An anniversary cruise of ‘magic’al proportions - 10/20/2007

[GOS]

Preamble

This trip is an additional holiday for us. We were in Alaska in May, but when in 2006 Bev and Dave asked us to join them on a cruise to celebrate their 25th anniversary, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity for another cruise, this time on the Disney Magic.

The cast for this trip was Me – Heather and Rick, my DH. Dave and Bev, plus Nicola and James, their children. Also joining the cast were Bev’s Mum and Dad, Sheila and Harry (Frank, as we know him!) – this will be their first cruise.

I had been talking with a group of people on The DIS for well over a year, ever since we booked the cruise. This was Dave’s fault for pointing out that there were people already booked and chatting – 16 months in advance. A number of arrangements for the cruise had been agreed – such as DIS Tagging – and this will become evident later on in the report.

Dave and Bev were to leave a week in advance of the cruise and were staying at Board Walk Villas and we met up with them a week before the start of their trip just to finalise arrangements.

So on with the trip report:

Day minus 1, Wednesday 17th October 2007.

Our trip starts at 5.30pm with the usual journey to London Gatwick for Virgin’s twilight check-in. The trip took about 1hr, which wasn’t bad in rush hour. Check-in was quite busy, but the whole process only took about 30 minutes and parking cost £2.20. The trip home only took 30 minutes and as we neared home, we stopped for something for dinner. Chicken shish kebabs – yum.

Back home and kebabs eaten, we sit back and watch some TV. I complete the customs and visa waiver forms. The last few phone calls are made and we’re in bed by 10.00pm. Marion Cabs will be coming to pick us up at 5.30am.

Day 1, Thursday 18th October 2007.

OK, our trip officially starts here and our friend Marion arrives at 5.25am. I had a restless night sleep, but as usual Rick has slept soundly. The trip to Gatwick only takes 40 minutes as there was no traffic on the road.

We fast track through passport control and then once in the departure lounge we have our usual breakfast in McDonalds. Shopping done – Rick bought himself some aftershave Joop GO! and I treat myself to some Benefit Make-up. Magazines, water and chocs purchased, we sit down to wait for the flight to be called.

We have seats on the early 10.45am flight and we only have to wait 1hr 20mins before the gate is announced and we’re on our way. We’re not waiting long at the gate and they call us to board – hooray. Our seats are up top in Premium Economy and as we take our seats we are offered a drink. I’m cheeky enough to ask for a cup of tea, which they kindly make for me!
The plane pushes back on time, but takes another 25 minutes before we are finally in the air. The captain reports that the flight is due to take about 8hrs 30 minutes – ETA 7.50pm GMT or 2.50pm in Orlando.

We fly over Southampton and the views are spectacular – we can see all of the Isle of White.

Rick and I watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix whilst lunch is being served. Pots of Chocolate Gü for dessert – yummy – I even get given another one by the Steward as he finds a spare. Whilst Rick sleeps off lunch, I watch the Waitress and then Pirates 3. Ice cream is served later on in the afternoon and then a light tea of sandwiches is served 90 minutes before we land. There are some beautiful views of Washington DC as we fly down the coast of America.

As we approach Florida we encounter some turbulence and the Captain asks us to fasten our seat belts.

We land at MCO 5 minutes ahead of time – the whole process of clearing immigration, customs, and collecting the car takes about 1hr and we are on the road by 3.50pm and making our way to Boardwalk Villas, where we are due to stay for 2 nights. On the way I ring home to let everyone know that we have arrived safely. We arrive at Boardwalk and once checked in we make our way to our room. Bev and Dave have arranged for us to have a Boardwalk View – and WOW, what a view. Thanks Guys. We call bell services and have to wait 30 minutes for our luggage to arrive.

As we only have this evening to do some shopping, we don’t hang around. We are in the car and heading back towards John Young Parkway to find ABC Liquor store – we want to buy some Rosa Regale to take on board for a celebration drink. 3 bottles purchased (we would’ve bought more if we could’ve got it home to the UK as this wine is simply superb), we head back towards the 192/535 and Super Target and Walmart.

Essential supplies purchased (but no Christmas goodies – way too early), we are back in our room by 8.30pm. Time to catch up with Bev, Dave, et all as we need to make arrangements for tomorrow’s Segway tour. I also need a cup of tea and room 1040 is where the tea is at!

