Live from SD 2 ... Part 2!

[DisneyJen]

Greetings all!

 

DH and I are in West Palm Beach at the hotel ... yes we have power! We are celerbating Penn State's win and hoping that we will be able to catch the Eagles-Redskins game tomorrow evening on SD 2:D

 

Ctbjr and his DW are picking us up at the hotel tomorrow morning and the four of us will take the SD2 on her next leg of repositioning.

 

FT did an EXCELLENT job of keeping us posted on her trip. We will try and do her proud:cool:

 

Way to go NC State!

[ctbjr1309]

Way to go NC State!

 

Wow. Aren't you brave with that comment? Don't forget that you're in the land of the Seminoles, Jen. We're looking forward to seeing you tomorrow and being with you guys for the next week.

[DisneyJen]

Touche Ctbjr;)

 

I must say that the staff here at the Hampton Inn and Suites at West Palm Beach Airport (Worthington Avenue) are outstanding! The hotel is lovely and the staff accommodating!

 

DH and I cannot wait to board SD 2 tomorrow as well as seeing Ctbjr and his lovely DW!

[frequent traveler]

Have fun guys --

 

In case you weren't aware, Sea Dream's own Bob Lepisto, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, will be crusing with you.

 

Please don't forget me when the champagne corks fly.

I've already booked next fall's Atlantic crossing on Sea Dream II but it's a long time until our next cruise (April 06).

 

FT

[DisneyJen]

Thanks FT! We will raise a toast to you since we know you will be with us in spirit!

 

I knew that some folks from Sales and Marketing were going to join us as travel agents/special event planners/travel consultants have been invited to tour SD2 while she is in port at West Palm, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Didn't know that Bob Lepisto was going to be on board.

 

We will be taking the tour at 1 p.m. this afternoon as I do fit into one of those categories:p

[wulicny]

Jen,

 

I hope you're having a blast! I guess the onus is on me to begin a new thread: "Live from SD 2 Part 3". I will do so next week. :D

 

Enjoy,

[frequent traveler]

I guess DisneyJen and her DH are having such a great time that they've forgotten to update us on the Sea Dream II, Part 2. Oh well!

FT

[ctbjr1309]

I guess DisneyJen and her DH are having such a great time that they've forgotten to update us on the Sea Dream II, Part 2. Oh well!

FT

 

DJ has NOT forgotten about you all. We just finished dinner with them and we had a nice chat about the CC message board. I'll remind her to post an update tomorrow.

 

By the way, we have just signed up for next November's crossing on SD2 and I expect that DJ and husband will be doing so shortly also.

 

All is well here onboard. Had a nice relaxing day today in Ft. Lauderdale. We're currently cruising to Miami. This is the first time I've ever headed east to get from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami!

 

Had a very nice dinner on deck this evening. By the way, FT, thanks for leaving your tab open at the Top of the Yacht. Laszlo has been most accomodating!

 

Stay tuned.

[frequent traveler]

Now its my turn to live vicariously through your posts.

 

Look forward to meeting you next fall if not sooner.

 

Tell the crew I miss them terribly.

 

Best regards

FT (a/k/a wishing I was there :)

[DisneyJen]

Greetings all!

 

Today is one of the agreed to "work" days which means I get access to the internet (although it is so SLLLOOWWW).

 

Ctbjr and his DW picked us up on Sunday and we had a quick trip to the pier. I highly recommend the Hampton Inn and Suites at West Palm Beach Airport, the Worthington Road property.

 

Ctb dropped our tons of luggage and us off at the pier. DH and I had the 1 p.m. travel agent/travel consultant tour. We learned some interesting things ... like the new itineraries that will be unveiled very soon for the winter season of '07.

 

We toured the ship ... got to walk through the owner's suite before its occupants arrived. What an incredible suite! The bathroom alone may be worth the price:p I am sure there is someone else on this trip who may be able to add more on the owner's suite!

 

We had to disembark and then re-embark after the tour. We were greeted each time with the customary dollop of anti-bacterial waterless soap. Good precaution that was missing on our first trip.

 

For those of you who wonder ... the captain and crew are very aware of these boards. Christophe introduced me to the captain ... as DisneyJen:eek: We all chuckled.

 

FT your trip report, which I have yet to read, has been circulated around the crew. And everyone says to tell you hello!

 

Our stateroom is fine ... the portholes aren't that much of an issue ... since we are hardly in our cabin.

