A Wish Granted - One Mom's Escape to the Sea

[tinkerbellmom1]

I'm enjoying every minute of your trip! How lucky you are to have such a thoughtful hubby! I can't wait to read more!

 

[Jillpie]

Oh my gosh. I'm absolutely hooked. I love your writing style, it brings us to exactly where you are and what you're thinking, so well done! And how incredibly fantastic of you to not ruin the magic for that little girl across the hall, isn't that what its all about?

I have to tell you, going alone is such a brave thing to do. I know you don't think its a big deal, but I keep trying to put myself in your shoes. And honestly, I don't think I could do it. Like, when you sat down for that first lunch, was that awkward? Was it a bit lonely to see all the families together? As much as Moms need our breaks (I've got 3) and alone time, I completely commend you for doing this, you must be completely comfortable on your own.

I can't wait for more, I'm loving this. The more details, the better!

 

[KellyMB]

That was so sweet of you to go out of your way to give that little girls some Magic.
I would have never considered a DCL cruise solo.. until reading your trip report. Now I want to go alone! (Not this time.. I will tale the kids) but a cruise by myself sound wonderful!

 

[kileybeth]

Nice report. You captured the essence of traveling alone as a woman! So often when I have done this people ask if I am waiting for my husband/my family/my friend. Oh well. I am glad the lonely feelings passed quickly for you.

I totally get the stress tension slipping away. I always have those feelings BUT then I remember how desperately I need this break in reality!

Thanks for the tip on keep ing a notebook handy for jotting things down as they happen. I can never remember in any kind of order later what actual transpired when!

Yeah for a quiet cool lunch in PC! Yeah for supplying pixie dust and magic to the little girl across the hall.

Can't wait to hear more.

 

[IrenicMom]

Great tips - I agree with you about the cooler. It is confusing, when you read your not supposed to do something, and yet they let you do it. If they'd prefer no ice, or soft-sided coolers, you'd think they'd just post that.

I also don't think I would have thought about bringing a coverup in my carryon. Smart idea.

My thoughts exactly. Please, just tell us what we're allowed to do and we'll do it. I hate when you have to know someone who knows something in order to find out the real deal.

And glad to hear that I'm not the only one who wouldn't have thought of a cover up!!

Thanks for reading!

I can't wait to read more!

Thanks! More soon, I promise.

Oh my gosh. I'm absolutely hooked. I love your writing style, it brings us to exactly where you are and what you're thinking, so well done! And how incredibly fantastic of you to not ruin the magic for that little girl across the hall, isn't that what its all about?

I have to tell you, going alone is such a brave thing to do. I know you don't think its a big deal, but I keep trying to put myself in your shoes. And honestly, I don't think I could do it. Like, when you sat down for that first lunch, was that awkward? Was it a bit lonely to see all the families together? As much as Moms need our breaks (I've got 3) and alone time, I completely commend you for doing this, you must be completely comfortable on your own.

I can't wait for more, I'm loving this. The more details, the better!

Thank you so much. You're too kind!

And honestly, I'm not brave. I'm just determined, and to that end, a tad stubborn. When everyone else had to cancel, I realized it would be solo or nothing at all.

That was so sweet of you to go out of your way to give that little girls some Magic.
I would have never considered a DCL cruise solo.. until reading your trip report. Now I want to go alone! (Not this time.. I will tale the kids) but a cruise by myself sound wonderful!

Thank you so much - glad to have inspired you! I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Nice report. You captured the essence of traveling alone as a woman! So often when I have done this people ask if I am waiting for my husband/my family/my friend. Oh well. I am glad the lonely feelings passed quickly for you.

I totally get the stress tension slipping away. I always have those feelings BUT then I remember how desperately I need this break in reality!

Thanks for the tip on keep ing a notebook handy for jotting things down as they happen. I can never remember in any kind of order later what actual transpired when!

Yeah for a quiet cool lunch in PC! Yeah for supplying pixie dust and magic to the little girl across the hall.

Can't wait to hear more.

Thank you for your kind words! And yes, traveling solo as a woman is much more unique in our society than traveling solo as a man. I used to have to do it for work, and now I do it as my only choice at times

 

[IrenicMom]

I see my luggage! And we count down...............

So, my door is decorated, my capris are pulling double duty, I figured out the door SLIDES and doesn't SWING.....yep - I think I'm ready to head out into the boat.

