Monday, May 2, 2011

DAY 1 - EASTER SUNDAY ON THE DREAM

     EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 24, 2011

     FIRST LET ME SAY SORRY IT TOOK ME 4 DAYS AFTER RETURNING TO GET THIS TRIP REPORT STARTED.  WE GOT HOME ON THURSDAY NIGHT APRIL 28TH, ATE DINNER, GOT SETTLED AND WENT TO BED.  UNFORTUNATELY WE DIDN'T REALIZE JUST HOW TIRED WE BOTH WERE UNTIL FRIDAY.  WE DID NOTHING.  SLEPT.  NAPPED.  RESTED.  lol  DISNEY CRUISES ARE EVERY BIT AS TIRING (IF YOU KEEP BUSY) AS GOING TO DISNEY WORLD.  SATURDAY WAS AN ENTIRE DAY DEDICATED TO BEING HOME AGAIN.  TOOK DOWN ALL OUR EASTER DECORATIONS (WE DECORATE FOR EVERY HOLIDAY) AND REDECORATED IN A MICKEY MOUSE BIRTHDAY THEME.  WHILE MY SON CELEBRATED HIS ACTUAL BIRTHDAY ON OUR CRUISE (TUESDAY APRIL 26TH), HE DOESN'T HAVE HIS ACTUAL PARTY WITH THE FAMILY TIL THE DAY OF HIS FIRST COMMUNION, THIS SATURDAY MAY 7TH.  PLUS, MY BIRTHDAY IS MAY THE 16TH.  AND SUNDAY WAS CHURCH, HIS COMMUNION PRACTICE, SEEING HIS GRANDPARENTS, THEN SEEING HIS AUNT.  SO HERE I AM.  MONDAY AFTER OUR RETURN, AND FINALLY GETTING THIS TRIP REPORT STARTED.
     WE GOT UP JUST AFTER 4AM ON EASTER SUNDAY BECAUSE WE HAD A 6AM FLIGHT OUT OF ATLANTIC CITY INTERNATIONAL.  MY FATHER OFFERED TO COME OVER TO DRIVE US OVER TO THE AIRPORT, SO I SAID SURE.  I ONLY LIVE 3 OR 4 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT SO I SAID, "HOW BOUT AROUND 5AM THEN SINCE I WANT BRAD TO HAVE TIME TO EAT BREAKFAST BEFORE BOARDING?"  HE SWORE THAT WOULD NEVER BE ENOUGH TIME WITH CHECKING IN AND GOING THROUGH SECURITY, ETC.  SO HE SAID 4:45AM.  NOW I KNOW WITH MY FATHER THAT MEANS 4:30AM.  SO WE GOT UP AT 4:20AM AND DAMN IF HE ISN'T PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY AT 4:28AM.  WE HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME TO PUT SOME SUNTAN LOTION ON, ANTICIPATING GOING TO THE POOL DECK AS SOON AS WE GET ON-BOARD, AND TO GET DRESSED.
     WE WERE FLYING SPIRIT AIRLINES (THE KING OF FEES) SO I BORROWED A HAND HELD BAGGAGE SCALE TO MAKE SURE OUR 2 CHECKED BAGS WEREN'T OVER THEIR 40LB (LOWEST IN THE INDUSTRY) WEIGHT LIMIT BEFORE WE GOT THERE.  I ALSO BROUGHT SOME INSURANCE.  I PICKED UP A COUPLE CLEAR EGGS FILLED WITH GOLD WRAPPED CHOCOLATE ALL WRAPPED IN A GOLD BOW.  MY SON GAVE ONE TO THE GIRL WHO CHECKED US IN AT THE SPIRIT COUNTER AND SHE NEVER EVEN WEIGHED OUR BAGS.  IT'S TOUGH TO MEAN TO A LITTLE BOY IN MICKEY MOUSE EARS WITH EASTER BUNNY EARS STICKING OUT OF THEM TOO.  http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137811542028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
     I SECURED THE ZIPPERS ON MY BAGS WITH ZIP TIES AFTER FINDING OUT THIS WAS ACCEPTABLE BY THE TSA.  OF COURSE AS SOON AS WE WENT THROUGH SECURITY THEY TOOK THE SWISS ARMY KNIFE I HAD IN MY BACKPACK AND SAID IT WAS NOT ALLOWED AND NOW I HAD NO WAY TO GET INTO MY LUGGAGE WHEN I GOT THERE!
     SO ALL OF THIS TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND NOW, AS I EXPECTED, WE HAD A GOOD HOUR TO KILL BEFORE BOARDING.  MY SON HAD HIS SAUSAGE, EGG & CHEESE MCGRIDDLE FROM MCDONALD'S.  HE CALLS IT HIS PANCAKE SANDWICH.  IT'S A HEART ATTACK IN YOUR HAND.  THAT WAS LIKE AN EASTER PRESENT IN ITSELF.  BOARDING WAS QUICK AND PAINLESS AND THE FLIGHT WAS ONLY HALF FULL WHEN WE TOOK OFF.  WE ACTUALLY TOOK OFF AND LANDED A LITTLE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.  IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY SMOOTH FLIGHT AND OTHER THAN THE ONE SPANISH FAMILY WITH THE TODDLER THEY MUST'VE THOUGHT EVERYONE ON-BOARD WANTED TO HEAR WINE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, IT WAS REALLY NICE.
