LIVE*****from June 4th West Coast****

[windermerejudy]

Hi all! Lots of news here. First ----gosh where do we start?
Well we were coming from Florida. Good thing we decided to come in the night before because we were delayed by 2 hours due to bad weather. Stayed at the Embassy Suites South which was great.High recommendations.Very easy. Took 20 minutes to get to port for $83 for entire family per shuttle service not Disney.

We arrived at port at 9:45. Tons of people coming off at that time. We went iin and were handed a boarding number of 2. I could not believe there were already that many people there for our cruise. They told us to sit down that they would not begin check in for "awhile". Check in began at about 10:30.
They then sent us to a waiting area---no line due to boarding numbers. We waited, waited, waited and FINALLY at 1:00 pm began to board. All of the CCpeople were visibly upset. As someone else wrote, we boarded on 4 and trudged down the stairs. They gave us no choice as to where to eat-- they wantd to fill up PC first so Topsiders would not open until later. (never seen that before) We went up to room after lunch--had maroon blanket CC gift. Went to Mickey pool and man did the drill come quickly due to not getting on til so late. Deck party was good. Charles Marshall band on board, whom I love, however they had a new lead female singer. DJ Pike on board. Renee running activities team. Went to Lumieres for dinner had a gorgeous table next to the windows and were somewhat able to watch the sunset. BTW weather was great. Mickey pool was warm (even before the kids were in it ) Short sleeves and shorts were very comfortable. After dinner they had Bingo. A one game $300 thing. I took down goodies we had brought to Que but I was told that Que has left DCL-------WHAT?????????? How could they let him go? Doug said he took a job with another cruise line for a huge promotion. We were heartbroken. Had the opening variety show with Freddy Fusion who my kids love and Gary Delena (what is the deal--he seems to be on every cruise thus far) not very funny. Have seen him before and unfortunately saw him again tonight. Kids are at midnight pizza party in lab so I guess I'll go get a Baileys Colada. We will keep you updated. Not a lot of familiar staff faces----makes me worry. Rachel is cruise director. Captain is ?(not Thord)

So far my best advice is don't show up early. We really did not enjoy our 3 1/2 hour wait. We did have fun getting to know our other DIS friends. We have about 10 families on board.

Out for tonight
Judy

 

[Hollyster2]

I am so glad you are posting a live report! Thank you!

 

[Patricia1]

Thank you for the info.... can't wait for further updates!

 

[DMMarla07860]

Que has left DCL, what the heck, that sucks

Doug said he took a job with another cruise line, does anyone know what cruise line? j/w mayb it's the one I'mm going on, that would be werid and freaky

 

[littleowensmommy]

Hi Judy,

Thanks for the post!!! What time would you recommend arriving at the port? We have arrange for non-DCL transfers to pick us up from the Disneyland Hotel at 11:30 am. That should put us at the port at about 12:15 pm. (DCL transfers aren't picking up from DLH until about that time!) Also if you could let us know what time you are able to disembark and retrieve your luggage. I had arranged for our return transportation to LAX at 9:30 am. I'm starting to thing that may be a bit early and I should move it back to 10:00 or 10:30 am just to be on the safe side. Our flight home doesn't depart until 1:30 pm. Also an update on the jellyfish situation would be appreciated. We have the Pirate Ship tour reserved in PV.

Thanks and have a wonderful trip. By the way, we were on the 3 July 2004 Magic sailing last summer too!

Kathy

 

[Verandah Man]

Thanks for the "live report" Judy, have a MAGICal week!!! Oh yea, report "when" you can, but also, "enjoy" your time on the ship!!!

 

[starwood]

So our 12:10 Disney transport from GC isn't a bad thing?

 

[lwilliam]

for your reports....have a great time....

Not liking this check-in or check-out, compared to Florida - told
my DH last night - believe this is going to be an altogether different
cruise compared to our other sailings with DCL out of Florida. I
think we were spoiled at the Florida terminal.

Oh, well, not complaining - how lucky are we that we can sail
for 7 days on The Magic - VERY!

Treasure every moment, Judy - i know we will (7/30/sailing)
Lucy

 

[wdwstar]

Enjoy your cruise and please post when you can, we love to hear trip reports

 

[AUDREY BELCHER]

thanks for reporting in and we were going to leave about 10:30am to get to port and it takes about 1 hour maybe we will leave at about 11am instead. my dd hates waiting around so that sounds like a safe time. Great that you got a window table I wish we have such good luck. Last time we got a table by the door which was good also. Have a wonderful cruise and post when you can.

