The Disney Magic Ten Years Later-A Trip Report (Aug 15-22 Non-Tortola)w/pics COMPLETE

[Empress Room]

Day One - Introduction, A Big Surprise and Embarkation

My first voyage on the Disney Magic was back in August of 1999, back in the day when the Magic was still doing three and four day cruises only because its sister ship, the Wonder, was just being built. (As an aside, this first trip on the Magic coincided with the Wonder's maiden voyage, and the two ships met up bow-to-bow at Castaway Cay for fireworks and a little celebration, but that's long ago history and a topic for another trip report.) I traveled then (as I do now) with my DW (no kids); we have both been Disney fans over the years, but I was the reluctant cruiser, always thinking that a cruise would be too restrictive, too boring, too structured. That was eleven cruises ago, both on various DCL three and four day, seven day, Eastern, Western and Mexican Riviera and even a 10-day Southern Caribbean, both on the Magic and the Wonder, as well as on Holland America for Alaska several years back.

So I have been watching and reading these wonderful trip reports. They are informative and fun, and provide DisBoards readers with some valuable information. I suppose it's truly a good time for me to write one, not necessarily because I am any more informative or insightful as the other fine writers who have preceded me, but perhaps because I can lend a slightly different perspective. DW and I have been on a good many DCL cruises, a decade has now passed, and we are back on the Magic, cruise "veterans" who can possibly enlighten folks with some experience and a critical eye for what has changed, what has stayed the same, and, after ten years, to opine on what the Magic doing right and wrong (or perhaps different) than that first experience in 1999.

Yours Truly:
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Dearest DW:
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Which brings us to the August 15 Tortola cruise. Traveling with us are our good friends, Bob and Carmen, who have shared in some of these adventures. Four adults, no kids, the thoughts of food, adult beverages, sun, the Baths on Tortola, an early flight out of DTW to MCO and on the cruiseline bus by 10:15 a.m. on Saturday the 15th. I remember seeing the Magic for the first time in 1999 from the cruiseline bus on the highway outside of PC, it was massive, impressive and awe-inspiring. Ten years later and that hasn't changed. There is something about seeing that ship's stacks on the horizon...wow!

Carm, Bob and DW:
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Awe-inspiring:
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We pulled into port and were greeted by the DCL CM who boards the bus and tells the folks enthusiastically about the embarkation process and what awaits them in the week ahead. But this time it was different. A monotone CM boarded our bus and mumbled something about, "I have some interesting news. Blah, blah, blah, Anna and Bill, blah, blah, blah, you are not going to Tortola, you are going on a Western itinerary, possibly to Key West and Grand Cayman, Castaway Cay tomorrow, but it’s changing every moment." There was a stunned silence on that bus. Was this guy joking? He wasn't very forthcoming and a bit un-Disney-like in his delivery. It was no joke; we got off the bus and were handed a printed alternative itinerary, changed because of a tropical depression and pending hurricane.

The group was disappointed because we were all looking forward to Tortola and St. Thomas, but we all decided DCL and Captain Thord had our best interests in mind - we would gladly trade nicer whether for closed ports, high winds and 25-foot seas as the Good Captain explained (in a hushed, Seinfeld “low talker” delivery). Some in the terminal weren't so understanding, as there were a vocal few complaining that they wanted refunds, rebates or (unbelievably) insisting that the ship nevertheless travel to its scheduled itinerary (these same folks would undoubtedly head for the ill-fated bow of the ship if they had been starring in the Poseidon Adventure). (Really! Do you think that DCL would go somewhere instead of the scheduled itinerary, scramble to print new schedules, to book new and different excursions and otherwise make a seemless experience very complicated if it thought it had a choice? Of course not. DCL doesn't (also unbelievably) control the weather, so the safety of passengers and crew, the comfort and experience must take precedence over a few selfish guests who think they know better.)

Embarkation was efficient and flawless. With those #2 boarding cards in hand, a quick picture at the now-mandatory picture taking stand and we were on the ship at 11:45 a.m., somewhat frazzled, but as excited as we were the first time they called out our family name in that impressive Magic lobby on Deck 3. The first order of business was a trip to Topsiders buffet and a trip to Signals to fill up those ESPN Skybox mugs - although not necessarily in that order. (Something you should know about my ESPN Skybox mug. It was purchased on that first 4-day Magic cruise a decade ago and has logged as many cruises as DW and I. To dispel any rumor: there was no card given out with the first fill up, no double-checking of receipts. I simply walked up to the bartender, told him it was my lucky mug from more cruises than I care to count. He laughed and gladly filled 'er on up with suds and the cruise (officially) began. In case you think that the return of this mug on subsequent cruises is my way of trying to scam DCL out of the $14.95 price it now commands [it was about $10.95 back in 1999] that's not the case. It is a keepsake and a common thread to all DCL cruises, a reminder of great moments past and exciting adventures ahead and, in any event, with the number of cruises DW and I have been on, it's been more than paid for several times over!)

The one on your left is the "veteran mug:"
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The buffet lunch at Topsiders was very good, maybe not as impressive as years ago when it seemed like thousands of cocktail shrimp were heaped in the middle, surrounded by glacier-like ice sculptures. The shrimp and ice sculptures are still there, maybe not as intricate or voluminous as in years past, but there and plentiful and quite good. (This is perhaps a good time to let you know that DW and I - as well as our traveling friends - are foodies. We like good food, pick quality over quantity, but are by no means food snobs. We fully enjoy Pinnochio's pizza and the chicken fingers and fries across the pool as well as Palo, although Palo and our experience(s) there will be discussed in due time.)

The remainder of our afternoon was spent in the Quiet Cove pool, my true "happy place," enjoying the beautiful sunny weather with bemused fascination at those aforementioned vocal minority folks who were still criticizing the itinerary change and complaining about why new shore excursions and definitive plans hadn't yet been established - a "mere" four hours before sailing! We checked out the All Aboard! variety show and cemented our "I am on vacation" mindset.

My happiest Happy Place(s):
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Dining rotations and Palo brunch schedules of course all changed because of the itinerary change and one less sea day. We were originally APLAPLA, but that was changed by DCL to APLALPL. We spent the hours before our second dining assignment at Sessions, truly a great cocktail bar with a sophisticated atmosphere. Martinis were served with perfection by Dean from Australia, a young and energetic lad who epitomized DCL service. (Admittedly, if I had to vote on a second or co “happy place” on board that ship, this would be it.)

