Vacation Anticipation...no it is not a disease (although it is the result of addictive behavior to having great vacation experiences, cruising is highly addictive).
Vacation Anticipation starts with your first glimpse of where you want to go and the experience you dream of being in.
It could start with the television ad you just watched with the suddenly emancipated from everyday life Dad dancing like never before seen by his kids in the cruise ship dance club, the couple taking a romantic walk down a deserted tropical beach or even the sight of Mom jet-skiing through the water. you know the ads, you remember the jingles and you catch yourself humming the theme song as you walk up the gangway to embark on your voyage, (ok, when you get to the top of the gangway you buy your first tropical drink, then you feel that theme song ...you have arrived, let the games begin). You have thought about this moment for a long time...it's here, what to do first!
That's where it all starts, then you make that call or reach out to someone like my wife or I to share your enthusiasm and your vision of your perfect vacation, sometimes with a little trepidation of course..."it has to be expensive right?" Not necessarily of course, it depends on what you want to do, where you want to go and when but we help map that all out for you and come up with some options. You're anticipation hits a bit of a lull but it comes back when we help you decide on your final choice. because we did all the legwork for you , you can go back to dreaming and your vacation anticipation.
I have to admit, I have never even heard of this phrase until i read one of those boxed surveys in USA Today that showed results to the question, "Which part of your vacation do you most look forward to?". The answer choices were , anticipation of your trip, leaving for your trip, being on the trip or returning home from your trip.
Not surprisingly coming home had the least votes but to my surprise VACATION ANTICIPATION had the most!
Really? What is going on here? People have more fun anticipating their vacation than actually being on it? How can that be?
Like many other things the journey seems to be more of an experience than the destination. i would not have voted that way I happen to like the vacation experience...live in the moment an all that kind of stuff.
It makes me kind of glad to hear that about people, that means when we help clients plan their vacation, we are part of their experience. That makes it all the more important that we do a good job in finding vacation options to match their dream vacation....we are actually taking the lead in their experience....the will build memories that will last a lifetime (especially if traveling with a family group or close friends), we get to be a part of that. OK, I'll admit it, would I like to be on that ship to see them off and take part of that first toast of that tropical drink...of course, would we like to be there when they first set foot in the lobby of that beautiful all-inclusive resort, when they are handed a glass of champagne and a hot towel ...of course, those scenarios would be fun, it would certainly keep us busy but just knowing we are starting them off on the right path for an experience they may have been dreaming about for a lifetime is satisfaction enough.
So as I write this I am enjoying my own period of Vacation Anticipation, (yes , just like the ballplayer that admits to still having butterflies before he gets to play for the 1000th time in front of thousands of people, that feeling envelopes those of us that have traveled often and deal with it daily).
In a couple of days we embark on a family reunion cruise with all we could round up this time out, it doesn't matter how many of us will be there, there will be more next time, but the anticipation of this vacation has been festering for about 9 months now....will it be better than the actual voyage...probably not, but it has given us 9 months to get closer, talk excitedly about our vacation together and I am sure it will be a memorable trip.
How do you rank VACATION ANTICIPATION?
Let us know, if you don't get it, give us a call and let us start planning your vacation with you....it's contagious, you'll come down with the symptoms of Vacation Anticipation, you know daydreaming, smiling and counting the days on the calendar until it arrives. (don't even get me started with how the kids handle this)
I'll be back with pictures and experiences of our first family reunion cruise in a week or so, but for now, I have to anticipate packing!
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
All-Inclusive Resorts vs. Cruises : Decisions, Decisions
Are you a cruiser or a resorter? Do you have to be one or the other? Can't you be both?
I have to admit, until last summer I fell into the cruiser category, long dismissing the all-inclusive experiences I had many years ago at Sandals (they only owned 2 properties at the time) and Club Med (hot resorts at the time) for cruise vacations.
Both types of vacation have changed dramatically in the past 10 years, improving on all aspects. gourmet dining - both have it, luxury settings & service - both have it, family accommodations & fun - both have it, it seems that the two have almost morphed into one with the only difference being on the sea or on the beach.
There are all-inclusives to cater to every vacation taste, family, couples, spa experience, even nudist all-inclusives. Cruise vacations of course offer all of these (not sure about a nudist cruise but I'm sure a ship can be chartered to cater to this special interest group, contact me and we'll work on it).
While their offerings are similar in quality as far as accommodations & service there are still differences in the food and the activities.
