Our first MAYniac cruise pre-trip report..pics added! May 2/09 Western- Upd April 16

[laura001]

To start a pre-trip report or not??? Big question?

It all started long long ago, being born with the “mouse” in my head!....oops, wrong story!

Well….I am going to give this a try, see if I can actually put my thoughts and planning down on paper (ok, not real paper), rather than having them jump around in my head all day like they usually do. Perhaps this will make my head to not be so jumbled with thoughts and ideas, ya think? Hopefully someone finds this interesting and follows along, I am actually quite nervous about getting this going.

I (Laura) and my DH (Scott) will have been married for 25 years in April of 2009. If I had it to do all over again, I would have had a Disney wedding, every girls dream! Well, perhaps not everyone, but I am not everyone. That being said, I probably would have backed out of the Disney Dream Wedding when I figured out the cost! I am a total Disneyholic, everyone that knows me understands that, and for the most part they all humour me. Yes, even my DH, sometimes I kind of feel bad for him, although he has been a real trooper, he will readily admit that “DISNEY” is not his thing, but does he have a good time when we go? Of course he does! I spend far too many hours out of the day dreaming (thinking) about my next WDW trip, one that is already planned or one that isn’t yet, but is still in my head! Going totally crazy if there isn’t one already in the works for the future, I can be a little tough to live with and some days downright miserable. If I do have something planned, I am already upset that I don’t have another planned….really really really sick I know!

Being a TOTAL planner and control freak when it comes to our vacations is not a good thing all of the time, yet again, DH puts up with me!

I’ll take you back to hmmmm…..I guess….2006. That is when I was finally able to convince DH that a trip to WDW with just the two of us for our anniversary in April 2007 would be a GREAT trip. Without boring everyone with the details….it was a lot of work getting him to agree with the trip, I attribute most of it to the dancing banana’s!!! Yes, think of whatever you can, and you will get the idea! I waited for almost a whole year for that trip to arrive and we did have a great time.

Of course, about 3 months prior to that trip, I found a deal that I couldn’t pass up and booked our youngest DD and her friend on a trip in October of 2007. Before that trip had time to come to fruition, DH was talking with me about a weekend away…hmmmm…..??? Yup, all I could think of was WDW and with a little more talking, begging etc. , we were off the WDW again in September of 2007. We went only for one night and had a FABULOUS time!

OOPs….somehow that all got sidetracked from the reason I am writing this report….that is our Anniversary Cruise….so still just bare with me, a little more info yet! I think it was the September trip that really got my DH into the whole Anniversary Cruise. We had talked about it and talked about it, but we had a few concerns.

Next up........to cruise or not to cruise?

 

[mkmommy]

I spend far too many hours out of the day dreaming (thinking) about my next WDW trip, one that is already planned or one that isn’t yet, but is still in my head! Going totally crazy if there isn’t one already in the works for the future, I can be a little tough to live with and some days downright miserable. If I do have something planned, I am already upset that I don’t have another planned….really really really sick I know!

Sounds like me, my dd told me tonight that I think too much about Disney but when we were talking about spring break last week (the cruise is still a surprise) and I mentioned that maybe they would prefer to go with my husband to Sauble Beach she was the first to say that no she was following me as it would be much more fun what ever Disney thing I was planning.

I look forward to reading your PTR. If you have never been on DCL you are going to have so much fun.

Lisa

 

[laura001]

Sounds like me, my dd told me tonight that I think too much about Disney but when we were talking about spring break last week (the cruise is still a surprise) and I mentioned that maybe they would prefer to go with my husband to Sauble Beach she was the first to say that no she was following me as it would be much more fun what ever Disney thing I was planning.

I look forward to reading your PTR. If you have never been on DCL you are going to have so much fun.

Lisa

Awww....thanks so much for the kind words...and yes it is our first DCL cruise. I can't imagine that it is going to be anything but absolutely perfect and can hardly wait!!!

 

[Hypermommy]

Bite your tongue!!! Absolutely it's not weird at all to be upset if you don't have another Disney trip in the works already. I would be. I think most of us would be. We can't help it that the muggles can't understand.

