Serangel71
May 27th, 2006, 12:54 PM
Just got back a few hours ago from our 1st ever Disney cruise; others # 15-20(?). Must say the check in & check out went very smoothly. Our oldest son caught 24-hr Flu last night & stayed in the cabin while I went to breakfast -- they called & asked us to leave. I just said I was gettting everyone including him rounded up - no problem!!!! NO WAITING FOR YOUR NUMBER TO BE CALLED!!!!! Just get off the ship - and they even put the bags together in each color section!!! (I got a selection of baggage tags - different characters!!!)
Feel bad for the ones on this week's cruise - going to Castaway Cay - 2 x's, Grand Cayman & Cozumel. We had a great time in Key West & I had been there before. Toured Hemingway's home and did some shopping. Ate at Key West Cheeseburger - great appetizers(coconut shrimp)/burgers & a cool place to sit. While taking a 'shortcut' back to the boat found the bar where Rachel Ray watched the sunset. Best score - KINO'S!!!! Bought 2 pairs of sandals & a fully lined purse!!! All leather!!! All for $47.31, including tax!!!! There is also a Florida Wine store on Duval Street - some wine comes from Plant City - cool!!! Wine purchased here does not count towards your customs allotment-keep the receipt.
Grand Cayman was very nice, as usual - some shops have changed around - purchased a bracelet, Fossil Watches & my star fish Swaroski pin(plus a blue fish pin & key chain) Beautiful. Had a great time. Found John Hardy heart shaped pins(Landmark) for a pitance-made great gifts. He is donating the money to hard hit Bali-his silver & pieces might be made there-must check. There is a card attached that you mail in & he is supposed to send you more items. Can't wait. Oh, the center of the pin looked like MM silhoute (:) ). Artisan piece with a bit of cruise souvenir.
Cozumel - some stores have also moved. More great shopping - this time with the gang. We anchored very close to the downtown area so when the tender dropped us off, it was actually at the end of the shopping district.:eek: - tender took like 2 min. We shopped & then stopped at our little bar above Viva Mexico for our normal drinks & added nachos, chips & salsa. Many blackmail pictures!!!
Didn't get off at Castaway Cay - the ship was deserted --wonderful time indulging in the whirlpool & watched THE SHAGGY DOG with my oldest son. Youngest son did go to the island - had a great time snorkeling, etc. Cute picture with Pluto, too.
Sea days were a riot - so much to do - and played cards in Diversons - our little hideaway. The ship had a very large beer glass you buy & then get pay a small price for refills for the rest of the cruise. The beers and alcohol were very good and selection extensive. Kinda surprised me. Diversions also has acey-duecy(?)/bachgammon(?) & other games there. Missed the high tea at Palo's. Momx4 was right -- get those reservations you want early.
Here are some things to look out for --
Adults
1. Check out the cooking demonstrations - paired with wine -- wonderful
2. Palo's -- ate there the last night -- best food & it just kept coming. Had the back room so it was like a private party & our waitress was top-notched!!!
Be aware - even tho you pay a very small premium here, you can order more than 1 item in any category & they actually encourage you to do so. Try the chocolate souffle for dessert -- you will NEVER have anything that comes close ever --trust me.
Even tho Palo fills up - be flexible as we were on a wait list - but we got right in when we changed from a sea day to Friday night & we had 9 in our party.
Every aspect of this meal was great--beware, tho -- they actually put real normal portions on those plates!!!
3. Casual Dining in the Topsiders(usu a daily buffet for breakfast & lunch) -- was at night sit down casual dinner & great food - some things better than in the dining rooms. Fresh salads, too.
4. Breakfast -- oh, yes the omelets, but wait -- there were lichie nuts & strawberries--AND rasberries & blackberries (fresh, by the by). Had 1 MM waffle.
5. Lunches @ buffets - fab -- seafood like peel shrimp, crab claws, etc. The ship was a FOODIES' Paradise!!!
6. Noticed that the beef, etc were all quality cuts, etc. Very impressive!!!
7. Desserts - there is even a special dessert Buffet Thursday night - awesome!!! No pre-picture session tho - so get there early in line. Sundae's every night. Some of the sorbets/creams were made on the ship.
Also -- if you are diabetic & need to eat sugar-free desserts -- check them out. They had a special table at the Thursday night gala. Even creme brule. Found almost all great, except the cheesecake. Sometimes I ate the regular ones & exercised. I didn't ask if Palo's souffle was sugar free.
