I LOVE Comedians with Guitars......You didn't tell me that part...

[tinkerbellerina]

I'm really enjoying your report, especially your pics, navigators and details. You are convincing me that we should take advantage of the kids sail free offer.

 

[vleeth]

I am loving this trip report!!! These are the first pictures I see of the port. 44 more days and I'll be there!

 

[jenseib]

I am loving this trip report!!! These are the first pictures I see of the port. 44 more days and I'll be there!

I know...I haven't seen many floating around of the terminal yet either. I hope this gives some perspective to some people.

I'm really enjoying your report, especially your pics, navigators and details. You are convincing me that we should take advantage of the kids sail free offer.

Yes!!! You should. I priced it out and it is a really good deal.

What a sight to welcome the ship to a new Port!!!

It was so neat. I felt so special to be on that first sailing.

I'm so excited, each update is getting closer to being onboard

I can't wait to see all of your pictures of the Magic. I want to sail on her almost as much as I do the Fantasy. I wish they would put her in NYC and go to Bermuda one day b/c I think that is where our next big cruise might be. It would be so much easier for us to drive to NYC.

Too funny that Skip doesn't know it was a Disney cruise. You will probably mention it one day in the future and he'll be surprised. "You went on a Disney cruise?!?!"

I know you said this report would be slow moving due to your other trip coming up, but don't you think it would be easier to have this one done by the time you travel again? (Can you tell I love reading about your trip?)

I have priced out tons of cruises lately too. We already agreed to take 2013 off but it's going to be hard. I can't believe you priced out Carnival for a 3 night cruise. Isn't that the ugly ship you see behind the Dream at Port Canaveral with no balconies? That would be hard to go to after the Dream. I have looked at the newer Carnival ships but just can't seem to look at the older ones no matter what the itinerary or price might be.

I wish I could...but I edit each picture and it takes so much time to do so...so I will try to go as fast as I can still I hit that wall and have to stop.

Yes...that would be the Carnival ships. Though I have seen pictures in side and they aren't all bad. I think the ones that sail longer cruises are much nicer though. If I could get one of the newer ships on a short sailing I would do it, but it would cost more too.

OK - all caught up on the pictures. And I thought I was the only one who took a picture of myself in the bathroom mirror.

Wow - that poor car with no tires. Yikes!

Great group shot of your gals!

Jen - you really should be the photography that takes hotel pictures and posts them on the internet. Wouldn't that be fun? (at least for awhile....)

I wasn't taking a picture of myself...who me? that was the mirror I was photographing...um yeah...thats it.
I do love to take pictures, but as a job it would probably make me nervous, as I can take some really bad ones too.

I wouldn't want to cruise on the really tall ship. I watched a show a few months ago about cruise ship safety, It was recommended to go with the lower ships as the top heavy ones would roll over easier. That was enough for me to say no high ships for me!

I know I have heard you say that before...and I go blah blah blah when I hear it. The Dream does look kind of top heavy doesn't she? And then I have a flash back of the posiden adventure movie.

 

[jenseib]

I decided it was time to take a potty break and took a few pictures on the way.

This is the kids club registration area.

Then it was time! They were announcing boarding and we gathered our things. When number 2 was announce, it was a race….the place went crazy. LOTS of people had 2’s. We all walked together to start with, but a lady with her stroller and family decided to step in front of us and fold it up and she got put a stop to Brook, Lisa and I. They started moving too and made it pretty clear they wanted to board before us. Really? She couldn’t see that she just separated a group of people wearing matching shirts? So we walked fast and Brook made a pass…after a bit I did the pass too and she gave me a VERY dirty look. Lisa was stuck behind them and I think the lady took action NOT to be passed again. So I said to her, “My friend got behind you and she is part of our group, will you let her around, and she flat out told me no, I won’t let her.…..what a Witch with a capital B.

We went down the long hallway to get to the ship and they had photographers set up there to take the welcome aboard photos. We made a stop and we all were caught up with each other. Crazy lady and her family on the other hand had bypassed it and kept going.

We had a nice photo taken, but I don’t think any of us actually bought it.

We then headed to have our cards swiped. Carolyn, Susan, and Shelly got through right away. Lisa wasn’t far behind. They stopped Brook as her photo was from her last cruise and she was wearing a hat, so they needed a new one. I then went to another line and got swiped and headed up the stairs to meet with Lisa and we waited for Brook.

As we walked down the gangway I said we needed to think of a name to have announced for us…but we are not good with quick thinking evidently, because none of us could think of anything clever.

A peek of the ship from the gangway.

When we got to the doors, we still hadn’t thought of a name and the CM basically just asked our 1st names and we were announced that way.

We walked in and I looked up and all around and my first thought was WOW……………........................
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
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………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

This Atrium is sooooo SMALL. It looks big in pictures, but compared to the Dream it is TINY. That was probably my only major disappoint in the ship. Now it isn’t really small and it is beautiful, but it was the very first thing I noticed….smaller ship means smaller atrium. As time wore on, it came to where I never noticed how much smaller it was.

