A Christmas Ship Comes Sailing In (A Cam and Luke TR) Completed 2/18 - Page 14 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
I didn't know that Pandora was now going to have Disney charms instead of Chamilia. I have a Chamilia bracelet, but now maybe I'll need a Pandora one .
I think the Pandora charms, at least the ones I saw at the Evansville store, are even more detailed than the Chamilia charms were. Chamilia is no longer making any new charms, so I'd say it's time to get a Pandora too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TinkerbellJenn99
Those are great pictures
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pictures Cam!
I think this was the first time in a long time that we'd had couple photos taken in a number of poses other than at WDW with the PhotoPass photographers.
Dinner sounded wonderful! Even without pictures I was getting very hungry!
I really am sorry about no pictures, but I just never felt comfortable taking photos of the food with my sweet tablemates.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilsEagles08
I thought truffles were chocolate... I feel like a complete idiot now!!
Aside from the forgetfulness, it sounds like you had a great time at dinner! The pictures came out beautifully as well... I just wish they could have jazzed up the props some.
Truffles are also a chocolate, so you're not wrong. Now I'm wondering how chocolate would be in those little purse pastas. I thought the props this night were a little skimpy, but it gets better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
Dinner sounded just lovely and I'm glad you had such wonderful tablemates and servers It's cute that they had little presents for the photoshoot too!
Luke and I are both shy and feel awkward at times with strangers, so I was so relieved to connect so well with the other couples.
Your dinner sounded so fabulous!!! Glad you were able to get your pictures taken eventually and they turned out beautiful Your Pandora bracelet and charms sound wonderful. I have so many different Disney charm bracelets that I wear almost every day as it reminds me of my happy place
Your dinner sounded so fabulous!!! Glad you were able to get your pictures taken eventually and they turned out beautiful Your Pandora bracelet and charms sound wonderful. I have so many different Disney charm bracelets that I wear almost every day as it reminds me of my happy place
We actually had good luck each night catching the photographers at times when the waits weren't too long. I think is now my third or fourth Disney charm bracelet and I wear one almost every day too as they remind me of Disney and Stefanie.
Verandah time, Launderette time, and just lounging
Day 6, Part 1 – Tuesday, December 9, 2014
After a very restful night of sleep, I woke up on my own at 7:45. I gather up my notebook, pen, iPhone, Tervis Tumbler, camera, and laptop to spend some quality time on the verandah. I had just missed sunrise at 7:06, but I still managed some good shots of the ocean, sky, and sun.
Someone began smoking on their verandah next door, and ended my solace with the waves. I went back inside at 9:00 and laid down on the couch to read a book. Around 9.30 Luke woke up. We discussed plans for the day, deciding to start with a load of laundry as Luke’s supply of socks was quickly dwindling. The Launderette was almost directly across from our room, but we had to go down our hall and cross over to the other hall due to staterooms blocking the way.
It took me a minute to figure the washer out, but rather quickly, I had a load going. We then took the elevator to Deck 9 for another breakfast at Cabana’s. Much busier than yesterday, we assumed lots of us slept in for the at sea day. New today on the buffet were hash browns, quesadillas, a different assortment of pre-made omelets and scrambled eggs, and Krispy Kreme donuts. We leisurely ate and watched the ocean outside the window. We also had an interesting conversation about cameras with a crew member Mikhail from the Ukraine.
We left to check on the laundry. The load in the washer was ready to transfer to the dryer. I had a little difficulty moving as the launderettes is very narrow. Back in the stateroom, we went out on the verandah just to watch the ocean. We were genuinely enjoying the laziness of an at sea day. Around 11:40, I headed back to the Launderette to retrieve our laundry. Luke now had plenty of clean socks. I folded and put everything away. With the laundry work done, we headed out to walk the ship. First, we walked two laps of Deck 9, and then climbed up to Deck 10 for another 2 laps. But then two empty lounge chairs were calling our names. I think it only took a few minutes before we were both napping.
Eventually, we got hungry, so we vacated our comfy loungers to seek food. We both felt like pizza, and we soon found Pinocchio’s Pizzeria. We even had ice cream from Eye Scream. Once we’d finished our ice cream, we returned to the stateroom for rest and more ocean viewing and even another nap.
