4nana recaptures magic on the 9/7-9/11 Wonder cruise!

[4nana]

Happy 74th Birthday Mother, Daughter ‘Wonder’ cruise.
‘The Golden Girls’ - Mom 74, 4nana 57, Sis 55.

Hi Dis board friends!

I think most of you remember my story of our Dec. Magic family reunion cruise, we’d planned for 2 yrs. My medical problems (stomach/intestional) decided to flare up on the cruise and my stateroom hostess reported me. I was ordered to the dr., misdiagnosed with Norwalk virus and ordered quarantined for 72 hrs. After much debate, Dis meetings, many hurt feelings, visit from the asst. Captain, I was released after 48 hrs. Sad to say, my family reunion cruise had ‘lost it’s Magic!’ I was very disappointed and hurt that my integrity had been questioned.
However, I decided move on, gather my positve thoughts, realizing things happen for a reason and it could have been worse. After much correspondence, Disney offered me one cruise voucher for $899 to be used by end of this year. So be it!


Fast Forward:

DH decided he did not want to travel w/Disney again and suggested I invite my Mom. We lost my dear Dad in Jan., so this would be a great pick me up for her. With my Mom turning 74 on Sept. 9, I decided ~ why not make it a mother, daughter cruise and invite my sister too?! I asked and to my surprise they jumped at the chance!! It was mid August….oh my, could I pull all this off by Mom’s BD in 3 weeks!? Sure I could!!! I joked with my Mom and sis, they could go provided they got bathing suits and would go to Castaway Cay. My Mom had not been in a bathing suit or the water in 50 yrs.!! Neither had flown or cruised before!!

I called Disney mid August and got our ressies for the Wonder 4 nite Sept 7-11 cruise. LOL - it was a whirlwind 3 weeks trying to get everything together. We got an excellent price for Sept., my voucher paying all 3 fares in Cat. 11 w/only port charges to pay. Disney assigned us Deck 5 room #5635. I cannot tell you how excited I was to be doing this for my dear Mom and my sis!! Life is good!!!! Praise the Lord, after my Dec. incident my doctor prescribed some different medication that seems to help control my medical problem.

Mom and sis spent that Sat. night at my house as we had to be at BWI A/P by 6am.Sun. Oh my ~ getting up at 4:30am…whose idea was this anyway!?!?!? LOL. DH gave us our group hug at the A/P. I was going to miss him, this was my first trip away from DH in 39 yrs., (other than the birth of our 4 children). I hoped I would do fine. Our 8am SW flight went off without a hitch. We were group C, but who cares if we were in the last seats in the plane! We were going on a cruise!! I bought Mom and sis the ‘air planes’ plugs that worked great! They were very impressed by their first flight and the fact by 10am we are at MCO. ‘Cartier’ towncar was waiting with a ‘Happy 74th Birthday’ sign!! My heart was racing, things are off to a great start!

What a difference fr Dec., this time we got to the port by 11:30am - hardly anyone was there! (On our Dec trip we had arrived later during the day w/16 people, only to wait in line over an hour and half trying to keep 7 kids in order…LOL.) We registered and the CM informed me ‘there was a flag on my name’. My heart sank…OH NO w/flash backs of my Dec cruise!!!!!

After our photos were taken, we were met by Paul, manager of Guest Services. He welcomed me back, had learned what had happened in Dec on our family reunion cruise and wondered if I’d accept a complementary upgrade???? Say what?!!?!?! After I picked my chin up off the floor, of course I agreeded! OMG - Room # 7524 (w/a verandah) on the 7th deck!!! Needless to say, I could not contain my excitement!!!! I have read the many stories about all the **pixie dust** that has been bestowed to others on our wonderful Dis board. I thought of little Nate, the Page and Walters families, but never in a million years thought it could happen to little ole ME!!!!!

We had some carryons and Paul, GS mang. told us to please feel free to drop them off at our new room. We hustled to our cabin and upon entering found Disney had decorated the room for my dear Mom’s BD. I cannot tell how surprised we were and how this made us feel!! Misty eyed, we checked out our new room and verandah. It was beyond our imagination for our special
'Mother/Daughter BD cruise'!

Friends, I cannot tell you how much fun we had each day living life to the fullest ~ just enjoying being together, talking, reminiscing, be it sitting on our verandah having coffee or tea, watching the Moon, Mars, stars at night, on deck 4 in those comfy chairs or having a bite to eat overlooking the ocean on deck 9. We knew we were indeed very blessed to be together for this special time. I know Daddy was smiling from heaven above.

