A little Magic on 4/13/12

[EAP'sDAD]

Re did it with the right date of 4/13/12.

 

[EAP'sDAD]

I have never written a TR but will give it try. Pictures will come a little later once I finish downloading and sorting them.
Well me and the family DW Debbie, DD Emily 16, DS Alex 13 and DS Patrick 11 and myself Tom went on our first DC on the Magic 4/13 Eastern. We have been on other cruise lines but Emily has wanted to a the Magic since she was 5. We booked a one bedroom concierge to have all five in the same room.

Day 1

We loaded the car and left at 5:30 am from Connecticut and after a couple of quick stop and a 45 minute drive around Maryland looking for a Dunkin Donuts we arrived in Port Canaveral at 11:00 pm.
We booked the Country Inn and Suites for the night before and parking. We had to get a kids room since there was five of us. I will say that this hotel was very nice, the rooms were clean and the breakfast was good. It is also convienent to the area if you need to make the last minute pick ups. We headed over to Walgreens for a new pair of sunglasses and some incidentals. Dwayne loaded us in the shuttle for the 10:30 run and it was off to the terminal.
We arrived, loaded up with the carry ons and into the terminal we go. I was amazed that there was no lines to get in and it seemed very quiet. We headed over to kids club check in because Patrick being 11 thought he had a choice of what club he would be in. We were told that since the clubs were full and he would have to do the Edge, more on the clubs later. We then headed over to the Concierge check in and was processed in 5 minutes, with the PLA dinner rotation:. We were then sent to the lounge to wait for boarding. This whole process from loading the shuttle to sitting in the lounge took 30 minutes. We were told that boarding was going to be delayed so it was time to walk around the terminal, Mickey came out and we checked out the ships model. At this time the excitement was boiling over and the announcement came and we were wisked through a side door much to the dismay of Emily who wanted to go through the ears. We were second in line but when the first family had some issues with the KTTW card we went by them, almost knocked them over screaming get out of the way, pictures were taking and then the big moment was there. We had teased Emily that we were going to use a fake name for the announcement so she was ready when they asked.
The first family to enter the Magic on this cruise was "the Ruthers".
We were wisked away by a greeter and sent to Sessions for the Concierge Meet. We got seated and Linda came over to go over the week ahead, she said our contact would be Danny who went out of his way all week. After a couple of changes the best words came out of Lindas mouth, she said we can leave our carry ons by the bar until the room was ready. It was now time to check out the ship. Emily's eyes were as wide as possible as we went up to the Topsiders for the buffet. If there was one thing that I felt Disney could do better it was the food, we have been on others and felt the food quality while good was not up to others. We got a nice window seat and enjoyed relaxing for a 20 minute period, but then it was time to go. We checked out the Vibe for Emily and the pools. Then down to deck 2 for the Edge and then for the first time the words that were repeated more then any other phrase "can I go to the club" came from little Patricks mouth.
By now it was 1:30 and the room was ready so after gathering our carry ons from Sessions we headed for the 1 bedroom, well the room was huge with a beautiful veranda, which became my favorite spot, and the unpacking began. The boys then asked about going to the club and we finished unpacking and then for the first of many times I poured my self a drink and sat on the Veranda.
Off to the 3:00 Disboards meet where Sarah and Clint gave everyone personilized lanyards. Mett all the people that we have been planning this trip with.
The muster drill came and went very smoothly and it was off to the Sail Away party. Got myself a seat and watched the show. Disney does a great job with all of the entertainment, by far better then any other cruise line. The kids got out there and danced and really enjoyed themselves. The boys headed to the club for the hour before the first show and it was back to the veranda to watch us leave the port.
The first show was "Let the Magic Begin" and it very well done. Since we had late seating we went to the 6:15 show. By 7:15 I was back on the Veranda with a glass of wine and a cigar. It was almost perfect. Meet the neighbors who I asked if the smoke bothered and was told that they didn't even notice it.
Off to Parrot Cay for our first night, we meet our servers Guiseppe from Sicily and Michael from London. Michael was new and still learning the ropes but the kids loved him right off the bat, he had a great demeanor, Guiseppe was great and the food came out very quickly. Before I blinked the meal was over and it was time to head to the Rocking D bar for a night cap. The kids scattered for the clubs the moment the last bite went into there mouths.

On these clubs I must warn future travelers of the danger, I believe they brainwash the kids the first night to think that this is the best place to hang out. The kids loved the clubs and voted them best cruise clubs by far.

