10/12 Western...It just keeps getting better

[alexandrew]

Just back from 10/12 Western...and it's true, the service, the value, everything just keeps getting better!!!We already are looking into another Western 10/03.

Ok, rather than bore all of you with a day-by-day of the cruise, I just want to highlight some of the things that we thought you should not miss, as well as some things we thought were a little disappointing, and some thoughts.

DO NOT MISS -
*Palo - (you already knew that) Had Gabriela as our server, but we saw Erika and spoke to her for about 20 minutes. I told her she was a favorite of this board, and she seemed really pleased.
*Bratwurst at Pluto's
*Scoops vanilla (with peanut m&m's on top)
*Disney Dreams - (you knew that as well) - They had a new Ann Marie than from what I remembered (squeakier)
*Hercules - some new one-liners since last year - keeps the show fresh
*Deck 4 lounge chairs
*Pancho's Backyard in Coz - some of you may be thinking why pay for lunch when you can eat on the ship....This place located at the far end of the shopping street, is the real deal...authentic, fresh, unbelievably delicious Mexican food...also, sparkling clean bathrooms...the adjacent gift shop is great too...
*shopping in Coz- Some of you who have posted felt a little put off by the aggressiveness of the street vendors...IMHO, these folks just add to the charm...we bought some really cool stuff you can't find in any other ports, East or West..
*coconut shrimp and onion rings(PC), Escargot (Lumieres), Cherries Jubilee(Lumieres), lobster tails (captains gala-they seem to have gotten better, not dry like they used to be). Banana bread (PC, 1st day rotation)
*All freshly prepared items on buffet lunches at PC...Ex. fresh pasta station, Asian stir fry
*Speak to Clare from Wales and Serena from Canada, who work at Treasure Ketch and Mickey's Mates respectively...they epitomize everything that DCL stands for...tell them Alex and Andrews mom and dad from 10/12 cruise say hi...they'll take good care of you...
*Rainforest Room...enough said

OK, SOME DISAPPOINTING THINGS...
*Who Wants to be Mouseketeer - Ponderous, boring, and rigged by the audience(just my opinion)
* In 3 cruises, the regular rotation menu has remained pretty much the same. Considering the number of repeat cruisers DCL gets, I wonder why updating menus is not a priority.
*Shower water in our stateroom tub ran yellow for first minute
*no cold water in stateroom faucets - lukewarm...also, no cold water in fitness area and locker room fountains
*As for the shows... it would be great to have one more awesome show like Herc and Dreams...I'll forego a "Mouseketeer and a Morty for that"
*same cabaret show guys with the same jokes as last year.First,Dan Riley the guy with the guitar who's big number was "I'm my own grandfather", as well as the ventriloquist, Michael Harrison.

FINAL THOUGHTS...
*we had an amazing time...although we didn't make it to GC, it didn't matter to us, since we welcomed 3 sea days.
*The service, and the friendliness of the CM's I felt was better than I ever remembered...just great!!
*The addition of iced tea and lemonade to the beverage station on deck 9 aft was excellent.
*A quick word on our stateroom...I was more than a little apprehensive in choosing our cat 9 stateroom, which we were limited to in order to get FL Res discount. Dave had cited many of the staterooms on this floor to be noisy, and 2520 from last year was a nightmare...We selected 2114, right off aft elevators...turned out to be a great choice...I think this stateroom made Daves noisy list b/c it is right across from Beverage storage room...it turns out it was quietist stateroom we ever had, and most convenient...right off least crowded elevator bank, straight shot up to deck 9 bev station for baby's milk, as well as PC, AP, and not too far from Flounders...also 8-10 doors down from 2nd floor laundry...

I hope those who read this report find it helpful...well, signing off until next year!!

 

[nativetxn]

I enjoyed reading about your cruise. I could have done without "Morty" too.

Too bad you missed Grand Cayman, I enjoyed my time there more than Castaway Cay but I'm not much of a beach person.

Thanks for posting this.

