Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Castaway Cay
This was easily the best and worst day of our entire vacation. Best because Castaway Cay is Disney's private island in the Bahamas- and of course, is utterly perfect. Worst...I'll get to that in a bit.
We started the morning off with a very nice sit down breakfast at Triton's (the only restaurant we hadn't eaten at yet), and then we were off to the island. Since it was Disney's own private port, they had character greetings- we met several, including my favorite, Captain Jack Sparrow, who posed in front of the actual Flying Dutchmen from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. (The girls really didn't want to be photographed with him...but I insisted :) ).
First stop was snorkeling. I had only been once when I was 16, and Andrew and the girls had never been. They had a shop where you could rent gear, and a dedicated snorkel area. So we got set up...and the kids snorkeled for about 1-2 minutes. Between the fins being uncomfortable and the mask being uncomfortable, and not liking the salt water when some of it got under the masks...it didn't last long. I held out a little longer...but the fins WERE a bit uncomfortable, and the salt water DID sting the eyes...and swallowing about 3 mouthfuls of it were about as much as I could stand. Andrew loved it though. The rest of us got a bit crabby waiting for him to finish, but spirits were raised with some refreshment from the bar (water and Sprite for the girls, Strawberry Daquiri for me :) ). After Andrew got back we all went to play in the sand and the water. The girls had fun making a mermaid out of Andrew (hee hee) and we all really enjoyed the water which was perfect temperature. Soon it was time for lunch at the island barbeque (had to have a cheeseburger in paradise :)).
After lunch, we decided to rent a paddle boat- it was pretty cool, we got really close to our ship and the Dutchman (of course, the camera was back on the beach). But, it was really hot, so we didn't end up staying out for long. We were close to the store, so we bought postcards and addressed them while enjoying more island hospitality (Andrew and I split Planter's Punch and a Conch Kooler). Then we decided to go back into the water for a bit before going back to the ship (which, in hindsight, was a big mistake- we'd all already had way too much sun! We didn't realize until dinner that the temperature had been up to 112, actual temperature). Finally, we got back...and realized how horribly sunburned we were (the kids not so badly, since they already had good color from being out playing daily at daycare). We decided to go down to dinner, even though we weren't that hungry, since it was pirate night.
The themeing was really fun- the wait staff dressed like pirates of course, and the menus were rolled up treasure maps. At the end of the dinner, the waiters gathered up some of the guests (including Isabelle and Rebecca) to do the limbo. It was a long continous line, and they never dropped it very low (Isabelle actually is very limber- comes from years of gymnastics- and was a little disappointed, but they had fun). And at the end of the meal (I had Blackbeards Jumbo Crabcake, and the Treasure of the Seas Grilled Shrimp and Seared Salmon, Andrew had the Sunken Vegetable Treasure- we split White Chocolate Cheesecake and Rum Barbossa for dessert- but a lot of the meal was uneaten, since we were feeling pretty bad at that point), Putu made an origami tulip for Rebecca!
I was really glad to have my shawl with me that evening- I was freezing, and felt like I had the flu (Andrew started feeling that way soon, as well). We decided to skip UP which was the special program at Walt Disney Theater that evening (and we'd been really looking forward to) in favor of a nap, hoping we'd feel up to the Pirate Party that evening. Unfortunately, we weren't feeling any better, and the kids were feeling really tired, and not in a party mood. We needed to get the beds turned down though, so we all went out to deck to sit for about 15 minutes while things were set up for us (no towel animal for us, though, since we missed the usual turndown by our cabin steward). I actually did catch some of the fireworks through our porthole, and it was pretty cool- sorry we missed the real thing.
We started the morning off with a very nice sit down breakfast at Triton's (the only restaurant we hadn't eaten at yet), and then we were off to the island. Since it was Disney's own private port, they had character greetings- we met several, including my favorite, Captain Jack Sparrow, who posed in front of the actual Flying Dutchmen from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. (The girls really didn't want to be photographed with him...but I insisted :) ).
