Happiest Ship on Earth

Well, now it's come and gone..yes, the Disney Cruise to the Bahamas that our kids have been talking about for about 10 months. Our trip started New Years Day by flying into Orlando. We were delayed a couple hours as our plane had some "mechanical" problems that needed to be fixed. Once all was done we had a smooth flight and arrived mid afternoon at our hotel...The Hyatt Orlando Airport NW. I highly recommend the hotel. It was clean, newly renovated, and the continental breakfast that was included was more than ample!! Our kids swam for an hour or so (80F) that day and then we had dinner and hit the sack.

Day 2 was a day at Universal Studios Orlando. We decided that it was a quick 20" drive and enough to keep the kids busy for the day. We had a great time and rode the Jaws ride...the last day for it since 1972...it was shutting down and they were putting up a new exhibit! I loved Shrek 3D and the Hollywood Horror show. The kids loved "Disaster" and they claim they liked Jaws...through their eyelids!! :-) We had our driver pick us up at 7, dropped us for dinner and we walked back to the hotel.

Day 3 was a shuttle to Port Canaveral and a very chilly start to the day. It was about 36F that morning...a cold front had blown in...and very windy! We had a nice drive out, saw NASA from a distance, and then of course...our ship! Now, once we got to the Disney terminal (yes, they have their own terminal on the east coast) it was very smooth going. We checked in, showed passports, passed through security, dropped luggage, got Mickey bands for the kids (their on-board GPS), and within an hour or so were boarding the ship. Upon walking on the ship...they yelled a loud..."we welcome the van Melle family" and then a Disney representative pulled us aside, gave us a map of the ship, personal navigator (explain later), and asked us if we had any questions. By now it was 1.00 and she also explained to us where to get lunch...we are now on our own! After a quick lunch we took a tour of the Oceaners club for the kids and found our room. Wow, almost dinner time! Oh...our luggage arrived around 5 p.m. They bring it all on the ship and deliver it to the rooms...same procedure for leaving as well. We later found out there were 4000 passengers on board and 1400 staff...that's more than three times the population of Shellbrook on the ship!!

The ship had 10 decks with rooms, we were on deck 8 and had two rooms...very spacious. There were 12 complete decks and I believe 13 decks if you consider the "partial" decks. We ended up with two adjoining rooms. Each room had a toilet with sink, separate room for shower with sink, and then desk area, plenty of drawers and tonnes of closet space. We had huge port hole windows with cushions in them that the kids loved to sit in and watch the ocean. We were more than pleased with our rooms... and the best part...we heard nothing! The boat was so quiet, and we didn't hear anyone around us...I guess the steel doors did their job...not to mention the floor and ceiling. It's the quietest hotel I've ever been in! We got to meet Rian (Indonesia) tonight as he was our stateroom organizer...he cleaned and made up our room every morning and came in at night to take down our beds, make us lovely towel animals (see pics) and drop off our navigator every night around 10p.m. Our navigator was like a shopping list for the day...it listed every event, show, movie, character sighting, special event, etc for the next day. This made it very easy as we just looked at it and were able to pick and choose what we wanted to do at what time. Almost every show had about 3 show times a day...and the kids clubs had several times for their activities weather it be cooking, science, movie time, dance floor, etc. There was always something to do on the ship between 6 a.m. and midnight!!

Due to the cold front and wind the first day/evening on the ship, there was quite a bit of motion. The staff that we talked to about it said it's the rockiest they'd ever seen...usually they feel nothing. We noticed walking a little awkward that evening due to the motion...we'd heard of a few people getting ill...but the motion was so big it didn't bother any of us...and Ehren is rather prone to motion sickness. Our first night's dinner was at the Garden Terrace. We had the most amazing sunset I've ever seen...the red sky against the dark water...as the restaurant was low so we were at ocean level looking out the windows at sunset. We met our head waiter...Claudia from Jamaica, and our beverage dude...Eris from Indonesia. They were amazing and catered to our every need...even if that included two entrees (mmm, did I just mention that Ehren???) :-) After a great dinner the kids hit the Oceaners club and Ehren and I took a tour of the ship, gym and spa. We picked up the kids (tickled pink with the club) and headed to the room to bed. We'll leave it to be said that every night was 10-10.30 nights for the kids...just too much to be done! :-)

