Lost Luggage, Sick Kid, Let the Magic Begin - NYE Cruise on the Magic Trip Report

[suzynuprin]

I've loved reading your trip report! You are an excellent writer.

I have 1 questions, what was the little gift you gave your servers at the beginning of the cruise? Just wondering so I can mabye copy your idea

We went to Kermit's on Key West and bought small gift baskets that included Key Lime cookies and Chocolates. We bought two - one for our assistant server and head server. They were probably $15/each but were worth far more than that to the recipients. I think they would like anything you give them, Nicoleta specifically said they rarely get sweet treats.

I have to say sometimes my dd 4 will run a fever for about 24-48 hours for no reason that has been found yet. I am sure I am the talk at the peditricians office. Heaven knows I pay enough in co-pays. And I am really nervous about our upcoming cruise. dd has a very sensitive stomach and if something doen't sit right it comes back up.I am afraid people are going to rush to judgment and lock us in our cabin.

Easily solution - don't write a trip report than no one will know....

Wow! What a great trip report! You really do have a talent there!

I saw that Delaney had her hair braided. Did you get that done on the ship or at one of the islands? About how long did the braids stay in her hair?

Delaney got her hair braided at Paradise Beach in Cozumel. It cost $25 for her head (they charge by the head, not by the braid) which ended up being a good deal, since she ended up with 18 braids (the boat charges $2/braid). They generally last about 3 weeks, but we ended up having to take them out sooner due to a lice outbreak at her classroom (AFTER the cruise...not before...no we didn't spread lice to everyone...)

This is quite possibly the funniest thing you've written so far - and it's all hilarious!!

As for the fever thing - I'm with you, Su. If your child has a fever - especially a low-grade fever - and no other symptoms, he's not "probably contagious" as another poster said. Any doctor or nurse could tell you that. It's happened to my kids when we've cruised in winter too, and even sometimes when we go to the beach in the summer, so I can tell you that you're not alone. Good for you for your Tylenol concoctions - can you please get a patent for it and sell it to the rest of us?!?

Whew, thank you. I was getting ready to unsubscribe to my own trip report! I'm sure Tylenol would be thrilled to market candy medicine, as we like to call it.

Alright, back to my real job - at the photo studio trying to make food look "M'm, M'm, good...." And if you ever wondered why soups and stews in photos never show the grease that you know rises to the top, just add one bar of soap to the dish and it works wonders! Does impact the taste though....

 

[suzynuprin]

Suzy- you totally make me feel like I'm there with you! Fabulous report and keep it coming. I esp. like the pics since we can place faces with names. Where's your pic?

I edited the trip report with photos as appropriate after originally posting the dates, so if you go back to the 12/31 posting, you'll find a couple of photos of me. Other than that, someone had to actually take the photos....

 

[Floridagram]

Sounds like more than a low grade fever to me.......

I still feel sorry for all the kids who were exposed.

Let's not be so judgemental, she sounds like a very responsible Mom and kids get exposed to stuff all the time. Sounds like she made some responsible choices and if it wasn't her child exposing someone you can be sure that there was some other kid with something going on.


Lets all be nice, especially when comments can't do any good at this point.

 

[callisa]

I have a question about the times your husband left his ID and KTTW card on the ship.

I remember that they always checked your ID and KTTW card as we were leaving the ship, therefore there was no way for me or anyone to forget them. Do they not do this anymore?

 

[suzynuprin]

I have a question about the times your husband left his ID and KTTW card on the ship.

I remember that they always checked your ID and KTTW card as we were leaving the ship, therefore there was no way for me or anyone to forget them. Do they not do this anymore?

First off, I love my husband dearly, but he has a tendency to touch things and they disappear. Hmm...let me put my KTTW card in my swimsuit and then go snorkeling. Hmm...let me put my driver's license in the mesh bag and not close the top. So - I don't recall whether or not they checked our picture ID off the boat, but I know they scanned our KTTW card. At Castaway Cay, the card was probably in one of the bags I took back on the boat (after I reminded him to make sure he had his ID) and I had emptied everything on the bed when I got back to the room to begin packing, but didn't notice it until I started to put stuff away. The easy solution - which of course, makes complete sense to me but was a fashion faux pas to Dave - was to wear the lanyards. They make life so much easier.

