- Joined
- Oct 19, 2004
Cast:
Me: Karen (a.k.a Kaz) 40-something. Loves all things Disney, a Kir Royale in Mizner's Lounge and spending slightly less of DH's $$$ than before...
Him: Richard (a.k.a Dick) Slightly older 40-something. Loves most things Disney, a Kir Royale in any Lounge and holding onto his wallet at all times...
Rogues Gallery:
Dick...
Kaz...
Good news, everyone!!! The sun is shining weakly, it's last day of the Championship season and I have much revision to do for Uni exams which start next week. That can only mean one thing - it must be a suitable time to start summarising our September pre-trip planning...
Added to which, our cruise info pack arrived this week...
... inviting me to 'get ready to cruise'...
...and who am I to ignore such a request? Since then, I have been consumed with considering the plethora of potential excursion opportunities. We have chosen one of the alternative Eastern Caribbean itineraries that are a DCL special feature for 2009 and are looking forward to visiting the Virgin Islands for the first time - Virgin Island virgins, if you will...
Mmm, anyway - this vacation is the first time Dick and I have taken time out to travel together since our onboard Vow Renewal of 2007 and we're overjoyed to be revisiting the Magic for a romantic stroll down memory lane - or should I say deck...? This trip is to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Vow Renewal as well as our 27th Wedding Anniversary - so there will be much glass-raising to our past, present and future...
I'm also happy to be finally making the face-to-face acquaintance of the delightful DISers I have chatted with on our cruise meet thread. This esteemed group includes my lovely friend, Monica as well as a chapter of the celebrated Champagne Girls - I just know that's a club I want to be a part of...
So, without further ado - here's the incumbent itinerary...
Wednesday Sept 9th: Officially 09/09/09 - love it! Packed and prepared, we'll drive to Gatwick for the VS015 flight to Orlando. No Clubhouse facilities available for this trip so probably no Virgin Redhead sampling opportunities either. Here's a couple of artistic reminders of what we'll be missing...
Obviously I'm holding the tears in check at the prospect of no absurdly early alcoholic aperitif but, in truth, it will be nice to make a more leisurely journey to airport...
Flight over, we'll arrive in Orlando and catch the Magical Express to Bay Lake Towers where we have a lake view studio for the next three nights!!! Here's a view of the new DVC property from the lake...
As we were so impressed with the look and feel of the refurbished Contemporary when we popped by in April 2009, we are beyond uber-excited to be trying out this new resort and can't wait to check out the room, the pool, the everything!!! I am also secretly hoping that Dick might part with a few dollars for a little piece of this DVC delight but that's a Disney dream for another day...
Thursday Sept 10th: We have no major plans for this pre-cruise portion of our trip. We actually don't intend to visit the parks but are more focused on mooching around the monorail resorts. We hope to hire a couple of the Sea Raycers as well as spend time at the pool and tonight is earmarked for dinner at The Wave where we have previously enjoyed a fab lunch...
Friday Sept 11th: A day of resort-based relaxation and marathon mini golf - we intend to conclusively prove who is King of the Club by tackling both courses at Fantasia!!! Bring it on!!! Decisions, decisions this evening as we have to decide whether to attend the MNSSHP or head up to Citywalk for 'A Night At The Opera' at Hard Rock Live. I think we're favouring the latter option as Dick would like to try out Universal's new coaster - Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit! But we'll see...
Saturday Sept 12th: Up bright and early to check out of BLT. We will be catching DCL transport to Port Canaveral where we hope to board the Magic promptly and grab some lunch before heading to stateroom 8602 a.k.a 'the Dick & Kaz Suite'. Glad to see DCL have finally taken the hint...
I'm sure we will be meeting up with our DIScruise mates this afternoon but those plans are yet to be finalised and I will update as soon as I have that information... Once the obligatory "muster" is out of the way, we shall dash to deck 9 for a fruitaholic beverage in our eagerness to celebrate sailing to the Caribbean...
Sunday Sept 13th: At Sea. Kaz - Champagne Tasting with the Champagne Girls @ 2pm. I know we have tiaras and feather boas to wear fro this occasion and I can hardly wait to get all pink and fizzy... Meanwhile, Dick will be heading to the Spa for a treatment or two ... Tonight is Formal Night and I'm planning on getting a little dressed up for photos galore!!!
Monday Sept 14th: At Sea. No plans for today except the traditional "Wine Tasting for Two at Two"...
Tuesday Sept 15th: Tortola. As this is the special port of call for this cruise, Dick and I will be in super serious sightseeing mode! We are thinking a trip to Virgin Gorda in order to see the famous Baths is a must...
...followed by lunch with a cocktail or two at the Top of the Baths restaurant...
Hopefully there will be time for a souvenir smash and grab! At the very least I will need a charm for my Pandora bracelet to remind me of the trip...
Once back on the Magic there will be time to relax before getting ready for dinner. Tonight is actually Pirate Night but we'll be hoping to book Palo's for a more sedate and less marauding meal...
