Our Crazy MAGICal Disney Cruise!

[karajeboo]

We must have hit 10 jewelry stores in Havensight.....

 

 

 

 

 

The last shop we walked into, at about 2:30, had the ammolite earrings I wanted. So they rang us up quickly and asked us when our ship left.

 

We told them 4:00, and the gal said, "Oh no! We'd better hurry!"

 

We couldn't understand what she was talking about, it was only a 5 minute cab ride to the port......

 

But there was rush hour.

 

Yes. Rush hour. In St Thomas.

 

So she walked us outside, and flagged down the first cab she found. They were going the other way. So she directed us to a cab stand and told us we HAD to get one right away!!!!!

 

By now, we were freaking out! I didn't want to fly home from St Thomas!!!! I wanted to get on that big beautiful ship and sail away!!!!

 

So Jeff said, let's walk! Everyone told us it was only about 20-30 minutes by foot. And it's not even 3:00 yet.

 

So we started walking, and right then I saw him.

 

Our eyes met...... I think I heard "Some Enchanted Evening" in the background, but I'm not sure.....

 

All I know is that the cabbie asked me if we needed a ride, I asked him how fast he could get us to the Disney Magic, and he yelled, "Get in!"

 

So I yanked Ally up into the cab, Jeff tried to stop us because this guy was going the opposite direction from what the gal in the jewelry store told us we needed to go to avoid rush hour traffic.

 

But he got in behind us, and right then, the bottom fell out. I mean, it POURED!!!!

 

Jeff sat there quite smug, however, saying, "I hope we make the ship."

 

And 5 minutes later, we were getting out of my new favorite cab, driven by Speedy McSpeedster, to bright sunny skies, and an hour to kill before all aboard!

 

Now who's lookin all smug? Hmmmmm?????

 

Jeff overtipped Speedy, and we were on our way. We even had time to shop at the port for some overpriced sunscreen, which Ally STILL uses sparingly this summer, and every time she smells it, she says, "This is St Thomas sunscreen."

 

We never did find those earrings for Ally, but we did learn to ALWAYS give ourselves plenty of time to get to port!

 

If not, this is what happens......

 

 

You are met at the dock entrance, and escorted directly to your ship. And Captain John is looking down on you and he is NOT happy.

 

No way could I have upset Captain John.......

[karajeboo]

But it didn't bother us to wait on them. We had more time to enjoy the St Thomas Sail Away!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was like the Port Canaveral sail away all over again! Well, except for the part that our vacay was more than 1/2 over with by now!!!

[karajeboo]

And after our "close" call getting to the ship, it was time for one of these while we enjoyed the Sail Away party.....

 

[karajeboo]

As we pulled out of St Thomas, we said goodbye to our good friend HAL, and then it started to rain. Not a downpour, just a slight drizzle.

 

 

 

 

It was just enough to send us down to our cabin, where we began to get ready for our much anticipated dinner at Palo!!!

 

But first..... Goodbye to St Thomas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved St Maarten so much more than St Thomas. STT was centered around the Havensight shopping district which was.... dirty is not the right word, because it was actually clean. It just didn't offer anything "Caribbean" for me. It just seemed a lot more touristy than St Maarten?

[karajeboo]

So after enjoying the Sail Away from St Thomas, we were getting ready for our early dinner at Palo. Now I scheduled it early so that we could still possibly make our regular dining time at 8:15 so we could still eat with Ally in Lumiere's for the French menu. So we were eating at 6:30 at Palo.

 

And Jeff begged me not to lug my Nikon to Palo, so I took my little point and shoot, and I regret it! Next time, I may just bring all my lenses AND my big ole camera!!!!

 

 

 

I should have stopped in during the day to get better shots, but suffice it to say that it is so nice to sit on Deck 10, and look out and "watch the sea go by." Ah, yes......

 

Technically, I guess we were sitting on our afts, and watching the sea behind us, as there was nothing behind us but blue sea!!! So pretty!

 

But I did feel the motion of the ocean, dining up so high (as opposed to the other dining rooms on Decks 3 and 4). It left me a little unsettled at times, but once the wonderful food showed up, they could have tipped us on our side and I'd have thrown my life jacket aside to grip my plate instead!!!!

