariner of the Seas was still docked when we pulled out. The captains decided to have a battle of the horns. Needless to say, the Wonder took the competition with "When You Wish Apon A Star."
We had first seating for dinner with the PPTA rotation. Another first for us was a small table. Just enough seats for our family of four. While I missed meeting new people, it was sort of nice as well. Our server (Levi) and assistant server (Bruno) did a good job. They greated us all by name, and made sure to answer all our questions. I'm not sure if Levi was new in his job, but the service seemed a bit slower than last time. It wasn't enough to complain about, but both DW and I noticed a difference.
After dinner, we went to play bingo (didn't win) and then went to see Hercules (my favorite show). We had seats in the first row (very nice). Following the show, it was time for a late night snack up on deck 9. The kids really enjoyed the opportunity to stay up way past bed-time (plus the late night pizza).
The weather so far has been picture perfect. The most movement we felt the whole cruise was on the first night while crossing the Gulf Stream (typical). However, the seas were very calm and their was no hint of seasickness for anyone in our group.
We finally made it to bed around midnight. We needed to get some sleep as we were spending the day at the Atlantis tomorrow.
Rick
). Since our kids mid-winter break was a week before many other schools, the rates were very reasonable. We ended up using the cruise as a Hanukkah present for the kids. They had fun counting down the 60 days to the cruise.We flew down to Orlando from Detroit on Saturday afternoon on Southwest Airlines (through Chicago Midway). Getting to Metro Airport 2 hours early, gave us more than enough time to get the bags checked in and through the short security line
.I love flying SWA on vacation. Everyone we came into contact with seemed to really enjoy their jobs. Smiles and good vibes abounded during our flights
.After fetching our luggage in Orlando, we were on our way to the Hertz lot. Unlike the other major rental companies at MCO, Hertz uses busses to their huge off-site location. I found that this was very easy. We went down the elevator with our luggage and the shuttle bus was waiting for us. Since I am a #1 Gold member, we got right in our Taurus and were on our way to the hotel (no lines, no waiting
). We got a one-way, one-day rental for $38.I booked us into the Amerisuites Airport Northeast hotel. It was just on the otherside of the expressway from the airport boundry. We've stayed at Amerisuites in the past and found them to be very nice for our family of four. Booking through the Entertainment Book, we got the room for $104 (taxes included). There are a ton of resturants right there (as well as a number of other hotels - including another Amerisuites as well
).After breakfast at the hotel (included in room price), we were off to the port
. 45 minutes (and $1.25 in tolls) later, we were pulling up to the DCL terminal. We dropped the luggage off (tipping the porters) and then set off to Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. We wandered through Ron Jon's and Cocoa Beach Surf Company to pickup the required tee shirts and hats. I also snagged a shorty wetsuit just in case the ocean was cool.Hertz has an office just a few miles from the terminal with a free shuttle service. We dropped the car off and in no time we were walking through security and climbing the escilators. Since we were returning DCL cruisers, we went into the Castaway Club line. We were next inline and check-in was a breeze (helps to have all of your paperwork completed ahead of time). The initial crush of people had already boarded, so we walked right on (stopping to sanitize our hands
).WOW
, what a great ship !We were directed by a very friendly CM to lunch at Parrot Cay. After enjoying a wonderful lunch (including some ice cream for dessert), we set off for the Oceaneer Club to register the boys. By this time our cabin was ready and we made our way down to deck 2. This was our first cruise in an inside cabin and I was a bit concerned
. I am very glad to report that my fears were unfounded . We had 2601 (cat 10). It was just as big as our cat 9 (just minus the window). I liked the layout a bit better with the bed on the far wall. It just seemed more comfortable somehow. The only real complaint I have about this room was the occasional vibration and engine noise. We never heard a peep from above, but sometimes the engines would vibrate at just the right frequency and we would get a rattle in the walls. Our stateroom attendent (Anna) was just great. She was in and out very quickly twice a day. The room was always perfect. The kids loved the towel animals each night.After a quick change, it was off to the Mickey pool. In no time, DW and I were having our first Bahama Mama of the trip watching the kids splash, play, dunk and have fun. The DIS meet was scheduled for 3:00 at Scoops. We could not get the kids out of the pool, so DW and I did double duty talking with all of our new friends and watching the kids.
We finally had to drag the kids out so we could go and get our lifejackets for the safety drill. We made it to our muster station just in time. Fifteen minutes later we were released. By this time, our luggage had been delivered. We moved the cases into the room and went back up to deck 9 for the sailaway party. The RCCL Mariner of the Seas was still docked when we pulled out. The captains decided to have a battle of the horns. Needless to say, the Wonder took the competition with "When You Wish Apon A Star."
We had first seating for dinner with the PPTA rotation. Another first for us was a small table. Just enough seats for our family of four. While I missed meeting new people, it was sort of nice as well. Our server (Levi) and assistant server (Bruno) did a good job. They greated us all by name, and made sure to answer all our questions. I'm not sure if Levi was new in his job, but the service seemed a bit slower than last time. It wasn't enough to complain about, but both DW and I noticed a difference.
After dinner, we went to play bingo (didn't win) and then went to see Hercules (my favorite show). We had seats in the first row (very nice). Following the show, it was time for a late night snack up on deck 9. The kids really enjoyed the opportunity to stay up way past bed-time (plus the late night pizza).
The weather so far has been picture perfect. The most movement we felt the whole cruise was on the first night while crossing the Gulf Stream (typical). However, the seas were very calm and their was no hint of seasickness for anyone in our group.
We finally made it to bed around midnight. We needed to get some sleep as we were spending the day at the Atlantis tomorrow.
Rick
