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

[RGirl]

How fun that y'all got to see Brave on the ship! Such a good movie, right?!? And I might have teared up a bit when I saw it, too. I hope they have some good movies showing next summer when we're on the Fantasy!

The show with the kids is too cute! But who does that mouse think he is standing in front of Willow the whole time?

That picture of Willow & Doulson is just precious! And I would have been very frustrated with the other server hounding y'all about the comment card. That right there would have made me leave a not so flattering review.

We all really enjoyed brave. I hope to set aside a little more movie time next cruise. It's so convenient!!!!

I managed to restrain myself about Juni. I'm sure she was just feeling desperate not having received a new contract. I can only imagine how stressful that would be. I fear stuff like that, though, is possibly why she didn't have a new contract.

 

[RGirl]

Pooe Willow! Kids can be so mean sometimes!!!

YAY for the post! I hope you guys are doing well and I cannot WAIT to find out where you guys are going next!!!!

All will soon be revealed - to the extent that I have actually made up my mind!

I love those pics of Willow enjoying the pool!

I'm glad you all enjoyed Brave. It made me a little teary too.

That pillow & necklace are adorable! I'm convinced to go to Alaska now

Willow's fireworks painting looks like it will be great! The pics on the carousel are super cute. I'm glad you & Willow could have some fun, it seems like you have a lot on your plate.

That performance looks adorable. Sorry Mickey was in front of Willow though!

That picture of Willow & Doulson is so sweet. I'm sorry about the other server though. Talk about uncomfortable!

I'm sorry Willow had an issue in the kids club. I'm happy that the CMs were concerned & on top of things though.

Alaska - the pillow and necklace destination of the Northwest!

Thanks so much for following along. Almost finished now!

 

[RGirl]

35. Some Fancy Brunching (Day 7)

So when last I left off, The Judies and I had enjoyed a little bubbly while poor DD was battling some kids’ club bully. And then we went to bed.

Oh, wait, I also had a voicemail from the re-booking desk! The prices that I had received were in fact for BOTH of us. What to do? What to do? Anyway, I went to bed. And eventually got up. And it was a sea day - my favorite!

And now begins that time in the trip when I stopped taking notes and really cut down on photos - you know the time - the last day. I always get so wah-it’s-the-last-day-I’ll-never-be-happy-again on last days that I fail miserably at actually concentrating on what I’m doing!

Anyway, I do know that The Judies and I had pretty big plans on this last morning. We must have gotten DD some breakfast - I’m going to guess that I took her up to Beach Blanket. And then I trucked her off to the kids’ club and headed to Palo to meet The Judies for brunch.

This was amazing! Selcuk was our server again. Of course. And they had rearranged the tables, so that the window tables were now four-tops instead of the two-tops they had been at dinner, so we were able to enjoy a beautiful view. Selcuk took us around the different buffet stations and explained everything to us. He brought us mimosas. He suggested different foods for The Judies to try. It was lovely.

I took a couple of pictures of buffet plates just so you could get an idea of what some of the foods were like. Please know that there were TONS of pastries and breads - I can’t eat any of those, so unfortunately, I didn’t get pictures for you. The next time I dine at Palo , I will do better!

I ordered the chicken parm; it was tasty, although my picture didn’t turn out looking very appetizing.

Selcuk brought a pizza for The Judies to try.

After we had stuffed ourselves silly, Selcuk insisted that he would put together a plate of treats for DD (as long as we didn’t tell his manager ). So he did that, and The Judies and I discussed our next steps. There were several things that we wanted to do today, but the most important was me booking another cruise! If you don’t know, you can get a GREAT discount if you re-book while onboard, so it is worth it to book even if you don’t think you will cruise - might as well have that discount in your pocket in case you do cruise! The one thing that I learned on this cruise is that we LOVE at-sea days - I would be happy to sail and never go into port. The other thing I learned is that seven days is NOT enough! So I was torn between two cruises - both 14 days - both repositioning cruises and therefore surprisingly inexpensive (well, it’s all relative - inexpensive for a DISNEY CRUISE ). I had pretty much decided by this point, but I was going to ask the re-booking agent’s opinion as well. Anyway, the point here is that The Judies said that they would pick up DD while I waited in line at the re-booking desk; when I had checked it out yesterday, there was a LONG line, so this was great news.

Up next: Some New Cruise Plans, Some Treats, Some Swimming and a Show (Day 7)​

 

[amandaw]

Sounds like y'all had a wonderful breakfast!

I can't believe it was already the last day though. But, I'm really looking forward to hearing on what cruise you decided on!!

