Parrotheader
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2002
This covers the 7-day land/sea vacation of Keith and Holly from Birmingham, AL as told by Keith (Parrotheader.) Were both 26 with kids still a couple years away. Holly had previously been to Disney World twice (one trip she was too young to remember) and Keith had been 5 times. We're BOTH cruise rookies. Pictures of our trip can also be found at:
http://www.luckie.net/disney/
Day 8 Castaway Cay
Saturday, June 1
Once again, we awoke as we felt the ship slowing down, this time it was around 7:00. We took our time getting ready because we didnt feel the need to be in the early rush off the ship. I headed on deck and took a few photos while Holly was getting ready. We were finally ready to roll around 9:00 and made our way ashore.
Naturally, we thought the island was beautiful. And we loved the nice open view the island offered of the ship. Most impressive. We got our picture made with Goofy (our only character picture of the entire trip) and then hopped on the trams to get to the Adults only beach. Although neither beach was truly packed yet we could tell how much nicer it was (crowd-wise) at the adults beach. We were among the first people there and quickly snagged an ideal spot with a hammock. I rented a few floats and then it was relaxation time.
I spent pretty much the whole day just floating on an inner tube soaking in the sun. Holly would periodically come out and join me on her own float and then go back to sit on the chairs or lay in the hammock.
We were originally going to book the snorkeling excursion on Castaway Cay, but Im glad we didnt. It would have interfered with what turned out to be a perfect day of relaxation. Plus, I could still see all the cool fish VERY clearly through the inner tube which acted like a big magnifying glass. Not to mention the fact that the water was crystal clear.
We ate lunch around noon at the little picnic area. The hot dogs were quite good and a nice kick back to reality after all the fancier food wed been eating the last couple days (PB&Js excluded of course.)
After lunch, I got a Conc Cooler for Holly and a Deep Blue Sea for myself since I cant stand things with coconut in them. Both were great (Ill take Hollys word on her drink.) We spent the rest of the afternoon doing pretty much the same as we did that morning, relaxing in the water and in the hammock.
Around 3:00 we started heading back to the ship. We looked at possibly buying something at the gift shops, but we didnt end up getting anything. Were not all that big into souvenirs. We just wanted all our photos since the memories are the things we cherish most and photos do that better than anything in my opinion. Particularly when you record your whole trip like I did online and Hollys doing via scrapbook.
Once we got back on the ship we showered and Holly took a nap while I went to the debarkation meeting. I knew I could have skipped it if Id wanted because we knew theyd rerun it on TV all night. And I probably SHOULD have skipped it, but I didnt so no big deal.
We packed around 5:00 and then headed off to our 6:00 show for the final night, Disney Dreams. The show quality was VERY good and although it seemed a little cheesy at spots (then again, what Broadway style show with a childhood-oriented message isnt) we both enjoyed it immensely.
After the show, we milled around the gift shops and picked up a few post cards for extra pictures. We then went to Shutterbugs and after engaging in hand-to-hand combat to grapple for viewing position we found our pictures from the entire cruise. In my opinion they could make that process MUCH MUCH MUCH simpler by simply scanning the pictures and having about a dozen or so kiosks for quick viewing to help you find your selection. Then youd just give them the picture number and they could quickly pull it for you. We ended up getting 3 of the 5 total pictures they took of us.
We strolled around the ship for awhile just enjoying, exploring and taking photos. The ship was REALLY moving that evening and it was cool to see another cruise ship off in the distance also heading back to Port Canaveral. I think it was the Carinval Fantasy judging by the distant profile, but it was tough to tell.
At 8:30 it was off to dinner at Parrots Cay. The environment here was laid back and a nice fit after being at Castaway Cay all day. We especially enjoyed watching our quiet, reserved assistant server, Ferhat, turn into an extroverted dance machine when the conga line started. The food here was once again very good (not quite up the standards of the other restaurants though) and I ended up making some bad combination decisions. Everything was good when I ate it, I just felt a little sick after dinner.
So, we spent most of our last evening just hanging out in our room. Holly was tired anyway so I didnt feel quite so bad about having to keep her cooped up there. Still, I wish we could have maybe gone to one of the other clubs like the Cadillac Lounge for a little while our last night. And once I did start feeling better later on, she was too tired to go out. We ended up watching A Beautiful Mind on the TV and then turned in around 11:00 (which was VERY early to this central time zone night owl.) The rocking of the ship certainly helps you drift off to sleep though.
