She said it wouldn't be boring!-WONDER WB Caribbean cruise - Bonus Posts Wrap up

[dgbg100106]

I am glad to see that you had a great day and not let the idiot bother you too much.

You looked great making the drink.

love all the pictures.

I think this is the bottle of scotch you were looking for. Glenmorangie Signet Single Malt Scotch Whisky

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Those tastings look like so much fun! I've always had a great time at all of the tastings I've done on DCL. I understand why you were like what when they gave you cheese at a chocolate tasting. Cheese != Chocolate.

 

[franandaj]

Your trip report is wonderful and fun. I love your casual pink dress! I'm adding chocolate tequila to my list of things to try.

I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I write it ahead of time and post the chapters as I’m able. I’m almost done with the report, so it’s fun reliving it again when I post the pictures!

Love the bartender in that gorgeous pink dress mixing drinks!
I'll just ignore the one in red.


You've got me envious with the pictures of Peter Pan. He's still on my hit list.
Great character shots!

Aw shucks! That’s why I took the pictures with Peter Pan even without Fran, you really don’t see him that often.

I have got to do the chocolate tasting some of these days!

What an idiot at the tequila tasting! I hate those kind of people. Ugh.

Cute pics with Daisy and Peter Pan!

Jill in CO

You really do need to do the Chocolate Tasting, it’s one of my favorites. Especially since he was drinking the Tequila that Fran and I intended to steal!

You could have fun with me, I'd want the chocolate and someone else could drink the shots for me.

Love all your pictures!

Sounds like a good deal!

The first tasting looks phenomenal. Chocolate is always good.

It was very good, and not too much after that Brunch at Palo.

Self admiring idiots are the worst kind!!!! Oh well, at least you got to have some good tequila.

Yup, they do serve top notch tequila! Patron is my favorite.

Your drinks of the day always look delicious. I think your efforts to try to have one everyday are well worthwhile.

I thought so too. They are kind of sweet, but as far as price goes, they are a really good deal.

Really enjoyed this post. There is always one Tom Cruise in Cocktail in the party! Or thinks they are..

Love the photos. Stitch one is great. How nice of you to share your chocolate with CMs. What a lovely thought

Thanks! The CMs did really appreciate the chocolates.

Oh no! I didn't realize she had started feeling so bad while you guys were still on the trip. So you haven't found any new meds that help?

Well the Doctor gave her some meds before Christmas and they were starting to work, but you have to understand RA. It’s an auto-immune disease and her immune system is attacking her body. So all the medications essentially disable her immune system, but when she came down with my cold over Christmas, she had to stop taking the medication.

This particular med takes effect quickly, but it also leaves the body as quickly, so she is back to having her joints all frozen up. She’s on her second round of antibiotics and sees the Doctor again in a week. She may take these pills for a couple more months, but she is hoping to get into a drug study that opens in March where the medication is infusion based (which many of her previous medications were). They have a much longer lasting effect. So we’ll just have to see.

Looks like Glenmorangie?

That’s it, I actually saw it at the Grocery store the other night. It was in that big locked cabinet in the liquor section.

Never, ever get between a woman and her chocolate.

And you made the most of it!

Why of course!

We'll call him "Captain Entitlement".

$75? Does it come with a TV in it?

Actually, when I saw that bottle of Whiskey in the cabinet, there was also a bottle of Patron Silver the same size as the coffee Patron that they polished off at the tasting. It’s price tag was $129.99, and the Coffee flavored one is usually priced higher than the silver!

Just go away, dude. Nobody cares.

That's a great idea! Sounds like it went over really well.

We’re hoping that with two more cruises on the Wonder (technically three since one is a B2B) we’re hoping that they remember us!

I can't wait to join DH for the next cruise...want to try one of the tastings. He usually does 2 per cruise. That guy was such a doofus!!! I kept wondering if he was just late or if he wasn't registered for the class.

You definitely should join him. These tastings are a lot of fun. They would have made him pay at the door if he hadn’t already. Evidently there was plenty of extra room in the class.

