7 Day Western - 11/3-11/10 with a side trip to the medical center

[SweetSpot]

My son graduates this year and those darn colleges don't take off for NJ week. There's no way we can leave him behind. We're booked on the August repo and last week we booked a phantom date to use for a summer '09 cruise. It's going to be strange not cruising with a bunch of people you know from NJ.

 

[love2travel]

Wednesday - Cozumel

Met up with DVCfromNJ and family for breakfast and planned to walk around together in Cozumel. Walked around Cozumel, hit some stores, looked at lots and lots of jewelry. It's amazing in Cozumel every store wants to give you a free shot of tequila, cheap tequila but tequila. No, I didn't have any. I remembered what Alex said at the tequila tasting and believe me, they weren't giving away any good tequila. We went to Senor Frogs for lunch, it was very loud in there. We headed back to the ship for an afternoon swim and needed to prepare for tonights Party.

Got dressed in our Pirate Garb and headed downstairs for pictures with all the different characters. Took numerous pictures, I had a hefty stateroom bill to prove it. We went on to dinner in Animators Palate for our Dinner.
I love the crab cake appetizer they serve on Pirate night. Yummo as Rachel Ray would say. Both me and DH had the Shrimp & Scallops with Pasta for our main course, it was good as well. DD didn't eat much again, due to the fact that she had ice cream and chicken fingers at 3:30 in the afternoon up by the pool. Oh well, it's vacation! After DD & DH wanted to get there picture taken with Pirate Stitch. Mission Accomplished on to the show with Rich Papura. He is one funny guy and loved making fun of people from NJ.
After the show, we made our way up to deck 10 for the Pirate Party. It was really windy, so we wondering if they would do the fireworks. We ventured down to Deck 9, where it wasn't so windy. The party started and out came the characters and within 15-20 minutes it started pouring rain. Well, needless to say there were no fireworks. Went back to our cabin, dried off and got into our comfy jammies. Sorry no pictures. DD made her nightly call to room service. Boy will she miss that when we get home. No room service and no stateroom host service. Maybe she'll just have to settle for Mom Service, . After cookies and milk, we called it a night. I forgot to mention in the previous posts, this cruise was pretty rocky compare to the last 2 cruises we were on, even DH was taking some sea sicks meds and he usually doesn't have to.

 

[Suzy Mouse]

T...I'm loving this report!!!! even though I spent the entire week being extremely jealous of you!!! (You know you'll have finished two reports before I finished my first!

Thanks for the call...even thought I was cheated out of the horn! I always knew you like chey'sdad better!

Was the ship decorated for Christmas? I don't remember if you stated it. My mil was on the Wonder the same time and said it had a tree on it already??

I can't wait to finish reading your report! (Aren't you saying the same to me?) You're doing a super job!!! Say hi to the family!!!!!

 

[DisVillainFan]

T...I'm loving this report!!!! even though I spent the entire week being extremely jealous of you!!! (You know you'll have finished two reports before I finished my first!

Thanks for the call...even thought I was cheated out of the horn! I always knew you like chey'sdad better!

Was the ship decorated for Christmas? I don't remember if you stated it. My mil was on the Wonder the same time and said it had a tree on it already??

I can't wait to finish reading your report! (Aren't you saying the same to me?) You're doing a super job!!! Say hi to the family!!!!!

The terminal was, but not the ship, not yet. Stay tuned it gets very interesting, at least for me.

 

[love2travel]

Thursday - Day at Sea

We all slept in until about 9:15ish. Went to Topsiders for breakfast, can you tell we like that place. We all decided today was going to be another day to lay low and not plan too much. At home we are always rushing here and there and it was nice to just have a slooooow pace. After breakfast DH decided to go back to the room and enjoy the verendah and read his book. He wasn't feeling well, just really tired and run down. DD decided to go to the lab and make Flubber. Every year she enjoys making it. I decided to take my trip journal out on Deck 4 to the comfy lounge chairs and catch up on writing my trip notes. Honest, some days I kept really good notes, other days not so good. Today we also started packing up some of our stuff, so we didn't have to rush Friday night to pack. Tonight was semi-formal night and me and DH had Palo reservations at 7pm. We got all dressed up in our semi-formal wear and went downstairs and took some more photos. Yes, more photos. While we were taking photos DH said I'm not feeling too good, I think I'm going to go see the ships doctor. He said stay with DD and finish taking the pictures and I'll meet you at dinner, ok. So off to the medical center he went. I knew he didn't feel well because he doesn't go to the doctors for just anything. So I took DD to dinner at Parrot Cay and was still planning on meeting DH at Palo at 7. DD ate and I took her to the kids club, so I could get up to Palo to meet DH. Now keep in mind, that it was around 5:30 when DH left to go to see the doc. and it was now just about 7. So my mind was starting to race with all kind of thoughts. Well, I arrived at Palo and no DH to be found. So I waited a few minutes and called our room, no answer. Waited a few more minutes and called down to the Health Center and the nurse advised me that DH was getting some medicine and I probably should come down. Ok great, so what's happening????? We are on a ship out in the middle of the sea, between Mexico and the Bahamas, just great. . Made my way from Deck 10 at Palo, down to Deck 1 all the way at the end of the ship to the Health Center. Upon arrival at the Health Center I was introduced to 2 different doctors, 1 male, 1 female and 2 different nurses. They informed me that he was having some issues with fluid retention and his blood sugar was pretty high. They gave him some medicine and ran some blood tests and such. After they gave him the medicine he started to feel a lot better. The care he received was wonderful. You know when your on vacation and you get sick you really worry because it's just not what you are familiar with. The Health Center is fully equipped just like a regular hospital. The nurses called Palo for us and they were very accomodating and said we could come anytime we wanted.
At approximately 8:15pm we left the Health Center and neither me or DH were in any mood or mind frame to go to Palo. We also didn't think if DH was having problems with his blood sugar that going to Palo to eat was a good idea, too much temptation. We went back to our room, got DH comfortable and I went to the kids club to sign out DD and informed her about her dad. Since they didn't have the fireworks last night, they were going to try and have them tonight, so I said to DD do you want to go watch the fireworks, she declined. I think she was worried about her Dad. I ordered room service for DH and myself since we hadn't eaten dinner yet. We also watched Disney Dreams on the TV. By 10:30, we were all exhausted from everything that went on so we went to bed. Stay tuned for Friday, another trip to the Health Center.

