RAIN, SCHMAIN, AND HURRICANES: Our 9/2011 Cruise: NEW ANNOUNCEMENT!

[theOCdisney]

Love your tag team trip report!! Great pictures.

 

[PizzieDuster]

Love the way this trip report is going!

I really love reading reports with lots of pictures! Can't for more!

 

[sleepydog25]

This happened to us too!!! When DH dropped me and the girls off with the bags, the guy said to DH "this is the last time you will see me or your bags" or something to that effect and that we should tip him now!!! Then DH turns to me and says, "hey can you tip him for me?" as he gets into the car!!!!!!! He must say it to everyone! That's so hilarious. I also felt that if I didn't give him a tip, I wouldn't see my bags again either!

Great trip report so far!

I'm sure it's a typical line, and honestly, I understand why they would say that since everyone is looking forward to getting on the ship and some likely assume the tips for the baggage handlers will be taken care of onboard. I love how your hubby left the tip up to you, though! Hope you enjoyed your cruise!

Love your tag team trip report!! Great pictures.

Thanks! I can't seem to keep her from following me around. This truly was a memorable trip for us on so many levels, and I can assure you that luvvwl is every bit as excitable as she appears. . .and, yes, that's part of her charm. (shhh! don't tell her I said so, okay?)

Love the way this trip report is going!

I really love reading reports with lots of pictures! Can't for more!

Well, then, you're in for a treat because we have lots more pictures and banter coming up, 'cause that's just the way we roll. lol Along the way, we'll also give our opinions on such things as the food, service, rooms, and the like, so stay tuned!


Thanks to all who have commented so far and also to those who have viewed without comment. We'll try to keep updates coming at least every other day. Slainte!

 

[MagicMe]

Bummer! I'm already at the current end of your trip report

Good news is that there is more to come, right????

Loving the report. We sail in October so very interested in your take of the Dream!

 

[sleepydog25]

Bummer! I'm already at the current end of your trip report

Good news is that there is more to come, right????

Loving the report. We sail in October so very interested in your take of the Dream!

I'll try to be done by then! Ummm, when do you sail? There is more to come, and I plan to do some tonight. Now, if I can just get LOMF to post more pics. . .

 

[sleepydog25]

You guys are pretty cute in your banter.

Hope you have a fantastic voyage and smooth seas

We did! I promise to have more details of the actual cruise coming soon.



P.S. We banter this way a lot. . .

 

[luvvwl]

Oh, yea!!! People!!!!

And:

We did! I promise to have more details of the actual cruise coming soon.



P.S. We banter this way a lot. . .

Great crackin', Mister!!

Thanks! I can't seem to keep her from following me around. This truly was a memorable trip for us on so many levels, and I can assure you that luvvwl is every bit as excitable as she appears. . .and, yes, that's part of her charm. (shhh! don't tell her I said so, okay?)

PS~ I saw that, lolol!!!

 

[disneynme]

You are hilarious. I can't wait to read more.

 

[sleepydog25]

Oh, yea!!! People!!!!

And:



Great crackin', Mister!!



PS~ I saw that, lolol!!!

Where are the pics, slacker?

 

[sleepydog25]

The Dream Has Arrived

After posing for the obligatory boarding shot (did we even purchase that one?), we were announced aboard amid much applause and fanfare as befits the beautiful woman with whom I was traveling. Most of the ship's crew of 1500 were there, and we were showered with gold doubloons, and upgraded to the Walt stateroom. . .okay, at least 3 crewmembers were there and sunlight filtered down from the oversized portholes. . .and no upgrade. Actually, I find the little announcement ceremony rather endearing though I do wonder what the ship's officers who have that duty think of it. When we boarded, there were 6-8 of them clapping and one of them took us aside to explain things a little better, such as the fact our room would be available by 1:30, where to dine, etc.

