The Cast:
Me and DH - Reine and Paul, 50 somethings
Mom and Aunt, 80 somethings, aka "the ladies"
DD the CM, Robyn, 24, met at the port
Up WAY TOO EARLY and to the Walt Disney Theater for immigration between 6:30 and 7:00. We all had passports so this was really easy. As you go in they direct you to rows, then you sit there till your row is directed to go to either the right or left to see an immigration agent. They look at your passport and you leave by the doors at the front.
They have coffee and orange juice and pastries in the lobby while you're waiting in line to go into the Theater so it helps a little. After immigration we went to the breakfast buffet in Parrot Cay.
Then meet for our excursion at 7:40. Again the character stickers. We were doing the St. John island tour which DD and I had decided on the night before. We originally planned to see St. John on our own but after checking out the cab fare and the ferry and then another cab on St. John we decide that the Island Tour would be MUCH easier and probably not much more expensive. ABSOLUTELY correct.
Three tours were going to St. John so we all were led off the ship and to the boat to take us to St. John, the Island Queen, which was pulled into the dock between the Magic and the Carnival Glory. We only had to walk the length of the ship to get on the boat. Double decker boat with inside seating below and an upper open deck. The 45 minute ride to St. John was somewhat rough but I really loved it since I don't have a problem with sea sickness. Then they " unloaded" the boat by groups based on which excursion you were going on. The Trunk Bay group and one more were also on the boat.
After we left the boat, we boarded an open air island "Taxi". Really a truck with about six rows of bench seats under a canopy. Held about 30 people. The driver has a microphone and explains the history and points of interest on the island with stops every so often to take pictures. The tour included a stop at the Virgin Islands National Park to see the beach and look around and a stop at the Anneberg ruins with time to wander around and see the ruins. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL island. Georgeous white sand beaches and turquoise water. Really enjoyed the tour. Well worth the $39.00 per person. (Unfortunately no crew discounts on excursions since the money goes to the tour operators).
Coming back DD and I decided to ride up on the top while DH and the ladies wanted to stay in the cabin. Ride back was smoother and really beautiful. I wanted to ride on top since you could see the scenery better. On the boat, Bobbidiboo from the boards really saved my skin - literally. Since we weren't planning to swim, I didn't bring sunscreen. She sat in front of us on the boat coming home and let me have some of her sunscreen. Without that, I would have burned for sure and it would have really "hurt" the rest of my trip.
The boat docked in the same place between the Magic and the Carnival ship so after a short walk we were back on the Magic for a late lunch.
After lunch DH decided to take a nap while the ladies went looking for jewelry at Havensight mall just across from where the ship docks. I was out of Cokes and DD was looking for a short sarong so she and I went shopping also. Ran into the ladies while we were there and found the jewelry they were looking for. Glad we ran into each other since they were able to use DD's crew discount. While at the shop, I say a necklace I wanted to got that for my birthday which was the following Monday. I think it's Tanzanite but anyway it's a light blue/turquoise that reminds me of the water so was a great souvenir.
Unfortunately DD didn't find the sarong she was looking for but as she said, it's not like she won't be back and have plenty of additional opportunity to get something.
The ladies headed back to the ship and DD and I continued our Coke run. $3.50 a six pack but that's better than on the ship. Sometimes I can be really cheap.
Back to the ship and showed DH my purchases and rest some. DD off to the pool to lay out. Relaxing afternoon all around.
Around 4:45, DH and I went up on Deck 9 to watch as the Magic sailed away from St. Thomas. Apparently not everyone was back on board since we heard the requests for several people to contact guest services repeatedly. We could see the gangplank still out and a crew member waiting on the dock. Finally several people came on board, then another announcement trying to locate someone else. Never did see anyone else come on board so hope no one was left.
The Magic finally departed the port about 5:30 and we got to hear the HORN again. It was really fun waving to the folks on the other ship as we sailed past her. We noticed that their equivalent of deck 4 just had the regular deck chairs like the Magic has by the pool, not the WONDERFUL comfy teak ones with the blue cushions that the Magic has. Just another way the Magic is special.
I'll finish later, I have to get to bed or I'll sleep through church tomorrow...I mean today.
