Was live now home from the Nov 4th Western Magic

[SweetSpot]

It's so good to be home. So far it has been wonderful. The seas were a bit rough last night. Didn't see anyone getting sick but it was tricky walking. We have Gary Delana performing. Although I've seen his act 4 times now. He still is hysterical and keeps changing parts to his act. Also have a young magician on for his first cruise. He's okay but in the Welcome Aboard nothing special. There is a live band, Ntwine. They try so hard but I would much prefer a DJ to them.

The nighttime entertainment was something new called Magic Quest a scavenger hunt. We went but only about 10 others showed so we left. When the band was playing it was to only about 10 people in Rockin Bar D. I think that was mostly because of the changes to kids programming on the first night.

There are still many familiar faces from years past and one of the most special parts of the cruise is having them recognize you each time. Someone had asked in a different thread if a server Silvio had left the ship and I posted he did but he is back as an officer.

Random stuff: Many things have changed. Love the new soaps and shampoos. Not thrilled with the new Navigators but just need to get use to them. Noticed lunch at Lumieres is scaled back but that makes sense. Rachel is the cruise director and very good. Room service menu is different but still very good and they were very quick last night. Getting on the ship was a breeze and everything seems to be running very smoothly. No martini tasting this week. Bummer.

Off now to visit Key West. Weather is beautiful. Will try to check in later this week.

[Verandah Man]

:thumbsup2 Thanks for the "live" report!!! :thumbsup2

Have a MAGICal time!!! :wizard:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/VerandahMan/Magic11-4-06.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/VerandahMan/MagicKeyWest11-5-06.jpg

[kritter]

It's so good to be home. So far it has been wonderful. The seas were a bit rough last night. Didn't see anyone getting sick but it was tricky walking. We have Gary Delana performing. Although I've seen his act 4 times now. He still is hysterical and keeps changing parts to his act. Also have a young magician on for his first cruise. He's okay but in the Welcome Aboard nothing special. There is a live band, Ntwine. They try so hard but I would much prefer a DJ to them.

The nighttime entertainment was something new called Magic Quest a scavenger hunt. We went but only about 10 others showed so we left. When the band was playing it was to only about 10 people in Rockin Bar D. I think that was mostly because of the changes to kids programming on the first night.

There are still many familiar faces from years past and one of the most special parts of the cruise is having them recognize you each time. Someone had asked in a different thread if a server Silvio had left the ship and I posted he did but he is back as an officer.

Random stuff: Many things have changed. Love the new soaps and shampoos. Not thrilled with the new Navigators but just need to get use to them. Noticed lunch at Lumieres is scaled back but that makes sense. Rachel is the cruise director and very good. Room service menu is different but still very good and they were very quick last night. Getting on the ship was a breeze and everything seems to be running very smoothly. No martini tasting this week. Bummer.

Off now to visit Key West. Weather is beautiful. Will try to check in later this week.


HI, Sounds like you are having a great first day.. Just got off the Magic on 10/28 and our last night the seas were very rough... It was sooo lound everything was rattling around.....Hope you have a great week... I am soo jealous!!!!!!!!!

[Hannosmom]

Thanks for the report. Leave us a little shrimp and beer, cause we're next! Yahoo!!!

[Suzy Mouse]

Hello SweetSpot!!

We were waiting at Goofy's pool yesterday for everyone and only a few showed up! Hopefully we'll get to meet before the end of the cruise. We're early dinning with the APL rotation. Maybe you're there too???

I agree withthe new shampoos...smell delicious!! I hinted to our cabin steward...hoping for extras!!

Gotta run and meet up at the pool!!!

ps..we were allin bed at 9 last night. Too rocky for us!! :guilty:

[lindaso]

Hi guys...I'm sitting at the internet cafe b/c I just ate a room service Mickey bar and can't go to sleep!

