Rapunzel’s Royal Table, Disney Magic

On my last cruise, I got to eat at the new (ish) restaurant of Rapunzel’s Royal Table, as you can guess from the name its based on the film Tangled.

I’ve already eaten at Tiana’s, so I had high expectations! I was on a 5 night cruise, so sadly on my itinerary only dined here once.

As you approach there are “thugs” welcoming you in, and making fun of people. We arrived early so we (well I) could see the restaurant without it being packed. Its very pretty, as the overhead lights are all the lanterns. The main colour is purple, with lots of gold.

I will say now, it was very dark so my photos are quite awful, but hopefully you can still enjoy them. Our table was quite near the front, and was same layout as Tiana’s.

The theme of the evening was that its Rapunzel’s birthday and we are all there to celebrate with her. There was a live band with singers. The thugs wondered round the whole meal, sometimes stopping for photos, other times just annoying people – they was so funny to watch! Rapunzel and Flynn/Eugene also came round each table for a picture (if you wanted one).

Ive also included photos of the menu and my food. My choices that evening were: Starter – the Ahi tuna tartar (I’ve had this on a previous cruise, and its so light and refreshing), my main course was the Tangled pasta and my dessert was of course – Rapunzels fry pan sweet bread, it was served in an actual pan! (it tasted like beignets).

I would have liked to eaten here twice, as its such a speicla restaurant, and it would have been amazing on the night the Tangled show was on!

Still, I got to try it and experience it 🙂 , So I’m very glad. One of our table mates was such a Tangled/Rapunzel fan she literally had booked the cruise JUST for the restaurant!

                   

I’m sure every fan of Rapunzel (and I know a few) would absolutely love it. I think these themed restaurants are very popular and I believe they have been tests for the future ships. I think they will be on each new ship.

Which got me to wondering, if there was different themes/restaurants what would you like to see?? I’m thinking Moana – a bit of south pacific food with fish and exotic flavours, yellow carpet, blue walls, palm tress and a little show too. And being AT sea would feel perfect!

 

 

Disney Cruise Number 4 – Disney Magic

Well, I did it! I’ve cruised on all 4 (current) Disney ships! The Magic was the last to do, and now I’ve completed a big fat tick off my Disney bucket list! Eeeeeeee : )

We sailed on the Bahamian itinerary – Disney Magic for 5 nights from Miami, the stops were Key West, Nassau, Castway Cay, MARVEL day at sea (I will do a separate post about this) and then back to Miami.

The Magic is the sister ship to the Wonder, so it is the other smaller one. It had also been in dry dock not too long ago, so there was some fairly new addition’s like Rapunzel’s Royal Table (will also do a separate blog), and the Tangled show.

I had actually booked this cruise on my last one, so I had a slight discount and I had on-board credit ($99 worth). We was on deck 7 with a navigators verandah.

We felt this one was very busy, as we got off the ship every day in a port, we did the 5k at Castway Cay, and then Marvel day at sea! We ate loads, (yes I got 2 desserts one dinner) did all the shows, had brunch at Palo, I did the Art of the magic theme tour and also managed to find some chill time on our verandah.

I can’t tell you how much of a cruise convert I really am. The 5 nights wasn’t long enough for me, but I was restricted with the itinerary’s as we didn’t want a European cruise (where the Magic sails in Summer).

At Key West, we didn’t book any Port Adventures, we just explored by ourselves. I saw Mile Marker 0, the southern most point of the USA, we visited the little White House, had Key Lime Pie and hired a moped.

In Nassau I booked the jeep adventure tour (you have a jeep for each group and follow thw guides, also in a separate car, you drive all round and they communicate via a walkie talkie), stopped at a beach, had lunch and then the rest of the day is up to you.

Castway Cay, we completed the 5k in the morning, and then sat on Serenity Bay and just chilled, had lunch and a small bit of shopping.

Highlights were – the Tangled show, its very good (a few tears did leak out), a Cast member from last year on a different ship recognised me!, Palo brunch, our balcony was lovely, new friends from our dinner table and the Marvel day.

All in all, another successful cruise! Just in awe (and shock) that I did manage to cruise all 4 ships. They are all so pretty, well maintained, fun to explore and the Cast Members are amazing.

Do you have any plans to cruise this year, or sometime in the future? If you have any questions, let me know!

 

Disney Cruise Number 3 – Disney Dream

In the midst of our 15 night stay at Walt Disney World, I had the genius idea of checking to see if there was any Disney Cruises we could do, luck was on my side! There was a 3 night bahamisn cruise from Port Canavral right in the middle of our trip! I proposed the idea to the rest of the family, and it was a go!

