All I Got Was A Lousy T-Shirt. . .(SleepyD's WetnWild Shower Fan Club -16 Feb 07)

[FatherForce]

I feel like I need to come to Sleepy's defense here.

It was a THREE day cruise, not a four day.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I feel like I need to come to Sleepy's defense here.
It was a THREE day cruise, not a four day.

And from Sleepy's last installment: "To be continued. . .Day 4: Castaway Cay Comes a’Callin’"

Either way....hurry up man!!!!

 

[Thunderrd]

I feel like I need to come to Sleepy's defense here.

It was a THREE day cruise, not a four day.

3 or 4, well that all depends on how you count.

 

[Madisonznana]

Were unbelievable!! My husband always jokes with me that I am on a world wide search to find the best lamb ever. So whenever I find it on a menu, I order it. No one in the family besides me likes it so I never make it here. I was drooling over that picture!! We weren't planning on going to Pala because we wanted this to be a Nana, Papa and Madison trip, but just maybe...................

 

[Disneygrl36]

Ok I was already excited about Palo........but now I am super dooper excited. Sounds so wonderful. Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait.

 

[sleepydog25]

This is great - thanks! I would love to cruise alone with my DH - but, for now, I'd be happy with an overnight in a Marriott in Columbus - something? ANything?

That's how WE felt. . .lol. Thank heavens for family living nearby. Oh, and this will mean little or nothing to anyone but me, every time I see your name, I think of North Dakota. . .

Sigh.............I love that Panna Cotta dessert at Palo!
Everyone talks about how wonderful Palo is....but you truly have no idea until you experience it for yourself!


thanks for sharing and for making me hungry!!!


Sounds like a perfect evening for you!

So, that's what it's called! I knew mine wasn't right, but I figured some astute person would correct me.

I agree!!! The two [intrepreters] that were on the Magic were incredible. At one point during the shows, my Dh nudged me to watch them, pretty soon our entire group of 12 had more fun watching the interpreters then the show. I hope Disney knows what a treasure they have in all of them.

We made mention of it on our feedback cards. Like you, we thought they were as much or more fun than the show much of the time.

Gane' was our server at Palo last month. We also had an excellent experience with him!

He ain't shy, is he?

Vanessa was our server back in Aug '05 and we loved her. So glad to hear she is still on the Wonder. Hopefully she'll still be onboard in Aug '07.

Thanks for the PSA that Vanessa is still with DCL. Made my day.

I like making people's days! As for Vanessa staying, I don't know as we didn't get to speak with her at length. The captain said that over 80% of the crew was coming back after dry dock, so that's encouraging. The only two we spoke with who said they might not come back were "Hands of Steel" Decy and Gane'. Decy said she was definitely not returning since she wanted to be with her child while Gane' said he'd most likely re-up when his contract expired, but that he was looking at other opportunities. Fairly remarkable how we bond with them so quickly, isn't it?

I've almost drooled all over my keyboard after viewing the Palo food photos. Thanks!

Fess up. . .you drooled. . .

GREAT report....but....
I left this report 15 DAYS AGO!!! that's right 15 days!! (and long nights...) I figured well...yeah...Sleepy's a little slow...but SURELY if I give him 15 days...he'll be done...after all it was just a four day cruise!

I ain't zaggerating here...check it out...I'm on page 7....

Hmmm, I'll probably be on MY cruise in January before you're done!

Okay....I'll have a little cheese with my whine....

And from Sleepy's last installment: "To be continued. . .Day 4: Castaway Cay Comes a’Callin’"

Either way....hurry up man!!!!

Silly you. What part about "he really takes his time" that Doc posted did you not get? Besides, I didn't want you and Bethipooh to fall too far behind during your absences. The actual confusion may have gotten confused with the addlepation of my confuzzlement when I mixed up the days leading to the confusing part. k? Then, there's the whole idea of time warps, alternate universes, and space-time continuum which opens up a whole other bag of disorientation. Follow me? Oh, and it might help to remember that I numbered my day's starting with the drive down the day before the cruise. Shiny. Thunderrd understands. Ask him.

I feel like I need to come to Sleepy's defense here.
It was a THREE day cruise, not a four day.

You got my back. . .just like John Candy in Stripes: "Just wanted to let you know, sergeant, we'll be right behind all the way."

