http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/ en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:35:31 GMT vBulletin 120 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/ http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-your-adventure-disney-cruise-reports/209027-imaginationsetfrees-amazing-solo-cruise-ptr.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:30:49 GMT Hi, everyone! I (finally) booked my cruise last night, so I thought I'd get the excitement going with a pre-trip report! I'm so excited! The cast of characters is as follows:

Me: Imaginationsetfree. 26 years old and lover of all things Disney. :wave:

And...that's it! The idea for this solo trip has evolved over quite some time, so I'm so excited that I'm actually booked and planning everything! I took my first solo trip to Disney World last year - I decided that after having a pretty tough year that I needed a chance to get away from everyday life. So, I took a glorious two week trip to Disney World. I was a little apprehensive at first, but I couldn't have been happier that I did it. I loved doing what I wanted, whenever I wanted! It was exactly what I needed. Once I got back, I started daydreaming about my next Disney trip (hey, it's the only thing that can get me through my post-Disney blues!).

Originally, my sister (who is a former cast member and came with me a few years ago on my first Disney trip in 15 years) and I had tossed up the idea of doing a land and sea Disney vacation sometime in 2010. We had talked about it, but it ended up not working out. I had done a lot of cruise research, so I still considered doing it. I was a little more apprehensive about cruising alone - I wasn't sure if that was going a little too far out of my comfort zone by doing it. But I thought a lot about my previous solo trip, and also had a good conversation with a friend who has done TONS of solo travelling. His basic advice was "If you really want to do something, you have to be willing to do it yourself. It's the only way you will truly get to see and do everything you want in life."

I took his advice, and started "pre-planning" my Disney cruise solo trip. I did a lot of research, and finally decided that (a) I wanted to travel sometime during the winter (because the Caribbean is so much more appealing when it's freezing cold!) and (b) that I wanted to take the Western Caribbean cruise. Going on that, I decided on the February 20, 2010 Western Caribbean cruise. I also decided that I wanted to take a week following the cruise, and spend it in Disney World. (hey, if I'm travelling solo, I want to do EVERYTHING!)

The next challenge was facing the fact that I knew exactly what I wanted, but had to wait to book. My work has us "bid" for time off, meaning that I had to wait to be sure my time off would be approved before I could cast anything in stone. I am NOT a patient person, so I tried my hardest to wait while in the meantime keeping myself occupied reading the trip reports here.

Finally, I got the glorious email from work - PTO bidding had opened up, and before I knew it, I had my time off for the cruise approved! I have to wait a bit longer before I find out if the week after the cruise is approved, but I decided that I would take the cruise regardless of whether or not I can take the week in WDW afterwards. I emailed Tammy (from Kingdom Konsultants who was AMAZINGLY helpful!) and before I knew it, I was booked! February 20, Western Caribbean, cat. 12 stateroom. Wheeeeeeeee!!!!!! :woot:

So, now that the big planning/booking is out of the way, there's lots of little planning still to do. Here's what's coming up:

Palo reservation: Another bit of overcoming the "should I do ____ as a solo traveler?" I was a bit concerned that the atmosphere of Palo would be a bit too sophisticated and romantic for me alone. After thinking, I decided that if I can get a reservation I'm going to go for it. A solo trip is not for deciding whether or not you should do something - it's for DOING what you want! :waytogo:

Shore excursions:

Key West: no plans to book anything here - I want to do some sightseeing, but it's all stuff I can do on my own. I plan to visit the Southernmost Point, the Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum (I love lighthouses), and also plan on stopping in to the Hard Rock Cafe to add a pin to my collection.

Cozumel: I'm tossing up a few ideas here. I started thinking about XCaret, but decided against it. Now I'm thinking about just doing the beach break and a little shopping. I'm thinking it would be nice to get off the ship for a bit any enjoy the beach, but also get back to the ship early enough to enjoy it during the slower time.

Grand Cayman Island: Dolphin extreme swim.

Castaway Cay: Cataway Cay 5k (I'm a new runner, working through a "Couch to 5k" program), and then just looking to relax -chill out at Serenity Bay, get float rental, etc.

