After a really slow check through US Immigration (we back-to-backers were the last group off the ship and I think the officers were tired and chatty), we checked in for the second cruise. This was complicated by the on-shore cast members having different ideas of what line in which we should be standing - but we eventually got checked in and herded off to a special waiting room. After a brief wait (20 minutes or so), we were permitted to re-board the Wonder, where we got the full treatment (parties announced individually, CMs applauding, et cetera). There was even a card from the prez of DCL thanking us for being b2b-ers waiting for us in the new stateroom (right next to our first stateroom).
As usual, Disney threw a terrific Sail Away party: music, dancing, characters performing, general festivities all ending with the playing of the Disney horns' tune (When You Wish Upon a Star). I get misty-eyed just thinking about it....
Tonight was another dinner at Palo, so we suited up as penguins and toddled off after pedicures in the Spa. Why did we wait until so late in life to enjoy massages, manicures and pedicures? Dinner was, as usual, superb! Before dinner we attended Welcome Aboard: Let the Magic Begin! in the Walt Disney Theatre.
Monday and Tuesday were days at sea - our favorites. No schlepping off and back on board, just do what you want - sleep, lounge by the pool, read in the Cove Cafe (that new second story is quite comfy) with a hot coffee drink, stare out at the sea, whatever! The show Monday night was The Golden Mickeys, always a favorite with recaps from the best-known Disney movies patched together with the story of a stage manager who is called upon to emcee the show at the last minute and learns a lot about herself in the process. Dinner was formal night at Triton's, so we dressed in our tuxes again.
Tuesday was spent much the same. The evening show was Alfred & Seymour, a couple of comedians who were genuinely funny! Artists' Palate for dinner with their Show parade. We had brunch at Palo this morning - reserved for at-sea days.
Wednesday was Puerto Vallarta. We suited up (bathing suits this time) and headed off the ship for a day at the beach. Our favorite beach when we went to PV regularly was the Green Chairs on Los Muertos beach. Next to the Blue Chairs, it wasn't quite as crowded and more relaxed. The last time we were in PV (aboard a ship, of course) we headed there and the fellow who managed the beach chairs and drink concession remembered us and our fave drinks - after 10 years! However, this time the place was gone.... So we settled on a spot a little further up the beach until we ate and drank enough and headed back to the ship. PV hasn't changed much - they are working on a new malecon (the at-sea part of the Pan American Games were going to be held in PV later in the summer and they were spiffing the place up).
Got back to the ship, showered, dressed as penguins again, and went to an early dinner at Palo. By this time we were old friends and had a couple of favorite servers. We skipped the show tonight: Toy Story: the Musical. And to think I was part of a study group a few years ago considering whether Toy Story could be made into a musical to be performed aboard the ships! But neither of us like the character, Sid, so we decided to skip it (and the 6:30 Palo ressies helped make up our minds.
Thursday and Friday were spent in Cabo San Lucas. Since we own at a resort there, we slipped off the ship and had breakfast at the resort's restaurant, then headed out for some beach time on the resort's private beach. Wave the little flag for drinks service and lunch.... Ah, that's the life! Thursday was Pirate Night, so we got into our simplified costumes for dinner. I missed the big, plumed hats we normally wear, but luggage restrictions on the airplanes being what they are.....
Thursday night was spent circling out at sea and then we returned to Cabo on Friday. This was supposed to be a different port, but all cruise ship lines decided to take a miss on that port after some trouble earlier in the year. We had to be back aboard by 1:30 to leave for Los Angeles, so our time ashore was shortened, but we still enjoyed the beach at the resort. Then our last opportunity to wear our tuxes for our last dinner at Palo. By this time I think even the dishwasher knew who we were - but that's nice, too. And we managed to see Dreams, An Enchanted Classic which has Peter Pan flying onto the stage through the open window, Peter and the girl who's been trying to learn how to fly doing so around the rooftops of London, and then Tinkerbell sprinkles her fairy dust throughout the entire theater (the entire ceiling lights up and twinkles - also a misty moment!).
So we didn't see every show, we missed the 3D version of Lion King among other things, but we did what we wanted, when we wanted, and that's what's cruising is all about!
Oh, and we did book a few future cruises. We were on board the day Disney announced that there would be a second 14-day cruise to the Hawai'ian Islands in Fall 2012, so we booked that. Couldn't manage the Spring 2012 Island cruise as we will be on the Fantasy Maiden Voyage in March/April. But six months later, okie-dokie! Then we also booked two 'Dummy' cruises for December 2012 that we'll move to other dates when the new schedules open. Booking future cruises while on board has a financial incentive, so we took advantage. Now to figure out how to pay for them all....
Still haven't gotten the pictures downloaded and added to the blog. I suppose I should quit dithering and just do it! We'll see; you've probably noticed how long it took to write this second week installment. I'll try to finish up with the time we spent at the Disney Resort in a more timely fashion! I've tied up the box of memories so the next bit will be strictly from memory, so it should be brief!
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