Finally at 10.30pm we call it a night, we are both very tired. We’ve both been up nearly 24hrs, although Rick did get some sleep on the plane.

 

[GOS]

Day 2, Friday 19th October 2007.

Happy Birthday Dave. Yes, its 4.30am and I’m awake!! By 5.10am I can’t stay in bed any longer so I’m up and making a drink. Coffee and power bagel in bed, I’m writing my journal and watching the Weather Channel. As we landed yesterday the heavens opened and the forecast is highs of 88°F with possible thunderstorms in the afternoon. I am waiting for an update on the Caribbean weather for the week ahead.

At 7.00am as we are ready to start our day and we have 30 minutes to spare, we go for a walk round the Boardwalk and take some pictures. We bump into our friend from the DiBB – Phil, on the way round to the Bakery, who is joining us on the Segway tour today. The tour starts today at 8.30am, but we have to check in at Guest Services by 8.15am. Everyone arrives on time and we head over to the International Gateway, but we have to wait 15minutes until the gates open.

Rick and I have done this tour before and thoroughly enjoyed it. It comprises of 45 minutes training to make sure you can handle the Segway before they let you loose on the World Showcase, which starts at China and finishes in France. We all have a really good time and we even talk about doing the Fort Wilderness Segway tour. Everyone heads back to Boardwalk and after making arrangements to meet up for dinner later, Rick and I head back to our room, collect hats, sunglasses from the car, etc., for a day in Epcot.

It is extremely hot and humid and as we haven’t eaten anything substantial today we have a toasted Panini at the Boardwalk Bakery. It’s OK, but not great. After seeing what is on offer at Food and Wine, I think we should’ve waited. Into Epcot, via International Gateway again and we head straight for Soarin’. There’s a 75minute wait, so we don’t bother. On our way out we spot Liz and Dave, but there on their way down into The Land, so we don’t try and catch up with them. So the decision to head on round to The Living Seas with Nemo and Friends is made and we join the queue – this one is not so bad…just 20 minutes. The revamped ride is very good and reminds me of the newly opened Nemo ride at Disneyland. Whilst here, we wait for the next Turtle Talk show, which is extremely clever. Crush (from Finding Nemo) talks to the children in the audience and addresses them by name once they are introduced. I will now have to try and work out how it is done.

Once out of The Seas (mine, mine, mine) we make our way over to Mouse Gear to see if there is anything I can’t live without, but unfortunately I’m disappointed on this occasion. A quick hat stop on our way round to the World Showcase – this time I find a rather natty Figment Chapeau, but a bit warm for these sunny climes.

The sky looks very threatening, so we call it a day and head back to our room, have to meet everyone in Bev and Dave’s room at 6.00pm, so after I’ve purchased a few items from the gift shop on the Broadway, I spend a quiet hour writing postcards on the balcony and drink my tea whilst Rick has a quick nap.

Dinner tonight is a celebration for Dave’s birthday and it’s become a bit of a tradition to go to Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary. There’s quite a group of us going – 14 – and before we leave the hotel we toast all the birthdays and anniversaries with a glass of sparkling wine. It’s a bit of a catch up for Rick and I as we haven’t see Bev and Phil and their children for 3 years and Mike and Vie for 4 years.

We leave for the restaurant at about 6.40pm as the table is booked for 7.50pm. We catch the bus to the Magic Kingdom and then take the short walk round to the hotel. We arrive in plenty of time and we have our photo taken. The photographer manages to get us all in. The food is lovely – especially the Parmesan mashed potatoes, the company is excellent, even if we do have to sit on two separate tables, but we do get to sit together in the end. The characters come round at least three times…in the end all you want to do is eat your dinner!

We are the last guests to leave at 10.45pm and the bus journey back takes about 30 minutes and we finally say goodbye to Mike and Vie and Phil, Bev, Molly and Kate at the lifts. It’s time for bed and I’m exhausted.

The weather today was in the high 80’s – very humid with a shower in the afternoon.

 

[Dyerneeds]

sign us up.
heather and rick are great!!
got the pleasure of meeting them on the magic as part of the konked kruisers.
dont let the"grumpy old sod" title rick has fool you.
hes a great guy!!

 

[A fat english gent]

Ok am in......

 

[GOS]

Day 3, Saturday 20th October 2007.

