A Little Trans-Atlantic Magic - The (somewhat) LIVE TR! -updated 07/03/13 About This Page:

[cubfancolleen]

I have the same gripe about annoying hammock-hoggers! It's like people think they have to claim them just in case they decide they want to use one for a few minutes at some point in the day. That has been going on as long as CC has been there - since we did our first DCL cruise in Feb 2000 and I know I saw the same thing then, and every trip since.
I'm sure it's not PP'rs being that rude!
Otherwise, sounds like it was a great day!

[lauriep]

Oh, boy, those hammock people would have made me so mad! Do they think it's their private beach? I've only been to the adult beach and am unable to launch myself into a hammock, so didn't notice if the same thing happened there. I'm glad you enjoyed the stingray experience. It sounds very different from when I did it-- the snorkel part is new. I like that the rays had different personalities, too. They're so gentle and soft. So great that the Dream sailed by to give you a send-off!

[Principessa_di_Fata]

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 - Part 2

Our rug was dry when we got back, which was nice. We let Tina, our stateroom attendant know, and she said they'd come get the dryer. We hung out in the cabin for a while and then at 3:30pm, Meri and I headed up to get some pizza on deck 9.



After that, we popped up to deck 10 for just a bit, to take some last photos of the island – we really didn't see much of it at all while we were there. We never got farther than Cookie's BBQ. I know there's a whole other family beach with a water play area and slide and such, and an adult beach, and a lookout tower, etc etc... but we were perfectly content to just park in the first chairs we came across, and stay put, more or less. Next time we'll do more exploring. I do wish we'd had more time on the island, but we really enjoyed the time we did have.







And of course I had to get a shot of this awesome pool... it's just so cute! I never tired of looking at it!



I just love this shot of Meri - I think because I feel like she looks so young in it, somehow.


Then Meri paused to shoot a basket!





Then it was back down to 9 for some ice cream, before heading back down to the cabin. Once back in the cabin, mom and I napped while Meri entertained herself watching Rise of the Guardians. It's tough work doing nothing!!

Finally it was time for dinner, and we got up and ready. It was Villains night, and Meri wanted to look like a villain! Since I didn’t have anything to really dress her up in, I instead used my eye shadow and eye liner to do dark circles around her eyes, like the bad guy in Rise of the Guardians. She mostly just looked like she needed sleep, but she was happy with it, and that's all that matters! Then she picked out her black and white dress, because she thought that was the most villain-like dress she had. Funny kid...

With that done, we headed off to Parrot Cay for the Caribbean menu. By this point, the servers knew exactly where the kids wanted to sit. Ok, they knew exactly where Meri wanted to sit. Those of you who have met her (particularly Cheryl and Hazel, who have this fresh in their minds), Meri is VERY opinionated. She knows exactly what she wants, and she will make sure everyone knows it. And WOE to the people who get in her way... Meri decided she HAD to sit by Timothy every night. This was the RULE. None of the other kids cared where they sat, so as long as Meri sat by Timothy, all was fine. The servers always put the kids water cups out (with the lids marked with the names) with Meri beside Timothy.

This part of Meri's personality will serve her well in adulthood, when she is able to channel it (and filter it) but as a child who just squawks and gets all drama-queen and shrieky, it's just annoying. Just sayin!





The dinner theme was Villains Tonight, of course.

My appetizer, scallops on risotto


Mom's sangria bisque


Mom's salmon


My NY Strip steak


Let me tell you, this was the best steak EVER!! Yummy!!!

After dinner, the kids went to the kids club again, while the adults enjoyed dessert and coffee, and a fun trick from our server, Taner.

Mom and I each got the Sweet Temptations medley of 3 desserts - Raspberry Cheesecake, Ricotta Creme Brulee and Villains Chocolate Ending


Then Taner put some water on a plate, and shook pepper all over it. He then put his finger in it, and the pepper dispersed. He wanted us to figure out how he did it, lol. After much discussion, we thought we had it figured, so he came back over and showed us, and it turns out we were right! I will let you stew over it a while before telling you the answer. Just remind me, lol!







We stopped in the room for a few, and saw that they'd left us a bottle of sparkling cider, a gift, and a lovely apology note for us, for having to deal with the nonsense with the wet carpet.







