Eastern 1/19/2008 Where is the !@#$ Ship? No seriously... where's the ship?!

goodness i look sooo red in that pic. Graham and Luis were the best. Made my first cruise the best.:sail: how do you put pics up on the page?
 
This was the day I had been dreaming of all along. But truth be told, it was also the day I had been dreading. I had read too many reports of people not being able to dock at CC, more often than not in January. So I was nervous we wouldn't be able to visit. And then there is the whole last day thing.

BUT I was determined to be positive and not let anyone know my fears. The kids and I were set for the first stingray feeding of the day. And I went to sleep dreaming of warm sand and a cabana boy bringing me drinks... ahhhh....

I awoke to the phone ringing. Room service was on the way. DH had ordered cereal for the boys, and bagels and fruit and (most importantly) coffee! What
a great man.

As I peered out the window I wasn't feeling too good about our chances. It was overcast and a bit windy. Still we sun blocked up my alabaster skinned children. T1 took a shower and I plastered her hair with conditioner and then braided up her hair for her.

We arrived on Deck 9 as we began backing into CC. Even with a slight drizzle it was so cool to see! The kids all kept saying "Oh wow... cool!" Then Ray, the cruise director, came on too announce that it would be an overcast day and not to forget your sunscreen none-the-less. As if I need that warning! Really, you have seen how white my kids are, right?!

Anyways, it's obvious things are running behind. We had a 10:00 Stingray Time and there was just no way with us taking so long to dock. But we went ahead and got into the mass of humanity waiting to rush unto CC. It took about 15 minutes of waiting with the grumpy T1 being even more grumpy than usual. And I'm sorry, but whoever was allowing their child to scream over and over and over and over and over and over (you get the point, eh?) please bring along copious amounts of Tylenol for those around you next time. ;) Hey, I have kids... and they are no angels. I understand. But really.. Tylenol. Thanks. (And if anyone is wondering this was giggling having fun 'I think I'm being cute' scream that we all got to enjoy!)

Finally about 9:55 we are let off. There was some character in front of the post office and next to no line. I wanted to stop, but DH is a man who needs to be on time. So we didn't. *Note to self: when you know you want a picture, just tell DH he has to wait next time. Like the frozen lemonade snack credit from Disney 2006... really just do it!

So... we power walked to the tram. Hopped on thinking we'd get all the way to the Stingray Shack.

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Crud. Obviously, something got lost in translation. I had no idea you had to walk to the next tram station. And the very cheerful staff would only say 'not too far' when we asked just where they fricking' frackin' stingrays were. Really, I am starting to need a drink people. So, we began the second power walk with an increasingly agitated pre-pubescent almost 11 year old ANGEL of a daughter. I think I muttered something about if rain wasn't going to ruin our dream vacation then her attitude sure the heck wasn't going to either ... as we continued to stalk to the durn stingrays.

We arrived at the little stingray hut and had to wait. We waited almost 20 minutes.

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Sigh... see, I should have got that picture by the post office! :rolleyes1

As we waited it was so cool to watch the stingrays basically stalk up and down the beach in large groups. They knew it was time to eat! I loved watching them.

Anyways, the education part was interesting. T3 helped demonstrate how large some species of stingrays could get. Holy Moly! I think she said like 24 feet?

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And then we divided into groups to feed. T2 is my more serious (at times) quiet child. He had been wanting to feed the stingrays more than anything in the world (well, minus get a picture with Sorcerer Mickey!) I could sense he was feeling a bit nervous. Add in very cold water and next to no body fat on this kid and I was starting to worry this could go south very quickly.

My wild man, T3 was all excited and could hardly wait for his turn. As he fed the stingray (having a very difficult time holding that funky green jello stick between his itty bitty fingers) he declared the experience 'totally awesome!'

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T1, despite her grumpy demeanor, loves all animals and was thrilled as well...

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And sweet little T2 was shaking (a bit of cold and a bit scared I think) but he did it. He turned to me and all but yelled 'this is the best day of my life!'

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Video link:
Castaway Cay Stingray Adventure
Feeding the stingrays

I fed one too. It was really cool, I have to admit. Then we could snorkel. That... that didn't go so well. T1 was being T1. She was cold but she wanted to swim out... so she got mad at me. Perfect sense, right?! :sad2: T3 was cold and wanted to go build a sandcastle. And T2 was fighting his inner demons. He had been dreaming of this day for so long. But, I kid you not, the kid is all skin and bones. And 7.5 years he weighs all of 44 pounds. The water was cold... he was shaking head to toe. But he desperately wanted to snorkel with the stingrays.

If he wanted to do it, I was going to stay with him. Eventually he did force himself to swim around some. And grinned so big when he spotted some fish and stingrays. It was so worth it.

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I forced my very merry crew to take one picture before we headed out. Some were not pleased. Grrrrrr...

