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

[luvndizny]

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

Oh, so is that when that secret buffet happened? Explains why we missed it. We're toying with first seating on our next cruise because it seems we missed all the family events/games they had planned.

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

Get in line! All I remember is Jack saying something about "She's mine for now" and "Elo love" to me and I heard myself saying "I'm a married spud, I'm a married spud!"

 

[karajeboo]

Oh, so is that when that secret buffet happened? Explains why we missed it. We're toying with first seating on our next cruise because it seems we missed all the family events/games they had planned.



Get in line! All I remember is Jack saying something about "She's mine for now" and "Elo love" to me and I heard myself saying "I'm a married spud, I'm a married spud!"

I agree with you on dinner seating. I also loved second seating, BUT on the Dream and Fantasy they have 4 options..... first or second dinner, but they you have two options for shows for each seating. It's interesting.....

As for Captain Jack, I totally embarassed Ally when we met him. I was a drooling cougar......

 

[KristiMc]

I started out another wonderful day by reading on the verandah while my family was still sleeping. I also turned on my Iphone this morning since we were in St. Thomas and I knew I would have AT&T coverage. I Checked in with family and called the boarder to check on our dog.

Our coffee and tea were delivered and we sat out and on the verandah and just enjoyed the morning. We did not need to meet for our excursion until 10:00 so we had plenty of time to relax.

We went up to Topsiders for breakfast this morning.

The water was so beautiful.

At 10:00 we headed to Rockin Bar D to check in for the St. John Eco Hike. They had 3 different St. John excursions meeting here. We headed off the boat and took a short walk to get on the ferry.

At the beginning of my trip report, I had mentioned that Shawn was terrified on the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls. Well after we got on the ferry he started to get upset about being on a small boat in the middle of the ocean. He kept asking how long the ride was. I had no clue - it ended up being a 45 minute trip each way.

After a bit, he calmed down and said that it was not too bad. He would not get off Steve's lap though and he ended up falling a sleep.

Once we docked at Cruz Bay we got off the ferry and met our cruise guide. We just had to walk a few minutes to the entrance of the National Park and the beginning of the hike.

The hike was pretty tame (1.2 miles) though there were a lot of loose rocks and you had to walk with your head down to make sure you didn't trip. I was carrying the camera and was afraid that I was going to take a fall and break it.

Along the way the guide pointed out different plants and flowers. This plant only blooms once every 24 years - lucky us.

At the end of the hike was beautiful Honeymoon Beach. The water was so calm compared to Orient Beach on St. Maarten.

As soon as we hit the beach it started to rain. Since it was warm it felt great and it didn't bother us. It would have been nice to have some sunshine to get some better pictures though. The water was a little chilly at first, but once you were in it felt great.

Steve and the boys played in the sand while I snapped some pics.

We had about an hour on the beach before we continued up the road to Cannel Bay Plantation. We got to see the ruins of a sugar plantation.

There is also a beautiful resort on this property Caneel Bay Resort. We passed some of the rooms that overlook the water and it looks like it would be a great place to stay. I looked up the prices when I got home - pretty $$$$ - but I would love to stay there someday. Maybe a kid free trip???

After we looked around the resort. There was a bus that took us back to Cruz Bay to catch the ferry back to St. Thomas.

When we got back to the ferry it started to pour - and there was a long line of people waiting to get on. We were able to get seats on the side that were under a little ledge, so we only got partially soaked.

Both of the boys fell a sleep on the way back. I wish we would have had more time to explore St. John, but I think it was a good excursion.

 

[TopRowSeat]

Sparky said: "After we looked around the resort. There was a bus that took us back to Cruz Bay to catch the ferry back to St. Thomas. "

You are being generous calling that thing a bus. It was literally a pickup truck with three rows of seats welded to the bed and we had WAY too many people who needed a ride back. (20-ish?) Safety was definitely not the first concern here.

The excursion was ok. The beach was very nice. The hike could have been better. There were too many people in the group and it was often hard to hear.

 

[KristiMc]

When we got back to the ship we were all starving so we decided to go back to the room and order room service while we got cleaned up.

As we were having our late lunch, we started to pull away. We waved to the people on the Eurodam.

After they ate, the kids wanted to go hang out in the lab. We decided to skip the show this evening - the music and comedy of John Charles. After a full day on St. John the kids just wanted to play and I needed a little down time.

Before dinner Shawn wanted to do pin trading with the Officers. He made a couple of trades.

Dinner tonight was in Parrot Cay. I had bought all the guys a tropical shirt to wear for this night. Steve and Shawn were loving their shirts.

But Matt was a little embarrassed to be seen in his. He is getting to that age where he is so concerned about being cool.

Shawn was doing dine and play so he ate his meal and he was on his way.

We all ordered pretty much the same thing this evening. For our appetizer we all had the Baked Crab Martinique. Everyone loved it and we also loved the banana bread they serve at the beginning of the meal.

For our entrees we all had the Mixed Grill - Tenderloin, Lamb Chop, Bacon-wrapped Sausage and Grilled Shrimp. We all enjoyed it.

