Sept. 11, 2011 It's never too early to Dream

[tjbaggott]

Oh my decisions decisions! We booked a Cat. 11B for this trip. Our 1st two Wonder Cruises we had Cat. 9's, and loved them. Our upcoming Magic Cruise, we booked a Cat. 6 with a verandah which I'm sure we'll also love.

For the Dream, I figured we aren't going to be in our stateroom very much at all (we never were on the Wonder), and since they will have the virtual portholes, I booked the lowest Cat. and was happy with that. But now I realize that an 11 wont' have a split bath (2 adults and 2 children, I think we'd really like the split bath), BUT the only available staterooms that would be the same for both legs of our Back2Back, are located at the BACK of the ship. I'm really prone to motion sickness, so not sure if I should stick with the single bath and stay at the front of the ship, OR Go for the split bath at the back of the ship. ???????? It's a much bigger ship, so do you think any rocking would be be felt worse Aft as it does on the smaller ships?

 

[davidls]

Oh my decisions decisions! We booked a Cat. 11B for this trip. Our 1st two Wonder Cruises we had Cat. 9's, and loved them. Our upcoming Magic Cruise, we booked a Cat. 6 with a verandah which I'm sure we'll also love.

For the Dream, I figured we aren't going to be in our stateroom very much at all (we never were on the Wonder), and since they will have the virtual portholes, I booked the lowest Cat. and was happy with that. But now I realize that an 11 wont' have a split bath (2 adults and 2 children, I think we'd really like the split bath), BUT the only available staterooms that would be the same for both legs of our Back2Back, are located at the BACK of the ship. I'm really prone to motion sickness, so not sure if I should stick with the single bath and stay at the front of the ship, OR Go for the split bath at the back of the ship. ???????? It's a much bigger ship, so do you think any rocking would be be felt worse Aft as it does on the smaller ships?

That is a tough one you have there TJ. We have always sailed with our stateroom smack dab in the middle of the ship. Like you DW, and me too, to a certain degree, are prone to some motion sickness. When we started cruising it was suggested to us that the middle of the ship would be best. You should feel less movement in the middle. So far it seems to be working. I hope you can find that perfect stateroom. We are sailing on the Oasis of the Seas this October. Several who have sailed on that BIG ship have said they could even feel some movement on it as well. I don't think it matters how big the ship is, we will still feel some movement. I know, I know, I'm no help what so ever am I??!!???

 

[tjbaggott]

On our two Wonder trips, we were right in the middle of the ship. I felt ill both leaving PC and returning to PC (always in the Florida area), coming home the last time was the worst, BUT that being said, the tablets available outside the med centre on board did work wonderfully for me. Well, my TA has moved us to the CAT 10 A, with the split bath, so guess we'll be AFT on the ship. My hope is that by taking the dramamine tablets or Gravol, whatever I bring, will do the trick should I get the motion sickness. I'm not too worried as each time it was only when leaving Florida Waters and returning to PC, the rest of the trip was NO issue. Also, if I do feel it badly in the back, I can always go crash in my mom's stateroom

So it's set, just calculating my summer income, I think I can have all 3 cruises paid off by the end of July which would be Awesome! Then I can work on Airlines. We are driving down this fall, but will fly for our Dream Vacation. Though we'll drive to Syracuse. Insane prices to fly out of Ottawa here, so we'd NEVER do that.

 

[tjbaggott]

In other news, our dates were changed so now we are on the back2back Sept. 11th - 18th 2011!! It'll be nice to be able to travel down with my mom and her BF, this way they won't be lost/confused. I'm sure they could manage on their own, but this way too I'll be able to share the magic with them as they Board the Ship for the First time!

 

[davidls]

In other news, our dates were changed so now we are on the back2back Sept. 11th - 18th 2011!! It'll be nice to be able to travel down with my mom and her BF, this way they won't be lost/confused. I'm sure they could manage on their own, but this way too I'll be able to share the magic with them as they Board the Ship for the First time!

Alright more fellow back 2 backers!!!!! We've got quite the crew going here. My daughter and her family are going on the same dates. Like you said TJ, this is going to be nice to share the first time experience with our family too. Of course this will be our first time on the Dream, so I guess we all will be walking around with our mouths open, pointing to this and that. Now we have to find someone else to watch our pets!!!

 

[tjbaggott]

Alright more fellow back 2 backers!!!!! We've got quite the crew going here. My daughter and her family are going on the same dates. Like you said TJ, this is going to be nice to share the first time experience with our family too. Of course this will be our first time on the Dream, so I guess we all will be walking around with our mouths open, pointing to this and that. Now we have to find someone else to watch our pets!!!