 

[WDWLVR]

Have a great time. I've got a very good friend sailing with you. Here's hoping it is a wonderful week for all of you.

 

[DMMarla07860]

can't wait to hear more about this trip, so please post

Also, did Que really leave DCL or did he leave on vacation like travis did when my cruise ended, and what cruise line will doug work for j/w???

 

[Monstro]

Judy,

Thanks for the info!!! The Dis members on next weeks cruise (us included) are planning to do a cabin tour. I'm assigned to figure the best time for the tour. Can you suggest a time from looking at Sunday and Monday's navigators?

I prefer to do it on Monday. What times is twice charmed playing?

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[CACruisin']

Thanks so much for posting! We board in less than two weeks!!!

What excursions are you doing? Is anyone doing the Los Veranos Canopy Tour? We'd love to get some DIS member feedback on this one. TIA

Have a fabulous cruise!

 

[jlawall]

Wow! Glad to hear from our third West coast cruisers!! Keep those reports coming!!

 

[DonnettaR]

Did you get anything special for the sailaway party? White glove fans? Scarves?

 

[DonnettaR]

****bump**** you fell off the first page

 

[emememem]

Hi Judy, thanks for the post...enjoy your cruise. We'll be going in August right before our move to Windermere!!

 

[windermerejudy]

Sorry guys that I have been so busy to clue you in. (Its called 3 kids)

Ok well here goes. The new cruise staff is Dessler? or whatever he says in his all so English accent, Ang, Renee, Gary, Doug, Jessie...They are doing a great job. Especiallly Ang we have been spoiling them with lots of bags of chocolates, and tons of chicken fingers. Yes Marla, Que is on vacation now but is definitely not coming back and it really does not sound like an amicable parting. That is only a guess but just have read some tones in peoples voices that it was bad.

As far as questions about the port it stinks. I love the extra day on the boat and I love having the Mickey Pool and a Bahama Mama when I get on board but they have made it to where as soon as you finish lunch its dead ahead to boat drill, Sailaway, and dinner. Hectic day. The ort here had 2 huge waiting rooms a pre check in one and a post one. there were only maybe 100 seats so imagine the scene. NOT PRETTY. I just hope this is not the new way cause I'm not diggin it. No it really did not do much good to be early. I think the lag in boarding times was maybe half an hour.

Ok on to what we are up to: well yesterday there were plenty of things occuring of course simultaneously. First night was reg menu at Lumieres no show like the repo group got no pins either, Sun was Golden Mickeys which seemed so wierd in the beginning of the cruise but I guess we can pack our formal wear. We had the special menu in AP no show, Mon (tonight) was reg menu casual in PC. I have to say that is my least favorite menu. No show tonight in the theatre unless you choose to go back for another dose of Gary Delena. He is leaving tomorrow. They are unusually pushy with the hand wipes at all restaurants and we were told they had been having a problem with stomach flu on the last cruise and on this one. CC meet was tonight in RockinBarD. Tons of people. They said the 2007 schedule was going to be all new and exciting. I know we will be there wherever they decide to send us. One of these days we need a DIS cruise with all of us. How cool would that be.

Tomorrow we will be going on the Las Calletas Hideaway and will inform you on that later. We are hoping for no jellies.

One note and I do not mean to sound negative but every person (staff) that you meet is new. It just seems like there has been a huge turnover. Not to many familiar faces and we are great with remembering people. I think every single entertainer is new. Brent CD is on board but so is Rachel so she is the head honcho this week. He says she is leaving on Saturday for vacation. I guess I feel worried with the cruddy embarkation, the staff turnover, .... Oh well, I guess we can't expect them to stay forever.

You guys watch for us tomorrow on the cams---Veranday Man to the rescue!!!!!I don't remember the site.

Bye for now,
Judy

 

[Debbie H]

We noticed on the repo cruise that many new faces were aboard. The incident with Que happened on that cruise as well. Interesting.....DCL does not mess around!They have a reputation to maintain.

Ang is a real gem. So bubbly, all the time.

Have a wonderful time! And by the way, don't rush to get off the ship, it won't help. That port really does ****!