OK , so it’s the end of the day. I was not able to sign on earlier. Lots happened including the fact that Steve ended up losing his phone. You see, we ended up leaving Saratoga Springs about 11:15. Had some errands to run and on a whim decided to get a pedicure and Steve a haircut. Well, he was done before me and while he was waiting – he fell asleep in a lounge chair at the nail salon. We did not notice until we got to the port. But along the way, in a “discussion” of whom made whom late, we missed the turnoff from the 417 – we were supposed to take exit 26 which takes you to Cocoa Beach, but we missed it. No harm done, instead we got off at the next exit, jumped right back on and in 5 minutes, we were on our way again.
Steve dropped me on at the terminal and he returned the rental to Avis while I checked us in. We got to the port about 2:40, and I waited for about 20 minutes for Steve to return. We walked onboard and of course we one of the last ones to get our picture taken. Since there was no one behind us, I had them take a picture of my Marine which I am sponsoring. You see, I laminated a picture he sent me from Iraq and I will forward them a copy so as a sense they too will be on this trip. Sappy aren’t I?
OK –so we finally get onboard and we hightail it to Rocking Bar D. The guy taking requests for dinner rotations was a bit curt and told us to wait until Sunday to request our old beverage wait – Collin Clark, I knew better and should have insisted but alas! I didn’t. I tried to do what he said. I confirmed with Guest Services and they told me the same thing. So, we ended up with dinner at 8:30. Turns out – this is really too late for me. It didn’t used to be but I guess I got used to 8 pm. We show up and lo and behold! LOTS and LOTS of empty tables. Yes folks – seems the ship only has about 2100 and is short about 600 from capacity. The ship holds 2700. You do the math. We were seated at a table for 8 and there was only 6 and will be 2 less tomorrow – for we ended up getting moved – but more on that in a minute. The table next to us was seated for 8 and only had 2 people, it was a bit sad as they were seated only about 2 ½ ft away from us. We showed up on time but were last seated and when I got seated, ended up being able to talk to that couple than the ones we are seated with.
Our servers on this rotation – 8:30 was Sompong (Food Server) and he told us to call him Sammy. Our beverage server was Henry from Jamaica and our head server was some guy whose name started with a G ( reminded me of Gestapo) from Italy. No familiar faces at all. I inquired into Vlado and was informed that he left the ship the morning of the 10th for vacation. Towards the end of dinner, I look up to see Alan – walking around. I was so excited. In addition to being a cutie, he’s such a nice gentleman. He was our head server the first time around in 2005 when the family and I did the Mexican Rivera back in July 2005. So then we just ended up asking for him on the EBPC in ’05. Since I had no luck asking via the chain of command, I rebelled and jumped the chain and went directly to the top. See, Alen is not head of all the restaurants. ROTFLMAO – you should have seen the looks on my tablemates faces and Sammy’s face when Alen came over and hugged me and shook hands with Steve. I tell you, sometimes its nice to have friends in high places. I then excused myself and hunted down Alen and asked if we could be moved. He promised to check into it and get back to me. After dinner – which let out at 10:30, I had a commitment with my Fish Group and lo and behold Alen was there. He appraised me that Colling was completely full and that he could put me with Putu, which was another food server we had back in ’05. So as of tomorrow, Sunday, May 11, we will be with another server. Oh yeah, there were at least 10 tables completely empty and many, many were not full. Wonder why they didn’t discount it. I bet you they will not have that problem with our EB cruise! ROTFL.
OK, now for the good stuff, when we checked into our stateroom, I recognized the host – he was on the Med last year and while he did not service our room, I saw this server EVERY SINGLE TIME I walked outside my stateroom – his name is Benny. Nice guy. I haven’t seen any of our old stateroom hosts and hopefully I’ll fun into them eventually.
So, we get into the room and there is a Castaway Cay Member gift of a red/black canvas bag. Inside it contained what amounts to 2 sippy cups, 1 blue notebook and pen and a red mesh bag. That’s it, let’s hope that Ducky’s onboard. LOL – Gosh I sound like a spoiled brat. But I really liked the gift they gave us on the Med cruise – a blue and white bag with suntan lotions, wipes and other useful stuff. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll use this one myself.
