OK, RAE, where's that post!

[mmouse37]

Three Circles....WELCOME BACK....so when are you going to post a trip report????


Who hosted Bingo?
Did you go to any theme nights?
What menu was what night?
How was the weather?

You know...all the good stuff!!

MJ

 

[ThreeCircles]

Ahhh... I'm still attempting to adjust to being on solid ground again! I've noticed that being on the Magic doesn't bother me in the least but readjusting to land livin' isn't as easy!

OK, here's a little info.

John (sp?) from Wales hosted the Bingo sessions. We only attended one game, as we got a little out of control in November and spent way too much money, but he was very entertaining. We ended up with a value pack of cards because another guest had purchased the games but his child wouldn't stay. He handed them to us and left! Unfortunately, we failed to win anything.

The theme nights were fun as usual. The entertainment staff did a great job, especially on The Sock Hop and 70's night.

As far as the menus, semi-formal night was Sunday; Tropicalifagilistic night was Tuesday (St. Martin/St. Maarten) and formal night was Thursday. Captains Gala menu was Friday and the "It's a Small World" international menu Wednesday. We had Palo on Thursday.

The weather was outstanding throughout the cruise. We had one small shower in St. Thomas that lasted only for a few minutes. Temperatures were in the 80's throughout with clear blue skies and lots of sun!

 

[mmouse37]

Thank you so much!!! So glad you had a great time...don't feel bad....I dropped $250 in January on Bingo and won zilch!!!!

MJ

 

[jlawall]

Thx for sharing 3 circles.........it has helped to tide us over until WE HEAR FROM RAE!!!

 

[rae519]

I'm back!!!!

Nice to know I've been missed!!!! Thank you all for the nice words!

I have SOOOOOOOOOO much to tell you -

First of all, the Barnards are the most gracious hosts imaginable! Although Mom and I only stayed for an hour and had only one sip of the wine for the toast - the Suite was full and it seemed that the party actually lasted til nearly 5PM! Again, Matthew and Corinna are the most generous and loving couple anyone could ever meet and their daughter is just a delightful, well-behaved and beautiful child!!! The wedding was Thursday and I highly recommend a Disney Wedding for anyone considering something very special and very beautiful. Captain John does a great ceremony, the piano player was terrific and Danielle,the wedding coordinator did a great job.
Again, thank you to the Barnards for their gracious hosting and invitations!

Okay, backing up to Saturday 4:30AM at the Indy Airport - somehow I stupidly misjudged the clearance in the parking garage and ripped off the plastic luggage rack on my Montana.
Darling DH was only concerned that we didn't get hurt - Officer Ambition (*pride of the Indy Police Force) wasted over an hour of my time and never did file the report so I have to call around tomorrow to get something done.

Mom's driver's license was a few days expired; thankfully I had her passport with me or she wouldn't have been allowed on the plane. CHECK THE DATES ON YOUR LICENSE/PASSPORT~!~!

Embarkation was painless as usual - while gourging myself on shrimp I met northernmouse (Cindi, David and their fantastic son Tanner). From them I learned my little Annie is not a "party Pom" but a Papillon - a more expensive breed of dog. Well, dear Annie becomes Mom's dog officially tomorrow - she needs the company and so does Annie!!!

The weather was great, seas were very calm (little motion) and everything was perfect!

I did get my darling "son" Roger C (Brazilian) as my server, and had another great Brazilian (originally Italian) Giorgio as the assistant server (Maclean from India was our head server). Absolutely, the most fantastic team ever put together on a cruise. We had a table for six but the other 3 didn't make it - so we dined alone, but from the way we laughed and carried on ...you'd think we were the party! Roger brought his roommate (Tiago) another Brazilian over to meet us. Okay, from a woman old enough to be their mothers - let me tell you, Brazilian men are wonderful -------single young girls listen up closely!!!!!!!!!

St. Maarten's "sea and see" tour is great. Highly recommend it.
Also, the St. John land tour is terrific (bring water with you on this one!) On the way over to St. John, we saw Michael Jordon's mansion, and both Madonna and Alan Alda's homes. Who ever said money can't buy happiness never say their homes!

I got in the water with Michael at Castaway Cay - saw a huge fish after about 4 hours in the water. That was it for me. Started hearing the JAWS theme running in my head.

