Mom's First Taste of Cruising with the Mouse! **Completed 11/20** - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
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To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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What a great cruise you had! And memorable together time with your mom, who looks like she really got into the cruising life-style. Easy to do! Thank you for sharing your trip.
We’re having a really rough night (thank goodness Russ and I have each other!), so I’m thinking a return to the cruise trip report is in order!
This trip was by far one of the best vacations I have ever had! Not only was it with one of my all-time favorite people on the planet, but it was by far the most relaxing trip evah! Mom and I are already planning our adventures for next year (wherever they may take us).
Just to touch on a few highlights and favorites –
Before the cruise
Paying off the cruise early, well, pays! It was nice not having to worry about missing the final payment date, and there is nothing like being ready to book Palo and excursions.
Which brings me to the next point on those bookings – I was up at the stroke of midnight to book Palo, and was able to get exactly what I wanted. If there is a particular date and/or time, be sure you are ready with those.
I forgot to mention in the trip report I am making a scrapbook for my mom (first one ever!). This is a totally fun thing to do to keep you occupied as your cruise draws near. Each weekend, and on several weeknights, I would work on layouts for the scrapbook pages. A good countdown!
I loved not rushing to the port. Deciding to sleep in a bit and just going with the flow that morning made for a much more pleasant experience. And we still managed to purchase an upgrade at the port.
Stateroom
A verandah stateroom is a must if you can swing it! Three Disney cruises, and three verandahs. And after this cruise, I honestly don’t think I could do anything but. There is nothing like watching nature pass by and listening to the ocean. I truly believe this helped slow down the pace for us, which was desperately needed!
Decorate your door. If for no other reason, it just adds some happiness to your cruise!
If you are a member of DIS boards, join in on a Fish Extender exchange. It was fun getting surprises every day, and it was fun delivering magic to others. (Not to mention, when dropping off goodies at one of the staterooms, the stateroom hostess of that room went on and on how she thought it was so nice we were doing this, and when I told her we didn’t even know each other except by name on a message board, she was just floored people would do that for each other!)
Onboard experiences
Take your time with purchases. There was only one “must purchase” item at the beginning (the scrapbook). Other than that, we patiently looked and shopped until we were sure what we wanted to buy. Same goes for photos. You will have an opportunity throughout the cruise to purchase whichever ones you want (hello kiosks!). Don’t fork over tons of money up front!
Shop late. The shops will be less crowded and easier to navigate. Due to space constraints it can get awfully claustrophobic in the onboard shops right after the stage shows let out!
Explore the ship! There are just so many neat nooks and crannies. And you just never know who you might bump into, like Stitch or Mickey.
Check out Diversions, and enjoy a game or two.
Book a future cruise! The onboard credit is such a huge perk, and there is typically some type of incentive going on (for us it was a reduced deposit). Even if you are not sure of your dates, book something and then switch the booking once you are back at home and can think things through.
Use the Quiet Cove adult pool in the evening, weather permitting. We decided to go while regular dining rotations were still eating, and the stage show was still on. The pool was empty, and we were able to thoroughly enjoy it.
Check out the adult entertainment district. While Disney is definitely a kid’s paradise, it can be an adult paradise too. There is always something going on!
Always carry your camera with you. You just never know what or who you will see!
At the Ports
If you do not have a shore excursion to get to, let the hordes of people off the ship first. Linger behind a bit and then just leisurely walk off the ship after the crowds have dispersed.
Get off at every port, even if for just a short time. No matter what you think, every destination has something to offer.
Be pleasant to the locals. When you think about it, we’re lucky we have the opportunity to cruise on such a great ship; I’m sure those less fortunate wish they were in our shoes, and how difficult it must be for them to see this day in and day out.
Food!
No sense in getting in line before or right at your dinner time. Wait a few minutes and by the time you go to dinner, the end of those lines will just be going in!
Do not miss Palo! I cannot stress enough how wonderful this meal is. It’s not just the food, but the service and the atmosphere. Truly an all-around experience.
Find the treasures of food outside of the norm. Sandwiches from Goofy’s Galley; Pastries from Cove Café; Mickey Bars from Room Service. These treats are just as good, if not better than those found in obvious places.
Don’t miss the omelet station at Beach Blanket Buffet (Topsiders on the Magic). It is located around the center wall, away from the regular buffet line. And the fact they bring your omelet to you instead of you having to wait for it is such a huge plus!
Book second seating for dinner. You won’t feel as rushed in the ports (to be back on the ship in time for dinner). In addition, you have the added benefit of having late breakfast on debarkation morning.
If on a 3-night cruise, ask for the APT rotation (Animator’s Palate, Parrot Cay, Triton’s). My main reason for this was going to Triton’s on optional Dress-Up night, and also having our debarkation morning breakfast here.
Castaway Cay
Be ready to get off at Castaway Cay, just in case! We were ready ½ hour before the scheduled time, and guess what? They started letting people off the ship! We were one of the first one’s off, and had literally the pick of ANYWHERE on Castaway Cay!
Following-up on that, get to Serenity Bay as early as possible. Imagine the peacefulness when this place is empty! Plus, you’ll have the pick of any spot you want!
Mail postcards from Castaway Cay. Ours arrived about two to three weeks later – not bad!
Have a Konk Kooler (or whatever your pleasure is) at 10:30 a.m. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere! And after all, you are on vacation!
Transportation
I have to add this because we were just impressed with United Airlines, and how awesome they were for Mom. The agent at the counter upon her arrival was so helpful in getting her seat switched for her departure flight four days later. Then when Mom checked-in for said departure flight she was offered an upgrade to business class for $49, which of course we jumped on for her! She ended up in a window seat anyway, in a bulkhead row, with much more room!
I’m sure I am forgetting something here, but these are just a few tidbits I wanted to highlight for you. Thank you for taking the time to read along, and I hope you enjoyed the ride!
Very good wrap-up and advice! Can you post a page or two of your scrapbook when you're done?
Will do! I'll add them as I finish them (only need to add photos and a few embellishments to the finished layout pages, and have just a couple of more layouts to do).
What a fantastic Cruise you and your mom had, it was truly wonderful and magical to read and see all of what you were able to do and having just booked a 4 night for 2 weeks from now, this really made me want the time to pass quickly to get here!
Thank you for sharing your Cruise with us and Please share your scrapbook pages with us!
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We will be taking our first Disney cruise in Feb. 2010, with our 2 children. I would love to decorate the stateroom door with their names. Did you make your or did you purchase them onboard?
Thanks for your help.
Karen
We will be taking our first Disney cruise in Feb. 2010, with our 2 children. I would love to decorate the stateroom door with their names. Did you make your or did you purchase them onboard?
Thanks for your help.
Karen
I made the door decorations myself, using magnetic copy paper from Office Depot. Let me find the photos I used (and added names to) and send them to you or post them here!
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