Well here it is the saga..the pure drama of the Dionisi Disney adventure. - Page 7 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Well here is was Nassau day! Admitidly we were a bit aprehensive about going ashore. We had heard such bad things about this port. Regardless of that we had to do it! How could we not? Anyways the view from the boat is gorgeous which further spurred our ambition.
Armed with a map of the city and camera we left. Getting off the boat is not a big deal. They scan your room cards and off you go. DH loved all the boats. I loved the fact that is was actually hot! (mid 80-ish....remember it had been sub zero at home) Also it was so colorful and inviting. We took pics at the "welcome to Nassau" signs. Then it happened!... The barrage of people trying to sell us services.. Tours of the city, cabs, shuttles,"Hey mami' I braid your hair...I braid your daughter's hair...." etc... We smiled and walked a bit faster trying to keep in mind that everyone has to make a living.
Once inside the actual city it calmed down. The city is congested by cabs and stores and lots of people. In truth not our thing at all. Ah Ha! The Tortuga Rum shop!! Yes , just the place I wanted to go. I picked up a gift pack of assorted rums and a 6 pack of rum cakes for about $50. Not bad at all. .. We kept window shopping for a bit. Unfortunately during this time, DD7 started feeling a bit off. Yes we were getting close to a shutdown. To much input for an Autistic child I guess. We decide one more stop at a tshirt shop before it was back to the boat. We picked up like 6 shirts for about $20, then we were off. Back through the barrage of barkers and chaos. We hung out outside the boat for about a half an hour so that DD7 could unwind a bit.
Getting back on the boat is easy. Run your bags through the xray equipment and show your ids.
We ran up to the room for a brief break. Since by then DD7 was feeling a bit better I decided to do the one and only grown up time that I had this trip. ...The Spa!!!!! The spa runs some nice specials if you stay on the boat.
I took DD7 to the Oceaneer's club and off I went.
I was a little nervous. I have never been to a spa or had a masage. For $125 I got a deep tissue massage, full back length and shoulders, a facial and time is the Rainforest room along with champaign and chocolate dipped strawberries. The massage at times hurt (I guess I was tense) but after I felt soooo relaxed. The facial was heaven, I actually started to fall asleep when she left me alone for the facial to set. My favorite was the Rainforest room. It is beautiful. Like a Greek looking sauna room. There is a fountain with stone lounge chairs . the stones are heated , they were so nice to relax on. I tried the eucalyptis and chamomile saunas then a multi directional shower. I felt so indulgant and special. I highly recommend this as something to do on the ship. I left with a long term grin on my face.
Taking advantage on my remaining alone time, I got out the camera and took some shots from the boat. I loved the view.
Here are a few.
Atlantis
From our time ashore
After that it was off to pick up DD7 then go to the room for a nap.
Dinner was at Tritons. It was good .It was French inspired cusine. I forgot my camera , but I had a dish that was like a shepard pie of sorts. It had a filling made of a cheese sauce and nice sea scallops, a whipped potato on top , baked.
and crepe suzzette for dessert.
my pirates. lol
That night the waves began. lol
It was a swishy night for sure.. DH and DD17 did not handle it well. By later that night DH was saying "Let me off this thing" Me and the other two slept like babies.
The next morning we got the bad news.... No Castaway Cay. They just could'nt dock. The waves were too bad.
Oh poop!!
Tomorrow I'll tell you about the last day on the ship.
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Glad you're writing again! Sounds like a good day at Nassau (and a great massage)!! Great pictures too!
Thanks. It was a good day.
I've just been really busy. DH started his new job and I picked up a pt job also. Plus finishing up my solo CD and doing all those things that Mom's do. Today is my first quiet , nothing to do day.
Its nice.
You deserved the spa treatment. I'm so bummed for you that you missed Castaway Cay. Now you have to take another cruise
I like to think so. It really was nice.
It was a bummer missing CC. It was kind of funny. Later on the boat they sell the CC merch. We were like "mm should we buy merch even if we did'nt go? "
Thats what I told DH . lol.. I don't know if he bought it.
Actually I would love to aim for a Mediteranian cruise next time. One can dream.
Ah, that's not good to have to miss Castaway Cay. That would be one of my main reasons to do a Disney cruise.
Love the picture of Atlantis. I hope to go there one day.
Great update. Can't wait for more.
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Thanks for reading so far guys. Its funny that as part of the trip I was actually looking forward to sharing the details with my new friends on here. My hopes are that not only am I showing our fun, but helping others know what their options are. Like I've said before, I was a TA , and sold cruises and such, but you never really know what to expect until you are there yourself.
