A Christmas Ship Comes Sailing In (A Cam and Luke TR) Completed 2/18 - Page 30 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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It didn't seem too sad, I think because we had had 7 very enjoyable days aboard the ship.
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Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Sigh - everytime I see pictures of that island, the more I feel the need to get there!!! Especially right now as our temps are dipping to the dangerously cold ones, and we are expecting MORE snow this weekend.
BUT that sunset is gorgeous!!!
Our temps have already begun to plummet and will only get worse through most of next week. Today I was scrapping the pages for Castaway Cay and remembering being warm once upon a time.
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Originally Posted by B.M.
Wonderful beach day!
We don't enjoying lounging too long, but Castaway Cay allows for more than beach loafing.
A very nice time in Castaway Cay the two of you had! Sorry, that the water was so cold, but I suppose that can be expected in December....and even here!
This is the only one of the the port stops that I'm not making a port excursion of any sort. Just want to explore the island on my own and I think that me best! Agreed? Did the two of you have lunch on Castaway Cay as perhaps, I missed it in this TR and overlooked it some how? CC looks like a great place to explore on your own and looking forward to going up to the tower for some great photo ops!
Just three excursions for me on the other stops. Plus, I have other things on board I will be doing that incur an extra charge.
The sunset photos you captured are quite surreal and absolutely love them! I hope to capture some on my cruise! I'm doing the late dinner as I cannot fathom having early dinners on a regular basis. I usually don't get home during the week until about 6:30 or so. That's why I chose the late dinner. I can't have dinner at 5 pm. Plus it may give me more time in the ports, depending with the return time!
Seems like the two of you had such a great time. You're such a great couple!
We did have lunch at Cookie's BBQ, I think it was in the last update. There are quite a few choices there, but Luke and I ate light as we didn't want to be too full at dinner time. We typically eat between 5:00 and 6:00 every day so Main Seating works best for us. We didn't plan a port adventure for the island either, and the exploring on our own was relaxing and fun as we could do it at our own pace.
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Originally Posted by OhToodles!
What a great walk and pictures from the tower. Gorgeous sunset - watching them from the verandah was one of my favorite memories from our cruise.
Sunsets alone made the verandah so worth it. I also loved seeing the ports as the ship pulled in.
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Originally Posted by roaminggnome
What an awesome vacation! I loved reading all about it. Your photos are always great and the stories that go along with them are entertaining and informative about options available at WDW or in this case on the Cruise!! Hmmmmm will we all see a pre-trip report in the near future or has one already been started??
My current plan is to start a PTR for May sometime in March.
I don't wake up early enough for most sunrises, but I enjoy watching the sun set.
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Originally Posted by jackid2
Wonderful pictures!! Sunsets are always my favorite.
My favorite, too.
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Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
What a beautiful sunset and lovely photos on your walk!! It sounds like despite the cool water, you guys had a fantastic day at Castaway Cay!
We have only been there once and it was a bit windy, so our excursion got cancelled. I am determined to go back as it looks so fun!!
Tara
The last time we went o Castaway Cay back in 2006, it was very windy so Luke's parasailing was cancelled. This time he didn't even bother since he has finally gotten to do that at WDW. It was windy this time, too, and as we walked to the beach, there were signs listing the cancellations already.
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Finally got all caught up with your last few updates Sounds like you had a wonderful dinner at Animators Palate and you both looked so nice all dressed up! Sorry that drunk lady was so rude and annoying at the show. It sounds like Luke gave her something to think about! I loved seeing all your pictures of Castaway Cay. Sorry the water was cool but it sounds like you enjoyed your time there anyway
The Holiday decorations all around Castaway Cay are so fun! It's so beautiful there. Love all of your pictures, especially the ones from the watch tower. We didn't make it up there last time, but it's on my list for our cruise this summer.
I can't believe it's your last night already! That sunset sure was a beautiful way to say goodbye to the sea!
all caught up on following your vacation. Looks like you had a great time, Thanks for .sharing
This cruise is definitely among our top 5 best vacations.
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Originally Posted by lindawdw
Finally got all caught up with your last few updates Sounds like you had a wonderful dinner at Animators Palate and you both looked so nice all dressed up! Sorry that drunk lady was so rude and annoying at the show. It sounds like Luke gave her something to think about! I loved seeing all your pictures of Castaway Cay. Sorry the water was cool but it sounds like you enjoyed your time there anyway
I wasn't planning on spending much time in the water, so its coldness didn't hamper us at all.
