Mickey + NYC = MAGIC - June 2, 2012 8-night - FINAL 2/23

[KristiMc]

Originally Posted by kid-at-heart

I am enjoying your wit - and your cruise report.

Thanks,
kate

Thanks

Originally Posted by MomToPrincePhillip

I'm joining in too! I'm really enjoying this TR and your photos! Thanks.

I enjoy writing it. It's such a great way to remember the trip.

Originally Posted by moparop

Loving it so far! How cool that you to tour NYC and go on a Disney Cruise. Two items on my bucket list!

I wish we would have had more time in NYC but for one day I think we did good.

Originally Posted by buzzcrazy

Great job!! Getting so excited for our 8/17 cruise. Do you have to shop earlier on the cruise? Do they run out of stuff? Just curious.

I had heard that they can run out of the cruise ship charms so I wanted to get it right away. They did say that they had 600 of them so I think I would have been fine. Everything else seemed to be fully stocked all week. We were on a not full cruise though.

Originally Posted by Dislaney4n6

I wish I was on this cruise with the two of you.. I can only imagine the banter between you two in person!!!

It does get interesting some time

Originally Posted by karajeboo

Yes, you tend to do the stalker dance in the terminal, eh?

Not stalker - just looking for my friends

And the state animal is the Orange Barrel......

Lots of them around this year

And I see from sailaway pics that poor lil Shawn was left on his own again, huh? I swear, I will have to be on my toes on NYE 2013 and watch that poor lil guy!!!! He's just too cute for his own good!!!!

I think he will get lost just on purpose so you can help him - he is like that . I was happy how both of them did this cruise. We gave them some freedom with rules and they did great. Shawn was allowed to do check in/out but had to call us first to see where we were. Matt -well we hardly saw him during the day. He had a wave phone and we asked that he just text us here and there to let us know he was still alive. He LOVED it.

And no, Steve, he does NOT take after his daddy.... just want to put that out there before you get any funny ideas....

Originally Posted by podsnel

Kara just told me you started! I'm subbed! I'll catch up after I get off the phone with Kara!

Thanks for joining in

Originally Posted by mariaelenak

I had planned to do that too, but I too forgot! Oh well, we'll just have to go on another cruise and try again.

I guess we will Maria.

I hit Treasure Ketch the first night as well! I couldn't wait to get my DCL Chamilia Cruise Ship!!

Me too! I love it.

Originally Posted by mariaelenak

I thought you had a crush on Minnie? Oh wait...that's right, Minnie has a crush on you.

That's what he says ...

I did the exact same thing. Had that darn clocked turned and pushed right up against the wall.

[disney debi]

Just catching up on this trip report and it is awesome. You two are just too funny! I was just laughing out loud and had to read my dh the post about eating your napkin! We are on the 8/17 sailing and getting sooo excited for our first disney cruise. Can't wait to hear more!

[TopRowSeat]

Originally Posted by mariaelenak

I thought you had a crush on Minnie? Oh wait...that's right, Minnie has a crush on you.

Yes, I hate to break poor Minnie's heart but given the choice I'd have to take the adorable human over the bubbly rodent.

[TopRowSeat]

Originally Posted by karajeboo

Yes, you tend to do the stalker dance in the terminal, eh?

She doesn't think she's a stalker but... Last year she pretended that she randomly stumbled across you in the terminal but in reality she had been following you for a couple of days. If she looked a little ruffled it was from sleeping in the bushes outside your hotel... again.

NYC was the same thing. We weren't even through security before she had already identified everyone from the FB group, knew all their social security numbers and blood types.

This is why I line my hat with aluminum foil. She's spooky.

Originally Posted by karajeboo

And no, Steve, he does NOT take after his daddy.... just want to put that out there before you get any funny ideas....

That's ok, I understand you don't want Jeff to be jealous. *I* know the truth. Me, Jack Sparrow, tough to tell us apart.

[karajeboo]

Originally Posted by TopRowSeat

She doesn't think she's a stalker but... Last year she pretended that she randomly stumbled across you in the terminal but in reality she had been following you for a couple of days. If she looked a little ruffled it was from sleeping in the bushes outside your hotel... again.

