One of the many great things about a Disney Cruise is meeting new people, many of whom are Disney fans, just like us. Our most recent cruise on the Disney Fantasy was no exception.
The first evening on board, we met Michael, Natalie, and their son, Jonathon, from Cleveland. We were waiting to get our photos taken, they were right behind us. I asked Jonathon if he was in the 1820 Society and he said he was headed to the 1820 coffee meeting next. Brent was already there so I told asked Jonathon to look for Brent and tell him that his crazy mother said "hi." It must have broken the ice as Jonathon and Brent became fast friends with similar interests--acting, movies, Star Wars, Marvel, trombones, college--to name a few, and they spent much of the cruise together with the "gang" staying out until the wee hours of the morning.
And, we kept bumping into Natalie and Michael at various activities throughout the ship. Sometimes our young men would join the festivities---one of the few ways we got to spend time them! Eventually, the parent couples started to plan activities together. We were also on the same dining rotation but were not seated together. We would wave across the restaurant!
Note: Natalie and I are bemoaning the fact that we will miss each other by a few hours on our next Disney vacation as they fly in shortly after we fly home. Next time! And, the boys continue to communicate via their chosen social media platforms. I'm sure our paths will cross again!
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| Todd and Michael at Castaway Cay |
We also met some of our soon-to-be neighbors in Windermere. The husband and I were set to play trivia and a young woman sat alone at the next table. We asked her if she was competing by herself, and she said that her family wasn't able to join her for this session. We invited her to join us. A part of introductions on a ship is "where are you from?". Turns out Christina lives in the same condo complex! Oh, the questions we had for her--in between trivia questions and answers! She was incredibly helpful on all accounts!
Christina and her husband, Rudy, joined us, along with Natalie and Michael. . . and the boys, at the next trivia contest. The next day, we met Christina's parents at Castaway Cay.
Another meet cute from our recent Disney Cruise was two parts. As we headed to the elevator on the morning we docked in Tortola, another couple was rushing just in front of us talking about rain and Jost Van Dyke. We let them go ahead. Later that day, after the rain and returning from Tortola, the husband and I were floating in the Quiet Cove (adults only) pool and bumped into the couple.
I asked how their day turned out. I learned that Jost Van Dyke is an island off the coast of Tortola, BVI, that is noted for the famous Soggy Dollar Bar featured in a Kenny Chesney song. The name of the bar was because you had to get out of the boat and walk to the beach making your money wet or soggy.
There was more to the conversation with the man and his wife. Turns out he lives in Florida by way of North Carolina and has done artwork for Disney for almost 20 years. I kept listening and the conversation lasted for several minutes. Then, I asked if I could inquire his name. David Doss. I was stunned, put my hand on my chest, and turned to look at the husband who was also stunned. I told David Doss that I was trying not to "fan out" at the moment but we collect his work and it is displayed in our dining room. In fact, I had purchased a new piece the night before at one of the shops on the ship. He was flattered and agreed to sign the piece. He would look for us before dinner in the lobby atrium.
That evening, before dinner, David Doss did sign our newest art piece! He was gracious and I was over the moon.
We bumped into David and his wife, Robyn, on Castaway Cay in Serenity Bay. We had another great chat. What lovely people! We are now following their Facebook page and am hopeful to bump into them again during one of David Doss' shows at EPCOT.
Interestingly, Michael and Natalie, from Cleveland, also collect David Doss' art and met him the day before we did. It is a small world!
This isn't the only Disney Cruise where we have met great people. Sean and his wife from Texas come to mind along with Nancy and her family from Michigan!
It has been our philosophy to say "yes" and come to play when we visit Walt Disney World and we approach a Disney Cruise the same. Being open to new places, experiences, and people is a gift that keeps on giving!
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