 So we booked a 3 night  Bahamian cruise on the Disney Dream. Winning at life as I hadn’t been on this ship (and one of the reasons I suggested it!). The stops were Nassau, Bahamas and Disney’s Castaway cay.

We booked two rooms on deck 6 with a verandah. I did try to find adjoining rooms for us all but didn’t find any, but I did see 2 rooms and they was only  one room in the middle so we went with that. I stayed in a room with my sister and family, so I had the pull down bunk bed (which again was new for me). It was actually comfy, and I loved they put it back during the day so you had the space in the room again.

We drove down to the Port, to save money and not pay for the bus. (Even though we did have to pay to park the car).

Let me tell you, 3 days goes so fast! Blink and you will miss it type situation. I think its a good starting point for cruises, but now because I have done 2 – both at a week each, it felt super short.

We watched the Sailing away Party, and ate in cabanas the first afternoon, and explored the ship. We had night in each restaurant. I think the favourite for everyone was Animator’s Palate.

We saw the shows, including the new one Beauty and the Beast. Some of us did one of my favourite parts – the ship tour! We saw a wedding being set up. We completed one game of the Midship Detective Agency on the last night! I for the first time watched the see ya real soon show. We didn’t actually spend any time in the adults only section which was a shame. The three night cruise also does include the Pirates night.

I loved the new addition to the ship – Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats. The theming is great with plenty of photo ops, and the food! Ice cream, gelatos (and they are very happy to give out samples – I tried 4!), cupcakes, macarons and lots of sweet goodies. It is an upcharge, but not too bad. I got one scoop of gelato (and it was in a tub but it was huge!) and it was $2.95.

  

When we was in Nassau, we didn’t book any port Adventures, we just got off the ship and had a small walk (and a fresh coconut) and got back on the ship.

Everyone loved Castaway Cay, and new for me I stayed all day on the family side of the island and ate at Cookies BBQ. We hired bikes and cycled round. It was so hot the day we was there! It was another lovely day, and I’m so grateful that I’m able to say that I have visited Castaway Cay.

I also realised I prefer the island with the smaller ships, but my favourite ship so far has been the Disney Fantasy.

So that’s another cruise and another ship ticked off the list! I am getting closer to ticking off an item on my Disney Bucket List!! I really didn’t think I would do so many cruises in such a short amount of time. I do feel I need to go back on the Disney Dream to stay and explore and have a sea day to see it all. (although it is very similar to the Fantasy as it is the sister ship!)

What about you, have you been on a Disney Cruise? Is it on your travel/to do/Disney bucket list? If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

 

Tiana’s Place, Disney Wonder

Whilst the Disney Wonder was at dry dock, she had a few upgrades, including a new restaurant. It is Tiana’s Place – based on the restaurant that Tiana dreams about and finally builds in The Princess and the frog.

I love Princess and the Frog! So I had been looking forward to dining here since we booked the cruise.

I loved it! definitely my favourite restaurant on the ship. It was great. Firstly it was different as they had characters in the restaurant and there was a live band! The food was new Orleans based and the servers were dressed in yellow, it really did feel like the film! I mean look at the main menu!

During our week cruise, we ate here twice. The first night I was just looking around and checking out all the details. I sadly didn’t get a photo of the entrance, as the doors was shut during the day and then too many people of the evening!

Tiana with the band sang and they played jazz music, she also came round to the tables for a photo. We also saw Louie the alligator.

 

The plates even had frogs on and were super cute! I managed to take a photo of my dessert, I chose banoffee pie – honestly the best one I’ve ever had.

 

On the second night dining here, you “celebrate” Mardi Gras! Each person was given beads in the New Orleans colours. There was more singing and dancing, and guests were encouraged to join in. So our table of six adults all went up and danced down the centre!

I chose the tuna ahi for a starter that night, and also had the classic beignets for dessert. I’m annoyed I didn’t get more food pictures, but hopefully you can get an idea of the restaurant by the ones I have included!

 

I really enjoyed eating here, just for the whole experience. It felt like a proper show, not so much a character meal but with the live music and interaction, it was just very enjoyable.

I know there is a very similar new restaurant on the Disney Magic based on Tangled, and I would very much like to try that out too now!

Have you eaten at Tianas’s Place? Would you like to?

