9 OCT 04 Western

[crainbow]

Just some quick impressions of the cruise, which both my DW and I enjoyed throughly.

- Check in was smooth, building was very warm.
- Topsiders was a mess the day of embarkation. Not enough seating and they had closed PC.
- Ressie rush was not that rushed. No lines, plenty of time slots available for Palo. Wish I could have made more than one reservation.
- Food overall was good. Palo was excellent. The last night was by and far the weakest in food quality.
- Wish there was a non-smoking club. DW and I went down the second night and tried to enter the Rockin' D. The wall of smoke caused a rapid retreat. Was the same every other time we tried to partake of late night Adult entertainment.
- Pirates in the Carribean night was kind of cute.
- Not enough enforcement of the Adult only areas by the crew.
- Costa Maya was one of *the* highlights of the cruise. Take the tour of the ruins. Ask for Jesus as your tour guide. We got an hour briefing on the bus, much depth during the tour, information on the flora and fauna in the area, plus an hour monologue on the area on the trip back. In addition you can climb on portions of the ruins. The Tulum, while much better reconstruction (they have had 100 years to work on it!), was a pale imitation. If you hit one of the historical tours do it in Costa Maya! It is half the cost also and does not consume the entire day.
- At night, turn the lights out, go out on the balcony, and look UP. We were berthed in the aft of the ship and the glory of the Milky Way was in full force. Very romantic.
- Tip those poor waitstaff. They only make $50 a month.
- Formal night photo, go to the lobby and get your photo infront of the Micky statue.
- Congrats to the gent who won the $6K at Bingo on the last day.

Met some really nice folks from both these DIS boards and at the Dinner table (table for 8, 4 couples without children). Have made some great memories with the DW with the help of all that I came in contact with during the cruise.

Chuck

 

[jfs9900]

What did you think of the food on Pirates in the Caribbean night ?

I thought that was the worst meal of the cruise, although the last night wasn't a shinning star either, but I thought that was because we had been spoiled the night before in Palo!

 

[crainbow]

I ordered two entries that night. The scrimp and scallops pasta and the snapper. DW got the beef tenderloin. Both of the main courses that I got were so so. All who got the tenderloin (about 4 at the table) enjoyed. I regreted not going for the beef after tasting a bit of the wife's. Friday was by and far the worst of the meals from my and the rest of the table.

Chuck

 

[traycie2201]

Chuck i agree thursday and friday both a letdown, friday worst, still managed to find something to enjoy and ordered from room service too. was hoping for something special on the last night.

 

[crainbow]

To change the tone this thread has taken, the Mango soup at the lunch in Topsiders the first day, the lamb that I had the first night, and the portobello mushroom in Palo were all delightful.

Chuck

 

[traycie2201]

And the asian buffet where you made up your own meal to have stir fried was delicious too

 

[thegales]

A pleasant surprise for us was lunch at Topsiders. The food in the buffet was okay, but then they had display cooking.

One day they had the Asian stir fry (which traycie mentioned) and another was pasta. I learned not to get much in the buffet line and get my fill from the chef.

A disappointment at Topsiders was the kids' food. Here they had chicken nuggets. We learned to get the Chicken Tenders from Pluto's and get other items from the buffet. Can't figure out why they don't have the same chicken tenders at Topsiders.