Cruising with the Happy and Laid Backs! Eastern Feb 3-10~ MORE PICTURES! NEW 3/17

[tjeagle]

Lisapisa~I do have some good recipes!
Littlekids58~Thanks for reading!
Mom2grace~I toasted with you at 9 Friday! Didn't have Patron...but toasted just the same!!
Royalvizier~happy to give you a chuckle!
vic32~I'm up for a reunion! Name the time and ship! (I guess we need to wait and find out the names huh!!)
welovedcl~miss ya girl!
ruadisneyfan2~Looking forward to our next cruise together! This time we have to have that drink!

Okay....TJ life update!!!

Sorry for the delay in the report...just got the news Friday that DH has been offered a promotion...we are going to be moving to MA! My brain is busy right now trying to wrap itself around this one! As soon as the dust settles I will get back to my report!!

 

[vic32]

Congratulations!!!! Promotion good, moving ughh!!!
So tell me am I the only one that has dreams at night about being on the cruise!!!!

 

[weloveDCL]

Well Jackie.. I wish the move was to MS instead of MA.. lol would love to see you adjust to The Southern Way.. Patron is a way of life..

Vic.. NO you aren't the only one dreaming of a cruise. I told dh.. I've got to get something to plan.. I'm going nuts..

I love St. Thomas..

Random remarks.. cause I feel random on this 53 degrees sunshinny morning..

 

[vic32]

Kim- how was Mardi Gras!! Throw me somum mister!!!

 

[weloveDCL]

Kim- how was Mardi Gras!! Throw me somum mister!!!

lol we live in North Mississippi so not much celebrating here of mardi gras..

i did however attend mardi gras in NO one year.. there are NO words to describe.. Mardi Gras in New Orleans.. dh was doing a huge job.. across the state line from NO.. and he had a hook up.. cause I always said, the only way i'd go to Mardi Gras.. is if I could be on a balcony.. OMG.. shock shock of all things, and I'm pretty hard to shock.. it's the H and LB way.. we were right across from the Hustler balcony.. at one of NO's finest hotels (we were there) and let's just say.. Nothing is a NO NO at Mardi Gras...lol

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Okay....TJ life update!!!

Sorry for the delay in the report...just got the news Friday that DH has been offered a promotion...we are going to be moving to MA! My brain is busy right now trying to wrap itself around this one! As soon as the dust settles I will get back to my report!!

Wow! yes, that's a biggie...
class dismissed...

 

[JDBlair]

Subscribing. I am enjoying your report!! Keep it coming!!

 

[chepic]

"Sorry for the delay in the report...just got the news Friday that DH has been offered a promotion...we are going to be moving to MA! My brain is busy right now trying to wrap itself around this one! As soon as the dust settles I will get back to my report!!

"[/QUOTE]
Jackie, I am a northern....RI. MA is not that bad, we too have a sense of fun and adventure, and because we are here on the east coast and are the most stressed out of all USA, we tend to have great bars!!! Of course, not that rival DCL, I'm certain....but I can't wait until next Jan. to find out.

cheryl

 

[Jennifer48]

Sorry for the delay in the report...just got the news Friday that DH has been offered a promotion...we are going to be moving to MA! My brain is busy right now trying to wrap itself around this one! As soon as the dust settles I will get back to my report!!

Welcome to TAXACHUSETTS!

 

[JDBlair]

Welcome to TAXACHUSETTS!

Ain't that the truth. I lived in MA from 1998 - 2000 and it had to be the most expensive 2 years of my life with all the taxes on absolutely everything!

 

[kathy6890]

I'm enjoying your report Jackie. I have a few questions for you:
1) How did you decide to stay overnight at the Raddisson- as opposed to an aiport location and have DCL provide the transfers? I've read that it is less of a hassle to deal with kids and luggage if you stay at the airport hotel- i.e. the Hyatt?
2) What time did you actually board? Since you had the #2 boarding pass- doesn't sound like you spent much time waiting at the port.


Welcome to MASSachusetts- not Taxachusetts. For what it is worth my taxes are less here than the other places I've lived- NY, NJ, and CT. Although it is relative. Don't want to digress to a political discussion

P.S. Where is the new job located? Where are you thinking of moving to? I live in Lexington.

Best,
Kathy

 

[tjeagle]

I'm enjoying your report Jackie. I have a few questions for you:
1) How did you decide to stay overnight at the Raddisson- as opposed to an aiport location and have DCL provide the transfers? I've read that it is less of a hassle to deal with kids and luggage if you stay at the airport hotel- i.e. the Hyatt?
2) What time did you actually board? Since you had the #2 boarding pass- doesn't sound like you spent much time waiting at the port.


