We don't wanna go home!!! Nov 1-8, 2008 Magic Western

[karajeboo]

Ellen, the ship is barely out of port and I'M SOLD!!!!! I got goose bumps with the streamers flying - this has become my latest must-do!

 

[MagicMe]

Just wanted to let you know I'm really enjoying your trip report. You first got me with that title as that's exactly how I felt on our cruise. I've cruised twice on the Wonder (4-days) and most recently on the Magic (the Sept DD). Loved it sooooo much that I'm now booked on the Sept2010 TA!!! It's really going to be tough getting me off that ship!!

 

[vanessa3198]

I absolutely LOVE your TR!
I'm gonna be going on my first cruise at the end of February FINALLY after 10 years of wanting to go! And I know I'm gonna cry when I hear that horn go off at the sail away party!

Please, please, please post more!

 

[Miscoehill]

Love your TR! Now I just need to convince the DH to do a 7 day next year! We've done the 4 day and 3 day..i think its time for the 7 day!
Glad you had a magical time!

 

[podsnel]

Hi, Ellen!
I came over to the trip report board looking for a report on the Western Caribbean, and I foud yours, and I am so glad I did! My DH and I doing the Western next September to celebrate our 10th anniversary, so I wanted to read about other DIS'ers experiences.
I am LOVING your report so far! Just like you, I love food and pics, so your report is right up my alley!
I cannot wait to read more! Thanks so much for posting!

Well, I'm so glad you find mine, too!! Happy Anniversary- what a PERFECT way to celebrate. Make sure you go to the Dismeet- it's really fun to meet up with your Dis pals, and see them and say hi all week.

Ellen, the ship is barely out of port and I'M SOLD!!!!! I got goose bumps with the streamers flying - this has become my latest must-do!

PERFECT!!

Just wanted to let you know I'm really enjoying your trip report. You first got me with that title as that's exactly how I felt on our cruise. I've cruised twice on the Wonder (4-days) and most recently on the Magic (the Sept DD). Loved it sooooo much that I'm now booked on the Sept2010 TA!!! It's really going to be tough getting me off that ship!!

WOW- a TA ....I wish the dates would work for us, all those fun, relaxing days at sea AND a great price!! Lucky, lucky you! Thanks for reading!!

I absolutely LOVE your TR!
I'm gonna be going on my first cruise at the end of February FINALLY after 10 years of wanting to go! And I know I'm gonna cry when I hear that horn go off at the sail away party!

Please, please, please post more!

Awww...I'm so glad you love my TR- thanks! And yes, you ARE going to cry- when they announce you as first time cruisers when you board, when the horn blows, at the shows....bring tissues. Lots and lots of tissues!

Love your TR! Now I just need to convince the DH to do a 7 day next year! We've done the 4 day and 3 day..i think its time for the 7 day!
Glad you had a magical time!

It seems like the only logical next step!

 

[podsnel]

So are you on the other side of Mickey?

I towards the top row...have a white t shirt with the design enclosed in a red box.[/QUOTE]

Are you sure we didn't meet?

 

[i<3castawaycay123]

I'm so sad right now!! Every time I read a cruise trip report i get sad. We have gone on 3 and it will be 4 next year. We think it is the best vacation EVER so we are always excited to go on one. Great trip report so far! I hope ya'll had a great time!

Keep posting.... I'll be waiting!!

 

[mindelmouse]

I towards the top row...have a white t shirt with the design enclosed in a red box.

Are you sure we didn't meet?[/QUOTE]

I do think I saw you in the MK though and I saw you walk into the meet shortly before we took the picture.....but we never got to say hi.

 

[podsnel]

We had requested the second seating for dinner, and were assigned LAPPLAP for rotation, meaning we would be going to dinner every night at 8:15 which was just fine with us- we figured we could always have everyone grab some kind of snack aroun 5 or so each night, and it all would work out fine for us, which it did! We were seated at table #68, and our servers were Christian and Ranzil. If we could have brought these guys home with us, I can promise you, we would have!! They were spectacular, and we all loved them.
Our first decision was whether or not to do the wine package. I knew it wasn't much of a savings, but I also knew there were a few bottles on the premium list that DH would really enjoy, and they would be more expensive if we didn't get the package. So we chose the premium package. And had a bottle every night-. And what was really good, was that on the nights when I wanted a less expensive wine that we both LOVE (a white wine called Evolution 9) they took off the $7 difference. Cool!

Anyway, on our first night, the boys shared the Shrimp Medley

Dh & I got escargot, and DS11 tried one for the first time-here, Honey, Daddy wants you to eat a yummy garlicky slug- YUM!

DS9 ate one no problem- he's a snail veteran from F&W 2007!

Then we had a Normandy salad-

And it looks like someone had some soup!

The kids had kid food that night- I believe it was one of the only times of the trip. Both DH & I ordered Coquille St. Jacques-

and it was really, really yummy.

