SURPRISE! We're going on a-rocky boat!Wonder 9/30/07, Surfs up in the Mickey Pool!

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You heard me! We're going on a cruise and the best part.....the KIDS DO NOT KNOW!!!!

The cast of characters:
Me, DH, DD7, DD4, DSon, DSis, DBIL, and DNiece.....First Disney cruise for everybody!!!

Note--In my other report re: Carnival Glory, I will do a comparison and provide a bit more info on the Glory for those who need it--this report is only about the Wonder. So let the magic begin...
They think poor ol' Auntie is leaving them on the shore after we so politely "show" them how to get to Cape Canaveral!

What they do not know--
Pirate Costumes: CHECK!
You mean for mom? CHECK!
And daddy? CHECK!
And us too? CHECK!

New outfits from Disney Store? TRIPLE CHECK!

What about the rest of the clothes? Well I'm still doing laundry! But some panties, pj's, swimsuits, and a few outfits won't ever make it to the dresser drawer. "But mommy, I want my favorite pj's." "I'm sorry honey--they must still be dirty."

When are we telling the kids?!?!?!?
DH plans on "telling" them sometime today or tomorrow---but it is akin of when we surprise them with trips to Disney and they think we are going to Gooberville. (How kind of the Gaylord Palms to be at the perfect location--b/c that is "gooberville". EDITORIAL NOTE: This comment does in no way reflect the quality of staying at the Gaylord Palms. We do not believe Goobers stay there or that it is a "goober" hotel! It was just the perfect location to carry the little joke a little bit further. NOw that DD7 can read quite well, we are constantly corrected that it is indeed NOT called gooberville.)

In any case--DH plans to "tell them" but in some sort of fancy fabricated "fake" way. Evidently I have been fired from that part of the suprise.

I did tell him that the infamous "pay it forward" postcard MUST be included. (Thanks Verandah Man!) B/c really--like the kids are really going to believe daddy after what he thinks he will do is done. But the Mouse...well he doesn't tell fairy tails.

And how does this little charade become believable?
Well we live south of the port and it isn't unusual for me to take the "scenic" route to Orlando....that would be A1A instead of I-95. So driving up there isn't all that unusual. We just went on a cruise--so we "know" how to get there. How polite and sweet of us to use our new knowledge of "how" to get into the cruise ports and show auntie and her family how to get there.

Buwahahahaha!!! Little do they know--this has been planned for months and tomorrow becomes a reality of wonder and magic!!!!!

My friend works at the Port for DCL--so she told us to ask for her when we arrive and she will move us to the front of the line. No idea what that means or if by 12:30 (when we arrive) if it will make a difference..but it makes us feel special!


The only kink in the plan: MANDATORY attendance at a First Communion meeting tomorrow at 10:30...so our plans of going to mass today and heading out whenever we want have been foiled. We can't leave until 11:30, give or take a few depending on the generosity of those in the carline to move it aside while we make our way out and to the boat. (No--I am NOT serious--but Catholic Church parking lots after mass on a Sunday provide much fodder for how NOT to treat your neighbor. ). We only found out about this 2 weeks ago. Oh well! Just means I can't eat as much at lunch since dinner will only be a few hours later!

Time to go do the laundry---but 24 hours from now....well I'll still be sitting in a First Communion Meeting. But 24.5 hours from now....to the Port we go...well...to just drop off Auntie!

 

[birkner]

What a great surprise!! I am really looking forward to reading your TR!! Have a fabulous cruise!!

 

[safetymom]

I am jealous. My daughter told me I could surprise her for the next cruise. I want to hear how thrilled your kids were.

 

[poconoboatniks]

Have a great trip Lisa! Can't wait to hear how the surprise happened!

 

[frdeb1999]

Have a wonderful time!!

 

[Tink rules]

I am jealous. My daughter told me I could surprise her for the next cruise. I want to hear how thrilled your kids were.

Yeah, I told my mom that she could surprise me with a cruise anytime also... but it seems that I'M the one who comes up with the crazy ideas and she just packs a suitcase...

