I can't believe I am actually writing a trip report. I apologize before hand if you make it through all my ramblings. I have become the Disney Magic expert in my neighborhood thanks to all you good people on the DIS boards.
Cast of Characters Me DW 36, DH 36, DD 15, DS13
Our trip began with 3 nights at the Wilderness Lodge Villas. We had received 3 day tickets for Universal Studios and IOA for Christmas from my inlaws. We were not able to make it to any of the Disney parks and let me tell you it was really hard to be there and not go to the parks. By the way we had a really great time at US and IOA. The parks really were not that crowded.
Fri 4/25 we drove our rental car to Coco Beach and checked in to the Doubble Tree on the beach. My DD had ruined her bikini at the Pool at the Wilderness Lodge so that evening we started and endless trek in search of a new suit. Went to Ron Jon's were we saw the most expensive suits ever (and we live in NY), they had better, less expensive ones on the ship! Any way we found a Wal Mart and she found 2 cute suits there.
Sat 4/26 we woke up pretty early on our own, I guess it was the excitement. We got all our stuff together and drove down half a block to return our car to National. As we were getting out of the car, a cab pulled up we were at the port by 10:30 maybe earlier. The drive to the port is pretty short. It was very convenient. If you have a lot of luggage you may have to wait for a station wagon.
Checking in was a breeze. Make sure you have everything filled out prior to getting to port. We were the fifth family on line. 12:15 the excitement was really building and they let us on board. They annouced our family and we were finnally on the Magic. Went to Parrrot Cay for buffet lunch that was very good. We then hurried to make Palo Reservations for Brunch and High Tea. We got there just as they started and could only get Brunch for Sun and on waiting list for high tea (which we never got). There were however reservations available for dinner but we wanted to have dinner with the kids.
We dropped all our stuff in the cabin and went to check out the ship. Deck nine drink station now has Ice tea, lemonade or juice, as well as the coffee and hot tea. This is really nice since we don't buy the drink cups, we really don't drink that much soda and don't want to carry around a mug. The kids went to check out Common Grounds. Our son couldn't wait, our daughter couldn't stop saying how lame it is ( Yes, we have entered the disgruntled years). What can you say about the drill other than go or else. Its actually amusing to see hundreds of uncomfortable people in life jackets. We partied at sail away, Deck 10 you get a great view of the goings on. We have fun waving to the people waving to us from land. We also saw a Dolphin along side the ship (this is good luck).
We went to the Welcome aboard show. This show is a good intro to the acts that are on board and it helps us plan which acts we want to see. After the show we got ready for dinner. My DB and DSIL were also on the cruise with us. We were together at a table for six. We had 8:30 seating with LAPL. Our server was Dogan from Turkey, he was excellent and very personable. His Assist. Server was Delphine from France she was excellent as well, she made excellent wine recomendations. We bought the premium wine package and split it with my DB and DSIL. It definately was enough wine for 4 for 7 days. Our head server was John from Wales, what a character, he runs a great section.
What did I eat? I can't really remember day by day except to say I enjoyed all the menus. The food was all excellent. The only two I would tell you not to get are the Lobster bisque it is not very good and the Seafood stew( Paella). My son and I eat a lot of this in NY and these were mediocre immitations.
Day 2- Key West- Palo Brunch. Its the best,The food was magnificent. Our server was Liz from England, she was excellent. Brunch was at 10:30, so we made sure we got there nice and hungry. We had the most wonderful stollen bread with fresh cream and berries, we definetely went back for seconds. We got off the ship and just walked around key west. Next time I would definetely do a tour such as the train (just walking around was kind of boring). We went back to the ship early and went to the pool. After 10 min my kids left me to go to a movie and I was able to go to the adult pool which was very nice and quiet. I can't say I ever had a problem finding a lounge chair by any of the pools.
Day 3- at sea. I like sea days I find them most relaxing. What did we do? ate,lounged,ate, lounged,ate,lounged get the picture? By day three we had lost our son to CommonGrounds. Our DD was another story. At home she is sociable and has lots of friends. She found it difficult to join in and I guess she felt pressure from us to go to CG. Finally day 3 we go to a DVC presentation she tags along finds it very boring and leaves us to go to CG. My Dh and I are so happy to be alone. Three hours pass by and there is no sign of her, so what do I do I get hysterical because my baby is missing. Of course I am yelling at my husband that it is all his fault and he better find her. In she walks into the cabin, all happy and she goes on to tell us all she did. Parents, there are house phones all over the ship, your kids can dial 7+room # and leave you a message. Did my darlings ever do this? NOOOO. Well I relaxed after that and realized its their cruise too and you have to let go a little. They did leave notes in the room after that.
