December 12 - 19, 2009 Western Magic

[MemoryMakers2669]

You can get to the port at 10, but you don't board the ship till at least 11:45 (and that's the first group). We're probably going to cancel our brunch, so might be able to work out a way to "give" the reservation to one of the dis-ers rather than just turning it to the general pool. I'm going to hold it till we board, not cancel on line. Palo ressies will be open when you board the ship.

OK thanks kcashner! I think we will plan to arrive at 10 then and be one of the first onboard. That is what we have done with all our cruises, so might as well do that now as well. I assume Budget will take us over that earlly??

And if you have a party of 2 for that brunch, I will gladly take it off your hands!!

 

[mickeymom923]

Hi. Is there a list of everyone going? Lots of pages to read to catch up on. If I start now, I might be done by the end of the cruise.

Bev

 

[Orlando36]

Ok, I need some explanation! My general reaction when I first heard about Palo was: Hmmm, adults only dinner, can do that at home on a date. Meals are paid for already, why add a meal price? I have already spent way more than I intended, really need to ride the brakes on the "It's only $5/$45/ $4/$26, etc. Those have already reached $300! We can always do Palo on the next cruise.

BUT. Then I say, hmmmmm, Palo reservations were gone weeks ago, it's really popular. People talk about it all the time. Maybe I'm missing out.

Should I complicate the first day by trying to fight the crowds for a Palo res? Or am I right that the first cruise will be so wonderful all by itself that I don't need the headache or the expense? Anyone want to weigh in?

 

[bevtoy]

If anyone is interested there is a member list, info and links, coupons etc at a off site we have set up complete with databases. Just PM me your email and I will send you an invitation to join.

Scooby are there any bracelets left?

 

[poohbear926]

Welcome (another) Pooh...lol

There are several college age girls, and my DS.

Where are you going to school? It would be fun to know where all the college kids are going.

My DS is at Utah State University. Go Aggies!

Im going to Bucks county community college and majoring in computer forensics. Im glad to see that there are other people going around my age.

 

[Orlando36]

For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, I'm CHEAP.

I love my boat drinks on vacation, but I really can't bring myself to spend $9 per drink. (How much is a margarita on board anyway?) I am exploring options. I am thinking of bringing a bottle of tequila and a bottle of rum, maybe a small bottle of triple sec. I heard from a friend that the liquor store sells dry packets of margarita mix. Water, ice, tequila, voila. Not the highest quality of margarita, but it captures the spirit lmao. But, I like a squeeze of fresh lime. Is there anywhere on the boat that you can pick up a squeeze of lime without paying for it? Not allowed to bring a lime or two in my bag and throw it in the fridge, right? Unless I hide it in a sock?

Then, am I right in thinking that I can get sodas/orange juice on the boat as included in the food, and then add my own rum in my room? It would be a hassle to go back and forth to the room and the bar area, but again, I'm cheap.

Finally, can you drink an adult beverage by the pool, or only where adult beverages are served?

Please don't get me wrong; I'm not a party animal and I don't plan to drink the whole week. I usually have 1-2 drinks a day while on vacation. Just trying to figure out the logistics of it before I lug liquor on board for no good reason.

Thanks for any advice for the confused newbie!

 

[poohbear926]

Perhaps one of the college and careers age cruisers might step up to the plate and organize a meet? It probably would make the cruise a lot more interesting.

I would but if anyone else wants to then thats fine by me. It definitely would be alot more fun and interesting too.

 

[poohbear926]

For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, I'm CHEAP.

I love my boat drinks on vacation, but I really can't bring myself to spend $9 per drink. (How much is a margarita on board anyway?) I am exploring options. I am thinking of bringing a bottle of tequila and a bottle of rum, maybe a small bottle of triple sec. I heard from a friend that the liquor store sells dry packets of margarita mix. Water, ice, tequila, voila. Not the highest quality of margarita, but it captures the spirit lmao. But, I like a squeeze of fresh lime. Is there anywhere on the boat that you can pick up a squeeze of lime without paying for it? Not allowed to bring a lime or two in my bag and throw it in the fridge, right? Unless I hide it in a sock?

Then, am I right in thinking that I can get sodas/orange juice on the boat as included in the food, and then add my own rum in my room? It would be a hassle to go back and forth to the room and the bar area, but again, I'm cheap.

