Kelslovestocruise Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 Hi all, this is my first time live blogging (gonna be honest not sure if it will be 100% live) but I enjoy everyone’s blogs so much that I thought I would contribute. Who is going: this cruise involves myself (f 22), my mother Bobbi (I know better than to share her age), her partner Suzanne, my younger sister Breanna (19) and a family friend Chantale. The five of us have 3 rooms booked all across the ship in 3 different room categories as we like our space. My sister and I in a boardwalk balcony 10329, my mom and her partner in a ocean view balcony and Chantale in a Central Park view interior. Where to: port Canaveral (Feb. 16), Perfect Day at Coco Cay (February 17), sea day, Costa Maya (February 19), Roatan (February 20), Cozumel (February 21), sea day. precruise: we are all flying out on different flights due to schedules but I leave tomorrow evening and have a red eye from Canada to Orlando arriving very early Wednesday morning. We have a large villa rented as we enjoy our space (as said before) and cooking our own breakfast versus a hotel breakfast. We have 2 days at Disney booked magic kingdom on Thursday and animal kingdom on Friday and have plans for enjoying TGI Friday’s (a favourite to us with the nearest one being over an 8 hour drive from us) and some shopping. that’s it for now I will add excursion plans and some pictures tomorrow! Skigoofy, JohnK6404, Cruzinfun and 12 others 14 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 Welcome to the board, have a safe flight and wonderful time of your cruise. Feel free to talk about Disney. I always want to go but as a single woman with no kids .. I don't want people to be like. shaydav19, PRebecca, cruisestuff and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WannaCruise Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 Thanks for blogging and sharing your experience. We were in a Boardwalk Balcony on Symphony and really enjoyed it. It's lots of fun to people watch. Ditto for the Disney comment. We are adding a few days prior to our mariner cruise in the summer (also out of Port Canaveral). That's the best vacation...Disney + a cruise. Enjoy and safe travels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRebecca Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 Looking forward to it! Thanks in advance for sharing! @Ampurp85 go to Disney, kids or not Fairlynew 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 I agree with @PRebecca, go to Disney. It can be pure joy. No one would bat an eye to a single, sometimes shorter wait times for rides also due to so many big parties. I love going and immersing myself fully for a short time. It's really good for my psyche. Go early, rope drop time to get a good jump on the crowds, as lots of families with little kids get started a bit later. I found going alone left me to do and go anywhere I wanted, changing my mind on a whim. I have found most people are fully engaged in their families and pay not much mind to anyone else, but when engaging with another always a pretty friendly bunch! Enjoy! WAAAYTOOO, Jax and Ogilthorpe 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 I've done Universal on my own, plan to take my mother next year to Universal as her ##th birthday present. We are cruising on the Allure after and I am thinking of adding a day or so to do Disney. I think I have what it takes to be a princess...right? Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Regular Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 11 hours ago, Ampurp85 said: Welcome to the board, have a safe flight and wonderful time of your cruise. Feel free to talk about Disney. I always want to go but as a single woman with no kids .. I don't want people to be like. Not to distract from the OP's pre-trippie (which is awesome by the way!) I am a grown woman who frequently visits WDW by herself and it's awesome. No one looks at you weird. I highly recommend solo trips to the Mouse House! Ok back to the regularly scheduled PTR! Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2020 In the Minneapolis airport waiting on my next flight! It was a crazy day with a half day of practicum (I’m in my second last year of school to become a middle school teacher) then general life then to the airport! So far it’s been great first flight had a row to myself and it landed 15 minutes early! Yes! I’lol take the small victories Ogilthorpe and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiralqueen Posted February 12, 2020 Report Share Posted February 12, 2020 Looking forward to following along! I’m going to be on Harmony in May with the same ports so I look forward to what you guys end up doing there as well as on the ship! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2020 After 3 long flights I arrived in Orlando at 4:45am this morning, got my bag and checked both Lyft and Uber with Uber being $2 cheaper decided on that as my way of getting to our villa. We have a rental car but no one was picking me up at 5am so Uber it was. I arrived at the villa and my first action after finding my room was to find the fridge for a snack strawberries and yogurt sure made life better, then a quick shower and a nap that lasted until 10am. We ate breakfast as a family then off we went to REI. I’m a big canoe fan as well as really into backwoods camping and as REI is not any wear close to where we live that was a stop to make. Then off to Disney springs! I enjoyed walking around, got a Florida Starbucks mug (I collect them so this will be a theme) and a dole whip! I found it to be a little humid but overall the heat is welcome for this Canadian! finally it was evening time everyone else was going to the Orlando