A Hop, NO Skip, and Many Mishaps to a Disney Dream!

[jenseib]

Nice update. Why do people do that? They do it at the airport to when your section is called and you have to fight your way through the people. Hey, people...the plane or the ship is NOT going to leave without you and it would go a heck of a lot faster if you all would move out of the way.

I love how Claire is sitting there patinently waiting for your number to be called.

Yes! It drives me nuts when people do this. Claire was very excited to get boarded.

This is so fun! I've never been on a cruise, and never read a cruise TR, so this is all uncharted territory for me.

I'm so excited you are boarding!

I hope someday you can. It was a lot of fun.

Love the update, Jen!

Boy, that brings back memories! People standing in doorways and blocking passages! Yip, been there, seen that!

I cannot wait to see your photos from inside the DREAM! we are 124 days away from meeting her in person!

Super annoying isn't it. I just didn't get it. They were literally blocking the roped aisleway you walk through. And they were probably holding a 17 boarding number.

I love your parents. Your mom looks like such a sweet lady!

I'm so excited about boarding!! lol I'm excited about my upcoming RC cruise in 247 days. Even though, its a little less than maximally exciting because its not a Disney Cruise. I'd be WAY more excited if it was... but hey... its still a cruise and we're going to the Caribbean.. even if we don't get Pirate night! arghh

I sent my MIL an email about the new future Disney cruises leaving out of Galveston and she was like.. "I certainly will never be booking a Disney cruise!".. I was like She said she'd hate to be on a ship with all those people in weird costumes and hates when RC does it (she means the characters). She doesn't "get" it.. She thinks Disney cruises are only enjoyable for families with young children and wouldn't appeal to an older person.

You will have a lot of fun on RCL. Friends of ours just sailed on one and loved it. I hate when people seem negative about Disney. I know it's not for everyone, but they some times act like we are freaks for liking it. I post my TR on a parenting board I am on. Some are big Disney fans, while others say how they would never go etc. And you can bet they are also reading it and making comments. Asking questions, etc. But yet they still act like they would never be interested in anything Disney.

 

[petals]

Can feel the excitement building as your about to enter the Dream!

 

[Caretames1]

Just caught up on your last 3 updates! I can feel the excitment build in each one
Love the Mickey pictures, I take a million photos of each character meet too. It's the only way to catch unexpected moments

Too bad people crowd the walk way. It was like that when we flew to florida. They called zones, but people were in my way. It's dumb, you got a ticket, you'll all get on. I'd rather sit and wait than be in crushed in a crowd waiting for something that gonna happen no matter if I'm sitting or not.

Love the pics of the ship. Can't wait to see the inside

 

[jenseib]

Can feel the excitement building as your about to enter the Dream!

I was very excited. We all were

Just caught up on your last 3 updates! I can feel the excitment build in each one
Love the Mickey pictures, I take a million photos of each character meet too. It's the only way to catch unexpected moments

Too bad people crowd the walk way. It was like that when we flew to florida. They called zones, but people were in my way. It's dumb, you got a ticket, you'll all get on. I'd rather sit and wait than be in crushed in a crowd waiting for something that gonna happen no matter if I'm sitting or not.

Love the pics of the ship. Can't wait to see the inside

It was so annoying. It was like that at the airport for both flights and at the cruise terminal. And the thing was, it wasn't likethere was a huge line to get on the ship. Everything moves very fast.
I probably won't up date till late tomorrow or late Sunday. I have a busy couple of days, so thats why I tried to get a few up yesterday and today. I know everyone wants to see the ship, but I am trying to give all the details leading to it too! Next post will be ON the ship though!

 

[bubba's mom]

You've brought back some good memories for me when we cruised Disney in '08.

so far...so good...no 'mishaps'.....like dropping & breaking a camera or anything

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Love the last batch of pictures! I really like the DCL logo pics. And your shirts are great. Did you make those?

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Love all the pictures with Mickey, Claire is just too cute.

Icky about the less thank Disney bathrooms

Hooray for boarding Great family shot before entering. Loving the shirts and the building excitement.

