Crazy Sweet Bliss: Disney Cruise

What a fun trip! I have to say first off this was one of the best ideas we ever had, going a family big family vacation. Nay sayers tried to put sense into our heads, saying that M will never remember it and we would be better off waiting or better yet going somewhere just the two of us, but after the past week I can confidently say I am so glad we did it and didn't second guess ourselves. Yes, I know M will not remember all of it, but I do think at least one or two moments will stay with her, and as a back up I have plenty of pictures to jog her memory!!! There is so much to see and do on a cruise, even a short 3 day one like we took that there is no way you can squeeze it all in and stay sane or feel like you are on vacation and not in some "happiness boot camp!" Ryan and I did our research and had a plan of attack going in, we knew M wanted to see the princesses and Micky and Minnie, we knew we wanted some time alone with each other and maybe even a little time alone, alone, as well as to see at least one show. The key to any plan of attack is to know your territory. Luckily Disney gives you daily schedules (navigators) which allow you to build your day, the way you want to spend it! So armed with our navigator we were able to do exactly what we had planned on, not feel too much like we were in "happiness boot camp" and have a very enjoyable time together as a family! I won't bore you with all the details of every day, but I do want to share a few snipets of our adventure as well as a few of our *many* pictures!

The Best Part: Being together, enjoying the activites together not feeling like it is all geared towards adults or kids. It truly felt like there was special times for each of us and all of us.

We enjoyed relaxing together:

We were silly together:

We also enjoyed playing together:

(what pirate party would be complete without "mouse ears" for all)

Favorite Day: Without a doubt this would be the day we spent on Castaway Cay (Disney's private island). The morning was beautiful, warm, slight breeze hardly a cloud in the sky. The island is absolutely beautiful. The beach we went too (the family beach) was clean, and there were plenty of chairs and spots in the shade. Even though the water was chilly, it was still fun to stick our toes in the surf. Once again all M wanted to do was play in the sand. After the purchase of some "Disney approved" sand toys - she was good to go for the day and them some. Ryan and I enjoyed relaxing in the sun with good books.

After lunch the winds picked up and clouds moved in, the beach cleared out, yet we didn't see a reason to leave. The water had actually warmed up and a sting ray (one of Disney's captive ones) was lazily swimming up and down the shore. Miri took a short ride in the surf with an inter-tube and we enjoyed splashing around in the water.

Most Magical Moment: I am not sure how to narrow this down, it was a Disney Cruise after all, "magical moments" were around every corner! I would have to say M's was meeting Snow White (for sure the first and second time) The first time, well just because it was the first time, but the second time, now that was special. M met Snow White the morning of day two, less than 12 hours since she had met her the first time. Ryan got downstairs to the grand lobby and was 1st in line for the "princess meet and greet". When the princesses came down the stairs M was bouncing up and down and keeping her behind the rope until it was her turn to go was a challenge! As soon as Snow White (who was last down) hit the bottom step M escaped my grasp and ran to her. The escort, photographer and myself were all quick to try and stop her, but Snow White waived us off, bowed to M, took her hand and lead her to the appointed place to stand for pictures. She even told her she was so happy to get to see her again!

Ryan says his most magical moment was watching/listening to a conversation Miri had with Peter Pan. We were coming up the stairs on our way to our room and there was Peter in an alcove overlooking the grand lobby just hanging out. Miri tugged on Ryan's arm and said:
M: "Daddy, who is that!?"
Peter (who put both hand on his hips): You don't know who I am?? Why I am Peter Pan!!"
M: "Peter Pan! Do you know Tinker Bell"
She then proceeded to go over and give him a big hug!