[The pics] Were unbelievable!! My husband always jokes with me that I am on a world wide search to find the best lamb ever. So whenever I find it on a menu, I order it. No one in the family besides me likes it so I never make it here. I was drooling over that picture!! We weren't planning on going to Pala because we wanted this to be a Nana, Papa and Madison trip, but just maybe...................

To be honest, I have had better lamb, but not by much--Palo's ranks in the top 3 or 4 of best places I've tried for lamb. Like you, I will usually order lamb off the menu if it's available since it's a rarity at my house as well. Keep in mind, that Nana & Papa only have to be gone about two hours out of one day for this treat.

Ok I was already excited about Palo........but now I am super dooper excited. Sounds so wonderful. Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait.

I do believe you'll enjoy yourself. I don't want to wax on too much about it lest I build false expectations, but they seem to have a good system on hand to ensure quality. Plus, these servers want to please you since their tips depend on it so heavily.

 

[Bethipooh4]

"Silly you. What part about "he really takes his time" that Doc posted did you not get? Besides, I didn't want you and Bethipooh to fall too far behind during your absences. "


OHHHH I just knew as soon as they posted about you NOT posting, I KNEW somehow I was going to get busted again.....

It's ok, you can take all the time you need, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your report. Well worth the wait.

 

[zweihund]

You know, on both of our cruises we have meant to go to Caddilac Lounge and have STILL never made it. Yours and FF's reviews make me want to get there next time. The entertainment sounds worthwhile of a lounge, unlike that sad act that played in the Promenade Lounge

Another note to self: must try the Tiramasu.

Great installment! Keep em coming.

 

[JDBlair]

So, Dog, since you run a wine store..are you thinking that this TR is like a fine wine? You know, the longer it sits and rots on a shelf the higher in price it is and more desired? Just curious!

Confession: I don't want the TR to ever end. So, feel free to drag it on forever or..finish it up, go on another cruise and start another TR! You have until next September, Mister Dog!

 

[suzannef]

I am enjoying this trip report so much and have resisted responding until now. I just had to comment on Gane as well. He was our regular rotation server on the Wonder in May of 2005 and then again in Palo in Sept. 2006. Our family just adores him. Lets face it he's pretty easy on the eyes too!!
He told us in September that he may go back to Macedonia in Jan when his contract is up as he had been working on cruise lines for almost 10 years. I am so hoping we see him again the next time we cruise so I am encouraged that he told you that he may renew his contract. We cruised with Zweihund and her hubby in Sept so she has to be my #1 cruise trip report but you are #2!!!! Keep it coming

Suzanne

I just had thoughts of the crowd cheering We're #2 We're # 2 Sorry

 

[NAB]

What nice pic of the two of you. You clean up pretty good.

I am glad you bring me back to the cruise boards. Because Hubby decide we were going on the Magic in Jan. Can't wait.

Loving your report and pictures.

You must be almost done. The Wonder is too short of a trip. Next time you need to do the Magic with the Princess.

--

 

[tyedye]

Great trip report.

Ok so where is Jasmine?

I think it is so cute that you took pictures of the towel animals with the little stuffed animals your daughter gave you. And why wasn't she there again? Oh yeah you were checking it out first to see if it would be ok for her? So when does little princess get to cruise on DCL?

 

[DiaLady]

Sleepdog - you rock!

Those were the exact same dessert my dh & I had when we were at Palo's last November! And the same after dinner drink . . well for DH. I prefer a double of Bailey's Irish Creme straight up (guess that comes from my Irish heritage . . .LOL - it beats the 20 year old scotch I used to prefer in my younger days).

Thanks for the tip about the Blues at the Cadillac lounge. DH has promised me he will not poop out on me after dinner. I have no idea if he even likes Blues/Jazz, but it will be cool to find out. He we found out he liked calamari on the last cruise . . .LOL

Keep it coming! Can't wait to hear your story about Castaway Cay!

I'll be patiently waiting (instead of doing the work I should be doing right now . . .)

 

[sleepydog25]

"Silly you. What part about "he really takes his time" that Doc posted did you not get? Besides, I didn't want you and Bethipooh to fall too far behind during your absences. "


OHHHH I just knew as soon as they posted about you NOT posting, I KNEW somehow I was going to get busted again.....

