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Post by Hi from RI on Jul 20, 2023 9:05:56 GMT -5
Hi,
We have been back 5 days and will try to recap our trip. It was me, DH and DD17. Our other 2 kids DD26 and DS28 could not go due to other commitments but were very jealous along the way. The plan - CCV night (1 bedroom) before Cruise; 5 nights on Fantasy followed by 2 nights at BWV 1 bedroom (to do laundry, stay in the bubble and to decompress before flight home which glad we did (explain later)!)
The flight down was fine no issues. Got Mears transport to CCV which was good the big bus ( issues on way back will explain later). We landed at 1:30pm? and were at the resort by 3pm I think. Room was ready when we arrived so dumped suitcases in room quick since we were not really unpacking due to 1 night stay. Of course we got some pixie dust (we never do!) and got to the room and it was a 2 bedroom! They did not tell us at check in. Would have been great for a longer stay and our DD was thrilled!
We had a small breakfast leaving the house that morning so we were very hungry so went to roaring fork for a quick bite. We had ressie at Narcoossee's for 7pm so did not want to eat too much. DD and I split a burger which was perfect and DH got a full lunch for himself. We went to the room, aired out suitcases and relaxed sitting on the balcony and DD took a nap.
It was Hot so we took an uber to GFV (one of our homes). I planned we could do the boats after dinner when it was dark, maybe less hot and I did not need to worry about sweating before dinner. That all went well. Dinner was GREAT! We love eating there though it is pricey. The wait staff was okay felt like she was a bit abrupt except at the end (tip time). We did take the boat from GFV to MK then hopped on the boat back to CCV which was fun- we love doing the boats. We went to room packed up, laid out outfits etc for the morning. We decided on Disney transportation to cruise and back this trip. We did not do that back in 2016 for first cruise and the one driver drove like a nut and was late picking us up.
We had to be in the lobby for 9am pickup. We wanted to do room service for fun but it is not back there so we went to RF for a quick bite around 8am. Our brief little stay at CCV was fun and we did not want to leave but was looking forward to the cruise. Everything was smooth for pickup to go to PC.
Will start next one just about cruise to break this up for reading!
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Post by Hi from RI on Jul 20, 2023 9:45:20 GMT -5
Back....
So pick-up was smooth, and we had boarding group 2. Also, there was a glitch with online cruise check-in before we left. Our DD had a passport when she was 12 but since those expire in 5 years she needed a new one. Given what the news had said, I had DH take her a day while I worked (March 28) to get a new one and told him to expedite it. Ask me if he did that..?? One guess....NO. I was not happy he said it was 60.00 more so again not happy wife. Kept checking on the site saying it was in process. She did not have DL (just got her permit last week) so we had to use BC and since DH is retired military, we used her military dependent ID (which I had insisted months ago she get). Long story, but after them rejecting her BC twice due to blurriness they accepted it. The issue, after 4 phone calls, was that they cannot technically keep the military ID there and still needed to be checked at the port in special services. No one told me that the 1st 3 calls. This was already end of June....no passport so I was a bit nervous. In the end..we left July 7th for CCV and her passport came the 6th so I felt better. But took from March 28th to July 6th.
When we got there I showed them so they sent us to a special line to use that for check-in in so all ended well. We have only been on Disney cruise but pre and post they are extremely organized. We got on the boat early and went to eat for lunch. Got very busy while we were there which I suspected. We were on by 1pm and had breakfast at 8am so we were hungry. Walked around then went to cabin (verandah) 10th deck and luggage came soon after. Though rooms are small obviously and especially after our 2 bedroom night lol but the 3 of us unpacked and all our stuff fit in all the nooks and crannies they have for storage. The room was small for 3 adults but storage was adequate. DH was the biggest complainer about the size.
To summarize the entire cruise...
1. We did the land and sea tour in Nassau. The sea part was very fun the land part was less so. The best part was the rum cake factory of the land part. DH was not feeling well so he actually did not go just DD and I which was fine. They take you to the lobby of the Atlantis but for 20 minutes and we all just went to the bathroom lol. They took you to the Fincastle but you get 20 minutes and had to pay to walk up to the top! So we already paid for the tour and lost $$ for DH so were like nope. So again the hour cataraman boat part was fun. He pointed out places, they served drinks, we say swimming pigs etc. I think the tour guide was high as a kite but he was funny and not driving so....
