How I Spent My Weekend

Please note the distinction in this article between Dan (the roommate) and Daniel (the fellow blogger).

Thursday, Dan and I got up, had breakfast at the inimitable Waffle House, and drove to Port Canaveral for our minivacation onboard the Disney Wonder. During a quick killing-time moment at Ron Jon's Surf Shop (we got to the Port very early), we got a call from Bj wishing us bon voyage.

Shortly after, we returned to the Port. After having our ID's checked roadside, our cruise documents checked at the gate, and our names verified against the manifest, we dropped off our luggage (whew!). We parked, and had our ID's checked once again before we were allowed to approach the terminal. We checked in, and met up with Daniel and Ashley, and then waited in line to board.

First stop on board: the buffet — let the gorging begin! Later, we discovered that we had a wonderful pair of staterooms: Deck 2 Starboard, midship. Exterior rooms (a first for Dan and myself) directly opposite the midship elevators and stairs. Couldn't be more convenient!

Moving in to the rooms — and shutting off the cellular phones — was quickly followed by the first of many slushy drinks.

The evening's entertainment was an extremely forgettable stage show (a take-off of Disney's Hercules), introduced by our way-too-perky Cruise Director, who started off by explaining some of the new security measures at each port, "in light of the events of 9-11." (He did not just go there, we haven't even been on board for 6 hours yet!) I have never wanted to walk out on a Disney production before, but this one was a challenge. It just dragged on and on... mostly unfunny.

Dinner at Triton's, and we met our tablemates, a couple of ladies who turned out to be great fun. For the evening, Dan and I ventured down to WaveBands on Route 66, where I had a brief conversation with a co-worker of Daniel's and mine, about whom we had often wondered certain facts. On being introduced to his domestic partner, said question was permanently laid to rest.

We get a call: I've won the raffle drawing, and get two free 8x10 portraits. I spend the rest of the cruise convincing Dan to get the two I want; he is persuaded by others ganging up on him.

We get a voicemail message: I pick up the phone to check and am greeted with the "Meridian Mail" voice from work. ACK! MAKE IT STOP!

Friday

We woke as the ship arrived in Nassau, had a quick breakfast at the buffet, then enjoyed a side-by-side 50-minute massage in the spa, followed by a quick spin in the whirlpool. To quote Dan, we were complete "jellyfish" at this point. My judgment was obviously down, as I actually wore a Speedo-style swimsuit in public. Never again.

After lunch in Triton's, Dan and I decided to explore (briefly) downtown Nassau. Every bit as dirty as we remembered it, although the temporarily-tented Straw Market was an improvement over the original. After multiple offers for Cuban cigars, cigarettes, and questionable substances, we returned to the ship for more whirlpool time and slushy drinks.

I allow myself 30 minutes of reality, spent on the treadmill in the fitness center, watching CNN Headline News. Enough.

Everyone else skipped the show, "Who Wants To Be A Mousketeer?", except me. It was cute, well done, although I wish I were eligible for prizes. :) Dinner: Animator's Palette. Ashley decides Dan reminds him of Nathan Lane's character in The Birdcage, although none of us can remember his name.

We spent the rest of the waking hours waiting for the ship to leave Nassau, while the deck party goes on behind us. At midnight, we give up and go to bed.

Saturday

We get up for breakfast at Triton's, and then wander off onto Disney's private Bahamian island, Castaway Cay. A quick stop for slushy drink (Konk Koolers) before catching the tram to Serenity Bay, the 18-and-up beach on the far side from the ship. We proceed to spend the rest of the day there, and I have the sunburn and sore muscles (from running in the sand!) to prove it. We end up in a group of 8 men, watching others parade by. After we went back to the ship to clean up, I returned to the Cay to take pictures and video; some pictures ended up in an online album, others will have to wait for traditional film development to occur.

Biggest peeve of the day: Pagers on the beach. They issue alpha pagers to parents who drop their kids off at "Scuttle's Cove," so they can reach them if necessary. The dang things sound like my pager at work, and they kept going off. Very disturbing.

The show is the excellent Disney Dreams, which I wish now I'd bothered to videotape. Only downside: Perky Cruise Director ends with a "we know not everything is right in the world" message (thanks for reminding us) and worries us all the cast is going to break into it's a small world. Instead, they play "Let There Be Peace On Earth." A quick trip downstairs to finish packing, and it's off to dinner at Parrot Cay. I finally remember that Nathan Lane's character is known as Starina (I didn't remember the real name until I found it on imdb.com), and Ashley is convinced that should be Dan's nickname.

We spend the night with the previously-mentioned coworker, first on deck, and then enjoying the show at Barrel of Laughs, the dueling-piano bar. Back to bed around 12:30 a.m.

Sunday

We wake (reluctantly) at 7, for breakfast at 8, and debarkation immediately after. We manage to get through Customs with no issues, and are back home by 10:30 in the morning.