I’m awake at 6.15am, the alarm is set for 7.00am so, we get up early and start to pack up. Rick fetches me a bran muffin and a tea from the Boardwalk Bakery and he gets soaked. It’s raining, but I am hoping that the weather at Port Canaveral is better. Once bell services collects the luggage we leave the room, I realise that I have packed our waterproofs in the suitcases, but it is too late to retrieve them. I purchase plastic ponchos from the gift shop just in case it is raining at the port, as I don’t want to get wet at the 3pm meet.

All the luggage is loaded into Dave’s people carrier whilst Sheila and Harry travel down with us. We are at the port by 9.40am and whilst we wait for the luggage to be collected by the porters, Rick and Dave take the cars back to Budget. Nancy greets me with a hug and I introduce her to the group. Rick and Dave arrive back after about 15 minutes and we finally make our way up into the terminal. I know that we have all our documentation completed so we join the queue and are given number 6 boarding card.

The whole process takes about 15 minutes and Bev joins the queue to register Nicola and James into the club. Nicola finally gets to meet Rachel and Bev meets Cheryl. Whilst were all waiting to board, Rick and Dave start their video trip report and I take Sheila and Frank out to finally see the Magic up close. We meet loads of DISsers, and I can’t wait to meet everyone again at 3pm. Before we left the UK, I prepared a cruise survival kit for everyone including the wristbands that Jeff arranged for us, and I give these out. These included some door magnets and a fish extender!

The announcement to board is made at about 12.15pm and after our boarding photo is taken, the first stop once aboard is to sort out our Palo bookings and wine tastings. Rick and Dave make their way to Rockin Bar D and Bev and I go to Guest Services. With Wine, Tequila and Beer tastings booked, we join everyone else in RBD. With Palo bookings changed to the second day at sea and brunch booked for the first day at sea, lunch is in Topsiders.

We check out our cabins at 1.15pm and two of our bags have already been delivered. Good service and we hope everything else arrives before Muster. Our magnets, which I printed before we left, are placed on the door.

At 3.00pm, we finally get to meet everyone including the elusive Chris, Hazel and family (AFEG) and Plankton with Karen, who takes our photo. Rick is up on deck 10 videoing the group meet, but I call him down, as there are some DISsers that want to meet GOS – The Grumpy Old Sod.

Muster is at 4.00pm, and the sail away party begins at 4.30pm.

Dinner tonight starts in Lumiere’s. We have early dining, seating starting at 6.15pm, and we have our first photo of the trip whilst we wait for the rest of the group. We finally give up waiting and find that they are already seated. Our servers for the trip are Brendan, from South Africa and Erwin from St Vincent. After dinner, we have a little time to do some shopping and I sort out where the scrapbooking goods are stored.

Welcome Aboard show begins at 8.30pm and lasts about an hour. At 9.30pm, we call it a day and head on down to our cabin. Rick is dead tired so goes straight to bed. I pop up to the Cove Café and purchase a drink. Back in the cabin I finish the unpacking and complete construction of all the Distag bags. Our first two bags have been delivered and so I nip out and deliver the first of mine to two other cabins.

Bed finally at 11.30pm.

Weather round up – the rain finally cleared and we have had a dry DIS meet at 3.00pm. At Sail away the sun came out and the sea was exceptionally calm.

 

[GOS]

Day 4, Sunday 21st October 2007.

I’m up early again today, the alarm was set for 7.20, but I’m up an hour early.

We meet the rest of the group for breakfast in Lumiere’s at 8.30am. Before this, I’ve tidied up the cabin, organised some washing and set it going in the machines and also organised a surprise for Bev and Dave later on in the week.

The shopping talk starts in the Promenade Lounge at 9.15am and whilst we’re already spending, Dave and Rick head on outside to take some more video and record some links. There is a DVC gathering at 10.00am in Diversions where we receive our cruise gifts and win some prizes. After a quick nip to the laundry to sort out the washing, we get ready for Key West as we are set to dock at about 11.30am. Pictures are taken from deck 4. Whilst we’re there Harry has had a good talk with Walt and I have had a mini WW meet with Di.

By 12noon we’re on the dockside.

Highlights of the day on Key West:

Kino shoes – bought 2 pairs of sandals
Hogsbreath Saloon – for a welcome drink at the end of the walk down Duvale Street.
Key West Winery – if only we could’ve taken some on this wine home.
Blonde Giraffe (frozen Key Lime pie) – we had several of these and enjoyed each one.

