Sept. 11 4-day Wonder of it all....

[IndianaDan]

Cast of characters - DH (moi), DW (Cruise-hater extraordinare), DS19, DSS14 (step-son). We live in Central Florida, so it was a short 1 1/2 hour drive to Port Canaveral. Smooth luggage drop-off and car park, and then we were thorugh security and into the short line for concierge check-in. The lady checking us in ended up being a distant relation to my step-son (that would be on the waaay bizarre father side...poor lady). After check-in, she escorted us on board and into the Cadillac lounge for the requisite concierge welcome aboard indoctrination. As the boys were hungry (which with these 2 meant that they were awake), she took them up to Beach Blanket for brunch. We were thoroughly entertained by the conversation of one couple, who were complaining in a very heavy European accent about having their passports "ripped from their hands and taken away.." bad passports...bad passports. This poor girl had to spend the next 15 minutes apologizing for everything including the grueling walk to board the ship...my wife and I stared at each other and broke out into a loose rendition of "...waaah boo...put a dress on it....(sung in D minor). When this same girl, Stephanie, got to us, we immediately started to complain abut the chocolate chip cookies being at room temperature. Her eyes started to get as big as tennis balls, so we quickly ended the torment and said we were kidding and sympathized with her over the Whiner party. She was terrific, and soon we were on our way to meet the chow hounds and to see just how nervous the restaurant manager was looking after seeing their consumption abilities (I should note that both boys are remarkably thin top level athletes, who like Tums, can consume 25% more than their weight). We then made it to our Cat 2 cabin, which was truly luxurious and spacious and stocked with a huge bowl of fruit on the dining room table. We then made our way topside and found the Signals bar and began our new found game - swipe the KTTW card. Soon everyone was dancing to the Sailaway/Bubble party as we pulled away and set sail. After walking around the ship to get our bearings, it was time to get ready for Hercules as we had the late seating for dinner. Originally we were set for 8:30pm, which for us would have been PTTA, but we asked for and got revised to 8:15pm which put us in the APPT rotation. After the show we had a little time to kill before dinner, and we went walking on the Promenade deck, or rather we sat and watched what appeared to be the Disney version of "Night of the Living Dead", as we had rough enough seas to make everyone stagger around with their arms straight out. Humerous enough, unless you were like my poor wife who had imbibed a few alcoholic bevermirages and joined her fellow "Living Dead"...staggering along in 3 inch high heels no less. I was quite impressed....she, on the other hand, kept murmuring something about death to cruise-boy (I believe that would be...me). Dinner was quite good at AP, and our wait team of Adam from Australia and Gesder from India started off slow, but Adam especially would end up showing quite a sense of humor (he learned quickly that sharp objects found near my spouse placed all of us in grave danger). The after dinner stagger was quite entertaining (I grew up on boats so I just grinned and watched the fun unfold around me). On the way back to our suite looking like a pin-ball party, an unfortunate steward jokingly remarked to my spouse about having a weee too much to drink. After she punched him in the shoulder and staggered off, I told him that ice helps, after looking at the now useless limb hanging by his side. The boys headed off on their adventures, and we returned to the first of our towel animals (2 swans which my wife loved), and then she lowered herself groaning into that incredibly comfortable bed and was soon fast asleep. We had made it through Day one....our adventures had just begun.

 

[jerry112]

What a great trip report so far! Can't wait to read the rest and see how things turn out. Glad you had a great time!

 

[jezebella]

Where are you at in Florida??? I met so many at signals on the 11th trip---and go on with your report, you're saving me from having to do one. And, yes, I too was one of the zombies walking around with several drinks in me and no less than 4 inch heels. I just wonder how the dancers managed to stay upright while performing. I was really expecting a face plant.

 

[IndianaDan]

Hi Jezebella....we have 20 acres right on the Clermont chain of lakes, although we are actually in Groveland (the acreage is for my wife who is an equestrian, and the lakes are for us guys). You might have seen my one son Michael at Signals more...he was the one who's 6'3" and looks like a movie star. As far as the dancers that first night...I thought pretty much the same, although having spent many years working for Disney, I can let you in on a little secret...yes they were all audio-animatronic figures. That way Disney cuts down on food, and pay scale complaints.

 

[AspiringCindy]

Can't wait to hear about Day 2!!!

