LIVE from the 10/15 magic!

[Suzanne]

The last thing I want to do on a cruise is get near a computer. My life is spent on the computer and I want to vacation by getting away from it.

You do not know Dis'ers so well

 

[DCLcruiser]

In all honesty, you should never count on internet access on board a moving ship. The satellite connection can be slow at best and non-existent at worst. There are internet cafe's in all the ports (except I am sure Castaway Cay) where you can get online and check the business for a much cheaper price than onboard.

Just a suggestion.

You would actually be surprised on the speed of the internet on the ship. The people that were using wireless were claiming to get broadband like speeds and were using their iSight cameras for video conferencing. As for reliability, I have only had issues when we got really close to the equator.

 

[Disneyland4Jamy]

Hello, and thank you to all who are posting live updates!! What band is currently on Board The Magic? Do they use the screen at the Goofy Pool during deck parties? Who is you're cruise director? The DCL staff is all so wonderful! I love 'em!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Just a quick question - who is the head CM (MOD) in Mickey Mates? We had such a good time with John from England last year - He sent pins/certificate for our anniversary to our room and gave a very rare ariel pin to my dd when he found out that was her favorite character. Hope he will be there for our next cruise.

 

[castlegazer]

OK - I am on pins and needles thinking about their updates for Pirate night tonight! I guess we will have to wait until tomorrow to get the full details.

I have a question about the Dive In Movies - on Princess they have a chair reservation system with people who come by and provide chair waitress service for food and drinks - is there something similar going on here or is it hell trying to get a chair to watch a movie?

 

[westjones]

Castlegazer, I just noticed you cruise ticker. Way Cool!

I made one too. Thanks!
DJ

 

[Aisling]

In all honesty, you should never count on internet access on board a moving ship. The satellite connection can be slow at best and non-existent at worst. There are internet cafe's in all the ports (except I am sure Castaway Cay) where you can get online and check the business for a much cheaper price than onboard.

This may be a dumb question, but are you talking about the new wireless connectios for laptops, or the internet cafe computers? I realize they're wireless, too, but I'm trying to figure out if my money will be wasted if I get the internet cafe unlimited package.

Thanks for the live updates! Can't wait for the pictures!

 

[DCLcruiser]

This may be a dumb question, but are you talking about the new wireless connectios for laptops, or the internet cafe computers? I realize they're wireless, too, but I'm trying to figure out if my money will be wasted if I get the internet cafe unlimited package.

All the computers run off the satellites onboard the ship. There are the ones that are connected w/ Cat 5 cables (Cove & Promenade Lounge) and then there is the BYOL to hook up to the wireless of the ship that goes off of the main satellite. So, it isn't a dumb question. And I don't think they offer the unlimited package anymore...but I may be wrong.

 

[ladygypsy]

1) Internet access at the stations (right now I'm in Cove Cafe) costs 75 cents per minute or $89.99 for the week. I'm not using wireless because if I brought my laptop, I'd end up doing work. The access is much better now than it was the first 2 days, and the seas are smoother too!

2) We had a blast on the 12-metre regatta. I'll warn anyone interested, though...because you're racing on a yacht with sails, the crew on board is much more interested in speed than smoothness. If you get seasick...I'd think twice. Also...if you ask for an 'active' crew position like we did (as opposed to a 'moderately active' position), you really work. This hard work in the strong sun and the rocky seas caused more than one person to feel lightheaded.

3) Yep. I got a letter once my cruise was paid off that there would be construction around the fitness area. I didn't quite expect for there to be cordoned-off areas and equipment covered in black tarp around the front of the ship. The Dis letter was a bit more candy-covered than what I see. But as I HATE to workout...no biggie for me!

4) I'll take a pic of the reclining chairs when I get back to the cabin!

5) Hot and sunny today in St. Maarten. It was cloudy this morning when I woke up...and I saw a rainbow!

6) Um...I thought jewelry was CHEAP here? At one time I was wearing over $10,000 worth of bracelets which came off immediately once they told me how much they cost!

7) Haven't seen John in Mickey's Mates. Our main server in the restaurants is Beckie from Canada, Joseph (may be Joshua..I'm bad with names) from South Africa is assistant, and I have yet to catch the name of our head server, except that it's long and begins with P. Am also falling in love with Travis from cruise staff.

8) At 84wpm, it doesn't take me much time here to respond...I don't mind at all.

9) High Society is in the lounge on the way to Parrot Cay. Unity is performing in the Atrium and at the pool.

10) Pirate night tonight -- Instead of our usual 8:30 seating (no staggered times) we have a 7:00 Palo ressie. So although we'll miss the Pirate dinner, we should be done in time for the party. They're showing "Pirates of the Caribbean" tonight on the Goofy Pool screen after the party!

11) Am saving my Navigators to scan and send in to that other site, as payback for all the good info I've gleaned for you all.


12) That's all...am off to the spa to explore...and husband and I are already talking about rebooking while on board. Perhaps the Western next year.