Wednesday Sept 16th: St. Thomas/St. John. So many choices!!! What to do??? Should we take the Skyride to Paradise Point...
and sample their speciality, The Baileys Bushwacker...?
Before moving on to the highest point of St Thomas - the Mountain Top where the Banana Daquiri was invented???
OR should we spend the day at the Emerald Beach Resort making close acquaintance with sea, sand and sunloungers...?
I'm finding it much too tough to decide right now so will continue to ponder the options - tho' not for too long as our excursion-booking window opens in less than 4 weeks!
Thursday Sept 17th: At Sea. Going to book a late Palo Brunch for this morning - definitely one of the highlights of the cruise!!! We shall relax onboard the Magic all day before getting ready for dinner in our semi-formal finery...
Friday Sept 18th: Castaway Cay and Serenity Bay! Hurrah - cannot wait!!! Here's the view that greeted us in September 2007 when we sauntered onto the verandah for our penultimate morning...
And we are definitely looking forward to spending time on this beach...
We hope to book the tandem parasail - tho' our fingers will be firmly crossed that it will be third time lucky as, due to circumstances beyond our control, we've never managed it yet! It's also possible we might opt for the Waverunner excursion which looks great fun and doesn't take us away from the sanctuary of Serenity Bay for too long...
Finally, we'll return to the Magic in order to prepare for our final night's dinner...
Saturday Sept 19th: Port Canaveral. Sadly the time has come for us to say goodbye to the Magic for the forseeable future as we have no plans to sail again soon! We did have a booking on the inaugural Baltic cruise of June 2010 but the crazy price definitely dampened our desire to do it with Disney so we cancelled. I think we'll probably hold out for the arrival of the new cruise ships before making any further cruising plans. I'm very much hoping Hawaii will feature when the new DVC resort opens there in 2011 - but I'm getting ahead of myself so back to the itinerary...
We are thinking of collecting a hire car from Cape Canaveral (there are shuttles to/from the port) and driving back to Orlando before making that all-important IHOP stop for breakfast. We'll then retreat to Wilderness Lodge, where I'll be staying for a few more days. Unfortunately, due to work commitments, my lovely husband flies back to LGW in the afternoon though he will be tagging Sophie in as she and I spend another Girls Only week in wonderful Walt Disney World!!!
But, dear reader, that's a whole other pre-trip report...
Me: Karen (a.k.a Kaz) 40-something. Loves all things Disney, a Kir Royale in Mizner's Lounge and spending slightly less of DH's $$$ than before...
Him: Richard (a.k.a Dick) Slightly older 40-something. Loves most things Disney, a Kir Royale in any Lounge and holding onto his wallet at all times...
Rogues Gallery:
Dick...
Kaz...
Good news, everyone!!! The sun is shining weakly, it's last day of the Championship season and I have much revision to do for Uni exams which start next week. That can only mean one thing - it must be a suitable time to start summarising our September pre-trip planning...
Added to which, our cruise info pack arrived this week...
... inviting me to 'get ready to cruise'...
...and who am I to ignore such a request? Since then, I have been consumed with considering the plethora of potential excursion opportunities. We have chosen one of the alternative Eastern Caribbean itineraries that are a DCL special feature for 2009 and are looking forward to visiting the Virgin Islands for the first time - Virgin Island virgins, if you will...
Mmm, anyway - this vacation is the first time Dick and I have taken time out to travel together since our onboard Vow Renewal of 2007 and we're overjoyed to be revisiting the Magic for a romantic stroll down memory lane - or should I say deck...? This trip is to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Vow Renewal as well as our 27th Wedding Anniversary - so there will be much glass-raising to our past, present and future...
I'm also happy to be finally making the face-to-face acquaintance of the delightful DISers I have chatted with on our cruise meet thread. This esteemed group includes my lovely friend, Monica as well as a chapter of the celebrated Champagne Girls - I just know that's a club I want to be a part of...
So, without further ado - here's the incumbent itinerary...
Wednesday Sept 9th: Officially 09/09/09 - love it! Packed and prepared, we'll drive to Gatwick for the VS015 flight to Orlando. No Clubhouse facilities available for this trip so probably no Virgin Redhead sampling opportunities either. Here's a couple of artistic reminders of what we'll be missing...
Obviously I'm holding the tears in check at the prospect of no absurdly early alcoholic aperitif but, in truth, it will be nice to make a more leisurely journey to airport...
Flight over, we'll arrive in Orlando and catch the Magical Express to Bay Lake Towers where we have a lake view studio for the next three nights!!! Here's a view of the new DVC property from the lake...
As we were so impressed with the look and feel of the refurbished Contemporary when we popped by in April 2009, we are beyond uber-excited to be trying out this new resort and can't wait to check out the room, the pool, the everything!!! I am also secretly hoping that Dick might part with a few dollars for a little piece of this DVC delight but that's a Disney dream for another day...
