*Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Sailor’s Life for Me!

(Sunday, February 23rd – Post 1)

Sunday we woke to a bright, sunny sky!  Yes!!  We were ready to don our shorts and t-shirts and enjoy some warm temps!  It’s been a crazy long, cold winter so we couldn’t wait to get into the sun!

After a delicious breakfast where Hannah enjoyed a PB&J pancake we made our way up to the Oceaneer Club which was in Open House mode meaning parents were welcome to stay until 10am and pictures were allowed. 

I was totally impressed by the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab!  The crew members are friendly and outgoing and safety is their number one priority.  I registered Hannah online before the cruise and in the terminal even before boarding the ship they took individual pictures of all 3 of us.  Hannah was issued a band similar to MagicBands used in the parks.  The difference with these bands are that they are secured with a plastic closure so that the children could not remove them.   Each time she entered or left the Club or Lab she would put her hands in a hand washing station that would automatically wash them for her.  She thought this was pretty cool…as did mommy!  Wish I’d thought to take a video of that!

When clubs are not in ‘open house’ mode they are secured for children only.  When it was time for me to pick Hannah up I would go to the front desk and scan my Key to the World card.  Hannah’s location would immediately pop up on their screen and they would tell me where I could find her.  They would then give me a yellow ‘Parent Pick-up’ lanyard, unlock the Plexiglas  gate and allow me to enter the Club.  During secured programing no pictures were allowed to be taken.  I would make my way to where she was and let her know it was time to go.  After a bit of time to finish up what she was doing we’d go back to the front gate where Hannah would scan her band.  I was then asked to tell the secret password that I’d provided in order to pick Hannah up even though my picture was clearly displayed on the screen in front of the Kids Club staff.  I was SO happy with the safety measures they took to care for my sweet girl.  I had no problems leaving her there.  She also knew that at any time she could go to the front desk and ask them to call me and they immediately would.  Each stateroom has 2 wave phones that work throughout the ship and on Castaway Cay too.  It made both of us feel better knowing she could contact me at any time if she wanted.

Back to Hannah’s fun in the club during the Open House….

Ah yes, this is just the kind of view I get from my desk too Hannah!

Soon it was time for Mickey’s Puzzle Playtime.  We weren’t sure what was going to happen but Hannah was excited to join in whatever it was!

The kids answered the first puzzle and Goofy appeared who led them in the Hand Jive. 

Goofy was followed by Minnie Mouse!

Mickey was the final guest of honour and he led the kids in a march around the room.  Check out Hannah’s grin!!  She was absolutely bouncing with excitement!

Once secured programs began Hannah chose to stay in club so Sharon and I headed up to the adults only area of the ship.  ‘Oh Baby!!!’ is all I can say!!  (This one’s a style I learned from you M3!)

Just before noon we picked Hannah up from clubs and she came out still bouncing saying she’d had a great time and won a hat on a scavenger hunt.  (Check out the port hole!  These are located all over the ship and are window seats that many people use.)

We enjoyed sitting down in a quiet restaurant for lunches on many days rather than going to buffets.  It was a wonderful treat!

After lunch Nana and I surprised Hannah with an early birthday gift and took her to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  She was super excited as this is something she’s seen at the parks but we’ve never visited.  I’d originally ordered the Little Mermaid package but the moment I began to try the (itty bitty) bathing suit on her I knew we needed to make a change.  Nana immediately offered to purchase a princess dress for her so I thanked her and happily moved in a new direction of a princess makeover.  Hannah chose her current favourite princess ~ Rapunzel!  She sat so still as her personal Fairy Godmother in Training, Briana first did her hair, then nails and makeup.  She loved all the pampering!

Hannah and Briana

Thank you Miss Briana!!

The final package was wonderful!  Hannah received a Rapunzel dress, Rapunzel tiara, wand, Mickey gem barrette, shoes, backpack, 2 colours of nail polish, makeup, a gem tiara, sparkly face stickers, birthday sash and a pink backpack to keep it all in.  What a wonderful treat to celebrate my sweet girl’s 5th birthday!

The big reveal. 

As they turned her around I teared up as she looked so beautiful and she was so excited to see herself.  She spun and twirled in ever elevator mirror that day!

Introducing…Princess Hannah!