Lowlights:

Key West is a bit tacky, especially some of the souvenir shops.
Extremely hot and humid, we were exhausted when we got back.

Rick bought me a lovely broach from the Butterfly shop in the small mall.

We are back onboard by 3.30pm and we all split up and arrange to meet for dinner at 5.30pm at Animators. On our way to Animators, I deliver some tag bags and almost get caught in the process by Carrie and Scott. We also collect the first of our pins from the DVC desk. After dinner, we purchase a couple of photos from Shutters on our way to the theatre.

The six of us make our way up to the Cove Café for coffee after the show. From here we split up…Rick and Dave are both tired so head for their respective cabins, Bev and I join the rest of the KK’ers in Rockin Bar D for the adult show and Sheila and Harry go to Sessions for the Sinatra sing-a-long.

Anyone recognise this person?

Weather round-up – hot and humid!

 

[A fat english gent]

I don't the man's name however we did see him in alot of the bars....

 

[GOS]

Day 5, Monday 22nd November 2007.

Today is our first day at sea and such a lot to do, but even though we had all intentions of sleeping in, Rick’s little alarm goes off by mistake at 6.00am. So whilst Rick snoozes, I pop up to Deck 9 for some tea. Back in the cabin and we chat about yesterday’s events, tag bags and colds! I have a sore throat – all the heat and air con in shops!

At 7.00am, we’re up and getting ready for the day delivering tag bags before Mickey’s Island Jam at 8.30am in Parrot Cay.

We’re in the Atrium by 8.20am to meet everyone else and we make our way to Parrot Cay. We have brunch at 11.30am, so only tea and toast.

Mickey’s Island Jam is OK, but please Disney, bring back the old character breakfast. A quick browse round the shops and then we all pop back to our cabins to change for brunch. The photo op for the DIS group was at 10.30am at Sessions and we chat to everyone whilst we wait for the doors to open. Photo taken and the next stop is Rockin Bar D for the Castaway Club reception, but as brunch is at 11.30am, we only stay for about 30 minutes.

Palo Brunch was lovely – the variety of food was excellent, especially the pizza’s. Bit too much seafood for me though. We finally roll out of Palo’s at 1.15pm…groaning. Bev, Sheila and I have wine tasting in Sessions and Rick, Harry and Dave go off and do some more videotaping. Our first taste of Rosa Regale…yum, but the rest you can keep.

Quick meet up at 3.00pm and some more pictures purchased from Shutters. Now…Dave, Rick and Harry have their first Beer Tasting at 4.00pm, so I go back to the cabin and delivery some more tag bags.

First formal night tonight and we’re all down in the Atrium by 5.20pm…somewhat light headed! Dinner tonight is in Parrot Cay and although we’re all feeling pretty full after brunch, we still manage to put away 3 courses. A cake is delivered to the table for Dave and Sheila’s birthdays and we still manage to eat a piece…groan.

Dinner finished and for comfort we all return to our cabins to change…there is no way we would be able to watch Golden Mickey’s in our formal wear. Rick and I have seen this show before, but its’ still magical. The show finishes at 9.15pm and we head of Rockin’ Bar D for the adult show. Whilst were waiting for the show to start, I pop back to the cabin as my throat is really sore.

Tonight’s show is with Michael Harrison – Ventriloquist – he is very funny and ends our food and drink fest day on an extremely high note. Even had some dancing penguins! Bed by 12midnight but as we’ve put the clocks back, it’s only 11.00pm.

Weather round up – not that we saw much of the outside today, but the sea was like a millpond and blue skies and lots of sun.

 

[GOS]

Day 6, Tuesday 23rd October 2007.

Yesterday we had too much to eat…so bit less on the food front today.

Today we’ve arrived at Grand Cayman. Rick and I have been here before back in 2000? When we sailed on the Magic with Bev and Dave. The alarm is set to wake us at 8.00am, but with all the noise from next door, I’m awake at 6.45am. So up and showered and the laundry is sorted and in the machines, it’s time to deliver a few more tag bags! Tea from deck 9… my throat is still sore.

