The Last Trip: An (Eastern) Fantasy Food Adventure-Bonus Feature, Pam & Her Mom Pt 2 Sept 17 the end

[KBOhio]

So excited you have started your new trip report!
How is it going in getting everything completed so you can plan more trips?

 

[Kelley_Pow]

I'm jumping in...I'm taking my first cruise this July on the Fantasy with my aunt and uncle, and my two daughters (8 and 11). I LOVE the details that you're posting of your trip! It's so much fun to follow along!

 

[franandaj]

Love that first glimpse of the ship ....... gets you all hyper and a few minutes later you are right there staring at it!

Except for this trip!

Yikes! Not fun at all, not what you would like to see after you caught that first glimpse, but reminds me of our first cruise, where it was so foggy on the way to port that we went past it three times before managing to find the correct exit.

For that reason, I'm glad we use the Disney buses. I would hate to be driving all over the place.

Not my choice at all either, but your food looked pretty nice!

And we found a relatively quiet room, so I was fine with it. My normal complaint is the noise, plus the hustle and bustle up there. We left just as it was getting busy again.

No comment needed - that looks yummy!

I loved the apple cobbler! They had others later in the week that were good but not as good as that one!

Ah, those rooms look so large, but once the wheelchair is in there they shrink. My friend's not so little girl (19 already) and her really bulky wheelchair filled up that room pretty easily.

Luckily Fran's scooter is small so we found a good place to park it where we could still charge it. When I see the other staterooms they are so small, Fran would have a hard time navigating in there when she walks with two canes.

What deck were you on? It doesn't look so high to me - we used to be up on deck 10 on the Fantasy.

We were on Deck 8. On the Dream we were on Deck 6. On the Wonder we're usually on Deck 7 so it looked really high up to me!

First time reader of your TRs. I'm excited to read about the trip that shouldn't have been! HAHA

I can't believe that traffic at PC! Glad you made it on the boat in time!

Haha! This is the last trip that should have been, any others that I plan are trips that shouldn't be and I'm having a hard time keeping from purchasing air fare for one later this summer, even though we're not done with the old place!

Bummer that your early start ended up with a big wait!

I think if you have a verandah, that is the nicest way to do the sail away!

I had hoped that the waiting wouldn't be as bad, but in hindsight, I should have just staying in line when they gave us the fake out check in. I always have a verandah just for that reason!

Oh jeez, bit of a rough start to your cruise! I know you can't control the weather but still

Well now you are underway and have even had a nice sail away cocktail - woohoo, it's cruise time!

Once we were on the ship it was smooth sailing from there!

That sucks about your start of the cruise being so delayed! That traffic looks horrible! Its probably a good thing that your transfer was delayed to the port as I'm sure the chaos of them opening the terminal would have been a nightmare!

From what I heard on FB, people who drove sat in the garage waiting (once they made it through the traffic) at least we were in the AC.

Your lunch looks fine! I miss the Fantasy! Its been 2.5 years since we were on that ship!

It was more the atmosphere than the actual food. Cabanas often feels like a zoo to me.

Love your trip reports!

Glad to have you onboard!

 

[Buzzfanmom]

So happy to find a new trip report to enjoy! Looking forward to following your adventures!

 

[franandaj]

About a week before you were there, I went with my family to watch a SpaceX rocket launch at the Cape from Jetty Park (at the end of the channel). Traffic was not that bad--even for the launch! When they used to have shuttle launches from Cape Canaveral, it could take us 3-4 hours each way between there and Orlando.

Food and room are looking good! Is it too early for ice cream?

Interesting about the traffic. I remember being at BLT for the last Space Shuttle launch and could actually see when it took off (not very clearly), there was a flash and a sonic boom.

Funny enough, we rarely take advantage of the free ice cream. I'm not a huge fan of soft serve and I think she always feels like she's too full, or has already eaten too many sweet treats to take advantage of it. Interesting story coming up in a few updates though.

That does not sound good.

Yeah, I should have realized that there would be delays and we could have relaxed in the room a little longer and not rushed our breakfast, but it still wasn't bad. It got us on East Coast time.

What a nightmare. There were probably quite a few people that would have missed their flights.

I was thinking the same thing. I always like to have one night in a hotel after a cruise because I like to rearrange after the whole "put your bags out the night before" thing. I have stuff that I need the last night that I prefer not to take on the plane and don't fancy rearranging my luggage in public at the airport.