It's ok, you can take all the time you need, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your report. Well worth the wait.

It's my job, and I love it. . .busting folks, that is. . .

You know, on both of our cruises we have meant to go to Caddilac Lounge and have STILL never made it. Yours and FF's reviews make me want to get there next time. The entertainment sounds worthwhile of a lounge, unlike that sad act that played in the Promenade Lounge

Another note to self: must try the Tiramasu.

Great installment! Keep em coming.

Thanks again for your kind and gracious comments. As for Bobby Hamilton, what was cool blues for us might be shlocky by others' standards. All I know is that his voice sounded as though he had lived the songs before and that he didn't try to do the old lounge singer routine a la Bill Murray from the ancient SNL skits ("Star Wars, nothing but. . . .STAR WARS!"). Bobby sits, he croaks, he eases into the songs. We just thought it nice and relaxing, plus it's hard to beat the '53 Coco Cadillac martini!

So, Dog, since you run a wine store..are you thinking that this TR is like a fine wine? You know, the longer it sits and rots on a shelf the higher in price it is and more desired? Just curious!

Confession: I don't want the TR to ever end. So, feel free to drag it on forever or..finish it up, go on another cruise and start another TR! You have until next September, Mister Dog!

Okay, that just made me snort! Thankfully, no coffee was involved. Actually, the TR will end. . .though not right away nor likely within the week. . .I write as I feel motivated or inspired to do. I'm a little behind the eight ball this week with a black and white ball coming up Saturday with which I'm tremendously involved in pulling off. So, I may only get one more update this week. As a reward for everyone's patience (or punishment as some may deem it to be), I will post a lovely pic of Doc in a formal dress escorted by moi in a tux. There. You've been warned. . .

I am enjoying this trip report so much and have resisted responding until now. I just had to comment on Gane as well. He was our regular rotation server on the Wonder in May of 2005 and then again in Palo in Sept. 2006. Our family just adores him. Lets face it he's pretty easy on the eyes too!!
He told us in September that he may go back to Macedonia in Jan when his contract is up as he had been working on cruise lines for almost 10 years. I am so hoping we see him again the next time we cruise so I am encouraged that he told you that he may renew his contract. We cruised with Zweihund and her hubby in Sept so she has to be my #1 cruise trip report but you are #2!!!! Keep it coming

Suzanne

I just had thoughts of the crowd cheering We're #2 We're # 2 Sorry

Welcome aboard and thanks for subscribing! I appreciate your patience in having read the past, ohhhhhh, few pages. Yes, I will admit that Gane' is easy on the eyes (I'm in touch with my feminine side in case you hadn't noticed). Doc confirms the same. And. There is nothing wrong with being #2. "I'm #2! I'm #2! We're gonna kick your butts blue, 'cause I'm #2!" Hmmm. I kinda like that!

What nice pic of the two of you. You clean up pretty good.

I am glad you bring me back to the cruise boards. Because Hubby decide we were going on the Magic in Jan. Can't wait.

Loving your report and pictures.

You must be almost done. The Wonder is too short of a trip. Next time you need to do the Magic with the Princess.

Told ya. Glad hubby saw the light. . .again. And. "You must be almost done." Have you NOT been paying ATTENTION to how I WRITE??

Great trip report.

Ok so where is Jasmine?

I think it is so cute that you took pictures of the towel animals with the little stuffed animals your daughter gave you. And why wasn't she there again? Oh yeah you were checking it out first to see if it would be ok for her? So when does little princess get to cruise on DCL?

Thank you! I wish the hell I knew. And, yes, we were checking it out to see if it would be okay for Princess. . .that's our story and we're sticking to it. Actually, we're already looking at '08 once the dates are released. We've a few others on here who have said the same, so if we can find a compatible date, that might be a fun cruise. . .heh, heh, heh. . .

Sleepdog - you rock!

Those were the exact same dessert my dh & I had when we were at Palo's last November! And the same after dinner drink . . well for DH. I prefer a double of Bailey's Irish Creme straight up (guess that comes from my Irish heritage . . .LOL - it beats the 20 year old scotch I used to prefer in my younger days).