LOVE you Stitch photos...that was one of our favorut s the last cruise. I did the hang loose w/LILO & Stitch and we used it as part of our Xmas photo last year!!! We love them!

That’s a great idea!

I loved your idea to spread little tidbits of chocolate goodness. I think I'll steal that idea for the next cruise.

I’m sure the CMs will be very appreciative!

BTW, I had to cancel our B2B next May on Wonder...I need surgery in March. Made the call yesterday w/my travel agent yesterday.

Can't wait for next update!

I’m sorry to hear that. I was looking forward to meeting you in May. I hope that it’s nothing serious.

Loved the dalmatian costume wow !!
Your TR is making me so want to be back on a disney boat
Love your DCL donney bag by any chance remember how much it was
Thanks

I think it was $148, but I’m not exactly sure. I’m really starting to go into withdrawl, but at least I have another one coming soon!

Another nice day on the DCL. The chocolate and alcohol pairing sounds interesting to do on the ship. Very nice pics of the PP and Tiana.

It was definitely another nice day on the ship, but how could it not be? Well let’s not speculate on that one.

 

[franandaj]

Sorry to hear that you are both still under the weather! I hope you get to feel better soon!

Thanks, I’m really hoping Fran can kick it out of herself. I’m feeling better and better every day, but my ears are still all plugged up, like I’m on a plane that is landing. At least we’re having weather that makes you want to stay inside and rest.

I think this was the first time I saw a review of the Tequila tasting! This has always intrigued me, but Michael is not interested in shots. However, my sister is (she has several food intolerances and somehow mixed drinks are often not good for her, straight alcohol is no problem ). So, maybe we need to think about the Tequila tasting on our upcoming Norway cruise! I just hope that we won't have Mr Attention Seeker with us on that cruise!!!

That sounds like a great plan! Also you don’t drink them as shots (well we don’t). It’s premium tequila so they have you do things like take a little salt, sip the silver tequila and then have a taste of lime. I think we tasted the orange slices with the reposado tequila. Hopefully Mr. Attention Seeker won’t appear on anyone’s future cruises.

I wonder if they will have any other tastings based on the fact that you are going to Norway, does Norway have a specialty alcohol?

I have to say that in my experience on three cruises I have seen far less "misbehaving" people than in the parks. Maybe people are generally more relaxed on a cruise and feel less flustered and stressed out by trying to have the best time ever?

Ha! That’s been my experience too, but I’m not sure if you are reading Jenny’s TR with the family that implodes on the trip! Generally people on a Disney cruise seem to be pretty balanced people. Now my first cruise was on Carnival and never again. So many drunk people who had no decorum! I may have quite a few on the ship, but I don’t think I’ve ever been “sloppy” or “out of control”, the worst we’ve done is gone back to our stateroom to sleep!

Yep, I can't wait to be back on "my Wonder" again (and to go back to Cabo)

We are going with a big group of friends too (3 of the 4 couples are celebrating our 20th anniversaries this year).
Oh, I wonder if I can talk them into the Chocolate tasting. My Mom and I did that on our Alaska cruise and I really enjoyed it.
We may have to try the Tequila one also.

I just hope that Cabo is up to snuff by then. I haven’t heard anything about it since the storm went through there last Fall. The last thing I heard was that it was going to take years to rebuild.

All caught up again.

I love your costumes. What a bargain you got on yours and Fran is a darling Dalmatian. You both look like pictures of health and are having the time of your life. I am so glad you two had such a great time.

I know you and Fran aren't feeling so good right now. I hope you turn the corner soon.

Can't wait for more!!

Thanks Ellen! I know, in those pictures we look happy and healthy. I’m hoping that we are back there by our next big Disney trip!

An idea? Do share.

It has to do with my Birthday, so this isn’t the place. But I think I know one of the menu items we’ll have for Friday’s dinner!

I couldn't do a tequila tasting. Too many shots in my younger years. The chocolate pairing looks interesting though. Michael would love that.