 

[LittleGirlGrey]

OMG!!!! Where are you going on your next cruise!!?? I'm so excited for you guys!! You should give us a hint!!

Loved the pictures of Willow on stage!! and Pooh on that Mickey for being in the way!!

Cant wait for more!!

 

[megan511]

I get the last day doldrums too. On our trips the last day Chad & I always get in silly arguments because we are at the end of vacation & tired. I don't think I get many pics the last day either.

Brunch looks good. I'm glad you & the Judies enjoyed it.

Can't wait to hear what cruise you booked!

 

[RGirl]

Sounds like y'all had a wonderful breakfast!

I can't believe it was already the last day though. But, I'm really looking forward to hearing on what cruise you decided on!!

Soon.

OMG!!!! Where are you going on your next cruise!!?? I'm so excited for you guys!! You should give us a hint!!

Loved the pictures of Willow on stage!! and Pooh on that Mickey for being in the way!!

Cant wait for more!!

I thought I did give a hint!

I get the last day doldrums too. On our trips the last day Chad & I always get in silly arguments because we are at the end of vacation & tired. I don't think I get many pics the last day either.

Brunch looks good. I'm glad you & the Judies enjoyed it.

Can't wait to hear what cruise you booked!

Oh yeah, it is really hard not to get all grumpy and argumentative when a fun vacation is ending, isn't it???

 

[RGirl]

36. Some New Cruise Plans, Some Treats, Some Swimming and a Show (Day 7)

When I last left you, The Judies and I were finishing up at Palo, and they had offered to get DD while I headed to the re-booking desk.

Well, it was challenging to heave ourselves out of Palo after all that food, but we did eventually get rolling. And when I got to the re-booking desk, there was no line at all. So I sat my now decidedly wider butt down in the chair and told the lovely CM manning the desk that I was somewhat torn between the Transatlantic and the Panama Canal cruises but leaning towards the Panama Canal. He immediately said, “Oh, the Panama Canal. Definitely!” So I booked it! It took all of about 10 minutes.

After that, I headed back to the stateroom to show DD what Selcuk had made for her. She (and Pluto) were quite pleased!

It being a lazy at-sea day, I decided it was a great time to take DD swimming again. She was thrilled. I can’t remember what The Judies did - I know they did not go with us. I think they may have gone to play the last or second-to-last round of Bingo. I took DD up to the Mickey Pool, which was decidedly more crowded than on previous days (although still nothing like the pictures I have seen from the Caribbean cruises). She had a great time, and I enjoyed reading some more Hunger Games.

At some point, I had to drag DD from the pool because it was getting close to our next planned activity for the day. I am guessing that we must have grabbed lunch sometime around now as well - maybe took it back to the stateroom so that DD could nibble while getting cleaned up and changed. Once that was all accomplished, The Judies, DD and I made our way to the Walt Disney Theater to see the last-night show. This was the only show that The Judies attended - actually, it was only the second that DD and I attended. I will make sure we see more of them next time because we really enjoyed those we did see.

Not sure what we did after that, but I do have some pictures from the verandah. Hey, I think that’s Canada over there!

And who’s that?

Oh wait! I know what we were doing. Packing. Tomorrow we would be back in Seattle, so we had to have everything packed - all big suitcases had to be placed in the hallway by 10:00 p.m. So we were packing up, knowing that we were going to want to enjoy dinner and the evening without freaking out that our bags weren’t packed. I don’t think we got it all done at this time, but we got a good head-start, and we knew we would be back to our staterooms well before 10:00 since we had to get up early the next morning to disembark and then to drive the 5-hour drive home.

Anyway, now you know what cruise I booked! HOWEVER, do you know whether I've kept that cruise or traded it in for another????

Up next: 37. Good-Night and then Good-Bye (Day 7)​

 

[shan23877]

Brunch looked awesome! Sounds like there's not a bad meal to be had a Palo!

Panama Canal sounds cool! Though I'm so geographically challenged that I couldn't even venture a guess at how long/what kind of weather you have/etc. I suppose that I could have Googled it, but I know you ladies well enough by now that I'm ok with sounding dumb.

Willow didn't get the pool to herself? No fair!

Is there a regular casino on board like other cruise lines or just the Bingo?

I'm bummed that it's almost over! Thank goodness there's a PTR to look forward to.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

You booked it! So of course now I'm wondering WHICH Panama Canal cruise? Westbound? Eastbound? Miami? Galveston? With or without Castaway Cay? The Transatlantic is cheaper than the PC but since you're already on the West Coast I guess airfare adds a pretty bundle to the TA... Are you planning just you and Willow? So many questions! Living vicariously!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Panama canal cruise! how awesome!

