Journey log, day two. Good Day at CocoCay.
7-Night time Western Caribbean Royal Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida 
March 11, 2024
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Surprise of the Seas Deck Plan

I slept shocking properly after my first impression of the mattress and pillows which first didn’t really feel nice. In actuality, they turned out to be the proper mixture for an exquisite sleep. As traditional, I used to be up and out of the stateroom early to go stroll round. It’s typically a blended bag, some occasions it’s quieter on the primary few mornings versus later within the cruise. Principally true for the primary day at sea, so being that we have been heading to one in all Royal Caribbeans non-public locations right now, there have been extra people up and roaming round earlier than the breakfast venues opened up.

One side of the ship that stands proud is the wonderful wayfinding maps and directories prominently displayed close to the elevators. Places have been listed for every deck in a straightforward to learn format, and there was shade coding for the staterooms. No matter the place I used to be beforehand, I might simply discover which quadrant of the deck I wanted to stroll in direction of primarily based on the colour coding. We have been in stateroom 10629. Deck 10, stateroom 629 which was denoted by the yellow block of rooms. I discovered this extraordinarily useful since I used to be nonetheless studying my manner round a brand new cruise ship structure.

For analysis functions, I made the choice to not do my homework and examine the deck plan forward of the cruise, simply as I did final 12 months once we sailed on the Mardi Gras. My regular number one tip for cruising on a brand new ship is to check the deck plan so you aren’t losing time working round in circles your first few days onboard and doubtlessly lacking out on a schedule exercise. The analysis aspect was merely to see how properly the cruise line arrange signage for friends to navigate the vessel. I’m giving Surprise of the Seas a stable A, possibly even worthy of an A+ on the wayfinding signage.

Royal Caribbean calls their room key, a SeaPass card, which is actually the identical as Disney’s Key to the World Card (KTTW). The SeaPass card makes use of RFID know-how to open your stateroom door, pay for purchases, and to faucet at safety on the gangway. The staterooms even have the spot contained in the door for a card to activate the facility within the room and similar to with DCL, you may put any card within the slot. Along with the ship and sail date particulars, the SeaPass playing cards embody your meeting station, eating info and even your stateroom quantity. Usually, key playing cards would not have room numbers printed on them for apparent safety cause, however the quantity printed does NOT embody the deck quantity. I wouldn’t be shocked to see safety seem if somebody tried this card on a number of 629 staterooms in a brief time frame. There are cameras and indicators in every single place mentioning you’re on surveillance. Royal Caribbean additionally provides a WOW Band for $9.99, which is wearable alongside the traces of a Disney Band+. Personally, I’m not a fan of both, so I didn’t get one for this cruise, nor did anybody else in our occasion.

On the Surprise of the Seas elevators, you can be reminded what day of the week it at present is in the actual world.

I made my manner right down to the Royal Promenade to get an Americano utilizing my Café Choose espresso card at Café Promenade. The Café Choose card entitled me to “15 specialty coffees” throughout the voyage which is in quotes for cause, however first some background.

This was a pre-cruise buy for $31, which I picked up on embarkation day at Café Promenade and is redeemable in any respect espresso places onboard besides the licensed Starbucks shops.

The “15 specialty coffees” half comes right down to the wonderful print and the barista’s enforcement of the wonderful print.

I need to admit, I didn’t do my homework on this one, so I figured it was a literal 15 coffees, solely to find at Café Promenade, they’re sticklers for the wonderful print. A grande Americano was a two punch order. Math works out properly contemplating it’s $4 for a grande Americano on the Surprise of the Seas, which is concerning the going fee for a grande Americano at my native Starbucks.

The road at Café Promenade was lengthy versus the ghost city down on the Starbucks since they don’t settle for the punch card or any of the opposite beverage packages. Though, there are a number of locations to buy specialty espresso across the ship whereas there’s simply the one Starbucks location. It’s price mentioning that the complimentary drip espresso out there onboard was a few of the greatest I’ve encountered at sea. They brew Lavazza espresso.

It was nonetheless early and I had a pleasant window of time to do some work. The web was hit or miss with intermittent lengthy delays in my Distant Desktop connection. If you don’t work on a cruise, superior; skip this paragraph. When the connection labored, it was nice, however when it lagged, it was aggravating, particularly in the course of an necessary activity. I ultimately obtained used to the random lagging, and used the connection hiccup to look away from my laptop computer to cut back eye fatigue.

