On board 11/04/06 with the "Family of the Cruise" New post..finally!!4/16

[cheysdad]

Ok so I am the perv, no no not really but only in Sue's mind. You see we only have one daughter (10 years old) and I thought that I would use these boards to find her a cruise mate or two. What could be better than having some free time in the quiet cove pool. It seems like most people that post on these boards other than Jason and I are woman. So a few months ago I post that my daughter is looking for some 10 year olds to hang out with. I guess that Sue was being very careful with that post. To be honest when I did post it I thought that it might be a concern. Then we met Suzy Mouse and her family at the port and we went on to have tons of fun together.

Great report so far Sue. We miss you guys! Thanks for calling Cathe today, I can't tell you how happy she was to hear from you. Thanks again.

Michael

 

[Suzy Mouse]

Thank you Mike for coming out to tell the story. You did a better job than I could have! (Don't you like how I cleaned it up a bit!!)

I'm glad my call made Cathe happy. I've been thinking of her all week but especially today. ENjoy your weekend!

 

[Suzy Mouse]

Between the boat drill and getting ready for dinner fluffy white robes and slippers were delivered to Dad's and our rooms. Compliments of the concierge. Of course there's a note attached to the robe that if we love them so much and want to keep them there is a $72 charge. In other words don't think of taking them home. I didn't think this applied to the slippers. Who would want to wear them after us? So of course those made their way into our suitcases. We loved wearing the robes out on the veranda in the morning and then again at night. It became part of our daily routine.

Rewind a bit....for those Castaway Club members you know that you return to the DCL with a gift awaiting you in your cabin. We were thrilled to see our bag sitting on our bed fill with cups, lotion, netted bags and a neat container of wipes. Dad was upset because his was missing. Instead he found an envelope sitting on his bed. Inside were 2 week passes to the Rainforest compliments of DCL. See my dad focuses on the negative...you all know the parent that wonders why there's a "C" on your report card when the rest of the spaces are filled with "A's"??? I told him that Disney was giving him a gift to help him have a relaxing time. Probably because of the letter I had sent them. I thought "How perfect is that?" They are amazing!! He also had a fruit platter waiting for him when he first entered the room.

Needless to say he was disappointed that he didn't get the measly bag. I told him I would gladly exchange our bag for the Rainforest coupons. He didn't feel the need to do that.

Later on that evening we return to the cabins after dinner. Yes a bag was delivered to his room. Not a Castaway Club member bag..a different one. A beautiful Disney Cruise bag filled with a large captain Mickey, GOofy, sand toys, coloring books, a Captain Mickey hat, a mug filled with pins, a clock and a picture frame. OK Dad you better shut up now!!! Needless to say he was overwhelmed with emotions and speechless. You done good Disney. If only I knew how to shut him up that way!

I thought "perfect"! That's all that I would want for him plus. He was being given the royal treatment and had already gone over anything that I expected. Nope that wasn't enough!

The letter is coming soon...I promise!!!

I went downstairs and asked to speak to the head of guest services. I told her about the friends who were traveling with us and asked that if there was any connection on the computers that we were traveling together to clear that up. I only did this because I was so upset that they used our name and situation to benefit themselves. She said it would be taken care of.


SUNDAY....The Letter

Before dinner we returned to the room to find a plate with the silver lid on it. I didn't order room service! Disney did! Sitting on the plate were delicious appetizers. On the bed sat an envelope. We opened it wondering what it could be.

Dear "Suzy Mouse" Family,

***CONGRATULATIONS****

You have been chosen to by my Magical Family of the cruise!

As my Magical Family, you will receive personalized service from me, along with a few extra surprises!

I want to wish you a Magical cruise and hope that we can create magical moments that you will always remember. Please don't hesitate to call me if there is anything that you might need during your cruise.....

Hope you had a great day in Key West!

Jay
Magical Family Host

Was this really happening???? Does something like this happen. I pride myself in knowing the little things that go on on the ship...but I had never heard about the Family of the Cruise.

More magical things were coming our way??? Wasn't there enough done for us already????

Isn't it amazing how fast those overwhelming emotions hit you when you least expect it. Now Disney really did it!! Now they shut ME up!!!

 

[DisVillainFan]

Now see I knew you guys were Magical already, Disney just made it official with the letter..Ken

 

[Fairy_Tale_Bride]

Wow! How wonderful! I can't wait to read more Magical Family!

 

[jsfein]

You have us (Karen too even though she won't admit she's been on DIS) reading your TR on the edge of our seat. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[jrose529]

What a wonderful TR! I'm so sorry about the loss of your mother. I lost my mom four years ago and I get signs from her all the time.

I hope the rest of your cruise was as magical as the begining!

 

[Thistle]

First thing I did this morning (well, after the coffee) was come and see if you had written more on your TR. Gosh, doncha just love it when Disney does something like this!

