Disney Cruise: Part 5... The Entertainment

Variety is, as they say, the spice of life. And variety is certainly what you will find on a Disney cruise ship when it comes to entertainment.

Each night your stateroom will have a Navigator Bulletin which showcases the next day's offerings. There are club events for kids, restricted access events for adults and then general family activities.

Shuffleboard on deck 4 (Wonder)

Entertainment choices include:

• comedians
• magicians
• lounge singers/musicians
• gameshows "Disney-fied" like Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune etc,  all with Disney theme
• karaoke
• family talent performances
• stage musicals
• whiskey/margarita/scotch tastings
• crafts
• bingo
• movies
• shuffleboard
• ... and more!

Activities run from 9AM to Midnight and are included in your cruise fee, with the exception of bingo which costs a minimum of $40 to play. 

There are also numerous activities you can sign up for during your port stops. They are called Port Adventures and are activities arranged on-shore that showcase the culture and landscape of your port. They range from beach days, to zip-line adventures, city tours and more. They will cost $25 - $200 and up, per person.

Good Hope Beach, Jamaica

Green Grotto Caves

We went on a cave tour in Jamaica. It was outstanding. Later, we had lunch on Good Hope Beach. 

In Grand Cayman we spent the day at the famous 7 Mile Beach area. 

Vegas.... Dec 9. $209

These bargains are ridiculous.  And it's all just that time of the year.

Take the direct Westjet flight from Winnipeg and enjoy the centre of the strip, the Quad, at this bargain price. $209 & $130 taxes. Or treat yourself to AMAZING at the Aria!  (Perfection in a hotel! Perfection in everything! The restaurants are seriously AMAZING)  Same dates and everything, the Aria is $319 & $141 taxes. ($460)

The gorgeous photos... all at Aria, taken last month. And that crepe was one of the best things I'd ever eaten in my life. I'm go back just for the food.

Book with Westjet. No regrets!

New Years in Cuba? $1040 tax in

This appears to be a heck of a deal. It's a very highly rated resort and at peak holiday time. That's what makes it a bargain. Leave on the 31st of December for 8 nights.

If you'd rather jet away on Christmas Eve, the same destination will cost you a few hundred dollars more.

Book at www.redtag.ca or your favourite travel agent, in person or on-line.

Remember, travel bargains are time sensitive goods. More fragile than egg salad sandwiches left in the sun at the church picnic!

Disney Cruise: Part 4... The Characters

If you've ever waited in line at one of the Disney Parks to get 30 seconds with Mickey Mouse, or a princess, you will appreciate the increased access on board the ships!

There are between 4-8 meet and greet/photo opportunities each day on the ship. Times are scheduled and well noted on the Navigator bulletins that you will receive nightly in your stateroom. The appearances are also noted on digital information screens around the ship.

You will, for certain, have multiple access times to the big five: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto.  In fact, over a 7 day cruise, you could potentially see each of them 4 or 5 times, and in 4 or 5 different costumes. For example, Mickey Mouse will be in his gold lame tuxedo for formal night. He might be in a holiday sweater, his sorcerer outfit, his sailor suit, his Caribbean shirt, his pirate wear etc etc. So, there's potential for lots of great photos every single day!

The princesses also will make several appearances, including one large princess gathering where you might be able to get 4 or 5 autographs and photos by waiting in one (long) line.

Sometimes you might even be lucky enough to capture a moment when one of the characters takes a spontaneous walk-about on the ship. There's something magical about being the first one to see Cinderella or Goofy on the staircase!
Each stateroom is also assigned to a Character Breakfast. This, unlike in the Parks, is included in your fare. Our breakfast took place on Friday morning. Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy stopped by our table for autographs, hugs and pictures. The breakfast is fantastic! You're eating Mickey Mouse shaped waffles and there are no lines for his attention.

The characters also appear at the dance parties and nightly musical stage performances, but there aren't any one-on-one photo opportunities at these activities. A vast number of support characters are seen in these performances, including the cast of Toy Story.

There is a very long list of characters you could potentially see on board a cruise. The list is ever changing. We saw Captain Hook, Daisy, Terk, Lilo, Stitch,  Chip, Dale, Peter Pan, and the pirate guy that Johnny Depp plays in the movie. (Sorry, I simply can't remember!!)

