Just stepped off 2/28 Magic

[smchan]

Wow... what a cruise. My previous experience was the 4 day Wonder; now I'm hooked on the 7 day. I could've easily gone for another week.

A few observations:
- People arrived at the terminal earlier than my 4 day Wonder from a year ago. I got there at 10:30, and it was already very busy. Embarkation began at 12:00 and reservations for Palo, etc were taken as soon as we boarded. I'm glad we waited in line.
- Shutters will definitely burn CD's (~$15 each) or print digital pictures (40 cents each).
- We got to park right in front of the terminal which was nice. Last year we were sent across the street. Maybe 50 yards difference but still a little more convenient.
- I stayed in room 2518 - one of the "noisy" rooms. 2518 is right under Diversions. Our only noise problem was a little girl next door who cried occassionally - but not enough to be annoying. I imagine rooms under Rockin' Bar D would be mighty noisy, but 2518 was very, very quiet. I booked 2514 (2 doors towards forward) for my next cruise.
- Y'all didn't tell me that DCL gives out free drinks on formal night. Woo-hoo! Bonus!
- Lots of people at the Castaway Club reception. Captain Thord said "we have a couple from Chicago who's sailed with us something like 37 times."
- Formal night was nice. Roughly 50/50 suits and tuxes mix among the men - maybe 0.5% people in shorts and t-shirts. Those not dressed up looked really out of place.
- Our dining room servers, German and Marin, were awesome. We ran into Marin all over the ship and he was very helpful and entertaining.
- Fantasic table-mates! All honeymooners including one couple all the way from Japan.

I took over 1,500 photos. Will roll up the best and share in the near future.

Sam

 

[Hans Solo]

Captain Thord said "we have a couple from Chicago who's sailed with us something like 37 times."

I "Wonder" who that couple would be???

 

[Little Twin Stars]

Thanks smchan for posting your report right after your cruise. I have been waiting anxiously for someone to give the most recent report coz' we will be leaving for ours next week (finally!)

Could you tell us about the weather, sea water temperature, and if the sea is rough?

 

[Mary Anne]

Thanks for the information on your cruise. Glad you had a great time!

Also thanks for the information on burning the CD's. That will be a great help to me.

 

[DznyDreamer]

Can't wait to see your pictures and hopefully a trip report! Sounds like you had a wonderful time!

 

[smchan]

Water was cool at Castaway Cay but after diving in, I got used to it. Saw lots of neat creatures at Serenity Bay and in the snorkeling area. Pool tempratures were reported to be 77-80 degrees.

Recent movies are Hidalgo (premiered last night on the ship) and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.

The 2 DCL related episodes of According to Jim were playing over and over again on the television.

Sea was very rough the first night. Gale force winds and 12 foot waves. My wife and others got seasick, but it was fairly calm thereafter. It was *very* windy nearly the entire trip. I was on deck 2 and could see water splashing higher than my porthole (which is pretty darn high).

Weather was nice. Cool (50's) at Port Canaveral on the first day but 70's and 80's thereafter.

I am now so hooked on cruising it's not funny.

I did no excursions except snorkeling at CC. Man, oh man, was that fun. As has been reported, one of the subs from the old WDW ride 20,000 Leagues is now in the snorkeling area. Saw tangs, sargent majors, huge groupers, some angel fish, and wrasses.

Sam

 

[smchan]

I have to add that Palo brunch is even more amazing than is suggested here. Started off with pastries and breads, moved on to seafood, then a bit of pizza topped off with dessert. Wow!

Sam

 

[jlawall]

Do you play Bingo, or go to theme nights on the ship in Rockin' Bar D? How was it? What was your favorite activity on ship?