The DOTD High Tide is going on my list for the weekend.

You know that there will be Tequila at the birthday weekend! I’ll teach you to sip it! I just signed us up for the FB Mixology class for our Dream Cruise in April!

So have you made the High Tide yet?

That guy was a show off! I'm sure the class bartender did learn his lesson! The group cruise you ladies are all planning sounds awesome, every tasting better watch out! Hope you gals feel better soon!

I know! That cruise is going to be so much fun! I need to concentrate on the ones that I have coming up before I get all excited about that one.

I am glad to see that you had a great day and not let the idiot bother you too much.

You looked great making the drink.

love all the pictures.

I think this is the bottle of scotch you were looking for. Glenmorangie Signet Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Yes, that is definitely the bottle! I’m going to volunteer for sure in future classes, you get a bonus drink for your efforts, at least with this bartender! Or should I say “mixologist”.

Those tastings look like so much fun! I've always had a great time at all of the tastings I've done on DCL. I understand why you were like what when they gave you cheese at a chocolate tasting. Cheese != Chocolate.

The only one that I didn’t like so much was the wine tasting. Probably because I already know what wines I like and don’t need someone to tell me about it. You’ve done some fun ones too. And you’re definitely right Cheese/=Chocolate!

 

[franandaj]

So I haven’t posted any life updates since the New Year started. Some of you may stop reading after this next update, so I thought I would get it in now!

As most of you know, we have been fighting a pesky cold. I’m going on three and half weeks for Fran is going on two and a half weeks fighting the cold. The worst part is that we’re eating really bland home cooked food. Not that I don’t know how to make better food, but Fran doesn’t want anything “fancy”. So I’m wracking my brain to come up with choices that aren’t fancy or spicy and are just comforting. I can’t wait to go out to dinner…anywhere that doesn’t have a drive through!

It’s time that we get our act together and quit worry about traveling and really get down to business. If you don’t know we bought a house over a year ago, and moved in about six months ago. Because our vocation is renting apartments, we’re going to renovate our old place(s) and rent them. The problem is we need to get our stuff out of there before the contractor can get to work.

We had a little bit of a break in that our longest term tenant gave notice and moved out in September. So her place went into renovation first. The contractor expects to finish up next week, so he’ll be chomping at the bit to get into our old place. We’re about halfway moved out, so as soon as I feel up to it, I need to get my butt over there and just start packing up all the stuff we intend to take. I also need to arrange for the piano to get moved to the new house.

We need to have a major garage sale at the house once the stuff we want to keep is out. I’m going to put the goal in my head that the contractor is in there working while we’re on our next big Disney trip. That’s three months from now.

We have a quick trip to DL planned in February like we always do. Last year we spent the trip sleeping in the Villa and only got out for my spa service and food. Hopefully this year, we’ll get a little park time in. I did make a reservation at Steakhouse 55. We are going to visit my parents in San Jose at the end of March. My mom is BIG into growing Irises and they should be in bloom at the end of March so she wants us to come up and see them. Somewhere inbetween those two trips, we need to clean out the house.

The next Disney trip is April 13 where we will spend a week in a 2 bedroom at VWL with a friend of ours who has never been (Naked Jim for those who read the whole TR), and then Fran and I will take 4 nights on the Dream. Who knows if we will do this ourselves or Jim will join us. The last thing I’m working on is my birthday bash. This is a pretty big milestone, so I’m going to make an entire weekend of it! We’ll see how that one goes.

OK that’s it for now, back to your regular TR!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm tired just reading about how busy you and Fran are going to be between now and June!

Here's to everything going to plan; and having all the amazing vacations in between as well.

But first things first! Hope you and Fran get better soon. That's prime!

 

[4 mickey]

Time will fly fast until your next cruise as your keeping really busy between now and then
Yay for another trip report
I read all this one ( up to now ) and enjoyed every minute of it
Thanks for doing one

 

[franandaj]

And we’re out!


