SHHHHH!!! This time it's the Anniversary

[OceanLvr]

Hello Again...

For those of you that may (or may not) remember, it was September 2007. My DW and I had done a fabulous job of hiding our January 2007 wedding from our families. Got them all on board a cruise ship (Disney Wonder) and had a "wedding" on Castaway Cay. It was an absolute riot.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1487443

If you'd like to catch up with that saga, please feel free to read all about it.

Which leads me to where we are now...It's been almost 5 years since our actual wedding. Many things have changed, some have stayed the same. This time around, my DW and I are traveling without the 15 people that shared our Wedding Adventure in September 2007.

We have decided to spend our 5th alone, sailing aboard the Disney Magic to the Western Caribbean. So, with that in mind, I want to make this an adult version of the "standard" family TR.

Now don't get me wrong, it's adult, but still rated PG-13 (or so)...This will be our 15th cruise...and believe me we have sailed every category stateroom except for the Walt and Roy suites...We love Disney cruising and can't imagine being with anyone else...I am fully aware that everyone has differing views and expectations about their Disney experience. Ours, I am happy to say have been wonderful. Thats not to say that we haven't had our share of "are you kidding me" moments. For the better part of our cruising lives, it has been beyond expectations.

So, please, sit back...Grab your favorite beverage (for those that know me, I have mine). And enjoy an adult version of The 5th Anniversary Cruise aboard the Disney Magic, January 21-28, 2012.

 

[marciemouse]

Good timing! I am waiting up tonight to check in online for our first Disney cruise ever, and your wedding TR was perfect entertainment while I'm waiting for check in to open! Your wedding pics are beautiful, by the way!

 

[OceanLvr]

Thought I'd give just a little background for those that don't want to read the posts on the "Wedding" thread.

I am a 40something undiagnosed Disneyfile...Not for the characters (although I have my favorite) but for the history, technology and service that is directly associated with Disney.

I moved to Orlando in 2000 to 1. enjoy the weather, 2. be closer to Disney and 3. to be closer to my cousins (who happen to work for "the mouse"). I enjoyed my time in the Orlando area, eventually settling in Clermont with my wife and kids.

Cruising became part of our lives, given that we lived so close to Port Canaveral the costs associated with travel didn't exist. Which cuts costs dramatically. We were fortunate to be able to travel when schedules, school and holidays allowed. We were very lucky and we understand that. Now that we have relocated back to New England, we are back with the traveling masses from the cold weather back to our happy place.

My DW is a trooper. For me, growing up in New England and spending a good deal of my young adult life on the ocean (as a member of the US Navy Medical Corps) my DW accepts my longing for the ocean. She has also accepted my DISfunctionality and leaves all the planning up to me. Which leads me to our planning.

We actually arrive in Orlando on Friday. Since it's January in New England, I like to play it safe. We have plans to meet some friends for lunch and since it's only for one night, we chose to stay at Disney's All Star Sports. Friday night includes a stop at one of our favorite spots at Disney, Jellyrolls. If you have never been I highly recommend it. Dueling pianos and good drinks. I encourage you to eat before you get there. They don't serve food...When we return the following Saturday, we have reservations for Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and our Anniversary dinner at Victoria & Albert's (our original wedding dinner was there).

Since this is our first 7 night Western, when the 120 window opened online, I was up at midnight securing our favorite to do's...

First order of business was Palo. We LOVE PALO!!! Now, for me, growing up in a large Italian family, I have high expectations for Italian food outside the confines of my home. Palo has met and exceeded those expectations. Both with the quality of the food and the level of service. Of course, we have our favorite server. Her name is Coralia and although she is no longer onboard the Wonder, we still cherish her friendship and all that she has done for us. So, with dinner and brunch secure, it was on to other parts of our sans kids vacation.

Even though I lived in Florida for over 10 years, I have never been to Key West. So this one is an on our own exploration. I am looking forward to Mallory Square and of course the Original Margaritaville Cafe. I am a big Jimmy Buffet fan. And hopefully securing a good spot (weather permitting) to watch the sunset.

We enjoy the spa and have a couples massage booked for our first day at sea. The only part that I don't enjoy (and I've seen it mentioned on other threads) is the "hard sell" of products after the massage. For me, it ruins the entire experience. Looking forward to the massage regardless.

Grand Caymen excursions really didn't catch our interest. So, for now, we are just winging it. Cozumel was different. My DW and I love world history. We booked a tour of the ruins and are really looking forward to it. We'll post photos afterwards...

Our day at Castaway will include the obligatory Castaway Cay 5K in the morning. But, I have to tell you the Castaway Cay IS my Happy Place. As soon as I step off the ship the relaxation sets in. I am looking forward to a day of absolutely NOTHING!!! Except, sitting at Serenity Bay enjoying a nice adult beverage and the gentle hum of the ocean...

I hope you stay tuned for more updates and photos...Only 30 days to sailing!!!

 

[jedijill]

I'm so happy you are back! Your wedding report ranks as one of my all time favorite cruise reports!

As for the hard sell after the massage, write "No sales pitch" or something similar on the bottom of the form you have to fill out prior to the cruise. It should cut down on the annoying sales pitch.

Jill in CO

 

[OceanLvr]

Thanks Jill, I really appreciate the compliment. It's nice to be back.

I have to point out a few things that really make our cruising lives so much easier...

1. Pay your gratuities before you leave for your trip. When we budget we always add these into our pre-cruise funds. We have found that it makes our on board accounting of money spent easier. And, if service is exceptional, there is always the ability to add cash to the envelope.

2. Pre-order the things you know you will use. On past cruises we have pre-paid for photo packages, wine packages and stateroom gifts and water. For us, when we board, all we want to think about is having a great time. If we get most of everything we want before we board there isn't any waiting.

