Cruisin into Spring Training-VWL & 4 Nt Dream 3/22-28/13 COMPLETE! 8/11

[podsnel]

Sooo....the next thing in my day of semi-solitude was to use my big pre-purchased excursion for the cruise, and head to



FWIW, this was another deal breaker for me on that Norwegian Breakaway Cruise- on DCL, you can buy a cruise length pass ($146 for a week), or a daily pass (I think it was $16?), to be used whenever you wish. I know for me, one day of this is exactly right (one hour or so of this, to be exact). On NCL Breakaway, you can buy the length of cruise pass ($146), OR you can purchase a one day ($39!!!!!!!!)- to be used ONLY on non-sea days (!!!!!!!).

Why the heck would I want to spend any time in there on a day when I am in beautiful Bermuda????

But again, I digress.....

SO- I checked in, handed over my little ticket, and was escorted back to the locker room where I put on a robe over my swim suit. Then it was time for...



Ahhhhh......so peaceful in there. To my right-



Hey! I know those toes!! They belong to my fellow DISer Jersey girl, toniosmom! YAY!! I have a FRIEND!!!



It was nice to chat, and find out how each others cruises were going. Karen had been in there for a little while already, so she left after a bit, but we made plans to hook up later on up on the sundeck. I relaxed on the heated lounge, then went to get a towel because the hot tub was empty (but not for long....)-





You know what's coming next-



I will be going for my LONG OVERDUE mani pedi in prep for vacay in the next week or so....hmmm...what color should I pick? Although I am not sure it matters much, not a whole lot of toe time on this upcoming trip (well, until I get to DL. Yea, that's right- DL is the RELAXING part of this upcoming trip- how exhausting is THAT?? ).

I have to say that on this day, it was still quite windy outside, so being INSIDE here with still a lovely sea view was allllllll right!



Time to get out....



And hit some steam/sauna-



This was such a nice, relaxing way to spend my morning. Once again, can't say enough how MUCH BETTER ending a cruise with a sea day over a CC day is.

It was lunchtime when I was done, so I went into Cabanas, and saw our server, Heidi, dishing out sushi-



So for lunch, I was having-



And



Soon it was toe time again!

Cont'd next post-

 

[podsnel]

Toe time-



See my dress? Wrapped around my legs for warmth? It was still uber windy at sea- this day was the COMPLETE opposite of last year's Dream sea day with the DISmoms, which was still, breezeless, and sweltering!

I have my fingers crossed I will experience something in the middle on our upcoming Fantasy cruise. Toniosmom and I had a great time chatting- we really have a lot in common- and we REALLY NEED TO GO TO LUNCH SOON, Karen!

Well, eventually Karen had to scoot, and once she had gone, I lasted a little while longer, but REALLY! I needed something to warm up on my Alaska...I mean, Bahamas cruise...



I am so boring...well, to be honest, only occasionally! HAH! Here I was at the Cove Cafe having just a cappuccino, and skipping over all those delicious Coffee Cocktails. DUH. NEXT time, it will be different! Promise!

The bartender saw me taking food porn, and asked if she could take my pic. Sure! Thanks! I love it when the CMs do that!



My skin looks so nice here- must be the steam/spa combined with Tammie's Apriori products- thanks Tammie! I LOVE your stuff!! Some Cove Cafe pics-





Oh look! There's my tablemate Steve again! He's the gentleman reading over there in front of the window-



Right after I put my camera away to concentrate on my book and cappuccino all my Pink girls came in to say hi! And guess what? They were still adorable, even outside of Pink!

Have to run- see ya real soon!

 

[JKSWonder]

God, I miss the Fantasy! Really, really miss it. Can't believe I have to wait a whole year to sail on her again! Patient girl, I am not.

 

[dizneeat]

Ah, Ellen, thanks for getting me in the right mood.
(Under a week until we leave and only 9 days until 2 weeks on the Fantasy. )

 

[MEK]

The rainforest room looks so great and so relaxing. $16 for a day pass seems very reasonable.

And that sushi looks so delish!

 

[RunningWithScissors]

You guys were on your trip the same time we were except we spent all 7 FREEZING days at WDW!! It didn't get over 55 degrees until the day before we left and it never got above 65! Coldest trip we have ever had down there! Brr!

I love your trip report. Read it all in one sitting!

 

[podsnel]

I had a Five Guys burger a couple of weeks ago, it was the best burger ever! Also, the fries were so good, of course I can be bought with fresh potatoes made into fries!

All this cheeseburger talk is making me soooo hungry!

That is so cool to have an oral surgeon as your friend, makes sure that your boys get the ,best treatment! Our youngest son .has been dating a dentist floor a few years now, but we don't know when this is going! ;>)

This friend has actually been friends with Pods since 5th Grade. He is VERY generous- not only does he pull teeth, lol, he also LOVES to go to concerts and brings his friends with him. He is just such a giving person! Years ago we were talking, and he found out I had never seen the Stones, or U2 and so he said hmmmm......the next thing we knew we were seeing U2, and then the Stones, and then Genesis, and then U2 again....I personally am very lucky, because I am the one wife who is allowed to go to concerts to hang with the boys- they say I am one of the guys. BEST COMPLIMENT EVER!!!!! His wife has just started going to concerts with him (she never used to go) and he says the next one we are seeing will be Elton John when he comes around again- just the 4 of us. YAY!!!