 

We began with the antipasti that they bring to your table on a little cart and prepare before you.

 

 

 

Jeff and I both opted for the Grilled Portobello Mushroom and Polenta — with a Roasted Shallot Sauce and a Parmesan Crisp as our appetizer, and I must say I did not care fore it. I loved the portobello, but the polenta not so much.....

 

[karajeboo]

For his entree, Jeff was really looking forward to the Osso Buco di Vitello — Slow roasted centre cut Veal Shank with Gremolata and Risotto Milanese

 

 

And I couldn't decide between the Lobster and Mascarpone Ravioli — with a light Truffle Burro Bianco

 

OR

 

the Branzino in Cartoccio — Sea Bass Papillote with Spaghetti Vegetables and Ginger Orange Glace

 

So what's a McSparkleson to do?

 

 

 

ORDER BOTH!!!! Actually, Francois, our server, told me he would bring me a small portion of the lobser ravioli, but he actually brought me a full serving.

 

And ya know what?

 

I ATE THE WHOLE THING!!!!!

 

Let's just say that the sea bass may be the best thing I have ever tasted! It was like buttah! I mean really, it just melted in my mouth! Jeff tried it too, and we have the recipe just waiting for him to make it...... me? No way could I attempt that.

 

 

It was incredible. But we weren't finished yet.

 

Chocolate souffle anyone?

 

Jeff ordered his with chocolate sauce....

 

 

And I ordered the vanilla sauce.....

 

 

Palo, is worth every bit of the $20 surcharge. And being on a Disney Cruise is wonderful, but having a couple hours with no children is icing on that wonderful cake!!!!

 

Dinner took much longer than we anticipated, and I really don't think Francois was into us. He seemed to be paying a lot more attention to the couple behind us, so we waited quite awhile in between courses, so our dinner was over 2 hours.

 

Not that I complained at all, because we were able to relax and enjoy some adult time before heading back down to the Oceaneer's Lab to pick up Ally for dinner.

[karajeboo]

We came in late to Lumiere's and I felt so bad, especially since we came in for one thing and one thing only......

 

 

ESCARGOT!!!! We knew it was the French menu tonight, and it would be our only chance to have those little snails..... so Jeff and I each ordered some, while Ally got her usual burger......

 

And somehow, I got down almost all of those slimy little buggers...... I have no idea how, with everything else I had eaten this night.......

 

And I STILL was not finished!!!!

 

I needed just one more souffle, right? Gran Marnie souffle!!! Yummmmm!

 

 

Dobo and Willy asked us where we had been and we told them we had been to Palo.

 

Willy: "I don't promote Palo."

 

But Dobo asked us about our experience, and we felt a little guilty for cheating on them, but we told them we really enjoyed it. We told them that of course Francois was nowhere near as good as they were and Dobo said, "Francois? Oh, da French, "

 

Have you ever heard a Bulgarian do a French accent?

 

We had our share of wine at Palo, and then we kept our glasses full at Lumiere's so it turned into a bit of a gigglefest for Jeff and I throughout the night, while Ally would roll her eyes at us.

 

I did tell Jeff that I would be glad when I got home and could wear my sweats and stained t-shirts to dinner and he surprised me by saying he actually enjoyed getting dressed for dinner.

 

Yeah, that's my honey. He thinks he's all stylin but he's really just Jack Dawson in a tux borrowed from Molly Brown......

 

But he's unsinkable too! Me, on the other hand, would sink like the Titanic if I went overboard...... TWO appetizers, TWO entrees, and TWO desserts!!! I definitely ate my share.

 

Jeff was so proud of me!!! I definitely made up for the first night......

 

Up Next.... Happy Birthday Ally!!!!

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

I bought the magnetic paper at Office Max and printed them out on there. Then cut them out and slapped em on the door!

 

 

 

Are you implying that I am crafty? Cause that is sooooo far off base! I got them on DISboards, then requested them to be personalized and printed them on magnetic paper. I hope to reuse a lot of them on our next cruise!

 

 

 

I found them on disboards thanks to Some great people on disboards I was able to use their templates and make some awsome magnets now a new obsession

[karajeboo]

I found them on disboards thanks to Some great people on disboards I was able to use their templates and make some awsome magnets now a new obsession

 

Oh yeah, it's addicting. I'm getting ready to start making t-shirts with some personalized designs they made me for our WDW trip in December!