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Originally Posted by Gin7274
I really enjoyed reading your trip report and seeing your pictures, what an amazing trip.
I have a couple more updates before the trip is totally wrapped up.
The Holiday decorations all around Castaway Cay are so fun! It's so beautiful there. Love all of your pictures, especially the ones from the watch tower. We didn't make it up there last time, but it's on my list for our cruise this summer.
I can't believe it's your last night already! That sunset sure was a beautiful way to say goodbye to the sea!
I was so excited to finally see the Christmas decorations at Castaway Cay myself. They were so cute.
Most of our tablemates were already there before us tonight. Agus took our orders and once he had things underway, I asked if he and Servet would take a picture with us. I was going to miss these two guys back home where I’m both chef and server.
When Servet saw me taking a photo of my tablemates, he sent me to my seat and gladly took a few of all us together for one last time.
Our orders tonight: Appetizer: Both chose Grilled Potato and Goat Cheese Napoleon (Luke again was excited that he actually liked goat cheese.) Soup/Salad: Cam – Potato and Leek Soup; Luke Edamame and Napa Cabbage Salad. Both were quite delicious. Main Course: Luke – Garlic and Rosemary Marinated Lamb Sirloin with Potato Gratin; Cam – Roasted Filet of Beef Wellington with Fingerling Potatoes and Broccoli, which instantly became another favorite. Dessert: Cam – Chocolate Decadence; Luke – Baked Alaska, something he has always wanted to try. Both were so sweet and a great finish to the dinner.
Another excellent dining experience though Carioca’s was very noisy tonight. We handed out tips to Agus, Servet, and our head server Hasan. Luke even called Hasan over to praise Agus work. Hsan told him that Agus is being prepped to move up to a Head Server position when one becomes available. We weren’t surprised at all as he is meticulous, attentive, knowledge of the dishes and the ship, quick at learning his guests, and warmly friendly. Again, I am going to miss Agus and Servet.
After dinner, we headed to Shutters to purchase our ten favorite 8 x 10 photos for a mere $149. Very crowded in here tonight, but since we’d already picked out most of the ten, we breezed through. We just needed to decide which Castaway Cay photo we wanted to add. Then we returned to the stateroom to drop these off and change into more comfortable clothes for the show, Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic. As we walked down the hall, we found Rurie, our host, and gave him his tip. Such a kind, sweet man who worked hard, keeping our room immaculate and providing a new towel critter every night. He also made sure to say hello every time he saw either one of us in passing, checking to be sure we were enjoyed our stay and whether we needed anything. I just wished I could take him home as he was awesome at bathroom cleaning.
We arrived at the show early enough to get great seats and were soon joined by Paul and Connie as well as Tom and Laurie. An awesome show, ending with the entire audience on its feet.
After a quick restroom break, we found a spot along the rail on Deck 4 from which to view the ‘Til We Meet Again farewell show. I remember on our first cruise in 2006 how sad this show made me. But this time seven nights had been the perfect length, and I’m pretty sure another cruise is in our future, though not immediately.
At one point Donald was set up right behind us doing a meet and greet. He was such a doll, and quite fond of his own reflection. If he saw my camera pointed his way, he had to pose. Donald was having the best time.
At one point in the 'Til We Meet Again, a Dickensian choir came on stage and the children on Deck 3 were invited to join them. So sweet!
We were back in our stateroom by 10:45. We got ready for bed, and you may have guessed it, I packed a little more. Our four big suitcase had been set out in the hall according to instructions, so now we just needed to get our carryon bags ready. The alarm was set for 6:00 AM , so we could have our early breakfast at 7:00, and then begin the long journey home.
In my journal I wrote, “I’m ready for my own home, but this has been an excellent adventure, one of the best vacations ever. I just hope it doesn’t take eight years before we do this again!” Goodnight!
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It sounds like despite the cool water, you guys had a fantastic day at Castaway Cay!
Did the two of you have lunch on Castaway Cay as perhaps, I missed it in this TR and overlooked it some how? 
I usually don't get home during the week until about 6:30 or so. That's why I chose the late dinner. I can't have dinner at 5 pm. Plus it may give me more time in the ports, depending with the return time! 
Hmmmmm will we all see a pre-trip report in the near future or has one already been started?? 
I don't wake up early enough for most sunrises, but I enjoy watching the sun set. 
, so we could have our early breakfast at 7:00, and then begin the long journey home.
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