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Through Heather's Looking Glass

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Disney Cruise Recap 12/13

December 17, 2013 | Disney, family, Travel

Hello! I am officially back home. I made it back late morning yesterday, and I have been playing catch up with work since then. I cannot believe Christmas eve is in a week, I feel so unprepared (my Christmas tree has NO GIFTS under it. I am so behind y’all). Anyway, we had a fabulous time on the cruise, and I plan to recap the Castaway Cay 5k (again) because I took some video this time. But for today, I wanted to share what we did the OTHER days of our cruise.

We did what is called a “back to back” which means we did a four night ailing followed by a three night sailing on the same ship. There is a certain procedure that you follow in order to do this which I will also be sharing about. So we were on the Disney Dream for a total of seven nights. We went to Nassau twice and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, twice.

We drove to Disney on Saturday and stayed with Jen and Jeff at Port Orleans Riverside in a royal room.

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We took the boat to Downtown Disney for dinner at Earl of Sandwich.

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The next day we drove to Port Canaveral and boarded the Dream. The ship looked gorgeous all dressed up for Christmas.

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We had lunch then went to check our our verandah stateroom. (Category 5C is anyone is curious)

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We then did some walking around and lounged at the pool until time for early dinner.

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A Mickey Bar was my dessert of choice most nights.

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After dinner Bobby and I went to one of the adult only areas to watch the Saints play on Sunday night football. (There was a HUGE screen to the right of this photo and we sat in recliners right in front of it. Aaahhh, bliss).

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The next day was a sea day and we went to the gym then had Palo Brunch reservations which was amazing as always. My favorite part: dessert.

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Bobby and I attended a special reception for gold and platinum castaway club members that afternoon. Free champagne? Of course I’m there! We got to hear from the captain which was neat.

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At dinner we may have all been craving cheese sticks…

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The next day in Nassau, the Disney Magic parked next to us. It was neat to see the ships side by side again and get some photos. A couple years ago I was on the MAGIC when we were next to the Dream. This time it was reversed!

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We didn’t get off in Nassau. it rained, so we just read books up on deck and took a nap.

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I love these guys

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The next day we were at Castaway Cay, and we ran the 5k.

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We had a great day on the island relaxing and also playing volleyball.

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We had Palo dinner that night which was amazing, even though poor Bobby had a migraine. Luckily, with a special concoction from the Palo Maître d’, he started feeling better. Even though said concoction was disgusting.

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The next day we had to get off the ship and say goodbye to our friends. Then, we got back on board shorty after.

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Our new room was a deluxe family verandah stateroom, a category 4B.

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We went to the hot tub, and honestly I don’t remember what else! We had late dining this time, so we got to see the sun set before dinner.

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Our cute dinner table

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The next day was Nassau day again, so we hung out at the pool, rode the AquaDuck waterslide, and took a 2.5 hour nap! We had dinner at Palo again that night, and I had the most amazing Crème Brule martini. Seriously. Order it. (The the way we had the same server for both Palo dinners and the brunch and he was amazing. his name is Matt he is from Poland. be sure to request him!)

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These two goofballs were eating at Palo that night as well and came and found us.293

Katherine, Amanda, and me.

The next day we were back at my beloved Castaway Cay for another day of fun in the sun. We had beautiful weather, high of maybe 80, crystal clear water, perfection.

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The next day it was a 10 hour drive to Louisiana to pick up the dogs then back to reality yesterday. We had a wonderful time, it was a great idea to give the cruise as a gift to each other, and I can’t wait to go back some day!

QOTD: Have you been on a cruise? Favorite thing about them? Favorite cruise line?

*WINNERS of the Runner’s Christmas gift guide giveaways are posted on the Rafflecopter widget. See if you won!

**If you would like me to help you plan your magical cruise on most any cruise line (at no extra cost!) email heather@travelwiththemagic.com I would love to help you!

 

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  1. Ashley says

    December 17, 2013 at 2:03 am

    I love. Cruising! Favorite thing is probably the ability to go a bunch of places to site see and then relax the days at sea. The food doesn’t hurt either 😉

    • Heather says

      December 17, 2013 at 9:09 am

      oh the food!

  2. Karen :0) says

    December 17, 2013 at 5:48 am

    Sounds and looks like so much fun! Glad y’all had a great time! :0)

  3. Jessica @ pug-run-aholic says

    December 17, 2013 at 7:09 am

    This looks like a lot of fun! I’m a big Disney fan; I was there twice in 2012. I’d love to go back, or even try this cruise!

    • Heather says

      December 17, 2013 at 9:09 am

      you should they are addicting!

