day 3.5: finishing up our Nassau day on the boat

After we got back on the boat from our excursion in Nassau, we still had a bit of time before we needed to pick up the kiddo from the nursery. So we grabbed a couple of coffee drinks, went out on the deck, found a couple of lounge chairs overlooking the island, and enjoyed some us-time. It was awesome. The weather really couldn't have been more perfect either.

After our "kid-free" time, we went back down to the nursery to get the kiddo and grab some lunch. To our surprise, the kiddo didn't want to leave. She had so much fun and wanted to continue playing with all the nursery workers and all the fun toys and things.
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For those wondering, or who asked, there is childcare available for kids as young as 3 months and up. ***Also, babies under 12 weeks are not allowed on the ship to begin with.*** I think the nursery's age range goes up to 3 years.

This specific nursery stays on-board the entire duration of the cruise unlike the other age groups that have their daycare setup off the boat on the day at Castaway Cay. (Castaway Cay is Disney's own island that is a destination for all the Caribbean Cruises).

To maintain a great staff to child ratio, you have to make a reservation to reserve a slot. Don't fret though, because it turns out its quite flexible. Case in point, we spent the morning and lunch at Castaway Cay having lots of fun before returning for the kiddo's afternoon nap. The kiddo was exhausted and slept through the entire reservation time and then some. I simply canceled our reservation and made a reservation for later that evening giving my love and I a dinner date instead. No problem. Fortunately we had the early dinner because I was told that the later dinner time frame is typically booked solid (which was evident when we came to pick up the munchkin after dinner).

No worries, the kiddo didn't miss out on dinner. Food is anywhere you turn, so I grabbed a healthy, well-balanced meal just for her and brought it back to our room so she could eat before we dropped her off at the nursery.

Oh, and they definitely have some security measures set up which is waaaay comforting. Before your cruise sets sail, you'll fill out a childcare worksheet online. On that worksheet you'll fill out who can pick up the kiddo and have a verbal password that you have to verify with the staff worker before they'll even bring your kiddo to you. Its comforting and reassuring the measures they take.
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Anyway, after our lunch in the Royal Palace (where we ate dinner the night before), we headed upstairs to the miniature golf course.

It was Sweet P's first time playing.

You can imagine how long that interested a two year old. :)

She was more fascinated with all the fun objects creating the obstacles than hitting the ball with the club. So we went with it and let her explore and have fun.

It worked since there weren't many people on-board at the time as they were enjoying their island time.

After our "mini golf" gaming, the kiddo saw the swimming pools and INSISTED on going in. The Nemo's water fountain area held no power over her and sadly kiddos wearing swim diapers are not allowed to go in the pools.

We felt terrible about not getting to go swimming. This was especially tough on me since I want to give her every opportunity to swim and nurture that desire whenever possible since I love to swim so much. So we did the next best thing. My love suggested "swimming" in the bathtub in our room. She was quite enthusiastic and excited about that. (whew!)

Dinner that night was in the unique and entertaining Animator's Pallette. This place is such a cool idea! Words really don't describe this well enough to do it justice, or at least mine won't. But basically there are screens that initially start out with sketches of Finding Nemo characters but throughout the course of the meal they become fully animated characters swimming and interacting with everybody throughout the entire dining room (as in literally talking to "the kid in the orange shirt").

The dining room's lighting also changed throughout the course of the meal. All the coordinating decor fit the studio feel too. Way cool.

Of course the food was yummy. Need I say more after you see the picture of my dessert?

The kiddo is enjoying playing with her Mickey Mouse ice cream bar. Still doesn't want anything to do with actually eating ice cream. So funny. I wonder if she'll believe me years down the road when I tell her she didn't want to eat ice cream or cake.

After dinner, we headed back to our room, and despite the late hour for the kiddo, we soaked in a few fun moments on the verandah. (Have I mentioned how much we loved having this?)

I know its not the greatest picture, but I really love the colors and the memory I have of the one below. Nassau in the distance, the yellow lifeboats and the crystal clear blue water illuminated below, and the lights along the ship all lit up in the darkness of the night. Sigh...I can almost feel the warm misty air on my face just looking at it.