This was a first Disney experience for our children (boy 8, girl 9). It was also our first ever cruise. We had the best time on this trip. We drove to Port Canaveral and planned to spend the rest of the week after our cruise in Orlando. We arrived the day before embarkation and stayed at the Country Inn & Suites just down the road from the port. They offered a sail and park package that was very reasonable (about $150 for the overnight and 3 nights of parking with shuttle to and from the ship). They also had several family rooms that offered bunk beds, as well as a continental breakfast that included hot foods. This was the first time we had found a hotel with bunk beds and our children were thankful, as they are getting too big to share a bed. You sign up for a shuttle time, we took the earliest time and our luggage was some of the first on the ship and was at our cabin door when we were allowed into our cabin at 1:30pm.

Once we arrived at the port, and dropped off our luggage, we went up into the parking garage to get into the line that enters the terminal. We were on a Very Merrytime cruise the week before Thanksgiving. The terminal was lightly decorated for Christmas, as we were greeted by friendly smiling cast members who directed us through the lines to get our key cards and turn in our paperwork. I had completed everything possible during the online check in process, so all we had to do was hand over our paperwork and have our picture made. We did not have Passports, since they were not required, we used birth cretificates for the kids, and my husband and I presented our Driver's Licenses. No problems, but I understand this rule can change at any time. We were given our boarding number and dismissed to go wait. Because I had researched this trip as if it was a term paper- I knew not to worry about getting in the line for the kid's club, and instead got in the picture line by the model ship. We were third in line to have our pictures made with Captain Mickey. There were comfortable benches, clean restrooms, snack machines, and even a pressed penny machine. We didn't wait long until our boarding number was called and we were on our way. I was very excited at all of the handwashing/sanitized wipes that were handed out during this trip, as getting sick on vacation is not my idea of a good time. We posed for our initial pictures, proceeded onto the ship and I beamed with glory as they announced our family entering the ship. I loved that then a cast member follows you on through the line to make sure they let you know how to get to the lunch buffet, remind you when staterooms will be ready, and point out guest services- should we need anything. The atrium of the ship really looked like a 5 star hotel and had us all in awe and completely excited that our vacation was really beginning. We went to Cabanas for lunch and were completely full as we then wandered on up to the kid's club to get the kids their magic bands. It was not very crowded and this went smoothly, so I was really glad that we had chosen to wait to take pictures at the terminal instead of standing in the terribly long line for the kid's club. The handwashing sinks in the kid's club are awesome and it seemed that kids really didn't mind being told to wash their hands. After this we went on down to the stateroom and found our luggage waiting. We unpacked right then, put on swimsuits and hit the pool. The pool was crowded, but there were plenty of seats and towels were strategically located in large wooden bins to be grabbed as needed. There were also dirty linen bins to put them into as you leave. After our swim we went back to the room to get dressed for the muster drill. Nothing too exciting here, I am assuming it was pretty standard. After that we went up to the pool deck for the sail away party. My son doesn't like to be in the middle of crowds and tends to shy away from too much noise, so we just grabbed a table over by Flo's and sat down with a snack and watched the Sail Away party from the side. We could see the terminal, and a little of the show, but were not stuck in the crowd. This is also where we watched the fireworks on Pirate night. It was perfect, as the crowds were higher up and on the opposite side of the deck and over the pool. We had a perfect view of the sky and less noise, less crowd. We had a late dinner seating so by the time we got to dinner the first night my husband and daughter were exhaused. Our server, James sent their dinners to the room while my son and I finished our meal and took desserts to go. I loved that everyone made an effort to call us by our names. The kids really liked that too. My son went to the kids club for a few hours and was so sad to leave that he almost cried (he was very tired too). We left with promises of returning the next day and walked out to an atrium filled with falling snow and Santa Claus. With a magical overload we quickly fell asleep to wake up for our next day in Nassau. It was a rainy night and day with rough seas and our original excursion was cancelled, so we grabbed a taxi and took a tour of the island ($40 for the 4 of us, but we shared the taxi with another couple who I believe paid another price than we did). Since our kids were missing school for this trip, the knowledge they gained during this little tour was perfect to complete their school requirements for the day. Although we went ashore because we had never been to Nassau and so we were going to make the best of it- I probably wouldn't port here again, unless it was to go to the Atlantis casino (becasue Disney doesn't have casinos). The kids still bring up things that Tony (the cab driver) told them about the islands. So I am glad we did take that little drive around the island because the kids remember it and enjoyed it. We returned for the ship for a late lunch and a little Aquaduck. We went to the Villains Tonight show and it was great. Then we were off to dinner at Animator's Palatte. This was of course our favorite restaurant and meal. Everyone had a great time. The kids spent some more time at the kid's club and my husband and I hung out together in sports bar. Castaway Cay was amazing and we are so upset that we didn't get off the ship first thing that morning. We instead, had a lazy breakfast, and waitied until our scheduled Stingray adventure time. My son loved this, my dughter, not so much. She is weirdly terrified of stingrays because of the Crocodile Hunter incident- even though she never knew who he was until after the fact. These stingrays have had their barbs removed and were beautiful and harmless. It was a great experience, and so my dughter sat on the stingray beach and watched us while we completed the activity. When we came out to the family beach it was difficult to find a chair/umbrella. We eventually found one far back from the water, and spent some time before lunch swimming. My husband and son went over to rent the big water tricycle. Because the winds and seas were still rough- this was more work than fun. Lots of fishing excursions were cancelled that day because of the weather, so I think that may be why the beach was so crowded. We enjoyed the barbecue lunch buffet- but it wasn't as good as the food on the ship. The fruit stand and unlimited ice cream was a great combination though. We lasted until "last call" and then headed back to the ship to shower and get ready for dinner. If you want any merchandise from Castaway Cay- you must buy it here- they don't have it on the ship. I celebrated my 40th birthday on the last night. James got me a birthday button to wear, and made me a special dessert. This along with the regular dessert, and one from the head server...and yes, I had three desserts for my birthday. I didn't eat them all, but I tried each and they were wonderful and decadent. The servers all sang Happy Birthday to me. I must say, turning 40 isn't so bad if you do it in style with Disney. The kids left dinner early this night to go to the kid's club. Cast members come down and get them- you just have to sign them in. We went back to the room to quickly pack up and leave our bags in the hall for disembarkation the next day. Then we went up on the pool deck and looked out at the ocean, watched a movie and just let it all sink in what a great time we had. We did decide to book a future cruise while onboard for the discount. We sail on the Fantasy in October 2015. We can't wait. I am really looking forward to that vacation. Disembarkation was simple. All of our luggage was easily found, and we were quickly on the road to the rest of our vaction. My summary is that in reality, yes, it was an expensive cruise, but I priced other lines for that same trip (time of year, ports) and must say, that for the room we had with the two bathrooms, and ample sleeping space with a verandah- other lines are pretty equal in cost. I like the on-board app, and once I figured out how it really worked, I enjoyed it. It would have been nice to be able to sample it a few days prior to boarding just to be able to know where to look for the information. My kids had the best time. Character interaction was a million times better than in the parks. The kid's club was great, the cast members were perfect everywhere. I enjoyed a trip that didn't require me to do all of the work. I truly felt like I was able to let loose and have fun with my kids instead of being the one who had to take care of everything. Disney does customer service like no other company. We will sail with Disney again and again.