Traveling the WB Repo 2008 with an ex - FINISHED with PICS

[littleaussie]

I've really been enjoying your trip report. Glad to hear your DD is feeling better.

Did you end up taking a goverment taxi in PV or one of the local ones?

Hmm, not sure about this question. The tour guy had an "official" picture and name tag on him but I am not sure if he was a government tour person or not. He was certified by something but I am not sure exactly who. I think he may have been gov. . .

The night before Brent told us not to take the government taxis, to take the yellow, local ones. I asked Jesus, our guide, about it and he said he didn't know why we were told that, as the gov rates were the same as the others. He thought maybe because you can try to barter a cheaper rate with locals but it doesn't always work and the gov rates are set. Like $3 a person to get to the boardwalk, that is a set rate with them.

 

[littleaussie]

Wow-Jolene, incredible trip report. I really, really enjoyed it. I was late to work and getting the kids to school because I couldn't tear myself away from the computer.
We'll be on the Magic in July. Would love a bit more info on your taxi guy in PV. I will be traveling with my in-laws and family of four so it sounds like a good option for us as well.
Can't wait for your update. You should be a writer! You are very entertaining.
Regards,
Rene'

Hi Rene,
You will have such a good time! I bet you are so excited about your trip!
I think my dad got the guy's business card so I could get that information for you if you want. We did like him and our tour. I thought he charged us per person but my dad said it was per hour - we paid about $100 for a 3 1/2 hour tour. He was certified by something, not sure what so he had to stop at 2 places - one was the tequila making factory (but we could stay as long or as short as we wanted) and the other was a street up on a hill with a few craft stalls (we didn't have to stay very long) and a great view. Otherwise, he kinda took us where we wanted to go.

 

[littleaussie]

Today was another sea day. It has been noticeably cooler yesterday and this morning. X did not want to get up this morning so DD 3 and I went to Parrot Cay for Lumieres for breakfast. We were seated at a table for 8 by ourselves. Very awkward. When we got back to the room, DD 6 was complaining about being starved. X was still in bed. He finally got going and went to get her a plate but she didn’t like anything he brought back. So it will be 1 of those days, huh?
DD 3 was ready to go to the pool:

Today we spent a lot of time in the pool. Mostly the hot tub! We went up there to watch the movie Cars on the Ariel TV. The girls and I were there about 20 minutes when my dad showed up. So we spent about 2 hours in the hot tub. Hardly any other kids or people were around. DD 6 and I went in the goofy pool for a while, it was cool. It was also very rocky, the pool looked like a wave pool. I wish I would have gotten a video of it, you could almost surf in it. DD 6 did not like that sensation so we got out.

Dad and X went to the Debarkation presentation at 11:30. Then they kept asking me what was the procedure to leave. I had no idea, I didn’t go! I don’t know everything, you know. . .

The girls and I went up to Topsiders for lunch, it was a steakhouse buffet. I took them through the kids line and we couldn’t find any seating so we went down to my parents’ room. Then I decided not to go back up to get my own plate.

This afternoon we had a quick run through of the dis-kids dance skit. Then we headed to Rockin’ Bar D to rehearse with all the acts. It went very well.

I don’t really know what else we did for the afternoon but tonight is formal night. I was able to dress the girls up nicely and pull their hair back and then we went downstairs. Tonight was the Captain’s Gala and it was free drinks. I had some type of pineapple drink (alcoholic) and it was nice. They also had Shirley Temples for the kids. We were in Lumieres for supper, which was really nice. The menu was Captain’s Gala. Dinner was good, we had the lobster tail.

Our servers had a surprise for X, it was a birthday cake. Technically he doesn't turn 36 until May 26 but they wanted to give him something now.

After supper, we took pictures in front of Lumiere’s behind the Mickey statue and on the staircase. They turned out really well so I broke down and bought them.

Tonight’s show was Disney Dreams. The story about Ann-Marie and Peter Pan and trying to get her to fly by thinking of the Disney stories. Both DDs fell asleep during the show. DD 6 wanted to do the Mousekateer show at 9:30 but she was asleep. We took the kids back to the room and X went to the adult’s show of Mike Super (magician). He was actually in the Walt Disney Theater because he is so popular. X said he was really good, better than the family show.

Another round with X today. Today’s entertainment was on tips. I had figured out ½ the tips and did them up in envelopes and got another set for X’s shares. He got mad at that. So I think it is time for us to leave the ship before security is called.

I’ve decided with my share of tips to give more to our stateroom host Aldo, from Peru and also to Adrian, our server. They both have been so helpful and excellent at their jobs.

Random thought: in Acapulco, Cabo and Puerta Vallarta, my cell phone doesn’t work. If I try to call home, I get a Spanish recording. I also try to use the international dialing and get the same results. This puzzled me because I don’t speak that much Spanish so my stateroom host listened to the message for me and translated. He got a big kick out of it, laughing at the situation. But the message was that I needed the password for international calling. International roaming is not active on my phone but I thought I would try anyway. I was able to make calls on the sea days between Castaway Cay and Aruba and also the day we were at Aruba. Weird. . .