Our excursion today sets off at 9.20am – we are taking the Thriller Power boat and beach? We have to meet in Diversions. Dave, Bev, Nicola, James and Sheila & Frank are doing the Island tour which includes Hell and the Turtle Farm. We have to tender from the Magic before our excursion can begin.

Showers are forecast and Rick and I decide to take a change of clothes, just in case. The Catamaran Power Boat is docked just to the left of the tender dock and once everyone is onboard we set off along the coast of Grand Cayman. The island is 26 miles long, and as we make the return journey, I get to drive the boat part of the way. We encounter a shower, but nothing too heavy. At the very end of the island, we get to see some of the damage that Hurricane Dean left in 2004. During part of the last leg of the journey, the heavens open and we get soaked. The sun has also gone in, so we get a bit cold. The final stop is at 7mile beach and we have 90 minutes to spend, warming up on the beach. The boat picks us up for the return to the ship.

Dave has texted us to say that they have been to Senor Frogs and they are on their way back to the ship to try and catch the matinee showing of Twice Charmed. As Rick and I have nothing more to do in Grand Cayman, we catch the tender back and head straight for a hot shower. We have time for a quick stop on deck 9 for Chicken Tenders and a hot tea. My throat is still sore. Twice Charmed is new for us and it doesn’t disappoint Love the twist on the classic Cinderella tale.

The girls decide to attend jackpot bingo and the boy’s video the sail out of Grand Cayman.

Tonight we have a Palo reservation and Nicola and James have had dinner up on deck 9. We all met up at 6.30pm and we have our own photo session outside Lumiere’s and Walt Disney Theatre. At 7.00pm we’re at Palo’s waiting to be seated. It’s a lovely meal, but they have changed the Tiramisu and it’s not so nice, the Portobello Mushrooms are to die for and the Rosa Regale tops off a lovely meal. On our way out we say hello to Jeff, Suz, Karen and Neil and wave to Chris, Hazel and Jess.

On our way to Rockin Bar D for the adult show we stop in shutters to see the latest offering of photos.

Finally in bed, with a sore throat by 11.00pm.

Weather round up – it was hot today with a lot of showers, sometimes very heavy.

 

[GOS]

Day 7, Wednesday 24th October 2007.

We’re both awake by 7.20am today and breakfast, like yesterday, is in Topsiders. The ship has arrived in Cozumel and whilst we are eating it starts its docking procedure next to the Carnival Legend. The Legend was also at Grand Cayman yesterday.

We are to meet everyone at Mickey and the ship wheel in the Atrium on deck 3 at 10.00am, so we gather up our bags and make our way down. Today is a shopping day with lunch at Carlos and Charlies.

It is extremely windy and as we set off along the dockside, we have to hold onto our hats. We all set off down the main street that runs along the shore side. We browse and make some purchases and soon we are back at Carlos and Charlies. We have a great time, even if it is a bit noisy, but a few yard drinks later the noise has deadened down …. I wonder why?

Rick, Harry and Dave call it a day and head on back to the ship whilst the rest of us continue to do a bit more shopping. We meet Cass, Rob and Kira in the last souvenir shop and have a quick chat about how they are managing the trip with Kira.

Back on board, we have time for a quick cup of tea on deck 9 before we have to change for dinner. It’s pirate night tonight with dinner in Animators. Pictures before with Jack Sparrow – not the best one we’ve seen. Pictures with Minnie and Stitch after dinner and then a browse round the shops. We head on up to deck 9 &10 to wait for the deck party to start. Boy…is it windy and the ship is rolling quite a lot. I manage to give a quick thrill to Rick who is behind me, as my skirt is blown up above my waist. Even though it’s windy the fireworks still go ahead.

Late night buffet after the show and then on the way back to our cabin I grab a quick coffee from Cove Café. Tonight is the last night for delivery of the Tag Bags. We have had some lovely presents from all over the world…thanks to everyone that took part.

Clocks are turned forward tonight – thank goodness we have a day at sea tomorrow.

Weather round up - very windy today, with patchy sunshine, but a good day overall.

 

[GOS]

Day 8 – Thursday 25th November 2007.

We are on our way back towards Florida today and we spend a day at sea. We lost an hours sleep last night as the clocks were turned forward.

We are meeting the Food Gang at 9.30am in the Atrium and then deciding a plan of action for the day. Our surprise present for Dave and Bev should be delivered to their cabin today. We ordered an anniversary memory box before the cruise and we have put a photo from their wedding day in the frame. We also place a special magnet on their door.

