June 24, 2006 Double Dip-Warning-long-link to Photos on the 1st page

[musicgirl]

Cast: Myself-Lorie, DH-Bill, DS-Andrew almost 16

PHOTO LINK: SCROLL DOWN TO GET TO THE TRIP GALLERIES There are 2.

Use the links at the bottom

4th Cruise

Just a little pre-cruise info. Includes cruise meet info on Friday.

For those who read my woeful story over the magnetic memo boards on the flight and are a waiting on the edge of your seat as to whether or not the memo boards were confiscated.......the memo boards landed with ease!!

6-22
We arrived at ASMO around 11. Room ready! Pixie dust already!!!! We went to AKL to resort hop and take pictures. Went back to swim, DTD and then back again.

Friday-Hopper Day
AK-Park opened at 9am, ds and I ON Mt. Everest by 9:15 OFF by 9:16! Did the Safari, primevil whirl
Swim at hotel
Epcot-Test Track-no fast passes left-used the single line and we were on in 10 min.
Off to shop and to 1st DISMEET!!!

We went shopping near Canada and then went back to the FRONT of the park to catch a bus to BCV to Beaches and Creams. Yes, I did say the front of the park. We got to the front and found no buses to BCV. We ask, there are no buses, but you can get there through the back entrance near CANADA.

Ok, fast walk, but it is blazing hot and we detour through every air conditioned store along the way. Take the boat because it SHOULD be faster than walking right???? Wrong!!! We're late to the dis meet that I helped set up!!! Oh no!!!!!

I think they thought I didn't exist!!! They'll soon find out the real truth!!

I finally get to BC wearing my green glasses!! Hugs all around!
Jillpie (Jill-wearing white-front-who I've e-mailed for over a year and are dining with!), Doingitagain (Marie,front-right- next table over diner mates), Tinky624 (Jamie -back-right-and David-where is he?), Buzzlightyear3(Linda-green-back-left) Did I miss anyone????

We had ice cream and lots of laughs! This was a great time and it really helped to meet some disers before all the madness begins! I find out that we will be grouped with Marie for our Art's transportation to the port. Thanks to Marie's confirmation, they bring a 15 passenger van and a trailer. Some how Marie thought we had a lot of luggage???

We arrange to meet Jillpie at MK since it is open to 2am. Hint: don't try to meet at the Walt statue at 9pm. You know, parade fireworks!!! We had tons of fun, lost 2 kids from 1:45am-2:15am. Back at hotel by 2:45am. AHHHH! Wake up call will be a wake up!!!

 

[musicgirl]

Warning: I get a bit wordy!!! Those who met me, sorry!

We are up and ready by 9am and waiting for Art's with Marie and family. DS is tired, but the rule is, if you stay up late, there is no whining or complaining. It was getting a little late....tried to call on dh's cell....no answer. I thought of calling over to Marie's hotel, but since I didn't remember her last name, I didn't think it was appropriate to page doingitagain!! Yes, yes, I just got home and am a bit punchy!!

The ride over was fun. Sorry Marie if my ds seemed a little shy. Ok, the 3 teens talked non-stop as did the adults. Time flew and we were looking at the most beautiful site!!!

If I thought if was appropriate to run to the terminal, I would have. But darn all those pesky little ones in front of me. Through security with 9 magnetic boards....it was around 10:30...got boarding card 6. WHAT???? 6????? Oh no , no Palo brunch for me.

Oh well, that's the way it is but I do get to go to the CC line. Quick, easy and off to meet back up with Marie and other disers!!! More pixie dust, A very special friend helps with a higher boarding card...thank you from the bottom of my heart Marie. If anyone cruises with Marie and family, consider yourself lucky because they are awesome!!!

Ok....how to spot disers????? Well, well what do you know, lime green is a very popular color!!! Ok, I've got the green glasses on my head and I oh so casually start stalking people in green. I ever so suavely (is that a word??) tip my green glasses and on the 1st attempt am met with.....Musicgirl????? Oh yeah!!! I'm known all over the world!!! I have groupies!!! I AM Norm (you know, Cheers). Well actually, they all knew I would be wearing the glasses and I had posted my picture many times so no one would forget my face!!! But it was still incredible!!!

 

[musicgirl]

Dismeet at the terminal-I met so many people here before we got to embark. My head was spinning trying to hand out memo boards and green mickey heads. I had a printed the cruise date, screen name and double dip on lime green paper, cut out the mickey head and laminated them for all the disers. Sorry if I didn't meet up with some to give to. I love my laminator. I laminated everything including dh shorts before the cruise.

There was so much talking (not me of course! ) that I almost missed our boarding number call!! AHHHHHH!!!! Lot's of smiles as I can finally breathe after 625 days when I step on the ship to hear our name announced. That never get old!!!

Off to Rocking D to get Brunch. No problem, but I do understand that many with the same boarding card # did not. To PC to let the eating, eating begin!! My dh is the master when it comes to eating, right Jill and Marie. By the last day, everyone was double dipping, even triple dipping with the entrees and desserts!

