WDW/DCL Western Caribbean Honeymoon Extravaganza!! DONE!!! - PG 51!!

I'm finally all caught up again and still enjoying every word! So sorry to hear about poor Jack, hopefully next time you update us it will be with good news! :goodvibes As far as purchasing DVC being good marriage advice? Trust me, it is! We just bought DVC last week after over 10 years of going on trips to WDW together and we're both so happy about it. I've wanted to do it forever but DH was more on the fence about it. Great decision that we made! :thumbsup2 My advice would be not to purchase it if you can't afford it, though. We were able to put it on our Disney Visa and then pay it off right away so it was the right time for us (finally!).
 
Believe me, I totally understand.

If you need to vent, feel free to pm me. Or if you have msn messenger, pm me your addy :)

Thanks Christy! I'm hanging in there...it's margarita time for me today. I figured drinking might help a little...

I hope you get good news about Jack soon!!:goodvibes Will continue to shoot up lots of prayers!!

My goodness, my guess is the kids parents were in the tasting as I would think that even on a ship kids wouldn't be allowed in alone? I hope CC was at least a good day.

Thanks. No, the parents weren't at the tasting because the instructor mentioned them numerous times. I feel like the parents would have said something if they were there.

I'm finally all caught up again and still enjoying every word! So sorry to hear about poor Jack, hopefully next time you update us it will be with good news! :goodvibes As far as purchasing DVC being good marriage advice? Trust me, it is! We just bought DVC last week after over 10 years of going on trips to WDW together and we're both so happy about it. I've wanted to do it forever but DH was more on the fence about it. Great decision that we made! :thumbsup2 My advice would be not to purchase it if you can't afford it, though. We were able to put it on our Disney Visa and then pay it off right away so it was the right time for us (finally!).

Well, between the cruise and Jack's doctor's bills, we definitely can NOT afford it right now! In fact, I'm waiting to pay my credit card until I get paid again on the 15th. Being a teacher and not getting a paycheck for 2 months, I'm usually broke as a joke by the end of August!
 
Day 11 ~ July 31, 2009
Castaway Cay


Woke up around 9 and had breakfast at crazy Topsiders.

I watched us pull into port and got my first look at the Flying Dutchman!
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I was able to see it from our verandah as we pulled up but once we were docked, it was on the other side.

I had parasailing scheduled and Tom couldn't partake because of his elbow. It was a very hot and long walk. We walked to the second tram stop and then took the tram the rest of the way to Serenity Bay...of course taking some pictures along the way.
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I really had high hopes for CC. I thought for sure it would be like being in the parks. But one thing that I noticed right away was that there was no music playing, at least for the first part of our walk. I thought that was strange, as music is playing EVERYWHERE on WDW property. It was just a little touch that would have made if feel much more like Disney.

We stopped into SheSells where I bought a little CC onsies for my niece, Emma. It was realy crowded around this area. I couldn't imagine us EVER wanting to hang out at the family beach. So we kept on moving onto Serenity Bay.

We found seats and settled in and I immediately turned around and went BACK to Marge's Barges for my parasailing. As the tram pulled up, our tablemates got off!! I told them to go look fo Tom! I was kind of disappointed to be leaving the beach. I had been excited about parasailing but that was when I thought we were doing it together and at this point, I just wanted to stay on the beach! FINALLY, I was going to get my beach time in! All I wanted to do was pull a chair into the water and TAN! Well, when I get back from parasailing, that's exactly what I'm going to do!!!!

So I went back to Marge's Barges and I didn't like being there by myself. We got into a small boat and took turns riding together. I was with a very nice woman who was also by herself. Parasailing was odd. It was very quiet and peaceful up there, but not thrilling at all. The driver dipped us, which was nice because it was soooo hot! Overall, I'm glad I did it, but I wouldn't do it again for the money.

So on the way back, I took BOTH trams! I found Tom on the beach reading and drinking! It's still beautiful and sunny at this point! We were both getting hungry so we went to the BBQ near Serenity Bay. I'm not sure if the food is different from the BBQ near the family beach but the food was not good at all! There was a nice selection but everything was just "eh." The burger was ok, the potato salad was inedible, the pasta salad had a weird taste and the ribs were ALL fat. Didn't take any pics, sorry!

During lunch, we saw that the sky looks a little dark in that direction.....it'll probably just pass over....

A plane crash outside Serenity Bay.
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Ok! Back on the beach! I pull my chair in and I sit!
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I chatted with another woman who had the same idea as I did! She was from Florida and couldn't believe it when I told her the water at the beaches near me was BROWN! (Notice the sky?)
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So much for my tan. But at least I can enjoy the water...