 

[littleaussie]

Today we woke up at 6:45 a.m. Went to Parrot Cay for the buffet with the girls and I asked for Adrian (our server). White coats ran around and sat me down and said they would bring him by. Turns out he wasn’t working until a little later but they were going to track him down. I was embarrassed, I only asked if he was working that I be seated in his section.

I actually ordered an Omelet and it was pretty good. Should have done that before. We did get to see Adrian before we left – he was running the toaster. We went one last time to Shutters and to the gift shops and spent money like it was going out of style. In the end, I did buy 8 8x10s, including one of the panama canal photos of the ship. I had no intention of getting ANY photos but Disney knows how to appeal to your emotions with the photos.

The girls got a few gifts and stuff. I ended up not purchasing any of the Panama Canal merchandise. They had beach towels, coffee mugs, shot glasses, photo frames, a gold coin and then the limited stuff you had to pre-order like pins and a Christmas ornament. I wanted to pre-order an ornament but they were $55. I went down to Up Beat on this day to see if they had any extras but they were only selling the Mexican Rivera ones at that time. So now I am sorry I didn’t get one but there’s not much I can do now.

I did end up buying a ship ornament, some scrapbook kits and several pirate gear things. I also bought a few things on Castaway Cay.

Today we also met our secret Mickeys. We brought one last gift for the kids we were giving to. I think over 20 people participated in the exchange. DD 3 got some terrific things every single day!!! They were all princess themed, which was right up her alley.

The kids, X, my dad and I went to Parrott Cay again for lunch, because our servers were working there. Today’s buffet was Seafood but it was pretty ordinary. DD 3 did not want anything except fruit (which was not on the buffet line) so Pieter, our assistant server went upstairs and brought her a plateful of watermelon. These guys have been very good to us!

Don’t know what everyone did this afternoon but I went to the Rockin’ Bar D as one of the choreographers was teaching part of a dance routine from the Golden Mickey’s show. I am always interested in learning new routines so I really enjoyed it. There were about 10 of us there and Brent came by and found us some water bottles. It was fun and upbeat. I think the song was from Tarzan where the gorillas get in the camp and make that music with the stuff.

Went back to the room and convinced the girls and X to do one last swim. I systematically went from deck to deck and took as many pictures as I could. Even of the dumb things like the public bathrooms and the carpet. Saw lots of other people doing the same thing.

The carpet:

Tonight was the Till We Meet Again menu and it had a lot of princes and princesses on the menu (cruise casual). After supper, we gave the guys our tips and thanks. I did tip Adrian more than recommended.

At 7:30 we were in the Rockin’ Bar D for the guest talent show. The dis-kids were up first with their number. I had put together a routine of short popular dances all in one song. Like The Twist, Grease Lightening, Thriller, YMCA, Macarana, Chicken Dance, etc. . . They were really funny to see. I wish I could upload it to Youtube or something but I’d have to get all the parents’ permission first.

We stayed for a few other acts of singing and dancing and then went up to the show. It was Till We Meet Again. The Disney Characters and songs appeared. A guy named Jeff Civillico came out and did some balancing acts and had a few men participate, which was really hilarious to watch. I hope THEY post the video on Youtube (if anyone filmed it) because they were the highlight of the show. Mike Super came out again for one more act and had a man help him out.

And that was it! The girls both fell asleep again tonight so I took them back to the room. X disappeared for a while but I went to sleep. I think he found a girlfriend. . . LOL!

Tonight we had another surprise in our room. Aldo brought in 2 boxes. We opened them up and they were a trinket box with the Panama Canal on the front with Chip and Dale and the ship. Aldo knows our situation in room #7537 so he brought 2 in for us so we could each keep one. By the way, I am keeping Ducky’s litho. X had no objections to that.

 

[Deb T.]

Hi Jolene,

I thoroughly enjoyed your TR. Thanks so much for taking the time to post it!

 

[littleaussie]

Well folks we are here:

The end of the report. I don't want to tell you about the disembarkation day - although we didn't have any hassles or lost luggage like some people. I guess I am hoping the report doesn't end with me being buried forever in the Minnesota snow some winter. I hope to do more Disney travel sometime in a few years. . . Thank you to those brave souls who left positive comments on this report, I enjoyed reading them all.

I did want to share one touching memory for those die-hard hopefuls that wanted a love boat reunion:

X did this:

Which started our last arguement.

It took this to calm me down:

And after this arguement, I want to thank the gracious couple who helped me by providing free therapy in the Deck 7 laundry. They stopped me from going through with my plots of stealing a steak knife at our rotational restaurant that night. . . But seriously, thank you for listening to me that day in the laundry while I cried into my laundry detergent and giving me your KTTW card so I could escape. Well. . . maybe not that far but I enjoyed meeting you and hope I didn't bore you too much with a 90 minute mini-series of my life.

