NOTE: This post contains four (4) photos. First photo taken by me (Bruce) with a Google Pixel 6 Pro. (All other photos taken by Linda with a Google Pixel 6.)
01-19 February 2024 — Preparing for another cruise
Cabella (the cat) has several places around the house that she likes to sleep but, when available, this is her favorite.
I suppose the first thing of note about this month, but not the most important, was my birthday; seven decades and change, and still counting. Not bad for a guy my height and weight. I am still in generally good health and feeling good about our active retirement, which is what really matters. Happy birthday to me.
From the moment Linda had booked the cabins, preparations had been on-going for our upcoming Disney DREAM cruise. Research was done, and shore excursions were booked. Our daughter (Meghan) is an excellent and enthusiastic researcher, and she dug in. Our 5-night cruise included a “Marvel Day at Sea” and a “Pirates Day,” all of which required some kind of suitable attire (or costume) in order to be a full participant in the events of those days. She also learned that it was common practice to “decorate” cabin doors. The doors are steel, and the decorations need to be magnetic, but it turned out that such decorations and widely and easily available. The group ended up agreeing on custom t-shirts, one for Marvel Day and one for Pirates Day. We each got our own color for each shirt, but the same designs. (We did something similar a few years ago the first time with did Walt Disney World with Paul and Nancy.)
Linda and Diane try to get-together and walk once a week. Weather permitting, they meet at Kensington Metro Park. This image from February 9 clearly shows that the lake was still mostly covered in ice. (Photo by Linda)
Of the ten of us going on this cruise, only Linda, her sister (Sr. Marilyn), and myself had ever been on a cruise. Linda and I tried to provide useful/helpful specific information about packing, luggage, embarkation, etc. without overloading everyone. Each family or individual was on their own to make flight arrangements to/from Fort Lauderdale International Airport, as well as hotel arrangements, but they were all experienced travelers, including the three grand-daughters.
I got this MURDLE (Murder Puzzles) book for my birthday from our friend Kate,. Linda and I were at one of our local Panera locations, and I took the book with me to work some of the puzzles. (Photo by Linda)
Linda booked us into the Hyatt Place hotel about 1/2 mile from the Disney cruise terminal at Port Everglades in Hollywood, Florida (Fort Lauderdale area) and shared that location with everyone else. Our daughter and her husband, his daughter (Katie), and Linda’s sister also stayed there. Our son and his family made a reservation at the nearby Embassy Suites as they were able to get a room that would comfortably accommodate all four of them.
Sadie at home being Sadie a few days before the Disney cruise. (Photo by Linda)
And that’s about all there is to say about everyday life while getting ready to go a trip.
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