magic game but I wanted to enjoy time to myself the really large jacuzzi bath tub at our place and some wine! And that is what I did and I enjoyed it so much! Guy Gadwa, Vangrizz, Skigoofy and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2020 Tomorrow Thursday: Magic Kingdom I’ve never been to Disney in Florida (I did universal last year), but did Disney in California 10 years ago. I’m very excited our 3 fast passes are booked arriving at 8:30 preopening to hopefully get on a couple of rides before our first fast pass! We have 1:15 reservations for be our guest and plan to leave at 5:30 to go to TGI Friday’s then come back for fireworks! JohnK6404, Vangrizz, Ogilthorpe and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted February 13, 2020 Report Share Posted February 13, 2020 I grew up in Cocoa and Satellite Beach back in the 60s/early 70s, and we moved from Florida just a couple of months before WDW opened, and I've never been there yet. So I hope you have a wonderful time! We're going on Harmony at the end of April, and I'm soooo looking forward to your insight on the ship and the destinations. The most important thing for me is that my wife gets lots of time with the sloths on Roatan. :following Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2020 Magic Kingdom Day! Woke up earlier than I like to on vacation at 6:45am ate breakfast of French toast casserole and fruit then off to magic kingdom. Arrived at 8:30am and through the craziness of security then the monorail then entrance that is magic kingdom. finally time for our first view of the legendary castle. It was amazing! our first fast pass ride was up and that aS the Mad Tea Party! I love the spinning tea cups and it was tons of fun to me my mother on the other hand was feeling a little sick by the end of the ride. Then off to Mickey’s Philamagic orchestra this was super cute and I loved the 4D aspects. Then was Aladin’s magic carpets then another fast pass for Pirates of the Caribbean. Then we wandered to Main Street for the parade this was great! then off to Be Our Guest for lunch! This was not quite what I was expecting but was still enjoyable. I had the French onion soup ( no where as good as Royal Caribbean’s) and the grey stuff cupcake - I trusted them and it was delicious then it was time for our final fast pass the little mermaid while in line I booked another fast pass for buzz lighter. After both those off to the space orbitz then the carousel of progress, another fast pass monsters ink laugh floor, then the people mover. got my magic kingdom Starbucks mug!!! And an iced coffee as the humidity was killing me then off to TGI Friday’s! Had my normal the sampler platter then back to magic kingdom for the fireworks then home to bed! As a whole magic kingdom was amazing!! So cool! I never felt too old or that we were judged for being a family of adults. I would definitely go back! MaryS, Big Tule, Guy Gadwa and 8 others 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted February 14, 2020 Report Share Posted February 14, 2020 Wow, Disney is on and popping for February. Was it so busy because of valentine's day and president weekend? How does the fast pass work? Do you schedule a time and they call you or is there a special lane like Universal? I am glad you had fun, I heard Be Our Guest had just meh food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Gadwa Posted February 14, 2020 Report Share Posted February 14, 2020 Following!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srp431 Posted February 14, 2020 Report Share Posted February 14, 2020 Following love the view from the boardwalk balcony on Harmony, Great people watching. Love this ship alot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2020 22 hours ago, Ampurp85 said: Wow, Disney is on and popping for February. Was it so busy because of valentine's day and president weekend? How does the fast pass work? Do you schedule a time and they call you or is there a special lane like Universal? I am glad you had fun, I heard Be Our Guest had just meh food. Who knows I know that in Canada next week is a lot (the majority of universities reading week - so many people travel then) . I’m assuming it was busy due to president day weekend, this is a long weekend in Canada too (the holiday name changes depending on what province you live in - Manitoba where I am from it’s called Louis Riel day). With your Disney ticket you get 3 free fast passes you can book them 30 days out. There is a special lane and you scan your card or wrist band and in that line you go. Your fast pass is good for 1 hour from the time it starts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2020 Animal Kingdom day! Woke up this morning breakfast burritos for breakfast then we had to go exchange our rental van (really just do new paper work as we booked the rest of the days using air miles) then off to animal kingdom. As soon as we got there it started pouring rain. Like we were all soaked. Off to Navi River journey thankfully this ride was indoors so we could stay out of the rain. then off to our first fast pass the festival of the lion king! Loved this show it was amazing!! next was another fast pass for Kilimanjaro safari. This was really well done too. My sister who has done a safari in Africa says this was really well done for Disney and even for North America. Got to see some cool animals! hippos baby zebra - it was so tiny cheetah I will post more animal photos when I go through my camera photos. Then off to Starbucks we went, everyone was cold and wet still. Hot beverages for all and an animal kingdom Starbucks cup were bought. Then it was time to find lunch wow this was harder than I thought. I found there were less food stands in