So, my 2 pearls of wisdom...I called DCL today to do just this. Paid my gratuities and ordered a photo package. For this cruise we have decided to skip the wine package and water package. We plan on shopping when we get to Orlando on Friday. A quick stop at the liquor store and Publix for water should hold us over. We are also considering waiting until we get to Key West to purchase the "adult beverages." We'll see...

Anyway, now that Christmas has come and gone, we can start our countdown to vacation...

 

[OceanLvr]

We leave 3 weeks from today. And needless to say, I am counting every second. I think this is the worst part for me. Everything is so close, yet it seems so far.

The workout crunch is on. Trying to loose those holiday pounds that we all put on. Daydreaming about my early morning runs on Deck 4, watching the ocean roll by...I can hardly wait...

My DW thinks I'm nuts, I was ready to pul out the suitcases and start packing the "warm weather clothes." Since mother nature decided to send an end of the year snow flurry up here...

Anyway, look out Florida we're headed your way...Again!!

From our May 2011 Dream Cruise...ABout as close the the "Red Carpet" as I'm going to get.

 

[pjstevens]

Joel,

Another follower here. I loved your 'wedding' TR! Loved all the wonderful things you did for your guests. Can't wait to hear all about this one.

 

[Goldeelox9]

I too loved your wedding TR! It helped me with my planning. Looking forward to a new TR!

 

[Tink rules]

Ok... I'm in!!! (did you expect anything less?????)

 

[OceanLvr]

Ok, so again I'll admit.

I HAVE A PROBLEM!!!! And fortunately for me there is no other therapy other than being onboard DCL...

I'm sitting here at my computer, trying (without much success) to put together some music playlists for our cruise. I am a huge lover of music and enjoy having it while I cruise. Years ago we invested in portable speakers for our stateroom. We just plug our iPod/iPhone into this bad boy and presto, instant stereo.

But alas, I am distracted by the site of the Disney Dream on the Port Canaveral webcam. And right about now, they should be at their muster stations. Preparing for their cruise. I know, I know...You're saying hold your water in 17 days you'll be there...I'm dying over here...

 

[Tink rules]

You moved up into MY neck of the woods???? BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR How do the kids like snow?


Sure... so much for meeting for a margarita then????

& with the spa... tell them when you get there that you do NOT want the selling of the products... they should honor that request...

 

[Tink rules]

Ok, so again I'll admit.

I HAVE A PROBLEM!!!! And fortunately for me there is no other therapy other than being onboard DCL...

I'm sitting here at my computer, trying (without much success) to put together some music playlists for our cruise. I am a huge lover of music and enjoy having it while I cruise. Years ago we invested in portable speakers for our stateroom. We just plug our iPod/iPhone into this bad boy and presto, instant stereo.

But alas, I am distracted by the site of the Disney Dream on the Port Canaveral webcam. And right about now, they should be at their muster stations. Preparing for their cruise. I know, I know...You're saying hold your water in 17 days you'll be there...I'm dying over here...

Don't feel bad... I watch it too!!!

 

[Tink rules]

Thanks Jill, I really appreciate the compliment. It's nice to be back.

I have to point out a few things that really make our cruising lives so much easier...

1. Pay your gratuities before you leave for your trip. When we budget we always add these into our pre-cruise funds. We have found that it makes our on board accounting of money spent easier. And, if service is exceptional, there is always the ability to add cash to the envelope.

2. Pre-order the things you know you will use. On past cruises we have pre-paid for photo packages, wine packages and stateroom gifts and water. For us, when we board, all we want to think about is having a great time. If we get most of everything we want before we board there isn't any waiting.

So, my 2 pearls of wisdom...I called DCL today to do just this. Paid my gratuities and ordered a photo package. For this cruise we have decided to skip the wine package and water package. We plan on shopping when we get to Orlando on Friday. A quick stop at the liquor store and Publix for water should hold us over. We are also considering waiting until we get to Key West to purchase the "adult beverages." We'll see...

Anyway, now that Christmas has come and gone, we can start our countdown to vacation...

There IS a CVS near the port that is VERY popular with cruisers I hear...

& you need to please go and try the chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick for me...


http://www.keywestkeylimepieco.com/locations.htm

 

[OceanLvr]

Tink...Our plans for Key West are simple -

I am a lover of Key Lime Pie...and I have been scoping out the "factory" in Key West for my treat. We also have plans to visit Captain Tony's which Jimmy Buffett sings about in Last Mango In Paris and going to stop in and see the original Margaritaville Cafe.

We can't wait. I will try the pie on a stick for you...

 

[Tink rules]

Thanks for taking one for the team!

 

[Tink rules]

Don't forget to stop in at Sloppy Joe's - that was Hemmingway's bar... Literature you know.. this way we can justify the trip as being educational...

http://www.sloppyjoes.com/history.htm

 

[Tink rules]

Soon... Very soon...

 

[OceanLvr]

Michelle -

I was watching the Port Canaveral web cam last night while I was trying to put the finishing touches on our cruise magnets...

It's only 11 days until we get to Orlando and 12 until we set sail.

For some reason the planning of this trip has been different. The excitement is there, but I think without planning surprises for 15 people I feel a little let down. Oh well, I'm on "Mickey's Ship" (as my DS would say). I'll deal...

Be back later with more updates.

 

[Tink rules]

You've never done a 7 night.. alone... with your wife... no kids... Did you pack the Dom?

 

[Tink rules]

BTW.. you have an assignment.. find out what you can about the Wonder possibly doing another PC repo this december/january... BIG rumors abound.. ohhh and don't you want to do a transatlantic in '13?