Road Trippin', Cruisin' and Photo Bombin'-Our EPIC Family Vacation!NEW11/5-BIRDS..UGH

[sharilee]

this is great! First road trip this long with DD 7 on Sunday , same route almost from Ontario Canada, and soooo not looking forward to that bridge!

 

[lsenquiz]

The game sounds like alot of fun. I tried to steal your idea and checked to see if my DH's favorite team (Cleveland Indians) was playing Tampa while we were there. I got so excited when I saw they were then realized that they were playing them in Cleveland

So glad you made it to Florida safe and sound. I am looking forward to hearing about the cruise.

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Glad you survived the road trip portion. Can't wait to read more!!

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I wish the dome had been able to open..that would have been sweet! I was surprised it does not have that capability...especially being in Florida.

I think the main reason they didn't go with one at the time of building it is it would be too hot with it open. Since then air conditioning systems have improved a lot. For example I think one in Arizona has a retractable roof on it and they keep it closed before game time and have the AC turned up as high as it can go for a few hours to cool off the stadium. They do it here in Toronto on the really hot days it makes the concourse extremely cold but a good refuge if you need to get out of the heat especially if your in the 500 level.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I'm glad you had fun at the game!

Thanks! Being baseball fans, it was just fun to see a good, exciting game.

this is great! First road trip this long with DD 7 on Sunday , same route almost from Ontario Canada, and soooo not looking forward to that bridge!

LOL! Have fun on your trip! And don't worry about the bridge. It's bark is so much worse than its bite!

The game sounds like alot of fun. I tried to steal your idea and checked to see if my DH's favorite team (Cleveland Indians) was playing Tampa while we were there. I got so excited when I saw they were then realized that they were playing them in Cleveland

So glad you made it to Florida safe and sound. I am looking forward to hearing about the cruise.

Boo for your team not being in Tampa....a game would have been fun!

Sail-away is coming up soon!

Glad you survived the road trip portion. Can't wait to read more!!

It was really a good trip...I would do it again.
But...we were so glad to be off the road and ready to get the vacation started!

I think the main reason they didn't go with one at the time of building it is it would be too hot with it open. Since then air conditioning systems have improved a lot. For example I think one in Arizona has a retractable roof on it and they keep it closed before game time and have the AC turned up as high as it can go for a few hours to cool off the stadium. They do it here in Toronto on the really hot days it makes the concourse extremely cold but a good refuge if you need to get out of the heat especially if your in the 500 level.

I get that I guess. I know the dome in Miami opens. Maybe it's because Tropicana Field is an older one. Either way...we had a great time!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

After an exciting (although disappointing for my husband) baseball game, we were once again on the road. But, this time it was for the final leg of our road trip. One more 2+ hour drive across Florida and we would be in Cocoa Beach, the final post-it note location on our window. If I remember correctly, it wasn’t long before all 3 boys were sound asleep. It was rainy outside and Jeff was driving. The drive from Tampa to Cocoa Beach is fairly boring…not a whole lot of scenery, especially late at night in the dark! Before long we were passing signs to our beloved Walt Disney World again. (We’ll be BACK!) Then, the tolls began. If you have never made the drive from Orlando to Port Canaveral, let me warn you. There are toll booths EVERYWHERE! I think we paid 4 tolls in the short one hour drive. The first couple tolls were fine, but by toll booth number 4, Jeff was about to explode! Just when we would get by a big truck or pass some slower traffic, we would have to stop to pay a toll! Even though we were aware of these toll booths because we had done the drive from Orlando to the port in 2010, they were no less annoying! I think it cost us $4.25 in tolls by the time we were done.


We had called ahead to let the hotel know we would be getting in late and I’m glad we did. I think it was almost 1 am before we pulled into the LaQuinta Inn parking lot. We went in to register and found a very nice front desk employee who was also a baseball fan and could tell we had come from the game. She found our reservation, gave us directions to the room and sent us on our way. The hotel had a bar that seemed to be a pretty hoppin’ place and we were hoping we didn’t get a room too close to all that noise! The boys and I unloaded our travel bags and went to the room while Jeff searched for a parking spot. Normally, that would not have been a difficult task, but this place seemed to be packed and there was no parking to be found.