  4. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    December 17, 2013 at 7:11 am

    this looks seriously awesome! i went on a cruise when i was like 14 lol too young to really appreciate it!

    • Heather says

      December 17, 2013 at 9:09 am

      you need to go on another!

  5. Mindy @ Road Runner Girl says

    December 17, 2013 at 7:53 am

    Looks like you had a blast! What a fun present!

    • Heather says

      December 17, 2013 at 9:08 am

      we really enjoyed it!

  6. Lesley says

    December 17, 2013 at 8:04 am

    Sounds wonderful and relaxing. My favorite part about a cruise is I can wake up and the ship is already at the next port of call 🙂

    • Heather says

      December 17, 2013 at 9:08 am

      yes!

  7. Carson says

    December 17, 2013 at 9:12 am

    I love cruising because everything is done for you. It makes vacationing so incredibly easy. I also like that there is plenty of stuff to do, but also a lot of time to relax.

  8. Diana says

    December 17, 2013 at 9:21 am

    We love cruising. Will actually be on the Fantasy next week for Christmas, can’t wait! We really love it all, the food, shows, movies, our son loves the kids clubs, and just relaxing. DCL is the best!!

  9. Jen says

    December 17, 2013 at 10:10 am

    Yay! So much fun! Glad you had good weather on Castaway Cay both times 🙂

  10. Frank@The Fat Runner says

    December 17, 2013 at 11:03 am

    Disney Cruise Line is the best! I love going on other cruise lines as well but the one we did on the Fantasy holds a special place in my heart. You got to go to Castaway Cay twice. Oh man…

  11. Betsy says

    December 17, 2013 at 11:25 am

    How fun! I’ve never been on a cruise but this looks great! Love that you ran a race too!

  12. Randy Crane says

    December 19, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    That all sounds wonderful (except the migraine and the drive home)! I’ve been on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, & Disney, and for me I like Disney the best.

    Until my Disney cruises, the food is what I looked forward to the most. I still do (chilled pineapple soup ftw), but now have to add characters, shows, and Castaway Cay!

    • Heather says

      December 20, 2013 at 3:04 pm

      Don’t hate me but we didn’t go to a single show lol

      • Randy Crane says

        December 20, 2013 at 3:15 pm

        What?!? OK, I may have to stop reading this blog now.

        Just kidding! 🙂 But they are great shows. (“The Golden Mickeys” gets me every time.) Oh, and another favorite thing I forgot to mention: The AquaDuck!

        • Heather says

          December 20, 2013 at 3:20 pm

          LOL well I have done 11 cruises so i have seen them all multiple times, there are some I still love but hubby not so much.

  13. Amanda Tinney says

    December 20, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    Gotta love 3.5 hour dinners at PALO! SO when’s your next cruise?

    • Heather says

      December 20, 2013 at 3:03 pm

      haha we don’t have one planned!

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  1. runningwithsass says:
    December 17, 2013 at 2:46 am

    Disney Cruise Recap 12/13

    Hello! I am officially back home. I made it back late morning yesterday, and I have been playing catch

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I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
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We absolutely love Orange Beach, it’s one of our We absolutely love Orange Beach, it’s one of our favorite places to visit and feels like home. 🫶🏻

There are so many great businesses with employees that make you feel like family. Here are a few we visited over fall break. Be sure to save this for your next visit to the beach! Have you been to any of these places? 🍊 

@coastalorangebeach: Not only a beautiful restaurant right on the gulf with amazing food, drinks, and servers, but also a really great store with amazing merch! We found some great stuff. If you go to the restaurant, ask for J-Mac to be your server and make sure to get a bushwhacker with a peanut butter floater! 😋 

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I picked up the NEW Butterball Smoked Turkey Sausage at @Foodlion and added it to my favorite red beans and rice — lean, smoky, and less sodium! 🍽️ 

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Bobby’s Red Beans and Rice: 

INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 - 1 cup celery, about 3-4 ribs
• 1 Sweet Onion
• 1 Green Bell Pepper
• 2-4 cloves Garlic
• Seasoning, Tony’s, chili powder, pepper, bay leaf
• 1 tsp paprika
• 45 oz kidney beans
• 28 oz beef sausage, 2 packs
• 2 packs of Butterball Smoked Turkey Sausage
• 2 cup Beef broth
• Buttered Rice

PREPARATION STEPS
1. Chop/mince veggies (suggest food processor)

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4. Add garlic and seasoning and simmer about 10 minutes. 

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Holiday shopping days with my mini me are some of Holiday shopping days with my mini me are some of my favorite traditions. ✨☕ 
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