Trip Report-Satisfying our habit for DCL-Our November 7, 2010 Cruise-Complete 12/7 - Page 8 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Welcome, Welcome, Welcome! It's time to get this party started The Trip Report is starting!!!
Saturday November 6th, 2010
We were up and at em early, I got ready right away and so did mom we left around 9am and got Dunkin Donuts for some breakfast foods then went down to the LOOP shopping center where we stopped in CJ Banks as they were having a 40% off sale that mom wanted to check out prior to leaving for the cruise/vacation. I found a nice necklace and mom found a nice sweater and with our purchases made we headed back home to relax since the plan was to leave around 1pm or so.
We watched the special TLC ran on the Oasis of the Seas and then the Travel Channel special for Disney Cruise Line. By the time the Disney Special was over it was about Noon and we couldn't stand it any longer and decided to head out and run a few last minute errands and head out to the port.
The first stop was the Apartment Complex office where we notified them that no one would be home to give permission to enter the apartment and so that if an alar went off that we weren't home so they could go check. We have a great staff here! They gave us a group Bon Voyage and then we went on out and got some gas for the car. Oh yeah forgot to say we decided to take my older car (Eeyore as it is called since it is a eeyore gray) to the Port and put the new car in the garage in case the weather got ugly while we were away the older car could take the "hit" if there were to be hail. Ok OK plus the Ford has a larger trunk and we just wouldn't and couldn't fit all our junk in the new car
So with gas in the vehicle, and a quick long stop at Target to try and find a Red Sox ornament that Target's website stated they had but didn't we were a bit hungry again (we were getting ready for the eating extravaganza that is cruising LOL) so we made a quick stop at Chic Fil A where it was jammed pack but we found a table and had a nice lunch. We were on our way about 2pm and jumped up on the 417 North to the 528 East towards Cocoa Beach.
We did notice for those who choose to drive to the port that it looks like they are building a new Toll Plaza on the way to the Port so its a ways away from being completed but be prepared that costs to drive to the port will be a little higher when it opens.
We made it to Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral Florida about 3pm we went to the hotel and checked into the Country Inn and Suites but we first spotted the Port area and that 3 ships were in port who normally are there and there was one that we would see later who was in Port but who were there visiting it as a stop on their cruise itinerary not as a departure port!!
The Disney Magic was in Port
We pulled up to the hotel and parked we went in and checked in and once we had our room keys we took our carry on bags, and our overnight bag out and headed to our room which was on the 1st floor room 124. It was quite large and had a micro/fridge combination in the room, a desk, chair, a wingback chair and 2 double beds.
At first glance the hotel is very clean, spacious, and close to the port , they have a great free breakfast in the morning but that is all I can say. We found the staff to be quite grouchy and the beds were HORRIBLE. I know the night before a cruise or a trip getting sleep is hard but this was different this was "the beds were so bad that we both slept in the chairs as that was more comfortable" BAD!!!! When we tried to discuss this concern with the front desk they blamed us for the problem and basically said so what. We are dealing with this now once home but seriously not a great start to our vacation!
After we got into the room though we sat for a few minutes then about 4:30 we headed over to the port and saw that other cruise ship that was visiting Central Florida it was Costa Americana which we were told was an Italian Cruise Line and we ran into them later in Nassau so they were making the rounds!
We found a new parking area where we can watch the cruise ships leave the port for FREE!!! Freddie Patrick Park! (love google) as I couldn't remember the name when I was writing this a quick search got me the name but what I liked about the park was that it was close to Rusty's our favorite restaurant at the Port and there were public restrooms!
Carnival Dream, Norweigen Cruise Lines, and Disney were the ones who left on Saturday from Port Canveral got a few shots of the Carnival and the Magic! Only 1 more day and we'd be getting onboard the Wonder!
So after the Magic went down the channel and was out of sight we headed to Rusty's Bar and Grill and we had dinner. We had a coupon for being a VIP (free email list member) for Buy 1 Get 1 Free for our entree's so with the entree's, a key lime pie to go and beverages it was $30 for both of us. including tax and tip. Not bad for really good food! I had the Sirloin, and mom had the Pork chop we both agreed both were the best we have had in florida!
We headed back to the hotel and relaxed but well I already explained the horrible beds situation so needless to say no sleep!