I have my camera, and I'm ready to document. But first I have some business to attend to.

I remember to grab my lanyard (and KTTW card) just before my door shuts. This will NOT be the last time I nearly lock myself out of my room!!

HANDY TIP #5 - Leave your lanyard somewhere near the door - like a hook on the back!

I head up to deck 9. Because I'm a dork (and according to my husband, because I have a serious addiction, the likes of which I should seek treatment), the thought of unlimited fountain Diet Coke on this trip has me swooning Thus, you can probably guess that the refreshment center on deck 9 was my first stop

After that, I did a quick circuit of the rest of the deck trying to get my bearings. Once I thought I knew where I was (which honestly? for someone who usually has a great sense of direction? I got turned around a LOT), I headed toward where I thought the Vista Spa was located. Only, it wasn't the spa, it was Quartermasters. Whoops. Turn around.

Get to the spa and ask to change the time for my cabana massage on CC. I had read a tip on here that it's not recommended to go back out into the sun after the massage, as the oils are more likely to make you burn than sunscreen is to protect you. Unfortunately, I read that tip after the time to make changes online had passed, so I was just crossing my fingers that I was able to change it on board.

I *was* able to change it (from 10am to 1pm), and unbeknownst to me at the time, this was perhaps the single best decision I made the entire trip. (Gotta love dumb luck, right? )

Once my to-do list was complete, I had nothing but time. I had hoped to take a quick dip in the Quiet Cove pool, or maybe lay out a bit, but it was PACKED. This turned out to be rather fortuitous, as well

Pikey and DJ Frankie were getting everything set up for the sail away party and were even working the crowd a little already.

It's getting close to time for the muster drill, so I head back downstairs to don the ever so lovely life vest.

(Yes, I know, I know, I know. But really, how else was I going to get a picture?!? I'm certainly NOT going to ask someone - "Hey, I know I look like a complete moron, but could you please take a picture for me so I can document it for all time (and all the people on theDIS ?)" Even *I* have my standards.)

My station is in AP, so I get to be indoors (yay!), sit down (yay!), and take the super secret CM stairway (ooooohhhh. I'd say yay but it wasn't exciting, just kind of neat to be "backstage")

We are all present and accounted for, so I quick run upstairs, drop off the life vest (goodbye sweet whistle!) and grab a spot on the port side for pictures and to enjoy the party.

Now is also a good time to point out that the drink of the day? Yeah, they're yummy. Every day They're also VERY easy to access (too easy, methinks) and when you're sitting there, by yourself, taking it all in? The CMs seem to think you NEED a drink. And truly, who am *I* to argue? I believe Bahama Mamas are the DOTD the first day, and they were good. All three of them

So, I'm there, I'm lubricated, and I'm ready to get this show (boat) on the road (ocean).

The cruise staff was having fun, trying to get everyone in the party mood!

The staff for the kids clubs were all announced - they looked like a fun group

And the cruise staff DEFINITELY had enough energy to share!

Pikey was an entertaining MC

And though Peter seems to get some bad press here, he was perfectly fine, IMO. (Spoken, I realize, with absolutely nothing with which I can compare). But anyone who calls himself Mr. Julie (a'la Love Boat) is ok by me (I mean come on, if you can't laugh at yourself........)

Once all the HUMAN cruise staff is introduced, the REAL guests of honor make their appearance!!

Yay!!!! It's official - I'm on vacation. I've seen Minnie and Mickey - it must be about that time!!!!

So, I head over to the starboard side, ready to wave back at all those people who are ready to see us off.

The party is fully underway, and we get to the countdown.

TEN!

NINE!

EIGHT!

SEVEN!

SIX!

FIVE!!

FOUR!!

THREE!!

TWO!!

ONE!!

One.

One?

Maybe I misunderstood, having read all those trip reports on the Dis. After one, isn't the horn supposed to sound? Aren't we supposed to get under way?

We wait.

And we wait some more.

And then? Just for good measure, we keep waiting.

Someone asks me (ME?!?! Like **I** have any idea) why we're not moving.

Me: "Umm, I'm not sure?"

(always a wealth of information, I am!!)

And then I look away from the party and over to the dock.

Umm, wait a minute.

That doesn't look right.

Aren't those two huge crates of luggage??

What the heck?

I quickly process a few ideas - maybe that's staff luggage from people who finished a contract last cruise. Man. That's a LOT of luggage. Do we have an all new team?!?!