I think my most magical moment was watching the pure joy and excitement and anticipation exuding from Miriam during the whole time we were on board or shore. We never knew who was going to be around the next corner or what fun thing we might encounter. The last night of our trip we went to the show of the night, Disney Dreams. This show was incredible, it had all the best music from all the best Disney movies (Pinocchio, Cinderella, Aladin, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Lion King), I found myself singing along on more than one occasion! During the Lion King part singers and dancers walked down the isle to the stage from the entrance to the theater. The performers made a point to high-five every little kid within reach, never missing a beat! But the best moment was watching M's face when Belle looked right at her and waved directly to her while on stage during the finale. Miri was entranced (and truthfully so was I)! During our time on Castaway Cay the simplest act of playing in the sand brought so much joy and laughter that it almost made me want to relocate so that we could have a beach in our backyard. The final evening we were waiting for Mickey and Minnie to come down stairs and Miri started dancing around in the grand lobby to the piano music being played. She was just enjoying herself, not self-conscience about anything and having fun. Exactly what a kid should do!

Funniest Moment: On day two of the cruise (our first morning to wake up on the boat) When M woke up, Ryan and I called her over to our bed, instead she got up and started walking towards the cabin door. I called out to her "where are you going" her response: "I want to love on you Mommy" and out the door she went. I have never in my life seen Ryan move that fast in the morning (or ever) - he was out the door before my sleep fogged brain could decided whether or not it wanted me to laugh at the whole situation or call out for her to "wake up!" and get back in the room. I know I called this the funniest moment, but I think I can also categorize it as the most terrifying! That night we made a point to remind her that she didn't have to go through a door to get to Mommy and Daddy's bed when she woke up in the morning.

(When you are sleeping this good the night before it is totally understandable how waking up can be hard!)

Favorite "Cast Member": I have to say this would have to be Edgar, our assistant waiter. He was very attentive to our table and was very good at keeping a smile on M's face, and trust me with a late dinner setting this was not all that easy to do! He even made her a rose from her menu one night! Followed closely by our second favorite "cast members" (service was so great there was a tie).

Second Favorite "Cast" Members: This was a tie between our head waiter (Jan), our room steward (Christopher) and a wonderful photographer, who by night 1 had M's name memorized and truly took some of the best pictures ever of our little princess. Jan was really sweet and always greeted us by name with a handshake or hug, one night he even did magic tricks for M and the other little boy at our table. Christopher always had a smile and a wave for us. One afternoon as we were returning to our cabin he pulled M aside and gave her a birthday present "just for the prettiest little princess he had ever met", a Tianna picture frame!

All and all the service for this cruise was outstanding and completely what you would expect from Disney. Every single little girl was always addressed as princess, the boys were buddy. The staff generally addressed the kids first and had a way to make everyone feel special. When we return for our next cruise there will be a "welcome home" sign on our stateroom door as well as a small "gift" inside.

(Every time we reboarded the ship after being in port - this is what greeted us, just another special touch from our mouse friends!)

The staff in the "children's clubs" had the balancing act between being a kid and playing with the kids to being in charge and alleviating any concerns of the parents. Miri really enjoyed going to the Oceaners Club, in fact the second night we had to drag her away from all of her fun! But what can I say we wanted our daughters company! I never saw a cast member that wasn't smiling or friendly - although there were many different countries represented throughout the ship, English was spoken. Cast members did not discuss amongst each other in their native languages, at least not when they were in public.

Not only was the staff fabulous and had the "Disney touch" but the character that freely roamed around the ship and island made this vacation "over the top". You literally never knew who you were going to see! One morning while we were checking out our official cruise photos at an interactive kiosk, a large white paw tapped R on the shoulder. He turned around to see who it was and was stunned to find Goofy waving at him and Miriam! Before we could get a picture, Goofy promptly bumped into Captain Hook and proceeded to run away down the stairs! Captian Hook then acted like his feelings were hurt that Goofy didn't want to stay and play! Of course the "bigger deal" characters always had lines to see them, but we paid lots of attention to the times and places in our navigator and also had a bit of luck. We managed to get pictures with all of the princesses and of course what trip to Disney (world/land/cruise) wouldn't be complete without a picture with Mickey and Minnnie!