For dessert, I had the Temptation trio (Creme Brulee Cheesecake, Lemon Meringue Pie and Smore cake). Steve had the cheesecake and Matt had the Smore cake. The smore cake was the winner tonight.

After dinner Matt headed to the lab and Steve and I went to Rockin' Bar D to check out the Freddy Fusion cabaret show. It was a little bit of science, magic and comedy. After the show we stayed put because they were having a 80's One Hit Wonders party. They were giving out free shots to anyone that could run up on stage and name the One Hit Wonder. I love my 80's songs.

I had just said to Steve - I bet they will play Come on Eileen - when the song came on. I hit the stage - named the tune - and downed the shot.

Remember the song??

http://youtu.be/oc-P8oDuS0Q

It was fun remembering all of the songs - and everyone was having a good time dancing.

After our trip down memory lane we headed over to Sessions to have a drink with our favorite bartender Nur.

We then headed up to get the kids and called it a night.

Next up: Our last at-sea day

 

[KristiMc]

Our last at-sea day started out pretty much like all of the rest of the days with me waking up before everyone else and enjoying my book out on the verandah. I finally had a few days where the dog couldn't wake me up and I still was up early. I did enjoy my quiet time though.

Today was our Palo brunch reservation so we had ordered breakfast for the boys from room service.

After the kids got ready, Shawn wanted to go to the lab but Matt wanted to hang out with dad, so they went and did one of the Animation classes in Animators Palate. I think they did the Jiminy Cricket one. I had been wanting to do one of the cooking demonstrations so I headed to Studio Sea for the Art of Entertaining Dazzling Desserts. The Chef was from the Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios and he made a Blueberry Cobbler with a Maple Creme Fraiche. It was pretty good and they also gave us a little glass of wine to go with it. I wish I had made it to his other demonstrations during the week. He did an appetizer and entree. I was able to get those recipes though.

After the class I went back to the room to get Steve and head to Palo. The brunch was amazing. We had our same server from dinner Sasha and he was great again.

We both agreed that we liked the brunch a little more than dinner. We both started out with a mimosa and I ended up having another one and Steve had a Bloody Mary. When he ordered it Sasha asked how spicy - Steve said SPICY. He then asked how strong - Steve said STRONG. It was SPICY & STRONG. That thing could curl your toes.

After brunch we and got the kids to take them to lunch. They both wanted to go to Parrot Cay for the seafood buffet. I was so stuffed that I just watched them eat.

After they were done they both headed back to the lab for the Ratatouille Cooking School to make chocolate chip cookies. They had missed this earlier in the week and did not want to miss it again.

Steve and I headed to the future cruise desk to spend some more money . We booked a January 2012 cruise knowing that we would move it out to sometime in 2013 when those dates were available in October. A week after we got home though, they announced the Magic sailing out of NYC so we moved the January 2012 Western to July 15, 2012 5 night cruise to Canada. We still may move it out again, but the summer cruise is doable.

Steve then headed to Diversions for a beer tasting. I do not like beer at all so I skipped this one. I went to stand in line to meet Lee Unkrich and get his autograph. Matt left the lab after the cooking school and called me so I told him to come down and join me in line. The line was long and I waited a good 45 minutes - longest line all week.

It was nice to meet him and see his Oscar. That thing is really heavy.

We next headed to Rockin' Bar D and met up with Steve for the Final Bingo Jackpot. We had only played one time before, but it was fun and the jackpot was huge! One person ended up winning - and they were from OHIO. But unfortunately it was not us . The jackpot ended up being over $7000!

Matt ended up leaving Bingo early to go back to the lab to prepare for the Friendship Rocks show that the club/lab puts on. The show was cute, but both of our boys were in the back and we could not see them. They did show a very nice video of pictures/video of the different activities during the week.

After we went back to the room to get dressed and headed to the show of the night Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic. This was really good - and was my favorite of the 3.

Since this was semi-formal night, I wanted to get pictures taken.

We had some time to kill before dinner so we went into Studio Sea where they were doing A Pirate's Life For Me game show. It was cute - I wish we had done more of the game shows. Next cruise!

Dinner tonight was in Lumiere's for the Captain's Gala. Matt had looked forward to this all week. He was dying to have the lobster. I had read on here that the lobster is really not that good - but he still wanted to try it.

We all loved the roasted red pepper dip for the bread this night. Steve and Matt had the oysters and they both loved them. I had the Wild Forest Mushroom Soup. It was ok.

For our entrees, I had the Fettuccini with Parmesan Crusted Chicken. This was very good. Matt had the lobster which he agreed was not that good. Steve had the lobster and the Pan Seared Venison Medallions. He really liked the venison.

For dessert I had the Banana Creme Brulee, Steve had the Amaretto Cheesecake and Matt had the Chocolate Lava Cake. The Banana Creme Brulee was my favorite dessert all week.

As we were finishing dinner they started to set up for the dessert buffet that would be later at 11:15. We were so stuffed that we did not make it to this.

I had not been up to the Quiet Cove Pool and hot tub all week so after dinner the boys went back to the lab and Steve and I relaxed in the hot tub. It was a nice way to end the evening.

