ELEVATE! Is that a whale out there? A three-generation cruise to Alaska!UPDATE 8/29

[pas130]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was a great girls day out! (And probably not one of you will be surprised to hear that my darling diva chose the absolute most expensive pair of earrings available for piercing. )

But of COURSE she did. The prettiest ones are ALWAYS the most expensice I had my ears pierced when I was 1 month old...and all 3 girls have been pierced since 2 months old...Ironically by the same Dr. (all he does is ear piercing) for the last 40 years!!!! I think it's great you both went together!

And I LOVE the pic of you & Willow on the verandah! Because it's the two of you! And I think you both look great! Personally, you will rarely find me in pics, and if you do, I will ALWAYS hate what I look like....

 

[amandaw]

She looks so cute with her earrings! Good job being brave, Willow!

All this talk of shopping & fashion with the little girls kind of makes me happy to have a boy. Or at least it makes my checking account happy.

 

[RGirl]

But of COURSE she did. The prettiest ones are ALWAYS the most expensice I had my ears pierced when I was 1 month old...and all 3 girls have been pierced since 2 months old...Ironically by the same Dr. (all he does is ear piercing) for the last 40 years!!!! I think it's great you both went together!

And I LOVE the pic of you & Willow on the verandah! Because it's the two of you! And I think you both look great! Personally, you will rarely find me in pics, and if you do, I will ALWAYS hate what I look like....

That is so cool about the same doc doing all your ears over all the years (do you like my poetic cadence there? )!

Yeah, I don't like being in pictures either, but I have this morbid concern that, when I die, Willow will have no pictures of us together. So I try to get in some with her. Unfortunately, it is pretty hard to do since I have to take all the pictures! That is one of the reasons I love WDW and DLR so much - we get TONS of pics together through PP!

She looks so cute with her earrings! Good job being brave, Willow!

All this talk of shopping & fashion with the little girls kind of makes me happy to have a boy. Or at least it makes my checking account happy.

Little girls definitely put a burden on the ol' wallet!

 

[RGirl]

16. A Breakfast with Character and Willow Falls in Love (Day 3)

Welcome to day 3! It’s the Fourth of July!!!

I am sure everyone will be happy to hear that we had a much better night our second night at sea. No one fell off a ladder. And I even slept! By this point, the rocking of the ship at night had become a very pleasant thing. And DD survived on the top bunk and loved it. In fact, when she talks about the cruise, one of her favorite memories of the entire trip is getting to sleep in that top bunk. I am really glad that I gave her the option to try again.

And, what with setting the clock back an hour and everything, DD and I were up in plenty of time to go to the character breakfast. There was no indication that The Judies were up, so we slipped a note under their door to let them know where we were (and I was kind of hoping that they might eventually join us, but they didn’t - glad I didn’t say anything about that to DD, or I would have spent the entire breakfast answering the question, “Is Nini coming soon?”).

We arrived a little early, so grabbed a seat by the window in the Promenade Lounge area.

My date for this meal:

(You may be thinking already, “Gosh, I’ve seen that shirt a lot.” Never fear - I’m pretty sure that you will see it again. It was one of her countdown calendar gifts, and she LOVED it. )

Soon, the restaurant opened, and we hopped up and followed everyone else. While slowly making our way in, I chatted briefly with a lovely mother-daughter duo. The daughter was late teens or early 20s, in college. They mentioned that they had been doing Disney vacations together since the daughter was a little girl. The daughter said that she makes sure to pack her princess movies when she goes off to college. I hope that will be me and Willow someday - still loving taking these amazing trips together even when she is a grown-up college girl!

Soon we found ourselves back at Table 71 in Parrot Cay.

Soon Juni and Doulson greeted us. And let me take a moment here to tell you that I am amazed at how hard people work on this ship. I had never thought about it before, obviously, but I was still amazed. We would see Juni and Doulson everywhere - obviously, they were our servers every night at dinner. But we would see them working the buffet at Beach Blanket Buffet at breakfast time, they worked lunches too, I think. They were just working all the time. And don’t forget that, after our dinner service, they got to do it all over again at 8:15. And then be bright-eyed and charming first thing in the morning at breakfast every day!