Lunch is over, ds is gone And we are now childless!!! Adult areas here we come! Now don't get me wrong when I say that, but dh and I teach music together at 5 schools total and ds has been in our schools from gr. 1 to 9. We are together alllllllllllllllllllllllllll the time. This is his time to spread his wings and pretend we don't exist either!! We will see him at dinner, at CM and Coz for a portion of the day (only the time in the port of course).

Here is Andrew before we leave, love the "Flock of Seagulls" hair style!

We visit all our favorite places, our room (7127-4th time in it!) is ready at 1:30, put up magnetics, find more disers, safety drill, and off to the sail away party!!!

OOPS! , when we set up to meet on the port side, we were referring to the side of the ship next to the port. Sorry to all who actually are familiar
with nautical terms!! I have never talked so much in 60 min. in my entire life! No really!!! I think there were 25-30 disers who I eventually met, a few on the last day! It rained a little, then a lot and then it was time for dinner!!

We had 5:45, PLA. We had requested 6, but oh well, that's life. It was fine. Our servers were Cyprian and Beethoven. Lot's of fun. They were great and we nightly confused them with our seat (and table) switching with Jill's and Marie's family. It didn't help that 2 of the boys were both named Andrew!!! As I mentioned, we all enjoyed the food. We were all repeat cruisers, so we knew what to do if we didn't like something....push it around on the plate to make it look like we ate it or give it to dh!!!

One would think that DH is a very large man, well he is 6'2 (he thinks he's 6'3"). Don't kill me here honey, but he's 225lbs (275 if he's weighing the luggage on the scale!) Gotta love him! Fortunately he is a man and this week he'll just have to cut back to one entree per dinner. Ok, who am I kidding, he'll have to cut back to hot dogs on the grill!!!

The ship is really rocking during dinner. I who have faithfully taken dramamine everyday since the flight because I get car sick driving myself, have now put on the electronic wrist band on the highest setting. I'm not nausea, but the severe rocking has made it very difficult to get through dinner. I order no dessert!! don't worry, I'll make up for it!!!

Still doing ok, I MUST go to the shops!!! This is a nightly event!! I can not go to the theater because I already know that watching the curtains sway will surely mean death! It is difficult to shop when you are stumbling through the racks of clothing and children. No, I wasn't drinking....yet!

I decided to rest since I wasn't going to the show. I'll get back up at 9:30 and go join the others......nope. I have hit the wall. After running through MK until 2am the night before and meeting soooo many new friends, it's time to hit the sack!

More later....gosh, I wonder how many pages this report will be? Fellow cruisers do you think I can make 100???

 

[musicgirl]

Up bright and early for the 1st dd at cc. It's cloudy, but hey, when you're on DCL, who cares. It actually will turn out to be a pretty decent day weather wise. Just ask DS who did the Teen Wild Side WITHOUT any sunscreen all day. Yes, my 3.96 genius could not figure out how to spray on the suncreen placed in the bag by his loving mother. Can you say blistering already by dinner??? He'll never do that again. He is one hurting puppy!!! Lot's of IBU and neosporin with pain relief (this was the only thing that saved him, make sure you pack it. Just ask myself and fellow dining teen who also got caught with the sunscreen down later in the week..boy did that sound wrong! )

Dh and I were again the 1st to snorkel at CC.

Pretty good snorkeling. I have a hammock and umbrella and we rest a bit before we head over to Serenity Bay. We offered our amenities to the family next to us while we were away. We only planned on meeting Marie for lunch. Serenity Bay needs a new name....HEAVEN.

I do not mean to offend anyone in this next statement but, I will NEVER go to the family beach again. This is now my new happy place.
I meet up with Wendilyn, Tinky624 and Marie. We chat in the water until lunch. Oh yeah!

There were t-bones for lunch. I didn't realize this at first and took a hot dog bun. Since I didn't want to put it back, I got the hot dog and was met with horrifying stares when I sat down to eat. As soon as I realized my mistake, I snuck back for the steak. Please don't tell anyone I was planning on not eating the hot dog.
good thing I brought DH!! Dh was a little frustrated since there were only plastic knives to eat the steaks. Ok, so it took him a bit longer to eat!!!!

I forced myself to go back to the family beach. DS was staying at the teen beach, so I had more time in heaven. I finally had to go back on board, but there were no sighs of sadness. 1-normally CC means the end of a trip-oh, not so!! 2-We were double dipping!

I knew doingitagain was the last group parasailing so I decided to watch off of deck 9. I yelled to her as the boat was leaving. She looked up and yelled back (loudly according to her now temporary hearing impaired daughter)! She told me to run forward to watch, which I did. I told her later that there were 3 waterspouts sighted while she was parasailing!! True!!!

Dinner was at Lumieres. I made up for no dessert last night.

Now, the next portion of this report will hopefully make all fellow disers proud!

