EDC Western Cruise, 11/01/08: PostTrip Depression, Pics added 11/29

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Ok, made up my packing list, for me. Still need to make up the one for the girls. I have to make lists, so I know I didn't forget anything, otherwise, I'll definately forget something! I think I need to look over at Passporter and see if there are any packing lists I can customize and work from...

Set aside the clothes I have on the list too, but i need to try them on. I tryied on my capri jeans today, and they were too big. And I loved them! Not that I am sad about losing weight, just sad that my clothes now won't fit! I can't go and buy all new clothes before this trip and save money for the cruise too!!

We also went to the Pumpkin Farm today. Got our hayride out to the field and picked out some nice pumpkins. Also got my usual Mums and Corn stalks for the front of the house. Too bad we won't be around on Halloween to enjoy them, but they should last into Thanksgiving, I hope!!

3 weeks from today and we will be sailing off on the Magic!

Waves seen from Deck 4

From the Golden Mickeys: (taken WITHOUT a FLASH!!!)

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Spent the day today trying on clothes and trying to decide what to pack and wear on the trip. It is so hard to try and limit how much I bring, since you really NEED 2 outfits a day: your day outfit then dinnerwear! But, I am slowly narrowing down the choices to maximize space for souvin"ears"!

Also spent the other part of the day researching the Baltic cruises. I have put in a requent with DU to get a stateroom on the 6-12-10 cruise, but I am soooo worried that it will be so out of reach financially. And the points for DVC are way too high, so I sit with my fingers crossed, hoping for some Disney Magic...

Well, its getting late, and I need to be at work tomorrow at 7am! Here are a few more pictures from our last cruise...

Helmsman Mickey

Lindsey's Favorite: Aurora

Playing around on the steps by Helmsman Mickey

Mickey and the girls!

Princess Minnie Hugs

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Wow, I feel like a slacker! haven't been able to post any blog updates til now, such a crazy week!!

I am so excited that we got a porthole room for the June 12 2010 cruise to the Baltics. We have been planning a Baltic for a year, so we could celebrate our 10 year anniversary, and I can't tell you how excited we are to be able to do the Baltic on the cruise ship we took on our honeymoon!!

Also can't believe we have only 2 weeks til we are on board the Magic! I really need to do some serious packing this weekend. I spend all day last Sunday going through my clothes and figuring out what I can wear, making a packing list, etc. Now I have to get the clothes into the suitcase AND start on the wardrobe and packing lists for the girls. I am seriously running out of time!

Just saw what a recent Western cruiser said was the dining rotation on her cruise last week. Not quite sure, but I think someone was drinking when they planned it! I am hoping that this new rotation won't disturb my Palo reservation, but if so, I take comfort in knowing we have done Palo's 4 other times, so if I have to cancel (so we could do the "show" at AP on the first AP night!) then we will cancel...

Anyway, here's some more pics from our last cruise:
Speaking of AP:

Don't look if you don't want to spoil the "surprise ending!"

Oh man, not Mac and Cheese again!

Our towel elephant (so cool!)

Waiting in the WDT for the show to begin! (gotta love the fabric on the seats!)

 

[podsnel]

HEY I'll-meet-u-in-two-weeks-cruise-mate! I am so happy for you booking that next cruise in the Baltic- especially, because you will have your anniversary on it! Soooo cooool! I'm very envious of your itinerary- I've always thought that Baltic area looked perfect for a cruise...I think you are going to have the BEST time!

HOWEVER...In 2 weeks....well, that's gonna be perfect, too!
WOO HOO!!!!!LET'S GO!!!!!!

 

[mindelmouse]

board about the one you started here...the pictures are great Jen

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Thanks Mindy, while these aren't from our last Western cruise, the pics on the ship are the same, so I thought people would enjoy (and I would get even more excited than I already am!)

I can't believe we are in single digit countdown now! I went through the ITunes last night and load up a Disney Cruise playlist, I played in at work today, and I was quite happy with the selections. I couldn't find some of the songs (Like "On my way" from Brother Bear, not sure if its called something else!) but overall its a nice mix of Disney and Carribean songs!

I feel so overwhelmed in packing. I had made a list of clothes to bring, then found a bunch of clothes I had bought on sale at the end of the season and forgot about! Now I have to rethink my wardrobe plans! I know that by this time next week I'll just be tossing things in and praying I remember everything I need!!

My girls are also not helping the cause. I put things in the suitcase, they take them out and hide insider. I put them back, I go downstairs for something, and then its all out again and they are giggling "find me Momma" Goofy heads!

Lots of sickness going around here in MD. Kids, adults, fevers, sore throats, you name it. Its like walking a minefield and trying not to catch any of it! Maybe I should stock up on an arsenol of Antibiotics along with all the OTC meds I've packed so I am ready for anything (and before anyone flames me on that, I would not pack antibiotics unless I was really sick!)

Really looking forward to seeing the shows again. They are always so awesome, I am brought to tears at the end of each. Then again, I cry when the damn ship's horn sounds, so I am really a sap! Particularly for any Disney theatrics! Here's some pictures of Twice Charmed, a twist on the Cinderella story:

Notice the black and white all onstage, much like Animator's Palate...