Thanks for sharing pictures of your DCL booklet/itinerary so neat I knew there was a lot offered but WOW that makes me want to take a cruise now more than ever. But we agreed to wait until our youngest is at least 5, so another few years for me, but I'm sure enjoying a cruise experience through your TR

 

[photographymom517]

Ahh...no...Jen, don't stop there!!!!

While it was sad for me to have to stop reading your update AND only get to see you stepping onboard the ship, I DO completely understand!!! I, for one, have taken a break for the weekend from all of my online sites! I actually wasn't planning on even being on DIS tonight but Luke went to bed around 9pm which is super early for him. Its the first night I've had some "me time" and this is what I wanted to do!!!

I am soooo incredibly busy for Easter & I'm not even the one cooking dinner!!! It's just that all of my nieces/nephews have to split their time between their moms and dads (all are from divorced families) so all of our holidays end up being multiple days! My one nephew will only be with our side of the family tomorrow & my other niece & nephew will only be with us Sunday after 4pm. It makes things more hectic & stressful at times, but hey, I'm not complaining -- I love extended holidays!!!

I haven't even checked my email in 3 days because I've just been running here & there! Tomorrow I'm planning on making Easter cookies as well as boiling eggs. Hopefully tomorrow we'll get around to coloring eggs -- if not, Sunday morning we will for sure! Its sad that this year its taken so long, normally we have them colored weeks before Easter and then do it again a few days before! This year is just crazy!

So PLEASE take your time with your TR and don't worry about us!!! We all completely understand that sometimes life is busy & other things need to be done first!

Although...we would love to see those ship pictures....

 

[Mean Queen]

We had the same problem with the crowds around the entrance when we first got on. They need to find a better system. Maybe have everyone sit in an area according to number.

 

[photographymom517]

I love seeing Sailor Mickey!!! He is my favorite "cruise character!" Goofy is usually my favorite, but after seeing all the characters in their tropical/cruise outfits, I definitely pick Mickey this time!!!

Thanks for sharing all of the pictures of the port!!! It really makes me feel as if I'm there, which is extremely helpful!!! Next year, we're going on our first cruise. To tell you the truth, I was looking at the Wonder because the prices are cheaper than the Dream...but after seeing your pictures (so far) I'm starting to lean towards the Dream again!!!

I had to laugh when I saw your pics of the outside of the ship -- I was trying to convince my mom into taking a cruise & her comment was "You know, there aren't enough lifeboats for EVERYONE!" When I saw your picture, I thought of when she said that!

I think its really great that your mom was talking to so many of the CM's!!! My mom always does that on their Disney trips & she's made some great friends!!! We even made the one girl a little scrapbook last year & shipped it to her a few months after their vacation!!! I think its wonderful how the majority of the CM's have such a huge love for Disney!!! It's very interesting to talk to them & hear about their hometowns too! Last trip, we came across 4 CM's who lived within a 30 mile radius of our hometown!!

I know I've probably said it already on your dining report & maybe even here, but I really love your matching shirts!!! I had a tye-dye shirt made for my son last year & really need to find the lady who made it. I'd like to get one for myself this year as well! I know she was on the DIS but I can't remember her name.

I love seeing your pictures of Claire's excitement throughout the trip!!! That is what really makes reading TR's special to me -- the looks on the children's faces!!! Isn't that what vacations are all about?!?

I was actually getting some pictures made this evening at Walgreen's of our June Disney trip (yes it was over 10 months ago & I'm still getting pics made! lol) I remember alot of moments on the trip not through the details, but by Luke's reactions to things! Children give us such special vacation moments, don't they?

What do you have to do to register for the children's activities? Did you have to preregister Claire when you booked the cruise? Or did you just get in the line & do it at the port? I have no idea & would really like to do that next year for Luke. I've done some quotes for people for DCL, but none of them have kids so I haven't researched that area yet! Any advice/tips is appreciated!!!

I'd also love to hear what you thought about second seating for dining. I know you said it was good because you can spend a longer amount of time at the ports. I'm worried because I had my gallbladder removed in 2006 and my digestive system has never regulated itself. If I eat after 6-7pm, I get very sick & can't sleep all night, even when taking medication for it. I guess I could get a doctor's note or something, but I think I would prefer second seating so that we'd have extra time to do whatever we want before dinner. Geez, I'm so hard to please sometimes!