 

[eagmommy]

Just back too and had an absolute amazing time! I had cabin 2504 and what a perfect cabin!! I don't know if anyone knows this, but it is actually bigger(longer) then the other cabins. It was nice and quiet. I guess 2502, 2002 and 2004 are bigger also. I have a horrible sun burn from Castaway Cay, but it is well worth it! What a gorgeous day!!! We had brunch at Palo's and dinner too. My mouth is still watering. I can't wait to go again. My daughter and I swam with a Sea Lion in Cozumel, what an experience. I hated to get off the ship, but I know we will be back soon.

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by jlawall
Do you play Bingo, or go to theme nights on the ship in Rockin' Bar D? How was it? What was your favorite activity on ship?

No Bingo for me. I did go to a couple theme nights.

Sam

 

[jlawall]

oh

 

[brendmar]

We are just back from the 2/28 Western. We were in 5132 with
a Navagator's Veranda. If you book this room be aware that it
does not have a bench They should tell you this when you
book your room.
We called Guest Services and they told me that not all Nav
Veranda's have a bench.
We got 2 chairs and it was most uncomfortable because I like to
read and was looking forward to sitting on the NV and reading.

Couldn't do that in the room with the chair - too uncomfortable.

Also, the couch next to the bed had stains on it - we were

surprised as this is not usual Disney standards!

We had the regular Veranda last cruise and couldn't use it

because the people next to us smoked non stop
the whole cruise.

We thought by booking the NV we would enjoy it better. This
was our 3rd cruise. Next time we book we will just book a
Cat. 9 - with porthole.
Lots of people we talked to got upgraded but we did not,

but we used points to book.

 

[BobandLee]

We were in 7008. Nick was our stateroom host and did a wonderful job. Especially on the Romance at Sea night.
Our servers were Sachin and Botound and the were great.
If you get the chance, do the Palo's brunch. You won't regret it. It was worth it for me just to have the stone crabs. Palo's for dinner was just o.k.
Serenity bay was a toss-up. While there were alot of of starfish and other sealife, the tide was out, so the water was shallow. But we enjoyed it.
If anyone is just thinking about cruising, quit thinking and book one!

4 day cruise-1998 7 day eastern -2000 7 day western cruise with Payton-2002
MEMBERS CRUISE --2003
We Are the People Our Parents Warned Us About!

 

[momofofo22]

We had Sachin and Botond too on the 28/2 cruise. They were wondreful. Were you on the first or the last seating ? We were on the first.

We went swimming with the stingray and the dolphins.

We had room 2105 : quiet and very nice.

We had a wonderful time. My 2 DD's teen were a lot away with other teens so we were like on an honeymoon my DH and I.

We didn't get seasick. Before to go we had an acupuncture treatment and it worked.

 

[tkd lisa]

Welcome back Sam. It sounds like this was a better trip for you than your Wonder experience. Glad you had fun. Looking for a complete trip report (hint, hint!)

 

[inkkognito]

Don't believe that urban legend about the Chicago couple who have sailed 37 times.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[outahere]

Don't believe that urban legend about the Chicago couple who have sailed 37 times

Barb........... why not? Did you two sneak off, when we weren't looking, and do #38?

 

[SandraLee]

I do not remember having free drinks on formal night and I think I would have remember that small detail.

Any thoughts as to why they were free that night? Was the ship extra rockin? Did you find out from the servers they were free or just when the bills came?

Anyone else notice this?

 

[mmouse37]

I think the poster must mean the free drinks that are brought around in the atrium during the Captain's Gala night which is usually before semi-formal night.

Staff walks around the atrium with premade mai-tais, cosmos and fruit punches....they are complimentary but not very potent!!!

MJ

 

[plutospup]

It was a great cruise. Once again room 6512 was great! Very quiet, except for some snoring .
Palo was wonderful! We ate at Topsiders one evening and found it to be great! Great service, atmosphere, and not nearly as noisy as the regular dining rooms. Regular dining room service was equal to local Olive Garden...sometimes good, sometimes embarrassing. Bottom line-not excellent-not even close.
Enjoyed tours of Key West, and Grand Cayman.
It was great to meet so many DISers! A really great group of people.