Williams Family: Meeting New People and Making New Friends on a Disney Cruise

 

One of the many great things about a Disney Cruise is meeting new people, many of whom are Disney fans, just like us.  Our most recent cruise on the Disney Fantasy was no exception.

The first evening on board, we met Michael, Natalie, and their son, Jonathon, from Cleveland.  We were waiting to get our photos taken, they were right behind us.  I asked Jonathon if he was in the 1820 Society and he said he was headed to the 1820 coffee meeting next.  Brent was already there so I told asked Jonathon to look for Brent and tell him that his crazy mother said "hi."  It must have broken the ice as Jonathon and Brent became fast friends with similar interests--acting, movies, Star Wars, Marvel, trombones, college--to name a few, and they spent much of the cruise together with the "gang" staying out until the wee hours of the morning.  

And, we kept bumping into Natalie and Michael at various activities throughout the ship.  Sometimes our young men would join the festivities---one of the few ways we got to spend time them!  Eventually, the parent couples started to plan activities together.   We were also on the same dining rotation but were not seated together.  We would wave across the restaurant!

Note:  Natalie and I are bemoaning the fact that we will miss each other by a few hours on our next Disney vacation as they fly in shortly after we fly home.  Next time!  And, the boys continue to communicate via their chosen social media platforms.  I'm sure our paths will cross again!

Todd and Michael at Castaway Cay

We also met some of our soon-to-be neighbors in Windermere.  The husband and I were set to play trivia and a young woman sat alone at the next table.  We asked her if she was competing by herself, and she said that her family wasn't able to join her for this session.  We invited her to join us.  A part of introductions on a ship is "where are you from?".   Turns out Christina lives in the same condo complex!  Oh, the questions we had for her--in between trivia questions and answers!  She was incredibly helpful on all accounts!  

Christina and her husband, Rudy, joined us, along with Natalie and Michael. . . and the boys, at the next trivia contest.  The next day, we met Christina's parents at Castaway Cay.  

Another meet cute from our recent Disney Cruise was two parts.  As we headed to the elevator on the morning we docked in Tortola, another couple was rushing just in front of us talking about rain and Jost Van Dyke.  We let them go ahead.  Later that day, after the rain and returning from Tortola, the husband and I were floating in the Quiet Cove (adults only) pool and bumped into the couple.

I asked how their day turned out.  I learned that Jost Van Dyke is an island off the coast of Tortola, BVI, that is noted for the famous Soggy Dollar Bar featured in a Kenny Chesney song.  The name of the bar was because you had to get out of the boat and walk to the beach making your money wet or soggy.  

There was more to the conversation with the man and his wife.  Turns out he lives in Florida by way of North Carolina and has done artwork for Disney for almost 20 years.  I kept listening and the conversation lasted for several minutes.  Then, I asked if I could inquire his name.  David Doss.  I was stunned, put my hand on my chest, and turned to look at the husband who was also stunned.  I told David Doss that I was trying not to "fan out" at the moment but we collect his work and it is displayed in our dining room.  In fact, I had purchased a new piece the night before at one of the shops on the ship.  He was flattered and agreed to sign the piece.  He would look for us before dinner in the lobby atrium.

That evening, before dinner, David Doss did sign our newest art piece!  He was gracious and I was over the moon.  

We bumped into David and his wife, Robyn, on Castaway Cay in Serenity Bay.  We had another great chat.  What lovely people!  We are now following their Facebook page and am hopeful to bump into them again during one of David Doss' shows at EPCOT.  

Interestingly, Michael and Natalie, from Cleveland, also collect David Doss' art and met him the day before we did.  It is a small world!

This isn't the only Disney Cruise where we have met great people.  Sean and his wife from Texas come to mind along with Nancy and her family from Michigan!  

It has been our philosophy to say "yes" and come to play when we visit Walt Disney World and we approach a Disney Cruise the same.  Being open to new places, experiences, and people is a gift that keeps on giving!

Related Posts:

Reflecting on the Kids' Clubs on Disney Cruise Line

What's the Best Part of a Disney Cruise? The Ease!

The Rainforest Room--Our Afternoon of Relaxation!

Williams Family: Plans Are In Ship Shape For Our 7-night Eastern Caribbean Disney Cruise

 

As seasoned Disney Cruise Line travelers, we're Platinum Castaway Club members, we are gearing up for our first 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary on board the Disney Fantasy.  The "new" in the previous sentence is Eastern Caribbean.

Our itinerary includes stops at Tortola, British Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and our personal favorite, Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line's island in The Bahamas.  We will also experience three at-sea days to explore and enjoy the ship. 

Part of the planning fun is selecting Port Adventures, sometimes knowns as excursions.  The husband selected our Port Adventure for Tortola, a forest hike and beach visit.  It also includes a stop for a beverage at Mountain View Restaurant in Sage Mountain National Park. 

On this adventure you will… 

•  Board an open-air safari bus for the approximately 20-minute ascent high above the harbor to Belle Vue. Drive along the scenic Ridge Road to Sage Mountain National Park, rising 1,716 feet above sea level, for a one-mile guided hike through a semitropical rainforest. 
•  Enjoy some of the island's best views and the significantly cooler temperatures as your guide leads you along the trail pointing out a variety of flora and fauna. 
•  After your hike, enjoy a beverage at the Mountain View Restaurant before reboarding the bus for the drive back down the mountain. 
•  Upon your arrival at Cane Garden Bay, your guide will escort you to a beach chair reserved especially for you. Then, relax and unwind with 90 minutes to explore the white-sand beach and swim in the stunning azure waters. 
•  Conclude your tour taking in the sights of Tortola during the 30-minute drive back to the pier.

In St. Thomas, our second port stop, we have selected the Flyboard and Beach Adventure. . . for one of us!  The boy will experience the 400 pounds of pressure to make him fly like Ironman.

The husband and I have selected the Flyboard and Beach Adventure Observer option.

Voted “Best Water Sport” in St. Thomas, flyboarding is a thrilling and unique experience. 

On this adventure you will… 

• Board your taxi safari for a scenic drive to Emerald Beach. 
• Receive one-on-one training from certified flyboarding instructors for the safest, most enjoyable experience possible. 
• Get on your board and feel the rush of soaring above the beautiful waters and sand of Emerald Beach. 
• Spend about 2 hours swimming, sunbathing or just relaxing on the sand. 
• Those not interested in flyboarding can watch participating family and friends on the Observer version of this adventure (ST63). 
• Your tour includes flyboarding and beach time. Amenities such as kayaks and paddleboards are available for an additional cost.

At our favorite port, Castaway Cay, we selected Parasailing.

On this adventure you will...

• Make your way to Marges Barges, located just 100 yards from the ship's gangway - the starting point for your parasailing adventure.
• After a short safety briefing, Guests will be divided into groups and escorted to a waiting boat.
• Meet your friendly captain and mate and head out into open water to soar high in the sky while harnessed to a parachute tethered to the boat.
• Enjoy the unforgettable beauty and serenity as you parasail for approximately 5 to 7 minutes at heights of 600 to 800 feet over the waves before returning gently to the boat.

When selecting parasailing, guests have to select an available time.  We chose 9:00 am, first thing.  The last time we did this was eleven years ago, so it will be fun to do it again!  Click here to read about our first parasailing adventure. 

Other onboard fun on our agenda includes Mixology, and beverage tastings. We also have some spa treatments booked and both brunch and dinner at Palo, one of two adult only fine dining restaurants on board. 

We will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary and retirement!

We are also looking forward to an extended verandah stateroom and sailing the during the boy's college "late summer break" at the end of August. 

Williams Family: Our 4th of July!

The 4th of July is the quintessential patriotic American holiday in the middle of the summer and is typically marked by BBQs, beverages, beach visits, fireworks, and family.  Our plan for the 4th of July, 2019, many items from the list. . . just in The Bahamas!

When we booked our July 2019 "double dip" Disney Cruise on the Disney Dream, we knew the first stop at Castaway Cay was going to be the 4th of July.  We had been on the ship on the 4th before--in 2017, also a "double dip" and were excited about the possibilities!

Comfy chairs on Deck 4

The morning began with room service delivering coffee, juice, fruit, toast--enough to get us up and moving.  We got dressed and headed to Cabanas on Deck 11 for breakfast part 2, a more hearty sustenance and to watch the view as the ship backed into Castaway Cay.  Soon, we found a spot on Deck 4 and waited for the all clear announcement that signaled that we could leave the ship.

After scanning our Key to the World cards and making sure that the husband and I, as we are 18 or over, had picture ID's we gathered towels from the Cast Members handing them to guests on the pier and made our way further onto the island.

We did make a stop for pictures taken by ship photographers already set up to capture smiles!

We waited just a few minutes for the tram at the tram stop to take us to Pelican Point, the second stop for the tram.  The first stop is for the Family Beach and shops.  We prefer Pelican Point which is another family beach.

After finding a home base for towels and our bag, it was time to play in the warm water and on the sandy beach.

The boy built a sand fort and the guys took off on a bicycle ride on the island.I relaxed in a chair near the water's edge.

The boys returned from their bike ride it was just in time to take some pictures with one of the ship's photographers.  Yes, they come to you on the beach!  The boy took some time to rest, too.

There are three locations on the island to get lunch and the menu is almost the same in all of the locations.  Lunch on Serenity Bay offers a few different selections.  We dined at Cookies, Too which is near Pelican Point.  Guests get a tray with a plate, silverware, and cloth napkin to go through the line for BBQ selections.  The boy's favorite is ribs!  During one of our cruises, he had to forgo the corn on the cob due to his braces, but not this time! 

After lunch, we returned to Pelican Point.  We secured a float and the husband ordered a beer.  Adult beverages get delivered to you right on the beach!  Notice the clouds forming?  Keep an eye on the clouds in the upcoming pictures.

Our port adventure, also known as excursion was scheduled to leave Marge's Barges at 1:30, so shortly after 1:00 we made our way to the tram stop to take the tram back towards the ship.

Marge's Barges is located near the ship pier on Castaway Cay and we arrived, checked in for our excursion, signed necessary releases, and waited. 

We were called to head to Roval's boat for our Sandbar excursion.  We were in life jackets in the boat, waiting for the word as to whether we would proceed due to the weather.  Roval got permission to go!  I asked Roval to take us to the sunshine!

Within minutes we went from cloudy and stormy to sunshine!  We were on our way to the Sandbar!

The boy spotted some dolphins playing so Roval slowed the boat and we watched the dolphins play.  I did my best to get pictures.  The dolphins swam on both sides and even dove under the boat.

Very soon, we could see the sandbar in the distance!  Roval pulled the boat around and soon we were off the boat and on the sand!

The feeling of being isolated on a strip of sand in the middle of the ocean is incredible.  The warm sand and warm water and the colors. ..  I want to bottle the colors and take them home.  The closest I can come is to take photos.

The boy explored and found two conch shells, both with live beings.  We looked and he placed them back in the water.

Roval cranked up the stereo on the boat and there was a dance party on the sand!

All too soon, it was time to leave the sandbar, gather on the boat, and return to Castway Cay.  We could still see and hear the storm in the distance.

Note:  The Bahamas has its independence holiday on July 10.

Once back on the ship, we cleaned up and got ready to celebrate 4th of July.  There was time for photos with characters and with our family.

The patriotic leis were left over from another 4th of July, so I brought them along to help us celebrate.

After pictures and dinner, the boy headed off to his club--Vibe.  The husband and I had a rum tasting in Cove Cafe.  We hadn't been in Cove Cafe in all of our cruises, so the location along with the subject matter was intriguing.

We got to taste several rums and learn about the history and economics of rum making. There were some I liked better than others, so the husband definitely was the winner of the event.

Since it was 4th of July, Disney Cruise Line had planned fireworks for the occasion. (Our cruise had fireworks on two of the four nights--4th of July and Pirate Night!)

After the rum tasting, we made our way from Deck 11, which is where the adult pool is located in the pool above to Deck 12 for a better view of the fireworks.  See the round porthole windows in the photo above?  That is the location of Cove Cafe.  It was very convenient to exit, head up the stairs, and be in a great spot for fireworks viewing!

The firework blasts were a fitting end to our great day in paradise!  We had avoided the storm, enjoyed a great day on the island, and made some terrific memories as a family!

Note:  This was our third time enjoying the Sandbar adventure with Roval and his team.  Here are more links if you would like to read more.

Castaway Cay Sandbar Beach Excursion--"Rum, Sun, Sand, and Stories"

Williams Family: We Did The Castaway Cay Sandbar Beach Excursion AGAIN!