Universal Adventures of Dreams AND Magic, and an expanding World!

[jenseib]

I am about to go and take a nap..yep, 10:30 AM and I all tuckered out. I had one of those nights....I woke at 4 AM and could not go back to sleep to save my life, so I got up and played on the computer for awhile and went back to bed close to 5:30 and didn't fall asleep till about 6:15...and then the alarm goes off at 6:55 to get Claire up.
I had some work to do this morning and of course my computer ...or more appropriately...the Disney site...was acting up, so I have to wait and try again later.

Why not tell you a little about my upcoming cruise on Sept 22 while I wait.

Btw. I am officially in the single digits till I leave. Tomorrow wil lbe singel digits till I cruise!

Sept 21 is the day we fly down. I have an 11:10 flight out of Columbus...not too bad of a time...but wait...we have about a 2 1/2 hour drive to Columbus first. We will most likely leave somewhere between 6:30 and 6 AM. We'll meet up with my sister who lives down there and then she'll take us to the airport.

We have a connecting flight and will finally arrive in Houston at 3:15. We'll pick up the rental car and head over to the Marriott near Hobby airport.
We'll probably rest and just hang out. Maybe find somehting near by to eat supper at. Brook and a few other girls we know will be arriving later that evening and we had talked about all going to get a bite together. We might do that, but it wil lbe late, and we might be hungry earlier and we may be too tired as well.

The next morning we will drive over to the other girls hotel, which is basically around the corner. We'll pile all our luggage between the 2 cars and Brook plands to ride to the prot with us. We have recently found out that there is some sort of commissioning of a battle ship this same day. We are worried about traffic and parking. Carolyn, one of the girls we will be hanging with called and found out that we can most likely park as early as 9 AM. We may have some waiting around to do before we are let into the terminal....but unless it's pouring cats and dogs out, we should be just fine hanging out and looking at the ship from outside.

My cabin, has Lisa and I, Brook is on her own, Carolyn has 2 friends and another girl, Mary, I think has 3 friends with her. All of us, BUT Brook has a port arrival time for 11:30. So we should be allowed to go in when they open for the most part. I think Brook has 12:30, but it should all work out and we won't shun her totally! LOL

No real plans for day one. My cabin is 5130. I was actually given another cabin. I had booked verandah...and they gave me a navigator verandah, which is enclosed with an open window. I was soooo mad. I called and they said, nope they can't move it, with this rate you get what they give you. But this wasn't lower than the class I had booked, but the "jerk" wouldn't budge and kept asking why I would complain when I got such a super price. Well because I was going to book ocean view...but the lady convinced me with a verandah and told me it would bet lower than such and such catagory.

I gave up and let it go. When wonderful Mary told me I could go online and it was letting her modify her room. I don't know if this is a glitch or what, because technically it shouldn't. So I went and looked and sure enough I could move a few doors down and get a real verandah. All was happy in my world again.


Back to boarding the ship....We'll have lunch and my plan is to explore a bit. I would like to see the kids clubs, maybe check out the spa, and just get a feel for the ship. Our Muster drill is at 3:45, and we are sailing away at 4:30. Knock on wood there is NOT rain and I get to experience my first "outdoor" sail away party. (It poured the day we sailed on the Dream last year)

We have late dinner, so we'll catch the early show. I have dinner linked with all the girls....10 of us in all, I believe. It should be pretty fun.

I am not sure if Lisa is a night owl anymore or not. It's been years since we hung out later than 10PM.....is that a sign you are getting old?

I am guessing it will be a long first day, and I will be tired and not wanting to party all night long. I hope to try to keep current with journeling/taking notes each day, so I don't get too far behind and forget things....and I also will most likely be taking about 5 thousand pictures per day. LOL

And I will leave off there for now....

 

[mom2rtk]

I am not sure if Lisa is a night owl anymore or not. It's been years since we hung out later than 10PM.....is that a sign you are getting old?]

No, but taking a nap at 10:30 is!

OK, sorry. Just kidding. Well not really, but it's only ok to say if I say I'm kidding!

And you know the truth...... the only reason I'd make fun of you for is is because I've had to do it myself before.

I hope you get a nice nap and wake up rested and ready to greet the rest of the day!

And YEAH for single digits!

 

[Woth2982]

So exciting your first cruise is so close! I am really looking forward to the Adults only TR for this one! This way I can sell the cruise to my non-Disney loving friends....and perhaps my parents who want to do a family cruise in January with another family we are friends with. My mom would be all for it, it is my dad we would need to sell the idea to lol.

Napping at 1030 is totally ok. I would so be doing it right now if I could. I picked up a nasty ear infection on the flight home from LA last week and now all I wanna do is sleep!

