Buddy L

Picture the scene...

...EOS, 11th floor, my wife and I arrive at the elevators.

Waiting at the first elevator are a Mum,Dad and 3 children, who, not to put too fine a point on it, look like they've spent their entire life living at McDonalds...

...and they always went large and they always had a giant shake.

Not wishing to make my wife feel too uncomfortable, we decided to wait for the second elevator.

As the first elevator arrived, and the doors opened, in waddled the Grizwald family. As soon as they pressed the `down` button, an alarm started ringing, and the doors jammed open, proclaiming to all in the vicinity...`Overload, Overload`

How embarrasing, because now they had no option but to squeeze themselves back out of the elevator, in full view of everyone...

...and, as they sheepishly headed towards the stairs, past a smiling crowd, Mother Grizwald, ever protecting her flock, uttered this line...

..."Do you know, these elevators just dont take into account how much a person is carrying in their bags!!!"

Yeah I thought...about 350 big macs! :D

Oh, how amusing real life can be. Had a smile on my face all day after that.

Well, contrary to my previous post, my wife didn't have a clue about her `surprise`. Here is how it panned out: (Sorry if its a bit long!!)

Fri: Booked a stretch Limo - arranged for 6 of our friends to be in it...with champers...went to nice restaurant. Gave her printed photo clues, one at a time, to guess the flight details, hotel (pre-cruise), and finally a full page of Penelope CRUZ pictures. (That was just for the lads really) Then clues to our ports of call.

Sat: Flew Manchester to London then London to Miami. Booked in at the MARRIOT Biscayne Bay, asked for a high floor to watch the ship arrive in the morning (30th floor, totally stunning) Went to Bayside market place where DW allowed me to dribble for an hour in `HOOTERS`

Sun: Up at 5:30, sun rising, ship just arriving, can't think of a better start really. Went to the port at 10:30...at 11:00 breezed through check in and we were in our state room by 12:00 (This was the only downer on the whole trip, 6th deck balcony room, steel outlook, not glass as informed)

Cruise for 1 week

Sat: We arrive in Nassau...Tell DW we'll watch the ship dock, and arrange to meet her on the top deck. Meanwhile I rushed to the pool bar and grabbed 2 glasses of champagne and sneaked up behind her. Now was the time to tell her our 2nd week destination...I turned her round, and pointed to ATLANTIS...Missus gives me big hugs and smiles all round.

Sun: Leave cruise (Been absolutely fantastic) fly back to Nassau for 8 nights in Atlantis.

Tues: Book a table at `Fathoms` restaurant making sure we have a close up view of the `fishes`. Present her with my final surprise...a day at DOLPHIN ENCOUNTERS, and a `swim with the Dolphins` trip...cue more hugs.

Wed: Dolphin swim...awesome!!!

Mon: Fly back to Miami...Miami to London...London to Manchester.

We had an amazing 15 days. It took several months of internet work to bring it all together and every flight was on time, every hotel room was spot on, and the only blip was the balcony on the ship...nonetheless, having said that, the ship was fantastic.

Love the planning, and when it all comes together its just damn groovy.

Happy cruising to surprise planners everywhere...one of the nicest feelings going is when it all works out!!! :D :D

On our recent trip on the Explorer I forgot my shaver.

I cleaned and fully charged it the night before in readiness and then...here's the daft bit...I shaved in the morning, before going to the airport, packed my shaver neatly away and left it on the bathroom window sill.

I bought the cheapest shaver I could find at the airport and spent 2 weeks `ripping` my chin apart. Ouch!!!

Anyone heard of Peter Kay...

"Its that fine rain that soaks you through" LOL!!!

If you're not from England you wont get that at all!!!

What about non-cruise surprises?

For my wife's 30th birthday I hired a suit of armour and a horse, which sounded great in theory...unfortunately I'd never ridden a horse in my life, and I was carrying a bloody great sword whilst wearing a helmet with the tiniest slits for eyeholes. Didn't have a clue where I was going, but at least my wife didn't recognise me until I actually spoke!!

There are sometimes in life where you think `what the hell am I doing??`LOL

DISASTER!!!

I've booked a surprise cruise for my wife, kept it secret for several months now, but last night, I was checking these boards when I heard her come in so I closed the window down.

The problem being when you log back in at first that damn newsletter window opens up and I forgot about it. So when she asked what I was looking at, I said I was just closing down, shut what I thought was the last window and sitting right in the middle of the screen is that damn newsletter.

It seemed an eternity to reach the close button and, although she never said anything, I'm sure she spotted it. aaaaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhhh!!!!!

So now all the picture clues I intend to give her in a restaurant the night before could be wasted if she just blurts out "is it a cruise".

Gutted!!:mad: :mad:

Is this a girls only thread?

I totally agree! Half the fun, of any holiday, is the planning and preparation.

I live for my holidays (or vacations!!!) much to my wife's despair.

As incidental reading matter, I often take along holiday brochures and books pertaining to our next break...drives her nuts!!!

This is our second cruise, the first on a real cruise ship, and these boards have been a godsend.

Only thing is, its a total surprise for her, so all my research is being done at work, also, all the tickets are being sent here as well, just hope I can keep it quiet till November!!:D

15 pairs of shoes!!

Yes I know its a joke, but I'm sure there are some women out there saying "15 to 20 pairs should be sufficient!"

WHAT?...c'mon girls I'm only joking :D :D