 

[musicgirl]

Just so you know, no one is getting clean clothes or food until I get this done!

Marie and Jill and I, and their hubbies decide to go to Rockin' D after the show. My dh is resting with a foot problem. It was probably for the better!!!

Well, if you haven't figured it out, I have alot of energy. My dining pals and many other disers are about to find out just how much! Before the 60's show is an adventure I will never forget. It is called Magic Quest. They announced that it was to be a scavenger hunt. Well, our small posse decided we really didn't want to participate. There weren't many people and I hadn't had a drink! They started to hand out numbers for the groups and we caved and became known as TEAM 2 for the rest of the cruise.

Pikey and Paul rule!! There were other CM that were awesome too, but it was clear that this would change our cruise forever! I became the runner for TEAM 2. My first task was to bring up the number. When I realized I would be deterred by the front row chairs, it was clear that if we were going to win, I needed a path, a big path to victory.

There will be no details, because what happens on the cruise, stays on the cruise!!! Let's just say I wasn't wearing things that belonged to me at the end of the game and creativity counts!! Thanks to my fellow disers in the group that grew a bit by the end, TEAM 2 was victorious!! I have been told that I am a bit competitive. I'm not sure why though. We received our medals, had to sing a song ( good thing I'm a music teacher!) No details also because I don't want to spoil the fun!

Next, fellow diser Jillpie's dh woos Jill and the crowd with his ability to impersonate a very famous 60's singer. He wins a mini facial for Jill and scores win number 2 for the double dipping disers!!!

Actually, it is win number 3 since fellow diser, BethA's (or is that luv's cruisin' or both?) parents won the match your mate on the previous evening.

Next day, a relaxing day at sea!!!! Time to sleep in right???? Sure....

 

[musicgirl]

If you are wondering why I'm doing this in short posts, it is because I've have had many times that when I go to post, the board is busy or it doesn't go through. So just to be safe.......

Hint: If you don't want to be picked for anything during the adult evenings, look at someone in your group, anyone and pretend that you are in a deep conversation. This one really works!!!

After our incredible win, and it was really alot of fun, don't be afraid to join!
I was out!
DS came in pretty early that night since you could see his sunburn blistering through his clothing. On Monday we looked for a long sleeved shirt to buy because I was worried about our port days at the beach and snorkeling. I didn't want him to burn on a burn. There are no men's long sleeved t-shirts to purchase. There are dress shirts and sweatshirts, but these are not a good idea to wear while snorkeling nor is it cost effective.

Palo Brunch Monday 11am Thanks too Marie We not only got our brunch, but we dined together. We've done the brunch before, but not with another couple. This was so much more fun, eating to excess with new friends is pretty awesome. The food was even better than I remembered. Rishi was our server. Needless to say, we didn't leave hungry.....for the rest of the cruise!!!

I headed for the pool because all I could do after brunch was float. Ahhh!!! The Adult pool. The adult areas are what make the DCL cruises so special. As a teacher of kids Gr. k-12, I need my space. I love teaching, but those who also teach ( and this cruise was filled with teachers!) know what I mean.

This was formal night so of course lots of preparations were going on. DH and ds wore suits and I wore a new dressy, dress but we do not stand in line for pictures. Here is my biggest rant and rave about DCL who actually does not run Shutters. I do not like the way they are doing the packages and individual pictures.

1-do not buy the 6 x 8 package if you have no kids or older kids. There will most likely be no pictures for you to purchase. The only pictures that are done in this size are character pictures and CC informal pictures.

Embarkment pictures, the pictures taken during dinner, and the background pictures (that you wait in line for) will only be done as 8 x 10.

2-Many of the 8 x 10 pictures are framed and are NOT really 8 x 10. The frame creates the illusion of an 8 x 10. I asked if they could reprint it as a 6 x 8. Nope, can not do or should I say will not do. But if I bought the picture for $19.95 I could get some family and friends package for and additional $19.95!!! Um, no!!! It wasn't that great of a picture!!!

3-We have one, teenage son. He does not pose with the characters nor does he let his own parents take his picture!!! There were only 2 pictures taken of us by the time pirate night rolled around. The embarkment picture and the dinner picture at Lumiere's. Both only so so and both $19.95. Not gonna happen. Of course I was told that I could purchase the 8 x 10 package for around $80-$90 and it would be a much better deal. I don't think they heard me when I said I had a teenage son.

Needless to say, the only picture I bought was the $5 stock picture of the Flying Dutchman next to the Magic. I reiterated my disappointment with Shutters to the photographer on pirate night when I refused to have our picture taken because it was a waste of a picture. I also discussed this with DCL since even though Shutters is an outside company, they do use the company on their ship and they should be informed when their cruisers are unhappy with a situation.

Ok, that's enough of my ranting and raving. I'm over it!!! That's my only disappointment with the trip. Next posts will be filled with happy thoughts!!! I gotta go since there is a bad storm. Oh well, I guess I could do some housework!

