Sunday, February 18, 2024

Wishes Do Come True Part 1: The Big Blue Boat

Good to see your Happiest Place on Earth smiles, because Newark Liberty International Airport at 6am usually isn't that.

Please tell me watching TV for three hours isn't going to be the highlight of your trip.


So let me tell you kids, before they added the Plus this was like, cutting edge.

It's only a lazy river if you let mom and dad sit around and read their phones.


Orange is the New Relax.


The Four Seasons knows service. The artisanal organic real fruit ice pop is presented to madame on a silver platter.


Poolside smores, now that's a first. It also means it's bloody freezing.


It's kind of cold. Must be why they don't believe in global warming in Florida.


The problem with the TikTok generation is no one actually knows who Minnie is. Dad, why is a big mouse lady blocking my path to the buffet?


What is this, Puglia or something?


From the corners of the world the crew assembled on the eve of the epic voyage. A voyage to far off lands, where adventure and alcohol await.


The Disney Wish, the newest, biggest ship in the fleet. You've come a long way since the Big Red Boat dad, she'd barely qualify as a lifeboat on this beast.


Welcome to the Happiest Place on International Waters. Ok, technically that's the adults only pool.

Hello Princess, are you included in the pre-paid gratuities?

So they let you operate the Death Star in the kids club? Doesn't that make you a Colonizer-Oppressor?

Is it makeover time yet?

Remember, no TV until we're over the Bermuda Triangle.


Remember, when they bang on the door at 2am and smoke is filling the hall, it's not a drill. Get yourself to the muster station and Ryan, do not stop at the buffet!

Are they those Platinum Diamond Titanium Neodymium Castaway Club members who get first dibs on the Princess Suite?


These aren't the kids you're looking for. No wait, they are! Please come back and take them to the kids club. Please?

That's no moon. It's a space station!

Lock up the princesses, the boys are off duty. You'll find them nerd herding in the Hyperspace Lounge.

Make a wish. And assume it's not included in the pre-pay package.



Poolia Part 6: Peak Poolia

Ladies and Gentlemen, please raise your espressos, you have officially achieved peak Poolia: an infinity pool overlooking your villa's lemon orchard whilst the staff lay out the breakfast spread on the patio. It's all downhill from here team, an old town beckons.



Wait what? No old town? A hip beach club on the Adriatic instead? Things are looking up.



We'll call that the Aperol glow.


The inevitable has been delayed as long as humanly possible. To the old town!



We seem to have arrived by the peasant entrance.


Those Italian drivers!


A drive thru zoo? Was I supposed to bring an F-150 with double Big Gulp holders or something?




Dad, did you really name me after a budget airline? What was wrong with Polaris Lexington Cahan?


The Man. The Legend. The Seats That Don't Turn Into Beds.


If you're going to enjoy divine flavors this food hall seems like a plausible place.


London's new Coal Yards district behind Kings Cross Station. Look what you started Williamsburg.



Careful, that hipster French fusion place over there serves escargot.



It's amazing what a new town will do for you after a week schlepping through old ones.




Dad, it's not too late to change my name.