Monday morning was another early one as we had our character breakfast that morning. We hadn’t gone for a couple of years as the kids were not exactly enthusiastic about getting up early. But DD was excited to go as were DGM and DF, so we were glad to get back there. We gave DH his cards and got ready for our breakfast. When we opened the door to leave we found we had been visited by the birthday fairies and our door was totally decorated!
It was so cool! Then when went for breakfast with DGM & DF they insisted DH go in first. They had had the table decorated too with birthday ears and a bag full of goodies. All Mickey themed of course!
After a lot of fun with the presents, characters, a yummy breakfast, and Richard showing his prowess at hat making ( and a few more glimmers of a teenager being born), we were off to the
Castaway Club Celebration. It is always fun to hear from the officers and mingle with your co-DCL groupies. Plus DGM had never been as this was only her second cruise, so FIRST Castaway Club! There were over 1200 repeat cruisers on this trip! It’s amazing what a loyal following this line has. Some threads disparage the cost and limited itineraries of DCL, but apparently that’s the minority since on our last several cruises about half the passengers were returning passengers! As always, it was very enjoyable. No real good rumors to spread though, sorry!
DH had been given a massage at the spa for his Birthday so that was where he was off to next. And everyone else was up for a great day of relaxation. DW contemplated BINGO later in the afternoon but opted for the Art of the Theme Show Ship Tour – and was very happy she did. We all love finding out tidbits about the ship. Like the fact that there are over 100 carpet patterns on the ship used to visually cue you to where you are, what type of area it is, and to make you feel more at home! The fact that deck 5 is shorter than other decks to make the kids feel bigger in their play areas, and there is a secret passageway to get kids between the clubs so traffic of other passengers isn’t impeded. And a hundred other details you will only find on DCL. This was our first tour this trip with Trevor from the cruise staff, and he was fantastic. He did let it slip that since the new ships were being built in Germany rather than Italy that the specialty restaurant was going to be a Biergarten!
And that if we get to vote on new names for the ships he would really like one to be the Disney Trevor!
He’s been working since he was a teenager with Disney starting out at
Disneyland, has been an
Adventures by Disney guide, and is an all around Disney know-it-all – in a good way. DW and DH shared with him our fondness for Disneyland as well. Even though we’re from the east coast and truly enjoy Walt Disney World, we have a special spot in our hearts for Disneyland.
It was just about time to get ready for the Captain’s gala which started at 5:15. DW returned to find DH and DD already ready but no DS. Enter more teenager behavior. He finally showed up to get a shower when we wanted to leave. Yes he knew what time we wanted him back, BUT he didn’t have a watch with him!
And had apparently been struck dumb and unable to ask anyone what time it was. Wind up- we didn’t get our pictures taken with the captain before the show,( but we did have time afterward) and DS had a watch with him the rest of the week! (I am done picking on him now!)
As it was formal night everyone looked smashing! The show of course was the Golden Mickeys. We can’t say we have a favorite of the shows, as they all have a little something different to offer. We love movies and music, so the Golden Mickeys is right up our alley. While we enjoy the show and the performances, we also truly appreciate the complexity of this production and the vast number of incredibly quick costume changes the cast has to make. There is a finite number of cast members and they play multiple roles, so they are moving from one character to another at break neck speed. We’ve talked to a few of the cast members and they say the choreography back stage is just as carefully planned and rehearsed at that on stage. They can’t afford to miss a cue. We also noticed that several of the dance numbers had more elaborate and complex choreography added to them. It was spectacular again!
After that we did go and get out picture with Captain Thord, the first time we haven’t had Captain Tom on the Magic.
I can’t remember if we tried to go to the cabaret show as well – too much to do! But I do remember dinner being very good! AGAIN. And of course we celebrated DH's birthday again! I had mentioned to Maclean that last year John C. had gotten a chocolate mousse cake for DH’s birthday and he had been talking about how good it was ever since.
And so of course, that is the cake that came out for his birthday this year. And everyone sang and we had a delightful time. He also got a birthday button!
Mickey candle supplied by DGM & DF
We did go to the later part of the adult cabaret with the hypnotist. A couple of the same people were on stage and some new ones. Being the ‘adult’ show, it was slightly ‘bluer’ but not much and still a hoot to watch. One of the things we especially like about DCL and it’s entertainment, that even in the “adult” venues, the fact that this is a Disney product is not forgotten and the entertainers have to be funny and entertaining, not vulgar.
