Disney cruise - day 1

After a quick birthday celebration at home, we flew to Orlando and spent a not so restful night in a hotel near the airport. You thought we were going to Disney World, didn't you? Nope. Well...not yet.

 First, it was back to the airport to wait a bit

 so we could board a bus that would take us

to Port Canaveral

 where we'd board the Disney Dream cruise ship. 

 Grace and Ellie found the ship was much bigger than they'd thought the boat would be.

 Of course, what post would be complete without a few artsy shots from the terminal

as well as on the ship?

On our way to our stateroom, we found just the people we'd been looking for...

 Mama J and Daddy Bob!

 

A humongous thank you is owed to Mama J and Daddy Bob for treating us to the cruise. What a wonderful way to celebrate the girls birthday as well as John's, which is today, by the way. The best part, though, was getting to celebrate with Mama J and Daddy Bob.

We were soon in our stateroom - where I totally goofed by not taking photos of it before the girls got turned loose and it became a disaster area of the 5 year old sort. Let's just say that it was the most luxurious room I've ever stayed in. 

Too excited to stay in the room long enough for unpacking, Ellie and Grace donned swimming suits and hit the pool and the water slide.

 Ellie on the water slide.

 Think she's having fun?

 At 4 pm, as we set sail, all aboard met on deck for a cast off party.  

 Grace enjoyed the view from Dad's shoulders

 while Ellie had a prime seat by the rail.

The waiter made a mistake when he drew a little swirl on the table cloth our first night at sea. I think Ellie drew something every night...beginning with a birthday cake and candles.

One of the things that I enjoyed was returning to the room after dinner to find all the beds turned down and a towel sculpture with chocolates waiting on ours. It was a very nice touch and a great way to end the day 1 of our adventure at sea.