After our last attempt at docking at Castaway Cay had failed on the Fantasy, we were happy to see blue skies and a safe docking this morning. We were one of the first off the ship at 8:30 and made our way to the Serenity Bay tram stop, where we learned Serenity Bay is not so serene any more since Disney has placed family cabanas in the area so the tram now had children onboard who would also be sharing the BBQ and drink station. The beach area for the cabanas is located where the crew beach used to be so the sounds of children playing in the water carry over to the adult space. This is another example of Disney giving up on the adult audience and parents who want a break, which does not make sense since all of the adult shows and spaces were packed.
Our first chairs were in the sun so J. R. moved down into the shade while Janie went into the water. There was a small passing shower that did not last long. We ordered Konk Koolers again but these were not as good as there was less pineapple taste than the day before. By noon, we had been in the sun too long so rather than eating on the island, we caught the tram back to the ship.
Lunch was not quite open when we headed upstairs. While we were washing our hands we had a helpful guest yell out, 'Unless you are just planning to wash your hands, they aren't open yet.' However, there was no restriction on going inside and sitting down at a table. The food was good although it was the blandest chicken tikka masala ever. A family decided to sit next to us with an over-tired toddler and then proceeded to complain about everything, including having to wait 10 minutes for salmon because someone in front of them took the last piece. We guessed they would prefer to have fish that was sitting around under a heat lamp waiting for them.
We went back to the Sanctum and waited for it to open so Janie could have more 'Infinite Bubbles'. Loki showed up and walked around critiquing the friendship bracelets all of the kids in the room were making.
J. R. headed to the room to take a nap while Janie went to what she thought was going to be a Maleficient show but turned out to be another meet-and-greet in Saga with a few theatrical flourishes. While in the room, the captain announced we were delayed leaving Castaway Cay due to a medical emergency which caused us not to leave until after sunset. According to another guest, this caused someone to complain to Guest Services. None of us could rationalize why they would complain except the shops were delayed opening. For all we know, it was the same family from earlier.
J. R. came down to go to Cask and Cannon and saw Janie sitting in Saga. We entered the space as it opened and sat down at the bar. We ordered the 'Dead Man's Chest' experience for two which was two drinks served in a wooden chest with light-up coasters and a bunch of chocolate pirate coins, which Rebecca had asked us to bring back for her. The drink was made with Zacapa 23 Solera Rum, Pineapple, Lime, Agave, Coconut Froth and was a little sweet for our taste, but still good. J. R. had another ale before we left.
We did a 2010s music trivia which we were just as bad with as the night before. Then with some time to kill before dinner, we sat down above the atrium where Janie saw they were setting up a photo opportunity with the Disney 'squirrels', somehow named 'Chip' and 'Dale'. The Dead Man's Chest may have been too strong for her. But soon the chipmunks appeared and we headed off shortly after that for dinner.
We dined in Worlds of Marvel again tonight with the Pirate Night menu. There wasn't a show tonight but they did display concept art and other drawings on the screens from Marvel movies. Alessandro performed a magic trick for us and then showed us it was a trick deck. Sneaky.
We went up to deck 12 for the pirate night festivities and found a place along the starboard railing, trying not to be hit by kids swinging sword bubblers. Not sure Disney was thinking straight in selling these knowing that if you give a kid a sword, he is going to swing it and try to hit his siblings with it. Another family came up on the other side of us and tried to muscle their way into our space, standing real close and bumping J. R. every few minutes until he asked them to stop pushing him and they backed away. Not sure why they felt they needed that space since the fireworks are shot into the air, not at balcony level.
We were back in Hook's Barbery tonight with Abhi, who told us we would be experiencing over $600 worth of whiskey tonight for the low price of our $100 tasting. Perhaps that is the case at retail, but we doubt Mickey was losing any money over the tasting. Abhi spent a little too much time explaining the history of whiskey, particularly considering the audience for a reserve tasting already knew a lot about how it was made. As a result, we were a little rushed with the tastings that should have been sippings.