Pirate night looks so fun! I didn't realize that they even extended the theming to the restaurants. Very cool! It looks like everyone really gets into it! Love the picture of the two of you!

Well, I think the theming only changes at Animator's, because of all the screens- so it really is a great place to be for Pirate Night. But the servers dress up in all the restaurants- it is AWESOME!!!!!

I am sure Denny will love the "boy" bar while we ladies are enjoying the "girl" bar.

Excellent!

I have seen that muslei (I know that can't be the correct spelling ) on Karin's TRs and it does look really good.

I was so surprised by how much I liked it- I absolutely hate oatmeal, I think it's a textural thing- but this was not like that at all- soooooo good!

Isn't it great to be able to make faces with your food just for our entertainment? Thank you!

The lengths I go to to keep you people happy....

Yosemite? Nice! I hope you have a fabulous time. Since I just started a new job I can't take vacation for 3 months and I am already in vacation withdrawal. Can't wait to hear all about Yosemite. Take lots and lots and LOTS of pictures. Please!

Hopefully it will go by fast for you- I have not been away for 3 months, unless you count baseball trips- which are not fun AT ALL. Ok- maybe they are a little fun. But seriously- driving 8 hours there and 11 hours back to lose 4 games and win 0 is not all it's cracked up to be....
And i promise to take more than a few photos in Yosemite- which reminds me- I have some online classes to take for photography!
But I also just found out for sure i will be starting some OTHER online classes.....to become a Disney Travel Agent.... So it looks like my computer will be getting a workout this week!

That Muesli looks wonderful!!! Of course I would have to order Eggs Benedict they army favorite !!!!!

And of course, you could have BOTH because that's how we roll (out the door....)

 

[podsnel]

Glad to see Timmy did well with his surgery! It looks as if he got great care!

Thanks! But that was Tyler who had the teeth pulled- and yes, he is doing great- the whole thing was very easy, no complications for him.

Your breakfast looked yummo!

It really really was!!

In-N-Out burger - I tried one when I was in LA last November for work. I just don't get it. It was just meh. One of the guys there for the training had to order some and carry them on his plane back to Chicago for his wife who used to live out west. Had 5 Guys last night with my Mom! Now that was a good burger! You'll have to weigh in on what you thought.

Well, we shall soon see what we all think- I do love a good burger!

Great breakfast choices, Ellen. They look VERY familiar and will be consumed again in just over a week.

What can I say? I learned all my breakfast at EG ordering skills from the BEST!

I am glad you got to check out 687. We have been there often - Tom quite likes the beer there.

HAHAHA- yea, I bet 9 out of 10 Toms prefer 687 to Pink!

Breakfast looks yummy! to the girlie bar. Not sure I've met a bar I didn't care for.

I am with you- but Pink IS very special. There are only ever a few brave men in there who are very secure in their masculinity.

I have to say, I like your vacation style, Ellen!!! Hope you will share your California adventures. I can't remember... do your plans include Disneyland? And then where to next? Is it another cruise? I am going to live vicariously through your vacation plans!!

Of course! That's why I am trying to finish this up- then it will be DISmoms and CA.... it will give me something to do when I am in Florida visiting Pods family- Sean is coming, and I think that he will want to stay home more than go out, so I may be staying home with him alot while Pods visits family with T&T.

By the way - totally random - but I think it was from one of your TRs (Hawaii, maybe?) that I heard of the cocktail combining cucumber vodka and ginger ale. Thank you for sharing; it's becoming a summer favorite in this house.

YES! That was a drink in Hawaii at Aulani! I have the cucumber vodka, too! It also had lychee juice in it, if you can find that. It adds a nice flavor to the drink.

 

[15isto2]

You should have made a video of Tyler sedated when having his teeth pulled, I am sure it would be useful for blackmail purposes (just look at some of the ones posted on youtube) I hope he is doing OK.

 

[podsnel]

God, I miss the Fantasy! Really, really miss it. Can't believe I have to wait a whole year to sail on her again! Patient girl, I am not.

It is sooooo hard to wait for the next cruise, I agree! I am really looking forward to the Fantasy in December- it is going to be the first time i have been on a sister ship- so it will be interesting to be on a ship that is the same, but different, ya know?

Ah, Ellen, thanks for getting me in the right mood.
(Under a week until we leave and only 9 days until 2 weeks on the Fantasy. )

You are so welcome and YIPEEEEEEEE for you!

The rainforest room looks so great and so relaxing. $16 for a day pass seems very reasonable.

It IS reasonable, and very worth it.

And that sushi looks so delish!