Our very aptly timed towel animal, given our fun with the rays today


After that we picked up Meri from the club, and went to watch the Villains Tonight show. We sat in the back because Meri was feeling nervous about the villains and she didn't want to be too close. By the end of the show, though, she was feeling good enough to meet the Queen of Hearts – a big deal for her! I guess after meeting Hook, and then seeing the show, she felt brave enough to give it a whirl!

While in line she told me she didn't like the Queen's mean face, so I told her to make a mean face of her own in the picture, and that seemed to work.




After our brave encounter with the Queen, we ran into Cinderella in the hallway. Meri stopped to hug her, and I snapped a few pictures. When I posted these pictures on FaceBook, my cousin posted that Cindy looked like she'd been getting into the Bibbidy Bobbidy Booze. I got a great laugh out of that, and it stuck with me for the entire trip. I do think Cindy's hair did need to be sorted out a bit...





After meeting Cindy, we saw Tiana across the hall, so we stopped to say hello!



I have no idea what they were talking about here, but it was an intense conversation for a second.




Once we said goodbye to Tiana, we peeked over the railing and saw that Hook was meeting people, so off we went, to be brave once more!





Aww...


After such a big evening, it was back to the room to watch the Grizzlies play! We tried to stay awake, but we finally gave up around 11pm. Guess it didn't matter, because we lost the game in OT, as I recall. Oh well, it was a great effort by our guys, but I knew we were going to be outmatched.

Up next: Starting the journey across the Atlantic!

[Principessa_di_Fata]

Originally Posted by Dlandmom2

Oh man, I would've been SO annoyed about the hammocks! That's just so not cool! I really hope Disney answers you. As I always say, common sense is NOT common! Why did they think they were?!

Originally Posted by MayraLR

What a great day at CC! Sorry about the hammock situation. That must've been so frustrating.

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

I have the same gripe about annoying hammock-hoggers! It's like people think they have to claim them just in case they decide they want to use one for a few minutes at some point in the day. That has been going on as long as CC has been there - since we did our first DCL cruise in Feb 2000 and I know I saw the same thing then, and every trip since.
I'm sure it's not PP'rs being that rude!
Otherwise, sounds like it was a great day!

Originally Posted by lauriep

Oh, boy, those hammock people would have made me so mad! Do they think it's their private beach? I've only been to the adult beach and am unable to launch myself into a hammock, so didn't notice if the same thing happened there. I'm glad you enjoyed the stingray experience. It sounds very different from when I did it-- the snorkel part is new. I like that the rays had different personalities, too. They're so gentle and soft. So great that the Dream sailed by to give you a send-off!

The hammock-hoggers stink for sure! It didn't ruin my day or anything but it really ticked me off. I'm not surprised, Colleen, to hear that it's been going on and on and on. Maybe if we all continue to email when we see it happen, they'll wise up. Who knows? Like I said, I wouldn't have minded if they were sitting in them all day - then hey, finders keepers. But I promise you I'll enjoy the hammock more than a towel will. Just sayin. On board the ship they say if items / towels sit on deck chairs for too long without being used, they collect them and take them to lost and found... I'd like to see that policy at Castaway.

[cubfancolleen]

I know the pepper trick! I know!!!

Bibbidy bobbidy booze?!

Meri sure was brave today!

[lauriep]

Bibbidy bobbidy booze-- is that the name of the BBB salon for adults? Cindy does look like she pulled herself together in a hurry! Meri (not looking at ALL like a villain!) is really taking risks-- meeting the Queen of Hearts and HUGGING Hook! She looks so adorable in all the photos.

[chezp]

What a great day you had on Castaway Cay! I am so with you on the hammock hoggers. I'd have personally said "please go and get a Cast Member and we'll discuss it with them, especially as Disney don't allow the saving of hammocks..."

[cubfancolleen]

Originally Posted by lauriep

Bibbidy bobbidy booze-- is that the name of the BBB salon for adults? .

Saloon!

[lauriep]

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Saloon!

How'd I miss that one?!

[disney_duke]

Sounds like a good time on Castaway Cay! Despite the hammock hoggers. That happens with chairs at the pool too, and folks are gone.... who knows where! They just abandon the chairs/hammocks! Frustrating for sure. Time with the stingrays sounded fun too. I wouldn't have ever thought those guys would have personalities. How cute!