A word about the food- I really didn't know what to expect. There are sooooo many varying opinions on the DCL food on these boards, I guess I was ready for anything- too bland, too spicy, undercooked, overcooked, used to be better, much better than the last cruise! food- I was truly open to it all. And you know what?

I really liked the food.

It was better than other cruise food I've had, it was almost all very tasty stuff. I was not expecting 5 star cuisine (I believe that's on another cruise line and I don't think I'm old enough or rich enough to get on that ship anytime soon!) so I was not disappointed. And our servers were sooo eager to make sure we had a positive dining experience, they helped us choose well every time. And we could order whatever we wanted to. As much as we wanted to. Some nights we split a third entree because we just couldn't decide.

And everyone left the table full and satisfied!

Time for dessert! Can you guess what DS11 had?

DH got an ice cream sundae-

And I had creme brulee-

The DSs were desperate to get back to their clubs, and we were desperate to get to ours! First we went into Rockin Bar D. Now even being a newbie, I knew what was going to go on in there as soon as the comedian finished- and it was pretty empty in there, and I had a feeling that we were going to be picked. So please forgive me when I say....we left and went to Diversions. Sorry. Normally I'm one to be ok with public humiliation, but tonight I was just mellow- go figure?!

However, DH and I had a GREAT first night in Diversions! We got a booth, grabbed Trivial Pursuit 80's off the wall, watched an AWESOME football game, and I kicked DH's behind playing TP, proving once and for all who the fairer and smarter sex really is at our house!

We really laughed alot during that game, so nice to be alone with my DH and not have any responsibility hanging over our heads other than having more fun! An excellent first night onboard the Magic.

 

[karajeboo]

Oh, Ellen! Did I say I'M IN yet? Cause I'm SOOOOO in! I have never wanted to really go on a cruise, until now! I'm soooo pumped!

Great pics and descriptions!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Awesome update! Sounds like you had an awesome and relaxing first night! Can't wait to read more

We were seated at table #68, and our servers were Christian and Ranzil. If we could have brought these guys home with us, I can promise you, we would have!! They were spectacular, and we all loved them.

Do you remember if Christian was from Chile? I know it's a long shot, but we had a server by the name of Christian for our first cruise on the Wonder and he was so awesome!

 

[podsnel]

Oh, Ellen! Did I say I'M IN yet? Cause I'm SOOOOO in! I have never wanted to really go on a cruise, until now! I'm soooo pumped!

Great pics and descriptions!

October 30th, 2010! October30th, 2010!

Awesome update! Sounds like you had an awesome and relaxing first night! Can't wait to read more



Do you remember if Christian was from Chile? I know it's a long shot, but we had a server by the name of Christian for our first cruise on the Wonder and he was so awesome!

Christian was from Peru- I'll be posting pics of him on other nights. Every night he would tell us what he was really recommending on the menu- and he LOVED to push the desserts!!

 

[mindelmouse]

Ellen,

I've found out by reading yours and all the other trip reports that I'm a big dope. I hardly took pictures of anything because I never remembered to take my camera with me. You guys were so good, you have pictures to show everything you did, I only have some of the kids, a lot of fish in the water.....I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm writing my own personal trip report to keep with our stuff at home and I have to use stock Disney pictures. I guess I've learned a valuable lesson - take more pictures, I can always delete them.

Thanks for sharing yours.

 

[TigerKat]

Hey El!

Great pics and updates, I felt like I was right there with you when the ship set sail!!!!! Looks like you guys are already having the time of your lives.

 

[siestakeys04]

Great report!! I know you had a great time.

 

[LBIGirl67]

Hey look! We're right next to LBIgirl67!

Time to get to the Sailaway Party!!! But exactly who wants to go?

How did I miss you taking this awful shot of me?...LOL I must pay attention more often, you caught us on tram too.....wow, must have been all the rum... Justin looks so amused...
Look me up when you come back to LBI.

 

[podsnel]

Ellen,

I've found out by reading yours and all the other trip reports that I'm a big dope. I hardly took pictures of anything because I never remembered to take my camera with me. You guys were so good, you have pictures to show everything you did, I only have some of the kids, a lot of fish in the water.....I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm writing my own personal trip report to keep with our stuff at home and I have to use stock Disney pictures. I guess I've learned a valuable lesson - take more pictures, I can always delete them.

Thanks for sharing yours.

Not a big dope! Just too busy having fun to think of it! I am one of those people who takes photos and more photos- I always have. I actually hold back (as in there would be MORE picture taking) for the sake of the other people traveling with me! If you want me to email you any photos, just let me know- and next time, take millions of pictures of everything!!

Hey El!

Great pics and updates, I felt like I was right there with you when the ship set sail!!!!! Looks like you guys are already having the time of your lives.

Yep- we already were! Now you know why when I met you after the cruise I couldn't shut-up about how fabulous it was!!

Great report!! I know you had a great time.

Thanks- and we sure did-

How did I miss you taking this awful shot of me?...LOL I must pay attention more often, you caught us on tram too.....wow, must have been all the rum... Justin looks so amused...
Look me up when you come back to LBI.

