Clipboard of Fun - The Disney Christmas Wonderland Edition - Page 9 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Awesome update!! Brings back wonderful memories of stepping onto the Wonder for the first time this past August! We had a $25 credit from DCL as well. I think it may have been for booking online (although I don't know if my TA booked online or not, but that's what I guessed it was for).
Terminal, decorated beautiful. Ship, beautiful. Stateroom, beautiful. Pic's with Pluto and Mickey - priceless!!! Fantastic start aboard the ship!!!
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Wow, everything looks beautiful. Looking forward to seeing more pictures and reading more on your wonderful journey. Can you tell me what category your room was? Thanks
Yay, so glad to see your update! Sounds like your cruise is off to a fantastic start. The room looks really nice, and I'm looking forward to hearing all about your experience as we're considering our first cruise this fall!
Yay you started!! DH and I have talked about going on a cruise and said if we're going to we'd do a Disney one. I worry about myself having motion sickness though so I'm anxious to see how it was for you.
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Yay, your on the ship!! I'm loving the pictures.... So out of curiousity- having arrived at the terminal at 11:15am- what time did you actually get to board? I'm trying to decide what time we want to get to the terminal.....
The time stamp on this picture
is 12:28. So we spent just about an hour in the terminal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723
Finally we're getting started on the fun stuff! I'm so excited and nervous for you because I know it's going to be such a great experience. BTW, the credit you got from DCL was most likely a fuel surcharge. They credited us back for that when we sailed with them in January, so I'm just going to assume that's what it was.
I knew it wasn't a fuel surcharge credit, because my parents got one, and it was like $32 per person or something.
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofysdtr
I love that this picture looks like you have a Christmas tree hat on.
Your room looks great! I think I said it before, but since we've never cruised, I'm really looking forward to hearing what you think of it as a first-time cruiser. Looks great so far!
I'm totally rocking a Christmas tree hat in that pic!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydani
Glad to hear you are feeling better, Sharon. Lovin' all the wonderful pics....I admit, I am a bit nervous for you; I hope to hear all the butterflies disappeared as you set sail.
danielle
Most of my anxiety was gone when we made it to the terminal. And once we set sail and I didn't feel sick, I wasn't worried anymore.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trinity's Nina
Yay! We're going Cruisin! Can't wait for more!
I too am nervous for you. I've never been cruisin and hopefully your TR will calm me down enough to actually book one - The ship looks so wonderful in all its Christmas finery and looks spacious too!
Your room looks very nice - I've always pictured one much smaller and darker too, maybe because you've got the veranda its better?
There are definitely smaller rooms, and the inside staterooms can be very dark. Even though I was traveling alone, I wanted the roomier, brighter stateroom in case I was confined to my bed. I just felt like I'd be a little less miserable if I could see the sun. Although a small, dark room would be perfect for wallowing in one's own misery.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WHMom
I'm so glad you're feeling better and that you were able to update! Your pictures are great (and I just love the one of you and Captain Mickey!) Your room looks awesome, and I can't wait to read more. I *really* hope you got your Palo ressie!
Well, I had the Palo ressies, just 2 ressies for a party of 2 when I wanted 1 ressie for a party of 3. It was really a matter of combining them, which I didn't think I'd have much problem doing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by taylan1
So glad to see an update! Love your stateroom. I guess this means that I have to work on my next update now. I was slacking since you were not posting but now I will have to work on it. The pressure! Just Kidding, but I do need to work on my next update. Looking forward to your next one.
Not to put any more pressure on you, but I'm about to post another update!
Quote:
Originally Posted by doccoc2002
YAY!!! I am so excited to read about the cruise...we stayed at CBR-pirates in Sept...It is a beautiful resort but we had problems with the buses, and not just there, at other resorts as well after we ate at them. We loved our pirate room!
Luckily I didn't have to deal with the buses too much. I figure I'd get pretty sick of needing to get the bus to get anywhere, even the food court!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minnie Lor
Oh great start! You've taken some photo's that I've never seen before. Love style of the building at the port. Your picture with Goofy and Mickey are pretty cute but love the one of you on your veranda.