Anyway, Juni brought around a bread basket with a lots of tasty treats. DD chose the most colorful thing she could find.

Our orders taken, DD started her Character Watch.

DD ordered Mickey’s Surf - chocolate chip pancake,fresh fruit salad, Mickey’s waffle with your choice of whipped cream, chocolate sauce, maple syrup, dulce de leche or strawberry compote. For some reason, DD was not offered any of those choices.

You’ll note that I said DD “ordered” this. I say that because she did not actually EAT this. Not because it wasn’t good, but because DD never eats at character meals - she is just too excited.

I had scrambled eggs, hash browns, and bacon.

I also ordered a bowl of oatmeal, because DD and I both love oatmeal, so I thought we might like to have this if we didn’t love our breakfasts.

Unfortunately, it was the consistency of soup, and we like our oatmeal very dry, so we did not eat this at all.

[continued next post for too many images]
​

 

[RGirl]

[continued from previous post]

The characters started their rounds, and unfortunately, our location was near the end of everyone’s tour. So we had quite a wait. Mickey was first.

And he was followed pretty closely by Goofy.

And then we waited seemingly FOREVER for Minnie and Pluto. But wait we did because we LOVE Minnie and Pluto - he is our second-favorite dog! During our wait, Juni and Doulson made us some very attractive napkin hats.

And my darling baby fell head over heels for a young man who seemed to be making it his life’s work to cater to her every need and wish. Doulson, a knight in shining armor, a prince among men, a, well, you get the idea.

Yep, that Doulson - he knew his way to a young girl’s heart. And he knew how to make the time pass more quickly. Because not long after, Minnie arrived!

And our SECOND-favorite (Oscar The Beast does NOT like to hear “favorite dog” about anyone other than himself) stopped by right after Minnie.

DD’s input on the breakfast: “I thought it was great. Did I have chocolate pancakes? Did I have waffles? Maybe I had sausage. Maybe I had hash browns.”

DD’s input on the characters: “I liked them so much. I liked their costumes. I like Mickey. And I like Minnie. And Pluto. And Goofy.”

DD’s input on Doulson: “I like Doulson. And I like my food. I really loved Doulson”

At some point this morning while DD and I were enjoying our breakfast, The Judies had gone out on their verandah and had seen a small boat pull up right next to the ship. They watched as someone leapt aboard the ship! When they went to breakfast (Triton’s again ), they had asked about it. Someone told them that the boat was dropping off the specialized pilot for Tracy Arm - someone to take the ship through this passage. Very interesting!

Up next: 17. A Little Me Time (Day 3)​

 

[pas130]

That is so cool about the same doc doing all your ears over all the years (do you like my poetic cadence there? )!

Yeah, I don't like being in pictures either, but I have this morbid concern that, when I die, Willow will have no pictures of us together. So I try to get in some with her. Unfortunately, it is pretty hard to do since I have to take all the pictures! That is one of the reasons I love WDW and DLR so much - we get TONS of pics together through PP!


Little girls definitely put a burden on the ol' wallet!

Roni, I LOVE the cadence especially since it's about ears...very Disneyish

I am always taking the pics...it's hard enough to get the kiddos all together, then to add DH and I...mission impossible {theme song playing in my brain as I type}

Oh and Willow definitely was smitten by Doulson...my goodness

So sweet, LOVE the napkin hat, I hope she gets to see more of him.....I love the look in her eye as she is looking at him...mind you I like it because she is 5, 10 years from now...not so much

 

[LittleGirlGrey]

You guys sound like you're having so much fun!!!! Or had rather.

Also I love Willow's new earrings! I remember getting mine done, I was a year older then her and I kept FREAKING out. Or so I'm told.

A note about that mom and her daughter who takes her Disney Princess movies to college....I'm 29 and my mom and I STILL love to do mom/daughter only Disney Fun Times!

Can't wait to hear more! I told my mom *we're from Alaska and now live in DC. She has medical problems so I live with her to take care of her. Side story aside...* that they brought in a special Captain to get you through Tracy Arm! We never knew that. We wonder if they do that with all Alaska Cruises. Hummm....