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

Oh yeah, it's addicting. I'm getting ready to start making t-shirts with some personalized designs they made me for our WDW trip in December!

 

That's awesome I was thinking of t shirts also but dont want to overload hubby lol he was actually on board with the door full of magnets

[podsnel]

Hello Karajeboo- I am really enjoying your report!! You are SO FUNNY!!!

 

You remind me of someone I know SO WELL, I feel like I already know you!!

 

I hope you don't think I'm some kind of weirdo or something, but...would you like to go on a cruise with me sometime? I was thinking May......and maybe July 2013!

 

Just a thought- I promise I'm really normal- not an ax murderer or anything...:p

 

 

See! You look just like my friend, too!!:D

[karajeboo]

Hello Karajeboo- I am really enjoying your report!! You are SO FUNNY!!!

 

You remind me of someone I know SO WELL, I feel like I already know you!!

 

I hope you don't think I'm some kind of weirdo or something, but...would you like to go on a cruise with me sometime? I was thinking May......and maybe July 2013!

 

Just a thought- I promise I'm really normal- not an ax murderer or anything...:p

 

 

See! You look just like my friend, too!!:D

 

Ya know, about 3 years ago a strange woman that I had never met said to me, "hey, this might sound weird but would you like to stay on our couch in WDW since you live to close?"

 

The even weirder thing is.... I did it!!!!

 

Now some strange woman is asking me to go on a cruise with her in a couple years, so....

 

Why not????

 

Hey girlie! Whatcha doin over here????? This TR look familiar? lol

[lovesublime]

Yay!!! You're back and I'm loving it! :) BTW, I remember those good ole back to school days (DS has since graduated from college) and trust me, these busy, hectic days are going to be precious memories for you. Enjoy!

[podsnel]

Ya know, about 3 years ago a strange woman that I had never met said to me, "hey, this might sound weird but would you like to stay on our couch in WDW since you live to close?"

 

The even weirder thing is.... I did it!!!!

 

Now some strange woman is asking me to go on a cruise with her in a couple years, so....

 

Why not????

 

Hey girlie! Whatcha doin over here????? This TR look familiar? lol

 

I'm doing research for my next cruises- with YOU....DUH!!!!

 

Really- I was looking for info on 2013 and NYC...it could go either way, DCL could go back to Europe or they could stick with NYC- and people think they are releasing the info in October, although I was personally hoping they could torture us until April 2012 when you are onboard and booking us- KWIM???:)

[karajeboo]

March 31 we woke up to a child who aged an entire year!!!! After eating as much as I did, I'm sure I aged about 5, or was it that I grew 5 sizes? Either way.......

 

And what better way to spend a double digit birthday?

 

 

Yup, it was our turn for character breakfast at sea!!!!

 

So off we went to Parrot Cay for some fun with Ally's friends! We arrived a bit early so we strolled along the Promenade. No, that's Prah-meh-nahd. Not prah-meh-nade. Didn't you watch Kate Winslet? She would never prah-meh-nade...... That was Leo.... silly....

 

 

 

 

So relaxing down here on the covered deck..... and the chairs were comfy too. Cushy, instead of plastic beach chairs.....

 

 

After a leisurely stroll - no, that is leh-shur-ly, not lee-shur-ly...... C'mon, we are the McSparklesons!!!! We stroll on the what? Prah-meh-nahd. How do we stroll? Leh-shur-ly.

 

Now you've got it.....

[karajeboo]

Now let us in to breakfast!!!!!

 

 

OK, so maybe we are the Leo types, not even strolling, just ambling about the prah-meh-nade deck after all.....

 

 

Before long our furry friends started to arrive, and since it's Ally's birthday, what better way to start than with the first of her favorite pair!!!! (no, Jasmine is JEFF's favorite pair......).

 

 

 

Followed by.... her.

 

 

 

Notice how SHE doesn't even look at me.

[karajeboo]

Who doesn't love Pluto pup????

 

 

And the second half of Ally's favorite pair. Again, no Jasmine, Jeff!

 

 

 

Crazy Goofy. Oh, wait, goofy Goofy. Holy Cow! Do you think that's how he got his name????

