Oh the places We Go, The People We see

[jenseib]

I see a lot of people saying that once you have been in a Veranda, you don't want to go back. This has not been my experience at all. We had a Veranda on the Magic in November and I am actually really glad that it is back to my beloved Bat Cave (aka Inside Cabin) for our back to back cruise in 3 months. There is a very good reason for this. I normally have issues sleeping. It takes me forever to drop off at night however late I go to bed and I rarely sleep a night through. When I am on a cruise, I am asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow and sleep though the night. I have always attributed this to the movement of the ship. During our November cruise I had the same issues with sleeping that I have at home. Looking back, this happened once before. This was when we had an ocean view cabin. So I think what helps me sleep is the combination of the movement and the complete darkness in an inside cabin. Having said that, if I can make the September Panama Canal cruise work, then I am definitely in the market for a Veranda. When we did the Panama Canal cruise in 2011, it was a very long day with a lot of standing. Being able to watch the crossing from the comfort of our own Veranda would be a definite plus.

I am a bit nervous about the new ships as we are so used to the classic ships, but there are two things that are a big temptation. The Aqua Duck is one of them and the Midship Detective Agency is another.

Corinna

You do have a good point. The one year when Skip and I sailed NCL we had an inside and we slept like rocks. It is pitchblack in there.
I would love to do the panama canal. That would be a dream!

I have to ask, what is this supposed to be?

You know, I have looked at that picture over and over and I can't figure it out. It almost looks like a rabbit with his ears down in the back and up on his haunches, BUT it would look like he has an extra set of paws sticking out front if that is the case.

How did Abby do with the Muster Drill It's nice that you have time to eat and play before the Muster drill!

I didn't hear anything bad, so she must of "mustered" through it ok.

 

[jenseib]

We found a spot up top. I was amazed at how busy the top area was already and people were squeezing right in. I kept my eye out for family members, but never did see any of them during the whole party.
As we stood there waiting for the party, I thought how different this day was compared to the day I boarded the Magic. On that day I had toured so much of the ship in the few hours before we sailed away. Today I ate and hung at the pool! LOL Both were fun though.

We stood on the lookout for family members, but never saw any.

This is a picture from that time period that Geoff took of Alexis and Abby. This was taken after the muster drill I believe.

From what I gathered later on, Gail’s family did come up on deck to watch the sail away, but Geoff, Mary, Pete, Vicki, Mom and Dad all headed towards Geoff and Mary’s room and drank some champagne. I am not sure what Katie’s family did.

Anyways, Geoff took a few atrium pictures on his way to back to the room.

Claire and I on the other hand were waiting on a PARTY!

I didn’t even think about it earlier, but I should’ve changed lenses on my camera. I had a shorter one on and the rest were back in the room. Oh well, I did the best I could.

The party has started!!!!

I noticed that the big screen must be on a delay because they it is slightly off one what the dancers on stage were doing.

I spotted some people from the podcast group.

It was a fun party and we were ready to cruise!! Our vacations was officially underway.

Claire and I then moved over to the side to watch us pull out.

In the words of Bugs Bunny ….Bon Voyageeeee! And with a blare of the Disney horn it makes it all the more exciting.

After waving to everyone, we decided to head down to our room and wave from our balcony. Also with early dinner, we needed to already start getting ready.
I never did find Gail and her family but she said she did see us walking down the stairs as we were heading to our room.

As we walked through Cabanas I made a quick stop for the mural …and then as I am clicking the picture I got a little photobomber!

Meanwhile …while Claire and I were boogying our booties off up top, the “older” crowd were taking it easy in their rooms.

Geoff took pictures of their experience.

 

[dolphingirl47]

It's great to see all the photos of the Dream.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

It's great to see all the photos of the Dream.

Corinna

The Dream is such a beautiful ship. I really enjoy sailing on her.

 

[luvslikepi]

The Dream is such a beautiful ship. I really enjoy sailing on her.

I need a cruise. I wonder if the hubs would kill me for re-booking. I love your photography. You really take beautiful pics.

 

[francis6306]

As we walked through Cabanas I made a quick stop for the mural …and then as I am clicking the picture I got a little photobomber!

So… you weren't as lucky starting off with the "empty boat" pictures on this trip?

 

[linetbo]

Wait.....I'm Here.... need more pictures......

 

[jenseib]

I need a cruise. I wonder if the hubs would kill me for re-booking. I love your photography. You really take beautiful pics.

LOL! Mine would! I really want to get back on a ship, but I am just waiting it out to see how the year turns out for us.

So… you weren't as lucky starting off with the "empty boat" pictures on this trip?

no. It kind of irked me as the family saw I was trying to take a picture, but I know kids don't pay attention to that sort of stuff, even my own!

Wait.....I'm Here.... need more pictures......

I am slowly but surely getting more edited. I am writing another TR as well and I want to get that one done soon so I can work exclusively on this one. But I might get another update here in the next day if time allows.

 

[MEK]

At least your little photobomber was cute! That mural is pretty amazing.

The Sail Away Party looks crazy crowed, but still looks like a lot of fun!

 

[jenseib]

At least your little photobomber was cute! That mural is pretty amazing.

The Sail Away Party looks crazy crowed, but still looks like a lot of fun!

true.

Yes the sail away is fun. Most other lines really don't do alot to aknowledge that you are leaving. At least in my past experience ...we just started sailing.