I don't blame you for not canceling the CRT reservation. We had done both Breakfast and lunch there and the food is NOT worth the 2 TS credits I don't think. But the atmosphere is. I think I am done with CRT unless i have a kid, and that is not happening anytime soon!

 

[jenseib]

No, but taking a nap at 10:30 is!

OK, sorry. Just kidding. Well not really, but it's only ok to say if I say I'm kidding!

And you know the truth...... the only reason I'd make fun of you for is is because I've had to do it myself before.

I hope you get a nice nap and wake up rested and ready to greet the rest of the day!

And YEAH for single digits!

Well as you already know...I never did get that nap. The day just got too busy. I did get a nice long one yesterday though...and today is rainy and I am already plotting one for a little later before I have to get Claire.

So exciting your first cruise is so close! I am really looking forward to the Adults only TR for this one! This way I can sell the cruise to my non-Disney loving friends....and perhaps my parents who want to do a family cruise in January with another family we are friends with. My mom would be all for it, it is my dad we would need to sell the idea to lol.

Napping at 1030 is totally ok. I would so be doing it right now if I could. I picked up a nasty ear infection on the flight home from LA last week and now all I wanna do is sleep!

I don't blame you for not canceling the CRT reservation. We had done both Breakfast and lunch there and the food is NOT worth the 2 TS credits I don't think. But the atmosphere is. I think I am done with CRT unless i have a kid, and that is not happening anytime soon!

I m very excited about this trip. 1 week from today I will be either heading to the port, or already there at this point in time. My travel mates want to get there early. I still have so much to do before then. I need to get my rear in gear and type out the "plan" for Claire's grandmas. They seem lost about some of the details of having her...so I figure if I make a vacation itinerary for them, it should run smoothly. I think claire wil lbe a busy girl while I am gone.

I plan to get the TR started right away...but with the Nov trip...it may not go fast. You know how slow I am with just one TR.
It will be really fun to do things as just adults on this trip too. I really did enjoy that adult trip last year for AEP. Brook and I amy need to do a yearly adult trip now. We have 2 in a row....sounds like a new tradition.

 

[mom2rtk]

OK, I'm not as smilie savvy as you are....... but it's time for the eight day cheer:

 

[jenseib]

It's getting so close now. I am going to do the happy dance!

Skip asked me the other night when I actually go. He says I never tell him anything and his Mom had asked 9who I know knows because I told her many times) and he told her I don't discuss that stuff with him...Well jeez after the reaction he gave me when he first found out...who the heck wants to discuss it more with him.
(as a reminder...he didn't talk to me for days, even though he knew since may that I was going to take some sort of trip)

So I told him he knew it was the 21st..and he said, he knew I was gone the 21st, but didn't know if I was leaving then, coming home then or if that was the middle of my trip. Well if he had not been pouting, he would've heard that it was the day I was leaving....but I guess when you pout, your ears get turned off.

On to my Galveston cruise planning. I left off with day 2 of my trip, the day we board.

The next day is a full day at sea. I plan to explore the ship and just enjoy myself...and an exciting thing...hang out in adult only areas. At 3 PM we have a group of us (from facebook) going to one of the bars for an open bar for 1 hour. I believe it costs something like $13.25 per person. We can get just about any kind of drink in that hour it sounds like. I figure if I have 2 drinks I have more than paid for the event. One of the girls in the group has made arrangements with Disney to do this. I never even knew such a thing existed.

I am not much of a drinker these days. in my younger years I was a weekend bar fly, but now, a beer here in there is a lot for me. I don't think Lisa drinks much either...but she was my other half in our bar fly days.
Brook has said she is a lightweight herself. So they may be peeling a couple of us right off the floor at the end of that hour.

It will be fun to mingle with people we have been talking with for the last month though. Note to self...do not get stinking drunk and make a fool of yourself...

I am not sure what the shwo schedule will be yet. But if it's a good one, I will try to catch it that night. I really want to see all the shows if possible.

I believe this is formal night. I have a nice black dress (I actually wore it on my Dream cruise last year) packed. I was over at my Mom last night and she showed me a dress she bought for a wedding this weekend. Very pretty and then she said I could take it on the cruise with me if I liked it. I did, so I most likely will be pulling a skirt outfit out of my bag and putting this dress in for Formal night.

I am really going to try and not overschedule myself and just enjoy the ship.

Day 4 of my trip is another day at sea. I am hoping at some point to catch a movie. I'm not sure what all will be playing. I was told I could call and ask, but never got around to doing so as of yet.

No other important plans today except to just enjjoy. I will look at the navigator and see if anything is offered that might interest me. I almost feel a panic of not knowing exactly what all wil lbe offered and how I will spend the day...but I'm sure I will make the best of the day and have fun. Also a nap isn't out of the question either.

Again, I will try to catch the show of the night and then have dinner with my friends.