If you didn't see anyone get sick the first night then you didn't see my DH!! It was bad!!! And he had a patch on. Now he's taking Bonine with the patch and it's working. But he can tell the second the bonine wears off. I'll never get him on another cruise so I need to enjoy these next few days.

Suzy Mouse...we haven't met but the girls did meet at the terminal. She got excited when she saw your DD up on the screen for the Golden Mickeys. What a birthday!! We couldn't make the meet b/c we were at the Mickey pool. I was watching my 4 year old b/c some big kid kept jumping right on top of him and pushing him underwater!! Never did see who his parents were.

Off to check some emails, enjoy the rest of the week!

[SweetSpot]

Hi Suzy,

Sorry we missed everyone. We had all 9 pieces of our luggage by 3:00 so I was busy unpacking so I could start the vacation. It amazed me we had everything so fast.

This year is so much different than last year for us. Even though last year was amazing, it was different. The CM's seemed all new and not very organized or happy and the food was terrible among other relatively small things. This year all of the CM's have been just wonderful. We have Sandie and Arnauldo (sorry if I killed the spelling) as concierge and they are very, very good. Room service (especially Ken) have been so quick, everything perfect and hot. Our dinner servers Ronald from the Phillipines (again not sure of spelling) Alexander from Russia are just perfect! Food fast, delicious and HOT every night. Nombuso (spelling yet again) is a jewel, such a sweet woman year after year!

So far everything has run incredibly smoothly. The shows have been very good, Match Your Mate even for the 5th time was hysterical. Gary Delana changed most of his act from the years past for the main show and was very good. The magician, Jay M something, wasn't the best during the welcome aboard. It was obvious nerves for his first time with Disney and on a ship but gave him a second try at Adult Caberet and have no idea how he did the tricks. He was amazing and will see him again tonight with the kids. Art of Entertainment series this week is being done by a chef from a MGM restaurant. He did a great job.

We went to Key West without the kids. It's a party place and it was fun for a couple hours to hit all the famous spots. Was glad to be back on the empty ship and in an empty heated adult pool.

Just watched the sun come up. There are some clouds in the sky so it was hidden but beautiful just the same. Today is the Castaway Club party at 11 but we have Palo brunch and will miss it. On of the kids want to go so I will let you know how it was if he does. Tonight is formal night and thanks to a Syms tip on our trip board the boys will all be wearing tuxes. Makes for a great picture.

So far not one complaint other than in a couple days I have to get off this ship. That's not going to be easy!

[michelle9343]

It sounds like you are having a wonder cruise. Your live thread is really helping to build my excitement. WE will be sailing on her next! :cool1: :cool1:

[SweetSpot]

On our way to Cozumel and the Fury Catamaran Excursion today. Monday was our sea day and although wonderful the weather wasn't so great. It was on the chilly side, overcast and rainy. We had a good thunder and lightning storm late at night so it could have been worse. Went to formal dinner and found most people dressed beautifully, saw noone inappropriately dressed. Afterwards say Jay Mattioli, the magician for the kids show and wasn't nearly as impressed as I was for the adult show but he was different at least than past performers. Afterward we went to Gary Delana who is so good. So much new and current material. I could watch him again and again.

Yesterday was Grand Cayman and we had no excursions booked. We decided to just get off walk around and see Margaritaville. Glad to say I've done been there done that but loved getting back to the empty ship and enjoying the pool. The morning was terrible with pouring rain but the afternoon was beautiful. Shows were Rich Purpura for kids, same exact show as all the other times but first timers love it! A juggler Rys Thomas I believe, for adult show. I don't have words to describe that show. Lets just say people were leaving and not clapping too much. Twice Charmed was the main show. It was very good again and was playing to an overpacked house. I never saw that before.

A few random things. The price of the beer mug is now $12.00, parking at the peir is more I think $84. Room service now makes you sign a receipt which gives you a place to leave a charge tip. I thought it was strange but they explained that people were complaining that they weren't getting their food, now they have proof. All the food has been very good and HOT, yeah! Our servers are amazing. At Palo brunch they were sending men back to their room to change out of shorts. I love the new little desserts samplers. You can try all and not waste too much.