 

[musicgirl]

Ok, storms gone, the family has eaten a gormet dinner. I had cereal and I'm not sure what frozen item the other 2 had. In my defense, we got home on Sat. re-packed in 90 min. and left for a 2 1/2 drive for a party on Sun. I guess I didn't do as well packing, because DH had no clothes except underwear.
BIL is an awesome cook, so his party was a way to wean off!!!
We got home and I needed some me time!

More me time!

I met Marie at the cake decorating. Not the most impressive demonstration. About 15 min into it, I look over to see that Marie has stopped listening as well. I gave her a nudge and off we went.

Later that day, I met up with Marie a bit later for Martini tasting. WARNING, if you don't drink regular martinis, don't do this one. While I like the new fun martinis, this was not to my liking. The cm was a bit hard to understand and I really was not into a history of the martini lesson. I just wanted to have a few drinks! The 1st was a regular martini. One mini sip and a look around the room to see the majority of the room with a look of horror on their faces was enough to grow hair on my chest! Yuck! Ok, let's make it a dirty martini and add some olive juice. Ok, Yuck again!!!! #2-appletini, while at least this has a bit of flavor-very, very sour!
#3-the chocolate martini. Oh yeah!!! This one was gone in one shift gulp. I had to get rid of the taste of the other ones. That water to drink in between just doesn't do it. I hid my glass under the table and tried too play innocent that I didn't get one. Why is it impossible for me to lie or at least be good at it!!!!
#4-cosmopolitan, ok but bring me a margarita any day!

Golden Mickeys night-didn't go since we had seen it previously. We did go see Mike Super for the after show party. He was pretty good, but now my dh insists that if he can call himself Mike Super, he wants to be known as Bill Fantastic!!!

 

[musicgirl]

Costa Maya Day!

We had planned for a dismeet at topsiders for bk before we left the ship because a bunch of us were heading to the same beach. Maj. Beach. Ok, plan not working!! Too many people eating!!! I see a few disers and we try to re-group by meeting before we exit the ship. If not, just go to the end of the beach with the swings at the bar and massage tables and wave runners. Ok, both gang planks are open so we decide not to guess where everyone is.

We walk down the pier and try to get through the people trying to get us into their shops and excurisons. DH does not get the idea that I already have plans and decides to talk with an excursion dealer. NO,NO, NO doesn't he think that in the 625 days that I booked the cruise that I've done some research!!!!

I finally pull him away and walk as instructed by previous cruisers outside the circle outside the gate. We are all alone. Finally a taxi pulls up, and trying to act confident because I know what I'm doing, I double check my info with the driver, $3 per person to Maj. Beach. I actually know how to say it since Minnie7701's dh taught me, I just can't spell it.

We get in and the driver speeds away. A little uncertainy sneaks in as to whether or not I made the correct decision. Soon we are headed in the direction that I believe the beach is in and he lets off us at the beginning of town. Ok, good relax.

I have been to Nassau, St. Martin and St. Thomas and the locals selling really didn't get on our nerves. While I realize we were the only ship in and these people are very poor, it was too much. Some people on the cruise loved this, my dh did not tolerate this very well.

Everything looked different than all the pictures that I had seen. I knew I wasn't to the end of the beach, but I saw a bar with swings, hammocks and massage tables and Carole88 and Minnie7701. Ok, what if others in our group thought this was the meeting place??? Think quick!! We can look for the others as they pass and pull them in, it was very early and we were one of the 1st off the ship. We saw Tinky624 who said they were going to go all the way down anyway and would pass along the info to any disers they saw.

The beach is wall to wall bar/lounge chairs/umbrellas and massage tables and wave runners....now repeat as far as the eye can see. There are NO spots just to sit on a beach. The owners all hound you to use their area. We were overwhelmed and just decided to stay put. We decided to rent waverunners and Dh and ds decided to check it out. They are very pushy and try as hard as they can to get you to commit whether it is now or later in the day. We felt so bad that we did not commit to the 1st guy, but it was for the best.

Minnie's dh speaks Spanish and he decided to rent wave runners as well with us. The owner of the bar went to make a deal for us. We felt so much better with Minnie's dh there. Thanks so much Rafael!!!

It was $65 for 1 hour. Very important if you are planning on switching riders/drivers. All three of us wanted to ride but only rent 1 waverunner. Make sure whoever you deal with has a boat to take the extra person out.
They have to guide you in and out from the beach due to the reefs. There is no way to just come back and forth to switch on and off. Rafael and his son went on 1 waverunner and dh and ds went on the other with myself in a beautiful boat! Well, not beautiful, but it ran!!! The guide took us out and gave instructions to only drive in front of him so we wouldn't hit the reefs.

Ok, in front of him was the entire ocean with NOTHING for miles!!! No one, nada!! This was sooooo cool. As our hour ended, we watched as a storm approached over the Magic.

