DAY 4, August 9th - CONTINUED (and hopefully finished!)
DAY AT SEA
I am so sorry - I usually do not leave anything unfinished for long. The first day of school was Monday and I have had deadline's both last week and this, plus my mother blew into town....so I haven't had the brain capacity to finish it until now. Thankfully, one of my appointments today is a NO SHOW (
) so I'm able to get it done. (I HOPE!).
Thank you for being so kind....and so patient....just keep waiting just keep waiting. I LOVE IT!
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Maddie fell straight to sleep the last night just like she had every night before. Off to Wonder dream land. I took my goodies from the buffet onto the verandah and sat there awhile watching the beautiful sea drift by, but it was bitter sweet knowing we were heading back to PC. TURN THE SHIP AROUND!!!!!!!! I so badly wanted to scream, but I knew it wouldn't do any good.
After finishing my goodies and a bit of wine I returned into the room to obsess over the items I needed to cram into the carry on bag in the morning. I'm a bit OCD (I know - contain yourself from the shock!) so I looked in the bag, looked again, checked drawers, everything. Looking back now, I think I was stalling. I knew that once my head hit the pillow and my eyes closed I would awake to the day I never wanted to arrive. So much for the promise I made huh? The sadness was coming. I just vowed to keep it pushed away and try to keep the "Wonder" in front....especially in front of Maddie. I wanted that magical feeling to last forever.
I finally acknowledged that I had indeed packed everything we needed in the carry on bag and that we were leaving nothing behind and I reluctantly crawled into the comfy fluffy bed. I must have laid there for an hour watching the moonlight on the water (we didn't close blinds in room) and watching Maddie sleep so peacefully. The sadness was replaced by an overwhelming feeling of joy. I thought of all we had experienced together, all of the smiles, the tears (mostly my own), the people we had met, and the memories that we will never forget, and I thought to myself...no sadness can last for long on this ship...and I can't be sad about leaving because - WE ARE GOING BACK!!!! Then I laughed out loud because I remembered Maddie had already begun counting the days (360) and she didn't seem upset that it was 3 digits or 12 months away - all she cared about was the time we had, and the time that she knew we would have again. With that thought I turned on the TV, watched a little of the debarkation speech (OCD never really goes away) and then turned it to watch The Little Mermaid while I drifted off to sleep.
I awoke about 3am. I honestly don't know why, but each night I woke at the same time and was drawn to the verandah. I said before that I think it was God's way of having me enjoy just a little more time and I do. It was so peaceful out there. So beautiful. I sat for only a few minutes knowing that land would be in sight soon and the sun would rise. It's ok. We're going back. And I returned to bed again, this time falling asleep immediately.
At 6:30 I woke up. I had a wake up call for a few minutes later for Maddie. I went to the verandah, snapped a picture of the sun rising over PC which was the final shot on my memory card. How fitting and how perfect. It was beautiful, but looked so ominous at the same time knowing soon we would be on the other side looking in.
There wasn't much to be done. I didn't see the point in primping for plane rides so it was a pony tail and then simply grabbing the bag. Once the phone rang Maddie was up to answer Mickey's last call. I thought on the last day they would have a different message. Nope. Her face sort of fell a bit. Then she looked at me rubbing her sleepy eyes and saying, "
He said there was lots going on today and we were going to have fun. It was the same thing he said everyday!"
The look on her face was one of DUH!
Seriously - they do need to change the message on the last day! Maddie just blew it off and we both went onto the verandah (God knows now I'm crying at HOME!) for the last time. We stayed for a few minutes watching the sun rise. Seeing the Carnival ship in front of us, I thought of just boarding and the excitement we felt looking out at this same view. That's when we started talking about the NEXT time we would be on the very same verandah looking at the very same view. And then - we were ok.
Maddie put on her Minnie hat, I grabbed the bag, and we were off to breakfast. We were thankful that we had the latest of the early dining times, and our dining room was Triton's. We turned to look at the room one final time, a little teary, and then closed the door behind us. It was then that Maddie got a little teary because she had so wanted to see Kirk again, but I knew it wasn't likely - they all had a busy day ahead of them too. I reminded her of the pictures we took of him and that she could have one for her room. Also, that he had said he would probably still be here next year. Another thing to look FORWARD TO. Then we made our way to Triton's.
The looks on everyone's faces are quite somber as we entered the dining room. The stuffy sticks were not there yet. Maybe they were trying to Palo's again this morning.
Our servers came over and took our order for juice and LOTS of caffeine and a few minutes after that Mr. and Mrs. Stuffy arrived with children in tow.
When they sat down we greeted them with smiles and tried again (with crossed fingers) for small talk to cut the awkwardness. IT WORKED! They spoke and then they told us that after talking to us the night before about the perks of rebooking - they rebooked FOR THE SAME TIME NEXT YEAR - SAME CRUISE.