Well the Rockin D bar had the Magic Quest game going, another shout out to Disney for the adult entertainment which was very well done. This show gets a little wild and it was a blast.

In bed after a long first day only to be awaken at 2:00 with giggling children coming in from the clubs.

Day 2 at sea coming soon.

 

[iloverags2]

First day only, and it already sounds like you had an excellent time! Looking forward to more!

 

[jedijill]

Off to a great start! I love the Magic.

Jill in CO

 

[SeaSpray]

Great report, looking forward to Day 2!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Sailing on the Magic in June, first cruise ever, with 13 and 16 year old/s - so really glad you're doing your TR! Keep it coming!

 

[EAP'sDAD]

Sorry it is always a hectic week when you return to work.

Day 2 at Sea

Well it was a rough night trying to get used to the fact that my bed was swaying back and forth but I was able to do so until about 8:30 am. It was now time to explore the Magic while everyone else slept. I headed up to deck 9 for a cup of coffee and my kindle. Didn't read anything just watched the waves go by and saw for the first time the dreaded pool poachers. These are the people who come out at about 9:00am each morning with three or four bags or articles of clothing and stratigicly place them on chairs around the pool and then head back to their rooms. When I was a kid it was calling dibs. I know this is a very hot topic on the boards here and I can see why. Well it was very windy this day and after a cup of coffee I grabbed a cup for Deb and headed back to the room to wake some people up.
After a couple of minutes fighting everyone to get up, we are the Magic go have some fun dammit, the familar words from the boys rang out "can we go to the Edge". Well we checked with the navigator and stated that it would be fine as long as they were at Lumieres for lunch. Debbie and Emily were spending some girl time together so I attended the DVC meeting by my self. The mimosas were good and I got some free gifts and some information on the new resorts. Emily dumped Debbie for the Vibe so we went out in search of an elusive deck chair. As I said earlier the poachers had taken many of the chairs and still were not using them so up to deck 10 we went. Well the wind was pretty hard that day, Debs flip flops actually became airborn and flew over the railing hitting someone on deck 9. I was hoping it was poachers who got hit, but they are never in the chairs. We meet at Lumieres for sit down lunch with everyone but Patrick, he wanted to stay in the Edge because they were doing a scavenger hunt and it was very important for him to be there.
The sit down lunch was probably our favorite meal of the day. It was usually quiet and the food was pretty good. After lunch we decided to play "So you think you know your family" at the rocking D bar. Patrick graced us with his presence and it was fun. Of course me and Patrick got picked, well it came down to the last question and Dad choked. The question was if you could take one thing away from your parent as a punishment what would it be? Well the lights were bright and the pressure was on and I said my phone. Pat had said my golf clubs which of course was the right answer so we didn't win the two inch trophey and all the glory that goes along with it.
The moment the game was over my kids ran for the door, the Edge was having Gender Wars and as the name suggest, this was war. Emily had met some kids and they were waiting for her at the Vibe. So we decided to head up to deck 9 for a cocktail and do a little people watching. We had late reservations for Palos tonight so we thought to have a little snack, chicken fingers would do.
One of the rules we had going on to the ship was we would go to the shows as a family and tonight was Twice Charmed, this is the Cinderella story with some twists. It is very high quality on or off a ship. After the show it was time to get ready for dinner which is me sitting on the veranda with a drink and a cigar watching the waves go by. Me and Deb were going to Palos, Patrick wanted to go back to the Edge because they were doing something and he had to be there, Emily and Alex wanted to go to dinner at Lumieres by themselves. I walked them in explained it to the servers and headed to Palos for a wonderful meal. It was a very nice meal finished off with the Chocolate Souffle. Wow was I stuffed and tired. So it was down to the room for a nice night sleep. As we entered the room I noticed the light blinking on the phone so I figured it was the kids or Danny the concierge. But no it was guest services and my debit card has been declined. Well panic ensued, I dont use credit cards just me trusty debit card, so I headed down to guest services and was told that the person who needed to handle this was not there, I was told not to worry and check with them in the morning. Now if you want a bad feeling, be in the middle of the Atlantic ocean at 12:00 nidnight on a Saturday being told that your debit card was declined. Lets just say it was not a good nights sleep. The kids stolled in a little later and were asleep as there heads hit the pillow.

Next up day 3 at seas and does the credit card get fixed or will the Ruthers be doing dishes for the rest of the trip?