The 2023 NKOTB Cruise - arrival day

Wednesday, after months of planning and stress, Lisa and her friend JJ departed to Miami to embark on the 2023 NKOTB Cruise. This was to be the second such trip for Lisa and the first for JJ. 

As we learned from our own cruises together, it is always best to travel to the port city the day before embarkation, not only to avoid any travel delays that make you miss the ship, but just to de-stress and unwind. 

(Update: the next day a bomb scare in Baltimore delayed/canceled many flights and yes, some fans missed the ship and lost out on their vacation)

I dropped them off at O'Hare for an 11am flight and they were on the way!

Once I got to Miami they went to a merchandise pop up for the cruise where they were excited to see and take a photo with Danny Wood!

And they met Danny's Dad!

They eventually met up with Carina, Lisa's European friend and her roommate last year on the cruise.

Officially the vacation I hadn't even begun yet so there was a lot more to come . . .

She's so excited!

48 Hours to Go! (Before flying out)

On her cruise's Facebook page:  

2417 door decor is a bit interactive. Add a star sticker  to the shows u were at that one of us was at too :). Also fcfs misc cozies, condoms and candies. Might not be a room to go specifically ...but if you happen to see us, play along!  :) 

- Lisa  

7 Days!!

In one short week I'll be driving to O'Hare! Yay!!! Dan make sure u have off...ur my ride xo - Lisa

NKOTB Cruise

 #booked...My bday is the day we set sail! Meant to be! - Lisa

Pirate Night!

Pirate Night on day three.

Moana

On day four Lisa took Smiley and Junie to see this on the ship. Junie loved it, Smiley thought they introduced too many characters and lost focus.

Some Vacation Pics on the Disney Dream

Disney Dream 12/12-12/16

Good Taste

In the last week Junie has had duck confit, leg of lamb, and mussels; Smiley had duck breast, crème brule and sushi; YaYa had one of my escargot; and I had lamb shank (I haven't had lamb in maybe thirty years). I'm glad the kids taste buds don't start and end with chicken nuggets.

Junie and the Disney Selfies

Junie made a habit of taking a selfie with the Disney characters she met on the cruise.

Our Stateroom Door

The door to one of our staterooms. Lisa had the decoration designed for us. 

Now and Then

The first photo (with the white shirt) is from Cruise #2, in 2014, and YaYa asked to recreate it this time around. (click on the pictures to see how close we got). It was *much* harder than it looks, because the bright Bahamian sun was in our face and we couldn't see the camera screen at all LOL.

An Iconic Photo

The picture with the 3 year old Olivia is from our first cruise, back in 2006. In honor of its tenth anniversary, we recreated the picture on Day Four of this trip :)

We're Back!

So, from Monday morning until Friday night the family enjoyed a short cruise aboard the Disney Dream. There's no internet access (well, none I'm willing to pay for) from the middle of the ocean, so for a week there was no news, no Words with Friends, no Facebook. I enjoyed that break, and apparently so did you. Quoting Sandra Si "I didn't even realize you were gone!"

A Great Pic from Our Cruise

 

We're Home!

 made it safely to mke.. there's a ton of snow!! - YaYa

Rogue One

Last night at 11 pm eastern time -- or, as Disney proudly told the crowd, "An hour before any other fan in the hemisphere!" --  Smiley and I saw Rogue One. Watching it on the ocean lent a VR quality to the movie, with each roll of the ship making you feel like you were in the action. As for the movie itself: Aside from being visually gorgeous, it has a strong, dark story, great characters, and very little of the schmaltz that burdens the series. Plus it has Peter Cushing. What else could you ask for? #DisneyCruise

 

 

 

While We Wait

We've taken up residence at the in-airport hotel while awaiting our flight. While the rest of the family napped, Junie and I hit the gym downstairs. It's the first time she's ever gone to the gym (she's prohibited by age at home).

Almost There!

On our way to the Dream!

Stingray Freakout

Mom and LuLu -  remember when we were snorkeling and Mom got all freaked out about the sting ray? I looked up stingray barb and oh my lord if I had known I wound have been swimming back to shore faster than Phelps - YaYa

All stingrays around castaway cay are de-barbed for safety but I didn't know that at the time that's why I was freaking out! That snorkeling with you girls was one of the most fun things I've ever did! - Lisa