Off to enjoy the day.

[lillygator]

Arnaldo was on our concierge team as well. He is awesome!

[poohssmum]

Just wanted to say hello and thanks for the live report. We were on board this cruise the past 2 years ... and I'm totally bummed to be home and at work this week :guilty: I'll just have to live vicariously through your report :thumbsup2

I'm really appreciative of your comparison of how things have changed from last year. Some of our disappointment with things from last years's cruise is a BIG reason we're not on the ship with you this year. Thanks for putting things into perspective for me. :)

[becka]

SweetSpot - did you say "dessert sampler"? Do they have this for all of the dinners? That would be a dream come true for me.

Thanks for the report...I am now at 31 days until we board and trip reports like yours are just getting me so excited. :)

[DisneyZell]

adding my self to this one...sounds like you are having fun. we also got off 10/28 and are soooo jealous! enjoy the last couple days. always feels like Wednesday is a sad day cause it's on the downhill slide.

But you do have Castaway Cay to look forward too! yeah! :cheer2:

[DisneyDmbNut]

Here you are...that "wanna-be" boat is blocking you!
http://homepage.mac.com/momme30/.Pictures/image244057.jpg

[kritter]

OH you make me wish I was back on board!!!!!!!!!!

[lbgraves]

Hope that you continue to have a a magical cruise. Do you happen to know if Rachel will be on the ship in December? We will be on the 12/9 DD cruise. :)

[DisneyDmbNut]

A better shot for you!
http://homepage.mac.com/momme30/.Pictures/image92463.jpg

[TChrist05]

Hello guys....could you tell me if they are showing Santa Claus 3 and Cars on the ship? We are sailing on 11/25 and my wife is curious if these two movies are showing on the Magic....
Thanks!
Tom

[kritter]

Hello guys....could you tell me if they are showing Santa Claus 3 and Cars on the ship? We are sailing on 11/25 and my wife is curious if these two movies are showing on the Magic....
Thanks!
Tom


Tom, SC 3 was premiered on our cruise the 10/28!!!!!!!!

[SweetSpot]

Yes they are still showing Santa 3 in the Walt Theatre and they are still showing Cars, POC3, Invincible among others. Not sure about when Rachel will be off the ship. I haven't see her around to ask, sorry. The dessert sampler was at Palo brunch and was wonderful.

What a great trip this has been. It is obvious DCL is listening they have made little changes here and there that have been perfect. Even Rich Purpura must have heard the complaints because he did change some of his act and made mention to the repeat cruiser thing and his act several times. He's hysterical, it was great to see some new material.

The Fury Catamaran was amazing! The snorkling was in a tiny area and was very crowded with not too much to see but the ride, the beach and the crew were so much fun. Pony and his crew did everything they could to pamper us just as if we had never left the DCL ship. We made it back just in time for dinner and then the movie but skipped the pirate show to watch the fireworks on the balcony. We really needed a down night.

Yesterday was a lazy day at sea and now getting ready to go to Castaway Cay. Not ready to get off this ship yet!

[Babs417]

Have a great time wish I was their pixiedust: didnt work

[jsfein]

Sweetspot:

I enjoyed reading your live report. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to meet while on board (at least I don't think we met). It sounds like your family had another great cruise. Of course, we did as well. I hope to write about it in my own trip report some time soon.

Jason

[SweetSpot]

jsfein: We unfortunately never met anyone from the DIS as far as we knew. We did meet a good many people this time and luckily some that have cruised with us before. This was our 5th cruise. Our 4th cruise was just okay with us thinking that DCL were letting things slip and the premium fare not worth it any longer. I was dreading this cruise is some ways because of recent trip reports and our experience last year but this ended up being our best DCL cruise experience in many ways. It really was flawless.