Although all-inclusives offer some activities i still have to give the nod to the cruise lines, there is always a quality program or experience to join on a cruise , pretty much non-stop and almost around the clock not even include the activities available in the ports of call. The activities offered at the resorts are limited to mostly water sports and whatever excursions you can find in the local vicinity (actually there are a good number of experiences in the Mayan Riviera area that are a lot of fun). The problem is highlighted if the resort is on an island that is beautiful but underdeveloped or just developing a tourist trade, a couple of recent customers commented that the resort was everything it was advertised to be but once outside the gates, they were in the middle of nowhere, a third world country.
Which is a better value? It depends on what you are looking for in a vacation both include accommodations & meals ( trendy specialty restaurants a small extra charge of course). Alcoholic beverages can be the decision point for some when assessing value, the cruise line bar tab can add hundreds of dollars over the course of a 7 day cruise if you're there to party (ok, I have to admit it, we have rung up some hefty bar tabs so I know this from experience). Most All-inclusives feature beverages as part of the package, some top-shelf some not but if that is a goal of your vacation ..you have arrived...this is the way to go for you unless you are able to take a good guess at your drinking fun before you get on the cruise and consider it part of the price.
Again the entertainment offerings give the cruise lines a major advantage, there are some fantastic shows on-board, Broadway plays, Blue Man Group, Cirque de Soleil (the latter two offered on the Norwegian Epic, we have balcony cabins blocked out for this ship on a Mediterranean cruise June 2012, good price locked in if you're interested visit our website www.ShipAhoyCP.com, click on Epic Europe tab). All-inclusive do not even come close to the cruise lines in this regard.
So where does your vacation interest lie? I love cruises but have also come to appreciate and enjoy all-inclusives too depending on what I'd like to do on that specific vacation. Both are great values and fun times.
See my next blog, we just came back from Secrets Capri Mayan Riviera.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
I have to admit, until last summer I fell into the cruiser category, long dismissing the all-inclusive experiences I had many years ago at Sandals (they only owned 2 properties at the time) and Club Med (hot resorts at the time) for cruise vacations.
Both types of vacation have changed dramatically in the past 10 years, improving on all aspects. gourmet dining - both have it, luxury settings & service - both have it, family accommodations & fun - both have it, it seems that the two have almost morphed into one with the only difference being on the sea or on the beach.
There are all-inclusives to cater to every vacation taste, family, couples, spa experience, even nudist all-inclusives. Cruise vacations of course offer all of these (not sure about a nudist cruise but I'm sure a ship can be chartered to cater to this special interest group, contact me and we'll work on it).
While their offerings are similar in quality as far as accommodations & service there are still differences in the food and the activities.
Although all-inclusives offer some activities i still have to give the nod to the cruise lines, there is always a quality program or experience to join on a cruise , pretty much non-stop and almost around the clock not even include the activities available in the ports of call. The activities offered at the resorts are limited to mostly water sports and whatever excursions you can find in the local vicinity (actually there are a good number of experiences in the Mayan Riviera area that are a lot of fun). The problem is highlighted if the resort is on an island that is beautiful but underdeveloped or just developing a tourist trade, a couple of recent customers commented that the resort was everything it was advertised to be but once outside the gates, they were in the middle of nowhere, a third world country.
Which is a better value? It depends on what you are looking for in a vacation both include accommodations & meals ( trendy specialty restaurants a small extra charge of course). Alcoholic beverages can be the decision point for some when assessing value, the cruise line bar tab can add hundreds of dollars over the course of a 7 day cruise if you're there to party (ok, I have to admit it, we have rung up some hefty bar tabs so I know this from experience). Most All-inclusives feature beverages as part of the package, some top-shelf some not but if that is a goal of your vacation ..you have arrived...this is the way to go for you unless you are able to take a good guess at your drinking fun before you get on the cruise and consider it part of the price.
Again the entertainment offerings give the cruise lines a major advantage, there are some fantastic shows on-board, Broadway plays, Blue Man Group, Cirque de Soleil (the latter two offered on the Norwegian Epic, we have balcony cabins blocked out for this ship on a Mediterranean cruise June 2012, good price locked in if you're interested visit our website www.ShipAhoyCP.com, click on Epic Europe tab). All-inclusive do not even come close to the cruise lines in this regard.
So where does your vacation interest lie? I love cruises but have also come to appreciate and enjoy all-inclusives too depending on what I'd like to do on that specific vacation. Both are great values and fun times.
