My second cruise Trip Report (long) – Banana Heads Rule! - through end of cruise

[jd99]

Jeff, I think it has more to do with international waters and going american port to american port. On the Western you don't sail in international waters first.

Wendy

Wendy- now that makes sense. Thanks for clarifying!
Kelly - hopefully more to come later today.

 

[christinou]

What a great report, I am really enjoying it.

 

[Holly&Joesmommy]

great report, give us more....

 

[TIGGER41681]

Jeff,
Great Job with your report!!!

 

[LindaBabe]

Thank heavens for trip reports. I miss you guys!!!!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Ok Jeff,
we gave you a few days off, now you need to post some more for us to read.
I check twice a day, next time I check I hope to see another day added!!!

Hope everyone is feeling better now,
Kathy

 

[jd99]

Now a veteran cruiser with a whopping two cruises under my belt, I’m looking at this last day at sea as both GREAT fun and a little sad since I have enjoyed our days at sea so much and this is the last one.

But today was a day like no other as it is truly the rockiest day of the cruise. The ship is moving left, moving right, moving up, moving down, moving in circles I’m thinkin’. Once we get out of bed later than any other day (8:30 a.m.), we have to get the kids some breakfast since we have Palo brunch at 10 a.m. Topsiders is where we head and all goes fine there. Then we drop the kids at their various venues (the Lab and Flounders) and head upstairs to Palo for brunch. It is REALLY swaying up there and we are not sure if we are ready to eat anything and can’t decide if we are in the mood for breakfast (which we didn’t have any of due to our sleeping in) or lunch which is what we ultimately decide. The food is all good but the ship’s movement really limited our ability to enjoy it as much as we did on the last cruise. Even Marco, our waiter, seems a bit out of sorts – maybe he doesn’t like mornings.

After brunch we picked up the kids to get them some lunch. DD8 wanted Topsiders again and she and I had a nice time while DD2 had a little (ok a MAJOR) meltdown in the room. DW dealt with it and ordered her some room service and she ultimately calmed down. DD8 went back to the Lab for a couple of hours while DD2 went to the Oceaneers Club with DW to play. Everyone had a good time but none better than me. You see, it was time for the martini tasting.

Though I went alone, I was joined by fellow DIS folks Esther and Pat and seated behind us were Stony and Sarah. Thanks to Pat, we got double doses of the Chocolatini and the Cosmo. We had a true blast and everyone was buzzing just enough by the end of it all. Lourdes conducted the tasting and she did a great job. I found this much more fun than the wine tasting even though I’m more of a wine guy and wished that DW had come along. One complaint. DW didn’t come along because Flounders was closed for some reason during this period of time so we had no where to take DD2.

Later that afternoon the girls all went to Tea with Alice and the Mad Hatter. It was not a huge hit but they had an okay time.

1 I headed to the Cove Café for coffee and a quick email check then to the Cove Pool to slosh around – back and forth – back and forth – as the boat was swaying. It was actually pretty fun and I got to chat with DIS friend Dave (of JanDave fame). Before we knew it, it was time for D Sea U graduation in the WD Theater and I always find that a nice event. DD8 thinks it’s a bit lame but we make her do it anyway.

DD8 with Stacey at graduation

That night was Disney Dreams and we got to sit with DD8 new friend Stacey and her family so that was a huge hit. I think this is my favorite show on the ship. We went to Who Wants to be a Mousketeer in Studio Sea hoping to be chosen (but we weren’t) but in wanting to hurry to get to dinner at Lumiere’s I forgot my video camera and when I went back to retrieve it, the doors were locked due to some kind of CM event/practice – for the Pub Night I believe. So I was stressed and didn’t know quite what to do so I went to guest services and left a message for the concierge team to see if they might be able to retrieve it. Expecting to see it back in my room later if I was lucky, imagine my surprise when Jennie showed up at our table at Lumiere’s just a few minutes later. What wonderful service that I truly appreciated.

Tonight was lobster night in Lumiere’s and I found it to be MUCH better than the lobster night we had on our last cruise. DD2 even had surf and turf and of course, green jello thanks to our server but mostly our assistant server Leslie (seen below with DD2)

On our way to the Lab & Flounders, we took some time to try (to no avail) to get a good picture of the girls for Christmas cards. We did get a funny one though in front of the gingerbread house.

We scheduled some Flounders time after dinner to give us some time to check out adult clubs and DD8 got to do the Kim Possible spy adventure which she found to be lots of fun. DW and I walked into a couple of the clubs but found them so smoky we just wanted to leave so we headed up to the Cove Café for a glass of wine and a few moments of quiet.

Picked up the girls at Flounders & the Lab and then hit the dessert buffet. DW started packing tonight which is a sign of a sad day to come. The last day.

Next up: A perfect (almost) day at Castaway Cay

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

very good Jeff, will be looking forward to the rest of it soon,
Kathy

 

[Dixielady908]

Jeff: I know thursday was a sad evening day....I had started some of my packing...it was very sad.
I am enjoyig the report so keep it coming....

Denise

 

[pgfour]

Great job, Jeff!

I'm really enjoying reading about your (our!) trip!!!

I can't believe it's been 3 weeks already.

Keep it comin'!!

Cheri

 

[Babs417]

Love reading your reports

 

[mruhaak]

Thanks! You're giving me a real good idea of what the Eastern itinerary will be like! Hope it's not always so rocky though!!

 

[firstmickey]

Great report Jeff!

 

[LindaBabe]

oh dear. the cruise is winding down Only one more day . . .

 

[TiaMaria]

Great report, Jeff! Really looking forward to my own Eastern Cruise in March while reading about yours!

 

[jd99]

While I was waiting for DW to drop off DD 2 1/2 at Flounders before we headed "out" for the night to the adult clubs, I visited the friendly young woman at the rebooking desk and checked out options for the Turkey Day Cruise as well as the same week next year. Rebooked to join the Banana Head Reunion in 2007 and can't wait! I don't know how we are going to get through a whole year. I keep looking at 3 and 4 day options this summer but can't bring myself to spend nearly the same cash on one of those that I would spend on the 7 day in November.

Hopefully I'll get this trip report finished before Christmas Day. I just don't want it to end!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

If you dont post by 5 friday evening the site will be down for 24 to 48 hours to be upgraded so we wont get to read it until Christmas day or later.
Try to post soon!!!
Thanks,
kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Ok Jeff,
this site is up and running now, Christmas is over for another year. Lets have the last part of your report. Ok???

I have been waiting for a long time now, so have many other people.
Thanyou!!!

Kathy

 

[jd99]

Ok Jeff,
this site is up and running now, Christmas is over for another year. Lets have the last part of your report. Ok???

I have been waiting for a long time now, so have many other people.
Thanyou!!!

Kathy

Kathy - you are tough! But think back to when your kids were tiny creatures. Christmas isnt over until school starts again. Trust me. It's been a frenzy of gift opening, visiting relatives, today we went to the Science Center, tomorrow I actually have to work for a living for a day! Friday, I'm taking Elizabeth ice skating after I work a half day or so. I'm thinking the final trip report installment should be in sometime next week. Sorry for the delay.
Happy new year to all !

jeff

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Ok Jeff,
your sob story has touched my heart
I will give you another week to finish,
you see this is why I never read a book that is in a series of books, because I get through the first two books only to find out the 3rd book in the series hasnt been published yet and I have to wait a couple years before it comes out.
I get involved in reports and hate to wait to read the ending, even when I know how the story ends.
Enjoy the kids this week while you can.
Next week I will be bugging you again, but nicely, I dont get TOUGH until I threaten to bring out the whip!!!

Thanks Jeff,

Kathy