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

[tink too]

Great update. Sorry that you didn't get one last guavaberry cocktail before leaving the island.

 

[jedijill]

That has to be the best NYE ever!

Jill in CO

 

[podsnel]

I missed seeing Kristie too . . . by the time I thought about it, it was 5:30. Boo! And I forgot all about my poor man's cruise that day (my kids think I'm nuts)! But, its 4:30 now - better go pull out the appetizers!

Jodie

Hope we get a poor man's cruise next month!!

Hi Ellen
Just landed back in the UK yesterday following our 2 week WDW and DCL trip
On my, I am missing the Fantasy in the worst possible way!!
Loved the Eastern itinerary!
Urgh, I need October to come around fast!
You are still double dipping right?
Great pics from St Martiin by the way

Linda! I knew you would love the Eastern- it's PERFECT! Yes, we are still double dipping. So- I guess you had a good time on the Fantasy? She is AMAZING- right??

Just wow on the mega planes and yachts. Who lives like that?! I'd be willing to give it a whirl and report back.

You are a TROOPER!!

That water is so gorgeous. What a truly wonderful day!

Yep! It was wondeful, all of it-

Awesome updates Ellen the scenery, houses boats etc were fantastic!! Love that flavorful water , had me come lemon cucumber at The F&G Show in May and it was surprisingly delish!!!

ROSIE!! They always have cucumber water or lemon in spas- sooo nice. The eastern cruise is lovely- the islands and their beauty are surreal-

Great update. Sorry that you didn't get one last guavaberry cocktail before leaving the island.

LOL- not to worry, pretty sure I made up for it later- we had PASSPORTS to WORK on, lol!!

That has to be the best NYE ever!

Jill in CO

Oh yea....

 

[KristiMc]

Hello - it was pouring during sail away so there was not much to see. I did go out for a minute as we passed Fishlips and waved. We loved the big balcony 9674.

 

[podsnel]

Hello - it was pouring during sail away so there was not much to see. I did go out for a minute as we passed Fishlips and waved. We loved the big balcony 9674.

Bummer Dude- definitely not as magical inside- I had that with Tim. Still better than a rainy day at home, huh?

The BIG balcoy is KING!!! I have people going on their first cruise ever- and it's on the Dream- they have 3 AFT balconies in a row. They are going to be spoiled for life!

 

[rndmr2]

I am so, so sorry! And I know exactly what you mean- unfortunately. I will say a prayer for the kids- amazing how resilient kids can be-

Thank you for the prayers

Sorry you weren't able to get another Guavaberry colada, that's crazy they wouldn't have another blender. That Epic is a Monster, isn't it?

The different infused waters looked good. When we were on our NCL Gem cruise they did things like that too, with iced water and juice and they had music playing and a small dance party on the pier, and in San Juan they had the cool moist cloths for us too (surprising they didn't have those at other ports).

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Yes, I felt very blessed he picked me! So did you release your turtle (HOW AMAZING!!) on Tintamare or Pinel Island?[/QUOTE]

It was on pinel. I let a little girl play with him for a few minutes when we landed, then we watched him run out into the water and swim off. The little girl kept trying to run out and bring him back.

That's weird! What time of year were you there? The water was really pretty there, as well as the island- so much nicer than the Gang graffiti we saw instead on our last trip here! And yea- that would be the life!

We were there the first part of December. The water for the snorkel was a little murky, but it was one of those "50 other people" experiences because they brought several small boats out and sent all of the groups together There were so many kids kicking up the sand and kicking us in the face, we just decided to call it quits but it was all good. Jim sat and planned his retirement running a little rum shack on the island.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Island time. Sorry you missed out on the guava berry drink. Your day looks amazing! Nice find on the tour

They operate on "Island time" around here in a large city. Everywhere you go, they are out of that, can't do it today, might do it later, etc.

