4 Night Wonder out of Miami (update 3/1-Complete)

[dgbg100106]

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

Thanks for your patience everybody.

I had plans to go visit a friend this afternoon for lunch but her kitty is nearing the end. She just found out last night and I was so sad for her I couldn't stop the tears. She lives in WV so we usually drive three hours each to meet in the middle. I was planning on an update last night but couldn't shake the sadness. He is a really sweet kitty and it is heartbreaking when these things inevitably happen.

An update coming up shortly.

Sorry to hear this,I know how bad the hurt is. Just take your time.

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by ImprovGal

I'm enjoying reading your trip report, particularly because I was on this cruise (and the one following it) and somehow our paths never crossed so I'm always interested in seeing how other people keep busy on the ship.

Just a minor note: That charming cruise director is Ray. Capt. Fabian was our captain.

thank you for the correction, that's too funny! Now that you say that I can hear him announcing himself in that wonderful accent. In the back of my mind I thought I was wrong but couldn't find anything in my journal.

I'm amazed we never crossed paths. I loved that the ship was small enough I kept running into people. The Dream was so big it was very rare to see the same people twice.

Very nice you were able to do the next one as well. How did you enjoy the cruise?

[dgbg100106]

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

The other day I came on here and I was behind on 17 threads... not to mention shopping and exercising and all that kind of stuff.

I am the same way. My job has become a huge interruption for the DIS and I am not happy one bit about that.

[dgbg100106]

Originally Posted by dolphingirl47

What a shame that your mom lost out on two prizes. I think I would have been more upset about the Tanzanite necklace, but then I absolutely adore Tanzanite. It is an even bigger shame that people turned so nasty. There is really no need for this.

I am actually quite glad to be back in my beloved Bat Cave for our back to back cruises after we had the veranda cabin in November. I think part of the reason why I sleep so well on the ship is that there is no light coming in at all. I did not sleep nearly as well in November.

Corinna

David and I love the inside cabins for that reason. You can go in there anytime of the day and get "lost" in day/night....

[dgbg100106]

Beautiful update, looking forward to the "good ending". Shame that you did not enjoy your food any more.

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by dolphingirl47

I am glad that the Tanzanite story has a good ending.

You just made my day. I love the Wonder, but one drawback to this ship for me has always been the cruise director. On our Panama Canal cruise, our Mexican Riviera cruise and the Hawaii cruise we had Christiaan and I never warmed to him. He behaved like a spoiled child on the Panama Canal cruise and I have never forgiven him this. I did hear rumours that he was transferring to the Dream and I was very happy to see a different Cruise Director. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we get Captain Fabian for our Back to Back cruise. He has such a wonderful personality. However, I think it will probably be Captain Thord, which is OK by me too. He was our captain during 3 cruises including one with quite rough conditions and he kept us safe.

Corinna

I said the wrong name ealier, I'm sure you caught me too. Ray was very nice, we saw him quite a few times around the ship and he always had a smile for us. The only thing we thought was lacking was that we hardly heard him overhead on the speakers highlighting items to do throughout the day. Now we only expected that because the cruise director we had on the Dream, Clayton, was constantly doing that. Captain Fabian actually came on a few times and talked with us which was great.

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by dgbg100106

Sorry to hear this,I know how bad the hurt is. Just take your time.

I'm so glad I suggested that my friend stay home yesterday to be with her kitty. He passed away around 3:00 yesterday afternoon. I'm so sad for her.

[dgbg100106]

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

I'm so glad I suggested that my friend stay home yesterday to be with her kitty. He passed away around 3:00 yesterday afternoon. I'm so sad for her.

Yes, at least she was there to be with him. So sad...

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by dgbg100106

Beautiful update, looking forward to the "good ending". Shame that you did not enjoy your food any more.

Salmon is one of my favorites, so I was really disappointed. I'm usually not one to send anything back, but it was unedible to me.

I don't want to let the cat out of the bag, but what eventually happened was a total surprise.

[dgbg100106]

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

Salmon is one of my favorites, so I was really disappointed. I'm usually not one to send anything back, but it was indelible to me.

I don't want to let the cat out of the bag, but eventually happened was a total surprise.

No, don't let the info leak until the right time.

I love salmon, also! I have sent things back, to me that is really the only feedback for the kitchen.