The ship, cabin, service, food, music, entertainment, spirit and the Rain Forest lounge chairs were absolutely the BEST! Every day we came back to our room there was a new surprise!! The children sent a Bon Voyage tray of goodies w/Sparkling Cider. Mickey, Minnie and gang sent an autographed picture thanking me for sailing again and a plate of treats, Disney sent a fruit basket, Guest Services sent a cheese/cracker, fruit tray, and the Concierge team a plate of cookies. Mr. Manhendran, Hotel Dir., wrote me a note thanking me for chosing Disney again and a plate of treats. Oh my, I felt so spoiled, life doesn’t get any better than this!! Only wish we could have bought these goodies home with us!! The manager of Palo’s called asking if we’d like a ressie. I thank him, explained we were sorry, but would not consider missing our wonderful servers!!

We had early seating, our servers were Maria fr Hungary, Sunil fr. India, H/S Paul fr Scotland. It was amazing the way they buzzed around the dining room, doting on us at every opportunity. It was easy to see, they deserve twice the recommended tip! We quickly became known as 'The Golden Girls’! On Sept 9, my Mom’s 74th BD, they surprised her with a BD cake and had her up doing the limbo to the Caribbean band in Parrot Cay!! My sis and I were almost in tears to see her so happy, acting so youthful and full of life!! This was one of those moments that your heart swells beyond imagination!

Yes, I did get my Mom and sis in bathing suits on Castaway Cay (after lathering them w/sunscreen). They said they had never seen anything as breath taking as the beautiful tri color of the Caribbean water against the blue sky. It was so wonderful to see them smiling, playing in the water and us all acting like kids, without a worry in the world!

Our wonderful trip came to an end all too soon, and we headed home on 911. Our guardian angel was with us every step of the way. We made many special memories to carry in our hearts forever. I only wish I’d taken a diary, as I have many times when I traveled. It all goes by so quickly, it seems like a blur! We did get lots of pix and video.

I now truly realize the purpose: IF my plight had not happened in Dec., then this trip would not have been possiible. I am very thankful, for ‘God does indeed work in mysterious ways.’ Thank you Shipahoy for restoring my faith in Disney. Thank you Disney for helping make this trip so special for us! It was indeed a perfect trip and I am eternally greatful for all the special treatment you blessed us with.

I must now write thank you notes to some special people. I again thank all my Dis friends for their support and may your cruise bring you and yours many special memories. God Bless!

Keep the faith ~
Sandie

 

[jlawall]

Welcome home, great story!!!!!!! WTG DCL!!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Wow! Glad to see DCL did good. Sounds like you had alot of fun.

 

[WDWLVR]

4Nana - that is wonderful! Thank you for sharing with you. I'm really glad to hear that this cruise brought back the Magic for you (even though it was on the Wonder)

I love the picture in your signature - nice to see that Minnie is now a Golden Girl too!

 

[strawberryblonde]

So happy to read about your magical trip. I felt so badly for your family last winter (and you too, of course). Really something the way things come full circle. I'm glad they decided to "flag" your name

 

[my3kids]

Simply Wonderful!

 

[mowanda]

I was really blessed to read your trip report from the cruise with your mom and your sister. What special memories you will have for the rest of your life now. Treasure these memories and relive them often. I wish I had done something like that with my mom before she passed away last year, but her health would not allow it. Your mom is blessed to have you, and a mother/daughter relationship is truly a blessing from the Lord. I have two daughters and I treasure our relationship! God bless!

Mowanda

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>What a joy to read your report. I'm misty-eyed now.

Thank you for sharing your slice of adventure with us.

 

[CRB#33]

Originally posted by 4nana


I now truly realize the purpose: IF my plight had not happened in Dec., then this trip would not have been possiible. I am very thankful, for ‘God does indeed work in mysterious ways.’

He most certainly does

What a wonderful report! I needed to read this today!

I'm so glad you had such a wonderful experience. Thank you for sharing

 

[Mjasp]

Sandie...Just read your report and your story filled my heart with love and my eyes with tears. Things do happen for a reason, and now you can see it.

Someone side swiped my car last week, a little fender bender, but it was a young girl with a permit driving without a licensed driver, although I was inconvenienced, 4 days now without a car while it is getting fixed, my DH said, I may have saved a life by being there and now she won't be on a highway going at high speeds and maybe hurting someone. She came out in a traffic jam with no where to go and just tried to get through my car. LOL
Had no clue how to handle the situation, where a licensed driver would have instructed her.