The boys and I found the room with no problem and it was in a nice location, not too close to the bar noise and facing the pool/patio area. I used our key to open the door and we piled in. It took a minute or two, but it soon became apparent that we had a problem. The room had ONE King sized bed. Now, my boys don’t mind sleeping in close quarters….but all 5 of us in one bed? That was definitely going to be an issue! As I was pulling out the reservation confirmation I had printed from Priceline, Jeff walked in the door. I told him not to get too comfortable! Indeed, my reservation specified two beds…just wanted to check in case the mistake had been mine. But it wasn’t so off to the nice front desk girl we went! I explained the issue and she was very apologetic. I told her that if they had no other rooms we would figure out a way to make it work, but that we really needed two beds if that was at all possible. She did a little research on her computer and in a few minutes she had another room all ready for us. It was a handicapped accessible room, so the shower was a bit odd, but it had two beds so we were happy! Jeff and I went back to the one-bed room and rounded up the boys, our travel bags and our cooler and we headed to our new room. This location didn’t have a nice pool view, but it was in the back of the hotel and VERY quiet. I didn’t take a single picture as we were exhausted and wanted to crash. But, the room was big, clean and modern. It had a microwave and a refrigerator….and no moth ball smell!

It took a while to settle in…the boys argued over who was going to sleep where and they also had a snack. I think Jeff and I were asleep in no time!

We were in no hurry the next morning as we had until noon-ish to get on the ship. But we did want to eat the free breakfast, so we got the boys up around 8 and told them to go eat and then they could come back and shower, pack up etc. The breakfast area was very nice, but crowded. We enjoyed the eggs, sausage, juice, fruit, and toast. And the coffee?? MUCH BETTER! The TV was on in the area and we were keeping our eye on the weather forecast. It was supposed to be overcast and rainy in the afternoon, but in the low 80s. The morning was definitely living up to that as we only saw clouds in the sky. Our plan for the day included a walk on the beach before boarding the ship. Clouds weren’t going to keep us from dipping our toes in the ocean!

After breakfast, we went to the room and showered and got dressed for the day. We also re-packed our suitcases a bit. We had only packed one travel suitcase for the road trip and most of that did not need to go on the ship. But we did need to rearrange a few things. We decided to leave most of the perishable food we had left in the refrigerator for the housekeeping staff. It was just a few cheese sticks, some lunchmeat, and a few yogurts. The rest of the snack food got packed up and we would save it for our time in the condo. We would not be needing extra food on the ship!

With all the packing done and everyone ready for the day, we loaded up the van and piled back in. Off to the beach! We decided to drive down the main street in Cocoa Beach and head away from the port and toward Patrick Air Force Base. There are little pull off areas all down that road with public beach access. We found one and parked the van. The boys were so excited. As it turns out, none of them have ever seen the ocean that they can remember. (We went to Myrtle Beach when Dan was 16 months old and we have been to Boston and seen the bay…but not a real beach) They were very excited to lose the shoes and hit the sand! Even though the sky was overcast, we loved playing in the waves and walking along the shore.




My first vacation feet picture!!


Jonah chasing the sea gulls and sand pipers.


My handsome boys!




Yikes…Jeff got a little too close to the waves!




We spent about an hour and a half just enjoying the beach. The boys race up the sand, they had long jump contests, looked for shells, jumped in the waves….basically just had a good time! It is so nice to see them relax and enjoy each other and really get the chance to be kids. No worries, no agenda…just have fun!

The weather took a turn for the worse and we heard lightning warnings being broadcast over the AFB loudspeakers. It was time to get off the beach and head toward Port Canaveral. We walked back to where we had left our shoes, cleaned off our feet in the handy-dandy foot washing station by the parking lot and got back in our van. Jeff and I needed more coffee, so we headed back into Cocoa Beach and found a Dunkin Donuts. Armed with caffeine and energized from the sea air, we were ready for our next adventure. Let’s go see that ship!

We were planning to park at a lot close to the port and take a shuttle to the ship. But we wanted the boys to see all the cruise ships in port before we did that so we took a little driving tour. Those ships seem so HUGE when you are right next to them and we wanted the boys to have a sense of what our ship would be like. Luckily, we were able to drive right past the ship that would be our home for the next 4 days, the Carnival Ecstasy.

There she is!





CONTINUED NEXT POST....

 

[mommytothreeboys]

It was still early so we thought we might do some more sightseeing in Cocoa Beach (maybe Ron Jon’s Surf Shop), but the boys were anxious to get on the ship, so we decided to just make our way to the parking lot and get this party started! I had made online reservations at Park N Cruise which is one exit past Port Canaveral. We found it easily and were quickly checked in. The attendants unloaded our bags for us and directed Jeff where to park the van while we waited for the shuttle to arrive. The process was very smooth and much cheaper than parking at the Port garages. We paid $32.00 for the four nights. Parking at the garage at the port would have been $75. This lot was gated, lighted, and guarded 24/7. We also parked our own car and kept our own keys. I would recommend this place for anyone thinking of parking for a cruise.