And then, realizing I have a telephoto lens, I whip it out and use it like binoculars. I see DCL luggage tags. I see red luggage. Wait, **I** have red luggage. With blue toile ribbon the handle. exactly.like.THAT.ribbon.

OMG - that's my luggage, on top of one of the luggage crates. And we're supposed to be shoving off! Like, right now! And THAT'S MY LUGGAGE ON THE DOCK!

Panic ensues. OMG. OMG!!!! I have no change of clothes. I have no toothbrush. I have no deoderant!!!!!

Then I think - no. No, that can't be my luggage. DCL would NOT rain on my vacation and leave me on a boat with only my carry on. Surely, if I proceed calmly and rationally down to my stateroom, I'll find my luggage is really sitting there, where it should be, and all will be well.

But I'm torn. I really really REALLY want to hear the horn. REALLY. And I really have no idea how loud it will be, so I have no idea if I'll hear it from my room.

But, I really need to know that there is just some weird coincidence that someone else, in some far better situation, happens to have exactly my luggage with exactly my ribbon tied on the handle.

Because surely to goodness, that can't be MY luggage out THERE when *I'm* on HERE.

Right?

Up Next: Why I'm glad I never got in the pool...........

 

[Lucille1963]

Eeeekkk! More more more!

 

[KellyMB]

You did not take a picture of the luggage?

 

[IrenicMom]

Eeeekkk! More more more!

It's on my to do list after I get the monkeys fed and in bed tonight.

You did not take a picture of the luggage?

This is but one of many "I wish I had taken a picture of......." moments.

Honestly? I was so seriously freaked out about the possibility of a cruise with no luggage, I can't say that I was thinking clearly. I wonder if Joseph's Mom may have gotten a shot? I'll check with her.

 

[joseph'smom]

Why didn't I take a pic of all this??? the police cars, the crates of luggage (yes I saw all of the luggage too!) Instead I was taking pics of my feet (why do I do that??? I take these bare feet pics when I am in beach chairs with cool stuff as backdrops...I was trying to get the characters to be the background but got a CM's behind instead)

 

[OurOhana]

OK. This is cracking me up. You wrote it exactly the way I would have been thinking about it, as you realized it was your luggage and what you were fearing you'd be doing without this trip. Can't wait to read more.

 

[SmileMom]

OK. This is cracking me up. You wrote it exactly the way I would have been thinking about it, as you realized it was your luggage and what you were fearing you'd be doing without this trip. Can't wait to read more.

I, on the other hand, am ready to throw up right now because we'll be on the ship in 13 days. We had a scare last year with one of our suitcases not making it onto the plane last year (all of our shoes!). Luckily it was on the next flight, so we were ok. But it was enough to make me rethink my packing routine. If I saw my luggage on the dock during the sailaway party, I don't know what I would do.

I can't wait to hear what happened! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

 

[OurOhana]

I, on the other hand, am ready to throw up right now because we'll be on the ship in 13 days. We had a scare last year with one of our suitcases not making it onto the plane last year (all of our shoes!). Luckily it was on the next flight, so we were ok. But it was enough to make me rethink my packing routine. If I saw my luggage on the dock during the sailaway party, I don't know what I would do.

I can't wait to hear what happened! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

I think this story ends well, or at least I'm assuming so from her earlier posts. I'll pass along a tip I've heard from others that I think I'll follow this time - They suggest packing some clothes, shoes for the entire party into each suitcase, so if you don't have one suitcase, one person isn't completely out of luck. Sounded like a smart idea. Of course in this case (and if all of your luggage doesn't make it) it wouldn't have helped.

 

[IrenicMom]

Why didn't I take a pic of all this??? the police cars, the crates of luggage (yes I saw all of the luggage too!) Instead I was taking pics of my feet (why do I do that??? I take these bare feet pics when I am in beach chairs with cool stuff as backdrops...I was trying to get the characters to be the background but got a CM's behind instead)

1. I'm glad I'm not the only one with 20/20 hindsight on the pictures I **should have** taken.

2. I'm glad I'm not the only one who later downloads pictures only to think "Seriously - what the heck was I aiming for here?!?!"

OK. This is cracking me up. You wrote it exactly the way I would have been thinking about it, as you realized it was your luggage and what you were fearing you'd be doing without this trip. Can't wait to read more.

Yay! I made someone laugh. Thanks! That made my night!!