I can just imagine what this would have been like.

Actually I was impressed with how well behaved most of the kids were. There were no screaming meanies, just excited kids going to "Mickey's Boat".

It's A Small World ...

Wow, that was quite some delay.

Had I stayed in the line when they gave the false alarm, we could have been on our way by 11AM, but they didn't start boarding until 1PM anyways. It all worked out. I ended up running into that family in the halls a lot throughout the cruise.

That traffic looked like a complete and utter nightmare.

Reminds me of home!

That is pretty good going.

We were aggressive about the photos in the beginning and on the SWDAS.

That is a shame that they did not keep Enchanted Garden open longer considering all the delays.

That's what I was hoping for, but evidently they closed at 2:30 or 3PM which I think is business as usual.

I am glad that it worked out.

Perhaps since so many people were still boarding they didn't all choose lunch as their #1 priority. It was relatively quiet in there while we had our lunch.

I' m here! What a shame about them changing the rules on your baggage.

I was worried about you when you didn't check in right away. From your thread I know why.

How exciting to travel on The Fantasy. On my bucket list! I love that apple cobbler too. Lovely cabin.

Are you able to travel that far from civilization and medical facilities? We were pretty far from anything, as you will see. I guess the Western Version would be better suited to you.

It's nice they let us disabled passengers leave muster drill ahead of time really helps.

Yes, they let us go well before any other ship. Normally we get caught up in the departure hubub and are stuck for almost half an hour trying to get an elevator.

Nice you both made the sail away! Looking forward to reading more.

I just need to catch up on a few more TRs before I can post the next update!

When Alison Takes the Conn

Nice! And such luxury!

I think it's been a while since I didn't get any sleep before a trip. 2013 is the last trip that comes to mind, but I've been adamant about NOT doing it again.

Dang! Kinda a bummer as this may add some amount of inconvenience down the road.

It did actually work out, but I did work the system pretty well.

That sounds amazing! I like a slow burn.

You would have liked this then.

This was so me the other night- totally can relate to this.

Sorry you had to pull a no sleep night, hopefully you get a full nights rest before you travel to So Cal!

Breakfast it is! We'll be in Seal beach the first 3 nights and I loooooove the Potholder.

Which one?

Hi Fran! I'd say we're a support group, but we're probably more like enablers.

Yeah, pretty much. But we can still all say "hi" and

Well you need to get to work and start planning more trips! I hear the fleet is going to grow and you'll have a new ship to try out in a couple of years.

But we're not moved out of the old place. And the darned F&W Festival at DCA is keeping us from getting to the old house and doing anything. Although my wine finally made it back into it's cabinet and is resting happily at 55 degrees.

Yikes! That stinks, but definitely the better choice was to just abandon your liquids.

Yeah, I was just afraid that three bottles of water, the equivalent of a bottle of wine, might cost $150! They don't even offer Diet Mtn Dew on the ship!

Not cool

Yeah, I was frantically calling Fran to come back and when she finally picked up I was like, "never mind".

Wow. That's crazy! Good thing you were on a bus. I'd hate to have to drive in that mess!

Yeah, it would be just like home!

Oh! Is that thing in the middle what you consider "fruit"? I think I like your nomenclature of food groups!

Haha! I didn't even notice that piece of cake, probably because it wasn't as good as I'd hoped it would be.

Just NO!

Yeah, that's one thing that I can't stand. Coffee with no substance. I like it really rich!

So..... basically none.

Well, actually I was surprised at how well behaved most of the kids were.

D'oh!

Yeah, I'd hoped they'd be open a little later since the ship was so delayed. But nope.

Awwww! Nice you could have some company.

Always better to have a companion to drink with!

Joining in. I've read several of your trip reports and glad there's another to share.

How's the apartment cleaning coming along? I selfishly ask you you'll have more trip reports to write.

Glad to have you onboard.

We haven't gotten much more accomplished so far. I did get all my wine out of there and we have a bit of the furniture listed on Craigslist, but since we were out at F&W today, we couldn't meet anyone to get rid of it!

 

[pooh'smate]

Joining in. I don't comment much because I mostly read on my phone and it is such a pain to reply that way. I'll be sure to stop by on my laptop to comment every once in a while though.

 

[Steppesister]

Haha! I didn't even notice that piece of cake, probably because it wasn't as good as I'd hoped it would be.

Yeah, that's one thing that I can't stand. Coffee with no substance. I like it really rich!