I did say that we booked THE SAME CRUISE - SAME TIME NEXT YEAR right?? Mental note - ask for table for two or different dining mates. Again the 2 year old went directly under the table and to my legs. Now I know children are not always perfectly behaved and DO NOT BLAME PARENTS WHEN THEY ARE NOT, but the drool on my open toes was getting to me. I ended up sitting with my feet in my lap which made me appear to be quite the redneck I'm sure but hey - I wanted dry feet.
We all ordered breakfast after our server pushed us to have the "quick" meal as he put it. HELLO - could you want us gone any faster? Whew! None of us ordered what he suggested - I can't remember how he referred to it, but honestly it sounded like, "this is what takes the least time - please get it." While eating the atmosphere at the table was better than it had been each day prior so that was a nice farewell. Again however when the meal was over, they all simply stood up and left the table. Not a word to each other, or to us. They just stood up and walked away. Thankfully Maddie thought the same as I did and we both just had a good laugh.
One thing about not having "over the top" servers is that is one place you don't cry when leaving that morning. They were never bad, they were always friendly, but we were really spoiled on our last cruise so we just never felt really "attached" to them. This morning with all the emotions, I was thankful for a few less heartstrings being tugged.
After leaving the dining room we made our way down the Promenade Lounge and past the line of people with bags in hand to get into the line to debark the ship.
Of course, as soon as the line started to build behind us, Maddie quickly announces that she has to pee. NOOOO!!!!!!!! WHY NOW! The line was huge at this point. The people directly inline behind us heard our conversation. It was a mother, father and daughter about 10 years old. It was the same mother who earlier in the week had stopped us on the steps and told Maddie to be kind to me because I had worked hard to get her here. They were so sweet (honestly - we found the people on the ship we met to be SO KIND)! They offered to hold our bag and our place in line. I ask if their DD needed to go as well which was answered with a resounding YES. So I took her and Maddie to the bathroom outside of Parrot Cay. Honestly, I think Maddie just wanted out of line to see more of the ship, "one more time." But I completely understood and didn't care. I felt terribly sorry for one mother in there. Her daughter was throwing up her toe's in one of the stalls. So we made a VERY QUICK bathroom break as it was not something I could be around long at all.
Making it back to the line we had hardly moved at all. We continued talking to the family behind us and Maddie playing with the little girl. They had signed T-shirts from guest services they were wearing and Maddie told them all about her pillow case.
The debarkation process is just as smooth as boarding. As miserable as it is to leave the ship they do it very well and make it as painless as possible. They would open the door to fill the gangway then close them so as not to have too many people in one area at all times. Very smooth - and I was VERY GLAD we had the potty break covered already too.
Once on the gangway we were only there about 15 minutes before they opened the doors and allowed us to go down into the terminal for luggage. It was there that Maddie had her "goodbye Princess, see you soon" from the last CM. DO NOT CRY MOM!!! I kept repeating to myself. I had a lump, but forced back the tears.
I motioned to a porter (LOVE THESE GUYS!!!) and he quickly found our bags, took our papers and off we went though customs. Then it was to Delta to drop ALL luggage but the carry on and then to the bus. I said a quick prayer that we would see our luggage in Myrtle Beach (OCD remember - my greatest fear is loosing luggage) and the man PROMISED me that it would be there safe and sound. I love assurance!
Onto the bus we went. It filled quickly and Maddie grabbed a seat with TV in front. We looked out the window all the way over the bridge with now tears coming down our cheeks waving goodbye to the Magic, Kirk, Michael, Jamiee, and everyone else we had fallen in love with in just a few days. Then we said - SEE YOU NEXT YEAR and blew a kiss to her as she faded from our sight.
The ride to MCO was a great one. The bus driver was AWESOME. I know some people don't like them to talk but this morning it was a GREAT distraction. He told us where to look for gators (which of course Maddie did) and of stories and such all the way back to MCO. Another magical touch. Our sadness was leaving somewhat thanks to his friendly nature and changing our attention to other things.
At the airport, homeland security boarded the bus.
Oh no. This can't be good! They ask if any of us had liquid in our carry on baggage - Um YEA! Isn't that what it's for??? Then I started worrying. We've been out of the country for 4 days - WHAT HAPPENED - why are they asking??? They wouldn't tell us. They simply said that ALL liquid must be THROWN AWAY when leaving the bus or we must go to our airline and check it. Crap!
My first thought was .....MADDIE HAS BUBBLES FROM TINK IN THERE! So immediately I knew - we were loosing our carry on which also had in it ALL of the things to occupy Maddie's time on the plane and between flights. Her games, her coloring books, books, etc. all would be checked - along with our snacks and everything else. Oh boy - OCD kicking in BIG TIME!
We went upstairs to Delta - which lined up all the way down to the escalators. WHAT WAS GOING ON???? I still didn't know. Then once in line I found out about the terrorist and quickly thought of a way to explain it all to Maddie so she wouldn't be worried.
The line was slow - everyone was so confused. Some people had been told no carry on's at all were allowed - everyone had a different story. In the end we took out a
Castaway Cay bag I had bought and the bag that we had as a CC gift and crammed our camera, memory cards, travel docs and medications in it - but nothing else fit - it would all have to be checked.
