Disney Magic - January 2-9, 2010

[ehagerty]

As so it begins....

......turns out it was a good time to get out of town - which is nearly always true in January around the Great Lakes.....

I took a bit of a chance - but a calculated risk - by planning to fly to MCO the "morning of " cruise departure. I knew it was the first flight of the day, the plane would already present from the night before, and it was nonstop. The airport is usually open except for extreme weather.

Here was the view from the plane, as we sat waiting for de-icing:

Looks like it could be an ad for SWA - as in "let us help you get out of here"....

...and over to here (the view from the deck before sailaway):

Anyway, we arrived into MCO only ten minutes later than originally scheduled (10:30 am), walked over to pick up our Budget rental, arrived at the terminal around 11: 20 and checked in by 11:30 am. Assigned to Group 18 for boarding, after ascertaining that the ship was full and no upgrades available. Oddly, they boarded groups 18-25 in the same "call" and only a handful of us boarded - we were the last. DS dropped car at rental location after filling tank with $6 to avoid $15 fee for driving fewer than 75 miles. No problem. He was dropped back to terminal before we were even called for boarding. Couldn't have gone any better.



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[Tinkerkell123]

Wow! Excellent timing! Can't wait to read more. We are there soon! Subbing...

 

[ehagerty]

We know where to head when boarding, especially since the family planner (me) was holding off final payment and basically missed the Palo's scheduling opportunity online. More specifically, I held two dinner reservations for 2 people, same day, different times and no brunch. DS21 and DS19 headed for Parrot Cay for lunch to get a table, I headed for Rockin' BarD.

Fortunately, I ended up with a reservation for the very next day (Sunday) for dinner, brunch on Thursday, and waitlist for other dinner opportunities (we ended up at Palo again for our last night - pretty perfect start and finish...).

Wouldn't you know, there was a wine tasting the very next day - our introduction to Palo's sommelier (therefore, I presume, the "head" sommelier). We've been to a wine tasting each cruise - it is always educational and reasonable value for the dollar (6 samples, $12).

I have to say, first kudos for great Disney service experience goes to Shawn:

In this picture (above), he was preparing to demonstrate how to remove the cork (and top of the bottle) with a butter knife.


Things I learned from Shawn that I did not know before:
1.) Wine tastings are offered more than once per cruise (that, I knew) - and the wines are different for each tasting (now, I know). You can sign up for all of them and not experience the same wine twice.
2.) You can buy a wine aroma kit at home and practice identifying aromas at home (google "wine aroma kits"). There is quite a variety of kits, depending on how serious you are - and how much money you have to spend.
3.) They hold a sommlier wine tasting once per cruise (Thursday on our cruise). Cost = $30, but each of 4 wines come from the sommelier selection on the wine menu

Shawn was extremely articulate and friendly, very knowledgeable, and passionate about what he does.



We ordered the premium wine package - here Shawn is opening a bottle he recommended (Super Tuscan) as an upgrade (they deduct 1/7 of the wine package from any bottle you want - in 2010 dollars, that was $42 off the recommended bottle.)

which we enjoyed mightily....

Your classic win-win. His knowledge and experience resulted in us trying more wine (thus, spending more) - and enjoying every minute of it.


Thanks, Shawn. I'll be sure to forward a link to this post to WDW.Guest.Communications@disneyworld.com. (I'd forward directly to DCL if I could figure out the email address - maybe next time).



If you are a wine enthusiast - and Shawn is on board, enjoy!!
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[Cherc30]

Thank you for sharing. I am a first time vacationer, let alone cruiser. We leave next week. I can't wait. Thanks for the added enthusiaism
Cheryl

 

[iluvdisney]

That was a very nice cruise and it was good to see you again Ellen! Have to agree that getting away from reality that week could not have been a better time. I did a follow-up trip at WDW and it was mighty cold there so I relaxed a little more. Maybe I'll run into you on a future cruise!

 

[ehagerty]

Thank you for sharing. I am a first time vacationer, let alone cruiser. We leave next week. I can't wait. Thanks for the added enthusiasm
Cheryl

I probably cannot post fast enough to complete before your departure, but I'll still be here when you get back.