     WE LANDED AT ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL A LITTLE AFTER 8AM.  WE BOOKED DISNEY BUS TRANSPORTATION TO PORT CANAVERAL SINCE FOR ONLY TWO OF US IT WAS THE MOST ECONOMICAL AND LEFT US ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT.  BY THE TIME WE GOT DOWN TO THE DISNEY'S MAGICAL EXPRESS COUNTERS TO CHECK IN WE STILL HAD AN HOUR TIL THE BUSES STARTED GOING TO THE PORT.  THERE REALLY AREN'T AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF SIGNS IN THE AIRPORT TELLING YOU HOW AND WHERE TO GO.  WE JUST KIND OF FELT OUR WAY BASED ON WHAT WE HAD READ ALREADY.  LUCKILY, NO MATTER WHAT THE TIME, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEONE AROUND YOU CAN ASK.  YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN YOU SEE THE MICKEY GLOVED AND UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES WAVING YOU OVER AND WELCOMING YOU IN.  AGAIN, I GUESS WE WEREN'T TO HARD TO PICK OUT IN OUR COMBO MICKEY/EASTER BUNNY EARS WITH BIG HUGE GRINS.
     WE WERE GREETED AT THE COUNTER, WHERE THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING YET AND IT LOOKED LIKE NO OTHER CRUISE LINE GUESTS.  THEY ALSO CHECK-IN WALT DISNEY WORLD GUESTS FOR THEIR MAGICAL EXPRESS SHUTTLES TO THE RESORTS HERE.  THOSE BUSES WERE ALREADY RUNNING.  WE WERE CHECKED IN BY AN EXTREMELY NICE WOMAN NAMED SHIRLEY.  THIS IS WHEN LITTLE BRAD PULLED OUT HIS OTHER BOWED GOLD CHOCOLATE FILLED EASTER EGG AND GAVE IT TO SHIRLEY WITH A BIG HAPPY EASTER.  SHE WAS SO DISNEY.  SWEET AND KIND AND REALLY CATERED TO MY SON TO MAKE THE TRIP ALL THE MORE SPECIAL.  SINCE WE HAD AN HOUR TIL OUR BUS, I THOUGHT WE'D INTRODUCE OURSELVES TO THE EMPLOYEES THAT WERE THERE AND HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS WHILE WAITING.  SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES THAT WE ARE AND ALL.  WE ACTUALLY MET A DISNEY EMPLOYEE THERE FROM GERMANY THAT LIVED IN OCEAN CITY, NJ NOT FAR FROM US FOR 18 YEARS WHERE SHE RAISED HER SON.  SMALL WORLD.  THIS BROUGHT OTHERS AROUND THE CONVERSATION AND IT ENDED UP BEING A NICE WAY TO PASS THE TIME. 
     AFTER WE WENT TO SIT DOWN WITH OUR BAGS, SHIRLEY CAME OVER.  THE EMPLOYEES IN THE MAGICAL EXPRESS AREA ROTATE THROUGH THE VARIOUS POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE DAY.  SO WE GOT TO TALK TO HER SOME MORE AND HEAR ABOUT HER TRAVELS.  THEN SHE SPRINKLED SOME PIXIE DUST.  SHE SAID, "WE'RE REALLY NOT SUPPOSED TO GIVE THESE OUT YET, BUT THIS IS YOUR BOARDING NUMBER.  IT'S NUMBER 2, THE LOWEST WE CAN GIVE.  AND WHEN I LINE EVERYBODY UP TO GET ON THE BUS, YOU'LL BE MY LINE LEADERS.  GET ON THE BUS FIRST AND SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT.  FIRST ON IS FIRST OFF AND INTO THE TERMINAL."  YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE SMILE ON MY SON'S FACE.  I THINK SHE WAS TRYING TO KEEP IT LOW KEY, BUT HE COULDN'T HELP HUGGING HER.  http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137808820028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
     THE BUS RIDE OVER TO THE TERMINAL IS ONLY ABOUT 45 MINUTES AND THE MOVIE THEY PLAY STARRING THE CHARACTERS TAKING A CRUISE IS REALLY CUTE.  IT'S KIND OF MIXED UP WITH WHAT'S ON ALL THE SHIPS, AND COULD BE MORE INDIVIDUALIZED FOR WHAT SHIP IS LEAVING, BUT YOU'RE REALLY JUST SO EXCITED IT'S GETTING CLOSER, WHO CARES?!  SOMEONE FROM DISNEY GETS ON THE BUS BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE AIRPORT TO GIVE YOU THE RUNDOWN AND WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE PORT ALSO.  THIS IS HOW WE LEARNED THAT SHIRLEY AT MAGICAL EXPRESS HAD DONE EVERYTHING WITH OUR PAPERWORK AND ALL WE HAD TO DO AT THE TERMINAL WAS WAIT TO BOARD.  NO WORRIES.  THAT WAS NICE.
