FriscoTexasMom
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2012
This was my first Disney cruise and the first cruise ever for my children, an 11-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. I've enjoyed reading other trip reports and am happy to share our great experience.
Sunday
We had spent two days in Manhattan, cramming in as much sight-seeing as possible. The weather was unbearably hot and humid, and this is coming from a Texas native, so we spent less time in Central Park than we had hoped.
By Sunday morning we were ready to board the Magic. We took a brief cab ride from the Hilton Garden Inn-Times Square to Pier 88.
Boarding was simple. The whole process took about an hour, and then we were on the ship.
We tried to eat lunch at Parrot Cay, but the server directed us to Topsiders, where the wait was less. We were happy to head to Deck 9. We went through the buffet and enjoyed lunch outside.
We had agreed that we wouldn't wait in line for character photos (they're just not a big deal to us), so we were happy to stumble upon characters just after lunch.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51620720@N04/7769423610/in/set-72157631039654942
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51620720@N04/7769426618/in/set-72157631039654942/
We explored the ship for a few more minutes, and then our room (2574) was ready. We stayed long enough to unpack the two bags that were already delivered, and the kids changed into swimsuits.
We spent the next couple of hours on Deck 9. The kids danced a little at the sail-away party, and then we moved found a good viewing spot to wave to the Statue of Liberty.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51620720@N04/7769428056/in/set-72157631039654942
By the time we sailed under the Verranzo Bridge, the kids were ready to swim. The tiny pool was incredibly crowded. The pool experience was actually one of the most negative of the cruise. There is no lifeguard on duty and no one to remind children not to jump into the pool. (There's a big sign that says "No Jumping.") So, the pool was filled with children, and big kids would leap off the side and land in the water, hopefully not on another child.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51620720@N04/7769428504/in/set-72157631039654942
After the pool, we returned to our room, finished unpacking and cleaned up for the show and dinner. It was during the show that all three of us realized how rocky the sea was. I started to feel a little ill but recovered in time for dinner.
We ate in Animator's Palate at 8:15. We were seated with a single dad and his 7-year-old daughter. We discovered quickly that Disney has a knack for dinner assignments -- the dad is a widower, and I am a widow. We understood each other very well from the beginning, and our children got along well.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51620720@N04/7769430206/in/set-72157631039654942
My son was eager to finish dessert and head to Edge for some late-night fun. My daughter tried the Oceaneer Club and Lab. She enjoyed them, though Sunday was her only night to stay out that late. Every other night she preferred cuddling in bed, with a Disney movie on the stateroom television.
Sunday
We had spent two days in Manhattan, cramming in as much sight-seeing as possible. The weather was unbearably hot and humid, and this is coming from a Texas native, so we spent less time in Central Park than we had hoped.
By Sunday morning we were ready to board the Magic. We took a brief cab ride from the Hilton Garden Inn-Times Square to Pier 88.
Boarding was simple. The whole process took about an hour, and then we were on the ship.
We tried to eat lunch at Parrot Cay, but the server directed us to Topsiders, where the wait was less. We were happy to head to Deck 9. We went through the buffet and enjoyed lunch outside.
We had agreed that we wouldn't wait in line for character photos (they're just not a big deal to us), so we were happy to stumble upon characters just after lunch.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51620720@N04/7769423610/in/set-72157631039654942
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51620720@N04/7769426618/in/set-72157631039654942/
We explored the ship for a few more minutes, and then our room (2574) was ready. We stayed long enough to unpack the two bags that were already delivered, and the kids changed into swimsuits.
We spent the next couple of hours on Deck 9. The kids danced a little at the sail-away party, and then we moved found a good viewing spot to wave to the Statue of Liberty.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51620720@N04/7769428056/in/set-72157631039654942
By the time we sailed under the Verranzo Bridge, the kids were ready to swim. The tiny pool was incredibly crowded. The pool experience was actually one of the most negative of the cruise. There is no lifeguard on duty and no one to remind children not to jump into the pool. (There's a big sign that says "No Jumping.") So, the pool was filled with children, and big kids would leap off the side and land in the water, hopefully not on another child.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51620720@N04/7769428504/in/set-72157631039654942
After the pool, we returned to our room, finished unpacking and cleaned up for the show and dinner. It was during the show that all three of us realized how rocky the sea was. I started to feel a little ill but recovered in time for dinner.
We ate in Animator's Palate at 8:15. We were seated with a single dad and his 7-year-old daughter. We discovered quickly that Disney has a knack for dinner assignments -- the dad is a widower, and I am a widow. We understood each other very well from the beginning, and our children got along well.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51620720@N04/7769430206/in/set-72157631039654942
My son was eager to finish dessert and head to Edge for some late-night fun. My daughter tried the Oceaneer Club and Lab. She enjoyed them, though Sunday was her only night to stay out that late. Every other night she preferred cuddling in bed, with a Disney movie on the stateroom television.
