doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Where to begin, why from the beginning of course. This cruised had been in the works since last March. We had just gotten home from a cruise that was supposed to be our last. The phone rang and it was Mike's best friend of 40 years asking us to go on a cruise with them. I will be honest and admit I really didn't want to go but Mike gives me everything I could ever want so if he wanted this I was in.Our friends wanted to go to Grand Turk so good little cruise finder me found a cruise for November 2010 with an aft balcony going to Grand Turk for the awesome price of $798 total. It was leaving out of Miami. This is where my issues began first of all it is a 1500 mile drive for us to get there, YUCK. Second I don't like Miami (sorry Miami, I am a small town girl, big cities make me nervous). Third I wanted to fly, I was out voted.Not flying was the first thing I lost out on. Next came cruising in November, the friends who had only cruised once before didn't want to go in November, there might be a hurricane. So we decided on March 16th, their son would only miss a couple of days of school. We make the reservation, now I am going to pay $1698 for the very same cruise. I was not happy, but again out voted. Two weeks later I get a phone call, "I just found out Ryan has the following week off so we need to change the cruise " . Ok I call Carnival and tell them what I need. No problem right? well my $798 cruise that turned into a $1698 cruise is now going to cost me $1798. Shoot me now The time flies by, the economy starts to suck and I say to Mike let's cancel the cruise and plan a Fort trip for later in the year. You guessed it I lost that one too.Then I find my happy place, Fort Fiends, a wonderful group of people who will let me complain and offer comfort. I might just be in heaven.Fast forward to March 19, 2011 we are packed and ready to goMr. doodlebug-MikeFirst night we spent in McDonough, Georgia. Hampton Inn, we were pleasantly surprised to find a double jacuzzi tub in the bathroom, and yes we made full use of it :argh: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lil Lisa 53 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 I've always wanted to go on a cruise, but the hubbs won't go anywhere without the pups. Looking forward to the rest of your report! I hope you got your way on at least one thing on this trip (the dinner choice one night, maybe??) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted March 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 I've always wanted to go on a cruise, but the hubbs won't go anywhere without the pups. Looking forward to the rest of your report! I hope you got your way on at least one thing on this trip (the dinner choice one night, maybe??) :popcorn:No such luck. More to come. Our friends are really nice people and we had a lot of fun but there were some issues :rofl2: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stefa70 205 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 doodle, where's all the pictures? We're still waiting to see you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beccaewert 10 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 :popcorn: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SCTigerCock 171 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 :popcorn: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Can't wait to read more!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted March 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 March 20th, we are up at the crack of dawn. I do not do morning, well at least not until 9:00 but we are on vacation and our friends don't want to miss a thing. So with coffee in hand we head to the cars. It is also the first time I contemplated murder, and probably a good thing I was half asleep. Mike's buddy, Jack, looked at me and said "I really don't like driving, we should have flown". And he was the one who was most adamant about not flying, had never flown and wasn't going to do it this time. Now he wants to fly! Yes he was serious. We arrived at All Stars at 1:30 p.m. all I wanted was a nap, everyone else wanted to go to Rain Forest Cafe. No nap for me.waiting for the bus our friendsyes we rode the bus, I lost that one too. Our friends wanted the whole Disney experience and I couldn't convince them that the bus was one they could do without.We didn't wait long and before long we arrivedDinner was excellent. And we sat and discussed our plans for tomorrow. Everyone agreed we would sleep in and plan on arriving at the Port of Miami about 1:30.As we were finishing up I got a message from MagicBus asking where I was. We soon made plans to meet at the Fort.Happy day! :popcorn: Yes we ditched our friends and went to retrieve our car. Little did we know the bus driver didn't have a clue.We hopped on the bus at the Market Place and stopped at Pleasure Island. So far so good. Then we head to Typhoon Lagoon at closing time, OOPS. We pull in and just keep going, I say to another lady "Wow I thought we were going to load 100 wet people" but we didn't stop. Then I look out the window and get this deja vu, we are passing the ticket booth again. WTF, I see 200 wet people, I wish I were dead :parrot: They pile on and we head to All Stars. First stop Sports, half get off, a 100 more get on. It's ok only 2 more stops and I can get off the bus. Second stop Music, 50 get off and another hundred get on including a lady with a stroller who got on first and won't move down the aisle, forcing people to move around her. It's ok the next stop is mine, I'll will be getting off this gently carressing bus. :rofl2:The doors close I sigh in relief it won't be long now. Wait what is going on, the bus is going in the wrong directionI hear people screaming and swearing, the driver forgot to stop at Movies. After a slight detour we finally make it, and I get off that stupid busWe make a mad dash for the parking lot and head for to meet MagicBus. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 You're too funny DB. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted March 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Where were we? Oh yes on our way to Trails End to meet MagicBus. I quickly changed into my Snarky t-shirt and we head to the bus stop to wait for ugh a bus. And we waited and waited and waited. Finally a bus, we board along with a couple other people, the doors close we start to move. I'm getting really excited now. I am about to meet my first Fiend in person . then the bus stops. gently carress, we wait there for about 5 minutes nobody gets on nobody gets off. Okay we are moving again, after stopping at every single bus stop between the Outpost and the Settlement we finally arrive.And there he was. Right where he said he would be. We introduce ourselves and start walking towards the marina. We didn't get very far when I heard someone call out. We turned and a stranger said " who are you ". Now I had aleady forgotten I had my Snarky shirt on and sort of had a dumb look on my face (a not uncommon occurrence). This very nice man said "you are a Fort Fiend aren't you?". " I am Homebrew". Omg 2 Fiends in one meet. Introductions all around and we had a very nice conversation. Here is the motley crewMagicBus, Mike, Doodlebug and Homebrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stefa70 205 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Great picture doodle!! You're too funny! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nicki aka Rebelstand 272 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 can't wait for more! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LORNADUCK 261 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 more :banana: more Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted March 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 On with the show. After a very nice visit with MagicBus and Homebrew we reluctantly left the Fort. Our friends had ask us to call them when we got back so we could decide on a time to leave. It was 9:30 p.m. we are at Disney World, we're having fun right? Well we called their number, twice, no answer. That's alright we will see them in the morning, late morning, we are in no hurry. HA!At 7:15 we get a wake up call, we didn't ask for a wake up call. We didn't want a wake up call. It wasn't Mickey, it was Mike's buddy.Apparently they decided that the boat might leave without them so they want to leave for the Port at 8:00. My dear husband who worries about making everybody happy said sure we will meet them down at the food court and jumps in the shower.I am fuming,it's 7:15 we were supposed to sleep in. There is no way I can be ready by 8. So I called Jack, said we probably wouldn't be ready so if they wanted to head out go ahead. His response was to let him finish his breakfast and he would call back.Fine we have a plan. Mike finishes in the shower and I head in. We pack up and head down to the food court. It is 8 o'clock now and we hadn't heard from the friends. We search the whole area inside and out. They are nowhere to be found. We eat our breakfast and just as we decide maybe we should call them the phone rings.You need to understand something about these people, they don't travel. They have been to Disney once and to WDW once. Very nice people but a little inconsiderate.Mike answered the phone, it was Jack "we are on I4, we decided we wanted to beat the traffic and head right out in case something goes wrong". I was pissed. Weren't they supposed to call when they were done with breakfast? Well fine good luck we will see you on the ship. At 9 we head out, we started out on the Florida Turnpike and then I95. We made 2 potty stops {damn water pill), and arrived at the Port at 1:30.Checked our bags, got through security and then checked in. Easy as pie.By 1:45 we were in our cabin, locked our valuables in the safe and went up to the Lido for lunch. As we were finishing Mike looked up and saw our frazzled friends. they were fuming. They got lost on the way down and arrived 10 minutes after we did. I know I shouldn't laugh but :banana: They also had trouble getting through security. they had a carry on with soda and water, but security said it was too big. They couldn't take it on board, and when he went to take it back to his car he didn't have his keys. He was not in a good mood.I tried to be sympathetic I really did but a I told you so may have slipped out. We went back to our cabin and waited for the muster drill. Back at the cabin again and watched us sail away from our aft balcony.I hate having my picture taken. And now you are going to have to wait until I get some pictures from our friends. I thought I had lost my camera so I don't have any pictures of our first night. Thank god it had fallen under the bed and our room steward Agus (pronounced A Goose) rolled up the luggage mat and shoved it further under. We found it on Wednesday. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 :argh:Keep it coming DB! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Total Joker ... TJ 203 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 ;D :argh: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lil Lisa 53 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 :argh: Lovin it!! ;DKeep it comin'!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted March 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 Our friends are really wonderful people and we did have a good time, but they had a way of getting what they wanted every single time. so when they took off with out us I was hoping they would get lost or something. I know I am >:D but we were able to go on vacation have a good time and still remain friends :banana: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BouncingTiggers 98 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 Oh I love this TR!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted March 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 I figured I would continue on and add pictures later.It was a little rough as we sailed out of Miami, but I was prepared. I started taking Dramamine Sunday. Better safe than sorry.Shelly and Ryan didn't make it to dinner so it was Mike, Jack and me, along with our tablemates. Jeannie and her daughter Maggie, Karen and her daughter Caitlyn and Wendy who is a friend of the other two girls. Wendy has a very sad life story. Her Mom died when she was 10 and her asshole father abandoned her. She was sent to live with her 76 year old Aunt. Long story short the girls go to a private boarding/day school in Georgia and the families have sort of adopted her. They were a very nice group and we enjoyed their company.After dinner I went back to our cabin cause I was feeling sorry for myself thinking I had lost my camera, Mike and Jack went and explored the ship. Lights out was early about 10 o'clock.Tuesday March 22ndMike and I opted to stay on board at Nassau. This would be our third time here and figured there wasn't much we hadn't seen or done. Jack, Shelley and Ryan went to Blue Lagoon, they said they had a really good time.We rolled lout of bed at 10 and got ready for the day. Went up to the Lido and had a late breakfast. Then up one more deck to play mini golf. It was really windy and a bit chilly up there so after wandering the ship for a while we went back to our balcony.Mike took these pictures with his iPhone We were only in Nassau until 5. We watched all the people streaming back on board. Two people didn't make it. We watched them stagger towards the gangplank and could hear the crew telling them to run but they kept stopping. At 5 minutes after 5 the ship pulled away from the pier and we watched the losers walk back to Customs.We never heard if they caught up with us.Tonight was dress up night. I do not like to dress up but I made the ultimate sacrifice. I will post pictures as soon as I get them from Jack. Dinner was lobster and shrimp, it was just okay.After dinner we went to the stage show. It was called Voila Paris. I would have called it Let's Snooze to French Songs. Mike and I almost fell asleep. Ryan did we had to wake him up to leave.We also went to the casino I won $30 in the first machine I played, lost $10 of that in the next and decided to call it a night.Up next Half Moon Cay, the prettiest island I have ever seen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beccaewert 10 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 :banana: good tr,....keep it coming!!! :rofl2: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kampfirekim 260 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 And THAT is why we never travel with friends. :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:Hilarious TR. Looking forward to seeing the rest. :dance: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted March 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 And THAT is why we never travel with friends. :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:Hilarious TR. Looking forward to seeing the rest. :dance:Fortunately we are still friends. It's amazing what I can put up with when the rum is flowing :rofl2: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beccaewert 10 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Great trip report so far! Can't wait to hear the rest,...dontcha love it when you get to say I told you so? :rofl2:hahaha keep 'em coming! :dance: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted March 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Great trip report so far! Can't wait to hear the rest,...dontcha love it when you get to say I told you so? :rofl2:hahaha keep 'em coming! :dance:Honestly? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.