The shuttle arrived quickly and our bags were loaded. As we sat waiting to head out, I noticed that a van looking very much like ours and having a cooler that looked a lot like mine in the back had its back gate wide open! Jeff had his keys in his pocket and must have pushed the button that opens the back gate. Good thing I noticed it! We got a good chuckle over that one. LOL!

The ride to the port took about 10 minutes and before long our bags were unloaded and we were ready to head into the terminal. Jeff tipped the driver and off we went! There was a lot of activity at the terminal already. I think we arrived around 12:15.

We entered the terminal and had to go through metal detectors. We were so excited about this because we had not been through a metal detector since Isaiah had his elbow surgery last May. He broke his elbow and now has 5 pins and a metal plate holding it all together! To our dismay, it didn’t even set off the metal detector. That was anti-climactic. We were so ready to tell his story and watch him go through secondary screening……


The line for check in was fairly long, but we made it through quickly and without incident. Everyone had the correct documentation….thanks to my being a bit obsessive about it. I think I checked all the paperwork about 10 times just that morning! Before long we were posing for our pre-board photo op and crossing the bridge to get on the ship!

If you’ve never been on a cruise ship, the first look at the atrium as you enter is impressive. All the brass is shiny and the lights are sparkling! We had arrived! Our room would not be ready until about 1:30 so we took the elevator to the Lido Deck and decided to take a look around before we grabbed some lunch at the buffet. It was still cloudy, but no rain yet!

This is Waterworks, the on-board waterpark.


On deck and ready to go! (That’s a Disney ship in the background.)








Ahh…this is the life!


After a quick tour of the Lido Deck and Pool area, we found the buffet and had some lunch. I was not all that excited about the buffet as the buffet food on the Royal Caribbean cruise we took in 2010 left a lot to be desired. But this food was really good. The buffet was well maintained and the food was fresh. There was a large variety from a salad bar with lettuce and veggies as well as cold salads to a Mongolian Wok. There was a carving station with roast beef and mashed potatoes and a burger station with chicken fingers, burgers and fries. There was also a rotating station each day that had a different type of cuisine. On this day it was Italian. Add a pizza station and a deli station and I had one happy family! Not to mention desserts and all the soft serve ice cream a boy can eat!

Lunch was surprisingly good and we were ready to get rid of our carry-on bags and see our room. It was past 1:30 so the room would be ready. We headed to our room which, we had warned the boys ahead of time, would be small. We had opted for one room for all 5 of us rather than getting two cabins. For the price, we just couldn’t justify a second room that we wouldn’t be spending time in. We figured that we could make do for the short periods of time we would all be in the room together. We’d rotate showering and getting ready for dinner and at night we would just be sure our bladders were empty before crawling into bed!

Our room!


True to our expectations, the room was small. Having all 5 of us in there, with our luggage still packed in our suitcases and all of our carry-on bags was definitely not pleasant!

This is a view (later in the week because I didn’t take a picture this day) looking in from the hallway.


It had a double bed, two upper bunks, and (not pictured here) a roll away bed that was in the front right corner. Although a tight squeeze, we did make it work with no problem. Getting dressed in the morning was tough, but we used both the bathroom and the entry way (with the closet door as a divider) as changing rooms. We got into the habit of announcing when we were opening the bathroom door or the cabin door so as not to disturb anyone who may be changing in the “changing room.” Our cabin steward was fantastic and set up the beds each night and tucked them away each morning so we could use the most space in the room.

Jeff and I sent the boys off to explore the ship with strict instructions to be back by 3:00 so we could head to the safety drill. While they were gone, we managed to unpack all of the suitcases and find space in the closets for everyone’s clothes. Empty suitcases were stowed in the far corner, in the closet, and under the bed.

Safety drill was uneventful. It amazes me how quickly they can get all those people where they need to be in such a timely and orderly fashion. Something tells me that in a true emergency, we wouldn’t be so polite and mannerly!

By about 4:00, safety drill was done and we were ready for Sail-Away! As we were headed to the upper deck to watch the ship sail off, the ship’s horn sounded. It was SO loud! The boys were completely taken by surprise and both Dan and Jonah covered their heads and hit the deck as if we were under attack. It was HILARIOUS! The best part was that there was a rail full of people looking down on the whole event as it happened! We laughed for a long time about that and we still giggle about it!