My DH did a deployment once where they left from Florida, went all the way around the tip of South America and then sailed back through the Panama Canal. He says it was really cool, and that Panama was a nice place to visit overall (I don't know if you have any port days there, but if you do, he gives it a thumbs up!) Plus if you are doing the re-positioning cruise, you'll go all the way through (some Panama canal cruises only go halfway).

If I hadn't gotten pregnant, one of my plans during this deployment was to take a re-positioning cruise, since they are so reasonably priced, and being a SAHM I have the time. I can't do one now, so I'll have to live vicariously through you! I'm really excited for your plans!

 

[LittleGirlGrey]

Panama!!! My mom and I were deciding between that and Hawaii!!!! We chose Hawaii though because we figured we probably wouldn't go there otherwise unless someone in our family moved there! So we were ALMOST on the same cruise.

We might book the Panama one while we're on our Hawaii one...if they still have it again! So glad you guys are going on another one!!!! I am SO excited to hear all about that one!!!

 

[amandaw]

Sounds like a nice day on the ship. Well, as nice as the last day can be!

I'm very curious as to wether or not you have kept that Panama Canal cruise.

 

[RGirl]

Brunch looked awesome! Sounds like there's not a bad meal to be had a Palo!

Panama Canal sounds cool! Though I'm so geographically challenged that I couldn't even venture a guess at how long/what kind of weather you have/etc. I suppose that I could have Googled it, but I know you ladies well enough by now that I'm ok with sounding dumb.

Willow didn't get the pool to herself? No fair!

Is there a regular casino on board like other cruise lines or just the Bingo?

I'm bummed that it's almost over! Thank goodness there's a PTR to look forward to.

Brunch was really good. A lot of people will tell you to pick brunch over dinner, but I preferred dinner. Again, that may be due to the fact that I'm not a big breakfast eater though. Brunch was great though!

You are so funny. Weather at the Panama Canal = HOT. VERY hot.

No casinos on Disney ships. But there are a lot of trivia games and things to keep everyone busy - we didn't do any this time, but we will be doing a LOT more stuff next time. :boohoo:

Probably going to wrap this up tonight. I can't wait to start the PTR!

You booked it! So of course now I'm wondering WHICH Panama Canal cruise? Westbound? Eastbound? Miami? Galveston? With or without Castaway Cay? The Transatlantic is cheaper than the PC but since you're already on the West Coast I guess airfare adds a pretty bundle to the TA... Are you planning just you and Willow? So many questions! Living vicariously!

Leaving Miami, arriving in L.A. First stop is Castaway Cay. Airfare on the TA would add a LOT, but I still plan to do it one day. Although I have to admit that I would feel VERY Titanic-y on that one - all those days with no land in sight.

Panama canal cruise! how awesome!

My DH did a deployment once where they left from Florida, went all the way around the tip of South America and then sailed back through the Panama Canal. He says it was really cool, and that Panama was a nice place to visit overall (I don't know if you have any port days there, but if you do, he gives it a thumbs up!) Plus if you are doing the re-positioning cruise, you'll go all the way through (some Panama canal cruises only go halfway).

If I hadn't gotten pregnant, one of my plans during this deployment was to take a re-positioning cruise, since they are so reasonably priced, and being a SAHM I have the time. I can't do one now, so I'll have to live vicariously through you! I'm really excited for your plans!

The Panama Canal is definitely a bucket-list destination for me. I can't wait to go! But will it be next year, or have I changed things up since booking???

Panama!!! My mom and I were deciding between that and Hawaii!!!! We chose Hawaii though because we figured we probably wouldn't go there otherwise unless someone in our family moved there! So we were ALMOST on the same cruise.

We might book the Panama one while we're on our Hawaii one...if they still have it again! So glad you guys are going on another one!!!! I am SO excited to hear all about that one!!!

See, I am much more likely to go to Hawaii on vacation, so the PC cruise would be a top choice for me (obviously ); that said, I would love to do the Hawaii cruise too. I can't wait to hear about it!

Sounds like a nice day on the ship. Well, as nice as the last day can be!

I'm very curious as to wether or not you have kept that Panama Canal cruise.

I bet you are VERY curious.

 

[RGirl]

37. Good-Night and then Good-Bye (Day 7) (Part 1)

Well, this is it - the end of our cruise. Having gotten a good head start on the packing, we headed for our last dinner on the Wonder. We were at Animator’s Palate tonight for the ‘Till We Meet Again dinner.

