The MAGIC is Back!!! ~ WBTA 2014 ~ Come & join the fun!

[PFlamingo]

Ok, I've got to ask, who is Kirby?

You don't really want to open that Pandora's box, do you?

Who wants to tell the tale? Like any good, scary story, though, we'll have to turn out the lights and get out the flashlights (or torches for the Brits).

 

[PFlamingo]

If he is on this cruise you may just see a bobbing heap of brown fur outside your porthole one day. Just saying.

That secret deck on Deck 7 might come in handy.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Ok, I've got to ask, who is Kirby?

I'll volunteer to tell the tale.

Kirby was a jumbo-sized stuffed bear that a middle-aged couple brought on board. He sat at the table with them, took photos with them, went on excursions, etc. He had his own wardrobe and dressed for dinner.

We thought it was all well and fun until we started to find out weird little things. The couple told us that Kirby had to come along because he writes their Christmas newsletter. And to tell everyone about the trip, he had to experience it first hand.

OK, weird enough.

But then the stories started to get more strange - like the fact that apparently the woman threw a fit when she was told by airline personnel that the bear had to be wrapped in plastic and placed into cargo hold - he could not ride in the cabin. In her opinion this was ludicrous that he was being treated as baggage!

We later started to get collectively ticked off when things started happening like Kirby would ask for a Mickey ice cream bar to be brought to him at dinner, just for it to melt and be wasted.

Kirby sat at Castaway Cay (with a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses and his own beach chair) and his owners brought food from Cookie's BBQ for him - again that went uneaten and to waste.

His handler's server and assistant server were also our table's wait staff (as well as MandyGirl's). Our server got chewed out one night because the head server (maitre'd) gave him orders to be available to carry the bear to his seat every night and he was not there promptly. Of course when Dawn and MandyGirl needed assistance with their actual HUMAN children, they could not get any because the staff was tending to the bear.

And yes - this is all true and not an exaggeration. I'm sure others can chime in on things I have missed. We have pictures of him that we can share - I think somewhere I have one of him at Castaway, and HazelandAnnie have one with him at dinner.

Still glad you asked?

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh my goodness! That's one of the most bizarre stories I've ever heard!

This whole time I thought he was a person and was worried he'd come online to find everyone saying things about him...

I'm still laughing, and in shock. Thanks for filling me in. Hopefully he won't be along for the ride, that might scare me!

I can't believe the head server would do that, that is simply mind boggling.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Kirby at Castaway Cay, complete with sunglasses!

 

[Pinkocto]

He's big!

 

[MagicMe]

I'm not sure I should laugh or get upset!! It's so ridiculous it's funny! Okay, I understand the attachment (at least a little) but to take available help from someone that really needed it for a stuffed animal (they do know he's not real, right?) and that they ordered (and actually served) food that was obviously wasted is beyond appropriate!

 

[JessicasMom]

Not too bad, really, but the cold that was coming on all weekend has now hit him full force. Poor thing. I should whack him up with some heavy-duty meds, ask him if I should go ahead and officially book the cruise, and interpret "hrmmrmm," as "yes."

We took the Aerobus, too. Super easy way to get from the airport. Where did you stay last time? We were at the Continental Palacete. Funky, but nice.

Really, he just needs to accept the fact that resistance is futile. His life will be so much easier then . You WILL be on this cruise and he WILL have a good time .

We stayed at the Hotel Lloret Ramblas. Location was great, and it was one of the few we could find with a triple room (for DM, DNiece, and DD). It was traditionally European, with smallish rooms and Juliet balconies, and a continental breakfast was included. The only negatives were some construction that was going on while we were there (although the constr. workers did carry my luggage to the room for me ) and the flight of stairs we had to lug our bags up, just to get to the first floor where the reception area and elevator are. Did I say the location was great?

Chris - that was my mother who passed away, and I did get off in Madeira to fly back to Boston, in a very round about way!! I am back to get through this cruise, and am really looking forward to seeing everyone i had just met, and have yet to meet. A few of my wonderful friends are already on this cruise, and you did meet them at the Earl of Sandwich too that day.