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

HOLY MOSES!

Packing the night before is a TON of work!!!! It is akin to waiting until 4:00am on Christmas morning to take care of Santa!

I was up until 12:30am.

And then up bright eyed and bushy tailed at 6am!!!! With butterflies in the tummy (hmmm, wonder why? ) and some last minute tidbits.

DSis "gave us" our matching outfits--she now thinks the kids are on to us a little. As they look to us with suspicous eyes.

The suitcases are hiding in the garage....and a non-distinct carryon bag sits by the treadmill stuffed with our documents and passports and "stuff".

And for the first time in 12 months--we are all ready for church by 8am. We are NEVER ready that early. Hopefully that doesn't arouse further suspicion. Thankfully 2 children cannot tell time--and the other is just so excited for a new dress from auntie, I don't think she noticed the time.

Now we sit...and we wait. 30 more minutes until mass begins. (we live only 5 minutes away). 2 hours until a mandatory First communion meeting! (Hubby volunteered to go. Is it b/c I won't pay attention--is it b/c my 6 month old could care less about First Communion for another 7 years....hookairs!!! I am off the hook! Well at least temporarily. I am still confined to the local area and unable to drive to the Port.

Do you think DH would notice if I didn't pick him and the girls up from Church?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I forgot to mention that yesterday the bait had been set.

DH has told the girls several times that they are going on the cruise. They get excited for a millisecond until he asks them if they bought tickets and a whole host of other silly questions.

He baited them again this morning!

We have in our carryon--a DHL envelope (sent our Carnival Cruise Docs--but hey, it'll work!!!). It is addressed to DH--and we put the post card in an envelope into the DHL envelope that says (written in my "best" left handed handwriting ):

For your kids. Do not give to them until September 30th at the Port.



Hmmmm....the Plot thickens!

 

[PurplePrincess4]

Have an awesome time! I got all teared up reading this. I don't know how you kept the secret for so long!

 

[CapnJackGroupie]

How exciting!! I hope your kids appreciate what awesome parents they have!! Can't wait to read about your cruise!

 

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

Great Report- Subcribing!!!

 

[Tink rules]

I don't know if I could pull off a surprise like that... I tried, but mom had to pack the appropriate clothes for the Grand Floridian and I told her we were staying at the All Stars...

 

[mruhaak]

Look forward to hearing your report!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We are back!!!!

Day 1, Part 1:

We went to mass this morning. I have no idea what was read, what was in the homily....I did remember getting communion. Mass ended and it was time for donuts. Had to kill some time before Sunday School. I head to my house with my sister by way of Walgreens and hubby heads off to parent class and the kids to Sunday school.

I get home and the cars are packed and loaded by 11am. But we have 30 minutes still before we have to be at the church. So we watch ESPN. Pretty much the only station BIL watches....so we get to relive the Gators loss to Auburn over and over again.

11:15 and it is time to head to church to position ourself in the car line. We get up front! Woohoo! Sister is in the car behind me ready to pee her pants in excitement. 11:30 rolls around...where is the hubby and where are the kids. Sis' calls me on her cell phone. Evidently the walk from her car to me is just wayyyy too long for her to handle. We have a giggle as we realize there is a delay in the cell phone signal. It is like watching a poorly dubbed Kung Fu flick as she inquires as to what exactly is taking the hubby so long. Well it is a long walk from the building after all. Much longer than that walk from the car to me. It could be a while.

11:35, I call the hubby to appease my sister. Evidently the youngest daughter left her lemonade cup and coffee stirrir straws in her classroom. But they have been pitched already. Poor baby! We will have to take her on a Disney cruise to make her forget about the cup and straws. I see him walking so call my sister to let her know they are on their way. I don't want to risk spraining my ankle on a blade of grass by making the 10 foot journey.

11:45, loaded and buckle we are already to go...Into the line of cars we go....out of the parking lot in a jiff and we are on A1A heading to Port Canaveral.....Woohoo!!!!