 

[podsnel]

I am going to do a little guessing here and say that I went to watch Saving Mr. Banks at 5pm in the Buena Vista Theatre after I showered for the night. So I need to go back and edit that post from before- I did not watch us sailaway- photobucket DID however put that pic in that order, which was making me think that. ANYWAY- I loved Saving Mr Banks! Very touching, and what a THRILL to be watching a movie about Walt on one of his ships- goosebumps! I want to mention that Frozen was also showing tonight- twice, in fact, it was tonight's show in the Walt Disney Theatre. After my film, I went back up and changed into fancy formal NYE attire, along with my men, and we headed down to take some pics pre-dinner. Sailing away from SXM-



Nearly EVERYONE was dressed up tonight (more tuxedos than usual, definitely)- and looking to commemorate the occasion with a photo- there were lines snaking everywhere, lol. We found the shortest line and waited our turn. Meanwhile upstairs, someone else was all fancy too-





How's THAT for some horrible character pics! Finally, we were up!





Time for dinner- and lucky us, we were in Royal Court- the PERFECT restaurant for NYE and for formal night!













I started with oysters Rockefeller-



Tyler LOVES to eat lemons-



There was also a NYE Shrimp salad-



Some wild mushroom soup which was very good-



I had striped bass-



shrimp and gnocchi-



roast chicken and spaetzle-



Duckling-



LOL- Rudwin was at it again!



Cont'd next post-

 

[podsnel]

AWWW!!



Edward was SUCH a cutie- too bad this would be the last night we would see him...



We did take some table pics-







The boys took off- there were big things planned in Vibe for NYE- Timmy said he was going back to the cabin to change out of his suit, while Tyler decided to keep the suit ON- I jumped all over that with "oh, and who is she?" and he just gave me one of his smiles (which I later found out meant I was RIGHT, there was a girl he was staying dressed up for and he kissed her at midnight. Seems a suit and tie DOES have a purpose after all). Pods and I were planning to meet up with the Mcs to work on our passports, that would be our dessert tonight.





Love Arthur from South Africa! A wonderful host!



We made good progress on the passports tonight, here is a copy of the menu-







Mine had a side of duck!





After our travels in skyline, we went back up to the cabin- Pods wanted to change out of his tux (which I find it a little insulting he didn't feel the need to keep on to insure a midnite smooch from yours truly) and we had seen others with hats on, and with noisemakers, left on the beds by the cabin stewards-



As usual, Pods said these are some looooong hallways...



Up on Deck, we found the Mcs!



Champagne, Sparkling Cider, and hors de ouvres were being passed around- LOVED the DCL champagne flutes we got to keep!



Down below it was like Times Square-



Time to Countdown! TEN!





PODS!



HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!









Cont'd next post

 

[podsnel]

LOVE these guys!!!







Love this guy, too!





Down below, it was already clearing out-



But somewhere down there were our kids, one of whom just got kissed, lol-





We actually could pick them out down there at the time, both were in big crowds of kids, but separate groups, and BOTH were smiling from ear to ear. Always so nice to see!



It really was a very fun night-



Happy 2014 from ME and the windy deck!



We said our goodnights, and then headed off to bed, passing through Cabanas on the way where TONS of hors de ouvres were now making their home-











Did not have any then, still full from dinner- wish I could have them now, they looked really good!

Happy 2014- back another time with the first day of the New Year celebrated in St Thomas, USVI!

 

[DWGal210]

Your day in St Maarten looks absolutely great. I will have to check them out if/when I go again. We did a Bernard's tour last time and although they did a great job and I liked it, it was kind of a tiring day going here and there. It would be nice to have some time on a smaller boat and really see the island!

NYE looks amazing!!! What a fun night. You all look lovely in your clothes. Too funny about Tyler getting a NYE smooch - way to go, buddy! He already knows the ladies love a man in a suit!

 

[podsnel]

Thank you for the prayers

You are welcome-

Sorry you weren't able to get another Guavaberry colada, that's crazy they wouldn't have another blender. That Epic is a Monster, isn't it?

The Epic was beyond huge. My friends who have been did not enjoy her- they said it is very hard to get from one place to another, too chopped up.