 

[IndianaDan]

The Bahamas!!!! I awoke fairly early and saw right away that the swells had gone away and the seas were calm and not a cloud in the sky. I went to the gym and did my little workout routine and there were only 2 others there at this time in the morning. Later in the day the gym would go sardine, so I 've heard that at the next drydock they are extending the gym out to the bridge walk which would be a good thing. After awhile, the rest of my crew came to life and we went off to breakfast at Beach Blanket. After the boys devoured their 1/3 of the available fare, we went back to our verandah to watch Capt. Henry back the Wonder into dock. Across the way was one of the Carnival prison boats. Sad people were lined up looking at us with longing. I believe the Wonder passengers would have put up a fierce battle if any tried to board us....away with you!!!! We're full up!!!! Well it was time to disembark and we decided to check out Atlantis. I had debated on doing the room for a day at the Comfort Suites so as to get the pool/slide privilidges, but as there were several tropical storms/depressions going on around our sailing date, I decided not to do it. We took a taxi over, and although it is quite an impressive facility, I was frankly put-off by the attitude of most of the staff there. Wherever we seemed to want to go, we did not have the requisite wristbands, and they were less than impressed with my lucky astrology mood-watch (humph...surrounded by heathens). Atlantis is apparently looking to implement a one day pass very soon, so keep in touch them at heathens. com...just kidding. DW decided her fun quota had been met, so she went back to the ship to do the wireless laptop work-thing at the Cove Cafe. We guys went over the public beach and did the guy beach thing. The boys decided after a few hours it was time to go back to their buffet (it was soon after that most of the passengers decided it was prudent and certainly safer to dedicate one of the buffet lines for their exclusive use). DW was happily esconsed at the Cove, and was quite happy with the wireless option, and she used her Skype connection to call her minions. Skype worked perfectly, so those of you who have wondered about it....no problemo. We spent a little time in the Promenade Lounge, and decided that overall, the staff on board were uniformly polite, courteous, friendly, and appropriately sarcastic once they got to know you. Aside from Zombie town last night, the only blip on the radar occurred with room service earlier in the day. We had ordered sandwiches that we planned to take with us over to Atlantis, and were told the wait would be about 20 minutes. After 40 minutes I called back and the same girl said after checking, the order was on it's way. Yep, you guessed it...the check was STILL not in the mail. So I called again, same girl who then said she will check and call back. The ships operator called ten minutes later to confirm that we had placed the original order exactly 1 hour before, and did we still want for them to place the order. This should have elicited spinning heads and guacamole flying everywhere, but I calmly replied, nooo, but gee, thanks anyway. After we all got back to room later on, the concierge team had apparently been informed of the wayward sandwich caper and had left a plate of truffles and chocolate covered strawberries with a note of apology. We looked at each other and said something like "HA! They think they can smooth this one over with some gratuitus chocolate! HA! Well just you wait ...Oh...hey...these are goooood...munch..munch.." The next time my wife ordered from RS, she said she had barely hung up when the knock came at the door, with her ordered delivered by a slightly winded member of the RS Track Team. They learn quickly, master...Dinner was at Parrot Cay tonight, and once again the meals were all quite superb. Later on they had the adult comedy and ventriliquism of Michael Harrison. If you ever have a chance, do not miss this guy. He is hilarious and really talented. He performs a family version and even a childrens workshop and he was probably the favorite act of the cruise. For those of you with teens, our DS14 said that the counselors were great with constant activities, and he made a number of friends (our favorite was a kid I nicknamed Ritalin-Boy). Although the ENTIRE food staff knew him quite well, we hardly saw him the entire trip. This evenings towel adventure was a rabbit with shades....Disney always sends you to bed with a smile. Tomorrow is Castaway Cay and more adventures to shock and awe you...or, not....

 

[Dreamer04]

I am loving this!

 

[Ker-Bear]

more, more!!!

 

[IndianaDan]

