I'll Be Good Next Year- Fantasy Eastern NYE 13/14 Updates 6/17

[Linda67]

Ellen, I swear your cruise routine is pretty much identical to mine!
After hitting the gym, I adore the muesli and oatmeal at Cabanas
Love the rainforest room, go there every day
Mixology class? But of course!
The only thing you haven't got in there is a trip to Cove Cafe

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Ellen! You are the update queen this week! Your Remy dinner looks amazing, and you two looked fabulous attending it, also! How cool to have an escort back from the restroom - that way you don't have to worry about getting lost on your way back, AND you get to be on the arm of a handsome guy, too. Oh wait! You came with a handsome guy You're just livin' large!

I forgot that DCL does time zone chages - RCCL just has "ship time" which can be confusing when you are off the ship. The mixology class looks like a lot of fun - a lot to drink, too Sea days are so nice to just get some relaxation in - looks like you did a good job with that. Looking forward to your report on Aladdin!

 

[MEK]

Then one drinker, FAR FAR more skilled and experienced than most, was chosen to go up front and show us how it's done.



Although he tried his BEST to use that Louis the XV VSOP, Gilbert (of St Vincent acclaim) made for a decent enough sized road block between my beloved and the big bucks, high class hooch up there on the special shelf in Meridian. Sticking with what he knows best, our boy, Pods, proceeded to pour Grey Goose to a count of 30....

106 mississippi, 107 mississippi.....


He was then encouraged to maybe add something else for flavor. Here is where it all fell apart, my friends, because there are about 3 drinks Pods can make- beer, wine (preferably with a screwtop) and vodka on the rocks. He has got those DOWN, I tell ya! But when it comes to higher mixology (you know- "with a twist" or "and tonic") he usually gets all flustered and defers to moi.

You can't make this stuff up.



Sorry it's blurry, i think I was snorting some chocolate tiny tini out my nose I was laughing so hard when I took the pic.

Shake it up, baby!



Then it was time to taste- he was AWFULLY impressed with himself-



Will he EVER come out from behind that bar????

OMG! That is just TOO funny!

Beer Wine & Vodka. Seriously, what else is there?

OMG - all these mixology classes look so fun for those of us who are studiously inclined. I so want to do one of them!

Thanks for the great laugh!

 

[jedijill]

Those drinks look yummy! I loved the Rainforest room on the Fantasy..well worth buying the passes!

Jill in CO

 

[TopRowSeat]

Wow, I can't believe I left Mixology and felt like I needed a beer for bingo. I must have had my cruise liver installed.

 

[Beth D]

Happy Easter!

Great Updates! Your Remy dinner looked fantastic, but not as good as you and Pods! Va va voom! What a dress, and DH cleaned up pretty well in his tux too!

Does Remy have a non-seafood section, or is it mostly seafood? Not that I've had an opportunity for there yet, but future research… We totally loved our Palo brunch, and thought that was better than dinner from our last cruise.

Was Pods reading a romance novel by the pool? Sorry, I'm too lazy to go back and find the pic right now…

Also, any chance of you ever going back to your CA TR to finish up?

 

[knewton64]

and that magic word is.......
PLEASE



Q: R u Gonna update yer CA TR??

CUZ
We miss your wacky PCH updates
oh......


and that your ever dreaded MON-KEY Kissin' adventures!!






T.T.F.N.
&
Cheers

 

[dvc4life]

Getting caught up and loving every one of your updates!

Your Remy meal looks amazing. And you looked beautiful. DH wants to try eating there some time but I'm not to sure about me. I'm not a real picky eater but I don't like a lot of seafood. Love me some shrimp and fish though.

Loved the pictures at your tastings! Looks like you had lots of fun. And I love Selami! We have had him before as a bartender and he is such a nice guy. Cute too!

But looking at the photos this morning makes me wish I was sitting up on deck right now. Just looking out over that big beautiful ocean, relaxing. Ahhhhhhhhh.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

You & Pods sure do clean up nice! Then you go spill on yourself, can't take you anywhere!
I haven't had an appletini in a long time, my go to drink is a Cosmo, but now am starting to get dirty Martinis more often.

Our last cruise was with our sons, the only time we saw them was for meals & shore trips. It was wonderful!