First stop was snorkeling. I had only been once when I was 16, and Andrew and the girls had never been. They had a shop where you could rent gear, and a dedicated snorkel area. So we got set up...and the kids snorkeled for about 1-2 minutes. Between the fins being uncomfortable and the mask being uncomfortable, and not liking the salt water when some of it got under the masks...it didn't last long. I held out a little longer...but the fins WERE a bit uncomfortable, and the salt water DID sting the eyes...and swallowing about 3 mouthfuls of it were about as much as I could stand. Andrew loved it though. The rest of us got a bit crabby waiting for him to finish, but spirits were raised with some refreshment from the bar (water and Sprite for the girls, Strawberry Daquiri for me :) ). After Andrew got back we all went to play in the sand and the water. The girls had fun making a mermaid out of Andrew (hee hee) and we all really enjoyed the water which was perfect temperature. Soon it was time for lunch at the island barbeque (had to have a cheeseburger in paradise :)).
After lunch, we decided to rent a paddle boat- it was pretty cool, we got really close to our ship and the Dutchman (of course, the camera was back on the beach). But, it was really hot, so we didn't end up staying out for long. We were close to the store, so we bought postcards and addressed them while enjoying more island hospitality (Andrew and I split Planter's Punch and a Conch Kooler). Then we decided to go back into the water for a bit before going back to the ship (which, in hindsight, was a big mistake- we'd all already had way too much sun! We didn't realize until dinner that the temperature had been up to 112, actual temperature). Finally, we got back...and realized how horribly sunburned we were (the kids not so badly, since they already had good color from being out playing daily at daycare). We decided to go down to dinner, even though we weren't that hungry, since it was pirate night.
The themeing was really fun- the wait staff dressed like pirates of course, and the menus were rolled up treasure maps. At the end of the dinner, the waiters gathered up some of the guests (including Isabelle and Rebecca) to do the limbo. It was a long continous line, and they never dropped it very low (Isabelle actually is very limber- comes from years of gymnastics- and was a little disappointed, but they had fun). And at the end of the meal (I had Blackbeards Jumbo Crabcake, and the Treasure of the Seas Grilled Shrimp and Seared Salmon, Andrew had the Sunken Vegetable Treasure- we split White Chocolate Cheesecake and Rum Barbossa for dessert- but a lot of the meal was uneaten, since we were feeling pretty bad at that point), Putu made an origami tulip for Rebecca!
I was really glad to have my shawl with me that evening- I was freezing, and felt like I had the flu (Andrew started feeling that way soon, as well). We decided to skip UP which was the special program at Walt Disney Theater that evening (and we'd been really looking forward to) in favor of a nap, hoping we'd feel up to the Pirate Party that evening. Unfortunately, we weren't feeling any better, and the kids were feeling really tired, and not in a party mood. We needed to get the beds turned down though, so we all went out to deck to sit for about 15 minutes while things were set up for us (no towel animal for us, though, since we missed the usual turndown by our cabin steward). I actually did catch some of the fireworks through our porthole, and it was pretty cool- sorry we missed the real thing.
Nassau and Palo
Our first full day started with room service breakfast, since we had an early couples massage scheduled at the Vista spa, and needed to get the girls fed and off to the kids club. (They had a great time- when I picked them up, they were in the Animator's Palette being taught by an illustrator how to draw Mickey Mouse). Massage was wonderful, but between changing, and getting ready in the massage suite, the actual massage, talking with the therapists afterwards, and getting showered and dressed, our 50 minute massage turned into an hour and a half, so we got a later start on our Nassau day than planned. Original plan had been to go out, walk to the Pirate Museum (which we did- very creepy and very cool), the Christ Church Cathedral (where I went, while Andrew and the girls browsed the museum gift shop)- it was gorgeous. Then back to the ship for lunch (which we also did- Beach Blanket buffet- lots of yummy stuff).
