Geeks go for broke! Updated 2/17: Wrap-up

[zweihund]

I am working on an update for this evening, but forgive me if I do not get it finished in time.....I am trying to restart my heart after it stopped from the jolt of finding out how much our deposit was for the Eastbound Transatlantic Repo in April 2010.

In the meantime, your comments:

Gasp! I thought I was the only one who noticed that. Just who do they think they are trying to pull a stunt like that?!?!

This is probably one of the best DCL pictures I have ever seen! Love it!!!

LMAO....Phil Collins.......<snort!>

Thanks Jen! Yes, I was saddened by the lack of Mickey heads. How hard is it to clean the waffle iron, really? Sheesh.

Oh no rain but at least it looks like it was short lived & you enjoyed the water & a nice day after all. Every time I have been to CC it has been rainy & chilly & the last cruise we were diverted by Noel so we didn't even make it there. I am DUE a day like you had on CC.

Love the picture of your feet & the beautiful blue water!!!!!!!!!!!
Ready to commence the

We are all due for our CC weather, it was an awesome day! The fins say it all

Just another beautiful day in Paradise! I'm glad it stopped raining for you. Just for you.

Just for me!

Thanks for the newest installment!

No need to worry about rain at CC next September. We've got a whole passel of good weather/travel karma folks in my family and they're all on the cruise.

Well thank goodness for that. I hope our bad karma doesn't overpower you guys.....

Also, I'm still wondering where you got that cool Mickey that hung on your door?

Susan

My friend made it for me, actually! I don't know where she got the pattern but I got so many compliments on it.....she was happy that we liked it so much. It will travel with us every single cruise from now on!

I llllooooovvvveeee that feet in fins in the blue, blue water pic. Gorgeous. I cannot wait to go there. Great installment!

It was even more beautiful in person, if you can believe that.

Castaway looks awesome.
Ok, Jay and Lionel together is scary.

When we were looking for them in the crowd, Lionel said "who am I looking for again?" and before I could answer he said "oh, right. Me."

i tried to stay at CC but the cm found my hiding spot and sent me to the ship i thought it was a good spot but after the 2 for 1 spec and several buckets of beer my judgement may have been clouded a little bit dont worry about not having a sailaway drink as long as you made up for it during the 7days i was on the wonder while you were on the magic and for the first time ever i made it to the boat drill sober excellent trip report

I'm sorry you couldn't stay, but hey......there's always next time. You need to talk one of the CM's into selling you their uniform next time!

 

[zweihund]

Have I mentioned the EB repo deposit? Lordy, lordy.

Dear God:

Please forgive me for putting $1200 on my credit card this evening. It’s for a good cause, I swear. Oh wait. I’m not supposed to swear.
Please forgive me for swearing too.

Love,
Erica

PS – if you could reveal a plan for me to be able to pay for three cruises over the next 18 months, I would really appreciate it.

PPS – oh, and can we please have world peace? Thanks.

So where were we? On Castaway Cay, post awesome snorkel-fest in the crystal blue waters of Serenity Bay.

Lionel felt it was time for some liquid refreshment, so he and Mat headed for the bar and I was ordered to watch Sarah, who had found the ultimate SPF:

Canadian in a blanket!

My exact orders were, I believe, “make her turn over in ten minutes.” It was like babysitting a Canadian hot dog. A firm believer that Sarah could probably survive her time in the sun buried under layers of towels, I opened my book and continued reading the best book in the entire world: The Art of Racing in the Rain.

If you are a dog lover, or even a dog liker, you must read this book. I laughed, I cried, I might have even snorted once or twice. And I admit, having the book on the cruise made me really miss our dog. Which is why I should probably have some real children soon. Oscar needs a break.

Ok, back to the beach.

Mere moments after the boys returned, I had an empty cup containing only a straw and a cherry stem, and was demanding food. My waterproof watch showed lunch time, so off to the buffet line we went, where we stood for an extended amount of time behind only a few people. Thank goodness we got there before the crowd arrived, because it was without a doubt the most inefficient island food service we have ever experienced.

The CM’s manning the grill seemed to feel no need to explain to anybody what they were actually cooking, let alone asking if any of the people surrounding them WANTED ANYTHING. There was a slew of descriptor cards all heaped together in a clump, but not much actually cooking. It’s sad when you have to say “excuse me, could I get some help please?” when the CM is looking right at you and your empty plate.