Castway Cay's weather was spectacular. Not too hot, not really humid, not a cloud in a sparking blue sky. We didn't do any excursions this year. We went to the adult beach for a while but unfortunately had loud people next to us so moved and then was in between a snorer and a man with a very loud Ipod. The chairs were very close it seemed so we headed back to the empty ship early and relaxed there. It was a really nice day.

The Final show had a different set at the end a juggler who was really amazing and Rich Purpura who again changed parts of his act from prior years. As an example of why DCL is worth the premium over other lines the juggler who came on in Grand Cayman, Rhys Thomas was gone after his earlier shows. He was bizarre in the adult show so we didn't go to the family show. They booted him in Castaway Cay and flew the new guy in for the final show. They could have let him continue or just excluded that part from the show but they go out of their way for seemless perfection.

Pub night was really fun. We were lucky to have a great entertainment staff with Rachel, Derrick, Melanie, Doug, Keyon, DJ Mike, Mike and Natalie. They're a great group of funnny, energentic people who work so hard yet you will never find them not smiling and raring to go. They did a great job even with a ship not filled with too many willing to participate. With it being NJ week and having so many repeat cruisers (I heard someone say 75% on the ship were repeat) most people knew what was to come and ran. The pool cleared when it was time for the pool games at the adult pool and they looked desperate trying to find 70's and 80's night people.

Did hear that there are two ships in the planning process. I was told that the designs for new ships from years past need to be redone to keep up with industry progress and that although they are in the planning process that in itself will take years. It sounded like we are talking at least 5 years before a new ship is sailing from what I was told.

Getting off the ship was a breeze. It seemed as if people were off by 7:30. We were off a little after 8:00 found our luggage easily and we out of the terminal within 10 minutes.

The Bad: The band NTWINE who didn't seem to know the words and seemed to struggle with pronouncing English words. I have to say they try so hard, they are great performers and would be a great backround group but need a lead singer.

Our room deck 8, midship was loud. It didn't really bother us, we knew it was from before but the carts rolling on deck 9 at 6:00AM getting the ship ready for the day are really loud as are the parties if you have little kids. Nothing DCL can do about it, and won't keep us from that room again next year, but just a warning if you have little kids that wake easily.

That's all I can come up with for the bad.

The good:

DCL listens. The food was very good and hot at every meal. We were done within an hour at each meal. We ate an appetizer and and main meal without dessert each night which might be why we were so fast but it was great. Our servers Ronald and Alexander (from Russia) were "excellent". It was such a pleasure getting to know Alexander. I hope he's still there next year.

The shows although all the same at least were different in some ways. Gary Delana and Rich Purpura did change some of their material and we had 2 other performers that we've never seen before.

Room Service was quick, hot and perfect everynight. Ken, Diane and Alvin are extremely pleasant, funny and efficient.

Customer Service and Concierge were great. We've had experiences with nasty customer service in prior years but they were all wonderful this year. We were greated by Nombuso (a former teen counselor) at the concierge meet and greet and she was so special. She remembered us from prior years and made us feel so welcome. She made a point of telling CM's that we had gotten to know well from prior years that we were onboard and they all made a point of contacting us. Very special DCL touch.

Palo Brunch is very nice, love the new dessert touch. They did change the brunch main menu. Filet is no longer an offering at lunch but I easily found other wonderful things. I wish I could eat shellfish, it all looked wonderful.

Our room steward Raymound was extremely efficient. Room was always done quickly. We would go out of the room for a short time and he would always get it done while we were gone. His timing was amazing.

The feeling of being pampered. As an example on Friday when we returned from Castaway Cay I was hungry but just wanted soup so I headed to Parrot Cay thinking it was a lunch buffet. It was sit down. I explained that I was just coming to take soup out from the buffet and since it wasn't buffet I would go upstairs for something else. The CM at the door wouldn't hear of me leaving without soup. Apparently it's not easy to take out soup because it's hot and they don't want you carrying it. I totally understood but the CM wouldn't take no and she had me leaving carrying a tray of soup in minutes. Silly example but the CM's will make anything happen to ensure a prefect trip. I could go on and on with examples of special CM's. They go out of their way to say hello and make eye contact. We sailed on RCCL in June the opposite is true there.

