Read about boarding the Disney Dream and our first day here.
After the muster drill, we parted ways again. Nana and Papa Bear wanted to go up to get a great spot for the Sail Away Celebration, and we were right behind them.
We got a great spot along the railing on Deck 12, and Mr PugRunner scored us some frosty, tropical cocktails.
The party was packed. Mickey and the gang, in their cruise attire, danced and sang on the stage, while the audience rocked out right along with them.
It was high-energy and very cute. I think it was a must-do for a first-time DCL sailing, but I’m not sure if it will be imperative the next time we go. We will play it by ear in the future.
I almost didn’t notice we were moving. Until I did.
For better or worse, we were cruising!
I had started taking Dramamine when I woke up that morning, and put on Sea Bands right before we boarded. I was a teensy bit queasy once I realized that we were pulling out, but it wasn’t overwhelming, which was a blessing.
After the party, we wanted to check out the Open House at the Oceaneer Club.
Little man hadn’t entirely decided if he was going to spend any time in the kids’ club. We were hoping he would, because it looked like there were so many cool activities offered in there, but if he didn’t want to, that was ok, too.
The kids’ club is broken into two connected sections: the Oceaneer Club and the Oceaneer Lab. The two areas are connected by a lab/kitchen area. There are all kind of nooks and crannies for reading, watching movies, playing video games, cooking up experiments or treats, drawing, making crafts, dressing up or just playing. There is story time and character appearances and all kinds of special activities.
The area is kids only. Children check in and out with their Magic Bands. They must wash their hands in high tech washers on the way in and on the way out, which is such a great habit to enforce.
No adults are allowed except the cast members who works in the clubs, unless there is an open house. When the children are ready to leave, cast members use the ship’s wave phone system to contact parents via text, and parents report to the club. They must provide their Key To The World, be identified by photograph and provide a password in order to collect their children. All in all, it was a great system.
There is a huge interactive play floor for games and dance parties.
And lots of fun places like Andy’s playroom
and the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor.
Little man loved it and said he wanted to go back after dinner. Fantastic! We thought we would hit up the Golden Mickeys in the theater while he was there.
By then, it was about 5:25 and we had Main Seating dinner at 5:45 in the Enchanted Garden. We were heading over, when I noticed that Mickey was out, taking pictures on one of the balconies. It looked like we would be ok to hop on line and get a picture.
We were one of the last to be allowed in the queue, and it made us about 10 minutes late for our meal. Normally, I wouldn’t care, but when we arrived in the Enchanted Garden, we saw that we were seated with another family: a couple and their 6 year old son. We apologized profusely for being late, introduced ourselves, and got down to the business of getting to know each other.
They were incredibly sweet, and even though we didn’t realize that with a party of five, we would be placed with anyone else, it worked out fine.
Our servers, Darmika and Keneisha, were absolutely lovely. Service was on point and they made some excellent recommendations on menu selections. I appreciated that they took extra special care with the boys, quickly learning their favorites, joking with them, putting their place settings near each other and other little nice touches.
Dinner was very nice (I will do a complete rundown of each dining room and the meals separately), and we enjoyed the company of our new friends.
While dining, we discussed our evening plans. We had originally planned to go to the show, but little man and his new buddy started talking pool and AquaDuck. Apparently, it’s quite an experience riding at night. Little man decided that instead of the Oceaneer Club and Lab, he wanted to get back in his trunks and go to the pool, and at first we tried to dissuade him, but then we figured what the heck? This was his vacation as much as any of ours, and how often do you get to go swimming at night on a cruise ship, with a movie playing on the Funnel Vision and a giant, enclosed water flume? Not often.
Bam. Change of plans.
We returned to our cabin to get changed as the sun was setting.
It was nothing short of glorious. Mr PugRunner pointed out that there were dolphins leaping next to the ship, and while I wasn’t able to get good pictures of it, it was truly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
I could have stayed on our verandah all night.
I had to take care of a couple of things, so the boys headed off to Deck 11. It took about 20 minutes for me to start heading up the stairs with my pool things, but it turns out, Mr PugRunner and little man hadn’t gotten very far. I found little man sitting on the steps while Mr PugRunner was standing with a young man who was having a medical emergency. It was really scary and I grabbed little man to take him upstairs and out of the way, while Mr PugRunner and another guest were able to get a staff member who was then able to call for help. Mr PugRunner was an EMT way back in the day, so it’s nice that he is able to offer a little bit of assistance in situations like these (good news: Mr PugRunner saw the young man the next day at the pool, and he was doing great).
Since we weren’t sure how long Mr PugRunner was going to be delayed, we set up camp next to Nana and Papa Bear, who had grabbed chairs on Deck 11, facing that night’s movie on the giant screen. And then it was up to me to brave the AquaDuck with little man! Ack!
It. Was. Freezing. The line was much shorter than it was in the afternoon – we basically walked right up and on – and when I was finally able to open my eyes after the first big rush of water, it was such a cool view!
When we got off, I bundled up in towels, and little man found his dinner buddy. Mr PugRunner had arrived, so the guys all headed off into the Mickey pool, while I sat down to warm up and watch some of Hercules.
At the end of the movie, we decided to call it a night. We would not be getting off the ship in Nassau the next day, but we wanted to have a nice breakfast, explore the ship, and try to take advantage of everything there was to do on board. And to be honest, it was a long day and we were exhausted.
It took everyone a few minutes to fall asleep – I could feel the rocking of the ship in the bed, but finally, we managed to drift off, dreaming of the fun we would have tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s installment: My birthday at sea and how we spent our day onboard!
Water slides: love ’em or leave ’em?
What was the most beautiful sunset you’ve ever seen?
