[JTslykin]

Day 8-12

Most of my family head home and my Mom comes with us

Me- Tammy-35 yo- the planner
DH-Joe-32 yo-loved our last cruise-best vacation he has ever had
DS-Jake-6yo
DD-Karsen -4yo
Mom-my mom-used a scooter for the parks but did not for the cruise
First time cruising
DMIL-Joanne-59yoa-first time cruising
DFIL-Joe-60yoa-first time cruising

Hello- My mother and I tried twice to pre register for this cruise during the week at the parks. We had no luck. We were told to meet at the cruise person at the desk at the wilderness lodge that morning. We arrived early because we were told that they let in the DCL people first on the ship so we wanted to be on the first bus. We knew we had to get to the spa early to get the treatments we wanted on the day we wanted.
If you have not read my reports on the regular trip report forum you will not know this. Anything that our travel agent had to take care of was basically screwed up. So we get to the Wilderness lodge and wait and wait and wait. Finally the cruise representative shows up and we give her all our documents. Ok lets go. Nope we wait and wait and wait for some family of three how never show up. We finally leave around 1130 from the lodge and proceed to the Polly to pick up the rest of the people who could actually really get pre booked and will not have to wait in line once again as they get off the bus at Port Canaveral. Well by now my husband and I are frantically trying to reach his parents on their cell phones so that they can make the spa reservations for us. Nope like the rest of their trip they have these off what is the point of having them, if they are not on? Believe me after this trip and all the problems we had they will not turn them off again.
We are waiting in line to check into the cruise and the cruse helper could see the steam coming from my ears and took us to the supervisor. Ok I am calming down. We head into the ship and the hello picture doesn’t even have Mickey on it. We run past it and didn’t even bother with it. My mom heads to the spa and my husband and I head to the kids clubs. We get the kids into the clubs and finally head to the room. My in laws are in the room and couldn’t figure out why we were so late. HUM turn you cell phone on and call and fine out?!!!? Anyways the In laws drove down and stopped to see friends so they had there vehicle at the port. We had two rooms. Both right next to each other on deck 8.

The stateroom was good. A lot bigger then the prior cruise my husband and I were on. My mom gets to the room and could only get us spa reservations for that day and just before our dinner time but we took it. Me, mom, and MIL head to get the massages we requested and I have no idea what my husband and kids did. I need this massage after this morning so I enjoyed it. We get out and we have 10 minutes until dinner. Well at least when I get back our luggage it there, although I had our clothes for the evening packed in the carry-on we had. Now all of our hair has all that lovely oil in it and no time to shower. Ok I will go with the greased back look, whatever.
We head to animator palate and we loved the restaurant and our servers. Doraine and Arnel are our servers they were great. I felt our cruise began then. This was a good cruise and relaxing for the most part. I am not sure my family would do one again right after the parks but we would definitely do another Disney cruise.

Ok my tips. Unless there is a shore excursion that you feel you must absolutely do not pre-book them. I picked up one with no problem but had to pay for one I canceled because the kids were not up to it.
My kids were not into the clubs. I think if I would have pushed them a little more they would have loved it but I felt it was their vacation also and if they wanted to hang out with us then fine.
The meals on the cruise were alright but nothing to write home about. I would just go for the experience of the restaurant it is almost like a dinner show. There was no seafood night or at least no lobster night which you usually get on a cruise.
We liked to have the same servers they really were great and had my daughter’s soy chocolate milk ready for her when we sat down. On the last night my Son was sick high fever and he wanted mom and dad with him they brought up our whole meal to our cabin. That was great!!
I packed a truck load of sun screen one for every occasion I would next time just pack a half a truck full.

[Dana]

Sounds like a great trip for all. Skip that travel agent next time if they screwed up so much of your trip. I am glad you all still managed to have such a great time even with the tiny little bumps in the road you came across. Sorry your DS got sick, but am glad it didn't last long or ruin his trip. I agree with you on the kids clubs. They are great for a little bit, but I don't think spending tons of time without my DD would be a fun vacation.

BTW: I can't stand when people turn off thier phones..my parents do that.

[lisalovesmickey]

Thanks for the TR. It was great. I also agree that you should skip the travel agent from now on. You would probably be able to find better deals on your own and you are in control... for the most part

Lisa

[tammysbowman]

I'm glad that you had a good time, even with all the problems. I know how frustrating it is when people have a cell phone BUT don't bother to leave it on!!!

Anyway, did your DS and DD say why they didn't care for the Kids Club? Mine are the same age and was hoping that they might like to play there occassionaly. Alas, it is their vacation too and they may end up with us all the time. I am sure that my MIL would gladly keep them with her if we asked her, and she will undoubtedly push us my DH and I to do just that - she's great!