Thanks for the tip about the Blues at the Cadillac lounge. DH has promised me he will not poop out on me after dinner. I have no idea if he even likes Blues/Jazz, but it will be cool to find out. He we found out he liked calamari on the last cruise . . .LOL

Keep it coming! Can't wait to hear your story about Castaway Cay!

I'll be patiently waiting (instead of doing the work I should be doing right now . . .)

Okay, I want YOU to come on the cruise in '08! I think your hubby would enjoy the lounge (read my comment to zweihund above). CC installment(s) is coming. Oh, and work is highly overrated. . .just sayin'. . .

 

[curlybop]

Ok, we know you're busy........so I'd be more than happy just for more photos, since your time to write is limited this week.

 

[Jillpie]

So I am TOTALLY getting on board this trippie. Only took me 3 days to catch up, was up till 1 am last night doing so! Still didn't finish. LOVED your description of the spa, incredibly funny . Not looking forward to the end, don't let it end, ok?

 

[LisaSp]

...not sure when all you crazies are planning to rebook but we will be on Feb 2nd Eastern Magic...would love to be a part of your next TR saga.

In the meantime, let's get on with the report--I am in need of some entertainment!

 

[Minnie_Moo]

As a reward for everyone's patience (or punishment as some may deem it to be), I will post a lovely pic of Doc in a formal dress escorted by moi in a tux. There. You've been warned. . .

Oh, goody! As NAB said, you and Doc clean up really well.

And I think you've been perking along at a fine pace on your report.

 

[sleepydog25]

...not sure when all you crazies are planning to rebook but we will be on Feb 2nd Eastern Magic...would love to be a part of your next TR saga.

In the meantime, let's get on with the report--I am in need of some entertainment!

Who you callin' crazy? If you mean Father Force, then I certainly concur.

So I am TOTALLY getting on board this trippie. Only took me 3 days to catch up, was up till 1 am last night doing so! Still didn't finish. LOVED your description of the spa, incredibly funny . Not looking forward to the end, don't let it end, ok?

Ha! Just when you thought you were about to catch up comes. . .another episode!! (To follow after I answer curlybop ). And. Welcome aboard! It's never too late to jump on the Sleepy Express. . .wellllll, make that Sleepy Taking His Own Time Hay Wagon. And, it will end. . .just not right away! Thanks for the kind comments.

Ok, we know you're busy........so I'd be more than happy just for more photos, since your time to write is limited this week.

I'll do you one better. I'm actually hooking an episode onto this very reply. . .read away. . .and, yes, there ARE pics. . .

Day 4: Castaway Cay Comes a’Callin’, Part I​

Did you know it’s dark at sea? I mean, really, really dark? Now, I’m blind as the proverbial bat—think Mr Magoo only with more hair—without my contacts or glasses. Oh, and I abhor wearing glasses. They get dirty, slide down your nose, and in my case, highlight two unfortunate things about me: my nose and my eyesight. . .neither of which I can help, naturally. I remember a woman—who used to be my friend—once exclaimed when she saw me in glasses, “My, god, those are thick!” "Yes," I replied, "but I didn’t consciously choose this condition unlike the faux red in your hair." Did I mention she used to be my friend? But, I digress.



Did you know it’s dark at sea? Really, really dark? We had brought a small flashlight to stick in one of the bedside table drawers based on a recommendation Doc had seen a few times on the 2,169 websites, TRs, and books she read prior to the cruise. However, who in his right mind thinks to open up a drawer, fumble around in said drawer, grab a flashlight, find the dang switch, then turn it on when all he needs is to stumble to the can? I am not one of those types. Then again, I’m legally blind without my glasses, anyway. So, what good does it do a nearly blind man to grope in a drawer for something that will make the dark blurry night a slightly lighter blurry night? Besides, in my haste, who’s to say I might not grope elsewhere?

“Just what the hell do you think you’re doing?” came the sleepy, disembodied voice next to me.

“Ummm, just lookin’ for the flashlight?” went my reply.

Silence.

“Ri-i-i-i-i-ght. Other direction, Einstein.”



