For the kid's Spring Break this year we went on a six day, five night Disney cruise!!
It was so much fun!!
I have a ton of pictures, so hang on to your seat.
We had told the kids that there was such a thing as going on a cruise with all the Disney characters, but not that we were going any time soon. We used it to our advantage to "encourage" good behavior for several months before we were scheduled to leave. Then the night before we left we gave the kids a box full of Disney items that could be used on a cruise ship or airplane ride- goggles, bathing suit, coloring books, water shoes, underwater cameras, sunglasses, etc. On the bottom there was a picture of the cruise ship with the words "We're going on THIS ship tomorrow!" The kids were in shock, I think. They didn't know what to do. We had talked about it so much and now it was going to happen! They were happily speechless and wanted to try out some of the items immediately.
Early the next morning [before the sun was up], we left for the airport! The kids love to fly and this flight was short and easy for them.
We were EXCITED!!
After the short flight, we took a car service to the ship. The kids always love an adventure, so they were excited about this part of the journey too.
One moment Rachael was playing and laughing [above] and the next thing we know...
Mama and Daddy were ready for a vacation!
It took awhile for us to get on the ship, about an hour and a half of sitting and waiting. But, that was to keep it from being chaotic and crazy. It was very organized so that everyone got to enjoy their entrance onto the ship. They announced each and every family as they came aboard.
David got a little tired of the waiting, though.
Happy to be going to our room!
The ship had several 'Kids Only' play rooms. The only time parents were allowed in was prior to the ship being underway. So, we went to check it out! It was really cool. It had a big slide, lots of things to do and places to play. The kids loved it.
They each got special wrist bands that they would use to enter and exit the club area or if they were to ever get lost on the ship the wrists band could be scanned by the staff and it would tell them our room number. The rule of the ship was that no child under 13 could exit the kid's only sections without an adult who knew their specific password [that we chose]. I loved the security and they loved the fun they had in the kid's only room. This, however, would be the ONLY time they were in this room. We were too busy having fun together as a family!!
After checking that section out we changed into our bathing suits and off to the pool we went! The ship had three pool, but this one was our favorite.
The kids wanted to go down the slide first thing.
Rachael's first time down she got turned around at the bottom and bumped her head on the side of the slide.
That was her one and only time down the slide AND she ended up with a huge bruise on her forehead which would stay for the entire trip and in every picture.
After our swim we got ready the first big party on the ship- getting underway and really starting the vacation!
First, we took in the views.
Let the show begin!
Gotta get a better seat so they can see Mickey and the gang!
We were ON VA-CA-TIOOOON!!!
Our room was great! The kids had a bunk bed. They rotated who got the top bed. Each night our "Host" [aka housekeeper] created cute little towel animals, which of course David and Rachael loved.
The first day was at sea. We got to just hang out by the pool, go for walks around the deck, play some games, and eat ice cream!!
We ate lunch poolside and then took the kids back for a nap. The tv in the room had a channel that played Disney movies all the time. When they would wake up we would all watch whatever was on as we snuggled in our bed. We had a great first day just being a family.
The second day we woke up in Cozumel, Mexico. We went on an excursion to this place where we got to interact with a dolphin!
Gorgeous lagoons
After visiting with the dolphins we went for a walk down the beach and found an ocean-side restaurant.
Back to the boat!
We LOVED our experience in Cozumel!
The next day was at sea again. We loved hanging out at the pool.
After nap time we went walking around the ship "exploring".
As we came around the corner of a hallway there was GOOFY!! He was so nice and asked [in Goofy's way] if David and Rachael wanted to walk with him to his photo session. The kids [and I!] were so excited.
Goofy being, well, goofy.
That night was-- Pirate Night!!
Our host left bandannas in our room for us to wear.
The kid's menus that night were in the shape of a pirate hat. Arrgh!
The kids discovered the Mickey bar!
The chocolate really helped with David's pirate look.
Party on the upper deck followed by fireworks!!
The next day we woke up at Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas.
There was an awesome double water slide that dropped you right into the ocean! David and Ryan went on it too many times to count.
Rachael just wanted to swim.
A little fun as we watched the sun set from the ship that night.
Our last full day was at sea again. Many of the characters that David and Rachael were hoping to meet were available for pictures that day. But first a little shuffle board...
And be silly.
Minnie Mouse that morning!
Cinderella and Rapunzel in the afternoon!
That evening was "dress up" night.
After watching a show in the theater we went to a dance party with Goofy!!
The last morning on the ship we got to meet Elsa and Anna!!
Saying goodbye to the fun pool.
One more photo-op.
Pure sweetness.
I do have a few suggestions for people who may go on a cruise any time soon. Most of these I found on Pinterest, and they were very helpful.