And your evening sounded great as well. The dessert looked soooo good! Glad Meri wasn't too scared of the villains either. Great photos!!

[Principessa_di_Fata]

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

I know the pepper trick! I know!!!

Bibbidy bobbidy booze?!

Meri sure was brave today!

I was quite impressed by her spurt of bravery!

Originally Posted by lauriep

Bibbidy bobbidy booze-- is that the name of the BBB salon for adults? Cindy does look like she pulled herself together in a hurry! Meri (not looking at ALL like a villain!) is really taking risks-- meeting the Queen of Hearts and HUGGING Hook! She looks so adorable in all the photos.

Cindy looked a little rough through the entire cruise, bless her poor little heart.

Originally Posted by chezp

What a great day you had on Castaway Cay! I am so with you on the hammock hoggers. I'd have personally said "please go and get a Cast Member and we'll discuss it with them, especially as Disney don't allow the saving of hammocks..."

I was waiting for them to say something to me so I could say something similar to that right back. I don't think the kids really cared, but grandma sure sounded flustered, lol.

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Saloon!

Originally Posted by lauriep

How'd I miss that one?!

Ok now that's funny, ladies!

Originally Posted by disney_duke

Sounds like a good time on Castaway Cay! Despite the hammock hoggers. That happens with chairs at the pool too, and folks are gone.... who knows where! They just abandon the chairs/hammocks! Frustrating for sure. Time with the stingrays sounded fun too. I wouldn't have ever thought those guys would have personalities. How cute!

And your evening sounded great as well. The dessert looked soooo good! Glad Meri wasn't too scared of the villains either. Great photos!!

There's one ray that would constantly attempt to go up the wrong ramp, and he'd always get turned away until he went up the correct one. They train them that they go up the ramp on the left (as you face the trainer) and down the right side. And then we'd feed them along the way. Well the little guy repeatedly went up the right side and would plow over any ray in his way... and the trainer would have to turn him back around and push him out of the ramp, lol. She said he does it all of the time. Eventually he'd give up and come around the right way, but then he'd try to turn around and come back up the wrong way again. It was funny.

Oh I also forgot to add, I think, that there are about 100 CM's that live on the island at any given point in time. I thought that was pretty neat!

[lauriep]

Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata

....There's one ray that would constantly attempt to go up the wrong ramp, and he'd always get turned away until he went up the correct one. They train them that they go up the ramp on the left (as you face the trainer) and down the right side. And then we'd feed them along the way. Well the little guy repeatedly went up the right side and would plow over any ray in his way... and the trainer would have to turn him back around and push him out of the ramp, lol. She said he does it all of the time. Eventually he'd give up and come around the right way, but then he'd try to turn around and come back up the wrong way again. It was funny.

Oh I also forgot to add, I think, that there are about 100 CM's that live on the island at any given point in time. I thought that was pretty neat!

Very cute story! The rays are under the care of the vets at Rafikis. Once a year a vet and a vet tech spend a week at CC doing their annual check-ups. They check them thoroughly, get blood samples, clip their barbs, check out the food area, etc. This past winter my friend Lidia was the tech who went. They over-night on a nearby island and motor over each day. Sounds like a great gig to me!

[Principessa_di_Fata]

Originally Posted by lauriep

Very cute story! The rays are under the care of the vets at Rafikis. Once a year a vet and a vet tech spend a week at CC doing their annual check-ups. They check them thoroughly, get blood samples, clip their barbs, check out the food area, etc. This past winter my friend Lidia was the tech who went. They over-night on a nearby island and motor over each day. Sounds like a great gig to me!

Seriously, talk about a job perk!!

[Principessa_di_Fata]

I hope my photos are ok today... I switched from photobucket to Shutterfly because Shutterfly is far more cooperative, and kinder. Plus I was nearing my storage limit on Photobucket, and Shutterfly doesn't have a storage limit (yet). I did a test post in the garage area, and I think it's within appropriate size, but I'm sure someone will let me know if I'm wrong!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Today we slept in a bit, which was nice! We didn't get up until 9:30am! It was pretty nice to just get up whenever.