 

[rndmr2]

Getting caught up, I am still a few pages behind but I had to say how sorry I am about the loss of your SIL. My Prayers are with you and your family.

We are going through something similar with my BIL, he has Adenocarcinoma that has spread to his bones, he is hanging in ok for now but it's just so hard to see, especially when they are so young (he is 41) and have little ones (He has 2 boys 5 1/2 and 7). How old are your SIL's boys?

 

[rndmr2]

Glad you shared some pics from your AEP, that would be so neat to do, one of these days I would like to be a Disney TA but I could never do it with my job, I just wouldn't have enough free time.

I have to ask about that strange cupcake that you had, with pretzels on it? What exactly was that??

Back to the cruise updates, Your Martini tasting looked like fun! I went on an NCL cruise in November (We had fun but I wouldn't rush to go on NCL again anytime soon, I prefer RCL or Celebrity)and I went to one martini tasting, it was fun, they put them on cute little trays:



Wow your dinner at Remy looked great!

That Mixology class looked like fun too!

I would be in that Rainforest as much as Possible..

 

[CRdisMom]

Miss this whole TR! Man I am so far behind in so much. Glad it turned to out to be a wonderful time. The Christmas photos from WDW looked grand. What a fun place to be for the holidays. I'll read more and catch up

 

[podsnel]

WOW! Great day! How could anyone not like that view! Glad a day of the passes didn't go to waste

It's a great view, isn't it?

Awesome updates, Ellen! I loved to see the photos of your mixology class. We were signed up for one last summer, but then there was this "know it all - I can do everything better than anyone else" newbie who got involved in everything and we simply backed out. I could not let her ruin my trip.
Looking forward to signing up on one next summer.

I remember you saying that- that is SO annoying! I am sorry you missed out!

Rainforest looks awesome. We have never done that either. But I guess it might be in our future.
Do you know if they have something similar on the Magic?

Yes! And on the Wonder, but it is on a smaller scale and all inside- so no hot tubs, and no looking at the sae while you relax. Still love it enough to book it for my cruise to Alaska and to Key West next year! But the Rainforest on the Fantasy/Dream kicks butt- just sooooo nice.

Can't wait for more!

Thanks!

Muesli - something very common here in Austria. It originally is Swiss and was developed by a Swiss physician who "preached" healthy living.

It usually is based on rolled oats to which you can add seeds and other rolled grains.



The mixture looks somewhat like this with raisins and fruit added for sweetness.

Now the Bircher Muesli they have on the ship has shredded apple in it.

You make it by soaking the dry mixture overnight in milk or yoghurt, then about half an hour before serving you add the apple or other fruit. I love raisins and have plenty in mine and since I can't have apple (gives me a belly ache) I use berries and a little honey. Yum, yum!

Hope that explained what it is - otherwise, please ask more questions.

Thank you SO MUCH!! What wonderful info! I just knew it was healthy, and I LOVE the apples- they (and the bananas on top) really make it for me.

Ellen, I swear your cruise routine is pretty much identical to mine!
After hitting the gym, I adore the muesli and oatmeal at Cabanas
Love the rainforest room, go there every day
Mixology class? But of course!
The only thing you haven't got in there is a trip to Cove Cafe

Sure I did- I thought I did go there that day- anyway, that's great! That means we will keep running into each other EVERYWHERE in October...AWEEEESOMEEEEE!

Hi Ellen! You are the update queen this week! Your Remy dinner looks amazing, and you two looked fabulous attending it, also! How cool to have an escort back from the restroom - that way you don't have to worry about getting lost on your way back, AND you get to be on the arm of a handsome guy, too. Oh wait! You came with a handsome guy You're just livin' large!

And then it came to a screaching halt, lol. Really just had a dinner party over the weekend, so had to focus on paella instead of my long lost vacations. Thanks for the compliment- love dressing up with the hubby, and he never complains about it because he knows I love it, so that makes it even better.

I forgot that DCL does time zone chages - RCCL just has "ship time" which can be confusing when you are off the ship. The mixology class looks like a lot of fun - a lot to drink, too Sea days are so nice to just get some relaxation in - looks like you did a good job with that. Looking forward to your report on Aladdin!

I forgot about that on RCCL! It will be good in Alaska, no time changes other than the initial one when we go from right to left coast! Much easier to keep straight!