The different infused waters looked good. When we were on our NCL Gem cruise they did things like that too, with iced water and juice and they had music playing and a small dance party on the pier, and in San Juan they had the cool moist cloths for us too (surprising they didn't have those at other ports).

Good to know! Thanks!

Yes, I felt very blessed he picked me! So did you release your turtle (HOW AMAZING!!) on Tintamare or Pinel Island?

It was on pinel. I let a little girl play with him for a few minutes when we landed, then we watched him run out into the water and swim off. The little girl kept trying to run out and bring him back.

How cute!!

That's weird! What time of year were you there? The water was really pretty there, as well as the island- so much nicer than the Gang graffiti we saw instead on our last trip here! And yea- that would be the life!

We were there the first part of December. The water for the snorkel was a little murky, but it was one of those "50 other people" experiences because they brought several small boats out and sent all of the groups together There were so many kids kicking up the sand and kicking us in the face, we just decided to call it quits but it was all good. Jim sat and planned his retirement running a little rum shack on the island.

It is impossible to snorkel that way- my first experience snorkeling was like that- in Maui on my honeymoon- actually it was my second experience. Huge boat, to Molikini, and about a million other snorkelers. UGH. The water was clear, because it was so deep there, but I kept getting kicked in the face, so I gave up.

Island time. Sorry you missed out on the guava berry drink. Your day looks amazing! Nice find on the tour

Thanks! It was a great day!
They operate on "Island time" around here in a large city. Everywhere you go, they are out of that, can't do it today, might do it later, etc.

I am from the NY Tristate area- we do NOT do well with that around here.

Still need to order moisturizer etc!! Can I just do it on line?

Your day in St Maarten looks absolutely great. I will have to check them out if/when I go again. We did a Bernard's tour last time and although they did a great job and I liked it, it was kind of a tiring day going here and there. It would be nice to have some time on a smaller boat and really see the island!

I always think the day on a smaller boat is the best day- just a different perspective than being on land the whole time. And you'll be back. No doubt!

NYE looks amazing!!! What a fun night. You all look lovely in your clothes. Too funny about Tyler getting a NYE smooch - way to go, buddy! He already knows the ladies love a man in a suit!

DCL was awesome on NYE- no wonder so many of the people we would meet were multiple repeat NYE cruisers- it's a blast, and there is so much going on. Hope I can convince Pods to do it again someday!But it's a bad time of year for him.

 

[podsnel]

We woke up to another GLORIOUSLY beautiful day, this time in St Thomas. Now, Pods and I have spent many, many vacations on St John- just this past October we were there for a week with a big group of people who were all a part of my friends Jane & Kevin's wedding vow renewal, which took place ON their 25th anniversary-



That was on Trunk Bay- barely got there in the light of day! It was a fun week though- and we were honored to be a part of it. SO...on this day in StT, well...we were kinda just here. And, we had thought we would go over to one of the beaches we had never tried, like Sapphire Bay Beach. But...ultimately, I asked Pods if he would mind if we just hung around the port for a bit and spent more time on the Fantasy. Cuz...the Fantasy is REALLY all that. Pods was OVERJOYED. The kids were thrilled. No one wanted to leave the ship! It is SO NICE!!!

First things first tho- we went to Cabanas to grab a little breakfast, even though it was kind of late-



Yea, yea, I know, Muesli AGAIN! But it's SO GOOD!!! To be honest, tho, the thing I was REALLY happy about was the grapefruit sections- haven't seen those since my first Magic cruise. YUM on that!





Back at the cabin, the boys grumbled something at us and we said we'll be back soon-



We got outside, and realized DAMN! We forgot the passports! So back Pods went-



While I waited....



Until he finally came down. We walked out-



And asked the first Rum Shack we saw if they made Bushwackers. Yes they do. The key is- we forgot to ask them if they would be making them TODAY or in 2015. THAT was the key question we forgot to ask.





There she is! Take a good look! Worst, slowest bartender in the islands!