Just as we got to shore, the storm let go. The other disers had grabbed our stuff (thanks!) and sat in the covered bar. In came Tinky624, time for drinks. This was not a very quick storm. However, this did not stop dh. Yes, that was my dh standing waist high in the waves taking pictures. We have a digital in a case, so the camera was safe. The kids with us were amazed at the crazy guy in the water. But it gets better, he decides to snorkel. Yeah, that's my guy!

Since it didn't look like the rain was going to stop and we had done what we really wanted to do, ride the wave runners, we decided to head in. I was freezing. The 3 of us all had drinks and we also paid him a extra tip since we felt bad for not staying and buying food and more drinks. We got back to the taxis, it is $2 per person on the way back to the ship. He took us right up to the port shops. Thank goodness, dh foot was really hurting so I tipped the guy very nicely. I always overtip.

We all got cleaned up and ate lunch on the ship. It started to clear up a little so dh and I decided to go shop at the port shops. Ds stayed on board which was fine. Off we go to take pictures and spend money.

Just as we got to the stores the sky opened up big time and there I was, trapped in a jewelry store. Oh no, what is a girl to do.

The only thing I wanted was a gold dark blue sapphire ring. I love rings, only gold, not white gold. For the 1st and only time, I ended up haggling and walking out of a store. Yes, write that down!!!! I really only had a certain amount of money with me and I absolutely will not bring a credit card. Oh well, I guess I'll have to get the others souveniors.

We only bought small items from the stores that didn't bother us. A few t-shirts, 2 maracas for $1, a guiro for $6 (a music instrument-hey, can I now write this off on my taxes since I'm a music teacher????) Back to the ship.

I saw Jillpie watching for the deck above me, we chatted about our day and watched people come back to the ship. The on board time was 5:30pm We were amazed to see people (not CMs) walking, slowly walking way back at the port stores at 5:25pm. 5:25pm???? I think I would be running!! I might need oxygen later, but don't you think that's cutting it a bit close?????

Twice charmed-missed it, but boy was it nice to just hang out in the room for the night. We were just too tired to make it a late one.

 

[musicgirl]

Just a bit of a finisher for CM. This was not our favorite port, it might have been different if the weather was better, we had actually made it to the end of the beach and there was another ship in port. Don't get me wrong, it was fine, definitely don't think this is a bad port or not worth doing a certain cruise over. Give it a chance.

I heard the David and Ivan's ruins tour was great even though they got rained on. This is a private excursion outside of DCL. The jeep tour was very muddy but I heard they had a great time even with Marie driving their jeep!
One group had a splendid day at the Cat's Meow drinking and eating. I believe this is just inside Maj. town. If we were ever to visit again, I think I would book an excursion.

Cozumel Day-Again, not a bright sunny day but to be honest, we didn't mind even though CM was not great weather either. With ds's sunburn still bright red, I was glad that the sun was not beating down on us. That doesn't mean that we thought more sunburn was out of the question, in fact we each personally used an entire bottle on him!!!

We booked a snorkeling excursion with Eagle Ray Divers, not with DCL This is actually how I became Jillpie's cruise buddy about a year ago. We both were interested in this and decided to book together. We were originally going to go at 1pm, but after the hurricane and DCL changing our on board time from 10pm to 6pm, we arranged to go at 11am. This excursion is great!!!! It was the first time for Jillpie's family, but my family had snorkel a number of times.

We left to tender at about 8:30am. Don't bring food (unwrapped or wrapped) or opened water bottles. The water bottles must be sealed. We got on the tender fine, not much of a wait, but we did sit on the tender about 10 min. or so waiting for it to fill up. The ride itself is quick, but waiting for it to load and unload takes about 30-45 min.

Just as we got to the pier someone spotted dolphins at the front of the tender. Ok, did you not hear the instruction to stay seated as everyone rushes to see them, we needed a few to stay in the back so we don't tip! Plus, I can't see!!! Move over!!!
Dolphins were quickly gone and we all crowded the exit. Again, let's not tip the tender. I thought maybe we could get off quicker if I walked to the other side and yelled "hey look at the dolphins over here". I know a little sneaky, but you would be surprised what people will do to see a dolphin!!

We walked to the taxis, it was $14 for the 7 of us. Yes, that is $2 per person per way. Chellie (Eagle Ray) gave us great directions to the marina. We found their boats quickly. It was $50 per person for 2 reefs. Now, the marina is still very sad looking with some boats still underwater. Eagle Ray was lucky not to have any damage. However, this is a little Mom's and Pop's group. The little and I mean little fishing boats are very simple and old. Luis was our guide and Captain Zorro steered the boat.

We got fitted properly with fins and masks and slowly made our way to the reefs. It was only the 7 of us. Cool! Three huge catamaran (we later heard these were the fury catamarans from the DCL/other 2 ships excursions). I believe someone said there were about 100 per boat and they all went to 1 reef. Luis assured us that we were not going to the same place.