Rick and I pop up to Topsiders for breakfast of fruit and cereal and then we return with everyone else for coffee and tea before we start the day’s activities.

The weather is horrible – the sky is overcast and the sea is rough; so the decision is made to stay inside today.

Rick, Harry and Dave head for the theatre for “Behind the Scenes” whilst Bev, Nicola, Sheila and I head for the shops and then Rockin Bar D for Bingo.

Nicola wants her pictures taken with the Princesses, so we queue for this whilst the boys go to Parrot Cay to check out the buffet lunch in there. They come back to say that this is the place for lunch and that they will wait for us in there.

Whilst queuing, the Mad Hatter arrives and I grab the chance of a quick pic.

Once pictures were taken we join the boys and have an enjoyable lunch.

This afternoon, the Food Gang now the Drinking Gang head for Diversions via Shutters. We have Margarita & Tequila Tasting at 2.00pm. I can honestly say that these drinks are horrible, but I’m glad I’ve satisfied my curiosity. We stop in Diversions for a quick trivia session and then leave the Boys for the second session of Beer Tasting.

I head back to the cabin to start packing and get ready for second formal night. Dinner tonight is in Parrot Cay with Disney Dreams as the evening show. Bev and Dave are celebrating their 25th anniversary tonight and a celebration cake is delivered to them at the table.

After dinner, we change out of our formal wear before we head for the Disney Theatre for Disney Dreams. Rick and I have seen this before, but not with all the new additional. An excellent show, and made even better with the new additions.

The adult show tonight in Rockin’ Bar D is with Rick Purpura, and then after, more food with Dessert Buffet in Lumiere’s. This needs a bit of organisation as the queues for the chocolate fountains spoils it.

Back in the cabin and we start to pack, as we won’t have a lot of time tomorrow. Bed finally by 1.30am.

Weather round-up – weather awful, skies overcast and sea quite choppy. Hope the weather is better tomorrow as we are in Castaway Cay.

 

[GOS]

Day 9 – Friday 26th October 2007.

It’s or last day today and we’re at Castaway Cay. We had a very late night last night as we started our packing; our cases have to be ready for collection outside our cabin tonight. It’s so nice to have a chill out day.

The alarm goes off at 8.00am and we crawl out of bed. We have a brief stop at Topsiders for tea – the ship is just starting the docking process at Castaway. Rick and I meet the others in the Atrium and sit and whilst we wait for the call to disembark, Bev collects the scavenger hunt packs.

We’re off at 9.30am and we have blue skies and sunshine – hooray! - although the weather report predicts showers throughout the day. Nicola and I start the scavenger hunt as the first clue is at the Post Office.

We walk along the prom, taking pictures as we go and then catch the tram to the next stop. We find chairs, loungers and shade on the family beach right by the snorkelling area and the boys head off with their snorkelling gear and Rick’s new underwater camera.

With the rest of the group swimming, Bev, Sheila and I head back to She Sells and have browse round. We stop at the bar and have our first Konked Kruiser – yummy. These are quickly finished off and we order another round from the beach steward. Nicola returns from the sea and we finish the Scavenger Hunt. We collect our prize and head on back to the group in time for lunch at Cookies Bar-Be-Queue and whilst we’re eating the heavens open and the rain starts. Before we go back to the water, we go back to Heads Up Bar and Grouper Pavilion to take some pictures. Harry, Rick and James have a game of football (soccer), whilst Nicola and I have a game of floor draughts (checkers).

Back at the beach, Nicola, James, Harry and I head for the water with one of the foam lilos and have a good time in the sea. The afternoon draws on and at about 3.30pm we call it a day and return to the ship taking lots of photos on our way back. Chip and Dale welcomes us home and we stop and have our photo taken.

We arrange to meet everyone at 4.30pm by the beverage station. Rick and I have a couple of bottles of Rose Regale and we take these up with us in order to celebrate the end of a lovely cruise. The wind has picked up and as we sail away at 5.00pm, we head on up to deck 10 to get a final few pictures of Castaway.

We meet Chris and Hazel on deck 9 and have a chat with them. We start talking about next August’s Repo cruise and agree to try and link ressies.