I really love the Personal Navigator!!! I wondered how we would know what events were going on throughout the cruise! Do they give you one each day or do you have to pick them up somewhere each morning? I didn't realize I'd have all of these questions!

The ship is just soooo beautiful!!!! I cannot wait to see more pictures of the inside & outside!!!! Everytime I look at the pictures, I just want to cruise even more!!!!

Have a good Easter!!! I'll catch up with your report at the beginning of next week!

 

[Caretames1]

I have a busy couple of days, so thats why I tried to get a few up yesterday and today. I know everyone wants to see the ship, but I am trying to give all the details leading to it too! Next post will be ON the ship though!

I hear you, I just posted on my TR when I hope to update and why I've MIA. Sometimes it just get so busy around here. I can't wait for school to be out!

 

[bubba's mom]

I had to laugh when I saw your pics of the outside of the ship -- I was trying to convince my mom into taking a cruise & her comment was "You know, there aren't enough lifeboats for EVERYONE!"

What do you have to do to register for the children's activities? Did you have to preregister Claire when you booked the cruise? Or did you just get in the line & do it at the port? I have no idea & would really like to do that next year for Luke. I've done some quotes for people for DCL, but none of them have kids so I haven't researched that area yet! Any advice/tips is appreciated!!!

I really love the Personal Navigator!!! I wondered how we would know what events were going on throughout the cruise! Do they give you one each day or do you have to pick them up somewhere each morning? I didn't realize I'd have all of these questions!

Tell your Mom not to worry....maritime law mandates a lifeboat seat for everyone.

Your Navigator is left in your cabin the evening before...at turndown service time.

If they still do it the same, you can pre-register your kids online for the club after you're paid in full. Once at the terminal, if you want to 'kill time', you can stand in line there for their bracelet. If not, you can get it AT the club once onboard.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I found you again! I swear I had your Food and this TR saved in my subscriptions but they are no longer there? I'm all caught up now and loving it! You're doing such a great job and I can definitely feel the excitement!!!

I feel a little sorry for Dad though... I know there wasn't room for him, but...ha ha!

Next you'll be ON the ship!

Heather

 

[MEK]

All caught up and really enjoying your TR. Sorry your dad couldn't get on the cruise, but I'm sure he enjoyed his day at KSC.

Sorry about all the flight mishaps, but you still got there in plenty of time. Bummer about not being able to sleep much. I do the exact same thing and its so annoying.

Love all your pictures and ready for more.

 

[jenseib]

You've brought back some good memories for me when we cruised Disney in '08.

so far...so good...no 'mishaps'.....like dropping & breaking a camera or anything

I loved your TR from that cruise...well I love all your TR's. Luckily no broken cameras...knock on wood!

Love the last batch of pictures! I really like the DCL logo pics. And your shirts are great. Did you make those?

I had those made. There is a Diser who sells on Etsy, but I just contacted her and we emailed each other and she made what I wanted. I was very happy with them.

Love all the pictures with Mickey, Claire is just too cute.

Icky about the less than Disney bathrooms

Hooray for boarding Great family shot before entering. Loving the shirts and the building excitement.

Thanks for sharing pictures of your DCL booklet/itinerary so neat I knew there was a lot offered but WOW that makes me want to take a cruise now more than ever. But we agreed to wait until our youngest is at least 5, so another few years for me, but I'm sure enjoying a cruise experience through your TR

I was NOT impressed with the bathroom and a little surprised about it too. I totally understand about waiting, but it's so hard too! I think this vacation really impressed Claire a lot. She keeps talking about it all the time.

Ahh...no...Jen, don't stop there!!!!

While it was sad for me to have to stop reading your update AND only get to see you stepping onboard the ship, I DO completely understand!!! I, for one, have taken a break for the weekend from all of my online sites! I actually wasn't planning on even being on DIS tonight but Luke went to bed around 9pm which is super early for him. Its the first night I've had some "me time" and this is what I wanted to do!!!



So PLEASE take your time with your TR and don't worry about us!!! We all completely understand that sometimes life is busy & other things need to be done first!

Although...we would love to see those ship pictures....