Beneath is a take a look at the display to change your web plan from one machine to a different. If you’re like me and have a Two-factor authentication (2FA) login requirement which makes use of your smartphone, you may nonetheless accomplish this with a single machine plan. In my case, I merely plug my iPhone into my laptop computer permitting the smartphone to make use of the identical connection because the laptop computer permitting my 2FA app to work. Similar course of works on DCL’s plans as it’s foolish to pay for a second machine only for 2FA. I like to recommend working towards this at dwelling by placing your cellphone in airplane mode and disabling the smartphone’s WiFi.

As we have been packing up our day bag to go ashore, we found that the TV strikes! In our room, the TV was mounted on the foot of the mattress, making for a troublesome viewing angle for anybody sitting on the couch.This was a terrific characteristic, as we might sit exterior and nonetheless catch a glimpse of the ultimate spherical of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, then later within the week The Gamers, and the NCAA convention championship video games.

Round 9:15 AM, we have been prepared to go ashore, however first we needed to cease and take a look at seaside towels. Key phrase right here is “take a look at”, not choose up. You possibly can take a look at as many towels as you need, however they scan your SeaPass card and should be returned by the tip of the cruise or they are saying you can be charged $25/towel. Carnival had an identical towel check-in and return process, however we have been staying in a set on the Mardi Gras, so we have been offered towels within the room to make use of. That is a type of issues I can say is actually a Disney Distinction with the straightforward entry to towels when going ashore, and at numerous spots across the higher pool decks. It really is one thing I’ve taken with no consideration. Every time I’ve to face in line to check-in or out a towel, I’m reminded of how it isn’t even one thing that crosses my thoughts when crusing with Disney Cruise Line.

Our first port of name on this voyage is Good Day at CocoCay which is pronounced “KEY”. Good Day at CocoCay is positioned the The Bahamas’ and is among the Berry Islands referred to as Little Stirrup Cay.

Land, and our first shut up take a look at the Surprise of the Seas.

One side about Good Day at CocoCay is that you’re more likely to share the island with one other cruise ship. In our case, the Odyssey of the Seas was docked on the opposite aspect of the pier.

The stroll from the ship on the pier was picturesque with distinguished “Good Day” and “CocoCay” indicators flanking the pier.

Useful to newcomers equivalent to myself, Royal Caribbean supplied an precise printed brochure and island map.

Moreover, in our room, there was a paper handout (under). It was a welcome sight to see choices aside from utilizing a cruise line app.

Did now we have a plan? Did now we have a pre-determined spot to take a seat? Did we…? Nope to all of these questions. We have been simply casually heading ashore and let life play out naturally. We did somewhat window procuring on the numerous huts earlier than shifting alongside to the place we settled in for the morning, an space labeled as Chill Island on the map positioned on the east aspect of the island.

We discovered a pleasant spot with 5 loungers and basically frolicked speaking and studying up till it was time for lunch. The climate was subjectively cool mixed with the subjectively chilly water temperatures, and wind chill water primarily based actions for me have been out of the query. Actually, I virtually went again over to the procuring huts to seek out lengthy pants and a sweatshirt. For perspective, something underneath 80ºF is chilly, which I’m totally conscious is a me downside, not shared by most. Emily and Isabelle additionally weren’t going to take part in water actions ashore as a result of temperature and wind, both.

We dscovered a few basketball hoops setup on Chill Island close to the restrooms. They look like in full solar many of the day, so if that is one thing you have an interest in, deliver acceptable footwear as a result of that court docket floor goes to be toasty.

I strolled over nearer to the southern aspect of the island to Breezy Bay recognizing the Seaside Beds which can be found to hire (beginning at $199 and up primarily based on seasonal pricing) for the day to benefit from the seaside and embody two floating seaside mats, a cooler stocked with 4 bottles of water and seaside towels. One thing alongside the traces of those day beds could be a welcome addition to Castaway Cay and probably at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Level (no thought what kind of facilities might be supplied aside from the cabanas at the moment).

