09/13/09 SSMC09 S.S. Member Cruise 2009

[wltdsnyfan]

I don't have my vacations in my signature yet, but I would like to reply. It is hard to say because our honeymoon in 1990 will be as memorable as ever. It was our first cruise, on the BIG RED BOAT, and our first time to Disney World. I do say, I think that has been my favorite ship to sail on. It was small and very elegant. And at the time it was the Disney boat because all the characters were on it. That just started our addiction.

We took our girls there for their first trip in 2000. They were 7 and 4. What fun to see it through little ones eyes. We were staying at Shades of Green because my DH is, or was at the time, full time military. He has since retired with 26 years in the Iowa National Guard. Our special memories from that was scaring Brooke, 4, on the first ride we went on, Snow White, and had a hard time getting her to go on any others. But we usually got her talked in to going and today she is a ride freak. Loves them all! Our other memory is that we were in the building to the right when you come in the MK, can't remember the name, and we were walking around and there were characters in there. My DH was trying to get my attention because Cinderella was sitting on some steps all by herself. We got the girls over to her before anyone else noticed and I got some very nice photos. How special for them.

Our next trip back was in 2005. We went for two weeks We started at Shades of Green for a week then went on an Eastern Carribean Disney cruise. (This is also when we bought in to DVC at SSR! Best thing we have ever done!) This was our first time to experience Halloween at Disney and loved it. We have been back every year since. This was also our girls' first cruise. Now they love to cruise and are upset that we are doing the members cruise without them this time. But, it is time for mom and dad to have a vacation for themselves.

We took my sister and her kids in March of 2006, stayed at SSR in a two bedroom suite and had a blast. This was their first trip to Disney and we were so happy to share it with them.

We have been there many times since, but these are my most favorite I think. It is hard because Disney is our happy place. We just can't wait to go again. Which is in June for Star Wars ! Then the Members Cruise in Sept!

Thank you for asking the question because it has been fun to remember.

Chris,
Do you have pictures of the big Red Boat that you can post? I would love to see them. I remember the advertisement for it. I also agree when you do any thing Disney you can’t go wrong. Buying DVS was the best thing we ever did to. To bad we did not do sooner. Oh well.

Flo

 

[wltdsnyfan]

Not much info but the count down clock is on and it says 2009 !

The only other thing I can see is the date and time for the Member picture.

I do wish they would also put the SSM09 cruise in the countdown clock on the DVC site. They still have the 08.

flo

 

[BigDogHU75]

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disney World
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Witnessed a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise once
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community I live a not too far from one
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied as long as my family's basic needs can be met I am satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris saw it but did not want to go to the top because I don't like heights
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater stood across the street from one while my mother did grocery shopping (It was across the street from a Pathmark)
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a Bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

 

[wltdsnyfan]

I have to share. We were watching the travel channel and a program called Barbecue Paradise. It was great to see the best places. I was surprised that we even have one in Illinois. Anyway, they were in the one town and it was like a block party. They had all kind of things going on. I look at the TV and turn to my DH and DS and go please tell me if you saw the same thing. I though the balloons that they were selling were Mickey Mouse balloons like the sell in FL and CA.

I love the Travel Channel. Now I am watching Samantha Brown on Freedom of the seas

I think I need a Disney Fix. I am seeing Mickey Mouse balloons.

Flo

 

[BigDogHU75]

Hello All. I hope everyone is having a good weekend. I am having a better one now that my heat is back on. I woke up this morning and it was freezing inside my house. Our heater malfunctioned. Thank God for 24 hours - 7 days a week heating repair service. Now, we are cozy and comfortable and our guest will not be freezing his tail off.

 

[tiggerandpooh]

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disney World
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Parisone of the most romantic cities in the world
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Witnessed a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise once
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community I live a not too far from one
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied as long as my family's basic needs can be met I am satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painteddoes a caricature count
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and man was it windy and cold
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie not a movie but played someone in a commerical
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a Bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a babyi did not give birth to it, but i played a major part if you know what I mean
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

 

[alexdk]

Thank you for asking the question because it has been fun to remember.

You are very welcome! It has been so nice to find a group of people that feels the same way that we do about Disney. Most people I know don't have anything against Disney, but just don't have the same love of it!

We have had so many wonderful memories as well, and have shared our points with family many times. We tend to bank/borrow a lot and have done two bigger family "reunions" in WDW so far (one that we didn't even end up attending ). We were also able to send my favourite cousin away for her honeymoon!
I feel we made a great decision too with DVC twelve years ago! And to be honest, being a stay at home mom, and living on one income at this time, we would never be able to enjoy such great vacations while our kids are young and create such great memories

 

[Time4disneynow]

You are very welcome! It has been so nice to find a group of people that feels the same way that we do about Disney. Most people I know don't have anything against Disney, but just don't have the same love of it!

We have had so many wonderful memories as well, and have shared our points with family many times. We tend to bank/borrow a lot and have done two bigger family "reunions" in WDW so far (one that we didn't even end up attending ). We were also able to send my favourite cousin away for her honeymoon!
I feel we made a great decision too with DVC twelve years ago! And to be honest, being a stay at home mom, and living on one income at this time, we would never be able to enjoy such great vacations while our kids are young and create such great memories

Well said.....and I totally agree.
I know what you mean....I too am a stay at home mom....not for much longer though....my daughter just turned 18, she will be off to college next year. We just love Disney. Our favorite is Disney at Christmas time and now Disney cruises....especially the Members Cruise. Our first Members cruise was September 2008. It was so much fun and met alot of very nice people who share the same interest....DISNEY.
DH and I love Disney so much....our family room is decorated with everything Disney. Great memories.....always!!!!