 

[love2travel]

T...I'm loving this report!!!! even though I spent the entire week being extremely jealous of you!!! (You know you'll have finished two reports before I finished my first!

Thanks for the call...even thought I was cheated out of the horn! I always knew you like chey'sdad better!

Was the ship decorated for Christmas? I don't remember if you stated it. My mil was on the Wonder the same time and said it had a tree on it already??

I can't wait to finish reading your report! (Aren't you saying the same to me?) You're doing a super job!!! Say hi to the family!!!!!

Please forgive me about the call, at least next year you'll be there with me to hear the horn. and I expect you to do a trip report next year and FINISH IT.

 

[gossipgirl]

Please forgive me about the call, at least next year you'll be there with me to hear the horn. and I expect you to do a trip report next year and FINISH IT.

I may being to go on a cruise next summer. and maybe if i do go and i come back i'll do a trip report.

 

[Suzy Mouse]

Please forgive me about the call, at least next year you'll be there with me to hear the horn. and I expect you to do a trip report next year and FINISH IT.

Are you kidding me???You called me!!!! You took the time out of your exciting beginnings to think of me! I couldn't ask for anything more. Actually after you called I played the horn on the cd player in honor of your sale away!

Hey big guy...no this trip? Did you request an iv of BBC? Now that would be the perfect medicine.

I'm soooo sad to hear about your trip so far.....Now I'm really glad we weren't on the trip with you ...how would the trip be without...

T...I don't even know if my trip report still exists?

 

[lindaso]

Hey guys!! What's up?? Great trip report so far, can't wait to hear the rest. Glad we didn't rebook for Jersey week if it was rougher seas than last year. Sorry to hear that Ken was sick but at least you get to write a trip report about the health care facilities...not many people can say that, right?

 

[love2travel]

Hey Linda, How are you? Yes, Chuck would have been green the entire time, this trip. I am hoping next trip Thanksgiving '08 will be a nice boring trip report.. Hope all is well with you all.

 

[gossipgirl]

Hey Linda, How are you? Yes, Chuck would have been green the entire time, this trip. I am hoping next trip Thanksgiving '08 will be a nice boring trip report.. Hope all is well with you all.

hope you have a great time.

 

[SweetSpot]

Teresa? You gonna leave us hanging? What happened to Ken?

 

[love2travel]

Teresa? You gonna leave us hanging? What happened to Ken?

I will be back later on today to finish up my report.

 

[ecomerford]

Got our KTTW cards and yes we confirmed our upgrade. Yes upgrade, we got a call from our travel agent about a week before the cruise stating that we received an upgrade from a Cat. 9 to a Cat. 4 with a verendah.

My family and I are going on the Western on 1-28-08 and I'm new to cruising and DCL. I was reading your TR (nice and prompt!) and read about the upgrade and hoped you could answer a few questions. Is this a paid upgrade (but at a discounted rate?) or does DCL give out open staterooms to people who have booked? If so, what's the process? Luck of the draw?

Any info would be great. Thanks.

 

[fairfax]

I'm anxious to hear what happened next!!

 

[love2travel]

Got our KTTW cards and yes we confirmed our upgrade. Yes upgrade, we got a call from our travel agent about a week before the cruise stating that we received an upgrade from a Cat. 9 to a Cat. 4 with a verendah.

My family and I are going on the Western on 1-28-08 and I'm new to cruising and DCL. I was reading your TR (nice and prompt!) and read about the upgrade and hoped you could answer a few questions. Is this a paid upgrade (but at a discounted rate?) or does DCL give out open staterooms to people who have booked? If so, what's the process? Luck of the draw?

Any info would be great. Thanks.

No this was not a paid upgrade, just a nice little treat from Disney!!! I'm not sure the process, i think we were just lucky.