Welcome to MASSachusetts- not Taxachusetts. For what it is worth my taxes are less here than the other places I've lived- NY, NJ, and CT. Although it is relative. Don't want to digress to a political discussion

P.S. Where is the new job located? Where are you thinking of moving to? I live in Lexington.

Best,
Kathy

Thanks Kathy! The other posters had me alittle freaked out! We are from NJ so I think we are ready for MA!
DH will be working in Sudbury, we are looking in Shrewsbury/Westborugh/Northborough area. We really don't know the area well yet.

We choose the Radisson for a few reasons. It was cheaper first off. Our flight the Friday before our trip was early so we had time to hang out at the hotel by the pool. I also like the free shuttle!

I am not exactly sure of the time we boarded, but it was about 11:45. It was nice to be one of the first on! We had a leisurely lunch and wondered the ship! PC was not crowded at all when we got on, as the day went on both lunch spots got pretty crowded.

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[vic32]

Hey Jackie how are you? You are not in Jersey now are you? Sarah and I are headed out in June!

 

[kathy6890]

Jackie,
Sudbury MA is a nice town- as well as the adjoining- Lincoln. Although not sure what your housing needs are. Have fun looking at houses- it is actually a buyers market right now.

Best,

Kathy

 

[JDBlair]

Thanks Kathy! The other posters had me alittle freaked out! We are from NJ so I think we are ready for MA!
DH will be working in Sudbury, we are looking in Shrewsbury/Westborugh/Northborough area. We really don't know the area well yet.

We choose the Radisson for a few reasons. It was cheaper first off. Our flight the Friday before our trip was early so we had time to hang out at the hotel by the pool. I also like the free shuttle!

I am not exactly sure of the time we boarded, but it was about 11:45. It was nice to be one of the first on! We had a leisurely lunch and wondered the ship! PC was not crowded at all when we got on, as the day went on both lunch spots got pretty crowded.

Thanks for your feedback!

I believe that is central Mass? Right? I lived in Worcester for a year.

 

[kathy6890]

No not really. Sudbury is closer to Framingham- and the Route 9 and Route 20 area- Wayland etc.

Shrewsbury is close to Worcester. You would be driving east in the a.m. if you were in Shrewsbury. I think you'll have to explore and see what towns feel like the right fit. The local newspapers for most of the towns- can be found on a site- Townonline.com- I think. But you'll find it if you Google.

Best,
Kathy

Maybe we should take this off list- I suspect the other Dis fans are getting tired of hearing about Boston suburbs. If you'd like I'm at kzgeorgop@comcast.net

 

[zweihund]

From the moment I stumbled upon the DIS back in April of 06, I knew I was in trouble. All these people with the same travel obsession I have! This was going to be good!! By the time our trip rolled around…I knew all I needed to know to be one step ahead.
I spent most early Sunday mornings reading the classics…Fatherforce, Zweihund (OT’s ROCK!!), Grumpydude and RoyalVizier to name a very few. I am not by any means going to come close to the caliber of these reports…but I’d like to share my boring little story with you. And so I begin……

I can't believe I just found this report! Looking forward to finishing it this week. And oh yeah, OT's TOTALLY rock!

 

[tjeagle]

Day Three
Sorry all for the delay…Life happened!
I will try my best to finish this report….possibly even before we move in June!!

Monday…day at sea (say it with me now…AHHHHH!)

Okay, you wake up on a Disney cruise ship surrounded by your loving family….an awesome day at sea ahead of you…what could be better???

HOWSABOUT ALONE TIME AT THE SPA AND AN INCREDIBLE HOT STONE MASSAGE??? YEAH MAN!!

(It started off alittle crazy! My original appt. was Thursday morning, but when we got onboard we found out that Thursday morning would be our Character Breakfast…couldn’t miss that right!! (Okay remember that…DON’T WANT TO MISS THE CHARACTER BREAKFAST!!- foreshadowing hint) So I called the spa and they had an opening 8am Monday….Back to story)

We ordered breakfast from room service and I headed to the spa about 7:30, I was early, so I grabbed a cup of coffee and sat up on deck. I promised myself I would have to come up every morning and enjoy the quiet ship….but never did make it up there again that early until disembark….disembarkation…disemarktion……UNTIL WE LEFT THE SHIP ON SATURDAY!
At quarter of I headed to the spa. I got the tour and headed to my Vista Spa……OMG! How awesome! My caretaker…cant remember her name got the hot tub goin and told me she’d be back…..I took some pictures, poured some lemon water got into my suit and jumped in. It was very breezy but the water was warm and I slid in and and closed my eyes. I tried to take in every moment and enjoy ever sound and sensation….the curtains were blowing behind me…the sun was shining..and FWAP…FWAP…FWAP…I began getting pelted in the face with clumps of foam that had been stirred up from the hot tub…..it settled down so I closed my eyes again….finding my happy place….and FWAP FWAP FWAP I am coverd in foam….I lean over and try to turn down the jets…foam is everywhere, on the curtains, the floor…I am covered. I am sure it was like a seen from I LOVE LUCY! I actually chuckled to myself of how UN-relaxing it really was!
My gal comes back in get the foot ritual and then it is time for my Hot Stone Massage!!! It was fantabulous! It was only 50 min. instead of 75 because it was part of the Alone time….next time (and there will be a next time….there she goes foreshadowing again !!) I am skipping the alone time and going for the more massage time!!