The water was pretty calm as we began our crossing. There were some waves, but nothing too crazy.




We got a good laugh when we realized... we were in the Bermuda Triangle!





Since we’d done a lot of eating in Parrot Cay for breakfasts, we decided this time to try Lumiere’s for their brunch.



It's a little hard to read but maybe you can get a magnifying glass, lol...


Our server was Stilyan from Bulgaria, and he was a riot! He made a little “mouse” named Jamie out of a napkin, and every time Meri would pet the mouse, it would jump at her, lol. She thought it was just the biggest hoot, and he seemed determined to make her laugh as loud as possible! Good thing there weren't too many people over near us because the two of them got a bit rowdy at times!

Meri got the French Toast, I ordered an omelet and a piece of French toast, and mom had assorted fruit and blueberry pancakes. While we were waiting for our food, we saw Peter Pan through the window, and Meri leaped at the chance to meet him again, so off we went! There wasn't a line, so Meri had him all to herself for about 3 minutes (which, when you think about it, is quite a long time) and they talked about adventures, they talked about her meeting and hugging Captain Hook, and they talked about her telling stories. Peter Pan was 100% in character (not that I’m surprised, but some are better than others, let’s just say) and he was positively a RIOT! He even got all huffy with her at one point, crossing his arms and turning his back on her. She was a little confused at that, but went along with it, lol.

This one is blurry but it's still cute to me










After we met Peter, we went back in, and our food was served just as we returned to the table – talk about good timing!!!

Here was a fruit plate that I don't recall ordering, but I ate it anyway!


We saw Alice through the window, and again I was charmed at how she just was walking around just like Peter, not doing anything formal, just greeting and chatting with kids.


My french toast and omelet - the omelet was out of this world. The french toast was not bad, but not my favorite either.


We enjoyed our food, and then we headed back to the room to change into bathing suits, because Meri wanted to enjoy the pool! At this point we put out three more magnets that we had brought. We had started the door with the palm tree, flip flops and umbrella, to signify the Caribbean and Castaway Cay. Now we added a whale, octopus and crab to signify getting out into the Atlantic Ocean! We had more magnets that will show up later in the cruise... And you'll also see a butterfly that Meri made in the kids club! (I continually call it the kids club because it's shorter than typing out Oceaneers Club, but I'm sure you all know what I mean, lol).



We started at the Goofy pool but it was really moving – more like a wave pool than anything else. You can see the depth differential in the photos below, to see exactly how much it was moving!





Now see the difference in the corner in the water levels...




At that point we decided it was probably best to move to the Mickey pool. We stayed at the Mickey pool for quite a while, with Meri going down the slide probably about 14-15 times in a row.







On the last time, she fell on the way to the slide and bonked her head. I hugged her and checked her out, but she didn't get a WHOLE lot of sympathy from me, because for the past 20 minutes I had told her repeatedly to stop running because she’d fall. Kids… they always have to learn the hard way!



We went back over to the Goofy pool after a while, because Meri wanted some pizza, and we ran into Timothy and Katrina. We ate pizza with them, and relaxed a little, and then the kids decided they wanted to tour each other’s cabins. We handed them the key cards and sent them on their way, telling them they had to come straight back. Amazingly they listened, and 10 minutes later, they were back! Frankly I was surprised they were that fast!

I know some of you guys must be saying, "You let your 7 year old and a 9 year old loose alone on a ship in the middle of the ocean?" Yes, I really did. It's amazing the sense of security you have on this boat. Probably a false sense, I admit, but... I really did feel secure sending her off on her own for a few minutes to our cabin and theirs. I knew she wouldn't go near a railing without me (she was actually afraid to go near them, after I got through with telling her terrifying stories that I made up in order to put the fear of God into her), and it's not like she could get lost. Also, Timothy was a very serious little boy, and a rule-follower, so I knew he wouldn't let her go anywhere but where they were supposed to go. So, bottom line, I was ok with it. But, of course, if they'd taken much longer, I may have begun getting nervous, lol.

Continued in the next post...

[chezp]

Great start to the day! I must admit I did look at those pictures of the water level in the pool and I wasn't sure about that. I know you said it was calm, but was it choppy at all at this point?