Oh the Places We Go, The People We See Updated 11/03/2013 About This Page:

[Cinderbrella]

Great update of your cruise!! I think the group shot looks Fabulous!! All of you look excited about your trip!
I also would have been scolded for leaving my large group in the dust in anticipation of some Disney Dreamin'/magic! I am told that patience is a virtue, but it's just so hard to keep from running ahead!!
The girls look adorable, and I'm looking forward to see how lunch goes!

[mommapants]

All caught up. What a nightmare with the suitcases. Glad that all got straightened out. I love all the photos you take it makes me feel I'm right there with you. OMG The New Disney ships are huge. They just dwarf the Carnival ship.

[jenseib]

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Love all the ship photos! It's got me excited for my first cruise - on the Dream - this year!

You will have a wonderful time. I just LOVE cruising. I am trying to figure out how to get one in this year.
I have a trip planned with my Mom this year, but it's not cruising or Disney. I am hoping to get my husband talked into going in Dec. We shall see how that all plays out.

Originally Posted by chezp

Yay - you're on board! I love the family photo - it was a great one, considering how many people there were in it!

Thanks. It was hard getting us all looking at the camera, but it was a pretty decent turn out.

Originally Posted by Big Baloo

Am finally catching up (again). What a nightmare with the luggage, but good for you for not having a meltdown (I would've). Your family was lucky you were there!
Love the matching tshirts--someday i'll convince my herd to do that.
Abby sounds as if she takes after your dad just a little tiny bit.
Looking forward to more!

And I really like your new sig pic!

I am so far behind everywhere lately. Even with my own stuff, so don't worry about falling behind.
The luggage thing was pretty darn scary.
I was so glad we al ldid the matching shirts. We got some compliments on them too.
Abby is a little bit like her Papa, stubborn!

Thanks. I thought it was probably time to change that picture.

Originally Posted by pamcarey

Love the pictures of Abby snuggling up to Pluto! So cute!

Thanks. I was so happy that she didn't have any character fears.

Originally Posted by DrDolphin

Yeah!! You are on the Dream - with all your family's luggage!!! Abby is a cutie!!

Yes, the best part is we had all our luggage!

Originally Posted by Cinderbrella

Great update of your cruise!! I think the group shot looks Fabulous!! All of you look excited about your trip!
I also would have been scolded for leaving my large group in the dust in anticipation of some Disney Dreamin'/magic! I am told that patience is a virtue, but it's just so hard to keep from running ahead!!
The girls look adorable, and I'm looking forward to see how lunch goes!

Yes, I just wanted to get on that ship fast. We had planned this trip for over a year and I was ready to get it started!!

Originally Posted by mommapants

All caught up. What a nightmare with the suitcases. Glad that all got straightened out. I love all the photos you take it makes me feel I'm right there with you. OMG The New Disney ships are huge. They just dwarf the Carnival ship.

The Dream is HUGE! I just love it too. It's one of my homes away from home!

[jenseib]

We were heading to Cabanas after finally getting to the aft of the ship, ….even though all did not agree with this move, …..and up to Cabanas. We did not see the rest of the family at all and I just chose a couple of tables out on the back deck.
I took a few pictures just like Geoff’s!





I took Claire and Alexis to get some food and then sat them down at the table. Soon Gail and Rob had found us. They said they waited at the elevator for a short time, but knew we would find our way and left.

We took turns going to get food and sat down for a feast.



YUM!



I did make more than one trip. At some point Rob showed up with a tropical drink in his hand. He told Gail he bought it for her, but he had done a pretty good job at drinking himself. LOL

I took a few more pictures off the back of the ship.





Someone had finally found the rest of the family inside eating. We were now going to head to our staterooms as it was just about time.
We headed down, but actually had to wait a couple of minutes for them to drop the ropes. Actually the other side got dropped but our side was still up for a minute longer. I almost panicked that they had forgotten us!



We entered our room and soon saw our Castaway Club Member gift!



But wait! There is also something else on my bed as well.



It was from Gail! It contained a frame, a flash drive and a picture album. It was so nice of her! She said it was a thank you for arranging all the details of the trip.

We scoped out the room then.







We had to take a look inside our bag.



Our room connected to Mom and Dads and we opened the doors and checked their room out as well. Pretty much identical to ours only facing the other way.
Mom and Dad also got a gift from Gail. I can’t remember what it was though. I know part of it was onboard credit. We found out Mary and Geoff also got a gift, including champagne, from Gail too.
Mom and Aunt Mary had inherited some money after their Uncle had died and they paid a big portion of our cruise with that.