2. There were 2 days on CC which we did and was very nice. We did get the floaties and I had planned the snorkeling but the 2 duds did not want to do it or the bikes. It was hot but made me miss other DD and DS because they would have done it. The water is beautiful and there were plenty of chairs with umbrellas not occupied.
3. Food- The BBQ food is okay...overall the food on the cruise is okay. Maybe we are spoiled with good restaurants in the NE and Narcoossee's etc (went to flying fish post) but the dinners were usually a 3.5-4.0 /5.0 stars. The presentations were great but again not bad just not outstanding. The servers were okay but maybe because in 2016 it was our first but these 2 were okay. One of them was very sweet (the assistant) but she spoke so softly and her accent was so strong we could barely understand what she was saying most of the time. We did tip well though. They just seemed very rushed. So by the time you looked to see if you needed anything they were gone! We had gotten second seating which for us would be very late so I had requested first seating and we did get it. Pros and cons to each time slot....
4. We had 5 nights- 1 day at Nassau and 2 at CC so one day at sea. I know people like more ports stops but the day at sea was fun. Again maybe because we knew the ship well by then or because it just gives you more time to do activities. That last day was nice.....we did our own thing and ended well.
5. Day at sea DD did her own thing and a few evenings she did too. Since our older 2 live on their own she is used to be independent and ok being alone. It helped her get away from us too lol! She went to the very crowded pool and DH did other things- BINGO (lost) and other entertainment that day. I feel like it takes 2 days to get in the groove of the crusie and learn your way around.
6. I am sure I am forgetting things but overall it was very nice and we had fun. We are not big drinkers but having only one kid with us who was 17 did not feel the same as when there was 5 of us. I think having more people in your group may be more fun. We saw a lot of big family groups. I do not think we will do again for several years (7 yrs since first one) and would think a bit better with kids or more people. I feel like it takes 2 days to get in the groove of the crusie and learn your way around.
Will do next one on our 2 days post cruise at BWV.
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Post by Hi from RI on Jul 20, 2023 10:13:52 GMT -5
We were taking Disney transport to resort. So we had sit down breakfast at 7am then headed off the ship. Again, very smooth because we were an early group. We were told the busses leave by 9am to go to the resort. We got to our bus and waited. It was hot and bus seemed on but no AC. It got hot...my DH is passive so I was like are we suppose to sweat waiting so he did get up and ask and guy turned on AC. We waited for one big family and left at 9:25. I am organized and always on time so maybe I am a b%!*ch but like be on time and they were just moseying on to the bus.....annoying. Once underway were were fine. We were the last of 3 stops which was fine. We got to the BW before 11? Checked in and did not expect to get a room. The Cast members at BW seemed much more cheerful this time which was weird sometimes they are not. We love the BW- lots of memories there especially for me with my mom who died 2020 so very nostalgic : / .
The plan was MK so activate military tickets which will use in Nov too. That was quick were in by 12. It was HOT. DH still wasn't feeling well so he was getting Starbucks and doing his own thing. DD wanted to go on Space Mountain and Tron, POC etc. We did those 3 things which took long due to issues then we left and by then it was 4pm. We were hungry so got a bite at Casey's first then we went to POC and headed to Space. I do not do Space etc so waited for her in the shade. She did that then there was a Tron debacle. She was not answering her phone and I had been waiting at least 1.5 hrs in the shade but it was hot and I had been up since 6am. Long story but Tron broke down while she was in the air. She sat up there for 20 minutes or so. She was terrified and now will not go back on. I did not know they put phones in lockers so she could not answer me -- there were tears. So after about 2 hrs between SM and Tron we decided to head out. They gave her a FP for Tron but she said no thanks. Later I saw it was for any ride but we were done anyway. I wish they lasted more than 1 day. So we both were upset/cranky and went down to the bus for ride back to BW. DH actually wound up running into us on the way to the bus lol! So were back about 4sih to our ready room.
Got a nice room was a corner so instead of a connecting door we had a window! Again great rooms for these short stays what the heck! Had GV/PV and saw the quiet pool, water and boats going to DHS nice vews of course!! We had such good luck with rooms this trip! We unpacked, threw in laundry and relaxed. Has FF ressie
(never been) for 7pm. Went downstairs to BW for dinner. Dinner was very nice.....meal was good...again this place is about presentation. There were a few glitches with not bringing certain items but our wait staff saw and she was on top of that so not her fault. After dinner walked on BW a bit ...watched jugglers. fireworks and headed ot room by 10ish. Was a long day overall...felt like 2 days since off this ship not that morning. Went back folded clothes and there in more from Cruise. Passed out and slept very well.