RIGHT?! Just. NO!

Well, actually I was surprised at how well behaved most of the kids were.

Nice.

Always better to have a companion to drink with!

 

[franandaj]

So excited you have started your new trip report!
How is it going in getting everything completed so you can plan more trips?

It's not going as well as I had hoped. Maybe once F&W at DCA is over things will go better. We've been out there far too often! However I am having a hard time not pulling the plug on airfare to a trip to Houston this summer. Prices have dropped $300 since I priced it a couple months ago!

I'm jumping in...I'm taking my first cruise this July on the Fantasy with my aunt and uncle, and my two daughters (8 and 11). I LOVE the details that you're posting of your trip! It's so much fun to follow along!

I'm sure you'll love it! The Fantasy is a great ship, although if you are going with littles, there are a lot of experiences I'm going to share for which you may want to put them in the kids clubs if you want to try them, and I highly advise you do! The best part of our trip was our adult experiences!

So happy to find a new trip report to enjoy! Looking forward to following your adventures!

Glad to have you joining in!

Joining in. I don't comment much because I mostly read on my phone and it is such a pain to reply that way. I'll be sure to stop by on my laptop to comment every once in a while though.

I know what you mean about reading on the phone, but lately that's the only time I find that I have to reply to people's TRs! It's not fun, but if I want to keep up, that's what I have to do! I hope you chime in often, I love reader response!

RIGHT?! Just. NO!

Yes, you being a PNWer you folks are quite snobby about your coffee! I am too!

Nice.

It was definitely a pleasant surprise that I didn't even realize until I'd been sitting there a while and realized that there hadn't been any tantrums or meltdowns and there were a ton of kids around. The ones in the party I was sitting with had printed out these Trivia cards and held them together with a ring clip. Then the kids kept busy by reading them to the adults and stumping them. They had Classic Disney, Star Wars and one other I can't remember. They said they found them online.

I assume you will be there keeping me company in a couple days!

 

[franandaj]

We had just sailed away and Fran was ancy to get shopping, so we headed down to deck 3 while I was still sipping on my DOTD.





She found all kinds of merchandise in Sea Treasures, pins, baseball hats, T-shirts, all kinds of stuff. For a while I helped her out checking sizes and stuff, but then I noticed Minnie, and she had no line, so I hopped in for a picture.





Fran was still in the store so I headed over to White Caps.



This is the place where they sell the jewelry, D&B purses, watches and other stuff. I figured that I was safe since DCL has not been producing any signature merchandise since we sailed in 2012.




Wrong.




They had six new pendants in varying styles and price ranges. I told the gentleman not to put them away, but just place the display tray below the counter and I would be back. I sat on a bench in Preludes waiting for Fran. I left my phone in the room since it was on airplane mode and this is when I realized I needed to just keep it with me. If nothing else I could work on the journal or play solitaire while Fran shops.





Eventually she finished and we went back to White Caps. I ended up with this pendant.



Sorry its blurry, I get the big camera out the next day and pictures improve. If you're friends with me on FB, you may have seen the pendant when I updated my profile picture with a picture taken later on in the trip.

We took what we had left on our gift cards to Guest Services and put them on our account. We still had half an hour until character photos started again so we went back to the room to drop off our purchases. I put away more of our clothes.



Back down on deck 3 we visited Chip and Dale first.

















She wanted to take a spin through the other shop she missed, Mickey’s Mainsail. I got in line for Captain Mickey and she joined me shortly thereafter. There was a bit of a party downstairs, the duo playing was pretty good. They played jazz standards, and came from the UK (or at least their accents sounded like they came from there). Both played several instruments, the gal played woodwinds and the gentleman played tenor sax and trumpet.



The chandelier is beautiful, just like on the Dream.



It didn't take long after that until we were hob nobbing with the Main Mouse.

















While Fran headed to the elevator, I took the stairs to the SWDAS backdrop, but I didn't need to, there was no line at all.



They told us to pose the force.



[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

It was time for dinner at this point, but we could see our restaurant from where we were and there was still a line to get in. So we headed over to the photo op at Rey’s speeder, before going to dinner.



Evidently this is “showing the force”.



Tonight's dinner was at Royal Court. This was the rotation that I requested so I was rather pleased.







We were seated with a couple, who it turns out, came from Southern California as well. Culver City for any of you familiar with the geography. We got on pretty well and it wasn't awkward at all. That's always a worry, but so far we've only had one mildly awkward table situation. I'd rather sit with folks at dinner than be alone. We do that every night at home.