After what seemed like hours, I finally convinced the grill master to make me some Mahi Mahi and we got to eat. Seriously, though, it was like pulling teeth.

Lunch was awesome, as always, other than the service.

We considered heading back to the beach for more water time, but by then the skies were starting to look formidable again and I was hankering for the rainforest room. We headed back, full and content, and went straight to the spa for some reptilian lounging and misty scented showers.

Have I mentioned that I love the rainforest room? If you haven’t been, you must go. It is so relaxing, and such a bargain. Plus, they have a little table outside with lemon water, cucumber water and all kinds of fabulous teas….though to be fair you could probably sneak some of the stash by pretending you were heading to the fitness room. I also discovered that the women’s changing room has a traditional wood sauna in it. So if you’re too cheap for the $15 a day, you could hang out in there for free!
But seriously. $15 and you can add a scented shower. That's totally worth it.

Ok, back to the boat.

When you are a geek, it is only a matter of time before relaxation becomes passé, and you must immerse yourselves in a competitive card game in the Cove Café with a drink of the day. Ok, so I was the only one drinking. Still.

"I see your exotic export good, and I raise you one space colony" (yes, it's that geeky)

A DOTD in headlights.

The DOTD was an Apple Madras, which was surprisingly…..well, it was kind of weird. I expected it to be green, but instead it matched my shirt. Plus, it tasted remarkably like a spiked red delicious. Oddly, based on my description, no one else wanted a sip. Lionel opted instead for a mochaccino. More delicious, but less alcoholic. I have my priorities.

A little bit of non-alcoholic heaven, if you're into that sort of thing.

Before long it was time to get ready for our romantic evening at Palo with a bottle of romantic wine, followed by our romantic turndown. Are you feeling the romance of our REAS package yet? You should be.

Because we had a bottle of champagne in our room at sailaway, I was a little concerned that we would not get our “free” bottle at Palo. Which, if given the choice, I would have preferred over the champagne, despite what you may or may not know about the amount of empty champagne glasses that were on the table when we had brunch a few days later. But that was then. This was now. As it turned out, I need not have worried. In fact, the sommelier and Lionel got along swimmingly, and we ended up getting an upper-tier bottle of chianti for no extra charge (the REAS includes a mid-tier). Sweet! Sebastian was our server, and he also loved Lionel because of our French surname, which he called him by for the rest of the evening.

Drunk on wine and the promise of 5 more days on the Magic, Lionel and I giddily chatted about how lucky we were/are to:

• be on a Disney cruise
• have a happy marriage
• have stable jobs that we love
• have such wonderful friends, two of whom were with us on this trip
• have forgotten our camera, because I’m pretty sure we were already sloshed before the after-dinner drink arrived

Note to self: try to remember the cumulative effects of booze, and plan accordingly. It is much easier to sweep rose petals off the bed when you’re not swaying side to side, even though the ship is cruising through still waters.

Even the pillows look romantic!

Coming up next: how Erik and Jason’s SM surprise was spoiled, and I do my best meercat impression.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Have I mentioned the EB repo deposit? Lordy, lordy.

Dear God:

Please forgive me for putting $1200 on my credit card this evening. It’s for a good cause, I swear. Oh wait. I’m not supposed to swear.
Please forgive me for swearing too.

Love,
Erica

PS – if you could reveal a plan for me to be able to pay for three cruises over the next 18 months, I would really appreciate it.

PPS – oh, and can we please have world peace? Thanks.

We considered heading back to the beach for more water time, but by then the skies were starting to look formidable again and I was hankering for the rainforest room. We headed back, full and content, and went straight to the spa for some reptilian lounging and misty scented showers.

Have I mentioned that I love the rainforest room? If you haven’t been, you must go. It is so relaxing, and such a bargain. Plus, they have a little table outside with lemon water, cucumber water and all kinds of fabulous teas….though to be fair you could probably sneak some of the stash by pretending you were heading to the fitness room. I also discovered that the women’s changing room has a traditional wood sauna in it. So if you’re too cheap for the $15 a day, you could hang out in there for free!
But seriously. $15 and you can add a scented shower. That's totally worth it.

When you are a geek, it is only a matter of time before relaxation becomes passé, and you must immerse yourselves in a competitive card game in the Cove Café with a drink of the day. Ok, so I was the only one drinking. Still.

"I see your exotic export good, and I raise you one space colony" (yes, it's that geeky)

A DOTD in headlights.