The sushi is ok- premade sushi always is a little colder, so the rice is harder, than fresh sushi. But as long as I can dip it in wasabi soy sauce, I'm good-

You guys were on your trip the same time we were except we spent all 7 FREEZING days at WDW!! It didn't get over 55 degrees until the day before we left and it never got above 65! Coldest trip we have ever had down there! Brr!

I love your trip report. Read it all in one sitting!

It was REALLY cold that week, huh! So much chillier than any other cruise we have been on, it was very unusual, I think.

And thank you for the lovely compliment- it is always so nice to hear someone is enjoying my trips with me!

 

[Goofy442]

Oh I would love to do the spa. It looks so relaxing and looking out at the sea. Just have to wait to see what kind of discount my DS girlfriend gets. Then we are off making plans.

 

[RGirl]

Thanks for the updates, Ellen! I am loving hearing about your alone time on the ship. I have a feeling (hope? ) that I will be experiencing some of that this month. DD is so excited to be in the kids' club again after last summer's Wonder cruise that I am thinking I will be enjoying my Kindle, some adult beverages, and some of the adults-only areas of the ship. WOW.

 

[Beth D]

Love the spa pics! What exactly is included with the day pass? I'm thinking it might be a good xmas present for my mom. We sail in Feb, but our PIF day is before turkey day, so...

My vote for toes colors is a hot pink for a smokin momma with all her boys! Gotta have a little girly in there...

Sorry for the mixup on the T's!

 

[jenseib]

I keep reading all these cruise TR's and it really makes me want to go on one soon. It's just so addicting.

 

[rentayenta]

I love toe pics.

The spa looks great. I'm going to buy a one day pass too. Not sure that Joshua will be as social as Timmy but I'm thinking I should get an hour here and there to explore.

 

[jedijill]

Ok, I'm treating myself to a daypass on the Dream in October. It looks so much nicer than the Wonder/Magic.

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

Ok, I'm treating myself to a daypass on the Dream in October. It looks so much nicer than the Wonder/Magic.

Jill in CO

Is the Wonder's not nice?

 

[jedijill]

Is the Wonder's not nice?

It's very nice...but I think the Dream and the Fantasy blows it out of the water.

Jill in CO

 

[podsnel]

I love toe pics.

The spa looks great. I'm going to buy a one day pass too. Not sure that Joshua will be as social as Timmy but I'm thinking I should get an hour here and there to explore.

Timmy is a little on the quiet side- Joshua will do very well in there, don't worry! The most crucial thing is make SURE he goes the first night for all the ice breakers- that's when they all meet, quiet or not! Disney is better at facilitating this night than anyone else, so it will be fun! And you can explore YOUR clubs on your own, lol.

The Rainforest is great on all the ships- I always loved it on the Magic, which I would think is very similar to the Wonder. Here's a toe pic just for you-





BTW- I'll SEE YOU in less than 2 weeks!!!!

 

[podsnel]

I'm back! I have been focused lately on my new career as a travel agent, so busy training and attending Disney College! I'll be back for replies later- I have a ton of errands to do- we leave for California in 4 days!!!!!!!

And now....back to the Disney Dream. Where life continued to be magical, although a bit chilly. Good thing that pool is heated, huh!





So since it was a bit brisk, I decided to roam indoors to gawk at all the prettiness inside the ship.









I needed to do some shopping- I picked up an adorable little DCL Captain's suit for my favorite little Mousketeer who was about to be born to Mark & Carlie (Mark is Joan & Peter's cousin who works for Disney)- ironically, he was being born this exact DAY, although I didn't know it at the time! I also purchased a couple of photos, so I needed to get a frame (because as we all know, 6 x 8 frames are just not as popular or easy to find once you get off the ship!). Plus the frame had one of those cute little red stickers on it, and I just love me some cute little red stickers (aka- markdowns)! Plus I HAD to get a tshirt and a sweat jacket- the jacket was on sale for like $35, so that was good! The tshirt? Not on sale, but I adore this art on the shirt, it's the picture on the cabin wall on the Dream.



I had walked through here with Timmy earlier on the cruise, and he said he didn't need a souvenir this trip- my teenage sons are on hiatus from Mickey Mouse endorsed clothing, lol! I believe the reponse to "Do you want a tshirt?" was "I'm good."

I went back to the cabin to get some packing in after that, and ordered some room service when Timmy graced me with his presence-



It comes with a LOT of ketchup-



Me? I just wanted a Mickey Bar again- making up for the fact that I forgot to have one on my DISmoms cruise the year before- so the score is EVEN now.





Timmy was outta there after a quick shower- then it was my turn to clean up. I had been drying my hair all week in the bathroom- and wow, did that hairdryer STINK!! UNTIL, that is, I plugged in here by the desk-



Ummm....major DUH moment! Make sure you blowdry at the desk! It really doesn't work too well if you don't!

I popped up on deck to watch my last sunset-





Then decided it was happy hour down in you know where....so off I went to visit the usual suspects in Pink-



Erika is on the left, Hailey is on the right.... great CMs, Disney is lucky to have them! And I was very lucky to get to know them!

Up next- dinner in Animator's...and what are the odds Crush will talk to us...HMMMMMM??????