     WE WALKED AROUND THE TERMINAL A LITTLE BIT AND TOOK SOME PICTURES OF THE SHIP MODEL http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137811544028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/AND OF THE ACTUAL SHIP FROM THE OBSERVATION DECK OUTSIDE, http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137808823028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/BUT THE TERMINAL REALLY IS EXTREMELY BLAND.  IT'S VERY MONOTONE IN COLOR WITH VERY LITTLE TO CATCH YOU EYE.  IT'S ALMOST "UN-DISNEY".  I WAS HOPING TO GET A PERSONAL NAVIGATOR TO STUDY A BIT IN THE TERMINAL, BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY, JUST A BASIC MAP OF THE DECKS.
     WE HAD A SEAT ON A LARGE U-SHAPED COUCH WITH A LARGE SEATING OTTOMAN IN THE MIDDLE OF IT NEAR THE MICKEY SHAPED ENTRY PORTAL.  I'D HEARD HOW SEATS WERE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN SO I THOUGHT IT BEST TO REST AND STAY COMFORTABLE SINCE I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO GET A LOT MORE CROWDED.  THERE REALLY ARE WAY TOO FEW SEATS OR SEATING AREAS IN THE TERMINAL.  IT'S A HUGE ROOM.  BUT BY 11-11:30AM IT STARTED TO GET NOTICEABLY MORE CROWDED.  THIS WAS AROUND THE TIME THAT CAPTAIN MICKEY CAME OUT FOR SOME PICTURES NEXT TO THE SHIP MODEL.  THE FAMILY WE WERE SITTING NEXT TO WAS KIND ENOUGH TO KEEP AN EYE ON OUR BACKPACKS WHILE WE GOT A COUPLE PICTURES WITH MICKEY.  http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137808822028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
     I REGISTERED MY SON FOR THE KIDS CLUB ON-LINE AND DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO GET HIM HIS WRIST BAND FOR THE CLUBS UNTIL HE WAS GOING TO BE STAYING THERE.  I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO BE UNNECESSARILY UNCOMFORTABLE IF IT WAS IF HE DIDN'T HAVE TO BE, AND IF YOU LOSE IT IT COSTS A FORTUNE!  BUT EVEN WORSE WAS THE LINE.  THE LINE FOR KIDS CLUB REGISTRATION WAS ABSOLUTELY HUGE!  IT LOOKED LIKE SPACE MOUNTAIN!  NO WAY WAS I GETTING IN THAT.  I THINK TOO FEW A PEOPLE REALIZE IT ISN'T REALLY A NECESSITY IN THE TERMINAL.  IT'S A SHAME.  BUT I GUESS IF YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT GETTING ON THE SHIP RIGHT AWAY, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE FOR SOME.
     THE OTHER LINE WAS TO GET ON THE SHIP.  I DON'T GET THIS ONE.  YOU HAVE A NUMBER.  YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHEN YOU'RE GETTING ON.  THEY CALL YOU.  BUT STILL, AS I HAD HEARD PRIOR, SOME JUST STAY IN THE WAY MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THOSE BOARDING BEFORE THEM TO EVEN GET THROUGH.  I'M SORRY BUT THAT'S JUST RUDE.  YOU'RE EITHER TOO IGNORANT TO MOVE OR TOO STUPID TO REALIZE YOU'RE IN THE WRONG.  EITHER WAY IT RUBBED ME AND MANY OTHERS THE WRONG WAY.  THEY EVEN MADE IT DIFFICULT ON A FAMILY WITH A WHEELCHAIR.  YUCK.  WELL, FIRST ON WAS THE FAMILY OF THE DAY.  HEY, IT WASN'T US, SO I DIDN'T CARE.  WHY WASN'T IT US?!!  lol  THEN WAS PLATINUM CASTAWAY CLUB MEMBERS AND CONCIERGE GUESTS.  THEN WAS BOARDING NUMBER 2 (US). 
     BOARDING STARTED AROUND 11:45AM AND WENT VERY QUICKLY ONCE IT STARTED.  YOU SHOW YOUR NUMBER GOING INTO THE MICKEY PORTAL, THEN YOU HAND OVER YOUR KEY TO THE WORLD CARDS FOR YOUR PARTY TO THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WAITING TO TAKE YOUR FIRST PICTURE.  THIS ONE IS MANDATORY BECAUSE DISNEY USES FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY LINKED TO YOUR KTTW CARD (BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING!).  YOU NOT ONLY GET A BOARDING PHOTO TAKEN, BUT THEY TAKE INDIVIDUAL FACIAL PICTURES AT THE SAME TIME TO CONNECT TO YOUR CARDS FOR IDENTIFICATION AND SECURITY.  IT REALLY IS A NICE SAFETY MEASURE.  IT'S A SMALL BOTTLE NECK AS THEY DO THIS BUT THERE ARE 4 DIFFERENT PHOTOGRAPHERS DOING IT SO IT MOVES QUICK.