Day 4- Grand Cayman. What a beautiful place. My son and I did the snorkle and stingray city tour with Capt. Marvins (Thank You Ann Morin). Tenderring was no prob. We actually got to Capt. Marvins early. We were a small group they took us snorkling first. I had never snorkled before and had no probs. The water was 9 to 12 ft deep. It was crystal clear and we saw lots of beautiful fish. I could of stayed there longer it was so beautiful. Next they took us to Stingray City. Its amazing, its is a natural sandbar in the ocean, you don't see any land. The place was really crowded with other tours. Capt. Marvins anchored the boat on the outskirts of the other boats. it was like were there alone. The stingrays are very docile and they are really big. My son was in heaven, I was in a different place. I did feed one and held one too. this was definitely an experience I couldn't wait to get on the boat, my son wouldn't get on the boat. I definetely recomend Capt. Marvin's. Myhusband and daughter went to 7 mile beach by the Marriot and they saw tons of fish by the shore. It was a great day we all had lots of fun. Grand Cayman is a great island.
Day 5- Cozumel- Really liked this stop. We did the Mayan Ruins Horseback tour. They picked us up at the port. Took a long bus ride (35 min?) to the Buena Vista Ranch. Tour guide Efi was hilarious. They gave us some instructions and brought out the horses. They give me my horse his name was Tino, that's also my Dad's name! I knew it was going to be agood day. We had lots of fun. My number one tip for this is wear longpants. My husband didn't and he still has a rash around the backof his knee. We got back to the ship we showered and washed our clothes because we did smell. We went shopping at the port and you do have to haggle prices down. I bought some really nice silver pieces. I was told that the best shopping is really 8th and 10th streets. Cozumel was also a great port. By the way if you see an iguana, those are Mexican squirrels they taste like chicken.
Cast of Characters Me DW 36, DH 36, DD 15, DS13
Our trip began with 3 nights at the Wilderness Lodge Villas. We had received 3 day tickets for Universal Studios and IOA for Christmas from my inlaws. We were not able to make it to any of the Disney parks and let me tell you it was really hard to be there and not go to the parks. By the way we had a really great time at US and IOA. The parks really were not that crowded.
Fri 4/25 we drove our rental car to Coco Beach and checked in to the Doubble Tree on the beach. My DD had ruined her bikini at the Pool at the Wilderness Lodge so that evening we started and endless trek in search of a new suit. Went to Ron Jon's were we saw the most expensive suits ever (and we live in NY), they had better, less expensive ones on the ship! Any way we found a Wal Mart and she found 2 cute suits there.
Sat 4/26 we woke up pretty early on our own, I guess it was the excitement. We got all our stuff together and drove down half a block to return our car to National. As we were getting out of the car, a cab pulled up we were at the port by 10:30 maybe earlier. The drive to the port is pretty short. It was very convenient. If you have a lot of luggage you may have to wait for a station wagon.
Checking in was a breeze. Make sure you have everything filled out prior to getting to port. We were the fifth family on line. 12:15 the excitement was really building and they let us on board. They annouced our family and we were finnally on the Magic. Went to Parrrot Cay for buffet lunch that was very good. We then hurried to make Palo Reservations for Brunch and High Tea. We got there just as they started and could only get Brunch for Sun and on waiting list for high tea (which we never got). There were however reservations available for dinner but we wanted to have dinner with the kids.
We dropped all our stuff in the cabin and went to check out the ship. Deck nine drink station now has Ice tea, lemonade or juice, as well as the coffee and hot tea. This is really nice since we don't buy the drink cups, we really don't drink that much soda and don't want to carry around a mug. The kids went to check out Common Grounds. Our son couldn't wait, our daughter couldn't stop saying how lame it is ( Yes, we have entered the disgruntled years). What can you say about the drill other than go or else. Its actually amusing to see hundreds of uncomfortable people in life jackets. We partied at sail away, Deck 10 you get a great view of the goings on. We have fun waving to the people waving to us from land. We also saw a Dolphin along side the ship (this is good luck).