See my next blog, we just came back from Secrets Capri Mayan Riviera.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Avoiding Vacation Surprises (Part II)
Major surprises not withstanding there is always a chance for other surprises to pop-up during your much anticipated trip. A seemingly lesser vacation nightmare but just as traumatic is quite more common. I am talking about losing your valuables while on a ship or at a resort. Your identification, credit cards,camera, cellphone, and all other contents you must travel with that define you (OK, not really define you but you'd be surprised at the sense of loss of one's self albeit temporarily when this happens), can be taken away by the "unsavory element" that may be waiting for you or traveling with you.
Picture it, you're on a beautiful magnificently large floating hotel/city, the dream cruise you and the family have finally sailed on with 3,000 of your soon to be new friends or you have just settled in with your first cocktail on the beach into your posh lounge chair. The kids take off for the amazing youth program, your wife is doing her best to win back the cost of the cruise from the slot machines but you have established the family "turf" on deck or on the beach. Just you, your drink, the lounge chair and beautiful scenery...ahhh...relaxation at last, the only care you have now is the beach bag with the family valuables (credit cards, cash, room keys, camera, $200 sunglasses, you get the picture) in it you have been assigned to guard. How hard can this be?
Fellow passengers or guests if you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, start to pass you with food with amazing aromas, you hear talk of sushi and a chocolate fountain, the lunch buffet is open (finally, it has been what 2 hours since breakfast)...time to partake of the afternoon feast.
The biggest question of the day (besides what is the cocktail du jour of the day), "Do I collect our stuff and lose our family turf, our temporary stonghold by the pool or beach or do I try to sneak off hoping no one is watching me leave our bag of goodies at the chair unattended?" Hmmmm...quite the conundrum (sorry, I just like the word, had to get it in there somewhere).
Cruise line security is pretty good but they cannot possibly be expected watch everything or everybody all the time. All-inclusives have less security and do their best but again they can't watch everything all the time.
When you're on the beach or on a shore excursion in a foreign country you have to be vigilant, no one else is really watching out for you or your belongings, in fact some may be watching you just for the chance to take them.
Losing these items can be a disaster, a nightmare is too nice a word for it, not to mention you have now reversed that relaxing, carefree vacation (and you paid for this?) I have found the beach very challenging, while cruise ships have narrowed the chance by using your room key as a charge and virtually have eliminated the need for cash resorts or "days at the beach" have not.
To avoid the nightmare and more so for piece of mind some sort of waterproof, fanny pack type carrier helps if you like carrying things while taking that swim or snorkel in the crystal clear blue water.I came across an interesting product, developed by a couple of entrepreneurial women that can ease your mind and let you get back to the carefree vacation you so desperately needed. The company they formed is Lock-A-Bye.
They developed a revolutionary locking bag (hand bags, beach bags, etc) that keeps your belonging's safe and secure. They offer bags of various sizes and styles on their website ( http://www.lockabye.com/ ) that have a patented dual locking mechanism that allows you to lock the zipper and secure a cable lined strap to any stationery object. I'm thinking the palm tree next to my favorite Tiki bar or my prime lounge chair poolside on the Lido deck, you can paint the scene yourself.
This product will free me up so I can eat at least two more lunches and desserts on that cruise ship while our belongings are still safe attached to the lounge chair (I'm guessing if someone, even fellow passengers saw someone trying to hack off a leg of a deck chair to get a cabled bag off of it they would speak up or tell a crew member) and I look like the hero to the family by not giving up our family turf. So freedom at last thanks to their invention, check out their website( http://www.lockabye.com/ ) and use PROMO code LAB1299 to receive a 20% discount.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
Picture it, you're on a beautiful magnificently large floating hotel/city, the dream cruise you and the family have finally sailed on with 3,000 of your soon to be new friends or you have just settled in with your first cocktail on the beach into your posh lounge chair. The kids take off for the amazing youth program, your wife is doing her best to win back the cost of the cruise from the slot machines but you have established the family "turf" on deck or on the beach. Just you, your drink, the lounge chair and beautiful scenery...ahhh...relaxation at last, the only care you have now is the beach bag with the family valuables (credit cards, cash, room keys, camera, $200 sunglasses, you get the picture) in it you have been assigned to guard. How hard can this be?
Fellow passengers or guests if you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, start to pass you with food with amazing aromas, you hear talk of sushi and a chocolate fountain, the lunch buffet is open (finally, it has been what 2 hours since breakfast)...time to partake of the afternoon feast.
