A dream come true! Tales (tails?) from the Doodle Cruise.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

We started planning in July of 2011 and the Doodle Cruise was but a dream.  All the days of planning and waiting and finally it was here.  The chance to meet in person some of my DK IDOLS!  From the 1st moment it was truely like we were all old friends - because we really were old friends.  This past week was one I will never forget.  There were tons of laughs, some tears, dancing, way too much eating and drinking.  Doodle talk of course!!!  I am way to tired (and want to spend time with Rooney, Stuart and DH) to go into details - those will all come as people get home but I'll share a few photos with you all.  Oh and of course WE CAN'T TELL EVERYTHING - some things will have to stay on the ship.

Here is Dori and I at Sail Away - the weather is Miami was getting cloudy - great time to leave. 

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Love the slide show Jane. The pictures are gorgeous.

[Bonnie and Kona]

OMD! These photos are just incredible. Thank you so much for posting, Jane.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you, Jane.  I loved the slide show - especially the clouds shots and the double rainbow.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Beautiful.  Thank you for sharing this.

[GBK]

What fun you all had!  Thanks for sharing all the pictures and stories, does feel like you were kinda there, except no breeze in my hair, or drink in my hand :)  Maybe next time!

[Sharon & Monty]

I would love to hear from someone that wasnt in favor of a cruise.  My DH truly wants to take me on a cruise and I say NO! Ewww, being inside a boat does not work for me.  Are you one of those folks?  If so, give me a good reason to consider this.

[Adina P]

Inside a cruise ship is more like inside a hotel...a hotel that travels...on water.  I would even venture to say it's like being in a miniature Vegas without quite as much glitz.

What do you imagine being 'inside a boat' would be like?  What negatives do you envision?  Just asking, in case some of what you imagine is not how it really is, perhaps you'll find it sounds attractive rather than icky =)

[Sharon & Monty]

Lack of air, lack of space.  I guess I might be claustrophobic.  I boarded a vessel to cross over during a small crossing, I hyperventilated  at least until I secured a bloody mary so early in the morning!!  I just cant wrap my head around boat adventures, much to the consternation of my DH.  We did take a vessel to Marthas Vineyard this summer, I did much better.....But we were on the outside!

[Adina P]

There are moments of crowding, but generally it is really like being inside a Vegas hotel.  At least to me it seemed that way.  I don't know what a vessel like the one you've boarded is like in comparison, though. 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I've only taken one cruise and at the time I felt just like you.  I am claustrophobic and so I took one look at the cabin--which was very nice -- but my first thought was to make a run for it. My sister blocked my way until the ship left port :) My second idea was that I would sleep on the upper deck stretched out on a deck chair under the stars.  That's a whole other story!  LOL! But I got used to the  cabin. (I can't lie, Bahama Mamas certainly helped in the beginning). I loved loved loved the cruise, and our whole group and had such a great time. I'd do it again. Except for the room, I never felt cramped anywhere on the boat --it was like a four star hotel and spa floating through beautiful places.  Maybe you could consider an upper room or a room with a balcony if you decide to try it out.      

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Sharon - if you had a balcony you would have lots of fresh air - you can even leave the door open while you sleep.  I'll admit that I have never had an "inside" cabin - I need air and sunlight.  My 1st cruise I had a "picture window" out the back of the ship - that was pretty cool but I have to be able to stand on that balcony.  Try it - you might love it!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That would have made all the difference to me, too.