We went to the Welcome aboard show. This show is a good intro to the acts that are on board and it helps us plan which acts we want to see. After the show we got ready for dinner. My DB and DSIL were also on the cruise with us. We were together at a table for six. We had 8:30 seating with LAPL. Our server was Dogan from Turkey, he was excellent and very personable. His Assist. Server was Delphine from France she was excellent as well, she made excellent wine recomendations. We bought the premium wine package and split it with my DB and DSIL. It definately was enough wine for 4 for 7 days. Our head server was John from Wales, what a character, he runs a great section.
What did I eat? I can't really remember day by day except to say I enjoyed all the menus. The food was all excellent. The only two I would tell you not to get are the Lobster bisque it is not very good and the Seafood stew( Paella). My son and I eat a lot of this in NY and these were mediocre immitations.
Day 2- Key West- Palo Brunch. Its the best,The food was magnificent. Our server was Liz from England, she was excellent. Brunch was at 10:30, so we made sure we got there nice and hungry. We had the most wonderful stollen bread with fresh cream and berries, we definetely went back for seconds. We got off the ship and just walked around key west. Next time I would definetely do a tour such as the train (just walking around was kind of boring). We went back to the ship early and went to the pool. After 10 min my kids left me to go to a movie and I was able to go to the adult pool which was very nice and quiet. I can't say I ever had a problem finding a lounge chair by any of the pools.
Day 3- at sea. I like sea days I find them most relaxing. What did we do? ate,lounged,ate, lounged,ate,lounged get the picture? By day three we had lost our son to CommonGrounds. Our DD was another story. At home she is sociable and has lots of friends. She found it difficult to join in and I guess she felt pressure from us to go to CG. Finally day 3 we go to a DVC presentation she tags along finds it very boring and leaves us to go to CG. My Dh and I are so happy to be alone. Three hours pass by and there is no sign of her, so what do I do I get hysterical because my baby is missing. Of course I am yelling at my husband that it is all his fault and he better find her. In she walks into the cabin, all happy and she goes on to tell us all she did. Parents, there are house phones all over the ship, your kids can dial 7+room # and leave you a message. Did my darlings ever do this? NOOOO. Well I relaxed after that and realized its their cruise too and you have to let go a little. They did leave notes in the room after that.
Day 4- Grand Cayman. What a beautiful place. My son and I did the snorkle and stingray city tour with Capt. Marvins (Thank You Ann Morin). Tenderring was no prob. We actually got to Capt. Marvins early. We were a small group they took us snorkling first. I had never snorkled before and had no probs. The water was 9 to 12 ft deep. It was crystal clear and we saw lots of beautiful fish. I could of stayed there longer it was so beautiful. Next they took us to Stingray City. Its amazing, its is a natural sandbar in the ocean, you don't see any land. The place was really crowded with other tours. Capt. Marvins anchored the boat on the outskirts of the other boats. it was like were there alone. The stingrays are very docile and they are really big. My son was in heaven, I was in a different place. I did feed one and held one too. this was definitely an experience I couldn't wait to get on the boat, my son wouldn't get on the boat. I definetely recomend Capt. Marvin's. Myhusband and daughter went to 7 mile beach by the Marriot and they saw tons of fish by the shore. It was a great day we all had lots of fun. Grand Cayman is a great island.
Day 5- Cozumel- Really liked this stop. We did the Mayan Ruins Horseback tour. They picked us up at the port. Took a long bus ride (35 min?) to the Buena Vista Ranch. Tour guide Efi was hilarious. They gave us some instructions and brought out the horses. They give me my horse his name was Tino, that's also my Dad's name! I knew it was going to be agood day. We had lots of fun. My number one tip for this is wear longpants. My husband didn't and he still has a rash around the backof his knee. We got back to the ship we showered and washed our clothes because we did smell. We went shopping at the port and you do have to haggle prices down. I bought some really nice silver pieces. I was told that the best shopping is really 8th and 10th streets. Cozumel was also a great port. By the way if you see an iguana, those are Mexican squirrels they taste like chicken.