The oldest asks if we can go to Disney World today. Hmm, I don't know honey. Ask your daddy. I think it sounds like a great idea since Auntie is going on that cruise. They make plans of to go on a cruise of their own...the Jungle cruise. Then they start talking about their plans at Magic Kindgom for the day. Ruh-roh....what if they get upset they aren't going to Disney and they are going on a silly boat instead. Mayday--daddy--mayday. What do we do?????

Plans are made to do the post card when we get to Cocoa Beach after Ron Jon's.

DH announces that we got a package earlier in the week with something for them. We show DD7 what it says and then open it up and give her the post card and ask her to read it.

3 months waiting....I'm set..I'm ready...screams, cheers, "Mommy, daddy--we are so excited...we are going on the Disney cruise....we've been waiting all our lives...."


Well evidently I have been looking forward to a fairytale...b/c that isn't what happened.....

DD7 reads the post card....then crickets. So DH asks her what it says. She proceeds to read it again verbatim. (Yes we know what it says--we've read it. ) DH asks her to summarize what it says. So DD7 says that it says we are going on a Disney cruise. But where are the tickets?

Well they are in another envelope...but aren't you EXCITED!!!!

No--the dear child would like to see the actual tickets. I guess hubby's pranks of *airquotes* "we're going on a cruise! Where's your ticket?" Have taken their toll. Our precious child...is skeptical.

So we show her the tickets. And you would think she goes on a Disney cruise every day as she was like..."okay". So we ask her about the luggage. She says we have to go home to get it. We arrive at the Disney boat.....then daddy says we are now going to Disney World. Now they start to have some fun and say "nooooo---we're going on a Disney Cruise". Okay--good...so they are "excited" to be going on this little cruise!


We pull up to the luggage unloading area....and unload the family--DD7 tells auntie we are going on the cruise....and then she notices (well after I point it out!!!) that our luggage is coming out of auntie's car. Yeah!!!!

Inside we go....through security...DD7 and DD4 are standing their unphased about this surprise that was several months in the making.....and DSis and I squeel like little girls..."WE'RE GOING ON A DISNEY CRUISE!!!!!!"

We go up the elevator and as we admire the ambiance....

DH and DBIL come up the escalator....and it is time to check in!



And sadly for you it is time for me to hit my physical therapy appointment, so the report must be placed on hold for now. TTFN!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

bump

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

So the fellas check everyone in!

Reading on the DISboards, I know he just needs my passport and I don't need to be there. Off I go to find my friend. Kathy!

I wait to speak with the lady with the Mouse hand. Only some dude keeps doing the--"say something something something"....take a step to leave..."but what about something something something"...

Okay, to the right is another CM. I ask where my friend Kathy is. She's at the Youth desk checking in kids--off I go to find her. I wait in line....and wave to my friend with the little school girl wave. Kathy is my bunko body. Woohoo! (This month is Pirate bunko for anyone wondering--her turn as hostess. ) She is almost done assisting a guest, so I let folks pass me as other CM's come available and just wait for her to become available. She gets the girls wristbands, gets me a pager and off we go to find the girls, who have now suddenly appeared behind me.


Oh I forgot to mention--DSis has us all in matchy matchy Disney outfits. Ordinarily I don't mind--but at church, it was kind of.....embarrassing! I was hoping nobody would notice. But it is kind of hard when we just all look so darn cute!

I felt much better at the DCL terminal being all matchy matchy.

We get everyone together and Kathy takes us right through the tunnel ahead of the large swarming crowd of.....4 guests. But hey--we got a cast member cutsy! Woohoo!

We go for our pictures. DSis needs one of us, one of them, and one of all of us. Don't tell her I said this...but her hubby looks like he's taking a mug shot in ALL of our group photos. Doesn't he know we are going on the Disney boat?????? Crack a smile, it won't kill ya!

