Wild Turkeys & Dancing Nanas Take over Magic 11/25 (Thurs @ Sea)

[pgfour]

Well here it is; I've been meaning to write a trip report for some time, but being one of the world's greatest procrastinators, it's taken a while before I finally take the plunge.

We (me, DH Bill, and DD5 Jessalyn) had a spectacular time with the infamous Turkeys and Nanas on the Eastern Magic on 11/25/06.

More to come real soon.. .

(I had gotten thru day one, went to preview post, only to realize I had been bumped off sometime during this time .) So I'm going to re-do this in small chunks and then will do a better job of saving as I go!!!

 

[jd99]

Cheri (Mary, Jerri, Cheryl) -
Hooray another trip report from our cruise. A tip - write it in MS Word and cut and paste. That's what I did because of a bump like you described! Can't wait to read it.

jeff

 

[pgfour]

Cheri (Mary, Jerri, Cheryl) -
Hooray another trip report from our cruise. A tip - write it in MS Word and cut and paste. That's what I did because of a bump like you described! Can't wait to read it.

jeff

Thanks! Going to try that now -- wish me luck! I'm about ready to cry or give up -- the world's shortest trip report EVER!!!!

 

[pgfour]

Let me start from the “beginning.” Our fist DCL experience was a 3-day Wonder in August 2005. It was one of the best family vacations the FOUR of us had taken (Includes DH's DS15). There was truly something for everyone!

Sometime during late December 2005/early January 2006, my OCD vacation planning reared its ugly head and I started researching DCL dates and rates for a 7-day cruise. My rationale to DH was that this could be the last time all four of us would go on a trip together before DSS gets too caught up in high school & sports & girls & work, so we should make it a GREAT one.

In a moment of weakness, DH said to go ahead and just book it already – probably so I'd get back to cooking, cleaning, working, etc. Thus began months of obsessive planning. . .

Fast forward to September 2006 – the PGFour becomes the PGThree because DSS just can't miss an entire week of high school.

Fast forward a bit more to November 24, 2006 – after months of planning, weeks of shopping, days of packing, and hours DIS-ing (though I'm sure the hours would add up to several days) – it was time to leave northern Illinois for the tropics! We chose to fly out of O'Hare so there would be more flights in case of inclement weather (otherwise we would've flown from Milwaukee). This would not be the case this time as weather was clear and in the 50's, traffic was light because of the holiday weekend, and crowds at the airport were non existent.

Since we had plenty of time to kill, we headed over to the food court for some breakfast. DD (already in vacation mode and doing her best to push some of Mommy's buttons) insisted on Chinese food for breakfast. Fine. DH went to buy us some eggs & toast, while DD and I blew almost $10 on Chinese noodles, orange chicken and mixed vegetables – the breakfast of champions (champion vampire slayers, that is)! Nothing like a few cloves of garlic to get you going in the morning!

Our flight on TED was uneventful except that my headphones were stuck on the kids' music channel and DH had to go back on board because we left our camera bag behind.

We claimed our bags and were ready to go to the Hyatt. Although I had researched the amenities the Hyatt offered, I had no idea of the Hyatt's exact location. (I was picturing something like the O'Hare Hilton where you have to go under the street to get to the hotel.) We asked directions and headed in the appropriate direction.

As we were walking, DH said to me, “After all the hours you spent on the DIS-Boards, didn't you find out anything important?” Apparently his idea of important differs from mine. . .You mean knowing who shops where, and what is being prepared for dinner (or is it supper), and weirdest foods ever eaten, and who should be voted off Dancing With the Stars, and how many dancing bananas we have as a collective group isn't considered important?

Nevertheless, this phrase will be uttered by my DH numerous times over the next week. . .

 

[tjeagle]

Sitting on the edge of my seat!!

 

[firemans wife]

Great start!!! Can't wait to read more.


Happy New Year.

Lorna

 

[TIGGER41681]

Cheri,
Great start!! Your DD is a cutie!!

 

[pgfour]

OK, gotta pick up the pace here or I'll still be working on this when the next cruise comes around.

We checked into the Hyatt around 3:00 and we were very fortunate to get a runway-view room on the 9th floor.
(See Shell, every once in a while we see how the other half lives!!!)