 

[podsnel]

OMG! That is just TOO funny!

Beer Wine & Vodka. Seriously, what else is there?

OMG - all these mixology classes look so fun for those of us who are studiously inclined. I so want to do one of them!

Thanks for the great laugh!

I am so happy you liked the update and laughed! It cracked me up writing it!

And don't worry- I have a good hunch you will be feeling your inner-student pleanty on our cruise in Oct!

Those drinks look yummy! I loved the Rainforest room on the Fantasy..well worth buying the passes!

Jill in CO

Yea....me too. I loved EVERYTHING on the Fantasy. Hope I can go again sometime!

Wow, I can't believe I left Mixology and felt like I needed a beer for bingo. I must have had my cruise liver installed.

LMAO!!! And your hollow leg!!

 

[podsnel]

Happy Easter!

Thank you! Hope yours was happy too!

Great Updates! Your Remy dinner looked fantastic, but not as good as you and Pods! Va va voom! What a dress, and DH cleaned up pretty well in his tux too!

Thanks so much!

Does Remy have a non-seafood section, or is it mostly seafood? Not that I've had an opportunity for there yet, but future research… We totally loved our Palo brunch, and thought that was better than dinner from our last cruise.

They will do whatever makes you happy. You don't have to get the tasting menu, you can also just order a la carte.

And I usually like Palo Brunch better than Palo dinner, too- I have it booked for our Alaska cruise- we shall have to see what we think on the Dream, it will be my first dinner in Palo on anywhere but the Magic.

Was Pods reading a romance novel by the pool? Sorry, I'm too lazy to go back and find the pic right now…

YEA!! My jock husband reads harlequin romances!

It was Stephen King (and he said it was not very good ).

Also, any chance of you ever going back to your CA TR to finish up?

Yup! Your wish is my command! Actually, I will be back for updates on both of these this week and prob weekend, too.

and that magic word is.......
PLEASE



Q: R u Gonna update yer CA TR??

CUZ
We miss your wacky PCH updates
oh......


and that your ever dreaded MON-KEY Kissin' adventures!!






T.T.F.N.
&
Cheers

I did!! Just for you guys!! And I will do more soon- it's gonna be rainy for a few days, so baseball will be out-so TRs will be IN!

Getting caught up and loving every one of your updates!

Awwww.... we need another trip together to look forward to!

Your Remy meal looks amazing. And you looked beautiful. DH wants to try eating there some time but I'm not to sure about me. I'm not a real picky eater but I don't like a lot of seafood. Love me some shrimp and fish though.

Thank you. You really should go- you don't have to have fish- there are many other things you could try, and I am sure they would want to please you with other fantastic plates!

Loved the pictures at your tastings! Looks like you had lots of fun. And I love Selami! We have had him before as a bartender and he is such a nice guy. Cute too!

Yea- he was really into the tasting, he did a good job.

But looking at the photos this morning makes me wish I was sitting up on deck right now. Just looking out over that big beautiful ocean, relaxing. Ahhhhhhhhh.

I have been on hyper-planning mode for Alaska recently- but that deck chair still seems kind of far away!

You & Pods sure do clean up nice! Then you go spill on yourself, can't take you anywhere!
I haven't had an appletini in a long time, my go to drink is a Cosmo, but now am starting to get dirty Martinis more often.

Thanks- and GO Doris with the dirty tinis!

Our last cruise was with our sons, the only time we saw them was for meals & shore trips. It was wonderful!

Funny how appealing it can be!

Getting caught up, I am still a few pages behind but I had to say how sorry I am about the loss of your SIL. My Prayers are with you and your family.

Thank you so much-

We are going through something similar with my BIL, he has Adenocarcinoma that has spread to his bones, he is hanging in ok for now but it's just so hard to see, especially when they are so young (he is 41) and have little ones (He has 2 boys 5 1/2 and 7). How old are your SIL's boys?

That is completely horrible- I am so sorry you are all going through it, most especially your BIL. BIG hugs and prayers to all of you- It is so sad, but it is so amazing how resilient kids are- I will hope for the best possible outcome for them-

 

[podsnel]

Glad you shared some pics from your AEP, that would be so neat to do, one of these days I would like to be a Disney TA but I could never do it with my job, I just wouldn't have enough free time.

i really do like doing it, lots of fun to plan all these vacations, but also kind of an adjustment not to be going on them! Because you KNOW every one I plan, I would like to be going on!