 

Dinner the first night DH and I are alone. Henk took excellent are of us ...And of course I didn't write down what we ate.

 

Last night, however, was definitely an evening to remember!!!

 

A little bird shared with Christophe my vision of an excellent dinner event on SD ... So last night was dinner under the stars ... and osso bucco (veal not lamb) and creme brulee were on the menu. Ctbjr, his DW, my DH and I had a wonderfully private table on the back of the outside dining area. Christophe and company out did themselves!!!

 

With the lights of Fort Lauderdale blinking in the distance, good friends, excellent food ... it doesn't get any better than this!

 

Well time for me to get breakfast ... more to come!

[frequent traveler]

As I check in for my mid-morning stress relief I can only sigh with envy.

 

I really have to win a major lottery so i can live in the style to which I think I'm entitled . . . on SeaDream II as a permanent "guest."

 

Look forward to future updates and counting down until April 9.

 

FT

[wulicny]

Excellent work so far, Jen. Keep it up! And keep an eye out for pirates (Johnny Depp and Kiera Knightley, of course ;)).

 

And, I like the idea of "work" days. I think I will dedicate 30 minutes on three days of our sailing to post to the board. But, that will be the only "work" that I do. I hear a jetski calling my name ... :D

[DisneyJen]

Back to the room to tuck DH in for his pre-dinner nap. Ctbjr has done the same for his DW. Ctbjr is investigating why the pool and jacuzzi have not been open since we embarked on Sunday ... this is on his list of things to do for the day! Last I check he was on Deck 3 poolside ...

 

I am going to head back up to my Balinese sunbed where Laszlo is keeping my Tanqueray and Diet Tonic filled ...

 

Interestingly enough, today we were INVADED by travel agent types (remember I know the group as I dabble in the area). I remarked to Ctbjr and DH that I felt like a zoo animal on display. They all agreed and it was evident that the wait staff was a bit stretched ...

 

I understand why SD needs to do these sorts of marketing things but lunch today was SO CROWDED and I must say that I was disappointed with the bar service ... mind you Ctbjr and his DW who have a special place in this crew's heart were well cared for ... DH and I felt like we had to tackle the bar server to get drink refills ... and we were at the same table! I am sure things will return to normal tomorrow when some 20 SD corporate/sales type disembark.

 

Time for me to sign off for today ... and I will be MIA unless I can sneak into Ctbjr's cabin to post ... as tomorrow is an off day.

 

All is well here ... and will be much better after sailaway!!

[ctbjr1309]

A quick note for those of you keeping score at home. On the dinner menu tonight is lobster as well as Chocolate au Fondant for dessert. We'll probably just have a salad.......not.

[frequent traveler]

Time for another update - please . . .

 

Ft

[ctbjr1309]

I promise we'll deliver another update later today. I need to go find DJ as she's in charge of updates. She and her DH were planning to sleep on the double size Balinese bed at the front of deck 6 last night. I put the over/under on her stay outside at 30 minutes. She was bound and determined to prove me wrong. Stay tuned for her report....

[DisneyJen]

Greetings all! Ctbjr has secreted me away in his cabin so I can post and DH does not know that I have internet access:D Seriously Ctbjr has generously loaned me his computer to post.

 

Today is the first of our two sea days. Capt. T has reported that our weather and sailing conditions are exactly the same as the crossing ... Capt. T also shared info on flying to Tenerife so it looks like (fingers crossed) that we will be on the Nov '06 SD 2 Crossing.

 

Ctbjr did lose the bet. Dh and I slept in the aft Balinese beds until 3:45 a.m. We had a beautiful starlit sky ... a bit breezy and a little lumpy ... but nothing that a good Dramine, good dinner and wine could not take care of.

 

The service continues to be outstanding! Christophe, Martain and Eric ( who has now been promoted to head bartender) are taking excellent care of us. And of course Capt. T. is making sure we have a wonderful ride with the assistance of his capable and component crew.

 

Dinner on Tuesday night was escargot, caesar salad, lobster and chocolate au fondant. Service and food were excellent again.

 

Last night we sat at "our" table ... which is a 4 top in the very front of the dining room and is very private. Danny again made sure that we were happy!

 

Last night we had a wonderful Buffalo mozarella cheese appetixer. DH had the mushroom soup which he proclaimed was the best ever. Some of us had caesar salad which has become de rigeur for us. We all had the prime rib/steak ... cooked to varying degrees of doneness and it was perfect!

