SHHHHH!!! This time it's the Anniversary

[Zarabear]

Hello Joel! I'm tuning into today after a short detour (okay... pretty long detour) to your 43 page SHHHH! It's a Surprise Wedding TR). I just made it through ALL 43 pages, and thought I'd post up that I was looking forward to your new trip report.

I have yet to go on a Disney Cruise. I have more DL trips than I can count, and a 2 week trip to Orlando in 2010 that was SO fantastic. I"m definitely hooked on the Mouse.


Congratulations on 5 years!! My husband I just celebrated 9, and I'm looking forward to Sept and our 10th! I think it's going to soften the blow of turning 30 this year.


~Zara

 

[OceanLvr]

Hi Zara - thanks for reading all of those pages...I do look back on it from time to time to relive those days. Congratulations on your 9 years. The years certainly have gone by very quickly for us.

MIchelle - What would a Disney Cruise be for me without the usual fully stocked bring along bar? So, to answer your question, yes we will be toting the Dom again on this voyage. For those just tuning in, my DW and I love our wine and champagne. I will have to dig up some of the old photos of our "bar" items.

And, I will do some research and find out the skinny on what the Wonder may be up to.

Meanwhile, back to watching the Dream depart this afternoon and having watched the Fantasy float out this morning I'm already trying to figure out how to sell that one to my DW...Shouldn't be too hard.

 

[Tink rules]

Tell her it's MINNIE'S ship!!!

 

[OceanLvr]

As I said before, when my DW and I travel we try to enjoy it as much as possible...Our professional and home lives don't allow us to go out very often and enjoy a "good drink" so we tend to enjoy our time away with good food, good drink and lots of fun...As you can see from the following photos we usually pack for a small army.

The Dom (I promise I only drank out of the bottle for the photo)

Only did this once and my DW said she likes the DOm better (thank God, it's was way to expensive)

Just Chillin'

This was our Bar for our Wedding. We had most for our guests.

This was from our May 2011 Dream Cruise.

 

[Tink rules]

SURE!!!! Booze and Sippy cups!!!!

 

[OceanLvr]

I have to admit, sometimes my DW catches me off guard.

Last night while "cruising" the Dis boards, my DW walked over and asked..."maybe we should try and upgrade?"
What? you're asking me if we should upgrade?
Hmmm, now the gears in my happily demented cruising mind start churning like the sand under the Magic at Castaway Cay. Do I or don't I? The simple question is "will I or won't I?"

We have done it before, but I'm not sure on this cruise. For our engagement, honeymoon and wedding we stayed in a 1 bedroom suite. It was incredible. I'm thinking about it. Didn't see anything available on the website, but that means nothing.

Stay tuned....

 

[Tink rules]

Ok.. just go up to the Walt Suite... (with bags in hand...) and ring the bell and if an older couple answers... yell.. "MOM!!! DAD!!! SURPRISE!!!" They must have an extra bedroom for you guys... and if you get in trouble... we'll bail you out in Key West...

 

[OceanLvr]

We leave 1 week from today. Now I am probably one of the most superstitious people that you'd ever meet. So, today being Friday the 13th has me on edge.

First we were supposed to be closing on our home in Clermont, Florida today. But, something happened with the buyers lender and that has been put on hold (for now). Hopefully by the beginning of next week. My fingers are crossed.

Secondly, my oldest son thought it was ok to stand up on his school bus this morning. Already fielded the phone call from his principal. Oh what fun...He'll get his when he gets home. Glad he has all day to think about it.

As far as our trip goes, I think we're all ready. Pre-loaded our onboard account, pre-paid tips. Spa, Palo (brunch/dinner) reservations, excursion booked. Plans to meet some good friends for lunch on Friday and Jellyrolls Friday night...A quick stop for essentials (use your imagination).

Bags, (almost) packed. I hate putting clothes that I hang up into the bag too early. Although this trip, we threw the idea of using the onboard dry cleaning service to press our dinner clothes. Of course mentioning "dressing" for dinner is a touchy subject around here. I will tell you than my DW and I enjoy dressing for dinner. Both casually and formally. And yes, I am wearing a tux for Formal Night. At my DW's request, but I'm looking forward to it.

Just a few little things to take care of at home and the countdown continues...