Take care......Monika

 

[wltdsnyfan]

Well said.....and I totally agree.
I know what you mean....I too am a stay at home mom....not for much longer though....my daughter just turned 18, she will be off to college next year. We just love Disney. Our favorite is Disney at Christmas time and now Disney cruises....especially the Members Cruise. Our first Members cruise was September 2008. It was so much fun and met alot of very nice people who share the same interest....DISNEY.
DH and I love Disney so much....our family room is decorated with everything Disney. Great memories.....always!!!!


Take care......Monika

Monika,

I to have Disney through out my house. I have Disney knobs on my kitchen cabinets adn dishes. In my living room we have pictures and Disney Sconces. In my basement for my Fireplace I have the the tools, screen and carrier. I have to have Disney in all parts of the house.

flo

You are very welcome! It has been so nice to find a group of people that feels the same way that we do about Disney. Most people I know don't have anything against Disney, but just don't have the same love of it!

We have had so many wonderful memories as well, and have shared our points with family many times. We tend to bank/borrow a lot and have done two bigger family "reunions" in WDW so far (one that we didn't even end up attending ). We were also able to send my favourite cousin away for her honeymoon!
I feel we made a great decision too with DVC twelve years ago! And to be honest, being a stay at home mom, and living on one income at this time, we would never be able to enjoy such great vacations while our kids are young and create such great memories

I agree with the wounderfull memories of Disney. We always think of going some plase else but end up there . I just feel at home. My mom does not understand that at all. But the way I look at it to each is own.

flo

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning Member Cruisers!
We sail in 42 weeks!



​

 

[dvc4life]

You are very welcome! It has been so nice to find a group of people that feels the same way that we do about Disney. Most people I know don't have anything against Disney, but just don't have the same love of it!


You can say that again!! The people at work just don't get it. I try to keep my enthusiasm down, but can't help it and talk about Disney and the cruises alot! Telling them they should go and stuff. They get sick of me. So I am also glad I found the DIS and so many who share the same feelings we do. I think like Flo said, when you go, it makes you feel like you are at home. And that is what I feel while there.

 

[WDWLVR]

I definitely think there is a Disney "gene" and some people have it and some don't. My Mom had it and loved going to WDW and would have loved DCL but died before the first ship set sail (she had cruised on another line). My in-laws on the other hand don't get it and never will.

That is one of the reasons I love the DIS and especially these cruise meet threads. We get to meet and talk to people who "get it" and then best of all we get to sail with them. Someone before our December 2004 10 day cruise (not sure if it was Karen (ohiominnie) or someone else) said - we're cruising with a great group of friends we haven't met yet! Truer words were never spoken!

 

[dvc4life]

Chris,
Do you have pictures of the big Red Boat that you can post? I would love to see them. I remember the advertisement for it. I also agree when you do any thing Disney you can’t go wrong. Buying DVS was the best thing we ever did to. To bad we did not do sooner. Oh well.

Flo

I will try. Just looked and I don't have many and they aren't that good. I am also going to try and post the carnival ship that was beside us. Boy were they small ships back in 1990.

 

[WDWLVR]

On our first DCL cruise on the Magic we docked next to the Big Red Boat in Nassau. It sure wasn't big compared to the Magic and look how the Magic looks small next to today's big ships.

I remember my first cruise way back in the 70's. We had a deluxe outside stateroom. For that we had two twin beds that you couldn't put together (which didn't matter as I was sailing with my mom and another girl), a radio that played one station for elevator music, a shower (if you wanted a bath you had to go down the hall into a room that only held a bathtub), and a small porthole that to see out of it you had to climb on a chair! Still we loved it and sailed on that ship about 4 times.


Here's the first ship I ever sailed on - the Sitmar Fairwind:

 

[dvc4life]

Ok, I tried. Not going to guarantee anything but here are some photos of the Big Red Boat. We sailed on the Atlantic but the photos are of the Oceanic. They were sister ships and we sailed together.

The last photo is of some Carnival ship that was in port at the same time we were.

 

[alexdk]

Not sure exactly who is on the facebook group...but wanted to let you know that I am adding a few more pictures from our 2003 members cruise.
My scanner isn't working, so the quality isn't great, but I am putting them up anyway

Have a great Sunday everyone!

 

[wltdsnyfan]

Good morning Member Cruisers!
We sail in 42 weeks!

​

I just love this counter! It gets better and better looking every week.

flo


Morning Everyone.!

 

[wltdsnyfan]

Ok, I tried. Not going to guarantee anything but here are some photos of the Big Red Boat. We sailed on the Atlantic but the photos are of the Oceanic. They were sister ships and we sailed together.

The last photo is of some Carnival ship that was in port at the same time we were.

Chris,

Thanks for the pictures! Boy was it small. What did you have in the rooms? I am sure they were not that big.

flo

 

[dvc4life]

42 Weeks doesn't sound bad at all.

 

[dvc4life]

Flo, if I remember, we had a queen bed, a TV and I can't remember the bathroom. We had one of the biggest rooms available on the ship at the time because the DH wanted the queen bed. Had a big tall window to look out. I just remember when we first got on the ship there was a staff member saying "Bahama Mama, Get Your Bahama Mama", over and over. So funny what we remember!!!