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A Magical Voyage
When we first told our friends and family that we were going on a Disney cruise without the kids, we got a lot of strange looks. I mean what kind of mean, horrible parents set sail on a Disney cruise for four nights to the Caribbean and leave their sweet, precious children behind in 20 degree weather?
Um, yeah, that would be us.
In our defense, it was a phenomenal travel agent deal ($25 a night) that we just couldn’t pass it up. (I mean we probably could have been mature, responsible adults and saved the money in our emergency fund, but where is the fun in that plan? And don’t you think having an emergency fund is just inviting emergencies? That is how it always works for us. As soon as we decide to start saving for a “rainy day” it pours. So I’m not even going to put that out there to the universe.)
Our one friend even made the comment that it was a good thing that we got the deal because that would leave plenty of money for our kids’ future therapy bills.
The thing is that they really didn’t seem that disappointed that they weren’t going with us. They love staying with their grandparents and they are used to us taking trips without them. We have made it a priority to do at least one adult-only vacation a year (sometimes more). I have learned through trial and error that my kids are easily (i.e. cheaply) entertained and will get the same amount of enjoyment from a day trip than they would a Caribbean cruise. Therefore, I have become the vacation Nazi and have decided to wait until they get a bit older before we do any other “big” trips.
Overall, the adult’s only Disney cruise was a fun, relaxing, and enjoyable experience. I think that Disney does a great job at having activities and experiences geared to any age group. Since we stayed in most of the adult’s only areas of the ship, we really didn’t see many kids at all.
I will say that I did miss the kids on this trip more than any of the other ones we’ve taken but that didn’t mean that I had a bad time. Far from it, actually.
We took about 200 pictures so I thought I’d share just a few of my favorites and some of the highlights.
You know you are in Florida when you see a sign like this. This was outside the rental car company:
Here is our first night at Palo’s:
We got all gussied up because it is a more formal adult’s only restaurant. Luckily this was our first dinner because the dress barely fit and I needed my husband’s help zipping it up. I don’t want to even think about what would have happened if I needed to wear it on our last night after all the eating that we did.
Speaking of food, let me tell you, there was a LOT of it and just about everything we had was really good. For dinner that night, I got the Lobster Ravioli and my husband got some kind of scallop dish. Both were DELICIOUS!!
After dinner we went to the “Golden Mickeys” show and that is where I my love affair for Tarzan began:
For the rest of the trip, my friend and I had our eyes peeled for him hoping he would make an appearance somewhere on the ship. Sadly, it was not meant to be. Our theory is that he had made appearances but had too many moms pulling at his loin cloth and it totally messed with the family atmosphere on the ship so now they keep him in a cage at the bottom of the ship.
(Note: Obviously I wasn’t the only one to be on the lookout for him. We asked at the Guest Relations desk to find out when the character meet and greet for Tarzan would be happening and the cast member behind the desk started cracking up. She said I was the fourth person who had asked about it today. Well, at least I’m not alone in my appreciation for sexy, jungle men.)
Our first port was Nassau, where we spent the day at Sandals Grand Bahamian. They give a free day pass to travel agents and one guest. I’d never been to a Sandals before so I enjoyed the experience from a travel agent perspective. My husband enjoyed the free drinks:
He probably enjoyed them a bit too much. Actually we both did.
It is a very pretty resort but definitely quiet and low-key. Perfect for honeymoons or any other couple’s retreat. It was very romantic.
Here was the view from our beach cabana:
Since we had a bit too much to drink, we decided to skip dinner and spent the rest of the evening on the ship at the adult’s only pool and hot tub.
The next day was Castaway Cay, Disney’s own private island:
It was another fun and relaxing day with lots of time spent being lazy on the beach and reading Breaking Dawn:
We spent most of the day at the adult’s only beach called Serenity Bay:
And seeing all kinds of marine life including starfish, sea urchins, sand dollars, fish and even this stingray:
I won’t mention the little mishap where I almost floated off to sea on an inner tube and my husband chose not to rescue me, leading me to ask him for the 478th time why he can’t be more like Edward Cullen.
Moving along…
Later that night we went up on deck to watch the sunset and do our Jack and Rose Titanic kiss that I make him do on every cruise.
Ok, this is getting really long and I’m sure boring, so I’ll end with a few of my favorite pictures.
It wouldn’t be a Disney cruise without meeting the characters and I just had to meet Captain Jack Sparrow:
Mickey Mouse:
And Aladdin (who suspiciously looked a bit like Tarzan, but refused to confirm or deny this):
I also thought he looked a bit like Joe Jonas so that only added to his appeal:
I guess that about wraps it up. If you have the opportunity to take a Disney cruise I HIGHLY recommend it. Right now they are doing a kids sail free promo on 3 night cruises. I actually preferred the 4 night because of the extra day at sea but it is a pretty good promotion. Contact me if you want more details.
Have you ever cruised? If so, did you like it? If you’ve cruised multiple times, which cruiseline is your favorite?
Comments
25 Responses to “A Magical Voyage”
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It really does sound like a great vacation - glad you had a good time!
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I’m in complete agreement about saving the expensive, all-the-family vacations until the kids are old enough to appreciate it. That’s why our RV is our best friend right now. We can go for nice long family vacations for a fraction of the cost. And the kids absolutely love it.