And now the color:

And more color:

Ahhhhh, 8 more days and all I need to worry about is whether or not the ship is rocking while those poor souls are trying to dance and not fall on their faces!!

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Whoa, getting so close now! A week from now we will be boarding the boat in route to Key West and Mexico!!

Still packing furiously to get it all in there and done. Of course, I planned for warmer weather, and the temps for WDW next week are only high 60s to low 70s. Maybe need to change around some things... but the ship clothes are good: it will be in the 80s for our stops down south!!

I am so hoping we will have a great trip. Not that the other 4 haven't lived up to the expectations, but you know when you put your heart and soul into planning and planning, the bar is set high. I hope they can keep up with us!!

Went to the rhematologist yesterday, for my 3 month check, and he said the cruise is the best thing for me right now. I need the sunshine, I need the massage, and I need the salt (I know, wierd, but its helps my blood pressure!) Gotta love those doctors!

Oh, got the girls Disney Princess pillowcases that are plain white with line drawings of the princesses on them. Comes with fabric crayons for them to color in their picture, and then we will bring them with us on the ship to have the characters sign. I got them at Michaels craft store. They had TInk, Ariel, the Princesses, Pirates int he Carribean (a few styles of that one) and also Hanna Montana. They were $10 and were in the kids craft section of the store. In case you guys are looking for pillowcases to have autographed. I just need to get some sharpies now to bring with us!!

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Bow of the ship, closeup:

Sliding away into the Mickey Pool!

Playing around in the pool:

Sorry I didn't get any pics in last night, I can't believe we are just 1 week (7 days!!) away from being back on the Magic! I think I have bought everything I need, now its just a matter of packing it all into 4 bags. Still need to work through the girl's wardrobe, but I'm making progress!

Happy sailing to those boarding the Magic right now! And please don't mess up the ship, we'll be getting on while you are getting off!

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

OMG, just "3 sleeps" until we leave for WDW!! I am in a flurry of activity to finish! I really just need to pack up the girls dresses and all, and just double check my clothes, since I need to throw in another pair of capri's or two to accomodate for the weather this week in Orlando!!

I need warm weather, quiet, the sea lapping against the boat while I sit on my verandah and watch all the Grey's Anatomy episodes I am behind on! LOL Nothing like watching McDreamy while sitting on a boat in the middle of the ocean!

My Palo Dinner:

Another towel critter friend!

All dressed up for Pirate night. Thanks Disney for the NOT so temporary tattoos!!

Pirates IN the Carribean on the Dumbotron!!

Argh, bring it on mateys!!

 

[podsnel]

Your pics from your last cruise continue to get me PSYCHED for our cruise!! And may I just say, one more time before I see them in person, your DDs are the cutest!!!!

See ya REAL soon!!
E

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Well, i can't believe its finally here! We leave in 24 hours! I am about to go and print off our boarding passes for AirTran. I really hope I haven't forgotten anything, but I know if I did, I will have a fellow DISer there to help me out!!

I am so glad we are leaving tomorrow. The temperature in Maryland dropped like 20 degrees since yesterday, and its been so rainy and windy here its incredible! May even have snow showers here tomorrow evening, so I am really glad we fly out at 3pm!!

Probably won't pay for minutes to get online on the ship, since I heard its really a waste of money and minutes! But I will take detailed notes for those who want to know! Also lots of pictures! Can't forget those!

So, I leave with a few last pictures of our last cruise. See you all real soon!!

Pirate Party and Fireworks!

Bon Voyage Friends!!! See you on the boat!!

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Well, WE'RE BAAAAAACKKKKKKK We miss the boat already! As we were arriving home, it was about 5pm, and DH was saying "wouldn't we be sailing out at the party right about now????"

What a trip. I have a boatload (sorry for the bad pun!) of pictures, I just need to actually get up off my duff and unpack the bags and the camera card to get them! Won't happen til at least tomorrow!!

I am hoping to remember all the details from this cruise. For all the EDC friends I did get to meet, you all are awesome. For all those who participated in the FE exchange, you all rock! Those gifts were awesome: creative, helpful, useful, GREAT!! Thanks so much!!

Lindsey and Sydney already miss the "Disney Boat" in fact Syd was saying "bye Disney World, bye Disney Boat" even in the car back in Baltimore! Our next cruise can't come back soon enough. I just dread the fact that it will take us at least a 6-8 hour plane flight to get there!!

Our server was awesome. We have never had a female server (only female assistant servers) and she was just great! Just giving a shout out to our girl Katarina! Looking forward to seeing you on the Baltic!!

I just read over some of the posts from the cruise before ours. Glad I didn't get in the hot tub this trip!! Couldn't anyway, it was always jam packed with children!!

Our room was great, we were on Deck 8, forward and it was soooo quiet. There was no one in the stateroom next to ours, and the 2 bedroom suite next to us didn't ever seem to be occupied either! I know they were there occasionally, but really, we never saw them!!