Sessions: sophisticated and relaxing:
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Animator's is my least favorite main dining assignment. Not necessarily because of the food, but because it is exactly the same as it was 10 years ago. The black and white to color transformation is a bit tired now, the technology isn't quite as impressive as it was way back when, and the theme or commonality of the evening appears a little lost now, maybe as a result of DCL replacing some of the original movies and scenes with newer movies and scenes in an inexpensive way to update the show - they just don't seem to fit as well. I would guess that this dining room is on the short list for reimagineering at the next drydock. Nonetheless, our servers, Daniel from Peru and Kendall “Don’t Call Me Jackson” (Chardonnay), were consummate pros who cared. We still had a great meal. After dinner, we opted for a simple walk around the decks, reexploring and rediscovering those nooks and crannies that were familiar with the last cruise, but demanded a revisit. A little after 11:00 p.m., and the first (half) day was history. A full and satisfying beginning to the adventure.

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Some impressions as I laid my head down on my Category 5 balcony pillow that first night, reflecting on this versus that first cruise a decade ago:

• The Magic is in great shape. It is clean, beautiful and stunning. Everything in our cabin was in working order and the addition of the flatscreens were welcomed;

• The crew and staff remain extremely friendly, helpful and genuinely happy to please and serve. Yep, they’ve gotten better over the years and the ten years under their belts have made them that much more polished;

• The food in main dining rooms is much improved, if Animator’s Palate is any indication. It used to be that ordering meat in the main dining rooms meant something always well done (no matter what temperature requested) and a bit tough. This was solid. Very tasty even. Medium rare now means medium rare, and the accompaniments are tasty too;

• Gosh, I’m really having fun.

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Next up: Day Two - Castaway Cay: Clean Living And Pictures Are Better Than Words

[jbm02]

Hi!!
We were on the same cruise. I am looking forward to reading your trip report and reliving our great vacation :woohoo: !!! Thanks for posting so soon!!!!

[LisaSp]

Enjoying your report so far--your perspective as a true veteran is interesting! Looking forward to future installments. We can't afford another cruise any time soon so I hang out here living vicariously thru all the trip report writers LOL...

[pppiglet]

Great idea...comparing now to 10 years ago. Can't wait to read the rest!

[kaseyC]

What a cool idea to compare now to 10 yrs ago. Very enjoyable trip report. :)

[MagicMe]

I love the comparison of the then and now!!

[Verandah Man]

Great start, can't wait to read more!!! :thumbsup2

[Verandah Man]

Hi!!
We were on the same cruise. I am looking forward to reading your trip report and reliving our great vacation :woohoo: !!! Thanks for posting so soon!!!!



Hey There Jude.......:wave2: Double Dip Cruise buddy from August 2006.....so I see you got another "unplanned" Double Dip cruise this August as well.....:goodvibes

[my3m]

subscribing

[jenanderson]

Since we were on this cruise too, I can't wait to read your report! It is so fun to read about our cruise!

I had heard that there were people complaining at port about the change in our itinerary. We really felt that Disney was making the best choices for safety and just sat back and enjoyed the fact that we were actually cruising!

[PoohJen]

Enjoying your report! It's fun to get another perspective/experience on the same cruise! Sessions? What's Sessions?!! :rotfl: We're usually about the Goofy Pool and Mickey slide!:laughing:

[JFHeeren]

Nice report - can't wait for more as we sailed on this cruise as well!

We are 3 for 3 with Hurricanes / Tropical Storms changing our cruise plans so this change was not unexpected. July 2005 - Disney Wonder 3 day (6 hours late into Nassua for a TS), Aug 2006 - change from Western to Eastern tour because of Hurricane, and now this one.

[uncw89]

Hi, I'm joining in too. We were on the cruise too! It's good to read other peoples views on the same cruise. We had a great time. Looks like there are 3 trip reports going from our cruise.
Can't wait to read more.
Elena

[Empress Room]

Day Two - Castaway Cay: Pictures Are Better Than Words

After an incredibly restful night of sleep and the requisite well-being massage at the Vista Spa (there is something about sleeping on that ship that is conducive to great sleep), we looked forward to another beautiful day at Castaway Cay. Now I say “beautiful” literally – whether on that first voyage on the Magic in 1999 or this instant voyage ten years later, Castaway Cay has always looked like this to me:


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And this:

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I have read many a trip report about high winds preventing dockings, rain and storms spoiling the island paradise experience, but we’ve never encountered it. Not once. In twelve DCL cruises, some with multiple stops to Castaway Cay, it’s always looked exactly like this:

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That’s a lot of stops at Castaway Cay, with beautiful weather and nether a problem docking. And why? Blind luck? The will of the island gods? Clean living (certainly not it)? I am not sure, but DW and I always feel incredibly lucky to experience CC in its glory. And glorious it is.

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A hot and sunny day at CC is always welcomed. We made a quick stop at the post office (unbelievably, despite my number of visits to CC, I had never been in the post office before) and headed directly (without passing “Go”) to Serenity Bay. On our short walk to the trams and travels to the adult-only area, it was easy to compare CC now to what it was back then. This private island has grown up...big time, and by the looks of all the construction equipment, new buildings and pylons being driven into the bay, it’s undoubtedly going to be growing up even more to accommodate the Dream and Fantasy:

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Back in 1999, the foliage was much sparser and the experience less exotic. The extended bike trail and observation tower, now staples on the island, did not exist; in fact, I remember renting bikes on that first visit and feeling really cheated by the experience (I am a cyclist and was expecting to do more than ride my bike down the worn out runway and down a partial crushed limestone path past the open air cabanas that dead-ended abruptly). The experience is now much better, with a longer and more interesting bike path, and that is a good thing.

Jet skis, glass bottom boats and parasailing? Nope, not back then. I remember banana boat rides (why did they get rid of that fun adventure?) and the very immature snorkeling lagoon (no 20,000 Leagues submarines or Mickey/Minnie statues and many fewer fish). Sting ray adventure? Can’t say I remember that on the dance card. I guess what I am trying to convey is that DCL, to its credit, has made CC more than just a place to grab a beach chair or lounger and spend the day in the turquoise water (although, admittedly, there is nothing at all wrong with spending the day that way).

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Cookies has remained consistently good through the years, much like it was “way back when.” I must admit, however, that I miss the “show” that the CMs used to put on at lunch time. Fresh, whole mangos, watermelons, cantaloupes and pineapples were brought to Serenity Bay and CMs would actually carve them up in front of you – it was an impressive and great show. That hasn’t happened for years now, and I miss it. A small experience that, added together with similar ones, made things just a tad more magical (more on that later).