Again I hope to keep up with some journeling each evening too. And lots of pictures.
After 2 days at sea, I am sure I will be ready for the next day....a port day...which I will talk about later!

 

[jenseib]

So I am blonde. I posted that 1 week from today I would be getting ready to board (on one of my replies) ...um no...thats tomorrow. I will be flying down 1 week from today. I guess I am just wishing I was that much closer!

 

[jenseib]

ok, i'm not as smilie savvy as you are....... But it's time for the eight day cheer:

yay!!!!

 

[MEK]

Wow - your cruise plans sound so wonderful and its so cool that you are planning it with DIS/FB friends. I really can't wait to see all your pictures when you return. I bet you are going to have a wonderful time.

Your TA's have the life, I'll tell ya!

 

[jenseib]

Wow - your cruise plans sound so wonderful and its so cool that you are planning it with DIS/FB friends. I really can't wait to see all your pictures when you return. I bet you are going to have a wonderful time.

Your TA's have the life, I'll tell ya!

I am excited too...but believe me there are some who cruise or travel monthly. I wish I could do that.

 

[jenseib]

Day 5 of my trip will be a stop off at a port...Very exciting. This cruise has 3 ports and 2 are brand new to me, one isn't but it's ben so many years ago since I went, I barely remember it and it has been changed a bit since a hurricane as well.

This day we arrive bright and eary at Grand Cayman. Our time is 7:30 -4.
When I first booked this cruise...my main goal was to experience new things...but cheaply...VERY cheaply. I knew I had the big family trip already planned and this was a bonus trip. I figured I would keep expenses down by not doing anything extra that costs...well you know how those plans work out....thrown out the door...somewhat...
I heard snorkeling is a big in hit here. They had many excursions that include snorkeling, among other fun things too. But I really needed to keep it cheap, so I decided on the cheapest one offered. The shipwreck and Reef Snorkeling. I'm sure it won't be as "spectacular" as some other excursions...but I'm no expert on snorkeling, so this will suffice me.
Lisas wasn't sure at first, but Brook said she would like to as well, so then Lisa said, go for it. I know she is a bit nervous about it, but I think she will be glad she is trying it out.
Our excursion meets at 7:15 AM.....Very early, but the plus side is after we are done, we will have time to walk around the island a bit if we choose to. The time alloted for this is 3 hours, so we should be done around 10:15. We can get changed and have lunch and off the ship again to explore.

This is a new port for me, so I hope to take lots of pictures. I have tried to read a bit about it, but honestly I have been so busy lately that I haven't put much time into research.


Once we come back and hit the great wide ocean again, we'll get ready for a show, if one is playing, and then have dinner. I must also add, I am so excited to have 8 days total of NO COOKING! I am not a great cook, but my family survives on what I make them to eat. But one of the BEST parts of any vacation for me is not having to cook while gone. I usually don't complain a lot about food, though some is better than others, but just the fact that I am not cooking makes it a little better. I know on the ships I can find something to eat pretty much at any time of the day. Even room service...which I do plan to order at least once. If the food is not great. I can survive the week on chocolate chip cookies and mickey bars. I'm sure some of those ingedients have nutrition hidden in thre somwhere...right?


This night is also listed as pirate night! I am not going in full pirate gear, but did have that skull Minnie t-shirt made for Lisa and I. I do think some of our traveling companions are going all out though.
It will be very interesting to see how this compares to the pirate night on the Dream. I am pretty sure they are ran differently. And I am not even sure if the Dream's pirate night is still running the same way it was when I sailed her last year.
One goal of mine is to try the pirate buffet. I will probably be full from dinner, but I'll try to restrain from gorging this night so I can have some sort of treat off the buffet. I also need to get pictures. I totally forgot about the buffet on the Dream last year, and never even got a glimpse of it or what they were offering.

I'm sure this will be a fun day all around and I will be dead tired by the time I hit the hay.

 

[dizneeat]

Okay, just to let you know, Jen, this back to real life and WORK thing sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, work is a bit steep at the moment, so when I get back to your thread you have moved on a page and a bit.
Guess I have to get used to playing catch up again.

As for the outdoor sailaway party ....... I guess this is similar to the one on the WONDER and that one was totally different from the one on the DREAM. So if you have a chance to catch it ...... do so, it's cute!!
Same goes for pirate night, totally different on the WONDER to the DREAM. Much more fun on the WONDER, even though we had the most magical Pirate's fireworks on the DREAM during Hurricane Isaac.
And as for the shows. I cannot, for the life of me, remember if the shows on the Magic and the WONDER are the same, but IF they have Disney DREAMS, be sure NOT to miss it and bring a few hankies, as there is a scene that makes ME cry every time.
Can't believe you are in the single digits already!

