UPDATED--What a difference!! First Carnival cruise, then Disney cruise..

[bettyann29]

Just got back today from our 2 week adventure.. feeling much better after a little rest.. but glad to be back..

We left our home to head to Florida on Thursday, August 27th.. We decided to drive because we were originally planning on doing a 7 day Carnival Cruise and then we were planning WDW for a week, then it changed to going to Key West after the cruise, but then lastly we changed our plans again and decided to do a 4 day Disney cruise on Wonder.. after that cruise we were going to spend a few days with DMIL as she lives closeby Port Canaveral..

After 22 grueling hours in the car we arrived at Cape Canaveral on Friday.. As we were coming over the bridge we noticed bunches of people stopped on the side of the road, and since Im nosey I talked DH into stopping so we could see what everyone was looking at..

it was the coolest thing.. not sure why, but there were bunches of manatees right there at the edge of the water..
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/bettyann29/Florida%202009/105_0033.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/bettyann29/Florida%202009/105_0034.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/bettyann29/Florida%202009/105_0032.jpg

Our first cruise wasnt until Saturday so we figured we could relax and restup.. We stayed at Radisson at the Port.. we decided to stay in a suite.. it was awesome!! Heres a few pictures.. but I'll post a few more in the next post since I have to limit to 5 I believe..

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/bettyann29/Florida%202009/105_0040.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/bettyann29/Florida%202009/105_0038.jpg

cont..

[bettyann29]

heres some more of the hotel room:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/bettyann29/Florida%202009/105_0036.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/bettyann29/Florida%202009/100_0046.jpg

and my favorite part.. the jacuzzi tub in the bedroom!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/bettyann29/Florida%202009/105_0037.jpg

With taxes and such it was around $180 which wasnt bad as this included our parking for the next 7 days while we were cruising.. there was a kitchen table in the room along with a microwave and a small sink area with a small frigerator.. and also included a hot breakfast the next morning.. We thought it was definitely worth what we paid for it..

We were excited when we found out that the shuttle might take off that Friday as it had been scrubbed several times.. After napping and driving around for a bit and then finding something to eat nearby we laid back down and set the alarm so we could get up to hopefully see the shuttle leave..

We got up a little early and made our way outside and there were bunches of others out there too.. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.. it was like we had front row seats.. the sky lit up like Ive never seen before.. I got some pictures but they arent good at all.. I can still see it in my mind though and it was amazing!

afterwards we went back to the room and went to bed as we had an early day so we could get on the first cruise, Carnival Glory..

Stay tuned..

[jasminewannabe]

Cool! Can't wait to read more! Love the pics of the manatees!

I will be going on my first cruise EVER in december on the Wonder! I am really looking foward to reading and looking at your pics!

[bettyann29]

Welcome Jasminewanabe!! Glad to see you here..

You will love the pictures I'll be putting up then!! I took bunches of pictures..

[mayraguma]

Hi there
I shared FE with you.

Post pics for us to see

[bettyann29]

Hi there
I shared FE with you.

Post pics for us to see


Welcome Mayraguma!!! I recognize your name! Hope you like what you got..

Thanks for coming here.

[bettyann29]

Yikes.. I meant to come on last night and post but still trying to get things in order here.. everything is still in suitcases and me and DH are flying out Thursday after work to New Jersey for a family wedding and wont return til Sunday.. still need to finish unpacking and then start packing for this trip.. Cant wait to go to New Jersey but also cant wait to get back home and get back to my normal days..

Just realized I didnt give too much background.. Me and DH have cruise many times, this Carnival cruise was our 10th cruise and The Wonder was our 11th.. so we are definitely not newbies to cruising, just Disney Cruising..

Im trying to get the pictures downloaded now.. so hoping to have it done tonight so I can start back up..

will continue once I have some downloaded..

[LD NURSE]

I can't wait to read more. Going on first Dis cruise in Dec. Then taking Mom and Grandma on NCL in April....

[Kay1]

Good start. Love the manatees and can't wait to hear the comparisons.

[shoes99]

Welcome back, we were on the Wonder with you.
Michele & Milton

[disneydance]

Subscribing :)
Can't wait to read more!

[ArmandXG]

subscribing! Loved the Manatees:goodvibes

[parrotheadmom]

Loved the pictures of the manatees! Can't wait to read the rest! :thumbsup2

[TiszBear]

Can't wait to read more. Loved the pictures of the manatees

[TotallyAngelic]

looking forward to reading about your adventures - especially the comparison between the 2 cruise lines - loved the manatees.

[TiggerTails57]

Great start.....can't wait for more.

[jensen]

Anxiously awaiting the next installment!

[verygfy]

We were excited when we found out that the shuttle might take off that Friday as it had been scrubbed several times.. After napping and driving around for a bit and then finding something to eat nearby we laid back down and set the alarm so we could get up to hopefully see the shuttle leave..

We got up a little early and made our way outside and there were bunches of others out there too.. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.. it was like we had front row seats.. the sky lit up like Ive never seen before.. I got some pictures but they arent good at all.. I can still see it in my mind though and it was amazing!

afterwards we went back to the room and went to bed as we had an early day so we could get on the first cruise, Carnival Glory..

Stay tuned..

Just found your report and am very excited to read all about your cruise. I just wanted to share that when reading this I know exactly how you feel. We were driving to our hotel in Orlando and saw the space shuttle, did not get any pics since we were in the car and didn't expect it, but I still see it in my mind and thought it was incredible to see. Looking forward to the rest of the TR

[pamrob]

Waiting for more . . .