Watching pets, yes, hadn't got to thinkin of that yet! Our two oldest soon turning 19 and 18, will be home either in College or Working full time. For this fall specifically, neither DH nor myself are very keen on letting them stay home alone for two weeks (we remember what we were like as teens LOL). By fall 2011, they will be 20 and almost 19 (Wow, am I that old?) And who knows if by then they'll even be home? I have a friend from work whom I trust more than my own teens (even though she is only a few years older than DD), sad to say, and she was agreeable to "House/Pet Sitting for us this fall", meaning she will be here with my other two, which would then make them think twice about breaking the rules.......(I think) lol.
But Fall 2011 is far enough away, I'll learn some things from being away this fall I'm sure which will determine how next fall would go.

(I honestly think the Biggest issue I have is with NOT trusting their friends, In this day and age where it seems EVERY teen + has a cell phone, We parents have much less contact and knowledge of who their friends are, where they live, what their numbers are ect....) I've already learned lessons with the 1st two that I won't make with my younger two Such as buying them cell phones!!!!!!!! Younger two, if they want a cell phone, then get a job and pay for it yourself!!!!!!!!!

Neighbours sometimes come in handy for watching pets!

 

[davidls]

Watching pets, yes, hadn't got to thinkin of that yet! Our two oldest soon turning 19 and 18, will be home either in College or Working full time. For this fall specifically, neither DH nor myself are very keen on letting them stay home alone for two weeks (we remember what we were like as teens LOL). By fall 2011, they will be 20 and almost 19 (Wow, am I that old?) And who knows if by then they'll even be home? I have a friend from work whom I trust more than my own teens (even though she is only a few years older than DD), sad to say, and she was agreeable to "House/Pet Sitting for us this fall", meaning she will be here with my other two, which would then make them think twice about breaking the rules.......(I think) lol.
But Fall 2011 is far enough away, I'll learn some things from being away this fall I'm sure which will determine how next fall would go.

(I honestly think the Biggest issue I have is with NOT trusting their friends, In this day and age where it seems EVERY teen + has a cell phone, We parents have much less contact and knowledge of who their friends are, where they live, what their numbers are ect....) I've already learned lessons with the 1st two that I won't make with my younger two Such as buying them cell phones!!!!!!!! Younger two, if they want a cell phone, then get a job and pay for it yourself!!!!!!!!!

Neighbours sometimes come in handy for watching pets!

I know what you are talking about TJ. Thank goodness our kiddies are all grown up and out on their own. Our only babies are our 3 cats we have at home now. Well we do have a couple of grandkids, we spoil them then send them home with good ol' mom & dad!!!
The thing is.............psssssssstttt...........lean in a little closer, we don't like our neighbor all that well. He is a royal pain in the a**. He would do anything for you, but he would never let you forget how much trouble you put him thru for helping you out. Now Mrs. neighbor is as nice as can be. Why she puts up with him is beyond us!!!!
Oh yes, TJ I got your PM and again a great big THANK YOU
for all of your help!! I did check out your web page and you do great work. There are several I saw I liked alot.

 

[davidls]

Hello this is your morning wake up call everyone. Where are you??? I got into work a little early today, thought I would check in a see what is going on. Guess I'm a little tooooooooo early huh??!!???? Well, I'll give ya'll a chance to wake up..............having that morning cup of coffee...........wipe the sleep out of your eyes.............get awake and move around some. I'm kinda a early riser anyways..........probable will be up early walking around the Dream getting some nice early morning pictures. Well, better get to work now. Talk to you all later.

 

[tjbaggott]

Early mornings on the Dream, Walking around taking photos, YUP, thats what I hope to do as well. I did manage that one morning on the Wonder last fall, the morning we pulled into Castaway Cay.

It had rained shortly before so the Deck was all wet, but the sun was already shining just above the horizen.

[/IMG]

Over the railing to my left as the ship turned around, I saw this Beautiful site:

[/IMG]

And the view of the Island as we prepared to back in alongside the Dock:

[/IMG]

I must say, it does pay in more ways than one to be up that early! I was SO anxious to get onto that Island, that after taking these photos, I headed back to our stateroom to wake up the rest of my family. DH was in NO hurry to get ready, but my two younger boys, jumped to it right away. We headed to the Deck one area where you get off the ship. There was a rope up at the bottom of the stairs there, and not another sole in site. So we sat on the stairs and waited. My boys had a Pirate Beach Ball that was given to them through the FE Gift Exchange, and they had it with them there on the stairs. They started tossing it back and forth, trying to tone down their anxiousness about getting off the ship and onto the Island. A Few minutes later, a door to the left opens, and out comes a ships officer. He introduced himself as Security Officer Tom. He asked my boys if they were in a hurry to get onto the Island that day, then asked them if they would like to help him out and be Special Security Officers for a a While. We were all escorted into the area where everyone gets off the ship. My boys got to send a few packages through the scanner and look on the x-ray machine for items that should NOT be in anyones Carry On's (knife, hammer, scissors ect....). They then got to use the hand held radio to call up to the bridge and ask for permission to go ashore. We were then the FIRST FAMILY OF THE DAY TO GO AHSHORE! We had the whole Island to ourselves for about 15 minutes, just long enough to get near the far end of the beach and find ourselves Our spot for the day. Later that night, Tom cam to our stateroom and Gave my kids a "Magical Moments Certificate" and this photo:

[/IMG]

Wow, typed that all up here, perhaps I should copy and past this all to my trip report I never did finish!