The menu.







I started off with an Imperial Illusion. It was good, not nearly as sweet as I expected.



Fran had the shrimp and lobster appetizer.



I had the onion soup, so yummy!



She also got the pear salad.



One of our tablemates got the Potato Leek soup. They were really nice about my food porn obsession and even volunteered their dishes for photographs.



For the main, I got Rack of lamb. It was nicely cooked and I finished almost all of it.



Fran got the salmon, she really liked it.



Our tablemates ordered the Oven roasted chicken from the “anytime menu”. She said it was her favorite thing on the menu.



Her DH got the Filet, he didn't comment on it, but he ate it all.



Then it was time for dessert.





Perhaps I should backtrack a bit. Forgive me if you read this in my previous TR when I was reporting about plans for this trip.

Normally I like to be in the equivalent of this restaurant on the second night of a cruise (formal night), however something threw that off and you will see how this unfolds as I get on with it. But unfortunately I could not be in the MDR on the second night, so I had to pick one of them to skip, and that choice was Animator’s. So the rotation that placed Animator’s on night two, had Royal Court on night one.

So if you've read any of my previous cruise reports, you should know what I'm having for dessert. The Grand Marnier Souffle!





I also got a Grand Marnier to accompany the souffle.



Fran ordered a Strawberry shortcake sundae.



And a drink called the Creme Brulee. I helped her with it. The drink is potent and really good!



Both our tablemates ordered the Apple dessert. They both really liked it.



My second Grand Marnier Souffle arrived. It was not cooked as long as the first, but it also had not flopped.





After we finished, we said our goodbyes. Fran and I headed back to the room via the Entertainment District. We saw this picture of Crush near Animator’s Palate and chuckled because we brought this picture up to my parent’s house last summer to hang in “our” bedroom up there.



[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

We stopped in at Skyline and introduced ourselves to the bartender.

Then we checked out Tube, there was a game show getting underway so we just peeked in. This is the cave like hallway that takes you to the other bars.



O’ Gills (sports bar), and then Ooh La La (champagne bar)



and La Piazza.







We would come back (hopefully),



but tonight we were tired, so we headed down the corridor back to the Atrium.



I wanted to check out how our pictures had come out so far in Shutters, and that was we right next to the Art Gallery. Of course Fran couldn't resist checking that out.



When I finally pryed her out of there, we headed back to the room. We found our towel animal, Navigator and evening chocolates waiting.



I was so full every night that I put our chocolates into a ziplock bag (we brought a whole box) and I’ve been munching on them as a late night snack before bed at home. Only because no one is serving me a 4-5 course meal that includes dessert while at my house. The nerve!















Also if you noticed there was a card for the Star Wars Day at Sea (SWDAS) where we had the option to prioritize our requests for character experiences. I will spare you trying to zoom in on the card. I can’t quite read the captions, but the upper left is “The First Order” which if I read correctly is Kylo Ren and Captain Phasma. Since my profile pic on FB was with Kylo Ren (at the time), I didn’t really fancy meeting him again. The upper right was “something Companions” which was R2D2 and C3PO. This was our first choice.

“Trials of the Temple” (middle) was an experience for kids, this was choice #5 for us. The Dark side, lower left was to meet Darth Vader, our second choice. And Chewbacca was our third choice. You’ll have to stay tuned as to how it came out.

Since the Fantasy has “on demand” movies, I had to actually pick one. I didn't feel like watching an Animated feature that starts out with someone dying, so I settled on Guardians of the Galaxy, forgetting that the first thing that happens is his mother dies of Cancer.

Fran was taking pictures of her merchandise she bought earlier that day and hoping to get online and see if it might sell on eBay, but she never could get a strong enough signal. You’ll see that she keeps trying for the whole cruise.

Eventually I turned the movie off since I was falling asleep and the rocking motion of the ship put me to sleep.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

o travel that far from civilization and medical facilities? We were pretty far from anything, as you will see. I guess the Western Version would be better suited to you

It would probably not be wise. A back to back on The Dream is safer you are right.

Great update. Lol re Fran wanting to get to the store. Just like me. It is interesting to see photos of The Fabtasy some parts like The Dream some quite different.

Nice to get the Royal Table. Your table mates sound nice. The dinner sounds lovely. Love the photo back drops cool Star Wars ones.

