Eastern Caribbean Magic 3/26/11 - 4/2/11 COMPLETE

[KristiMc]

Hey, I watch Hell's Kitchen.. I've seen a lot of chefs go down in flames because they mess up the risotto.

I didn't say you couldn't... exactly... consider it more of a challenge.

Go Sparky!

Hey - Are you not at work???? Get off the DIS so that we can afford to go on another cruise!!

 

[KristiMc]

Today I woke up again before our scheduled room service delivery and everyone else so I took my book out to the verandah and enjoyed a quiet morning.

I had a massage scheduled for 9:15, so the plan was for Steve and the boys to go have breakfast without me and I would grab something later.

After enjoying my tea on the verandah, I headed out to the Vista Spa for a wonderful massage. I had booked a Swedish massage, but when I talked to my masseuse I decided to try the Hot Stone massage. It was a great decision, very relaxing. After the massage was over, I headed back to the room to change and find Steve.

He and the boys had breakfast at Topsiders and then the boys went to the lab. They ended up spending most of the day there. Every time we went to get Shawn he did not want to leave.

Steve and I headed up to Palo to meet a group for the Art of the Theme Ship Tour. We loved this tour. Our tour guide was T.J. who we ended up seeing quite often the rest of the week. The tour gave a lot of insight on the decorating of the ship and what different themes meant throughout. I don't remember the numbers, but there are 200+ different styles of carpet throughout the Magic. Each one themed for the area it is in. The whole tour was about stuff like that. I highly recommend it to those cruising in the future.

After the tour, I headed up to get the kids to go to the presentation by Lee Unkrich, Director of Toy Story 3. Shawn did not want to leave, but Matt came with me and we met Steve at the Buena Vista Theatre. We ended up sitting in the front row next to Lee's mom who we chatted with for a bit. The presentation was great! He gave so much information into what it took to make this movie.

Next, we went and dragged Shawn out of the lab so we could get some lunch.

Next up: Tequila & Margarita tasting

 

[karajeboo]

Kara - If you could send me the recipe for the Mushroom Risotto that would be great. Steve seems to think that I am not capable of making it . I already have the ingredients to make another risotto that was featured during one of the Art of Entertaining sessions.

I will! It turned out really good, but you will need either the Vista Spa (or the Martini tasting!) afterwards..... my arm was numb from all the stirring. But I wouldn't let Jeff help because then HE would get to take some credit for it!!!!

Hey, I watch Hell's Kitchen.. I've seen a lot of chefs go down in flames because they mess up the risotto.

I didn't say you couldn't... exactly... consider it more of a challenge.

Go Sparky!

Ohhhhhh, don't you take that from him!!!! I'm on your side Kristi, er Sparky????

Hey - Are you not at work???? Get off the DIS so that we can afford to go on another cruise!!

Yeah, and work a little harder and take me toooooooo!!!!!!

I'm reading all these things y'all did on the cruise while we were up on Deck 10 relaxing in the sun...... or sipping Drinks of the Day at the QC pool..... NEXT TIME I will take advantage of so much more!!!!

 

[KristiMc]

I will! It turned out really good, but you will need either the Vista Spa (or the Martini tasting!) afterwards..... my arm was numb from all the stirring. But I wouldn't let Jeff help because then HE would get to take some credit for it!!!!

I would take the Spa & Martini Tasting!

Ohhhhhh, don't you take that from him!!!! I'm on your side Kristi, er Sparky????

Sparky - This goes way back to 1996. Our apartment was struck by lightening as I was talking on the phone and I got zapped and it blew out our phone, tv and modem. Mom always said not to talk on the phone during a storm - she was right!

Yeah, and work a little harder and take me toooooooo!!!!!!



I'm reading all these things y'all did on the cruise while we were up on Deck 10 relaxing in the sun...... or sipping Drinks of the Day at the QC pool..... NEXT TIME I will take advantage of so much more!!!!
We really enjoyed all the activities. Even though it seems like we were really busy - it was really relaxing.

.

 

[KristiMc]

After some lunch at Topsiders, we headed back to the room to rest for a little bit. Steve and the boys were planning on watching TRON at 10:30 pm so the goal was for everyone to sleep a bit. Steve and I did, but the boys just rested while watching the t.v.

Our next fun-filled activity was Tequila & Margarita tasting in Sessions at 4:00. So we dropped the kiddos off at the Lab and off we went. I was really liking being able to spend time with just Steve, while knowing the boys were having a blast.

