Sept. 23, 2012 Pacific Coast - Wonder Cruise

[jetskigrl]

Usually if we do excursions, I manage to find things on my own without DCL which is typically less expensive. Must be I am lazy this time. That trip to the museum is $75 each - I just can't beleive that it would the that expensive to do it on our own, especially since the tickets online are only $10.00. I just don't want to get to the area and find out we have to pay to shuttle and/or get into the park as well. I don't think that the Muir Woods excursion is that out of line.

You are lucky to be so close - I feel like I need to take it all in, I may not get that way again soon (well, other than SD in January 2014).

That is how I have felt on our other trips. I didn't want to miss anything so we had excursions planned for every stop. And I always book through DCL because I'm scared of missing the ship.

I was just reading a trip report from someone on our MR cruise and they stayed on the ship in Puerto Vallarta and one of the Cabo days (and had the pools to themselves, etc). And as the opposite of that, we got off the ship at every stop so my kid's never got in the pools once.

So yes, this is a very unique situation for us. In both San Fran and San Diego, we have very long port hours and in both places, I could just call family to pick us up if we missed the ship So I think this is a good time for us to try just playing it by ear

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Welcome ShinyDaisy! It's our first cruise too, we are so excited. It's quite a jump from dreaming to doing isn't it!

It's ANZAC Day here in New Zealand, which is sort of similar to your Veterans Day. The children are still too young to do a Dawn Service so a quiet day at home fixing things in case we have to put the home on the market rapidly.

Depending on what happens at DH's work we may have to move to NZ's largest city, Auckland. Given our largest city has 1.5 million people that probably sounds teeny for you all. Not exactly thrilling for me though, I like living 400 metres from the beach in a smaller town. Even if we don't move DH may be doing a plane commute weekly or taking on a bigger role in Wellington. So we may look for a place with more land that the kids can have a pet lamb (although pig seems to be the favourite ) and I can grow more food. So at the moment it's all up in the air and I'm busy trying to explain to the Kindergarten I can't do all the volunteer work as I might not be there. *sigh, no wonder I had a headache for two weeks*

JetSkiGirl - I'd like to do the FE, mainly for the kids as it would just 'specialise' the cruise even more. As this could be our first, last and only cruise ever I'd also like to do it for us too.

 

[glindamood]

Welcome ShinyDaisy! It's our first cruise too, we are so excited. It's quite a jump from dreaming to doing isn't it!

It's ANZAC Day here in New Zealand, which is sort of similar to your Veterans Day. The children are still too young to do a Dawn Service so a quiet day at home fixing things in case we have to put the home on the market rapidly.

Depending on what happens at DH's work we may have to move to NZ's largest city, Auckland. Given our largest city has 1.5 million people that probably sounds teeny for you all. Not exactly thrilling for me though, I like living 400 metres from the beach in a smaller town. Even if we don't move DH may be doing a plane commute weekly or taking on a bigger role in Wellington. So we may look for a place with more land that the kids can have a pet lamb (although pig seems to be the favourite ) and I can grow more food. So at the moment it's all up in the air and I'm busy trying to explain to the Kindergarten I can't do all the volunteer work as I might not be there. *sigh, no wonder I had a headache for two weeks*

JetSkiGirl - I'd like to do the FE, mainly for the kids as it would just 'specialise' the cruise even more. As this could be our first, last and only cruise ever I'd also like to do it for us too.

You most certainly are in a state of change, regardless of moving or not moving. I have never lived in a large city - I have been close/on the fringe but to be honest, I do wish I lived a tad closer to one at this point than we do but, it is what it is and here we are. Just makes shopping and travel a bit more difficult but it can be done.

FE's - Our children are all grown and we still participate. I get as excited going back to the cabin to see what is in it as anyone else does. But another fun thing that we did on the PC trip (or I think that was the first time) was doing a postcard exchange. We just each got local (to our home) postcards and exchanged them. So interesting to see the sights from where others are from. Anyone up for that? I will happily keep a list - just really need names and cabin numbers.

Well, not much to report since yesterday - I do need to get the photos up on Photobucket - I will get a few out here, I promise.

Enjoy your day!

 

[ShinyDaisy]

all for the warm welcome

I was wondering if there is a Facebook group for our cruise or if anyone wants to try that? Postcard exchange would be fun!