Ran into Auntie Bon and Jeanne lots - they were so much fun! Also, Jason, Travis and Gloria were very nice! I know I am leaving out "savs" and a few others - sorry! Still tired from the plane ride and drive home.

Must say that Jennifer and Dave from the Passporter were so down to earth and wonderful - we kept running into eachother and I wish we would have had more time with them. They are really a great couple. And boy, Dave is tall! (Okay, I know, I'm just 5'2" and everyone is tall to me!!!!)


Have I told you all how much I missed you?! SHEESH! I should have started this thread with that! I really did!!!!!!

I haven't done justice to the trip report, but I have things ready to tell you all about and answer.

I ate enough shrimp and fish to sprout fins. Mom did the desserts justice.

I also booked 4 more cruises for 2004 (one is in hold for 2005). Just can't get enough! Especially when you can make friends before the trips and enjoy their company while on board.

Talk is still going around from ship's officers about a 10 day cruise (including St. Croix and San Juan), a third ship based in California, and that special December/January 2004/2005 holiday cruise. Seems it will just be a matter of time and input from the guests that will make these things come true.

Again, I missed you all! Especially my shrimp eating pal - but I think I did him justice (burp!)

Love ya's!!!

Rae

 

[ncligs]

Rae,

Glad you had a great cruise

, thanks for the report!!

 

[disvaclub92]

Welcome Back Rae!!!

The idea of a 10 day cruise would be awesome. I loved the stop we had in San Juan <we won money at the casino's> on our "Mystery Cruise."

Thanks for the report.

 

[Moosysmom]

Rae,
So good to hear from you. Is She-She still on the Magic?
I'm glad you got to get Roger as your server again. He introduced Tiago to us too. He had Dennis as his assistant when I cruised in March. Oh well. I've heard from him (thank you) so I'm so glad you got to see him.
4 cruises next year. I must get a job at WDW when I get to Florida. Lucky you. I will be on the 50th Birthday cruise tho.
Welcome back, I missed the shrimp war stories with you and Andy.
Lynn

 

[Verandah Man]

Angelina and I took Hazel to Applebee's for her Mother's Day dinner.

I got the Ceaser Salad with garlic crusted shrimp, YUM! YUM! I couldn't finish it all, because I had a bowl of French Onion Soup to start my meal. However, I brought the rest of my salad home and just finished it a few minutes ago, still was YUM! YUM!

This coming Friday we August 23rd cruisers start our Double Digit Dance.

This past Thursday night my sister called me and asked if she could be included on our cruise. It only took me minutes to get her an airline ticket, so now our group has grown to six strong, the same six that went to VB this past November.

Got to go, Survivor just came on. Looking forward to our April 2005 Birthday Cruise Rae!!! Welcome Back to the Boards!!!

Check back later!!!

Andy

 

[rae519]

Andy,
Interested in escargot eating?!
I can do a pretty fair job of the little antennaed buggers!!!!
But I do my best with raw clams!!!!


We did toast you Andy - at the wine party! I have pictures!!!!!

To everyone!
I sure did miss you all!!!

Rae

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by rae519
Andy,
Interested in escargot eating?!
I can do a pretty fair job of the little antennaed buggers!!!!
But I do my best with raw clams!!!!


We did toast you Andy - at the wine party! I have pictures!!!!!

To everyone!
I sure did miss you all!!!

Rae

Commercial break. Rae, I think I will stick to shrimp, crabs, and lobster. Hazel cooks clams here in the house every now and then, and I leave the house!!! LOL!!!

Andy

 

[Jeanny]

Glad you had a great cruise... we sure did miss you around here last week! Good to hear you got your shrimp... any left for Andy??


Welcome Home. Can't wait for more!

Jeanny

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hey Rae!

somehow I stupidly misjudged the clearance in the parking garage

Seems to me the QUESTION (somehow) and ANSWER (stupidly misjudged) are linked here by a common pronoun (I)... lol.

Missed you, my dear Rae.

 

[Hannosmom]

Welcome back, Rae!! We missed you and so happy you had a great time.

Glad to hear Annie is well. Papillion..... that is an expensive dog!

Get some rest and build up your strength for that trip report.

 

[rae519]

Got a few minutes before having to take Mother to get her license renewed. Fortunately, it's a simple process.

Weather in Indiana is COLD, WET and WINDY. Did I tell you how much I hate living in Indiana?