The plan for the next day was DD wanted to go on G of G; DH wanted coffee and pastry from France and I wanted the pool. More to come....
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Post by Hi from RI on Jul 20, 2023 10:32:16 GMT -5
So I was up Friday our last day by 8am and ready for the pool. Grabbed a snack from green door. I normally order groceries for 2 nights never would be able to finish it all so not worth it. The main pool opens at 10am which is late but the quiet pool is too quiet. I like being by the libations and watching people. So I got my table and settled in. I left those 2 sleeping but they headed out later. DH came down to pool and headed into Epcot around 11? He did go to DHS too later looking for a grumpy hat for a friend. Someone told him they are not making them anymore??!! He rode the gondola etc did his own thing. DD showered and headed to Epcot alone around 12 and loved GoG! She went on mission space and bought things in showcase. It was a great day! Sadly we all loved it and were alone!!!! Yikes! But after 7 nights together some alone time is good. I went in and out of pool all day and sat at table. Time flew. Got a kids lunch meal from libations. Wanted the chicken ceasar salad but they do not have it there anymore! Could have ordered from Deli but was too lazy. Before I knew it the time was close to 4! The weather started looking risky so I packed up and left but was there 6 hours and not bored at all. It would have been nice to have someone to talk to but it was fine. I missed my mom a few times ( some tears) and felt like she was there with me. She LOVED the BW.....was eery and I cried behind my sunglasses.
I headed up jumped in shower, folded clothes......DH showed up at 5? DD was supposed to be back for 6 to refresh and showed up at 6:30. We had 7:30 Cape May ressie. So got organized and relaxed- was a great day! Headed over to Cape May. Chose that because it is close....tempted to to Narccossee again but nah. Cape May is usually mobbed and oddly it was not. Weird. I like the crab legs but they took long to come out and to me were dry- I will not do it again. Overall the value is okay depending on how much you eat (DH said the salmon was excellent) but doubt will go back anytime soon. Hung out on BW for a bit and headed up around 10:30 to room. We finished laundry and repacked for the morning. We had GF cafe breakfast ( a tradition for us) at 9:30. DH husband asked for late check out. Guy put in for 1pm ( our ride was for 1:45 via Mears) and they approved until 12. We ubered to GF and had a very nice breakfast and server was great. Headed back to room and left around 12:10 to wait in lobby.
Will be back regrading Mears and flight home...
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Post by Hi from RI on Jul 20, 2023 12:02:23 GMT -5
So....waited in lobby until 1:30. Like I said Mears last time was 9-10 passenger van and an odd seat set up. One end seat alone means you have to get up when back row gets in or out. Noticed this in March but it happened again. We got on .... 2 young girls were already on in separate rows. Again small seats tight fit. So 3 seats in back but DH would be squashed. So DD and I sat in first row with young girl. He sat in seat separate but then a family of 4 got in. I made a comment when he had to get up and driver heard me. DH is 6 ft and 230 so tight fit so driver told him he could sit in the front seat. The family that got in was quashed. This is not to disparage them but they were obese at least 300 lbs or more so they had to go in the back and second row. The seats are even close as rows. I felt bad for them. I told DH won't do this again. I guess this is how it will be since going from resort to MCO. Have people done sunshine flyer from resort to MCO? We got to airport, checked in luggage and went through security (TSA precheck) got to the gate SWA. Long story but our gate was changed 3 times and I never was notified just saw people getting up. Then flight was delayed an hour after we were already lined up for boarding so had to sit down and changed gate again. Once we lined up again an hour later we got on. Then.....flight was delayed again several times. This was due to lightning so not their fault really. The issue is was hot on the plane. We wound up on the tarmac for about 2 hours with limited air (AC). Once we got in the air some bumps so did not get drinks for about 3 hrs after boarding so some people were unhappy. The flight attendants were very nice but told us that plane also had no wifi!! We were okay because we were tired anyway....but an annoyance since flights are high etc. So once we landed took long to get luggage was weird too in our airport but got it all. So in the end we got home a few hours late. I normally unpack and planned to, especially all clean clothes! But I was wiped out so go the necessities out and hit the sack!