This picture had me scratching my head.....
301 miles to St. Louis...as in Missouri?
I love that someone on the TV was showing you how to wash your hands.
The tour sounds like a really good idea. I'm surprised your folks didn't want to do it too.
My DM has cruised enough that I guess she felt like she'd know her way around. My DF, despite years of evidence to the contrary, thinks he knows how to get to everything already!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minnie Lor
Okay, i did some checking and they're way off on Flagstaff and Anaheim too. Hopefully there weren't wrong about the lobby.
Like Pam said, I think that's supposed to represent some point along Route 66.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
I love your kicky boarding photo - - Mary Devall would be so proud of your supermodel self!
Also, I noticed that HSM was on the big screen at the pool! Maddie would have been in heaven!
Now you're making me want to cruise again!
Jill
And you're making me want to cruise with your family! I miss those little girls of yours.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Awesome update!! Brings back wonderful memories of stepping onto the Wonder for the first time this past August! We had a $25 credit from DCL as well. I think it may have been for booking online (although I don't know if my TA booked online or not, but that's what I guessed it was for).
Yep, Keri just let me know that the $25 credit was for booking online.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shari2137
Wow, everything looks beautiful. Looking forward to seeing more pictures and reading more on your wonderful journey. Can you tell me what category your room was? Thanks
I booked a category 6 (which I guess is a 5B now?).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mares75
Yay you started!! DH and I have talked about going on a cruise and said if we're going to we'd do a Disney one. I worry about myself having motion sickness though so I'm anxious to see how it was for you.
I've been on boats lots of times before (hello, I live on an island) and have only gotten seasick once (and that was an ugly trip, I think only the crew didn't get sick). Anyway, I don't suffer from motion sickness unless something spins. But I was still worried! I was fine in the end, though. But it definitely helps you worry less when you book a 3 or 4 night cruise.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zacksmom_1993
I love it all Sha! But stopping being nervous! It's making me nervous too (even though I know everything was fine.) Can't wait to hear about the rest!
Sorry about that! But I couldn't help being nervous, even though I sort of knew better, you know?
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
It made me giggle how much happier you looked in your picture with Mickey than you did with Goofy. But I admit, I am the same way when it comes to Mickey.
I like the picture you took of your bathroom and the vanity. It looks like your toiletries were full-size products, yes?
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Saturday, October 9, 2014 - Kaitlyn and I before the Happy Haunted 5K at ESPN Wide World of Sports
I went to the meeting spot for the ship tour and met the CM who’d be giving the tour, Pearl from England. She was a lot of fun! Once it was time to begin, there were about 20 or so people. I think everyone on the tour was on their first cruise. Pearl told us how to find our way around the ship. She told us things like which way was forward and which was aft, and where everything was (the theater, restaurants, lounges, etc.). If you ever found yourself really lost, you could always find an elevator, which would tell you exactly where you were (e.g. Deck 4 Aft). It was an informative tour for a cruising virgin like me, and I really felt like it helped me orient myself because I never got lost on the ship.
DCL Terminal from aboard the ship
Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas
There was a meet scheduled for the folks participating in the FE scheduled in the Promenade Lounge, but I discovered that I somehow had locked myself out of my stateroom. And I needed to get it taken care of right then, because the muster drill wasn’t far off. So instead of a meet, I made my way to guest services and got a new key printed. For some reason, the key was blank, but it took longer than I expected, so I didn’t go back to ask about it. It worked in the door, so that’s what was important (in case you can’t pick up my subtlety here, this will come back to bite me later ).
When I got into my stateroom, I saw that my suitcase had been delivered (the bigger one, the small one had been in the room when I first checked it out). I did a little unpacking and got some of my decorations up.
Before I could finish, it was time to report to my lifeboat station (L). I donned my life vest and made my way down there. The drill was quick and painless. When it was finished, I climbed the stairs (the elevators were ) and went back to my stateroom to return the life vest to the closet. I was in the room by myself, but I have to say I was still impressed with the amount of space there was to store stuff. I don’t think there would be a problem with two or even three people in a cabin.
