I am writing this on my laptop and then pasting it in so I don't waste Internet minutes typing. I am in the Promenade lounge, the wireless Internet in our stateroom wasn't working. Concierge even came up and couldn't get it. I am a technology hazard. First the boarding card, now this.
The lobby of Hilton Diagnol Mar was very crowded and busy on Wednesday. At least two busloads of
DCL guests were check-ing in early around 11, while three bus loads were check-ing out. We were so glad that this was not our first impression of the hotel.
One incoming DCL guest was complaining to the Hilton staff because they were wasting her Barcelona touring time with the busy check-in. Goodness, they were check-ing her in four hours earlier than the official time!
Fortunately, I remembered that I could get late checkout as one of the perks of Hilton HHonors**, so we asked for a 12 checkout (regular is 11). We had to pick up key to the world keys at 11:45 and board buses at 12:15. It was more like 12:30 when we finally boarded. They handed out colored slips of paper when you picked up your key to the world card, noting which bus you were on. Bus #1 and #2 left at the same time, so there really wasnt an advantage to the first bus (actually was faster to be at the front of bus 2 than the back of bus 1). Dont know if the third bus had to wait for anyone.
**If you have some time before your cruise and are staying at a Hilton, apply for the HHonors program and get the perks and start earning points. The application is free.
We got to the port and went through port security with busloads of people. But we could then go straight to boarding, skipping check-in lines. And since we were at a hotel prestay, there was even a special boarding line (wasnt much faster, but it could have been at some other time).
We got to the passport and security check-in for the Magic. DH, DD and DS got in fine, but when they swiped my card it alarmed and I was denied boarding. The other three went onto the ship and I had to wait while someone ran down the dock to the other end of the ship to get my (and another guests) card fixed. I finally boarded. My family waited inside for me so we could be announced for display on the jumbotron together. When you board the ship, they take you on the elevator to deck 9 with a cast member and announce your family name in front of a camera, then you walk through a line of greeting, clapping cast members.
We went to Sessions to meet with Concierge. We had a few questions, but we had already made our reservations so this consisted of primarily reviewing them to make sure they were correct. Connie and Hilda are the current concierge staff. We spoke with Vanessa, someone from guest services who helped them on boarding day.
We went to lunch at Parrot Cay. It was very empty. I think that since everyone boards onto deck 9, they were being sent to Topsiders. Cheetan, our waiter from two years ago and an asst head waiter last year, greeted us when we got to Parrot Cay. As we sat down to lunch served by a delightful William from India, we chatted with Cyprian, our head waiter from last year. Jill and Lorie...Cyprian says hello!
We stopped at our room and met Donovan from Jamaica, our stateroom host. He has a great personality that works well with our family, I am very sure we will enjoy his company during the cruise. We are already!
A fruit plate was waiting for us as a gift from concierge.
Our luggage had started arriving by 2:00. We had all of it by 4:00.
We took a quick trip to the spa for a tour. DD and I may do the Rainforest this week. Not a lot of time for facials and such, and they are expensive. Plus they want you to stay out of the sun afterward, and that is hard to do with all our port excursions.
We then hopped over to the Stack so DS could check out what was happening. We chatted with the counselor, Colby from US, for a bit while DS started playing video games. We left him there and went back to the room to unpack.
5:30 was the obligatory life jacket drill. Wasnt as bad as I remembered, probably because the weather was cooler and we werent roasting in the sun.
We got ready for dinner and went to the 6:30 show. It started with local Spanish dancers, had the variety show welcome aboard portion, then had Tyler Mason as a comedian. We all laughed a lot!
There was a large fruit and cheese tray from concierge in our room. Yum! Bill
it had boisson (spelling?) cheese! DS nibbled on that all night.
After the show we stopped at the Club and asked for Mary from Australia. She was a stack counselor two years ago and DD has checked in with her the last few cruises. We chatted for a while, she is a wonderful person.
**Mary said that they havent left any passengers behind in Med ports yet
**Mary said that she doesnt know where the two new ships will go, but that the Magic cannot go to Alaska because of the air conditioning system and the outdoor pools on the top deck.
**Mary said the transatlantic crossing was very quiet. There were only 1800 guests on board compared to the regular capacity of 2700.
**Mary said that on Rome port day, all but 200 passengers debarked within 3.5 hours!
We had Parrot Cay for our first rotation (our least favorite restaurant, but at least it puts us in Lumieres for formal night). Our assistant server was Mai from Thailand and the head server was Sanjeen from India. Both did a nice job, probably our best first night ever as far as service was concerned. We started at 8:30 and were done at 10.
DD and DS had Beef Wellington and really enjoyed it. DH had the lamb, but I just couldnt do it, I still hadnt recovered from the lamb plate trauma in Barcelona. I had the Swordfish steak.
DD headed off to the college social for 18-20 year olds. Paul from Canada, the pubmaster said that last week there were 65 in this age group, and they met in Diversions each night and then headed to Rockin Bar D for dancing and that there was usually a table of 20 or so there. DD is really hoping that happens this week also. She must have met some fun people
she came back to the room at 3 a.m.!
DS headed off to the Stack. He came back when they started the dance
not his thing.
DH and I rested in the room and walked around. We stopped by Rockin Bar D, but it just wasn't as enticing without our DIS friends from last year.
We ordered room service for DS breakfast, the rest of us held off because we are going to Palo at 11.
They slipped a "newspaper" under our door, a nice addition!
They also have booklets for each port in the room, giving guidance on the area, tipping, excursions, etc. Very nice.
DS received a beautiful passport book. Activities are designed for younger children, but very beautiful keepsake.
More later (hopefully from the stateroom!).
. They knew we were coming back to Barcelona to get on a cruise and they really did their best to NOT forward the bag to us. After speaking with KLM in Amsterdam; they said that even they can not stand dealing with issues at Barcelona KLM. I have to call Northwest Airlines in U.S. and speak to customer care. You have to deal with customer care in the country that you live and Northwest owns KLM? Thats what I was told by the Amsterdam Office.
We are leaving Aix first thing in the morning and heading to BCN airport to get the bag. Then off to the port to drop off the car. We will be dropping off the rental at the Avis next to your hotel RJayL. We picked it up there and saw the cable car. Very cool 
. Did he say if he has the same assistant we had? So fun. Thanks so much for taking the time to write this, I'm lovin it!!