TIP: If you arrive the day before the cruise (and especially if you're taking the DCL bus to the Port), I highly recommend the Hyatt even though the cost is bit high. It is sooooo convenient - it is literally IN the airport, and the view from our room was awesome!

We spent the rest of the afternoon watching the Nebraska / Colorado game and enjoying some "we're-finally-on-vacation" cocktails. Yea! Huskers won!

"Can you feel the love tonight?"


We had planned to try having a mini-DIS meet at the Hyatt with Lynn & family and Jeff & family, but after the long day (and DD still a bit out-of-sorts), we thought perhaps it was best not to make an unfavorable first impression! We had dinner at McCoy's(?) at the Hyatt and called it an early night.

Next up. . .the Nanas get together in person!

 

[Dixielady908]

As we were walking, DH said to me, “After all the hours you spent on the DIS-Boards, didn't you find out anything important?” Apparently his idea of important differs from mine. . .You mean knowing who shops where, and what is being prepared for dinner (or is it supper), and weirdest foods ever eaten, and who should be voted off Dancing With the Stars, and how many dancing bananas we have as a collective group isn't considered important?

Nevertheless, this phrase will be uttered by my DH numerous times over the next week. . .

Men they just dont get it......

 

[Dixielady908]

great so far Cheri......looking forward to the rest

Denise

 

[pgfour]

November 25 – Let's Get this Party Started (or Day One of the Nana Head Cruise)

I set the alarm to wake me up at around 6:30 because I still had some last-minute things to take care of before we arrived at the Port. (I'm a procrastinator, remember??)

Prior to the cruise, Tonya (a.k.a. Favorite Slave) had procured matching lime green t-shirts with our “Nana Head” logo for us to wear on the first day of the cruise. She did an awesome job and we can't thank her enough. Someone will have some big shoes to fill for 2007. . .but I digress.

I bought some navy blue iron-on letters to put on the backs of our shirts so we could be easily identified. Of course, I didn't get around to this prior to leaving IL, so it would have to be done at the hotel, not at all. The latter option was simply unacceptable so I quickly showered and prepared for my task. After a few eye rolls, DH helped me center the letters so I could “git 'r done.” DH was “PG One”, I was “PG Two” and DD was “PG Four.” (I skipped “PG Three” in honor/remembrance of DSS.)

While I was practicing some seldom-used domestic skills, DH went to the airport food court and brought back some Egg McMuffins and coffee from McDonald's. I will again mention how very convenient the Hyatt is.

Finally the shirts were finished, we dressed & ate, and made sure our luggage was tagged and placed by our door before 8:30. In my dreams I pictured us getting down to the lobby at about 8:30 so we could get on the first DCL bus so we could start meeting all the DIS-ers. Reality kicked in as DH decided he wanted to sit on our balcony and get some morning sun (I didn't mention that he practically WORSHIPS the sun!). Off to the east, we could see clouds starting to build and we knew this was the only sun we'd see for the rest of the day.

So I kicked preparation-mode down a notch and tried to relax before it was time to go. Sometime after 9:00, we checked out. We met Jeff & his family in the lobby and exchanged “hellos.” I recognized them right away from the picture he had submitted to Shell (a.k.a. Woogal) for our Cruisemates list. This was such a valuable resource and many, many thanks to her for putting it all together for us.

We were scheduled for the third bus (Goofy – go figure!). After a short wait, we followed the DCL rep to the bus, and the next leg of our journey began. **We chose the bus mainly for convenience, and it certainly was. We simply left our checked bags outside the hotel room before we left, and didn't have to handle bags until we pulled them into our stateroom on board. It's a hefty price tag, but hey, we're on vacation!**

They played a little cruise orientation video that finished just as the ship first came into view. What an awesome sight! We got off the bus, went through the security line and up the steps where a CM told us that several others in our party had already arrived. Off to the left was a sea of lime green! No time for that; gotta get checked in.

 

[pgfour]

We met Kathy (grandma x4, momx4) first, but I realize now I made absolutely NO impression on her!!!!! (Had to get that in, Kathy!!! Put away that whip!) I got in the CC line and the other two parts of the 3-headed monster came to say “hi.” (Shell and Wendy (disneediva).) Also met cruisemutt (Shell's DH Bill) for the first of many encounters.

