Disney Cruise 2014

Disney Cruise Line Vacation - a must do!

It's just no secret that I am a lover of all Disney Vacations.

However, it's very clear when someone says "so what about a Disney Cruise?!" and my eyes just light up.

Don't get me wrong, I love being in the parks, and everything that goes along with that, but I think as my kids have gotten older and life is just "busier" and we are all very much a slave our electronic leash (you know, the phone or the upgrade we just HAVE to have!!!)

Anyways, as life has progressed, I think I love to partner a Disney Vacation, with a complete disconnect from the rest of the world.

We have great dinners together, we play together, we focus on each other, and yes...we even take a nap or two!

So, then, when I finish convincing you that you MUST try a Disney Cruise Line Vacation, then come all of the "must-do" items.

So, I thought I would list a few here:

But, of course, I must say....don't book a Disney Cruise on your own! Use an Authorized Disney Travel Planner. The tips and resources they can offer are priceless! Oh, and I just happen to know an amazing Authorized Disney Travel Planner!!! :)

Things you MUST know before going on a Disney Cruise:

1. The staterooms are "small". They are much larger than other cruise lines, because they are made for families, but even still. They are small. Pack tight!


2. Be sure when you book your cruise, you go ahead and login to your Planning Center online.
Don't procrastinate on this one.
You want to go ahead and reserve your Port Adventures.
Register your children for the Oceaneer Lab or Oceaneer Club (even if you think they will never go in there! This will save lots of time on the ship, if you have done all of this in advance!)

3. Plan to dress up for Pirate Night!! Even if you only wear Pirate Patches and a fun pirate tshirt! Play along! There aren't many opportunities that you have to look crazy as a family, and it's totally acceptable (and you'll be glad you did!)

4. Bring a cup. Preferably a travel-style cup with a lid.
Coca-Cola products, coffee, hot cocoa are available on the pool deck with unlimited refills, however, the cups that are provided aren't great for the journey back to the room, or for sitting in your beach chair!

5, Room Service is free!
Yes, that's right. It is included in the price of your cruise.
It's great for breakfast on your Castaway Cay morning, so you can get off of the ship early.
Or it's great late at night, for a late Giant Cookie or Mickey Ice Cream Bar!!
You will want to bring a few dollar bills with you, to tip your Room Service Host.
(Coca-Cola products, and bottled water are not complimentary with room service)

6. Disney Movies!
This is a great time to catch up on a movie that you haven't had time to see just yet! There are always the most recent first-run Disney movies playing in the Buena Vista theater.

And then tons of other classic favorites playing on the pool deck, Funnel Vision!

7.  Bring sunscreen.
Yes, I know. You have a bottle in the beach bag.
But, please, bring 2 more! atleast!
That Caribbean sun is H.O.T!!
 (you can thank me later when you aren't paying $12 per bottle)


8. Pre-pay your gratuities!
This will save lots of hassle while you are on board.
If you do this before you leave home, then you've already budgeted it in, and one less expense you have to pay onboard.

**Also, you are going to LOVE your servers, so you might want to play to bring extra $$ for them**
We always feel like they are our family by the time disembark.

9. While in port:
If you have already been to Nassau, or if you are only on a 3 night cruise, you might not want to get off of the ship!
This is a great time to stay on board, and enjoy a very empty ship!
Watch a movie, go to the Fitness Center or play Croquet with Alice in the Atrium!


10. Highlighters.
We have found that highlighters are a prized possession for us while on board.
We keep a Personal Navigator in the stateroom and we each have our own color.

Then we highlight what we hope to not miss, and this helps us keep track of the day, and each other!!

Disney Magic re-launch, post-poned

News broke on Thursday, October 17th, that the first sailing of the "re-imagined" Disney Magic must be postponed.

Severe weather conditions, on the transfer back to Miami, Florida, prohibited the workers and crew, from finishing the details to make the ship "guest-ready".