The biggest question of the day (besides what is the cocktail du jour of the day), "Do I collect our stuff and lose our family turf, our temporary stonghold by the pool or beach or do I try to sneak off hoping no one is watching me leave our bag of goodies at the chair unattended?" Hmmmm...quite the conundrum (sorry, I just like the word, had to get it in there somewhere).
Cruise line security is pretty good but they cannot possibly be expected watch everything or everybody all the time. All-inclusives have less security and do their best but again they can't watch everything all the time.
When you're on the beach or on a shore excursion in a foreign country you have to be vigilant, no one else is really watching out for you or your belongings, in fact some may be watching you just for the chance to take them.
Losing these items can be a disaster, a nightmare is too nice a word for it, not to mention you have now reversed that relaxing, carefree vacation (and you paid for this?) I have found the beach very challenging, while cruise ships have narrowed the chance by using your room key as a charge and virtually have eliminated the need for cash resorts or "days at the beach" have not.
To avoid the nightmare and more so for piece of mind some sort of waterproof, fanny pack type carrier helps if you like carrying things while taking that swim or snorkel in the crystal clear blue water.I came across an interesting product, developed by a couple of entrepreneurial women that can ease your mind and let you get back to the carefree vacation you so desperately needed. The company they formed is Lock-A-Bye.
They developed a revolutionary locking bag (hand bags, beach bags, etc) that keeps your belonging's safe and secure. They offer bags of various sizes and styles on their website ( http://www.lockabye.com/ ) that have a patented dual locking mechanism that allows you to lock the zipper and secure a cable lined strap to any stationery object. I'm thinking the palm tree next to my favorite Tiki bar or my prime lounge chair poolside on the Lido deck, you can paint the scene yourself.
This product will free me up so I can eat at least two more lunches and desserts on that cruise ship while our belongings are still safe attached to the lounge chair (I'm guessing if someone, even fellow passengers saw someone trying to hack off a leg of a deck chair to get a cabled bag off of it they would speak up or tell a crew member) and I look like the hero to the family by not giving up our family turf. So freedom at last thanks to their invention, check out their website( http://www.lockabye.com/ ) and use PROMO code LAB1299 to receive a 20% discount.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
Monday, June 13, 2011
Avoiding Vacation Surprises (Part I)
It's been in the planning stages for months, you've checked every detail over and over again, your vacation will be picture perfect. With great anticipation you are looking over your "to do" list, what you''ll bring with you, how you'll get therer, where you have to be, what you plan to do each day, everything imaginagble is covered. No surprises on this vacation.
Unfortunately many of us find out we could have done a better job before we got on that flight, boarded the ship or arrived at the resort.
Some vacations surprises are great (see my previous blog on our Disney Dream vacation), but some are not, they could ruin your long anticipated trip of a lifetime, the one you researched, saved and talked about for over a year, maybe even longer. Can all surprises, blips in the plans, bumps in the road, etc be avoided? Absolutely not buts most can be, especially the big ones that could turn your dream into a nightmare.
In my earlier days of travel I did not even think of these things, I made my reservation, paid up and set sail. Travel insurance? What's that? I did not have a clue. I would not even think twice about my "no" answer when it was offered to me by the travel agent. "Why bother, worst that can happen is I'm out the price of the vacation right?" SO WRONG!!!
It's funny but that is how most think, including me until recently when a client of ours was ready to go until their teenage daughter suddenly came down with an infection that required hospitalization 2 days before their sailing. Fortunately, they bought the travel insurance so their trip cancellation was covered, they did not lose the $5,000 price of the trip, There are many examples like this. This was travel insurance from an outside vendor ( we offer policies from this company with every vacation), had it been the cruise line insurance that is offered thsi occurence would not have been covered and even with an insurance battle they probably would have lost all of their money. Travel insurance from a source other than the cruise line in most cases will cover many, many more situations and usually costs less (they even cover medical expenses if needed while away, most people's medical benefits do not cover expenses outside the country).
The majority of travelers think the only thing that can happen is a missed flight, lost luggage, and the like but there are many other things that can happen that will ruin their dream, things that just cannot be so easily rationalized away. Particularly medical issues, if you are on a cruise or at a resort in a foreighn country without coverage you could come home (hopefully, well and in one piece), $30,000 or $40,000 in debt due to medical evacuation and care. Okay the biggest argument to this is I am a healthy person this probably will not happen. Great, but what if you are attacking that climbing wall, or dancing the night away in the nightclub and happen to fall, twist an ankle (ladies you looked great in those gowns and heals but it can easily happen), the medical staff on a ship is not equipped in most cases for most of the injuries that can occur. They can stabilize you but if you need major medical attention you will be either evacuated via helicopter or brought to the hospital in the next port.