Very nice pendant.

I love the Imperial drink!

Lovely towel animal tonight sounds like a great day and nice pick for the next day to see the droids.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Fran is the queen of shopping. I love reading your reports and seeing how much she buys or window shops.

Glad you got the dinner rotation you wanted! That is always a plus! Also glad you got decent table mates. After our experience on the Dream in 2011, my husband doesn't want table mates ever again.

That soufflé looks awesome and I love that you ordered grand marnier to sip it with!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Great first day! Love the dress you are wearing; it looks so comfy. Character pics are so cute! That necklace is gorgeous! Hope Fran gets to sell all her items.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I took a different seat and ended up sitting with a three generation family. The daughter and husband were taking her parents on their first Disney cruise with their young kids. We got to talking about things and I mentioned having sailed out of San Diego and the grandfather says, “Well we live in Long Beach, so that would certainly be convenient.”

Of all the people in that room and I sit down with the ones from my hometown!

Should I start singing the song or do you want to?

However when we were what should have been 10 minutes from the port we hit the worst traffic our bus driver had ever seen. It took us another hour to get to the ship.

That's horrible! Was there anything special creating the jam or was it just the 3 ships boarding at the same time?

We had just sailed away and Fran was ancy to get shopping, so we headed down to deck 3 while I was still sipping on my DOTD.

Lesson: Don't get in the way of Fran and her shopping.

This is the place where they sell the jewelry, D&B purses, watches and other stuff. I figured that I was safe since DCL has not been producing any signature merchandise since we sailed in 2012.




Wrong.




They had six new pendants in varying styles and price ranges. I told the gentleman not to put them away, but just place the display tray below the counter and I would be back.

D'oh! Curse you, Disney!

They played jazz standards, and came from the UK (or at least their accents sounded like they came from there). Both played several instruments, the gal played woodwinds and the gentleman played tenor sax and trumpet.

I bet Julie would have enjoyed them.

We were seated with a couple, who it turns out, came from Southern California as well.

Too funny!

So if you've read any of my previous cruise reports, you should know what I'm having for dessert. The Grand Marnier Souffle!

If it ain't broke...

Then we checked out Tube, there was a game show getting underway so we just peeked in. This is the cave like hallway that takes you to the other bars.

Any reason for the cave look?

I was so full every night that I put our chocolates into a ziplock bag (we brought a whole box) and I’ve been munching on them as a late night snack before bed at home.

Good idea!

Only because no one is serving me a 4-5 course meal that includes dessert while at my house. The nerve!

Well, tell Fran to get cracking!

Since the Fantasy has “on demand” movies, I had to actually pick one. I didn't feel like watching an Animated feature that starts out with someone dying, so I settled on Guardians of the Galaxy, forgetting that the first thing that happens is his mother dies of Cancer.

Oops.

 

[pooh'smate]

Pretty

 

[rentayenta]

Either Potholder works for me! I am also going to spend some time looking at rentals. When we are back out in May, we will be soooo close.



Fun update! I always love that you take the time to meet the characters.

Dinner looks delicious. That strawberry sundae too. I love simple desserts though your Grand Marnier souffle looks good too. Happy you had nice tablemates as well.

Your new pendant is gorgeous!!!

 

[irene_dsc]

Fran was taking pictures of her merchandise she bought earlier that day and hoping to get online and see if it might sell on eBay, but she never could get a strong enough signal. You’ll see that she keeps trying for the whole cruise.

This is making me curious. You always talk about Fran shopping. How much of her purchases are to keep, and how many are for your Ebay store? Or are there some things that she buys and figures if it sells, it sells, and if not, she gets to keep it? And does this also mean that these are really business trips?

Then we checked out Tube, there was a game show getting underway so we just peeked in. This is the cave like hallway that takes you to the other bars.

Gotta say, the decor is quite entertaining!

 

[bcwife76]

Sounds like a wonderful first night!

Love all the shopping ladies after my own heart! That pendant is lovely!

I don't think you mentioned your serving team (since this was the first time meeting them), hopefully you've got a good team!

You've already taken so many adorable pics with the characters and it's only the first night

 

[Pinkocto]

The traffic getting to port would have had me crawling out of my skin! So close to the ship!!!!!

Too bad they didn't keep Cabanas open later. I never understood that, especially on embarkation day.

Great pictures of the ship, and all the characters, great start

Fun that your tablemates got into the food porn spirit right away