Then it started to POUR! As soon as it started, it was COLD, so I ditched the chair and just went in!
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This is me trying to have a conversation with that woman I was sitting next to!
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When it started to thunder, we thought we'd better get out! So Tom and I huddled under the umbrellas, trying to keep all our things dry. At least I was in good spirits! (It was hard to see how much it was pouring in most of the pics we took but if you look at the blue umbrella, you can see it coming down.)
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We thought we'd stick it out because we could seriously see blue sky all over except above us, so it HAS to pass over eventually!

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It started to let up a little so I went back in!! It was the weirest thing to feel the cold rain water on top and the warm ocean underneath it! It was WAY warmer to be in the water than sitting out in the rain!

I floated for a little...
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BUT, then it started again....UGH, just go away rain!
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But it didn't go away...so we decided to leave. So much for my Caribbean beach relaxing day.... Again, you can't see it in this picture but the rain was PELTING me from the tram!
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We got off of the first tram and waited under the little bus stop shelter for the rain to let up a little before walking to the second tram. Again, I took this picture to show how much it was pouring but you can't really see.
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Well, we waited there for a few minutes, and it just wasn't letting up at all, so we decided to just make a run for it!!

OF COURSE, everyone had the same idea as us, and there was a long line for the tram. Luckily, it came pretty quickly and the rain DID start letting up a little but we were both soaked at this point so it really didn't matter. I was just more concerned for the camera and other things I had in my bag.

Do we let a little rain stop our photo ops?? NO WAY! (At least I wore my old reefs that day so I didn't have to walk barefoot like in Epcot!)
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We went back to our room and I immediately took a warm shower!

Before we left, I took a pic of the construction on CC from our verandah.
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We started packing up our things, as our luggage was to be put out tonight.

Up Next: Remember the Magic, my emotional meltdown and dinner at Lumiere's
 

I think that cloud is kind of funny. I mean, it's symbolic in a way, isn't it? Like your own little personal rain cloud. Kind of fitting for the trip.

(p.s. hope your kitty is ok!)
 
aww man you pour thing to have it rain on your CC day. I did the pairasailing thing on CC to with my son and as much as it was nice and enjoyable im with you Ill save my money for more drinks of the day LOL.

Our food on the adult beach didnt wow me either. Thinking they just had left overs and threw out whatever was left lol.

How neat to get a 1st hand look at all the construction they are doing too!
 
The pics of the flying dutchman look amazing! It is sooo spooky!

SO sorry it rained! At least you got some time on the beach. Interested to see what the meltdown is about:confused3 Also, were you ever queezy during the trip? I am curious to know how the rocking/seasickness is on the boat?

Hope your kitty is ok. Our dog has been sick and she goes in on Wed. for her last treatment, so I am feeling it both emotionally and financially as well! It is amazing how attatched we get to our animals. I am sure he will be just fine, but keep us updated.
 
Those pictures of you in the sea in the rain are amazing!:eek: I can't believe how much rain you had on your beach day! At least you got in your parasailing before it started to rain. I always wondered what kind of things went on in CC.

BTW - was that Tom's foot that I saw in the corner of a photograph of you and your new friend in the sea??:rotfl:

Great update!:thumbsup2 Can't wait to hear about your emotional meltdown!:scared1:
 
Wow The Flying Dutchman looks really cool.

Sorry it rained, what a downer. But the sea pics are really cool.

Hows Jack doing?
 
I can't believe it rained on your Castaway Cay day! That's just a *perfect* way to end the cruise, isn't it? :rolleyes: :mad:
 
Yikes, this cruise really was just not going your way. :sad2:

Haha, no it was not!

I think that cloud is kind of funny. I mean, it's symbolic in a way, isn't it? Like your own little personal rain cloud. Kind of fitting for the trip.

(p.s. hope your kitty is ok!)

It was totaly symbolic! Just the way the cruise was going...

aww man you pour thing to have it rain on your CC day. I did the pairasailing thing on CC to with my son and as much as it was nice and enjoyable im with you Ill save my money for more drinks of the day LOL.

Our food on the adult beach didnt wow me either. Thinking they just had left overs and threw out whatever was left lol.

How neat to get a 1st hand look at all the construction they are doing too!

:thumbsup2

The pics of the flying dutchman look amazing! It is sooo spooky!

SO sorry it rained! At least you got some time on the beach. Interested to see what the meltdown is about:confused3 Also, were you ever queezy during the trip? I am curious to know how the rocking/seasickness is on the boat?