OK pain-seekers....it's time we go to Castaway Cay! Another beautiful night followed by a brilliant sunrise coming up on smooth seas. Capt. Henry backed the ole' Wonder right in place, and we looked out from our verandah at the beautiful, peaceful beaches and lagoon....soon to be filled with screaming, swimming, cavorting bodies. And just wait until the kids get there. After dragging the boys out of their beds and pointing them in the general direction of their bathrooms, DW and I went back up to BB for breakfast. We enjoyed a little quiet time until the boys came up, did their ritual gorging, and then DW informed me that she was staying onboard to get some work done, and that we should have fun (DW had a huge project ready to launch right in the middle of the cruise, and as she does not cruise well, the ability to crank on her laptop and her buddy Skype made her quite content). I had the boys signed up for parasailing, so we took off for that adventure, while I went island searching and to get in some snorkling. Found the old sub buried in about 15 feet of water (this is one of 2 of the defunct 20,000 Leagues subs from WDW), and it was kind of sad seeing it down there. DS14 went off to meet up with his teen terror squad, and my other son met me at Heads Up bar where me met a terrific bartender from Croatia (I am experiencing a total brain fart right now and can't remember her name). I had noticed and remarked to her that most of the Disney Cast seemed to be experiencing a bit of the hair of the dog. She laughed, then grimaced, and said that they had all gone out the night before to Atlantis, and the CC cast had had their usual party til you drop as well. After trying a few of the local specialties and getting a bucket o' beer, we trudged off towards the adult beach. Since neither of us worked out this morning we decided to forgoe the tram and walk all the way. Oh way bright idea that was....walking on an old runway that helped the temp reach about 150 friggin' degrees. Anyhow we finally stumbled onto our little private beach and relaxed on the lounge chairs and cooled off in the water. Although they have a smaller version of Cookies BBQ at the adult area, I would recommend to others that they go back for a better variety in the family area. Time seemed to go far too fast and we were soon packing up for the TRAM RIDE back to the boat. As a safety reminder....don't end up like the numerous human lobsters we spotted now finally putting on a little suncreen...this is the Caribbean folks, and you will bake and fry and it won't be pretty. I was just walking up the ramp when I remembered about the soon to open manta ray area. I wanted to look it over and see if they were allowing anyone to experience it before it officially opens on 9/20. So if anyone else had an intact brain and remembered...let us know how it was! Tonight was Palo, and since one son had been sucked into the teen oblivion, we decided to take Michael with us. Before that, we took in a little of Michael Harrison's family version of his show, which was really well done. As the ship headed back towards Florida, it actually got a little windy, which once again provided endless entertainment from the window seat we were soon brought to at Palo. Wind does all sorts of fun things to hair, hats, clothing items like dresses,....the occasional small pirate blowing across the deck followed by a frantic mom. But, on to our evening as our waitress came up, said hello, and that she was from Transylvania...and proceeded to stare at us. YYYikees, ok now we're thinking vegetarian...actually she ended up being great and as seems to be mentioned on all the boards, the meal was fabulous. Afterwards we strolled around and watched the Pirates In the Caribbean party. Some of the more pickled pirates were having some sort of contest for showing off the most unique location for their eye patch....ahem. The fireworks went off, and we went back to our cabin to enjoy the rest of a terrific day and night. Our towel animal tonight was a crab...is room service still trying to tell us something? Well, that's it for tonight. Stay tuned for our next chapter - a Day at Sea!!...or, watch DH cleverly answer DW's question.."this IS the 3-day cruise, right?"

 

[Dawn M]

Well speaking as one of the human crabs you saw staggering back to the ship you were right. I put sun screen on in the morning and thought I would be fine. Wasn't!!!! Everyone I am olive complexion and a resident of Texas I used SPF 30 and I burnt like no other. Almost a week later and I am still watching my skin peel off . So sunscreen! sunscreen! sunscreen!!! By the way it was the best vacation. Would go back tomorrow sunburn and all!!

 

[jezebella]

Hmmm, you must have met a bartender I don't know. Luckily for me I burned myself really well the week before we left at flagler beach, so I was good and tan and ready. As for snorkeling, I forgot to tell in my own thread that as Jay and I were going along, I somewhat lost track of him, then saw his bald head bobbing up and down and followed him for about 5 minutes when he stands up and has suddenly grown a mustache!!???? I look at him and say "you're not my boyfriend" then I hear hysterical giggling from behind me, where he's watching me this entire time.

 

[IndianaDan]