 

[glindamood]

I will happily keep a list for a postcard exchange and I can do the FE as well since I figure we will participate. I will need you to send me a PM with your name and cabin number (when you have it) as well as an email address so that I can send the list. I can also print lists and bring them with me.

Are we doing a DIS meet on the day we board? Like 3:00 in the Promenade Lounge or something?

Enjoy!

 

[jetskigrl]

I will happily keep a list for a postcard exchange and I can do the FE as well since I figure we will participate. I will need you to send me a PM with your name and cabin number (when you have it) as well as an email address so that I can send the list. I can also print lists and bring them with me.

Are we doing a DIS meet on the day we board? Like 3:00 in the Promenade Lounge or something?

Enjoy!

We are still on the fence about the FE. Well, I'm on the fence since DH never really has anything to do with in anyway. But given that I don't have to worry about luggage weight limits this time, I'm pretty sure that I will decide to join in. I do enjoy it.

I definitely would love to join in on a DIS meet though.

I was going through all the excursions for San Diego yesterday and I think DH and I will stick with the original plan to just go on our own. We don't want to do Sea World or Legoland without the kids (DS has been bugging us to take him back to both places so that wouldn't be fair). We took the train to San Diego last summer for DS's birthday and toured the USS Midway (darn, otherwise I would do that again).

So we may just go to the Maritime museum and then walk around Seaport Village. We went there for lunch for DS's birthday also but the kids were hot and not very excited to walk around the shops so I think it would be nice to be able to do that without dragging complaining kids with us

As much as I love actually being out in the ocean on a cruise I am kind of excited about the long port days because it will make it really easy to just explore at our own pace without worrying about having to be back by early afternoon.

 

[glindamood]

Tadaa

OK - DH, myself, Drew and his fiance Kayla.

 

[ShinyDaisy]

Tadaa

OK - DH, myself, Drew and his fiance Kayla.

Beautiful family!!

I need to read the old pages. LOL I'll be looking for more info about FE as well.

 

[jetskigrl]

Tadaa

OK - DH, myself, Drew and his fiance Kayla.

Great pictures!!! You have a beautiful family!! And congratulations again to your DS!

 

[ShinyDaisy]

I think I'm caught up...

Gail, Congratulations to Drew and your family What a great accomplishment! and an exciting summer!!

Marian, hope everything comes out well with DH's job. Such an amazing year you've had! Hope everything is smooth sailing for a while

jetskigrl, thank you for the great explanation of the Fish Extender and could you send us your DLR Guide, too? We live in SoCal but a couple of hours away and don't get there as often as we'd like. Any and all tips would be welcome! Thank you! I'm gonna look into the Maritime Museum; DH loves those.

Thanks, Gail, for posting about the San Diego excursions; we haven't seen them, yet! We're so excited about this cruise!

 

[glindamood]

Happy Friday everyone! Long week but it is going to be a fun weekend. We are heading to the Detroit area for a party and then going to the Henry Ford Museum to see the Titanic exhibit on Sunday with some cruising friends. That should be very interesting. I will try and get some pics and post them once we get home - slowly but I will see what I can do.

Not much else is new - had a MRI yesterday for this pain in my shoulder and arm but also have an epidural scheduled for May 8th. Would be nice if they could figure it out soon as I have already put back on five pounds that I lost trying to find comfort in food (and no, I didn't find it). The meds hardly take the edge off. Just trying to be patient and while I don't want the MRI to really show anything, I would like to get beyond all this crap.

Well, everyone have an awesome day.

 

[jetskigrl]

I think I'm caught up...

Gail, Congratulations to Drew and your family What a great accomplishment! and an exciting summer!!

Marian, hope everything comes out well with DH's job. Such an amazing year you've had! Hope everything is smooth sailing for a while

jetskigrl, thank you for the great explanation of the Fish Extender and could you send us your DLR Guide, too? We live in SoCal but a couple of hours away and don't get there as often as we'd like. Any and all tips would be welcome! Thank you! I'm gonna look into the Maritime Museum; DH loves those.

Thanks, Gail, for posting about the San Diego excursions; we haven't seen them, yet! We're so excited about this cruise!