Hope your kitty is ok. Our dog has been sick and she goes in on Wed. for her last treatment, so I am feeling it both emotionally and financially as well! It is amazing how attatched we get to our animals. I am sure he will be just fine, but keep us updated.

I was queezy this night. I just slept it off. Still waiting to get results about Jack. :sad1:

Those pictures of you in the sea in the rain are amazing!:eek: I can't believe how much rain you had on your beach day! At least you got in your parasailing before it started to rain. I always wondered what kind of things went on in CC.

BTW - was that Tom's foot that I saw in the corner of a photograph of you and your new friend in the sea??:rotfl:

Great update!:thumbsup2 Can't wait to hear about your emotional meltdown!:scared1:

Yes it was Tom foot in the picture!

Wow The Flying Dutchman looks really cool.

Sorry it rained, what a downer. But the sea pics are really cool.

Hows Jack doing?

Still waiting for news.....

I can't believe it rained on your Castaway Cay day! That's just a *perfect* way to end the cruise, isn't it? :rolleyes: :mad:

Just typical!
 
First day back to work. Had professional development meetings. I got a message from the vet just before lunch that Jack's levels dropped over night and they wanted to do the blood transfusion. I had to have them do it....especially since the results didn't come back yet. What if we DIDN'T do it and then find out it could've been treated.

Just called the credit card company to extend my credit line.....

At least I'll get Reward Dollars.....
 
Oh Nikki, I am so sorry that Jack isn't doing better yet.
lots of love his way:hug:
 
Love the pics of the Flying Dutchman! :thumbsup2 This whole cruise experience just keeps getting worse, almost downright comical at times. Of course at this point all you can do is laugh about it. :)

Poor Jack and poor Nikki! :hug: Let's hope the transfusion will help him. You did the right thing. Keep us updated. At least being back at school will keep your mind occupied.
 
Oh Nikki, I am so sorry that Jack isn't doing better yet.
lots of love his way:hug:

Thank you!

Love the pics of the Flying Dutchman! :thumbsup2 This whole cruise experience just keeps getting worse, almost downright comical at times. Of course at this point all you can do is laugh about it. :)

Poor Jack and poor Nikki! :hug: Let's hope the transfusion will help him. You did the right thing. Keep us updated. At least being back at school will keep your mind occupied.

Yes it definitely was laughable at that point...later on that day it turned to "cry-able" though!

Haven't heard from the doc so I image the transfusion went well. From what the doc explained of the procedure, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. As simple as an IV drip, apparently and no real risk for danger. Unfortunately, the transfusion is not a solution to the problem, just a temporary way to keep him a little healthier until we KNOW!

You would think being back at school would keep my mind off of it, but this morning was the saddest morning since he's been gone because of the routine that he is usually a part of. And he wasn't at the door to greet me when I got home :(

Seriously, this cat is like a dog! Greets us at the door and plays fetch. And if he wants to play and we don't throw him his mouse, he will throw it down the stairs HIMSELF and go fetch it. Oh he's the best! I miss him.
 
Day 13 ~ July 31, 2009
Remember the Magic ??​

So after our rained out day at Castaway Cay, we showered and Tom wanted to take a nap so I decided to go to the "Remember the Magic" stage show.


On the way I saw Goofy, by himself in the lobby! I couldn't believe there wasn't ONE person there to take a pic with him! "I'll take a pic with you Goofy!"
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The show featured the stage acts that had appeared throughout the cruise...juggler, Ron Pearson and illusionist, Jason Bishop.

WideEyedWonder's wife made it in the show!! I was too far away so I took a pic of the screen! (Don't even ask what they're doing because I have no idea!)
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The rest of the show was awesome! They used the old Disney Parks song "Remember the Magic" and at one point all the princesses came out with their princes and they used part of the song from "Cinderella's Surprise Celebration" (the stageshow BEFORE the Happiest Celebration on Earth, although it IS on the Happiest Celebration on Earth CD). All the while, they showed clips of people enjoying their cruise and from Castaway Cay, shouting "Remember the Magic!" I don't know how they got all that footage because I didn't see a single videographer but then again, I didnt' venture out much!
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Anway, I cried through most of this!! Imagine me...there BY MYSELF, pretty much sobbing as all of this was going on. I think it was that point that it all just hit me that this cruise was not even CLOSE to as wonderful as I had imagined it would be and I was just SOOOO disappointed. I LOVE Disney so much and hearing those songs that I love started me off, I think.