Somehow we've now made it to Day 3 - At Sea. The routine has been established by now...I'm up early followed by DW, one DS dead to the world, the other working on 2 hours of sleep (only the terminally young or inane can possibly survive like that). Another beautiful day is dawning, and the water is a purple/blue color that is just amazing. Get through the breakfast routine and then start lining up our spa routine. Now Michael, the eldest, has been fighting with DW about getting him a pedicure. She tried to get him to have one on our vacation last year in Aruba, but no macho college boy will submit to such a FEMALE endeavor. So this year, she cleverly disguised this treatment as nothing more than a kind of foot massage. Now this is a kid who willingly submitted last year to being wrapped like a mummy in seaweed, but toe-nuking is a "chic-thing". Somehow she got him to agree to one scheduled for after lunch. DW went in first for the massage with aromatic hot stones treatment. She came out telling us that we had no choice...she had signed us all up for it because it was out of this world. She did mention that she nearly came to blows with Bella as she was apparently quite the strong little Swedish masseuse. Michael was, of course only interested in if she was cute...yes, she is...cool, he's in. Thank you. I'm next, and I have to say it was the best massage I've ever experienced. Now I'm a sucker for deep tissue massage, and it takes a lot to make me wince, so I must admit that on several occassions, Bella had me nearly ready to cry like a school girl. I swear at one point Bella climbed on top of the cabinet, lept and landed a 1/2 nelson on me...mommy.....Most of the time, however, the massage was just simply perfect. She was working on a particularly nasty tense muscle in my back, and asked me if what she was doing felt allright. I told her I'm going to give her 1/2 hour to stop that... We made a deal with Bella...she is to come live with us, ride our horses, and give us free massages in return - life is GOOD! Michael was next, and as he went off, I told him to ask for the extra firm massage, because after all, she is just a little Swedish girl. Sometime later, we came back to our room, and Michael was sprawled out on the bed, with little wimpering sounds coming from the pillow. Heh, heh, heh...One of the interesting threads on the Dis boards has been one of compensation. Talking with Bella brought an interesting aspect to life 24/7 onboard ship. Although the Vista people don't actually work for Disney, they do eat the same food. She said that since there is such an enormous variety of countries represented, trying to create palatable options was very difficult. Most of these kids really missed their homes and their particular type of homestyle cooking. I don't have a solution on this, but I thought it makes sense and yet I don't think that few if any of us had taken that into consideration. Anyhow, one of the nice aspects oft his ship was going into the Buena Vista theater to see a movie. It was nice and relaxing, and we actually enjoyed Sky High with Kurt Russel. In the meantime, Michael was on for his close encounter with a pedicure. I managed to time it just perfectly to walk in with my digital camera and get a great shot of mr. macho with his tootsies in the bucket o' goo, while he is in mid arm raise to shout "Oh no you don't...out!" One of the benefits of parenthood, is being able to blackmail your children for years and years. Life is GOOD! He then spent the rest of the afternoon lounging around the adult jacuuzi and, of course, Signals. There were tears in his eyes when we finally dragged him away for the last time. Dinner tonight was in Tritons, and as became usual for this trip, the dinner options were quite numerous, and our selections were all excellent. We spent some time walking around Deck 10 and just enjoyed the spectacular evening, but then all too soon it was trudge, trudge back to the cabin to finish packing to get the luggage in the hall by 11pm. So soon and so sadly we said goodnight, knowing we would be docking and having to give up this incredible suite and room service. Life can be cruel. See you all in the morning.

 

[IndianaDan]

Hey Jezeballa, I am still having total dain bramage...I cannot for the life of me remember the bartenders name. She was a slender pretty blonde from Bosnia/Croatia. She had some pretty scary tales about the changes she and her family went through, and how incredibly fortunate they were to have made it out of there alive. Now she's working for Disney on a cruise ship...as they say, only in America.

 

[jezebella]

Xena I think. And I'm pretty sure I know exactly who your two sons are and we had some conversation with them at signals and then again at the castaway cay. I was always in the straw cowboy hat at signals. They probably will recognize that. And btw---I work in Clermont---you need to hook me up with some riding lessons for my 4 year old! LOL!

 

[jezebella]

Oh, and ask them if they were there for the Red Eyed Gator??? ROFL!!

 

[IndianaDan]

Xena I think. And I'm pretty sure I know exactly who your two sons are and we had some conversation with them at signals and then again at the castaway cay. I was always in the straw cowboy hat at signals. They probably will recognize that. And btw---I work in Clermont---you need to hook me up with some riding lessons for my 4 year old! LOL!

Thank you...yes, Xenia is her name (I'm getting tired of my body going on vacation and leaving the ole' brain behind). As for the boys, only Michael was old enough to hang there (if you remember a tanned 6'3" outgoing young guy who looks like a male model..that was Michael). Where in Clermont do you work??? My wife works for Sterling International Realty. In fact she just got her own billboard up on Hwy 27 near the Publix in Minneola (I thought about getting my own billboard, but then everyone would want one, and then where would you be?).

 

[IndianaDan]

OK time to wrap this turkey up. Woke up fairly early just as they were manuevering the ship into dock (about 5:30am). DS#2 showed up in the room after having stayed up all night with about a dozen other teens, eyes an interesting shade of ouch. His mother will be having speaks with him about this.....After showering and dressing and saying goodbye to our room steward and this incredible suite, we made our way up to Tritons for breakfast. We were waiting to see if DS#1 (Michael) was going to have a retaliatory activity for our waiter. The night before, our waiter had played the old cruise ship favorite of placing a spoon handle through a coffe cup handle, and then doing the Chevy Chase stumble and poor the empty contents onto Michael who leaped out of his chair, to his chagrin. Fortunately DS is not a morning person, so he had no time to plot revenge. We said our goodbyes and made our way off ship and found that everything mentioned on the boards about an efficient and fast exit through customs with your luggage was spot on. Kudos to Disney for coming up with a great system. We grabbed a luggage porter and were in our car for the drive home within 1/2 hour of leaving the breakfast table. Seems like we had just got there to start the cruise and already it was over. We never do the same thing twice, so we have already agreed on next years vacation...a week in Fiji scuba diving and surfing. Life is GOOD!!!!.....