Of course, Disney is trying to sell you their professional photos - and the photos are very good BTW. But, you are also welcome to take your own photos.

I found that a couple photos purchased, plus a few photos of our own were the perfect mix for our family.

Disney Cruise: Part 3... The Tastes

The food on a Disney Cruise is certainly above average. And, Disney knows just what your family likes!

There's a tried and true kids' menu with chicken fingers, mac 'n cheese, and mini burgers. And every night the kids' menu has a different Disney theme and colouring projects to keep them busy. Of course, meal service is so quick, they'll hardly have time to colour!

On board the Wonder, there are three sit-down dinner restaurants that you are assigned to. With your cabin assignment you are also given a dinner rotation and a seating time. You will have the same server and assistants every evening.

You will also dine with the same table mates. Our table of 8, was made up of a Texas Grandma and her two delightful grand daughters, plus a Polish couple and their sweet 7 year old girl. Add my son and me, that equals 8.

Our servers Lito and Marcel got to know us and our preferences pretty quickly and knew before the second dinner that Kamryn liked lots of ketchup with her chicken fingers and I liked a cappuccino after the meal, and with my 2 or 3 desserts!

The three restaurants on the Wonder are: Tritons - (most formal); Animator's Palate (most unique) and Parrot Cay (most Caribbean & casual). There are numerous theme menus, ranging from Pirate Night to Captain's Dinner. The Captain's Dinner serves lobster, and was my favourite.

Chilled salmon salad.

There is a wide variety of dishes to choose from every night. Your children may also order any item they wish off the adult menu, and my son often did. He LOVED the seafood pasta, and the traditional turkey dinner, and tried many of the fresh salads too.

Lemon tofu with couscous. 

I found some menu items very salty. Some, I found a little stingy, and others were simply perfect. With so many options, everyone will find something to suit their tastes. There are vegetarian options, and gluten free dishes on every menu. They take dietary needs seriously and were very accommodating of requests.

Meals are included with your cruise fare, as are non-alcoholic fountain beverages, milk and iced tea. Fancy kids' drinks (which they try to sell you every day and night) are extra, as is wine, and liquor.  Even specialty coffees, like cappuccino (non-alcoholic) are an additional charge.

There is one adult-only, fine dining restaurant on each ship. On the Wonder it is called Palo. It requires reservations and meal charges range from $35 & up. I didn't get a chance to experience Palo, as my "date" for the week was 8 years old!

There is one formal night, where guests are expected to wear their finest suits and dresses. There is also a semi-formal night in a 7 night cruise. On every Disney cruise there is a pirate night where you dress up as much or as little as you like in the theme.  Otherwise, "cruise casual" is the expected attire. Think.... golf course. Tank tops and shorts are not permitted at dinner.

There are also numerous casual places to grab a bite on the ships. Buffets, hot dogs and a late-night pizza station satisfy hunger quite capably. Of course, there is also room service 24 hours a day. That too is included in your fare, however, cash gratuities are expected for room service each time.

Self serve beverage station.

There is a 24 hour self-serve beverage station where you can get a soda, milk, coffee or tea any time you like.

Must try treats on the ship are Mickey Bars (ice cream bar on a stick shaped like a Mickey Mouse head), the banana bread in Parrot Cay, and the lobster.

Dining is one of the signatures of a cruise. I would encourage you to try new things and enjoy the variety.

Fresh tomato & cheese appetizer tart

Disney Cruise: Part 2... The Sounds

To describe the sounds of a Disney Cruise, I really only need three words:  Soundtrack of Joy.

But if I left the blog at those three words, it wouldn't really be worth reading, would it?  Imagine, if you will, roars of laughter, much applause, big screen movies in Dolby surround sound, and Broadway stage-worthy musical productions! And cheering, lots of cheering! The cheering is very typical of any onboard gathering where the staff/hosts are addressing the guests.

The Disney entertainment staff onboard the cruise are on a mission to make your whole family cheer, laugh and sing. There's dancing, and laughter. Lots of laughter. But, of course you're also going to hear some whining. "Mommmmmm, I want ______________!"  You could fill in that blank with, 1000 different requests from "go down the waterslide" to "see Cinderella" to "have a new princess dress" or "watch the movie" again.