Also I know I have been throwing in a lot DD7's reactions . As a Mom with a special needs child I am hoping that it helps prepare other familys with special needs. Our trip in regards to Santina was so much smoother this time knowing what our options were beforehand.
Anyways ...having said that...back to the report.
Our day at sea...
As I had mentioned, we unfortunately missed CC. Yes it was a bummer, but on the flip side, Disney makes sure that you don't get bored. They quickly sent out a new edition of the daily Navigator. It showed all the additional activities that they added for the day. They have extra character encounters, extra movies and various other shipboard fun. The 2 older kids and DH scattered for individual fun. Me and DD7 went up on deck nine and had a leisurely breakfast . We then went to the atruim for the character dance party. It was packed with dancing kids and pushy camera weilding Moms. I tried to get Santina into the mood for a little dancing, but nope....time to shut down . It was a bummer , but I took a few pics of the characters....which she enjoys seeing now....and we moved on.
We did a little shopping. During the sea days, they open the shops for extended hours. We actually found some fun stuff on clearance. ..Oh just an FYI, they have very little on the ship that you can't get at the parks. The have a trinket shop and a duty free shop with perfume, clothes and jewelry,etc.. Less shopping opps then I thought , but thats o.k. Save that $$ right?
We met up with the other kids and had lunch then went to see Bolt in 3 D.
It was pretty chilly that day. So swimming was out for me, but the older 2 went for it. Kids are such troopers.
Dinner that night was at the Animator's Palate. This was the coolest of the restaraunts. Everything in black and white until dessert time. My Son went around and took pics of every picture on the wall . He said they looked too cool not to.
Appetizers were the best part of this meal.
DH's appetizer. It was a crab roll. He did'nt offer me a bite so it must have been good.
Mine. It may not be as pretty as his was ,but it was soooo good. I would have loved this in a bigger portion as a entree. It was a polenta cake topped with cheese , roma tomatoes and portabello mushrooms. The sauce was a sweet/spicy curry. I would love to have the recipe. I should have asked.
Dinner
In a surpize move DH and Son ordered something other than steaks! Even the waitstaff was caught off guard. lol
Soon the place started to change colors....
Just in time for dessert..
I add here that our waitstaff was wonderful, very indulgant of us.
Just an FYI , this is the meal that they start looking for their tip envelopes. Let me tell you they earn their money .
After dinner we went to the last show of the cruise. "Dreams". It was beautiful. We loved their shows. here is a "illegal" shot that I grabbed at the end. (disclaimer..no I was not one of those obnoxious people that kept taking pics during the show. Just the one at the very end. )
Afterwards I went to the room for a hot bath while DH took all the kids to the "Til we meet again " party in the atrium. He had a good time posing with all the ladies while I was out of site. haha... ah..did I mention his "thing " for Minnie?
Does'nt my Son looked thrilled? oh geez. lol
Another good night, but off to bed. We were scheduled to have breakfast at the Animator's Palate first thing in the am. 6 :30!!!
It was hard getting up, but they really rush you off the ship in the morning.
So here it was , our last bit of time on the boat.
The breakfast was alright. quickie food about the same quality as they served all weekend on deck 9 in the buffets.
After breakfast we sadly gathered our things and off we went.
Bye Bye Wonder...
The trip home was pretty uneventful. We were lucky to be leaving I guess. That day the expected high temp in Orlando was like 50. It was time to go back to the deep freeze that we call home.
Let me recap some of the quick points that we picked up on this trip.
1. The GAC card is a lifesaver
2. If you do the Land and Sea together don't get the food plan on land. Eat lite or get the counter serice. All you do on the ship is eat. Also the food is better.
3. If you have a special needs kid this may be too long a trip . Santina was toast soon after we sailed. Too much of a good thing I guess. Lesson learned. Take land and sea at different times.
4. You really can sail for very little pocket money once aboard. Just avoid buying drinks. Other then that there is plenty of prepaid fun to be had. Free pops and hot beverages are on deck 9 at all times. We spend under $250 after ship board credits ($100) yes that included my spa time.
5. Get off the ship at any port at least for a little bit. If nothing else just for bragging rights.
6. oh yes... I got my kids gift cards for the ship. Well save the effort. you have to take them and put them on your room acount just the same as if they were cash. Then make sure they have charging priveledges on their cards. They can not use them in the shops.
well that is a few that I can think of for now. I'm sure that I will think of more later. lol
I hope that you guys enjoyed my report as much as I did sharing it with you.
All I can say is that we are here weeks later jonesing for another trip to Disney. So who knows maybe next year.
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