So, overall very nice 8 nights away. Cruise was good. But I think the 3 of us agreed the 2 days at the BW were great....maybe because we had bigger room and so familiar etc. I could have done 1 more day there actually so I am glad we did 2 nights. Last cruise we only did 1. Even with the heat we were fine because we know were going back and not being park commandos. Crowds were not really bad the 3 days we were there. We did need to get home to our animals (dog- 8 yr old golden and 18 yr old cat- had pet sitter). DD said it was fine but she said more than 6 days away for her is a lot. We could stay for a month lol! Spent 2 days settling back in..going through mail etc and back into home routine. We have a nice home and life so going home is not a bad thing just like staying in the Disney bubble. I did feel like the CM were very nice just the servers on Cruise seemed rushed and at the restaurants too ( Narc., FF and Cape May).
We had some great luck with rooms and especially since I wasn't fussy about it due to short stay lol!!! We go back in November. DH going out 2 days ahead to golf (he's retired and subs a bit) and DD and I will go for 4 nights due to work and school. DS trying to work it out since he has work issues to come part of trip and other DD has NP school so not sure if she can at all or if so would be only 2-3 night so we will see if it is worth it.
Hope you enjoyed the report. I do not always do it -- a lot to recall and I never can do in real time.
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Post by Brian5581 on Jul 20, 2023 15:09:17 GMT -5
Thanks for the summary. Glad you all enjoyed!
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Post by Eli's Nana on Jul 20, 2023 18:58:16 GMT -5
Thank you for your trip report, it sounds like you had a wonderful time! Really appreciate your taking the time to share!
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Post by dlwdwdvc on Jul 20, 2023 20:41:56 GMT -5
What a fun trip . I can’t remember which boat you were on but you had 2 days at Castaway Cay?
Sorry I’m too tired to reread the details . I would love to go on a Disney cruise again … I keep checking the rates .
I just read in news many passengers were passing out in Las Vegas waiting on the tarmac in Las Vegas… so they had to cancel the entire flight. Glad you are home safe.
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Post by Hi from RI on Jul 21, 2023 15:25:56 GMT -5
Hi! We were on the Fantasy- and the day we left (so 1/2 day at sea really); 1 day at Nassau, 2 at CC, 1 day at sea so 5 nights....we got a discount and yes they are a bit high but the service is superb. Again were not gamblers either ( except we did do Bingo) so we do not need casino and there are enough adult only places on the boat for our needs ( pool and lounges).
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Post by BWV Dreamin on Jul 22, 2023 5:57:22 GMT -5
Having sailed other cruiselines I can tell you Disney is lacking in the food area. Excluding Palo and Remey, I feel the cruise food is just ok. I hear the Wish has some great additions near the buffet ( can’t remember the name at the moment). But the one thing we really love with DCL is the size of their rooms. Disney’s private island pales in comparison to some other lines, such as Royal Caribbean. Perfect Day at CoCo Cay! OMG!
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Post by tomandrobin on Jul 22, 2023 6:06:36 GMT -5
Mears sucks.....I feel better now.
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Post by helenabear on Jul 22, 2023 8:33:28 GMT -5
Sorry about Mears. We had a horrible experience with them 15 years ago. My spouse said never again - we never did. Sunshine and Mears are merging so forget that. Sounds like a nice time though.
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Post by Hi from RI on Jul 22, 2023 16:46:54 GMT -5
Thanks..closer to the Nov trip I will ask who to use ..we do not want to do a car.....
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Post by bakerworld on Jul 23, 2023 6:08:30 GMT -5
Nice TR. Great choice to Uber to GF. We enjoy DCL but we're not hard to amuse. I do like the new organized embarkation and disembarkation of the cruise but I wish the buses didn't have to wait for everyone on the roster. The last two times we cruised we had to wait and once it was obvious the family had been to the sit down breakfast where they took their time. I am assuming they didn't know they were holding up a whole bus for an hour. That bus driver announced he stops according to how the bus passengers arrived so we were his first stop and now that fam dropped their stop to #5.
Not sure what to say about Mears. We've gotten a mix of both the vans and the ex-ME buses. The car park service we use matches the Mears vans and, yes, those vans are tight. On our last return we had a co-passenger who was not pleasant. The people he was with told him outright to 'shut it'. We were packed in there like sardines. How that driver fit all the luggage in was beyond me.
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Post by melk on Jul 23, 2023 8:04:17 GMT -5
Nice summary of your trip, I appreciate the honesty. I understand about enjoying the alone time at the end of your trip. Our kids are all young adults also and so now if we go together I schedule in a lot of time to be separate, lol.
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