Cass, Rob & Kira - Christmas on the Wonder 2019 - "Seriously??? We just ate!!!"

December 23rd, Part 1

Today was our Grand Cayman day! We had all slept in but I had set the alarm in time for Rob and I to get up and grab some breakfast at Cabana's as they have limited hours. I will say when we were there late, they always seemed to keep it open later than the posted hours but you never know and if you miss breakfast, there's no other place to get breakfast foods.

I peeked out to get our first glimpse of the island...

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I told Kira to come look but she wasn't budging... :rotfl2:

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It was very crowded today at the buffet! Everyone trying to get food before they left on their excursions. It's funny how, on a ship with 2700 people, we always run into or see the same 20-25 people everywhere we go. :p Same thing every cruise!

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And same breakfast every day. :rolleyes1

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Rob went back to the room and I went exploring a little...we had the Carnival Paradise and the Sky Princess anchored next to us for the day...

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Kids pool was closed for some reason...

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Family pool was nice and quiet...

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The tenders had just started...

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This stairway up to the outdoor Concierge Lounge was new, to me, anyway.


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And I also noticed that they removed the old staircase inside of Cove Cafe. That second level is now Concierge exclusive.

Relatively quiet adult pool...hello, beautiful, I will see you later tonight :love:

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Also new, they moved the ping pong tables up to the front and added a Foosball table...

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The crew pool, that I have never seen get used....

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This is their dump, which is the highest point on the island, according to our soon-to-be tour guide.

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Pinocchio's....this is the closest I got to the pizza this cruise...I don't care for Disney pizza. :crazy2:

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The ever-popular free ice cream...I was looking to see if they had Rob's coconut ice cream but sadly, they didn't. :sad2:

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This is Kira's favourite spot...endless supply of free chocolate chip cookies! :rotfl2:

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And tucked back in the corner, this is a great option for people who like this stuff. :rolleyes1

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We chilled for a bit because we didn't have to be on the island until about 1:15pm, so we waited until open tenders were called before even thinking of getting off.

We grabbed towels, changed into swimsuits, slathered on the sunscreen and then headed down to board a tender boat.

This is Kira's face when I ask her for a pic...

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See you soon, Wonder!

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And her face when her dad asks her for a pic...:lmao:

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Pulling up to the capitol city of George Town...

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Looking back at our lovely ship. She outshines every ship, no matter where she goes! :lovestruc

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Rob was dressed for Fall, even though it was about 28º Celcius out. (82F) :rotfl:

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My daughter wasn't much different as she refused to pack any shorts so she had to wear jeans! I was melting just looking at these two. :eek::lmao:

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I had built some extra time in for the tender process but it was so smooth and quick, we got to the island with plenty of time so we wandered around a bit...met some locals :laughing:

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You all probably know by now that I am a HUGE tree lover and Grand Cayman has some gorgeous trees! :worship:

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I hit it off with my buddy here so we walked together for a bit...

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Another gorgeous tree across the street...:worship:

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Palm trees and Christmas lights...such a weird combination to me but I gotta say...I kinda love it! :love::love:

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I was getting really hot now so we headed in the direction of where we are supposed to go...but you will have to wait until the next chapter to find out what we would be doing. :poop::scratchin::yes:::rotfl:
 
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I get all happy when I finish a long day of work and then see a Cass trip update!!! you make my day! :) Can`t wait to see what you`ll be up to on Grand Cayman!
 
The picture of all that fruit has this girl’s heart going pitter patter....big time! 😍

I tried to zoom in on the picture of the Build a Bowl but couldn’t read it. Is that soup or noodles? 🤷‍♀️

I sure hope it was garbage pick up day in GC. The home owner should know you’d be taking pics of his palm trees and lights. 🤣😂

Oh and Chuck is a little jealous of the coconut ice cream. If I liked ice cream, it would sound delicious. 🤪
 
December 23rd, Part 2

We booked Captain Marvin's Stingray City Tour for today :thumbsup2

Rob and I swam with the Stingrays back in 2003 and again in 2007 with Kira when she was 10 months old...here's a few pics from that last trip since my 2007 Trip Report was deleted...

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Obviously Kira doesn't remember it so we thought we would repeat this experience now that she's older and will remember it. :goodvibes

As with previous years, we booked with Cpt Marvin's. The ones you book with DCL just have way too many people on a boat and I don't like that. Captain Marvin's is the original company to do Stingray City Tours and their office at The Waterfront Building is just a few minutes walk from the pier.