Sure, I'll be glad to send it to you. PM me your email address. It is a Word document, is that OK? If not, I can C&P it into an email for you.

Here is the link to the Maritime Museum. It looks like it is right down the street from the Cruise Terminal (unless I am mistaken about where the ship will dock).

http://www.sdmaritime.org/

Happy Friday everyone! Long week but it is going to be a fun weekend. We are heading to the Detroit area for a party and then going to the Henry Ford Museum to see the Titanic exhibit on Sunday with some cruising friends. That should be very interesting. I will try and get some pics and post them once we get home - slowly but I will see what I can do.

Not much else is new - had a MRI yesterday for this pain in my shoulder and arm but also have an epidural scheduled for May 8th. Would be nice if they could figure it out soon as I have already put back on five pounds that I lost trying to find comfort in food (and no, I didn't find it). The meds hardly take the edge off. Just trying to be patient and while I don't want the MRI to really show anything, I would like to get beyond all this crap.

Well, everyone have an awesome day.

Oh wow, I hope everything turns out OK with the MRI. Shoulder pain is terrible. I had a pinched nerve in my upper back last year and it was awful (couldn't sleep, constant pain in my back and running down my arm, etc). And yep, the meds didn't help. It took 6 weeks of physical therapy before I felt better. I've got my finger's crossed that you heal much faster than that.

Well, nothing new to report here. It is funny for me to not be making more plans for this cruise (no excursions to book, no airfare or hotels, lol). I already have all the clothes that I need since I just bought new stuff for the MR cruise. Oh well, I'll have to find something else to plan

 

[glindamood]

First, before there are sightings of my rudeness (I saw me and I am sorry) - THANKS everyone for the well wishes on Drew. It is so awesome to watch them find and do 'their own thing' in life. I just hope his 'thing' puts a smile on his face, food on the table and pays the bills.

MRI results - can't believe how fast that went. I have a herniated disc - C6-C7. My current plan of action is to try the epidural as scheduled May 8th and take if from there as the next thing is surgery. Not in my forecast but by the same token, if that is what I am going to have to do, then that is what I am going to have to do and I will need to get over it and on with it so I am healed in time to go on this trip. That is actually my driving force, especially since I have already purchased airfare.

Have a good weekend everyone!

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Gail I love the pics of your family. Too cute. It looks like it was a fine Spring day for the graduation too. And I had a good look at Alma College's website as you have so many univerisities in the USA and I love seeing what options people have. We have only eight univerisities and around 15 other tertiary institutions for a population of a little over 4 million. So if you want to do something like medical school there is only one university with a medical school.

I'm so sorry to hear about your shoulder. Pain radiating from the spine is the worst. I've still got the pain in my right sacroiliac joint and having physio. Here in NZ it's all thru the skin rather than invasive for treatment - if they can get away with a cheap solution they will.

Of course it meant I couldn't do any running, rowing or kettlebells for six weeks and Easter was in the middle (did anyone say chocolate?). Well I had my annual cardio check with my specialist on Thursday and got a clean bill of health with no issues at all. It quite disturbed him to have someone have perfect blood pressure, perfect EKG etc etc when they get the occasional SVT. So what did he do - told me to lose 10kgs (22 pounds). Argh, I told him I'd put on three kgs over Easter.

I'm up for postcard and FE exchange. I've found some pirate fabric to make a FE from. I'll send you a PM Gail with my details.

JetSkiGirl - you'll have to tell me where to shop for clothes in SoCal. As you know, I'm not a size 2 and don't want to accidently wander into the petite ultra thin ladies clothes stores. My limit of knowledge is GAP and Banana Republic.

Hmm - yes the Maritime Museum would be a good idea for us too if we don't get around to it in the weeks beforehand.

We've been painting like crazed people all week. Hopefully things will be more settled once we know either way what's happening. Meantime I'm doing the mental math on how to move three cars, two four year olds, a dog, three birds and houseload of stuff across country.

 

[glindamood]

Evening everyone! We had an awesome time this weekend - between the surprise retirement party and then going to the Henry Ford Museum today and seeing the Titanic exhibit - it was great. Sorry, we were not allowed to take any pictures inside the exhibit but it most certainly was interesting. Some of the items that were on display were amazing - postcards that you could still read the writing on to a man's suit, dishes, a pair of eyeglasses (which looked new), it was just all so interesting.