I'm so happy you'll be joining us again .

Only half?

I remember shlepping a ridiculous amount of luggage (which I absolutely needed, every bit of it), checking into our hotel, ditching the luggage, and after that... not a clue.

Oh, and that cattle barge of a flight! That was just insane. Good thing it was cheap.

I now know that if Dennis and I could survive the flight and that first day without killing each other, we can survive anything.

The flight is one reason my mother doesn't want to come. It was so long, and the video screen in her seat didn't work, so no entertainment for the entire time. Jessica's didn't work either, but she had her laptop to watch things on. Then to find out her luggage was missing . It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because it was less to haul around.

Who wants to tell the tale? Like any good, scary story, though, we'll have to turn out the lights and get out the flashlights (or torches for the Brits).

And yes - this is all true and not an exaggeration. I'm sure others can chime in on things I have missed. We have pictures of him that we can share - I think somewhere I have oneof him at Castaway, and HazelandAnnie have one with him at dinner.

Still glad you asked?

I was shocked to see him in his own seat at the shows in the Walt theater. Can you imagine being seated behind him?

 

[Shercara]

We had a middle aged couple on our Oct Hawaiian Cruise. She would carry around a boy and a girl bear ( Duffy and ??? ) The bears always had matching outfits, and sometimes the couple and the bears would all be in matching outfits -especially for all the professional photo ops with Shutters. She walked everywhere carring them. We weren't on the same dining rotation or on any excursions with them, so I don't know if they went to dinner or on any tours - but she was never without them. I thought it was kind of sad and wondered why or what hole they might be filling??? but all in all very strange.

 

[Shercara]

I agree - if the Bear or Bears make someone happy and their cruise special -then fine if that is their thing. But to waste food, and take time away from serving human/paying guests is really carrying it too far.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Here's a photo of Kirby and Hazel at dinner. We're all in the background watching her as she asks if she can take a photo with him. LOL

 

[MagicMe]

I have no problem with anyone getting attached to their stuffed friend and bringing them along. My DS and DIL have a pair of animals that they often take with them. However, they've never wasted food!!

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

We couldn't believe they were wasting Mickey Bars! Surely that's some form of Disney blasphemy.

 

[DISNEYFAN_SD]

We couldn't believe they were wasting Mickey Bars! Surely that's some form of Disney blasphemy.

Definitely

 

[woody73]

. . . We later started to get collectively ticked off when things started happening like Kirby would ask for a Mickey ice cream bar to be brought to him at dinner, just for it to melt and be wasted.

I'll bet Kirby was stuffed.

Woody

 

[Buckeye Gal]

I'll bet Kirby was stuffed.

Woody

Literally cannot stop laughing out loud!

 

[MagicMe]

I'll bet Kirby was stuffed.

Woody

Love it!!

 

[Bareacuda]

I'll bet Kirby was stuffed.

Woody

Quick on that one Woody !

 

[Bareacuda]

So I was thinking(something I do... not often) those who did Ta's before and newbies, and we have LOTS of time, why dont we introduce ourselves.
looks like I go first

Im Ann ... married to Howard(time of sailing 44years).
we are both LMT's( licenced massage therapists).
Howard is an Asststant Director of a Massage school. I work at the same school but... Im the Bodywork Instructor. Have 3 adult kids with lots of grandkids.
Live in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Middle of the hottest desert in the US !

My signature says the someone I love has Parkinson's... it's Howard. So, if you see him a bit wobbley, or a bit unsteady and see his tremors... it's Parkinson's. He was diagnosed 3 months before our WBTA 2010. Im telling this because some people dont know how to handle it.He's fine...a bitslow or wobbley, and makes the best martinis... "shaken" not stirred !
And looking foward to meeting everyone....again !

Ok Ann... move along !!!

 

[lyn9856]

I'll bet Kirby was stuffed.

Woody

That is very funny! Chuckled for quite a bit over that one Woody
I am amazed at Kirby.

But sad to say it seems not unusual, as I have heard similar stories.
Can't believe how the aeroplane allowed it. Did they pay for a third seat?

Ryanair would not allow it, would they UK peops?!

Lyn