'Twas the Cruise Over Easter - 9 Day Southern Caribbean - March 29 - April 7, 2024

[POA1]

 

 

On behalf of the management and staff here at the National Institute of Cheer, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all of you who tuned in to our December 2023 "Live From." Thanks to you - and your somewhat questionable viewing habits - the network has chosen to renew us for another season.

 

 

So...

 

 

Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls, Moms & Dads, Teens, Tweens, Children, Toddlers, Wee Little Shavers & All The Ships at Sea -- The National Institute of Cheer is delighted to present "Twas the Cruise Over Easter*."

 

After an five year hiatus, we rebooted the National Institute of Cheer's "Live From" series in December of 2023. Despite the network's concerns that "the characters may no longer be relevant or relatable," the "Live From" was well-received.

 

There was also concern about The Institute's scientific research shtick. Let's face it. Science has taken a beating over the past half decade. The network brass questioned whether it would be appropriate to stick with the schtick given the current geopolitical environment. Fortunately, we have a proven track record of bucking authority.

 

So, addressing the network bigwigs and honchos, we said, "With all due respect big cheeses, 'Buck off! We're devoted to scientific exploration."  The Institute is bringing science back. Hard.

 

 

*The Committee on Naming Things really struggled with the name for this "Live From". When you're cruising near Christmas, there are many places from which to draw inspiration.  Easter's well isn't quite so deep.  Ultimately, we decided on "'Twas the Cruise Before Easter."  

Why?  

 

Well... If you've ever tried to search for a topic here, you know that it's not always easy to find what you are looking for.  Kevin, from the Department of Archives, pointed out that it's relatively easy to find all the previous threads that started with 'Twas.  He also made the pitch that Twas could be part of the Institute's "brand."

 

We also considered - and rejected - Little Bunny Foo Foo Takes a HAL Cruise, and Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail & HAL.  We also contemplated doing a riff of "Here comes Peter Cottontail, Hopping Down the Bunny Trail."  Something along the lines of "On A HAL Ship We Will Sail, Cruising Down the Bunny Trail."  In the end, "Twas" won out. 

 

The Bubble of Awesome's glass dome has been cleaned inside and out, and we're ready to take the long, stressful journey to Port Everglades soon.

 

 

 

Edited March 29 by POA1

[kazu]

Bon Voyage Brian & Michelle!

 

Very much looking forward to following along.

 

Hope you and Pooh Boy have a wonderful time 🙂 

[POA1]

 

All I can say is that it's a darn good thing we're not flying. The baggage charges would probably exceed our cruise fare.

 

It's a lovely day here in Fort Lauderdale, with low humidity (for us) and cool, crisp temperatures (again, for us.) The lab equipment, beakers, Bunsen burners, microscopes, mass spectrometers, and other science gizmos are all packed.

 

The Bear is decked out in his modern HAL logo shirt. He had the throwback logo on in December. He's nestled in his designer Poohby Vuitton tote, enabling him to board the ship both stylishly and stealthily.

 

 

[seagarsmoker]

Bon Voyage!  

[Overhead Fred]

[Love the beach]

Bon Voyage! Have a wonderful time!

[Haljo1935]

So excited to hunker in for this edition of The Institute's latest research publication. 

Bon Voyage @POA1 @Huskerchick and the always delightful Poohby Joe!

I wish you all a great holiday weekend and fabulous safe cruise.

[POA1]

Up in the upper boarding area.

 

 

[Haljo1935]

1 minute ago, POA1 said:

Up in the upper boarding area.

 

 

That boarding card is newish to me; last time I got a card (it wasn't fancy like that) was pre-Covid. 

[POA1]

Rooms were not ready when we boarded, but we lucked out and ours was. Thank you Bubble of Awesome!

 

 

[julia]

Yay!!!!  Another semester of scientific research! ❤️❤️

 

[FLCruiser97]

OH BOY!!! Another Poohby Joe adventure. Looking forward to following. 

[POA1]

We have made our Pinnacle Grill lunch reservations, upgraded to the Elite Beverage Package, watched the safety video, and checked in at the muster station.

 

We're in cabana land, waiting on lunch from NY Pizza and Deli. Also Mai Tais from the Crow's Nest.

 

Talk about a full day!

[luvteaching]

Have a wonderful trip @POA1, @Huskerchick and, of course, Poohby Joe! 

[richwmn]

Greetings from French Polynesia, hope y'all have a great cruise!

 

[POA1]

32 minutes ago, richwmn said:

Greetings from French Polynesia, hope y'all have a great cruise!

 

Thanks, Rich! It's amazing to think that we'll have done 2 cruises and still barely get to 10% of the time of your latest journey.

[POA1]

 

We're waiting for sail away up in the Retreat area. It's relatively quiet, perhaps only 20% of the people are here.

 

After we sail, we'll unpack and dress for dinner. Pregame is at the Tamarind bar. Dinner will follow in the Club Orange dining room.

[POA1]

Those who went to the Lido for lunch were rewarded with the Peanut Butter Silk Pie. (Not to be a curmudgeon, but the early 2000s Snicker Pie ran circles around the PB Silk.)

 

The Lido lunch menu in PDF and clickable HQ PNG file. Because the Institute cares.

 

 

 

 

lido_lunch_day_1.pdf

Edited March 29 by POA1

[BetsyS.]

Bon Voyage to all 3 of you! 😊🥂 Poohby Joe is adorable and I love his outfit! 

 

[quilty964]

Enjoy and Bon Voyage! 

[POA1]

Well... It appears that you cannot use WI-FI calling on the surf plan. How will I find out about extended car warranty opportunities for the next 9 days?

[Navybikermom]

Please let me know how the painkillers are. Hopefully they fixed the recipe… 🍹

[Niagarawine]

2 hours ago, POA1 said:

We have made our Pinnacle Grill lunch reservations, upgraded to the Elite Beverage Package, watched the safety video, and checked in at the muster station.

 

We're in cabana land, waiting on lunch from NY Pizza and Deli. Also Mai Tais from the Crow's Nest.

 

Talk about a full day!

Oh boy sounds great!

[Niagarawine]

1 hour ago, Navybikermom said:

Please let me know how the painkillers are. Hopefully they fixed the recipe… 🍹

They were good when  was on , maybe be too good

[POA1]

Tonight's Club Orange dinner menu. It's the same as the MDR, but has an extra entrée, the Mac and Cheese, the seared tuna salad, and a salmon device.

 

Huskerchick is all in on the Peruvian Chicken. I'm undecided.

 

 

 

 

co_mdr_dinner_day_1-20240329.pdf