Ohana Means Family: The Disney Difference (Disney Magic 1/4/15 Western Caribbean)

[marshmeloh]

Loving your report!!! Looking at this cruise for our 10 year anniversary in 2018 (I like to think ahead!). Were the Christmas decorations still up on the ship?

PhiSigKris, so sorry for the late reply! I definitely don't blame you in planning ahead, I'd be doing the same!! Unfortunately, the Christmas decorations were taken down before our cruise, so we didn't get to see those... must be right after the New Year's cruise that they take them down?

 

[marshmeloh]

Day 4, Part 3: The Animator's Palate Lonely Hearts Club Dinner

In this post: Captain's Reception, Villains Tonight, Villains Trivia, and Animator's Palate all by our lonesomes!

 

[PhiSigKris]

No worries! Thank you for the info!

 

[vinotinto]

Hi! Just wanted to say thank you for the trip reports. We're going to be on the Magic on the a Western (but with Falmouth instead of Key West). Looking forward to Day 5!

 

[Madzac]

I am absolutely loving your trip report! Thank you so much! We will be doing the same itinerary in 5 weeks and cant wait!

BTW congrats on your new position! Thats wonderful! I had several surgeries as a child and I fondly remember the child life specialists during my times in and out of the hospital!

 

[marshmeloh]

Day 5, Part 1: I like LONG walks on the Beach!

In this post: Our experience at Calico Jack's (part of the Seven Mile Beach) in Grand Cayman.

 

[marshmeloh]

Hi! Just wanted to say thank you for the trip reports. We're going to be on the Magic on the a Western (but with Falmouth instead of Key West). Looking forward to Day 5!

Thanks for Joining! You're going to LOVE the Magic if you haven't been on before. I kind of wish we had been able to do the Falmouth route, but dates unfortunately didn't work out.

I am absolutely loving your trip report! Thank you so much! We will be doing the same itinerary in 5 weeks and cant wait!

BTW congrats on your new position! Thats wonderful! I had several surgeries as a child and I fondly remember the child life specialists during my times in and out of the hospital!

Thanks for joining and for the well wishes! Glad that child life was able to help you out! You are going to love the trip, seriously it would have been DIFFICULT to walk away not having had an amazing time!

 

[marshmeloh]

Day 5, Part 2: Back to an Empty Boat!

In this post: Enjoying the empty pool deck, Into the Woods, Twice Charmed, Who Wants to be a Mousketeer, Prince and Princess Dinner at Carioca's, Elton John Impersonator and Match Your Mate!

 

[marshmeloh]

Day 6, Part 1: Mr. MOB, Mr. MOB, Mr. MOB to the aft.

In this post: My experience of being on the boat during the rescue of a Royal Caribbean passenger.

 

[vinotinto]

Oh! You were in the ship that rescued the RCCL guy. I can see how the rumour mill was impossible to contain.

That's very clever that Mr MOB to the aft was a Man Over Board in the aft. I hope we don't hear that in our cruise.

 

[marshmeloh]

Oh! You were in the ship that rescued the RCCL guy. I can see how the rumour mill was impossible to contain.

That's very clever that Mr MOB to the aft was a Man Over Board in the aft. I hope we don't hear that in our cruise.

Yes, we were on that sailing! It's why I named the thread as I did actually, because I felt so safe knowing how efficiently the crew worked and how committed they were to their guests. It's obviously never something you want to hear as you worry about the person in the water and hope everything will be okay, however, I felt very safe after that knowing how quickly the crew rescued the man.

You're right, you can't stop that rumor mill! And really, it's understandable especially if you witnessed the rescue to want to put together some logical conclusions as to what happened to make sense of such an intense situation.

 

[DnA2010]

Really enjoying your review so far! We have done 2 cruises so dark but both with Royal (one with DHs family and the other totally last minute and the Disney ship was over twice the price) but really hope to do Disney someday soon.

How fantastic you made it to the Millionaire show! I will watch for a rerun of your episode.
Your walking back to the ship reminds me of living in England and walking back from a big soccer match- crazy times.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[sager1969]

I went over and read the whole thing. Sounds like you guys had some serious fun. Then, I proceeded to read several other entries. As a mom of a CHD kid with severe anxiety, I want to thank you for help for those kids. It is obvious you have a passion for your job. My DS14 will be having a valve replacement in 2016. He had his 1st surgery at 8 months for tetralogy of a fallot. We had a great child life specialist for my friend's daughter when they came to visit. She was 5 and very concerned about her baby - my DS. I hope there is someone like you to help him. What you do is amazing! Thanks so much!

 

[marshmeloh]

I went over and read the whole thing. Sounds like you guys had some serious fun. Then, I proceeded to read several other entries. As a mom of a CHD kid with severe anxiety, I want to thank you for help for those kids. It is obvious you have a passion for your job. My DS14 will be having a valve replacement in 2016. He had his 1st surgery at 8 months for tetralogy of a fallot. We had a great child life specialist for my friend's daughter when they came to visit. She was 5 and very concerned about her baby - my DS. I hope there is someone like you to help him. What you do is amazing! Thanks so much!

I'm so sorry I didn't see this until now, somehow my alerts haven't been coming to me. Thank you for reading on with the blog, as a child life specialist I feel compelled to help kids no matter where they are. Disney is an amazing time, but can be so stressful and anxiety provoking for some kids and parents alike! I started the blog as an opportunity to use my background in child development and psychology along with the coping and de-escalation skills we use in the hospital. I hope you will continue to follow and find some useful tidbits or activities to use or pass on! As for your son, I will continue to send out good vibes for you both! As the surgery comes closer, make sure to contact the hospital to see if you can set up a tour with a child life specialist (many hospitals offer these) if you are local or if they have any resources they could send to help your son prepare for the surgery. Some places have videos or photos they can pass along to help you familiarize him with the things and environment he will be seeing. Thanks again for reading along!

 

[marshmeloh]

Day 6, Part 2: A Bit of Disappointment in Cozumel

In this post: Our day in Cozumel!

 

[marshmeloh]

Really enjoying your review so far! We have done 2 cruises so dark but both with Royal (one with DHs family and the other totally last minute and the Disney ship was over twice the price) but really hope to do Disney someday soon.

How fantastic you made it to the Millionaire show! I will watch for a rerun of your episode.
Your walking back to the ship reminds me of living in England and walking back from a big soccer match- crazy times.

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for reading along! I can definitely see that comparison! Definitely try to do Disney once if you can, as someone who had only done Royal before, it was definitely worth the extra $, especially if you catch a last minute deal!

 

[marshmeloh]

Day 6, Part 3: Palo and Pirates!

In this post: Dinner at Palo and the Pirate Party.

 

[vinotinto]

The Palo dinner looks delicious. I booked brunched and debated whether to book dinner too. I wish the kids club would take the kids to eat at Cabanas. It seemed like a lot of work to take the kids to dinner and then go to Palo (my DS 10 needs more than just chicken nuggets for dinner).

 

[marshmeloh]

The Palo dinner looks delicious. I booked brunched and debated whether to book dinner too. I wish the kids club would take the kids to eat at Cabanas. It seemed like a lot of work to take the kids to dinner and then go to Palo (my DS 10 needs more than just chicken nuggets for dinner).

Hmm, it definitely makes it trickier with kids and I can definitely understand a 10 year old wanting more substance... what about room service as you get ready and then you can drop the kids off on the way?

 

[FLpixie]

Enjoyed reading your report so far! We sail on this itinerary in a week and I picked up a few more tips from your trip report.