Disney Wonder cruise to the Mexican Riviera - Day 2
“Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple.” - Woody Guthrie
Working to make the confusing understandable, and the simple...well, you figure out the rest.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Video from when we were departing Los Angeles on March 13th. There is a treat for Disney fans about 0:58 into the video.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Post-Cruise illness
Well, my oldest son has come down with Strep throat, a sinus/ear infection and his asthma is acting up. Seems that he had too much fun on the cruise. Thanks to modern medicine, he will be good as new in no time.
Day 5 - Lost At Sea?
Dear diary,
I fear we are lost. We spent the morning floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Finally the Captain figured out which button started the engines and we are now cruising along at about 500 feet per hour. We’re just barely making headway.
One of the officers was explaining it in the Cove Cafe this morning. He said that we cannot be close to Cabo when we do the fireworks. Oh, did I forget to mention that the Pirates in the Caribbean show is tonight?
So, we are basically cruising in large leisurely circles in the mouth of the Gulf of California. The seas are mostly calm, with a gentle roll to them.
It’s now 1:30pm ship’s time and I’m sitting in the Outlook Lounge, overlooking the Quiet Cove pool. This is what I am looking at.
About 60deg off the starboard side, I can see mountains on the distant horizon. There is a light haze on the horizon and some whispy clouds in the sky, but it is a perfect day to be on the water.
I am seeing a LOT of people sporting sunburns from yesterday in PV. There were a lot of people who took advantage of beach excursions, but did not appear to have taken advantage of sunscreen, Two little girls at dinner last night were trying to use ice packs to cool their burned faces down. Poor, unhappy kids.
A little while ago, there was a gathering of Princesses in the lobby atrium. The line started forming about 11:45 for a 12:15 appearance. It snaked across the lobby and down the hallway past Triton’s and into the Art Gallery. About 12:00, Cruise Director Clayton, the ultimate SCM, came by and handed out “guaranteed photo” tickets to the first half of the line. He said that if we wanted to leave the line, as long as we were back by the end of the appearance, about 12:30, we would be guaranteed a photo with each princess. I don’t think anybody left the line.
SCMs came around and handed out cookies, and we all waited. There is a lot to be said of Disney Magic, when a little girl who is a bit tired, probably hungry from not having lunch yet, and really not into standing patiently, starts jumping up and down and cheering when she sees a Disney Princess approach.
When the Princesses came down the stairs, there were a LOT of excited smiles on the girls in line, both young and old. DW had her picture taken with Tiana, Belle, Ariel, Cinderella and Snow White. Now she is only missing Lilo and Stitch.
Since the ship is only making headway (barely moving) the stabilizers are not engaged. There is a very slow side to side roll with the ocean waves. I’m watching the water in the QC pool move from side to side, and a bit of front-to-back motion as well. We’re moving a little faster now, probably to combat the motion some.
Later this afternoon, we are going to watch “Gnomeo and Juliet” in 3D and then “Mars Needs Moms”, the new Disney movie, also in “Disney Digital 3D,” whatever that means.
We’re back from the movies, and dinner. “Gnomeo & Juliet” is really cute. The first two photos are in the Buena Vista Theater, before ”Gnomeo & Juliet” started. “Mars Needs Moms” is a feel-good movie that will bring a tear to your eye, like any good Disney movie should. We also had a meeting with Pirate Minnie, so DW had another photo taken.
I have seen a few 3D movies over the years, but the Disney Digital 3D is the best technology I’ve seen. It was awesome watching, even if you have to wear the glasses.
I want to take a minute and talk about the Pirates menu tonight. I was very unhappy with it. I ordered the Steak. It was more like a thick slice of roast beef, and it came with some sort of potato-like thing that didn’t taste good. I ordered a side of the Captain Jack BBQ Spare Ribs, and the sauce was horrible I had one bite, and left the rest on the table. DW had seafood pasta and she said that it was good, so that’s something.