Now these over the water cabanas regarded superior, however they aren’t low-cost – costs differ, however vary primarily based on seasonal pricing from $999 to $4000+ a day. The value additionally consists of entry to the Coco Seaside Membership providing entry to an unique non-public seaside, the clubhouse, the infinity pool, seaside chairs and towels, and complimentary eating on the Coco Seaside Membership restaurant.

There’s something a few flag flying within the wind that could be a bit hypnotic, I stood on this spot longer than I’d wish to admit whereas I used to be ready to fulfill up with the household simply watching the flag.

I used to be prepared to seek out the bar. It simply so occurred we have been a number of yards away from the Chill Island bar named Bar, #28 on the map. Good or dangerous, I wish to attempt native beers no less than as soon as when touring. Right this moment, it was a straightforward order, SANDS from Bahamian Brewery. After all I ordered it as a result of it was a beer that had a reputation that was solely lacking two letters from my title. Emily ordered off menu and taught the bartender on the Bar correctly make a French 75. Later, she went again and ordered a Prosecco, pictured under.

Round lunchtime, we walked round and I caught wind of some gadgets out there on the island. I nonetheless checked Chill Grill serving up complimentary BBQ, contemporary salads, and tacos.

There was fairly an assortment (as you may see within the gallery under), together with comfortable serve ice cream, and a self-serve beer faucet! This was additionally one of many places on Good Day to replenish on complimentary ice, water, and juice!

I used to be not going to be lured away from my mission to seek out the one of many three Snack Shack places the place you may get sandwich, salads, aspect, and desserts. I used to be delighted to see I used to be not led astray, and there have been Mozzarella Sticks out there – the great type with a crunch and wonderful cheese pull. The last word Bahamian island culinary deal with.

Two Shack Crispy Hen Sandwich and order of Mozzarella Sticks please!

Day 2 and I’m headed off the rails with essentially the most unhealthy, however extremely superb sandwich ever created. I’m certain I’m not the one one to create this culinary masterpiece, however I think about it’s a small however superb membership. Technically, I loved the crispy hen mozzarella sandwich with out the bun as a result of I’m watching my carbs.

The tacos have been a success with the remainder of the household as they regarded on in both disbelief or concern for my well being. NO RAGRETS, not even a single chew!

After having fun with lunch, it was time to carry down my lounge chair all wrapped up in seaside towels for heat, and resume flipping pages in my e-book. This in all probability would have been a good time to stroll across the island with Emily and the opposite teen in our occasion, however I felt like I had feeling concerning the island, and I do know I might be returning in hopefully hotter situations. My laziness didn’t cease the household from strolling round exploring different areas of Good Day at CocoCay such because the pool space. I just like the vibe a lot greater than Amber Cove, the unique resort within the Dominican Republic for the assorted traces underneath the Carnival umbrella. Good Day by no means felt crowed or busy even with two cruise ships.

At about 1:45PM, we determined to pack up and start our quick journey again to the ship. Good Day at CocoCay has quite a lot of potential, however with the cool temp we opted to go again onboard for the new tub.

Our official hammock tester was impressed with the hammock’s scattered round Good Day discovering fairly a number of that weren’t being held for future use and within the shade.

On the way in which again, we stopped on the bridge the place we might see the Harbor Seaside space the place you may journey a zipper line throughout (see video under).

Harbor Seaside space additionally consists of Skipper’s Grill providing the identical fare as Chill Grill. Much like Cookies BBQ and Cookies BBQ Too at Castaway Cay, there are redundant choices so friends aren’t trekking everywhere in the island for sustenance.

The tower on the proper is a set of waterslides which can be a part of the Thrill Waterpark space on the island. In line with this PDF from Royal Caribbean, pricing varies with seasonal pricing starting from $89-$169. This looks as if a pleasant addition, however for a primary time go to on subjectively cooler day, it was by no means an add-on that I thought-about.

The bridge provides a pleasant spot to take a household image that I’m fairly certain might be on this 12 months’s Christmas card. It helps if you journey with associates who can take nice pictures!

There was a cute sand sculpture that adjustments on occasion (my manner of claiming its actual, however I don’t know if it adjustments designs seasonally, or simply when it will get too worn down by the climate).

