O.K., so where were we...Oh yeah, about to board.
Once boarding the ship & another Photo opp, I begin to take care of business.
1. Head to Rockin' Bar D for Palo ressies- We (the 10 adults in our group)
were wait listed for Brunch but got a 6pm ressie for dinner on
Thursday. This was great, as we had the early LAP rotation and 6pm was
our regular dining time. Now...how to ditch 7 kids...?
2. Next its off to the Excurtions Desk to Book Parasailing on CC for Friday. I
am personally scared to death, but my adventurous WonderBoy has
talked about nothing else. So me being the SSM that I am, cough up the
150 bucks and wonder if I can get any OTC Zanex while in Mexico...
By Now, its about 1:30 and we head to our stateroom. We're in a lowly (or so I thought) CAT 11, rm. 7063 midship. I downgraded from a CAT 8 and saved $800 and am so glad I did. The cabin was perfect for the 2 of us, even if we couldn't see out. We spent so little time in that room, I'm happy I didn't spend the extra $$$. As usual, whenever we go to a Hotel, Wonderboy "tests the mattress" by jumping up & down on the bed. "This room is Awsome!" he shouted. I thought to myself, Who needs the Walt Suite, when you got good ole' # 7063?
Once we're settled, I asked WonderBoy what he wanted to do for Lunch- eat up on Deck 9 outside or go to Parrot Cay? He shouts, loud enough for all passersby to hear: Order room service! I quickly talk him out of this much anticpated luxury and we head up to Deck 9. After hearing about so much food and over eating on cruises, I, already being a "thick" girl have devised a strategy. Lots of fruit, salads, fish, water and oatmeal for breakfast each morning; wouldn't want to become fat or irregular in a foreign country. So I make a delicious salad topped w/ salmon. WonderBoy has salad and large quantities of the shrimp and of course "the big Cookie"...and...oh, OK, I had one too. After lunch WonderBoy hit the pool and SSM hit the bar, and enjoyed the Drink of the Day...this is the LIFE!
When we return to good ole #7063, most of our bags have arrived, minus my unmentionables, so I'm getting nervous...but we organized our stuff and then head to the muster drill on deck 4...hot as could be, but quick & easy. When we return , another guest down the hall from us rejoices in the fact that "mommy's underwear has arrived"...I had no such luck, and told my hallmate that if mine didn't show up soon, I may be asking her to borrow a pair or two.....
The fact that I didn't have underwear actually gave me a slight headache, so I laid on the sofa for a while, while little Mr. Man went up to the Sail Away Party by himself. By the time I opened the door for him when he returned 20 mins. later, I was glad to see my missing luggage and to feel the Magic pulling out of Port. We're Cruisin' Baby (and I've got panties!!!)
By now its about 5pm, so WonderBoy & I get showered and changed and we head down to dinner in Luminare's. We met our awesome wait staff,
Toney from St. Vincent and Carolina from Costa Rica. Our group was assigned to tables 10-12 but the 1st night they were all seperate, until we asked to be grouped together. After that No Problem.
Now for the menu, and let me just say this: Luminares was my least favorite restaurant, especially, the 1st nights menu, which is French. I live in a big city and have had lots of great dining experiences at home & in other places, however, this was not one of them. But I don't want to discourage my DS, so I encourage him to order whatever he wants- as he rarely eats from the kids menu. So what does WonderBoy ask for : Escargot as an appetizer and the Mickey Mac & Cheese as an entree' ! I order a cheese quiche appetizer and the lamb entree'. As you may have noticed by now, my DS has a very adventurous spirit, unlike his SSM, but I try not to squash it.
When his "snails" arrived, WonderBoy digs right in as if he's eaten snails every day of his life while the 3 adults at the table watch him with great admiration and scepticism. After , a few chews he says, "it's O.K., here--try one." Who me? I don't like snails, even when the have a fancy French name and they're soaked in a light butter and garlic sauce. But not wanting to be out done by an 8 y/o, I take one, close my eyes and chew. For all of you who've been wanting to taste this delightful French delicacy, let me tell you: it wasn't bad, it tasted somewhat like the mushrooms @ Red Lobster that are stuffed w/crabmeat, minus the crabmeat. However, I don't think that either of us will be ordering Escargot again any time soon. But it was a great experience ...I wish that I could say the same about the rest of my dinner. It was bland & flavorless. What time does that Pizza place , uh I mean Salad bar close?....
We walk down to the gazebo and make a left onto the family beach, which @ 9:45 was already somewhat crowded. Wonderboy, who has the skill to always find someone his own age to play with, finds another boy his age from Chicago and they hit the water. The others in our group are late sleepers. I enjoyed talking to Justins Grandmother , who accompanied him on the trip. The boys became fast friends! After about an hour, I told WonderBoy that we had to go, as we were scheduled for the Stingrays at the other end of the beach. See ya later Justin and we're out! 
) and DS was in! Navarro taught WonderBoy how to make sand steps, ramps and windows, and promised that if he returned on the 2nd Dip on Friday, they might try to build a Disney Magic made of Sand....DS was hooked. I think he enjoyed this more than interacting w/the stingrays.
I quickly make my way to the Daughters room, where a nice lady "Hooked me UP"! It's a MIRACLE!!!
?
I know I didn't have it when we left the ship this morning! It was long, and silvery, right above my left eye and had the same kinky texture as the rest of my vacationing hair. OMG, DCL is SO going to hear about this!!!!! 
It's Special...Right up there w/Wildwood, NJ 
LOL