I'm praying for the same thing! Not only did we charge the WB TA Repo deposit on my credit card, the statement came today from the DDD!

Anyway, I LOVED the Rainforest Room! As a matter of fact, I wish I could go there right now to read my bridal magazine!

So, I showed DF the picture of the game you were playing and he named it right away! He said had he known you guys were playing that, he would have loved to have joined you! He loves gaming!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Erica,
Is it me or is this guy in the background posing & smirking in your photo?

Loved the Canadian in a blanket...........
Your conversation at dinner at Palo is too cute & sounds just like my DH & myself. We are lucky & we know it, but sometimes it just hits home more than others & a romantic dinner in Palo sure can do it
P.S. My condolence to your credit card...............

 

[Forever42]

"I see your exotic export good, and I raise you one space colony" (yes, it's that geeky)

I ask DH to come over and tell me what game you're playing there

"Oh it looks like a Disney ad, so it's probably fake"

No, it's their trip report

"Her mom must be writing it so she doesn't know what's going on"

ARGH no, these are the people who are the reason we did that cruise last year as our "practice." They're about our age and she's writing her own trip report.

"OH! I have no idea"

So which game is it?!

Because we had a bottle of champagne in our room at sailaway, I was a little concerned that we would not get our “free” bottle at Palo. Which, if given the choice, I would have preferred over the champagne, despite what you may or may not know about the amount of empty champagne glasses that were on the table when we had brunch a few days later. But that was then. This was now. As it turned out, I need not have worried. In fact, the sommelier and Lionel got along swimmingly, and we ended up getting an upper-tier bottle of chianti for no extra charge (the REAS includes a mid-tier). Sweet! Sebastian was our server, and he also loved Lionel because of our French surname, which he called him by for the rest of the evening.

Since our 7-day is in a month and a half, I have invested much worry/thought into what our REAS Palo wine will be! How did this work exactly? They knew you were on REAS?

Love reading your report so far

 

[Tink rules]

Lionel felt it was time for some liquid refreshment, so he and Mat headed for the bar and I was ordered to watch Sarah, who had found the ultimate SPF:

Canadian in a blanket!

You know... I love Sarah... even though we haven't met...

Even here she needs to be careful... with her luck she'd get burned from beneath...

Although... I've got to admit... I looked sort of like that when I had my spa treatment last May...

 

[anewmac]

note to self... next cruise.. get the REAS package... (get ride of kids for the night LOL)

 

[anc22]

nice report, more please

 

[jollytammy]

Keep up the good work!!! Just love it! My main interest is your alcohol choices and if they are good or bad...I'm doing research on what drinks I'm drinking on the ship next year. Every day I put a little money aside for my drinking fund.

 

[nenner1]

• have forgotten our camera, because I’m pretty sure we were already sloshed before the after-dinner drink arrived

My expert opinion from the table across the aisle: quite sloshed.

 

[Amy7979]

I'm subscribing, as your writing style is completely addictive to read. I love hearing of your adventures. Oh, the hilarity!

 

[silversae]

You know... I love Sarah... even though we haven't met...

Even here she needs to be careful... with her luck she'd get burned from beneath...

Although... I've got to admit... I looked sort of like that when I had my spa treatment last May...

I hadn't thought of underneath! I'm surprised i didn't manage to find some weird random burn on my back after that. However i managed to essentially go the entire cruise without getting burnt!

(and no i don't count that one itsy bitsy sorta burn I MIGHT have gotten near the end of the cruise Erica!)

 

[Tink rules]

It was that second trip to the Hammock that got you didn't it???

 

[lovesDCL]

i loved the latest installment!

can't wait for more!

 

[CC104]

I think I must really be from Canada, and nobody told me. Cheers to Sarah and her towel SPF. You've got to go with what works.

After 3 cruises in 18 months (is that what you just said?), you'll have enough knowledge to finally write "Geeks on a Boat - a hilarious guide to the Disney Wonder and Magic".

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

Erica, where are you?

I am LOST without your posts...

 

[alleluia5]

You are an awesome writer - love this TR!

 

[jenn&nelsonrego]

After 3 cruises in 18 months (is that what you just said?), you'll have enough knowledge to finally write "Geeks on a Boat - a hilarious guide to the Disney Wonder and Magic".

Can I pre-order that on Amazon???

 

[frdeb1999]

Love the TR...waiting on next installment!