 

 

And that sexy mouse himself...... Kinda reminds me of Magnum PI this day, huh?

 

 

As soon as we started looking around at the other tables, mocking the poor guests who were sitting with napkins on their head.....

 

WHAT?????

 

 

And THAT is what you get for looking around for YOUR favorite pair!

 

[karajeboo]

Karma. it's a.........

 

 

Oh yeah, I guess my Capt Jack "incident" deserves a little punishment too, huh?

 

 

 

I think I look hot. I'm a McSparkleson and I can WORK THAT NAPKIN! Oh yeah baby!

 

Don't know what I ate, and don't really care. It's kind of like the character meals at WDW, you go for the what? NO! Not the prah-mah-mahd..... you go for the characters! Not the food.

 

But either way, Ally had all her friends there, especially her "boy" Willy.

 

 

You just can't beat that service!!!! Love that Willy, even though I couldn't understand half of what he said the entire cruise. I just nodded my head a lot at him......

 

Up next, a FULL day of Birthday Wishes!!!!

[karajeboo]

AFter hangin with our pals at breakfast, the McSparklesons were whooped!

 

So off we went......

 

To Deck 10 to pop a squat in the sunshine, right by the rail so we could......

 

watch the sea go by!

 

Jeff was really looking forward to lunch this day, even though he had read some not so great reviews.....

 

Topsiders Seafood buffet.....

 

 

 

He was really excited for the sushi....

 

 

Eh, it was okay. We didn't end up with food poisoning, so I guess that is a plus. But it wasn't worth writing home about either. So if you didn't get my postcard, that's why.....

 

I stuck with Goofy's Galley for a samich..... Brie, bacon, and tomato. Yummm!

 

 

And of course, a little sumpin sumpin to wash it all down.....

 

 

Ally graced us with her presence for lunch. Pinocchio's Pizza for her.

 

 

I believe a nap may have been in order after lunch.

 

Soon Ally and I had to head back to the room to shower for our Tea Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter. I was so excited for this, because it was going to be a mother/daughter tea for us.

 

But first a little message from Jeff.....

 

[karajeboo]

Yes, there were some daddys there, too, and if Ally had been younger, Jeff would have gone with us. But as it turned out, I'm glad he didn't come this time. Let's just say, Ally is "so over that."

 

We forgot our tickets for the tea, and when I reserved our spots, they were the last two available! Whew! The gal at the door didn't question me though, and we made our way to a table up front in Studio Sea.

 

 

 

Soon Alice came out and introduced her "mad" friend......

 

 

 

And Alice explained to us that her other friends, the White Rabbit and the March Hare, couldn't make it, so they would need stand ins to help them with the tea......

 

Well, I'm sure the flashing "Happy Birthday" button that Ally was wearing didn't have ANYthing to do with her being chosen......

[karajeboo]

And since this day, she swears she will NEVER wear a flashing button again! I'm just glad my daughter does not want to be a flasher.....

 

Can't you just see the excitement on her face! She was THRILLED at being chosen!!!

 

 

 

 

My little "March Hare"

 

 

 

I'm not sure if it was the floppy ears that she hated? Or the whole thing. I"m thinking the whole thing...... She does NOT like to be the center of attention like that, and I was actually shocked when she raised her hand and then happily joined Alice at the table.

 

Afterwards, one of her friends from Oceaneers Lab came up and said, "Ally, that was so cool you got chosen on your birthday!" and Ally said, "Oh, I hated every minute of it!"

 

HOld on while I transfer some more money into her therapy account......

 

Up next: MORE birthday celebrations!!!

__________________

[karajeboo]

After Ally's very UNbirthday Birthday tea, we headed up to Deck 10 to find Jeff right where we left him!!! Shocking, right?

 

By then it was time for him to head inside to clean up for the evening. While he got purtied up, Ally and I went shopping. I think by now we had worn out the carpet between our cabin and the shops on board.

 

Let's see, I'll take one of those, one of those, oh, gimme that, and a couple these..... I'm a sucker for Disney merchandise!!!!

 

But Jeff was very sweet and on the very first sea day, he actually found his way to the shop that carried jewelry, and surprised me with a DCL charm for my Chamilia bracelet. I was surprised that he even made it into the shop, with that opposite magnetic effect he usually has with shopping.....