The other passengers on the ship were wonderful. At the elevators parents would tell their children to step back while the people who were waiting first got on the elevator. There was no pushing ahead or nasty people that I encounted on the ship. We met some wonderful people who I hope are there again next year. The children were great. Not one elevator button experience or loud kids in the hall. Our door bell wasn't rung once by a bored kid and the kids in the 10-12's and teens were all wonderful.

The new shampoo and H2O products are great!

All in all I left realizing why people are so hooked on DCL and why DCL charges more than other lines. You are paying more for a better product. They have more employees, constant entertainment, amazing kids clubs and provide a magical experience for everyone. This will be a week we will all remember!

[HookedonMagic]

Thanks for the "live" updates and your final review! Great information.

Ntwine was on our 10 night Wonder in September...I agree that they work hard, but they're just not very good. The bars were empty all cruise long whenever they were performing.

[pklein09]

Usually, DW posts. I felt compelled to add my thoughts to this thread this time. There was MAGIC on the Magic! This was our first ever cruise, so it HAD to be Disney. After chatting with a nice couple in Cozumel who cruised on another cruise line, I don't regret our decision!

I don't think there was any one single thing that I can say really made the trip great. It was all the moments we had -- with family, as a couple, with old friends, and new ones -- that I really enjoyed. The cast and crew went far above and beyond to help it happen in so many creative ways that I'm just floored by it. It's an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life (the 200+ pictures will help!)

I don't know how THIS happened, but I didn't see a single ill-mannered or spoiled child there! Some overly tired ones, sure... but nothing you could be annoyed at. Do I believe in magic? You bet I do!

Okay... enough gushing... down to some specifics! DW will fill in details in a trip report. I wanted to share some of the highlights!

DS5 turned into DS6 on day 2 when we hit Key West. He went to the kids club in the morning. We were still kids club newbies, so we thought it would be a good idea to take the kids out so we could have lunch together (there are 4 of them, btw). Lunch was nice. The older 3 wanted to go back into the clubs while we checked out the shops in port. The youngest? Nope. I told him we had a big day planned with cholesterol screenings, pocket lint cleaning, and lots of shopping for ladies handbags. No dice. It was his birthday and he would not be deterred from a day with Mom, Dad, Nana and Joe (Nana's new husband). Okay... a pirate museum and some ice cream (oh, and chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick for the grown-ups was worth every penny!) was all it took to make his day. Oh... the reason he didn't want to go back? "I'm AM. Not PM." For those of you who don't have kids in half-day kindergarten, this means that he only goes to school in the morning. Luckily, DD8 (who had her birthday scant days before) decided that he needed some company so she went to the clubs with him for the rest of the trip. I guess he liked that idea. He didn't want to leave the clubs again.

That morning I tried to let the club know it was his birthday. I figured they probably do something little. Unfortunately, it was VERY busy and all I got was an "uh huh..." Oh well, I thought. No big deal. Well, that afternoon when we got back on the ship, we brought him to Mr. Toad's Wild Race. First he lost the race, then his composure (did I say there were no ill-behaved kids? I meant besides mine!!) What made things worse was that his oldest sister (who paged me in the middle of the race and later filled in for Mom in the adult race) "won" which entitled her to a medal on a ribbon (Thank you again to to the lady who raced against her! It really made her day). Distraction (and lots of ice cream) improved his mood quickly. When we got back to our rooms, there was a trophy, a medal, and a hand written note with birthday greetings from Keyon (the cast member in charge of the race). DS6 was on cloud nine for the rest of the day! (Cue music... "Happy happy joy joy"). DW was nearly in tears (the first of many such moments -- all happy ones).

