5-Night Bahamian Cruise from San Juan to New Orleans

By Michael

In Orlando we had a long layover between flights, enough time to walk through the Magic of Disney store and stop for photos with the droids and stormtroopers near the gates.

The second flight left that evening and flew overnight to San Juan, landing after midnight, where we would stay before boarding the ship.

This hotel earns a spot on my "definitely recommends" list. It is clean, comfortable and offers complimentary breakfast. The best part? It's attached to the airport. Perfect for those flights that land at 3:00 a.m. We were in bed 40 minutes after wheels down. It's not Hyatt or Hilton fancy but it hit the spot after a long day of travel. Two thumbs up.

A little tired but they were good sports about re-creating our traditional San Juan airport photo. I think someone stole my babies and left these grown-ups in their place.

We're coming for you, Mickey!

The red Disney sticker confirming we have not been to China. I appreciate the diligence.

Let's do this!

Lisa's remake of the old Coke commercial. "I'd like to teach the world to sign in perfect harmony." My heart!

Our seats for the Super Bowl. Sunny and 87 degrees.

Cruise Director Ashley says we are officially on vacation! It's a good, good, good, good time.

By Michael

We were up on deck for the Sail-A-Wave party as the ship pulled away from San Juan that afternoon. At dinner the dessert card read Kahlua creme brulee with cinnamon shortbread cookies. Back in the stateroom, we found it decorated for Thomas's birthday, streamers and a banner up, and a cupcake with his name on it came out at dinner too. In the shops that evening, Thomas had his portrait taken with a cast member named Eddisson, in a shirt that read I can't keep calm, Eddisson is on the ship.

Lisa was first in line for the red carpet interview on Golden Mickey night. Her confidence is magical.

The whole Merchandise team was well-prepared for the arrival of Eddisson's family. There were hugs. Lots of hugs. Lisa crossed out the BINGO square that said, "Hug Eddisson one time" and re-wrote it as, "Hug more."

Greetings from sunny and beautiful Castaway Cay. First up, three of us are doing the 5K.

Sunny and 75 degrees. A perfect beach day.

Cruise calories don't count. The food in the three main dining rooms is so good that we won't be using our Palo reservation.

I have pool kids, not beach kids. The water was too cold so the three of us are heading back to the ship to swim in the heated pool. Michael is going to Serenity Bay, the adults-only beach.

Be still my heart. A beautiful walk back to the ship with Mischa from the Merchandise team.

By Michael

That evening was Pirate Night. The Personal Navigator called for pirate or cruise casual, so we all put on matching red Pirates in the Caribbean shirts with skull and crossbones and red bandanas. We met Captain Jack Sparrow, then Captain Hook and Mr Smee, and had our photos taken on the ship's pirate-themed backdrops. Dinner that night was in Animator's Palate.

After dinner we went up to Deck 9 for the Pirates IN the Caribbean deck party, with characters in pirate costumes performing on stage. Housekeeping had left a pirate towel animal on the bed when we got back to the stateroom.

The best team on the ship. Merch Rocks!

Honorary pin traders.

Good morning from sunny and chilly New Orleans. The first time a Disney ship has docked here.

The Gulf was angry yesterday.

Well done New Orleans. Your new airport terminal is beautiful.

Mac and cheese every single night per the usual. I did bribe them with trading pins and a BINGO board square to get them to try something from the adult menu. Cookies and cream sundaes were a hit.

I can't express how thankful I am for these two amazing ladies. They did a fabulous job interpreting the events and shows for Lisa. We have had the privilege of sailing with Meagan and Kara on two cruises for a total of 19 nights. Lisa had saved up 15 months worth of hugs for them this time around

Me: "I can't wait to eat a Po Boy for lunch." Also me: "$20 for a sandwich? Kathy's Travel Math suggests a hard pass. I'll take the $4.25 pretzel at Auntie Anne's for the win."

The cold and snow of Michigan. Take me back to Castaway Cay.