NYC was the same thing. We weren't even through security before she had already identified everyone from the FB group, knew all their social security numbers and blood types.

This is why I line my hat with aluminum foil. She's spooky.



That's ok, I understand you don't want Jeff to be jealous. *I* know the truth. Me, Jack Sparrow, tough to tell us apart.

I KNEW it!!!! Tell her I'll leave a pillow outside my door of the CI&S in Port Canaveral before the NYE cruise..... And I'll be sure to pack the Reynolds Wrap... Thanx Jack, er STeve.....

[KristiMc]

Originally Posted by TopRowSeat

She doesn't think she's a stalker but... Last year she pretended that she randomly stumbled across you in the terminal but in reality she had been following you for a couple of days. If she looked a little ruffled it was from sleeping in the bushes outside your hotel... again.

NYC was the same thing. We weren't even through security before she had already identified everyone from the FB group, knew all their social security numbers and blood types.

This is why I line my hat with aluminum foil. She's spooky.

Originally Posted by karajeboo

I KNEW it!!!! Tell her I'll leave a pillow outside my door of the CI&S in Port Canaveral before the NYE cruise..... And I'll be sure to pack the Reynolds Wrap... Thanx Jack, er STeve.....

Is this gang up on Kristi day?? I'm banning both of you from my trip report!

[TopRowSeat]

Originally Posted by KristiMc

Is this gang up on Kristi day?? I'm banning both of you from my trip report!

Oh no! I've got a ton more stories to share... We're just at the end of Day 1! You're not getting rid of me that easy.

[KristiMc]

I woke up this morning earlier than anyone else. I hate that even on vacation I cannot sleep in.

We had put the room service tag out the night before and soon I had my first cup of tea to enjoy on the verandah. On our last cruise I sat out and enjoyed the peaceful mornings everyday while sipping my tea and reading a book. I would do the same on this cruise.

This morning though I had somewhere to be. When I went to change our Palo brunch reservation yesterday, I booked a spa treatment - the 20-20-20. It consists of a 20 minute back massage, 20 minute facial and then a 20 minute scalp, neck and shoulder massage. I really enjoyed this treatment. A little bit of everything. After I was done, I used the wonderful showers in the spa to get ready for the day.

While I was gone, Steve and the boys got up and enjoyed a little breakfast before our Character Breakfast (lots of eating on this cruise).



I met the guys back in the room and then we were off to Parrot Cay.











After breakfast the kids went to their clubs and Steve and I went to Studio Sea to see the first Art of Entertainment cooking demo of the cruise. The chef showed how to make one of my favorite appetizers from the cruise - Mushroom Risotto.



They brought everyone out a small sample of the risotto along with a glass of wine. Both were very good.

After the demo, we had our first conflict of the cruise. There are so many activities to do it is hard deciding what to do. Do we do the Champagne/Sparkling Wine tasting or the Theme Park Innovations presentation??

We chose to go to the tasting . We did a couple of tastings on the last cruise and loved them. I'm not a big wine drinker but I thought I would try it. I liked a few and disliked a few - but it was still fun.

It was around lunch time so we grabbed Shawn from the Lab and went to Topsiders for the Italian buffet. Matt must have sent us a text that he was doing his own thing. I don't think we had lunch with Matt on the ship at all.

After lunch, Shawn and I decided to do the Goofy animation class. We were a little early so we hung out on deck 4 for a bit.







Neither of us are very good artists. I won't be posting any pictures of my Goofy.

Shawn went back to the Lab and Steve and I headed for our first BINGO session of the cruise.





We didn't win anything but we had a couple of drinks and enjoyed the craziness of the BINGO crew.

Back to the room. We loved coming back and finding gifts in our Fish Extender. We got so many good treats.



We grabbed Shawn again to see if he wanted go swimming. While we were up on deck we got to see our favorite bartender Nur. We had met Nur on the last cruise at Sessions during our Margarita tasting. We were happy to see that he was still on the Magic - this time in Pinocchio's bar on deck 9.