Thanks for everyone who's still reading! Stay tuned to find out if I get all my Palo/Shore excursions booked, and if I end up with week 2 in WDW! ]]> Sharing Your Adventure: Disney Cruise Reports Imaginationsetfree http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-your-adventure-disney-cruise-reports/209027-imaginationsetfrees-amazing-solo-cruise-ptr.html http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-your-adventure-disney-cruise-reports/208905-22nd-anniversary-walt-disney-world-wonder-11-5-11-8-trip-report.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:45:30 GMT Hi all!
We had a great time on our 7 day Disney World stay and 3 night Disney Magic cruise on November 5th.

Cast:
Steve (me) 46, Pat (DW) 52


Occasion: Wedding anniversary.


We started planning this vacation back in April. We had not been to WDW since 1998, though we had been to DL and California Adventure a couple of times since then. We started thinking about how long we would like to cruise, and how long we would like to stay at WDW. Since we hadn't been on a cruise since cruising with RCL to Mexico in 2004, we decided on a 3 day short cruise to get our feet wet for cruising. We purchased the Passporter guides to Disney World, and the guide for Disney Cruises. These were invaluable to our planning. We also found out about discounted Disney Park Hopper passes from Undercover Tourist via Mousesavers.com. Isn't the Internet a wonderful thing?

Since I had three weeks of vacation to burn, and Pat has always wanted to see the Riverwalk in San Antonio, we decided to get in the car and drive from AZ to Florida. We would spend the first five days at WDW, get on the ship for three days, and then spend another two days at WDW before we returned. We both were excited about the road trip, since we hadn't done a cross country trip in 22 years of marriage. It would be a chance to see parts of the country you don't see from a plane. :)

It took us 3 days to get across country, during which we encountered snow in El Paso, 83 degree temps in Beaumont, TX, and driving sheets of rain in Louisiana. So, as you can see, we got all kinds of weather.

Day 1 - Downtown Disney
We arrived in WDW around 2:00 and checked into our room at the Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort. We have stayed at the Carribean Beach twice in the past, but decided to stay at the Best Western this time. We stayed on the 12th floor, and had a great view of Downtown Disney from our balcony. We decided to rest for awhile, and made the trek to Downtown Disney later that evening. First mistake: It was Halloween, and every family from the Orlando area must have been there to go trick-or-treating. It was a zoo! Also, it was very hot and humid. Being from the desert, humidity is not something we are used to.

We looked around the shops, but the crowds and heat were getting to us.
I spotted the tent for Cirque Du Soleil - La Nouba. We figured, why not? It was amazing! Those of you who have seen it know what I am talking about. After the Cirque performance, we returned to our room, viewing Downtown Disney from our balcony, and got ready for Day 2 at Epcot. ]]> Sharing Your Adventure: Disney Cruise Reports KSSteve http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-your-adventure-disney-cruise-reports/208905-22nd-anniversary-walt-disney-world-wonder-11-5-11-8-trip-report.html http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-your-adventure-disney-cruise-reports/208898-cruising-winter-wonderland-ptr-updated-11-19-a.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:31:21 GMT

Cruising in a Winter WONDERland

Who:

Iamgrumpy- myself aka Amy my 2nd cruise (1st on the Wonder) my first cruise was in 2006 on the Magic doing the Eastern Caribbean. Addicted to Cruising news, info, and endless dreams of cruising occur almost daily.

Qvcnut55- my mom aka Angela her 2nd cruise (1st on the Wonder) her first cruise was also 2006 same as me and she is almost as bad as I am in terms of wanting to cruise if not worse. It took her less then 20 seconds to say yes to cruising again!

Here we are I'm on the Left and Mom is on the right This Photo was from our 1st Cruise...


So now that you know WHO is going... Probably want to know When... I'll give you the dates and then I can explain the back story of how we got to these dates!

December 6th on the Wonder!

First, let me start off and say a BIG Thank you to my Travel Agent Marisa because without her, I'm sure DCL would have banned me from making any more changes about 495,000 changes ago! :thanks: :D I usually say that I can plan things on my own but Cruising is a different kind of trip and I can say I am so glad I have had her assistance along the way!