I managed to wipe my tears by the time the lights came on and for the walk back to my stateroom.

When I got back to the room, Tom was waking up and I started crying again! I wanted this to be the perfect honeymoon and things just did NOT go as planned. I felt like I let Tom down or something, I don't know. Or I felt like Disney let ME down. Whatever I was feeling, it was not satisfaction!

We talked about it for a while and then, like I did at various times throughout the trip to help aid the TR, I started writing in my journal, with tears streaming down my face. This is EXACTLY what I wrote at that moment.....(much of this I had previously expressed at various points in this TR but this is what it all hit me!)

"I just didn't have the awesome time I was thinking I would have for the past 18 months. What went wrong? I don't really know exactly WHAT I expected. Perhaps I had just built it up so much in my mind for so long that the real experience couldn't possibly live up to my expectations. Maybe I'm just not a cruise person. Maybe I didn't get as involved in the activities as I should have. The best parts were the Disney elements so I KNOW a different cruise line would not suit me any better. There are just to many people around, which I know sounds odd coming from someone who enjoys the parks in July, but like Tom said, "It's like all the obnoxious people you momentarily pass in the parks but you're confined to your resort with them and the restaurants in the resort suck. We did enjoy our tablemates' company and the few people we talked with on deck but we really have the NY attitude of, stick to ourselves and don't bother me, we won't bother you. The buffets were like our nightmare. Walking across Deck 9 to get food at Goofy's, Pinocchio's or Pluto's was nervewracking. Ugh - I'm just so disappointed. "

Seriously, I was just at a loss at this point. So upset that it wasn't everything we imagined and more.




Okay, meltdown over.....we're going to DISNEY WORLD TOMORROW!!!

Dinner at Lumiere's was great! Definitely the best dinner we had (well maybe aside from Palo's). It was the "Til we Meet Again" menu.

Tom and I both started with the Artichoke, spinach and jalepeno cheese dip!
It came with pita bread!
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Then I had the Romaine Leaves with Artichoke Chips. SOOOOO delicious!!
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Tom had the Crawfish and Lobster Bisque.
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For the main course, Tom and I both got the Grilled Beef Tenderloin. Also delicious! Especially the potato that was shaped like a pear!
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At this point, there was a little show, with all the servers dancing around the room, carrying the flags of their respective countries, to the tune of "It's a Small World." It was cute...and I managed to get some great pics of our servers Pasayu and Rexson.

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For dessert, I had the Chocolate Decadence and Tom had the Baked Alaska.
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Can you tell I like chocolate? I think I had some form of chocolate cake every night for dessert!

We really enjoyed our conversations with Janet and Donna this night, and every night! We told them that we wouldn't be going to breakfast in the morning (as we wanted to get to EPCOT ASAP) so we got a picture before leaving the dining room!
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We went up to Deck 5 to watch the little farewell show and who do we see but Janet and Donna! So we got to chat a little more before saying goodbye for real. Here are some pics from the show.

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After the characters were introduced, they walked around ALL the decks overlooking the atrium.

At some point, we walked down to the atrium...I forget exactly why, but there definitely WAS a reason we wanted to be front and center. I think they were promising an amazing photo op of all the characters but I didn't quite get the pic they promised.

I wish this picture didn't come out so blurry because this Snow White had the perfect face for it!
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As soon as the show was over, we went back up to our room, put aside some clothes for the morning, packed up everything else, and put our suitcases outside the door! Then it was straight to bed!!


Up Next: The ONE more picture I took on the Magic and the best day of our whole honeymoon in Epcot!!!
 
At least you now know that cruising isn't for you. I mean, if I don't like our Carnival cruise, I'll still be thinking, "well, maybe I'll like Disney's..." But I mean, if you don't like Disney's...you know...
 
I'm so sorry that the cruise did not live up to everything you expected, especially as it was your honeymoon. You are right though, maybe you are just not cruise people and it also seemed like things were just not going your way. Hopefully if you ever attempt a cruise again things will go much differently for you. :goodvibes
 
I'm sorry that you still don't know what is wrong with your cat. I hope you at least get some answers soon.

I'm glad your food at least ended on a high note, and I can't wait to hear about Epcot.
 
aww hunny im so sorry it wasnt what it was cracked up to be for you. I cant wait to hear about your best part of your honeymoon.. you know the part you can share LOL

But im thinking I agree with you somethings arent just for everyone. We did the PARKS and its just not for me.. granted i rode the rides and saw the shows and it was nice, but it just doesnt wow me like for others. for me 1 time is enough. (please no flames LMAO)
 












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