cruise report 8/5/06 Magic

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Awesome Cruise 8/5/06

This was our 12th cruise with DCL, it was totally awesome as were the last 11.

Our DD and her family went with us. Both grandkids (ages 12 and 15) didnt know we were going. We told them we were going to Cocoa beach. Then DH told them lets stop by the port and see if they will let us in to take a couple of pictures of the ship.

Of course they asked for ID, which we showed, then they ask if we are all going on the magic and DH said yes. Ana whispered to her mom, grandpa is going to get into BIG trouble, he just told that man we were going on the Magic. She didnt catch on, neither did her brother. We pulled up to unload the luggage and as we got out of the truck the grandkids said what's going on?? I told them I dont know what your doing, but we are going on a cruise!!! They were totally shocked!!After a couple of Minutes Ana, being a typical teen, said, I dont have anything to wear, I only brought shorts and tank tops for the beach. But her mom assured her she had packed everything for her in her luggage including a formal and pirates outfit.

DH told them we were going on a 4 day cruise to nassau and they were very excited to go some where new. But a few minutes later they discovered it was really a 7 day cruise to the Eastern caribbean.

They will never believe us again about vacations when they come to visit!!

 

We had #3 boarding pass so we boarded quickly.While waiting to board we met many dis board friends in the terminal. We were easy to spot because my DD showed up with purple hair!!! (Don't ask???)

 

upon boarding we went to the Topsiders buffet. Then to our room at 1:30. Then to change our dining time to early.

By then it was 2:30 and our luggage had arrived so I got it all unpacked before our 3 P.M. dis board meet in the Promenade lounge. It was a great meet. Only 2 people didnt make it. The people on these boards are the greatest. We ran into them all week long and chatted about their experiences on board.

Sail away party was fun and a good lively crowd. A new band called the Breakers played. they were very good and 2 members were from the Charles Marshall's band. It was great weather for the party.

As we pulled out I went to deck 10 and waved with my mickey hands til we were out of the channel.

Then off to dinner. We got it changed to 6 P.M. at Lumieres. But when we arrived they said NO, we should be at AP for dinner, so they escorted us to AP where they said No you should be at Lumieres. So after another phone call they escorted us back to Lumieres and we stood for about 5 minutes waiting for them to find our table. By the time we sat down they were done with appetizers and into the main course. Our wait staff was great and caught us up quickly.

next day we got a phone call to go to Lumiers at 5:45 for dinner, and that they had our permanent table. So we went to Lumieres for the second night . They seated us right away and then here came another family which had been assigned to the table where they sat us. OOPS!!! So they immediately picked up the table number and put it on the table behind us for them. The staff seemd a bit confused and embarassed but we thought it was funny and anew experience for us.

I wont go day to day or this would take 10 hours to read.

Here are a few highlights of the trip.

Only rained one evening and they closed pools and deck 10.

Calm seas and beautiful weather the rest of the time.

Did trivia a few times with DD

saw all the family and adult comedy shows. saw a new comedian singer that we had not seen on board before. John Charles. he was very good. he use to be at MK at the Diamond Horseshoe revue. And anew juggler. Rich Purpura was also there. The other shows were great a usual and we were very happy to see Roy Disney had been put back in the Golden Mickeys show!!

 

Oren Aviv, the president on charge of disney movies gave 2 talks on the ship which were great. He talked one day about the pirates movies and showed us a preview clip from the pirates 3. Never seen before. They also gave out pirate prizes. The second presentation was about up coming movies and ideas for new movies, and more prizes.

 

crafts, made a picture frame and a fish wind chime

did the paper plane making class too

cake and plate decorating,

chef demonstrated a blueberry cobbler

chef made crab cakes and of course all these food sessions had samples afterwards. YUMMY!!!

Towel animals

Napkin folding

Ice carving demonstration

Bartender bottle juggling and making drinks

 

 

Dessert buffet was excellant and they finally had some sugar free desserts which we had been asking for for 3 years now. DH is diabetic and prefers them. The entire thing was awesome!!

 

Pirate party had made some changes since May when we last saw it. They were good changes. wont give details, dont want to spoil it for you guys.

Buffet was very good too. Right after dinner DD, myself and GD went to have our pictures taken with captain Jack Sparrow while in our pirates outfits. They came out great. it was so much fun. He talked with each person and stayed in character great.

 

On St.Maartin and St. Thomas we just shopped since we had been there a few times before. DD took kids and did the Regatta sailing excursion and loved it. Lots of hard work, but worth it. They raced against another ship and lost. Their captains name was captain Morgan which was kinda funny. We had told them they were doing the Butterfly Farm excursion, so again they were surprised.

We were the ONLY ship in port that day so the stores were empty.

 

On St. Thomas their snorkeling excursion was cancelled due to mechanical problems, so they did the tram to the top of the mountain and shopped.