Ooooh... I love the totally stream of consciousness way that you write. It's like sitting across from a friend at the table and listening to the story. I can't wait to read more!


(and yes... dancin' nana's can do so much, can't they? )

 

[laura001]

Bite your tongue!!! Absolutely it's not weird at all to be upset if you don't have another Disney trip in the works already. I would be. I think most of us would be. We can't help it that the muggles can't understand.

Ooooh... I love the totally stream of consciousness way that you write. It's like sitting across from a friend at the table and listening to the story. I can't wait to read more!


(and yes... dancin' nana's can do so much, can't they? )

I love how you refer to the "muggles"....that is a term that I will be remembering for sure!

As for the .....I remember posting somewhere on the community board way back when about how it was that I was trying to talk DH into going, someone reminded me about the dancing banana's and then it all took off from there! As you can see, even the Tag Fairy caught wind of it!

Thanks for reading!

 

[laura001]

Part 2 -

Over the summer of 2007 we spoke at length about cruising. I had done a lot of background work and a couple of good friends who have had great experiences with DCL. Our biggest concern…..hmmm….wait a minute. DH’s (Scott) biggest concern is always first and foremost how much money we are spending , but putting that aside for a moment, our next concern: Both of us are very motion sensitive, very may be an understatement for sure! So…….how do we get onto this big beautiful boat and make it so that we actually can enjoy ourselves? That question has been answered but hasn’t been put into practice as of yet…..only time will tell!

After reading everything I could, and trying to make sure that we took every precaution, it was decided that we would both try Bonine a few weeks before the cruise to see how it affects us, and then we would start it two days prior to sailing. I think we will also take some Ginger tablets with us. That coupled with the fact that we decided to book a cabin category of 9 that has a large porthole window, thinking that we probably would never use the balcony and also booked mid-ship. Hopefully all that works, because if it doesn’t, no matter how many we will probably never cruise again, which would be a real shame.

Sooooooooo….next up is the fact that DH is freaking out about how much money this is all going to cost us. See, me being me, not only do I want to do the Cruise, but I want to go to WDW too! Of course I do! How could we be right there and not go to WDW? I am sure many of you understand this, right? (please don’t answer if you don’t agree….lol) I think it would also be a great idea if we head to Port Canaveral for a few days prior to the cruise and do Kennedy Space Center etc., since the last time we did that our kids were young and of course we did what they wanted. Plus what if there was a freak snow storm at the end of April and our flight was delayed, we can’t have that!

You see the cost going up and up and up and up! But it is our 25th, and yes, he has had to put up with me all of these years, but that goes the other way too!!!! I also have another bit of a devious plan with all of this, you see, DH works way too hard (so do I, but that is another story) and has a very stressful job. He gets 6 weeks vacation a year and most years it is lucky if I can get him away for more than 2 weeks, and it is never all together, it is always a few days here and few there! Then to boot, his Blackberry goes everywhere! He really needs a long, long, long, vacation……..isn’t it great we have Disney to go to? What better place? (again please don’t answer if you don’t agree..lol)

As for the money aspect….yes, we have two kids in University and our third will start University a few months after our trip so I can see some concern, guess people (mainly me) just have a hard time seeing the problem…lol! I think we should live our lives, dream our dreams, and live our dreams as you never know what tomorrow brings. DH is much more realistic than me, I need to rub off on him a little more.

Forgot to mention some of our other thoughts on DCL. DH’s concern over it being just for kids or families has somewhat dissipated since speaking with friends and I think the biggest change is from us doing WDW as just adults, I have caught him talking that up with friends and saying how great it is and that they should try it. (never thought I would ever hear him saying anything of the sort) A big draw is the fact that I believe there is no way that any other line could do it better than DCL, I know that we will be treated well and we can expect a high level of service etc. Another is the fact that there is no casino…..both DH and I love the casino, but there is no way in heck I want to spend our vacation inside one and that is what would happen.