In through the tunnel where NATALIE proceeds to go ga ga over my baby! She's from Britain and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE her accent!!! She is a bundle of energy. And I guess part of the entertainment/activities crew members. Then onto the boat we go as they introduce.....to all those waiting in the atrium with baited breath...who could it be.....Brad Pitt? Angelina Jolie? Hannah Montana?????/

Nope--just us!!!! But a rip roaring applause from.....the CREW!!!! Well someone is quite happy we showed up.

We were promptly directed to deck number 9 for Beach Blanket Bingo to sample that Welcome Aboard Lunch that I read so much about. It was about 1pm.....everyone raves about checking in at this time because you almost literally walk right on. What they failed to mention was the swarms of folks and lack of places to sit--we searched and searched and searched for a table. We had to settle on a table in 2 different sections.

What we realized after the fact as the CM in charge asked a server to find a spot for 8 people...was that we could have gotten our lunch and THEY would have done all that hard work.

But with Octopus Boy in my hands (you know--the infant....who would be wearing my lunch if I tried to serve myself) and a stroller to push...we just weren't thinking.

We traded turns on who watched the kids and who got food....then I had my nice lovely and quite yummy lunch. Then a magical moment occurred...for as far as the eye could see....deserted tables. Where did everyone go? Then it hit me. It must be 1:30. Sure enough, I checked my watch....and that was the time. Everyone had gone to check out their cabins. I knew that reading all those Nancy Drew novels would come in handy one day.

We finished our lunch and off to our staterooms.

Our room steward was Paulton (goes by Paul and according to his tip ticket--his full name that may have just had the entire alphabet 3 times over). But we didn't get to meet him until later in the evening. Where on the boat is..Room Steward Paulton..oom ba ba oom bop.

The staterooms looked nice and very homey. Larger than what I was expecting. We were in 7100 and 7102, a hop from the Aft elevators. Very convenient to Beach Blanket Bingo and AP and Parrot Cay. We had adjoining staterooms, but couldn't find Paul anywhere to request door stoppers. So I just locked the doors while they were still open so that it was easy to access both sides of the room.

The girls wanted to swim and me being the oh so loving wife and mother...put DH in charge of that. DSis and I went off to fix our Palo Reservation so that we were a table of 4 for Brunch. Well, that met with some interesting discussion with the Security Guard...I mean...the CM. He showed me the waiting list. I explained we already have reservations. So like Charlie on his way to Willie Wonka's Factory with my golden ticket, off to the Palo man with the magical computer. With a few clicks--our 2 separate reservations merged into 1. Now that is service!

Off to explore. Though I can't remember what we did. I know--bad DISer..bad bad DISer! *note to self, bring tape recorder, a stenographer--something or somebody to document all actions*

Oh yeah--we walked around deck 4 as they were mentioning something about CM's report for the life boat drill, life boat drill in blah blah minutes...let's just say---on deck 4...as you leave the "promenade" and get into the aft....whatever that was....well...you can here quite well the LOUD LOUD LOUD announcements. Okay--fine and dandy..lifeboat drill....back to the room we go!

DCL--very good job, they had all our appropriate life jackets in the room already. So we done those magical bright orange fashion statements...and I am ready to head down to muster station 9. Though DH it seems is waiting for a personal invitation. But I think the life guard god was simply reading how the script would really go in the event of an emergency. They weren't going to call all million staterooms. Security man in the hallway agreed and motioned for us to get our butts moving to the muster station. Off we go. We line up all neatly. Evidently we weren't at the concierge muster station b/c we didn't get that nice little warning to start popping dramamine like candy. That would have been some helpful information. Nope--I had no clue that the strong winds (that I do love at this time of year...a nice welcome to fall!), would turn the ocean into an off shore surfing excursion.

They proceed to show us how to operate our life vests. It made me giggle--just like they do on an airplane with the seatbelt and oxygen mask. How cute. They really want us to not sink with the ship. They do want us to be saved. They like us, they really really like us. I've never experienced such a life boat drill.