So, after we sat there 20-30 minutes, and STILL were not served, we left- in all fairness, she was SUPER swamped with one whole other person at that bar...MAJOR roll of eyes... Next we headed to peruse the shops a bit, but there really was not anything we needed to buy, so after a bit we ended up at the other bar in port-



You know the one- it's got 100 patrons and 1 bartender, yet EVERYONE seems to have food AND drinks. What a concept!



Bushwackers are the BEST!!! Look! It's a girl who knows how to use a blender!! I knew we'd find her in the Caribbean EVENTUALLY!!!



We watched a little of the Rose Bowl Parade- it felt kind of surreal, to be honest- Then said, I miss the ship- and back we went!







Just can't get enough-



Cont'd next post-

 

[JKSWonder]

LOVE all the details DCL put into your New Year's Eve! How great is that? I hope I get to experience it some day.

 

[podsnel]

We went to Cabanas and found some lunch to enjoy



We found a table outside-



Afterwards we walked over to some lounges and relaxed-





Satellite Falls was empty!





We went on the Aquaduck a couple of times, then I went for a little walk down to see Frozen with the Mc family. Which was packed, and which was AWESOME. LOVE the movies on DCL!



When the movie ended, I was just in time for sailaway, I think (at least, this is the best I can figure- with Kristi and I BOTH looking at our Navigators and trying to figure this out now, 6 months later!) Looks like we sailed away after 4:30- It was fun watching the Captain maneuver our ship away from the port when we were soooo close to Freedom of the Seas!





Buh-bye STT....



And FoS-



The Marriott- I have a client who stays here and loves it-





A band was playing during sailaway...



It was so lovely and relaxing.....

 

[DWGal210]

Sounds like a nice plan to me, having a relaxing day on the boat.

What is up with that bartender?? 20-30 minutes and not being served??? Jeez that is unacceptable. Glad you found someone who could manage to mix and pour drinks in a timely manner!!

 

[podsnel]

So pretty sailing away from here-



I looked down and saw Pods going for a walk-



Before I headed back to the cabin myself to order some room service and take a nap. MORE NYE - well, I guess now New Years' Day- surprises were waiting on the bed-



This happy print, which all the passengers who were smarter than me all took to the Guest Services desk to be autographed by characters. DUH!



AND....another surprise...





How cute, and how sweet is this??





Outside...



Timmy showed up and we ordered from Room Service.



I could use that pot of coffee right NOW! I am so tired today! A little cracked, but yummy nonetheless-



After I had showered and refreshed with the coffee and Mickey Bar, I went back up to look for Pods-through Cabanas of course, because we were AFT and we ALWAYS went through Cabanas..



Football was on the Dumbotron- that explains everything about the missing Pods, lol!



Cove Café was deserted-



Drinks at the soda fountain for those who would like to know-





And back through-



In the cabin, the boys were trying to tell me they were going to skip tonight's dinner- to hang in Vibe. They said they had already seen the show in Animator's and they were over it.

Ummm...no you haven't. This is the Fantasy. It is different- we are all going to draw a person and then Disney is going to animate them to dance around the dining room.

I have never heard so much laughter come from 3 men/boys in my life!

They were all how stupid do you think we are?

Well, they didn't really WANT me to answer that question, did they?

Up next- who's lookin stupid NOW? Dinner at Animator's-

T

 

[Linda67]

What fun to see in the NY on the Fantasy
Looks like you had a blast!
Ah a day lounging on the ship with room service at your disposal - total bliss

 

[podsnel]

LOVE all the details DCL put into your New Year's Eve! How great is that? I hope I get to experience it some day.

I really hope you can, too- it is fantastic, the whole thing!

Sounds like a nice plan to me, having a relaxing day on the boat.

It was sooooo nice to do nothing, really.

What is up with that bartender?? 20-30 minutes and not being served??? Jeez that is unacceptable. Glad you found someone who could manage to mix and pour drinks in a timely manner!!

It was SO bizarre! She wasn't serving anyone, and that was all!

What fun to see in the NY on the Fantasy
Looks like you had a blast!
Ah a day lounging on the ship with room service at your disposal - total bliss

It is total bliss, isn't it? I do love room service. One of my favorite indulgences on a cruise.