The stroll to the ship from the pier actually isn’t a lot completely different from the stroll at Castaway Cay to the tram cease. The principle distinction is there’s a devoted tram at Good Day at CocoCay that runs steady service between the ship and Arrivals Plaza.

One in all my favourite issues to due whereas cruising is to {photograph} the ships in port. There are variety of nice vantage factors alongside the pier to seize image of your ship.

Beneath is a set of random video compiled into one YouTube video that can by no means get picked up by an algorithm as a result of I’m cussed and won’t give it a clickbait title, or design and add silly thumbnail with my mouth agape with a scene unrelated to the precise video.

All aboard was 4:30PM, however we have been again onboard round 2PM. We dropped our baggage off at room, and went as much as the pool deck discovering the lukewarm whirlpool which was higher than the Atlantic Ocean, so I name it a win.

After a bit, we dried off and headed again to the stateroom to scrub up. Nicely, I took a detour to scope out the choices for a return lunch journey in a while within the cruise. Since I already stopped on the poolside bar for a beer, I made a nacho bowl to take again to take pleasure in on the stateroom balcony. Clearly, my lunch didn’t section me.

Someplace round 3:45 PM, I might hear some peaceable music from the balcony. I regarded down and had a view to a marriage! Congratulations and cheers to a life lengthy journey that began on a cruise ship. Enjoyable reality: whereas we didn’t get married on a cruise, a part of our honeymoon was spent crusing on the Disney Surprise, which was my first cruise.

I spent a while engaged on the balcony with the web behaving a lot a lot better whereas I waited for my flip within the bathe. One factor about our stateroom is that it does NOT have a dividing curtain which requires a little bit of communication with the household when getting modified exterior of the toilet. We did discover one other stateroom had a dividing curtain, however I’m not certain if this was one thing that was out there upon request or one thing that the friends introduced with them and afixed with magnets.

Tonight’s dinner menu was themed as A Style of Italy.

Vijay began us out by welcoming us to dinner with the artisan cheese plate from the dessert menu in his hand to take pleasure in with our wine. Day 2, and he will get us!

The appetizer spherical was highlighted by the Golden Polenta Fries which have been cubes of deliciousness in a hazelnut-red pepper sauce.

The entrées have been contemporary and flavorful. After final evening’s disappointment with the Chef’s Suggestion, I went proper again to that suggestion and ordered the Lasagna Al Forno which did NOT disappoint!

The desserts regarded nice as properly with the Crumbly Oat And Berry Bar by far my favourite. Very like a granola bar, it was not overly candy leveraging the flavour and sweetness of the berries. The remainder of the desk beloved the nice and cozy chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream on high, the very best, however they have been all scrumptious. Very spectacular for major eating room fare.

General, dinner was a lot better than the primary evening, and the service stays wonderful and we have been out and in in lower than an hour! Vijay even introduced further desserts to our desk for everybody to pattern.

After dinner, we have been strolling across the Royal Promenade, then headed up on flight of stairs to the Schooner Bar. Whereas we have been ready to order, I made a decision to run one other velocity check, this time with some wonderful outcomes. The Starlink connection is routed by means of Atlanta, GA the primary couple of days which is nice in case you are coping with distant entry the place the firewall prevents connections from exterior of america. Once more, if you don’t work whereas on a cruise, ignore this half.

The Schooner Bar is decked out in a nautical motif impressed by tall ships. There are nautical options equivalent to rigging, a compass, and even a diver’s helmet.

There was one odd prevalence, properly, two as a result of it occurred twice this night. The server took menu from the desk earlier than we had an opportunity to order. We have been seated at a sofa with a desk ready for our whole occasion to reach. For some cause, I don’t know if it’s a mechanism for the servers to determine which events have been checked on as a substitute of inserting a cocktail serviette on our desk, however it felt extra just like the case of the potential stolen menu – there have been loads of empty tables with menus out there so it was a restricted provide challenge. It was unusual that it was taken after ordering our first spherical. So, I grabbed one from the close by desk and when our drinks arrived, and the server took the menu once more. I quit.