 

[zweihund]

I'm praying for the same thing! Not only did we charge the WB TA Repo deposit on my credit card, the statement came today from the DDD!

Anyway, I LOVED the Rainforest Room! As a matter of fact, I wish I could go there right now to read my bridal magazine!

So, I showed DF the picture of the game you were playing and he named it right away! He said had he known you guys were playing that, he would have loved to have joined you! He loves gaming!

Wouldn't that be heaven? *sigh*
I just ate 1/4 of a rum cake, but it wasn't enough to convince me that I was back at Grand Cayman. Maybe I need more.

Your DH knew Race for the Galaxy?
He is the BEST GEEK EVAR. You guys need to move closer so you can come to all of our game nights

Erica,
Is it me or is this guy in the background posing & smirking in your photo?
Loved the Canadian in a blanket...........
Your conversation at dinner at Palo is too cute & sounds just like my DH & myself. We are lucky & we know it, but sometimes it just hits home more than others & a romantic dinner in Palo sure can do it
P.S. My condolence to your credit card...............

I though the same thing! I didn't notice until after I had posted.

I ask DH to come over and tell me what game you're playing there

"Oh it looks like a Disney ad, so it's probably fake"

No, it's their trip report

"Her mom must be writing it so she doesn't know what's going on"

ARGH no, these are the people who are the reason we did that cruise last year as our "practice." They're about our age and she's writing her own trip report.

"OH! I have no idea"

So which game is it?!



Since our 7-day is in a month and a half, I have invested much worry/thought into what our REAS Palo wine will be! How did this work exactly? They knew you were on REAS?

Love reading your report so far

Race for the Galaxy! It's kind of hard to explain, unless you're a game geek. If you're a game geek, I can say "It's like Puerto Rico but with cards" and you'd be like OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH and totally get it. But otherwise?

And as far as the REAS wine, you get a list to choose from. We chose a chianti, and the sommelier came over with one he thought we might like better (which oddly enough cost more) - we figured why not, and said we'd just pay the extra $30 but then he didn't charge us! He came over and said not to worry about it.

You know... I love Sarah... even though we haven't met...

Even here she needs to be careful... with her luck she'd get burned from beneath...

Although... I've got to admit... I looked sort of like that when I had my spa treatment last May...

I was a little concerned about the reflective aspect of the sand, but luckily she turned in time.

Though......watching her turn was a treat in itself, and I am kicking myself for not catching it on video.

note to self... next cruise.. get the REAS package... (get ride of kids for the night LOL)

TOTALLY worth it. The robes are awesome. Sometimes I come out of the bedroom in my robe just because. Lionel just rolls his eyes at me. What's wrong with wearing a robe around the house at 3pm, huh?

nice report, more please

It's coming, my Secret Mickey!

Keep up the good work!!! Just love it! My main interest is your alcohol choices and if they are good or bad...I'm doing research on what drinks I'm drinking on the ship next year. Every day I put a little money aside for my drinking fund.

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right?

My expert opinion from the table across the aisle: quite sloshed.

Jen, I cannot thank you enough for not taking a photo. Though I fear what might be in your TR installment of that evening.......

I'm subscribing, as your writing style is completely addictive to read. I love hearing of your adventures. Oh, the hilarity!

Thank you, thank you!

I hadn't thought of underneath! I'm surprised i didn't manage to find some weird random burn on my back after that. However i managed to essentially go the entire cruise without getting burnt!

(and no i don't count that one itsy bitsy sorta burn I MIGHT have gotten near the end of the cruise Erica!)

Yes. It certainly was tiny. That is exactly the word I would use to describe it. Tiny. And barely pink.

i loved the latest installment!

can't wait for more!

Thanks so much!

I think I must really be from Canada, and nobody told me. Cheers to Sarah and her towel SPF. You've got to go with what works.

After 3 cruises in 18 months (is that what you just said?), you'll have enough knowledge to finally write "Geeks on a Boat - a hilarious guide to the Disney Wonder and Magic".

I TOTALLY need to do that:

"How to go on DCL three times in 18 months and not suffer liver failure"

Can I pre-order that on Amazon???

Of course! But instead of Amazon I have set up a TOTALLY LEGIT paypal account.....

Erica, where are you?

I am LOST without your posts...

You are an awesome writer - love this TR!

Love the TR...waiting on next installment!

Thank you all! I'm posting another update tonight, I promise