Now in 2006 we had a fantastic time on the Magic it was our first ever cruise and it was a 7 night Eastern and we both still talk about that cruise almost daily! We chat up the cruise anytime we can and we often drive down to Port Canaveral just to watch the ships sail out because we yearn to be onboard the ship (doesn't matter which one, as long as we could be on one)

We booked onboard the Magic for a future cruise and left hoping to be back in 2008, we moved the cruise from 2007's dummy date to 2008's Panama Canal Cruise, unfortunately (fortunately too) we postponed because we moved to Florida. We changed it to a 4 night cruise with a 3 night bounceback cruise but with my lack of work, we decided to go with a 7 day Tortola Cruise in May 2009 instead. Well, again still no job so we postponed for 2010 instead :( This was turning into the Cruise to nowhere, nowhen either. We planned a back to back cruise for Dec 2010 instead but when we heard about the 2011 Panama Canal Cruise we changed to that instead. Well DCL always changing, and us habitual changers, we decided the price was far to much and changed to the Dream in July 2011 (which we plan to do or at least a Cruise on the dream in 2011) but a week after booking the Dream (which we thought was the last change) and being depressed that we would have to wait 2 more years something Magical happened....

I got chosen to host a Disney Cruise House Party, I invited a great friend and her family to Jetty Park and we watched the Magic Sail out, we had a Disney Cruise Day, I found Magic I think I lost along the way by living so close to WDW in her kids, something I could never repay them for no matter how much I try. :thanks: Judi and Family!

Well, by Sunday I was near tears at the thought of 2011 as our cruise date. We had moved, changed, so many times it felt as if we would never cruise. I say Sunday as in this past Sunday 11/15/2009. I looked at mom and said "I have 4 nights off in december that work perfect for a 4 night cruise on the wonder, we could change our 2011 cruise to December 6th, then rebook on board for 2011 and still get the discount and OBC for 2011 too wanna go"

Well 20 seconds later I was trying to reach Marisa and by 10am Monday we were confirmed on the December 6th Sailing for the Disney Wonder and we leave in 19 Days!

We booked a Cat 6 Stateroom Midship with a Clear Verandah, and we have 2nd dining. Which is what we would have booked if we booked months ago :woot: I think the Magic was sprinkled on us! This will be our first Wonder Cruise and the first during the holiday Season so we will get to see the Islands all dressed up and the ship all decked out for the Holiday Season!!!

We can't get any Palo Reservations but that is ok, and we will not be doing any excursions but will splurge on the Spa, and maybe a few Drink of the Days!

So with 19 Days, no prior planning Only changes, and a Chronic Changer planning this stay tuned!

]]> Sharing Your Adventure: Disney Cruise Reports iamgrumpy http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-your-adventure-disney-cruise-reports/208898-cruising-winter-wonderland-ptr-updated-11-19-a.html http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-your-adventure-disney-cruise-reports/208121-if-only-i-can-make-until-christmas-pre-trip-report.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:35:45 GMT We weren’t supposed to cruise again in 2009. Especially me; I’ve already been twice this year. And we weren’t supposed to be out of town over Christmas. We were supposed to be camping at Fort Wilderness between Christmas and New Year’s, doing a “late night, heavy crowds, every EMH night we could, as many fireworks as possible” trip. Our kids, DS14 and DD13, were really looking forward to a more teen-oriented schedule (read: getting to sleep in!).:rofl: I spent hours planning our camping trip, had all my ADRs set, day-by-day plans – we were READY! I was a little worried about my energy level headed into it. In September, I picked up a few more hours at work, so I now work the full 40+ hours most folks do. While it was only 5 hours more per week, it makes a big difference! DH was having to adjust to doing more of the kid-related activities (mostly sports and medical appointments), they were all adjusting to Mom not doing all the cooking, and I was adjusting to not being the one who single-handedly orchestrated the family calendar! Plus, in August, DS injured his ankle at soccer tryouts. What was originally diagnosed as a badly sprained ankle became, 4 weeks later, a broken ankle. Minimum of 2 ½ months on crutches.:shocked: But still – we were all excited about our Fort Wilderness trip! I have been looking forward to camping there at Christmas since we got our camper 4 years ago. It’ll be great, right? Right! Then came the biggest curve ball. DH was driving home on his Harley when a car pulled out in front of him, not 30 feet away. His choices were to lay the bike down or hit the car and fly over it. He chose right – he laid it down. And broke three ribs and his right collar bone. We are extremely thankful that it was not much worse! But it is bad. Ten-to-twelve weeks of bad. Week twelve? You guessed it. Christmas. I’ve sworn to myself that I am not going to whine through this time of trial. I am not by nature a whiner. (My children learned very young not to whine. I have no patience for it; instead of getting what they wanted, they got reminded rather sharply to snap out of it!) It’s actually a testament of how difficult this all is for me that I have to remind myself not to whine.:nono: So, I can’t share details about what all I have to do. Not because they’re private, but because I’ll end up whining! It’s another testament of how difficult this all is that, four days after DH’s accident, I told him I wanted to cancel Fort Wilderness.:jawdrop: Camping is great, camping is wonderful, I love being able to bring my “second home” on vacation. . .but camping is also work. Work that I usually love. But there is one thing I definitely don’t need any more of in my life right now – WORK! And a vacation that involves work stops being a vacation. DH didn’t want to cancel. He wanted to believe that he would be better enough to shoulder his part of the work (pun intended). He knew I was serious when I told him I was at least equally worried about myself as about him. I think, by the time we reach the end of his 10-12 week recovery, I am going to be exhausted. So, we decide to cancel. Does it get any sadder than this? :cry2: We weren’t supposed to cruise again in 2009. Especially me; I’ve already been twice this year. And we weren’t supposed to be out of town over Christmas. We were supposed to be camping at Fort Wilderness between Christmas and New Year’s, doing a “late night, heavy crowds, every EMH night we could, as many fireworks as possible” trip. Our kids, DS14 and DD13, were really looking forward to a more teen-oriented schedule (read: getting to sleep in!).:rofl: I spent hours planning our camping trip, had all my ADRs set, day-by-day plans – we were READY!