Maybe I will summarize with a list of highlights and tips for anyone foolish enough to still be reading this trip report. As you can see, I have trouble letting go. . .

 

[cnj]

Thank you for the update and pictures. It was nice of you to go back and do that. I admit I was one of the hopeless romantics that was hoping for a reunion with the ex. I kept telling my husband, if they can go on a 2 week vacation in the same room together, something is bound to happen. . . .

I guess I read too many romance novels. I am glad you had a good time. I hope you do get to cruise again with Disney soon.

Jen

 

[Rand0mTh0ughts]

Thank you! I have been checking your thread every day for updates - I love your style of writing and the details you shared.

I will be on the eastbound, so I would LOVE any final thoughts, tips, lists, ideas... anything!

Thanks again!

 

[lbgraves]

DD 3 wasn’t too impressed with this princess thing. Her name was written on a card and when we got inside, a man was announcing “Princess Kinsey”. We walked down a line of waiters/waitresses and received a pink sash that says “Princess” on it. DD 3 refused to wear it.
Hey, I think I see a DISMEMBER!!!

YES!!! That is John and Kim at the next table and it looks like Dennis might be sitting next to Kim?

 

[lillygator]

YES!!! That is John and Kim at the next table and it looks like Dennis might be sitting next to Kim?

nope - that's John! and I was at the end. The girls were all on one side!

 

[smeecanada]

Thank you! I have been checking your thread every day for updates - I love your style of writing and the details you shared.

I will be on the eastbound, so I would LOVE any final thoughts, tips, lists, ideas... anything!

Thanks again!

Come over and join our cruise meet thread for the EB Repo. We have lots of fun things planned and lots of info to share. Just jump in.

 

[Mozart]

So, Jolene, what you're saying is that you're going to book yourself and X on another cruise later this year?

 

[solgent]

I have a question about that early birthday cake for your X. How did they know? Did you request this?

We are cruising 8/21-8/24 and my DD's 10th bday is 8/27. It would be cool for her to get a cake but not sure how to arrange that & if it is OK since it is before her birthday.

Experienced cruisers, please advise me!

 

[jns]

Maybe I will summarize with a list of highlights and tips for anyone foolish enough to still be reading this trip report. As you can see, I have trouble letting go. . .

Jolene Please do
Thank you so much again for sharing and adding all the great photos to your report

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

Hi Jolene,
I've really enjoyed reading your report! I was even reading it while we were on the ship. I'm afraid I'm one of those people who kept running into you and not remembering who you were! I'm sorry if that was so. It was overwhelming at times meeting so many people with so much going on. But it was the trip of a lifetime, wasn't it? I'm so glad I got to go!

 

[woody73]

. . . I want to thank the gracious couple who helped me by providing free therapy in the Deck 6 laundry.

. . . thank you for listening to me that day in the laundry while I cried into my laundry detergent

Jolene,

Terrific sense of humor, in person and in print!

Woody

 

[littleaussie]

So, Jolene, what you're saying is that you're going to book yourself and X on another cruise later this year?

I can't I am broke! No, I won't be doing that again anytime soon (cruising with the X that is, not cruising in general).

Don't want to play with fire again. . .

 

[littleaussie]

I have a question about that early birthday cake for your X. How did they know? Did you request this?

We are cruising 8/21-8/24 and my DD's 10th bday is 8/27. It would be cool for her to get a cake but not sure how to arrange that & if it is OK since it is before her birthday.

Experienced cruisers, please advise me!

I "think" my parents mentioned to the servers that X's birthday was coming up a day after we got off the ship and they mentioned that we could get an early birthday cake for him if we wanted to. They wanted us to do that because they wrote something really funny on the cake as a joke between them and X.

So I would talk to the head guy the first night of your cruise and see if it can be done. I know we did not put in a special request before we cruised like most people do. But we also had 2 weeks of cruising so they had plenty of time to prepare.

Maybe you could call DCL and ask them directly.

 

[littleaussie]

Hi Jolene,
I've really enjoyed reading your report! I was even reading it while we were on the ship. I'm afraid I'm one of those people who kept running into you and not remembering who you were! I'm sorry if that was so. It was overwhelming at times meeting so many people with so much going on. But it was the trip of a lifetime, wasn't it? I'm so glad I got to go!

Hi Cheri,
I am sorry, I did not mean to offend anyone by my comments. I was trying to be funny but maybe it didn't go over so well. I do not blame anyone if they didn't remember me, there were 100+ Disfamilies on the cruise so you'd have to have superpowers to meet and retain the memory of EVERYONE.
It was overwhelming and there was tons going on so it's all good.
Glad you had a good time, I think we all did!

 

[granmaz]

Thanks for the report Jolene. You have a great way with writing!!!

We did meet, but I wasn't sure which 'Aussie' you were, so sorry about that.