I captured a so-so picture of another DISBoard cruiser in the WD Theatre, before “Mars Needs Moms” started. And we snapped some photos of our servers in their pirate attire, too.
So far, except for dinner tonight, everything has been wonderful. Tomorrow we are back in Cabo, and it’s the Captain’s Gala, and Semi-Formal night. I don’t think we’re going to stay up for the Pirates show and fire works tonight, though. DS11 will go to the show with The Edge crew, though.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Transition
I am currently posting my trip report at disboards.com. However, I’m thinking about continuing them right here on tumblr. Now sure yet. Or I might post them in both places.
I’m just concerned about character limits that tumblr might have for postings. Need to do some research.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Finally made it home
Thanks to a couple of extra stops for lunch and restrooms, and an hour delay in construction traffic west of Phoenix, we finally made it home about 8pm.
We were VERY disappointed that there was nobody here to seat us for our 8:15 dinner seating. I guess we will adapt back to the real world.
I’m editing photos and hope to have the first couple of days online sometime tonight!
Cell signal!
Despite a 28knot headwind and 12ft seas, we are only going to be a couple of hours late getting back to port. We were supposed to be there by 7am, but we’re still outside the outer breakwater. I can see the lights of the port, so we’re getting there.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Posting...
Once we check out of our hotel this morning, any additional posts from Departure Day will come via Smartphone camera postings, until I can find a Internet Hot Spot in Cabo on Tuesday, or Puerto Vallarta on Wednesday…or cough up the money to get online on the ship.
I plan to take a LOT of photos of the port facilities as well as the ship. I even brought my media credentials in case someone wants to give me a hard time about photos.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
San Pedro Fish Market
Eating great fresh seafood and listening to aweful kariokee (as soon as they learn to sing, I’ll spell it right.)
Temporary home...
We made it to the hotel for the night. Now we’re headed out in a few minutes for an afternoon of fun.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Live Video Feed from KHON in Hawaii
Watching the live feed from Hawaii, praying for little or no damage from the tsunami. The video from Japan is just heartbreaking.
Live Video Feed from KHON in Hawaii
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Pre-cruise sickness
I’m working my way through allergies and Yessi came home tonight with a fever. Not good.
Sick or not, we’ll be there on Sunday! We’ll bring a carry-on full of Allegra if we have to.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Do I really need to bring this?
I’ve decided to toss the laptop into the pile to take with us. Rather than purchase extra memory cards for the cameras, it’ll be easier to offload them to the computer every day or so and keep on going.
And, I’m sure I’ll be up a night since I’m used to working nights. That will give me an excuse to find a corner somewhere and edit photos, etc.
Or work on them while my most-beautiful wife prepares herself for a royal appearance at dinner each night.
Anybody missing a giraffe?
We went to Ross looking for ONE additional suitcase for our cruise. We came home with a matching set of 360deg spinner giraffes. I watched them for quite a while last night, and I swear I saw one of them move.
I guess they won’t be hard to spot on the baggage carousel the next time we fly anywhere.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Final weekend day to pack.
While I still have Tomorrow off, as a family we only have today off together. DW and I are off Friday, but not the kiddos.
So, after a quick nap for me (after working all night), we’re heading out for the final clothes shopping, returns/replacements, and the Fish Extender last minute items.
I need to pull together a “Don’t Forget” list. Any ideas?
Sunscreen- Cameras w/chargers
- Spare SD cards
- Binoculars (if I can find them)
Extra suitcase- Etc.
Goodbye to Mariner of the Seas!
On January 16th, we were at San Pedro eating dinner when RCCL’s Mariner of the Seas made her final departure from the Port of Los Angeles.
Graphics and photos leading up to departure
This is the Picasa site I use to store my photos. I’m pretty sure I’ll max it out within the first couple of days.
Graphics and photos leading up to departure
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Set-Up
I had a blogger.com site setup, but I think this will work better for our cruise.
We are leaving on a 7 night Mexican Riviera cruise next Sunday, and this is where we will post photos and update what’s going on when we can.