We enjoyed our drinks while Shawn enjoyed the pool.


Next up: Formal Night

[podsnel]

I am SOOOO excited we have an extra sea day on our NYE cruise- maybe I will actually get to try more activities like the cooking and the animation- of course, even with only 2 sea days on the Westerns I have done, I managed to squeeze in martini tastings- and on the four day Dream we were just on, we had the BEST Champagne tasting- clearly I have my priorities straight!

Your boys are adorable- can't wait to meet them! Sorry you didn't ever get to have lunch with your older one- and sorry to say, this is how it goes.... on our last summer's cruise, we felt honored to have them join us for lunch once in 9 days- because we were all eating at Johnny Rockets (on RCCI Explorer of the Seas). Of course, as soon as the cheeseburgers and milkshakes were history, so were we! It's all good, tho- it only means that they're having fun, too!

[TopRowSeat]

Originally Posted by KristiMc

I woke up this morning earlier than anyone else. I hate that even on vacation I cannot sleep in.

There is definitely something wrong with you... but we'll save your therapy for another time.

Originally Posted by KristiMc

While I was gone, Steve and the boys got up and enjoyed a little breakfast before our Character Breakfast (lots of eating on this cruise).

Pre-breakfast is the most important meal of the cruise day. It ranks right up there with mid-morning snack, backup lunch, pre-dinner and the evening graze.

I do love my cruise coffee. That bottle of Amaretto didn't make it back to NY.

Originally Posted by KristiMc

I met the guys back in the room and then we were off to Parrot Cay.

This was my favorite character breakfast ever. Not because of anything special the characters or my dudes did but because of the table next to us. The little girl at the table beside us was so excited for every single character visit that it was contagious and a lot of fun to watch.

Originally Posted by KristiMc

Steve and I went to Studio Sea to see the first Art of Entertainment cooking demo of the cruise.

Chef Chris(?) from Topsiders was entertaining. He said one of his hobbies is to travel the world and eat unusual local dishes. He said "I've had the original Mickey Bar, a mouse on a stick." (people groaned) "Oh yeah, I've had Mickey, Donald, Pluto. I've had the entire character breakfast."

Originally Posted by KristiMc

After the demo, we had our first conflict of the cruise. There are so many activities to do it is hard deciding what to do. Do we do the Champagne/Sparkling Wine tasting or the Theme Park Innovations presentation??

I think there were more conflicts this time than cruises past. It seemed like there were often two or three conflicting things that we wanted to do.

In this case choosing the Sparkling Wine tasting was definitely the right call. It was good and I probably learned something although right at this moment I couldn't tell you what....

Originally Posted by KristiMc

After lunch, Shawn and I decided to do the Goofy animation class.

I went down to get Matt for the drawing class. Before the cruise he said he wanted to do more of these... but when the time came he was having fun with his Edge friends and opted out.

I grabbed a beer and strolled decks 9 and 10. Spotted Matt playing dodgeball on the basketball court. He was definitely having fun.

It was around this time that I realized it was only 2:30 on Sunday afternoon and it already felt like it had been a month since I was last at work. Ahhhh.. THIS is why I love DCL.

Originally Posted by KristiMc

Neither of us are very good artists. I won't be posting any pictures of my Goofy.

Ok, this isn't fair. Shawn did a great job. Your Goofy on the other hand looked.. errr.. rather demented. I had nightmares about Sparky-Goofy (shudder).

Originally Posted by KristiMc

We didn't win anything but we had a couple of drinks and enjoyed the craziness of the BINGO crew.

The drinks were good and the Bingo crew was a lot of fun.

Originally Posted by KristiMc

OMG! I had never heard of this thing before but it was AWESOME! I think this might have been my favorite FE gift of the week.

Originally Posted by KristiMc

We grabbed Shawn again to see if he wanted go swimming. While we were up on deck we got to see our favorite bartender Nur. We had met Nur on the last cruise at Sessions during our Margarita tasting. We were happy to see that he was still on the Magic - this time in Pinocchio's bar on deck 9.