 

[jenseib]

Okay, just to let you know, Jen, this back to real life and WORK thing sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, work is a bit steep at the moment, so when I get back to your thread you have moved on a page and a bit.
Guess I have to get used to playing catch up again.

As for the outdoor sailaway party ....... I guess this is similar to the one on the WONDER and that one was totally different from the one on the DREAM. So if you have a chance to catch it ...... do so, it's cute!!
Same goes for pirate night, totally different on the WONDER to the DREAM. Much more fun on the WONDER, even though we had the most magical Pirate's fireworks on the DREAM during Hurricane Isaac.
And as for the shows. I cannot, for the life of me, remember if the shows on the Magic and the WONDER are the same, but IF they have Disney DREAMS, be sure NOT to miss it and bring a few hankies, as there is a scene that makes ME cry every time.
Can't believe you are in the single digits already!

I figured you have been busy since we haven't seen much of you since you got back.

I think Dreams is on this one. I am not sure which night...we are hoping it's not our Palo night..
I do think a lot is similar to the Wonder. I do know Golden Mickeys is no longer a show, but not sure if the Wonder still has it. I do think Twiced Charm is one offered...and I really want to see that one. I sure wish we could still take pictures of the shows.

I am very excited...but have a lot to get organized before I go.....and what am I doing now...catching up on dis. LOL

 

[stmize]

so jealous that you get to take a cruise prior to a cruise lol can't wait to see pics

 

[jenseib]

so jealous that you get to take a cruise prior to a cruise lol can't wait to see pics

I have to admit I am too. I was pretty sure something was going to happen this fall, but on another cruiseline...when that kind of fell through..well it wasn't ideal what was offered...And the magic came up the same day at a great rate, it was really meant to be. I never imagined I would be on 2 Disney ships just 6 weeks apart.

 

[Kathy Jetson]

Everything sounds so exciting! I don't know how you can plan 2 big trips like that so close together. I would lose my mind and I'd be so excited I wouldn't be able to sleep.

7 more days!

 

[Caretames1]

I am soooo far behind here!

First, here's a dance for you! Six for 6 days!

Don't you just love how well the guys listen to us! UGH, I swear, do my lips go on mute when he's around. Does Skip talk about farm stuff on and on and you just wish you had a mute button? John will talk about Dj stuff and I kinda tune out after a while. I've gotten quite good looking like I'm paying attention when I'm not.

All of your cruise plans sound so nice, I would love to have no one to cook for, and just relax all by myself if I wanted.
Having friends along will be so fun, and if you getting drunk & sloppy, pretend it Vegas....what happens there, stays there?

I can't wait to see all of the ports you visit. I've never been to any places like that and I love to see it through others eyes.

Happy Packing!

 

[englishrose47]

Plans sound great !!Have a wonderful cruise!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

OK, I know I'm behind.... sorry!

How about 7 jumping jacks..........



and 6 cheerleaders!



It's getting SO close alread!

 

[jenseib]

Everything sounds so exciting! I don't know how you can plan 2 big trips like that so close together. I would lose my mind and I'd be so excited I wouldn't be able to sleep.

7 more days!

Luckily with the cruise, it's not so much hassle with planning. I won't know a lot of the activities till I read the daily Navigator. I got some basic plans and just going to try and go with the flow. I haven't done much of that in ages.

I am truely trying to slow myself down and enjoy.

I am soooo far behind here!

First, here's a dance for you! Six for 6 days!

Don't you just love how well the guys listen to us! UGH, I swear, do my lips go on mute when he's around. Does Skip talk about farm stuff on and on and you just wish you had a mute button? John will talk about Dj stuff and I kinda tune out after a while. I've gotten quite good looking like I'm paying attention when I'm not.

All of your cruise plans sound so nice, I would love to have no one to cook for, and just relax all by myself if I wanted.
Having friends along will be so fun, and if you getting drunk & sloppy, pretend it Vegas....what happens there, stays there?

I can't wait to see all of the ports you visit. I've never been to any places like that and I love to see it through others eyes.

Happy Packing!

I was almost completely caught up on Dis yesterday...and BANG..70 new posts in my email today.

I am so ready. I'll have to get myself in gear tomorrow and get Claire's suitcases packed. And give directions to the Grandmas. I thought I would have time today to play around..and forget that we were to meet up with Mom and nieces to go to the butterfly house. It was fun, but I was so tired when I got home..and did some slight cleaning in the kitchen...only to mess it back up after I made dinner.

I can't wait to see pretty blue water! Claire just found out yesterday that I am flying into Texas and she is totally amazed by that.

Plans sound great !!Have a wonderful cruise!!!

Thanks. It's getting closer now.

OK, I know I'm behind.... sorry!

How about 7 jumping jacks..........



and 6 cheerleaders!



It's getting SO close alread!

Thanks!