It was really sunny and hot on the way out, but the weather changed when we started to snorkel. Cloudy with a bit of rain. The water is unbelieveable to see and to snorkel in. There were not alot of fish at the 1st reef, but it was incredible to just peacefully snorkel. Beautiful!!!

Reef #2 had a ton of fish. DH was the 1st to jump in this time, followed very closely by myself. Capt. Zorro had dropped us off in a HUGE school of plate size fish, with teeth. DH must have hit one, cause it bit him back. We have the picture to prove it!!! It was both creepy and exciting to have hundreds of these fish surrounding you and they are only inches away and don't leave you!!!

On the way back, we got a bonus reef #3. It was right outside the marina and since we were about 30min. early getting there, we got a bonus dive. Now I know you have all heard the whopper stories, but these fish were huge!!! They were 3-4ft long and beautiful colors. There were other fish, but we were stunned by these particular ones. VERY COOL!!!!!

I highly recommend this excursion. Luis was going back into town, so he arranged the taxi for us, same price. Back in town, Jillpie's family went off shopping as did we. We stopped in Hard Rock Cafe for drumsticks for Doingitagain since their excursion was really long. The sticks were marked 198, what $198????? No, that was pesos!!

I once again found jewelry. Imagine that. I did get a good deal on a ring, so I was happy. We were on the tender with little wait. It was pirate night and we needed to get ready.

 

[musicgirl]

Pirate Night Ay Matey!!! Dinner was a fun theme. Many people dressed up, they provide bandanas to wear, and your servers will assist you in properly putting them on!!!

No show, but movies were featured since the big party was later.

The party was scheduled at 9:45pm. The deck spots were going quick by 9:15. Great spot was deck 10 directly across from the jumbo tron. There is a little raised box. Get it if you can, 2 chairs will fit on it nicely. We lucked out, the very early birds that were sitting there 1st offered it too us to meet others across the deck. About 9:30 the decks were packed!!!!

Fun show with fireworks, it was very windy. I'm surprised the fireworks were set off, but they were great! They do block of aft deck stairs due to fireworks, be ready for detours.

We headed off to see Rich Purpura. He was really funny. Not many disers were out late this night as it was a very busy day. Next a day at sea, relax, maybe.

The only thing planned for us was beer tasting for dh at 4pm. It was the adult pool for me. Although I really was only in the pool for about 2-3 hours, I didn't put sunscreen on soon enough. My legs and arms were pretty red. Not as bright red as ds, who is still pink and peeling a week later! Luckily, it wasn't bad as I had a nice tan already and the redness was gone by morning.

I basically hung out pool side, talked to disers, talked to non disers. I love catching up with everyone and hearing about others excursions.

Back track 24 hours before the pirate
I did something I thought I would never do and that was do a load of laundry. eek!!!! I know, horrifying but having a teen boy who grows out of shorts weekly, made this a necessity. Best time to do laundry is during dinner. No one was there. Worst time, last sea day anytime and early afternoon on CC day.

Back to Day 6, sea day. Jillpie and I decided to try Bingo which neither one of us had done before. It was the final bingo. We did have a good time since Pikey, Paul and Cass were in charge. We had 5-6 disers groups althogether.

For those who haven't done this, there are 5 games played. The first is traditional. #2 was any 7 anywhere on the card, some one won is 7 calls. #3 3 in the corner ( a corner with one above/below and one beside) Someone won in 5 calls, what is this!!! I think I'm missing one before the final game????

The last game in final bingo must have a winner. You have 6 cards for every game. In order to win, all of one card must be filled. I got to 3 squares left. Oh boy, Momma needs another cruise! Meanwhile, Jillpie's hubby and son had come to cheer us on. I really think they didn't trust us!!! At that time, Cass asks if anyone has only 3. I proudly raise my hand, Yeah Baby! then she asks for only 2 left (a few hands raise), my happiness is dimmed a bit. Then she asks if anyone only has 1 left, at this time, you must stand. The tension builds as 1 person stands.

Oh man, come on!!!! Number called, oh yeah baby!!! 2 cards with only 2 numbers left. I'm safe, but another person stands up in front of us. Now I'm worried. but I still have a chance!!!! A number is called and we hear that horrible word....yes, it is bingo and it didn't come from my lips. Of course it has to be verified, there is still a very small glimmer of hope, but it is quickly dashed. I was sooooo close. But do you know how close the other stander was????? They called 1 more number just for fun, and she had it.

Oh well, time to play the lottery again!!! It was fun, but it was amazing what grown women and men would say to get a bingo!!!!!

Dinner was fun as always!!! We headed to Rockin' D to see Lynn Trefzger. She was hysterical!!! She found a newlywed couple to have fun with and then asked for anyone celebrating many years of marriage. BethA's (or is that luv's cruisin''s) parents get to help out!!! Pepe and Clara. They were sooooooo cute!!! They even got up to shake their booty later!!! They gave advice to the newlyweds. His advice was to shut up and nod!!!