Back to the rooms we go to find our luggage!!! Wow--I am impressed!!! I will note that the hallways were nice and wide so we weren't tripping over people's luggage on the way back to our room. I proceed to unpack. I don't like crowds so figured I would wait until almost 5:00 which is sailing time. I did get to see the sensation leave (something fascinating about a boat going in reverse) as well as the mariner of the seas. Got everyone unpacked except for me (why must moms not care for themselves first??). Got up to Deck 10 and caught some of the party....well I saw no countdown and no WYWUAS horn. Caught the last part of YMCA and a little bit more dancing. bummer!

They announce for everyone to move forward on deck 10 to watch the departure. No thank you very much, I will stay right here where I have the deck mostly to myself. We head over to the railing to wave goodbye to the CM's--DD4 runs over and under the rail to the plexiglass. DD7 smacks right into it. Umm, daughter-dear, you are tall now. She seemed a bit stunned that she was suddenly not so short and not able to just walk under things anymore.

We wave goodbye and back to the room to freshen up for dinner.


Then it starts to get....interesting.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

So the fellas check everyone in!

Reading on the DISboards, I know he just needs my passport and I don't need to be there. Off I go to find my friend. Kathy!

I wait to speak with the lady with the Mouse hand. Only some dude keeps doing the--"say something something something"....take a step to leave..."but what about something something something"...

Okay, to the right is another CM. I ask where my friend Kathy is. She's at the Youth desk checking in kids--off I go to find her. I wait in line....and wave to my friend with the little school girl wave. Kathy is my bunko body. Woohoo! (This month is Pirate bunko for anyone wondering--her turn as hostess. ) She is almost done assisting a guest, so I let folks pass me as other CM's come available and just wait for her to become available. She gets the girls wristbands, gets me a pager and off we go to find the girls, who have now suddenly appeared behind me.


Oh I forgot to mention--DSis has us all in matchy matchy Disney outfits. Ordinarily I don't mind--but at church, it was kind of.....embarrassing! I was hoping nobody would notice. But it is kind of hard when we just all look so darn cute!

I felt much better at the DCL terminal being all matchy matchy.

We get everyone together and Kathy takes us right through the tunnel ahead of the large swarming crowd of.....4 guests. But hey--we got a cast member cutsy! Woohoo!

We go for our pictures. DSis needs one of us, one of them, and one of all of us. Don't tell her I said this...but her hubby looks like he's taking a mug shot in ALL of our group photos. Doesn't he know we are going on the Disney boat?????? Crack a smile, it won't kill ya!

In through the tunnel where NATALIE proceeds to go ga ga over my baby! She's from Britain and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE her accent!!! She is a bundle of energy. And I guess part of the entertainment/activities crew members. Then onto the boat we go as they introduce.....to all those waiting in the atrium with baited breath...who could it be.....Brad Pitt? Angelina Jolie? Hannah Montana?????/

Nope--just us!!!! But a rip roaring applause from.....the CREW!!!! Well someone is quite happy we showed up.

We were promptly directed to deck number 9 for Beach Blanket Bingo to sample that Welcome Aboard Lunch that I read so much about. It was about 1pm.....everyone raves about checking in at this time because you almost literally walk right on. What they failed to mention was the swarms of folks and lack of places to sit--we searched and searched and searched for a table. We had to settle on a table in 2 different sections.

What we realized after the fact as the CM in charge asked a server to find a spot for 8 people...was that we could have gotten our lunch and THEY would have done all that hard work.

But with Octopus Boy in my hands (you know--the infant....who would be wearing my lunch if I tried to serve myself) and a stroller to push...we just weren't thinking.

We traded turns on who watched the kids and who got food....then I had my nice lovely and quite yummy lunch. Then a magical moment occurred...for as far as the eye could see....deserted tables. Where did everyone go? Then it hit me. It must be 1:30. Sure enough, I checked my watch....and that was the time. Everyone had gone to check out their cabins. I knew that reading all those Nancy Drew novels would come in handy one day.

We finished our lunch and off to our staterooms.