They changed locations in the Waterfront, they used to be at the other end, now they are in this tiny little sliver of an office :rotfl2:



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Here's the inside, to see just how small it is. :laughing:

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We checked in, signed the waivers, paid for the tour, which was, I think, $108 USD for the three of us, with my discount. We waited around a bit but that was because we were early. Once the little bus pulled up, they let us wait in there because it was air conditioned, yay!

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Saw this chicken and her baby chick just strolling down the main drag, too funny! :rotfl:

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Once everyone from our group had checked in, we were off to the marina.

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Here's a better look at the front of the Waterfront Center...

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Our driver was great, very funny, which I love! He told us a little history of the island as we made the 20-ish minute journey and by the end of the drive, the one thing we knew for sure was that the island was...tax-free!! He must have said that 30 times or more. :rotfl2:

"I hope you enjoy this little ride and tour...it is...TAX FREE!!" :laughing:

He was really good and I enjoyed the ride. He stopped in front of the Governor's House and said that the Governor is an every day kind of man, he dresses casual and walks down the streets all the time, talking to the people. He then pretended to be the Governor and shook our hands LOL! Who know's, maybe he was! :rotfl:

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We got to the marina and boarded our boats. These were much bigger than the ones we were on last time!

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Once they told us that we could sit up front, Kira took off. :rotfl2:


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I needed shade so Rob and I stayed under the canopy part.

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I had borrowed my brother's Go Pro to take some pics and video...caught some wave runners passing us.

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Kira chilling up front, enjoying the 25 minute ride...


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You could tell we were approaching the area because of all the boats and people...

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Time to get in the water with some stingrays...

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Kira was a little apprehensive and the waves were tossing us around a little so she stuck like glue to her dad. :teeth:


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After a while, she became more comfortable with them and they swam right up to her...

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Then it was time to feed them! Rob and I knew what this was like...they suck it out of your hand and it's really powerful ::yes:: :lmao:

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Kira wasn't going to do it at first but I encouraged her to do it so she has that experience...



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She freaked a little when the stingray took it from her :rotfl2:

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Then it was my turn but those dang fish all kept trying to eat it on me. I had to fend many of them off so the stingray could finally get it. :earboy2:

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I am at my image limit so I will have to end this chapter here. :cool:
 
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Beautiful family photo.

Here's the inside, to see just how small it is. :laughing:

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That is "very tiny". When I was in college, I worked for a music festival organization and once dropped off some papers to another music company's secretary. Her office was in what had once been a closet and not a very large closet at that. There was just enough room for her small card table sized desk and a chair. I don't see how she managed without feeling claustrophobic.
 
This is a great trip report. One of the best I've seen posted on here.
Thanks for sharing it. Will watch for updates as we're sailing the Wonder in March and it reading your report and looking at the pics give me chills.
 


December 23rd, Part 2

We booked Captain Marvin's Stingray City Tour for today :thumbsup2

Rob and I swam with the Stingrays back in 2003 and again in 2007 with Kira when she was 10 months old...here's a few pics from that last trip since my 2007 Trip Report was deleted...

15-4.jpg


15-5.jpg


15-6.jpg


Obviously Kira doesn't remember it so we thought we would repeat this experience now that she's older and will remember it. :goodvibes

As with previous years, we booked with Cpt Marvin's. The ones you book with DCL just have way too many people on a boat and I don't like that. Captain Marvin's is the original company to do Stingray City Tours and their office at The Waterfront is just a few minutes's walk from the pier.

They changed locations in the Waterfront, they used to be at the other end, now they are in this tiny little sliver of an office :rotfl2:



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Here's the inside, to see just how small it is. :laughing:

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We checked in, signed the waivers, paid for the tour, which was, I think was $108 USD for the three of us, with my discount. We waited around a bit but that was because we were early. Once the little bus pulled up, they let us wait in there because it was air conditioned, yay!

377.jpg


Saw this chicken and her baby chick just strolling down the main drag, too funny! :rotfl:

378.jpg


Once everyone from our group had checked in, we were off to the marina.

379.jpg


Here's a better look at the front of the Waterfront Center...

380.jpg


381.jpg


Our driver was great, very funny, which I love! He told us a little history of the island as we made the 20-ish minute journey and by the end of the drive, the one thing we knew for sure was that the island was...tax-free!! He must have said that 30 times or more. :rotfl2:

"I hope you enjoy this little ride and tour...it is...TAX FREE!!" :laughing:

He was really good and I enjoyed the ride. He stopped in front of the Governor's House and said that the Governor is an every day kind of man, he dresses casual and walks down the streets all the time, talking to the people. He then pretended to be the Governor and shook our hands LOL! Who know's, maybe he was! :rotfl:

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We got to the marina and boarded our boats. These were much bigger than the ones we were on last time!