Our first full day started when we got to Castaway Cay (Disney's private Island). It was a cold day by even our standards (I dunno...maybe 50F)?? Brr! I was starting to re-think the 2 sweaters and three pairs of pants I packed for the kids!! We took our time in the morning, did some more touring, got some character signatures and then decided after lunch to venture on to the island. We spent about 2 hours there...kids had about 1 1/2 hrs at the Island's kids club, and then we decided to head back to the ship. Ehren and I toured around the island...we walked quite a distance and had some lunch. We found bike rentals and decided that would be something good to do the second day we were here and the weather would be warmer. Back at the ship...we threw on our bathing suits and went swimming! The pools were heated and the clear water slide...well, not so much. It was cold...even though you ride on a tube...the water that hits you is cold! At any cost, it was fun and we headed to the hot tub after. :-) This is another thing...the floor to the hot tub was clear (and this part of the deck stuck out past the one below) so you could see the ocean and the life boats below us. The side of the hot tub was clear too so it was a neat underwater view to the side. We had fun on the pool decks and hit dinner at our 5.45 seating. Tonight...the Royal Palace...a more formal restaurant. Wonderful food...and Evan was so bushed he fell asleep with his head on the table. :-) I believe we have a picture of that! We did some character signing, kids went to kids club, and we also did an interactive detective mystery with the kids (uses the computerized pictures on the ship). One again...late night!

Day 3 we woke up to sun and warm! By about 8.00 we were entering Port at Nassau. As we ate breakfast we watched as our captain pulled us into the docking area. We had booked an excursion today to go to The Blue Lagoon. If we hadn't of planned an excursion the only option in Nassau is to tour around the Port and local shopping. We met on deck 3 at 9.30 and by 10.15 we were on a boat headed to the Lagoon. We were very happy we planned this for the day as even though it was warm...it was breezy. Note if you're planning on going...Atlantis is more exposed so not as warm on a windy day. The Lagoon is a small island that is "cove like"...kind of like a bay. It's protected so there was no wind. The water was pristine aquamarine and warm. Plenty of shallow areas for kids to play...our kids played a lot in the water and then touring the beach to the other side of the island. We saw a few large fish and a large white crab swimming with us. Further on we saw several smaller fish. We took it easy on the beach and enjoyed the "down time". Many people had booked the stingray feed or dolphin excursion. We had done this before so didn't plan to do it here...and it was nice to have the quiet beach time before all the extra people hit the white sands. By 4.00 we were back on the ship. Kids went to kids club and we went and ran on the treadmills...quick shower and ready for dinner. Tonight we ate at The Animators Palate. I cannot say enough for this restaurant. It had amazing decor, original sketches from Disney movies, original books...and an ambiance like no other. What appeared to be round screens with pictures later came to life with the characters off of Nemo...and Crush even passed by all the screens having interactive conversations with the people dining at tables nearby. It was amazing!! Tonight was also the pirate party night so some people wore pirate outfits...and everyone was given a pirate bandanna to wear. After dinner we hit the Golden Mickey's (live theater mimicking the Golden Globes). The theater was amazing...all actors can sing and dance amazingly!! We had been told it was Broadway quality and I now do agree. It was truly wonderful. After the Mickey's the younger two were tired and wanted to go to bed (10.00pm). There was scheduled fireworks at 10.15...Disney is the only cruise line licensed to have ocean fireworks. Ehren and Emily went up to upper deck to watch the fireworks and take part in the Pirate Party...they partied til 11.15 then came home as it was well past Em's bed time. :-) The other two had been asleep as soon as their head hit the pillow...and I watched the fireworks from our port window...pretty good view from our side of the ship.

Day 4 was a day at Sea. The weather was beautiful once again and we took our time getting ready in the morning and then spent most of the day on the deck swimming and watching movies on the giant screen above the swimming pools. Our kids did the clear water slide about 3 times each...oh, and need I mention, they had to have Ehren or I with them each time...so yeah, we had several rides too! Tonight's dinner once again was at the Animators Palate and then we went to The Muppet's in the movie theater. All movies, comedians, live theater, etc. was free for all (yeah, I know, we paid for it already!), so you just picked what you wanted to see and went! By the time the movie was done we went and saw more characters and once again...bed around 10.15 for the kids.

Day 5 was our last day on the ship. It was also another port stop...our second chance at Castaway Cay...and a beautiful one! Ehren had got up and did the Castaway Cay 5km run. They met on the ship and did a 5k loop on the island. The kids and I got up and had breakfast...and for the first time we used our "wave" phone. The cruise ship gives each room 2 wave phones...portable phones that work on the ship and Castaway Cay. After giving us a call Ehren caught up with us for breakfast and then we got ready to hit the beach! Castaway Cay was beautiful...white sand, so many shells, water bikes, snorkeling, tubes, air mattresses, the "dive"...play area, bike rentals, etc. We started with a bike ride around the island with the kids. With Ehren and I on cruisers and the kids trying out new bikes...we all did pretty good! We rode for about and hour and then decided to hit the water. We found a spot with a few chairs...and even though it was hot the water was quite chilly here. We collected a lot of shells and built some sand castles but didn't spend much time in the water here. Spoiled by Disney's private island, we didn't need money on Castaway Cay...all food and beverage on the island was a continuation of the ship...so you just grabbed whatever you needed and filled your face! After about 3 hours we decided to start wandering back to the ship. Kids wanted to do more water sliding...so we did that! We got cleaned up and our last night's dinner tonight was at the Garden Terrace. We had a bittersweet meal...loved the food but were sad to think of saying bye to Eris and Claudia. They had our likes and dislikes down to a T after the first night.