Great pics. I love the fact that there were so many questions as to Tarzan’s meet and greet. LOL! That loincloth would be snatched in a jiffy… you need a memento to take home, right? =0)
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Ohhhhh, I’m so jealous!
We have been on two cruises (one Norwegian and one Celebrity) and loved both. Out of the two, Celebrity was our favorite, though.
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Oh I am GREEN with envy right now! My husband and I have cruised twice on Royal Caribbean and we loooooved it. We left the kids home, too! we actually were talking about taking another this summer…
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Glad you had a great time! It looks like so much fun. We’ll definitely have to do that when the kids get a little older.
I’ve cruised twice on Carnival, once on Princess and once on Holland America. The Carnival ones were the most fun IMO but I enjoyed all of them immensely. I’m cruise-crazy!
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Wow! It sounds like Disney is the way to go.
I’ve cruised once on Holland America, and once on Norwegian Cruise Lines. I prefer Holland America, it was quieter, more of a relaxing cruise than a party cruise.
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I want to go on a Disney Cruise so bad!! I think that’s the only line I’d want to go on. Though I’d have to pack the ginger pills for sure. I get sea sick just sailing around on a big paddle boat and absolutely no tide.
I’m just curious about the kids free deal, is that free kid per paying paying adult?
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I want to know how you took the Titanic kiss picture! I’m guess it was on a timer. But maybe the camera was propped up on something? Not like a tripod or anything…maybe a tv?
Yes, I am way too involved in your Titanic kiss picture. Sorry.
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Oh — an adults-only vacation would be so great! The picture of you reading on the beach (one of my favorite books, no less) — that is my own picture of heaven right there. Perfect. It doesn’t get better than that. Sounds like you had a great time!
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Can I just say you are looking so fine in 2009!!!!! You look fab baby!!!
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First of all…you look fabulous!
2009 is looking great on you!
Glad you and the hubs had such a great time aboard a Disney cruise.
I didn’ t even know it was possible to go without kids.
Love the Titanic kiss photo.
Please tell me you didn’t hand your camera to a little old lady to do the honors of the photo opt.
Or worse…a small child!
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Ooh girl! You lookin fine in 09!
The trip looks like a blast, but I personally couldn’t get passed the sign and how Alligator isn’t plural… really? They custom ordered a screen printed sign for one stinking alligator! How about a poster board and a Sharpie next time
Glad you had a good time Rose.
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Oh I am loving this. We have done 3 Disney Magic cruises without children. We are adopting a baby from China in a few months and we cant wait to take her.
Wasnt it fun????
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Looks like a fabulous vacation! Sorry you didn’t get to meet Tarzan (hubba hubba), but at least you had Edward Cullen with you.
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I’ve been on three cruises and I loooooooove them. I want to take one with my hubby, who’s never cruised before, but he’s a chef and a bit of a food-snob, and I’m secretly afraid that he’ll complain about the mass-produced meals. Do you know of any cruise lines that pride themselves on having excellent food?
Ok, that’s out of the way now, let me gush about how great you look (Fine in 09, indeed!) and how much fun it looks like you had!!! I’m so glad you did a grown-up vacation. And I’m cracking up about Tarzan/Joe Jonas.
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I am so jealous. I have never been on a cruise, but I would sure love to go. I have considered a Disney cruise, hopefully one year.
I agree, Tarzan and Aladdin do look like one in the same
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Jen, I certainly hope you were reading the part of Breaking Dawn where they are on the beach - that would have been PERFECT!!!
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Oh wow, your trip looks so nice. After reading this I started bugging my hubby that we should go before I get preggers with kiddo #2.
I really enjoy your blog by the way. I am a new fan to the twilight books. Gotta love me some Edward Cullen.
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Mmmm…Tarzan’s arms are so very yummy. I’m hoping to take my first cruise this year!
*fingers crossed*
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How pretty are YOU, you cute little thing? With your low-cut cleavage enhancing dress - you look hot!!!!
The pictures are awesome, I’m so glad you had a nice time. It is great to get away, have a break and recharge. And have some quiet time to read, of course
Glad you’re back!!!
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Fun! I would TOTALLY take a Disney cruise without the kiddos. I went to Disney World when my son was 4 - without him! Just me and my college girlfriends, and we had a BLAST.
Anyway, I have cruised several times. Carnival, mostly, but also Celebrity. Oh, and once on the now-defunct Commodore Cruise Lines out of New Orleans. Our honeymoon on the Carnival Triumph was definitely the best. The ship was huge and practically brand new and I loved it!! Now I really want to go on a cruise! Thanks a LOT.
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what awesome pictures!!! I think Aladdin looked like Mark Consuelos (Mr. Kelly Ripa) maybe trying to bring in some extra cash- I bet they’re hurting.
I have ALWAYS wanted to go on a Disney cruise- now even more!
I went on a cruise a million years ago (senior trip)- I get motion sick and slept from Dramamine for 3 days. I’ve heard there are better options now!!
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Hey lady, I’ve got an award for you over @ my blog!
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Green with envy!! I am packing my bags right now and heading to Serenity Bay…..alone!
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You guys look like you had an AWESOME time! And I think you are SMART parents to take trips withut your kids. We have in the past and will again in the future, but right now, the kids ages just put too much work on the g’parents (5, 2.5, 4 months).
I am fairly new to your blog- are you a travel agent?
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