Our last dinner tonight is in Lumiere’s and where we say goodbye to our excellent servers Brendan and Erwin as we will not be having breakfast with them in the morning. Before the last show in the Theatre, we pop up for one last look at the photos in Shutters and have to place an order for one print, which we have to collect in the morning. Rick and I nip back to the cabin to change and do the last lot of packing and place the cases outside the room for collection.

Till we meet again is at 10.15am and then it’s a final walk round the ship just to make sure we haven’t missed anything. We are in bed by 12.15am…and we have had a great day.

Weather round up – Warm, sunny and a short but heavy shower at lunchtime.

 

[GOS]

Day 10 – Saturday 27th October 2007.

Yes, the holiday cruise has come to an end and today we have to go home…boo hoo.

The alarm wakes us at 6.30pm and we are aiming to be one of the first groups to disembark.

Once showered, Rick and I head for Shutters to collect our last photo. I have a gruff voice today. I am starting to lose my voice, I had a slight tickle in my throat last night whilst we were in the Theatre. Think I will finally succumb to the cold that has been threatening all week.

From Shutters we head on up to Topsiders for hot tea and some fruit. Rick has some cereal.

The group meet in the Atrium and whilst we wait to disembark, we say goodbye to the DISsers that are also waiting. We’re off by 9.30am. We find the cases and find that one of our straps is missing. Nothing in lost property and it’s not worth filling in a form for a luggage strap. The Porter takes us out of the building, through Customs and Immigration, which is a smooth process and then whilst Rick and Dave get the shuttle bus to Budget we wait with the luggage.

The guys return and we quickly load the cars and the return journey to Orlando begins.

We make good time and arrive at Downtown Disney within an hour. We join the queue for Virgin Airways Check-in, and once our luggage has been checked in and we have our boarding passes, we head on over to the shops.

Coffee from McDonalds and then a some time to browse the shops. Lunch today is Earl of Sandwich. The queue is long, but it’s well worth the wait,.they are delicious. My throat is no better, in fact, my voice is down to a whisper.

We have time for Ghiradelli’s before we leave for the airport and I buy some choc’s to take home…it just has to be done! The journey to the airport takes about 40 minutes, stopping for gas along the way.

The queues to clear security are horrendous and take about 40 minutes, but once through we catch the shuttle and make ourselves comfortable by the gate. Coffees from Starbucks – I try the Pumpkin Spiced Latte which is yummy – and take it back to Rick and Dave by the gate. Quick return to buy water, sweets and snacks and then its time to board.

The flight is uneventful and we arrive home 5 minutes early.

We say goodbye to everyone in the arrivals lounge, we are waiting for Marion Cabs and the rest of the group are collecting their cars from the car park.

We have had a really lovely holiday with great friends and we have made new ones too! Who can ask for more?

 

[Dyerneeds]

Anyone recognise this person?

!

hmmm. he looks familiar? i know he was constantly being bombarded with womens undergarments the entire cruise.
seems the old saying is true."chicks dig guys with scars."
right rick?

 

[GOS]

hmmm. he looks familiar? i know he was constantly being bombarded with womens undergarments the entire cruise.
seems the old saying is true."chicks dig guys with scars."
right rick?

If you say so Mike

 

[Karen Mouse]

OH MY GOD! - HOW DID YOU GET THIS ALL TYPED SO QUICK

I'm in awe! - it took me days (and many hours on photobucket)

I cant believe you got in on here so quick. I'm only half way through but its brilliant!

 

[cntkg1]

Fantastic job Heather!! I have to tell you that you looked amazing in all those beautiful outfits you brought along. One was prettier than the next.

I absolutely love, love, love James' cheeks!! (The ones of his face, of course!).

I'm glad you enjoyed the DIStag game. I agree, we received so many fantastic gifts didn't we? I need to find out from Bev where she bought her bags from. I was looking all summer long for something exactly like those. Of course, it probably won't do me much good unless she bought them in the states somewhere.

Is Rick working on the video segment of the trippie? His first one was great.

 

[Tart Annihilator]

Anyone recognise this person?

Isn't he that cross dresser we saw showing off in Rockin Bar D?

Great Trippie Heather.

 

[Kay1]

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely trippie.

 

[Timon]

Fabulous report Heather Loved all the photos!! Can't wait for Rick's video

I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to chat with you more while on the cruise (I think I feel that way about all the KKers, not enough time!) although I did see you around quite a bit.