I love your smile in this photo! And I will absolutely look you up when I get to LBI- I miss it, may take a ride down for the day in the winter sometime-

 

[podsnel]

I woke up at the crack, because, of course, I was on vacation, and ran out to the verandah (isn't verandah such a beautiful word? ) just to see the water and the day- gorgeous! I quietly got dressed and went up to the Cove Cafe again for some morning java- YUM! They have goooood coffee at that place! I also got a few breakfast breads to bring back to the cabin- although the coffee is a charged item at CC, the food is not. They had this amazing nut bread, which I meant to go back for, but never got to the rest of the week. Anyway, my cabinmates were just waking up, and decided they would have breakfast in the room and watch a movie on the tv, while DH & I (are you sitting down, Cammie?) went to work out together at the gym. The clubs didn't open until 9, so if we hurried we could get at least part of a workout in, get DS9 to his club (DS11 could take care of himself), finish our workout, grab a shower, and get to Palo by 10 for brunch. DH & I have never gone to the gym together before, so this was a nice thing for us to do.

Being at home now, with the YMCA as my gym, I can honestly say-

I really miss that fitness center on the Magic!!! Where else can you ride a bike and watch Peter Pan at the same time?!!! Where else can you gaze at the turquoise sea or your next port of call while lifting some weights and sweating like a pig? It's AWESOME!!! A very different kind of Gym experience, I can't believe I went back several times on our trip- I NEVER go to the gym on vacation! So, we give the Fitness Center two thumbs up!

Anyway, at 9 am DS9 could get checked in at the Stack, which is where Ocean Lab's 8-10 yr olds were having their 1st activity of the day, Ice Breakers and Game Madness. What a line there was to check the kids in! Later that day, we decided to let DS9 check himself in and out with the condition that when he left the club, we would be paged, and he had to return to the cabin immediately, where we would meet him and see what he wanted to do next. It truly ended up working out fine, he was a good kid and stuck to the rules, so it really worked out well for everyone. We ran into boyspapa and DW and their DGS9 who were checking into the Stack as well....in a little while we'd all be meeting at Palo for brunch.

10:00, time to see what Palo brunch is all about! We are seated next to the window, and offered a mimosa or a sweeter champagne drink- DH goes sweet, I have a mimosa. Our server, Emmanuel, was truly wonderful.

He took us around on a tour of all the stations, explaining that things would be constantly replenished throughout the morning, and we could begin helping ourselves. He also showed us the main course choices, which we would order from him and he would serve us.

Some of the stations-

Our plates from the buffet-

This is the Stolen everyone raves about here on the Dis- YUM!

Then we ordered from Emmanuel. On our "tour" he had explained to us that the chef went to Italy to learn to make pizza, so you KNOW we were having some of that! Boyspapa and DW split a pie, half cheese, half sausage I think? I had to order the blue cheese & grape pizza, after reading about it on here- it was delish!

I make pizza on the grill when I entertain, and this one is going on my next menu without a doubt. DH had Eggs Benedict, which he gobbled up in a hurry because it wasn't very warm. He really should have said something. But most everything else was so good, it honestly didn't matter. Next we got some Mango Soup-

and we all thought we'd try the Oysters, but none of us thought they were that good-

Orecchiete is one of my favorite pastas, and this looked so good I had to try some with DH-

Very creamy with salmon...mmmmmm....

Even after ALL THAT we stuffed in a little dessert, which I unfortunately ate before I remembered to photograph- sorry!! Here we all are, just before rolling out for the day-

While we were inside, the family from the plane came walking by on the deck outside! We waved, and thought that was really funny.

Carl & Donna-

DH & I

I am so glad we were able to have brunch with boyspapa and his DW- it made brunch that much more fun, to be hanging with one of our new friends from the DIS, and who we would be spending more time with in Cozumel!

By the time we were finished, we were ready to go see Key West with the kids!

 

[Camster0307]

....... while DH & I (are you sitting down, Cammie?) went to work out together at the gym. The clubs didn't open until 9, so if we hurried we could get at least part of a workout in, get DS9 to his club (DS11 could take care of himself), finish our workout, grab a shower, and get to Palo by 10 for brunch. DH & I have never gone to the gym together before, so this was a nice thing for us to do.

Good grief woman! You're ON VACATION - give it a rest!

And you do realize that anything you might have lost during that workout, you probably put right back after eating at that heavenly-looking buffet! So, my motto is -- why bother?

 

[podsnel]

Good grief woman! You're ON VACATION - give it a rest!

And you do realize that anything you might have lost during that workout, you probably put right back after eating at that heavenly-looking buffet! So, my motto is -- why bother?

I HAD to bother- or else I'd be wearing a pillowcase on Formal Night instead of my evening gown!! And you KNOW I am not skimping on the food!! So I ate & drank everything all the time, and when I got home I weighed the same as before I left. We almost always took the stairs rather than the elevator, too. At the start of the week, you could REALLY feel it in your thighs, but by the end it was a lot easier.