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DH, love that he is, had secured some chairs as well as a much anticipated hammock for me. Now... ask me if I ever got in the hammock.

Nope!

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Oh well, that's okay. I was too excited to be there at any rate. All of our family eventually congregated at the same spot. Even if we weren't all there at the same time.

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I took the boys out on a raft for about 20 minutes. We were heading out to the playset, but they closed it. Eventually I took them in. T1 was hungry (and even grumpier... see a theme here?) so we headed off to Cookies.

When you go to Cookies head over to the left side far back. There is NO one in line there at all. It's weird. Food was yummy. I did have seconds on ribs. And even a bit of the cookie dough soft serve. Ah, the magic of Disney. T2 heard that there was a dance party. So DH took the EVEN grumpier (it was getting BAD) T1 and T3 back our beach-base. While I took T2 to the dance party. Eventually T3 heard the music and wanted to come back to me. They had a lot of fun dancing around. :dance3: At one point I heard a mom say, "Look at those cute twins with Mickey!" I looked... they weren't twins, they were my boys. Seriously, people, if they were twins, well, they were born 22 months apart! (I get this question often actually, very strange.) It made me giggle a bit. And the boys were thrilled to be dancing with Mickey.

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I made multiple drinks of lemonade for the beach... we had some minis of Malibu to add... yum! As we headed back the wind picked up and the boys started to shiver a LOT. I found T1 on the hammock under a towel. Hey... let's make the kids into towel animals!!

Hmmmm.... how about two slugs?!

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Ok, that's the best I can do at towel animals. Sorry!

DH headed out to snorkel with his younger sister and her husband. While I had a drink, or two, chatted with my MIL and told the kids to stop fighting over the hammocks already. Oh yeh, the boys ended up flipping over and landing flat on their back at one point. Oy!

No one wanted to swim. By the time DH returned, thrilled he had found the Mickey statue, my crew was ready to revolt. I threw in the towel, realized that they were simply too cold and there was no reason to make them miserable. And we headed back. We stopped by Monstro's Dig on the way out.

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Bought some fun stuff at the shop. The boys used some of their cash to get stuffed stingrays that they adore and T1 got a pen and a CC bracelet. I was eyeing a long sleeved shirt, but decided against it. Again, * Note to self: just do it next time!

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And too soon, we were back on board.
 

Ooops, sorry about that. The board told me I had too many pictures. :lmao: Is that possible?! :eek:

____________________________________

T1 took a hot shower and promptly collapsed into a nap. The boys took warm baths and were in much better moods as well. MIL stopped by the room and offered to take the boys up to sit on her verrandah. So DH and I had about 20 minutes of quiet. Until I panicked and realized I hadn't sent along T3's epinephrine. So I grabbed some beers for FIL and headed on up. We sat outside watching people board for a while. It was nice. Eventually I took the wild ones back to the room.

DH was in the agony of packing. I just tried to stay out of the way!

We headed down for some pics with Hook and Jimminy.

---> pics coming soon, on my other camera!

Then took the kids up to deck 9 to eat. Because we had Palo that night!

As I dropped off kids at their clubs the staff all said "We won't page you since you are at Palo to night." Uh... you'd better! I told them that was nice, but to please page me if needed.

We got ready and hurried out the door. DH had a shortcut idea that didn't work. Remember: he hates being late (and so do I actually!) We got there a few minutes late, to my dismay, but it was okay. PJ came to greet us and quickly had us seated at the 'Captains Table' with the other eight in our party. We had a really nice place to sit. Actually, now that I have looked I think they just used the Brunch table set up for us. But I still think it was so great PJ could get us all together. I was thrilled.

Dinner was lovely. I cannot for the life of me recall our server's name. Cau--- Ugh, I wish I could recall!! He did an outstanding job. Love that olive dip. He went ahead and brought one of each pizza straight out. I had the grilled portobella mushroom with polenta. Oh my. I could eat that for dinner alone! We also had extra appetizers to pass around and share. There was a sherbet intermezzo. (Thank goodness for food network on my finer dining education :rotfl:)

I chose the lobster ravioli for my main course. So good. (I'm getting hungry thinking about it!) We all had ordered chocolate souffles (or had our server? I don't recall!) They were perfect. I had a bit of both sauces. The server also brought out an assortment of all the other desserts... including my favorite: Tiramisus. Yummmy.

A decaff coffee and then a tasty after dinner drink that PJ brought to the table for us... (they even had made sparkling cider shot for my pregnant SIL!) Don't ask me what it was. I don't recall. But it was super yummy!

We did have one picture taken at dinner. But my in-laws purchased it after breakfast then next morning. I will have to get them to scan it in for me and perhaps post another day.