 

[MickeyD]

Hi Joel,
We will be there with you in 6 more sleeps!
Looking forward to reading about our cruise with your perspective.
We are also traveling without kids and are traveling with friends of ours (might not be a good idea, but time will tell.)

I guess I should also make advanced payment on our tips etc. never thought of doing that before.

We are also going on the Tulum excursion in Cozumel, so maybe we will see you on the trip. Grand Caymen and Key West are on our own since we have been to each about 5 times.

Happy sailin'

Lisa

 

[Tink rules]

A quick stop for essentials (use your imagination).

Thoroughly innocent here..

 

[Glitzytraveller]

I am subscribing to your posts. I just read your wedding thread and now this one. We will be a day behind you on the Dream. I loved hearing your story. DH and I sailed the Wonder in 2000 for our honeymoon. Our Dream trip is going to be with the kids. We are Dis-freaks too. DH and I grew up in So. Cal and were Passholders at the Land until we moved east in 2006. We were the crazy people who had a 9 day old (DD) at D-Land. Since then we have been to the World several times. Often making a quick over night visit to Downtown Disney since DH works for an airline and we fly free.

Thanks for sharing your stories. I am looking forward to your TR.

BTW, I have been watching the ships leave PC on the web cam too. DH thinks I am cuckoo.

 

[Linda67]

Count me in for this one
I can just feel how excited you are about your forthcoming cruise and can't wait to read all about it

 

[OceanLvr]

Yes, it's hard to believe that in 72 hours we'll be headed south.

Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning and found 2 inches of SNOW on the ground. It's my fault though, when I get into vacation mode, the local weather takes a backseat to our destination weather.

Trying to sure up all the last minute details. Kids schedules, contact numbers, emergency numbers and Skype schedule. Our plan is to Skype with the kids a few times while were away. Not sure how that is going to work with the onboard internet connection. I'm willing to try though.

The kids are staying with my mom for the week. She keeps telling me that she raised me and there is no problem. Multiply me by 3. Good luck. That's why we'll Skype. They are more likely to not misbehave if they know we can still "check in" on them.

So, we did the online check in for our hotel Friday night. That was easy, let's see if it goes as smoothly on the other end. Our plans for Friday haven't really changed all that much. We are meeting friends in downtown Orlando for a quick lunch. My DW wants to hit Ross (we don't have one in the northeast) to see if they have any last minute bargins.
A quick stop at ABC liquor for some cruise essentials. And then to Publix for water and sunscreen. That should just about cover it.

Friday night we are meeting other friends for dinner at the Boardwalk and then off to Jellyrolls for some good drink and great music.

Well, off to run some errands. I have my honey do list. Still trying to figure out what we're going to do here on Thursday night, which is our real anniversary. Maybe something low key. We'll see...

Stay tuned...

 

[Glitzytraveller]

Great PTR. By the way, Skype doesn't work so well with the onboard Internet. We used it last May on our Europe cruise and the connection is too weak. My best advice is to find a wifi hot spot in port and use Skype there. That is what we had to do. HTH.

 

[Tink rules]

Yes, it's hard to believe that in 72 hours we'll be headed south.

Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning and found 2 inches of SNOW on the ground. It's my fault though, when I get into vacation mode, the local weather takes a backseat to our destination weather.

Trying to sure up all the last minute details. Kids schedules, contact numbers, emergency numbers and Skype schedule. Our plan is to Skype with the kids a few times while were away. Not sure how that is going to work with the onboard internet connection. I'm willing to try though.

The kids are staying with my mom for the week. She keeps telling me that she raised me and there is no problem. Multiply me by 3. Good luck. That's why we'll Skype. They are more likely to not misbehave if they know we can still "check in" on them.

So, we did the online check in for our hotel Friday night. That was easy, let's see if it goes as smoothly on the other end. Our plans for Friday haven't really changed all that much. We are meeting friends in downtown Orlando for a quick lunch. My DW wants to hit Ross (we don't have one in the northeast) to see if they have any last minute bargins.
A quick stop at ABC liquor for some cruise essentials. And then to Publix for water and sunscreen. That should just about cover it.

Friday night we are meeting other friends for dinner at the Boardwalk and then off to Jellyrolls for some good drink and great music.

Well, off to run some errands. I have my honey do list. Still trying to figure out what we're going to do here on Thursday night, which is our real anniversary. Maybe something low key. We'll see...

Stay tuned...