I, on the other hand, am ready to throw up right now because we'll be on the ship in 13 days. We had a scare last year with one of our suitcases not making it onto the plane last year (all of our shoes!). Luckily it was on the next flight, so we were ok. But it was enough to make me rethink my packing routine. If I saw my luggage on the dock during the sailaway party, I don't know what I would do.

I can't wait to hear what happened! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Oh no - please don't stress!!! As hinted at by OurOhana, it will be ok (see next post!) But, yes, I would also alter the packing routine.

Side note - a few years ago, dh and I were on a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia. We were on three different flights, one of which was through JFK. So, no big surprise that our luggage did not all arrive. (Let's just say it was a 10 day trip with multiple outfit changes, including formal wear, so we possibly had more than a bag or two. Possibly. I'm just sayin' ) It was at that moment that I realized that yes, while I **HAD** packed outfits for each of us into each suitcase, I didn't spread out the unmentionables. The thought of 10 days with half the outfits and washing certain important things in the sink every night? Not an appealing prospect. I now pack ENTIRE outfits in each bag. And not that it's applicable here, but a sidebar handy tip? Don't expect to find reasonable/practical shoes in St. Petersburg Russia. Consider yourself warned.

I think this story ends well, or at least I'm assuming so from her earlier posts. I'll pass along a tip I've heard from others that I think I'll follow this time - They suggest packing some clothes, shoes for the entire party into each suitcase, so if you don't have one suitcase, one person isn't completely out of luck. Sounded like a smart idea. Of course in this case (and if all of your luggage doesn't make it) it wouldn't have helped.

Yes, it does (though the luggage makes a second appearance on "what ELSE can happen on this trip??" later!)

And yes, see above for packing info

 

[IrenicMom]

Why I'm glad I never got in the pool...........

So, I've used my super secret sleuthing device (aka - telephoto lens) to determine that in all likelihood, that IS, in fact, my luggage on the dock. And, as previously mentioned, I was not in a fully functional frame of mind. (I say stress. Others? Possibly could mention the three DOTDs. Maybe). So, I have no pictures of, say, my luggage sitting there, baking in the hot FL sun. Or, say, the EIGHT BOMB SQUAD TRUCKS sitting on the dock. Or, say, what could have likely been the ENTIRE staff of the Brevard Co. Sheriff's department. Or, possibly, the complete staff of the Port Canaveral port authority. Because I? I am a master reporter

Trying not to completely blow my cool, I casually wander back down to deck 9.

Remember me saying I got turned around a lot on the boat? Well, perhaps that was an understatement. Let's put it this way. On no single occassion was I *ever* able to locate the entrance to the elevators/stairs from Deck 9 on the first try. Ever. But by golly if I didn't find Quartermasters EVERY.DARN.TIME.

So, I make three attempts to find the darn elevator/stairs lobby (forward? midship? aft? I didn't care. Just get me some darn stairs!!!!), I make it inside and hightail it down to deck 6. And while my memory at this point in time is a little hazy, I'd be willing to bet I turned the wrong direction down the hall, too. I also did this, ohh, about 2 out of every 5 attempts. Apparently I had mentally checked out a little more than I had intended to......

At this point in time, it's about 5:45 pm. As I'm walking down the hall, I'm noticing that there isn't much luggage in the hallway at ALL. I do NOT have a good feeling here.

I approach my room, and there is darling, smiling Willie. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Chereal. Your luggage is not here yet." Seriously, this woman took "kill them with kindness" to the highest level. She was, and will likely be for many moons, one of the sweetest people I have ever met.

So here I sit. In my room. And then it strikes me. I am SO GLAD I never got in the pool. Because seriously? It's looking like I'm going to be wearing the clothes I've had on since 4:30 am for rather a while yet. And while it would have been refreshing to do so - I'd have desperately needed a shower afterwards, and I find myself now without:

1. New clothes.
2. Any toiletries to speak of (minus my 0.5 oz tube of sunscreen - TSA Approved!)
3. No brush, hair product, or blow dryer with more force than a slow moving ceiling fan.

Oh, and have I mentioned my panic about DEODORANT?!?!

So, that brings us to :

HANDY TIP #6 - Pack deodorant, your toothbrush, and maybe at least a brush in your carry on bag.

(and yes, I realize this carry on bag is getting more and more full. Sorry.)

OH! That reminds me.