 

CC was HOT!!!! We had our picture taken with Captain Jack Sparrow with the Flying Dutchman behind us. It was an awesome ship to see.

We snorkeled and then went to Serenity bay for lunch since they had T-Bone steaks there, which they dont have at Cookies BBQ.

Then it was getting way to hot, with NO breeze so we headed back to the ship for some quiet time at the adult pools and hot tubs.

I got all my packing done before dinner so we had the evening free to enjoy the farewell show and music.

 

For the first time we could actually understand our room Host and pronounce his name, Clifford. He never made towel animals, he made them out of our blanket! He was very good and his critters were very unusual.

 

It was truly a great trip, starting with surprising our grandkids, who still cant believe they wernt on a cruise instead of a trip to the beach.

The food was good,

The entertainent was great.

The seas were calm

The dis board people were awesome all week!!!

The islands were beautiful

Captain Jack was "HOT"

Lots of characters strolling around decks 9 and 10 every afternoon.

 

we all had a great time and cant wait til November when DH and I go again with DS and friend.

 

I intentionally didnt give a lot of details about events because I didnt want to spoil any surprises for anyone, but if you have any specific questions about the cruise, please PM me and I will try to answer them for you,

mom x4,grandma x4

08-14-2006, 01:41 PM

 

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Here is a picture of the Flying Dutchman on CC

 

[mom x4,grandma x4]

this is a decoration in the buffet, it is all made of bread

 

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Pirate night.

we are waiting to have our picture taken with captain Jack Sparrow.

 

Maire ( purple hair, dont ask?? Ha! Ha!) myself in the center and grandaughter on the right.

 

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Our room host didnt make animals with towels, he used our blanket instead. That is actually much harder. he did an awesome job.

 

 

 

 

when I get my pictures with capt Jack i will post them too

[erin1998]

Hi momx4,grandmax4,

I just love reading reviews. Thank you so much for posting. We are going on our first disney cruise on Nov 11 (double dip) and are sooo excited!

Thanks for the pictures....looking forward to seeing Capt Jack!

Erin

[boatlover]

mom x4,grandma x4-

Your enthusiasm and devotion to your family are marvelous. Your grandchildren are lucky to have you. :)

[mom x4,grandma x4]

still trying to figure out my scanner and computer for Capt. Jack pics. I hope to figure it out this weekend.

 

mom x4,grandma x4

[dahuffy]

Thank you for requesting SF Desserts....my DH is on an insulin pump. That's a whole other issue in itself i.e. counting the carbs in Disney food!:rolleyes:

[mom x4,grandma x4]

dahuffy,

I have been on a crusade of sorts for more sugar free items on the ships and at WDW for the past 3 years. I have written many letters and fillled out lots of comment cards at both places. About every 3 months I post a letter about it asking others to write to DCL to ask for more sugar free desserts and snacks, and to have soft serve sugar free ice cream at scoops as well as the regular for people, plus they have NEVER had sugar free desserts at the pirate party and on CC at Cookies BBQ. I think that is so unfair!!! There are lots of people every cruise who either cant have or choose not to have sugar. They deserve to have some choices too.

 

It must be doing some good since they now have sugar free desserts at the dessert buffet which they didnt a year ago when we cruised and they have one sugar free chocolate bar at preludes and a gummy candy. It's not alot, but it is a start.

 

if you want to voice your opinion to DCL please go to their web site and click on contact us and write. You must select a category to have your letter sent to. None of them are what you will need, so just pick one and ask right at the top of your letter for them to forward your letter to the manager in charge of food on the ship and they will do this for you.

 

I hope others will read this and they will take 5 minutes to write too on the behalf of others. we can make a difference.

 

mom x4,grandma x4

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Here is another address where you can write DCL

 

dcl.guest.communications@disney.com

 

mom x4,grandma x4

[Queen of Adventure]

I just wrote them:D

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Thankyou for writing!!!

 

The more people who express their opinions the better the chances of change.

Disney is well known for listening to their guests,

 

thanks again,

mom x4,grandma x4

[cindi0511]

Great report and pics! Thanks so much for sharing!

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Ok, if I did it right you will see captain Jack Sparrow with me on pirate night.

 

 

mom x4,grandma x4

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Captain Jack Sparrow with me and my husband on Castawat cay with the flying dutchman behind us.

 

[Host Mick]

Great outfit. That earring in the mouse ear is a nice touch.

[DCLover]

Momx4Grandmax4, I believe you said your son works at WDW. Where does he work?

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Howdy,

until the first of the year he is a manager of merchandise and food and beverage at the Carribbean Beach resort. Not sure where he will be after that. They change around a lot. He was in guest relations at Downtown Disney for quite a while before this and at Epcot at Mouse Gears before that.

 

mom x4,grandma x4

[mom x4,grandma x4]

bumping up