Had to share some thoughts on our first non-Disney vacation in many years.

I thought my kids were a little tired of Disney, so I did my research and booked a cruise on the Carnival Freedom 6 night Western Caribbean. While we loved all the Ports of Call on the cruise (Key West, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios), Carnival just didn't measure up to Disney. Not in any way. I feel we all went with open minds, but my kids (ages 20 and13) were the first to say..."boy, this isn't Disney." We have been spoiled rotten by the Disney Resorts, Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and every single cast member working there. I have no specific complaints about Carnival, it was just the lack of "magic" we have come to love from Disney over the years. Only after we arrived at Disney's Vero Beach Resort for a few extra days of relaxation after the cruise did we feel truly at home.

We took a chance...wanted to expand our horizons...but we learned our lesson. Disney is our home away from home.