 

[love2travel]

Friday - Castaway Cay Day

DH woke up and had to go back to the Health Center to be re-checked. He was feeling better and the doctor told him to go ashore and just relax and try and enjoy the day and drink lots and lots of water. After he returned we went to breakfast and then prepared to go ashore. DH was determined not to miss Castaway Cay. We watched us pull into CC from our verendah, it was a beautiful view. We even saw the parasailing vendors come in on there boats. We got off the ship and stopped at the post office to mail some postcards. DD had her picture taken with Max (Goofys Son). Took the tram to the family beach and met up with DVCfromNJ and family and hung out on the beach for awhile. Went to Cookies barbeque for lunch and while we were eating DH broke a tooth and lost a filling. OK, enough is enough!!!!! After lunch me and DD had a 1:30 reservation for Parasailing. This was my 3rd time and DDs 2nd time. Parasailing on CC is just gorgeous. While we went parasailing DH made his way back to the ship and to the Health Center to see if they could do anything for his tooth. Maybe they give return patients a discount, .
Hey at this point I have got to laugh! Actually, they had a temporary filling kit that he got and was able to fix it until he could get home to see the Dentist. Upon returning to our room after the day at Castaway Cay, DD had a surprise waiting for her. It was a magical moments certificate with a Disney Pin attached to it from MaryJo, the women that I spoke about in previous posts. DD was just thrilled!!! We went to dinner in Lumiere's and said our farewells to our servers and gave them there tips. I have to say I didn't enjoy the food this cruise as much as I have on past cruises. After dinner DH went back to the room to relax and pack up the last minute items, so we could get our luggage out into the hallway. Me and DD went to the Family Talent Show, I have to say, some of those kids really were talented!
After that we went to Remember the Magic show with Rich Papura and John Charles, very entertaining!!! When that was over we went back to the room to help DH get the luggage out into the hallway, like I said in my first post he had shoulder surgery before the cruise and wasn't suppose to be lifting heavy objects and a couple of our suitcases were heavy!!! Mission accomplished with the luggage. DD was begging to go to Till We Meet Again with all the characters. Ok, so downstairs we go, she enjoyed it very much! Said our final farewells to our friends that we met and wished everyone a safe trip home.

Coming up - disembarkation and seeing a rocket launch.

 

[love2travel]

Saturday - disembarkation and seeing a rocket launch

Up bright and early, breakfast was at Lumieres at 7am. We decided to go and say goodbye once again to our servers. We really enjoyed our server Daniel, what a incredible gentlemen. After breakast off the ship we
went,. Down to the terminal, got a porter to retrieve our luggage and thru customs in no time. By 8am, we were outside waiting for our taxi to take us back to the Country Inn & Suites. We had one extra day there before returning home on Sunday. Taxi came, back to the hotel and lucky for us our room was ready. We were checked in and in our room by 8:20. Looking forward to a day of doing much of nothing. Got settled into our room and went down to the breakfast room and had some coffee and muffins.
After our little snack, DD decided she wanted to go swimming in the pool. They said it was heated but it felt pretty chilly. I relaxed in a lounge chair while she swam. The sun was nice and warm compared to the chilly weather back home in the 40's. Relaxed most of the day and decided to take a trip to Ron Jon's Surf Shop, it was HUGE!!! Walked around there a while, DH & DD both got t-shirts. After we left there we decided to go back to Fishlips for dinner so we could see the Magic go out on there next voyage. Dinner was good again, this time we sat inside, it was a little cool outside. At about 5:10pm the beautiful Magic came sailing by, it's always a sight to see. When, we left there, we took a cab back to our hotel, there was another family of 3 headed back to our hotel, so we decided to split the fare. During the ride we started chatting and it was another DISer, I'm sorry but I forget her screen name something with Catfish in it and they were going on the Wonder on Sunday. Upon arriving back at the hotel, we found out that NASA was going to have a Atlas Rocket Launch that evening. A telecommunication satellite launch at 8:46pm. We were really excited because we have never seen a real launch, other than watching it on TV. At about 8pm we went out into the parking lot to prepare to watch the launch. Lots of other people were out too. At approximately 8:47 we saw the rocket start to go up, it came right up in front of the hotel and as it got closer it was really loud. I took some pictures but they didn't come out too good. It definately was a site to see. After the launch, we went back to our room and watched some tv and prepared for going home.

Sunday morning -

Up, had breakfast at the hotel, car service arrived for our trip back to the airport. Arrived with plenty of time, did some shopping at the Harley Davidson store. See what did I tell you about DH and Harley shirts.
Well, honestly this time I did get one too. Also did some last minute shopping at the Disney Store . Grabbed some lunch and waited for our flight. Uneventful flight home on Southwest.

We are very much looking forward to our next Disney Cruise - Thanksgiving 2008.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[SweetSpot]

I feel so bad for you and Ken. You deserved a relaxing, event free cruise. It is good to know the medical center is really prepared for most anything. Is he doing better now?

 

[sillysully]

Great trip report, Theresa! We enjoyed meeting you and your family. Glad to hear Ken is better - have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and just think in one year you'll be on the high seas enjoying turkey!!!!