This could wile away my time to our upcoming cruise!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Wow, what a cool memory! No wonder your little guys are grinning so big! That's just pure Disney magic for ya! Beautiful shots, by the way!

 

[ragdoll]

Good morning all!

Tjbaggot, what great pictures and great memories!

Davidls, the only time I am a morning person is when I am on a cruise. I am among the first out and about. I love the early morning peace and quiet and the beauty of the ocean and sunrise. As for everyday... I am up but do not start turning into a human until about 11am.

Donna

 

[davidls]

It's good to see you guys finally woke up today!!!

TJ, those are some great photos and memories you have there. On our last cruise we saw several rainbows too. They sure are something to see out there on the ocean. Great photo of the Wonder too. I guess we'll have to get up pretty early in the morning on Castaway Cay Day to beat your family to be the first family on Castaway Cay. (Note to self: Self set alarm clock to get up at 4 am on Castaway Cay Day!!! Our grandkids will dose me with water if I drag them out of bed that early. Another note to self........Self - a good way to get grandkids out of bed early is throw water on them!!!)

Hey Ragdoll, (Donna), my Daddy always said, remember it's the early bird who gets the worm!!! (And, I always said but Dad who besides the bird wants a worm!!!) (I always had a big mouth in my family.) But like you, when I'm on a cruise, who wants to sleep!!! I want to get up and see everything there is to see!!

 

[tjbaggott]

Well, I'll tell you what David, If we are the first in line on Castaway Cay Day, and are offered to be the Family of the Day,,,,, We'll pass. So you better be the 2nd in line if not the first, LOL.

I do figure, my boys have had that magical moment, and that is kind of like a once in a life time thing. I'm sure they'd happily pass the Magic onto somone else.

It's gorgeous outside here today, going to enjoy it while I can as I think it's supposed to rain starting Friday (but alas that too is NOT a bad thing, it will help the grass and flowers grow).

 

[davidls]

Well, I waited a little longer this morning to give ya'll a chance to sleep in a little longer. Are you awake....................I can't hear you..................I said are you awake!!!! Where's my bucket of water to throw on you guys!!!!

You know TJ every time I come to this page I have to stop and look at those photo's you posted yesterday. Sure is good to see someone else's photos. We've just about worn all of the color off all of ours we took!!! We do appreciate you allowing us to be first on Castaway Cay TJ. But knowing the group DW and I are traveling with it will probably be noon or later before they roll out of the sack.

 

[tjbaggott]

Well, I'm up now and somewhat functioning (somewhat). Yesterday started out great but by evening I was in the hospital. I had abdominal pain that went from mild in the morning to severe by late afternoon. Two doctors thought I was having an appenditcitus attack, but after a CT scan, that was ruled out. They did find some nasty Cysts on my Girly parts and said THATS what is causing the pain. (Over my entire abdomen?) Alas after some I.V. morphine they sent me home with some really powerful pain meds. The pain isn't much better today yet, and it makes walking difficult, even resting for that matter. But I will survive, as this will eventually go away.

Here's the funny thing,,,,, DH stayed home today to look after me (ok so thats not funny, thats actually really nice), but he's NEVER gotten the kids off to school before! He got our 12 year old up and ready and out the door. But when I finally got up, my 6 yr old is still in his Pj's and playing on his computer on the sofa!!! I asked DH WHY DS6 is still home? He says, he didn't know how to get him moving!!!!!

Every morning DS6 tells me he's NOT going to school, but I get him out to his bus anyway. He'll often argue with me, and throw a tantrum, but hey, I'M the one in charge. So I laughed at DH and shook my head when he said he didn't know what to do when DS told him "I'm NOT going to school today".
WOW, NoONE can REPLACE ME! Unfortunately I'm in no condition to get him ready and get him to school, and no energy to argue with him.
Tomorrow though is another day, and I've told him in no uncertain terms, he IS going to school tomorrow!

 

[davidls]

Well, I'm up now and somewhat functioning (somewhat). Yesterday started out great but by evening I was in the hospital. I had abdominal pain that went from mild in the morning to severe by late afternoon. Two doctors thought I was having an appenditcitus attack, but after a CT scan, that was ruled out. They did find some nasty Cysts on my Girly parts and said THATS what is causing the pain. (Over my entire abdomen?) Alas after some I.V. morphine they sent me home with some really powerful pain meds. The pain isn't much better today yet, and it makes walking difficult, even resting for that matter. But I will survive, as this will eventually go away.