Our room steward was Paulton (goes by Paul and according to his tip ticket--his full name that may have just had the entire alphabet 3 times over). But we didn't get to meet him until later in the evening. Where on the boat is..Room Steward Paulton..oom ba ba oom bop.

The staterooms looked nice and very homey. Larger than what I was expecting. We were in 7100 and 7102, a hop from the Aft elevators. Very convenient to Beach Blanket Bingo and AP and Parrot Cay. We had adjoining staterooms, but couldn't find Paul anywhere to request door stoppers. So I just locked the doors while they were still open so that it was easy to access both sides of the room.

The girls wanted to swim and me being the oh so loving wife and mother...put DH in charge of that. DSis and I went off to fix our Palo Reservation so that we were a table of 4 for Brunch. Well, that met with some interesting discussion with the Security Guard...I mean...the CM. He showed me the waiting list. I explained we already have reservations. So like Charlie on his way to Willie Wonka's Factory with my golden ticket, off to the Palo man with the magical computer. With a few clicks--our 2 separate reservations merged into 1. Now that is service!

Off to explore. Though I can't remember what we did. I know--bad DISer..bad bad DISer! *note to self, bring tape recorder, a stenographer--something or somebody to document all actions*

Oh yeah--we walked around deck 4 as they were mentioning something about CM's report for the life boat drill, life boat drill in blah blah minutes...let's just say---on deck 4...as you leave the "promenade" and get into the aft....whatever that was....well...you can here quite well the LOUD LOUD LOUD announcements. Okay--fine and dandy..lifeboat drill....back to the room we go!

DCL--very good job, they had all our appropriate life jackets in the room already. So we done those magical bright orange fashion statements...and I am ready to head down to muster station 9. Though DH it seems is waiting for a personal invitation. But I think the life guard god was simply reading how the script would really go in the event of an emergency. They weren't going to call all million staterooms. Security man in the hallway agreed and motioned for us to get our butts moving to the muster station. Off we go. We line up all neatly. Evidently we weren't at the concierge muster station b/c we didn't get that nice little warning to start popping dramamine like candy. That would have been some helpful information. Nope--I had no clue that the strong winds (that I do love at this time of year...a nice welcome to fall!), would turn the ocean into an off shore surfing excursion.

They proceed to show us how to operate our life vests. It made me giggle--just like they do on an airplane with the seatbelt and oxygen mask. How cute. They really want us to not sink with the ship. They do want us to be saved. They like us, they really really like us. I've never experienced such a life boat drill.

Back to the rooms we go to find our luggage!!! Wow--I am impressed!!! I will note that the hallways were nice and wide so we weren't tripping over people's luggage on the way back to our room. I proceed to unpack. I don't like crowds so figured I would wait until almost 5:00 which is sailing time. I did get to see the sensation leave (something fascinating about a boat going in reverse) as well as the mariner of the seas. Got everyone unpacked except for me (why must moms not care for themselves first??). Got up to Deck 10 and caught some of the party....well I saw no countdown and no WYWUAS horn. Caught the last part of YMCA and a little bit more dancing. bummer!

They announce for everyone to move forward on deck 10 to watch the departure. No thank you very much, I will stay right here where I have the deck mostly to myself. We head over to the railing to wave goodbye to the CM's--DD4 runs over and under the rail to the plexiglass. DD7 smacks right into it. Umm, daughter-dear, you are tall now. She seemed a bit stunned that she was suddenly not so short and not able to just walk under things anymore.

We wave goodbye and back to the room to freshen up for dinner.


Then it starts to get....interesting.

 

[pgfour]

patiently waiting for more. . .

 

[2Princes_&_1Princess]

More!! It's so fun to hear about the cruise from someone else's perspective,

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I will try to get more later. (DH thinks I DIS too much. LOL!)

Also--we went to Disney this weekend.

I have to say that after a 4-day cruise...it is freaky weird to be seeing people at the parks and thinking--"didn't I just see them on the ship???"