Finally, can you drink an adult beverage by the pool, or only where adult beverages are served?

Please don't get me wrong; I'm not a party animal and I don't plan to drink the whole week. I usually have 1-2 drinks a day while on vacation. Just trying to figure out the logistics of it before I lug liquor on board for no good reason.

Thanks for any advice for the confused newbie!

Ship drinks range from about maybe $4-9 bucks depending on what you want a margarita is probably closer to 7 or 8 bucks.

You can bring on your own liquor as long as it's in your carryon (the bag your carrying with you onto the ship). NOT your suitcase. Walmart on 535 has a liquor store and the prices are better then an actual liquor store. We never buy drinks from the ship anymore since we bring stuff on board with us.

Yes you can get soda/juice 1 in room service or also up by the pool area as they have soda machines the sodas are FREE and open 24/7.

Also yes there are a few places where you can get a lime or two. All you have to do is ask for it and they will give it to you. You can ask at room service or im sure even at the bars or even the fruit bar that they have might have some limes i dont know since i rarely go to the fruit haha.

Yes you can get an adult drink and drink it by any pool or really anywhere on the ship you want to. The only time is when taken a picture with characters or such they will ask you if they can hold your drink for you while taken the picture.

In october when i was on the ship we order pineapple juice in room service and we had vodka in the room so i just poured it in and took it with me to dinner. Also you can bring your own drinks with you to dinner.

Hope this helps any.

 

[bevtoy]

Im going to Bucks county community college and majoring in computer forensics. Im glad to see that there are other people going around my age.

My daughter Kate is at work right now but she goes to Kaskaskia Community college its about 3 miles from our front door and 4 blocks from the Walmart store where she works as a CSM (Customer service manager)
She is majoring in biology and wants to transfer to a university but is undecided where to apply. She is third maternal generation Phi Theta Kappa so I got a little brag in before she can yell at me ....

 

[bevtoy]

The grocery store has plastic limes full of juice in the fruit/vegetable section.
Many people bring their own. Its not cheap its sensible.

For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, I'm CHEAP.

I love my boat drinks on vacation, but I really can't bring myself to spend $9 per drink. (How much is a margarita on board anyway?) I am exploring options. I am thinking of bringing a bottle of tequila and a bottle of rum, maybe a small bottle of triple sec. I heard from a friend that the liquor store sells dry packets of margarita mix. Water, ice, tequila, voila. Not the highest quality of margarita, but it captures the spirit lmao. But, I like a squeeze of fresh lime. Is there anywhere on the boat that you can pick up a squeeze of lime without paying for it? Not allowed to bring a lime or two in my bag and throw it in the fridge, right? Unless I hide it in a sock?

Then, am I right in thinking that I can get sodas/orange juice on the boat as included in the food, and then add my own rum in my room? It would be a hassle to go back and forth to the room and the bar area, but again, I'm cheap.

Finally, can you drink an adult beverage by the pool, or only where adult beverages are served?

Please don't get me wrong; I'm not a party animal and I don't plan to drink the whole week. I usually have 1-2 drinks a day while on vacation. Just trying to figure out the logistics of it before I lug liquor on board for no good reason.

Thanks for any advice for the confused newbie!

 

[poohfriend]

Ok, I need some explanation! My general reaction when I first heard about Palo was: Hmmm, adults only dinner, can do that at home on a date. Meals are paid for already, why add a meal price? I have already spent way more than I intended, really need to ride the brakes on the "It's only $5/$45/ $4/$26, etc. Those have already reached $300! We can always do Palo on the next cruise.

BUT. Then I say, hmmmmm, Palo reservations were gone weeks ago, it's really popular. People talk about it all the time. Maybe I'm missing out.

Should I complicate the first day by trying to fight the crowds for a Palo res? Or am I right that the first cruise will be so wonderful all by itself that I don't need the headache or the expense? Anyone want to weigh in?

PALO is special...but prob. not any more special than a nice dinner in a restaurant with a good view. For us, we rarely get a fancy meal when the kids are taken care of. It's nice for us to have a romantic dinner without the additional expenses. (Unless you count the extra expense of being on the Magic!)

Eating in the dining rooms is special too. Don't feel like you have to go. Me, if I don't get a PALO reservation I will AT LEAST go up to the bar and order a soufle! mmmm. Hoping hubby and I get the time together.