During our two-hour wait for the stateroom to be available, we explored the ship a bit (I had been on the Wonder before while this was LOMF's first cruise of any sort), taking pictures, admiring the architecture & theming, locating the correct floor and hallway for our room, and just basking in the glow of finally being on our dream cruise. . .on the Dream. Since we had only Mickey waffles and Starbucks coffee to sustain since early that morning, we made our way to Cabanas for lunch. The place is huge! We found a lovely window table (it was too hot outside since the ship wasn't moving), dropped our gear, and headed off to load our plates. The selections were numerous and appetizing--shrimp, crab (okay, the crab looked just so-so), salad fixings, pasta salads, fruit, wraps, soups, and more (I'm guessing luvvwl's memory of the offerings will be better than mine, just sayin').

I find it difficult to exactly put into words the overwhelming sense of wonderment (or should that be dream-ment? ) we felt sitting there, basking in the sun, gnoshing on lunch, and anticipating the cruise to come. We had been talking of going on a cruise for a long time; we had planned this cruise for nearly a year; and we had spent countless hours poring over menus, excursion descriptions, Navigators, and the DIS Cruise Line forum culling tidbits of information and stoking our desire to go to sea. More than that, this trip was a pinnacle (just one of many to come) of our separate paths to finding each other. For me, it was the slow dawning that this amazing woman was the perfect fit: patient, loving, sexy, full of grace--more than I'd ever come to believe was possible. We found each other later in life (ummm, not that we're old or anything), and this cruise represents just one of the many spectacular adventures we will share. But, I digress. . .

After lunch, we explored a little more, but as the time grew nearer to 1:30, we found ourselves hanging out by the opening to our hallway, not unlike that old commercial with the woman standing at the window of a store mumbling, "Open, open, open. . ." Finally, way later than they'd said--I mean, it was at least 1:33!--we got to our room--8656. We had no luggage waiting for us (they did say that could arrive as late as 4:30), but the room was ready and gorgeous. It screamed, "You're here! WELCOME!" We checked to make sure everything was in working order--it was--stepped out on the verandah (it took luvvwl, ohhh, about 20 minutes to figure out how to open the door), and soaked up. . .the heat and humidity of the port. Honestly, it was so wonderful to be in the room we'd share the next few days and nights. We were "home."

Next up: Opening Night

 

[luvvwl]

Where are the pics, slacker?

Uh, they come AFTER the next installment?

 

[sleepydog25]

Uh, they come AFTER the next installment?

Uh, which is already up. . .duh. . .

 

[luvvwl]

The Dream Has Arrived

After posing for the obligatory boarding shot (did we even purchase that one?), we were announced aboard amid much applause and fanfare as befits the beautiful woman with whom I was traveling. Most of the ship's crew of 1500 were there, and we were showered with gold doubloons, and upgraded to the Walt stateroom. . .okay, at least 3 crewmembers were there and sunlight filtered down from the oversized portholes. . .and no upgrade. Actually, I find the little announcement ceremony rather endearing though I do wonder what the ship's officers who have that duty think of it. When we boarded, there were 6-8 of them clapping and one of them took us aside to explain things a little better, such as the fact our room would be available by 1:30, where to dine, etc.

We did not even buy that pic, lol. I think I had Ramona ala Real Housewives scary eyes in it or something....I think there were 8-10 crewmembers and as we walked past the reception line, one broke away to explain everything. Honestly, I wasn't paying all that much attention. A of all) because I had researched and explored every inch of the Dream for NEARLY AN ENTIRE YEAR and I ALREADY KNEW where I wanted lunch, that my room wouldn't be ready 'til after 1:30, yada, yada, yada. And. B of all) the atrium and just the general wonderment of being there might have been a teensy, tiny bit overwhelming. Just sayin'...

During our two-hour wait for the stateroom to be available, we explored the ship a bit (I had been on the Wonder before while this was LOMF's first cruise of any sort), taking pictures, admiring the architecture & theming, locating the correct floor and hallway for our room, and just basking in the glow of finally being on our dream cruise. . .on the Dream.