     FROM YOUR PHOTO YOU CROSS THE GANGWAY RIGHT INTO THE MAIN LOBBY AND YOUR FAMILY INTRODUCTION.  NOBODY DOES IT LIKE DISNEY.  THEY GREET YOU BEFORE YOU GET THERE, WELCOME YOU, ASK YOUR FAMILY NAME THEN ANNOUNCE, "DISNEY DREAM, PLEASE WELCOME THE WIZZLEWUZZLE FAMILY!" AND A LINE OF EMPLOYEES CLAP FOR YOU.  TALK ABOUT FEELING SPECIAL.  OF COURSE WE FELT A LITTLE ODD TO WITH ALL THE EMPLOYEES POINTING AT US, BUT YOU ALMOST FORGET YOU'RE WEARING TWO SETS OF EARS WHEN YOU'VE HAD THEM ON SINCE 4AM.  THEN ONE OF THE CLAPPING CAST MEMBERS WALKS WITH YOU, GETS A LITTLE INFO AND TRIES TO DIRECT YOU TO LUNCH.  WE DIDN'T WANT TO WASTE HER TIME, SO WE TOLD HER WE WERE HEADED RIGHT TO THE POOL DECK.  SHE POINTED US TO THE ELEVATORS AND DECK 11.
     IT WAS BARELY 12 NOON AND THERE WAS NO ONE AT THE POOL YET.  WE GOT TWO CHAIRS RIGHT NEXT TO THE POOL AND FOUND OUT THE AQUADUCK DOESN'T OPEN TIL 12:30, http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137808824028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/  RIGHT AWAY.  I BARELY HAD MY BACKPACK OFF AND MY SON WAS ALREADY IN THE POOL MAKING FRIENDS WITH ONE OF THE ONLY 6 OR SO OTHERS IN IT. http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137811547028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ I SHOULD MENTION THAT ALSO BY THIS TIME I HAD ALREADY RUN INTO A FAMILY FROM OUR ON-LINE COMMUNITY TOO.  WHICH WAS KIND OF NICE BEING 1,000 MILES FROM HOME. 
     AS MUCH AS PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LAYOUT AND SIZE OF THE POOLS, ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES IS THAT IT HAS PLEXIGLASS SURROUNDING IT'S ENTIRE DECK AND AN OPEN TOPPED SUNDECK ABOVE IT WITH PLEXIGLASS AROUND IT.  WHY?  WIND.  YOU HARDLY EVER KNOW THE WIND IS BLOWING OR THE SHIP IS MOVING IN THAT WAY.  IT WAS WINDY WHEN WE BOARDED, BUT YOU WOULD'VE NEVER KNOWN IT ONCE ON BOARD.  THE POOL DECK WAS ALREADY SUNNY AND 80ยบ.  IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.  SO MUCH SO THAT I HAD TO ORDER AN ICE COLD MILLER LITE FROM PEDRO FROM RIO AT THE STAND NEAR ME.  $6.00  IT FELT LIKE I WAS AT A PHILLIES GAME.  I CAN BUY A SIX PACK FOR THAT!  lol  I PASSED ON THE DRINK OF THE DAY BECAUSE I REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO START WORKING ON A BUZZ BEFORE DINNER.  PLUS I'M NOT THAT BIG OF A FAN OF THE HURRICANE GLASS IN GENERAL, LET ALONE ONE THAT'S PLASTIC, EVEN IF IT DOES HAVE THE DCL LOGO ON IT.
     MY SON RODE THE AQUADUCK 3 TIMES, RODE THE MICKEY SLIDE, http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137808825028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ AND SWAM AND PLAYED GAMES IN THE POOL WITH HIS NEW FRIENDS.  I FINALLY GOT THE CUP OF COFFEE I'D BEEN LOOKING FOR FOR HOURS.  THE CUPS AT THE DRINK STATION ARE STILL A LITTLE HARD TO FIGURE.  THE HOT CUPS AND COLD CUPS LOOK IDENTICAL BUT SOME ARE STYROFOAM, AND NEITHER LID FITS THE OTHER.  YOU HAVE TO SEARCH FOR THE CUP HOLDER LABELS.  SMALL IMPROVEMENT NEEDED.  AS A NEAT FREAK I WENT TO WIPE UP SOMEONE ELSES SPILL AND REALIZED THERE ARE NO NAPKINS WHATSOEVER TO BE FOUND AT THE DRINK STATIONS.  I ASKED SOMEONE AND THEY WERE APPALLED THAT I WOULD TRY AND DO THEIR JOB FOR THEM.  IT WAS PRETTY FUNNY, BUT HE DID OFFER TO GET ME SOME NAPKINS.  THE TRASH IS ANOTHER THING.  AS ALWAYS, IT'S IMMACULATELY CLEAN.  DISNEY CLEAN.  BUT YOU HAVE TO SEARCH FOR TRASH CANS.  EVERYTHING IS DONE IN THIS LIGHT WOOD BOX STYLE OF CONTAINER.  EXCEPT THAT THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BOXES IS WHERE YOU WOULD, YOU KNOW, PUSH THE TRASH THROUGH.  THAT SWINGING DOOR TRASH CANS USUALLY HAVE.  BUT HERE'S THE CATCH.  ON THE DOOR, OF WHICH ALL ARE CHROME, IS RAISED LETTERING TELLING YOU WHAT IT IS.  RECYCLABLES, TRASH, CLEAN TOWELS, DIRTY TOWELS.  I CAN'T COUNT HOW MANY TIMES I SAW PEOPLE SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT CONTAINER OR, GET THIS, ASKING ME WHICH ONE SOMETHING WAS IN.  IT'S NOT A TOUGH FIX.  AND THERE CERTAINLY ARE PLENTY OF EMPLOYEES TO ASK, BUT YOU KNOW IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM WHEN EMPLOYEES TRY TO CUT YOU OFF WITH TRASH TO KEEP YOU FROM PUTTING IT IN THE WRONG PLACE . . . LIKE WITH THE TOWELS.  HAPPENS LOTS.
