Well, it's Monday morning and the wife and kids are still asleep. Have to love that day at sea and the hour change between Key West and Cayman. Here is my initial report.
DAY 1
Crazy day getting there as you can expect. We left from BWI. I was up at 3:58 a.m. (according to my wife.. who I apparently woke). Used the time to familiarize myself w/ my new Konica Minolta Maximum 5D camera. If you can afford it I highly recommend an upgrade on your digital camera. We were sick of the press... wait... wait... click results of my wifes small cannon. My new one has great telephoto abilities and can speed click under many conditions. It's so easy to review and delete images I just click away.
It's been fun reviewing the pictures but I'm very disappoint that Disney's room TV's don't let us plus in the camera for review. sunny: TIP --- Shutters doesn't advertise this but they have a machine that will allow you to download your camera's pictures to a CD that only costs $15. Not sure what format the download comes in but that's a great deal (I have 1.5 GB of storage so I should be ok).
MISSING BAG
Anyway,,, back to the day. We flew Southwest and we were not taking Disney's bus for transfer. From a price perspective for 4 people we found a limo to be a better deal.... And thank God we did it that way.
TIP: First off, if you are not taking DIsney transfer DO NOT put the disney tags on your bags. If you do your bag will be swooped up by Disney at the airport (behind the scenes) and you will have a headache. We did not use the tags. Unfortunately, Southwest lost one of our bags.... ARGGHHH!!!!! (my daughter's bag).
TIP: Might be good idea to mix up how you pack bags. I know that messes up for organization but then if you lose a bag at least you have some clothes for everyone.
Well.... after letting our Limo company know we were having a problem (more on that later) we went to Southwest's bag desk. WE were actually very calm (burning inside though) and I have to say Southwest was fairly reasonable. They lets us know it would probably be on the next plane and then gave us a form to bring to the Disney team downstairs.
TIP: If you lose a bag it appears the airlines have a deal w/ Disney where they transfer the bag to Disney and Disney brings it to the ship. The CM we spoke with downstairs didn't know this at first but when he got on his radio w/ the team behind the scenes they were all over it.
TIP: Southwest will only reimburse you for $100 if you lose your bag!!!!!
NEW CLOTHES FOR KATIE
WEll, with my DD's bag gone astray (and after tears from here and explaining they would probably find the bag) it was time to connect with the LIMO again. We used Happy Limo's (will confirm name and number in latter post). Chris was our driver. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE GUYS!!!! EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL. I felt like we were royalty.
Chris was great. From Kentucky and very calm. The perfect driver to get us back on track after the bag experience. We had initially set up to go straight to the ship but had to detour to get clothes. DW wanted Target (she knows that store cold) but
Walmart was much closer. Given that we were hoping to get DD's bag in the end... we gave in to the Hillary Duff look (not our thing). While DW shopped Chris (who has a 9 year old boy too) suggested drive through. I really wanted to wait for the ship but Chris was right on target and a McDonald's burger for DD and DS was perfect medicine (again... get Chris as your driver!). The Walmart was crazy but some time later DW was out and we were FINALLY on our way.
TIP: One last comment. I'd seen this on the DIS but DW had said now. But Chris suggested the same. Think about picking up (or packing) bottled water. Disney tries to sell you the same when you board but price is much higher. You will have water on most excursions but may find yourself shorter than you want to be. We are going to Tulum and will be bringing many extras bottles do to the heat.
Wow... long post.. sorry..
THERE SHE IS!!!!!
After a nice drive to Port Canaveral there she was! It was hazy but fortunately the rains from last week had stopped the smoke from the forest fires. (Chris told us the parks were having a real problem with the smoke). I was in front and could see her the first
It was now about 1 when we arrived. The CM's were great getting our luggage and we went to the check in process. I had done everything online (including checking the kids in to the club). The
Castaway Club line was very short and I went right to the desk. Checked in and then checked in the kids. All took less than 10 minutes. We were so haggard from the bag experience we just wanted to get right on board. The CM who checked me in told us to just go on with the next announced group.... So we did.
ON BOARD AT LAST
Got our boarding picure taken.
TIP: Don't where yellow or peach... blues are good as the background is a tan/sandyish color. DW and DS/DD looked great but i looked like a floating head in my peach shirt.
Finally on board we let the CM announcing passengers know our name --- was very clear to her we knew the routine. PC was full so we were directed to Topsiders (we wanted this anyway as our room is 8596 -- only two doors away from secret back stairs up to Topsiders).
Topsiders is my least favorite restaurant. Too crowded and food is so so (but we aren't on this cruise for the food). All had lunch and began to settle some. By the time we were done we could check in on our room.
We were upgraded to the Deluxe Family. Have to say I was concered about being disapointed as we have the solid veranda. But the xtra space is really great. We would probably be fine with the smaller room but it's fun to have some more (you spend so little time awake in your room i'm not sure the size matters) -- more on that later.