As much fun as you have on a cruise, whether it be a weekend or a week. Eventually that last night rolls around. After returning to the room, I worked on packing up our suitcases. We still had five more nights in Ft. Lauderdale, so I didn’t need to worry about how heavy they were, just that I could get everything into them that we needed get off the ship.

I packed two of them up before dinner and set them outside the cabin door. Then we headed off to our last meal at Triton’s for this trip.







Sorry this menu is so blurry





The bread service.



For my appetizer, I went for the Sesame Crusted Tuna Sashimi. It was pretty good. I would order this again.



Fran got the Dungeness Crabmeat Stuffed Tomato. I’m guessing that she liked it well enough.



From here on out, we seem to have ordered just about the exact same things as we got on our last night on the Magic. We ordered both soups, but I suspect that Fran must have finished most of them. I would have started off with the Potato and Leek Soup.



Fran would have had the Lobster and Crawfish Bisque



I had the Seafood Linguine Pasta. I’m not ever sure that the pasta is technically Linguine, but it was good. I couldn’t finish everything.



Fran got the Beef Wellington



Then came dessert.







I got the Celebration Cake, which was meh. Last time Fran got the Baked Alaska, but it looks like she got the same dessert as me in the picture.



One of the last things to do on the cruise is take down decorations. I didn’t make any magnets for the door this trip, these were all given to me by DVC, DCL or the FEE.





I removed all of the magnets from the door, and packed up the remainder of our stuff. Fran went to the Guest Services desk to wrap up our account while I put all our stuff into the remaining suitcases and set them outside the door. I did make sure that we had clothes to wear for the following morning.

[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

We woke up the next morning to find a bill for $50 for the $7 extension cord we borrowed from Guest Services to power my CPAP. Fran took the cord back while I packed up our last stuff. Our plan was to take our own sweet time getting off the ship. The day was pretty much up to us, we could or could not do something. So we didn’t leave our cabin until about 8:30AM and then slowly made our way up to Triton’s. I think we had picked up our Photo CD the night before so that we didn’t have to deal with that this morning, or perhaps Fran had picked it up on the way to sort out the Guest Services charges.

Either way, most families were already seated and eating breakfast when we arrived at Triton’s. Some people call this “the worst breakfast in the world”, but we were going to make the best of it. Perhaps it was the prospect of seeing hundreds of old and new friends later that week that eased the blow of the “get off the ship” breakfast.









We started off with a pair of juices.



Fran had the Route 66, (Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Grilled Sausage, Gilled Ham and Hash Browns)



While I had the Eggs for the Road, (Scrambled, Fried or Boiled and served with Hash Browns and your choice of Breakfast Meat (Grilled Sausage, Grilled Ham or Bacon)) I also got a side of toast to go with it.



We took our time and were among the last of the folks in the dining room. We could tell that they wanted to get everyone out of there. I took one last picture with Fran and our servers.



And then we gathered our bags and joined the long line of folks exiting the ship. Since ours was the final Halloween Cruise, they had already begun decorating for Christmas. This Gingerbread House was being built during the cruise, it smelled heavenly and reminded me of our Wonder Cruise two years ago when we sailed the Sunday after Thanksgiving.



We had noticed this hidden Mickey in the glass when we had lunch there and since our place in line, was nearly in front of it, I decided to snap a picture.



We were off the ship and found ourselves a porter to take the bags and pretty soon we were going through customs. Now I’m not sure if you were paying attention when I posted the picture of the Tequila stash we picked up. We were fully aware that each person can bring back one liter of alcohol duty free. We had four 750 ml bottles (which we were carrying in our carry on bags), we also had the bottle of Chocolate Tequila in our suitcase, as well as some other “smaller bottles”. We decided to go ahead and declare all four of the 750 ml bottles which was a total of 3 liters.

It turns out that “honesty” was a good policy. The customs agent told us that though we are technically allowed 1 liter per person duty free, the tariff on the extra liter would be less than $10 so they waive the fee! Good Job! And with that we headed out to the curb to find the shuttle for the rental car company!