 

Castaway Cay, The Bahamas

On most Disney cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, you will make a stop at Disney’s private island – Castaway Cay. The island is approximately three miles long and two miles wide, so its not very big! Disney have also left a lot of the island to be undeveloped.

The island is almost broken into two – Castaway Family beach and Serenity Bay – Serenity Bay is an adults only beach!!

There is food on the island for lunch (it’s a bbq which is included in the cruise price), a few shops, (exclusive merch!), character meets and lots of things to do. There is a tram provided for you to get around, or you can walk. We have now tried both options.

I also found out recently that it won an award – 2017 Cruisers’ Choice top-rated cruise line private island destination.

On our most recent cruise, we had two stops at Castaway Cay due to a change of itinerary. So we explored a lot more of the island as we wasn’t so pressed for time. On the first stop, we hired the bikes.

The bike trail is also the 5k trail (You can sign up for free for the 5K and get a medal!). The price to hire (current of March 2018) was $12 for the hours hire. We cycled all round, found a few photo ops, and went to the Observation tower.

It is a nice trail, it’s all flat, the pavements are wide and you can cycle at whatever speed you wish. We went all the way down to the other lookout at the end of Serenity Bay.

After all my exercise and lunch, we treated ourselves to the cocktail of the day, which that day was a Bahamamama.

On the second stop we hired a kayak. It was slightly windy so it was hard work, we was only out twenty minutes! But we did get a different view of the ship, and I attempted some photos on my partners phone. After we found a hammock, and just chilled. It was lovely, we could hear the music, the sun was shining, it was one of those moments you don’t forget.

Its a very pretty island with amazing blue seas( I can never get over the colour!) and photos needing to be taken around every corner! I hope I get to return again.

Have you been to Castaway Cay? What was your favourite part? Do you want to go?

 

 

Disney Cruise Number 2 – Disney Wonder

It’s been a while since I blogged, I was so ill for 6 weeks and then cracked two ribs – so I didn’t get out much, or have much energy! But I have bounced back, and managed to get well for my holiday.

I’ve recently returned from my second Disney Cruise, this time aboard the Disney Wonder. We chose the Eastern Caribbean itinerary but unfortunately due to weather, a change was made and we didn’t stop at St Maarten. I was quite upset about it, as I like exploring new places, and this route had the two Caribbean islands, so in the end it was Puerto Rico (as planned) and two stops at Castaway Cay.

It was very rocky on the first night! Our table mates couldn’t even stay for dinner, I was offered tablets but declined to see how I was. So I think I can safely say now, I don’t suffer from sea sickness!

We had a stateroom on deck 7 with a verandah, we was at the aft of the ship, which I don’t think is as comfy as mid! But as you know to have those holidays, you need to save money where you can.

I liked that the ship was smaller as quicker to get to places, but I definitely preferred the grandiose of the Fantasy, I was totally blown away by the lobby of the Fantasy, so this one felt so small in comparison!

We saw all of the shows – they are such Broadway quality!The Frozen, A Musical spectacular was over an hour long! My favourite shows are the ones where they mix all the films and songs in and you get a bit of everything. One was called The Golden Mickeys which is a play on the Oscars, which was funny as the Oscars was actually on the night before! They are all performed perfectly and get you so emotional. We also watched JunNk, a British group of performers who sing, play instruments and have a wide rang of talents – they was great. Also a new show called acrobatrix, and it was their first time on the Disney Cruise Line.

There was amazing cast members on board (as always), I feel like the ships CMs are the tip top ones. Lots of English too, and there wasn’t too many brits on-board as passengers so it was nice to talk to them, and they then recognise you and say hi a lot round the ship.

One thing I love to do is watch The Morning show. Another of my favourite things is the tour round the ship! LOVE this, if you like backstage tours at the parks, this is a must do.

You don’t go backstage on the ship, but you learn a lot of design information and knowledge. For instance, the Disney Wonder is the only ship in the fleet where the lobby is based round the statue – which is The Little Mermaid. So the restaurant is Tritons behind her, and the big light is red to symbolise her hair, the carpets are yellow and blue for the sea and seabed’s. I just love details like this!!

We played trivia, watched Disney Innovations, played shuffleboard, went to a Mixology  class, went to the cinema, character meets, shopped, drank, ate, made new friends, etc – we did it all.

The ships really are amazing, I’m a total convert to Cruise life now and am desperate for more. Bucket list item is to go on all four ships and I’ve seen the information about the new upcoming ships and definitely want to try one of them!

Have you been on a Disney Cruise? Did you love it? Or do you want to?