Claire is a late nighter too. I always say she was born in the wrong time zone. She would be great in California. I have to start editing more pictures today. Just made a big picture order today and it only tocuhed the sruface of what I have to get yet. Then I realized that some of the ones I ordered today were already ordered in another batch. What a dumb bunny I am!

We had the same problem with the crowds around the entrance when we first got on. They need to find a better system. Maybe have everyone sit in an area according to number.

I just don't get it. I wish they did have assigned seating. The ship isn't going to leave any faster if we stand around the entrance.

I love seeing Sailor Mickey!!! He is my favorite "cruise character!" Goofy is usually my favorite, but after seeing all the characters in their tropical/cruise outfits, I definitely pick Mickey this time!!!

Thanks for sharing all of the pictures of the port!!! It really makes me feel as if I'm there, which is extremely helpful!!! Next year, we're going on our first cruise. To tell you the truth, I was looking at the Wonder because the prices are cheaper than the Dream...but after seeing your pictures (so far) I'm starting to lean towards the Dream again!!!

I had to laugh when I saw your pics of the outside of the ship -- I was trying to convince my mom into taking a cruise & her comment was "You know, there aren't enough lifeboats for EVERYONE!" When I saw your picture, I thought of when she said that!

I think its really great that your mom was talking to so many of the CM's!!! My mom always does that on their Disney trips & she's made some great friends!!! We even made the one girl a little scrapbook last year & shipped it to her a few months after their vacation!!! I think its wonderful how the majority of the CM's have such a huge love for Disney!!! It's very interesting to talk to them & hear about their hometowns too! Last trip, we came across 4 CM's who lived within a 30 mile radius of our hometown!!

I know I've probably said it already on your dining report & maybe even here, but I really love your matching shirts!!! I had a tye-dye shirt made for my son last year & really need to find the lady who made it. I'd like to get one for myself this year as well! I know she was on the DIS but I can't remember her name.


I was actually getting some pictures made this evening at Walgreen's of our June Disney trip (yes it was over 10 months ago & I'm still getting pics made! lol) I remember alot of moments on the trip not through the details, but by Luke's reactions to things! Children give us such special vacation moments, don't they?

What do you have to do to register for the children's activities? Did you have to preregister Claire when you booked the cruise? Or did you just get in the line & do it at the port? I have no idea & would really like to do that next year for Luke. I've done some quotes for people for DCL, but none of them have kids so I haven't researched that area yet! Any advice/tips is appreciated!!!

I'd also love to hear what you thought about second seating for dining. I know you said it was good because you can spend a longer amount of time at the ports. I'm worried because I had my gallbladder removed in 2006 and my digestive system has never regulated itself. If I eat after 6-7pm, I get very sick & can't sleep all night, even when taking medication for it. I guess I could get a doctor's note or something, but I think I would prefer second seating so that we'd have extra time to do whatever we want before dinner. Geez, I'm so hard to please sometimes!

I really love the Personal Navigator!!! I wondered how we would know what events were going on throughout the cruise! Do they give you one each day or do you have to pick them up somewhere each morning? I didn't realize I'd have all of these questions!

The ship is just soooo beautiful!!!! I cannot wait to see more pictures of the inside & outside!!!! Everytime I look at the pictures, I just want to cruise even more!!!!

Have a good Easter!!! I'll catch up with your report at the beginning of next week!

Sailor Mickey was fun! I did love the tropical wear too.
The Dream is so cool, I must say. I know the Magic and Wonder are cheaper for some of their itineraries, but the Dream has some cool stuff that the other ones don't have. But I still won't mind going on either of those as well. I think in either March or April next year the Dream and Magic are both sail to the bahamas for about a months time. The Magic is much cheaper for the same trip.

I just ordered a bundh of pictures today, and have actually made 2 other orders this week as well. But it will take me awhile to get them all done, then actually put in a photo album. I would like to make a book for Mom though.

You pre-register the kids online and then when you get to port you can wait in line for the bracelet or get it onboard. I was a worry wart that i would forget or not have enough time, so I just did it then. The line really wasn't too bad, it was constantly moving.

You get your 1st Navigator at the terminal and then they leave on on your bed each evening.

