Live from the July 5th Magic!!!

[Mjasp]

Thanks for the live reports! Seems the rotation to get is APL, good for you. Glad you had a great brunch. Keep the reports coming, makes me feel i'm on the Magic, swaying in my chair as I type LOL

 

[bothofus]

Can you tell us who is the current captain on board?
Also curious about the current cruise director and concierge team if you know. Hope you are thoroughly enjoying your cruise!

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by gometros
Wednesday is Tropicali night and we will be in Parrot Cay for it. You would need to have a APLAPLA rotation.

Btw, 10 of us had brunch today at Palos and got the private room. You would think we've known each other for years they way we all got along. There is something about people who love Disney that transends all socialogical, and geographical barriers.

Gots a question for ya:

How did you go about getting a private room at Palo for your brunch meeting? A few of us from our Aug. 23rd cruise are interested in getting a brunch meeting together, especially after reading your report. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[dianedisney]

gometros......

Thanks for the update on my questions. I don't cruise until jan 3rd, 2004 but will be happy to return the favor as I will be posting a live report. Have fun, fun, fun.....

Diane

 

[gometros]

Captain Tom is the current Captain. This is the first time we didn't have Captain Henry. Speaking of Captain Henry, I asked about him and despite the rumors on this board, he still works for DCL. He is currently on vacation.

Jim is the cruise director. We've had him all four times and think he's wonderful. He is a very charming and friendly guy.

Don't know anything about concierge. Never had the opportunity (or cash) to use it

As far as the private room goes, eye R.N. made the reservation for us. She was first on line to board and therefore first at Palos. I'm not sure if she had to ask for the room or they gave it to her when she explained what we were doing. I'll have to ask her and get back to you on that.

We had a great day at sea. The weather was beautiful. Tonight was formal night and we were in Lumiere's. I had arranged to have chocolate souffles ordered from Palos, so the kids could taste them. We had to try the regular desserts too (there was a white chocalate dome with raspberry, creme boulet and apple crisp that we all shared. THEN they brought out a cake for our 25th anniversary! This on top of the fact that I was still full from Palos brunch!

The show was Hercules the Muse-ical. I've seen this show four times now and the thing that makes it great it they keep updating the script to make it current. There were references to American Idol (Clay and Ruben) and the Clara Harris incident among some of the more topical references.

After the show, we changed and went to the adult cabaret to hear Dan Riley. If he is on your cruise, do not miss him. He is hysterical.

Sorry, guys, but I don't care for the Dueling Pianos. I want the Improv BACK!

Good night for now. Tomorrow is Grand Cayman and Stingray City for us.

 

[tezb]

Can't wait to hear about Stingray City....we do that in 2 weeks!

 

[Verandah Man]

As far as the private room goes, eye R.N. made the reservation for us. She was first on line to board and therefore first at Palos. I'm not sure if she had to ask for the room or they gave it to her when she explained what we were doing. I'll have to ask her and get back to you on that.

Thanks Sandy, will be waiting to hear back from you!!!

 

[mmouse37]

Sandy....so glad you have are having a great time onboard!!! If I can remember correctly we sailed together back on 7/7/01?? Does that sound right??? The cruise when the teen jumped off deck 4 into St. Thomas harbor and when the gentleman had a medical emergency on CC??

Anyway...did you happen to attend any of the theme nights this week or have any interaction with the cruise staff....if you do tell Que or his full name, Quentin, from the cruise staff that the Kovall family (Mary Jane) from the 5/17 cruise say hello!!!! We had a ball with him and the rest of the cruise staff when we sailed!!!

Continue to have a great time from a fellow Rocklander!!!

MJ

 

[tezb]

oh another person from our 7/7/01 cruise MJ? Believe it or not, there are 2 families who went on that cruise and are going on 7/19 also....what are the chances of that happening? I remember that cruise and waiting so long in Castaway for the sick passenger to be airlifted. Hoping we would get to stay in Castaway, huh?

 

[jlawall]

Please share how you liked Stingray City!

 

[Mjasp]

How is the weather? Heard there is a tropical storm off of Grand Cayman heading to Cozumel. Let us know, Hope this isn't affecting your cruise.

Joanna

 

[Minnie's Guy]

First of all, have a wonderful cruise.
Secondly, how in the world do you get a dessert delivered
from Palo's? Was there a charge? I've got to know - that
dessert is incredible!
Best wishes on your magical vacation.