Didn't see She-She. Sorry Lynn!
Did run into many others, Dragan from Macedonia, Erwin from St. Vincent, Rico from Phillipines (Guest Services) - Rico is still the gem of Guest Services - anything you want, see him - he's marvelous and always smiling and happy!

VISTA SPA
Rainforest - BIG disappointment this time around. I mean B I G.
Plumbing problems, saunas not working, closed at times, towels everywhere, water everywhere. We took the week package and didn't get much use out of it. Even the Alpha Capsule that I took for 3 sessions had problems with engine cutting out and bad vibration.
With the exception of Nikki, personal trainer, and Giles and Leonardo (hairdressers) - the staff has become very "uppity" and not at all like the DCL staff. Vista is staffed by Steiner, not DCL.
This was our only complaint on the entire trip - and it was echoed by many others.
So buyer beware!

Buckaroo's Dad - I learned that Indy had lowered the clearance of their bars by 5 inches - that's why we had no problems other times when we parked there. Doesn't much matter since I owe up to my responsibility in the accident. Hey, we always need to know our vehicle clearances even when we have a lower van.
I owe up to my actions and never lie - why bother? sometimes the truth makes for a good laugh!!!!

Andy - let me know when Hazel makes clams, I'll be over. Okay, we stick to the other stuff - Definitely have to take a day or two before our April 2005 cruise to stuff ourselves at Dixie!

I'm going to try to get some time to write a full report later this week. Right now it's sort of freezing cold and chaotic getting back into the "daily grind".

Also, pack light! And plan your next cruises before you get on the ship, makes for an easier time when you rebook. They are still offering $200 room credit for 7 nighters and $100 for the 3/4 nighters. DVC has discounts but you can only book up to 72 hours after your cruise - we got off on Saturday 5/10 - IF I want to use my DVC points, I have til Tuesday to do so. After that, nothing. It's about 15/20 points per person discount.

See ya's!

Rae

 

[paulmc80]

Boy! What I miss when not checking on this dicussion board regularly. A Rae thread!

I'm really, really glad to hear you all had a great time on the cruise Rae. That is really good to hear. Trying to plan a cruise ourself some time out there in the future. LOL

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Rae: So glad to hear you have a wonderful time! Can't wait to hear more details from your trip! BTW, I am DEFINITELY impressed by the number of trips you lined up! Good for you!!!

 

[rae519]

Paul and Kaye!!!!!
Wow! You guys were the greatest! Next time you cruise, we cruise - remember that!!!! I've missed hearing about how great your weather is, Paul! I think I can give you some good stories about our Eastern Cruise weather though!!!! A "Rae" thread - will I ever live this one down?!

Crsndsny - I'm cheap in a lot of other ways and do a lot of shortcut cooking to get them in!!!! Got to economize a lot though, but who wants to "eat out" when you can take that money and put it towards a real meal deal!!!!


Remember that simple process to get Mom's license renewal - I keep forgettting I'm in "hoosierville". We got there and were told we needed to have her social security card. A new requirement.

So I take her back to her house, get the card and return to the Licensing Branch. Ohhh, it's her social security card alright but it's not the "correct half" - did you know that there was a "correct half" and one just for "your information"? Yeah, like we did - hah!
We had have either that or a letter from social security verifying her number. Didn't matter that she had a passport, insurance cards, etc, etc, etc, etc, - we needed either the correct half or the letter. Their reason was due to 9/11 - they needed to prove she was who she was. Oh for pity's sake!

Got to SS, waited in line (even longer wait than at the Licensing Branch), SS couldn't understand why Licensing Branch wouldn't accept her half but did her up a letter anyway.
Back to Podunk to get the renewal and this time, it was fine.
Total time: 4 hours
Total mileage: 126 miles

Give me a break!
And again, that's just another reason I hate Indiana.

Rae

 

[jlawall]

Hey Rae!

Thx for the tip about DVC points. I don't think you could do that last summer! We checked and noone on the ship knew about it.

Did you do any theme nights? Whose running the dance parties now? Is Sean still on the ship or in entertainment?

Welcome home! At least it's not winter anymore!!

JoAnn

 

[rae519]

I'll get that info to you sometime later this morning. Michael is now home sick. Change in weather - hard to go from paradise to hell in 24 hours. Welcome back to Indiana - cold, wet and windy.

Rae