 

[TChrist05]

I gotta tell ya....we are leaving in 6 weeks for the Magic cruise on 11/30 - the Eastern swing...which we did last year at the same time....would have loved the Western but could not work the weeks out....but I do enjoy reading what you have to say...just builds the anticipation of another great time....and it seems like everyone is liking the new beverage bar on deck 9 - last year it was pretty boring...bought the mugs and hardly used them...bringing them back with us if just to use them at the beverage bar....cause they probably change the mugs from one year to the next....thanks for posting....42 days and I will be having Disney dreams right now....
Tom

 

[alexandrew]

You're going to have a great time!!!

One tip that I forgot to mention on my report:

In addition to the standard rolls of 200 speed color film that I took pictures with, I also bought 3 rolls of black and white film....The pictures from this film came out really nice...especially taking pictures of towel animals and of my children with the water as a backdrop. I just thought it would be a welcome departure since I'd pretty much taken the same pix the prior 2 years...

 

[alexandrew]

I noticed you're from Bellmore...I grew up in Merrick, but went to Kennedy High School...

 

[TChrist05]

Yup...now live in Bellmore..grew up in Seaford and moved 2 towns over.....still love it here but the taxes kill us....someday I will be able to retire and then move to Florida...like the rest of the world....
Tom

 

[juniorbugman]

Just a thought, do you book your cruises in the hurricane season and run the risk of losing out on ports for the prices, or is that the best time of the year for you to travel??
How was the weather and the waves, my sister got a little sick on our April cruise and the waves and weather were nowhere near what I have read about for Oct, we hope to go Nov 03 for the western route.

 

[TChrist05]

We have cruised the last two years in a row...this being the third to come and we go the week after Thanksgiving each year. In the two plus years we have never not been able to go where we were supposed to go...as a matter of fact we felt the seas were pretty calm.....but I do know that this year they have missed going to some ports of call they were supposed to....looking forward to it though...
Tom

 

[alexandrew]

We have cruised 3 times before in October, and this was the first time we've ever been diverted...

We feel Oct is a great time to cruise, since the perceived risk of a storm is far outweighed by the savings of value season and FL Res discount. Also, my wedding anniv is in Oct....

 

[markey]

Glad you had a great trip, and I want to thank you very much for easing my mind. We had cruised 2 years in a row in cabin 2108, rebooked on board asking for that cabin again. I was very stressed out because we got 2114, 2108 not available, after reading it was on Dave's list. This was booking August 2002 for 2003 so I was surprised we could not get it. But now I at least am not as upset about not getting "our cabin". Thanks again for your repost.

 

[alexandrew]

Markey...

You'll love 2114...it was a very quiet stateroom...and I'm sure you'll agree about the location being convenient...

Have fun on your cruise!!!

 

[MO64RN]

Alexandrew,

I didn't meet you on the cruise but I am from LI as well. Grew up in Wantagh. My Dad actually lives in Merrick now.

So you tchrist05 and I have a common bond.

Tchristo5. I didn't write a trip report but I do have a few comments to add regarding the 10/12/02 magic cruise.

I agree that the sea's were very calm with the exception of Thursday morning being a little rocky! DH and I had to go up on deck 9 and lay on the lounge chair as well as get some fresh air. Only lasted a couple of hours then it was smooth sailing again.

I also have to note that I thought it was pretty cold on the ship. We were on deck 5 and the air was pretty much blasting. I had only tanks and short sleeves with me so I was pretty chilly alot of the time. I actually had to go outside to warm up. I definitely recommend bringing some warmer clothing.

One highlight of our trip was that DH and I saw ourselves on the beginning of the video clip they play at the farewell variety show to "Living La Vita Loca" This was quite a surprise to us since the clip was from tropical night on our cruise 9/2000.

 

[alexandrew]

My parents still live in Merrick as well...My uncle lived in wantagh for a while...Mandalay Dr I think...

After living in S FL for 7 years, I can't even imagine going back to NY...It's amazing that many people still think FL is where you go just to retire...!!!???

Anyway, we are close to booking 10/11/03 7 day Western. I'm hoping we can get FL res discount, which we have for the past 2 yrs... we save tons of $.

I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise...we love DCL, and as long as my children are still young, we'll continue to go every year on our family trip...

Jeff

 

[MO64RN]

Jeff.
why didn't you book onboard and get the $200 credit. I definitely think we will get the FL res special. We are booked on that cruise.