It was A-MAZ-ING!!!!!

(note the AWESOME bag in this shot? And. I don't mean him, lolol!)

Since we had only Mickey waffles and Starbucks coffee to sustain since early that morning, we made our way to Cabanas for lunch. The place is huge! We found a lovely window table (it was too hot outside since the ship wasn't moving), dropped our gear, and headed off to load our plates. The selections were numerous and appetizing--shrimp, crab (okay, the crab looked just so-so), salad fixings, pasta salads, fruit, wraps, soups, and more (I'm guessing luvvwl's memory of the offerings will be better than mine, just sayin').

Holy Crap!!! You forgot THE BEST PART!!!!!!!!

SUSHI!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tons of other things, too. Always some kind of seafood, pasta, Asian selections...carving stations, the obligatory mac and cheese, fries, etc. And desserts, duh.

Oh, and did I mention the SUSHI?????

Hmmm... apparently we did not take ANY pics of the awesome sushi, but we DID get this, lolol!!!!

I find it difficult to exactly put into words the overwhelming sense of wonderment (or should that be dream-ment? ) we felt sitting there, basking in the sun, gnoshing on lunch, and anticipating the cruise to come. We had been talking of going on a cruise for a long time; we had planned this cruise for nearly a year; and we had spent countless hours poring over menus, excursion descriptions, Navigators, and the DIS Cruise Line forum culling tidbits of information and stoking our desire to go to sea. More than that, this trip was a pinnacle (just one of many to come) of our separate paths to finding each other. For me, it was the slow dawning that this amazing woman was the perfect fit: patient, loving, sexy, full of grace--more than I'd ever come to believe was possible. We found each other later in life (ummm, not that we're old or anything), and this cruise represents just one of the many spectacular adventures we will share. But, I digress. . .

AAAWWWWWWW!!!!!!! How sweet is that????

Ummm, who are you again???

And. Another thing. When you say "we're old" you're speaking for yourself, right?

After lunch, we explored a little more, but as the time grew nearer to 1:30, we found ourselves hanging out by the opening to our hallway, not unlike that old commercial with the woman standing at the window of a store mumbling, "Open, open, open. . ." Finally, way later than they'd said--I mean, it was at least 1:33!--we got to our room--8656. We had no luggage waiting for us (they did say that could arrive as late as 4:30), but the room was ready and gorgeous. It screamed, "You're here! WELCOME!" We checked to make sure everything was in working order--it was--stepped out on the verandah (it took luvvwl, ohhh, about 20 minutes to figure out how to open the door), and soaked up. . .the heat and humidity of the port. Honestly, it was so wonderful to be in the room we'd share the next few days and nights. We were "home."

Oh, it was soooo awesome!!!!

 

[luvvwl]

Uh, which is already up. . .duh. . .

Uh, it wasn't when I posted that, Mr. TrickyPants...

 

[KweenofDis]

You 2 are cracking me up. Love your styles. Can't wait to read/see more!!

 

[sleepydog25]

Uh, it wasn't when I posted that, Mr. TrickyPants...

Hey, she called me Mr. TrickyPants.....hubba, hubba....

 

[NAB]

Your back!!

Are you not the one that couldn't fit in the bath tub? DD painted your toenails?

I know a life time ago.

You two make a cute couple.

Are you sure she didn't have a suitcase full of shoes.

I do have a question.....I know you went to Remey so you dressed up but was there a formal night on the 4 day? I am going on the 5 day in Jan. Usually go on the 7 day with a formal night and was wondering if there is one on the shorter cruises.

 

[sleepydog25]

Your back!!

Are you not the one that couldn't fit in the bath tub? DD painted your toenails?

I know a life time ago.

You two make a cute couple.

Are you sure she didn't have a suitcase full of shoes.

I do have a question.....I know you went to Remey so you dressed up but was there a formal night on the 4 day? I am going on the 5 day in Jan. Usually go on the 7 day with a formal night and was wondering if there is one on the shorter cruises.