Last morning...we got up early (set our alarm for the first time since we left) and went to breakfast where our servers served us today (normally breakfast isn't like this). Claudia surprised us with long hair now (her friend was up with her til 4 a.m. putting extensions on). She said since she was "going home" (this was her last cruise with Disney) after today she needed to have long hair again. We gave hugs, wished her safe travels and gave our congrats and best wishes to Eris on his upcoming wedding! By 8.00 we were out of our state room and in the 10" long line to get off the ship. We passed through customs in the Disney terminal and by 8.40 we were waiting for our 9.00 shuttle back to Orlando International. Our flights home made for a long day as we had a stop over in Cleveland. We arrived at our house by 8.10 p.m. and kids were "sacked out" to say the least!

So, after a wonderful experience, here's some hints and hi-lights...
#1 Disney is all about the kids and family...you cannot walk 30ft. without someone saying "hi", asking if you need anything or just giving you "five".
#2 Cleanliness was impressive...from stateroom to meal room. They handed wipes to anyone who entered an eating area...and on every return...even on the island. Rooms were kept very clean as well
#3 Busy beach at Castaway Cay and cold water were disappointing. We've been spoiled by Mom & Dad in PV taking us to the "quiet" beaches where we have several feet of sand to ourselves. :-)
#4 Atlantis is said to be good but we were very happy with The Blue Lagoon
#5 Theater was amazing...our kids preferred that over the movie when we asked them
#6 More than ample opportunity to see characters if you've never had the chance
#7 Food was amazing as was the customer service
#8 Easy check in and check out/customs, etc. since Disney has their own terminal on the east coast (west coast doesn't have their own terminal yet as I understand)
#9 Exercise and spa facilities were absolutely amazing! Next time I would schedule some time in the spa. :-)
#10 Organization of events/activities as well as kids club was impressive. Never a dull moment
#11 Comfort of the rooms, beds, and ability to watch free Disney movies in the state rooms was a nice amenity. The channel with the "view of the ship" was cool too!
#12 5 days in such "disconnection"...no cell phone, no email or internet...felt like a two week vacation! What an EYE opener!!

I'm sure we'll go again some day. We loved the Bahamas...although the trip was about the time on the cruise liner and not the beaches. :-) Our kids have shed tears on missing "The Disney Cruise" even a week after we've been home...I'm glad it left such and impression. :-)

January 1 2012

Well it was a very busy month with lots of excitement. Ehren was very busy with work and I was busy with well...getting ready for Christmas I guess! I did well with getting the shopping done early but took my time with baking, etc. It was fun to do a lot of that this year with the kids...it always adds a different perspective. :-)

Ehren and I got the kids oot skiing and skating a fair amount. Part of our gift to them was a new pair of skates...so they got a bit of an early Christmas gift so they could use their skates the month of December. We had a blast and really enjoyed skiing as a family this month. All three kids even went on the chair lifts independent of us!! Probably won't let that happen much for Evan just due to his age...and not being able to control his spontaneity (for lack of a better term)? Sure was fun!

We had a school recital for Emily, Evan had his Christmas concert with is preschool, and then the girls had their Estes Park holiday recital as well...it all made for a couple very busy weeks...but then the week heading into Christmas was so nice and relaxed! Imagine that!

Ehren's brother Nathan and his fiance Kiran came on Christmas Eve. They arrived here just a bit before dinner...and The Landrigan's came over as well aboot the same time. We had a great rib dinner and chocolate fountain dessert. Nathan was even caught drinking oot of the chocolate fountain at one point! :-) Ah, we've all done it at some point. :-)

Boxing Day we took Nathan and Kiran to the Denver Aquarium. They were only here a couple days so this was one thing they wanted to do. We had a nice lunch and tried the 4D ride...and didn't do so well...we'll just leave it at that. :-)

Once our company had left we started thinking aboot our New Years plans. We went to a friends' house for New Years Eve...but only stayed for a short bit as we had a very early plane to catch...to head to Orlando...to catch a boat...to head to the Bahamas! Well, we'll fill ya in on the Disney cruise next time! :-)

Oh, so now that you've read this blog(for those of you who have)...how do you like my Canadian? Oot and aboot! :-) I noticed my girls saying certain things the "American" way so it made me more conscious of how we pronounce our English...had to write it the "right" way this time! :-)

Happy New Year everyone!