**Live from 6/25/05 Magic to Mexico**

[Eeyorefan12]

Pineapple...you are living my life three weeks later! We did dolphins in PV then did the tour w/Frank....be prepared for being w/him the WHOLE day...I couldn't believe all that we saw w/him! Have fun and tell him Hola from Chris!

As far as the pics w/the dolphins...I would guess from the observer area, they cannot stop you from taking those long distance shots. But the tape you listen to before getting in the water expressly says no pictures...we had brought 4 water cameras and had to leave them in the bag.

Our tip on the swim...buy only the DVD....you can capture pictures off of it to print.
Also, buy more than 1 pic...they end up being $9 instead of $10 if you buy multiples.
At the gift shop, I bought 4 pictures, an adult size tshirt and a kid size embroidered shirt for $52 US (on my charge card) but had I left it at their exchange rate for cash, it would have been closer to $60.
Yes, they do one swim and kid encounter together at the same facility, but it is the one that is scheduled at the same time...the one that is an hour later is at the other facility so dolphins are not constantly "at work".

Hi Challada,
Actually, we're the ones who went to the Dolphin Encounter and Pineapple did the resort yesterday in PV. We're combining our posts on one thread now so to avoid people having to chase all over to find them.

It sounds from your post as if the Dolphin Encounter people don't want the actual participants taking photos but those who pay to be observers can. That's how it was explained to us and, in fact, I wouldn't have paid $40 to observe if we couldn't. We did buy multiple photos but didn't get a discount, though. We used the charge card and I'm sure that helped, as you mentioned. I wasn't aware there was even another facility so I that's a good tip for those who schedule different times.

CB

 

[Eeyorefan12]

I'm getting an opportunity to see the ship when most people are ashore as my DD came down with a fever and sniffles last night. She's doing okay but I'm keeping her in our room today to make sure we don't ruin anyone else's vacation and I want one of us on board with her so I'm staying too. Fortunately, with Disney movies and shows playing nonstop on the TV, she's got plenty of entertainment.

I can see Mazatlan from the deck but my hubby has gone off with our friends to see it in person. It's about 95 degrees today (last report I saw) and quite humid so I'm not sure I envy him. And I gotta admit, having the ship almost to ourselves is kind of cool. Unfortunately--or perhaps fortunately for my budget--the shops aren't open while we're in port so I'll have to wait to drool over some more Disney pins or something. There are lots of other fun things to do or see, though...I'm good.

It's going to be a low-key day for me so I'm hoping Pineapple will have fun things to report after his tour with Mazatlan Frank! We do have a bridge tour at 3 and Palo at 8 so I'll report back on those things later.

CB

 

[DonnettaR]

How much is the shutters' package--for the 10 pictures? How much are the photos individually? Thanks

 

[mgm61]

Are they gone yet?
We have Frank scheduled but I think our kids 16dd and 18ds would have more fun on the beach on the Stone Island tour. I am torn in what to do. Go with Frank or SI.
We are looking at doing the Pacifica brewery with Frank and then see some of the city and beach.
What tour is your party doing?
Franks tour would be air conditioned that might be a plus. We are sailing out July 17. We have the 6 day cruise.
Does the ship have quite a few bathrooms? (getting older gives you that potty problem).
It's too bad you child got sick. I hope we don't get that way. But like you say there is plenty to do on the ship if a person doesn't want to go anywhere.
Thanks for your updates.
Michele

 

[DMMarla07860]

I hope everyone is having a blast, are DJ Pike or Travis from South Africa on bored and when are they getting off if any of you know any of this info let me know please I'm going on the next cruise and wanna know if they will be on it

 

[mgm61]

AmyJ.
I have read on other boards they don't have any sand toys so you better bring them from home.
mgm

 

[winotracy]

Eeyorefan12 and Pineapple and anyone else onboard, hope you're having a great time! If you see Danielle, in charge of the internet computers and rebooking onboard, say hi from the Whipples from Wisconsin. She's the best! Any word on when they will start offering wireless internet access on the Magic? Thanks and have a great rest of your cruise!

Tracy

 

[jlawall]

Thx again for the fantastic updates........anybody go to any places for drinks or shopping on their own..........what is a not-to-be-missed place??

 

[cruzings]

Just curious, what movies are playing at the Buena Vista Theater? We will be on the cruise after you (July 2).

Thanks.

:thewave:

 

[pppiglet]

10 pictures were $89.95 and ea $9.95. 8x10 $19.95 or you can get 2 stock 5x7 for $9.95. (pictures of the ship in each port)

 

[challada]

But know that formal night pics are all done in large size (8x10) so not part of the pic deal of 10 for 89...that was a big bummer for us as it was the only pics we stood in line all week for!

 

[mommykeg]

Is the Twice Charmed show tonight? Was there a matinee? If so, what time was the matinee? We have Palo scheduled on Wed. for our July 9th cruise (the Twice Charmed show was originally on Mon. night! ), and we don't want the kids to miss this new show...so we want to be sure to make our Mazatlan plans so that we can attend the matinee.