When that was taken care of, I grabbed my camera and headed down the hall to get my parents, then we went up to Deck 10 to watch the Sailaway Party.
The party was a lot of fun, and we arrived early enough to get a spot right by the railing, so I had a good vantage point.
The most exciting part by far was hearing the horn play, and then we were moving! Whoa!
I got really nervous, but honestly, the only time I ever felt the ship even moving was when I was on one of the lower decks (3 or 4), and even then it was mostly when I was at the outer edge of the ship. I was completely fine!
I walked around for a bit, and then I thought to myself, “Self, you’ve got a balcony! Go sit on it, dummy! ” I’m kind of a jerk to myself sometimes. It was easy to find my room, since I’d decorated my door already.
I had different hats for each day, and I gained a few magnets as gifts, so there will be a photo of my door every day. I sat out and watched us sail away from the comfort of my balcony. My parents decided to watch from their own balcony as well. Probably didn’t want to hang around that jerk, Self.
So far, so good
I had some time, so I finished decorating, even putting up my little tree. I realized I forgot to bring my little ornaments, so the tree was kinda nekkid.
It’s hard to see the lights since it was daylight, but it looked pretty good at night. My Navigator said that Goofy was going to be in the lobby soon, so I grabbed my camera and went down there. I really loved the Dale Chihuly chandelier in the lobby.
I was happy to see the line to meet Goofy was pretty short. I was also happy to see him wearing his sailor suit. There was someone at the piano playing Christmas carols and Goofy went up to people to try to get them to sing along. I was the only one who did, so when it was my turn, he made a big fuss over me and gave me lots of kisses.
It was getting close to the time for us to head to the show, which tonight would be the Golden Mickeys. I went down the hall and got my parents and we all went to the theater together. It was still early, so I had a chance to peek at the shops and get some pictures first.
I thought it was really cute how the entrance area was all decked out for the red carpet entrances.
We found great seats and settled in. The theater wasn’t too full, but I’m glad we got there early to have our pick of seats.
Before the show started, there was a cute preshow where they would talk to arriving kids on the big screen like they were arriving celebrities. I really liked the Golden Mickeys. I’d say it was my favorite of the 3 shows. I was even able to get some good photos! I discovered that if I let my camera “think” for a few seconds before taking a photo, it figured out what kind of settings to use (I had it on auto) and I got better results than if I just snapped away without waiting.
First Christiaan, the cruise director (who was great, by the way), came out and talked to us. He introduced himself and talked about the activities and events and stuff and went over the plan for our day in Nassau (when we could debark, etc.).
Then we were treated to a visit from the Captain!
And then, the show started! As I said, it was great!
Whoopi Goldberg made an appearance, giving hosting advice to the Stage Manager after she is drafted into hosting the show.
I think my favorite part of the whole show was when Ursula made an appearance. So !
And of course you know I geeked out when the legendary Angela Lansbury showed up!
My battery kind of died near the end, so I had to limit my photos. Luckily, I had a fully charged spare in my cabin. After the show (which my parents enjoyed as much as I did), DM and I browsed the shops again but made no purchases. I strongly considered getting the map of the ports we’d be visiting.
We returned to our staterooms and got ready for dinner. I got to meet my stateroom host. He was really terrific, so I feel like a complete loser for forgetting his name. Tonight would be dinner in Artist’s Palette, so I was pretty excited to see the “show.” I got ready quickly so I’d have time to catch the tree lighting ceremony before dinner.
Up Next: Tablemates from… Minnesota
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
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It's making me nervous too (even though I know everything was fine.) Can't wait to hear about the rest!
I'm totally rocking a Christmas tree hat in that pic! 
But I was still worried! 
) and went back to my stateroom to return the life vest to the closet. I was in the room by myself, but I have to say I was still impressed with the amount of space there was to store stuff. I don’t think there would be a problem with two or even three people in a cabin.
Whoa! 
My Navigator said that Goofy was going to be in the lobby soon, so I grabbed my camera and went down there. I really loved the Dale Chihuly chandelier in the lobby.
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