27 May

Day 3 – Cruise Day!

 

Cruise day!!

Lately, I’ve had a bad habit of waking up early and having plenty of time to get ready, then completely losing track of time and rushing all over at the end! I did this in NYC too! 

So, we were up, talking, getting ready, and all of a sudden I looked at the clock and realized I was supposed to be downstairs!! Ack!

I threw the last few things in the suitcase and we went down to the DME pick up.

Made it!!

I hugged Kris goodbye and told her I was so glad she invited me! And I was!   🙂

I took DME back to the airport because that’s where Stephen, Ally and my parents were. They had all arrived the night before and spent the night at the Hyatt.  The rest of the family (including Chase who was riding down with BIL) was driving and staying in various hotels in Port Canaveral.

When I arrived, Stephen and Ally were just sitting down in the food court and Dad and Mom came shortly after. We ate some donuts and then walked down to catch our transfers.

We decided to be chill today. I was the first person in the terminal last time we did the transfers from the airport, and that was crazy exciting. But I’d done that and today I knew my sister wasn’t getting to the terminal until noon so there was no reason to stress out and be first.

We sat down in some chairs near the line and relaxed. 

The line started moving a few minutes later and I jumped up. I mean, I was chill, but the line was moving. I wasn’t crazy!

We were on the second bus. That went against my nature.  But chill.  Chill.

We were on! Bus selfie!

My parents were trying desperately to take a selfie with their iPad and Ally and I were cracking up. They could not figure out how to do it. Dad’s thumb kept getting in the picture. Seriously, we were dying.

Bus selfie fail:

We arrived at the terminal at 10:15! Woo hoo!

My brother in law and fam were there, but they were holding the hotel shuttles out front until 10:30. The terminal was still pretty empty.

Stephen, Ally and I went to the Platinum Castaway Club check in because, well, we could.

After checking in we went right to check on an upgrade. They only had concierge for $2000. Okay. Never mind!

Boarding group #1!! Winnah winnah!!

We knew we had a long wait, so we claimed our spot and started waiting for the rest of the fam!

Brother-in-law and family were next! Then my in-laws and Chase! Yay!

When BIL and fam brought Chase down from Nashville, they dropped him off at the in-laws hotel so he was with them. My sister was at a third hotel and couldn’t get an early shuttle time. When Chase came we attacked him with hugs and then I took him back to the check in so he could show his face and get his key.

Then we waited.

And waited.

I cannot tell you how painful it was to listen to boarding group 1 be called and not get on. And then group 2, and on, and on, and on.

My word we were in open boarding. See the screen back there? It says “Open Boarding”.

I’ve never actually seen the terminal in open boarding!! I’ve heard this happens, but I’ve never experienced it!! I didn’t like it!! Lol

Finally, my sister and her fam were here! Look! Joy all around!

After we boarded we were told Carioca’s was full and we should go upstairs. We nodded yes and went to Carioca’s.

At Carioca’s they told us the wait would be at least 30 minutes and we said that was fine. And we were seated approximately 90 seconds later. Food!!

Cousins!

After eating, the kids disappeared and I wanted to show Stephen the updated kids club, so some of us went that way. The atrium was decorated!

Love the update!

Vibe:

Our room was ready after that! Woot! I took pictures later.

We dropped off our carry-ons and got ready for a family reception we had planned. For some reason the chocolate covered strawberries were delivered to our room instead of O’Gills, where the reception was, so we grabbed those and brought them with us.

We found the kids in Fathoms.

It was time for the reception! Woohoo! Our family being full of non-drinkers, we had planned a smoothie reception!

The smoothies were delicious and for some reason I didn’t take any pictures of them or the food platters. I guess I was too busy eating and talking!

We had a special guest at our reception! Lookie!

We lined up for all kinds of photos. Unfortunately, Mickey’s handler stuck us in the darkest area of O’Gills and I was without my flash. These pictures are not good. So, ignore the quality and look at the fun.

All Whitings:

The ‘rents:

All Preslars (my maiden name) or formerly Preslars or married to Preslars or descended from Preslars:

All the cousins:

After we finished all the groups I asked Mickey if I could take some pics of him in a better lighted area. And then I discovered the problem. Mickey couldn’t be anywhere where there might be a pub sign or bar in the background. Ohhhhh! Shoot!

Why didn’t someone warn me when I picked the reception location!

I guess they weren’t thinking pictures, but really, when Mickey is involved that should be everyone’s first thought!

Okay, this wasn’t great, but we could make it work.

The girls wanted another shot with Mickey.

They’re so cool.

The grandmoms are waiting:

One of the granddads was snoozing!

Well that was fun! After we were stuffed beyond belief, we went to the room to unpack!

Woohoo! A new CC gift! I took this on my phone for Instagram:

We unpacked a little and then went up to our lifeboat drill and the sailaway party. Party time!

We moved over to the side of the ship when we started moving.

Sailaway selfie!

Sadly, the webcam never zoomed in so no one took our picture!

Goodbye, Port Canaveral!

It was almost dinner time so we ran downstairs to change and then met everyone at Animators. My nephew cracked me up at dinner.

Our server was learning everyone’s names and he said,”Carter?”

And Carter said, “Yes, me! It’s pronounced – Spider. Man.”

Lol!

Appetizers!

Mine!

Showtime!

Dessert!

We decided to go to the show and then Mickey Mania game next. I think we went shopping first.

When we came out, we saw the girls across the way in line. With more food!!! Whaaaa?? We just ate! Lol

We didn’t get picked to be onstage sadly. We would have won of course.

I went upstairs to get some Coke Zero (which is on tap on the Magic now if I haven’t rejoiced enough!!!) and afterwards, and I may have picked up some pizza to go with it. I walked around with my sister-in-law for a little while and then we said goodnight and went to bed!

The kids came in pretty late, I was asleep. Key West tomorrow!

 

It’s a Very Merry Thanksgiving Indeed! – November 20-30, 2014
Day 1 – Luggage Problems Galore
Day 2 – D23 
Day 3 – Cruise Day!
Day 4 – Key West For the First Time! 
Day 5 – Sea Day and Formal Night 
Day 6 – Stingray City
Day 7 – Thanksgiving in Cozumel
Day 8 – Palo Brunch Day
Day 9 – Castaway, Baby!