What was your husbands reaction to all that happened to you, has he restored his faith in Disney?

All my best
Joanna

 

[donmil723]

How wonderful for you to have these memories of such a special time with your mother and sister. We had to cancel our 25th anniversary cruise in August due to my father passing away but Disney allowed us to reschedule it with only $85 per person reprocessing fee. We are going in May, 2004 and hope it will be as magical as yours.

Thank you for sharing!

Donna

 

[big jack 2002]

I felt so badly for you last Dec. I am so glad everything worked out so well. It will be a treasured memory for all three of you. What a wonderful vacation!!!

 

[Jeanny]

Wow, 4nana, this was a great make-up trip for what happened to you in December. I'm so glad DCL came through for you and your Mom & Sis.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Wow! What a wonderful conclusion to your December drama, 4nana! I am sitting here with a smile on my face as I write this reply just thinking of how perfect and special everything was for you! I'm so happy you had a great trip...you definitley deserved it!

Now, to talk my Mom into a cruise. She's never flown or been on a cruise and our birthdays are back to back (July 18 & 19). I can imagine her enjoying it just as your Mom and sis had. I'm so glad that Disney helped to make this trip extra special for you! Sounds like you got star treatment!!!

Oh...one more thing...we were in 7524 last cruise and LOVED the location! I'm so glad you enjoyed your verandah!

 

[4nana]

I appreciate your kind remarks....Thank you!!!

It has been a month and I guess I am finally coming down from my high of being treated like a Wonder queen.....LOL!! I have about worn our video and pictures out!! Just finished making 3 Disney photo albums of
'The Golden Girls' special memories.

Mjasp ~
I had called DH from the ship to tell him of our *pixie dust*. I could tell he was all misty eyed. He wasted no time contacting our 4 children of my new found magic. That evening we received a 'Hooah' email message on ship from my son in Korea.

I know my family reunion trip and quarantine was not a big deal to anyone reading this ~ for unless you have been there or had your integrity questioned, you could not even begin to understand.
For me ~ I give thanks to God and Disney it is all behind me now ^i^.

 

[Mjasp]

Mjasp ~
I had called DH from the ship to tell him of our *pixie dust*. I could tell he was all misty eyed. He wasted no time contacting our 4 children of my new found magic. That evening we received a 'Hooah' email message on ship from my son in Korea.

Glad he spread your joy with your children

 

[4nana]

Joanna,

Sad to say, it will take more time for DH. He is this wonderful 6'1" happy-go-lucky Teddybear, who usually turns the other cheek. It takes an awful lot to bring him down. But when it comes to his wife (aka: Keeper), children and grands, he is as fierce as a wild tiger....LOL! He remains heartbroken w/the thoughts of gkids at the cabin door crying while 4nana was 'on restriction'. Like they say, hopefully time cures all ^i^.

PS:
Meant to mention before, glad your fender bender was not too serious and you weren't hurt.

 

[mrsdon]

I remember reading your story from Dec .
Your new trip sounds simply awesome and its nice to know DCL tried to make up for past bad behavior.
Hopefuuly DH will be willing to try again. My DH was unhappy with the food on our 1st crusie, but to make me happy he is willing to try again. SO maybe you can w tell DH if you(the victim) can forgive, so should he.

 

[LT Hambone]

Sandie –


What makes your experience even better (IMHO) is how you handled what happened to you in December.

It seems we live in a world where people expect and demand retribution every time they are slighted. Instead of taking what life gives them and moving forward, they demand and insist that someone else should be held accountable. We hear people around us saying, "I didn't get what I wanted", or, "I'm never going back to that store again", or "Where's my compensation for being inconvenienced?" Nobody, it seems, wants to accept anymore that mistakes and accidents do happen.

With the minor exception of corresponding to the DCL (which is the right thing to do, IMHO), you did none of that. You moved on with your positive thoughts, and made the most of your situation.

In return, you were given the cruise of a lifetime! All for accepting that life threw you a curve ball! It seems to me that you were being rewarded for handling the situation the proper way!

To me, that makes your experience even better.


Glad you had a great time!


John

 

[ppiew]

LTHambone - I am in your corner!
4Nana - so delighted to hear of your wonderful cruise with the 'Golden Girls.' I was lucky enough to go on a cruise with just my daughter (age 39) this past summer and it was an experience I wouldn't trade for anything - just the 2 of us - no kids, no husband - just us. In reading your report, I was sad that my mother was not still alive and the three of us could have done something similar. Life is short and your cruise was a special memory each of you will share forever.