But, it was a rather uncomfortable ride home, shoulder is speaking this evening but I am pretty tired so I will be in bed before long watching TV which seems to be a rather comfortable spot for me these days.

Have a great evening and a good week.

 

[jetskigrl]

MRI results - can't believe how fast that went. I have a herniated disc - C6-C7. My current plan of action is to try the epidural as scheduled May 8th and take if from there as the next thing is surgery. Not in my forecast but by the same token, if that is what I am going to have to do, then that is what I am going to have to do and I will need to get over it and on with it so I am healed in time to go on this trip. That is actually my driving force, especially since I have already purchased airfare.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Oh yikes! I have my finger's crossed that they have a treatment plan that will have you back to 100% in time for the cruise!!

JetSkiGirl - you'll have to tell me where to shop for clothes in SoCal. As you know, I'm not a size 2 and don't want to accidently wander into the petite ultra thin ladies clothes stores. My limit of knowledge is GAP and Banana Republic.

Hmm - yes the Maritime Museum would be a good idea for us too if we don't get around to it in the weeks beforehand.

We've been painting like crazed people all week. Hopefully things will be more settled once we know either way what's happening. Meantime I'm doing the mental math on how to move three cars, two four year olds, a dog, three birds and houseload of stuff across country.

Oh man, I hate shopping for clothing for me, LOL. I much prefer to buy clothes for my kids We will have to do some recon work when it gets closer to your arrival and I'll see what I can recommend based on where you are staying. If you were going to be in my area, I would just take you to my local mall. We could easily spend all day there

Evening everyone! We had an awesome time this weekend - between the surprise retirement party and then going to the Henry Ford Museum today and seeing the Titanic exhibit - it was great. Sorry, we were not allowed to take any pictures inside the exhibit but it most certainly was interesting. Some of the items that were on display were amazing - postcards that you could still read the writing on to a man's suit, dishes, a pair of eyeglasses (which looked new), it was just all so interesting.

But, it was a rather uncomfortable ride home, shoulder is speaking this evening but I am pretty tired so I will be in bed before long watching TV which seems to be a rather comfortable spot for me these days.

Have a great evening and a good week.

The Titanic exhibit sounds very cool. My Mom was telling me about one in San Diego also (although I think it is only through the beginning of Sept) that we may have to go see (for DS).

Well, I hope everyone had a nice weekend. We took the kids down to the port yesterday to wish the Wonder well on her first trip to Hawaii There was a lot more people than usual at the port this time and we had a really nice chat with another DCL family (we started comparing cruises and ships, LOL). It is kind of surreal to think that I won't see the Wonder again until right before our cruise. She will be back after the Hawaii cruise, but that is on a Monday so we will be at work/school. Then after that she heads up North for the Alaska cruises.

Well, maybe that is a good thing. I was tell DH that not going down to the port over the summer will help keep me from thinking about it. As much as I want to be back on the Wonder, I don't want to wish away the summer. I absolutely love summer time with no school/homework to worry about. Our evenings and weekends are pure family time (as opposed to this past weekend where my DD spent 3 hours doing volunteer work for school and then another 5 or 6 working on a project). So yes, I love school vacation as much as the kids do so I'm in no hurry for the summer to be over

 

[glindamood]

Oh yikes! I have my finger's crossed that they have a treatment plan that will have you back to 100% in time for the cruise!!

The Titanic exhibit sounds very cool. My Mom was telling me about one in San Diego also (although I think it is only through the beginning of Sept) that we may have to go see (for DS).

Well, maybe that is a good thing. I was tell DH that not going down to the port over the summer will help keep me from thinking about it. As much as I want to be back on the Wonder, I don't want to wish away the summer. I absolutely love summer time with no school/homework to worry about. Our evenings and weekends are pure family time (as opposed to this past weekend where my DD spent 3 hours doing volunteer work for school and then another 5 or 6 working on a project). So yes, I love school vacation as much as the kids do so I'm in no hurry for the summer to be over

Well, the epidural is scheduled for Tuesday so hopefully, we are on a roll and things are going to improve. I did call and ask for a referral to the surgeon (same one that did DH's fusion/cage) that I have to call and reschedule as Thursday is out of the question from a work perspective. I would like to hear out of his mouth that this 'route' will not cause any permanent damage. If I can put this off for a year, that would be awesome.