     THE AQUADUCK LINE BARELY CAME OUT OF THE STACK, WHERE THERE'S TWO SMALL STAIRCASES INSIDE TAKING YOU TO BOARDING, BEFORE 1:30PM.  A 10 MINUTE WAIT?  I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT WHILE MANY WERE STILL BOARDING, SOME WERE TOURING THE SHIP, OR GOING TO THEIR ROOM, AND MOST WERE EATING LUNCH.  WE SKIPPED LUNCH BECAUSE WE'RE MORE ABOUT THE FUN AND THE SUN.
     I HAD TO GO BACK TO THE ROOM AROUND 2PM TO FILL THE 125 PLASTIC EASTER EGGS WE BROUGHT WITH US MY SON WANTED TO HAND OUT ON DECK DURING THE SAIL AWAY PARTY.  WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR TO OUR ROOM I REALIZED THE PRESENT I SENT AHEAD FOR MY SON WASN'T THERE.  I CALLED GUEST SERVICES AND A GENTLEMAN WITH A HEAVY ACCENT SAID HE'D LOOK INTO IT.  I WORK IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY.  THAT USUALLY MEANS.  DON'T CALL ME, I'LL CALL YOU.  SO I BROKE OUT THE CANDY AND FILLED EGGS LIKE A MADMAN IN TIME TO FILL THE BAG AND GO TO GUEST SERVICES BEFORE OUR SCHEDULED GROUP MEET ON DECK 13 FORWARD AT CURRENTS AT 3PM.  WHEN I LEFT THE ROOM OUR LUGGAGE HAD STILL NOT ARRIVED, BUT SOME IN OUR HALLWAY HAD.
     I SPOKE TO PABLO AT GUEST SERVICES WHO SAID HE OF COURSE HAD NO IDEA BUT WOULD PASS IT ALONG TO HIS MANAGER "AK".  I FOUND MY SON AND GOT HIM RE-DRESSED JUST IN TIME TO MAKE OUR GROUP MEET AT 3.  WE ONLY SAW ONE COUPLE SO WE MADE OUR INTRODUCTIONS AND WE ALL MOVED ON.  TURNS OUT LATER, THAT SOME MET ELSEWHERE ON THE SAME DECK AND WE BOTH MISSED THEM.  SO BE SPECIFIC WHERE YOU WANT TO MEET ON-BOARD OR YOU COULD RUN INTO THE SAME.
     SINCE OUR MEET TIME ALOTTED WAS SHORT, WE WENT TO CABANAS TO HAVE A LITTLE LUNCH BEFORE THEY CLOSED AT 3:30PM.  IT WAS BIG.  IT WAS NICE.  BUT IT WAS NOTHING SPECIAL THIS DAY.  NOT THAT WE WERE REALLY LOOKING FOR ANYTHING SPECIAL THAT DAY EITHER.  I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE MY SON ATE SOMETHING HAVING BEEN GOING ALL DAY.  THEY ALSO LET ME BORROW A PLACE SETTING SO I HAD A KNIFE TO CUT THE ZIP TIES OFF OF MY LUGGAGE! 
     THE LIFEBOAT DRILL IS AT 4PM AND LUCKILY EVERYONE IS LOST GETTING THERE.  WE HAD NO IDEA HOW TO GET TO OUR LOCATION "H" ON THE PROMENADE DECK (4), OR AT LEAST WHERE ON 4 IT WAS, BUT EVERYONE IS LOST.  THERE WERE PEOPLE STILL SHOWING UP PRACTICALLY AT THE END OF IT.  AND MAN WAS IT HOT STANDING PACKED IN WITH ALL THOSE PEOPLE.  I DIDN'T REALLY LEARN ANYTHING AS WE REALLY COULDN'T SEE, BUT THE LIFE JACKETS REALLY LOOKED TO BE STATE OF THE ART.  A LOT OF COOL BELLS AND WHISTLES . . . LITERALLY.