OK, so I skipped completely over Sailaway, Brent is our Cruise Director and Trent is in charge of activities or he was at the Sailaway Party. The Captain is Thord, very nice man – I liked him and he seems more approachable then Captain Tom. I wonder if Captain Tom will come on for the EB? Last time – (2005) Capt Thord did WB and both did EB. I have a picture to prove it of them both on the navigational landing piloting the ship into a lock. NO MICKEY HANDS!! Repeat – No Mickey Hands. Instead they gave us red streamers on a blue wand to wave. And they do watch – no repeats. This lady in front tried to get another one and the crew member denied her giving it instead to me! I was happy! The streamers are red and say Disney Magic on them. They are nice though – different than the hands.
So after the whistle blew – I hightailed it over to the front, port side by the basketball courts at the front of the ship and got into position. Arlene had called to wish me good luck and I informed her that Steve and I would be wearing our bright green shirts and I would have my big lens in front of my face. LOL – well, I saw Arelene and I will post a picture eventually. It was so surreal, exactly one year ago today I was watching the Magic depart for her Eastbound TransAtlantic Repositioning cruise. I remember being so sad that I wasn’t on there. Lo and behold – that wish lead to me being on the EB TransAtlantic crossing. My other adventure on this blogspot.
Ok, so the menu was “Let the Magic Begin and I totally forgot to take a picture but Steve and I both had a Chipotle Sirloin Steak with Monterrey Jack cheese potato and broccoli. Prior to that, I had the appetizer of Chicken Puff Envelope. It was ok. I didn’t order a salad, instead I followed suit with Steve and ordered chicken noodle soup off the kids menu. Then came the main course, as mentioned above, and for desert I had Apple Tart-Tartin. Steve or course, had a double scoop of chocolate for desert. I can see how the next 14 days will be like - ordering off the kids menu and chocolate ice cream for dessert.
As soon as diner was up, I hightailed it to Diversions where I had an appt to help deliver our groups Fish Extender gift. We gave out dry erase boards with our logo on it. It really is a nice gift. Since our delivery day was on Sunday, day 2, we just delivered it immediately after. That is where I ran into Alen. When I was informed about not being able to sit with Collin, I inquired as to whether I need to put in my request for the July family cruise. Alen said sure – to which I replied – you take care of me – and I’d take care of him – picture wise people – picture-wise. You dirty minded scoundrels. LOL
So, that, in a 3 page blog is what has occurred today. Tomorrow is Castaway Cay day and we have nothing planned. As some of you know, I am not a beach person but I may talk Steve into taking a bike ride for some exercise. I’m supposed to be exercising but haven’t had a chance since Monday, May 5. Tami would be very upset with me.
Its now 12:05 and I still need to post this – so I think I will sign off for now and go and send this off. Supposedly we have internet access in rooms and hot spots for those of us with laptops. But the packages prices are stiff. Following are Wireless Pricing Plans: Time Plan I: 100 minutes for $55.00. Time Plan 2: 250 minutes for $100.00, Time Plan 3: 500 minutes for $150.00. Per minute rate is $0.75. Printing: $0.25 per page. I have a pamphlet I can take post when I get home if anyone is interested.
For those who want to know – DOD (Drink of the Day) was: High Tide. Evening Attire was cruise casual. The show at the Walt Disney Theatre was The Ricky Kalmom Hypnosis Show and 1st show was at 6:15 with 2nd showing at 8:30.
Oh yeah, for those interested? Sunday, May 11, MothersGet this: Formal Night are: Monday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 13, back to back and both sea days. On Wednesday, May 14 is Tropical Night at Aruba. Thursday, May 15 is Sea Day, Friday, May 16 is Panama Canal Crossing Day with Saturday, May 17 being yet another sea day. And want to guess what Sunday, May 18th is? Yup – another sea day. So that means that Monday, May 19th is Acapulco and Tuesday, May 20 is yet another sea day. Wednesday, May 21, 2008 is Puerta Vallarta and Thursday, May 22, 2008 is Cabo San Lucas and VOILA! Pirate Night – and yes – we did bring our pirate outfits. Friday, May 23, is yet ANOTHER sea day but a formal one – Ballroom Under the Stars. Saturday, May 24, is a sea day and finally on Sunday, May 25 is disembarkation day. An end to this wonderful adventure.
Guys let me tell you, this group is highly organized and their mini-navigator is awesome! Thank you Seaulater for such a wonderful job.
Oh yeah, Steve put in our order for pins today. Only one per stateroom almost guaranteed – pins 1-8 are guaranteed to each of the 750 staterooms, then if any are left, they will open them up for a 2nd and 3rd RSP – maybe random selection pins? A Little Bit of Pixie Dust – if I can I will get you yours. I’m hoping that they will have some left over and that they will open them up to the public. If that happens – your in like Flynn. J if not – then this will be me: L LOL – just learned how to do that.