On every deck, every hour of the day, you will hear parents negotiating with their children. Toddlers will be over-tired, teens will be dismissing their families in favour of the Teen Club and Disney Crew Members will be patiently answering questions and inviting guests to the next entertainment activity. But basically, everyone is just negotiating their next magical moment. Everyone has the same goal... to make the kids happy.

One of the greatest sounds I heard on this past cruise (November 2013, Wonder) was at Family Karaoke Night. There was a group of about 6-8 special needs adults and their caregivers enjoying the performances. Then they decided to hit the stage and join in. That's when the magic started! Three of the adults with challenges took the stage to sing the Beach Boys "Barbara Ann." They were off to a bit of a reluctant start and that's when a room full of joyful families chimed in as backup singers and started clapping to the music. IT WAS AMAZING! The joy on the faces of the trio was so special. Everyone in that room was rockin' and having an really great time.  It was the BEST and most memorable version of "Barbara Ann" I've ever heard!

I don't have any video to share, because I'm proud to say I was simply "in the moment." And that moment, was pure Disney awesome! Trust me!

Disney Cruise: Part 1... The Sights

Disney Wonder

There are four Disney Cruise ships. The original two ships were the "Magic" and the "Wonder". They are both very similar in size and passenger capacity. (10 Decks/ 2400 passengers) The Magic was recently in dry dock and underwent numerous renovations. She's shining like a pretty penny! Photo Gallery of the new "Magic"

The two newest ships are the "Dream" and the "Fantasy." They are similar in size and are about 40% larger than the Magic and Wonder. The new ships have 16 decks and can carry about 4000 passengers plus crew.

All four ships have Disney characters, Disney decor, and outstanding Disney service. The ships' stacks are some of the most recognizable at sea, with their bright red colour and Mickey Mouse Ears. The ships's whistle is the same chords used to start the old Disney Sunday night television movie. (I remember those family dinners with much fondness!) "When you wish upon a star"

I have been on the Wonder and found it to be the perfect size for this Canadian girl. Anything bigger would have overwhelmed me. Though, I must say, that the Disney scheduling of 2 dinner times/2 show times it never really felt crowded onboard. Genius, really!

At holiday times, the ships are decorated and have an extra layer of magic, in my opinion. The Christmas tree and decorations (in November 2013) were magnificent. Characters are in holiday clothes too. It sure makes for great family photos.

Whether it's the deck chairs or the ice cream sundaes you will find all those Disney touches that make your cruise extra magical.  There is something to see at every corner. Adults and kids alike wander the ship wide-eyed! I know I did!

Port of Galveston in the background.

Outdoor movies by the pool

 

What does a Disney Cruise look like?

Having cruised to both Alaska and the Caribbean with Disney Cruise Line, I can give you a pretty reasonable picture of what you will experience if you choose a Disney Cruise for your family.

I will plan to write a series on this topic, looking into each aspect of the cruise experience and offering as many relevant pictures as possible. I plan to write about:

• the sights
• the sounds 
• the tastes
• the characters
• the entertainment
• the ports
• the finances
• the current offers (pricing) 
• the value
• the tips & tricks 

Travelling with my kids is one of my greatest joys. Writing is how I maintain my sanity.

I hope you enjoy the series.

If you have any questions, please ask! 

These cruises were not sponsored by Disney or any other company, and I am not paid to blog. I simply hope to share the experience in order that I may offer insight to others who are considering similar vacations.  The opinions and photos are my own. 

Looking for a December or January Bargain?

Keep your eyes as ears wide open this weekend as more and more travel sites join in on the Black Friday shopping frenzy.

Allegiant.com has already sent out sales notices to all their e-mail subscribers.
Expedia.com is promising deals.
Nearly every Vegas hotel has a Black Friday offer already on the table.
Travelocity.ca is another site to try.

This could be an opportunity for you to jump on a deal. Maybe do some travel shopping to complete your Christmas list?

**Remember, it's only a bargain if it's the RIGHT vacation for YOU! Don't try to conform to an action adventure if all you really want is a quiet beach. Vacations are so personal. Don't let price be your only deciding factor!

6 Reasons to Love & Hate Cruises

IMHO....