Most cruise line insurance is piece of mind if you happen to miss the ship.With comprehensive travel insurance from a reputable company (we use Access America) your coverage begins the minute you leave the house until you get back there at the end of the trip. If you have a fender beder on the way to the airport, miss your flight and your ship you are covered, the cruise line will probably not cover a scene like this.
What if your job suddenly does not let you take that vacation you planned and paid for a year ago? Again, vendor insurance can cover this, cruise line insurance, not likely and that would mean you would have to cancel your entire family vacation...the dollars pile up. What if...? You can fill in the blanks, beware, anything can happen while on vacation, why not prepare for it.
Don't let your dream vacation turn into a nightmare vacation, add the cost of travel insurance to your vacation budget right from the start and put your mind at ease so you can enjoy the trip you were so looking forward to.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com/ for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
Unfortunately many of us find out we could have done a better job before we got on that flight, boarded the ship or arrived at the resort.
Some vacations surprises are great (see my previous blog on our Disney Dream vacation), but some are not, they could ruin your long anticipated trip of a lifetime, the one you researched, saved and talked about for over a year, maybe even longer. Can all surprises, blips in the plans, bumps in the road, etc be avoided? Absolutely not buts most can be, especially the big ones that could turn your dream into a nightmare.
In my earlier days of travel I did not even think of these things, I made my reservation, paid up and set sail. Travel insurance? What's that? I did not have a clue. I would not even think twice about my "no" answer when it was offered to me by the travel agent. "Why bother, worst that can happen is I'm out the price of the vacation right?" SO WRONG!!!
It's funny but that is how most think, including me until recently when a client of ours was ready to go until their teenage daughter suddenly came down with an infection that required hospitalization 2 days before their sailing. Fortunately, they bought the travel insurance so their trip cancellation was covered, they did not lose the $5,000 price of the trip, There are many examples like this. This was travel insurance from an outside vendor ( we offer policies from this company with every vacation), had it been the cruise line insurance that is offered thsi occurence would not have been covered and even with an insurance battle they probably would have lost all of their money. Travel insurance from a source other than the cruise line in most cases will cover many, many more situations and usually costs less (they even cover medical expenses if needed while away, most people's medical benefits do not cover expenses outside the country).
The majority of travelers think the only thing that can happen is a missed flight, lost luggage, and the like but there are many other things that can happen that will ruin their dream, things that just cannot be so easily rationalized away. Particularly medical issues, if you are on a cruise or at a resort in a foreighn country without coverage you could come home (hopefully, well and in one piece), $30,000 or $40,000 in debt due to medical evacuation and care. Okay the biggest argument to this is I am a healthy person this probably will not happen. Great, but what if you are attacking that climbing wall, or dancing the night away in the nightclub and happen to fall, twist an ankle (ladies you looked great in those gowns and heals but it can easily happen), the medical staff on a ship is not equipped in most cases for most of the injuries that can occur. They can stabilize you but if you need major medical attention you will be either evacuated via helicopter or brought to the hospital in the next port.
Most cruise line insurance is piece of mind if you happen to miss the ship.With comprehensive travel insurance from a reputable company (we use Access America) your coverage begins the minute you leave the house until you get back there at the end of the trip. If you have a fender beder on the way to the airport, miss your flight and your ship you are covered, the cruise line will probably not cover a scene like this.
What if your job suddenly does not let you take that vacation you planned and paid for a year ago? Again, vendor insurance can cover this, cruise line insurance, not likely and that would mean you would have to cancel your entire family vacation...the dollars pile up. What if...? You can fill in the blanks, beware, anything can happen while on vacation, why not prepare for it.