We were stopped by a CM and told we could go eat lunch right away at either Parrot Cay or Topsiders and that all rooms were ready already. YES!!! We had boarded the ship at 11:50 AM and rooms are not supposed to be ready till 1:30 PM. We had hoped that since this was a first sailing coming into port with a pretty much empty ship that this would happen.

Now to find Carolyn and gals.
Aha! There they are….getting interviewed by a local news station.

This is the footage from the interview. I am not sure how long this link will stay active though.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/video?id=8820698

The lady had info wrong too. She said this is a 6 night sailing and it’s an 7 nighter. Carolyn said she was kind of anti-Disney and wanted to know why a group of only adults would ever even consider sailing on Disney.
Oh well…not everyone gets it.

I had to get a quick shot of this too.

And this

We separated to go to our rooms and said we would meet back up in the atrium and then head off to Parrot Cay for lunch. Our bellies were starting to rumble a bit.

Brook and Carolyn’s gang both had ocean view rooms and were down on deck 2 right next to each other. Lisa and I had a veranda room on deck 5 towards the aft.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Wow... Having never taken a cruise, I love that you took all the boarding photos... it gives a great visual overview of what to expect... lots of similarities to boarding a plane...

That Donald is really in a cute costume... I'd have wanted to rush him too...

I guess that Cruise Ship Expectations mirror resort expectation a little bit...
like your initial disappointment in the Dream's atrium after the Fantasy kind of like staying at the newest Deluxe hotel and then going back to an older one... I think that so far it looks lovely... so I 'll be curious to see more photos...

(Doesn't the ship also depend on your destination and departure location?)

This is great...

 

[TinksMomma]

I had a feeling your complaint was about the atrium, and I'm sure my hubby will say the same thing! Glad to hear that it didn't make a difference once you were onboard!! I sailed on the Wonder years ago and don't remember it as being small so I think it's just a comarison thing...LOVING your report!

 

[jenseib]

Wow... Having never taken a cruise, I love that you took all the boarding photos... it gives a great visual overview of what to expect... lots of similarities to boarding a plane...

That Donald is really in a cute costume... I'd have wanted to rush him too...

I guess that Cruise Ship Expectations mirror resort expectation a little bit...
like your initial disappointment in the Dream's atrium after the Fantasy kind of like staying at the newest Deluxe hotel and then going back to an older one... I think that so far it looks lovely... so I 'll be curious to see more photos...

(Doesn't the ship also depend on your destination and departure location?)

This is great...

Yes, it's kind of like boarding a plane.....though security isn't as strict with liquids...though I read on cruise critic someone was told they couldn't bring small liquids on...and thats wrong, you are allowed to.

The Magic Atrium seemed so much smaller than the Dream. I wil lcompare with a better memory in a few weeks.

I had a feeling your complaint was about the atrium, and I'm sure my hubby will say the same thing! Glad to hear that it didn't make a difference once you were onboard!! I sailed on the Wonder years ago and don't remember it as being small so I think it's just a comarison thing...LOVING your report!

It was nice, but not nearly as big. But I was fine with it. No where else on the ship did it really feel smaller.

 

[Caretames1]

What cute pictures with Donald! I can just see you ladies bum rushing him! LOL JK

I love the way you take your pictures. I can almost imagine walking through the terminal.

Rude people, again like a cc card, they are everywhere you want to be.......

Mmmmm food. Can't wait!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[dolphingirl47]

I have never been on the Dream or the Fantasy, but when I saw your photos of the Magic's atrium, I have to say I was fighting back the tears. I do so miss this ship. Still, a month from today, we can rekindle our acquaintance.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

What cute pictures with Donald! I can just see you ladies bum rushing him! LOL JK

I love the way you take your pictures. I can almost imagine walking through the terminal.

Rude people, again like a cc card, they are everywhere you want to be.......

Mmmmm food. Can't wait!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

These girls have priorities!!

I have never been on the Dream or the Fantasy, but when I saw your photos of the Magic's atrium, I have to say I was fighting back the tears. I do so miss this ship. Still, a month from today, we can rekindle our acquaintance.

Corinna

I kept her nice and safe for you!

She is beautiful.

 

[mousetravel]

You crazy southerners. So if you want a pepsi...do you say I'll have a pepsi? LOL

Catching up on your TR, and laughing at the Coke/Pop discussion.

If a place serves Pepsi products, and you say that you want a Coke, they'll know what you're talking about!!

I always laugh at these type discussions on northern vs. southern sayings!


Also, I noticed your rental car had a Georgia tag. You should have "pretended" to be a southerner while you had the rental. DD & I always do that. If we get a rental car with a NY tag, etc. , we try to talk like we're from there, since we have the tag!
(silly, but just a fun little thing we do!)

Loving your TR and pics!!!

 

[jenseib]

Catching up on your TR, and laughing at the Coke/Pop discussion.

If a place serves Pepsi products, and you say that you want a Coke, they'll know what you're talking about!!

I always laugh at these type discussions on northern vs. southern sayings!


