Friday, June 17, 2011
Disembarkation – Port Canaveral FL

We were given Green 5 luggage tags which has a disembarkation time of 8:25am. There were other luggage tags available by Guest Relations that you can grab (yes, no lines). I was able to grab some Green 32 luggage tags with disembarkation time of 9:30am.

We had a nice leisurely breakfast at the Windjammer Cafe and had enough time to head to the meeting area (Sound of Music Theater) for our disembarkation. Disembarkation was very quick and we didn’t wait long to find our luggages at baggage claim.  The disembarkation procedure is included in Day 4 Cruise Compass.

Porters were on hand to help (no charge). The same porter that helped us when we embarked approached us. She was very nice and friendly.

Friday, June 17, 2011
Orlando / Kissimmee, FL

We went to Cocoa Beach to get some gas and proceeded to the beach.  Our phones sent us to the beach entrance on N 1st St, but it had a small metered parking lot and no other amenities.  There were hotels all around.  We found this umbrella and chairs and decided to sit.  Then we were approached by someone telling us that it was for rent for $25.

We asked and were told about Lori Wilson park.  The parking lot was spacious and free.  There were restrooms, water fountains and drink vending machine.  There were signs for hammocks, but we weren’t able to check it out.

We went to Merritt Square Mall for lunch then headed to Kissimmee, Florida to check in our timeshare condo at Vacation Village at Parkway.

Reviews after the jump…

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Thursday, June 16, 2011
Sea Day

Today was our relaxation day. We woke up late, had brunch, did some shopping and watched a couple of contests.
We went to the pool area and watched the Belly Flop contest and Sexiest Man contest. It was crowded as expected. The contests were quite funny. But beware if you have children. Especially in the Sexiest Man contest, there were some actions performed by the contestants that weren’t kid-friendly no matter how the staff in charge (emcee) tried to make it so. The emcee was very hilarious. At times, we weren’t able to see the contestants, but listening to the emcee alone was funny.

We went around the ship and took pictures.  We went to the photo gallery to look at the pictures taken by the ship’s photographers.  They were very expensive ($19.95 for an 8×10) and their photo packages weren’t that great either.

We filled out the prepaid gratuity form provide in the cabin, but also available at Guest Relations.  They needed to be dropped off at the dropbox at Guest Relations by noon the day before disembarkation day.

Tonight was our last night and we ate at Claude’s.  The waiters and assistant waiters did a parade and we all danced the Macarena.

Below is today’s Cruise Compass.  Click here to download the Cruise Compass for the entire cruise.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Nassau, Bahamas

The ship arrived at Nassau around 8am.  We headed to the gangway around 12 noon and there was a very short line to get out.

We reserved a room at the British Colonial Hiton for the day for $109 plus taxes and fees that covered 2 adults, 2 children were free.  There were 5 of us (3 adults), but the nice front desk agent didn’t charge us for the 3rd adult.  Maybe because they were doing construction on the wing where our room was and there was no electricity from 1pm to 3pm.  We could have also gotten a day pass (without a room) for $55 per adult and half price for kids.  But the room was cheaper and you get a room unlike the day pass.

We swam at the hotel’s pool.  We played on the sand on the beach right infront of the hotel and we snorkeled and kayaked.

We left the hotel at 6pm and we planned to go shopping afterwards.  Unfortunately, most of the shops were closed then.  So if you plan to shop, do it early.

Below is today’s Cruise Compass.  Click here to download the Cruise Compass for the entire cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Coco Cay, Bahamas

The ship arrived at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island at 8am. We ate breakfast at the ship and headed to the gangway around 11am. The gangway and the tender weren’t crowded. We got to the island in 15 minutes.

Coco Cay was great. There were a lot of activities available and buffet lunch was provided by Royal Caribbean free of charge.

We were only able to snorkel today, but we had a blast! We saw plenty of fish even a stingray. My aunt just stood in the water and fishes were swimming around her!

We were the last ones to board the last tender (4:30pm) back to the ship. There was no line at all. Unfortunately, we got back with bad sunburns on our back from snorkeling too long, but it was well worth it.

Below is today’s Cruise Compass.  Click here to download the Cruise Compass for the entire cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

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Monday, June 13, 2011
Embarkation – Port Canaveral FL

I like how I could check in my flight on my phone and I didn’t have to print my boarding passes. I got to the Delta terminal at Laguardia airport around 5:40pm and I haven’t seen a line that long for Security. I was worried, but I was able to catch my 6:55am flight. I had a rolling carry-on, a backpack and my camera bag. But at the gate, they only allowed 2 bags, so I had to check in my rolling bag at no charge. Unlike American, US Air and United (7-hr flight!), we were served complimentary drinks and choice of pretzels, peanuts or cookies during the 2 1/2-hour flight. I always look forward to the cinnamon cookies, they’re my favorite.

My uncle and his family checked in at the Hyatt hotel right in the Orlando International airport the day before. My uncle was waiting at the hotel atrium which was also the airport’s atrium before you get to baggage claim.

The hotel was pretty nice and big, but the elevators were located in only one side of the building so it was a long walk going to the other side where my uncle’s hotel room was located.

We drove to Port Canaveral for our Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas. It was pretty easy to get there – I-528 E all the way until you see signs for your ship’s terminal.

Cruise lines usually have daily newsletters that contain the day’s activities, specials, and other info.  These daily newsletters get delivered to your stateroom the night before except of course on embarkation day.  Royal Caribbean’s daily newsletter is called Cruise Compass.  Below is the Cruise Compass on embarkation day, click here to download the Cruise Compass for the entire cruise.  It was in our cabin when we checked in.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…