SURPRISE! Oops it was on me!

[BowlingAriel]

OK, those of you that have been reading my posts saw that I was trying to surprise my brother's family DNs 5 & 2, and my DD 16. 2 days before we leave I had to tell my daughter but she thought it was cool that she knew of my brother's surprise.

We were sailing on the 3 day Wonder on the 27th. The morning of the cruise my other sister flew into town and joined us (June at DCL was such a doll getting her booked - YES you read right. We added her at 10:30am the day of our cruise). We arrived at the port about 3pm and no one was in the terminal, got our paperwork, cards and picture before boarding.

As we are walking across the gangway we look up - HOLY COW!! - my brother is walking across Deck 4!!! The 3 of us dive back onto the ship. Now the CM's are looking at us rather oddly, can't imagine why??? LOL

We immediately go to our room, check out our balcony and by this time its "Mustard DRILL" as my DN called it. We are in AP for our station, no problem. The drill is over, we drop stuff back in the room and head out to the Sail Away party - our room steward re-assured us that there were 2700 people on board we'd make it to dinner without seeing them. Besides I figured they were in the Oceaneer club signing my DN up. So off we go singing and skipping like nothing in the world mattered. The elevator opens up and my daughter gets in - well I am not a small person and neither is my other sister. So I said ..."Nic wait, there's not enough room".........she hops back off and low and behold in the back of the elevator is my SIL she spins around just in time to see us and yell..........."OMG YOU GUYS ARE HERE". She runs up on deck and tells my brother!!!!

It was awesome! My nieces were jumping too! Not sure if it was to see us or because it was rather chilly up on deck with the wind.

All in all it was perfect.

Michelle

 

[faireygod mother]

I am so glad it worked out for you. I thought the cruise went well and am glad the surprise is over. We had a wonderful time and my brother and nephew are hooked. They had a blast. My DBIL (retired Navy) also ha a wonderful time and said it was nothing like he thought. He was not receptive to cruising before this. Today he all but convinced my in laws to go (My sister and I are married to brothers) with us next year. I think my MIL was sold on the food all the time everywhere sale pitch he gave.

Glad to see that DCL was so accomadating for you as well. I must say that is a first. I had never heard of anyone booking a cruise the day of. My hat is off to you.

Wish we could have met while on board. We had a great time on deck 10 for the sailaway. The bubbles were not a great idea in the wind. You can only imagine. I guess I should publicly apoligize now for those who were down wind from us. oops!

 

[BowlingAriel]

OMG - wait yours couldn't have been any worse than the "automatic bubble makers" that I grabbed at Target the nite before. I don't know who was laughing more - us or the kids.

They were battery operated and you screwed the bubble bottle onto the "gun/wand" thing. And squeezed the trigger. I felt like I was in a bubble bath explosion. Then add 10 mile an hour winds! The bartender at the pool bar thought they were hysterical and asked if we would give him one when we were done! LOL

It was alot of fun.

I am sooo glad the men enjoyed themselves. What a great surprise. Now that the inlaws are going - whose line will you sail?

 

[BowlingAriel]

FGm - how was the weather when you got home? Glad you made your flights ok, YES Orlando seems to always be a zoo.

When we flew to NYC for Xmas there was a security breech just before we got there and they made everyone exit the terminals and re-enter!

Glad your husband enjoyed himself that was such an awesome surprise you did for him.

 

[faireygod mother]

It is frigid here. I must say that I miss the Baham weather. I am so sleepy now that I am back.

 

[Par8hed]

I'm glad this worked out well for you. However I would strongly caution people against "surprising" friends and relatives on their vacations. In my opinion it is presumptuous at best. Certainly I sometimes travel with friends and family. But other times vacation is intended for just the "immediate" family. If one is interested in additional company it's your perogative to solicit company. Simply assuming someone wants you as a part of their hard earned vacation is wrong. I know if any of my relatives were to show up unannounced on my upcoming cruise I would be mighty peeved. Save the surprises when it comes to other peoples vacations. It's not proper.

 

[BowlingAriel]

Well in this case, we were invited originally. But due to scheduling conflicts we had to cancel. At the last minute the opportunity was available to go. My Brother and SIL called DCL almost daily to see if any cabins were still available "just in case" we could go.

If my family were ever to just "show up" as you put it, I would never think that rude. I would be happy to share my experience with them. But thats just my opinion. But you know what they say - to each his own.

 

[sheelysmom]

Faireygod mother and bowling ariel - how funny that you mention the bubbles! I was up there with you all and my daughter, doing her darnest to fill the world with bubbles - they were flying everywhere in the wind and we finally ran up to deck to to get out of everyone's way so she could have her fun - plus, there were lots of puddles for ds to splash in!

oh, and FGM - my daughter Sheely is STILL talking about your nephew and wondering how he's doing. We got our picks back, they are great. Tell your brother that I'll email thelm as soon as I get them scanned in It was so fun to meet!

 

[BowlingAriel]

Isn't it funny how the little things such as bubble make life so grand!

Nothing greater than children's laughter. Makes me want to freeze the moment and never let them lose it.