I was a little worried about my energy level headed into it. In September, I picked up a few more hours at work, so I now work the full 40+ hours most folks do. While it was only 5 hours more per week, it makes a big difference! DH was having to adjust to doing more of the kid-related activities (mostly sports and medical appointments), they were all adjusting to Mom not doing all the cooking, and I was adjusting to not being the one who single-handedly orchestrated the family calendar!

Plus, in August, DS injured his ankle at soccer tryouts. What was originally diagnosed as a badly sprained ankle became, 4 weeks later, a broken ankle. Minimum of 2 ½ months on crutches.:shocked:

But still – we were all excited about our Fort Wilderness trip! I have been looking forward to camping there at Christmas since we got our camper 4 years ago. It’ll be great, right? Right!

Then came the biggest curve ball.

DH was driving home on his Harley when a car pulled out in front of him, not 30 feet away. His choices were to lay the bike down or hit the car and fly over it. He chose right – he laid it down. And broke three ribs and his right collar bone. We are extremely thankful that it was not much worse! But it is bad. Ten-to-twelve weeks of bad. Week twelve? You guessed it. Christmas.

I’ve sworn to myself that I am not going to whine through this time of trial. I am not by nature a whiner. (My children learned very young not to whine. I have no patience for it; instead of getting what they wanted, they got reminded rather sharply to snap out of it!) It’s actually a testament of how difficult this all is for me that I have to remind myself not to whine.:nono:

So, I can’t share details about what all I have to do. Not because they’re private, but because I’ll end up whining!

It’s another testament of how difficult this all is that, four days after DH’s accident, I told him I wanted to cancel Fort Wilderness.:jawdrop: Camping is great, camping is wonderful, I love being able to bring my “second home” on vacation. . .but camping is also work. Work that I usually love. But there is one thing I definitely don’t need any more of in my life right now – WORK! And a vacation that involves work stops being a vacation.

DH didn’t want to cancel. He wanted to believe that he would be better enough to shoulder his part of the work (pun intended). He knew I was serious when I told him I was at least equally worried about myself as about him. I think, by the time we reach the end of his 10-12 week recovery, I am going to be exhausted.