I was a bit surprised that we had Captain Thord this trip. They say the captains rotate every 4 months. Didn't know that! He seemed nice though, and he did steer us away from a horrible hurricane, so he gets the thumbs up from us!!!

Lindsey lost a tooth on this trip, and not only did the tooth fairy bring her some Disney dollars, but TINK showed up with a Magical Moment certificate and Pixie Dust for her too. Our stateroom hostess was awesome!! Thanks Renee!!!

Well, I really need to get to bed and get some sleep. Hoping to start the details sometime tomorrow!! See you real soon!!!

 

[mindelmouse]

Jen - I cant' believe after all that I never got to meet you.....

this trip was amazing. We upgraded to a suite at the terminal (I couldn't believe how cheap it was to do it)...you won't believe how awesome the service you get is. A shout out to our concierge team - Nicole, Erika and Andreia.

We have the most awesome table staff....if they are all like Joyce and Gideon, we were all treated like royalty.

Need to get my thoughts together about a trip report...may just fill in on others.

happy to answer any future cruisers questions, since that's what helped me the most before I sailed.

I'm so sorry it's over..

 

[jollytammy]

I can't wait to read more of your TR!!! Sounds like you had a magical time

 

[frdeb1999]

Looking forward to your TR!

 

[wuv tigger]

It truly WAS a great cruise for us!

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

So we can start with the pre trip stuff. I frantically made our RE, FE gifts, packed, shopped, packed more, repacked, unpacked, made lists...you get the idea. Here is a picture of our FE. I made it, and it wasn't nearly as pretty as those fellow EDC's FEs, but hey, it was ours!

And here is one of the magnets I made for our fellow EDC mates!

So, as I said, I packed, and unpacked, etc, etc, etc. I even weighed the bags, so as to not incur any extra charges on the airplane. Only packed 4 bags total, one of which was a "carry-on" so we should be OK as far as the bag requirement, right? I think you see where I am going with this... but I am getting ahead of myself!!

The girls were quite excited. My countdown clock finally had gotten to 0 Days, and they were bouncing off the walls the night before. I did finally manage a bath and bedtime, but not without a struggle!

They needed to sleep together. So much for buying them bunk beds!

Ahhhhh, Disney Dreams...

Wednesday, I first had to take a wonderful detour to an obnoxious dentist who I had to see for an emergency crown (since I broke my one tooth the night before!). 2 hours later I had a temporary crown, and Syd and I were running late to get home, throw the bags into the car and go get Daddy and then Lindsey from school! But we managed to get on the road, and the kids were thrilled to finally be leaving for Disney!!

Made it to the airport, and "Daddy" went to park the car while we waited.

It was 45 minutes before the flight was to close, and I had to start checking in the bags or they wouldn't make it! And Ron was no where to be seen. Of course, I go to check the bags, and the woman tells me the weight of one of the suitcase is fine BUT.............................. you knew it was coming! My bag was 1 inch over the limit! She SAYS my bag was 63 inches and could only be 62 inches!!! What the heck??? Then she weighs the next bag (same type suitcase), and says it weighs 8 pounds more than it should!! So I told her not to charge me for an overweight bag, that I would move clothes around, since I had 4 bags, and she made me move down the counter and unpack and repack my bags AGAIN!!!! Bring the overweight bag back, and she measures it, it passes as 62 inches (and under the weight limit). Umm, excuse me, but they are the SAME SUITCASE. EXACTLY THE SAME SUITCASE! But one is 63 inches, and she charges me an extra $39!?!?!?!?! Other bag, fine, no charge. Gotta love AirTran!

We make it to the plane just as they are boarding, since having to repack cost us about 15 minutes of time. But we made it, and were safely on our way to Disney. Let's hope our trip goes smoother!!!!

 

[MaryAz]

Loved your Pre Trippie. Could your girls be any cuter?? We are doing the special western next Nov-not exactly the same trip but our girls will be the same ages as yours. Cannot wait for the next update. Love all the pics!

 

[podsnel]

Hi Jen!!!

I am so glad I got to meet you at the "show that wasn't" (for us, anyway!). You know why DS9 wouldn't go? One of the cm's told his group that there was something on stage they were NOT supposed to touch, and if they did touch it, it would burn their hands like acid! So he was afraid to go anywhere near the stage after that! Oh well...

Your girls are even more adorable in person, if that's possible!!
Thanks for that AWESOME magnet, I LOVE it!!! You are very creative!!

I'll start my TR eventually- I have a lot of work to catch up on right now, so I'll have to enjoy our cruise through your report in the meantime...
Ellen

 

[wuv tigger]

I am so glad I got to meet you at the "show that wasn't" (for us, anyway!). You know why DS9 wouldn't go? One of the cm's told his group that there was something on stage they were NOT supposed to touch, and if they did touch it, it would burn their hands like acid! So he was afraid to go anywhere near the stage after that! Oh well...

Ellen

I found out about it after asking the Club Counselor what is was & where it would be & what time we were to be there.