Next up: Castaway Cay!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Your Palo brunch sounds lovely! I wasn't able to book one, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can snag a ressie once on board.

Mmmmmm, banana creme brulee!

Congrats on booking another cruise

 

[KristiMc]

Your Palo brunch sounds lovely! I wasn't able to book one, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can snag a ressie once on board.

Mmmmmm, banana creme brulee!

Congrats on booking another cruise

The brunch was lovely - do try to get a reservation on board. I was surprised how many tables were empty when we were there. The cinnamon rolls were very yummy.

 

[babycrnp]

Thanks for the report!! We leave at the end of May and looking forward to it

 

[karajeboo]

I wish we had booked Palo for brunch too. Dinner was fabulous, but it was sooooo long and we didn't really connect with our server.

Your photos turned out great - the little guys really clean up nice!

I'm cracking up again at all the things we "thought" about doing and "planned" to do, like the cooking class, the beer tasting, Lee Unrich. But we got good tans?

 

[KristiMc]

I wish we had booked Palo for brunch too. Dinner was fabulous, but it was sooooo long and we didn't really connect with our server.

Your photos turned out great - the little guys really clean up nice!

I'm cracking up again at all the things we "thought" about doing and "planned" to do, like the cooking class, the beer tasting, Lee Unrich. But we got good tans?

Brunch was fabulous - you should book it on your next cruise.

Even with all of the things that we did - there were still things that I didn't get around to doing. I didn't watch a movie in the theater, didn't get anything to eat from Pluto's (none of us did - I thought Matt would be getting tacos everyday), towel folding class... I guess I will just have to do another cruise

 

[TopRowSeat]

Your photos turned out great - the little guys really clean up nice!

Hey! I think I got backhanded here!

There is a reason Minnie loves me. I'm just so darn handsome.

 

[karajeboo]

Hey! I think I got backhanded here!

There is a reason Minnie loves me. I'm just so darn handsome.

What I MEANT to say was.... Where was your husband when you were out with those 3 snazzy boys????

And we have a pic where Minnie is smiling bigger than normal.... And we can only find one of Jeff's hands.... Coincidence? I think not. Ya gotta watch that polka dot bow wearing man stealing rat!

 

[KristiMc]

What I MEANT to say was.... Where was your husband when you were out with those 3 snazzy boys????

And we have a pic where Minnie is smiling bigger than normal.... And we can only find one of Jeff's hands.... Coincidence? I think not. Ya gotta watch that polka dot bow wearing man stealing rat!

I think both Minnie and Steve are a little happy in this picture.

 

[karajeboo]

I think both Minnie and Steve are a little happy in this picture.

She looks like she's sticking her tongue in his ear!!!!! Woo hoo! Go Steve!!!!!

 

[KristiMc]

I woke up early on Castaway Cay day and decided to head up to deck 10 to get some sunrise pictures. I really had not taken many pictures of the ship so I snapped a few on my way.

I stopped in at Cove Cafe and got a vanilla latte. Very yummy and a great way to start out the day. My lens was fogging up from the humidity so I was not able to get the best pictures.

I headed back to the room to get the rest of the family up. I wanted to go to Lumiere's for breakfast this morning.

As we were having breakfast we arrived at Castaway Cay. We went up to deck 10 to get some pictures. It was very windy this day and it took awhile for them to get us docked. Many of the excursions (parasailing, sting rays) were cancelled this day due to the wind.

Around 10:00 we were able to get off the ship and head out to the Island. We were all looking forward to checking out our cabana!

We hopped on a tram and were off to the Pelican Plunge tram stop.

When we got off the tram we checked-in at the cabana hut and were asked if we wanted to ride on a golf cart to our cabana or walk the short distance. We wanted to check out where everything was so we walked.

It only took a few minutes before we arrived at Cabana 10.

Right after we arrived our cabana host came to introduce himself and answer any questions.

Steve and the boys headed out onto the beach as I snapped a few pictures.

continued ...

 

[KristiMc]

More of Castaway Cay to come....

 

[SoonerGirl]

I'm loving the cabana pictures!! I snagged the last one available for our cruise a couple of weeks ago when they opened up the online reservations, to say I'm excited is a huge understatement!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I have been subscribed, but just now finally got all caught up---LOVING IT! Oh my gosh, these cruise TRs that I'm reading lately are killing me-I can't wait for June 2012!!!!!!

I cannot wait to hear your review of the cabana, I'm so tempted...

This is one of the most adorable pictures ever!!!!

 

[KristiMc]

I'm loving the cabana pictures!! I snagged the last one available for our cruise a couple of weeks ago when they opened up the online reservations, to say I'm excited is a huge understatement!!

You will love it!

I have been subscribed, but just now finally got all caught up---LOVING IT! Oh my gosh, these cruise TRs that I'm reading lately are killing me-I can't wait for June 2012!!!!!!

I cannot wait to hear your review of the cabana, I'm so tempted...



This is one of the most adorable pictures ever!!!!

Welcome Brook! You will love your cruise - and I am sure you will have a great trip report.

I love this picture also.