 

[professorandmom]

Easily solution - don't write a trip report than no one will know....

My DD loves reading this thread but asked me why didn't I write a trip report....very simple, I don't have the all-important flame proof suit!
Thanks for wearing yours!!!
Barb

 

[tksbaskets]

I enjoyed your trip report. We were on this cruise too and it's fun to see it from someone elses eyes (and hands). Not that I'm following this trip report up with one of my own...you're a tough act to follow sister

Thanks for sharing!

 

[grumpydude]

I just want to see if they edit damn.


But I love(d) your report. I just wish I had not stumbled on it tonight. I am "working" away from home and the s--l--o--w WiFi connection at this cheap hotel has taken sooooo long for me to get through each page. Oh well, I guess I can think of a good excuse to tell my boss why my work ain't done come morning.

Can't wait for you to add more.

I am with you where your "knowing your kid(s)" is concerned. Our son was sick and we were UNIVITED from a Holiday dinner one year. And this was family. As parents, we felt he was well enough to attend, and he was not contagious (we checked with the pediatrician). The hypochondriacal host felt otherwise. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to make last minute reservations at any nice restaraunt the day of a Holiday after you have been univited to a family holiday dinner? Well if you have ever seen "A Christmas Story" where in the end, the family dines at a Chinese restaraunt, you get the picture.

 

[KayDox]

No pic of The Mickey-Mom Smack-down??
I would have loved to see the faces of bystanders... LOL!

Kaye

 

[suzynuprin]

1/06

The debate started the night before, “How late do you think we can sleep before they kick us out?” “If we have to be at breakfast at 8:15, can we wake up, get the kids out of the room and on the way to breakfast if we wake up at 8:00?” We set the alarm for 7:30, and tried to savor every last minute of our long awaited, heavily planned and above all else, incredibly awesome vacation. I tossed and turned pondering such heavy questions as, “Who can I hire to be a short order cook at home?” “Why didn’t I go to the towel making seminar – how am I going to entertain Jack with the towel animal du jour?” “Maybe we should think about putting a Mickey pool in our 8’x8’ backyard – do you think it will take up too much room?” which then turned into, “Do you think they missed me in the office?” “How cold is it in Chicago?” “Are our bags going to make it back to the Windy City okay?”

There was no need for an alarm, because at 7:00 a.m., just a mere 30 minutes away from our self designated back-to-reality-shock-to-the-system alarm, there is a loud knock at the door. I rub my eyes, search for my glasses and open the door to our room steward, “Just wanted to make sure you WERE LEAVING today.” “Leaving? Crap – is it the 6th already? My watch stopped…could have sworn it was the 5th.” Yes, we have a late breakfast, we’re getting on that leaving thing right away.

I gently try to wake up Delaney who rolls over and asks, “Is it a school day?” Of which, I had to inform her, “Well, when you graduate from the Oceaneer’s Club, they then send you to the School of Hard Knocks. This is your welcome committee – roll out of the ceiling and I can personally escort you to your first day of classes. Now get out of bed so we can hurry up and wait at the airport.” Time to get up – I hear bacon calling our name.

We make it to Animator's Palate for breakfast and Rick and Kathy are there and we quickly ask them, “Where’s the buffet?” Nicoleta knows us well enough to bring out that platter of bacon. We try to prolong breakfast, but it’s clear that they will find a way to kick us out off the boat no matter how loudly we protest. I consider strapping myself to Mickey Mouse and going on a hunger strike unless they let us stay – easiest way to lose the 10 pounds I just gained – but I realize that’s a losing battle. So, we collect our belongings, bid our servers farewell and walk off the boat.