So, we decide to cancel. Does it get any sadder than this? :cry2: ]]> Sharing Your Adventure: Disney Cruise Reports gzmtlock http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-your-adventure-disney-cruise-reports/208121-if-only-i-can-make-until-christmas-pre-trip-report.html http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-your-adventure-disney-cruise-reports/207760-moms-first-taste-cruising-mouse-updated-11-14-a.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:49:44 GMT Cast of Characters: Mom (1st Disney cruise) and Me! When: October 22 – 25, 2009 Ship: Disney Wonder This trip was seven months in the planning after a morning conversation between Russ and me. One morning he woke up and asked, “What are your goals in life?” If you know Russ, you will realize this is not an unusual question coming from him. Of course, the first thing I blurted out was, “Spending more time with Mom!” I guess the past several years with her cancer and then near-fatal car crash have me realizing my time with her is precious. Not to mention, I’m insanely jealous every time I call and either she is at my sister’s or vice versa! When she moved closer to both of the sisters I knew they would have so many opportunities to spend time together – I guess I just didn’t realize how I would long to have the same opportunities. But, I digress. Anyway, Russ asked the question, I gave him my answer, and five hours later Russ had Mom and me booked on a Disney cruise and Mom’s flights in and out of Jacksonville were all set! I love my hubby!!! The cruise was paid off immediately so there was no question at the 90-day mark I could make our Palo reservation. In addition I booked a Castaway Ray Stingray Adventure, which we eventually bagged. Mom had a hard enough time just tapping the very top of our cats’ heads! Poor thing is just not comfortable around animals. I should mention here our original booking was for a category 12 inside stateroom. The intention was to upgrade us to an oceanview stateroom, which as the cruise drew closer I wasn’t absolutely certain was going to happen. It seems our cruise had been long sold out (with the occasional availability scattered in here and there); a large FSU alumni group was also booked for our sailing. Ack! (Time to get the Miami backpack out!) Around the third week in August we received a call from DCL asking if we would like to upgrade our stateroom to an oceanview for $99 total. You bet we do! I jumped on the offer and started plotting the next upgrade – to a verandah! Our current stateroom assignment though – 2100. So, October finally rolls around and we picked Mom up from the Jax airport Wednesday evening. Her flight was completely full, and her window seat on the return flight didn’t seem so appealing anymore. Thankfully the woman at the United counter was more than willing to see what she could do, and on the return leg home she found Mom an aisle seat on another nearly full flight. With that taken care of, we were on our way to the house for the night. Since Mom wasn’t getting much time to spend with Russ, whom she treasures dearly, I gave her a choice for the morning. Breakfast with Russ and leave around 9:00 a.m. (getting us to the port around noon), or leave first thing around 7:00 a.m. allowing us enough time to arrive at 10:00ish giving us a better chance of purchasing another upgrade. Mom was just happy having an oceanview and opted for time with her “son.” With those plans all set, I frantically began my packing (I’m notorious for last minute packing) and we finally settled in for the night around 1 a.m.! As promised, we were out the door just a few minutes after 9:00, waving to my sad hubby. Don’t get me wrong – he was more than thrilled Mom and I were spending time together. He and I just hate being away from each other. The drive to the port was rather uneventful, with only one pit stop along the way. At this point I was in no rush to get there knowing if we arrived at noon, those who had already checked-in would be just boarding leaving us to just walk on the ship as soon as we had our paperwork taken care of. I dropped Mom and the bags off at the drop-off area located by the DCL buses, (the construction at the terminal is in full force!) and then went to park the car while Mom waited inside. Although the new garage construction is directly across from the terminal entrance, having to park a bit further down was no big deal. It’s still a quick walk over, and hey – we’re going on a Disney cruise! Up the escalator I went and Mom was sitting on a bench right at the top. We quickly entered the Castaway Club member check-in line (which Mom was allowed to do so since she was with me), and waited no more than 2 or 3 minutes before we were being assisted by a friendly CM! She informed us our stateroom had been changed – ooooooh, could it be – to 2570. *Sigh* Not an upgrade, but! I was happy – we are going on a Disney cruise! By this time it was now around 12:30 p.m., and we are standing right next to the Supervisor’s desk. I see no “Sold Out” sign and make a beeline for the counter (poor Mom was left behind in my dust!). I’m not sure if I said anything other than, “Do you have any verandahs available?” When the CM responded, “I only have a category 4 available,” I was all over it! At this point I wasn’t sure if we were still considered a category 12 or now a category 9. Even after I did the $99 upgrade to 9, our reservations still showed 12, so I am thinking that is what they still considered us. Either way, I thought the $570 to go to a category 4 was more than worth it and snatched it right up! Good thing I did too – a family walked up just as we were getting yet another room assignment, and asked if any upgrades were available. They were told only oceanviews remained. Mom and I scored the last verandah! Whew! With our third stateroom number in less than 30 minutes, we headed towards the entry way to the ship and were finally on our way to Cruising with the Mouse! Up Next: Checking out the ship! Cast of Characters: Mom (1st Disney cruise) and Me!
When: October 22 – 25, 2009
Ship: Disney Wonder

This trip was seven months in the planning after a morning conversation between Russ and me. One morning he woke up and asked, “What are your goals in life?” If you know Russ, you will realize this is not an unusual question coming from him. Of course, the first thing I blurted out was, “Spending more time with Mom!” I guess the past several years with her cancer and then near-fatal car crash have me realizing my time with her is precious. Not to mention, I’m insanely jealous every time I call and either she is at my sister’s or vice versa! When she moved closer to both of the sisters I knew they would have so many opportunities to spend time together – I guess I just didn’t realize how I would long to have the same opportunities.