That was a very nice cruise and it was good to see you again Ellen! Have to agree that getting away from reality that week could not have been a better time. I did a follow-up trip at WDW and it was mighty cold there so I relaxed a little more. Maybe I'll run into you on a future cruise!

Good to see you, too! I am surprised (but probably should not be) that, so far, I have always seen a DVC DCL member cruise on a subsequent, non DVC cruise. Of course, the DVC cruise is VERY social active, so we are a lot more likely to meet, know and remember people. This time I was with DS's as well. I find I socialize in inverse proportion to the number of family members with me!

Not doing DVC member cruise this year, but maybe 2011!?

 

[ehagerty]

Antipasto

Igor, pouring lemon olive oil on my tuna carpaccio (my favorite appetizer - although I like ALL of them). Igor gets his own post (next) , because, like Shawn, he deserves accolades for wonderful service.

Beautiful AND yummy!!

Mushroom Risotto (as least I think so - I always think I am going to remember and never take notes or ask for a menu. Duh!)

A refreshing sorbet (in this case, basil) - traditionally served before fish, but has become so popular in general that they serve it to everyone, regardless of the meat to follow (at least that is what Igor said).

Tuna

Veal

Halibut - Artful and Outstanding (I like my shared-table-taste so much, I ordered it myself the following Friday)

Same dish after the parchment paper is removed

Lamb Chop (my standing order)

Strawberry Gelato

Tiramisu

Chocolate Souffle

Hidden Mickey on the plate

I wasn't fully into vacation mode (meaning full picture-taking mode) at this point in the vacation. More pictures of Palo dinner when we get to Friday!




At work in the open kitchen

Chef Christian - talented and genial - he and Pietro go back and forth between the Magic and Wonder as a tandem, ensuring consistency and quality...

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[AimeeJ]

Oh, how am I going to decide what to have at Palos next week after drooling over these wonderful pictures. To have such problems. .

 

[TotallyAngelic]

WOW .. that food in Palo looks amazing ... I can't wait to dine there on our next cruise .... missed out on our first because it was our first and all booked up before we could book, but really looking forward to hopefully brunch and dinner on the transatlantic. Thanks for sharing your photos

 

[Kay1]

Thanks for sharing those nice shots of Palo.

 

[ehagerty]

This is what you see when you approach the table in Diversions:

On the bar, they have bottles of the various tequilas in stock

Your individual placemat, with the tequila to be poured, with pre-poured fresh lime juice, water and bloody-mary-mixer-like-only-better.

Bartender Rodolfo provided the commentary

Your place setting once they add the first two shots

Traditional margarita (left), melon version (right)

Four people, selected at random, given free combo of tequlia shot inside something else. Mexican boiler-maker, I think

Bottoms up

Some of us are more comfortable drinking down than others....

Rodolfo reviewing the bottles

Summary / Assessment

- We enjoyed it
- Would I recommend it? Yes, if you like tequila - or are undecided about tequila - or would like to learn more about tequila.
- Would I do it again? Probably not, as I am not into hard liquor. But I am glad I did it once - I did learn quite a bit (Rodolfo really knows his stuff).

 

[SweetSpot]

I believe they would be carrying me out after drinking that much in such a short time. We did the vodka tasting. I really did like it but I was ready for a nap afterwards.

Looking forward to the rest of your report. I've loved your reports and beautiful pictures.

 

[ehagerty]

Toasting our choice of dinner beverage - Domain Chandon!!

Escargot

Tuna appetizer (tasty, but a bit fatty - not of the same quality as the carpaccio at Palo's)

Shrimp appetizer (good, but shrimp - it is what it is - I guess it is good to have a selection for the unadverturesome)

Something with a bone - short rib? veal?

Fish

Filet (nobody makes you eat the green beans, if you don't want to!!)

Dessert

We were quite happy with the food. Don't remember what they all were at this point, as I was not taking notes. Posted here so people can get ideas - or relive the moment.

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[ehagerty]

The table as you enter Cafe Cove

A study in cognac

Rodolfo teaching...

At this point, I was becoming selective about what I actually drank, vs what I tasted. I tasted the first two (VS, VSOP, but I actually drank the two XO's).