Me and DH - Reine and Paul, 50 somethings
Mom and Aunt, 80 somethings, aka "the ladies"
DD the CM, Robyn, 24, met at the port
Up WAY TOO EARLY and to the Walt Disney Theater for immigration between 6:30 and 7:00. We all had passports so this was really easy. As you go in they direct you to rows, then you sit there till your row is directed to go to either the right or left to see an immigration agent. They look at your passport and you leave by the doors at the front.
They have coffee and orange juice and pastries in the lobby while you're waiting in line to go into the Theater so it helps a little. After immigration we went to the breakfast buffet in Parrot Cay.
Then meet for our excursion at 7:40. Again the character stickers. We were doing the St. John island tour which DD and I had decided on the night before. We originally planned to see St. John on our own but after checking out the cab fare and the ferry and then another cab on St. John we decide that the Island Tour would be MUCH easier and probably not much more expensive. ABSOLUTELY correct.
Three tours were going to St. John so we all were led off the ship and to the boat to take us to St. John, the Island Queen, which was pulled into the dock between the Magic and the Carnival Glory. We only had to walk the length of the ship to get on the boat. Double decker boat with inside seating below and an upper open deck. The 45 minute ride to St. John was somewhat rough but I really loved it since I don't have a problem with sea sickness. Then they " unloaded" the boat by groups based on which excursion you were going on. The Trunk Bay group and one more were also on the boat.
After we left the boat, we boarded an open air island "Taxi". Really a truck with about six rows of bench seats under a canopy. Held about 30 people. The driver has a microphone and explains the history and points of interest on the island with stops every so often to take pictures. The tour included a stop at the Virgin Islands National Park to see the beach and look around and a stop at the Anneberg ruins with time to wander around and see the ruins. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL island. Georgeous white sand beaches and turquoise water. Really enjoyed the tour. Well worth the $39.00 per person. (Unfortunately no crew discounts on excursions since the money goes to the tour operators).
Coming back DD and I decided to ride up on the top while DH and the ladies wanted to stay in the cabin. Ride back was smoother and really beautiful. I wanted to ride on top since you could see the scenery better. On the boat, Bobbidiboo from the boards really saved my skin - literally. Since we weren't planning to swim, I didn't bring sunscreen. She sat in front of us on the boat coming home and let me have some of her sunscreen. Without that, I would have burned for sure and it would have really "hurt" the rest of my trip.
The boat docked in the same place between the Magic and the Carnival ship so after a short walk we were back on the Magic for a late lunch.
After lunch DH decided to take a nap while the ladies went looking for jewelry at Havensight mall just across from where the ship docks. I was out of Cokes and DD was looking for a short sarong so she and I went shopping also. Ran into the ladies while we were there and found the jewelry they were looking for. Glad we ran into each other since they were able to use DD's crew discount. While at the shop, I say a necklace I wanted to got that for my birthday which was the following Monday. I think it's Tanzanite but anyway it's a light blue/turquoise that reminds me of the water so was a great souvenir.
Unfortunately DD didn't find the sarong she was looking for but as she said, it's not like she won't be back and have plenty of additional opportunity to get something.
The ladies headed back to the ship and DD and I continued our Coke run. $3.50 a six pack but that's better than on the ship. Sometimes I can be really cheap.
Back to the ship and showed DH my purchases and rest some. DD off to the pool to lay out. Relaxing afternoon all around.
Around 4:45, DH and I went up on Deck 9 to watch as the Magic sailed away from St. Thomas. Apparently not everyone was back on board since we heard the requests for several people to contact guest services repeatedly. We could see the gangplank still out and a crew member waiting on the dock. Finally several people came on board, then another announcement trying to locate someone else. Never did see anyone else come on board so hope no one was left.
The Magic finally departed the port about 5:30 and we got to hear the HORN again. It was really fun waving to the folks on the other ship as we sailed past her. We noticed that their equivalent of deck 4 just had the regular deck chairs like the Magic has by the pool, not the WONDERFUL comfy teak ones with the blue cushions that the Magic has. Just another way the Magic is special.
I'll finish later, I have to get to bed or I'll sleep through church tomorrow...I mean today.
