Live, Laugh, Love...Dream: Mother/Daughter Cruise on the Disney Dream: Debarkation Day-Updated 3/29/11 - Page 12 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Great update Dawn! That was some raging fire in the port of Nassau and you were able to get some good pictures of it. Loved the pic of you in Aqua Duck! Was it difficult holding onto the camera while sliding through it?
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Great update Dawn!!! You and your mom are styling in your "fancy" dresses. Dinner sounded wonderful, although I am sorry to hear dessert was not to your linking. can't wait to read more!
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Great day 2. Can't wait for day 3. Also can't wait to hear more about this mysterious women who is now in my books a staker....LOL
The pictures of you and your mom (not your partner) are lovely. And I was smiling and tearing up when seeing the photos with Chip and Dale and Mickey all dressed in their best. I can't wait to see them in person on my cruise.
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Great update Dawn! That was some raging fire in the port of Nassau and you were able to get some good pictures of it. Loved the pic of you in Aqua Duck! Was it difficult holding onto the camera while sliding through it?
I tried in several spots to grab a picture while I was on it. The first part of the slide was too hilly for me to go one handed. The last part where you have a long straight portion of the tube going over the deck was where I was able to let go and snap away.
The alarm went off around 7:30am, and even though we were excited for our day to begin, we were both really comfy. We had decided before we went to bed the night before to go up to Cabanas for breakfast instead of getting room service. We got dressed in our swimsuits and cover-ups and packed the beach bag pretty quickly. I grabbed some pictures from the verandah again of us coming into Castaway Cay.
We did a final check before heading out the door and headed up to Deck 11. We were met at the doors by a hostess of sorts and were led to a table for two. We were getting situated before heading up to the buffet when Jose (our assistant server) came by our table to chat. He graciously got us both some orange juice and a Diet Coke for me. He was so soft spoken and really a sweetheart. He doted over my mom so much. Mom went up to the buffet first, and then I swiftly took my turn. Mom kept commenting that I wasn’t eating enough. I wasn’t about to admit that my nervousness was taking over about my upcoming parasailing so a lot of food on my tummy wasn’t a smart idea. So, I managed to eat some eggs, some fruit, a sausage link, and half a bagel. Mom was satisfied with that thank goodness. We spoke with Jose for a few more minutes as he kept checking on us. While mom finished up, I grabbed a couple pictures in Cabanas.
We went back down to Deck 4 to look at our pictures so far while we were waiting for the go ahead to disembark to CC. As we were looking through our folder, our “friend” came by and said “Hello ladies” again. Both of us jumped as we weren’t paying attention to our surroundings. She looked over mom’s shoulder at the picture we were holding, said it looked good, and asked if we were going to Castaway Cay. Before we could even answer, she went on her merry way. Mom gave me a look, and I did my best to withstand the urge to burst out laughing. We were seriously beginning to wonder if we knew this lady and were being rude. Don’t get me wrong, we have no problem talking to people we have never met. In fact my mom is one of the nicest people in the world, but this lady freaked her out, which is hard to do. Anyway, the cruise director announced over the speaker that we were free to disembark, and off we went.
Our main goal was to hit the shops as quickly as possible to ensure we got the best look at the merchandise available. We knew that they would hold our bags for us until we headed back to the ship at the end of our day. Mom patiently waited while I took some pictures along the walk. Truthfully, I didn’t take a whole lot of pictures because I was just enjoying the scenery. CC is truly magnificent.
We arrived at She Sells Sea Shells and Everything Else and began the search. It didn’t take long for both of us to find something that had to be bought. Mom got a zip up white hoodie with a CC logo on the back. I went with the navy blue hoodie with the CC logo on the front. I also picked up two postcards to send back home, a frame and a magnet. Those purchases taken care of and the CM put them behind the counter for us to pick up later. With that taken care of, we took a potty break as we knew it would probably be the last one for awhile. As we headed back down to the marina area to check in for your excursion, we ran into a happy little fellow named Pluto at Mt. Rustmore.
We visited with Pluto for a bit as we were the only ones in line for him, but then continued down our way to the marina. Well, our trek wasn’t long because Mickey passed right in front of us for meet and greets. No photographer was with him at the time so we were satisfied with my camera. I absolutely his tennis shoes!!