I enjoyed it.
I recommend it.
Having done it twice now, I probably won't do it again.
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[ehagerty]

I didn't have expectations for St Maartin, except that I expected it to be more "developed" as a port than its alternative on our May cruise, Tortola (which was not very well developed - but more on that in its own thread).

Relatively speaking, St Martin was fine. Our goal was to do a shore excursion, and return to the ship early to have lunch, then hang out on the ship. We are not shoppers, gamblers, etc.

DS19 was off to his own excursion - the mountain biking. If / When I get access to his pictures, I will attempt to post them. DH, DS21 and I went on a motor boat / snorkel tour.

Looking back at the two ships in port. Believe it or not, the one on the right's name was something like Fahtwinde - made us laugh (Fart-Wind).

Photo Op near the pier

View of St Martin from Deck 7 "hidden" verandah. This is sometimes referred to as an alternative for nearby cabins, which was part of my thinking in cabin selection. I believe this was the only time we stepped out on it....

Tour started out pretty choppy ("the seas were rough that day, my friend...."). The captain changed course, which took us through some inland marinas - past this sample house

... by these yachts - some of which are reputed to belong to the owner of Victoria's Secret and Tiger Woods (there was a lot of Tiger Woods gossip - like how he signed over his yacht to a friend until after the divorce - what, like divorce lawyers don't do a look back?)....

Once back in the ocean / sea, we passed the government officials home...

...around this very scenic corner

...my son (a rower) thought this guy rowing a rubber dinghy amusing

Marigot - the French capital, and its old fort - was most scenic

Ultimately, we anchored near this rock. The captain explained that the weather had been very agitated for the past couple of weeks, therefore, the snorkeling visibility was not very good. Reality - NO visibility.

Instead, people just swam around and took turns jumping off the boat.

... with the occasional traffic jam

From psuedo-snorkeling, our guides took us to the beach as Grand Cas - described elsewhere as "picturesque" - probably marketing code for "a bit run down, but unpretentious and charming".

People relaxed in many ways...

... sunning on the bow

... chatting

... mugging with the guides

... swimming back from the beach

.. or just having fun

The return ride was VERY fast, a a tad bumpy. I loved it, but my backside was definitely sore the next day. Clearly, the guide was very familiar and comfortable...

Some of us were laughing more than others (DH has motion issues)

This family happened to sit across from me - so I took their picture. Here's hoping a fellow Dis-er can point them here...

Me, holding on for dear life, taking a picture with one hand. You get a lot of perspective here - the boat (lower left), my hand (lower right), St Maartin (center), Disney Magic (between boat and mountain).

Safely returned to the pier - with the two docked ships behind all the new construction (to handle larger ships)

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[MMitchell29]

WOW great report. I am very impressed and waiting for more

 

[podsnel]

I am so excited you are doing a TR of your cruise!! I have always loved your photos-

 

[ehagerty]

... enjoying our Canon D10....

Some images are nearly-duplicate, but I posted them for those who want to download / copy generic shots for their screen savers.....

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[ehagerty]

Shrimp appetizer

Crab Cake

Head Server, Fitz, pouring wine...

Beef

Red Snapper

Sea Bass, I think - or else Halibut

More fish - I don't recall which one - DS19 typically ordered 3 entrees and I could not keep track.... Looks like a second order of snapper

Short rib (excellent)

Dessert Sampler

Fruit Meringue

Rum Raisin Ice Cream

Ollie goofing with DS19

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[ehagerty]

Sunrise over St Thomas, from Topsiders breakfast deck

Sailing over to St Johns - the sister boat

Applying sunscreen - 80's and sunny

Crew giving safety instructions

View from the deck

We anchor near the sister-boat off Honeymoon Beach, St John's ...

... don our snorkel gear

... get the "agitated waters" update (same issue as yesterday at St Martin) related to what we can expect for visibility, and take a couple of pictures anyway - a bit gray, but, gosh darn it, I have to get some use out of the waterproof camera!!

.. then bobble around in the water for a bit

DS19 turns the camera on the lady who prefers to hide behind the camera...