The 70's disco party was next. I didn't get to participate in any games, but we had a good time. Many left early because of the Chocolate buffet, yes I said the chocolate buffet at 11:15pm-12:15pm. We peeked in around midnight and it was packed!!!! Now I love chocolate, but by this time in the cruise, I was so tired and so full of desserts, that even the chocolate fountain didn't call to me. Oh woe!!!!!

 

[musicgirl]

Well here it is, the double dip day!!! Bright and beautiful.

We tried to do a family excursion at the last minute, but ds doesn't want to be with us, again. He wants to go to the teen beach. Darn, I must go to Serenity Bay!!! Dh does do the catamaran sail and snorkel at 9:15am. I am on a mission for Buddy Bear!!! Buddy Bear needs Twice the Magic shirts for his family!!! Doesn't DCL know it's called a Double Dip Cruise. Someone isn't paying attention!!!!

Anyway, for those interested in merchandise saying Twice the Magic, they do not sell it until the 2nd CC day. But boy was it fun asking ahead of time to see their faces. They acted at first like they didn't know what we were talking about!!! Spoiled their fun, but hey why not just sell it on the 1st day!!!! Anyway, Buddy Bear, mission accomplished, I hope they fit. I'm a bit worried. It will be on it's way Wed. They also have a hat and a re-freezeable mug. No pins. Many complained, so maybe they'll figure out sooner than later that they are missing out!!!

Well, dh on an excursion, ds at the teen beach (yes, he has once more been completely sprayed by yours truly!). Off to heaven!!! I grab the first chair and umbrella, not to worry there are tons available. I get my raft and head for the water. Now most of my sunburn is gone, except for the front of my legs and tops of my shoulders. I chatted a bit with dipdotdarlin' and friend and then headed in for more sunscreen, a t-shirt and a towel. The towel was to cover my legs. It was sooooooo hot and sunny.

Back to the water to relax, I spotted Jamie and David and caught up. We talked with them quite a bit through out the week. If was fun!!! Along came Marie and Tim from the waverunner tour. More chatting, more sunscreen and I just had to order a drink from the water. It doesn't get any better than that. Well, maybe, the CM, Melissa brought ice to Jamie and David's beer bucket AND brought the beers to them in the water!

Ok, where is dh from his excursion? We are hungry. Oh well, let's eat!!!

On the way we finally get to meet RCBA who has been very busy with her 2 yr. old. She had a few precious moments in heaven! Sorry we couldn't chat longer RCBA, but the sun is blazing and we are starving. You know there is hardly any food on this cruise! Oh man, t-bones (with real steak knives for DH!) and grilled lobster tails. I'm not talking lobster burgers, these were lobster tails. Now I'm not a lobster lover, but at least I know better than to get a hot dog this time!!!

We meet up with Jillpie and hubby and are well into lunch when dh finally rounds the corner. Now he gets to be "Norm" when our group of disers applauds his arrival. We all guessed correctly, he went back to the ship to get his good camera to take more pictures. In about 2 weeks,when he's done down loading them and cropping and fixing and whatever else he does, I'll post a link. He's actually pretty good.

What happened to Serenity Bay???? Did it snow? No, just dh being creative with an infrared lens. I think that's what he said.

Bellies full, skin medium well, and at least 25 more pictures of heaven, we finally get to go back to the ship. I hated to leave, but I knew I was burning and I don't think anything could have stopped it! I had packed most of our stuff, but alas I really needed some more time. DH was clicking off more pictures of the Flying Dutchman, I had to leave. I'm sure I'll be able to re-live it through his pictures.

This day was sooooo hot that even though the all aboard was 5pm. CC was deserted by 4 except for those on excursion and a few die hards.

After dinner, the reality was really starting to hit home. I had some alone time on deck 7 aft. No one was there but myself and it was so beautiful and peaceful. We headed to the adult Pub night show. There was quite of large group of disers through out. This show is a little slow at first, but it was one of the funniest shows. Make sure you get there, even though it's late, it's the last one and you can sleep later!!

We knew we would be seeing all our tablemates bright and early at 6:45am so no good byes to them yet!

 

[musicgirl]

I think this may do it, although I think may have bored you all to death because I've done this entire thread without any comments. Hello, anyone awake out there????

6am, up and at it. Ds was the last one in and the only one to shower! Go figure!!! Well, I didn't smell, but it was a small miracle that he didn't wait until 6:40 to move!!!! Not many people at bk, gee I wonder why!!! All through the cruise, whenever you go to eat whether it is dinner or a snack, a CM is handing out hand wipes so no one passes along sickness. Gee, no one was there at 6:45am the last bk. I guess they don't care if we get sick now!

Well, our last meal with Jillpie and Doingitagain. Cyprian and Beethoven have been great, no wait, Excellent servers. Lot's of fun and posed for at least 100 of our pictures alone!!! Thanks guys!!! We say our good byes to them and decide to hang out on the ship together since none of our rides were due until 9am. We try to imagine a cruise in 6-2008, an Eastern this time. No one rules it out, not even me who has been adamant that this is the last one. I say that after every cruise and then book another when I get home always missing out on the stateroom credit.

