Dreaming of Northern Europe: Day 3 – At Sea

[Stewboy]

Thursday 10th August 2023

Today is one of our favourite cruise days: the day at sea. It means we can relax on board and enjoy all the available entertainment and amenities.

We woke up at about 7:45am in preparation for our 8am room service of coffee, milk and croissants - we’d made our order via the cabin door breakfast menu door hanger the night before.

Caleb woke up just after the room service arrived and we had a nice morning cuddle before he had his milk and a croissant and played for a bit.


Caleb gives the best cuddles


Play time

Isabella eventually woke up at about 9am and we all got ready and headed down to the lobby for the Princess Gathering at about 9:30am - this was something that we had pre-booked.

We usually try to book this one as it’s a good chance to meet, and get photos with (and in the past autographs from), between 3-5 princesses. The interactions are usually good and Isabella enjoys it.

Today there were just the three princesses: Ariel, Tiana and Cinderella. Caleb wasn’t really that keen on meeting them so I held him and we met them together with Isabella.




Ariel




Tiana




Cinderella
After getting photos with them all we decided to try the breakfast buffet at the Enchanted Garden.

It was very busy there and although it was a buffet, we had to queue and it took a while to get our food. The overall experience and the food was not as good as Cabanas.

We saw that Daisy was meeting outside the Walt Disney Theatre so we finished our breakfast and headed aft.

While we waited in the queue, we took it in turns to take Caleb in the shop to keep him occupied and he also went in the lift a couple of times.


Caleb doing his best Ric Flair impression


Loves a yoghurt


We did get to meet Belle & Rapunzel too…


And some other children!




Waiting to meet Daisy

Eventually it was time to meet Daisy, and unlike the princesses, he was happy to meet her on his own and loved it.

As Captain Mickey was also coming out to meet next, we rejoined the queue and Caleb met him too.

After the character meets we headed up to Deck 11 to get a drink. We thought that Caleb would enjoy playing in the Nemo splash area, so we took him back to the room to get ready.


Daisy


Captain Mickey

Back on deck 11, Isabella and I took Caleb to the splash area for about half an hour - he had a great time, especially playing with his big sister!

It was now almost time for lunch, no surprises that we would be heading to Cabanas! We all got changed back to the room and then returned once more to deck 11.

Today’s special was curry and it was very good. Caleb especially enjoyed the paratha.

After all that splashing and eating Caleb was now really tired. Isabella was booked into the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, so while I took him back for his nap, Jo went with Isabella for her princess make over.

While Caleb slept I caught up on my notes and also watched Andor on my phone - a great show by the way!




Splash time






Lunch time








Around the ship

[Stewboy]

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Isabella returned looking just like a princess. She’s done the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on previous Disney Cruises but this will probably be the last time, so it was nice that she had enjoyed the experience.

Isabella was happy to read in the room while Caleb slept, so Jo and I went to the Bon Voyage bar to get a Bahama Mama ‘drink of the day’ (Dark Rum, Crème de Banana, Malibu Coconut Rum, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Grenadine).


Bahama Dadda?

After enjoying a drink and a chance to spend some time together we returned to the room with a slice of pizza each from ‘Luigi’s Pizza’ on deck 11. We’d also received some more FE gifts including two Lego Disney Cruise ships.






Lego Disney Cruise ships

It was now time to wake Caleb up so that we could all start getting ready for the evening. Tonight was formal night which meant dressing up in our smartest clothes and enjoying the Captain’s Reception in the lobby before our dinner sitting. There would be another one before the later dinner sitting too - another opportunity to enjoy some free drinks!

I love formal night, not just for the free drinks, but also for the atmosphere which is always fun. There’s live music and lots of senior crew members meeting guests and it’s also nice to see most people make the effort to dress up - it makes it a special and enjoyable evening.

Caleb had some milk and watched Finding Nemo (again), and then eventually got his formal night outfit on: shirt, trousers and a bow tie - he looked really smart and cute.

Before dinner we had decided to book him into the nursery again and he wanted to take his new ‘Disney Baby My 123s’ (another FE gift we received today) with him to show everyone.