LADIES - HANDY TIP #7 - Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof deodorant is your cruise friend. So while you're throwing a deodorant in your bag, may as well make it this one.

Ok - back to the trip. I realize, now that there is absolutely no doubt that was my luggage on the dock. Additionally, I realize that there is not a single thing I can do about it. And won't it be quite the ice breaker, I think, to sit down at dinner with who knows how many people that I've never met a day before in my life, showing signs of being in transit for the better part of 16 hours, to discuss why I'll be sporting DCL licensed cruise wear for the remaining of the trip? Glad I wore comfortable shoes.

During all of this, Captain Gus is making liberal use of the shipwide paging system.

DING, DING, DING.

Quick, flip on channel 10.

"Would Sister McToker and Mother McPacksalot please contact a staff member at guest services? Thank you."

Seriously - I wish I had taken down their names. Because later? They would haunt me in my dreams.

Apparently, there were also other, slightly less pleasant announcements regarding these two ladies, but I discontinued the use of Channel 10.

And THEN, they bust in on the in room paging service (you know, the one on your phone? That they can use if your smoke detector goes off? Or OTHER emergency situations? LIKE THE ABSENCE OF DEODORANT?!?!?). When they're paging these people in-room, I start to get the impression that this is pretty serious. And then, when the ding, ding, ding goes off again, I **do** listen to Channel 10. This is when we're given the information that there is a security issue and that our departure would be delayed.

And then? That's when I did the happy dance

Why? Because that was the very first time I was given any hope that my luggage on the dock would have any chance at all to make it onto the ship.

So, slightly less concerned now, I try to make my t shirt and capris presentable enough to head down to the Golden Mickeys. My plan was to talk to no one, avoid eye contact, and keep my sunbaked odor to myself. You know, friendly traveler and all that.

I make my way down to the Walt Disney Theater and try to enact my plan.

That lasted, oh, 20 seconds or so.

"Ooooh," says one of the red carpet photographers, "I love your shoes!"

Shoot. Now I'm going to have to make eye contact. I may be stinky, but I can not bring myself to also be rude.

"Thank you," I say.

Hence begins the inquisition.

Where did I get them? (Bliss online). What brand are they? (fitflops) Are they comfortable? (yes, very) Do they actually make you fit? (umm, no. but the name is cute, yes?) They're so sparkly! (yes, they are!) And then, these two call over two OTHER photographers to discuss my shoes ad naseum.

I finally escaped. I spoke, I made eye contact. I kept my arms at my side. Two out of three ain't bad

I sit in the front row of the upper section. Mostly because there was an empty seat (I confirmed - again, eye contact, speaking....) and because it required no climbing over anyone (sunbaked odor to myself? CHECK!).

The show was very very good. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I could have done without one of the lions (monkeys? my memory is a little fuzzy here) from the Lion King section scaring the living daylights out of me by stopping right there and popping into my personal space (sunbaked odor? yeah, take THAT!) but otherwise, good.

The best part of the show, though? The ever so slight rumble I felt as the propellers kicked into gear in the final act.

7:10 pm, to be exact.

Two hours late.

After the show ended, I beat-feeted it back to my room.

And what to my wondering eyes did appear?

MY LUGGAGE

Up Next: APT - All the cool kids are doing it..........

 

[KellyMB]

You are a wonderful writer!

 

[TiggerTails57]

MORE!!!!!MORE!!!!!
Did the 'sun baked odor' finally subside?
Did you get to dinner in a clean set of clothes?
What are Fitflops anyway?
MORE!!!!!
Great read!!

 

[Waltworshiper]

Can't wait to read more! We go in just over three weeks and definitely do the carryon thing. DH works for airline and have heard way to many horror stories of lost luggage! Sounds like things are finally turining around for your trip.

 

[MagicMe]

OMG - I am so loving this report!!! Love your take on the sunbaked odor and the guy from the Lion King!!! Anxiously waiting for more!!

 

[tinkerbellmom1]

Why I'm glad I never got in the pool...........


"Would Sister McToker and Mother McPacksalot please contact a staff member at guest services? Thank you."

OM goodness, you crack me up!!!

Are you going to fill us in on Sister McToker and Mother McPacksalot? I thought I was going to spray my diet Sunkist all over my computer when I read that!

Do you realize how much good you are doing? I am looking forward to my daily dose of giggles while I am reading your trippie! Thanks for sharing!!