That taken care of, we finally made our way to Marge’s Barges to check in for parasailing. Tickets were handed over, we had to sign our release forms, and then we were directed to the waiting area. There were a lot of people in the waiting area for their various excursions. We found a spot near a railing to wait out the time. I wil tell you that I was pacing back and forth which is a clear sign that I am nervous. Mom was laughing at me and giving me a hard time. I kept telling her that I would be fine once we were on the boat and that it was just the whole experiencing something new and different. I took some pictures to pass the time.
The other excursions were lead to the appropriate boats/ areas, and the only people left were those waiting on parasailing. An older couple (probably in their late 60’s/ early 70’s asked my mom if she had ever parasailed before and she told them yes and said it was amazing. We talked to them for about 5 minutes before we were called to line up. They separated us into two groups of ten. A guide was assigned to each of us. The other group was taken out onto the dock for instructions while our guide gave our instructions in the waiting area.
According to my mom, my facial expressions were beyond classic. She wished she had the camera out so she could have gotten some pictures. Here is the guide telling us how the harnesses worked and how the clips worked. When she said the words, “In case of a water landing,” I guess my facial reaction was one of sheer terror. She walked us out onto the dock, introduced us to our crew, told us to leave our shoes up on the dock, and off she went. Mom and I were the first ones down the ladder and onto the boat. We stowed our bag underneath in a cubby hole and waited for the rest of our group to join us. Two of our ten cancelled when they realized their kids couldn’t come on the boat with them while they parasailed. They were a little upset. A couple sitting next to us were discussing if the husband was going to go or not and he was giving the definite NO. So, he ended up taking an $80 boat ride. The driver, Buzz, backed us out away from the dock and off we went. The other crew member, whose name I couldn’t even begin to try and spell (we’ll call him Andy), asked our experience level and everyone but my mom were newbies. He initially wanted my mom to go first to show us how it was done but she insisted that I go first so I wouldn’t back out. She did what I told her to do but nothing like throwing me under the bus. Andy made me exchange places with another person so he could get the harness and life jacket on me. I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story and then give my comments afterwards.
This was when I was at the highest point.
The next pictures are of Mom and her time in the air.
So, did I enjoy it? No, I didn’t. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!! As I was sitting here waiting for the take off, I was a nervous wreck, but it took me about 10 seconds to find complete and utter joy. My 5-7 minutes in the air was so relaxing and peaceful and cool and I could go on and on. We were released to 600 feet and if we wanted, they would dip us in the water on our way in. I would do it again in heartbeat. Highly recommend!! Mom and I just enjoyed the boat ride while the others took their turns. I forgot how much I enjoyed being out on a small boat. While we were headed back into the dock, Mom realized that we didn’t bring any cash with us to tip the crew. All we had was $2 for stamps for our postcards. We made our way back up the ladder, and it was decided that I would run back to the ship and get some cash (and our iPods) so we could tip them. I handed the bag to Mom, got directions as to where Mom hid the cash, and made my way back to the ship. Got some weird looks from other passengers as it was only 11:15am and I was the only one going in that direction. The funniest thing was that Daisy Duck was headed to the gangplank for a meet and greet and that duck can move. I was speed walking but she had me beat big time and in heels! You go Daisy!! I was in the stateroom quickly, grabbing the iPods and cash, and back down the gangplank in about 7 minutes. I met up with mom near the post office and came up with a game plan for the rest of the day!
Congratulations on parasailing! I can't believe the couple who thought their kids could come along on the boat with them. That's what the kids' clubs are for!
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Thanks for the warning about the bar bill though! 
Holly: 
So, I managed to eat some eggs, some fruit, a sausage link, and half a bagel. Mom was satisfied with that thank goodness. We spoke with Jose for a few more minutes as he kept checking on us. While mom finished up, I grabbed a couple pictures in Cabanas. 
his tennis shoes!!
The driver, Buzz, backed us out away from the dock and off we went. The other crew member, whose name I couldn’t even begin to try and spell (we’ll call him Andy), asked our experience level and everyone but my mom were newbies. He initially wanted my mom to go first to show us how it was done but she insisted that I go first so I wouldn’t back out. She did what I told her to do but nothing like throwing me under the bus. 
Andy made me exchange places with another person so he could get the harness and life jacket on me. I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story and then give my comments afterwards. 
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