We started out having 3 different shots of Tequila. I do not remember the names - maybe Steve will respond and fill you all in. I am usually not the one to like shots, but they gave us a plate with salt and lime and all 3 of those shots went down pretty easily.

Next was 2 Margaritas. The first was a classic lime. It was the BEST margarita I have ever had. They make it with fresh lime juice - and that makes all the difference. The second one was strawberry. I usually like the fruity ones, but this was a little too sweet for me.

There was a lady that had shown up at the tasting and said that 5 of her friends were going to be joining her. Well the friends never showed, so she left after we got started. No one ever showed up, so the rest of us got to share all of their drinks. I quickly went over and grabbed one of the Lime ones - very good.

We stood around and chatted with the other cruisers at the tasting for a bit and then headed out to get the boys. I was wanting to get some pictures taken this evening before the show so we needed to get dressed.

I liked how the pictures turned out - even if my boys were not too happy about getting them done.

After pictures it was time to head to the show for the night. Tonight was Villains Tonight which was pretty good. The boys liked this one the best because there was not a big emphasis on the Princesses. We got to the theatre a little late and it was jammed. We ended up having to sit 2 of us in one row and the other 2 right behind.

When we left the show we went to Rockin' Bar D to watch the ventriloquist's family show. They were having all of the kids go sit down on the floor so they could be closer - so the boys did that and Steve and I found a seat. The place filled up quickly. Not too long before the show started I see Kara walking over with Shawn. He had a headache and could not find me. Thanks to our DISmeet and talking with Kara in the terminal, he recognized her and asked for help. THANKS KARA!

The show was really good. We all loved Paco the Pig. I think I should buy one.

I was getting hungry so I was glad that it was almost dinner time. Dinner this night was in Lumiere's. Shawn was planning on doing the Dine and Play so we got his food ordered quickly. He ended up getting through his entree, but they never seemed to be able to get his dessert to him in time.

I ordered the Applewood Smoked Bacon and Wild Mushroom Tart for my appetizer. Steve had the Escargot and Matt had the Chilled Jumbo Shrimp. All of them were good. We then all had the French Onion Soup.

For entrees, Matt and I had the Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Steve had the Lobster Mac & Cheese.

I can not remember what everyone had for dessert - I should have written this all down. I am pretty sure I had the Trio this night (Creme Brulee, Chocolate Mousse and Praline Petite Choux).

I went to get Shawn after dinner so he could get his clothes changed to go to the movie. They were just starting the Piston Cup when I arrived. The kids were put into groups and they made derby cars out of soap. They then raced them in heats. Well his group "Atomic" kept winning - and won the whole thing.

Their car was put in the display case next to the Piston Cup for the week.

Their was no time for him to change clothes, so I headed to the theatre and was able to find Steve and Matt right before the show started. I had no interest in watching the movie, so I headed back to the room, got in my PJ's and watched a chick flick - Life As We Know It. It was pretty good.

Next up: St. Maarten!

 

[LINYMOM]

Great Report! Can't wait for the rest

 

[KristiMc]

St. Maarten

On this day I again woke before everyone, so I headed out to the verandah to see what there was to see.

I got everyone else up so we could get ready and head up to Topsiders for breakfast. The line was huge when we got there so we ended up getting something from Goofy's.

After a bit it was time to head off the ship. We rented a jeep for the day so we had to find the rental agency. All they had told me was they were at the dock.

There ended up being a sign for car rentals so it did not take us long to find them.

Within 20 minutes or so we had our jeep and we were on our way.

We did not have any set plans for the day, just wanted to drive around the Island and stop here and there. We had read that traffic in the afternoon can be busy due to the draw bridge, so we headed West to get the bridge out of the way.

Our first stop was Maho Beach.

This is a beach at the end of the airport runway. We were hoping to surprise the boys with a plane landing, but we only caught one taking off.

There were no planes scheduled to land for another hour so we decided not to wait around.

We continued around to Marigot which is on the French side of the Island. I had forgotten to grab a few towels from the ship, so we decided to park and walk around to look for some.

After going by some up-scale shops, we found an open air market

We found some beach towels and hats for the boys. One of the Disney excursions were here at this time (knew this by the Disney stickers that the other cruisers were wearing) so I asked one of the families we saw to take our picture.

After we walked around for a while, we headed back to the jeep. This guy asked me to take his picture.

