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

[KristiMc]

We loved the cabana! I have very fair skin and do not love being in the sun a whole lot so it was nice to have a place to hang out in the shade.

There have been lots of questions on the board as to what is included.

There is a stocked fridge with bottled water and pop/soda. There was no spiked punch that people reported when the cabanas first opened. Also in the fridge were wet washcloths that were so nice to get rid of the sand. They were so refreshing. A bowl of fruit, a few bags of chips and some Kashi bars.

They also gave us 2 bottles of sunblock (1 spray, 1 lotion).

There were plenty of nice fluffy towels and also some sand toys. You also get free snorkeling and bike rentals.

While I was snapping pictures Steve and the boys headed down to the beach and played a little volleyball.

I continued to take more pictures. They then grabbed some tubes and went out into the water. I loved the private beach - but it was very rocky in the water and it was hard on the feet. The family beach over by Pelican Plunge was not like this.

After sometime swimming and making sand castles we headed over to the snorkeling area.

All we had to do was show our cabana wristbands to get the equipment. Shawn kept getting water in his eyes, which was stinging so he and I did not last very long. Steve and Matt went out pretty far on the course and enjoyed it.

Since Shawn was not having very much fun he and I headed back towards the cabana. We stopped at the Spring A Leek kids area for a little bit. I saw our cabana bartender on our way back and ordered a Konk Kooler. I loved this drink. My favorite of the week.

Shawn played in the sand as I sat and enjoyed my book and drink.

After Steve and Matt came back we were all getting a little hungry so we went over to Cookie's Too. We decided to take our food back to the cabana to enjoy.

We relaxed for a bit while the boys played in the sand and then we headed out for a nice bike ride. The dark clouds were starting to roll in as we started out.

We got to the lookout tower as the sky opened up.

On our way back it poured. Not exactly the bike ride that I had planned but it was fun. Just another reason to go on another cruise.

When we got back to the cabana we called the concierge to order some drinks. We had brought a bunch of chocolate with us that we had gotten with our FE gifts so we enjoyed that.

Shawn wanted to try snorkeling again so Steve took him out in the water off of the private beach. After a little coaching he was able to enjoy it.

We were surprised how quickly the time went. Before we knew it we needed to head back to the tram stop. We did stay as long as we could though!

After we got back on board we snapped a few more pictures before we pulled away from port.

Next up: Our last evening

 

[karajeboo]

Next up: Our last evening

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Also known as "worst night EVER!!!!!" Yes, I am STILL suffering from post cruise blues!

 

[KristiMc]

Also known as "worst night EVER!!!!!" Yes, I am STILL suffering from post cruise blues!

Me too.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Aside from the rain, it looked like an absolutely perfect day!!

 

[karajeboo]

Just realized we have the same ticker..... well, except for the dates! Just can't seem to tear ourselves away from the Magic, can we?

 

[KristiMc]

Aside from the rain, it looked like an absolutely perfect day!!

It was pretty perfect.

Just realized we have the same ticker..... well, except for the dates! Just can't seem to tear ourselves away from the Magic, can we?

I like your countdown better - much closer to setting sail.

 

[Toria]

I would have never thought to rent a car and drive around the island. Great idea, but my hubby would never go for that. We would end up lost and missing the ship

 

[KristiMc]

I would have never thought to rent a car and drive around the island. Great idea, but my hubby would never go for that. We would end up lost and missing the ship

It was not that difficult getting around St. Maarten. The people drive really crazy, but there are signs that point you in the right direction and the Island is very small.

 

[hollypt]

I wish your report didn't have to end. I've enjoyed following your trip.

 

[KristiMc]

I wish your report didn't have to end. I've enjoyed following your trip.

Thank you! I don't want it to be done either - that's why I am stretching it out. What NYC to Bahama's cruise are you doing? We are thinking about switching our 7/15 to Canada to the 6/2 to Bahamas. I would love to have the 3 more nights and the day at WDW.

 

[hollypt]

Yes, June 2nd, that would be our cruise. We just went on the Dream last month. It was our first cruise ever. While it was an amazing ship and we managed to have a good time, our 7 year old daughter became very ill. On Monday of our cruise, we took her to the medical center and she got worse every day. By Friday, we spent the whole day at Orlando Children's Hospital instead of the Nick Hotel. So we need a do over. That's why we booked the Magic out of NY. We also live in Ohio (Columbus). So who knows....maybe we'll see you guys on the Magic.

 

[KristiMc]

Yes, June 2nd, that would be our cruise. We just went on the Dream last month. It was our first cruise ever. While it was an amazing ship and we managed to have a good time, our 7 year old daughter became very ill. On Monday of our cruise, we took her to the medical center and she got worse every day. By Friday, we spent the whole day at Orlando Children's Hospital instead of the Nick Hotel. So we need a do over. That's why we booked the Magic out of NY. We also live in Ohio (Columbus). So who knows....maybe we'll see you guys on the Magic.