We quickly find our luggage, find a porter and head out the front door for Dave and Rick to catch a cab to Budget. I wonder if the front doors of the terminal have any anti-backing up mechanism like the spikes at the rental car company if you try to back up – will they chase after me if I run back on board? Kathy and I entertain three kids while we wait for Rick and Dave to return with the rental cars to transport us back to the airport. The kids look out at the parking lot and ask, “Who are all those people?” “Well – those would be Disney Die-hards…people coming to their Magical vacation, hoping for the infamous first boarding pass. Those would be very happy people.” And then it dawns on me, the Magic truly never sleeps and never ends.

Since our flight was changed just prior to our cruise, we had many hours to spare and decided to include a pit stop to Downtown Disney. Perhaps a bite at the Earl of Sandwich, a walk around the shops and sites…and then we quickly realize that the Magic has ended for this family of five. The kids are in serious melt-down mode and egads…our KTTW card doesn’t work at the World of Disney. It is like we have spent the past week living in the glass bio-sphere where we’ve sustained on Mickey Ice Cream Bars, all-you-can eat buffets (for some members), massages at the Spa, excellent service and the best floating display of tasty morsels of food. Not such a bad gig if you can get it.

We head to the airport and see many other fellow cruisers – that look of confusion, lanyards still parked around their necks, and kids still wearing their elusive club bracelets are dead giveaways. We finally get on our Ted Flight (that would be United without “U” “’N” “I”) and within seconds of the pilot firing up the engines, our kids are out. Sleeping. Perfect. Dave and I look at each other, give the thumbs up sign, and know that while all good things must come to an end, this was a perfectly, wonderful, awesome vacation.

And then we landed in Chicago, where it was cold enough to freeze the snot inside your nostrils and the sun definitely was not shining, and we find out we have a flat tire on our car – I could have sworn the sign didn’t say, “Welcome to Chicago” but “Welcome Home to Reality. We’ve Missed You.” Back to life as usual for this crazy family…and time to start planning our next Disney Cruise.

While this trip report must come to an end eventually...there is one more installment coming for your reading enjoyment. Stay tuned for more.

 

[Ocean Breeze]

Delaney got her hair braided at Paradise Beach in Cozumel. It cost $25 for her head (they charge by the head, not by the braid) which ended up being a good deal, since she ended up with 18 braids (the boat charges $2/braid). They generally last about 3 weeks, but we ended up having to take them out sooner due to a lice outbreak at her classroom (AFTER the cruise...not before...no we didn't spread lice to everyone...)

Are you sure???? My head is itching. OK I wasn't on the ship, but...

 

[Nala80]

Suzynuprin, I have to say that I am addicted to your trip report. You have a real flair for writing...I feel like I was there with you...just wishing though!

One question, in hindsight, would you do a NYE sailing again? I worry about the ship being extremely crowded. I have been reluctant to book during holidays but your report is definitely making a holiday trip an option to consider.

 

[suzynuprin]

My DD loves reading this thread but asked me why didn't I write a trip report....very simple, I don't have the all-important flame proof suit!
Thanks for wearing yours!!!
Barb

No problem, just picked it up from the dry cleaners. But it's a little tight, all that weight I gained on the cruise....

I enjoyed your trip report. We were on this cruise too and it's fun to see it from someone elses eyes (and hands). Not that I'm following this trip report up with one of my own...you're a tough act to follow sister

Thanks for sharing!

Hey - where were all the NYE cruisers on the DIS board BEFORE the cruise...we had a pathetic roll call going with...like...three posts. Now you all show up? The cruise was awesome, wasn't it? Do you have pictures of the Mickey-Mom Smack down? Might help in my below answer....

I just want to see if they edit damn.


But I love(d) your report.

Grumpydude - I am in the presence of greatness. I absolutely loved your report when you originally posted it, I cranked up my wi-fi in hopes of your next installment...it was too "damn" funny (just wondering if the quotation marks create the censorship loophole we are all looking for). Now, if could only get Father Force, Sleepydog, Zweihund and Royal Vizier to post on my thread, I would have hit the Pentagon of DIS TR Hall of Famers.