So………October of 2007 comes and my trip with DD and her friend was a TOTALLY AWESOME trip! We had so much fun, DH dropped us off at the airport and he even said that he wished he was coming with us (he did have the chance but declined). I felt kind of bad because I think if he had it to do over again, he would have come. Here is a pic of the girls on our trip...

Next up????? Giving DH some decisions so that he is involved!

 

[laura001]

Part 3........

Yup, as we have it, not only am I a Disneyholic planner, but I feel this need to have DH as involved and excited as me. Do you think he will oblige? NOT on your life!!! What is his reply? “This is your baby”. You can’t blame a girl for trying? Now that we have decided we will Cruise, we need to decide which one. Again, for many reasons (some stated) I don’t want to cruise only for a couple of days, a week sounds good to me. Ok….so much for having DH involved. But, which itinerary, Eastern or Western? To me, it really makes absolutely no difference, as long as it is seven days and Disney I am good to go! So, still feeling the need to involve DH, I gather all the info on both itineraries, print it out, get pics, ports of call etc. etc., you know, anything that any obsessive planner would do and lay it out in front of DH. He looks at me like I need my head read, takes 30 seconds…..ok, make that 3 seconds and says WESTERN. What? Doesn’t he want to look at everything and make an informed decision? Doesn’t he want to look at all the material in front of him, how could he decide that quickly? Guess what, it just so happens that DH has always wanted to go to the Keys…so, when he saw that, he picked it, all was said and done!

Still not learning my lesson….I ask him if he thinks we should have early dining or late dining? DUH!!!! What was I thinking…you see I already thought that I wanted early dining, so why give him the chance to contradict what I was thinking? Right away, he says late ……then I start to point out to him how if we do the late seating (we usually eat around 7:00 at home) that by the time we get out, we (ok, for sure me) will be too tired to be bothered to do anything else and we both hate eating and going straight to bed! So….you are thinking why did I ask him? I know, I don’t know myself. So much for trying to get him involved….lol! Note to self….stop doing that!

At this point, DH has basically given me carte blanche (or at least that is what I am thinking) and I am booking and doing what I think is best as far as our plans go, and hope to heck he doesn’t ask how much everything cost in total (he may have a heart attack). He/we will have a great time and I am sure will have many happy memories from our trip! At this point we going to be gone from April 30th to May 16th…..sounds absolutely amazing and I can hardly wait!

THE BIG DAY arrives……time to book our trip!!! December 4, 2007, the cruises come out! I want to have it booked right away, so our TA is right on top of it as usual and does a great job putting up with me! We are now booked , May 2 to May 9, 2009, Category 9, stateroom #2578, early dining! It is December 4th and it is 17 whole months away!!!! What to do over the next 17months…….dream, dream, dream and drive everyone I know crazy!

Next up....very long winter!!!

 

[laura001]

Part 4.....

But what am I going to do for 17 months and how am I going to last that long? We live in Southern Ontario in Canada (which even though it is north of Buffalo, NY, we tend to have a much warmer winter than Buffalo with far less snow too), and I absolutely despise winter, cold, and snow! I start to worry about the winter in the summer! (sick I know) We did have one major storm that put me right over the edge.

I am a nurse and work in a Chiropractic office, all of our patients are very well aware of my “hate” for winter etc. and they also know of my love for Disney. Usually by the time Christmas comes and goes the topic in our office turns from Christmas to Holidays…….the big question is…..”so, when is your next trip to Disney?” You can imagine hearing that a dozen times a day….the snow if falling, it is cold outside….you hate the winter….and your trip to Disney is about 15 months away…..ARRGGHHH!!!! It became a real joke in the office that I had nothing booked so I posted a notice for our patients

You can imagine the laughs over that. Funny for sure in one sense but poor me, no trip booked and it is winter. Hmmmm….what to do? I took the picture of my email and used it as a signature when I emailed DH! Yup, I sure did, you can imagine how impressed he was! DH would come in for treatment in the office and would have to listen to my patients telling him he should be taking me away! LOL!!! (now that was funny) It took only a few weeks and I was calling my TA yet again to book another trip to Disney at the end of March! Yes…..I could wait that long, only 7 weeks or so and we would be gone! WHEW!!! If you are wondering how I am going to make it til next May….well…I am wondering that too!

