Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Cruise, Oct 30th,2010 Magical Western NewTR link 4/10

[dizneeat]

Yes- the Captain is there for a loooooooong time not smiling for the camera! There are alot of things on the 7 night that aren't on the 3 & 4 night cruises, I think- tea at Palo is another one- but that's only offered on sea days.
Were you thinking of doing a 7day?

I like having the late dinner seating, because I really like getting room service in the afternoon (well, that's one of many reasons, I guess). And it really was GOOD! I nearly ordered it a second time, but I wanted to try something else. That I didn't get to try....really....but that's another story for another day...

Planning ahead for 2012 - either two 5 night sailings on the Dream (with a total of 4 days at CC) or one 5 night sailing on the Dream, a night at Cocoa Beach and another 7 nights (Eastern Caribbean) on the Fantasy! (3 CC days)

I love getting all the information about what is going on during all those other cruises ..... so maybe the 7 night is an option!

We have pictures with Captain John from 2009 and he was smiling all the way! He really was wonderful to meet. Last year it was Captain Henry and he didn't really "click" with us, so no photo with him!

We always have the later seating for dinner - gives me more time to relax and snack!

Can't wait to hear more! I will sit by my computer patiently - I still have this week off and I am loving it!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

I love your updates Ellen! The adult pool looks like a wonderful place. you really make me want to book a cruise now! Actually, I have a four-night-cruise booked on the Dream for next October, but I plan to cancel it since I rather want to enjoy my first trip home to BWV!

 

[podsnel]

Nice formal night pics!

Thank-you! I love dressing up those mens of mine!

Happy New Year Ellen! Still lovin' the report.

"signed up for some Nooki in the DCL room of Naughty mud love"

Now there is a tag if I ever saw one! Thanks for adding it too. Might hlep get Den on at that cruise sooner rather than later.

Seriously!!! OH, Great Tag Fairy....Puh-LEEEEEZ can I have another TAG?????

Hey Myst! Hope that DOES help Denny decide! You do have the advantage of being able to travel at off times (when school is in), so you can get a great deal. Please go, you will LOVE it!!

Great formal night photos Ellen. You and your guys look so great. And what is up with Captain Thord? We have a picture with him and it looks just the same. I don't think he has a different expression.

I have a pic with him from last time, too- we bought that one, and he looks THE SAME, too. Just remember- what REALLY counts is that he's very good at steering the SHIP! Smiling about it is obviously OPTIONAL!

 

[dvc4life]

I have a pic with him from last time, too- we bought that one, and he looks THE SAME, too. Just remember- what REALLY counts is that he's very good at steering the SHIP! Smiling about it is obviously OPTIONAL!

So true!

 

[podsnel]

Planning ahead for 2012 - either two 5 night sailings on the Dream (with a total of 4 days at CC) or one 5 night sailing on the Dream, a night at Cocoa Beach and another 7 nights (Eastern Caribbean) on the Fantasy! (3 CC days)

Ooh...lucky YOU! I vote for switching ships- you'll see something NEW- the eastern Caribbean is absolutely GORGEOUS....
This is in St Thomas, USVI in 2009- we weren't on the ship, we were on vacation in St John and saw the Magic on our way home.

It is very lush and green, with lots of mountains, as opposed to being flat like the Bahamas or the western Caribbean-

I absolutely love it in STJ- we leave for St John in less than 3 weeks- it will be our 5th trip there!

I love getting all the information about what is going on during all those other cruises ..... so maybe the 7 night is an option!

We have pictures with Captain John from 2009 and he was smiling all the way! He really was wonderful to meet. Last year it was Captain Henry and he didn't really "click" with us, so no photo with him!

Well, Capt Thord doesn't really click with...ummm...anyone, as far as I can tell...but he is VERY GOOD at steering the SHIP and that's what counts!

We always have the later seating for dinner - gives me more time to relax and snack!

Can't wait to hear more! I will sit by my computer patiently - I still have this week off and I am loving it!!!

Have I told you lately how much I admire the Austrian School system? Although, I was VERY HAPPY to see them go back this morning. Sean was climbing the walls!