Up Next... Embarkation Day Adventures Away!
__________________
Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust! Studying Hard to Make a Difference!
Last edited by iamgrumpy; 11-11-2010 at 07:36 PM..
wahhoooooo! You've started!!!! great start!! Sorry the beds were so bad..not cool, but at least it was only one night and after that, it was the ship!!!
Day 1 of our Cruise Embarkation Day! It's finally here!!! We have waited almost a year for this cruise and there was a lot of uncertainty whether or not we'd be able to go or not but today was the day and it was really happening!
We were up really early since we had such a rough night of sleep, we got ready and packed up our things. We headed down to breakfast around 7am well what we thought was 7am but since we forgot to set our clocks back it was 6am so we went back to the room and relaxed until it was about 7:30am for real since we realized we had everything ready and didn't need a ton of time after breakfast to get ready to go.
We had a nice breakfast they had waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, toast, hashbrowns, bagels all the fixings, cereal, fruit, yogurt, juice, milk, coffee and tea. it was a nice breakfast. We had a nice meal and then headed out to get our bags on the curb to wait for the shuttle around 9:30. Our shuttle was at 10am and we had been instructed to be out there no later then 9:45 to make sure we got checked in for the shuttle.
We put all our bags on the curb then moved our car over to the lot where they have cruise guests park for the 4 nights and then about 10:15 they finally had it all loaded and us in the van. We got to the terminal and it was a short wait to get into the security area since there was a full van plus others from other hotels getting dropped off but we made it through in under 5 minutes even with mom having to get wanded for her knee replacement. We went up the escalator and over to fill out our health form which was frustrating since I knew how to fill it out and the cast member was insistent that he had to fill it out. By the time I had to spell my name twice and he got the room number down, I could have been done checking in and sitting down. But it got done and we got in line to check in.
Now in December when we cruised they gave you your boarding number at the bottom of the elevator and escalators but they were giving them as you got to the check in line which of course led to a bottle neck as they only had 1 CM passing them out at the General Line not the Castaway Club line. So we finally got our boarding number which they were kind enough to change from a 5 to a 2 with some pixie dust! we got checked in, got our Key to the World Cards and then found some seats.
Mom had rented a scooter from Brevard Medical Equipment they had it in the terminal for her by 11am. I picked it up from the supervisor and the key and brought it over for her. I then took a tour of the terminal and took some photos before we got onboard the Ship for our cruise!
I finished the tour of the terminal which after seeing it in the decorated holiday status last year seemed plain but to be honest I love it the way it is undecorated because its so classic but Disney! Soon after they made the announcement that boarding was to begin, and of course regardless of boarding number everyone had to rush the boarding area and those of us with 1's and 2's had to push our way or drive our way through the crowds. For once I didn't apologize when running anyone over, since it was clearly announced and told to guests when they got their boarding numbers to wait until their number is called to go up.
We boarded the ship and soon we had our photo taken (will scan the photo in later and update with just the photo later) and then they announced our names and we were on VACATION!!!!! Off to Parrot Cay for Lunch were we pigged out on all the delicious food that they had to offer!
We had a nice relaxing lunch but when we finished we headed to Wavebands where we waitlisted for Palo's Dinner but no such luck they were full the last two nights so we kept what we had booked which was on Nassau night.
Up Next... Embarkation Day Part 2.....Home Sweet Home....Some Italian Eye Candy and The Safety Dance...err Safety Drill.
__________________
Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust! Studying Hard to Make a Difference!
Last edited by iamgrumpy; 11-11-2010 at 10:18 PM..
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There I was... sitting around, waiting for this, and already 2 updates behind!! But I'm caught up now!!
The bad situation first: It's bad enough the beds were uncomfortable, but when you can't get any respect from the staff... well, I just hope your experience was just a fluke!
And now, the good:
AAHHHHHHHHHHH!!... the memories!!!....................................... .....................
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The Trip Report is starting!!! 
we were a bit hungry again (we were getting ready for the eating extravaganza that is cruising LOL) so we made a quick stop at Chic Fil A where it was jammed pack but we found a table and had a nice lunch. We were on our way about 2pm and jumped up on the 417 North to the 528 East towards Cocoa Beach. 
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