Here’s another tip. Do not, for the love of all that’s holy, turn on one of those bathroom lights in the stateroom in the middle of the night without first, somehow, adjusting your eyes. Think of searing, white hot pokers. Brings a whole new meaning to the song, “Blinded by the Light.” Now I understand just a little of what Saul encountered on that lonely road to Damascus. No, the best alternative is to feel your way to the bathroom and do your business in the dark. Only, remember. . .that is a very short hallway between the bed and the bathroom. . .and. . .the stateroom door is made of metal. Very hard metal. It makes a very loud clanging sound if hit hard enough with one’s head. Just sayin’.



After an auspicious start to my early morning, followed by a brief sleep before Mickey the Motor Mouth rang the phone tres early, I knew it was time to hit Cove Café for our morning caffeine injection from Veronika. As usual, she was chipper and alert. . .and observant. “How did you get that mark on your forehead?”

“In my own inimitable style,” I said. She furrowed her brow since not too many Czechs, even those as fluent in English as she, would get inimitable.

“Would you believe I’m a doofus?”

“Ahhhh, yassss!”

Taken shortly before breakfast from our verandah. Before breakfast, but after a run to Cove Cafe and Veronika.

I met Doc back at the stateroom, who was raring to go. You see, lounging on the beach is her idea of the near perfect vacation. If they also bring you drinks, by golly, it’s darn near heaven. She agreed breakfast was in order first, especially seeing as we wouldn’t disembark for another hour. We enjoyed the Beachcomber’s BBQ Breakfast Bonanza so much the day before, that we headed back there for Round 2. Once again, we snagged a table close to the railing, which allowed us these cool views of a very cool ship. No crowding, please, there are plenty more shots of the Flying Dutchman to come. . .and I do mean plenty. . .

The Flying Dutchman as seen from our breakfast table

A closer view. . .notice that this is the access side.

A good look at the main beach area as seen from the BBB. Methinks,
parasailing will commence soon.

Seriously, seeing the Flying Dutchman was exciting, as it meant we were at Castaway Cay! The vacation within a vacation! We hustled off the ship at 9:30, and we had a plan. Don’t we always? First, it was take a few pics, then go to the post office to mail a few postcards we had bought on board the ship, then go snorkeling.

Yeah, we were just ducky about this shot.



Word of advice about the post office on Castaway Cay. No one told us that they still used carrier pigeons on CC. Putting your postcards or letters in a bottle and tossing it overboard would mean quicker delivery than giving it to the man behind the cage. Their motto is: Castaway Cay, dee-livery: when it absolutely, positively has to be there within a month. (For those who insist on saying Castaway Kay, here’s the motto: Castaway Kay, dee-liver-ay: when it absolutely, positively has to be there after many, many a day.) We eventually did get our postcards, with the telling Bermuda Triangle postmark.

I "shore" got a lot of shots of this woman. . .good thing I knew her.


Doc wanted to see more of the FD, so we walked. And took pictures. . .lots and lots of pictures. I thought for a moment we had adopted the FD as our family emblem. I’m sure folks will see it on our Christmas cards. Hell, we’ve enough pics of it that they WILL be our Christmas cards.

Doc likes this one because it's artistic and shows the teeth in the bow. . .and she took it, too. Notice the great details in the ship. I could vacation on the Wonder with 200 of my closest friends for the next 10 years on what they spent on that fake ship!

Who's your daddy?


Soon, though, we had arrived at the family beach where we picked up our snorkeling gear. The CM asked if we had snorkeled before, and while trying on the mask I assured him that we had, smug in the fact that snorkeling was an activity we enjoyed while on our honeymoon years before. I do smug well when called upon, especially trying to impress by beloved wife.

“Oh, yeah, we’re good,” said I while doing my best to channel Chevy Chase.

“Sir, you’re putting the mask on upside down.”



After completing the newly required safety waivers for maroonic cruisers, I and my sadly-shaking-her-head wife safely made it to an open set of beach chairs near an umbrella. We got our snorkeling gear together—right side up—and headed to the coolish water. Normally, the water would feel great in the hot tropic sun, only on this day it was overcast, breezy, cool, and spritzing rain. We didn’t care since we’d be in water. We did feel sorry for the lifeguards, however. It was an odd sight to see them hunkered down beneath an umbrella with a jacket on, sleeves pulled over their hands, hats jammed down on their heads, and looking as miserable as any dog I’ve seen caught in the rain. I don’t know that they were getting paid enough for that experience.