Anyway, again to the necessary stuff, the cocktail that introduced us in after we previewed the menu on embarkation day, the Toasted Marshmallow Outdated Long-established. An Outdated Long-established is my go to cocktail and lately, and bars have been developing with some wonderful variants on the traditional cocktail. I used to be hesitant as a result of, I’ve been burned earlier than by overly candy creations that utterly masks the whiskey. Professional tip, this tends to occurs extra typically when a flavored whiskey is used. The Schooner Bar used Buffalo Hint and an acceptable ratio of their toasted marshmallow syrup which was accompanied by cocoa bitters, and 4 toasted marshmallows made up the garnish on a cocktail choose. The cocktail was nice with my solely criticism being that I want the toasted marshmallow garnish was toasted longer.

Whereas within the Schooner Bar which seems to be out over the Royal Promenade, you may see the Rising Tide Bar which is constructed on a shifting platform taking patrons and the complete bar itself from the Royal Promenade on deck 5 to Central Park on deck 8. Beneath is a time-lapse of the bar descending the place in actual time it takes about 7-8 minutes. We heard this was a preferred spot, however we by no means noticed it at capability.

Our subsequent deliberate exercise was beginning at 7:15PM, Identify That Tune: 80’s Hits in Luna… OOPS, I meant the Music Corridor.

In all seriousness, my first impression of the Music Corridor spanning decks 8 and 9 on the Surprise of the Seas was that it was just like Luna on the Disney Want (and Sarabi on the Disney Treasure), however higher. On no account am I bashing the Want Class venue, however the Music Corridor for my part has a a lot better design particularly a spiral staircase within the nook that permits patrons to maneuver from the balcony space to the principle flooring. General, the venue was appropriately sized for the music trivia periods we attended.

After trivia, we headed again out to stroll across the mall, which is what I think about the Royal Promenade. Present me the lie — there’s meals court docket of kind, shops, and even kiosks.

Hidden within the nook at visitor companies, you may see the commemorative bottle of Veuve Clicquot under a portrait of the Surprise of the Seas godmother, Marie McCrea. Personally, I believe it’s a disgrace when the Godmother portraits are hidden away like an afterthought, however since cruise traces are extra focuses on making floating resorts as a substitute of cruise ships, it’s no marvel the maritime custom is being pushed to a nook. Perish the thought, anybody notice we’re crusing ON A CRUISE SHIP IN OPEN WATER?!?!?!

We made our manner again as much as deck 8 to Central Park. Emily and I strolled into the EFFY Boutique on the tail finish of ‘Prepared…Set…Have a good time with Effy.’ There have been folks leaving with baggage and bottles of glowing wine, so it will need to have been a profitable occasion. We noticed an indication displaying some cat jewellery and determined to test it out. Good Grief! We weren’t anticipating these costs for the panther ring and clearly I have no idea a lot of something about jewellery. Did I point out, my spouse is superb? The occasion was a good time to go searching as all of the gross sales associates have been busy with the occasion so it was simple to browse the collections with out the gross sales push.

There’s something particular about Central Park within the evenings when there’s a dwell musician. Even within the following extraordinarily quick video clip you may get the thought of the tranquil ambiance of the house with Elton John’s Can You Really feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King being performed by the Blue Notes Jazz Quartet Reside.

Here’s a hyperlink to full set from the Blue Notes Jazz Quartet posted on YouTube by one of many musicians.

Tonight we fall again 1 hour, mere days after springing forward to sunlight financial savings time. Not this man, despite the fact that that is trip, I’m going to power myself to function my dwelling time and play the sport of ‘will I miss the all aboard time’ primarily based on the upcoming confusion of native time, my time, and ship’s time.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, is a sea day, and boy wouldn’t or not it’s superior if Disney Cruise Line introduced the Summer season 2025 a pair days forward of the frequent launch day of Thursday when now we have an all day tour in Honduras. I understand how that is going to play out; the bulletins have been synced up with my holidays for a number of years now, however quickly we might be freed from the county faculty schedule and I’ll lastly discover out if shoreside is basically tapped into my household calendar. Plus, Disney Cruise Line teased the announcement on social media, however not on X (previously Twitter) as a result of they together with different official Disney accounts apparently deserted the platform in late November of final 12 months more than likely on as a consequence of feedback from the proprietor of the social media platform. Nonetheless, for some cause, I simply now found this bit of knowledge.