 

[pas130]

....I'm 29 and my mom and I STILL love to do mom/daughter only Disney Fun Times!

Can't wait to hear more! I told my mom *we're from Alaska and now live in DC. She has medical problems so I live with her to take care of her. Side story aside...* that they brought in a special Captain to get you through Tracy Arm! We never knew that. We wonder if they do that with all Alaska Cruises. Hummm....

This makes me smile! Bless you that you take care of your Mom

 

[LittleGirlGrey]

This makes me smile! Bless you that you take care of your Mom

Thank you! She took care of me all on her own when I was little! And made me who I am today! So I will always take care of her! <3

 

[pas130]

Thank you! She took care of me all on her own when I was little! And made me who I am today! So I will always take care of her! <3

You are a WONDERFUL daughter (most likely because of your wonderful mom)

 

[RGirl]

Roni, I LOVE the cadence especially since it's about ears...very Disneyish

I am always taking the pics...it's hard enough to get the kiddos all together, then to add DH and I...mission impossible {theme song playing in my brain as I type}

Oh and Willow definitely was smitten by Doulson...my goodness

So sweet, LOVE the napkin hat, I hope she gets to see more of him.....I love the look in her eye as she is looking at him...mind you I like it because she is 5, 10 years from now...not so much

Oh, pas, I just showed Willow those pics of her and Doulson. She got all giggly and said, "Oh, Doulson, my little sweetheart." I am so in for trouble in a few years!

You guys sound like you're having so much fun!!!! Or had rather.

Also I love Willow's new earrings! I remember getting mine done, I was a year older then her and I kept FREAKING out. Or so I'm told.

A note about that mom and her daughter who takes her Disney Princess movies to college....I'm 29 and my mom and I STILL love to do mom/daughter only Disney Fun Times!

Can't wait to hear more! I told my mom *we're from Alaska and now live in DC. She has medical problems so I live with her to take care of her. Side story aside...* that they brought in a special Captain to get you through Tracy Arm! We never knew that. We wonder if they do that with all Alaska Cruises. Hummm....

You give me such hope for the future. I love to hear about wonderful mother-daughter relationships like yours.

You know, I don't know about other ships. But this was not the only time that we witnessed this! You will hear about another "pilot" towards the end of the report.

 

[JLCJMC]

I love the hat picture! Too cute And Doulson looks and sounds just adorable -- I love it when people love their jobs.

So not to bogart your report, but I just wanted to share that we leave for WDW on Tuesday. For 10 days! (not sure what I was thinking when I planned this -- a tad stressed about being away from work that long... so much to do!! and my secretary has been on vacation for a month and comes back while we are away .... that has potential disaster written all over it.... BUT WDW for 10 days! WooHoo!!!! ) okay interruption complete. Hope you didn't mind

 

[shan23877]

Bless that Doulson! Those pictures are so sweet!

Love the characters' costumes, though Minnie kinda looks like one of the Golden Girls (I LOVE the Golden Girls). That stinks that you guys were at the end of the line to meet them though. That would have been rough.

Love Willow's input. Must not have been the most memorable food?

***

Is anyone watching the Olympics tonight? My heart is breaking for that little gymnast.

 

[amandaw]

So glad y'all had a better night & that Willow didn't fall again! But she is so brave to have gotten back up in that bunk!

The character meal sounds like a perfect start to the day! I love the napkin hat - so cute! And as for Doulson.....what a true gentleman! That picture of him feeding Willow is priceless!

I love the characters cruise attire!

That's very interesting about them bringing help about the ship for the pilot.

And I just have to tell you how much I am enjoying Willow's input on your TR. She's such a little doll & it's so adorable to hear about the trip through her words.

Is anyone watching the Olympics tonight? My heart is breaking for that little gymnast.

I felt so bad for her, too! And then when they were interviewing the gymnasts who made it to the all-around & there she is in the background crying. Poor thing!

I love, love, love the Summer Olympics! I was so excited for them to start Friday night. I may have let my 4 year old stay up until midnight on Friday & Saturday night to watch the Olympic coverage with us. He loves watching sports with us so much. And he keeps chanting, "Go USA! Go America!" The good part is that he slept until 930 Saturday & Sunday morning. That has NEVER happened with Reid. At least I know that even without a nap, he can party pretty late with us. Looks like there's no reason for me to worry about the parties we'll be going to at Disney.