Starbucks - Cozumel... free Wifi...

I think it's near the port..

http://www.starbucks.com/store/4836/




Ohhh and you're lucky it's your mom and not me taking care of your kids... I used to apologize ahead of time to my sister for any undo influence I might have on her kids...


& you never said where you moved back to!!!!

 

[OceanLvr]

Tink - Sorry for not filling in the details of the move. In early 2010, my DW and I decided that we needed to advance our careers and provide our children with a better education. Now before everyone flames me. We weren't upset with the education they were getting in Florida, we just felt they could do better. Both my DW and I are from the Northeast. So, we decided to move back up there and enjoy a "different" flavor. We live on the coast in Southern Maine. The weather is always a challenge, but I can wake up everyday and see and smell the ocean (which I love so much).

The kids have adjusted well and are enjoying a whole new set of sporting adventures that they didn't have in Florida. Skiing, skating, backpacking...They are loving it. Not to mention that they can ride their bikes and it isn't excessively hot. They obviously love the ocean too, but can't figure out why it's so cold up here compared to Florida.

Now, less than 2 days and we're on that plane. And not a moment too soon...Tomorrow morning the high here is going to range from -7 to 10 degrees. I need a warm weather break...

Thanks for the info about the wifi...We need to decide what we're going to do. Don't really want to take the laptop off of the ship. We can forego it if we have to. Anyway, trip to the bank this morning for the final withdrawal and then relaxation...

Oh, its less than 2 days until we leave, but I'm ALREADY on VACATION!!!!!

See ya real soon...

 

[Tink rules]

Sure... it's gonna snow here and YOU'RE gonna take a cruise!!!!

 

[Tink rules]

I'm not sure if I should or

 

[Tink rules]

change is good... I'm sure that the different things is good for the kids... besides... you have LL Bean in Maine!!!!

 

[OceanLvr]

I wanted to start this morning by saying Thank You to those of you that have joined me again and subscribed to this thread. I really never thought anyone would be interested in what I had to say. I am humbled.

Secondly, a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my beautiful DW. Today is the "official" wedding anniversary.

Now, lets talk cruise, shall we?

Leaving the baron tundra, we call Maine early tomorrow morning for Boston. Our flight leaves at 0810. I am always the one who plans for traffic and worst case scenarios, so we will be leaving EARLY!!! Arrive midmorning in Orlando and head over to pick up the rental. Next stop, lunch with friends downtown Orlando. Then a quick stop at ABC on Orange Avenue and off to Disney's All-Star Sports to freshen up.

Friday night we are meeting our friends at Disney's Boardwalk and dinner at ESPN and then to Jellyrolls...

Saturday is up and at it early again. Breakfast and head out to Port Canaveral...

Nothing really planned for day #1 except Relax, Relax, Relax. My DW wants us to try something new, so sadly as it sounds, we are probably NOT going to the sail away party. Instead she wants to relax and enjoy some time at Quiet Cove. We have late seating for dinner so we have plenty of time...Of course we'll be stopping at Signals for our obligatory "First" beverage...

Day 2 - has us in Key West. Like I said before, even though I lived in Florida for many years, I have never been to the Keys. We are planning on exploring on our own and took the advice of some friends (Thanks Tink) and will get some Key Lime Pie and hit some of the famous sites.

Day 3 - is at Sea. A good day to relax and enjoy the Magic. We have Spa time booked midmorning.

Day 4 - Grand Cayman. We didn't see any excursions that really caught our attention. So, we're winging this one. And an 8 o'clock reservation for Palo.

Day 5 - Cozumel. We have a 10:30 ruins excursion that we booked through Disney. After some exploring, it's time to get ready for Pirate Night...

Day 6 - at Sea. We are headed to Palo again. This time for brunch...

Day 7 - is my favorite day of all...Castaway Cay. This is my little slice of sanity. I find that I am truly in a state of relaxation when we arrive.

Sadly then we return to Port Canaveral. But, don't quit on me yet. We have one last adventure...Accommodations at Disney's Grand Floridian and then 5:30 reservations at Victoria & Albert's...to truly celebrate our anniversary.

I promise, I'll deliver a full synopsis of our exploits when we return home. And yes Tink, I'll post photos. But, as you can see, it isn't just a sailing adventure...It's an eating adventure as well...

I hope you stay tuned...