Our time at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Our granddaughters are huge animal lovers.  The reason we decided to stay in Clearwater on our return trip was so they could visit Winter & Hope.  They are fans of both Dolphin Tale movies and both are genuinely interested in helping animals.

Both girls were truly excited to see the Dolphins but were also interested in the rescue & saving operation of the marine hospital.  Before our visit I explained that it is not a typical aquarium and they both understood and agree with CMA's catch & release policy. It was very educational for both girls and we all enjoyed our visit.

Clearwater Beach - Days 4 & 5

It was afternoon by the time we checked in.  We quickly put on our swim suits and wandered along the beach.  The afternoon was spent building sand sculptures and collecting seashells.

We walked to Crabby Bill's for supper where we enjoyed shrimp, blacked mahi mahi & chowder.

After supper we enjoyed a beautiful sunset as strolled along the beach to our hotel.

Clearwater Beach - Our Room

We booked a standard room with 2 queen beds using points.  It was convenient to checkin 

/checkout via my iPhone and simply had to pickup our room keys when we arrived.  It was an unexpected surprise to find a full sized fridge, microwave & cooktop.  The kitchen was well equipped with everything one would want or need to eat in.  

The one complaint I have is parking.  It was very confusing.  We paid $20 via credit card each day for parking.  When we got our hotel bill there was a duplicate $16 charge per day for parking ?? If parking was to be billed to our account, that fact was NOT relayed to us.

There were ample cable TV choices including HBO.  They also included complimentary wifi.

Our room had a side view of the beach. 

Disney Dream 2015 - Day 1;Embarkation

Embarkation went much smoother this time than with our last cruise because we are Castaway Club members now.  We went through security than was immediately directed to a line for checkin.  Our first day on ship was a whirlwind of excitement.  

Lunch was amazing assortment of seafood like crabs,shrimp & mussels and typical children's items like pizza,burgers & hotdogs.YUM.

Soon after lunch we were able to checkout our verandah suite with a huge balcony.  

Even Brooke was as excited as a 5 year old.  While exploring the ship the girls greeted familiar friends.  

Finally it was time for our SailAway Party.

  The girls worked their way to the stage.

we hung out on the front of ship.  

Port Canaveral during SailAway

Dinner was French food at the Royal Palace. 

Once our oldest wanted to sit at a bigger table and I was telling her it wouldn't be possible, our waiter overheard my comment & quickly asked what it was she wanted promising to do everything possible to get it.  I'm sure he meant it but we chose to stay put.  Our girls were certainly treated like royalty and they loved our waiter.

Their every wish was quickly met by the waitstaff.  They even made ketchup fun!   

While we had escargot, baked Brie &  Potato soup, the girls had salads.  We all chose the chateaubriand and it was delish!

After dinner, the girls met up with more old friends!

The nights finale was front row seats for the Golden Mickey's production.  It was a great show.

After the show Paige raced to the cabin to discover what her latest towel animal would be.  Racing to our cabin after dinner to see her towel animal turned out to be a nightly ritual for her.

Disney Dream 2015 - Our Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

Disney Dream 2015 - Getting There

We began our adventure at 4:30, we picked up the kids immediately after school.

The sunset over Mobile Bay was a beautiful beginning to our RoadTrip to Port Canaveral.  In Pensacola, we stopped for supper at a really cool diner with 50's deco I had found on Yelp.

 The food was good, a step up from the usual fast food places along the I-10.

We drove as far as Tallahassee before stopping at a Country Inn for the night.  It was a older hotel and crowded with FSU students heading to some unknown college function.

Disney Dream 2015 - Day 2; Nassau Bahamas and Pirates Arrrrg!

Today seemed to fly.  We had a delicious breakfast at the Royal Palace.  The servers went above and beyond to entertain the girls.  

We have been to Bahamas several times and decided to stay on and enjoy the ship while in port.  

The afternoon was spent on waterslides and lounging on the deck.  Brooke was treated to a sweet 16 piña colada.

The adult area pool⬇️

The rest of the morning was spent with all their favorite Princesses.  

Finally they met the two most popular characters on the ship, beautiful Elsa & Anna from frozen.  Both Brooke & Paige were in awe.

Supper was in the Animators Palate restaurant where we were entertained by inhabitants of the coral reef.  Dinner was followed by the Pirate Deck Party. 

The show tonight was The Villians.  Afterwards Paige met up with her friend Daisy.

Disney Dream 2015 - Day 3; Castaway Cay

Finally, it's THE day, the highlight of the entire cruise!  CASTAWAY CAY!

We awoke to watch a gorgeous sunrise 

When the sun came out, we saw the most beautiful shades of blue water right from our balcony.  Disney's Island, Castaway Cay, with its pristine beaches and crystal clear waters, is unlike any place on earth.

We found out later that we actually arrived soon after midnight because the Ship's Captain wanted to avoid an anticipated high wind situation that may have prevented to ship from getting to the Island.  We were very glad he did! We would have been devastated to miss this island paradise.

We found a spot among the complimentary beach loungers and umbrellas.  

Besides the beautifully maintained beaches, there is a play area with waterslides & water cannons to entertain the kiddies. 

 I rented a raft for the day which could be swapped for a tube anytime throughout the day.

In addition to the waiters offering delicious tropical drinks for purchase , complimentary soda, water, lemonade & ice cream was available throughout the day.

There is a separate adult only beach area offered a short distance away.  Hubby and I visited the area to take some photos but it was a bit boring for us.  

Lunch was lip-smacking,finger-licking good BBQ chicken,burgers,ribs & mahi mahi.  Sides included potato salad, corn on the cob, chips & more.  There was also a huge assortment of desserts & beautiful fresh tropical fruits.

We were so sad when it was to leave this island paradise.  We cruise Disney because of Castaway Cay, sailing a ship without this port is not an option for us.

Dinner tonight was at the Enchanted Garden restaurant.  

This restaurant gives the impression of a garden picnic.  

Our foods included asparagus & Crab soup, steak, pork tenderloin & delicious sea bass.

After dinner we attended the last theatre production of our cruise, it was titled "Believe".  Characters Peter Pan, TinkerBell were the stars.  Our girls loved all the production shows on this cruise.

All too soon it was time to pack our suitcases and place them in the hall signaling the end to our magical cruise.