 

It was semi-formal night and we were back to AP so Ally and I changed and were out the door. Jeff met up with us in the Promenade Lounge for a drink and then it was time to go meet up with some other friends, since we were all dressed in our finery......

 

Notice who is waving to me and who isn't???

 

 

 

Who knew Jim Cantore was on our cruise..... playing piano!!!!

 

 

One thing you NEVER want to see is JIm Cantore in your town. Because it either means that you have just been the victims of a natural disaster, or it's time to evacuate. Not a good sign to think you see him on a ship in the middle of the ocean!!!!

[karajeboo]

 

 

Soon we were making our way to the theater for the last of the Broadway style shows of the cruise. OK, anything labeled "final" or "last" on this cruise was really bumming me out. I did NOT have a good second to last night......

 

This was Disney Dreams and it was TERRIBLE!

 

OK, not terrible in the sense that it was a bad show, but for an emotional basket case like myself, it was TERRIBLE!!!

 

 

 

OK, here it is in a nutshell. AnnMarie was growing up so who should appear but our old friend Peter Pan <sniffle>...... fast forward to "Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust!" <sniffle sniffle>...... end with camera panning out to that stupid pixie sprinkling her illicit "stuff" on the Magic at sea..... <SOB!!!!!>

 

At the beginning of the show, Ally and Jeff again made their wager how long it would take me to cry. Not sure who won, but they both really lost because I was quite a sight to behold this night!!!

[karajeboo]

 

 

Next cruise, AnnMarie can stay in bed for all I care - I will NOT be seeing that show again......

 

Any time the theme is "dreams come true" and you see yourself on that ship, knowing you only have a couple days left......

 

I had to sit in the theater for a few minutes while the crowd dispersed. I can assure you I was not the only one with not so dry eyes that night.

 

Soon we made our way to AP for dinner, a special BIRTHDAY dinner!!!!

 

And what shall we order for our special BIRTHDAY dinner????

 

 

For an appy, we had the Garlic and Herb Sauteed Shrimp

on spaghetti vegetables drizzled with garlic butter and thetOysters Rockerfeller on the Half Shell stuffed with spinach, onions and butter.

 

Thirty lashes to myself for not getting photos......

 

However, I DID snap away at my soup! Wild Forest Mushroom Soup

swirled with white truffle oil.

 

 

Jeff was excited because it was lobster night!!!! Now we have heard of people who way overindulge on the lobster on this night, and well, I don't know how.

 

Sadly, I was not impressed. I did go with Dobo's suggestion and ordered the lobster, which was quite dry and rubbery.

 

Baked Lobster Tail

served in the shell with lemon butter, green beans and overn-baked rice.

 

 

I did not even finish one tail, and I think Jeff only had 2.

[karajeboo]

However, I did go against the Dobo and I ALSO ordered the Blue Cheese and Asparagus Risotto served with celery and roasted walnuts.

 

THIS was heaven on a plate.

 

 

And as we all know, I had become quite adept at ordering (and finishing!) two entrees in one night!!!!

 

This was my second risotto order of the cruise and definitely my favorite (although I did make the wild mushroom risotto a couple weeks after coming home and aside from a numb arm from all the stirring, it was really good!). So rich and creamy...... oh, my mouth is watering right now!!!! I will for SURE be ordering this again next cruise!!!

 

For dessert, we skipped the dinner offerings, because I had stopped by guest services on our first day and ordered THIS!

 

 

And I'm laughing right now as I write this because it had to be the worst cake ever!!!!! I have no idea how, but I swear something was left out. It just tasted flat and blech. Poor Ally, she didn't care - it was her birthday and she was gobbling it up!!!

 

Willy packaged it up for us to take back to our room, and I gave it to our cabin steward the next morning. I think he was thrilled with it..... hope he didn't take it personally when he tasted it!

 

And just like any restaurant in your hometown, Ally got the birthday treatment!

 

 

When we got back to our room, this little lobster was waiting for us..... Hmmm, he was more tender than the ones on our plate just an hour before!

 

But it's all good. So the food wasn't perfect tonight. I have no complaints at all...... except knowing that we are another day closer to getting our walking papers.....