 

[poohbear926]

My daughter Kate is at work right now but she goes to Kaskaskia Community college its about 3 miles from our front door and 4 blocks from the Walmart store where she works as a CSM (Customer service manager)
She is majoring in biology and wants to transfer to a university but is undecided where to apply. She is third maternal generation Phi Theta Kappa so I got a little brag in before she can yell at me ....

Thats Awesome. You must be very proud of her. Its never a bad thing to brag when it comes to sororities. I want to go to UCF Ill hopefully be done next december

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Yahoo would be good. Also Google has a group thing.

If no one else wants to do it. I will. I've got some time on my hands in the evenings.

Is there a group set up somewhere, am I missing out on stuff?? Is there a list on there with those going, ages, kids/ages. etc?

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Scooby are there any bracelets left?

Oodles

 

[Scooby3x1y]

If I dissapear for a few days then I got kicked off the board ...

 

[Scooby3x1y]

PALO is special...but prob. not any more special than a nice dinner in a restaurant with a good view. For us, we rarely get a fancy meal when the kids are taken care of. It's nice for us to have a romantic dinner without the additional expenses. (Unless you count the extra expense of being on the Magic!)

Eating in the dining rooms is special too. Don't feel like you have to go. Me, if I don't get a PALO reservation I will AT LEAST go up to the bar and order a soufle! mmmm. Hoping hubby and I get the time together.

I've always wondered the same thing. Finally we've made Palo ressie's. However, we did it for brunch so we didn't miss out on dinner with the family.

Also, from the way people talk, I was always worried about the cost. It is pretty reasonable, and not much more than a Red Robin or Sizzler dinner. Only a ton better. The thing that threw me was how much people were paying. Some said their Palo brunch/dinner was about $100 for 2 people. In actuallity, it is only $15 per person. What you tip is up to you.

 

[bevtoy]

Is there a group set up somewhere, am I missing out on stuff?? Is there a list on there with those going, ages, kids/ages. etc?

We have an off site with a list of those who choose to sign up.
There is a photo album, links to interesting data and coupons. PM me your email if you wish to join the offsite and I will send you an invitation.

 

[bevtoy]

I would but if anyone else wants to then thats fine by me. It definitely would be alot more fun and interesting too.

You are the only volunteer so...... would you pick a location and time for a meet? I can set up a database at the offsite to keep track of those attending, their names ages, college and/or career so you will have something to work with.

There is already a meet on embarkation day for the Fish Extender exchange at the Promenade ....can someone refresh me as to what time we are meeting?

 

[GoBison]

For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, I'm CHEAP.

I love my boat drinks on vacation, but I really can't bring myself to spend $9 per drink. (How much is a margarita on board anyway?) I am exploring options. I am thinking of bringing a bottle of tequila and a bottle of rum, maybe a small bottle of triple sec. I heard from a friend that the liquor store sells dry packets of margarita mix. Water, ice, tequila, voila. Not the highest quality of margarita, but it captures the spirit lmao. But, I like a squeeze of fresh lime. Is there anywhere on the boat that you can pick up a squeeze of lime without paying for it? Not allowed to bring a lime or two in my bag and throw it in the fridge, right? Unless I hide it in a sock?

Then, am I right in thinking that I can get sodas/orange juice on the boat as included in the food, and then add my own rum in my room? It would be a hassle to go back and forth to the room and the bar area, but again, I'm cheap.

Finally, can you drink an adult beverage by the pool, or only where adult beverages are served?

Please don't get me wrong; I'm not a party animal and I don't plan to drink the whole week. I usually have 1-2 drinks a day while on vacation. Just trying to figure out the logistics of it before I lug liquor on board for no good reason.

Thanks for any advice for the confused newbie!

I have carried on liquor when I have cruised in the past. Most economical way to go. It just makes sense... then you can spend you money on other goodies on the ship

 

[GoBison]

You are the only volunteer so...... would you pick a location and time for a meet? I can set up a database at the offsite to keep track of those attending, their names ages, college and/or career so you will have something to work with.

There is already a meet on embarkation day for the Fish Extender exchange at the Promenade ....can someone refresh me as to what time we are meeting?

3pm on embarkation day.