I love your updates Ellen! The adult pool looks like a wonderful place. you really make me want to book a cruise now! Actually, I have a four-night-cruise booked on the Dream for next October, but I plan to cancel it since I rather want to enjoy my first trip home to BWV!

I rather want you to enjoy your first trip home to BWV, too- especially because I'll get to meet you while you're enjoying it!

But I hope you will take the cruise someday- it's a completely different kind of vacation from the parks, much more relaxing and luxurious.

 

[podsnel]

Formal night is now the Prince and Princess menu- new to us since our last cruise. We were VERY happy, once again, to have our dining rotation- Lumiere's is the most formal restaurant, and what better place to be in a tuxedo or an evening gown?

Our server came over- she was so sweet, she said she was concerned when we didn't come to dinner the night before...I know she was worried we were not there because of her service, but we explained that we had dinner in Palo, and not to worry.

Although, I'd be lying if I said we weren't worried about how long our dinner would take tonight- the Adult show of Alfred and Seymour was this evening at 10:30, and we did NOT want to miss it. But, since we were among the first to be seated in Lumiere's, we had high hopes.

Tyler started with a mango or peach smoothie- we weren't sure which, and we weren't sure any night...because our asst. server would surprise him every night with a different flavor, and he had to guess what was in his glass! It was a really nice thing- and she had him stumped more than once!

Yummm....I LOVE this Pinot Noir!

For starters, Tyler & Timmy both had "Belle's" Scallops Au Gratin
Seared scallops and mushrooms in a light white wine sauce topped with breadcrumbs and baked in the oven

It was very good! Since I had snarfed down that JUMBO tuna brioche a few hours ago, I decided to go with a salad-Coronation of Mixed Leaves
Vine tomatoes, blue cheese, apples, candied walnuts, and aged red wine vinegar

This was wonderful, a lovely mix of greens, fruit, nuts and cheese. But I kept the tomatoes seperate- I just felt like they didn't belong with the apples. Pods was having Radicchio and Endive Caesar Salad with ciabatta croutons and garlic dressing

And he enjoyed it as well.

Our boys are so goofy! Tyler is ALWAYS doing silly things to crack Timmy up!

Most of the time, thank goodness, they are very entertaining. Especially tonight, because we had a bit of a wait for our meals. They were delicious when we got them, though....Tyler went with Roasted Filet of Beef Wellington
covered with mushroom stuffing wrapped in puff pastry served with fingerling potatoes, baby vegetables, and a cabernet black truffle jus

Both Pods & I were havingRack of New Zealand Lamb with a Dijon Mustard Crust with gratin potato cakes, baby Mediterranean vegetables, and rosemary flavored jus

I had wanted it to be Med Rare, but that's not what i got- although it was delicious all the same! Timmy finally ordered something a little more adventurous-Parma Ham Wrapped Chicken Breast
Stuffed with mozzarella cheese and vine ripened tomatoes on fingerling potatoes drizzled with spinach pesto

And he cleaned his plate! We were all very happy with our meals. Our plates were cleared, and we were handed dessert menus-

And we waited....and waited...and waited... and I took a picture....

And tyler took a picture...

And the kids said, "we don't want dessert that bad, can we just go to Edge?", so we let them. And we continued to wait ...and watch all the other people leave and say goodbye to their servers...and at 10:10 we said, "we don't want dessert that bad" and we left, too.

Because we wanted to get to the show, and we wanted to change first. Oh well, we figured this was just how it was going to be....at least they were nice people, our servers, right?

Cont'd next post-

 

[podsnel]

So back at our cabin, we found this-

Along with two haphazard tuxedos etal strewn all over the room-it looked like a crime scene in there! ahhhh, the joys of boys.... We went down to the WD Theatre, and waited outside for the doors to open. Looks like we could have waited a little longer for that dessert after all. Anyway, we were able to sit closer than we had in the past, and we thoroughly enjoyed the show.