Once that was done and stress was WAY up we went to phone friends and family to let them know we were ok then went to grab something to eat and of course - hit the Disney stores one last time. We had until 1pm for our first flight but I was afraid the lines at security would become an issue so we had to scratch the visit to the NASA, Universal, and all other stores, to head to the gate.
After that mess - and trust me mess doesn't begin to cover it, we went to the gate and sat sat sat for 2 hours. The flight was perfect - no problems at all - thank God. We talked about our trip and the gentleman in front of us started turning around asking us about it. As it turns out he works on another ship and is fling to CA due to a transfer to the west coast. It was great talking to him and he was so kind....must be something about "cruise people" that I just love.
Atlanta was a different story - HATED HATED HATED it! I'm not going into every nasty detail because every time I do my book pressure goes up. I will say that our flight was to leave at 4ish. It changed gates 3 times and was delayed twice, then once FINALLY on the @(*#^@$*# plane we sat on the friggin tarmac with the two most evil flight attendant's known to mankind for over 4 1/2 HOURS before that flight was CANCELLED and we returned to the gate again.
While on the tarmac - with no food - no water - and no a/c - and remember - NO TOYS FOR MADDIE - THEY ARE CHECKED - I have to say that people on the plane were astonished, as was I with my daughter. She never - not once complained. I was amazed and SO PROUD! I was cranky, tired, hungry and PO'ed to the hilt - but she was sooo good! I had found some UNO cards in my purse and we played those - even playing with the people sitting across the isle from us.
More magic in the middle of even this nightmare. We bonded in the middle of this nightmare with several people on the plane. Some had even cleared their purses on the plane to give Maddie whatever food they had knowing she must be tired and hungry - she was even given a Hello Kitty blanket.
Once we returned to the terminal from the canceled flight it was hellish - no details - just hell. One of the new friends we had made was motioning to us to run to the next gate. We had been told "NO YOU CANNOT get on the other flight to MB tonight. YOU ALL must stay here and fly STAND BY at 9:30 the next am. Did I mention it was now 10:45 at night?
Anyway - we ran with everything in hand including 2 sodas and an ice cream that somebody had bought us while we were in line for Delta (see told ya - AMAZING Magic and Wonder continued even in the hellish times of Atlanta). The woman from our flight told us to run down the stairs to the tarmac. HUH? So sodas, bags, and ice cream in hand we did. At the bottom their was a man standing with the littlie light directors on the tarmac. He told us "just GO." HUH? WE HAVE NO TICKETS and WE HAVE SODA'S. His only response was - don't worry - just run up the stairs - you may need those drinks.
We ran and got on that plane. I immediately called my family to let them know where I was because not Delta - not the Atlanta airport - NOBODY on earth knew we or any of or passenger friends from the other canceled flight were. There was NO record anywhere of us boarding that plane. But I was SO thankful to be there.
Once we began to taxi people were cheering like mad. Maddie curled up with her new Hello Kitty blanket and fell straight to sleep on my lap. She never once - in all of this complained and did everything that was ask of her although she had not eaten (except the ice cream at 10ish) a real lunch, dinner or even snack and was exhausted and just as fed up as I was. Never will I forget or be more proud of her. I would travel to the moon with her!!
Once in Myrtle Beach (FINALLY!! -
) at 1:30am, the question quickly became where is the luggage??? OH NO!!! I knew without asking it wasn't here. How could it be - according to Delta and all records WE WEREN'T HERE! I stopped on the tarmac and ask a gentleman how I could find it. He said if it wasn't in baggage claim which in his words, "don't be shocked if it is" then come to my office.
Now it was almost 2am. We were beyond tired and had been trying to get home for almost 20 hours now.
I guess he saw the look on my face and when we entered the building he motioned to me to come over. He then took down my home address, phone number and a description of our bags - ALL FIVE OF THEM! He said for us to go home and sleep that he would find them all and deliver them personally. MORE magic and wonder from people on our trip.
I cried several times that night because of the kindness of people we met. People giving Maddie food, drinks, ice cream, and even blankets. People that we had just met that refused to let us be left behind when they were given a chance to sneak onto a flight, and now this man telling us to skip baggage claim and he would take care of it.
Home by 3am - and dead we called family to let them know we were home and then quickly passed out.
Our luggage was returned to us over the next 3 days one piece at a time arrived at our door. It ended up taking a tour of the country that we didn't.
I do have to say though - it made unpacking much easier.
This was the most magical time of our lives so far. I am a bit (OCD here remember) saddened to think that we may never have a cruise this truly amazing. But then I think about it - any part of it - even the travel nightmare and I smile and feel such a sense of joy. As long as I can do that - then the trip will never really be "over" in our hearts. And besides WE ARE GOING BACK!!!!!
Kelly
I just love to read your trip report installments. I'll be so sad when it's all over. 
You are such a wonderful writer. Reading about your "Wonder"ful cruise makes me so happy. You gave Maddie such a fabulous experience that she will never forget. I can just picture her face when she realized Tink was in your room! 
That brought tears to my eyes.
That's all I really want for them. 