In the afternoon, though, we'd planned on taking a taxi to the gardens/zoo, where they have a trained flamingo show. We realized that we'd miss the show...and were feeling a bit tired from our walking in the morning, and decided to skip it (we'd heard mixed reviews anyway). Instead, we went swimming (and spent lots of time in the hot tub- the girls are big fans...me too!), until we were rained out. At that point....I think we just went back to the room and relaxed until time to change for dinner...which was one of the high points of the trip.
We had reservations for two at Palo, the adults only restaurant. This was our anniversary dinner (just a little late, but hey...who cares). The kids went to the kids club, where they got dinner from Beach Blanket Buffet (again...but this time it was open only for them) and spent the evening making flubber- which they loved!
Palo was wonderful. Our server was Michael from the Phillipines, and he was great- he took the picture of us, after admiring my camera (the rainbow picture is the Atlantis resort in Nassau, taken from the window by our table). He then brought us bread, with several dipping sauces and an antipasto plate- prosciutto, bresaolo (which is a cured, dryed beef, thinly sliced), parmesan cubes, and olives. Since Andrew doesn't eat beef or pork, I really scored on that one (Yum! Ate more than I meant to of that!). He got all the olives though.
Then we got our appetizers. Andrew had a field greens salad, and Melanzane al Funghetto (which is a sauteed eggplant, with Balsamic, and garlic...it actually came with a small field greens salad on top of it, so he had lots of salad! ;) ). I had their version of Capresse salad- yum! Before out main course, came they brought out a lemon sorbet to cleanse the palate- so tasty! Then we each had pasta- Andrew had lobster and mascarpone ravioli, and I had Penne Arrabiata (it came with a spoon marked "pasta" on the handle...I had to figure out what to do with it!! :) ).
On the way to the restaurant we'd run into our cabin steward who advised us to make sure to try the chocolate souffle (and Michael recommended it as well), so I ordered that, and Andrew got the Chocolate Amaretto Indulgence so we could split. We had espresso after that and they brought us a complimentary limoncello to end the meal. Once again- yum!
After that, it was time to pick the kids up for the evening show- this time it was Toy Story the Musical. It was fun going to a show...but this one didn't really add much to the story, and would be one I'd probably skip if we went again. Then back to the room, and another towel animal :)
In the afternoon, though, we'd planned on taking a taxi to the gardens/zoo, where they have a trained flamingo show. We realized that we'd miss the show...and were feeling a bit tired from our walking in the morning, and decided to skip it (we'd heard mixed reviews anyway). Instead, we went swimming (and spent lots of time in the hot tub- the girls are big fans...me too!), until we were rained out. At that point....I think we just went back to the room and relaxed until time to change for dinner...which was one of the high points of the trip.
We had reservations for two at Palo, the adults only restaurant. This was our anniversary dinner (just a little late, but hey...who cares). The kids went to the kids club, where they got dinner from Beach Blanket Buffet (again...but this time it was open only for them) and spent the evening making flubber- which they loved!
Palo was wonderful. Our server was Michael from the Phillipines, and he was great- he took the picture of us, after admiring my camera (the rainbow picture is the Atlantis resort in Nassau, taken from the window by our table). He then brought us bread, with several dipping sauces and an antipasto plate- prosciutto, bresaolo (which is a cured, dryed beef, thinly sliced), parmesan cubes, and olives. Since Andrew doesn't eat beef or pork, I really scored on that one (Yum! Ate more than I meant to of that!). He got all the olives though.
Then we got our appetizers. Andrew had a field greens salad, and Melanzane al Funghetto (which is a sauteed eggplant, with Balsamic, and garlic...it actually came with a small field greens salad on top of it, so he had lots of salad! ;) ). I had their version of Capresse salad- yum! Before out main course, came they brought out a lemon sorbet to cleanse the palate- so tasty! Then we each had pasta- Andrew had lobster and mascarpone ravioli, and I had Penne Arrabiata (it came with a spoon marked "pasta" on the handle...I had to figure out what to do with it!! :) ).