Wow… I don’t have kids but want to go on this cruise, it looks like a blast. Maybe one day!!
Bri recently posted…#WorkoutWednesday: 30-minute total body workout
I would have no problem going without kids. There wasn’t a super hopping nightlife, nor were there casinos, but neither of those is necessary for my enjoyment. I was perfectly good chilling on the verandah with wine at night, and we are generally early risers, so we want to be up and out to start our day.
Sounds like fun! Disney knows how to do it right, don’t they?
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Interview with Dimity McDowell Davis: Another Mother Runner
You’re telling me! They really had every detail covered!
Water slides yes! We’ve never gone on Disney cruise but have cruised quite a bit. Such a great time for the kiddos!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Why I Coach Girls On The Run
I don’t love water slides so much because I’m afraid the water will rinse my contacts out, but I’m glad I gave this one a try. Sometimes, there are opportunities you just can’t pass up!
Sounds like a great time so far! I hope the guy having the medical emergency is ok! So glad Mr. PugRunner found him and was able to get help! As for water slides – I like them! I’m not a big water person at all, but all get on a fun slide 🙂
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Blend Retreat Recap – Day 3
He seemed like he was ok. It was very scary, and I’m so glad he was able to et help and continue with his vacation. I just read a story about an NCL passenger being airlifted off his ship because of a medical emergency. Terrifying.
I like the water, but it doesn’t always like me, so much. Cold water is a definite no, but sometimes, you just have to get in there and go for it!
Last time I cruised on a Disney cruise was on my honeymoon! I’d love to take my two little boys on one! It looks like the kids area is awesome!
Mindy @ Road Runner Girl recently posted…6.2 Miles Full of Adventure!
Oh, I’m sure it was a great way to honeymoon! Your boys would love it! The kids’ area was so great – I thought little man would stay in there and play video games the whole time, but he did so many crafts and participated in games and other interactive stuff, so it was fabulous.
This sounds so fun! I wanna go!
I haven’t done many water slides actually, but I think it would be pretty cool at night on a cruise ship… (Except for the freezing part… Why are kids immune to cold water?)
Stacie Seidman recently posted…Truthful Tuesday
I don’t know! All the kids were blue-lipped with chattering teeth! It was crazy!
Wow, what gorgeous sunset photos! Thanks for sharing them!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Recent Additions to My Playlist
Aren’t they stunning???
runswithpugs recently posted…disney dream: let’s sail away with mickey!
i will definitely take my future kiddos on a disney cruise. such fun. i’m loving reading about your trip!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…The One Hour Track Run
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for following along!
Beautiful! I’m not a fan of big cruises, but we’ve seen some amazing sunsets at the beach.
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…Fit Foodie 5K Weekend
Beach sunsets are gorgeous!
Wow, I’m impressed with the security in the kids area! I like it! And you are so right, this is like a trip of a lifetime for the little guys, let them stay up late and enjoy! OMG, I’m getting so excited and I haven’t even booked ours yet!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…4 Ways to Protect Your Family from the Sun this Summer: Melanoma Awareness and a discount!!
Yay!
I have read some negative stories about the kids’ club, but they are few and far between, and I think must always be taken with a grain of salt. However, it worked for us, and we were very satisfied with the level of “care” provided. Once little man got in there, he had no desire to leave!
wow what amazing pictures! I have actually never been on a cruise before but am dying to go on one. Looks like an amazing time with your family!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…How To Increase Your Instagram Followers in 24 Hours
It was one of the best times we ever had!
Sounds amazing! I have always wanted to try a Disney cruise, I love cruising. It is definitely on my to do list! Have you tried sea bands for the cruise, they work great and just by wearing a band on your wrist, works by acupressure. I wore them for all my cruises and the only time I got quest was when i took them off to see how I would feel! I love water slides, but not freezing cold ones…
Toni recently posted…5 Tips To Increase Your Protein Intake Post Workout
I doubled up on sea bands and dramamine and this time, I was ok. Our cabin was in the perfect location and the water was calm enough that I couldn’t feel the boat moving on the upper decks. I had a few moments when we were inside and the ship was pulling in or out, but I was able to walk it off, thank goodness.
yes! a beautiful sunset! hmmm, water slides , not a huge fan if the only thing i am going down on is my butt! YIKES! Sounds like a great first day!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…I am loving it Thursday!
We were on a raft/tube type of thing! It was great!
This sounds like an amazing opportunity to have a great family vacation and make memories! thanks for sharing! 🙂
rachel recently posted…Learning About Going Gluten Free with Udi’s Gluten Free
My only regret about the AquaDuck: Not having enough time to do it again. We only rode it once. The servers during dinner are the best! Especially with the kiddos. By the second night they knew their names, what they drank… it was awesome.
Frank@The Fat Runner recently posted…The Elusive Creature Known as Cross-Training
I rode it once, and I was good. Little man and Mr PugRunner hit it up several times.
Yup, we loved our servers. I’m sure others were just as good but I’m pretty happy we ended up with ours.
Such fun! The kids club sounds awesome and I love that it was no adults allowed. Your son must have been in absolute heaven!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…Rainbow Chard Chia Smoothie Recipe and Salba Chia Review
Considering how independent he is (or thinks he is), yes, he had a blast! I’m surprised we were ever able to pry him out of there!
looks like you all had a BLAST!!! I totally want to go on a cruise SOON! Our dilemma has always been not wanting to leave the kid behind…this seems like the PERFECT solution!!! Hope to cruise SOON!! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us!
Safari @ Tri-ing To Run Boston recently posted…Pitch Perfect 2 – Free Movie Ticket #RockYourLegs
This is a perfect trip for children. I was really nervous about a lot of things about cruising and kids, but this was honestly so stress-free.