6 Reasons to Love Cruises:

1. You get to island hop and see a few places without committing a whole vacation to any of them.

2. Safety... all passengers are on board, having passed through security and paid for their vacation. You simply don't have any criminals cruising through the neighbourhood like you might on land.

3. Your meals and entertainment are all part of the package.

4. You can grab a great bargain if you live within driving distance of a major port.

5. It completes your travel list:  Plane, Train, Ship.

6. Formal night. Such a great reason to put on your best dress! And other than your wedding, when do you get to see your husband in a tuxedo?


6 Reasons to Hate Cruises:

1. Add ons. There are so many things the ship staff try to sell you. Everything from jewelry to photos, excursions and even time shares. Premium drinks, premium meals and overpriced souvenirs add up quickly. Especially on a cash-less ship like Disney.

2. Very limited phone or technology usage/ access.

3. Mandatory gratuities. And in the case of some companies - poor working conditions for staff.

4. Motion sickness.

5. Illness and/or bad attitudes spread very rapidly on board a ship.

6. The ambitious entertainment schedules and pressure to "do it all" can be very exhausting. You need a vacation after your vacation!

Feeling a little green? That's normal.
Spent all your green? That's normal too! 

5 Ways to Fly for FREE

Absolutely, positively legit ways to fly for FREE, or next to free. This is how I stretch my travel budget. You can do it too.

1. Travel rewards credit cards. You pick - every bank has one whether it's RBC Avion, or Capital One Sky Miles or CIBC Aerogold. MoneySense magazine ranked them last year. Only you will know which card is best suited to your life. Read the fine print. Some cards will charge you taxes or booking fees for your "free flight" other cards, such as TD Infinite will allow you to cover 100% of your trip (flight, hotel, taxes, etc) with their travel points/dollars. That would make your flight 100% FREE.

** An average user, should be able to net a free flight at least every 2 years.**

2. Gas, grocery and on-line purchases with Air Miles or Aeroplan can add up. This could net you a FREE flight, or cruise, or hotel certificates.  Some redemptions require that you pay the taxes.

**An average household could accumulate $400 in free travel every 2 years or more. A "gold" collector or an aggressive points collector should be able to do the same every 12-15 months.

3. Fly flexible with Delta Airlines.  Delta Airlines is notorious for overbooking flights. This, in my opinion, is not a bad thing for the bargain traveller.  The last 4 out of 5 flights I have taken with Delta, they have asked (through the check - in kiosk) or at the counter, for VOLUNTEERS to wait for the next flight. Upon accepting, you are offered travel vouchers anywhere from $200 to $600, PLUS meal stipend and perhaps even hotel.  Indeed I have done this with very pleasing results. Follow my math on  this example: I paid $283 (per person, round trip, tax in - unreal seat sale) for a flight to the Bahamas. En route Delta offered a $600 future flight voucher to "bump" and take the next flight out.  We accepted (a party of 4 - yes, that's $2400)  and 6 months later used the vouchers for 1.5 flights each. ($400 to California and $200 towards Vegas/Denver etc.)  So, we got 2.5 flights for $283 cash out of pocket, or about $500 for 3 round trip flights per person. Thank you Delta!!

**The key to this is to pick a popular route, with less popular flight times to follow. This ensures that you have excellent odds of still making it to your destination same day. Also, be polite and aware at the gate. Be prepared to volunteer and then spend time chillin' at the airport.**

4. Ask for Air Canada gift cards from Santa.  You'll fly for free once you have enough cards saved. This is NEW for the airline industry. Air Canada just started offering them 3 months ago. Westjet does not offer gift cards.... yet. Air Canada gift cards are available at any Canada Post outlet or online at AirCanada.com

5. Win your flight! More and more charity auctions are offering travel prizes. Plus, there are numerous on-line contests. Somebody has to win. Why not you? I personally know 2 people who have won such prizes in the last year or so.  Maybe you'll be lucky #3!

Like Aeroplan?

If you collect Aeroplan points, it's a great time of year to pad your account. Convert your smattering of hotel miles and your banking points and put them all into your Aeroplan account!
Soon you could be jetting away to your favourite destination.

Converting points is easy. You will need to follow the steps on-line, and of course, have your other account numbers handy.