The article in USA today states:
"Passengers on the canceled sailing will receive a full refund as well as reimbursement of airline change fees. In addition, passengers also are being offered a complimentary sailing on the Disney Magic between now and May, 2014. Alternately, passengers can choose a 35% discount on any future Disney cruise in the Bahamas or Caribbean, taken within two years and excluding holiday sail dates."

The new "re-launch" date is set for the October 25th sailing.

 

(photo via Disney Cruise Line)

Castaway Club Offer

Triton's for dinner.....

Sweet Anna was listening to our Server so intently.

The Triton’s menu. Even the menu is gorgeous!



Chap has been looking forward to this menu for um....maybe about 3 years!!! NO kidding.

He has asked and asked and asked again......please, can we go somewhere that serves Escargot.......


And, thank heavens they still had it on the menu!!!


I had the lobster macaroni. Very delicious!


Scott had this Coffee specialty...and it was delicious.

(complete with hidden mickey in the background!)

And, then, of course, when we returned to our stateroom for the night....it was turned down, and ready for slumber, even with a little bit of towel art on the bed!

Our Stateroom--1064

When we arrived in our room, we had a Castaway Club Welcome Gift! How exciting! And...this little bag came in handy...lots!



And, our room. We booked a category 9.....the least expensive that was available, and I was absolutely NOT disappointed. I am certain that a Verandah Stateroom would’ve been nice to have on those port days, but honestly, we were totally fine with our Porthole Verandah, and have absolutely no regrets.



**Now, I will say, on the Disney Dream, our bed was MUCH more comfortable, but....this one wasn't too shabby....


GrandMary made this cute little Bon Voyage banner for our door! Absolutely precious!


And, then up on deck. Love the City of Vancouver in the Background. Very very cool.


I think no matter as long as I live, I can never get tired of taking this Smoke Stack photo, and every time, I am so thankful that I am on board, and even have the opportunity to take it! #blessed!


And, of course, having a little fun with these two on deck!

Welcome to Canada Place Terminal. I must admit, I was a little apprehensive, going into this “non-Disney” terminal, and hoping that the check-in process/boarding would go as smooth as is does in Port Canaveral.

When we arrived, it was beautiful. Not the same “cross-the-bridge-and-see-the-smoke-stacks” beautiful, but a very, very GORGEOUS view of the terminal and the ship at the same time.


This sign above the entry doors made me VERY happy!




Yes, We are here! Ready to proceed to checkin!!!!

And they had these cute signs (replicas of the infamous Disney Cruise Line luggage tags) everywhere! Perfect!


This is a little bit of “snobbery” but...so true. Not having to get in the “regular” line, we were more than happy to move over into the Castaway Club check-in line...about 1/2 as short...just one of the perks of being a repeat cruiser on Disney Cruise Line!





And, is there someone that can tell me WHY IN THE WORLD we did not think of these freaking cute shirts?!

And, then to the photo-op with Mickey! LOVE! LOVE!


And, the grandparents jump in! So so cute!


And, time to move closer to boarding. They scanned our Key To The World card, making it official.....we are getting on this ship!!!


I mean, honestly, even the Hand Sanitizing stations make me smile! How cute are they!




Woah! Now that is a lot of LUGGAGE!
Welcome aboard, the Flebotte Family!!!


And, welcome aboard, The Butler Family!!!
As always, I stop...and look UP....and I LOVE this "thing" in the middle of the Atrium!


And, first stop, for a photo in front of Triton’s.


Love this guy!!


Yay! Pluto arrived in the Atrium!

Ok..........off to explore our Staterooms!

Quiet Cove Cafe - on the Disney Dream

Cove Cafe is a little quite, coffee shop on the Disney Dream. You can order a latte, or even something with a little "kick" in it....then just outside the doors are the Adult only pool, and the hot tub that is more like an infinity pool....seeing into the sea!

WARNING:

This quiet spot can be very seductive. Drawing you into the sounds of the sea, and the slight rocking of the waters....and before you know it......here you are!