Victoria and I went on our first ever Mother/Daughter cruise on the Disney Dream 2 weeks ago. While we have done family cruises together, we have never done one just the two of us. We had a great time! We had to set one rule that we must have dinner together in the main dining rooms, but other than that, we had no plans. When we got into the Disney Cruise terminal we searched the Navigator for Bingo, because that was something we wanted to do, but didn't know when we would be do it. Well, Bingo was happening the first night before dinner. We decided that we would definitely go. Once we boarded the ship we went to Cabanas for lunch, and then found a place on deck 12 that we had all to ourselves. We sat by the wading pool until our stateroom was ready at 1:30. We unpacked, put magnets on our door, hung up our Fish Extender, and went back to the pool until it was time for our Facebook page meet up. I met new friends from the Facebook page that we had been chatting with before the cruise. It was great putting a face with a name. I met Gail, Darrin, Vicky, Amy, Perry, Matt, and Amy. Then off to the Muster Drill (lifeboat drill) at 4:00. After that, the Disney Dream left for our 4 night adventure. Waving goodbye to everyone at Fish Lips on the webcam, we noticed the rough surf and dark clouds rolling in. The captain came on the announcement system and told us it may be rocky because of the tropical storm coming across Florida, but it would not be long lasting. We could feel the ship move a little, but it was not uncomfortable. Off to Bingo we went after we dressed for dinner. We were 2 numbers away from blackout on our Bingo card so we couldn't leave until the game was over. We didn't win, but we had fun. We went to dinner at Royal Palace, where we met our servers Pong and Marko and our head dining room waiter, Kendall. Our meal was excellent and at the end they celebrated Victoria's birthday by singing to her along with other servers. She was surprised! After dinner, Victoria went to Edge, the club for tweens, and I went to Evolutions to watch some adult entertainment (magic show, audience participation games, etc.). After getting back to the stateroom from our activities, we looked at the Navigator to see if there were any activities we wanted to do together the next day (we did this nightly). The next day was our stop at Nassau. I knew that I was going to visit the Rainforest Room at the spa (only for 18 years and older) and then we were going into Nassau for Victoria to shop. We did both of these and upon boarding the ship decided, we needed pool time because it was so hot. Again, we had the wading pool to ourselves. Victoria had made plans with some people that she had met at Edge and I had a Mixology class to attend. We would meet up later to go to dinner together. This time we ate at Animator's Palate. Again, Victoria had nightly plans and so did I. I went back to Evolutions for the adult game show "Match Your Mate." I got back to our stateroom about midnight and Victoria came strolling in at 1:00 am. We went to Castaway Cay the next day. Victoria and I went to the far side of the the family beach to relax. During that time, a friend of hers walked by and joined us. I ate lunch on the island and headed back to the ship, while she hung out at the beach, snorkeled, and rode the paddleboat. I met up with her later that afternoon. We decided to try our hand at Bingo again, but no winning cards for us. Tonight was Pirate Night and fireworks shot off from the ship. It was fun seeing everyone dressed in pirate gear, it's not required but a lot of people do it. We did not dress up as pirates, but celebrated. Our day at sea started with me going to the Rainforest Room again. I met Victoria back in the room so that we could go to the Gold/Platinum Members' Reception. We met Captain Thord and had a private meet and greet with Captain Mickey Mouse. This was the first time we had attend one of the receptions, and we will definitely go again on our future cruises. Victoria went off to find her friends while I went to Palo Brunch. This is an adult only restaurant that offers brunch only on sea days. I went by myself and enjoyed the buffet and atmosphere. I saw Victoria in line at the towel folding class while I was on my way to the second Mixology class offered in Skyline. Jennifer, the bartender, was such fun during the first class that I decided to take a second one. Victoria and I met up to go see The Jungle Book movie before dinner. We really enjoyed it. We ate at Enchanted Garden tonight and had a window table. We said goodbye to Pong, Marko, and Kendall. We were given the "Magical Moments Award" for being the most "magical and memorable family in the dining room." We each had plans with new friends on our last night of our vacation and we were dreading disembarkation in the morning. "A 4 night cruise is too short," Victoria said. She was already planning when we could do this again. It was a great trip since we had mother/daughter time and alone time (with or without new friends). Unfortunately for Victoria, the next cruise for me is in October with my mom and sister (another first for me). We have already started looking at things to do on our family cruise next summer. Gary chimed in and asked, "We're playing Bingo, right?"
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This year has had many firsts- Mother/daughter Disney World trip, Couples only no kids Disney Cruise, and now a Mother/daughter Disney Cruise. I never would have imagined taking a cruise with only my daughter, but when I asked her if she'd like to go, she yelled, "YES!" There is so much for her to do on the ship that when we go as a family, we don't see her much. I knew I needed to set one rule and that was she had to have supper with me every night. After that, she could do whatever she wanted and that meant I could do whatever I wanted.
When we started talking about different things to do onboard and she asked if I was going to play BINGO this time, I told her I was. Now, I know what you're thinking, BINGO is for old ladies and is boring! Well, not on a Disney Cruise. I even got my husband, sister, and brother-in-law hooked on it on our cruise in March. Now that she knew I was playing BINGO, she wanted in on that activity. Planning for this vacation has been very easy. I know what I want to do-Rainforest Room, Palo Brunch, Mixology class (all for adults). Victoria will have things she'll want to do with her friends that she meets and I'll have things to do with the friends I have met on our cruise's Facebook page. The Facebook groups are a great way to meet new people before getting on the ship. I had posted on the page that it was only the 2 of us sailing and a very nice lady, Gail, invited us to eat with them at dinner. It was so thoughtful and kind of her to think of us. Unfortunately, we had different seating times, but we are going to meet up for lunch one day! The Facebook page can also bring up things to think about. This morning's post was about being worried about the tropical storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. While we will probably have some weather from it, I'll be on a Disney Cruise. A day on a cruise with bad weather is better than a day at home with sun. We are packing up the car in a few minutes to leave for Cape Canaveral. I'll be glad to get to the hotel! There are 3-4 other families from our cruise group staying at the same hotel, so we may run into them by the pool. Then one more sleep and onto the Disney Dream for 4 nights of fun and relaxation! I'll let you know how it goes with my daughter and I! And if we win BINGO, we're booking another cruise, this time I'll take my husband, too! |
Judy WhiteI love traveling and planning vacations for people in addition to being a wife, mother, and teacher. Archives
November 2019
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