6/22 Magic part 3

[JOANNEL]

Thursday- another wonderful day at sea. Walked on deck very early inthe morning. I went early this time to get a chair by the adult pool. Roger and I shared it. I went to the art of entertaining- learned how to fold napkins. It was a blast. Then when back to lie in the sun. It was the seafodd buffet for lunch. The shrimp was great and this time it was peeled. We dined with Cam & Howard. They are great people. Spent most of the afternoon at the pool. We went on the galley tour in the afternoon. It was very interesting, and you get a warm cookie. Sea days are great. They are so relaxing. You can do things is you want or you can lie in the sun and they bring you drinks.

Thusday night was Disney dreams great show- don't miss it. There were plenty of seats. People tried to save them and others ignored them and sat down. I went to bed early- too much sun and pina colada's. Roger went to the comedy show and said it was very good.

Friday is Castaway Cay. Perfect day. It could be longer. we arrived about 8:30. Watching them dock the ship is amazing. He stops it and backs it in. We got off arround 9:15 and headed for the adult beach. The kids were signed up for the wild side. They didn't enjoy it. Scott left early most kids were younger than him. Patrick would have rather just gone to the teen beach and played. Scott came over to the adult beach to tell us where he was going. I was supprised they let him on the tram. But he didn't stay long. He went back to the teen beach.
Castaway Cay is heaven. We snorkeled- saw lots of fish and a baracuda. Floated on mats. Konk Koolers are to die for. Lunch was good. we hung out with Mike & Caroline & Cam & Howard. It was great people and great converstion. It was sad it had to come to an end. We told the kids we would meet them on the family beach after lunch. That was a mistake. The adult beach was empty. Maybe half the chairs were taken. The family beach was a zoo. We never found them. We were to meet at the bannana boats at 3 so that is where we finally met up with our children. The ride was fun. I don't know if it's worth $14 a head.
Went to Sea shells for some t-shirts and the bar for our last konk kooler. I have tried to make them at home but they just don't taste the same. So we were back on the ship by 4:30. We should have stayed longer. I hope they change the days and spend more time there. It is a beautiful island. The water is crystal clear
and all the facilites are spotless.

Friday night is the farewell variety show. It was very good also. I t was so sad to know that in 12 hours our vacation would be over. I packed before dinner and after the show. With a lillte left after dinner to put away our dinner clothes. Luggage has to be out by 11.

Saturday morning I was up early again. Walked the deck as we were coming into the port. We were docked by 5am. Then the craziness begins. They have fork lifts that come on the ship and remove luggage. They start washing the ship the minute up docked. We had late breakfast. Said good bye to Sudama and Livu. I actualled teared up. I felt like I was leaving some of my best friends.

To all of you thinking of doing a cruise do it. It was the best family vacation. The kids were busy and had a blast. I would have like d to spend more time with them, but I am glad they had fun. They both made some friends they are still talking to on the internet. We made some friends that I know we will see again. Follow all the tips. Shoe bag, zip locks, extension cord, clock, lots of film and sunscreen. I still get teary eyed thinking about it. I hope we can do it again. We are hoping for June 2004.

Thanks for listening to my rambling. I wish all of you a great trip.

 

[Minnie's Guy]

I LOVED the report - don't wanna depress you more,
but we leave in exactly one month from today!

 

[JOANNEL]

Have a great time. Like I said it was the best time ever.

 

[rcdisneyfam]

Joanne - great trip report. I saw parts of the video that Ross has made, they kids had a great time and Patrick does love to dance. I saw both your boys on Ross' video and they all had a blast. Wish we were back there now!!!

 

[CAROLINES]

When are you guys going?

My mother and I are taking the boys the Friday after Thanksgiving. We will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge Villas through Tuesday. On Sunday night we will go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Your report was great. Mike and I have talked a great deal about the nice people we met and good times we had.

Take care and I will see you soon.

Love,

Caroline

 

[JOANNEL]

Roberta,

I would love a copy of that tape. Just send me a bill and I will send you a check for the tape and the postage. We didn't see much of the kids so it would be very informative.
Thanks so much.

Caroline. Enjoy NY. We will get together in WDW. It will be great to see you guys again.


Joanne

 

[BethA]

I enjoyed your trip report, but it does make you sad that it's over. Were you able to book for June 2004 yet?

 

[JOANNEL]

No they only have up to April 2004 open. We are going to use our DVC points so I don't think we can book untill 11 months out. Yes it still makes me sad. I am trying to talk my neighbor into doing one this September. Her kids ahave a week off and she wants to go on vacation. I hope she does. They I can almost re-live it.

 

[Credit Man]

Wonderful report! Thanks for posting.

 

[keenercam]

Joanne--
I have absolutely LOVED reading your trip reports--I have re-lived so many of the happy times we all spent together on the ship--meeting you guys at the Radisson; comparing notes on the tiramasu roll at Palo's brunch on Sunday; doing the wine tasting together ("I don't really like this one--oops! my glass is empty! Funny how that happens . . . ")--wasn't that an awesome trick with the champagne bottle?!!!; hanging out on deck nine in the early morning sharing breakfast with you and Roger (did you ever win anything at bingo? was it worth giving up your place in the sun?); the tropical jeep safari with Roger and Patrick on that WILD ride (You DEFINITELY HAVE to do it next time!); closing down offbeat every night, reluctantly!; having peeled shrimp together for Thursday lunch, marveling that we had all just taken the DVC plunge!!!; eating fresh mango and oranges and grapes at Serenity Beach (Sharon was such a darling, wasn't she? I never expected to form a bond with a bar waitress on the ship-- what a sweetheart! And I never had anyone cut up mango and oranges for me in paradise!)
Well, it has been fun travelling down memory lane. This was by far the absolute best vacation we could have imagined. Meeting all our friends like you and Roger from the DIS boards, making new friends, and renewing old friendships with Roberta and Ralph and Mike and Caroline all combined to make this an absolutely above the top vacation (of course, we won't go into our verandah issue here!)
Love to all there. Hoping we will be seeing you guys soon!
Love, Cam