That was it for these guys...they were getting off the ship tomorrow in Grand Cayman. I have to say that we were both glad to have seen them again before they left! After the show, I think I perused the gift shops for a bit before we headed up to the cabin around 12 am. We wanted to get a decent night's sleep- tomorrow we were docking in Grand Cayman, and wanted to make the most of our day! Before going to bed, I took a pic of this in the cabin- I just love this photo of the Disneys-

Up next- is it raining in Grand Cayman AGAIN????

 

[nenner1]

Man chica, I just can't keep up with you, not even to post replies....ha!

I'll be back in a few to comment on your day, your entire day!!! Some of the time we must have literally just missed eachother!

 

[podsnel]

I hope you'll forgive me if I make this post purely for self-indulgence. On Grand Cayman day, when we were tendering to the port, I took a picture of my 13 year old son, Tyler. Because when I looked at him....it just....hit me funny. And when I look at the photo from that moment...it just....hits me funny. How does this-

and this-

and this....

and this....

and even this....

become this...

soooo quickly?

Where does the time go????

 

[podsnel]

Man chica, I just can't keep up with you, not even to post replies....ha!

I'll be back in a few to comment on your day, your entire day!!! Some of the time we must have literally just missed eachother!

Hey Jen- I've been sick, and so since NY Eve I've done nothing but watch tv (OMG! I HATE THAT FREAKIN JINGLE BELLS HUNDAI COMMERCIAL!!!!), web surf, and do laundry. And today....I'm feeling better but totally wasting time! I really need to hit the grocery store- although I STILL don't have a freakin' STOVE!!!! I have been waiting for a part since before CHRISTMAS!!!! Nice to have the break from cooking, but not really that great when it's over Christmas, KWIM? And it hasn't really been grilling weather, either. UGH.

I STILL have to comment on all YOUR posts!! But there is so much to say, I don't know where to begin!!

 

[MEK]

You have been an updating fool and I can't see a blessed picture right now. However, I will return later this evening to check them all out. Despite the lack of visuals I am still enjoying reading about your cruise. the spa thing sounds wonderful. What a nice relaxing day. The tini class sounds like so much fun. I totally want to do that. Can't wait to see your dinner pics so I can drool.

The premium package is one of those packages that includes most of the tours, water sports, and signature dinner. There is also a plantinum plan, which actually includes V&A, but you must stay at a deluxe resort to book it.

Our plan was to arrive the sunday after thanksgiving weekend - check into one of the mods, check back in the next morning on the premium plan for one night (which actually gives you 3 meals, 2 snacks, resort mug, and tours galore over two days) and run like crazy for the next two days. Check back into the resort on the third night so we can stay in the same room for 3 consecutive nights because moving would be a drag and THEN finish our trip with 3 nights at a DVC resort.

I got this crazy idea when I was at BLT and watching the parasailing. Then, of course, I loved the segway tour. And I have been wanting to do one of the AK tours. So why the heck not just pay for the premium package and do all that over the course of 2 days. It also includes cirque and a photoshot. Plus the meals can be regular or signature. Its like $640 to stay at a mod and I think its well worth what you get. I was thinking of the following - segway at Fort wilderness, AK tour, lunch at CRT, dinner at Jiko, dinner at CG or Citricos, parasailing, fishing on BLT, and photoshot. I am curious to see how much I can fit in.

Phew....so that's the plan right now. I am tired just thinking about it.

 

[dizneeat]

Thanks for the photos of St. John and St. Thomas, Ellen! It looks gorgeous! Guess we WILL change ships, I just needed that little push in the right direction!

Your dinner looks really good, apart from the missing dessert! What was wrong with your servers?

PLUS ..... I love the extra photos of your son, what a cute baby, sweet little boy and handsome young man!

 

[JKSWonder]

Mike and I did the Exotic Rasul the same day as you, though in the a.m., cause we knew that would be the best time to shuffle the kids off to the clubs. As a result, we ended up doing the tequila tasting at 4:00 pm.