TEll your Mopm that they will NOT oversell the ship. It's the law!

I hear you, I just posted on my TR when I hope to update and why I've MIA. Sometimes it just get so busy around here. I can't wait for school to be out!

We went and saw the movie Rio today and then went to an egg hunt. I still have to run back out to the store and pick up a prescription. Skip is gone for the evenign for a guys night out at a reverse raffle, so it will be kind of peaceful! I do still also have to make some food to take to my sister tomorrow. We are going out to eat at 11, and then having a "snack" later in the afternoon at her house. We center our holidays around eating!

Tell your Mom not to worry....maritime law mandates a lifeboat seat for everyone.

Your Navigator is left in your cabin the evening before...at turndown service time.

If they still do it the same, you can pre-register your kids online for the club after you're paid in full. Once at the terminal, if you want to 'kill time', you can stand in line there for their bracelet. If not, you can get it AT the club once onboard.

What she said!!!
Yes, they won't allow the ship to become too full. My Dad couldn;t get on because they were at capacity.

 

[jenseib]

I found you again! I swear I had your Food and this TR saved in my subscriptions but they are no longer there? I'm all caught up now and loving it! You're doing such a great job and I can definitely feel the excitement!!!

I feel a little sorry for Dad though... I know there wasn't room for him, but...ha ha!

Next you'll be ON the ship!

Heather

I have to admit that I was kind of glad Dad couldn't come on the ship. I might've killed him by the end of the trip. He is a lot of work. He asks too many questions and isn;t good with going with the flow, like if we decide to do something different or spur of the moment. I enjoyed our time with him ,but I also was at a point a few times where I was going to strangle him!

All caught up and really enjoying your TR. Sorry your dad couldn't get on the cruise, but I'm sure he enjoyed his day at KSC.

Sorry about all the flight mishaps, but you still got there in plenty of time. Bummer about not being able to sleep much. I do the exact same thing and its so annoying.

Love all your pictures and ready for more.

Sometimes I say if I didn't have bad luck, I would have no luck at all. But I think I have learned to just deal with it and move on. Things do not go perfectly, but we still had a great time, and the flight is something we can laugh about now.

 

[jenseib]

Gotta share my deals!

I have been ordering pictures over the past week. I had a code for 111 prints for $1.11 plus shipping from snapfish. I had some pictures from before the trip that I hadn't had printed yet, so I used the code for those.
Then I had 111 FREE prints, and I just paid for shipping.

The best one was the order I made today.
I had an account at photoworks. I don't even think I ever ordered anything from them because I found the site hard to work with, but I might've once. I guess they went out of business and if you transferred everything to shutterfly you got a $30 credit with shutterfly. So I loaded 200 prints today and they have a code for free shipping right now, so my total after tax......16 cents!!!

 

[stephielela]

All caught up!!! Everything looks Dreamy!!! I can't wait to see more!

Also, congrats on the awesome photo deals!!!

 

[Mindy5767]

You will have a lot of fun on RCL. Friends of ours just sailed on one and loved it. I hate when people seem negative about Disney. I know it's not for everyone, but they some times act like we are freaks for liking it. I post my TR on a parenting board I am on. Some are big Disney fans, while others say how they would never go etc. And you can bet they are also reading it and making comments. Asking questions, etc. But yet they still act like they would never be interested in anything Disney.

We went on a RCL cruise with my in-laws and my husband's whole family in August 2008. It was our first cruise. We went on a 12 day land/cruise tour of Alaska. We did a 5 day on land tour first, then boarded the ship for a 7 night cruise. We had a fabulous time, and Alaska was gorgeous, but it was primarily fun because the whole family was together having a blast. We could have been cruising and touring just about anywhere and we'd have had fun. This upcoming cruise, my BIL and his lovely wife will not be joining us, however, my daughter's husband will be joining us, and my SIL's husband will be joining us. He was not on the last cruise because they were separated at the time. They're back together. Not nec. all good though. He's a pleasant enough person to be around though. There will be a different dynamic. This time its a Caribbean cruise though, so THAT is MY kind of cruise.

 

[snowwhitesmom]

Totally off topic, but I have to ask - what is a "reverse raffle"? Loving your TR BTW - u always do such good ones!