Titanic exhibit - we each got a card (postcard size) while waiting inline for our boarding time (great way to control the crowds I must say) that gave background information on a particular passenger and then at the end of the exhibit, there was the list of survivors and those that were lost so you could find your 'name' and see. Odd how, as the classes went down, the percentage of those that did not survive went up.

And, I so get the comment about 'wishing' away time - really any time is not really good. But, I work so therefore I cruise is pretty much my mantra. I spent yesterday thinking about vacation 2013 as I don't think there will be any cruises for us next year unless we sail on points, we could do a week in the parks. Food for thought anyway.

Take care and enjoy your day!

 

[glindamood]

Happy Wednesday! Not a great deal to report from here but happy to say that I survived the epidural yesterday. Interesting, I must say. Can't say that I am pain free yet but they told me it will take as long as 72 hours before I feel the results so we shall see how it goes so I am holding out that I will be in less pain by Friday. They can also give me two more injections so I am just crossing my fingers that this will all be good, even if I have to do more. Can't quite decide what to do about seeing the surgeon but I think I will, and if he is a jerk about opting for the shots first, then we will travel to Grand Rapids and see someone else. He has a reputation for little bedside manner but technically, he is the best up here and, if judged on only those two skills - I will take the technically best option.

Reminder - please send me a PM if you wish to participate in the FE's or in the postcard exchange. I can't guarantee I will see it if you just enter it here. And, I only have two that have signed up (and one is me). We will also need to decide when we are going to cut off the FE sign-up. Since some of you are travelling far and leaving early, that needs to be taken into consideration so maybe the end of August?? Since we will do the same thing we for this trip and the December trip, I will just all of them and bring a few extras.

Take care and have an awesome day!

 

[jetskigrl]

Happy Wednesday! Not a great deal to report from here but happy to say that I survived the epidural yesterday. Interesting, I must say. Can't say that I am pain free yet but they told me it will take as long as 72 hours before I feel the results so we shall see how it goes so I am holding out that I will be in less pain by Friday. They can also give me two more injections so I am just crossing my fingers that this will all be good, even if I have to do more. Can't quite decide what to do about seeing the surgeon but I think I will, and if he is a jerk about opting for the shots first, then we will travel to Grand Rapids and see someone else. He has a reputation for little bedside manner but technically, he is the best up here and, if judged on only those two skills - I will take the technically best option.

Reminder - please send me a PM if you wish to participate in the FE's or in the postcard exchange. I can't guarantee I will see it if you just enter it here. And, I only have two that have signed up (and one is me). We will also need to decide when we are going to cut off the FE sign-up. Since some of you are travelling far and leaving early, that needs to be taken into consideration so maybe the end of August?? Since we will do the same thing we for this trip and the December trip, I will just all of them and bring a few extras.

Take care and have an awesome day!

I just sent you a PM

I'm glad the epidural went well and I also have my finger's crossed still that you will see some relief soon!! I think it is probably a good idea to see the surgeon also (just to have the ball rolling already if you need it).

Not much to report around here. We are just trying to get through the last 5 weeks of school. DS is in the middle of state testing so he hasn't had homework this week (nice). But DD has been bombarded with two projects and studying for her state testing (which takes place next week) in 4 classes.
Busy, busy, busy!

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Hey All

Gail I sent you a PM yesterday (my yesterday), let me know if you didn't get it.

Jetskigirl I'll bet you are counting down to your summer break! No more having to rush people to get lunches ready, get dressed and get in the car/or to the bus to go to school. Not long now, just a big exam hump before the end.

Not a brilliant week here. Alex had a temp of 103/104 for 30 hours earlier this week and was not a well bunny. Now he's right as rain. However it's three nights of lack of sleep as Oliver had nightmares the night prior and DH going out to farewell his workmate and I'm shattered. I've got to go out tonight to a meeting too and all I want to do is prostrate myself on the couch and doze. I've started running again and it's helping my back but my weight has gone up so much since the start of the year I'm starting to panic.