How long have you been in FL? We have been here almost 9 years. We are about 30 minutes outside of Orlando. A lot cheaper to live here than in NY. I do miss NY though and most of our family and friends. May take a trip up this spring to tied me over to next October's cruise.

 

[Hopkins]

Pancho's BBBackyard is on our list of activities in Cozumel. We'll be doing dinner there. I can't wait to try the food at that place. Yummy!

Thanks for the report.
Tina
Magic Western 1/18/03

 

[TChrist05]

MO64RN & ALEXANDREW.....
Wow...small world after all isn't it....and it is amazing how many people you meet and talk to one these boards that live or have lived close to you one time or another....
cruising is great...especially with Disney....we have cruised last 2 years...this being the 3rd in a row...as long as I breath I will book these cruises....just sit back and relax for a great week...and the momories last a long time....
Talk with you guys soon...
Tom

 

[alexandrew]

I'm not entirely sure if they were the culprit...but about 2 days after eating at Pancho's, I came down with what I thought was a bad case of MR (Montezuma's Revenge)...without going into details, I had bad stomach symptoms for at least 5 days.Although I was vigilant about not drinking tap water, or drinks with ice, a friend of mine who has traveled to Mexico extensively told me that raw vegetables make you sick as well. At Panchos, I had a huge bowl of salsa and guacamole!!!!


Again, I'm not sure if Pancho's caused my illness, but after looking at an MR website(you can find anything on the Internet), all my symptoms seemed to match...

Anyway, please be aware

 

[alexandrew]

It never occurred to me to book another cruise while on the ship. I have a few questions:

Can I transfer the res. to my reg TA after booking onboard?

Does DCL still give a credit when you book a new res. within a certain time after your last cruise?

You mentioned a $200 credit that they give if you book onboard. Is this for all cats.? we typically book a cat 9 to take advantage of FL res, which, from what I believe, is limited to cat. 9 and above ..

As for living in FL...I love it! we've been here 7 years now. The benefits of substantially lower housing costs, lower property taxes, as well as no state or city taxes is great. But the biggest benefit of all is FL res. discount on DCL and no flying to get to the ship...don't you agree ?

 

[MO64RN]

Alexandrew,

Yes, you can definitely transfer the ressie to your own TA. In my case I am using DU. So in addition to the $200 stateroom credit I also get a $75 rebate from them. I highly recommend their service as they are the ones that informed me of my FL resident savings on my last cruise even before it was adv. to the public. On a side note I have always booked a Cat 10 and gotten the fl res. discount. The rates are discounted for every category just differently.

I don't believe there is another discount for Castaway Club members that Disney gives other than the booking on board. I can tell you though that in addition to the stateroom credit, the rate was about $4-500 less than a quote on Disney's website and that was without insurance and tranfers.

FL definitely does have its perks. I don't believe we would be living the life we are living if we were still in NY. I also don't believe we would be able to take a cruise each year.

 

[Chris&Nikki'sMom]

Alexandrew. Thank you for such a candid post. We too were on the 10/12 cruse and echo your feelings. I hope that DCL people are listening. I agree that the lunch buffets were WONDERFUL. The dinner menus definitely need an overhaul. Most of the food, to us, was, well, average. Of course, this DOES NOT include the wonderful food and atmosphere at PALO. BTW, isn't Serena from Canada the BEST. My 5 yo daughter just worshipped her. She is such a sweet person. My daughter also fell in love with "OJACK'. I believe he is a bartender on Deck 9. Great guy. Oh yeah, we were in room 2136 on Deck 2 (Fl Resident). It is not listed in the "noisey room: venue of Dave's, but probably should be. My husband had to get up several times each night to "shake the bunk bed" so that it would not keep rattling. It woke me up most nights. HOWEVER, I must say, after having stayed in a family suite on Deck 8 with a verandah, and then staying on Deck 2....I absolutely LOVE deck 2. It was really fun to us to be able to look out at the horizen and see the different ships and islands that went by. I also felt more comfortable, not worrying about my youngest going out onto a verandah. It was wonderful. Next time, I will try to get the room you were in, since you say it was so quiet. Thanks again for your GREAT review.