8. Must check out the artwork throughout the ship. There are delightful surprises everywhere.
Oh my -- Chihuly did the glass piece in the atrium. Thought I was going to overdose just looking at it. Amazing-and you never see the same thing twice.
The large picture of Walt Disney was great, and so was the smaller one of him on one of the stair cases.
Kids --
1. Teens had the STACK --awesome
2. Younger ones had great programs & areas just to themselves. (no little ones in our group but checked out the areas -- they were going to make volcanos- I ran. If something was going to blow up, I didn't want to get blamed for it :) - just kidding)
3. A large number of staff were supervising the kids - you do not need to worry. & they give out pagers - how cool is that???
4. Kids in the dining rooms are treated the best - own meals & plates but also served early so they are not fiddetity while the adults are waiting/eating.
5. A 'Guest' showed up in Animators one night - all the kids eyes were surprised, mine, too.
Everyone --
1. Great quality food.
2. Everyone goes overboard to make sure we had a great time.
3. THE CHARACTERS are everywhere -- but check their schedules!! They were also on the island. Bring an autograph book!!!
4. Great photo shots, too. & opportunities.
5. Can use your boarding pass to charge even on the day of departure if your pass is linked to a charge card. I used my own charge card & it was fine for then, too.
6. The stores on board stock Disney items. Have a blast!!! Oh - there are limited edition pins & a very large assortment of pins --& trading times where you can get together & swap. Found scapbooking items -stickers, etc. One of my fav's - a rubber duck with a pirate hat & gun.
7. Be advised you might run into people you went to school with -- even if it was 20 years ago at college. :eek:
8. Disney makes even the small details perfect and so natural -- they have a great cruise ship & a cruise.
9. Fireworks were great!!! Everyone got into the Pirates night celebration.
Thursday night on the way to Castaway Cay we diverted close to Miami so a Coast Guard Helicopter could take someone off the ship. While waiting they were doing drills on the water. We were dead stop so they flew right by our balcony, made the turn across the ship, hovered & dropped off their med-tech & supplies. To complete the operation takes quite a bit of time as they hover over a very small place without hitting anything on the ship:) . Once the patient is ready to go, they continue to make passes until everyone/thing is back on the chopper. We witnessed something similar a few years ago on the Zuiderdam but it was in daylight with the US Navy doing the rescue. Made me feel proud to be an American.
Sorry this was long and at times, my spelling pretty bad. I will try to figure out what I missed. Had a great time. Not sure of my husband. He missed his own coffee and a place to read & smoke his pipe indoors. But he survived none the worse for wear and a case of sniffles he caught.
Did not see KathyNC on board. Hi!! from back home. How was your trip????
Feel bad for the ones on this week's cruise - going to Castaway Cay - 2 x's, Grand Cayman & Cozumel. We had a great time in Key West & I had been there before. Toured Hemingway's home and did some shopping. Ate at Key West Cheeseburger - great appetizers(coconut shrimp)/burgers & a cool place to sit. While taking a 'shortcut' back to the boat found the bar where Rachel Ray watched the sunset. Best score - KINO'S!!!! Bought 2 pairs of sandals & a fully lined purse!!! All leather!!! All for $47.31, including tax!!!! There is also a Florida Wine store on Duval Street - some wine comes from Plant City - cool!!! Wine purchased here does not count towards your customs allotment-keep the receipt.
Grand Cayman was very nice, as usual - some shops have changed around - purchased a bracelet, Fossil Watches & my star fish Swaroski pin(plus a blue fish pin & key chain) Beautiful. Had a great time. Found John Hardy heart shaped pins(Landmark) for a pitance-made great gifts. He is donating the money to hard hit Bali-his silver & pieces might be made there-must check. There is a card attached that you mail in & he is supposed to send you more items. Can't wait. Oh, the center of the pin looked like MM silhoute (:) ). Artisan piece with a bit of cruise souvenir.
Cozumel - some stores have also moved. More great shopping - this time with the gang. We anchored very close to the downtown area so when the tender dropped us off, it was actually at the end of the shopping district.:eek: - tender took like 2 min. We shopped & then stopped at our little bar above Viva Mexico for our normal drinks & added nachos, chips & salsa. Many blackmail pictures!!!
Didn't get off at Castaway Cay - the ship was deserted --wonderful time indulging in the whirlpool & watched THE SHAGGY DOG with my oldest son. Youngest son did go to the island - had a great time snorkeling, etc. Cute picture with Pluto, too.