No pic of The Mickey-Mom Smack-down??
I would have loved to see the faces of bystanders... LOL!

Kaye

I know, hard to believe that I didn't have that camera strapped around my neck at all times. Kinda bucks that whole Asian stereotype - but I do like math, play the piano and Dave says I'm a bad driver. Hopefully I painted enough of a visual picture to give you an idea. Besides, if I had photos, then I would have evidence that might be called into question in the deposition....

Are you sure???? My head is itching. OK I wasn't on the ship, but...

I just have to say that when I called Dave to tell him about the lice outbreak he admitted to me that at his meeting, all he could think about was his head itching and whether or not any lice were doing their dance of joy and could the clients see it. And no, Delaney does not have lice. Whew! (That one I hear is contagious)

Suzynuprin, I have to say that I am addicted to your trip report. You have a real flair for writing...I feel like I was there with you...just wishing though!

One question, in hindsight, would you do a NYE sailing again? I worry about the ship being extremely crowded. I have been reluctant to book during holidays but your report is definitely making a holiday trip an option to consider.

I would absolutely, 100% do the NYE sailing again. Us cold weather folk like to travel to warm places in the winter, makes the Windy City a bit more "Bear"able. While the boat was at capacity, I never felt it was too crowded, although I don't have a non-capacity ship to compare it too (all of our cruises have been over a holiday). As soon as DCL will take my money, we are planning on going on the 12/27/08 Magic sailing. Come join us...we don't bite, and then I can write your trip report too.

I have tried hard to refrain from saying it too often...but can we hear at least one GO BEARS! My in-laws live in Indy, so you know there's a lot of family smack going on right now. GO BEARS...and by the way, we had to quarantine Max to his room. He has Bears Fever...it's highly contagious in Chicago. (sometimes I even crack myself up).

Up tomorrow - NOT TO BE MISSED - I will be like Three Wise Men (or Woman) and give you the following gifts:

• Answers
• Recipes (and trust me, this will be the ONLY place you can get this recipe on-line, I know, I've searched high and low...it comes from Palo's...just to whet your appetite)
• And if I'm in the mood...life outside the DCL.

Stay tuned...we now return to our regularly scheduled program.

 

[Mom323]

Even though I live in Maryland now, I'm a BEARS fan. I grew up in Hoffman Estates.
Loved your trip report.

 

[Carol36]

Loved your "Magical" adventure! Looking forward to the last installment!!!

 

[kevinsmom]

looking forward to the rest ---- you are crackin' me up!!!

 

[curlybop]

I have enjoyed every bit of your report. Thanks for taking time to share it all with us. The "keeping it real" reports are the best!

I vote for all these great TR writers to make their own guide to DCL. I know I would buy it.

 

[grumpydude]

Grumpydude - I am in the presence of greatness. I absolutely loved your report when you originally posted it, I cranked up my wi-fi in hopes of your next installment...it was too "damn" funny (just wondering if the quotation marks create the censorship loophole we are all looking for). Now, if could only get Father Force, Sleepydog, Zweihund and Royal Vizier to post on my thread, I would have hit the Pentagon of DIS TR Hall of Famers.

Surely you are disallusioned but I appreciate the compliment. Keep the wi-fi cranked up. LOP and I are in the discussion stage...but I am thinking the Panama Canal Cruise in August of 2008. What a neat trip to do a report about. Now if only I can figure a way to pay for it.

 

[supercalidisgirl]

Brent goes on to say, “And I met one set of grandparents that paid for all 42 family members on the cruise.”

O...M...G....he said the SAME thing on our cruise a week after yours. Could it be that it isn't true? Or are there really many sets of very wealthy grandparents taking their entire families on cruises? Someone shed some light...otherwise, I'm going to have to break up with Brent.

 

[callisa]

For my parents 50th anniversary they took my entire family (32 of us) on a 10-day mexico cruise on Princess.

My dad would never pay more than $20 for a pair of shoes, but paid for over 30 people to cruise!!!

It was the time of our lives, getting to see your family around the ship is great!