Up Next:
Day 9 - Time to go home
http://www.luckie.net/disney/
Day 8 Castaway Cay
Saturday, June 1
Once again, we awoke as we felt the ship slowing down, this time it was around 7:00. We took our time getting ready because we didnt feel the need to be in the early rush off the ship. I headed on deck and took a few photos while Holly was getting ready. We were finally ready to roll around 9:00 and made our way ashore.
Naturally, we thought the island was beautiful. And we loved the nice open view the island offered of the ship. Most impressive. We got our picture made with Goofy (our only character picture of the entire trip) and then hopped on the trams to get to the Adults only beach. Although neither beach was truly packed yet we could tell how much nicer it was (crowd-wise) at the adults beach. We were among the first people there and quickly snagged an ideal spot with a hammock. I rented a few floats and then it was relaxation time.
I spent pretty much the whole day just floating on an inner tube soaking in the sun. Holly would periodically come out and join me on her own float and then go back to sit on the chairs or lay in the hammock.
We were originally going to book the snorkeling excursion on Castaway Cay, but Im glad we didnt. It would have interfered with what turned out to be a perfect day of relaxation. Plus, I could still see all the cool fish VERY clearly through the inner tube which acted like a big magnifying glass. Not to mention the fact that the water was crystal clear.
We ate lunch around noon at the little picnic area. The hot dogs were quite good and a nice kick back to reality after all the fancier food wed been eating the last couple days (PB&Js excluded of course.)
After lunch, I got a Conc Cooler for Holly and a Deep Blue Sea for myself since I cant stand things with coconut in them. Both were great (Ill take Hollys word on her drink.) We spent the rest of the afternoon doing pretty much the same as we did that morning, relaxing in the water and in the hammock.
Around 3:00 we started heading back to the ship. We looked at possibly buying something at the gift shops, but we didnt end up getting anything. Were not all that big into souvenirs. We just wanted all our photos since the memories are the things we cherish most and photos do that better than anything in my opinion. Particularly when you record your whole trip like I did online and Hollys doing via scrapbook.
Once we got back on the ship we showered and Holly took a nap while I went to the debarkation meeting. I knew I could have skipped it if Id wanted because we knew theyd rerun it on TV all night. And I probably SHOULD have skipped it, but I didnt so no big deal.
We packed around 5:00 and then headed off to our 6:00 show for the final night, Disney Dreams. The show quality was VERY good and although it seemed a little cheesy at spots (then again, what Broadway style show with a childhood-oriented message isnt) we both enjoyed it immensely.
After the show, we milled around the gift shops and picked up a few post cards for extra pictures. We then went to Shutterbugs and after engaging in hand-to-hand combat to grapple for viewing position we found our pictures from the entire cruise. In my opinion they could make that process MUCH MUCH MUCH simpler by simply scanning the pictures and having about a dozen or so kiosks for quick viewing to help you find your selection. Then youd just give them the picture number and they could quickly pull it for you. We ended up getting 3 of the 5 total pictures they took of us.
We strolled around the ship for awhile just enjoying, exploring and taking photos. The ship was REALLY moving that evening and it was cool to see another cruise ship off in the distance also heading back to Port Canaveral. I think it was the Carinval Fantasy judging by the distant profile, but it was tough to tell.
At 8:30 it was off to dinner at Parrots Cay. The environment here was laid back and a nice fit after being at Castaway Cay all day. We especially enjoyed watching our quiet, reserved assistant server, Ferhat, turn into an extroverted dance machine when the conga line started. The food here was once again very good (not quite up the standards of the other restaurants though) and I ended up making some bad combination decisions. Everything was good when I ate it, I just felt a little sick after dinner.
So, we spent most of our last evening just hanging out in our room. Holly was tired anyway so I didnt feel quite so bad about having to keep her cooped up there. Still, I wish we could have maybe gone to one of the other clubs like the Cadillac Lounge for a little while our last night. And once I did start feeling better later on, she was too tired to go out. We ended up watching A Beautiful Mind on the TV and then turned in around 11:00 (which was VERY early to this central time zone night owl.) The rocking of the ship certainly helps you drift off to sleep though.
Up Next:
Day 9 - Time to go home