Nur still makes the best Martini on the high seas. Pinocchio's isn't the right bar for him though. He needs to be somewhere with barstools so people can sit and hang out. He was good in Sessions, he'd be better over in Signals where there are stools.

Originally Posted by KristiMc

We enjoyed our drinks while Shawn enjoyed the pool.

I don't think that kid on the right was enjoying the pool as much as Shawn. Or maybe he was just creeped out because some old guy (me) appeared to be taking about 40 pictures of him while Shawn swam past?

Sorry kid. I'm not a stalker like my wife. Just taking pictures of MY kid in the pool.

Originally Posted by podsnel

I managed to squeeze in martini tastings- and on the four day Dream we were just on, we had the BEST Champagne tasting- clearly I have my priorities straight!

It's always a struggle. Drink by the pool or do more structured drinking with Disney? The decisions we cruisers must make are brutal.

Originally Posted by podsnel

Sorry you didn't ever get to have lunch with your older one- and sorry to say, this is how it goes.... on our last summer's cruise, we felt honored to have them join us for lunch once in 9 days- because we were all eating at Johnny Rockets (on RCCI Explorer of the Seas).

I remember your TR. Freddie vs Mickey. Your son ended up with the all-female entourage... Great report! Very entertaining. Looking forward to meeting you all in just 5-hundred-and-some-ungodly-number-of-days.

[karajeboo]

Originally Posted by KristiMc

I woke up this morning earlier than anyone else. I hate that even on vacation I cannot sleep in.

You and Jeff can bond on NYE.... he's up at the crack of..... yeah, THAT!



I met the guys back in the room and then we were off to Parrot Cay.

Oh man!!! You got the squirrels for your character meal!!! They were hiding out somewhere for ours this year.... so bummed because the gophers are Ally's FAVORITES!!!! Stupid prairie dogs.....

After breakfast the kids went to their clubs and Steve and I went to Studio Sea to see the first Art of Entertainment cooking demo of the cruise. The chef showed how to make one of my favorite appetizers from the cruise - Mushroom Risotto.



They brought everyone out a small sample of the risotto along with a glass of wine. Both were very good.

After the demo, we had our first conflict of the cruise. There are so many activities to do it is hard deciding what to do. Do we do the Champagne/Sparkling Wine tasting or the Theme Park Innovations presentation??

We chose to go to the tasting . We did a couple of tastings on the last cruise and loved them. I'm not a big wine drinker but I thought I would try it. I liked a few and disliked a few - but it was still fun.

I detect a theme here? And I seem to recall a certain Kristi on a certain cruise over a certain spring break in 2011 who appeared to have partaken a bit of a certain sparkling bevvie before dinner one day????? She was a silly certain Kristi!!!

Neither of us are very good artists. I won't be posting any pictures of my Goofy.

Time out!!! I"m calling foul on this!!!! I posted all our pics from our animation class! Well, mine were stunning..... but I had no problem posting Jeff's and Ally's hideous examples!!!!

Originally Posted by podsnel

I am SOOOO excited we have an extra sea day on our NYE cruise- maybe I will actually get to try more activities like the cooking and the animation- of course, even with only 2 sea days on the Westerns I have done, I managed to squeeze in martini tastings- and on the four day Dream we were just on, we had the BEST Champagne tasting- clearly I have my priorities straight!

Your boys are adorable- can't wait to meet them! Sorry you didn't ever get to have lunch with your older one- and sorry to say, this is how it goes.... on our last summer's cruise, we felt honored to have them join us for lunch once in 9 days- because we were all eating at Johnny Rockets (on RCCI Explorer of the Seas). Of course, as soon as the cheeseburgers and milkshakes were history, so were we! It's all good, tho- it only means that they're having fun, too!

Oh, do tell about this BEST champagne tasting!!!!

Originally Posted by TopRowSeat

There is definitely something wrong with you... but we'll save your therapy for another time.

Actually, I think we should discuss it here and now.....