I had been chatting with a few people online who were taking this cruise and we had planned a meet and greet for sail-away. We all wore Mardi Gras beads to identify ourselves and we found each other at the designated spot. It’s always fun to put faces to the names I’d been chatting with for a couple of months. It was a varied group….an older couple, a mom and her 15 year old son, and 2 families with kids ranging in age from 10 to 18. We all enjoyed meeting and getting to know each other a bit. We had a drink or two to celebrate sail-away!

The boys had tired of us old people fairly quickly and had decided to play a round or two of mini-golf. Only Jonah joined Jeff and I at the rail to say good-bye to dry land.





Oh…the rule of thumb for a cruise is “don’t bother with the hair.” One trip up on deck and it’s a mess anyway!

A few pictures as we sail out of Port Canaveral. The clouds persisted as you can see.



A distant view of the launch towers at Cape Canaveral.


That ship is following us!


The sail away party on deck was fun for a bit…lots of excitement, music, dancing… But sadly the weather was not cooperative and it began to rain. This is a picture of the deck once the rain hit….it emptied out pretty quickly!



The boys were very content to play mini golf and explore the ship. Jonah had made friends with one of the boys from our meet and greet and they were hanging out together in the pool. Jeff and I and the parents of that boy found a table on deck (under cover, of course) and just visited and relaxed. It was such a nice way to spend the late afternoon after the craziness of the past few days!


We had chosen late seating for dinner so at about 7:00, we rounded everyone up and headed to our room to get ready for dinner. We had told the boys that dinner each night was required. We knew they would want to be doing their own thing a lot of the time and dinner would be our time to reconnect. I made them pack shirts with collars and khaki pants for the dining room. They fussed, but not too much. There was food involved, so they fell in line!


On our first cruise, Jeff and I had so enjoyed our table mates at dinner. We were hoping for the same luck on this cruise. We ended up sitting with 4 teenage girls, all seniors in high school. They were taking this cruise to celebrate their graduation and one of the girls’ aunts was their chaperone. The aunt, Tamara, was a bit younger than Jeff and I but in the same ballpark. The girls were polite, funny and talkative and we all got along really well. Even the boys got involved in conversation! See…there is a method to my “dinner is mandatory” madness!

One of the “rules” on this cruise was that the boys had to try new things. Dinner was the perfect place for that! On the menu for our first night? ESCARGOT! Jeff and Daniel were game as well as one of our friends. We also took advantage of the fact that we could order multiple appetizers, entrees, and desserts so we could try a LOT of things! Isaiah decided to try the duck appetizer on this first night….a first for him!

Jeff trying the escargot….


I ended up trying a bite of his and we both agreed that they taste more like the garlic and butter they are served in than anything else. They are chewy, but the key is to not chew too much. Just chew once and swallow! Too much thinking about what you are eating causes you to spit the poor snail in your napkin! ( A lesson our friend learned the hard way!)

This is Isaiah trying the duck…he ended up really enjoying it.



The waiters on a cruise are fabulous! Our waiter’s name was Wichit and he was from Thailand. His thick accent was often hard to understand, but he was amazing. He knew us each by name and was quick to fill all of our requests. And….every night he and the rest of the dining room wait staff would dance and sing for us! So fun! There was napkin waving and lots of laughter! Anyone who goes on a cruise and chooses not to eat in the main dining room is really missing out on a great experience.

After dinner, it was very obvious that we were not having good weather as we could feel the boat rocking beneath our feet. Luckily, Dan, Jonah, and I had taken our Bonine and our stomachs were just fine. We knew the weather was supposed to improve so we were hoping for calm seas for the rest of the trip. There was a Welcome Aboard Show in the theater that night so we all made our way there to see it. The cruise director opened the show and he was HILARIOUS! We really enjoyed him throughout the trip. Then there was a Motown production show, which was just okay. The male singers were very good, but the ladies had a few problems. Overall it was a fun show and the energy level was great! The performers led the crowd out of the show at the end and toward the ongoing party in the club and in the atrium. It was a great way to get the crowd involved! We did not join in however, as it was late, and our beds were calling our names! I think the boys went up to the ice cream machine before joining us. This would be the norm throughout the trip!

That’s it for now! Stay tuned though….will the rain go away for our Fun At Sea day?

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm here! And all caught up! You snuck another update in on me while I was reading. I'm really enjoying reading about your trip. I'm so impressed with how well your road trip went. I don't think all four members of our family would make it to Florida in one piece! The boys have all gotten so big! I forgot you'd have the advantage of a third driver.