 

[pas130]

Oh, pas, I just showed Willow those pics of her and Doulson. She got all giggly and said, "Oh, Doulson, my little sweetheart." I am so in for trouble in a few years!

No worries Roni, I have a feeling it's the "Doulsons" in the world we should worry about. Tha precious Willow is something else, and the boys will be falling over each other to be her Prince.....as long as she is treated like the Princess she is all will be well Just in case, many of our DHs may, just may, own firearms should you need some reinforcements...

 

[rpcvpanama]

Just had to chime in about the pilot getting on board. This does happen at every port and any area of specialized cruising on a ship. Unfortunately I found out the hard way, when on a cruise to the Baltic Sea our room was right over the hatch (well 3 floors above) where the pilots get on and off. Every morning (when we had a port day) at around 4:30 in the morning the door would open and a pilot would get on. Being that the ships are all metal the noise was horrendous and woke us up every single time.

Beware of your room location!!!

 

[RGirl]

I love the hat picture! Too cute And Doulson looks and sounds just adorable -- I love it when people love their jobs.

So not to bogart your report, but I just wanted to share that we leave for WDW on Tuesday. For 10 days! (not sure what I was thinking when I planned this -- a tad stressed about being away from work that long... so much to do!! and my secretary has been on vacation for a month and comes back while we are away .... that has potential disaster written all over it.... BUT WDW for 10 days! WooHoo!!!! ) okay interruption complete. Hope you didn't mind

You leave tomorrow???? How exciting. Our last trip was 10 days, and it was perfect. You will love it!!! And, hopefully, when you pass under that WDW arch, you will forget all about work or those 10 days!

Are you going to write a TR?

 

[RGirl]

Bless that Doulson! Those pictures are so sweet!

Love the characters' costumes, though Minnie kinda looks like one of the Golden Girls (I LOVE the Golden Girls). That stinks that you guys were at the end of the line to meet them though. That would have been rough.

Love Willow's input. Must not have been the most memorable food?

***

Is anyone watching the Olympics tonight? My heart is breaking for that little gymnast.

Golden Girls - That is very true. I have seen pics of Minnie in that dress before, but I could never put my finger on what it reminded me of.

I watched on and off last night. I wish they wouldn't make us wait so long for he gymnastics though! I always feel so bad for these young people who get there and then have a not-so-great go of it.

 

[RGirl]

So glad y'all had a better night & that Willow didn't fall again! But she is so brave to have gotten back up in that bunk!

The character meal sounds like a perfect start to the day! I love the napkin hat - so cute! And as for Doulson.....what a true gentleman! That picture of him feeding Willow is priceless!

I love the characters cruise attire!

That's very interesting about them bringing help about the ship for the pilot.

And I just have to tell you how much I am enjoying Willow's input on your TR. She's such a little doll & it's so adorable to hear about the trip through her words.

I felt so bad for her, too! And then when they were interviewing the gymnasts who made it to the all-around & there she is in the background crying. Poor thing!

I love, love, love the Summer Olympics! I was so excited for them to start Friday night. I may have let my 4 year old stay up until midnight on Friday & Saturday night to watch the Olympic coverage with us. He loves watching sports with us so much. And he keeps chanting, "Go USA! Go America!" The good part is that he slept until 930 Saturday & Sunday morning. That has NEVER happened with Reid. At least I know that even without a nap, he can party pretty late with us. Looks like there's no reason for me to worry about the parties we'll be going to at Disney.

That is amazing that Reid is so into it. Willow likes gymnastics but otherwise could care less.

Reid is going to do great at MNSSHP!

 

[RGirl]

No worries Roni, I have a feeling it's the "Doulsons" in the world we should worry about. Tha precious Willow is something else, and the boys will be falling over each other to be her Prince.....as long as she is treated like the Princess she is all will be well Just in case, many of our DHs may, just may, own firearms should you need some reinforcements...

You are right - the Doulsons won't be the problem. I just hope Willow has better taste in boys than I did!