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Once they told us that we could sit up front, Kira took off. :rotfl2:


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I needed shade so Rob and I stayed under the canopy part.

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I had borrowed my brother's Go Pro to take some pics and video...caught some wave runners passing us.

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Kira chilling up front, enjoying the 25 minute ride...


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391.jpg


You could tell we were approaching the area because of all the boats and people...

392.jpg



387.jpg


388.jpg


Time to get in the water with some stingrays...

393.jpg


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Kira was a little apprehensive and the waves were tossing us around a little so she stuck like glue to her dad. :teeth:


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398.jpg


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After a while, she became more comfortable with them and they swam right up to her...

401.jpg


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Then it was time to feed them! Rob and I knew what this was like...they suck it out of your hand and it's really powerful ::yes:: :lmao:

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Kira wasn't going to do it at first but I encouraged her to do it so she has that experience...



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She freaked a little when the stingray took it from her :rotfl2:

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Then it was my turn but those dang fish all kept trying to eat it on me. I had to fend many of them off so the stingray could finally get it. :earboy2:

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I am at my image limit so I will have to end this chapter here. :cool:
Oh my goodness your pictures with Kira as a 10 month old just made my heart so warm. We just took our 8 month old to WDW in December one of our best trips I would say for sure. We may cruise next summer when he is 2.
 
December 23rd Part 3

It was now time to pose for the photos they take. One of the guys will help get a stingray for your photos, which, of course, Rob bought. :rolleyes:🤑

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And of course, the teenager peace pose. :laughing:

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I didn't want a whole bunch of photos, just a family one...

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I totally lucked out with some clouds that stuck around for a good part of our stingray encounter, which really helped! Being in the sun is killer for me and also the reason we don't do a lot of excursions. ::yes::

Now it was time to get back on the ship and head to Coral Gardens to snorkel.

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Hello, cloud, my old friend :love:

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It was about 10 minutes away and they had fitted us for flippers and we grabbed some snorkel wear. Kira can't wear the snorkel mask overtop her glasses but can't see a thing without her glasses so we brought her RX goggles and I told her to just peek her head down. Unfortunately, you had to swim over to where the fish were and she didn't want to do that so she just stayed near the boat for a while.

She's not used to being in waves and hates salt water so this experience was lost on her. I knew this wouldn't be up her alley but she tried and I'm proud of her for that. :thumbsup2

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I swam over to the coral and saw some fish. My snorkel kept leaking water and I kept swallowing salt water. Eventually, after several attempts, I just held my breath and dove down a bit to see the fish. It wasn't that thrilling but I got some pics and video and then headed back to the boat.

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Kira had had enough so we went back and then found a spot at the front together for the trip back since it was still cloudy. :lovestruc

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Here's Rob spending way too much money on our photos. :rotfl2:

I get that they do this to make more money but they always charge so much, it's crazy!!

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When we got back to the marina, we hopped on the bus and then 20 minutes later, we were back at The Waterfront. The other two ships were gone, just us left.

We had about 45 minutes before the last tender so we did not stop anywhere. Everyone was following us. :p


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We caught a tender and then said good-bye to George Town. :wave2:

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Hello, gorgeous!! :love:

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You could see our room here...to the right of the last lifeboat...count to the fourth (second last) verandah down from it. You can see our neighbour has their light on and their verandah door open.


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We had skipped lunch for the excursions so we were starving!! I should mention that Capt Marvin's had a couple of chests of ice on the boat for us with nice cold drinks. We probably had about 4 or 5 of the little baby water bottles. They also had fruit punch and some other stuff but I didn't look super close.

Oh lawdy, what I wouldn't give to eat these right now!!! :worship::worship::worship:

Seriously, one of my favourite things to eat on any Disney ship!! :lovestruc:lovestruc:lovestruc

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I think Rob and Kira showered while I ate and then Kira ate too and then she was off with her friends to go see Max Winfrey, the illusionist. I wanted to see the show too but I needed a shower first and there just wasn't time for both so I showered and then Rob ate and then we spent some time on our verandah. We actually sort of saw the sun set tonight. :woohoo:

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It was sooo pretty!!