[/IMG]

THE FOAM BEGINS!

What a Day! Could it be any better??
HOWSABOUT Brunch at Palo!

We head to Palo at 11am, our server was Mluaden (sp??) He was awesome…and brunch was terrific! My advice is to try A BIT of everything…don’t over do it or you will never make it to the next buffet table! We left there full, but not disgusting. I highly recommend it!

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

Honestly, after waiting this long to write…I have no idea where my kids were during all these ME activities!! DS was probably at the club…and DD was probably with her new sisters Kate and Lily!!

[/IMG]
I think we hung by the pool …..waiting for our next activity…
MARGARITA AND TEQUILLA TASTING!!
This alcoholic activity was by far my favorite of all the tastings! This is where the “Happy and Laid Backs” got happier and more laid back! This is also where we adopted Patron and the Happy and Laid Back drink of choice! CHEERS Y’ALL! We laughed…we tasted…we tasted some more….and some were seen finishing up un-finished samples all over the room…….GOOD TIMES, GOOD TIMES!!

Leaving the Margarita tasting I was a smidgen ….well, Happy and Laid Back! We passed the re-booking desk and it seemed a good time to look into this rebooking thing!
I got in line and started chatting with the other DCL addicts. There was something happening in the Atruim and waiters were walking around with free drinks….since I just left the Martini tasting, I did what any responsible adult would do……I took one! DH had taken the kids to the arcade…so it was more mommy time for me! I was enjoying talking to the women next to me….after about a half hour of chatting…come to find out she was SnowWhite from the DIS! Pixie dust!!
Finally my turn! (waited almost an hour in line….only to see Leslie (rebooking queen) sitting with no one waiting later in the cruise….don’t stress about it!!)

[Okay…regress with me….
I, along with lots of Dissers were totally caught up in the frenzy on Jan. 31st when the new dates were announced. Although we had considered the Repo, we also considered cruising Thanksgiving of 2008….(mainly because the kids wouldn’t miss so much school). So while the rest of the world was trying to book Repo trips…I leisurely checked out the Nov. 22nd 2008 dates on line that fateful morn! Checking out prices….looking at categories……..HOLY CRA…..there are Secret Porthole rooms available! Well my fingers start typing and a record speed….the website is moving slowly….I almost have a room booked and CLICK…my damn computer shuts down! AHHHHH! I re-start…typing faster….heart beating fast….I try again…still rooms available….I try again and score the room!! WOOO WHOOOO! At this point I am late for work so I run out the door. When I get home I check email …… BOTH rooms have gone through….DSIL and DBIL think they may go…so I hold the rooms!]

And I’m back on board…..
I finally get up and see Leslie, I tell her my tale of spontaneous booking….just thought I’d check….well, could you, would you transfer these 2 ressies so I can get the 10% discount and $200 OBC???? Leslie checks her magic DCL rebooking computer…she types, she looks, she types she thinks…..and BOOM! Both secret porthole rooms are transferred….I saved $300 off the price of each room plus the OBC!! PIXIEDUST!!
(Leslie did tell me that ressies can be transferred as long as they are not with a TA and the cruise isn’t sold out or in GTY status!) I was pumped!!

We ate at Animators that night…she show was great! My advice is to sit back and enjoy…I spent way too much time trying to capture it all on film…the pix don’t come near to capturing the magic and I missed a lot!!

Kids went to the club after dinner to make Floam..DH and I hung out up on deck!
Another magical day!!

Next up..
A Romantic Breakfast for 4!
Meeting Will Smith!

 

[tjeagle]

Thanks everyone for hangin with me!
Vic32, ruadisneyfan2, welovedcl and all the Happy and Laid Backs out there......MISS YOU ALL!!

Kathy thanks for the MA feedback! All advice welcome!

zweihund...know of any OT postions in MA????

 

[zweihund]

Thanks everyone for hangin with me!
Vic32, ruadisneyfan2, welovedcl and all the Happy and Laid Backs out there......MISS YOU ALL!!

Kathy thanks for the MA feedback! All advice welcome!

zweihund...know of any OT postions in MA????

No, but I know of one in Orlando!