2 Weeks in Maui

Take advantage of this Air Canada deal through Expedia.ca and you will be home in time for Christmas! Here's a sample: Be sure to check the nights included. They range from 4-14.

I spied the best value, in my opinion, from December 9-23rd, staying at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel and taking Air Canada flights from YWG. It's a 2 week package, inclusive of taxes, flights and hotel.  It might be just what you need! Reviews are excellent! I've been to Maui, though I stayed at the Maui Coast Hotel.

Weather is always good in Maui. It's a non-topic. Don't even joke about the weather at breakfast... You'll just get a puzzled look from the waitstaff. Seriously, nobody talks about the forecast. No one has even heard of windchill values. LOL

Relax, enjoy the sand and surf and you'll be on Aloha time. Your best December ever!

One week will cost about $1350. So you may as well ante up the extra $400 and stay the extra week in paradise. You can do your Christmas shopping at Duty Free on the way home! Perfume for everyone!

From YBR to YVR in an afternoon

Let's say you'd like to finish your Christmas shopping in Vancouver.... wouldn't it be fabulous to just drive 15 minutes to the airport and catch a Westjet flight to BC?

Yes, it CAN happen!!!

Here's a week long vacation package for about $1000. It includes 7 nights accommodations, flight and taxes. You can reduce this package price a little by staying at a lesser hotel. Packages range from about $800 to $1000 on these dates. But, for a little Christmas magic, you should choose a Fairmont hotel here. Treat yourself!

The flights included in this package do NOT have layovers in either direction. Very convenient.
Screen shots are from a search on November 2nd, at Redtag.ca

5 Things you must take when travelling with kids

I've been halfway around the world and back, a few times with my boys. Whether I'm planning a road trip or jetting to Hawaii, I would never leave home without these 5 things for my kids.


1. The Gadget  It used to be a dvd player for the car, and now it's more likely an iPad on your list but you need to have something kid friendly that can distract them for hours. You never know when you'll spend the whole day in an airport. Of course, bring all your cords and adapters.

2. The Pacifier This is a personal item that brings your child comfort and makes them feel "at home." It might be a favourite stuffed animal, or a blanket, or even a cozy sweatshirt. In times of chaos or tantrums, I turn to the 'pacifier' to try to calm the child and get them re-centered.

3. The Bribe If you're having one of those moments where immediate compliance is necessary (airport security line or the like) you might need the 'bribe'.  Honey, if you calm down and just let us finish this activity I have a $15 iTunes card for you. When we get back to the hotel (free wifi zone) I will help you choose some new games or a movie. The bribe can be anything... letting them pick the next restaurant, a new book or anything. Only you will know what will work for your child.

4. Snacks Everyone gets a little growly when they are hungry. And picky eaters in foreign countries can present a challenge. That's why I always travel with a few granola bars and 100% fruit bars. They barely take up any room in your purse and the reserve supplies fit compactly in your suitcase.  We had one long flight with turbulence and the airline was unable to provide drinks or snacks. For my son, that was a bit of an emergency. Luckily, I had my supply right at my seat. It saved the day for us. The granola bar stash has also been an asset in theme parks, hotels, cars and airports. So valuable!

5. Emergency Supplies  Children's Tylenol, Gravol, and any inhalers or medication they might need should be in your possession. My emergency kit also includes bandaids, wet wipes, an empty plastic bag and hand sanitizer. There are also 100 reasons your child might need a change of clothes, so that's in the kit too.

Travelling with kids requires a little more planning, patience and suitcase space, but the lessons you learn on the road are more than worth it. The times I have spent travelling with my kids are some of my most treasured memories.

5 Things for your pre-trip to-do list

In the last days before any vacation you need to:

1. Check the weather and news at your destination. Know before you go!

2. Clean out your car. Whether it's a road trip or you are leaving your vehicle at an airport, clean it out. Don't tempt thieves and don't complicate your land border crossing with the junk you normally keep in your car.

3. Banking. Pay any bills due while you will be away. Set a travel notice with your credit/debit card company. Exchange currency and make sure you have enough pocket money on you for cabs, toll booths and emergencies.

4. Leave your itinerary with a family member or close friend. Someone who WILL follow up and check on you if you don't make your flight home etc.

5. Grab that passport, event tickets and your confirmation numbers. You're good to go!