First, let me respond to the Remy question. I can attest as fact that there is no formal night on the 4-night cruise; I am uncertain as to the longer cruises, though for some reason I think they only exist on the 7-nights and longer ones. And. You MUST do Remy--it's mahhh-velous. . .

Yes! I'm ba-a-a-a-ck. . .and I am that man. . .he of the painted toenails. . .and the tub fit for a Smurf. . .and the crush on Ariel. In fact, though it's missing pictures, the old TR from my first cruise can still be found on the "all I got was a lousy t-shirt" link below. It's historical and occasionally hysterically funny, I like to think. I've moved on since that time, though I still live in the same general area. My daughter is now 11, has been on a cruise of her own with her mom (to whom I'm no longer married), and we're as close as we ever were. Good memory, NAB!!

Yes-s-s-s-s-s, LOMF does love her shoes, though in this particular case, she didn't bring a whole suitcase of them. . .we brought wine, instead! However, there might be a whole closet in the house dedicated as a Shoe Museum.
"Step right this way, folks! Don't linger too long. Any questions?"
"Sir, I see a pair of sandals with silver straps and 3-inch wedge heels right next to a pair of sandals with silver straps and 3-inch wedge heels. Why are there two pair of the same shoes?"
"Son, you just don't have an eye for detail. That there pair on the left has a 1/2 inch strap running counterclockwise around the calf, while the pair on the right has only a 1/4 inch strap running clockwise. Details, son, details."
"Sorry. I can see that now."

We ARE a cute couple, huh? Well, she's cute--I'm more, umm, curmudgeonly. . .in an anti-charm sort of way. But, I can write like the wind. . .wait, that sucks as an analogy. I write epic-ly. Ugh. That stinks, too. I write gooder. There. That's about right. Buckle up, NAB, the ride should be a doozy! And, hi!!!

Oh, wait. You want more of the TR, huh? See below.

Opening Night, Part 1
All right, just a brief note and then it's pumpkin-changing time for me. First, let me add that I didn't mention "SUSHI!" because we didn't actually HAVE sushi at that initial lunch. It wasn't an option. I'm well aware that it was a buffet choice two of the other four days, but not at this particular lunch. Now, stop interrupting, woman!


We hopped up to the 12th deck as we sailed away (okay, I walked; luvvwl hopped, nay floated) and took in the sights. It mattered not that we saw warehouses, parking lots, and fencing, all we could see were the scores of people waving to us from restaurants, the park, and the beach. It may be sappy, but it's certainly fun, kinda like people saying "welcome home" to you when you show up at your resort. Even though you know they've been trained to do so, it's still enjoyable to hear. The music drummed through the deck, and you couldn't help but dance a little. Though the various levels of the ship had crowds of happy cruisers, the ship didn't seem bursting at the seams--plenty of room on this humongous boat. Soon, the beach was retreating from view, and accompanied by the strains of the ship's horn sounding off to "When You Wish Upon a Star," we giddily traipsed down to our room to change for dinner at Royal Palace. The voyage had begun in earnest. Chow time!!

Next up: Opening Night, Part Deux (that's French for 2, right?)

 

[sleepydog25]

I had a new installment but lost it. More to come later!

 

[luvvwl]

LOOK!!! The SUSHI!!!!

For those of you who LOVE wasabi and ginger, they had big containers of each for which to help yourself with off to the side. Umm, I GUESS you were supposed to help yourself to it, lolol!!! I always did, anyway!!! Also, I forgot to mention, at Cabana's for breakfast you can get made to order omelettes. They don't advertise it, so you have to ask. But. They do it.

And. Apparently we only videotaped our cabin, room, whatever one calls it, when we first saw it. 'Cause this is the only pic I could find. So, put on your imagine-ears and see a freshly made bed and no clutter!

And. The one and only shot of the sailaway party too!

Apparently we can video or take pictures but can't see to do both at the same time!!