Blondie's 8th Birthday Cruise

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JMed's picture
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Blondie's 8th Birthday Cruise

We hit the road tomorrow! Can't wait. There is a change to Sunday's plans. No Kennedy Space Center... It's MUCH BETTER!!!

Saturday Jan 31 - leave the house in the morning to head to St Augustine for the day. We are going to hit a couple places including the lighthouse and fort. I'm thinking lunch at the Columbia (one of my favorites from when I lived in Tampa) Then head to Titusville to check into our hotel. (dad had tons of points so it's on him! YAY DAD! yay ) My parents are arriving from Atlanta that night and we will all go to dinner. I am still researching but have it narrowed down to 4 restaurants.

Sun Feb 1 -Total change of plans. Boys are golfing, the girls are heading to ORLANDO!!! Going to hit DTD and the outlets. I gotta get my WDW dose in somehow! Dinner and scoping out a location to watch the Super Bowl that night.

Mon Feb 2 - BOARDING DAY - Get up and have a light breakfast at one of the bakeries I found near the hotel, Kim's Donut and Deli or The Sunrise Bakery. Head to the port around 10:30. I have 11:15 boarding times selected so with parking and unloading the car we should be good. I really don't mind that the room won't be ready until about 1:00. I like to get a feel for the ship, grab a snack, the kiddo wants to swim and get the passes for Anna and Elsa. (Confirmation has been received that they are now on the Dream!!!!!)

Tues Feb 3 - Nassau - I could really care less about getting off the boat but we are going to for the sake of Blondie going. We are going to jot over to the Pirate Museum and maybe hit a shop or two then mom and dad will head back to the boat with the kiddo while Joe and I find our self at Senor Frogs for Yellow Birds and Conch Fritters. We have reservations that night for Palo! I am super excited about this though I have heard brunch has more options. Maybe I can fit them both in!

Wed Feb 4 - Castaway Cay - No set plans for this day yet. Joe and I might do one of the excursions that has kyacking, boating and hiking while the parents beach time it with Blondie then spend the rest of the afternoon with them playing in the sun, sand and sea!

Thursday Feb 5 - Day at Sea - Spend a little time on the veranda enjoying the peace and quiet, hit a movie and a show, play some games just what ever tickles our fancy!

Friday Feb 6 - Refuse to get off the boat day! The day I dread. But all good things must come to an end... We will take our time getting off the boat and head back to SC. sigh.....

I've glanced at a couple Navigators that are similar to our itinerary and still not sure how it's all gonna go so I am just gonna wing it (something very hard for me) For our honeymoon I had detailed plans for each island and day. We were with out the kiddo of course so there was lots of bar and casino time on that one lol.

I've been working on Fish Extender stuff and door decorations this week and about done with all of that. WHEW~

Can't wait to share it all with you when we get back!

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"It seems to me that we have a lot of story yet to tell."

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Spook's picture
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Sounds fun! I can't wait to hear about it mickey

Brinbunny's picture
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Sounds great, I am looking forward to how you found the cruise.

If you don't mind me asking what did you get to put in the fish extenders? I have handmade everyone a keyring and was going to buy some English sweets - I hear Aero are hard to get hold of in the US? I have to be careful because all of the others in my group are from the US and I don't want to give something they can't take home.

JMed's picture
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My mom did most of it. Mickey and Minnie stuffed animals, candies, handmade stuff and other small trinkets that are Disney themed or personalized. I am taking care of the adults on the list and making little care packs. Notice I said taking care of, not done... LOL I need to get busy but I am too busy with other stuff... crossfingers

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"I do not like the cone of shame."

"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell."

"It seems to me that we have a lot of story yet to tell."

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Allie's picture
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Sounds awesome! Can't wait to hear all about your cruise experience!! yay

Brinbunny's picture
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JMed wrote:
My mom did most of it. Mickey and Minnie stuffed animals, candies, handmade stuff and other small trinkets that are Disney themed or personalized. I am taking care of the adults on the list and making little care packs. Notice I said taking care of, not done... LOL I need to get busy but I am too busy with other stuff... crossfingers

Awesome, thanks awesome I need to dedicate some time to shopping for the little bits. 'Other Stuff' seems to make the world go around these days!

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Sounds like a great plan can't wait to hear all about it!

Kristen K.'s picture
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yay So exciting! yay

Please be careful in Nassau, I was reading on a cruise blog the other day that it has become one of the most dangerous ports in the Caribbean. Stay alert to what's happening around you, you and Blondie stay with Joe. laugh WHoops - slipped into over protective Mom mode for a minute there, sorry! Still good advice.

I had a full fish extender melt down yesterday when my craft failed. I had to completely change course and now I'm going with "hometown" gifts and just buying things that are significant to Rockford & Illinois.

I think you're going to have a great time and it sounds like a good plan to me!

JMed's picture
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we walked all the way to the Queen's Staircase last time. The streets were pretty deserted but I never felt worried. We are just going to the Pirate Museum which I have mapped out already and it's pretty easy to get to. After that back to the boat for the kiddo and parents and Blondie and a little fun for us.

I am ALWAYS in Ninja mode.... I usually get to my car alone and late at night and I am one of those super aware peeps... I look everywhere and I have a key ready to gouge an eye out LOL

laugh

But I promise, we will all be careful!

__________________

"I do not like the cone of shame."

"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell."

"It seems to me that we have a lot of story yet to tell."

Jennifer Huotari | Create Your Badge

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JMed wrote:
we walked all the way to the Queen's Staircase last time. The streets were pretty deserted but I never felt worried. We are just going to the Pirate Museum which I have mapped out already and it's pretty easy to get to. After that back to the boat for the kiddo and parents and Blondie and a little fun for us.

I am ALWAYS in Ninja mode.... I usually get to my car alone and late at night and I am one of those super aware peeps... I look everywhere and I have a key ready to gouge an eye out LOL

laugh

But I promise, we will all be careful!

Again sorry for the stupid questions - I see a lot of fear and negativity for Nassau, what exactly is wrong? From the sounds of it I would be petrified to get of the boat.

My cruise starts and ends in Barcelona, the city where the pick pockets are so blatant they follow you around! They hunt in packs! I got followed down La Ramblas by a little oik!

JMed's picture
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I've been to the Bahamas many times... While I haven't seen the so called "dangerous" side of it, I have seen a decline in hospitality so to speak. As you get off the boat you are herded thru a building that has several stores in it to an exit so that you can "enter the island" When we got off the boat last time we were told "the island is not open yet" There is a big fence with just one gate that you ALL go thru. This walk way is lined of course by locals wanting you to take this tour or that tour, get your hair braided, rent a scooter and whatever else they are trying to sell you... I NEVER remember it being like that in the past. (It's probably been 8 years since my previous cruise) There would be ladies there braiding and the guys cracking coconuts and pouring rum in them but they were more free spirited and nice. These people are all up in your face and I hate that.

While we felt comfortable walking and roaming by ourselves, There are a couple streets headed up to the staircase that were completely deserted. (I faced the gypsies in Rome many years ago, it was scarier than this lol) I don't think I would go up there with Blondie by ourselves as it is quite the hike but I am sure there are areas that are less than stellar.

__________________

"I do not like the cone of shame."

"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell."

"It seems to me that we have a lot of story yet to tell."

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Have a great trip JMed!!!

Kristen K.'s picture
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Brin - I'm going to send you a PM so that we don't completely hijack this thread.