[bettyann29]

I can't wait to read more. Going on first Dis cruise in Dec. Then taking Mom and Grandma on NCL in April....

Good start. Love the manatees and can't wait to hear the comparisons.

Welcome back, we were on the Wonder with you.
Michele & Milton

Subscribing :)
Can't wait to read more!

subscribing! Loved the Manatees:goodvibes

Loved the pictures of the manatees! Can't wait to read the rest! :thumbsup2

Can't wait to read more. Loved the pictures of the manatees

looking forward to reading about your adventures - especially the comparison between the 2 cruise lines - loved the manatees.

Great start.....can't wait for more.

Anxiously awaiting the next installment!

Just found your report and am very excited to read all about your cruise. I just wanted to share that when reading this I know exactly how you feel. We were driving to our hotel in Orlando and saw the space shuttle, did not get any pics since we were in the car and didn't expect it, but I still see it in my mind and thought it was incredible to see. Looking forward to the rest of the TR

Waiting for more . . .


Just wanted to tell each of you Welcome!! :wizard: and thank you for bearing with me..

We got back from the 2 cruises and went to work the very next day.. had 4 days of work then we flew out to New Jersey for DH's cousins wedding and we were there for 4 days.. came back that following Sunday and went to work Monday morning only to find that I had to work 18 hours of mandatory overtime in addition to my regular 40 last week.. Found out again today that we have another 18 hours of mandatory overtime this week :faint: Needless to say I havent had much time for anything! as I am still doing all the housework, cooking dinner, clothes washing and taking care of the kids.. Thank goodness they are older, but still its tiring..

I decided to sneak on here for a bit this evening since DH is working the Dallas Cowboys game this evening and wont be home til late..

Let me see where I left off..

Oh yeah.. we got to Florida on Friday.. saw the manatees.. saw the shuttle launch.. had some dunkin donuts :laughing:.. went to bed so we could get up early for the cruise.. got up, showered and changed, ate breakfast, went to dunkin donuts for coffee before heading to the port.. :rolleyes1ok.. now we're back on track..

We got up early Saturday because we had to finish deciding what we wanted to bring on this cruise.. we definitely overpacked because we drove and knew that space wasnt an issue..

As soon as I woke up Saturday I got up and showered, changed and ran outside to see if I could see the ship in port.. YEP!! there it is.. of course I zoomed in..
http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0062.jpg

Then I ran back in to the room and me and DH went to get a bite to eat..

Heres a few pictures of the pool area of the Radisson..
http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0063.jpg

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0064.jpg

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0065.jpg

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0066.jpg

We ate at the breakfast buffet that was included with our room package.. it wasnt too shabby.. just regular breakfast foods, but it seemed to taste better because we didnt have to pay extra for it.. :goodvibes Isnt that funny how that works??

After we ate we decided to go back to the room and gather everything and get it in the car.. then we headed to Dunkin Donuts which is right down the road for some coffee.. :rotfl: DH love Dunkin Donuts.. then he dropped me off at the lobby and I checked out while he took the car to the back of the lot where we were instructed to the day before.. when we checked in they gave us a tag thing to hang from the rearview mirror.. he had to track his way back to the lobby and was dripping with sweat since it was so hot by the time he made it back.. once he was there I checked in with the guy at the front who gets you on the bus and we waited maybe 20 minutes and we were on our way...

[TiggerTails57]

Nice pics...........Thanks for fitting in an update.....:thumbsup2:goodvibes
LOL we are watching the Dallas game :) TD Cowboys!!

[bettyann29]

Nice pics...........Thanks for fitting in an update.....:thumbsup2:goodvibes
LOL we are watching the Dallas game :) TD Cowboys!!

You're welcome! Im gonna try to get on here regularly so I can get this done while its still semi fresh in my mind..

[bettyann29]

I'll get another installment on here tonight before I head to bed since I downloaded some of the pictures tonight..

ok..now we're on the bus heading to the port which was maybe a 5 minute ride.. so that was definitely nice! And here was my first view.. AHHH the Disney Magic.. too bad we werent going on her! :lmao:

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0075.jpg
:rotfl: I was fixated on the Disney ship!

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0087.jpg
http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0095.jpg
http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0096.jpg

The last 3 pictures were taken from our balcony :banana:

and here we are..

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0094.jpg

I have to break this up cause I can only do so many pictures in a post.. :rolleyes1

[bettyann29]

as soon as we nosed around in the room :rolleyes1 and checked out the balcony we practically ran to the sports bar.. and here we got..

for DH:
http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0080.jpg

for me:
http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0078.jpg

and we headed back to the balcony..

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0085.jpg

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0098.jpg

then of course the muster drill..
and how would it be a muster drill without one of those dorky pictures in the lifevest..

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0084.jpg

after that it was time to go.....

[bettyann29]

and we're on our way..
http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0102.jpg

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0103.jpg

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0104.jpg

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0106.jpg

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/brmisere/Florida%202009/100_0108.jpg

Next stop.. Nassau Bahamas..

Next installment.. got some pictures of desserts.. first towel animal of the cruise-- this was a cute one, one I hadnt seen before.. and a surprise from my DH!! He is such a sweetie! sometimes I dont think I deserve him.. :lovestruc