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We left much later than anticipated. We watched some people get off on one of those tenders and go back shore and then shortly later, come right back. Not sure what was going on but we left very late!

That last tender was waiting there to take the gangway back.


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I will finish off the day in the next chapter since I posted too many pics already :scratchin
 
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Finally got a chance to read!

Oh, I know - it's so tempting! What's worse is there is a store near Disneyland that also is right next to an amazing macaron place, so its doubly tempting to stop in and clear out my bank account!

Very cool! I always love good light displays!

That is good to know! I'm on the Fantasy in 1.5 months and Wonder in May (the first Alaska cruise), so I'll still be able to keep in touch!

And apparently that's all I quoted... but looking forward to the rest!

Yay, glad you made it! :woohoo:

Oh man, if I lived near DL, I would be broke and 300 lbs overweight!! :laughing:

Oooh, Fantasy AND Wonder!! :worship::worship:


Beautiful family photo.



That is "very tiny". When I was in college, I worked for a music festival organization and once dropped off some papers to another music company's secretary. Her office was in what had once been a closet and not a very large closet at that. There was just enough room for her small card table sized desk and a chair. I don't see how she managed without feeling claustrophobic.

Thanks. :goodvibes

Oh wow, that is super tiny!!!! :scared1:


Love it, i'm starting to want to do a western next year

I love Westerns. And Easterns. And Southerns.

I'm not biased, I will take them all. :lmao::rotfl2:

This is a great trip report. One of the best I've seen posted on here.
Thanks for sharing it. Will watch for updates as we're sailing the Wonder in March and it reading your report and looking at the pics give me chills.

Wow! Thanks for the kind words!! :blush::blush::blush:

Cool, not long now! You're going to have so much fun! :thumbsup2:cool1:

Nice pony tail, Rob! 🤣😂🤣😂

He wishes!! :rotfl2:

We have this booked in March. I'm so excited!

They are a great company!! You will love it! ::yes::

Oh my goodness your pictures with Kira as a 10 month old just made my heart so warm. We just took our 8 month old to WDW in December one of our best trips I would say for sure. We may cruise next summer when he is 2.

She had her first cruise and trip to WDW at 10 months, turned 11 months on the cruise actually and she started walking in the bathtub while we were docked at Key West!! So many awesome memories!! 🥰

We took her at 2 (almost 3) back to WDW and on her 2nd cruise...that was NOT fun. :rolleyes1 She was in her terrible, horrible, rotten, no-good two's. :scared::rotfl2: You can read all about it in my 2009 Trippie, link in signature :cool:

Haha I was thinking the same. Did a double take

:rotfl2::rotfl:
 
Glad you guys had a great time on that excursion! :fish: That last sunset you just posted is just wow! Those clouds were kinda cool looking 8-)
 
Wow! Thanks for the kind words!! :blush::blush::blush:

Cool, not long now! You're going to have so much fun! :thumbsup2:cool1:

Thanks again for the awesome report.
If I ever do one I will copy your style.. loved the pictures. Your family seems so cool.
We're also 3 and our DD is close to your daughter's age I think. she's 14.

May I ask you: Who was the club/activities host? And what did you think of her/him?
There's a good chance we'll get the same.

We enjoy adult activities & are hoping we get a good host.
A good club host adds so much to the cruising experience.
 
Oh my goodness, little baby Kira circa 2007!! Smoooooshhhhh :love1::love:

I always love looking at photos from the sting ray adventures people do because I know my kids would NEVER in a million years agree to this excursion :( Maybe one time dh and I could do it and leave the kids on the ship :flower1:

Oh my goodness, I could so go for a plate of those chicken tenders right now!
 
Finally reading this on a regular computer and WOW....the pictures are sooooo much nicer. :love: Whodathunkit?
 
December 23rd, Part 4

Rob and I went to 80's Music Trivia before dinner and we ended up tying with another team for 1st place. 🥇

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Rob was a DJ for 30 years so this was all him 🎼:cool1: And we finally won something other than those cheesy Mickey medallions. :rolleyes2

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And time for dinner in Animator's Palate now. 😋

This was my least favourite table as it was tucked in the corner, so close that I had to move the table in order to get to my chair. I couldn't move it too much though because we were so close to the other table that we were almost eating with them. I wasn't complaining though, I was still too happy about our private table. 😉

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Tonight was the Animation Magic show. Do you see how close I am to the wall? That's where I had to squeeze by. 🤨

Rob was showing off with his iPhone camera here as it can take wider shots than mine. 😏

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Rob does not have the best drawing skills but I was super impressed! Very creative! :worship:

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Kira went abstract. :p

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I should mention that it was Pirate Night tonight but on these Christmas sailings, we never get the Pirate Menu. We also have done pirate night so many times, we don't really partake anymore. As you can tell from the pic down below, the serving staff don't dress up for it either. I guess Animation Magic trumps Pirates :smickey:pirate:

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There's Edwin, our server, in the background.