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Another observation about Castaway Cay. As beautiful as it is and how wonderful the day spent there unfolds, there is typically something in the back of your mind (mine, at least) that kicks in, usually after the Cookies lunch and right around a trip to Heads Up or Castaway Air Bar for an early afternoon drink of the day, and that little something is that, “ugh, we’re on Castaway Cay, which means that we are on our last day of vacation, we are heading home, we will have to pack our bags when we get back on the ship and by this time tomorrow, I’ll be home...or at the airport.” I hate that feeling. Which is why Captain Thord’s astute decision to change our itinerary and make CC the first day of our cruise was even more brilliant than I first imagined. A full day at CC and the whole rest of the cruise to look forward to. No “See Ya Later, Mon” for us. It was just beginning:

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I squeeze out each and every second on CC. Hard to believe folks head back any time earlier than is mandated. Even when the CMs start breaking down the chairs, closing up the bars and folding up umbrellas (tasks that take time, so they start at about 2:30 or 3:00 and that kind of bugs me), we stay. And enjoy. And soak up that experience.

We have a ritual. As if spending all day in the perfect water of CC wasn’t enough, we invariably head to the pool immediately upon reboarding and spend more time there. Silly? I suppose. But the pools are usually much less crowded at the end of CC days and it’s nice to kick back (with the trusty old ESPN mug!) and unwind from the day.

After getting ready for dinner and the show, we again headed to Sessions for this:

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Dinner was at Parrot Cay, which gets my vote for “most improved” restaurant. Its theming on those first cruises was a little over the top. The portholes, which are now covered with understated window treatments, used to be big ol’ portholes surrounded by parrots and macaws right out of the Tiki Room. It was really a bit too much, and the change is much appreciated. The food, too, has improved and, in keeping with my earlier comments about meat temperatures and main dining room fare, the dinner was really pretty tasty:

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We took in the John Charles adult show at Rockin’ Bar D after dinner. This guy is a talented musician with clever quips. His show is almost exclusively improv – taking requests and suggestions from the audience. It was a great way to cap the evening.

(You may notice that this trip report does not include any discussions of the various wonderful regular shows in the Walt Disney Theater. The reason is that we have seen each of these shows numerous times – for the record, they are fabulous, the cast talented and productions noteworthy. But having seen them many times already, we spent our time relaxing just a bit more, shopping a bit more, exploring a bit more. Perhaps DCL should consider changing or adding shows with more frequency. Some are classics, and some have changed over the years, but others have been there nearly from the beginning.)

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Some impressions from Day Two:

• Castaway Cay is a true gem, and a DCL cruise without it is really missing out on a major component of the guests’ enjoyment (read West Coast Mexican Riviera cruises);

• Service on the ship and CC continues to impress. The crew cares. Cruise director Brent spent 15 to 20 minutes just chatting with DW and me about our experience, expectations and thoughts;

• Daniel and Kendall, our servers, are efficient and thoughtful. Remember how we like our food prepared, remember our favorite wine(s) and preferences. Written notes or not, the level of service and knowledge never ceases to amaze and has improved over the last decade.

Next Up: Day Three – 3 Laps Equal A Mile; All Roads Lead To Palo

[kaseyC]

I was looking forward to your continuation of the TR and it didn't disappoint. :) The Martinis in Sessions are perfect. The bartenders are great.

[caribear]

I am enjoying your review! I have only been on 1 Disney cruise and never made it to Serenity Bay....how gorgeous it looks....without all the hustle and bustle of the family beach...what a relaxing area! I would love to take an adults only cruise and spend my whole day in a lounge chair on that beach!

[MagicMe]

I had the great experience of doing a double dip cruise last year and being on CC that first day was so different. It was nice knowing that we still had plenty of cruising left ahead of us!!! Unfortunately, the second stop brought back those nasty thoughts you mentioned about our last day! :sad1:

[Empress Room]

Day Three – 3 Laps Equal A Mile; All Roads Lead To Palo

Sea days. You’ve got to love ‘em, particularly when you know that they will involve a Palo Brunch. The day began early, 6:30 a.m. at Cove Café for a very light breakfast – a Danish and tea, because 11:00 a.m. reservations at Palo were mere hours away. We have always found sea days to be our favorite, a chance to take things a bit more slowly, to enjoy the various offerings on the ship and to continue to explore and discover.

By the first sea day on any Magic cruise, the guilt of gluttony has usually consumed me and I head to the workout area for some lifting followed by either a cardio session on the Spinning bikes or a run around the deck. Now, back in 1999, the Magic’s workout area was about 1/3 the size it is now. In fact, the whole gym only included the area before the ramped, elevated area which now houses the Spinning bikes, treadmills and elliptical training machines (this area used to be the “bridge overlook” which was separated from the gym by glass windows, allowing those in the cramped gym to see what was happening on the bridge or watch other guests who had opted to take a DCL bridge tour. During a drydock several years back, this area was completely reconfigured and the result is a much larger gym/workout area – done very well, although the retrofitting does result in some pretty low ceilings in the elevated area, so watch your head.)

I love to jog on Deck 4 during sea days. There is something exhilarating about running around that 1/3 mile loop with nothing but vast ocean around you, hot humid air, broken up only by the one area near the bow that blasts you with air conditioning as you jog past. (As an aside, I’m not really a jogger, I am a cyclist, and had planned to jog for a couple of miles – six laps – at a leisurely pace, just to prepare for the eating feast that is Palo and to keep some semblance of fitness during the whole cruise. But I’m also pretty competitive, and take it personally (and unreasonably!) when someone passes me on the jogging track (I know, this makes no sense!). Now as luck would have it, that someone was a few years younger than I and obviously a more accomplished runner. Let’s be honest, the guy who passed me was half my age and looked like a seasoned marathoner. Not to be deterred, I picked up my pace (a lot) and did my best to stay on his heels, determined that I would pass him before I quit, however long it would take. Well, it became clear that it was going to take a heck of a lot longer than I anticipated, and my six laps jog became seven, which turned into eight, then nine. He knew I was there, and was determined to punish me for keeping up with him (much to his credit). It quickly turned into a crazy Caribbean race, as our pace picked up even faster, we began dodging deck loungers and shuffleboard players, lap after lap, as the temperature and humidity reached the seventh circle of h*ll in Dante’s inferno. And then it happened. He looked over his shoulder to see where I was...and I knew that I had him, he was starting to tire. Little did I realize that it would take another four or five laps for him to finally relent, and I passed him, secretly exhausted but publicly proud. After putting enough distance between him and me, I opted for ducking in to the air conditioned bliss of the Magic, coming face to face with Leslie, the future cruise lady. Collapsing on a chair in front of her, attempting to catch my breath and generally just sweating, I managed to regain enough composure to ask her about some future cruises; she gave me dates, rates and categories, and I slipped back outside to “cool down.”

