Valentine's Day Celebrity Cruise TR - Page 8 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
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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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We headed down to the Main Dining Room a bit early for the Galley Tour, and we were glad we did! It was already filling up fast but we were put into the third tour group (you received a number as you walked into the area) Most of the tables by where you walked in were already taken, so we made our way to the other side of the area that was set up (to face the stairs instead of the tables) and got cozy. They were also handing out mimosas and OJ on the way in so I sipped on one of the cocktails while we waited.
The head of F&B came out and introduced his whole team and explained to us about how things work on the ships. There are of course numerous dining operations so there’s quite a large team, they get training materials from the CIA (I think it was, it might have been Le Cordon Bleu, but definitely a big name Culinary School) so that they can help people progress through stages. The color scarf they wear indicates how far through the training they have progressed, which was pretty cool to know! Once they got through the main spiel they started calling groups in for the tours one at a time in numerical order. For those waiting there was just a Q&A session so we don’t really know what kind of other cool information was revealed to those waiting once we left!
It was really neat to see the inner workings of the kitchens and they had some people demonstrating some prep work and they were all happy and cheerful to be there. After we were through the kitchens it was over! We headed to the “Port Shopping” demonstration in the theater that was about ½ over at this point, but the promise of free stuff and nothing else to do got us right on over there! It was kind of boring and dragged out, but we did walk away with coupons for a few things free and ideas of some free samples to check out during our time at Key West the following day!
Then we decided it was time to get some food for lunch! We decided we were NOT risking going into the Main Dining Room again and headed into the buffet area to eat at our own pace, plus we had now discovered the extra areas so we had more to choose from! We sat a a table with a surprise view too There were tiny little islands in the distance that the serving staff could identify, but I’d never heard of them before and of course have since forgotten what they were. But we were somewhere between Nassau and Key West
More yummy pizza
Our surprise view! Kind of scared me when I looked down!
fish & chips
Asian noodle station
View along the way
This time we opted to head back to our room for dessert, we had boxes of chocolate awaiting! The chocolate was SOOOO delicious and I can’t remember if I mentioned before but it was organic dark chocolate and mm you can just taste the difference when it’s something nice like that
The nice boxes we received
Chocolate bar
some of the dippers and clusters
I'm not sure if we did the chocolate immediately after lunch or after the Art Auction, but we definitely did get to enjoy some of it
So at some point before dinner we headed over to the Champagne Art Auction. I want to say it was at 1pm maybe? So it makes sense that we went straight from lunch and then headed for chocolate after We skipped the champagne and got cocktails from the bar instead as we wandered around and scoped out the art. No pictures from this though I found a "walk off" that I loved and snuck a prebid on there. The thing with these is you have to walk off the ship with them, and they are already framed, But honestly the prices were so low I decided I would make it work if I was able to get it. Cody loved a sculpture and sketch set but it was in the neighborhood of... TEN THOUSAND! Outside our price ranges for sure.
We settled into our seats with our bid cards and fresh drinks and let the fun begin! The drink I ordered this time I pretty much couldn't even stand a sip of so that was kind of lame But otherwise it was all fun! When my piece came up no one bid against me so I was able to get it! We saw lots of beautiful artwork go through including big names like Kinkade and Peter Max. At the end of the auction we set up an appointment to do the paperwork and pick it up and we were on our way!
I love galley tours on cruises - I always find them fascinating to take, as I love knowing what goes into creating food for my cruise. Congrats on the art purchase!
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I love galley tours on cruises - I always find them fascinating to take, as I love knowing what goes into creating food for my cruise. Congrats on the art purchase!
It was way cool to see!
Quote:
Originally Posted by a_bernard
that dark chocolate looks so good yum
It was, and now I want some
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
What an interesting tour of the kitchen! This lunch looked very delicious. How cool that you walked away with an artwork.
Yep for a buffet it was some great food!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pics from the galley tour! The chocolate looks so good!
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So after our art auction we headed back to the room to rest and get ready for dinner. If you hadn’t noticed yet, we always dress for dinner! Since we hadn’t dined in the Main Dining Room the previous night, we were curious as to whether or not our remaining 4 companions would show! We actually were ready a little early and headed out, knowing if we hung around the room too long we might fall into napland and miss dinner!
We headed to the Cafe to get some tea (caffeine), which Cody insisted he didn’t like until this cruise! They had a lovely tea selection (and also cookies and treats) and thankfully this was all included in our beverage package! I don’t recall exactly which flavor I got, but I can tell you I didn’t try one I didn’t like the whole trip, and they are served HOT. I had to ask for ice each time
Tea in hand we headed over towards the MDR, but it wasn’t open yet, very unlike us to be so early for something! We took a seat in the lounge nearby and just relaxed and waited
Tea
Dark lounge but sunny skies!
Then we headed right into dinner when it opened up, being the first ones at our table. No one showed up for a little, we were nervous we would be the only ones dining tonight! Eventually, Max and Michael showed up and we started ordering and enjoying bread. We learned that we did in fact have other table mates, two showed up for dinner last night and they were a young couple and good company.