     NEXT UP WAS THE SAIL AWAY PARTY.  IT'S REALLY EASY TO MOVE THROUGH A CROWD WHEN YOU'RE WEARING BUNNY EARS SAYING "EASTER BUNNY" AND HANDING OUT EASTER EGGS.  WE ACTUALLY WENT UNDER THE STAGE ROPE TO HAND OUT EGGS TO ALL THE KIDS SITTING ON THE GROUND IN THE VERY FRONT.  A DISNEY CAST MEMBER CAME OVER TO GIVE US THE HEAVE HO WHEN SHE SAW WHAT MY SON WAS DOING AND SAID, "OH, O.K.  HAPPY EASTER."  WE HANDED OUT ABOUT 75 EGGS AND MANAGED TO WATCH THE SHOW FROM RIGHT UP FRONT.  IT'S REALLY CUTE.  I KNOW MANY DCL VETERANS SAY THEY LIKED THE OLD ONE BETTER, BUT WE HAD NOTHING TO COMPARE TO.  IT IS A BIG COMMERCIAL FOR THE STUFF ON-BOARD, BUT SOME PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL THAT STUFF IS.  IT'S REALLY CHARACTER HEAVY SO ALL THE KIDS (AND ME) LOVE IT, AND THEY STILL COUNT DOWN TO THE HORN BLOWING AND WHAT'S BETTER THAN THAT?
     WE WENT BACK TO OUR ROOM TO FIND THAT OUR LUGGAGE HAD ARRIVED.  WE WERE IN ROOM 5515, A DELUXE INSIDE STATEROOM.  I HAND-PICKED THIS ROOM BECAUSE IT WAS SO CLOSE IN PRICE TO THE STANDARD INSIDE STATEROOM AND HAD A LITTLE EXTRA SQUARE FOOTAGE.  PLUS IT WAS REALLY CLOSE TO THE LOBBY, STORES, GUEST SERVICES, KIDS CLUBS, AND THEATERS.  I REALLY DIDN'T CARE ALL THAT MUCH ABOUT THE SPLIT BATHROOM SINCE THERE WAS ONLY 2 OF US http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137809782028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/   AND MY SON'S NOT REALLY GETTING READY ON HIS OWN, BUT THE SPLIT BATH IS A REALLY NICE FEATURE. http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137809530028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ THE DOORWAY TO THE ROOM IS INCREDIBLY NARROW. http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137809781028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ IT'S ONLY ABOUT 22" WIDE WITH THICK CASINGS AROUND IT AND BATHROOM AND CLOSET DOOR HANDLES JUST INSIDE IT.  YOU CAN'T REALLY HAVE BATHROOM AND CLOSET DOORS OPEN AT THE SAME TIME.  AND IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL YOU CAN SPEAR YOURSELF WITH THE BATHROOM DOOR HANDLES WHEN GOING INTO THE CLOSETS.  IT DOES HAVE GOOD CLOSET SPACE FOR HANGING AND SHELVES ABOVE AND BELOW INSIDE THEM WE THOUGHT.  THE DESK HAS 3 DECENT DRAWERS PLUS A THIN DESK DRAWER PLUS A FEW SHELVES ABOVE TOO. http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137811626028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ THE BED IS RAISED WAY UP SO STORAGE UNDERNEATH IT IS PLENTIFUL AND EASY.  THE ROOM DOES FEEL A LITTLE SMALLER THAN IT LOOKS ON-LINE, SO I THINK MOST FAMILIES OF 4 WILL FIND IT REALLY TIGHT.  TWO PLUSES.  THE RED BED PILLOW EVERYONE LOVES IS MUCH BIGGER THAN IT LOOKS (AND STILL NOT FOR SALE).  IT'S ALMOST 3FT LONG.  AND THE VIRTUAL PORTHOLE IS MUCH BIGGER THAN IT LOOKS TWO.  IT'S EASILY 3FT IN DIAMETER.  IT FEELS BIG IN THE ROOM. http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137809779028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ CHARACTERS APPEAR EVERY 15 MINUTES AND IT'S AWESOME.  MY SON LOVED IT AND WOULD STARE AT THE CLOCK WAITING IF WE WERE IN THE ROOM.  BASED ON THE PRICE YOU GET, I THINK A VERANDAH WOULD BE A BETTER VALUE, BUT NOT IF YOU ASK MY SON.  HE LOVED IT!
