Our family was on the "Jim" cruise and I thought I would share a few of my observations about some things people were wondering about.
The scene in the atrium of the family "boarding" the ship was actually filmed on one of our "at sea" days (Monday I think). That's why the regular doors weren't open and the people were in a line that actually leads to the shore excursion desk!
Rachael WAS our actual cruise director that week, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't her announcing the names. Rachael's hair is longer and she has a very strong accent, so I'm not sure who it was.
The filming in Key West took place during the day, which was nice and sunny. But then a big wall of rain moved in late in the afternoon and I think that's why the scene of the family walking past the sandal shop was so dark. It was either just before or probably after the rain, which I think came through around 5:00. I talked to the wife of a crew member (on a tender boat at Grand Cayman) and she said her husband got soaked. Maybe they had to dry everyone off and it got late. You could tell the rain was coming, so we headed back to the ship. I'm sure they didn't have it planned that way. My daughter and I watched a little of the filming (of Jim riding up on a scooter) and it took forever. After about 1/2 hour we decided to go shopping and enjoy the day instead of watching them stand around and do scenes over and over!
Cozumel & Grand Cayman - they didn't do any filming there (again, I talked to the wife of a crew member and she said they would only be filming at Key West and Castaway because it was too difficult in foreign countries because of regulations, etc.). They filmed some "Mexican" scenes while we were actually at Grand Cayman. There's some sort of stage show by the Goofy Pool where they are pretending they are in Cozumel, I think. When I came back from our Stingray excursion, I noticed some tall, inflated red and green peppers on the stage. Strange!
When we really were in Cozumel, they filmed scenes by the Mickey pool with the kids. I was at Chanknaab and shopping, so I didn't see any filming, but that's where they were set up.
The cast and crew had Thursday off (our last day at sea"). I overheard a conversation with the guy who plays Andy and a crew member - they were going over the schedule and were talking about "promo" shots. Those must have been the "Love Boat" shots for the commercials and were not part of the plot (Thank goodness!).
Castaway filming - we were at the far end of the family beach and saw them filming out at the Heads Up bar most of the day. By the time they were finished, the sun was casting long shadows (I know by the photos of my kids on the beach) but it's definitely not a sunset. I could tell from the beach that the characters Cheryl (in a red dress) and the new husband (Jax) were doing the kissing scene with the Magic in the background.
Something strange - I was walking around and I saw a woman dressed the same and wearing a "Cheryl" wig and tall shoes, but it wasn't her. I thought "does she really have a stand in?" Well, I realize now that it's part of the plot and if you really want to know who it is, go to the abc website and look at the photos. I don't want to give it away, but I don't think Jim has anything to worry about regarding the "kissing scene". I think Cheryl has found a way to work it all out!
I did watch "Jim and Cheryl" film a scene up on deck 10 by the adult pool where they are dressed up and appear to be discussing the trip and have a little argument and then kiss and make up. I'll bet that's end show's ending, but I'm just guessing.
A couple of other things I noticed were that the blue chairs on deck 4 are turned and lined up next to the wall as Jim and Cheryl are strolling by (in the previews for next week), and also there are no mirrors in the bathroom above the sink (so we don't see the camera I think!).
Oh well, I hope my memories are accurate and my speculation is just for fun. I must say I was disappointed in the show - maybe I was looking forward to it too much or maybe it took too long to get to the cruise, or maybe there were too many commercials, or maybe it just wasn't very good! Let's hope next week is better. I did see Jim dressed up in a Mexican outfit with a fake moustache which cracked me up (he was at the Internet Cafe at the time) so I'm hoping the show gets funnier!