 

[KatMark]

Jen, I am slowing catching up again. All of your pictures are spectacular, but I really like the group shot.

The cabin looks lovely, and lunch looks yummy.

 

[dizneeat]

Hi Jen!

We are back and I am all caught up here as well. Love a day off after just one day back to work.

Wonderful pics of embarkation day, you brought a lot of fun memories of last week back to life.

 

[mom2rtk]

Just looking at the view of the other ship from your verandah is enough to make ME a verandah snob. And I've never stepped foot on a cruise ship!

 

[Beth D]

Looks like fun! I can't believe they didn't close the pool though during the sail-away party? I would be worried about someone falling in, as there isn't a railing in between there and the party-goers!

Oh well! I'm just glad you had better weather this time!

Don't go too fast with this TR! We leave Friday for a week in the sun, and I don't want too much to catch up on!

 

[Kathy Jetson]

Hi I'm still here. I was back on page 24 at AKL! I spent last night and tonight catching up.

It always amazes me how much stuff you can get done in one day. I feel like when I'm on vacation time speeds up and gets away from me.

I loved seeing your MNSSHP pictures. That's my favorite party!

I'm glad the great suitcase fiasco worked out and your mom got her luggage back. It sounds like it was a very stressful morning until you got to the ship. It looks like your relaxing and having fun now!

It seems I missed your birthday. So Happy Late Birthday!

I promise to do better keeping up

 

[jenseib]

Jen, I am slowing catching up again. All of your pictures are spectacular, but I really like the group shot.

The cabin looks lovely, and lunch looks yummy.

Thanks. It was a good lunch. Once on the ship, the worries started to float away. Yes we had a few stressful times, but they aren't so bad on a Disney ship!

Hi Jen!

We are back and I am all caught up here as well. Love a day off after just one day back to work.

Wonderful pics of embarkation day, you brought a lot of fun memories of last week back to life.

You should win an award for being caught up. I just am so behind constantly anymore. I mostly work on my own report and slip in a few TR's if I get a chance. I know I will get to read them all eventually.
I wish I was there last week too. So jealous of all your cruises. Are you platinum now?

Just looking at the view of the other ship from your verandah is enough to make ME a verandah snob. And I've never stepped foot on a cruise ship!

Yes. Veranda's are so nice. All rooms are nice, but just sitting out and watching the world go by is something extra. Claire will be a bit heartbroken if we ever go to an inside. She's a bit spoiled now. Well she's spoiled in a lot of ways. As she was throwing a fit the other night I reminded her how she gets things and has done things that most of the kids she knows has not done and she should think about that.

Looks like fun! I can't believe they didn't close the pool though during the sail-away party? I would be worried about someone falling in, as there isn't a railing in between there and the party-goers!

Oh well! I'm just glad you had better weather this time!

Don't go too fast with this TR! We leave Friday for a week in the sun, and I don't want too much to catch up on!

I heard on the Dream that they normally keep the one pool open and sometimes booth. I think on the full sailings they might close them.
I plan to finish my other TR today if all goes well. And then full time on this one! I actually have an update ready, but I'm not sure I'll get it up today yet.
I wish I was leaving for a week in the sun. I have something coming up planned, but it's not Florida and not sure how warm it will be. But it will be fun, I'm sure.

Hi I'm still here. I was back on page 24 at AKL! I spent last night and tonight catching up.

It always amazes me how much stuff you can get done in one day. I feel like when I'm on vacation time speeds up and gets away from me.

I loved seeing your MNSSHP pictures. That's my favorite party!

I'm glad the great suitcase fiasco worked out and your mom got her luggage back. It sounds like it was a very stressful morning until you got to the ship. It looks like your relaxing and having fun now!

It seems I missed your birthday. So Happy Late Birthday!

I promise to do better keeping up

If I remember right, didn't you write a TR on another board a few years back about the halloween party. I think yours were the first pictures I ever saw of the parade and party.
I have wanted to go ever since.

 

[dizneeat]

You should win an award for being caught up. I just am so behind constantly anymore. I mostly work on my own report and slip in a few TR's if I get a chance. I know I will get to read them all eventually.
I wish I was there last week too. So jealous of all your cruises. Are you platinum now?

You are so sweet, Jen!
I would not be caught up if it had not been for that day off. For a while it looked like I would never get caught up.

It was awesome last week. We had so much fun. And YES, we turned platinum this cruise. First thing off the cruise .... I went and checked my status.

 

[Kathy Jetson]

Jen, I didn't write a TR about my Halloween trip but I did post all of my pictures.

 

[jenseib]

You are so sweet, Jen!
I would not be caught up if it had not been for that day off. For a while it looked like I would never get caught up.

It was awesome last week. We had so much fun. And YES, we turned platinum this cruise. First thing off the cruise .... I went and checked my status.

I would too. So fun to be Platinum ....some day ...many years from now!

Jen, I didn't write a TR about my Halloween trip but I did post all of my pictures.

LOL. Ok, maybe I saw your pictures...or I read someone elses TR. LOL

 

[udflyer00]

Hi Jen,

I just wanted to say that I'm having a blast following along with your trip and eagerly await the next update. We are a family of 6 but we took grandma and grandpa with us on our last cruise in 11 on the Dream, and it's funny to read about your folks because they sound just like my wife's parents. It's always fun to vacation with relatives!!

I miss the ship and love remembering all the different areas and events through your pictures.

Mark