     WE UNPACKED AND ORGANIZED AS MUCH AS WE COULD AND TOOK OUR SHOWERS AND GOT INTO OUR EASTER BEST.  WE MANAGED TO GET TO DINNER AT THE ENCHANTED GARDEN ONLY ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATE TOO.  LUCKILY OUR FELLOW DINERS WERE BARELY SEATED.  WE WERE SEATED WITH 6 OTHER PEOPLE; A TABLE OF 8.  THINK IT'S JUST A ROLL OF THE DICE?  CHECK THIS.  THERE WAS A GRANDMOTHER WITH HER 8 YR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER.  A SINGLE MON AND HER 7 YR OLD DAUGHTER.  A SINGLE DAD AND HIS 7 YR OLD SON AND MYSELF, A SINGLE DAD, AND MY 8 YR OLD SON.  AMAZING.  THE GRANDDAUGHTER WAS SICK AND IT SHOWED, BUT THE KIDS HIT IT OFF RIGHT AWAY.  I FORGOT MY CAMERA AT DINNER, BUT I DID BRING MY VIDEO CAMERA IF I EVER FIGURE OUT HOW TO UPLOAD IT. http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137812505028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
     THE ENCHANTED GARDEN IS BEAUTIFUL.  AIRY AND COMFORTABLE.  THE SHOW THOUGH ISN'T REALLY MUCH OF A SHOW.  AND I DON'T REALLY MEAN FROM MY POINT OF VIEW.  I HAD TO EXPLAIN IT AND POINT IT OUT TO EVERYONE ELSE.  MOST PEOPLE JUST DON'T EVEN REALLY NOTICE THE CHANGE OF LIGHTING AND AMBIENCE.  IT'S A SHAME REALLY BECAUSE IT IS QUITE CLEVER.
     OUR SERVERS NAME WAS ANDRE AND OUR ASSISTANT SERVER WAS A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRL FROM BRAZIL NAMED CAMILLA.  THEY WEREN'T ALL THAT INTERACTIVE WITH THE KIDS WHICH WAS A SMALL DISAPPOINTMENT, BUT I TRIED TO KEEP THE STAFF LAUGHING WHICH MADE THEM LOOSEN UP A LITTLE MORE.  MY SON WANTED TO VENTURE OFF TO THE BATHROOM ON HIS OWN, SO ANDRE GAVE HIM THE WRONG DIRECTIONS AND OFF HE WENT.  I KNOW THIS BECAUSE OUR HEAD SERVER, RONALD, BROUGHT HIM BACK IN TEARS.  ONCE HE WAS ABLE TO TELL WHAT HAPPENED, RONALD WOULDN'T LET ME TAKE HIM.  HE INSISTED I LET HIM "HANDLE HIS SMILES".  AND YES, I DID CALL ANDRE OUT ON THE CARPET FOR THAT ONE.  HMMMMM, HE WAS STRANGELY MORE ATTENTIVE AFTER THAT.  AT THE END OF OUR MEAL THEY BROUGHT 3 BIRTHDAY DESSERTS TO THE GRANDMOTHER, GRANDDAUGHTER, AND SINGLE MOMS DAUGHTER TO SING.  NONE HAD BIRTHDAYS AND ONE WAS SICK AS A DOG.  NOT A GREAT FIRST NIGHT FOR ANDRE.  WE ALL MADE A GREAT JOKE OUT OF IT JUST THE SAME.
     MY SON WAS THE ONLY KID NOT TO ORDER OFF OF THE KIDS MENU.  HE HAD: THE GOLDEN & RED BEET CARPACCIO APPETIZER.  THE ROMAINE WEDGE WITH CREAMY ROMANO DRESSING AND HOMEMADE SPICY CROUTON SALAD.  THE ROASTED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH SMOKED SALT AND THE BANANAS FOSTER SUNDAE WITH CARAMEL SAUCE FOR DESERT.
     I HAD: THE LOBSTER RAVIOLI IN LIGHT TOMATO BROTH APPETIZER.  THE BABY SPINACH SALAD WITH PEARS, PINE NUTS & GORGONZOLA CHEESE.  THE NY STRIP STEAK (MEDIUM) WITH THYME ROASTED VEGETABLES AND TWICE BAKED POTATO.  FOR DESERT I HAD THE NO-SUGAR SILKY DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH WHIPPED CREAM AND BERRIES.
     MY SON LOVED EVERY COURSE OF HIS MEAL.  HIS SALAD WAS A LITTLE BETTER THAN MINE.  BOTH MAINS WERE GREAT, AND I PICKED THE SUGARLESS DESERT ONLY BECAUSE IT SOUNDED GOOD.  YOU'D NEVER KNOW IT WAS SUGAR FREE.  IT WAS PHENOMENAL.
     AFTER DINNER WE WENT TO CHECK OUT THE OCEANEERS CLUB AND LAB.  MY SON GOT HIS LO-JACK BRACELET FINALLY, IN SECONDS MIND YOU.  SO WE WALKED AROUND AND LOOKED AROUND AND CHECKED THINGS OUT AND VIDEO TAPED OUR TOUR.  THE KIDS CLUBS ARE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.  I COULD SPEND A CRUISE IN THERE.  REALLY.  IF YOU'RE KID'S NOT SHY YOU HAVE NO PROBLEM.  IF THEY ARE, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS MENTION IT TO THE COUNSELORS COMING IN AND BE SPECIFIC AS TO WHAT THEY NEED OR WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING OR HOPING FOR.  THEY'RE EXTREMELY ACCOMODATING.  WE LEFT THE 50 OR SO CANDY-FILLED EGGS WE HAD LEFT WITH THE STAFF THERE AND THEY SAID THEY'D GIVE THEM TO THE MANAGER.  I WAS REALLY HOPING THEY WOULD JUST SO SOMETHING WOULD HAPPEN WITH THEM.  AND IT TURNS OUT THE NEXT NIGHT AN EASTER EGG HUNT APPEARED ON THE NAVIGATOR IN THE CLUBS!