In the fury of competition, I hadn’t noticed that the Magic was doing something very unique with this changed itinerary, it was coming within 2.5 nautical miles of downtown Havana, Cuba, the closest it’s ever been. And it was impressive:

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Havana actually has a better skyline than Detroit:

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Is that Fidel and Raul waving over there?

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After showering and generally collapsing post- mini marathon, it was time for Chapter One at Palo, the brunch. Now I’ve read enough comments from passengers on DIS about whether Palo is worth an extra $15 (it was $5 back in 1999), how DW or DH doesn’t like “fancy food,” how DH doesn’t like to wear fancy clothes or a sport coat or generally why they shouldn’t experience Palo because they think they may not like it or it will take too much time. I am here to say that no one should have any pre-conceived opinions about anything or any experience on the ship, including Palo, without trying it just once. We did and have never, ever been disappointed. It is as fancy or gourmet as you want it to be, but is equally as relaxed and casual at the same time, never stuffy or pretentious. And the food at Palo is outstanding, and this comes from a true foodie. Imagine a five-star restaurant (either on land or sea) that you only have to pay $15 to experience and it’s also an all-u-can-eat feast. It’s almost unbelievable.

On our first cruise on the Magic in 1999, our regular dining servers were Sasha and Andres, and they were a great team, professional and personable. Well guess what? Sasha, ten years and many cruises later, is still on the Magic, as a server in Palo, and we have become acquaintances over the last decade:

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It’s really difficult to express in words everything that happens at a Palo brunch, and even the pictures do not do it justice. Your morning begins with a complimentary champagne or mimosa. You are introduced to the cold appetizers that you will partake in:

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You may brunch with Ducky:

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You are shown the signature pizzas:

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You get to choose (at least!) one hot entrée. Including breakfast/brunch selections:

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Chicken Parmesan:

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Pasta:

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Tilapia:

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And you finish up (if you have any room) with dessert:

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Now I did notice something conspicuously absent from the hot entrée selections this cruise, the lack of the Palo signature thinly sliced beef tenderloin, something that was always present, from 1999 all the way through our last cruise in October, 2008. Hmm. A change has been made. It was a bit disappointing that it is no longer offered (or at least wasn’t on that first sea day) at brunch. Economically motivated cutbacks? I sure hope not. Less popular at brunch since a signature version is served at Palo dinner and beef tenderloin is open and notorious in the main dining rooms? I hope that’s it. Truth be told, there is so much good food, so well prepared, so creative, that we hardly missed it, but we did notice and comment on it collectively. Notwithstanding, we left full and sated.

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On our way out, we spoke to P.J., Palo’s longtime manager who we have also gotten to know over the years. He had just returned from holiday, and in true DCL/Palo fashion, commented about how excited they were there to be seeing us the following night for our Palo dinner, and also confirming to us that Sasha again would be our server. It’s this kind of attention to detail that has played out over the decade that keeps us coming back.

We were scheduled for martini tasting at Sessions at 3:00 p.m., and the few hours between our Palo exit and our tasting hardly seemed enough time to recover (from the gorging as well as the two bottles of Champagne). But, we are true troopers, and we prevailed. The various tastings offered on the ship are also a great way to meet other passengers, learn a little and generally experience the service on the ship:

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Now you see them...now you dont:

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Dinner that night was at the Magic’s signature restaurant, Lumiere’s. I remember vividly that it was the first restaurant that I dined in on the Magic back in 1999. It has an elegance to it that truly takes you back to bygone days of early ocean liner cruises. The atmosphere is formal, the service prompt and the fare French:

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I did notice something; again, a small something, but it was there (or rather wasn’t there). During that first Lumiere’s dinner service in 1999 and in years past, the butter that was placed on the table was fresh, pressed butter. Now, it seems, Lumiere’s (like all main dining room restaurants, not Palo) has resorted to serving butter in sealed, plastic cubes. It’s certainly less impressive. It may be more hygienic given the number of servers and tables in Lumiere’s, and certainly less wasteful, but it was a small thing I noticed, not unlike the absence of fresh cut mangos on CC or beef tenderloin at Palo. (Lest you think I am being a tad overcritical, I am not. The experience was and is still wonderful, but if I am giving an honest comparison in this trip report, I need to point out the comparative differences from a decade ago, both good and bad.)

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Some impressions from Day Three:

• I am still really enjoying this cruise and am amazed how DCL scrambled to put together an alternative itinerary, to accommodate those extra Palo brunchers because there was now one less sea day;

• The cleaning, painting and maintenance of this ship is constant and meticulous. No wonder the Magic looks every bit as good in August 2009 as it did in August 1999;

• There is so much to do on the ship it’s impossible to accomplish everything. But the beauty is that one can do as much (or as little) as one wants;

• It was a long and exciting day. I cannot wait until my head hits that pillow.

Next up: Day Four – Rum Point, Even More Palo And Pirates!

[PoohJen]

re: the "butter" - I noticed that too, that it was in plastic containers and...the horror!...it wasn't even real butter, just a spread of sorts (I'm partial to butter, not alternatives). I'm sure they probably had real butter if I asked for it, but in the end, I enjoyed my bread plain, so never asked.;)

[Empress Room]

re: the "butter" - I noticed that too, that it was in plastic containers and...the horror!...it wasn't even real butter, just a spread of sorts (I'm partial to butter, not alternatives). I'm sure they probably had real butter if I asked for it, but in the end, I enjoyed my bread plain, so never asked.;)

Yes, it is a spread. Good point. (In fact, my picture of the Beef Wellington from Lumiere's from above captures it in the upper left hand corner.)

It does cheapen the dining room experience just a bit, but on the positive side, I found that the breads and rolls were fresher, tastier and more creative than in the past. How about you?

[JFHeeren]

I would agree that the bread and selection of it was real good this trip, except for the olive spread, with olive oil - and the olive bread. That was not a good combination for me.

Nice piece of Wellington you had there, mine did not look nearly as good as yours.

[Andrea_loves_Disney]

Subscribing!! Great trip report!! Waiting for the next installment....popcorn::

[inmyis]

Love the Report!:thumbsup2 DW and our will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary with a Magic cruise in a little more than three weeks. :) It is our 4th Disney Cruise. I could not agree with you more about CC and Palo's Brunch...Fantastic!:woohoo: We are always one of the first off the ship at CC and one of the stragglers trying to stay longer. Also, like to relax and enjoy the cruise at a leisurely pace at Quiet Cove and ALL the beverage tastings!:drinking1

Can't wait to read more!

[Empress Room]

Day Four – Rum Point, Even More Palo And Pirates!