Don't let your dream vacation turn into a nightmare vacation, add the cost of travel insurance to your vacation budget right from the start and put your mind at ease so you can enjoy the trip you were so looking forward to.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com/ for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Living the Dream (Disney Style)
It is finally here! After keeping our trip a secret from the kids for 6 months, the kids peer out the window of our van with a bewildered look as the catch their first sight of the magnificent Disney Dream. They are in shock and are not sure if our complaining about going the wrong way (we were supposed to get to Walt Disney World by now) on the highway blamed on our new GPS is fact or fiction. The astounded, "I can't believe it, pinch me I'm dreaming" look is priceless and has already made the trip memorable before it has really started. The smiles on their faces are suddenly unending. The wheels in their heads start turning and all of a sudden the vacation discussions and plans start to make sense, they've been duped, a late April Fools Day prank, they know we pulled one over on them but are elated about it. Take that know it all kids, hahaha...Mom & Dad can get things done without your knowing after all.
 |
| The Disney Dream |
We were happy to learn about the new Disney ship at least a year ago, we have sailed their others ( the Magic & the Wonder) and while we had great times and many memories from our voyages we look forward to something new. We all watched the building of the ship on Facebook updates, You Tube videos, webinars and e-mails. We already were feeeling a connection to the ship and were proud that our favorite cruise line was building this new "playground at sea" for our enjoyment. As usual Disney did not disappoint.
Check-in was a breeze but of course there is always a log jam of people getting on ships of any kind. If you have ever been to a Disney park you know that keeping lines moving is something they have a lot of practice with, so they have used their experience to break up the boarding process into groups, still not perfect but it did alleviate a crowded gangway and kept things moving. We arrived early as did many others, this ship has generated a lot of excitement and hype, touting the fine Disney product and highlighting the only water roller coaster at sea, the AquaDuck.
The entry way like the rest of the ship is breathtaking, elegance meets Disney. One would hardly think this ship was built for families and children, shimmering chandeliers, finely polished woods, amazing artwork incorporating just enough Disney characters to catch the attention but not too much to take away from the beauty and the detail of the decor. Our first impression...This will be an amazing journey for all ages.
My least favorite part of any cruise (besides leaving at the end of course) is always the first lunch buffet. The buffet is always open when guests begin boarding the ship, pretty much across the board this happens on every cruise line. It is always understandably, a bit confusing and hectic. The ship is new to the majority of guests, not sure where to go or what to do next, excited to finally be on vacation they clamor for the beautifully set up buffet. There is so much to do and so little time seems to be the feel, especially on this ship...we are no exception to this, the kids can't wait to get on the AquaDuck which is already open (ok, I admit it me too) and the anticipation of touring the ship we watched being built is really lifting our energy level. Let's eat and let the games begin. As expected the buffet was plentiful and offered a good variety to fit the tastes of just about anyone. I am immediately drawn to a mountain of shrimp & crab claws kept at a perfect temperature by the hills of ice they were piled on. Of course this was just the tip of the iceberg (no pun intended), the other food was equally good, so much so it was hard to decide where to start. Of course for less sophisticated tastes and for the kids (about 1000 expected on-board I am told), pizza, chicken fingers, pasta and sandwiches beckoned but of course a focal point for many was the dessert section. I see a lot of elliptical machine time ahead after this trip.
Disney (like other lines) in trying to avoid long buffet lines encourage guests to go to the buffet section of their choice, no need to stand in line for the whole thing if you did not want anything from that section. A good idea but in reality it doesn't seem to work well, it creates a little bit of chaos and some guests are either a bit rude , not knowing where to cut in and some not used to this feel like people are jumping front of them on line. Old habits are hard to break, believe it or not people want to stand in line (or so it seems).
After lunch we set off on our tour of the ship.Kids of all ages cannot help being excited and elated about this ship. The small children's area, tucked neatly in the shade next to the pool area brings Disney's Finding Nemo to life, it looks like so much fun that even the older children (over 9) want to go in the enclosed area to play. This is the "fun" deck where pools, play areas, slides, the AquaDuck and the amazingly large video screen are located, a dream come true for children whose smiles were shining ear to ear.
The artwork around the ship is striking, a good mix of animation art, sketches and paintings, Disney themed, some subtle some right off of the animators easel. Some of the artwork is interactive, that sounds mundane but it brings a smile to everyone who catches it. There are paintings that move, "...did that mickey just blink?" and change before your eyes.After a few cocktails playing tricks on unsuspecting friends with these could make you laugh for days.
There is even a fun family scavenger hunt type game played on board that gives clues to solving a mystery the player finds the piece of art, stands in front of it just right and activates the artwork, revealing an animated vingnette and a clue, this hunt takes you all around the ship, a lot of walking but is a great way to get accustomed to the ship and see the wonderful detail they have built intro the ship.
The journey begins.
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Our service does not cost you anything so why not let us do the work for you......If you can dream it we can plan it....
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