I want to say it was into our appetizer, an older couple joined us. They had apparently been at the wrong table the past two nights and just discovered they were supposed to be our tablemates! So they joined us, this was something crazy like their 28th cruise! Tom and Mary Lou were great, as we had a lot in common with them. They are from Buffalo, NY, which is where Cody’s little brother currently attends college. And, their granddaughter's name was Macie, so naturally they just loved me for that alone! We definitely enjoyed our conversation with them tonight and were relieved when no one at our table was unbearable to dine with
Bread and dips
Cody's App!
the most amazing beef pasta dish, YUM
Chicken breast entree (my least favorite food of the trip, dry!)
The two of us at dinner
Cody’s Entree
Chocolate Lava Cake (OMG YUM, we both had two )
Announcements from the F&B Director
After dinner, which ended up taking much longer due to the late arrival of the table mates, I rushed off to the gym for my workout. I was anticipating having a little time between, but that was out. I pushed through and learned a lot from Jason (not that I’ve gotten to my gym to actually put it into practice) But I really enjoyed the workout he put together for me and when I do venture back into the weights-land at my gym I will be following his guidance!
While I went to the gym, Cody was hanging at the casino. He was playing his favorite, 3 card poker and following my wins at Shreveport, always playing the “pair plus” bet. By the time I found him, he had won about $500! I sat with him while he finished up, then we headed to the theater for “The Lying Game”
Tonight’s show was a comedy show featuring the Captain and Cruise Director and one other person who had to define a word. Only one knew the real definition and the others were funny/raunchy/etc.
It's rare I get one of these out of him!
We took some pictures while we waited for the show to start, once again no photos of the show. Unfortunately I only lasted about 2 rounds before my post-dinner-workout-stomach caught up to me and I decided to call it a night. Cody stayed for most of the show, but said it kind of got repetitive after a while. He headed back to the casino while I was off in dreamland and checked out the bars again. He ended up befriending one of the musicians and said he saw the Captain hitting on some women
He came in pretty late but eventually we were both sound asleep. For a day with not a lot on the schedule, we sure managed to keep busy and wear ourselves out!
We were up bright and early once again and after we were awake and hungry I insisted we would NOT be returning to the Main Dining Room for breakfast. We opted to head to the buffet this time instead. They had beautiful waffles, a station with 6 options for eggs benedict variations, and french toast that looked exactly like what I had been served the previous morning, of course this was in addition to normal breakfast items like fruit, yogurt, pastries, and cereal.
My first plate
Cody’s first plate
Our view from the table
Okay I had to try the eggies too!
And maybe a morning cocktail...
We then headed to get our info to get off the ship, being back in good ol USA we had to get checked on our way to Port. What they neglected to tell us was we needed a PASSPORT. They only said Photo ID so of course we both just grabbed our Driver’s Licenses not wanting to carry the larger passports around. A quick jaunt back to our room and problem was solved. I think we had a specific time and place to show up, but there wasn’t much of a line or anything and the whole process was nice and simple.
A nice picture with the ship, although the bright sun made it challenging!
I have to say, it was a picture-perfect day to be enjoying Key West. Sunny skies and temps in the 70s, just absolutely stunning. As we walked off the ship we were both instantly in love with this place, both having never been before. (Also, we were given complimentary huge water bottles, yay hydration!) Cody mentioned several times throughout the day that this is where he’d want to retire to, and man could I see that!
We opted to do today entirely walking as well, although all the bikes and little carts looked like a ton of fun too if walking isn’t your thing! Our agenda today was hit the 0 Mile Marker (My mom and I used to live right off Route 1 in Massachusetts, so this was extra cool for me!) and the Southernmost Point before heading over to the Butterfly Conservatory and then just wander and enjoy the town. I also wanted to get Key Lime Pie at some point!
We originally headed off in the wrong direction, heeding some poor directions from locals, oops! But soon we were on our way down adorable streets covered in B&Bs and Florida charm. We really enjoyed this walk, Key West is obviously covered in tourists, but it was still so peaceful and serene wandering around!
A little past the mile marker was the Southernmost Point, and there was a small line here. Thankfully everyone kind of got into the rhythm of taking pictures for the people in front of them, so Cody and I were able to pose together once again!
I couldn’t pick which I liked better, so both it is!
It was just a few blocks over to our next destination, but we were in no rush and took in more of the beautiful ocean views.
Those buildings really fascinated me for some reason
Action shot!
After asking for directions once again, we finally found the number one rated attraction we were looking for...
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There were tiny little islands in the distance that the serving staff could identify, but I’d never heard of them before and of course have since forgotten what they were. But we were somewhere between Nassau and Key West 
We skipped the champagne and got cocktails from the bar instead as we wandered around and scoped out the art. No pictures from this though 
I found a "walk off" that I loved and snuck a prebid on there. The thing with these is you have to walk off the ship with them, and they are already framed, But honestly the prices were so low I decided I would make it work if I was able to get it. Cody loved a sculpture and sketch set but it was in the neighborhood of... TEN THOUSAND! Outside our price ranges for sure. 
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Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
Congrats on the art purchase! 
)
Congrats to Cody on his winnings! 
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