Another early breakfast, this time at Topsiders, as the fearless travelers pulled into Grand Cayman. We hastily decided upon the Rum Point Beach excursion when the itinerary changed (we had been there previously and really liked it, but decided to opt out of the Stingray City portion this time around since everyone had already done that on the last Grand Cayman stop and we realized that the prime beach areas of Rum Point are taken by those who opt out – hence our reasoning.

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Our excursion met in Diversions at 8:15 a.m., and the Grand Cayman port requires tendering, so the process is always a bit slower and preference is given to those with DCL-booked excursions, earliest given even the greatest preference. We wandered down a little after 8:00 and the room was full; obviously, whatever excursion before ours (a butterfly encounter of some sort) hadn’t been cleared to the tender boats yet and was running a few minutes behind; DCL, like all cruise lines visiting, are at the mercy of local officials as to when their ship “will be cleared” (no one is really sure what that means, although I am pretty sure it involves setting up a group of official “welcomers” who in turn make sure that all the local merchant shops are open and ready to sell you just about anything under the sun...and of course, Tortoga Rum Cakes). Complicating the process on this cruise is that there were not one, not two, not three, but four different Carnival ships in port on this day, all vying for the same tenders:

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I have also stated earlier in this trip report how impressed we all were that DCL scrambled and put together this itinerary on a moment’s notice, obviously contacting all of these new ports of call, arranging for our docking, arranging for shore excursions and generally making us feel welcomed. And they did an amazing job of doing so. I also mentioned earlier that there were the vocal minority back at the port who were complaining about the itinerary change and generally acting foolish; those folks were fellow Americans. Well, it is nice to see that this kind of behavior knows no borders. In Diversions that morning, a family of four from “across the pond” was already complaining about their subjective belief that things were unorganized and running late. They were vocal and sitting right in front of the ever-friendly DCL crew member trying to keep things in order and get those on the butterfly excursion out the door so that he could then deal with the Rum Point group. Somehow I knew that these folks from the U.K. would be on our excursion, on our bus to the ferry over to Rum Point and sitting right next to us on that whole trip...still complaining. I was right. Folks, you are on vacation, go with the flow a bit. Thankfully, we did not let it hinder our enjoyment at all:

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We encountered the only rain of our entire week, and it was perfectly timed, not hitting until we had gotten off the bus (and away from the complainers) and onto the ferry for the 45-minute trip to Rum Point Beach. The water at Grand Cayman is beautiful, turquoise, and the trip over there (slow, due to the shallow depths across the bay) was really half the fun, even with the Ana and Bill-induced storm hitting us. By the time that we got to Rum Point, the skies had cleared, the temperature had risen, and we got to experience this secluded gem:

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This excursion is really nice and relaxing. The waters at Rum Point are perfect for snorkeling and the food (included in the excursion price) is tasty and feels like you are “in the islands:"

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After taking in Rum Point for the better part of the day, we experienced the return trip to the buses on the ferry, but this time the sun was out and the trip even more spectacular. The buses were waiting and right on time, we were back at the ship in no time and ready to prepare for Palo, Part 2, our much anticipated dinner, as well as the Pirates In The Caribbean Party.

Although we were second dining during the week, our Palo reservation was 6:30, which was perfect for getting out in more than plenty of time to change out of Palo gear and into Pirate gear:

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It’s equally difficult to describe just how amazing Palo dinner is as it is Palo brunch – I have read opinions on which is better, which is a “can’t miss” and which you could pass up. From my perspective, as well as DW and the group, each is unique and each should be experienced at least once. P.J. greeted us and escorted us to Sasha’s section. Sasha, in his ever-present professionalism, described each and every morsel of food that awaited us. I simply cannot put into words what an outstanding meal and experience we had at this dinner (nor how incredibly stuffed and full each of us were after consuming what appeared to be a week’s worth of the ship’s entire rations in a single sitting). I will let the pictures do the talking. First up, the various appetizers, including calamari to die for, a tomato-basil salad and a spectacular grilled eggplant:

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And entrees. How about beef tenderloin:

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Some of the best rack of lamb I have ever had:

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Sasha likes to bring an “entrée for the table,” tonight it was actually two additional entrees, pasta dishes:

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By the time dessert rolled in, the crew practically needed to roll us out. The chocolate soufflé that Carm, a true connoisseur of soufflés, claims is the “best in the world” (a strong statement indeed):

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I am partial to the panacatta, which I believe is absolutely memorable:

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How about banana crème brulee:

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At the conclusion of our gorge fest, we started talking to Sasha and P.J., telling them what wonderful meals we had consumed there – both brunch and dinner – and what a letdown it will be as we walk out of the friendly confines of Palo that evening. I even (somewhat) jokingly told P.J. that the four of us would gladly “volunteer” to place sit for any last minute cancellation he may receive in the next few days – we could get dressed up in seconds if need be!. Heck, it would be a crime to leave a table empty at Palo. P.J. and Sasha laughed, we scribbled our kudos on the book at the host stand, said our goodbyes and waddled out into the hallway.

Although soundly in a food-induced coma, we exited Palo and headed back to our respective cabins for Pirate Night festivities. Now back in 1999 on our first Magic cruise, there was no such thing as the Pirate Night party, because those were the days B.J.S. (Before Jack Sparrow) and before the fireworks were shot off the ship. For the life of me, I do not remember what we did on those nights, but my best recollection is that what is now the Pirate Party was simply a very lively, character-driven deck party, sans any fireworks blowing up in the sky.

We spent the time prior to the party revving up, taking in the solitude and quiet of the Quiet Cove pool area, which illustrates how, no matter how many folks are on this ship, if you want some solitude and privacy, you can find it:

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We decided on the “understated” pirate garb for this cruise, mostly in part that we were dangerously close to Northwest’s 50 lb. baggage limit, and paying an additional $50 on top of the $25 or $30 per bag we had already paid just didn’t seem all that attractive, particularly since experience has taught us that our onboard $200 credit, which always sounds like a lot, is usually burned through by the time they call our name as we walk onto the Magic from the port terminal:

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Which brings up a good point. The Pirate Party is truly “not to be missed” and a plus that has occurred in the last decade of DCL cruises that we sincerely hope sticks around in some capacity (and with the rumored Pirates 4 movie in production, very likely). Watching it from start to finish from the comfy confines of Deck 10, we noticed that the dances, music and banter has been rearranged and updated; although the “Mickey Saves The Day” theme and fireworks in the sky have remained constant. The fireworks are, of course, the highlight, and when you realize that DCL is the only cruise line able to circumvent maritime laws about flammable rockets and the appearance of signal flares in the skies, you feel pretty lucky and pretty darned excited about the whole event.