 

During the course of the evening we made it to the piano bar ... where I entertained all with my vocal abilities (amazing how Baileys and Decaf after dinner bring out the best in me!) Dh and I lost $50 in the casino before dinner but today is $1 blackjack from 2 to 4 ... WOO HOO!

 

Eric out did himself this morning ... late last night I gave him my secret recipe for REAL Bloody Marys ... he made it last night so it cured properly and poured them for us this morning ... and I must admit they were just as good as if not better than when I make them ... Perhaps they will name this new drink after me:p Seriously, if you like a spicy Bloody Mary Eric knows how to make them ... as well as an outstanding Grand Mimosa (Grand Mariner, champagne and fresh oj)

 

Today is our Caribbean party ... Bushwacker by the pool ... music ... food and good times.

 

A very interesting note ... yesterday the SD corporate and sales folks disembarked in Nassau. We went from 70 some passengers to 50 ... and I must say that this has made a huge difference in the feel of the ship.

 

We have made many new friends ... and we all are so enjoying this trip!

 

If you get a chance to sleep under the stars do trip it! While the Balinese sunbeds aren't the best for sleeping all night they certainly are wonderful for stargazing and snoozing until 4 a.m.:D

 

Last night we attended the Sea Dreamers Club cocktail party (for folks who have sailed before on SD) and about 40 percent of the 50 passengers are return sailors. Quite a testament!

 

This evening we have been invited to another special and private event ... cocktails in the owner's suite. I am hopeful that someone we all know will post a review of these outstanding accommodations (HINT HINT)! If not I sure will:D

 

Our cabin, 211, is so wonderful that we have it reserved for the crossing!

 

Well that is it for now ... more to come later!

[ctbjr1309]

Just announced by Richard, the Club and Activities Director that due to the very smooth seas tonight's dinner will be outside under the stars. A perfect ending to another outstanding day on Sea Dream 2.

[DisneyJen]

Actually Ctbjr ... Christophe saw me at the Top of the Yacht after you and Dh left me to my own devices. He asked me what I thought about dining al fresco this evening ... and you know what I decided:D

 

Shouldn't you be getting ready for guests:confused:

 

DH has told me that I cannot go to dinner in my Disney Princess night shirt and I asked why not? Eric tells me all the time that anything and everything is possible on SD:D I do think I would scare the other guests:p

[ctbjr1309]

Good job, Jen. It is a perfect evening for dining outside on Deck 4 overlooking the pool, isn't it?

 

Eric, Luis and Christophe have all just been here so we are ready for guests. Eric has also promised to mix up more Bloody Marys tomorrow so I guess we'll have something to occupy us before lunch tomorrow.

[zqvol]

You guys are making me very jealous, not to mention that I am still listening to FT about the crossing and her one planned for next fall. At least I get to Sea Dream in 5 months. Can't wait!

[DisneyJen]

Another outstanding evening on SD 2 ... Drinks and appetizers in the Owner's Suite along with stories from Richard the Activities Director was the perfect way to start the evening.

 

Dinner with mystery guests and new friends aft on Deck 5 with Richard, Ctbjr, his DW and my Dh made for an lovely evening. The food was excellent yet again! Dessert was an incredible Sea Dream Noir ... chocolate a few different ways and banana ... oh my.

 

Martain entertained our merry band who elected not to watch "Moulin Rogue" at the poolside cinema.

 

Life doesn't get much better than this:D

 

The first round of Bloodies are on you Ctbjr! Dh is snoring already:p

[ctbjr1309]

Where do I start? First, we'll have a yacht tour tomorrow where we'll explain the difference between decks 4 and 5. Then, I must tell you DJ that after you departed this evening we saw Eric who said that Bloody Mary's will be available at 10:15 (that's AST, by the way) tomorrow morning. See you then. I have also dealt with my final item on my list for this week. Check with me over Bloody Mary's in the AM. Over and out.

[DisneyJen]

OK Ctbjr ... it was Deck 4 ... you know me and numbers:p

 

Looks like another beautiful day at sea. DH and I had the best night of sleep last night.

 

The time change (we turned the clocks forward before we went to bed last night) means we have or had a short day ... Glad to know that on the crossing we will pick have at least 4 25-hour days.

[wulicny]

... so when I ask Eric for a Bloody Jen, he'll know what I am talking about???;)

 

Keep the updates coming. I just got notification that our first class upgrade on United came through, so we are starting our vacation right tomorrow!