DIS MEET
We missed the DIS meet in all our craziness with the bag. A little sorry we did --- THANKS TOD for the invite. Hope you are having fun... can tell every room that is in your group from the great door signs.
DISNEY QUEST
Next it was on to check the new Ocean Quest on deck 2. This is a new feature of the Magic that the Wonder doesn't have. This was installed during the Magic's retro-fit.
RUMOR: The CM we met there told us the newest information is the Wonder will NOT be retrofit w/ Disney Quest.
This area is for older kids but NOT teens. It appears Disney is splitting up the age groups more than the did on the past (or on the Wonder where we did our 2 prior crews). My 9 year old DS is in one group and my 11 year old DD is in another. DD can check herself in and out of the Oceaneer Lab --- She is very proud of that -- but a big bone of contention for DS. DD can also use Disney Quest. Think of Disney Quest as a young kid's version of the Teen Stack. It is set up with a library (hurray!!!), computer games, board games, and the SIMULATOR!!!!! It is staffed and the staff encourages the kids to do group activities.
I, being a DD, wanted to check out the simulator. This is a simulator of the Magic's bridge controls. Alas... it was broken. They are apparently having many issues and it is sensitive. A 9 year old boy apparently broke the steering wheel off on the last cruise. Can't imagine how a 9 year old boy could do that.....don't know anyone whose son is that excitable....
Well... they are hoping to get it fixed. This 'incident' is part of the reason they have begun applying the older age limit rule (already in place) for Disney Quest more firmly).
PALO
Next, on to see if we could get Palo reservations. I could not get any on-line and figured they were all booked.
I was way wrong! We signed up for brunch (today Monday at sea) and Dinner for Friday (our third night at Parrot Cay -- so happy to do something better than that). Lastly, signed up for tea with Wendy for all four of us. Not sure DD or DS will be into it but it should be fun for DW and me.
CAST OFF
After some swimming, etc... it was time for the drill then the cast-off party. Drill was easy, as usual. Cast-off party was GREAT!!! DON'T MISS THIS! Disney has a great time and everyone is dancing. My DD is still doing the moves. Near the end they do a countdown to cast off and the Magic blows her WONDERFUL horn (love that sound --- 'when you wish upon a star') and we are off. Have to say this is the second time a Carnival ship was docked near by.... and I KNOW the passengers were all looking at us having fun with green envy. It's almost as if the Magic is 'strutting' when she blows that horn. Kind of a -- can't catch me. WHEEEEE
DINNER
Dinner was next. Our rotation is PLAPLAP. The key is we aren't in P for formal night. I have brought my suit and tux and wasn't going formal in a carribean restaurant. I requested this after booking and like the rotation. Though i think the best would have you in L. Since we booked Palos.. i think i will do suit for L and tux for Palos.
Our servers are Dora and Joseph (Dora is food and Joseph is beverage). I keep trying to order everything from Dora and that just isn't right. They are great. Dora is wonderfully pleasant and helpful. Joseph is a little hard to hear in the noise of the dinning room but also helpful and attentive.
THE GOOD AND THE BAD OF DISNEY'S ATTENTION TO DETAIL
TIP: Be careful what you tell your servers. They will ask if you have any allergies and such. A VERY good question.... but make sure you answer only if you REALLY have allergies. My wife said my DD is allergic to coconut and macadamia nuts --- something we haven't confirmed. Well.. as a result, we have to wait for the Head Server to come over anytime DD wants to order off the adult menu. GOOD: Disney is REALLY carefull about your allergies. GOOD: Your kids can order anything off the kids menu and you will be certain there are NO nuts. BAD: waiting for Head Server's permission to order. I've given DW severly 'looks' since.. but... i've since 'arrived' on vacation and it was the right thing to tell the servers.
(ohhh... no.. i'm already forgetting details.... need to update more often).
TONIGHT'S SHOWS
Tonight is the first show. It's kind of an introduction to the cruise. The characters all participate and there was a great juggler and comedian --- To the one person who asked I think this is the guy your son was hoping for. I am keeping all my Navigators and will bring them on the next post.
Show was great. This comedian (very family focused) was hilarious. My DS and DW were practically falling out of their seats (also due to exhaustion).
BED
Well... couldn't handle much more this day. so off to bed. We LOVE the towel creatures and always set up the room nicely to make sure they have ample amunition for great designs. (our host on the 4 day wonder did AMAZING creatures). Tonight's was a fish... hmmmm.... o.k. and it is 7 days..... Will have pictures of each one that I will post (another limitation of Disney is I can't download pictures now).
Well... need more coffee. Kids should be stirring. Will post more later today as we are at sea. (shhhhhh DW doesn't know i paid for the unlimited internet access).
Later.
I am packed and ready to go. We are off in one week to the parks. Then the ship.
Hope you have a Magical time! 