Here's the funny thing,,,,, DH stayed home today to look after me (ok so thats not funny, thats actually really nice), but he's NEVER gotten the kids off to school before! He got our 12 year old up and ready and out the door. But when I finally got up, my 6 yr old is still in his Pj's and playing on his computer on the sofa!!! I asked DH WHY DS6 is still home? He says, he didn't know how to get him moving!!!!!

Every morning DS6 tells me he's NOT going to school, but I get him out to his bus anyway. He'll often argue with me, and throw a tantrum, but hey, I'M the one in charge. So I laughed at DH and shook my head when he said he didn't know what to do when DS told him "I'm NOT going to school today".
WOW, NoONE can REPLACE ME! Unfortunately I'm in no condition to get him ready and get him to school, and no energy to argue with him.
Tomorrow though is another day, and I've told him in no uncertain terms, he IS going to school tomorrow!

TJ, I'm sorry to hear you are not feeling well. I hope you get to feeling better fast! With your DH home to help you around the house and nurse you back to health, I know you will be back in your ol' fightin' weight soon. You know men are by far the better care givers, we give, and we give, and we give. (Okokokok..............even I couldn't say that with a straight face!!!) But, we do know how to make our women folk feel better. (Hey Hon..................get me another beer would ja!!!)
But seriously TJ, I do hope you are felling better soon. Lay down, take a load off, relax and let DH take good care of you. Talk to ya'll real soon.

 

[ragdoll]

Had a productive morning. Got the grass cut and bathrooms cleaned. Now I'm wiped out. Getting old stinks. Can't believe that I have already cut the lawn three times this spring. We usually have snow in April. We have been breaking quite a few high temp records this month. Everything is blooming early and it is beautiful outside. This is the way that April should be and I am loving it. It is supposed to only be in the 40's this weekend, though. That is more like it for Cleveland.

Tj, I am sorry to hear about your health scare. Hope you are back to normal soon. Your story about your husband and son made me

David, your posts always make me smile.

Donna

 

[tjbaggott]

GOOD MORNING!

Wow, it's mid morning here, and no one's been on yet? I'm doing better today than I thought!

Well good happy day to everyone! I'm feeling much better than I was, still uncomfortable, but it's nothing compared to Wednesday night and yesterday.
Looks like it may rain outside, but hey, my Tulips have buds on them now and my seedlings are all sprouted! Yes, much earlier than is normal, but I'm LIKING this!

Spring definately has a way of lifting moods, making everything look/seem brighter, happier, opening the path of good things to look forward to!

I hope all of you Have a fabulous day!

 

[davidls]

Had a productive morning. Got the grass cut and bathrooms cleaned. Now I'm wiped out. Getting old stinks. Can't believe that I have already cut the lawn three times this spring. We usually have snow in April. We have been breaking quite a few high temp records this month. Everything is blooming early and it is beautiful outside. This is the way that April should be and I am loving it. It is supposed to only be in the 40's this weekend, though. That is more like it for Cleveland.

Tj, I am sorry to hear about your health scare. Hope you are back to normal soon. Your story about your husband and son made me

David, your posts always make me smile.

Donna

Morning to one and all. Hey..............It's Friday!!!!! Last work day of the week.
Hey Donna, you want to come down here to sunny Florida and mow my grass!!! I get to mow my grass ALLLLLLLLLLLL YEAR LONG!!!!! Don't get me wrong, mowing the lawn is a whole lot of fun. And, I'm glad I don't have to deal with snow like ya'll. And during the "winter months" down here I don't have to mow the lawn every week. But still ALLLLLLLLLLLL YEAR LONG, I gots to mow the grass, trim the hedges, prune the palm trees, and last but not least I get to clean the pool. It's tough living here in Florida!!! (I would much rather be on one of the Disney Cruise Ships............any one it doesn't matter which one...............relaxing and soaking up that sun.)
Tj, hope you are on that fast road to recovery. Hope you are feeling better today. Talk to all later.

 

[tjbaggott]

Hey David I have a question for you, since you LIVE in Florida and all. We stayed in Orlando last fall prior to our Cruise. We found the grass there Weird compared to our grass here at home. The grass around our hotel and the grass on the medians between the road ways ect..... That grass was very green but also VERY coarse. The blades were very wide as well. We definately did not want to be walking on that stuff in our bare feet! Our grass here, the blades are narrower, and it's very comfortable to walk on in bare feet, and is very green (if watered, lol), but a different shade of green than what we saw in FL. Now is the grass we experienced in Orlando pretty much the type of grass all over, even on residential properties?
Just curious. Yah, my pain meds are having an effect on my brain.