We continued on our way out of Marigot. We saw a sign for Pic Paradise so we hung a right and drove up a very steep hill - not in very good condition. At the top was a lookout.

We were all starting to get a little hungry. I had thought originally to stop in Grand Case for lunch. I had read that this was a great place to get some French food. We ended up driving right past the road that would have lead us into town, so we kept on going. We soon saw a sign for Orient Bay so we hung a left.

We stopped at Waikiki Beach. They had a restaurant/bar right on the beach so it looked like a great place for lunch.

The food was pretty good. Everything was in Euro's though and the bill ended up coming to $88 US for 2 panini's, a hot dog and some ribs!

After the sticker shock of lunch, we rented a beach chair and hung out on the beach for a bit.

The waves were pretty big and just came in one after the other - but the boys were loving it.

Around 2:00 we decided to head back to the jeep. We didn't really know how long it would take us to get back into Phillipsburg and find the port area.

On the way we found this lookout. What a beautiful site. One of my favorite pictures of the trip.

Our ride for the day.

It did not take us that long to drive into Phillipsburg and find the port. We dropped off the jeep and headed back to the ship.

We went up to the pool deck and the boys swam while Steve and I enjoyed a couple drinks.

Next up: Pirate Night

 

[SoonerGirl]

St. Maarten looks beautiful!

I can't believe what you had to pay for a couple of sandwiches and a hot dog though

I love the pictures of your boys playing in the waves

 

[mandymouse]

Another fab update, keep them coming, I'm loving your trip report

 

[karajeboo]

OUr jeep rental was a disaster - I should say the reservation was a disaster and we had to use a differnet company, but it all worked out.

How about driving around with no street signs! Don't know when I've seen Jeff so stressed!!!!

I hate that there were no planes landing over Maho - that would have been great!

Sure hope those were some good paninis......

Soooo..... you are given a 3 day all expenses paid trip to St Maarten or St Thomas. Where do you go?????

 

[KristiMc]

Great Report! Can't wait for the rest

Thanks - glad you are liking it!

St. Maarten looks beautiful!

I can't believe what you had to pay for a couple of sandwiches and a hot dog though

I love the pictures of your boys playing in the waves

We couldn't believe it either. They loved the waves. I loved resting on the beach chair

Another fab update, keep them coming, I'm loving your trip report

Thanks!

OUr jeep rental was a disaster - I should say the reservation was a disaster and we had to use a differnet company, but it all worked out.

How about driving around with no street signs! Don't know when I've seen Jeff so stressed!!!!

I hate that there were no planes landing over Maho - that would have been great!

Sure hope those were some good paninis......

Soooo..... you are given a 3 day all expenses paid trip to St Maarten or St Thomas. Where do you go?????

What went wrong with your reservation? Glad it worked out in the end.

I agree about the no street signs! Thankfully they did have signs pointing in the right direction for the different towns. With those signs and the map - we didn't have too many issues.

I agree - seeing a plane would have been great.

3 day all expenses paid to St. Maarten or St. Thomas?? Neither - we would pick St. John - more to come on that.

 

[TopRowSeat]

We started out having 3 different shots of Tequila. I do not remember the names - maybe Steve will respond and fill you all in. I am usually not the one to like shots, but they gave us a plate with salt and lime and all 3 of those shots went down pretty easily.

Next was 2 Margaritas. The first was a classic lime. It was the BEST margarita I have ever had. They make it with fresh lime juice - and that makes all the difference. The second one was strawberry. I usually like the fruity ones, but this was a little too sweet for me.

The shots were:

1. Patron Silver
2. Patron Reposado
3. Patron Anejo

This showed a nice progression of how the flavors change as the tequila is aged. I loved the Reposado and had... I think 3 more shots of that plus one more of the Lime Margaritas from the group that didn't show up. Hoo Doggie!

The Margaritas were made with 1800.

Overall this was a good tasting. Learned a lot but this wasn't as interesting as the Martini tasting. Nur was a better entertainer.

 

[luvndizny]

Isn't life funny sometimes? We wound up renting a Jeep for the day too on St. Martin! We hadn't planned on it, but after we'd walked around Phillipsburg for a while we got bored looking into the touristy shops so we winged it and rented a Jeep. Our first stop was also Maho beach! I'm surprised we didn't see each other. We did get to see a few planes land, not crazy close like the ones you see on youtube though.