I know that someone is wondering how in heaven's name my DH puts up with me? Guess he really loves me....

Next up.....now the real nitty gritty planning starts...

 

[mkmommy]

Ok you are too funny, and your husband sounds like mine. Your daughters look like they have a great time a Disney too. I am training mine at a young age to be a Disney addict, so they do not drift to my husbands lack of interest side.


2578 will be a great room, we stayed in 2570 and it was a perfect location.

Lisa

 

[laura001]

Ok you are too funny, and your husband sounds like mine. Your daughters look like they have a great time a Disney too. I am training mine at a young age to be a Disney addict, so they do not drift to my husbands lack of interest side.


2578 will be a great room, we stayed in 2570 and it was a perfect location.

Lisa

Actually, only one is my DD (the one with the glasses) and the other girl is a friend of hers. You know, I think that a lot of people would be a little apprehensive about taking a friend along, but it was not ever one bit of a problem and we had a blast! My kids love Disney, especially my oldest daughter, I think in the long run she is going to be like me...lol!

Oh........thank goodness about the room....I fretted and fretted over that too! It is so hard to choose and you just hope and pray that you make the right choices.

 

[Hypermommy]

Great report!!! I'm loving every word!!!!!

Your hubby sounds just like King Charming. Yep... don't dare let him know how much this is gonna cost or he'll find reasons (money! but you and I know there are much more important things thant hat) to cut things. But I'll tell you what... try this line on your DH. KC actually came up with it... he said "Investing in family always brings high returns. You can only spend a dollar once. Memories last a lifetime." Maybe that'll help.

Wait a minute.... you despise winter and cold and snow but you live in Canada? Did I miss something?

Love the sign!!!

 

[choco_latae]

I know what your saying about getting your family involved with the Disney things. You will meet my whole family on the cruise. We will all be there.My DD got it all together, Shauna or on the boards as tazgirl. Im gonna keep on reading your stuff. Verry interesting. Julie or choco_latae

 

[laura001]

Great report!!! I'm loving every word!!!!!

Your hubby sounds just like King Charming. Yep... don't dare let him know how much this is gonna cost or he'll find reasons (money! but you and I know there are much more important things thant hat) to cut things. But I'll tell you what... try this line on your DH. KC actually came up with it... he said "Investing in family always brings high returns. You can only spend a dollar once. Memories last a lifetime." Maybe that'll help.

Wait a minute.... you despise winter and cold and snow but you live in Canada? Did I miss something?

Love the sign!!!

LOL!!! I saw that KC had written that before.....I already emailed that to DH months and months ago!!! It is funny, cause I do that stuff to DH all the time, I am sure he doesn't even read it most of the time. BUT....I will say this...I have really been pushing the fact that it is ok to "dream", and it was so funny because last week he finally, after all this time said something about dreaming. I called him on it and he said, "you always tell me I need to dream more" I am finally rubbing off!!!

As for the winter, you have no idea how much I hate it. If it is snowing out, I close all the California Shutters in the office, and if it starts snowing and I am busy, my patients will go and close them so I don't have to look outside. I have always said that I think God was trying to play a trick on my with me being born here. Again....poor DH gets the brunt of my antics over it being cold and snowy. Wow! After reading some of the things I have written....I feel really bad for DH, I am really hard to live with (I am not likeing where that is going..lol)!!! Oh my....he must really love me!

I am editing to say that even though it is cold and snowy here I have no want to go to Florida in January or February cause it is not warm enough for me, if I can't wear shorts and sandals all day, well..........phewy!!!

 

[laura001]

I know what your saying about getting your family involved with the Disney things. You will meet my whole family on the cruise. We will all be there.My DD got it all together, Shauna or on the boards as tazgirl. Im gonna keep on reading your stuff. Verry interesting. Julie or choco_latae

Thanks Julie, hope you enjoy!!!

 

[laura001]

Love the sign!!!