And I will apologize again - as you know, my note-taking went out the window on this final day, and I don’t really remember a whole lot. I am trying to piece together what we had for dinner based on an on-line menu, but some things just aren’t adding up.

Anyway, looks like I had a cocktail! I think it could have been the Eclipse - Cuervo tequila, triple sec, lime juice, sugar syrup, and orange juice.

I have NO idea what this is - I cannot find it on any on-line menu. I *think* it was some kind of goat cheese thing, but well, sorry…..

Willow was enjoying some last-night goofing around with Doulson:

Judy 1 had the Garlic and Rosemary-Marinated Lamb Sirloin - with onion, leek, potato gratin, and sun-dried tomato jus. This was GOOD.

Judy 2 had Seafood Linguini Pasta - lobster, scallops, shrimp, clams, and asparagus with a white wine sauce.

I had the plain baked salmon (some kind of “healthy” option that they have every night just in case anyone is crazy enough to try to eat healthy on a cruise ).

Based on my pictures, I’m going to guess that Willow did not eat tonight. In fact, I remember her ditching us for one more visit to the kids club.

For dessert, I ordered a Mickey Bar!

The Judies ordered the Baked Alaska - sponge loaf layered with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream covered with burnt meringue. They were not impressed at all having expected a true, flaming baked alaska. So I told them to stop making fun of me ordering Mickey bars and get ones for themselves. They did, and they were VERY glad. Here’s the lame baked alaska:

[continued in next post]

​

 

[RGirl]

37. Good-Night and then Good-Bye (Day 7) (Part 2)

We returned to our staterooms to finish packing and check out our final towel animal - an ant eater, apparently.

At this point, we were docked at Victoria - only for a few hours, although some folks did get off. We didn’t - not enough time. I did get some pictures from the verandah. (Actually, earlier in the evening, The Judies and I had watched the pilot boat pull up next to the Wonder and drop off the pilot for the port; one of the guys on the pilot boat gave us a thumbs-up to our wine glasses! )

DD hung out while I packed.

And then she decided she was hungry. We went up to Deck 9 to discover that the CS restaurants were closed. So we came back to the stateroom and ordered room service for the first time. When I called to order DD’s pizza, the person on the phone insisted that she probably needed chocolate chip cookies too, so I agreed. Right after I hung up, the phone rang, and the room service person was on the other end, laughing. She said, “This is Roni, isn’t it? I recognize your voice from Palo - I was the one who recognized you because your eyes look like your mom’s.” I was laughing so hard now! Anyway, DD and her dinner.

I spent a little time relaxing on the verandah, sad that this would be the last chance to do so.

I think it was tonight that the end of the trip hit DD too - she was crying about having to leave “her” cruise ship.

We skipped our sit-down breakfast the next morning (we had said good-bye to Juni, Doulson and Josep the night before and given them their tip envelopes). While we waited for our luggage tag character (Daisy) to be called so that we could disembark, DD enjoyed her last giant tray of breakfast delights from Beach Blanket.

And soon we were headed home.

And let me tell you - it was much harder to adjust to the lack of movement on land than it was to adjust to the ship. Every time I lay down in bed for the next week or two, I could feel the ship rocking. Only I wasn’t on a ship anymore!

And that’s the end of our first cruise. I hope you will join me in my new PTR, which I will link here shortly! Thank you all so much for reading along and commenting - it has been so fun for me to be able to relive our great vacation with all of you.

​

 

[shan23877]

I don't want it to be over!!!!

Love the pictures of Willow and Doulson from dinner. How sweet.

That Baked Alaska does look lame. How disappointing!

How awesome that the room service CM remembered you-and that Willow loves chocolate! The service on DCL really does sound outstanding.

I can't wait for the PTR to start, I'm not ready to give up one of our places to chat!

 

[megan511]

Aww it's over! I'm super excited to read about your future plans though!

The Panama Canal! Sounds fun if you decided to keep it.

The last day on the cruise sounds about as nice as a last day can be. Vancouver looks pretty that's one of my bucket list cities. Just have to get me on a plane...

I have really enjoyed your TR & getting to know you, Willow & the Judies!

 

[LittleGirlGrey]

Sad Sad DAY! No more TR...

But wait!!! New PTR coming soon! HAZAA!!!

I'm glad you guys had fun! To me, Disney Cruise is the only way to go! I can't wait for your PTR!

 

[amandaw]

NOOOOO!!!! It can't be over!

That baked Alaska is just...pitiful. But the rest of dinner looked yummy.

That's too funny about the call to room service.

Poor Willow....why should she have to leave "her" cruise ship & "her" Doulson? That's just not right.

Ok....where is the PTR?