We had a similar view at our Rays game. We noticed that there were just as many Yankees fans as Rays fans at our game too. Luckily Alex wasn't too upset because the Rays won our game too. It was strange to be in a dome for sure!

The cruise sounds like it's off to a great start! I'm sure the boys really liked your table mates! I hope the weather improves!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wow, Missy, that was a heck of an update and I loved every bit of it. Now, I just gotta remember what all I wanted to say.

As you said earlier, I know that our families would get along. We are so much alike and our kids are too. We are all simply amazing!

I am with you on the stupid toll roads. When we were driving to the Port, it seemed like every time we'd get going good, it was time to pull off and throw more coins in.

I loved all of the pictures that you took along the beach. You could tell that the boys (and you and Jeff too) were having a great time just running around and enjoying being together.

I'm sorry but I had to laugh at Dan and Jonah hitting the desk when the horns blared. That was hilarious and I can totally see how that will be something that you will always remember.

Ah, escargot! Like you guys, we had never tried it until we went on the cruise. I agree that it's not something that I'd like to sit around and savor and think about for long. Just chew it a little and not think too much about what you're eating.

 

[wiigirl]

Great pics!

 

[Marsheliz]

Cant wait to hear about the cruise.. I had considered taking a cruise in September but I still think my boys are too young, we are thinking about maybe in April..... Give them time to get a little bigger...

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I get that I guess. I know the dome in Miami opens. Maybe it's because Tropicana Field is an older one. Either way...we had a great time!

I think I remember seeing on the news when were staying in a condo in St. Petersburg about when it was being built how a lot of people were saying they wished it had been retractable like the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) which was about a year old at the time.

 

[lsenquiz]

Glad this Hotel was nice.

How awesome to see the ocean for the first time. We have been going since I was tiny so I do not remember my first memories. I do love it anytime we go with anyone that has never been there though.

I hate that your sail away day was a rain out but it sounds like you guys had a great time anyway. I agree that there is no better opportunity to try new foods then dinner on a cruise ship.

Looking forward to hearing more about the cruise.

 

[ohboyx3]

Loving your report as a fellow mom of three boys AND and Orioles fan! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[danceintherain]

Come on...Jeff wet himself...don't try to cover for him.

I would so love to do another cruise, but I don't think DH would do very well.

Also, the living quarters...
You're brave for all sleeping in one cabin. I'm having a hard time thinking about sharing a cabin with one toddler boy!

 

[livsmom04]

I'm joining in! I'm so glad you all got to enjoy the game with the B-more O's! I'm originally from that area and still love watching their games when I can. My sister just moved back up to Baltimore last August and we're planning on going to a game this summer together with my DD! Should be fun again!

Also the traffic in Charlotte is bad but definitely not as bad as Northern VA/DC traffic! I remember sitting in traffic for hours up there but thankfully I now know when not to travel during those times.

And so far loving the cruise. We want to take a cruise and my DD is adament about taking the Disney Cruise but it's so expensive and if we wanted to do a week at Disney World we wouldn't be able to, so we're looking into doing a different cruise for a few days and then heading over to DW. That's next years plans though.

 

[indimom]

It's a shame the weather didn't really cooperate for your first night on ship. Hopefully, it's all uphill from there. Sounds like you all made the best of it, though!
I can just imagine how crazy your cabin was with all five of you changing! Yikes!

And I just have to know? Did you or Jeff ever smack your head on the bunk above you? That thing looks dangerously low. lol.

 

[carissanboys]

I'm all caught up! The baseball game looked like a lot of fun.

I'm loving reading all about your cruise! Hope the weather improved for you guys.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I'm here! And all caught up! You snuck another update in on me while I was reading. I'm really enjoying reading about your trip. I'm so impressed with how well your road trip went. I don't think all four members of our family would make it to Florida in one piece! The boys have all gotten so big! I forgot you'd have the advantage of a third driver.

We had a similar view at our Rays game. We noticed that there were just as many Yankees fans as Rays fans at our game too. Luckily Alex wasn't too upset because the Rays won our game too. It was strange to be in a dome for sure!

The cruise sounds like it's off to a great start! I'm sure the boys really liked your table mates! I hope the weather improves!!

I think that it's tough for the Rays to establish a strong fan base in Tampa. With so many people transplanting from other parts of the country, they come with their own loyalties to their favorite team. I'm glad Alex handled the loss well!

I was so glad we had young people at our table that could talk with the boys. Dinner was really a highlight of each day!