I was bummed about the lack of steam. We didn't have steam on the Wonder either, but they called first, told us the steam was broken, and gave us the option to cancel or keep the appt. and get half off. We kept the appt. And we had no Rainforest room this time, just two chairs and two plastic cups of water outside the rasul room door. On the Wonder, we were escorted to the Rainforest room afterwards, given glasses of champagne and told to relax for as long as we liked. It seems from what I have heard from others, the two ships do the whole Rasul thing entirely differently.

Our server was not particularly friendly or outgoing. He came across as "fake nice", if you know what I mean. And he never went the extra mile. DS asked for chicken noodle soup one night and was told no, even though I knew it was on the menu in one of the other restaurants that night, not to mention on the room service menu all the time, and he probably could have easily brought it to make the kid happy. There were lots of little things like that.

Our food was brought quickly and correctly, which was a big plus for him, but his attitude kind of put a damper on things for us. Our drink server was a much nicer guy.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Ellen, hope you are feeling better quickly! I also loved your dress. Most people can't pull that style off, but it looked great on you - very flattering!

Your pics of Tyler are so precious. It is mind boggling how fast it happens. Next thing you know, he'll be married with children and it will be up to his wife when you can see him. I'm glad you are making the most of this time!

Well, it sounds like after all my spouting on my thread about the service on RCCL being a little substandard, you are having some trouble on DCL, too!


Karin, definitely do the Eastern!!! It is so beautiful and so exotic!!! So far that is the best thing we have ever done!

 

[MEK]

OMG - favorite pictures....baby pictures - Soooooooooooooocute! and your dress - love it. Food and tinis looking pretty darn good, too.

 

[podsnel]

You have been an updating fool and I can't see a blessed picture right now. However, I will return later this evening to check them all out. Despite the lack of visuals I am still enjoying reading about your cruise. the spa thing sounds wonderful. What a nice relaxing day. The tini class sounds like so much fun. I totally want to do that. Can't wait to see your dinner pics so I can drool.

The premium package is one of those packages that includes most of the tours, water sports, and signature dinner. There is also a plantinum plan, which actually includes V&A, but you must stay at a deluxe resort to book it.

Our plan was to arrive the sunday after thanksgiving weekend - check into one of the mods, check back in the next morning on the premium plan for one night (which actually gives you 3 meals, 2 snacks, resort mug, and tours galore over two days) and run like crazy for the next two days. Check back into the resort on the third night so we can stay in the same room for 3 consecutive nights because moving would be a drag and THEN finish our trip with 3 nights at a DVC resort.

I got this crazy idea when I was at BLT and watching the parasailing. Then, of course, I loved the segway tour. And I have been wanting to do one of the AK tours. So why the heck not just pay for the premium package and do all that over the course of 2 days. It also includes cirque and a photoshot. Plus the meals can be regular or signature. Its like $640 to stay at a mod and I think its well worth what you get. I was thinking of the following - segway at Fort wilderness, AK tour, lunch at CRT, dinner at Jiko, dinner at CG or Citricos, parasailing, fishing on BLT, and photoshot. I am curious to see how much I can fit in.

Phew....so that's the plan right now. I am tired just thinking about it.

I'm tired just reading it!! I'm kind of like that, too- I try one AMAZING thing, and then....I want to try ALL the amazing things as FAST AS I CAN! The problem is....once you've buzzed through everything so fast you barely had time to notice how wonderful it all was, what's left to look forward to? Not criticizing your amazing plan, just giving you a reason to cruise instead if you think you want to. Because I would be very tempted to go for your Premium master plan MYSELF!

Thanks for the photos of St. John and St. Thomas, Ellen! It looks gorgeous! Guess we WILL change ships, I just needed that little push in the right direction!

YAY!! I think you will love it!! And (selfishly) I can't wait to hear how the two ships compare!

Your dinner looks really good, apart from the missing dessert! What was wrong with your servers?

I don't know if they were over-worked or what, but it all worked out- you'll see.

PLUS ..... I love the extra photos of your son, what a cute baby, sweet little boy and handsome young man!

Thank-you! I love looking at my kids' baby pics- I'm glad you don't mind me sharing them.

Mike and I did the Exotic Rasul the same day as you, though in the a.m., cause we knew that would be the best time to shuffle the kids off to the clubs. As a result, we ended up doing the tequila tasting at 4:00 pm.