Though I took numerous shots with an underwater camera, understand that it was a cheap underwater camera and that the light was so diffused by the clouds, that I needed more artificial light, one of those cool gizmos you see experts using in documentaries. Wasn’t gonna happen, so just bear with the quality of these shots. Trust me: I chose the best I have.

A few tips I re-learned about snorkeling:

1) Doc is fast. Either that or I’m slow. I’d look up to get my bearing and see her bobbing close by. Two minutes later, I’d look up and she’s halfway to Bermuda.

2) Fish are fast. Either that or I’m slow. Stingrays are especially quick. I’m okay with that, though.

3) My ssa sticks out of the water like inner tube. It feels weird. I hoped a tern wouldn’t land there.

4) You can get a blister from wearing fins. . .unless you’re a fish. But, then, you don’t wear fins if you’re a fish; you have fins. And that’s not the same.

5) If you tip your head over far enough, you can get salt water in your snorkel tube.

6) If you get salt water in your snorkel tube, it can get into your mouth.

7) Salt water tastes like crap.

Just what IS he doing?


I pondered these gems for over an hour while swimming in a vest that kept leaking air. I found that if you let the vest get low enough on air then blew it up with one huge breath, you could flip backwards quickly enough to cause you to suck in salt water. Did I mention salt water tastes crappy? (As if that wasn’t bad enough, Doc insisted on telling me, “The ocean is the fishes’ toilet.” Lovely.) I decided to join Doc who had exited the water some 20 minutes earlier. Only, she wasn’t waiting for me. Had some beach beefcake come and made her swoon? I figured she hadn’t left the country as a) there wasn’t enough time, b) the Wonder was still here, and c) CC really isn’t a country. Luckily for me, Doc showed up within moments having been at She Shel. . .Sea Shells. . .Sea Sell. . .oh, whatever. Doc was there scoping out the shopping. And, yes, we did buy a couple of things. Remember that little fact, okay? Just do it.



It was getting on to lunch by then, but we wanted to go to the not so subtly named SerenityBeach. Actually, I thought this was going to be another meet and greet event with characters from the sci-fi show, Firefly. Mal, Book, Jayne, Zoe, Wash, Kaylee, River, Simon, and Inara. . .especially Inara. If there was to be no Jasmine, then at least there could be Inara, right? (Yes, Doc knows I have this thing for Jasmine. . .and Inara. . .and some of you might think that insulting. But, hey, didn’t you see that shot of Doc hanging all over Peter Pan? ) The tram to SerenityBeach runs regularly, so we opted to take it rather than walk in what was becoming an increasingly warm and sunny day.



As we got on the tram, I noticed an attractive younger couple get in the car behind us. They had been canoodling under an awning while waiting for the tram to arrive and seemed to be deeply in love. I love to people watch, and when I do, my thoughts drift toward what their stories are: where are they from? what do they do? what brought them to this moment in their lives? do they like wine? etc. It was no different with this couple, and I also wondered how long they had been married. Probably not long. There was the typical assortment of others boarding, as well. One elderly woman was nagging her husband, “C’mon before the shuttle leaves!” He was moving as fast as he could, and I just didn’t see him breaking into a sprint with his cane. There were the cigar-chomping husbands with loud voices and even louder shirts who couldn’t wait to get to SerenityBeach to get yet another beer (I don’t know if they were Showerbeer aficionados, but I’m guessing they could be). And let’s not forget the crew members who were heading for some R&R: boisterous and hyper, no doubt fueled by the excitement of having no duties for the next few hours. All of them being led by Maroon One and his ever patient wife. SerenityBeach awaited.



Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of Day 4: Castaway Cay Comes a’Callin’, Part II

 

[grumpydude]

Word of advice about the post office on Castaway Cay. No one told us that they still used carrier pigeons on CC. Putting your postcards or letters in a bottle and tossing it overboard would mean quicker delivery than giving it to the man behind the cage. Their motto is: Castaway Cay, dee-livery: when it absolutely, positively has to be there within a month. (For those who insist on saying Castaway Kay, here’s the motto: Castaway Kay, dee-liver-ay: when it absolutely, positively has to be there after many, many a day.) We eventually did get our postcards, with the telling Bermuda Triangle postmark.

I think we are still waiting for our postcards. They send mail like you write trip reports

Still nice to see another post though.