Moving on – check-in went quickly since it had been done on-line. Blah, blah, blah. While I was checking in DH & DD went to check in for OC. They hadn't made much progress, but it was either stand in line now or later once on board. We met some very nice people in front and behind us and also met some of the other DIS-ers.

Finally it was our turn to head through the Mickey ears and to the ship. After the obligatory embarkation photos, the Wilson family was on board! We headed to Topsiders for lunch where we met Lynn, Andrew & Drew. What a doll that little Drew is!!

DD went swimming after lunch and after a couple “false starts” tried out the Mickey slide. Around 1:30 we went to our stateroom to get rid of the carry-on bag. On the bed was the gift I had ordered from Shirley at The Perfect Gift. It was a princess sand bucket filled with beach toys and snacks/drinks. Luckily DD wasn't paying attention as DH read the outer tag out loud (the one that mentioned the gift was from me NOT Cinderella as the inner tag stated!!!).

Soon it was 2:45 and time to go the Promenade Lounge for our DIS meet. I don't know how many were actually there, but we filled the area. We exchanged gifts, took pictures, and “lit the drinking lamps.” My gift was from Pat (U2Pixies) – a Florida sand globe and cute Christmas ornament. Thanks Pat!!

Time flew by and it was time for the muster drill. Down to deck one and back up to Station J, Deck 4.
It was starting to rain and we knew the Sail Away Party was in jeopardy. Somewhere during this time our luggage was delivered – breaking away from my procrastinating tendencies, I decided to skip the Sail Away party that had been moved to the lobby so I could unpack.

TIP: Once empty, store your suitcases under the bed. A tip I got from the DIS!!

We had late seating for dinner and started our rotation in Animator's Palate. We linked ressies with the other DISers and were seated with Shell & Bill and Tonya, her DH Trey, and her DS. What a GREAT group! Our servers were Fabio and Patricio. The seas were a little rough that night and somewhere between the appetizer and the main course, my stomach started doing flip-flops. But wait! This couldn't be happening to ME! I'm almost a cruise veteran on my fifth cruise! I've handled MUCH rougher conditions! Maybe I had too much to drink – no, only had one “drink of the day” and 2 mojitos (yum!). Hmmmmm, maybe the alcohols didn't “mix.”

Now that it's been over a month and I'm beyond the denial phase, I guess I was a bit sea sick.
I didn't get to finish my dinner (salmon) or my mojito. Instead I went back to the cabin to lay down while DH took DD to the OC and then he had to go to Deck 9 to get me hot water. I guess in the back of my mind I was anticipating this – I brought some ginger tea after being unable to find the ginger chews suggested from another TR. The tea was AWFUL, but I was desperate. I drank some and fell asleep until DH & DD returned.

Day One – done!!!

 

[pgfour]

DD at pool

Note Sarah's DH in background!!

Nanas getting together at last!

I'm awake, really I am!!

Also note how the women all have on their lovely tiaras!

 

[Babs417]

What a great New Years gift your trip report thanks

 

[dreamboatwally]

Keep it coming Cheri.......The pictures are great


Denise

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Cheri,
you have a great memory!!!we'll have to try for a bigger impression on the reunion cruise next year

Love the report so far, well all but one little sentence
You know which one!!

kathy

 

[dsparks]

New Banana Head! Hey, you're leaving me hanging. Can't wait for the rest!

Dawn

 

[woogal]

Cheri (Mary, Jerri, Cheryl) -
Hooray another trip report from our cruise. A tip - write it in MS Word and cut and paste. That's what I did because of a bump like you described! Can't wait to read it.

jeff

It's SHARON, Jeff! Geez ... get it right ...

 

[pgfour]

Cheri,
you have a great memory!!!we'll have to try for a bigger impression on the reunion cruise next year

Love the report so far, well all but one little sentence
You know which one!!

kathy

And I messed your DIS-name up -- guess we're even!!!!!

 

[pgfour]

Keep it coming Cheri.......The pictures are great


Denise

Denise -- seeing your post under DBW's tag reminded me of a little tidbit I left out about the DIS meet:

When I finally met Denise & THE Dream Boat Wally, I got my first and ONLY hug from him -- (I had earned it for knowing some movie trivia). Shell was right there to tell me there would be no more DBW hugs for me; he was already spoken for!!!