animal kingdom than in magic kingdom. Finally a hot dog was consumed by me than off to ride triceratops spin this was a fun children’s ride but i enjoyed it. Then off to dinosaur. This was my favourite ride of the day! It was amazing!! A thrill ride was enjoyed! Then time for a bugs life show. This was really well done and we all enjoyed it. It reminded me of the 4D rides at universal but those are better. Then it was time to make the long trek back to the car! then on to Florida Mall for the m &m store! Got to visit them all! Actually I have! Did some shopping got some new dress pants on sale boring but very useful! Then home for dinner of heart shaped pizza, salad wine and chocolate covered strawberries. All in all a good day! Final Disney thoughts: I enjoyed going to Disney and it was a fantastic experience! Magic kingdom was WAY better than animal kingdom! Part of it was the weather but I also enjoyed more rides at magic kingdom and more characters everywhere. As a whole next time I will do magic kingdom and universal studios! I think that’s my best fit! Vangrizz, Jax, WAAAYTOOO and 8 others 9 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzinfun Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 Wow the castle at night is really beautiful. I can't convince my kids to go back to Disney so at some point I'm going to try to go during the food and wine festival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGSLC5 Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 On 2/14/2020 at 11:41 PM, Kelslovestocruise said: Who knows I know that in Canada next week is a lot (the majority of universities reading week - so many people travel then) . I’m assuming it was busy due to president day weekend, this is a long weekend in Canada too (the holiday name changes depending on what province you live in - Manitoba where I am from it’s called Louis Riel day). With your Disney ticket you get 3 free fast passes you can book them 30 days out. There is a special lane and you scan your card or wrist band and in that line you go. Your fast pass is good for 1 hour from the time it starts. Hi Big Disney fan here.. I love Magic Kingdom its awesome.. But I just got back from Disney and just went to Hollywood Studios with all the new rides.. You need to absolutely go to that park next time.. Its fantastic.. So just my opinion you should do Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Its awesome there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 Today was shopping day! Time to visit all those places we do not have in Winnipeg or even in Canada. Woke up had homemade eggs Benedict and mimosas for breakfast! My favourite can’t wait to eat more of that on the ship! Off to the outlet mall! We drove to the Orlando premium outlet mall and shopped for 3 hours. I bought way more than I thought I would but got some amazing deals! Then off to Ulta to stock up on makeup. This is way cheaper than in Canada! Then back to our place for some time by the pool in our yard with frozen cocktails. Then off to the clubhouse for some swimming or floating I guess in the lazy river. Then time to pack up - wow that’s always stressful. Then time to bbq in the back yard and drink sangria. Then off to bed and get ready for a cruise tomorrow! Vangrizz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 Writing this from Central Park after a perfect day at coco cat. Wow life can’t get much better! So yesterday the start of the cruise. We left our villa at 9am and arrived in port Canaveral at 10am after a 10 minute wait in line to drop off the car on the shuttle we went and off to the port. The porters grabbed our luggage (we over pack 5 people 6 large suitcases, 2 small carry on roller bags and a small duffel bag) and off to the terminal we went. Literally 2 people ahead of us for security then off to check in that took less than 5 minutes no line but I needed a new photo then right onto the ship. We were on-board by 10:45! Next we went to bolaros to reprogram our old wow bands and to get the first drink. I have the deluxe drink package so at the recommendation of this blog the first drink I grabbed was a kracken lava flow. Then off to the solarium my favourite place on any ship. I do notice the lack of pool in harmony’s and do miss it. Ate lunch at the solarium bistro this was an amazing idea as we did not wait found a table no problem and the food was good. Then the rooms were ready! Rest of day 1 later I’m going to go enjoy sail away from my balcony with some sangria! Guy Gadwa, Vangrizz, WAAAYTOOO and 6 others 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfitz Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Love seeing the pics! My son and his wife live in FL and they visit Disney all the time (they have no kids), but they go anyway. I looking forward to reading about your trip. I will be on Harmony in December! My son said gamble on the first part of the trip but never the return trip. Can't wait to hear (read) your tips! Have a safe trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Day 1 continued: Went the room and saw both our suitcases down the hall and grab them and unpack. Then off to the pool deck to swim and tan before muster - why have I never done this before it was great and not busy! Then quickly time to run and change before muster then sail away from deck 16 the sail away party was lame. Then time to sit on my balcony with a glass of wine before dinner. main dining room for dinner tonight second seating as we eat late in the city anyways. I had the French onion soup, the New York strop and cheesecake. It was all delicious! Next stop to the casino royal took my money way too fast then karaoke where lots of drama was present. Then pizza and water before