We were aiming for the main lobby, but it was packed since they had not let anyone off yet. Back to the Promenade lounge.

There is one thing I refuse to do and that is stand in line to get off the ship at disembarkment. Our battle plan is to wait as long as possible, this makes it easy to get our luggage!!! Around 8:30, we start out good byes. We're all going to the Orlando airport, but just in case........

We get to the airport, we are going through Delta so is Jillpie so we are pretty sure we'll see her. This is where we first realize the magic is over. According to the computer, we and our bags have already checked in. No, I didn't do it outside, they had closed and no I didn't do it on-line. Well, it's better than the next guy, his ressie doesn't even exist! Funny he was on his way to Puerto Rico, and he moved from our home town a few years back and his sister attended the high school where we teach! It's a small world after all... come on, you all know this one!!!

Guess who we see, Jillpie and family. We meet up with them again in the terminal. Guess who else is there....doingitagain!! We have another dismeet and then decide to eat "brunch" at the airport food court. It's not quite the same, no Cyprian and Beethoven and no, the KTTW card doesn't work either!

Now, I thought the magic was over, but one last bit. We tried to find an empty area for 12. There is one area where there is a lone person on a lap top. We hope we don't scare him. As we approach he was already packing up. He looks at us and laughs as he sees Jillpie's CC shirt. He's a CM on his way home. He chats a bit and then heads out. We enjoy our brunch-I had ice cream!

Now the real good byes begin . Jillpie is staying behind since they don't fly until late afternoon. Doingitagain and my family head off to our last ride together, the monorail. Marie was confused when she didn't see our gate number 60, that's because it is down an escalator where we have to walk outside to board our "flying bus" as dh puts it. He doesn't like to fly. I'll never get him to Hawaii! One last hug and we are off. After 8 days together, our group has separated. Thanks for all the fun Jill and Marie and fams. and to all the others, thank you as well. I had so much fun meeting all of you.

I know there were many personal moments in here, so I hope you didn't mind the lenghty report. But maybe you had some laughs or learned something from it and for my new friends, hope it brought back some fond memories. Ok, gotta go now cause I can't see through the tears.... and to make it worse they are showing local fireworks on the tv set to music that started with when you wish upon a star........

 

[Doingitagain]

Hi, Lorie! Of course we have been following the thread, can't you tell by the number of views? I didn't want to disrupt the flow of your report for other readers.

Your report was wonderful, and I concur with all of the comments about the wonderful times and friendships which were formed. It brought back so many memories! I get sad when I look back, but then I try to look forward and try to think of ways we can all get together even without going on a cruise. I have wanted to visit Cedar Park in Sandusky, OH...

 

[musicgirl]

Hi Marie!! I've got to clean up a few spots!!! But, you got it!!! Cedar Point, Kings Island, Geagua Lake, we'd love it!!!

 

[Dixielady908]

great report...sounds like you guys had a great time.

We are a party of 13 and will need transporation to port...any info on arts transporation would be appreciated.

Denise

 

[Jillpie]

Perfect, just perfect. Every single word of it. You have described our seven days together with awesome detail, I couldn't have done it better.

I spent tonight with Don in front of the computer putting all of my 520 pictures onto a CD to put into my album. Oh boy, did we all have some fun times last week!!!!

Lets see, talking our way thru Splash Mountain to 3:00 am at MK searching for Brendan and Andrew (starting their friendship together), to searching for certain pieces of clothing at Rockin Bar D, to hearing all about Cyprian's girlfriends cooking and how drunk he was, to taking certain tours on the ship (a huge thank you to Marie and Tim), to laughing and laughing and more laughing at dinner every night.

I will never forget our cruise together. So cmon guys, Marie, Tim, Bill and Lorie, when are we going to do it again?

 

[pyramid2000]

What a great report! It made me so excited for our DD in December. We have quite the DIS group going and it is hard to wait to meet everyone. Thank you so much for sharing your trip!

 

[musicgirl]

Denise, I pm'd you with the details for transportation.

If anyone has more ????, just ask cause I'm trying to get through the post-cruise blues and I now have to live vicariously through others!!!

 

[Doingitagain]

Lorie, please tell Bill Fantastic that we found the Boursin cheese at the local grocery store! For the rest of you...at the Palo brunch, I asked what kind of cheese it was and said I really liked it. Rishi packaged a container up in tin foil molded like a swan and sent it back with us. Then when we had dinner at Palo on Wednesday, he dropped another fancy package on our table with more cheese!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Lorie - Your TR was SO MUCH FUN to read! Thank you so much for taking so much time to write it and get in all of the details. I had many LOL moments reading it and even got DH to sit down with me a bit to read through it.

Tons of fun! I hope if you get on another DC that you'll write another TR! BTW -- Are you going to post some of your pictures? Sounds like you took a lot of them! I'd love to see them...