DS9 very much enjoyed being a pirate. He wore his skull and crossbones bandana on his head the whole trip home! And after DD8 purchased her third Tinkerbell pin a cast member gave her a fourth one to add to her collection. There too was a note in our cabins for "Tinkerbell's biggest fan".

Well, I don't want to give away all the good stuff... DW will cover more later. My only regret was that I didn't speak up to find other DISers at the Goofy pool the first day (yes... I was lurking there too! Bad habits die hard!) The few we met were terrific.

Oh... and please help me wish DW a happy birthday tomorrow (11/13). She turns... ummm... ... even more beautiful that the day we met? Yeah... we'll go with that!

--Paul
(the "P" in "pklein09")

:wave2:

[love2travel]

Hi SweetSpot, I'm sorry i didn't get to meet you, maybe we saw each other and didn't even know. Match Your Mate was hysterical, me and DH were couple #2 (Ken and Teresa). We had a blast!!!!! Are you booked for next years cruise? We are, can't wait!!!!

[SweetSpot]

That was you! LOL!! We met many times over. I was teasing you as we picked our kids up at the Lab afterwards about the lengths you went to get picked. You were hysterical! We were also sitting next to you when that horrible juggler was doing the adult show. I'm so exited you two will be there again next year. We'll be there next year also. We can't wait!

[cheysdad]

Hello to Teresa & Ken, Sue & Howard, Jason & Karen, Linda & Chuck!!

Great trip, thanks to all for making it Magical.

Back to work so we can pay for the next one....Thanksgiving 2008. Anyone interested? I know Sue and Howard are.........


Michael, Cathe and Cheyenne

[love2travel]

Just wanted to say Hello to all the great people we met on the cruise, it was an absolute blast!!! Thanks for all the great memories!!!!

[Suzy Mouse]

Sweet Spot....I was trying to find you all cruise...but no luck. If you saw the adult show of Rich Purpura my dad was "Al" (Actually Hal) who walked in with the orange shirt.

I was disappointed that our meet turn out just a few disers. We tried hard to get everyone to notice us...including having a cm give us a shout out along with Ken (love2travel's dh) sticking a lime green mickey head to his head. (A bit of advice...just because someone is wearing lime green doesn't make them a fellow diser...gotta love the looks you get when you ask them!!!)

I WAS happy that there were at least a few people who did turn out!! Great friends...Teresa and Ken....Cathe and Mike (we loved hanging out with you guys!!!)...Nancy and her huuby (sorry don't remember name at this moment) and another person who is slipping my mind. Later on I finally met up with Lisa (Disneylover5)...what great weather we actually did have!! and a brief intro to Chuck and Linda! Then on the last day realized that jsfein's wife was/is actually my sil's little sister in college (Rutgers..shout out to all the RU fans!!!!)

I think I'll be back with a report. It'll help get all the thoughts down for a scrapbook later on!! Plus I have so many wonderful things to report back with!!

Rebecca misses her new friends REbecca and Cheyenne! Can't wait to see them again soon!!!

Have a great day!!

[SweetSpot]

Hi SuzyMouse,

I was actually wearing a lime sweater that day and must have just missed the DISmeet. My DH was in the hot tub at the Goofy pool and my DD was playing the trivia game at the pool so I went to see if there was luggage yet. It was all ther so I unpacked and lost track of time.

I saw Teresa and Ken all over on the ship and sat in the same spot near them in Rockin Bar D almost everynight so I'm sure we ran into each other. It's a shame if you miss the meet you can never find each other afterwards.

It was such a great week. I can't wait until next year!

[JCLNJ]

Lovetotravel- My Dh and I were there for match you mate and laughed so much.

Sorry I didn't get a chance to meet everyone. My daughter met Princesslover2006 daughter at the Goofy Pool for the Dis meet and spent the rest of the week hanging out with her. Sorry, I was hanging out with my sister in law who was on her first cruise at the Mickey pool with her youngest daughter and lost track of time.

We had a great time time on the cruise.