The Pirates pooped out soon after the last report decorated the Caribbean night sky, we knew that an early Spinning class and Cozumel were waiting the following day, so we called it a night a little after 11:00.

My impressions from Day Four:

• DCL is, in part, a victim of its own success. Guests know and expect a punctuality and precision from the Disney brand, and when things beyond its control (hurricanes and tender boats) cause changes to that precision, folks tend to overreact;

• Grand Cayman is a very nice port, but it is incredibly expensive. We didn’t shop on the island because of the crazy high taxes and ended up doing better shopping back on the ship after we left port (the rum cakes in the duty free Up Beat were much less expensive than in the Grand Cayman Tortoga store, which makes this port perfect for sun/beach activities, but not a lot else);

• Although the fireworks on board are not Illuminations or Wishes, watching them leaves a warm and fuzzy feeling with you as you bob in the vast, inky ocean and connects you back to everything you like about Disney;

• After feasting in Palo, I am looking forward to that Spinning class.

Next up: Day Five – Are We At Palo, Or Is This Groundhog Day II?

[chuff]

coming along for the ride.....

[caitlinsdad]

We too were on the Aug 15th cruise with you, I too heard the small group complaining about the change of cruise plans. While I too was disappointed in the change, Having done almost the same cruise in 2006 with two stops at CC, Being safe and avoiding the hurricane and TS was much more preferable than high winds and seas.

Disney did a great job considering the change in plans.


Great report and pictures

Thank you

[Empress Room]

Day Five – Are We At Palo, Or Is This Groundhog Day II?

Wednesday means Cozumel, a port that we have visited on previous Western itineraries and a port which almost demands that you embark on some sort of beach excursion or adventure. Truth be told, many passengers have reservations about Cozumel – it is Mexico, there is major culture shock, English is not spoken as a first language and, unlike the various Caribbean islands DCL tends to visit, when you arrive in Cozumel (or any Mexican port for that matter), you clearly know that you are in a foreign country (as an American) which can be a little disconcerting.

On our two previous visits to Cozumel, we booked 1) the Jeep adventure and beach break (an absolute hoot. Great, rugged drive through the wilderness, ending up at a pretty nice beach with some good wave action and a nice Mexican lunch) and 2) a beach day at a private resort (another fun DCL excursion. A private beach, with use of a resort and a full-blown buffet lunch). This time, however, we were inclined to just hang out in Cozumel, walk the streets and do some shopping before spending the majority of the day back on the Magic enjoying the solitude of the Quiet Cove pool, which is always less attended during port days. (A word on shopping. Many folks find the very aggressive nature of the merchants and business owners in Mexico uncomfortable. One really shouldn’t. It’s actually kind of a fun interaction as shop owners try to convince you to visit their little stores. It’s a cultural difference and completely harmless. Plus, you might just find a deal because they are always willing to bargain.)

After my aforementioned Spinning class and DW’s jog around Deck 4, we were ready to take on Cozumel. The port area has been plussed since our visit in May, 2008, and some of the views back into the port area and down the streets are quite remarkable:

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Knowing that we weren’t going to spend all day walking the hot streets, we headed toward the Plaza, kind of an “upscale” straw market full of merchants, vendors and restaurants of local flavor:

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I don’t know about you, but we like to catch at least some of the local flavor of these quaint port stops, and tiny restaurants and bars are a fun way to experience that. (It was getting to be close to lunch time [heck, it was after 10:00 a.m., and we thought that a couple of 50 cent Coronas and some chips and salsa sounded like a great idea]. As great as the food is on the ship, eating lunch at Lumiere’s or Topsiders, at least to us, would be way less adventurous and way less memorable than partaking in some of the local fare. And these folks need tourist dollars.) We found this little dive in the Plaza, were solicited by the waiter with a $1 off coupon and decided that it had just the right look:

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After shopping some more, Bob, DW and I hooked back up with Carm, who had wandered off by herself, heading in the general direction of the ship as she shopped from store to store. We decided to have a real lunch at Carlos and Charlie’s (although much more vanilla in authenticity than the previous dive we visited, it was on DCL’s approved list of “safe” eateries and, although the little dive had a sign that its vegetables were washed with bottled water only, the consensus was that it was a risk no one was willing to take – there were still three days left in this cruise and the thought of food-borne illnesses did not sound attractive). But Carlos and Charlie’s did not disappoint: the food was decent, the waitstaff crazy and fun, the beers cold and...you got to wear silly balloon hats:

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We were also heckled by Kiwi Copperfield (no, I am not making this up) who is a roving table magician there. He sat down with the four of us and performed about 15-20 minutes worth of the most amazing card and sleight of hand tricks. “Legerdemain” must be his middle name, but having the opportunity to run into a showman like this was really a highlight:

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We meandered back to the Magic in early afternoon and (like clockwork) headed to the adult pool with our ESPN mugs. The day was gorgeous, hot, but with a breeze, blue skies and the sounds of Mexican music coming from the stores and restaurants in port. Again, we were in our happy place.

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Carm decided that she wanted to go see “Up” in 3-D at 5:30 before heading to Sessions and our main dining seating. But those plans changed. DW and I got back to our cabin from the pool sometime right at 5:30 and our message light was blinking. (You will learn that this happens frequently on the Magic. Broadcast voicemails from the cruise director, Brent, about upcoming events, messages from the hotel manager making sure everything is in order, messages from DVC or Castaway Club about get togethers. After the first one, seeing the blinking light becomes routine). But not this time.

Still in our wet bathing suits, I reached for the phone to hear what I thought would be another broadcast message. But it was Palo. Specifically, it was P.J. P.J. said that there was a late cancellation and, if the four of us were interested, we could come in for a SECOND Palo dinner. If we were interested? Is the Pope Catholic? Is Captain Thord soft-spoken? Are our onboard charges well into the mid-three digits? Yes, yes, yes and of course. But there was one small problem. We needed to be at Palo at 5:45. And it was 5:30. And Carm was AWOL at a movie. We called Bob. He ran to the Buena Vista Theater to find Carm. “Up” wasn’t playing. They had substituted “G-Force.” Carm wasn’t there. Mad scramble. Must find Carm somewhere. We fanned out. Grid search. Decks 4, 9 and 10 would be covered. I had Deck 4. No luck. DW had Deck 10. Ditto. Bob had Deck 9. Success! She was waiting in line at Pinocchio’s for pizza. No way. Palo and all of this waited:

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As much as I’d like to, and as amazing as that 5:45 reservation was (we cleaned up real nice), I won’t bore you with the details of another Palo dinner event. Suffice it to say that P.J. and Sasha were gracious and cordial and the food was delightful as always. We had a few different entrees, including the best homemade lasagna we have ever eaten (and this was simply a Sasha “entrée for the table” add-on):

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Amazing ahi tuna:

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Succulent salmon:

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Again, wonderful desserts:

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Notice the greatest souffle ever in the background, behind the tiramisu:

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The coma hit hard again. Everything became a blissful blur. I remember thanking P.J. profusely and I remember him asking me when he’d see us again (although I know he meant on what future cruise, I wanted to say, “how about tomorrow?”), hugs were exchanged with Sasha (who promised that, although he may do a short contract on the Dream just for transition and quality assurance purposes, he would return to the Magic, which he considers “his ship.) We ended up at Sessions (this time post-meal) and unwound from a truly wonderful day.