[Pinkocto]

Day 2, Key West:

I woke up around 5:30 am and was so very thirsty. We were on Deck 7 so I took the elevator up to Deck 9 and was happy to find some delicious cold water at the beverage station. I ran into a CM who was a bit startled to see me, I was in my pajamas I was thankfully able to go back to sleep until 8:30. Mom had been exploring the ship since 7:30 and was ready for some breakfast. We decided to head down to Tritons since we had really enjoyed our sit down breakfast at the Royal Palace on the Dream. Tritons did not disappoint.

Mom had some coffee



I had a diet coke



Mom had a Krispy Kreme



I had a cinnamon roll, one of my favorite things this cruise



Mom had a veggie omlette which she raved about



I had frech toast with grilled pineapple. I did not like the pineapple hot but the other fruit was delicious. The french toast itself was really good.



Mom also wanted to try the waffle sandwhich with dulce de leche, she said it was a bit dry. We were both expecting a lot more dulce de leche, it only appeared to be drizzled on the waffles



With our bellies full we headed out. It was a marvelous breakfast and we would be back to Tritons. I highly recommend doing a sit down breakfast on the ship, it's a wonderful way to start the day.

The restaurant was really pretty, I just loved the mural.

[Pinkocto]

After breakfast we headed up to the room to grab my shower stuff and bathing suits and headed to the spa. We spent a few hours just relaxing and enjoying the Rainforest Room. We had the place to ourselves and it was fabulous. We tried all the saunas and enjoyed the loungers and finally dragged ourselves out of there. I had gotten a little hungry, all that relaxing really works up an appetite!

I went to get some fries, and I think mom went to get us some drinks. I love just walking up to the window and they give you whatever you want. I ended up getting a double portion because I just knew mom would want some. We found a nice little table on Deck 10 and watched the end of Brother Bear. Now I have never seen this movie and I must say I had quite a few tears at the end. I can't seem to help it, I'm a total softy. Oh, the fries were magnificent by the way.









I tried to get in some journaling but it was quite windy so after the movie ended we went down to sit by the Quiet Cove. We no sooner had we sat down when mom said she wanted to go to BBB and get some broccoli she had seen when she had gotten the drinks earlier. So back to that end of the ship we went and got some more food. There were quite a few selections but I could see right away that it did not compare to Cabanas on the Dream. Yes, I continued to compare the two ships the entire cruise. How would I be an adequate DISer if I didn't bring you guys my thoughts. I'm sorry to say I don't have a picture of the whole buffet, there were just too many people there.

We sat out in the back and enjoyed the sun.

My plate. Olives at the bottom, caprese salad, fish in the middle (not good), polenta (very dry), fried shrimp (too soft) and a tomato and mozzarella sandwich. I put the caprese salad into the sandwich and it was very delicious.



Mom's plate. Lentil salad under the broccoli, caprese salad, olives, tomato and mozzarella sandwich, and an onion foccocia. She loved everything.



I went back and got a salad



Mom went back and found some desserts

White/Milk chocolate mousse, she loved it



Tiramisu, very good she said



A sailboat race going on off of Key West













I thought this was quite cool. I was taking all this pictures directly into the sun so had no idea if they came out at all until later



Some new friends that joined us for lunch

[ImprovGal]

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

thank you for the correction, that's too funny! Now that you say that I can hear him announcing himself in that wonderful accent. In the back of my mind I thought I was wrong but couldn't find anything in my journal.

I'm amazed we never crossed paths. I loved that the ship was small enough I kept running into people. The Dream was so big it was very rare to see the same people twice.

Very nice you were able to do the next one as well. How did you enjoy the cruise?

I had such a fantastic time on that cruise (and the next as well)! It was a little strange having a 4 day cruise with absolutely no sea days. It certainly made embarkation day seem a bit more scheduled than usual. Key West was the only time I got off the ship, though. I used Nassau and Castaway Cay days as the times to play Disney movie catch-up and saw Frankenweenie, Brave, and Wreck-It Ralph.

I think we just must have sailed in different circuits as I did keep running into the same guests as well. At least I can say that I wasn't one of the DVC Member Celebration villagers that apparently tried to torch you.

[franandaj]

Nice updates. Sounds like you had a very relaxing time. I enjoyed having breakfast at Tritons as well. I never considered that an inside stateroom would have blackout qualities for sleeping.

I think I still like the verandah, Fran likes having natural light come into our room, but that does give me something to think about for sleeping really well.

[fredgirls]

Wonderful updates! Thank you!
I am getting so excited!
We didn't do a sit-down breakfast last time, so will definitely do that.