Wow, Missy, that was a heck of an update and I loved every bit of it. Now, I just gotta remember what all I wanted to say.

As you said earlier, I know that our families would get along. We are so much alike and our kids are too. We are all simply amazing!

I am with you on the stupid toll roads. When we were driving to the Port, it seemed like every time we'd get going good, it was time to pull off and throw more coins in.

I loved all of the pictures that you took along the beach. You could tell that the boys (and you and Jeff too) were having a great time just running around and enjoying being together.

I'm sorry but I had to laugh at Dan and Jonah hitting the desk when the horns blared. That was hilarious and I can totally see how that will be something that you will always remember.

Ah, escargot! Like you guys, we had never tried it until we went on the cruise. I agree that it's not something that I'd like to sit around and savor and think about for long. Just chew it a little and not think too much about what you're eating.

UGH...those tolls! So annoying!

My favorite part about being on vacation is the little "family bubble" feeling. We all only have each other and we just enjoy our time together. (Not to say we don't have our moments of bickering or frustration, but you know what I mean.) Especially this year, knowing the family dynamic will change with Dan heading off to college in the fall.

Great pics!

Thanks!

Cant wait to hear about the cruise.. I had considered taking a cruise in September but I still think my boys are too young, we are thinking about maybe in April..... Give them time to get a little bigger...

I agree that older is better! The ships have great kids' programs....lots of age-appropriate activities.

I think I remember seeing on the news when were staying in a condo in St. Petersburg about when it was being built how a lot of people were saying they wished it had been retractable like the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) which was about a year old at the time.

Retractable would have been nice. A little fresh air at a baseball game is good!

Glad this Hotel was nice.

How awesome to see the ocean for the first time. We have been going since I was tiny so I do not remember my first memories. I do love it anytime we go with anyone that has never been there though.

I hate that your sail away day was a rain out but it sounds like you guys had a great time anyway. I agree that there is no better opportunity to try new foods then dinner on a cruise ship.

Looking forward to hearing more about the cruise.

I had not realized the boys had never really been to the ocean. We have done beaches...here at home at Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes, in Boston at the Bay...but never like in Cocoa Beach. They LOVED it!

Loving your report as a fellow mom of three boys AND and Orioles fan! Can't wait to hear more!

Welcome!

Come on...Jeff wet himself...don't try to cover for him.

I would so love to do another cruise, but I don't think DH would do very well.

Also, the living quarters...
You're brave for all sleeping in one cabin. I'm having a hard time thinking about sharing a cabin with one toddler boy!

LOL! I told him that's what it looked like! Good thing it was breezy and he dried fairly quickly!

It was definitely a challenge to be in one room...but for the money we saved, I felt like it was do-able. Without cutting a few corners, this vacation would not have been what it was.

I'm joining in! I'm so glad you all got to enjoy the game with the B-more O's! I'm originally from that area and still love watching their games when I can. My sister just moved back up to Baltimore last August and we're planning on going to a game this summer together with my DD! Should be fun again!

Also the traffic in Charlotte is bad but definitely not as bad as Northern VA/DC traffic! I remember sitting in traffic for hours up there but thankfully I now know when not to travel during those times.

And so far loving the cruise. We want to take a cruise and my DD is adament about taking the Disney Cruise but it's so expensive and if we wanted to do a week at Disney World we wouldn't be able to, so we're looking into doing a different cruise for a few days and then heading over to DW. That's next years plans though.

We love Camden Yards! What a beautiful ballpark!

We made a very conscious effort to avoid the DC/Northern VA area. We did a road trip to Colonial Williamsburg last spring and learned our lessons!! What a mess that traffic is!

The reasons you mention are precisely why we chose a non-Disney cruise line. In order to do both the parks AND a cruise it was the only way to go.

It's a shame the weather didn't really cooperate for your first night on ship. Hopefully, it's all uphill from there. Sounds like you all made the best of it, though!
I can just imagine how crazy your cabin was with all five of you changing! Yikes!

And I just have to know? Did you or Jeff ever smack your head on the bunk above you? That thing looks dangerously low. lol.

I think we each bumped our head only once...we quickly learned to scootch forward THEN sit up! It didn't feel claustrophobic when I was in the bed...I was afraid it would feel like I was in a coffin, but it didn't at all.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Retractable would have been nice. A little fresh air at a baseball game is good!

Yeah it is great having one here in Toronto, during night game you can see the lights on the CN Tower, and also they have a camera on the roof that they can show the view of the lake from it.