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My impressions from Day Five:

• It’s the little things that make a cruise, whether in port or on the Magic itself. Discovering that “local flavor” and unfamiliar culture of the port city, whether for salsa or a simple card trick, can really make your vacation;

• DCL also looks at the little things. Although P.J. could not possibly have promised another trip to Palo, the stars lined up and, somewhere, he remembered our party and knew how much it would mean to us to dine in Palo again. Although we are just four of thousands of passengers, DCL does an excellent job of making one feel special;

• I couldn’t help but think back to our first cruise on the Magic in 1999 and our first experience at Palo. Newbies, in a new restaurant, we were seated, taking in the room’s splendor. I remember the manager back then approaching the two of us and explaining that he would kindly move our table for two from the center of the room to a table by the window, so we could enjoy a magnificent sunset as we dined. A little thing then, a little thing now, but somehow it was a tie that bound.

Next up: Day Six – There Is “Wining” on the Magic

[Mickey4me!]

Really enjoying your report. Our DCL experience parallels yours - Cruise #1 was Oct '97 shortly after the inaugural cruise (when they only had 3 and 4 day ones to Nassau), then #2 in '02 to celebrate dd's graduation (7 day Eastern) and we're getting ready for #3 in Oct - 7 day Western with DD and her fiance! Can't wait to experience the changes that have taken place over the past 7 years. Palo still remains one of the highlights for us...

Can't wait to read more.

[Empress Room]

Day Six - There Is "Wining" On The Magic

Ah, days at sea and Parrot Cay. There is something about days at sea that truly make a cruise feel relaxing. There is simply no pressure or tugs on your time since you need not tender, disembark, head off to an excursion or otherwise do anything “real world.” (Don’t misunderstand me, excursion days are great days, and DW and I have always enjoyed exploring new and different islands and locales; however, over the last ten years of DCL cruising, we have come to really appreciate sea days and, if I had one disappointment with the retooled non-Tortola itinerary, it’s that we were giving up one of our three sea days in exchange for another port). Ah, such worries.

Now earlier in the week, Monday I believe, Captain Thord had told the passengers (ever quietly) that Thursday could very well be an “iffy” overcast and possibly rainy day because, even though he traded the three or four very bad weather days had we kept that original itinerary, the hurricanes were likely to affect our weather later in the week...and Thursday was going to be the day. But it didn’t turn out that way. The sun rose gloriously in the east, hardly a cloud in the sky, the seas were placid and it looked like yet another picture perfect day. Clean living indeed.

So we didn’t have too many plans at all. In fact, in true sea day fashion, just about none. DW and I awoke early and headed to Cove Café for an early breakfast and a workout in the gym. We found Bob enjoying a cup of coffee by the near-deserted adult pool. We knew that we had a wine tasting at 1:00 p.m., that it was semi-formal night and that we were dining at Parrot Cay. We knew that we wanted to spend a lot of time at the pool (with mugs) both before and after the wine tasting and further knew that we wanted to grab some pizza and chicken strips for lunch. Yep, that was all we had on our calendars, and we were looking forward to it.

DW and I wandered over to the Vista Spa to see, perhaps, if there were any additional spa appointments available. (As described in Day Two, we usually begin the cruise with a well-being massage just to “set the tone;” we enjoyed them so much that we decided to splurge, DW opting for some kind of seaweed wrap and yours truly grabbing a hot stone massage. The Vista accommodated us with two open appointments within 15 minutes of our inquiry. It was a plan and well worth the splurge.)

After a dip in the pool and lunch on Deck 9, we headed over to Sessions for our wine tasting. Back in 1999 (and, in fact, over a number of years thereafter), the Magic’s (and Wonder’s) wine tastings were done in Palo, and we really miss them switching venues. I don’t know if it’s simply just another excuse to visit that wonderful gastronomic showplace or more of the special, upscale feeling associated with those early year wine-tastings, but the wine (and other tastings) now being held in Sessions and Diversions feel somehow a little less exclusive and a little less special. Perhaps it makes more sense to conduct tastings in actual bars and not restaurants, perhaps Palo needs the time for dinner preparations, perhaps even that more guests can now be accommodated in these wildly popular events, but it is a change that isn’t our favorite.

Not that it mattered. Sessions is still a great venue and DW even went out and bought the appropriately themed shirt for the occasion:

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The pours are still plentiful and the instruction still thorough and educational:

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In fact, the old standby of using the saber (in this case a butter knife) to slice open and pop the top end of the Champagne bottle off as a grand finale – a staple back in the Palo days – is still being used today:

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Now here’s a hint. The wine tastings are about $10 per person (and that hasn’t really changed in the last decade) and folks usually sign up at guest services at the beginning of the cruise. Plans change, forgetfulness envelops some and it is not uncommon for three or four tables to be left empty (but complete with full pours of the wines of the afternoon). As Dean from Australia told us, they will just throw those unused tastings away so, if you hang out until the bitter end, the crew member conducting the tasting will be more than happy to let you help him “clean up” the perfectly good and otherwise perfectly unused samplings! And we did, probably getting three complete tastings each for our low investment of only $10 per person:

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After the wine tasting(s), we headed back to the adult pool for an afternoon of lounging and relaxation in the perfectly themed and pleasantly appointed Quiet Cove Pool. This area, in particular, has been a consistent and constant reminder of the DCL experience from our first voyage on the Magic to the twelfth. Music plays softly in the background, the live duo plays a few sets throughout the later afternoon hours under the overhang of the Forward stairs and the DCL bar crew provides attentive but not intrusive service. Ahhh.

We always figure that, even though it’s not required on semi-formal night, since we dragged out tuxes and nice dresses all the way from back home, we might as well get our mileage out of them, so we wear them again. We headed over to Sessions for our pre-meal cocktails and piano music:

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We were treated to one of the most beautiful sunsets:

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And finally, this beauty:

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We capped the day with another nice meal at Parrot Cay:

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All of the “hard work” associated with massages, wine tastings and playing dress up obviously took their toll. We caught the 10:30 p.m. show of the comedian/hypnotist (whose name escapes me and whose show, although entertaining, is really pretty unbelievable) and headed back to our respective cabins at about midnight.