*sitting on her seat like a proper young lady, waiting for more, please*

 

[Suzy Mouse]

Sorry to leave you hanging....plus I have to let you hang some more. I through a surprise birthday party for my hubby last night and I'm recouping a bit. Now I'm heading off to the soccer fields to be a good Mommy and cheer on her son !

I'll be back later.

 

[Thistle]

*evil stare*

 

[msaseifert]

Can't wait to read more............

 

[Suzy Mouse]

Well you all found out what was waiting for our return to the cabin in the early evening. Now let me tell you what we did the rest of the day...

Last year we mistakingly took the kids to Key West with us. We took them to a place called the "Blonde Giraffe" for some frozen key lime pie dipped in chocolate. Well after that they got cranky and had to return to the ship. This year would be different! We smartened up and left them on the ship (although we did ask if they wanted to come off with us praying that they would decline the offer...prayers answered!)

Dad, Toby, DH and I got off the ship and proceeded to head up towards Duval Street. We looked around a bit. Went into Margaritaville to buy something but left empty handed. We did peak into the bar and saw some crazed Pittsburgh Steeler fans there!!! We spotted the Coach store up the street a bit but for some reason DH saw the bar and went in there instead. He was quite happy to see me come out with only the bag I went in with.

WE decided to head back up towards the ship as we were getting hungry. Yes the Blonde Giraffe was calling for me but my frugalness kicked in and said "we'll be able to get something on the ship"....stupid stupid me!!! Man was I craving that frozen key lime pie dipped in chocolate for a long time after that. No need to worry...I"ll be back there in 2 years and will leave the frugalness on the ship!

Right near the ship was a beautiful jewelry store. THey had the most beautiful David Yurman jewelry I had ever seen. Well DH brought his frugalness with him and we walked out empty handed. Of course I didn't think I would actually get anything...we did have a trip to still pay for!

We headed back towards the ship and noticed about 3 or 4 police officers escorting 2 men off of the ship with their luggage. I found out later that they were kicked off the ship for rowdy behavior. Perhaps they got a little too close to Minnie??? I think others heard something about thier behavior at the bar.

We headed back to the club to pick up the kiddies. Yes, we do miss them after being without them. SO we took them to the pool and just enjoyed the emptiness of the ship!

Dinner was at Parrot Cay later that evening and then we headed down to see Gary Delena's family show. Our son prefered to go to camp so that's where he went...but we were able to see one of our favorite performers. He cracks me up all the time! We found out 3 years ago that he grew up in Sayreville (same as me) Exit 11!! So my parents, at the time, bonded with him because they knew some of the same people. This was the 3rd time I've see Gary so some of his show was repeated. SOme of it was new. Still funny!

After the show I took my daughter to the High School Musical party crammed into the Promenade Lounge. We danced our hearts our and when they asked for someone to sing Gabriella my daughter was picked. She was so excited!! Hey jsfein (and Karen...if you're reading ) we almost had a match!! As we were dancing our hearts out I saw someone that I had seen earlier in the day who looked so familiar to me. I decided to finally say something. It drives my dh crazy when I go up to people who look familiar to me...but he wasn't around and I knew that I knew this person!!

I approached her and she was so nice. I went onto this trip trying to find a fellow diser Amy (who also lived in Sayreville) and thought this might be her.
We tried to figure out how we knew each other. Couldn't figure it out so we dropped it. Towards the end of the party we reconnected and thought some more. FINALLY!!! we figured it out. She was (or is it still is???) my sister-in-law's little sister from college (Rutgers..go RU!!!) The last time I saw her was 11 years ago! I'm so glad we figured it out because it would have driven me nuts!!!

Later I found out that she was jsfein's wife!!! Smaller world...I'll explain that story later.

But that was the end of the day. No Blonde Giraffe, No Coach merchandise, No David Yurman! But my daughter got to be Gabrielle and I got to know who the familiar face was!

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

just curious......how old were the guys that got kicked off the ship? College age, older?

 

[Suzy Mouse]

I'd say they were in their early 20s. I"m not that good at ages.

Any clue to who they were?

 

[jsfein]

No need to worry...I"ll be back there in 2 years and will leave the frugalness on the ship!

When do you plan on returning? We rebooked a fake date with intentions for Jersey Week 2008.

 

[Suzy Mouse]

We're looking at Thanksgiving 2008. We booked as far as we could (April 2008)but as soon as the dates open up we're in!

 

[JDBlair]

Your TR is great! Thank you for sharing it. I'm really excited for you and can't wait to hear more!

 

[pppiglet]

I like your report too. (and you don't keep us hanging too long!)

 

[love2travel]

SuzyMouse, where are you???? We are all waiting for you to finish your TR.

 

[Suzy Mouse]

It was falling down the page. I didn't think people were reading it..therefore I wasn't rushing. I'll continue shortly!!!

Thanks Teresa!