On the way to the restaurant we'd run into our cabin steward who advised us to make sure to try the chocolate souffle (and Michael recommended it as well), so I ordered that, and Andrew got the Chocolate Amaretto Indulgence so we could split. We had espresso after that and they brought us a complimentary limoncello to end the meal. Once again- yum!
After that, it was time to pick the kids up for the evening show- this time it was Toy Story the Musical. It was fun going to a show...but this one didn't really add much to the story, and would be one I'd probably skip if we went again. Then back to the room, and another towel animal :)
Dinner and a show
After the sailaway party, it was time to change for dinner. Disney has 3 main restaurants that they use for dining, and you are assigned a rotation of each of these restaurants (and are also free to go to the upper deck buffet, or make a reservation for one of your evenings at Palo, the adults only restaurant). The wait staff travels with you through the rotation, so even though you are eating at different restaurants, you still get the cruise experience of really getting to know your servers. Our first dinner was at Animators Palette, which is a really cool restaurant. The decor in the restaurant starts out all in black and white animation (including the waiters vests), but the dinner show (set to tunes from Disney movies of course) is that the art on the walls changes and lights up during the meal. By the end of dinner, the walls are colorful, and the waiters change to brightly colored vests. Our waiters were Carlos (I think, from Peru) and Putu, from Indonesia (who managed to get Rebecca to eat, better than we did!), and they were awesome.
We started off the meal with specialty cocktails (I can't remember what they were called, but...yum!) I had the Wild Mushroom Risotto with Porcini and Black Bean Chipotle cakes, Andrew had the Ahi Tuna Tartare and the Phyllo wrapped Salmon Fillet. For dessert, we split the Cranberry and Orange Cheesecake and Double Fudge Chocolate Cake.
After dinner, the kids asked to go to the Kids Club, so DH and I took a walk around the ship, enjoying the sun starting to set over the water, and touring the spa where we went the next morning for a massage. Then it was time to pick up the kids for the Golden Mickey's. It's a stage show set up like an awards show where they feature numbers from different movies. You walk up to the theater on the red carpet, where lots of cast members posing as paparazzi pretend to take your picture. They also have someone doing interviews with people who are on their way inside- it's projected on the screen in the theater. Surprisingly, Isabelle didn't want to be interviewd. No flash photographer, and camera display needed to be turned of, so pictures aren't the greatest (but this is the only show I actually brought my camera to!).
When the show ended it was time to head back to the room where our cabin steward had worked his magic on the beds- turning down ours, and leaving chocolate and a towel animal, and transform the couch area into bunk beds.
We started off the meal with specialty cocktails (I can't remember what they were called, but...yum!) I had the Wild Mushroom Risotto with Porcini and Black Bean Chipotle cakes, Andrew had the Ahi Tuna Tartare and the Phyllo wrapped Salmon Fillet. For dessert, we split the Cranberry and Orange Cheesecake and Double Fudge Chocolate Cake.
After dinner, the kids asked to go to the Kids Club, so DH and I took a walk around the ship, enjoying the sun starting to set over the water, and touring the spa where we went the next morning for a massage. Then it was time to pick up the kids for the Golden Mickey's. It's a stage show set up like an awards show where they feature numbers from different movies. You walk up to the theater on the red carpet, where lots of cast members posing as paparazzi pretend to take your picture. They also have someone doing interviews with people who are on their way inside- it's projected on the screen in the theater. Surprisingly, Isabelle didn't want to be interviewd. No flash photographer, and camera display needed to be turned of, so pictures aren't the greatest (but this is the only show I actually brought my camera to!).
When the show ended it was time to head back to the room where our cabin steward had worked his magic on the beds- turning down ours, and leaving chocolate and a towel animal, and transform the couch area into bunk beds.
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