 

[franandaj]

I'm tired just reading about how busy you and Fran are going to be between now and June!

Here's to everything going to plan; and having all the amazing vacations in between as well.

But first things first! Hope you and Fran get better soon. That's prime!

Oh come on, that's hardly busy at all! The only daunting part is that we need to really get our stuff out of the old house. Like REALLY.

And yeah, I need to get better as well as does Fran. This is crazy!

Time will fly fast until your next cruise as your keeping really busy between now and then
Yay for another trip report
I read all this one ( up to now ) and enjoyed every minute of it
Thanks for doing one

Yes, I'm sure it will go by very quickly! That's the scary part. I just hope packing up the stuff goes quickly. We still have a ton of boxes to unpack and I hate making more of them. We will never get our stuff out of boxes!

I'm glad you enjoy my doing one. Fran puts up with it because since you guys on the DIS read my TRs and look at my pictures, I no longer make photo albums and subject our 3D friends to looking at them.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Awww. Last night and day in the Disney bubble really is sucky irrespective of whether at a park, resort or on a cruise.

Loved all the food porn. I would have ordered everything you and Fran did...but I would have gone with the Apple Pie for dessert.


BTW - They charged you $50 for a $7 extension cord???? Highway robbery!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oh come on, that's hardly busy at all! The only daunting part is that we need to really get our stuff out of the old house. Like REALLY.

And yeah, I need to get better as well as does Fran. This is crazy!

I have moved house 3 times in my life so far. I hope I NEVER have to move house again because I find it daunting packing up and getting everything out.

 

[ACDSNY]

My last house move was over 20 years ago so I can't imagine doing one with all the junk we've collected since then.

Yikes on the extension cord fee and yippie on the fee waiver on the alcohol.

 

[dgbg100106]

Your dinner looks nice but from the sound of it you were not over joyed with it!
I always hate the breakfast served on the last morning. I know they are trying to get everyone of the ship so the can clean and change over but it always feels like a fast food breakfast.

Sorry to see this party of the trip come to an end. :-(

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hope you two get better.

All the food at Triton's look very nice and appetizing. The extension cord fee is quite expensive.

I enjoyed reading your DCL trip report and look forward to reading more of your future trip reports.

 

[eandesmom]

I would be slightly annoyed too, to find cheese at the end of my chocolate tasting.

I'm ready for a nap though after the chocolate and tequila tastings but it sounds like a very fun day all around.

I do find that last breakfast to be rather awful but it's more about the food quality and feeling rushed. That said, on our last cruise it wasn't bad at all!

I can't believe you both have been fighting the crud for that long. That is awful!!!! And I am sure makes the idea of getting to work on the old house even less appealing. BUT if you do knock it out before the next Disney trip then you can really celebrate on your birthday even more!

 

[Flossbolna]

Ah, the cruise is over, how sad! But it is always good to have something nice to look forward to after getting off the ship!

Hope you are both improving health wise! And good luck with getting the old house emptied out! Sounds like you have some nice travel planned in your near future!

 

[jedijill]

Hope you guys are feeling better! Your schedule for the next few months sounds crazy! Good luck getting everything packed up and having your garage sale. I hate moving but am looking at doing it again in the next year if I can find a house.

Boo for the last day! I hate getting kicked off the ship! $50 for the extension cord is ridiculous!

Jill in CO

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh my, I was very behind!


Your Palo brunch looked soooo delicious!!!!!! we had Hristo as our first Palo server ever. He was wonderful! Very attentive, very accommodating, I would happily see him again.

Boo for that terrible guy at the tasting.

Sounds like a fun last day all in all.


I guess Im one of the rare ones who enjoys that last breakfast. I don't like how rushed they tend to be but that doesn't rush me at all. I'm going to soak that cruise for all its worth! Sounds like you and Fran had the same idea.

Is Jim now going alone in April?

 

[rentayenta]

I am sooo behind. Our psych floor is hopping. Just wanting to say hi. I'll catch up later. xoxo