OK folks that’s about it for now – I am tired, so I have got to send this off. Ta Ta for now – hopefully everyone goes to Castaway Cay and I can stay and use the internet w/o it costing too much. Talk to you all late.
Steve dropped me on at the terminal and he returned the rental to Avis while I checked us in. We got to the port about 2:40, and I waited for about 20 minutes for Steve to return. We walked onboard and of course we one of the last ones to get our picture taken. Since there was no one behind us, I had them take a picture of my Marine which I am sponsoring. You see, I laminated a picture he sent me from Iraq and I will forward them a copy so as a sense they too will be on this trip. Sappy aren’t I?
OK –so we finally get onboard and we hightail it to Rocking Bar D. The guy taking requests for dinner rotations was a bit curt and told us to wait until Sunday to request our old beverage wait – Collin Clark, I knew better and should have insisted but alas! I didn’t. I tried to do what he said. I confirmed with Guest Services and they told me the same thing. So, we ended up with dinner at 8:30. Turns out – this is really too late for me. It didn’t used to be but I guess I got used to 8 pm. We show up and lo and behold! LOTS and LOTS of empty tables. Yes folks – seems the ship only has about 2100 and is short about 600 from capacity. The ship holds 2700. You do the math. We were seated at a table for 8 and there was only 6 and will be 2 less tomorrow – for we ended up getting moved – but more on that in a minute. The table next to us was seated for 8 and only had 2 people, it was a bit sad as they were seated only about 2 ½ ft away from us. We showed up on time but were last seated and when I got seated, ended up being able to talk to that couple than the ones we are seated with.
Our servers on this rotation – 8:30 was Sompong (Food Server) and he told us to call him Sammy. Our beverage server was Henry from Jamaica and our head server was some guy whose name started with a G ( reminded me of Gestapo) from Italy. No familiar faces at all. I inquired into Vlado and was informed that he left the ship the morning of the 10th for vacation. Towards the end of dinner, I look up to see Alan – walking around. I was so excited. In addition to being a cutie, he’s such a nice gentleman. He was our head server the first time around in 2005 when the family and I did the Mexican Rivera back in July 2005. So then we just ended up asking for him on the EBPC in ’05. Since I had no luck asking via the chain of command, I rebelled and jumped the chain and went directly to the top. See, Alen is not head of all the restaurants. ROTFLMAO – you should have seen the looks on my tablemates faces and Sammy’s face when Alen came over and hugged me and shook hands with Steve. I tell you, sometimes its nice to have friends in high places. I then excused myself and hunted down Alen and asked if we could be moved. He promised to check into it and get back to me. After dinner – which let out at 10:30, I had a commitment with my Fish Group and lo and behold Alen was there. He appraised me that Colling was completely full and that he could put me with Putu, which was another food server we had back in ’05. So as of tomorrow, Sunday, May 11, we will be with another server. Oh yeah, there were at least 10 tables completely empty and many, many were not full. Wonder why they didn’t discount it. I bet you they will not have that problem with our EB cruise! ROTFL.
OK, now for the good stuff, when we checked into our stateroom, I recognized the host – he was on the Med last year and while he did not service our room, I saw this server EVERY SINGLE TIME I walked outside my stateroom – his name is Benny. Nice guy. I haven’t seen any of our old stateroom hosts and hopefully I’ll fun into them eventually.
So, we get into the room and there is a Castaway Cay Member gift of a red/black canvas bag. Inside it contained what amounts to 2 sippy cups, 1 blue notebook and pen and a red mesh bag. That’s it, let’s hope that Ducky’s onboard. LOL – Gosh I sound like a spoiled brat. But I really liked the gift they gave us on the Med cruise – a blue and white bag with suntan lotions, wipes and other useful stuff. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll use this one myself.
OK, so I skipped completely over Sailaway, Brent is our Cruise Director and Trent is in charge of activities or he was at the Sailaway Party. The Captain is Thord, very nice man – I liked him and he seems more approachable then Captain Tom. I wonder if Captain Tom will come on for the EB? Last time – (2005) Capt Thord did WB and both did EB. I have a picture to prove it of them both on the navigational landing piloting the ship into a lock. NO MICKEY HANDS!! Repeat – No Mickey Hands. Instead they gave us red streamers on a blue wand to wave. And they do watch – no repeats. This lady in front tried to get another one and the crew member denied her giving it instead to me! I was happy! The streamers are red and say Disney Magic on them. They are nice though – different than the hands.