[/URL]
At 4:20 we started getting ready for formal night. At 5:35 we made our way to Carioca’s. Sadly, we were the only ones assigned to our table who showed up this night. We had figured this would happen as the others had said the night before they did want to dress up. Servet saw my camera and wanted to take our photo in front of the scrim that hides the buffet during dinner. Before he took the shot, he jokingly asked if I had remembered the memory card tonight.
Luke and I made the same choices for both our appetizers and soup this evening. We had Empanadas Panzudas de Carne (Argentinean Beef with red chimichurri) for the appetizer course. The description reminded me of one of my favorite dishes at the F&WF. Very delicious! The soup we chose was a Tomato Soup lightly spiced with Jalapeno. Not too hot, but with a nice kick! For his entrée, Luke selected the Jose Cariocas (skewered and grilled Brazalian sausage, Adobo Chili Crusted Lamb, and Tenderloin). His dish included Tomato Rice and Jumbo Shrimp as well. He loved this meal. I selected the Garlic Rubbed Roasted Ribeye with Jack Cheese Double Baked Potato. I cleaned my plate. Dessert for me was the Sweet Temptations which included a Torta de Chocolate, Strawberry Cheesecake, and De la Costa Cream Cheese Flan. That plate was clean when I finished as well. Oddly, Luke decided against a dessert this evening. Everything was quite delicious this night, and Servet even had fun creating napkins hats for everyone in his serving area.
After dinner we checked out the photographers in the atrium. First, we got photos with the Christmas tree as backdrop, and then with the ship for the backdrop.
At this point we were ready to get comfortable, so we went back to the stateroom to change before tonight’s show. By 8:15 we were in line to enter the theater. We found one of the couples from our table, Paul and Connie who had missed dinner because she had had a migraine most of the day. She finally felt better and need a little time out of the cabin. We sat together for the show, and talking seemed to shorten the wait prior to the show. Twice Charmed is an incredible show and a neat twist on the old fairy tale. We were both ready for relaxing when it was over, so we headed to the room. I finished my notes, and looked over tomorrow’s Personal Navigator while watching Toy Story with Luke. What an awesome day of total relaxation!
A confession: Now that I am back and reliving the trip as I write the updates, I’m wishing I’d gotten over my shyness about taking dinner photos as I’d love to see again all those delicious dishes. I genuinely got so relaxed on this cruise that sometimes I just forgot to take pictures of anything, even as we roamed the ship.
Just got caught up here....what a great time you are having! The food sounds amazing!! We have never really considered a cruise, but I'm starting to consider one since reading your TR. I was excited to see that you would stop in Key West (as we've always wanted to visit there), but was sorry to read that you weren't all that impressed. We have friends that vacationed there a few years ago, and they really liked it. I think we would like to try at least a day there like you did. Looking forward to reading more!! Love the pictures
Now, that's the way to enjoy a sea day! Sooooo relaxing. You look wonderful in that red dress for formal night, and Luke looks very handsome with his Batman and Robin tie!
Relaxing sea days are wonderful. You and Luke look so nice in all of your photos.
Your response to Key West was about what I expected. We've been going down for years, so it's a nostalgic visit for us - lots of out of the way places for breakfast, perusing galleries, listening to music in the afternoon at an out of the way bar. And lots of places to choose for dinner. We've spent weekends there without ever touching Duvall Street or Mallory Square, so I can see how the Cruise Shop Tour might not leave a great impression.
Your meals on the ship sound very good so far. Looking forward to your next port visits.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
.
I think this was the first time in a long time that we'd had couple photos taken in a number of poses other than at WDW with the PhotoPass photographers. 
[/URL]
Servet saw my camera and wanted to take our photo in front of the scrim that hides the buffet during dinner. Before he took the shot, he jokingly asked if I had remembered the memory card tonight. 
For his entrée, Luke selected the Jose Cariocas (skewered and grilled Brazalian sausage, Adobo Chili Crusted Lamb, and Tenderloin). His dish included Tomato Rice and Jumbo Shrimp as well. He loved this meal. I selected the Garlic Rubbed Roasted Ribeye with Jack Cheese Double Baked Potato. I cleaned my plate. Dessert for me was the Sweet Temptations which included a Torta de Chocolate, Strawberry Cheesecake, and De la Costa Cream Cheese Flan. That plate was clean when I finished as well. 
Susan
PassPorter Guide Author
]
Love the pictures of you guys dressed up! Dinner sounded delish!
Linear Mode