I was bummed about the lack of steam. We didn't have steam on the Wonder either, but they called first, told us the steam was broken, and gave us the option to cancel or keep the appt. and get half off. We kept the appt. And we had no Rainforest room this time, just two chairs and two plastic cups of water outside the rasul room door. On the Wonder, we were escorted to the Rainforest room afterwards, given glasses of champagne and told to relax for as long as we liked. It seems from what I have heard from others, the two ships do the whole Rasul thing entirely differently.

REALLY! Now that sounds much, much more in line of how they should have handled it (on the Wonder, I mean. The Vista staff on the Magic CLEARLY didn't get the memo!).

Our server was not particularly friendly or outgoing. He came across as "fake nice", if you know what I mean. And he never went the extra mile. DS asked for chicken noodle soup one night and was told no, even though I knew it was on the menu in one of the other restaurants that night, not to mention on the room service menu all the time, and he probably could have easily brought it to make the kid happy. There were lots of little things like that.

Do you know if he was a regular Magic server? Or was he new or from the Wonder? I know a big batch of newbies got on the ship with us in Port Canaveral- I saw them when I was waiting at Guest services about my computer-

Our servers were VERY genuinely nice, we really did like them. They were very sweet. They were NOTHING like what you are talking about- that is just sad!



Our food was brought quickly and correctly, which was a big plus for him, but his attitude kind of put a damper on things for us. Our drink server was a much nicer guy.

It would have put a damper on things for me, too.

Ellen, hope you are feeling better quickly!

Your pics of Tyler are so precious. It is mind boggling how fast it happens. Next thing you know, he'll be married with children and it will be up to his wife when you can see him. I'm glad you are making the most of this time!

LALALALALALALALA! I have my fingers in my ears- or on my eyes, I guess...I can't hear/read that!!

Well, it sounds like after all my spouting on my thread about the service on RCCL being a little substandard, you are having some trouble on DCL, too!

It was ok, they were nice- not rude or anything. And it was better the next night-


Karin, definitely do the Eastern!!! It is so beautiful and so exotic!!! So far that is the best thing we have ever done!

Karin!! Did you see this?

OMG - favorite pictures....baby pictures - Soooooooooooooocute! and your dress - love it. Food and tinis looking pretty darn good, too.

Thanks and thanks- Tyler's nickname when he was a baby was Googie- 'cuz....he just WAS, KWIM? He was just such a googoo baby with the HUGEST cheeks! Thanks for liking his pics!

 

[Flossbolna]

very cute Tyler baby pictures, but she still has some of that little boy left in him!

Who would not love to have three so great looking men taking you to dinner! Your family looks beautiful all dressed up and I think your dress went extremely well with the black and white of the tuxes.

 

[CRdisMom]

i am soooo far behind. Love the three way mud mess and skipping desserts. So much to read and comment on. I have this funny feeling my sides are going ache for days in May.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

The boys are so handsome in their tuxes. I loved the baby pictures reminds me of my sons. They grow up so fast, mine were such cute babies & now they are big hairy men! Treasure these times, they mean so much.

I really loved St. John, the park was so beautiful. We didn't get to see much of Grand Cayman because of arriving late, plus it was raining. Our first cruise was eastern & the second was western. The second was our cruise from hell.
My favorite thing on a cruise was to get a boat drink, put my feet on the rail & watch the ocean.

 

[dvc4life]

OMG, those pictures of Tyler are so adorable. I love to see kids photos and how they have grown. And he has gone from so cute to so handsome. I had a little bit of a tear in my eye just looking at them. They grow so fast. Thanks for sharing those with us.


And as for the service for your dessert. . . . . . what's up with that? I don't get the way they serve when you go to dinner. What always torks us off is that we could be the first in our section to be seated but seems like we are always the last served. Why? Who knows. But it is very frustrating. We have let the Head Waiter know about this and it seems to get better after saying something. But still, I don't think there is any reason it should make you late for a show that you are wanting to see. Better luck at your next dinner.