As we were walking into the Atrium to be announced, Mike and I were behind Brandi and Gayle. After they called their names and welcomed them aboard, I just kept walking right behind them. I was so excited to see what they thought of the ship that I just walked off and left Mike standing there. He called out to me, and I turned around to see him laughing. I got so caught up in the moment that I didn't even care that they didn't annonce us. So, I turned around so that we could be "properly" introduced!
Once we were finally onboard, we headed for Parrot Cay for lunch, but then we all decided that we'd rather go up to Topsider's instead. Just before we got on the elevators to go up, it suddenly hit me that I needed to go to the Spa to try and get a hair appointment. I told everyone to go ahead and I would catch up with them later, but they told me they would wait. I took off by myself in hopes that I could find my way to the Spa without getting lost. (I have a TERRIBLE sense of direction and can get lost in a mall!) Mike caught up with me a minute or so later and said he'd go with me in case I got lost...He knows me pretty well!! There was a Spa employee already in the elevator when we got on. She asked if we were headed to the Spa, and we told her yes. She asked what I wanted to make an appointment for, and I told her that I wanted an updo for formal night. She said that she wanted me to have Alex because he was the best, so she led us into the Spa and told the lady at the counter what I wanted. In a matter of seconds she told me that I could come at 3:30 on Monday afternoon, which was formal night! YES! I was SOOO excited and relieved that I was able to get something!
After leaving the Spa, we headed back to where we left Brandi and Gayle and headed up to Topsider's. It was really crowded in there, but we were finally able to find a seat inside. I was stil so excited about everything, so of course I didn't think to take pictures. We finished up at about 1:20 and decided to walk around a few minutes since the rooms weren't ready yet. So we took Gayle and Brandi down to the secret space on deck 7. I snapped a couple pics while we were taking in the view...
At 1:30 on the dot, our rooms were ready! I couldn't wait for Gayle and Brandi to make it to their room to see their surprises. Brandi had ordered the Birthday Stateroom Celebration for Gayle, and Mike and I had ordered the Bon Voyage for the both of them.
Their room was the first that we came to, so we waited at the door while they found their surprises. Both of them were totally excited. We were happy to be able to do something special for them. Here's what the Bon Voyage looked like...
It's kind of hard to see exactly what was in the tray, but it was a selection of Petite Fours and Chocolate Covered Strawberries. It also came with Champagne, but since they don't drink it I chose the Sparkling Cider for them.
Next, we headed over to our room to check out where we'd be spending the week.
Our
Castaway Club gift was waiting for us on the bed...
We had verandahs on both our other cruises, but this time we finally had a plexiglass one which wa really nice!
After taking a couple more photos, it was time to head up to the Promenade Lounge for our much awaited DIS meet! I was so excited to finally be meeting everyone. aussieinvasion and her family were already there, and shortly after ibela (Irene) found us as well. The three of us had been chatting for so long, so I was reallty glad to have finally met them both. Mike got a pic of the three of us...
Then it was time for our big group photo...
I was really overwhelmed at the number of DIS'ers on this cruise. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me. It was so great meeting all these people face to face!! Everyone was sweet and friendly!
The meet started to dwindle down and I knew we had to go get ready for our Lifeboat drill, so we headed back to the room. We assumed that since we were right next door to Gayle and Brandi that we would be at the same muster station, but we weren't. So we met out in the hall for a quick pic or two before we headed off to our stations.
The drill seemed like it took forever! I think it was mostly because we were outside this time but had been inside on our other cruises. Thankfully it was over fast enough and we headed back to the room.
When we got back, most of our luggage had arrived, so I was able to decorate our doors.
I had planned on making more signs, but I just never got around to it, so those were all that we had--but I thought they were cute enough!
Not long after we'd made it back to the stateroom, it was time to head up for Adventures Away! On our way outside we grabbed a Bon Voyage, my absolute favorite drink ever!!! I think I sucked mine down and everyone else was still sipping on theirs. Those things are SOOO good!
Both decks 9 and 10 were really crowded, but we managed to find a spot against the railing facing the stage. First out was our Cruise Director, Brent.
I've seen lots of good things about Brent here on the DIS, so I was really excited that we were cruising with him. Not to mention, he has the coolest accent ever!!
It wasn't long before the characters made their appearances...
The countdown had begun and we were about to sailaway!!! I couldn't believe that this trip that we had planned so long and worked so hard for was finally a reality! I think I teared up a little!!
I'm very excited to finally be starting this! Though our marvelous, magical, stupendous trip is done and over with, I think this will help me to re-live all the magical memories that we made. While I can't promise that this report will be as detailed or even as humorous as many here on the DIS, I will give it my best shot, and hopefully that will count for somethin'!
This never even crossed my mind until now, so I panicked a little. We had done well to fit everything in the suitcases that we already had. How in the world did they expect us to only have 2 pieces of luggage each??? Not only that, but they also told us that the carry-ons have to be a certain size, which I totally did not realize either!! A couple weeks prior to our trip, I had bought myself a new Large Duffel bag from Vera Bradley. Now I was afraid to take it in case it was too big!! Yes, I am a worrier, and it probably would have been fine, but I was afraid they wouldn't let me carry it on! So we throw all our suitcases on the bed and totally re-group. Thankfully, Mike worked his magic and we were able to get it down to 4 suitcases and a carry on! 
The luggage thing was not fun! Hey, at least you can take lots of notes from my reports and learn from all our goof-ups, right!
I sure hope our stateroom host will offer to store the car seat at least 
Between talking here on the boards and chatting through e-mail, we had gotten to know each other, so I was SOOOO excited to finally meet her in person!
We chatted with Mel and her family for a few minutes and before long, it was time to board the ship!!! 