Also, I noticed your rental car had a Georgia tag. You should have "pretended" to be a southerner while you had the rental. DD & I always do that. If we get a rental car with a NY tag, etc. , we try to talk like we're from there, since we have the tag!
(silly, but just a fun little thing we do!)

Loving your TR and pics!!!

I have such a bad fake sounding southern accent that I would be noticed right away. I can pull off the Canadian accent though.

 

[Sparrow78]

Canadian accent eh?

 

[SoonerGirl]

I feel like I'm forever playing catch up!

I love departure day, so much excitement! I'm determined to take advantage of the Magic being so close to us, I just wish there were some summer sailings, they are all at times when we would have to take the kids out of school...

 

[CraftyMommy]

I decided to take a study break and look up your TR. I didn't realize you'd have so much up already. Oh well, its been a fun read.

Did you tell me your aunt's house is near the zoo? I know a few people who have mansions around there.

That was odd that nobody honored the lines when you boarded SW. I always fly Southwest out of Columbus and have never had any issues with people not lining up in the correct places. I usually encounter people who are very particular and want to make sure nobody gets ahead of them that shouldn't, so you'll have several people asking what number you have.

 

[jenseib]

Canadian accent eh?

I feel like I'm forever playing catch up!

I love departure day, so much excitement! I'm determined to take advantage of the Magic being so close to us, I just wish there were some summer sailings, they are all at times when we would have to take the kids out of school...

I am forever catching up too. I was so close to being completely caught up, but over the last 2 days I got way behind again. Oh well...I'll keep plugging through. I enjoy reading...it just takes awhile.
I know what you mean about school. I have an opportunity to sail on another line....it's just eating away at me, but the best selection would be immediately after we get back from this trip and I can't take Claire out any more for at least a few months. So I will wait and see what spring brings.

I decided to take a study break and look up your TR. I didn't realize you'd have so much up already. Oh well, its been a fun read.

Did you tell me your aunt's house is near the zoo? I know a few people who have mansions around there.

That was odd that nobody honored the lines when you boarded SW. I always fly Southwest out of Columbus and have never had any issues with people not lining up in the correct places. I usually encounter people who are very particular and want to make sure nobody gets ahead of them that shouldn't, so you'll have several people asking what number you have.

Maybe we just had a bad couple of days. But I never heard anyone ask...nor did they ask me. It was totally just a bunch of people standing there. I just tried to stay in my section.

Yes, My Aunt is near the zoo. She doesn't have a mansion, but a very nice house. They have an elevator in it to go to and from the finished basement and that is a big highlight for Claire and my nieces.

 

[jenseib]

We found our room easily and I took a couple of quick pictures.

That was my gift for being a silver Castaway Club member. It had some pretzels, Disney shaped goldfish crackers and a keychain inside I believe. (I think I took a picture of it later on)

This room was 5130. I looked for reviews online and one person made mention that it did NOT have a split bathroom. I figured this person must've been off their rocker, because there aren't any veranda rooms on the Magic in this category without a split bathroom. Sure enough I was right, it did have 2 bathrooms. I do plan to go in and make a review myself and correct the info.

We then headed back towards the atrium to meet up with the gals. As we walked I really liked what I saw. My friend and co-worker Jeanne has sailed the Magic many times ......I think she has sailed with Disney something like 40 times!!!!! She had told me the Magic was still her favorite, but it did look a little worn. I was expecting it to look much more worn than it was. Most things were still bright and clean and we saw them daily doing maintenance on painting and floor boards, etc. Only a few spots did I find it look less than Disney standards.

We decided to take the stairs down from deck 5 to 3.

Look! Oil Rigs right outside the porthole and nasty green water.

And the girls were just coming in the Atrium at the same time.

And we didn't mingle too long, we were starving!

There was practically no one in the restaurant too.

We were seated and I went and took a few pictures before I ate.
I guess the desserts were calling my name first ......actually they were still full and not picked over, so I wanted to get shots like that.

The ultimate, best dessert EVER! I just love their chocolate chip cookies. I dont know what it is, but they are to die for. I will push you down and step on you if you get between me and those cookies!

 

[dizneeat]

Oh, memories are coming back (not of the Magic, but her sister ship, the Wonderful Disney Wonder )
I had forgotten how nice the Atrium looked! Smaller than the Dream's, but still awesome. And we loved Parrot Cay! Such a nice restaurant - good thing you made it to the desserts before they were touched. They look yummy! All of them, not just the cookies.
Hope you took pics of the rest of the food too!

 

[SoonerGirl]

The decor in the staterooms does look a little worn, but when you compare it to the brand new Dream, it would. Doesn't stop me from wanting to cruise on the Magic, that's for sure

Oh, those desserts look to die for! So glad you grabbed some pictures before they were picked over!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

The ultimate, best dessert EVER! I just love their chocolate chip cookies. I dont know what it is, but they are to die for. I will push you down and step on you if you get between me and those cookies!

We STILL talk about these cookies!!! What do they put in them?