I packed an inexpensive fabric shoe holder, one hanger and three pipe cleaners. I tied the shoe holder to the hanger with the pipe cleaners. There was a small hook on the wall just outside the bathroom to hang it on. I used this to stay organized and have all the necessary items out in open view and easily accessed at all times. Since the rooms are small you can either put things in the drawers or under the bed. We used the drawers for our clothes and put our empty bags under the bed. But, what about sunscreen? Water shoes? Goggles? Rachael's hair ties? Essential Oils? Band Aids? Swim Ear Drops? We didn't have to search for these things, they were right there.
There is only ONE outlet in the room, in the "desk" area, which happens to be in the kid's sleeping area. I am SO glad I brought this power strip. I was able to charge my camera battery, plug my phone in when it was running the sound machine app, have a nightlight [also a Pinterest tip I would highly recommend] for the kids because the room can get really dark at night with the blackout curtains.
Finally, because the ship is so big and overwhelming and because I am worrier, especial when it comes to my kids, I came up with a quick, fun way to teach the kids our room number just in case they needed to know it for any reason. Our room number was 2504. I put it to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell.
What a fantastic family vacation! We enjoyed each moment to the fullest for sure. The thing I loved about the trip the most was that as soon as we left the first port we had NO cell service! It was a glorious gift. There was no need to check your phone for messages, or facebook, or instagram, or email. Our phones were completely usless [except for the sound machine app I used or nap and bedtime]. We were able to focus completely on our family with no distractions at all! It was perfect.
The next day was at sea again. We loved hanging out at the pool.
After nap time we went walking around the ship "exploring".
As we came around the corner of a hallway there was GOOFY!! He was so nice and asked [in Goofy's way] if David and Rachael wanted to walk with him to his photo session. The kids [and I!] were so excited.
Goofy being, well, goofy.
That night was-- Pirate Night!!
Our host left bandannas in our room for us to wear.
The kid's menus that night were in the shape of a pirate hat. Arrgh!
The kids discovered the Mickey bar!
The chocolate really helped with David's pirate look.
Party on the upper deck followed by fireworks!!
The next day we woke up at Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas.
There was an awesome double water slide that dropped you right into the ocean! David and Ryan went on it too many times to count.
Rachael just wanted to swim.
A little fun as we watched the sun set from the ship that night.
Our last full day was at sea again. Many of the characters that David and Rachael were hoping to meet were available for pictures that day. But first a little shuffle board...
And be silly.
Minnie Mouse that morning!
Cinderella and Rapunzel in the afternoon!
That evening was "dress up" night.
After watching a show in the theater we went to a dance party with Goofy!!
The last morning on the ship we got to meet Elsa and Anna!!
Saying goodbye to the fun pool.
Pure sweetness.
I do have a few suggestions for people who may go on a cruise any time soon. Most of these I found on Pinterest, and they were very helpful.
I packed an inexpensive fabric shoe holder, one hanger and three pipe cleaners. I tied the shoe holder to the hanger with the pipe cleaners. There was a small hook on the wall just outside the bathroom to hang it on. I used this to stay organized and have all the necessary items out in open view and easily accessed at all times. Since the rooms are small you can either put things in the drawers or under the bed. We used the drawers for our clothes and put our empty bags under the bed. But, what about sunscreen? Water shoes? Goggles? Rachael's hair ties? Essential Oils? Band Aids? Swim Ear Drops? We didn't have to search for these things, they were right there.
There is only ONE outlet in the room, in the "desk" area, which happens to be in the kid's sleeping area. I am SO glad I brought this power strip. I was able to charge my camera battery, plug my phone in when it was running the sound machine app, have a nightlight [also a Pinterest tip I would highly recommend] for the kids because the room can get really dark at night with the blackout curtains.
Finally, because the ship is so big and overwhelming and because I am worrier, especial when it comes to my kids, I came up with a quick, fun way to teach the kids our room number just in case they needed to know it for any reason. Our room number was 2504. I put it to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell.
Twenty-five 0 Four, Twenty-five 0 Four
That is our room number
Twenty-five 0 Four.
I would sing it when we got close to our room so David and Rachael would begin to look at the numbers next to the doors and they were soon able to find our room with no help. I also sang it when we were leaving the room so it would be in their heads as we were going out. It took no time at all and they both knew the song and would start singing it as we walked down the hallway. We also reviewed with them several times that if they were to get separated from us to find an employee of the ship [they all wore bright blue shirts] and ask for help.
What a fantastic family vacation! We enjoyed each moment to the fullest for sure. The thing I loved about the trip the most was that as soon as we left the first port we had NO cell service! It was a glorious gift. There was no need to check your phone for messages, or facebook, or instagram, or email. Our phones were completely usless [except for the sound machine app I used or nap and bedtime]. We were able to focus completely on our family with no distractions at all! It was perfect.
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