Spring BREAKAWAY Live! 3/10/19

[Gatorj]

So, here we go. Yet another LIVE posting.  I've never done this, but have been inspired by others who have made planning for, anticipating, and even drooling (food porn) over our next cruise fun and (sometimes) worth the wait.  

 

So, a little about me (us).  We live in Central Missouri on the Lake of the Ozarks.  If you've seen the show, it's not filmed there.  Yes, most of the people around us have all of their teeth, and I haven't seen a single drug dealer (that I'm aware of), and most of the businesses do NOT launder money.  That out of the way....

 

I'm late 40's guy, married to my wonderful DW (who probably wishes I wasn't doing this) for 26 years, and we've been cruising as our go-to vacation choice for the last 20 or so of them.  As you can see in my sig, we've cruised Carnival, RCL, and Celebrity, but our preferred line is NCL.  That however has been changing in the last few years as NCL's product has become less about the customer and more about NCL.  Hopefully this cruise will restore our faith.  

 

We are taking this cruise because it's our DD's spring break.  Yep, cruising with the kids.  OK, so she's 21 and will have her own studio, and the DS is almost 26 and will have his own as well. They've never been in the studios, so it will be interesting to have their perspective as we go along.  We're staying in a minisuite in deck 11.  

 

We are active folks, who love to enjoy the activities of the day, and like to participate in the activities of the night.  We will definitely see lots of bar time, dueling pianos, Sid Norman's, take part in some of the gameshows, and in general make a fool of ourselves.  Actually that last part was basically about my DD and me.  DW and DS sit back and are usually embarrassed to know us.  

 

Oh, and one of our dear friends (DF) from balmy Minnesota will be joining us on the cruise.  She will be staying in the studios as well.  

 

Stay tuned, we're getting packed now..........

[AmyJA]

Tuned in and ready to live vicariously.   

 

[Gatorj]

OK, before I actually pack, and because I'm trying to procrastinate as long as possible, I'm going to ponder whether or not to use the Marie Kondo packing method. Normally I just stack everything up, expand the bag, zip it shut, then sit on it to compress it.  Anyone use the Kondo method?  Does it actually create more space, or is that just the whole "don't take more than you need" crap?  I dunno, but we're going to try it both ways.  I'll post a picture of the winner.  The loser may be embarrassing.  

 

DW is blissfully unaware I'm doing this (the packing part....and the Live from).  I'm going to surprise her with my packing prowess.  And the Live thing.  It will be a hoot.  

[Gatorj]

Update.  Nothing in a suitcase yet.  This Kondo thing is exhausting.  

[smileygirl_68]

Loving all these live reviews! Am planning b2b on Breakaway for Christmas and new year solo so will be interested for news from the solo zone...will be my first time on Breakaway after several trips on Epic (on her again in 2 weeks, yay!), Bliss and Getaway. Happy packing, remember to look at what’s going in the case and ask if it sparks joy!!!

https://giphy.com/gifs/netflix-konmari-mariekondo-tidyingup-3s6GaByTfXDk8RXKDh

[Gatorj]

Kondo.....fail. Didn’t fit.

Now, I know I take a lot of stuff, cuz what if I want to wear more than one thing a day? Or we get stranded. Or she kicks me out for staying out past my curfew? And I have to walk home from Cozumel?

Oh wait, I packed enough I can just STAY in Cozumel.

Back to repacking the way I always have. Stay tuned.

[beaucajun]

You packing for 2 weeks?

[Gatorj]

You packing for 2 weeks?

See previous post. You never know what’s gonna happen with my crew. Shenanigans.

[Gatorj]

Ok. A proper combination of my way and a sheer laziness and lack of desire to refold everything. And guess what? It fits!

[Gatorj]

Now, taking a cue from a couple other Live reporters out there. And the college kid...we have what I will call a “test”. If you see me at the latter half of the cruise with these things stuck to every inch of exposed skin, either they work extremely well, or I simply wish they would and will try anything to get rid of the dang headache.

And now packing is done, passports, donation money for the casino, and everything else I can think of are packed.

So, we’re driving to St Louis tomorrow, meeting the DD who’s driving there from her college town, and hopping on a Southwest flight to Nola. We’ll be meeting DS there as he is flying in from his home on the east coast. Also meeting our MN friend. We will be staying at the JW Marriott Friday and Saturday nights and will try to find something fun to do to fill the time. Now what could we do in a city like New Orleans with a 21-year old college kid on spring break? Museum tours of course.

Yeh right. See those patches up there? I’ll probably have 2 of them on my forehead by Sunday morning.

Weather here in Missouri has been brutal this winter, as many of you north of us also have dealt with. Just looking forward to getting to warmer weather and enjoying some down time. All that’s left is getting these guys to their boarding “home” and we’re off!



So long for now! If not more tonight, then we’ll pick this up tomorrow am.

[Moonglo]

Have a wonderful cruise....looking forward to all your details and adventures!

[sid_9169]

The Rebound patches are the real deal... Have an awesome cruise!...

[CruisinMama2003]

Great start so far! Have a great cruise 😎

[FLAHAM]

It's Syd Norman's Pour House.  Sydney is almost always a girl's name.  

[purpleally]

Impressed with your folding!

[senoragilbert]

So excited to be following you. Our spring break is SO late this year, so we’ll be 2 weeks behind you, but just so glad to live vicariously through you for the next week while I wait not-so-patiently and try to remind myself that I love my job (teaching high school).

[James_Elmore]

I'm in I'm on the 17th so this will be fun.

[Gatorj]

Happy airport day. Beginning of spring break and no lines.

[Gatorj]

Day 1, beer 1.


Gluten free. So it has to be healthy, right?

[bam1957]

Following! Enjoy.

[beaucajun]

42 minutes ago, Gatorj said:

Day 1, beer 1.


Gluten free. So it has to be healthy, right?

Of course it's healthy for you.

 

The weather is nice today down here.  Just a bit cloudy and a cool high of 75 today. 

[Gatorj]

Headed your way.

[Gatorj]

And we’re off! Someone (middle seat) is a little more excited....

[Gatorj]

So, you ever wonder why you can’t get any ground service and it takes forever to get off a plane? Welp, apparently they are playing basketball.

Yeh, that’s what they do in New Orleans!

[Luvmypups]

Impressed with your folding!

Ditto


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