     IT WAS ALMOST TIME FOR THE LATE SHOWING OF "THE GOLDEN MICKEYS", SO WE WENT BACK DOWN TO THE LOBBY AND STOPPED BY GUEST SERVICES AGAIN.  WHEN THEY LOOKED UP OUR ROOM AND PROBLEM, BEING COY SO MY SON DOESN'T FIGURE OUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HIS BIRTHDAY PRESENT, HE GOES IN THE BACK.  TAH DAH.  A NEW MANAGER COMES OUT AND SAYS, "THIS IS THE FIRST I'M HEARING ABOUT IT, I'LL LOOK INTO IT FOR YOU."  I LAUGH, SMILE AND SAY THANKS.  WHAT AM I GONNA DO, RIGHT?  WE SAT FRONT AND CENTER IN THE BALCONY FOR THE GOLDEN MICKEYS.  IT WAS CUTE AND WELL DONE.  GREAT STAGE THEATRICS AND TRICKS OF DEPTH AND LIGHTING.  I THOUGHT SOME OF THE SONG CHOICES IN IT WERE A LITTLE ODD, OR OUT OF PLACE, BUT THAT'S JUST ME.  I ENJOYED IT JUST THE SAME AND MY SON LIKED IT THE MOST OF ANY OF THE 3 STAGE SHOWS.
     BY THE TIME THE SHOW WAS OVER, THE SHIP WAS REALLY ROCKING.  IT STARTED TOWARD THE END OF DINNER AND PROGRESSED A BIT.  AGAIN I HAVE NO POINT OF REFERENCE HAVING NEVER CRUISED BEFORE, BUT THERE WERE A LOT OF GREEN FACES AROUND.  THE SEAS DIDN'T LOOK THAT ROUGH TO ME, BUT WE WERE GOING 20 KNOTS, SO I'M SURE THAT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT.  IT DIDN'T HELP THAT 2 OF THE LAST 3 NIGHTS I DIDN'T SLEEP MUCH AND ONE OF THEM I WAS DRINKING.  TWO OF THE TOP TIPS I READ TO AVOID SEA SICKNESS WERE TO GET LOTS OF SLEEP FOR AT LEAST 3 DAYS PRIOR AND BE PLENTIFULLY HYDRATED.  DRINK LOTS OF WATER.  WHOOPS.  WHILE I WASN'T SICK.  IT KIND OF FELT LIKE A HANGOVER.  A LITTLE LIGHT HEADED.  A LITTLE HOLLOW.  A LITTLE HEADACHE.  OF COURSE WE WERE REALLY TIRED BY NOW, AND MY SON'S DAY IN THE SUN WAS TURNING INTO A SUNBURN NOW. 
     WE GOT BACK TO OUR ROOM AND FOUND AN ADORABLE EASTER BUNNY TOWEL ANIMAL ON THE BED WEARING MY SON'S SUNGLASSES. http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137808826028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ THE ROOM WAS IMMACULATE AND THE SOFA BED WAS MADE UP. http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3508695028/PictureID=137809780028/a=5215424028_5215424028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ I WAS ACTUALLY A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THAT SINCE MY SON DIDN'T WANT TO SLEEP IN AN UPPER BERTH BED.  HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT FALLING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.  lol  I LOTIONED HIM UP AND PUT HIM TO BED.  I TRIED TO GET A LITTLE MORE UNPACKING AND ORGANIZING DONE.  THEN I DECIDED TO DELIVER 2 OF OUR 6 FISH EXTENDER GIFTS SINCE MY SON WAS ALREADY ASLEEP.  PLUS IT HELPED ME LEARN A LITTLE MORE OF THE LAY OF THE SHIP WALKING AROUND A BIT.
     THE FORWARD PART OF DECK 5 WHERE WE WERE WAS ALWAYS EXTREMELY QUIET.  NO NOISE FROM ANYTHING NEAR BY IN THE HALLS.  THE WALLS ON THE OTHER HAND WERE SOMETHING ELSE.  I'VE NEVER SAILED AND I'M NOT AN ENGINEER SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS NEAR US, BUT THERE WAS PLENTY OF STUFF TO HEAR THROUGH THE NIGHT FOR THE LIGHT SLEEPER LIKE ME.  MY SON ON THE OTHER HAND NEVER HEARD ANYTHING, EVER, THE WHOLE TRIP.  SO I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU SLEEP, BUT BE PREPARED IF YOU THINK IT COULD AFFECT YOU.
     NEXT UP:  NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS.