The Miller Family: October 2012

For Mason's second birthday we took another Disney cruise. Everyone had so much fun last year that we wanted to take a longer cruise, so we sailed for 7 nights this time on the Disney Fantasy. Our ports of call for this trip were St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Castaway Cay (although we never made it there). This cruise included more days at sea than last year's which allowed us to participate in more of what the ship had to offer. This year was a whole new experience for Mason. Not only could he walk this year, but he was familiar with many of the characters he got to meet as well as all the forms of transportation we had to use to get there! Another plus was that he was potty trained this year. Only kids that are potty trained are allowed to swim in cruise ship pools so this was a big deal for our little fishy! Our trip started out (early in the morning) with Mason's first limo ride. He was very amused by the lights in the ceiling!

In the limo

Because he was an officially ticketed passenger this year Mason got to check his own luggage. This also meant that he got to carry his own luggage!

He was very excited to ride on the airplane and did a pretty good job staying entertained. He enjoyed the bus ride to port also, but was anxious to get to the boat. He was so happy to get there and see Mickey. It seems like we were chasing various characters from that moment on.

In the terminal

Boarding the ship

Mason wasted no time getting in the water. He had Auntie Erica at Nemo's Reef before our rooms were even ready!

It wasn't too long before we were in our rooms and heading off to the sail away party. Mason really enjoyed seeing all the characters and dancing. It was a great beginning to our vacation.

Scoping out our room's amenities (we now have to unplug the phone in any room we stay in)

and the verandah

at the sail away party

noticing the characters coming out

Our days at sea always began with some sort of Disney Junior dance party or party hosted by Jake in the D Lounge. Mason thought these were the greatest thing ever and always found a way to dance onstage and with the host character. I must say that his dance moves did noticeably improve on the trip!

The rest of the days were spent swimming and attending various character appearances. One thing that Mason seemed to love is how you could still run into characters at random times and they were willing to take pictures.

Swimming in Donald's pool

In Mickey's pool

Relaxing by the pool

On the verandah

Aqua Lab

Running into Max outside the Aqua Lab

Surprised by Daisy (he's in his jammers and slippers)

Some of the many character photos

(the other girl in the picture is Sarah, our table mate)

There were a lot of fun organized activities that we got to partake in on the ship, and many we still didn't have time for. Pirate night is something that we enjoyed last year and got to repeat again. We also had formal night. This year we got to participate in Halloween night (also Mason's birthday). Everyone dressed up and headed to the party on board. The kids all got trick or treat bags and there was a costume contest for the adults that Auntie Erica got recruited for.

Some pictures from Pirate night

Some of our formal night pictures

Halloween costumes (thanks to Missy for the bee costume!)

Mason and his buddy Anthony.

Anthony worked on the ship and hosted many of the kids activities. Mason became his buddy and when he saw Mase at the Halloween party he asked a photographer to take their picture together.

Costume contest

Candy table for the kids after dinner

The night of Mason's birthday/the Halloween party was also our second night dining in the Animator's Palate. On this night each person draws a character which is then animated and projected on the screens around the restaurant. Everyone's name is then posted in the credits.

Mason and our assistant server, Kelly

This meal also featured Mason's Happy Birthday dessert. It was a big night for him!

Mason also like to listen to the June Gypsies at night. They played in the atrium a lot and Mason liked to watch the girl sing. He'd dance until we pulled him away! It was quite humorous!

The June Gypsies

Another nice change this year was that Mason would sit through the shows at night. He would put on his jammers & slippers and grab a bag of popcorn and ask to see show. It was so fun to see him dance and clap for the performers!

We kept our port days pretty low key this year. Our first stop was St. Maarten. This island is kind of unique in that it has a Dutch side and a French side. The ship docked on the Dutch side and we boarded a "party boat" to take a little tour of the area. The bartender on the boat thought that Mason was adorable and asked to get a picture with him!

Trying on Auntie Erica's sunglasses and making her wear his!

Mommy & Daddy

After the boat ride we took a bus ride to see the French side of the island before returning to port to shop.

Leaving St. Maarten

Wearing the glasses again at lunch

Our next port of call was St. Thomas (on Mason's birthday). We wanted to do something he'd enjoy so we did an excursion to Coral World and a Butterfly Farm. He loved seeing all the fish at Coral World, although he wanted to stay in one building the whole time.

The birthday boy on the balcony

at Coral World

He kept saying "tickle, tickle" and touching its belly

After Coral World we went to the Butterfly Farm. Before we saw the butterflies there was a lady with parrots who did tricks. Mason thought it was very cool!

Roller skating

playing basketball

riding a bike on a high wire

some butterflies

leaving St. Thomas

Our last port of call was supposed to be Castaway Cay, but that day was changed to a day at sea due to Hurricane Sandy. That, at least, gave us time to experience more of what the boat had to offer. We got to see Finding Nemo in 3D and Mason attended an open house of the kids club. We got some more pool time in too!

Movies by the pool