My impressions from Day Six:

• I love sea days;

• We love sea days;

• Even if you have very little planned for any given day aboard the Magic, you are still “busy” and the time flies by entirely too quickly.

Next up - Day Seven: Heads Up...For Another Day At Castaway Cay

[Empress Room]

Day Seven: Heads Up...For Another Day At Castaway Cay

As the sun rose on our last (sniff!) day of our cruise, we were once again greeted by bright sunshine, calm seas and overall perfect weather. Since we began our trip with a similar day at Castaway Cay six days prior, somehow it just seemed like a fitting conclusion.

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We decided to head to the very end of the family beach for this go-around at Castaway Cay, close to the Heads Up Bar, hammocks and Cookies. (Serenity Bay is special, but we have learned that the family beach has its own charm. Cookies is larger with more seating, The Heads Up provides great views of the ship and the trip back to the ship at the end of the day is much shorter, which allows one to maximize his/her experience there.)

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The day could not have been any more perfect. The bright sunshine played against the here and there clouds and the Magic provided a most perfect backdrop.

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Unlike our first visit a decade ago, Castaway Cay has become familiar, but in an oh-so-good way. We never tire from bounding out of the ship as early as possible, walking past the post office and the island excursions headquarters and through that beautiful white sand beach. But unlike all of those visits between that first one in 1999 and this non-Tortola one, Castaway Cay is in the process of changing. There is a lot of construction going on, pilings being driven into the bay, cranes and construction barges hovering in the distance and the overall sense that this would be our last “familiar” visit – that the next time we visit Castaway Cay, it will be bigger, with more activities and changes galore. Here’s hoping that its true quiet theme and deserted island feel are not lost as it grows.

We visited Heads Up, played on the beach and in the bay and eventually each found our own “personal” palm tree. This was our view for much (if not all) of the morning and afternoon...and we loved it:

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At the end of the day, we made the dreaded trek back to the ship, opting to walk along the shore and follow the water’s edge all the way back to the pedestrian bridge by the first tram stop. We noticed something, something that was not so evident a decade ago. Not to be preachy, but it sure seemed that guests took a lot better care of the beach back then. Folks used the garbage cans, took their chairs out of the water and generally cleaned up their areas. This time, we were all pretty shocked to see chairs and chaise loungers bobbing in the surf, plastic water bottles discarded on the beach and leftover toys, sand pails, plastic shovels and the like strewn about. No wonder those poor crew members have to start cleaning up and closing down hours before departure; the guests make their jobs so much more difficult and we only hope that this was an isolated incident instead of some kind of “entitlement” trend. Alas...

A hidden detail:

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We (again) headed back to the pool after our wonderful beach day. I won’t depress you by describing the depression and disappointment associated with leaving the pool to go pack for the return trip home; suffice it to say that it never gets any easier, even ten years later. But we have a system down. We pack before dinner so that we can make one more trip to Sessions.

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On our second and unexpected Palo dinner, we missed the French dinner...and esgargots. DW, Bob and I love ‘em and happened to mention to Daniel and Kendell the following evening that it was our only regret for having the good fortune of eating at Palo twice. When we arrived at our table at Lumiere’s the final night (two days after mentioning this) here is what awaited the three of us:

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And that really says everything you need to know about DCL service and the reason we’ve cruised a dozen times with DCL. Such little things do make your cruise experience, and DCL seems to do such an amazing job of adding up all of those little things to make the experience as a whole that much grander.

Daniel and Kendell were well represented at the final evening’s flag festival:

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The traditional Baked Alaska made its return:

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Disembarkation was flawless. We all opted for onboard flight check-in, but only Bob and Carm were able to utilize it (DW and I must be some kind of “security risks” because the airline would not approve us without an in-person check-in at an airport kiosk. Apparently, TSA randomly does this to unsuspecting travelers so the system is not without its glitches). Oddly, even though DW and I had to claim our luggage and walk it through customs, we actually beat Bob and Carm to our cruiseline bus by about 15 minutes (apparently, onboard check-in passengers still have to stand in line to pay all luggage fees in the port terminal and it delays things. So other than not having to find and carry your luggage for a few feet to the bus, I’m not sure the onboard check-in is all that much of a benefit).

I will not conclude with a discussion of airports or flights (uneventful but depressing) but rather with my impressions from Day Seven:

• DCL has spent the better part of the last decade refining and improving its guests’ experience. During those early days, as we now reflect back, it was the “new kid on the block” and learning its craft on the fly. Now, its level of service exceeds expectations consistently;

• This non-Tortola cruise falls in my top three of DCL cruises. Sure, the weather was great, the food memorable and the service impeccable. But we were most impressed with what DCL did on a moment’s notice to transform what could have been a very disappointing itinerary change into a seamless, special experience and cruise. This is something that DCL may not have been able to pull off back in 1999, something that really only comes from learning and listening to passengers, something that we all agree Disney has done and done well;

• Much like the parks, it’s always great to see the new changes to the Magic and Wonder with each drydock visit and each subsequent cruise. The Outlook Café scheduled for the Wonder – details which were shared with us onboard the Magic – should be exciting for the new itineraries; and

• Oh, yeah, one more. There WILL be a (lucky) 13th DCL cruise (we booked one onboard during my post-jogging hyperventilation). It’s a “dummy” date for now...it may be a European Capitals cruise next summer, perhaps a back-to-back 3 and 4 day just for something new or maybe even the Panama Canal. Whatever it is, we know that, after ten years and a dozen DCL cruises, we won’t be disappointed.

Until next time.......

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[caitlinsdad]

Thank you for a great report. Having been on the Aug 15th cruise too, I agree totally with you the Disney did a fantastic job on short notice.

[Empress Room]

Thank you for a great report. Having been on the Aug 15th cruise too, I agree totally with you the Disney did a fantastic job on short notice.

I think that it could have been a complete disaster, but somehow DCL pulled it off without a hitch. There were 2500 passengers, all sharing various degrees of disappointment in not visiting Tortola, scrambling to reschedule shore excursions and Palo brunch ressies. Except for the few naysayers who wanted to nevertheless head into the teeth of the hurricanes, Disney's ability to change on a moment's notice calmed all but the most unreasonable passengers.

After a couple of hours of enjoying the fine service, food and drink on board, we really didn't think too much more about not going to Tortola.

Thanks for reading my report and glad you enjoyed the August 15 cruise.