I have to ask about that strange cupcake that you had, with pretzels on it? What exactly was that??

The Piggylicious cupcake is a bacon cupcake with maple frosting and pretzels on top. Very interesting....

Back to the cruise updates, Your Martini tasting looked like fun! I went on an NCL cruise in November (We had fun but I wouldn't rush to go on NCL again anytime soon, I prefer RCL or Celebrity)and I went to one martini tasting, it was fun, they put them on cute little trays:



COOL! thanks for sharing, its always good to see what is available elsewhere out there. Which ship were you on, and why are you not crazy about NCL? I am not either, but the Breakaway does look very cool. I just really like a set dining time- it takes the whole worry of when and where out of the vacation equation and I kind of like that.

Wow your dinner at Remy looked great!

It truly was as amazing of a meal as could be possible. That meal would have been easily $250 per person at home on land.

That Mixology class looked like fun too!

I LOVE mixology!!!!

I would be in that Rainforest as much as Possible..

Nothin wrong with that!

Miss this whole TR! Man I am so far behind in so much. Glad it turned to out to be a wonderful time. The Christmas photos from WDW looked grand. What a fun place to be for the holidays. I'll read more and catch up

Hey Laura! No worries- we all get busy!

 

[saintstickets]

I have no idea where I've been that I missed this TR. Mea Culpa. Mea Culpa. Mea Culpa. I just read the entire thing from start to present in one sitting to catch up! Too many items, pics and events to comment on other than to say it is everything I've come to expect from your TRs!
Your trip has been like a Dream come true with just enough Magic mixed with Fantasy to make one Wonder why anyone would go anywhere else!
I'm looking forward to more because DW and I are going on our first DCL this October and if it is as we expect, we will book the Alaska cruise for the summer of 2015 while on board! More please?

 

[RGirl]

Hi Ellen - catching up as always…..

Oh Remy, possibly my favorite place on the ship! But first, Meridian - I really need to take notes of your cocktails with me next time; I am a HUGE fan of any cocktail that involves champagne. But oh, the food at Remy - it’s almost insulting to refer to it as mere “food,” isn’t it? What a spectacular treat that place is. And you got a pic of my best friend, the sommelier! We totally bonded. And the Cheese Guru - we TOTALLY bonded! I let her pick my cheeses after I told her what I like - she asked me if I was French and proceeded to give me a plate much like yours but for ONE person. Oh, and Benoit - wasn’t he the sweetest???

You MUST do the champagne brunch too!!!

Another great drinking “class”! I really need to travel with some other adults someday.

Just before you posted about the boys, I thought to myself, “wait, didn’t the boys go with them on this cruise???”

So, tell me about this Rainforest situation - what exactly does it offer? I know I have read about it before, but it never sounded all that interesting. But you clearly loved it, so obviously, I need to know more!

 

[rndmr2]

COOL! thanks for sharing, its always good to see what is available elsewhere out there. Which ship were you on, and why are you not crazy about NCL? I am not either, but the Breakaway does look very cool. I just really like a set dining time- it takes the whole worry of when and where out of the vacation equation and I kind of like that.

Sorry I took so long to answer this. We were on the Norwegian Gem. I thought the crew wasn't that great, not really friendly like other lines I have been on. Like on Celebrity and RCL (and even Carnival) the crew was great, couldn't do enough for you, etc. NCL just didn't have that extra "Something" that I have seen on other lines.

Another big thing was the "freestyle" dining. Like you I really like having the set times and table. I have been on many cruises (this one was # 12) and It just felt weird to have to get a buzzer and wait for a table (like 30-40 minutes a couple times). then it took a long time for someone to come to the table, long time to get food, etc.

I found out later on during the trip that our cruise was about 75% totally NEW crew. They had transferred all the experienced ones off and sent them to the Breakaway. Good parts were that the food was good and the ship was beautiful, our room was great (bathroom was tiny though). The shows were decent and the entertainment staff was good too.

 

[dramaqueenemj22]

I'm a little late but I'm joining in. I leave for my 7 day cruise on the Fantasy in the week! So excited, I've been on the wonder and the dream and I'm so excited about this new ship.