Our bags were already in our room, all except Moms. Last time we cruise, Mom’s bag was the last to make, so I reassured her it was still on its way. She mentioned that she wondered if it had been delayed because she packed an iron! WHAT!!!!!!! She knew irons were not allowed. I had told her the time before and we used the laundry room to iron when needed. I had also told Geoff and Mary this as well because Geoff likes everything perfect and wanted to bring one. I told him it was a big no-no, and he asked about a steamer and I told him that was frowned upon as well.
Well Mom said her and Geoff decided they were going to each bring one anyways. UGH!

We got Claire’s swimsuit out and I took a few pictures from our balcony.



I would love to try a Royal Caribbean cruise out some day too.











I don’t think I mentioned this before but I have become a verandah snob. LOL! Once you sail with one, it is so addicting. The view is amazing and just sitting there and relaxing is wonderful.
When I had met with Rinky earlier this day she had told me that they had a verandah this time, while last time they had an inside room. She said I was so right about the verandahs. She doesn’t know how she could ever go back to an inside room!

After we had our suits on, we headed down to Gail and Robs room.



Rob, Alexis, Claire and I were on a mission to go on the Aqua Duck.

Their room was connected to Aunt Mary and Geoffs, so we headed in through the connecting door. We didn’t want Abby to see what we were doing.

This is the view from their room.





This is the hot tub above them.







Geoff and Mary and Gail and Rob, Katie and Thad, and Vicki and Pete were a bit down the hall from us and had bigger rooms. I was kind of jealous. It wasn’t a lot more room, but still it was nice.





Mary and Geoff’s room had a murphy bed in it, but it was never needed or used.

We snuck out of the room and headed up through Cabanas.



We found a lounger and set our stuff down and headed to the Aqua Duck. The line was about 20 minutes, not too bad. The girls were measured and they got a wrist band saying that they could only ride with an adult.
Rob and Alexis went first and then it was our turn! It was super fun once again. The cold water does go up your back, but it still is really a fun thing to do.
I just wish there was a graceful way to get off the thing. I am sure if you videoed me getting off my raft, it would be a winner on Americas Funniest Home Videos. HA!

We then hopped in the pool a bit. It was packed. Pure people soup! The girls were bummed that they couldn’t actually swim, but I told them cruise pools just aren’t made for real swimming.
The girls decided then to go on the slide.

I went up to the top deck and watched.





Rob went off to find something to drink. I had to laugh a little later when I saw him carrying a bucket of beer. I had thought he meant he was getting something from the drink station like I had.
I sat up top and kind of watched the girls from there.





Rob handed me a beer. I took it, but I couldn’t get it opened.



I had to get a cast member to open it for me. I then sat with my feet in the water drinking my beer. Well that’s a no-no! I was soon tapped by a CM and told I had to take my drink away from the pool. No problem.

While standing off to the side I took a quick shot of the area and Aqua Duck.



I turned around and look who I found!
Vicki, Mom and Geoff starting off the cruise with special drink.



The girls wanted a snack at this point and ice-cream was calling to them. I took them to get a cone and they were happy. Gail is a little strict with the amount of junk that the girls have, so you have to sneak it in when you can. LOL! Actually Gail let them eat quite a bit on this trip, much to Alexis’ delight!



Before you knew it, it was time to head to our muster stations. I guess I took this on the way. LOL!!



I think we made a stop in the room first and then off to the muster drill. This was the first Disney cruise where I had an outside muster station. It was pretty warm out there and they really cram us together. I kept a look out for my parents, but never saw them. I would’ve assumed we had the same spot since we had connecting rooms, but they must’ve been further down or something, because I did not see them at all. I know I asked if they went, and they did, but I don’t remember where they said they were.
I got to talking a guy and his wife standing next to us. They were part of the pod cast group onboard. They were fun to talk to and the guy was very passionate about Disney. My kind of person! I think this was their 5th cruise, if I remember right. I love finding people who are geeked up about Disney like I am.
After we went through the drill and directions we were released and it was a mad house. They had us using crew stairs as well as the public ones.
Claire and I made our way up to the top of the ship to find a spot to watch the sail away show. This was exciting. Last time we sailed the Dream, our embarkation day was rainy …I mean pouring buckets rain, and our sail away party was in the atrium. We now were going to get to see it outdoors on the Dream for the first time!

[pamcarey]

So glad that you get to see the sail-away party outside on the deck this time!

[lauriep]

Very sweet of Gail to get all those thank-you surprises! I, too, am a veranda snob. It's why I'm afraid to try Concierge level on a cruise or at the resorts-- I'm afraid I could never go back!