Sea days were a riot - so much to do - and played cards in Diversons - our little hideaway. The ship had a very large beer glass you buy & then get pay a small price for refills for the rest of the cruise. The beers and alcohol were very good and selection extensive. Kinda surprised me. Diversions also has acey-duecy(?)/bachgammon(?) & other games there. Missed the high tea at Palo's. Momx4 was right -- get those reservations you want early.
Here are some things to look out for --
Adults
1. Check out the cooking demonstrations - paired with wine -- wonderful
2. Palo's -- ate there the last night -- best food & it just kept coming. Had the back room so it was like a private party & our waitress was top-notched!!!
Be aware - even tho you pay a very small premium here, you can order more than 1 item in any category & they actually encourage you to do so. Try the chocolate souffle for dessert -- you will NEVER have anything that comes close ever --trust me.
Even tho Palo fills up - be flexible as we were on a wait list - but we got right in when we changed from a sea day to Friday night & we had 9 in our party.
Every aspect of this meal was great--beware, tho -- they actually put real normal portions on those plates!!!
3. Casual Dining in the Topsiders(usu a daily buffet for breakfast & lunch) -- was at night sit down casual dinner & great food - some things better than in the dining rooms. Fresh salads, too.
4. Breakfast -- oh, yes the omelets, but wait -- there were lichie nuts & strawberries--AND rasberries & blackberries (fresh, by the by). Had 1 MM waffle.
5. Lunches @ buffets - fab -- seafood like peel shrimp, crab claws, etc. The ship was a FOODIES' Paradise!!!
6. Noticed that the beef, etc were all quality cuts, etc. Very impressive!!!
7. Desserts - there is even a special dessert Buffet Thursday night - awesome!!! No pre-picture session tho - so get there early in line. Sundae's every night. Some of the sorbets/creams were made on the ship.
Also -- if you are diabetic & need to eat sugar-free desserts -- check them out. They had a special table at the Thursday night gala. Even creme brule. Found almost all great, except the cheesecake. Sometimes I ate the regular ones & exercised. I didn't ask if Palo's souffle was sugar free.
8. Must check out the artwork throughout the ship. There are delightful surprises everywhere.
Oh my -- Chihuly did the glass piece in the atrium. Thought I was going to overdose just looking at it. Amazing-and you never see the same thing twice.
The large picture of Walt Disney was great, and so was the smaller one of him on one of the stair cases.
Kids --
1. Teens had the STACK --awesome
2. Younger ones had great programs & areas just to themselves. (no little ones in our group but checked out the areas -- they were going to make volcanos- I ran. If something was going to blow up, I didn't want to get blamed for it :) - just kidding)
3. A large number of staff were supervising the kids - you do not need to worry. & they give out pagers - how cool is that???
4. Kids in the dining rooms are treated the best - own meals & plates but also served early so they are not fiddetity while the adults are waiting/eating.
5. A 'Guest' showed up in Animators one night - all the kids eyes were surprised, mine, too.
Everyone --
1. Great quality food.
2. Everyone goes overboard to make sure we had a great time.
3. THE CHARACTERS are everywhere -- but check their schedules!! They were also on the island. Bring an autograph book!!!
4. Great photo shots, too. & opportunities.
5. Can use your boarding pass to charge even on the day of departure if your pass is linked to a charge card. I used my own charge card & it was fine for then, too.
6. The stores on board stock Disney items. Have a blast!!! Oh - there are limited edition pins & a very large assortment of pins --& trading times where you can get together & swap. Found scapbooking items -stickers, etc. One of my fav's - a rubber duck with a pirate hat & gun.
7. Be advised you might run into people you went to school with -- even if it was 20 years ago at college. :eek:
8. Disney makes even the small details perfect and so natural -- they have a great cruise ship & a cruise.
9. Fireworks were great!!! Everyone got into the Pirates night celebration.
Thursday night on the way to Castaway Cay we diverted close to Miami so a Coast Guard Helicopter could take someone off the ship. While waiting they were doing drills on the water. We were dead stop so they flew right by our balcony, made the turn across the ship, hovered & dropped off their med-tech & supplies. To complete the operation takes quite a bit of time as they hover over a very small place without hitting anything on the ship:) . Once the patient is ready to go, they continue to make passes until everyone/thing is back on the chopper. We witnessed something similar a few years ago on the Zuiderdam but it was in daylight with the US Navy doing the rescue. Made me feel proud to be an American.
Sorry this was long and at times, my spelling pretty bad. I will try to figure out what I missed. Had a great time. Not sure of my husband. He missed his own coffee and a place to read & smoke his pipe indoors. But he survived none the worse for wear and a case of sniffles he caught.
Did not see KathyNC on board. Hi!! from back home. How was your trip????