Thursday Sept 10th: We have no major plans for this pre-cruise portion of our trip. We actually don't intend to visit the parks but are more focused on mooching around the monorail resorts. We hope to hire a couple of the Sea Raycers as well as spend time at the pool and tonight is earmarked for dinner at The Wave where we have previously enjoyed a fab lunch...
Friday Sept 11th: A day of resort-based relaxation and marathon mini golf - we intend to conclusively prove who is King of the Club by tackling both courses at Fantasia!!! Bring it on!!! Decisions, decisions this evening as we have to decide whether to attend the MNSSHP or head up to Citywalk for 'A Night At The Opera' at Hard Rock Live. I think we're favouring the latter option as Dick would like to try out Universal's new coaster - Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit! But we'll see...
Saturday Sept 12th: Up bright and early to check out of BLT. We will be catching DCL transport to Port Canaveral where we hope to board the Magic promptly and grab some lunch before heading to stateroom 8602 a.k.a 'the Dick & Kaz Suite'. Glad to see DCL have finally taken the hint...
I'm sure we will be meeting up with our DIScruise mates this afternoon but those plans are yet to be finalised and I will update as soon as I have that information... Once the obligatory "muster" is out of the way, we shall dash to deck 9 for a fruitaholic beverage in our eagerness to celebrate sailing to the Caribbean...
Sunday Sept 13th: At Sea. Kaz - Champagne Tasting with the Champagne Girls @ 2pm. I know we have tiaras and feather boas to wear fro this occasion and I can hardly wait to get all pink and fizzy... Meanwhile, Dick will be heading to the Spa for a treatment or two ... Tonight is Formal Night and I'm planning on getting a little dressed up for photos galore!!!
Monday Sept 14th: At Sea. No plans for today except the traditional "Wine Tasting for Two at Two"...
Tuesday Sept 15th: Tortola. As this is the special port of call for this cruise, Dick and I will be in super serious sightseeing mode! We are thinking a trip to Virgin Gorda in order to see the famous Baths is a must...
...followed by lunch with a cocktail or two at the Top of the Baths restaurant...
Hopefully there will be time for a souvenir smash and grab! At the very least I will need a charm for my Pandora bracelet to remind me of the trip...
Once back on the Magic there will be time to relax before getting ready for dinner. Tonight is actually Pirate Night but we'll be hoping to book Palo's for a more sedate and less marauding meal...
Wednesday Sept 16th: St. Thomas/St. John. So many choices!!! What to do??? Should we take the Skyride to Paradise Point...
and sample their speciality, The Baileys Bushwacker...?
Before moving on to the highest point of St Thomas - the Mountain Top where the Banana Daquiri was invented???
OR should we spend the day at the Emerald Beach Resort making close acquaintance with sea, sand and sunloungers...?
I'm finding it much too tough to decide right now so will continue to ponder the options - tho' not for too long as our excursion-booking window opens in less than 4 weeks!
Thursday Sept 17th: At Sea. Going to book a late Palo Brunch for this morning - definitely one of the highlights of the cruise!!! We shall relax onboard the Magic all day before getting ready for dinner in our semi-formal finery...
Friday Sept 18th: Castaway Cay and Serenity Bay! Hurrah - cannot wait!!! Here's the view that greeted us in September 2007 when we sauntered onto the verandah for our penultimate morning...
And we are definitely looking forward to spending time on this beach...
We hope to book the tandem parasail - tho' our fingers will be firmly crossed that it will be third time lucky as, due to circumstances beyond our control, we've never managed it yet! It's also possible we might opt for the Waverunner excursion which looks great fun and doesn't take us away from the sanctuary of Serenity Bay for too long...
Finally, we'll return to the Magic in order to prepare for our final night's dinner...
Saturday Sept 19th: Port Canaveral. Sadly the time has come for us to say goodbye to the Magic for the forseeable future as we have no plans to sail again soon! We did have a booking on the inaugural Baltic cruise of June 2010 but the crazy price definitely dampened our desire to do it with Disney so we cancelled. I think we'll probably hold out for the arrival of the new cruise ships before making any further cruising plans. I'm very much hoping Hawaii will feature when the new DVC resort opens there in 2011 - but I'm getting ahead of myself so back to the itinerary...
We are thinking of collecting a hire car from Cape Canaveral (there are shuttles to/from the port) and driving back to Orlando before making that all-important IHOP stop for breakfast. We'll then retreat to Wilderness Lodge, where I'll be staying for a few more days. Unfortunately, due to work commitments, my lovely husband flies back to LGW in the afternoon though he will be tagging Sophie in as she and I spend another Girls Only week in wonderful Walt Disney World!!!
But, dear reader, that's a whole other pre-trip report...
).
A trip report in which I'm sure to figure prominently! 
And a Sea Raycer Rally sounds awesome!!! 
We have got 