Once Caleb was in the nursery, we all got ready for formal night - enjoying a beer and glass of wine while we did so. We then headed down to the lobby to enjoy more (free) drinks at the Captain’s reception. Waiters circulate with a tray of about 10 drinks - usually a selection of cocktails (including non-alcoholic), beer and wine. They often don’t make it very far into the crowd before the tray is empty so if you want a drink the trick is to work out where they enter the lobby from a wait there! They’re very regular and there’s quite a few of them doing the rounds so you don’t have to wait too long.




Formal night

Once it was time for us to head to dinner we collected Caleb, who had enjoyed showing off his new book to everyone and had a fun time.

Dinner was at Enchanted Garden where we ordered the following:

Me: North Atlantic Lobster Ravioli with Roasted Garlic and Sweet Basil in a Tomato Broth/Heirloom Tomato Soup with Sour Cream, Croutons and Basil/Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Fava Bean and Pea Risotto, sliced Fennel and a Dill-Chive Riesling Wine Sauce

Jo: Ahi Tuna and Avocado Tower with Crispy Noodles and Wasabi Dressing/North Atlantic Lobster Ravioli with Roasted Garlic and Sweet Basil in a Tomato Broth/Seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Rosti Potatoes, Collard Greens and a Morel Cognac Sour Cream Sauce


Lobster Ravioli


Tuna and Avocado Tower


Sea Bass


Pork Tenderloin Medallions

No dessert or coffee for us today.

Isabella: Cucumber Garden Roll filled with Julienne of Carrots, Bell Peppers and Zucchini, with Cilantro and dressed with White Shoyu and Lemon Dressing/Oven Baked Fillet of Salmon
/Chocolate Brownie Sundae: Peanut Butter Brownie Bites with Rich Chocolate Ice Cream, Whipped Cream and Chocolate Fudge Sauce

Caleb: Children’s burger with chips and vegetables/Vanilla ice cream


Cucumber Garden Roll


Salmon


Chocolate Brownie Sundae


Burger!


Ice cream

Caleb knew he wanted the burger and kept telling the servers over and over again! He also asked for more carrot, and they bought 3 whole small carrots which he ate.

Before we finished up Caleb gave our server Tadek a high five and made his day I think!

After dinner we went back to reception and enjoyed another free drink while Caleb let off some steam running around the lobby!














Caleb enjoying formal night

One of the passing officers said hello to him - she’s the manager of the nursery and had seen him there yesterday.

There were also character meets happening and we got in line to meet Goofy in his formal outfit. Caleb loved meeting him as Goofy is his favourite character.

It was now getting late and we decided to call it a night as Caleb was getting a little overwhelmed and tired.

Jo took Isabella to watch the Golden Mickeys show in the Walt Disney theatre and I put Caleb to bed and caught up with my notes, and watched some more Andor while he slept.








Golden Mickeys

When Jo returned she brought back coffee and pizza - Isabella had gone up to Edge to see her new friends.

Whilst watching up I somehow managed to get a plate stuck in the sink - Jo eventually managed to get it out using Caleb’s fork!

We had showers and read in bed until Isabella returned and then we all went to sleep.

A fun filled day at sea over with, tomorrow we visit Nynashamn, Sweden.


Apparently this is a penguin. Maybe.


Thanks for reading

[2point]

Great report and lovely photos. You forget how tired little people get!

[CarsonMac]

i thought breakfast in one of the dining rooms was a sit down order from the menu affair, not a buffet?

[beth21]

Absolutely love Isabella’s hair it really suits her she’s growing up into a lovely young woman an absolute credit to you and Jo - not much to say about Caleb he’s just so cute and adorable x

[Stewboy]

Originally Posted by 2point

Great report and lovely photos. You forget how tired little people get!

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Thank you

Originally Posted by CarsonMac

i thought breakfast in one of the dining rooms was a sit down order from the menu affair, not a buffet?

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I think it was put on as an additional buffet option due to it being a sea day

Originally Posted by beth21

Absolutely love Isabella’s hair it really suits her she’s growing up into a lovely young woman an absolute credit to you and Jo - not much to say about Caleb he’s just so cute and adorable x

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Thank you for your lovely comments