But, I digress.

Anyway, Russ asked the question, I gave him my answer, and five hours later Russ had Mom and me booked on a Disney cruise and Mom’s flights in and out of Jacksonville were all set! I love my hubby!!!

The cruise was paid off immediately so there was no question at the 90-day mark I could make our Palo reservation. In addition I booked a Castaway Ray Stingray Adventure, which we eventually bagged. Mom had a hard enough time just tapping the very top of our cats’ heads! Poor thing is just not comfortable around animals.

I should mention here our original booking was for a category 12 inside stateroom. The intention was to upgrade us to an oceanview stateroom, which as the cruise drew closer I wasn’t absolutely certain was going to happen. It seems our cruise had been long sold out (with the occasional availability scattered in here and there); a large FSU alumni group was also booked for our sailing. Ack! (Time to get the Miami backpack out!) Around the third week in August we received a call from DCL asking if we would like to upgrade our stateroom to an oceanview for $99 total. You bet we do! I jumped on the offer and started plotting the next upgrade – to a verandah! Our current stateroom assignment though – 2100.

So, October finally rolls around and we picked Mom up from the Jax airport Wednesday evening. Her flight was completely full, and her window seat on the return flight didn’t seem so appealing anymore. Thankfully the woman at the United counter was more than willing to see what she could do, and on the return leg home she found Mom an aisle seat on another nearly full flight. With that taken care of, we were on our way to the house for the night.

Since Mom wasn’t getting much time to spend with Russ, whom she treasures dearly, I gave her a choice for the morning. Breakfast with Russ and leave around 9:00 a.m. (getting us to the port around noon), or leave first thing around 7:00 a.m. allowing us enough time to arrive at 10:00ish giving us a better chance of purchasing another upgrade. Mom was just happy having an oceanview and opted for time with her “son.” With those plans all set, I frantically began my packing (I’m notorious for last minute packing) and we finally settled in for the night around 1 a.m.!

As promised, we were out the door just a few minutes after 9:00, waving to my sad hubby. Don’t get me wrong – he was more than thrilled Mom and I were spending time together. He and I just hate being away from each other. The drive to the port was rather uneventful, with only one pit stop along the way. At this point I was in no rush to get there knowing if we arrived at noon, those who had already checked-in would be just boarding leaving us to just walk on the ship as soon as we had our paperwork taken care of.

I dropped Mom and the bags off at the drop-off area located by the DCL buses, (the construction at the terminal is in full force!) and then went to park the car while Mom waited inside. Although the new garage construction is directly across from the terminal entrance, having to park a bit further down was no big deal. It’s still a quick walk over, and hey – we’re going on a Disney cruise! Up the escalator I went and Mom was sitting on a bench right at the top.

We quickly entered the Castaway Club member check-in line (which Mom was allowed to do so since she was with me), and waited no more than 2 or 3 minutes before we were being assisted by a friendly CM! She informed us our stateroom had been changed – ooooooh, could it be – to 2570. *Sigh* Not an upgrade, but! I was happy – we are going on a Disney cruise! By this time it was now around 12:30 p.m., and we are standing right next to the Supervisor’s desk. I see no “Sold Out” sign and make a beeline for the counter (poor Mom was left behind in my dust!). I’m not sure if I said anything other than, “Do you have any verandahs available?” When the CM responded, “I only have a category 4 available,” I was all over it! At this point I wasn’t sure if we were still considered a category 12 or now a category 9. Even after I did the $99 upgrade to 9, our reservations still showed 12, so I am thinking that is what they still considered us. Either way, I thought the $570 to go to a category 4 was more than worth it and snatched it right up! Good thing I did too – a family walked up just as we were getting yet another room assignment, and asked if any upgrades were available. They were told only oceanviews remained. Mom and I scored the last verandah! Whew!

With our third stateroom number in less than 30 minutes, we headed towards the entry way to the ship and were finally on our way to Cruising with the Mouse!

Up Next: Checking out the ship! ]]> Sharing Your Adventure: Disney Cruise Reports iloverags2 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/sharing-your-adventure-disney-cruise-reports/207760-moms-first-taste-cruising-mouse-updated-11-14-a.html