And yeah, the driving around was 'interesting'...LOL! I am pretty sure when you take the drivers test there, they require you honk your horn every 5 seconds in order to pass....

Looking forward to reading more!! And I promise I'll start my TR tomorrow!!!!

 

[KristiMc]

Isn't life funny sometimes? We wound up renting a Jeep for the day too on St. Martin! We hadn't planned on it, but after we'd walked around Phillipsburg for a while we got bored looking into the touristy shops so we winged it and rented a Jeep. Our first stop was also Maho beach! I'm surprised we didn't see each other. We did get to see a few planes land, not crazy close like the ones you see on youtube though.

And yeah, the driving around was 'interesting'...LOL! I am pretty sure when you take the drivers test there, they require you honk your horn every 5 seconds in order to pass....

Looking forward to reading more!! And I promise I'll start my TR tomorrow!!!!

It was a nice way to explore the Island. The drivers in Jamaica honk the horns every 5 seconds also - crazy.

 

[KristiMc]

After the kids swam for a bit we went back to the room to get cleaned up. The boys wanted to get to the Lab so I took them down. None of us really were in the mood to go watch the show this night (Mars Needs Moms). I think I would have fallen asleep. The boys stayed at the club for a bit while Steve and I went and enjoyed a drink.

I was wanting to get our picture taken with Captain Jack tonight, so after a bit we grabbed the kids so we could get in our pirate garb. I had thought about doing costumes, but the t-shirts were so much easier.

Shawn was not being a good sport about getting his picture taken.

After pictures we headed to the Promenade Lounge to try our hand at Bingo. We didn't win anything but it was a fun way to spend a little time before dinner.

We were back at Animator's Palette this night for dinner. We all started with the Jumbo Crab cake for our appetizer - pretty good.

For our main entree, I had the Macadamia nut crusted Mahi Mahi. This was one of my favorite entrees all week. Matt had the sirloin. I can not remember what Steve had.

The kids got up and did the limbo with the servers.

That is our server Leasa on the right.

For dessert I know Matt had the Triple-layer Walk The Gangplank cake. He said it was his favorite dessert all week. Cannot remember what the rest of us had. Next cruise, I am going to take pictures!

After dinner, it was time for the Pirate Party on Deck. We decided to look for spots on deck 10 starboard. I had heard that they shoot the fireworks off the starboard side. The show was pretty good - but after a long day on St. Maarten we were all getting a little tired.

It was really neat seeing the fireworks at sea. There was another cruise ship out in the distance, and I bet they were all jealous of our ship.

We went back to the room after the fireworks. We were still stuffed from dinner - so no Turkey Legs for us.

Next up: St Thomas/St. John

 

[nswift]

Can't wait for St. John's! Enjoying your trip report...
We will be on that cruise soon!

 

[KristiMc]

Can't wait for St. John's! Enjoying your trip report...
We will be on that cruise soon!

Thanks! You are going to have a great time on your cruise!

 

[hollypt]

Great report! Can't wait to hear more

 

[karajeboo]

It was a nice way to explore the Island. The drivers in Jamaica honk the horns every 5 seconds also - crazy.

I think Jamaica is WAAAAAY scarier to ride around!

I was wanting to get our picture taken with Captain Jack tonight, so after a bit we grabbed the kids so we could get in our pirate garb. .

Can I just say....... I LOVE me some Captain Jack!

Shawn was not being a good sport about getting his picture taken.

I think that eye patch was covering BOTH his eyes!!!

It was really neat seeing the fireworks at sea. There was another cruise ship out in the distance, and I bet they were all jealous of our ship.

We went back to the room after the fireworks. We were still stuffed from dinner - so no Turkey Legs for us.

Next up: St Thomas/St. John

Actually, there were THREE ships that came in to watch OUR fireworks! I tried to get pics of them all (sneaky that they were!) but they didn't come out......

The bad thing about late dinner seating was not being able to take advantage of the buffet.....

 

[KristiMc]

Great report! Can't wait to hear more

Thanks!

I think Jamaica is WAAAAAY scarier to ride around!

I have to agree. We were there on our honeymoon - they are crazy.

Actually, there were THREE ships that came in to watch OUR fireworks! I tried to get pics of them all (sneaky that they were!) but they didn't come out......

Must have been all the ships that had been in St. Maarten

The bad thing about late dinner seating was not being able to take advantage of the buffet.....

We didn't do the dessert buffet on Thursday either. I really liked the second seating though.