Also...was the Tuesday night "show" a movie? Was Herbie the movie that was playing Tuesday night?

 

[pppiglet]

Challada....I was dissapointed that they only did those in 8x10 also. Our semi formals came out really good! Do you know if we could have ordered those in smaller sizes while onboard? I didn't think to check while we were there. If you try to order online now it only lets you get reprints of 8x10 size. I got the Shutters picture release so hopefully I can get some prints made from the 8x10 we bought.

 

[Jasak]

Eeyorefan12, hope your daughter is feeling better.
Seen any mosquitoes onboard? Wondering if we should bring
mosquito repellent when we leave.
Thanks for writing and updating us. Jinny

 

[Hollyster2]

I did not notice any sand toys for the kids, but I would imagine they had some. We did not shop much, and there were several stands of vendors. Also the resort must have had a store...but we didn't even think of it. There is a playground on the beach also! The boogie board rentals are free.

 

[Debogan]

I have had a heck of a time posting the last few days. Every time I have some down here, the computers were so slow I was unable to post. I'll try to post a few things before I have to go get my boys to go ashore.

A few random thoughts:

WE had a great day with Mazatlan Frank yesterday - i posted a few more details on the Mazatlan thread.

We loved Paradise Beach. The pool was wonderful. We only swam in the ocean for a few minutes before a couple of kids near us were stung by jellyfish.

There were still jellyfish at Mazatlan yesterday so after lunch when Frank dropped us at El Cid we just went to the pool. BTW, at ElCid, be sure to explore the area where the water seems to disappear under the buliding. To be it looked to be separate from the pool and maybe even just for looks, but near the end of the day, my DS 9 went over there and found water slides, cazes, etc.


Twice Charmed was Monday, Pirate night was Tuesday, movie night was Wednesday (Herbie)and last night was Mouseketeer and tonight is Disney Dreams.
I have loved every minute of this week and am actually having to keep myself from thinking that is almost over.

We are headed to Cabo on our own in a few minutes. If I don't have time to sit an post more tonight, I will write up a summary when I get home.


PINEAPPLE - I heard you posted some things last night about our excursion but I couldn't find them. Where are they?

 

[Eeyorefan12]

I'm listening to Travis right now as he's running a trivia contest in the bar while I'm next door in Internet cafe! He's actually headed a lot of events, including some of Pirate night.

CB

 

[Eeyorefan12]

Eeyorefan12, hope your daughter is feeling better.
Seen any mosquitoes onboard? Wondering if we should bring
mosquito repellent when we leave.
Thanks for writing and updating us. Jinny

Haven't seen any mosquitos in any port...or bugs of any kind on the ship (except one very confused gnat who may have come in on a piece of fruit.)

CB

 

[Eeyorefan12]

Just curious, what movies are playing at the Buena Vista Theater? We will be on the cruise after you (July 2).

Thanks.

:thewave:

Without my list in front of me, I can say these movies have been in Buena Vista (or will be)--The Pacifier, National Treasure, Finding Nemo, Ice Princess...um, shoot. I thought my memory was better than this! LOL! I'll check in for you later.

 

[Eeyorefan12]

We're leaving Cabo in about a half and hour but we've been warned that we'll lose Internet access for a couple of hours during the departure so I'm just checking in quickly now. We went into town on our own this morning and just wandered. We hit Diamonds, Intnl (a store which is featured prominently here on the ship and in the shopping guides). Rian from the ship (the shopping "expert) was there while we shopped--he wanders around the ports to help out and make sure people get good deals. My friend got a very nice watch at probably half what she'd pay in the states.

Cabo has a LOT of familiar restaurants: Ruth's Chris Steak House, Burger King, McDonald's, Hoolihans...it was kind of funny to see them, actually. However, there is something for everyone from what I could see, including a relatively new mall which we ducked into for the air conditioning and wound up buying in because the prices were the same as the little booths on the street! Except for the mall, though, the people in the independent shops will definitely make deals for you without much prodding. My son left his sunglasses onboard and I needed to get him another pair (he gets migraines without them). We found some he loved and were quoted $15 but I mentioned that I'd just seen them in another shop for $9 (same brand but different style) and the guy agreed to $9 without batting an eye.

The transportation off the ship into Cabo was not as scary as I'd imagined from reading other reports. While the boats do have a lot of rocking motion in the water, they are much larger than I'd thought (I'm guessing they hold about 35 to 40 people) and have very deep sides. I'd liken the quick trip in to a ride at Disneyland...maybe a cross between Pirates of the Carribean--without the drop-off!--and Peter Pan.

Of all three cities we've visited, Cabo is by far our favorite. It's really a beautiful setting and looks to have something for everyone with the jetskis, kayaks, fishing expeditions, etc. We wish we had two days here! In fact, it's the shortest day so we're already making plans with our friends to come back down here for a vacation in a few months.

CB