dgaston
Proudly wears a "Believes in Fairies tshirt"
- Joined
- May 23, 2001
- Messages
- 5,883
This cruise was wonderful for our family. Members included myself, DH Don and our youngest DS16, Dan. I wasn't sure before the trip how Dan would enjoy the cruise and the teen programming since RCCL is sometimes described as better for older kids. I needn't have worried. Dan found a group of 8 to 10 teens he hung out with for the entire cruise. We had insisted he join us for dinner each night and he did. He was late one evening, too busy in the DDR tournament. He wouldn't touch DDR at home!We had the REAS package and totally enjoyed our massage. We also booked a champagne brunch at Palos and I think I may have like that a little more than our dinner. I loved the stollen bread with jam, whipped cream, and berries, but at dinner the portobello mushrooms really were exquisite.
We saw most of the shows, and something I didn't catch on to before the cruise was the whole Award show theme of the Golden Mickey's night, with the red carpet and After Party activities. We caught several of the adult comedians and magicians, and watched the Aquatic Life, Ladder 49, and National Treasure around 11 to 11:30 each night.
Thought the Pirates IN the Caribbean party was great. We didn't eat at any of the late buffets or dessert samplings--just too full after dinner.
Due to our massage schedule, we skipped our character breakfast--much to our servers dismay. They were Marco (Italy) and Karoly(Hungary)--attentive, and fun to visit with. Our table was often among the last to leave the dining room.
One word of advice, even tho the end of the cruise is crazy--don't buy a Shutters package until you know you'll have enough pictures. They don't take pics of the teens, and we ended up with stock photos to round out our package. I won't do that again. Little ones are photographed everywhere and with most of the characters often.
We did excursions on our own. Rented a RAV4 on St Martin and traveled to Orient Beach after shopping a bit in Marigot. DS had been looking forward to clothing optional beach until he saw the nude 70 year old man! I had wanted to visit the Butterfly Farm, but couldn't drag the family there after the Beach. Note to self: Butterfly Farm first, then beach. We were in the Bikini Beach section--$6 for loungers and a few more for the umbrella. DS also rented a boogie board for another $5 and did end up quite sun-burned (No mom I don't need any more sun block!) On our return saw goats, chickens in the road. Budget was not well-organized. You return the car to the off-port location and they shuttle you back to the port. No one was there at our return, so we wasted time driving back to the port, and then back to the off-site return, and then back to the port again.
We took taxis on St. Thomas. Sun-burned DS stayed on the ship. DH and I enjoyed Coral World (even learned a lot about coral reefs) and then stayed at Coki Beach. With an admission to Coral World you can use their nice rest rooms and showers and changing areas from the beach. We got a $3 discount from the taxi driver (tho I had printed same discount from the internet, and then ticket seller asked our hotel, responded ship, she asked which one, and we got another $ off for the Magic!). Seemed to be good snorkeling here by the rocks. They feed the fish! Back to port for shopping for cheap t-shirts, rum and towel.
Best day at Castaway Cay in two months said the CM. Still too windy for parasailing, glassbottom boat, and one other shore excursion. Did see banana boat riders and jet- skiers having fun. It was a perfect day. We used Serenity Bay, just loved relaxing there, and walking out in crystal clear water. We didn't travel back to Cookies, just had steak sandwiches and tropical fruit at the Adult beach. Bought more t-shirts and headed back to ship about 3:30
We were in 6134, one of the "obstructed" verandas on the port side. I would love to stay in this room again. I could see all of the ocean, moonlight, etc. whenever I needed to.