So sorry that your daughter got sick. I made the change in our reservation yesterday to the June 2, 2012 8 night cruise. I am so excited that we will have 3 extra nights and a day at WDW. I think we will really like this itinerary.

 

[KristiMc]

After we got back to the room we got cleaned up and then it was time to start packing. I always hate this part of a trip. We had received a ton of FE gifts so it was a challenge to get everything in but we did it.

We were all a little blue that the trip was winding down.

We decided to skip the farewell show this evening. I was afraid that I would get too emotional

The boys had been deciding all week what they wanted to purchase so off to Mickey's Mates we went. I swear we were there for an hour along with a lot of the other cruisers making last minute purchases.

The boys then decided to go to the lab for a bit before dinner and Steve and I went to pick through our pile of pictures at Shutters to pick our favorite 10. I had bought the 20 credit package back on day 1 but just filed all of the pictures so I could decide what I wanted at the end.

We then went back down to Treasure Ketch to look around a bit more. Steve was wanting a shirt and I had been eyeing up the watches. I ended up buying a beautiful Mickey watch that I love and wear every day. A nice reminder of the cruise.

We got the boys and headed to dinner. We were in Animator's Palette this night.

I can't remember what we had for dinner this night. On my next cruise I plan on taking pictures every night.

I wanted to get the boys pictures with our servers. This is Pascal who was our Head Server. Right after this picture was taken, Shawn dumped his ranch dressing on himself and Pascal.

Before I could get anymore pictures Shawn fell asleep again.

Benny - our assistant server. Benny, I think was new and a little slow, but I loved him.

Leasa, our main server.

We all did enjoy the Baked Alaska at the end of the meal.

After dinner, Shawn woke up and they were both determined that they were going to close out the lab. We dropped them off there and Steve and I headed down to Sessions to have a final drink with our friend Nur.

We got the boys at midnight as the lab was closing down. We were all pretty bummed that the cruise was done.

Next up: A last breakfast and DTD.

 

[hollypt]

Welcome to the June 2nd cruise! I too am so happy with the itenerary. I just wanted to add that I love your new watch. It is so pretty!!

 

[KristiMc]

Welcome to the June 2nd cruise! I too am so happy with the itenerary. I just wanted to add that I love your new watch. It is so pretty!!

I can't wait for the 8-night cruise! Thanks, I love my watch.

 

[KristiMc]

We all woke up the next morning sad . We went back to Animator's Palette for our last meal with our waiters. Everyone seemed a bit blue. Our friends at the table next to us were headed to the parks for a couple of days so we talked about their plans.

After we lingered over our breakfast we headed off the boat.

Everything in customs went well - we had a porter take our bags and it was very smooth.

Our flight back home was not until 5:00 so we had rented a car to go to DTD for a few hours.

When we got to the line for the Budget shuttle there was a small wait. The shuttle showed up and everyone stated to get on. There were two seats left, so Steve and Matt took the luggage and went to get the car while Shawn and I waited at the port.

We went out to have a seat where all of the excited cruisers that had just arrived were waiting to get on-board. It was sad to see how excited they were and that we were just like that one week ago.

We only had to wait 15 minutes or so before Steve pulled up and off to DTD we went.

The one thing that we had wanted to do was to ride the Characters In Flight hot air balloon. I thought this would be fun to do and maybe see the parks from the distance. Well the wind was too strong this day so they were not flying - bummer. We walked around a browsed the stores. The boys wanted to buy a car at RideMakerz, but we didn't really have the room in our luggage.

We had walked down to the West Side and wanted to get back to the MarketPlace so I suggested that we ride the boat - just had to get back on a boat .

We all made a treat at Goofy's and then walked around a bit. I had already bought 2 ornaments on the ship, so I did not allow myself to go into the Christmas store.

I had made an ADR for lunch at Raglan Road. I didn't know if we would want to do a full meal after getting off the ship but we did. I couldn't pass up the Bread Pudding when I was this close.

Steve and I had the Fish & Chips and they were very good. We all shared the Bread Pudding for dessert. It was not as good as I remember. In all the meal was good - but the service was no where near as good as on the ship.

After we ate it was time to head back to the airport and to cold Ohio.

I have enjoyed sharing my trip with all of you. Thanks for reading! We are booked on the June 2, 2012 8-night cruise to the Bahama's and WDW out of NYC - I can't wait! It's only 385 days away

 

[SoonerGirl]

Thanks for sharing your trip, I really enjoyed reading about it!

 

[KristiMc]

Thanks for sharing your trip, I really enjoyed reading about it!

Thanks! Have a great time on your cruise.

 

[FortWildernessLoopy]

Loved reading your TR! I have to watch the ships leaving without me 3 days a week...it's so depressing, lol.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Just read your report - thanks! Enjoyed learning more about what there is to do onboard! I hope you do the NY-Canada sailing and write about that, too, because we'll be going after you - just booked August 12TH! If you do a TR like this for Canada I'll be sooooo happy!