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It was hard for me to see the screen as it was right behind me...

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My soup, which I didn't care for...

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Rob's...

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Rob's...

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Rob and Kira got this as their entree and I ordered one for myself and just ate the pasta and gave my shrimp to Rob and Kira.


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And my entree...

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I wish they would bring back the old Amaretto cheesecake, that one was the bomb! This one was...just a bomb. :laughing:

We were super full anyway, Rob especially had filled his tummy to the max. ::yes::

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Rob switched spots with me so I could record the show. You can tell I was in the sun today, my Lupus rash was active.

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Rob's and Kira's...


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And my weird alien dude...

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Back to the room to change for da pool. :cool1:

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Another fabulous night in the pool and hot tubs!! :cloud9::cloud9::cloud9:

Pirate night festivities helped me enjoy a very quiet pool and the pool was warmer, almost perfect temp, nice for me and too cold for others. :joker:

As I was enjoying some alone time in the port side hot tub, the fireworks went off and I had the best viewing spot!! Oh my dog! I didn't think I would be able to see them but I could see them perfectly and it was amazing!! Rob was sitting on the other side of the hot tub, reading his book and he had an amazing view too! He didn't even take pics, he just put his book down and enjoyed it. :p

Talk about a great memory :worship:

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Let me finish off the night with a funny story that Rob probably won't want me telling you. :rolleyes:

Since he comes with me to the pool and it's often super windy up there, I never take anything with me. He has his room key and I give him my lip balm and kleenex to take with him as I have a serious addiction to lip balm and terrible allergies to fragrances. So, other than my swim cover-up and my flip flops, I have nothing with me.

The night before, as I was getting out of the pool, he was wondering if the ice cream place was closed yet and it was because they closed sharply at 11pm and that is also when I get kicked out of the pool every night when they come to cover it. So tonight I got out of the pool a few minutes early and he mentioned ice cream again tonight so I checked his watch and he had a few minutes left so I told him to hurry, go check, he might be able to grab one before they close it. I told him I would meet him down there as I was still drying off.

So off he ran and I dried off and started walking down there. By then, I really had to pee and I had worn off my lip balm in the pool and I needed my fix! :rolleyes:

I get down to the ice cream machines, which were closed and there was no sign of my husband.

:confused3:confused3:confused3

What the heck???

I look around, don't see him anywhere....give him a few minutes, walk back to the adult pool slowly, maybe I missed him somehow or he came back to the pool on the other side of the ship???

I walk around a bit more...

Nothing.

No husband. :worried:

More importantly, no lip balm. :p

And now I REALLY had to pee. :scared:

But I have no key card so I can't get in the room, no phone to text him with. I'm also in a wet swimsuit and didn't feel like going to a public bathroom.

Where the HECK could he have gone?? He wouldn't just leave me there for no good reason!!

So, I wait a few more minutes near the aft elevator and then figure we must have missed each other on deck 9 and he had gone back to the adult pool but I was on the other side and missed him so he must have gone back to the room.

I head down to deck 5, walk down to our room and knock...no one is answering. :sad2:

WHAT THE HECK!!!????


🤬🤬🤬

Now I'm getting mad. Mad at him for leaving but mostly mad at myself for not bringing my stuff to the pool with me! 😠

I go back to the elevator lobby to wait there since there is only one way to get to our room and I didn't want to miss him! About five minutes later, he saunters down the stairs with a plate of food from the Pirate Night buffet!!!

😶

Are you freaking kidding me???!!!!

I kept my cool but I was not impressed. :sad2:

He left me for food!!???

Seriously??? We just ate!!!

He apologized and explained that when he got to the ice cream place, the guy had just shut it down and told him if he hurried, he could get some ice cream at the buffet so I guess, without thinking, he ran off to the buffet. :rolleyes2

And I guess he decided he needed food!??? 🙄

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Well, at least he thought to take a pic or two....:rolleyes1

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Here's the Navs for tomorrow. ;)


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And that, folks, was the last time I didn't bring my key card, phone & lip balm with me to the pool. ;)::yes:::lmao:
 
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