bed. Tomorrow is perfect day at coco cay. I’m so excited! Lovetocruise2002, Vangrizz, Guy Gadwa and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Day 2: perfect Day at Coco Cay Woke up this morning at 7:15 and we were already docked! I’m very excited for this day and I can tell you right now it was perfect. Up to the windjammer for breakfast - I love the made to order eggs! We brought all our stuff with us to breakfast and now off to start our perfect day. We were in port until 4 so great time for a beach day. First we wandered the island a bit and took a bunch of pictures then it was off to the oasis lagoon for the morning! forgot to mention empress was in port with us today. The size difference was crazy! After a couple hours enjoying the pool and our loungers it was time to find lunch and the beach. By the way the water in the pool was cold like cold for a Canadian cold but I did get in and enjoyed. Lunch was at the shake shack I had the best mozzarella sticks - I was amazed they were fantastic! Then some giant jenga was played and some time was spent on the beach. Then back to oasis lagoon for some more swimming and lounging. At 3 we left and walked back to the ship past the market. Once on board the ship i went to Central Park and enjoyed some sangria while writing a blog entry. After this I headed to my cabin to shower and watch sail away from the balcony. Then I had a quick nap before dinner. french onion soup, short rib and creme brûlée was what I ate. Lobo the bar service waiter is amazing and always has my wine ready it’s fantastic! I love having the drink package it’s so good. next up was Greece good show I’ve seen it on land before but I love musicals so it was a must see for me! I can say it would not be the best choice for kids. After this it was time for karaoke the casino then bed. Almost forgot there was a lot of drama at karaoke tonight. I felt like I was watching one of those tv shows. more pics to come later of coco cay! Vangrizz, Skigoofy, Guy Gadwa and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Vangrizz, Ogilthorpe and Guy Gadwa 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Glad you are having an amazing time. Those drinks look amazing and I am not a drinker. I am a mocktail kind of girl, might do 1 alcoholic drink a day on vacation. I also want to know what the drama was with karaoke, I bet someone stole another person's song WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 On 2/19/2020 at 11:09 AM, Ampurp85 said: Glad you are having an amazing time. Those drinks look amazing and I am not a drinker. I am a mocktail kind of girl, might do 1 alcoholic drink a day on vacation. I also want to know what the drama was with karaoke, I bet someone stole another person's song Better than song stealing some women’s husband was singing and she’s cheering him on then other people start bad mouthing him then the wife and this guy start getting heated with words then the mans wife gets involved and next thing you know security shows up tells the 2 couples they need to be on the opposite side of the bar. Security stays for the rest of karaoke. spiralqueen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 3 minutes ago, Kelslovestocruise said: Better than song stealing some women’s husband was singing and she’s cheering him on then other people start bad mouthing him then the wife and this guy start getting heated with words then the mans wife gets involved and next thing you know security shows up tells the 2 couples they need to be on the opposite side of the bar. Security stays for the rest of karaoke. OMG I would be so here for this...I would be that gif with a smile on my face, slowing sipping my drink. I love it when people are delusional about their karaoke skills. Also I know the feeling, you gots to be loyal to your man. annabellesneaks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelslovestocruise Posted February 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2020 Sorry about the time between posts I was busy enjoying the cruise. But it’s over I’m home again in the cold waiting for a bus to take me to the university. Day 3: cruising I will admit right now that I am not an entertaining sea day kind of person. I eat find a lounger, drink, swim and repeat. woke up and got a chai tea latte from cafe promenade they already know my order so that may be a problem. Then off to breakfast in the main dining room. I really enjoy a leisurely breakfast on sea days. I had eggs benedict and a mimosa it was good but not fantastic and I’ve seen better service I’m not sure if it’s because it was near the end of breakfast or what but just not as attentive as I’m used to. off to the pool deck now i found a lounger on deck 16 and a couple of frozen mojitos were drunken then I moved on to grey goose and pineapple. Every hour or so I had to get up to swim as it was really hot. Next it was off to lunch in the park cafe I loved the roast beef sandwich it was delicious! Then back to the pool deck for more swimming, lounging, reading and drinking. At 5pm I called it a day went to get a latte then up to the room to get ready for formal night! We are not a photo taking family always say we will get photos but never do. For dinner my white wine I’ve had the last 2 nights was perfectly chilled and waiting for me thanks Lobo! French onion soup, steak and cheesecake was consumed. Then off to watch the aqua show drink sangria, then to the casino where I gave Royal some money then off to karaoke where there was no drama just a drunk guy who loved show tunes but as I did as well this was not a problem for me! spiralqueen, Guy Gadwa, Skigoofy and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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