TestingH2O
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2014
05/02 Part III
Today, the weather in St. Louis is in the mid 50's. It may never stop raining again. Therefore, we really need to relive this past trip. So, where were we? Ah yes, heading up to Sail Away after a rather uncomfortable muster. We really missed theater seating.
Unfortunately, our luggage had not yet arrived. While we had packed everything we needed in our day bags, I was getting anxious to unpack.
Just as we went to find spaces to watch the show though, the first bags came! Hooray! I wonder if it's because we used airport buses. I assume they wait until the luggage truck is full before driving to the port.
We opted to watch the show from the Deck 12 railing again. This spot works well for us. We can see the show but don't feel crowded. We've always stood port side, but I think we will do starboard side next. I want to see the terminal recede.
And here we come to the most stressful part of our trip. And it is all. My. Fault. We needed to get ready for dinner. But I knew Suzana would be coming to turn down the room. So, I knew we needed to unpack ASAP. DD was also covered in chocolate, so I wanted her to change clothes. Rather than take a breath and ask my parents to help, I just freaked out and tried to do it all. Bad plan. Luckily my mom told me to knock it off and we managed to unpack and get DD presentable in time for dinner.
I did feel like a packing genius for getting these collapsible bins for the closets.
They were only $1.50 each at Target. I had read several trip reports, and there was an indication that the 1 bedroom suites were lacking in drawers. Those reviews were definitely correct. Really, the only drawers were under the bed in the bedroom and in the bathroom. I was able to put these on the floor of the closets to hold socks, underwear, and other small things for DD and I. I also put one on top of the safe for jewelry, sunglasses etc.
While we are talking about unpacking, let's take a detour to talk about storage in general. We were very impressed with how much storage space was available in our Cat V last summer. Plus, the luggage was easy to put under the bed. The Cat T had some differences. Challenges: fewer drawers overall and drawers under the bed rather than luggage storage. While hanging storage was great, when we are on vacation, we just don't have as many clothes that need to hang. The crates did a good job of supplementing. To overcome the luggage problem, we put two suitcases flat in the big closet and one, with dd's suitcase inside, upright in one of the small closets. Advantages: all cabinets can open even if sofa and Murphy beds are open and tons of storage in the bathrooms.
Dining rotations had changed since last summer. This year they were 1233. We were RAEE. So tonight, it was off to Royal Palace.
I just love the bread baskets and napkin folding here.
We had a table by a window and met our lovely serving team: Mavis Joyce (head server,) Sami (server,) Coryse (assistant server.) For appetizers we all had lobster and shrimp. For soup we had French onion and my mom had a salad. Entrees were salmon and chateaubriand. DD had whole wheat penne.
Unfortunately, by this time, I was really feeling the movement of the ship. Last year I wore the patch but I didn't think it did anything. Perhaps I was wrong. I went to the room to get a bonine, but no dice. I left before dessert to lay down. No soufflé for me.
I saw the AMAZING blanket animal Suzana left and then I was off to sleep. Ludo and Danny sent some ginger ale and green apple slices for me. They really did help. They were also confident I'd feel fine in the morning.
DD went to bed and I think my parents watched a movie on demand before turning in too.
Reflections on the Day:
And so, we leave our happy travelers. They are snug in their beds, rocking gently with the waves, and dreaming of more fun to come. Sweet dreams dear readers and join us soon for the continuation of our story.
Today, the weather in St. Louis is in the mid 50's. It may never stop raining again. Therefore, we really need to relive this past trip. So, where were we? Ah yes, heading up to Sail Away after a rather uncomfortable muster. We really missed theater seating.
Unfortunately, our luggage had not yet arrived. While we had packed everything we needed in our day bags, I was getting anxious to unpack.
Just as we went to find spaces to watch the show though, the first bags came! Hooray! I wonder if it's because we used airport buses. I assume they wait until the luggage truck is full before driving to the port.
We opted to watch the show from the Deck 12 railing again. This spot works well for us. We can see the show but don't feel crowded. We've always stood port side, but I think we will do starboard side next. I want to see the terminal recede.
And here we come to the most stressful part of our trip. And it is all. My. Fault. We needed to get ready for dinner. But I knew Suzana would be coming to turn down the room. So, I knew we needed to unpack ASAP. DD was also covered in chocolate, so I wanted her to change clothes. Rather than take a breath and ask my parents to help, I just freaked out and tried to do it all. Bad plan. Luckily my mom told me to knock it off and we managed to unpack and get DD presentable in time for dinner.
I did feel like a packing genius for getting these collapsible bins for the closets.
They were only $1.50 each at Target. I had read several trip reports, and there was an indication that the 1 bedroom suites were lacking in drawers. Those reviews were definitely correct. Really, the only drawers were under the bed in the bedroom and in the bathroom. I was able to put these on the floor of the closets to hold socks, underwear, and other small things for DD and I. I also put one on top of the safe for jewelry, sunglasses etc.
While we are talking about unpacking, let's take a detour to talk about storage in general. We were very impressed with how much storage space was available in our Cat V last summer. Plus, the luggage was easy to put under the bed. The Cat T had some differences. Challenges: fewer drawers overall and drawers under the bed rather than luggage storage. While hanging storage was great, when we are on vacation, we just don't have as many clothes that need to hang. The crates did a good job of supplementing. To overcome the luggage problem, we put two suitcases flat in the big closet and one, with dd's suitcase inside, upright in one of the small closets. Advantages: all cabinets can open even if sofa and Murphy beds are open and tons of storage in the bathrooms.
Dining rotations had changed since last summer. This year they were 1233. We were RAEE. So tonight, it was off to Royal Palace.
I just love the bread baskets and napkin folding here.
We had a table by a window and met our lovely serving team: Mavis Joyce (head server,) Sami (server,) Coryse (assistant server.) For appetizers we all had lobster and shrimp. For soup we had French onion and my mom had a salad. Entrees were salmon and chateaubriand. DD had whole wheat penne.
Unfortunately, by this time, I was really feeling the movement of the ship. Last year I wore the patch but I didn't think it did anything. Perhaps I was wrong. I went to the room to get a bonine, but no dice. I left before dessert to lay down. No soufflé for me.
I saw the AMAZING blanket animal Suzana left and then I was off to sleep. Ludo and Danny sent some ginger ale and green apple slices for me. They really did help. They were also confident I'd feel fine in the morning.
DD went to bed and I think my parents watched a movie on demand before turning in too.
Reflections on the Day:
- DCL transport is great for us! With 4 people, the price of the buses is almost the same as the price of private transport. But, you get to the terminal earlier, have fewer lines, get in the vacation spirit from the beginning, and have some time to appreciate the terminal space itself.
- When you start getting stressed on vacation, ask for help. Don't put so much pressure on yourself to do it all.
- Join your cruise meet group. It's fun to have people to plan with to to see onboard.
- Have a motion sickness plan. Next time, I'll start taking meds the day before so I can enjoy the whole trip.
And so, we leave our happy travelers. They are snug in their beds, rocking gently with the waves, and dreaming of more fun to come. Sweet dreams dear readers and join us soon for the continuation of our story.