I thought it was pretty good too! DH didn't think it was very funny though! I guess you can tell that I have a bit of a sense of humour, but sometimes DH doesn't see that...lol!!!

 

[Hypermommy]

I thought it was pretty good too! DH didn't think it was very funny though! I guess you can tell that I have a bit of a sense of humour, but sometimes DH doesn't see that...lol!!!

You just need to move down here! You and I would get along SOOOOO well Or maybe even retire to work at WDW? I know that's something of a dream of mine!

Good for you for rubbing off on hubby.

 

[magic1bubbles]

subscribing! i have to get some bananas you need to have family in florida for when that disgusting white stuff flies so you can get warm i do & i'd be willing to share them only they don't apprectiate disney the way the rest of us do

 

[laura001]

subscribing! i have to get some bananas you need to have family in florida for when that disgusting white stuff flies so you can get warm i do & i'd be willing to share them only they don't apprectiate disney the way the rest of us do

Funny you say that....I do have family in Fort Myers that live there permanently and another set that live there part of the year. I just have a hard time thinking of going to Florida and not going to Disney!!!

 

[tazgirl1981]

Great Pre-Trip report Laura...you have made me want to read more! I also am now thinking of making a pre-trip report as well....Thanks for adding more things for me to do I look forward to meeting you on the Ship

 

[laura001]

Part 5…..

It has been awhile since I have posted anything new, life seems to get in the way at times. Where did I leave off….oh yes, hating winter and booking a trip for the end of March!

One thing that I did leave out was the fact that I posted the beginning of a cruise meet thread for us in December of 2007, sat there all by my lonesome until April of 2008, when the first person finally jumped in! WHEW! Thought I was going to be the only one for quite some time. Our cruise thread has been going quite well and I am sure that it will pick up once Christmas is over and we all start to get very excited.

The end of March is finally here and DH and I head off to WDW once again! I just love being able to go and know that I already have another trip planned, it makes the whole trip feel like it is never going to end! It will just continue on a little later!

We stayed at POFQ, reason being is that DH had never been there, it is smaller than the other moderates and I like to give him new things to look at. I have to keep expanding his view of WDW, he will feel then that there are countless opportunities for us to have a good time and see new things. Scott really liked POFQ, although for just the two of us (adults) he wasn’t as enthused about the pool area as Coronado Springs or The Contemporary. It was much smaller and loads of kiddies around! BUT…….the savings grace is that he could have his favourite frozen Marguerita’s once again! So, he is happy, pool, sun, drink!!!

This trip we spent a lot of time of the Boardwalk area and also went to Jellyrolls, which if travelling as adults, or a night out with your spouse, is just a blast! We did go earlier in the week, peeked our heads in and it wasn’t busy, so we went back on Friday night, it was packed and so so so so much fun. For those of you that don’t know, it is close to the end of The Boardwalk and is a dueling piano bar, there is a cover charge, but well worth it.

Still not having a reservation for a resort for after our cruise, I/we just couldn’t keep our eyes and thoughts off of staying at a Boardwalk area resort. This area by far, in my opinion, is one of the overlooked areas of Disney, what a great way to spend an evening, walking along, watching the entertainers, stopping in for a bite to eat or a drink, and what an amazing view! This is where we just have to stay for our next trip! (k…….I am right on that)

Once we are back home, I go back into planning mode, our cruise thread is moving along and my head starts swimming with ideas for the cruise. What are we going to do for excursions at each stop? What a question, what are our choices, endless possibilities, every time I open up a report and I read what someone has done…….OOOHHH, I want to do that! Oops, DH is coming too ….what is he going to want to do?? Can I ask him…..NOT! He will just say, that sounds great to everything, plus can’t give him too many choices, that just complicates things.

Our stops are Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and of course Castaway Cay. DH and I both love wildlife and history, it is fun to see a bit of the area you are in. We also enjoy beach time and the water, although when it comes to snorkeling, just not too sure because DH wears glasses and cannot see through a mask without them. We begin to explore the idea of him just bringing a few pairs of throw away contacts so that he can use them with a mask. The choices for what we are to do are endless and we are totally confused…..