[JKnott17]

Sounds like a great start to the cruise! Your rooms all look nice, I can't wait to get on the Dream this August I'm so glad the weather was nice and you get to see the Sail Away party outside this time!

[OhToodles!]

How sweet of Gail to get everyone gifts. I love how everyone got into the spirit right off the bat - pool, slide, drinks!

[chezp]

I am so with you about becoming a veranda snob - we're the same way and can't cruise without one now.

[mommapants]

great update - looking at those beautiful blue skies is getting me depressed. I'm ready for spring.

[Cinderbrella]

Your room looks lovely! What nice gifts you had to surprise you on your arrival! Can't wait to try that slide!! Looking forward to more!

[jenseib]

Originally Posted by pamcarey

So glad that you get to see the sail-away party outside on the deck this time!

I was happy to finally see it out on deck!

Originally Posted by lauriep

Very sweet of Gail to get all those thank-you surprises! I, too, am a veranda snob. It's why I'm afraid to try Concierge level on a cruise or at the resorts-- I'm afraid I could never go back!

I was really excited to get a little gift.
I worry if I ever try Concierge too. I might never be able to afford to cruise again if I do.

Originally Posted by JKnott17

Sounds like a great start to the cruise! Your rooms all look nice, I can't wait to get on the Dream this August I'm so glad the weather was nice and you get to see the Sail Away party outside this time!

I do like the DCL rooms. They are nice and clean and decent sized for a ship..

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

How sweet of Gail to get everyone gifts. I love how everyone got into the spirit right off the bat - pool, slide, drinks!

I love getting gifts, so it was exciting to have something waiting for me.
It was a perfect way to start this vacation off. Claire loves to swim and that made her happy.

Originally Posted by chezp

I am so with you about becoming a veranda snob - we're the same way and can't cruise without one now.

I suppose someday I'll do an inside or ocean view again, but I'm not gonna like it.

Originally Posted by mommapants

great update - looking at those beautiful blue skies is getting me depressed. I'm ready for spring.

I am so ready for Spring too. Today was sunny out, but cold, but it just made me long for warmer weather here.

Originally Posted by Cinderbrella

Your room looks lovely! What nice gifts you had to surprise you on your arrival! Can't wait to try that slide!! Looking forward to more!

I really loved getting a little surprise in my room.
This trip wa so much fun. Yes we had a few crazy moments, but I would do it over again in a heartbeat!

[jenseib]

We found a spot up top. I was amazed at how busy the top area was already and people were squeezing right in. I kept my eye out for family members, but never did see any of them during the whole party.
As we stood there waiting for the party, I thought how different this day was compared to the day I boarded the Magic. On that day I had toured so much of the ship in the few hours before we sailed away. Today I ate and hung at the pool! LOL Both were fun though.

We stood on the lookout for family members, but never saw any.

This is a picture from that time period that Geoff took of Alexis and Abby. This was taken after the muster drill I believe.



From what I gathered later on, Gail’s family did come up on deck to watch the sail away, but Geoff, Mary, Pete, Vicki, Mom and Dad all headed towards Geoff and Mary’s room and drank some champagne. I am not sure what Katie’s family did.

Anyways, Geoff took a few atrium pictures on his way to back to the room.







Claire and I on the other hand were waiting on a PARTY!



I didn’t even think about it earlier, but I should’ve changed lenses on my camera. I had a shorter one on and the rest were back in the room. Oh well, I did the best I could.

The party has started!!!!







I noticed that the big screen must be on a delay because they it is slightly off one what the dancers on stage were doing.







I spotted some people from the podcast group.







It was a fun party and we were ready to cruise!! Our vacation was officially underway.

Claire and I then moved over to the side to watch us pull out.





In the words of Bugs Bunny ….Bon Voyageeeee! And with a blare of the Disney horn it makes it all the more exciting.



After waving to everyone, we decided to head down to our room and wave from our balcony. Also with early dinner, we needed to already start getting ready.
I never did find Gail and her family but she said she did see us walking down the stairs as we were heading to our room.

As we walked through Cabanas I made a quick stop for the mural …and then as I am clicking the picture I got a little photobomber!



Meanwhile …while Claire and I were boogying our booties off up top, the “older” crowd were taking it easy in their rooms.

Geoff took pictures of their experience.

[pamcarey]

Great sailaway party! And it's great that everyone doesn't feel the need to stick together all the time. The "older" crowd can do their own thing, and relax more than the younger folks!

[OhToodles!]

Glad you made it to the party and that it didn't rain this time. Looks like a gorgeous day!