So after the whistle blew – I hightailed it over to the front, port side by the basketball courts at the front of the ship and got into position. Arlene had called to wish me good luck and I informed her that Steve and I would be wearing our bright green shirts and I would have my big lens in front of my face. LOL – well, I saw Arelene and I will post a picture eventually. It was so surreal, exactly one year ago today I was watching the Magic depart for her Eastbound TransAtlantic Repositioning cruise. I remember being so sad that I wasn’t on there. Lo and behold – that wish lead to me being on the EB TransAtlantic crossing. My other adventure on this blogspot.
Ok, so the menu was “Let the Magic Begin and I totally forgot to take a picture but Steve and I both had a Chipotle Sirloin Steak with Monterrey Jack cheese potato and broccoli. Prior to that, I had the appetizer of Chicken Puff Envelope. It was ok. I didn’t order a salad, instead I followed suit with Steve and ordered chicken noodle soup off the kids menu. Then came the main course, as mentioned above, and for desert I had Apple Tart-Tartin. Steve or course, had a double scoop of chocolate for desert. I can see how the next 14 days will be like - ordering off the kids menu and chocolate ice cream for dessert.
As soon as diner was up, I hightailed it to Diversions where I had an appt to help deliver our groups Fish Extender gift. We gave out dry erase boards with our logo on it. It really is a nice gift. Since our delivery day was on Sunday, day 2, we just delivered it immediately after. That is where I ran into Alen. When I was informed about not being able to sit with Collin, I inquired as to whether I need to put in my request for the July family cruise. Alen said sure – to which I replied – you take care of me – and I’d take care of him – picture wise people – picture-wise. You dirty minded scoundrels. LOL
So, that, in a 3 page blog is what has occurred today. Tomorrow is Castaway Cay day and we have nothing planned. As some of you know, I am not a beach person but I may talk Steve into taking a bike ride for some exercise. I’m supposed to be exercising but haven’t had a chance since Monday, May 5. Tami would be very upset with me.
Its now 12:05 and I still need to post this – so I think I will sign off for now and go and send this off. Supposedly we have internet access in rooms and hot spots for those of us with laptops. But the packages prices are stiff. Following are Wireless Pricing Plans: Time Plan I: 100 minutes for $55.00. Time Plan 2: 250 minutes for $100.00, Time Plan 3: 500 minutes for $150.00. Per minute rate is $0.75. Printing: $0.25 per page. I have a pamphlet I can take post when I get home if anyone is interested.
For those who want to know – DOD (Drink of the Day) was: High Tide. Evening Attire was cruise casual. The show at the Walt Disney Theatre was The Ricky Kalmom Hypnosis Show and 1st show was at 6:15 with 2nd showing at 8:30.
Oh yeah, for those interested? Sunday, May 11, MothersGet this: Formal Night are: Monday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 13, back to back and both sea days. On Wednesday, May 14 is Tropical Night at Aruba. Thursday, May 15 is Sea Day, Friday, May 16 is Panama Canal Crossing Day with Saturday, May 17 being yet another sea day. And want to guess what Sunday, May 18th is? Yup – another sea day. So that means that Monday, May 19th is Acapulco and Tuesday, May 20 is yet another sea day. Wednesday, May 21, 2008 is Puerta Vallarta and Thursday, May 22, 2008 is Cabo San Lucas and VOILA! Pirate Night – and yes – we did bring our pirate outfits. Friday, May 23, is yet ANOTHER sea day but a formal one – Ballroom Under the Stars. Saturday, May 24, is a sea day and finally on Sunday, May 25 is disembarkation day. An end to this wonderful adventure.
Guys let me tell you, this group is highly organized and their mini-navigator is awesome! Thank you Seaulater for such a wonderful job.
Oh yeah, Steve put in our order for pins today. Only one per stateroom almost guaranteed – pins 1-8 are guaranteed to each of the 750 staterooms, then if any are left, they will open them up for a 2nd and 3rd RSP – maybe random selection pins? A Little Bit of Pixie Dust – if I can I will get you yours. I’m hoping that they will have some left over and that they will open them up to the public. If that happens – your in like Flynn. J if not – then this will be me: L LOL – just learned how to do that.
OK folks that’s about it for now – I am tired, so I have got to send this off. Ta Ta for now – hopefully everyone goes to Castaway Cay and I can stay and use the internet w/o it costing too much. Talk to you all late.
No comments:
Post a Comment