Pre-breakfast is the most important meal of the cruise day. It ranks right up there with mid-morning snack, backup lunch, pre-dinner and the evening graze.

So after Jeff and Kristi bond for coffee at 0 dark 30 every morning.... YOU and Jeff can bond for pre-breakfast.....

I do love my cruise coffee. That bottle of Amaretto didn't make it back to NY.

And then YOU and I can bond for some Amaretto! I won't mind helping you to polish it off. I"m a giver like that. It's who I am.....

Chef Chris(?) from Topsiders was entertaining. He said one of his hobbies is to travel the world and eat unusual local dishes. He said "I've had the original Mickey Bar, a mouse on a stick." (people groaned) "Oh yeah, I've had Mickey, Donald, Pluto. I've had the entire character breakfast."

That is hilarious!!!!

Ok, this isn't fair. Shawn did a great job. Your Goofy on the other hand looked.. errr.. rather demented. I had nightmares about Sparky-Goofy (shudder).

See? It's a formal protest!!!! Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!!!


Nur still makes the best Martini on the high seas. Pinocchio's isn't the right bar for him though. He needs to be somewhere with barstools so people can sit and hang out. He was good in Sessions, he'd be better over in Signals where there are stools.

Steve, Steve, Steve..... What is wrong with you? If there are no stools, you make your own. You know the saying, "when life hands you a bar with no stools......" Yeah, something like that. I say just hop up and sit ON the bar!!!!

I don't think that kid on the right was enjoying the pool as much as Shawn. Or maybe he was just creeped out because some old guy (me) appeared to be taking about 40 pictures of him while Shawn swam past?

Sorry kid. I'm not a stalker like my wife. Just taking pictures of MY kid in the pool.

Mmmm hmmmm, that's what they ALL say!

Y'all some silly cruisers......

[LittleGirlGrey]

Nooo! I need more!!!!

I love this Wife TR and then Husband TR. My mom and I will be on our 4th Cruise *To Hawaii! Aloha!* and I'm going to have her join so we can do this! It will be great! She will probably tell you how crazy I am!!!

[KristiMc]

Originally Posted by podsnel

I am SOOOO excited we have an extra sea day on our NYE cruise- maybe I will actually get to try more activities like the cooking and the animation- of course, even with only 2 sea days on the Westerns I have done, I managed to squeeze in martini tastings- and on the four day Dream we were just on, we had the BEST Champagne tasting- clearly I have my priorities straight!

Your boys are adorable- can't wait to meet them! Sorry you didn't ever get to have lunch with your older one- and sorry to say, this is how it goes.... on our last summer's cruise, we felt honored to have them join us for lunch once in 9 days- because we were all eating at Johnny Rockets (on RCCI Explorer of the Seas). Of course, as soon as the cheeseburgers and milkshakes were history, so were we! It's all good, tho- it only means that they're having fun, too!

I love the sea days. There are so many neat activities to do. I do wish that I liked hanging out near the pools a little more. I think on the Fantasy they some shady areas in the Satellite Falls section. Where most people are sun worshipers - I am a shade worshiper.

It was weird not seeing Matt much on this cruise and also having your 11 year old come back to the stateroom at 1:00 am. I am glad that he had a great time though.

Originally Posted by karajeboo

Y'all some silly cruisers......

Silly - we are

Originally Posted by LittleGirlGrey

Nooo! I need more!!!!

I love this Wife TR and then Husband TR. My mom and I will be on our 4th Cruise *To Hawaii! Aloha!* and I'm going to have her join so we can do this! It will be great! She will probably tell you how crazy I am!!!

Welcome - glad you are enjoying.

[brookelizabeth]

I'm finally officially here Kristi! It is so fun reliving our cruise through your report so far, I can't wait to start mine!

I miss Pre-Breakfast and Second Breakfast.

[KristiMc]

Originally Posted by brookelizabeth

I'm finally officially here Kristi! It is so fun reliving our cruise through your report so far, I can't wait to start mine!

I miss Pre-Breakfast and Second Breakfast.

I can't wait to read your report Brook.