 

[Flagger]

I am not knocking people who get online on board ships, just offering a cheaper more reliable alternative to those who need it to contact business or family at home. Especially to the gentleman who was worried. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[PlutoDCLfan]

Can you please get a copy of the Stack teen navigator? What changes were made to the stack?

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Thanks for the updates. Can't wait to see pics!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Sorry, I forgot to ask before. We have a stateroom on deck two. Now with the kids rooms there, is there more traffic? More noise? Can you take pics of that too please?

 

[SeaSpray]

1)
4) I'll take a pic of the reclining chairs when I get back to the cabin!

That's all...am off to the spa to explore...and husband and I are already talking about rebooking while on board. Perhaps the Western next year.

Thank you so much for taking the picture of the chair. I am glad you're having a wonderful cruise!! Join us on next year's August 19th Special Western cruise! Two stops at Castaway Cay!

 

[poohstx]

My son and daughter are on the cruise on their honeymoon. Say hello to Brian and Karisa if you see them onboard with their Mickey top hat and Minnie veil. I hope the cruise smooths out for everyone's sake.

 

[Sunshine56]

Please tell Tracy from Guest Services hello from the Sunshine's. She is absolutely the BEST!!!!

 

[Disney Fans]

Hope you are still getting these. Could you please find out if I can call someone in shutters to find out about those x-mas photo cards they make. If I recall I would have had to send them outside the ship to do them. Could you go ask if it is still possible for me to have them made using my shutters photo from our last trip in May? Thanks alot!

 

[ladygypsy]

Bless me DISers for I have sinned. Due to a lovely evening at Palo with 3/4 bottle of Shiraz, I slept through the Pirate Party.

Our Palo server was Zita from Hungary. It took forever to get our check, but hey...we're being leisurely. Husband had the Fettucine Alfredo...I couldn't decide between the gnocchi and the filet mignon so Zita got me half of each entree!

Souffle for dessert, naturally. She also got us the Panna Cotta (sp?) to split. Major yum!

Now we're docked in sunny and warm (yay!) St. Thomas, and our Doubloon Sail/Snorkel excursion isn't scheduled to meet until 12:15. I didn't know it was going to be an afternoon one when we booked it...this is going to make it hard for us to make our couple massage (part of the REAS package) at 5:45pm.

I tried the Rainforest Room yesterday for the first time and after a few moments of awkwardness (how do I turn the showers off? Is there an order to things?) I enjoyed it immensely. I steamed myself silly, then savored the peppermint fog shower and the other (tropical scented?) shower. Bathing suits are required, but that didn't stop me from using the provided shampoo/conditioner to wash the 12-metre-regatta salty remains from my hair! The heated tile loungers spoke to the inner lizard in me (I love warm things) and once I managed to arrange my robe and towel so that I wasn't touching the loungers directly (too hot!) I sunk into a state of bliss. I may go back today!

The door to the fitness center was blocked by a towel return basket, and there was black tarp on the other side of the door. On occasion in the Rainforest Room, I could smell the burning-wood scent of power saws at work. That was the only indication of the construction that I could tell from the spa.

I'm a bit bummed that the cruise I waited for so long is past halfway over. I'm also concerned that <fredflintstone>Willlllllllmaaaaaaaa!</fredflintstone> will mess with our Saturday afternoon flight back to Philly from Orlando. But I'll put those worries away for now.

Tonight's Dive-in movie (Goofy Screen) is Around the World in 80 days. Ventriloquist Michael Harrision and Comedian Gary DeLena are performing -- same as last year so we'll probably skip that all tonight.

Miscellany:

1) I'll try to get a Teen Navigator.
2) No idea about the quietness of deck 2. I'll ask around.
3) I'll ask the Shutters crew about the feasibility of an Xmas pic made from a cruise pic from May -- hope I understood that correctly.
4) Formal night enthusiasts rejoice! I hardly saw anyone dressed casually on Formal night. However, there were tie-less men at Palo last night.
5) In the "I can't belive this!" file: One family pushed 3 pingpong tables together lengthwise and played some variation of pingpong that required the ball to bounce over all 3 nets. Felt badly for the *other* families that wanted to play.

That's all for now...going to ignore the very loud family at the Cove Cafe with their very loud under-18 kids and get some chai tea!

 

[castlegazer]

Well you failed us in a good way - you had a blast! Thanks for your very detailed reports. I love IT!!!! (you are forgiven, by the way). I would have been right there with you - totally zonked. It may happen to me without Palo anyways.

Is it a madhouse trying to watch or get a lounger for the Dive In Movies?

 

[goofymama]

I'm a bit bummed that the cruise I waited for so long is past halfway over. I'm also concerned that <fredflintstone>Willlllllllmaaaaaaaa!</fredflintstone> will mess with our Saturday afternoon flight back to Philly from Orlando. But I'll put those worries away for now.

I wouldn't worry about your flight home ... with the latest forecast, you may be in for some free extra days on the Magic!!!!!!