The theme nights have changed in Rockin Bar D but most of them start out with an impressive high energy number performed by the main stage dancers. DH and DW did make sure to dance a couple of nights. This next night Tisa was giving away Spa packages as incentive to stay and dance; that was all we needed to hear. DW won a day pass for the Rain forest Room, which when she took it to the spa they extended to three days!
Very awesome as she was planning to go there the next day! We really enjoyed the club and the band Soul Drive was really, really good. They were on last year as well, so we were happy to have them again. That about wrapped up Birthday Monday!
When their daughter broke the news to them their son said "well, it's a shame we won't be able to be there." And when she insisted they skip the cruise he continued to object that that was when he and John celebrated their birthdays together on the MAGIC. 
Sorry SIS! But eventually the new baby won out and they cancelled their cruise. We were sort of really bummed. 
We had really been looking forward to seeing them again, and having another family to bounce around with. 
So now we were actively talking up the cruise hoping to get someone interested in going with us as it was only going to be John, Me and our DS12. First we thought of bringing one of DS's friends. But Trent informed us he didn't really like boats. 
Then we decided that we should take our DD21. She is really officially out of the house and should be taking her own vacations, but she had had a great year, working hard, and so she got the trip! 
In the meantime, my Godmother, A DVCer from nearly the beginning, had decided that if she could find someone to go with her, she would join us too. She had been on a 3 day Wonder a few years back, but her daughter got very seasick, and well, it wasn't the best time. But since we had always spoken so highly of the cruise since then, she decided to give it a shot, "Beck style". She did find someone who wanted to join her and the planning began in earnest. They are a retired librarian and teacher, so planning is in their blood also. We had several sessions getting all the details, reservations, and excursion questions ironed out. 
It was as much fun as the trip promised to be! We planned on meeting at Saratoga Springs on the Friday before the cruise and take a car service together out to the port. Nothing wrong with Disney transfers, we just like to have absolute control over our arrival time at the port! Our flight was going to get in around 7:30 pm (not our customary time of leaving NJ at the crack of dawn but for $121 RT on Delta I was willing to go with their schedule!) so I ordered groceries to be delivered to our room for breakfast in case our flight was delayed and the store was closed when we got to SSR. That worked out really well as I got enough snacky stuff to last all the way through the waiting at the port terminal, some snacks for movies on board 
and waiting at the airport for the way home! Plus we had breakfast right there and I could get everyone motivated with the smell of toasting bagels and coffee (as if the prospect of being on the ship in a few hours wasn't motivating enough!) Our car arrived right on time in the morning (9:00am) and once we stuffed all our luggage into the van, we were off to the port. As we got closer Kait and Josh tried to simulate the DCL video that talks about how 'soon you will see one of the most beautiful ships at sea (paraphrased)' for Karen and Gail but kept choosing the wrong hill. So they eventually named them all so they would remember next time which hill was which! We passed a very pleasant time driving out there getting caught up from our last meeting and gearing up for week. They turned out to be perfect travelling companions, Just like George Margaret and Michael. We are VERY blessed! Next: We arrive and some pics!
) we were in a very short security line (maybe 3 people ahead of us) and into the terminal. We got our boarding number (4); which seemed high since there was hardly anyone in the terminal. We checked in with a very chatty CM who was from Hawaii. Quite an interesting fellow. Then we went to sit as he forgot to tell us about the new photo ID process that takes place to the right of all the check-in lines. Our companions however, had been directed there and we quickly followed suit. I still don't know exactly what it is we did, maybe John will explain it. Then we settled in to wait to board. Karen and Gail enjoyed the beautiful terminal and took some great pictures. Karen said her family is going to think she took nothing but pictures of the ship! Kait was very glad to be going on this trip with her little bro and said since there is a nine year gap between them she is always afraid he won't remember they did anything together as kids. So she made a big effort to do a lot with him throughout the trip. Including pictures with as many characters as possible. Starting in the terminal:
Of course the reason I brought this up here is because it is at this point we would go to Rockin Bar D to make sure our request to be in John's section was granted and if not, to change it. But there was no need to do that.
The food was delicious as ever. Hint: don't dismiss the kid's offerings table - sometimes there is something really good there, like the potato leek soup this day! We ate very leisurely so we could go right to our rooms when we were done. Getting to the port early with our luggage usually means it is in the cabin quickly and we are big into unpacking EVERYTHING quickly and pretending we just actually live there on the ship. 
Keep it up!