I had been worried that Palo on the last night wasn't the best choice. But I actually found it to be a wonderful way to end out cruise. When we visit Disney World we end with Chef Mickey's breakfast. So, I think going to Palo the last night of our cruise is a new adult tradition! :)

We stopped by Shutters to pick up our orders. DH went ahead to get the boys, while I got T1. Then we waited for 'Til We Meet Again. The kids were able to get pictures with Donald and Goofy.

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Later on I realized that the only ones they didn't get autographs/pictures with were Pinocchio and Pluto. They were bummed about Pluto, but oh well, maybe next time!

Back to the room. DH gets everything out in the hallway. I'm impressed. But still staying out of the way! ;) I promised my ragingly hungry children one last room service order. So they pigged out (but not before I had my picture!)

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Our towel animal of the night:

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A frog! T3 was thrilled to have his Webkinz be part of the animal towel fun. :yay:

We sent the boys off to dreamland. B/SIL came over and we chatted for a while. The boys did a Deck 9 run and we had a drink. Eventually we all collapsed. In the morning I knew they would kick us out. I was sad. :sad1:
 
Hi all!

Thanks for all the great comments. I'm so glad you have enjoyed the trip report. I loved sharing it. I just wish it wasn't almost over. Boo hoo.

cruisin cat

Hmmmm, which pic do you look so red in? Ok, I admit it... trying to figure out who you are! ----> Wait, I found you! Never mind :)

To post pictures: we usually just use Photobucket. Then just cut and paste the code that has IMG in brackets in front and back of it. Super easy.

Hope that helps!
 
Berta.....were we hammock buddies? Were you all the way at the end of the family beach next to the bathrooms? There were 3 hammocks in a triangle, and we snagged one of them, and I am thinking that you were the family next to us?

che
 
Hee hee... yep that was us! A guy in your group saw my boys bust on the hammock didn't he? Hey, I warned them to be careful! :confused3

1000 pardons for my grumpy T1 as well as numerous family members... again. :lmao:
 
the funny thing was I had done the same thing first thing that morning. Your husband and I were running to that end of the beach...:lmao: ... and when I saw that there were 3 hammocks, I drew a sigh of relief when we split them!!!!!

Cheryl
 
:goodvibes How funny is that? Your Mission this morning, if you accept... secure the hammock.

But really, I never got to hang out on it. Sigh.

And really... sorry about my crazy family. I love 'em. Craziness and all. :rotfl:
 
that is so funny, we sent the guys off the ship amid the masses to secure us umbrellas!!! They love us so much sometimes...

Plus, that way, we could eat, then shop!!!
We also ran into Chip and Dale at the post office with no line, so of course we had to stop for pics..

Our stingray time wasn't till 11, so we had time.
 
I love your kids bathing suits at Castaway Cay. I just bought my daughter one of those shirts (not sure what they are called), but it is short sleeves. I would love to get her a long sleeve one because like your kids, she is soooo white. Do you mind telling me where you bought them. I also like the boy's white ones.

Thanks
 
Berta, there is your daughter behind my two..

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cheryl

Stulaurie, you can get those long sleeve ones at the gap, or at any scuba shop. Google long sleeve rash guard swim shirts and you should be able to locate them.
 
Yep... there's the grumpy girl!!!

I forget where we got the boys.. it was online. I just Googled "Long sleeved rash guard" or "Long sleeved swim shirt"

We LOVE them, really cuts down on sunblock time!!
 
I love your trip report an the pictures are wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing your vacation with us!

:thumbsup2
 
Luis is on the phone! They must be on a Western this week since it is Sunday. We usually hear from him on Saturdays.

DD made sure to tell him that you all said hello! He remembered you all, says hello back and is glad to hear you had a great cruise!

We still haven't heard from Graham.
 
aww man, of all times not to be on the DIS....

we would love to also keep in touch with him, we have some terrific pictures we would love to share.

I hope he is doing well, and a million thanks for passing along our hello to him.

Sadly, our next cruise will more then likely be on the Wonder, and I know he won't be there. But hey, any Disney cruise is better then no Disney cruise.
 
aww man, of all times not to be on the DIS....

we would love to also keep in touch with him, we have some terrific pictures we would love to share.

I hope he is doing well, and a million thanks for passing along our hello to him.

Sadly, our next cruise will more then likely be on the Wonder, and I know he won't be there. But hey, any Disney cruise is better then no Disney cruise.

I was really surprised to see his name on the Caller ID today. Then I realized that they would be in Key West on a Western. He can usually only chat for a few minutes so his calls are never long. He tends to talk to DD as they had the strongest bond, but I made sure that she delivered your hellos!

If you want a great server on the Wonder ask for Nicholas Rimmel. He was fantastic! He's from England and has a wonderful sense of humor. You won't be disappointed. He made not having Luis sort of okay! ;)
 

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