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by mmouse37
Sandy....so glad you have are having a great time onboard!!! If I can remember correctly we sailed together back on 7/7/01?? Does that sound right??? The cruise when the teen jumped off deck 4 into St. Thomas harbor and when the gentleman had a medical emergency on CC??

Anyway...did you happen to attend any of the theme nights this week or have any interaction with the cruise staff....if you do tell Que or his full name, Quentin, from the cruise staff that the Kovall family (Mary Jane) from the 5/17 cruise say hello!!!! We had a ball with him and the rest of the cruise staff when we sailed!!!

Continue to have a great time from a fellow Rocklander!!!

MJ

We weren't on the 7/7/01, but the 11/24/01, but I remeber reading about that cruise.

I love to intereact with the crew. I was impressed that Jim remembered my wife and my names. I have spoken to Q too and have not forgiven him for not picking us for Match Your Mate I'll send your regards.

 

[gometros]

I just typed this whole big report and the darn DIS boards made me go back and change some of the smilies I used (To many graphics? I went back to change it and lost everything! SO now you get the abbreviated report.

PLease let me know what you guys know about the weather. I'll try to find more at this end, but you may be getting better news at home.

Palos - just ask your server that you'd like to order the souffle from Palos. Give them a t least a days notice, since it does take time to prepare.

Stingray City - Captain Marvins was excellent. We did the two hour tour ( I have aversions to three hour tours The walk to their office is easy, just two short blocks off the pier. They then take you in a van to the boat. they provide snorkel equipment, which is in great shape and very clean. You can only use the mask and snorkel with the stingrays. Nothing allowed on the feet. First stop Stingray City. Everyone squeals when they first get in the water, but get used to it very quickly. The crew helps you pose with the rays for pictures. It was such a cool experience.

Next was the coral reef - some of the clearest water I've ever seen and beautiful fish and gorgous coral formations. Even though this trip was scheduled for 11:15 to 1:15, we didn't get back until 1:40, so they are generous with their time. I highly recommend it.

Pirates of the Caribbean - we got a special showing at 12:01 this morning. The theater was at least three quarters full. While it was tough staying awake after a full day in the sun, it was not becuase of the movie. A must see!

WWTBAM - I got picked to be on the panel, along with luv2boys' husband. The first contestant picked with an boy around 8 and his mother was on the panel with us. He won the cruise! The mother's friend helped him out and they did very well. The winning question was how to properly spell the word from Mary Poppins. They polled the audinece at it was a unanimous agreement on the answer.

Finally before signing off. My daughter learned the hard way about he harsh sun. She didn't ask anyone for help with her sunscreen and tried to do her back herself, which meant she missed some areas. She got a pretty ansty burn. I don't meantion this for sympathy but to remind you how harsh the Caribbena sun can be.

I'd like to tell you so much more, but you'll have to read my trip report when I return
then we

 

[tezb]

Thanks for your report on Stingray City Sandy....you guys sound like you're having a great cruise.

Just wondering, are we not allowed to wear water socks for Stingray? We were planning on them for being in the water. Also, how is the boat ride....is it a good idea to take bonine in case of choppy waters? Or does it just depend on your day out there?

Have a good rest of your cruise...and safe trip back.

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by tezb
Thanks for your report on Stingray City Sandy....you guys sound like you're having a great cruise.

Just wondering, are we not allowed to wear water socks for Stingray? We were planning on them for being in the water. Also, how is the boat ride....is it a good idea to take bonine in case of choppy waters? Or does it just depend on your day out there?

Have a good rest of your cruise...and safe trip back.

I'm trying to remember exactly, but it had to do with rubbing against the stingrays and that the synthetics could damage their protective mechanism or something like that.

If you're susceptible to motion sickness, I would take it as a precaution. If not and it's only choppy seas you're worried about, then take it as needed. The ride has been smooth as glass for us. I'll let you all know if we feel any effect from the storm.

We went to Mr. Sanchos today and once again the recommendations from this board were spot on. It is a nice little beach with crystal clear water. We had a double order of cheese quesedillas with margaritas and smoothies for the kids. The beach is not crowded and there are table with umbrellas to sit. The taxi ride was only about 15 minutes and cost us $18 for five people. Right now my youngest is on the Teen Fury Catamran. We saw it sail by us while eating dinner in Parrot Cay and it looked like they were having a grand time.

 

[Windermere]

here's the latest report on the weather that I have in my email:






000
WTNT34 KNHC 100234
TCPAT4
BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM CLAUDETTE ADVISORY NUMBER 6
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
11 PM EDT WED JUL 09 2003

...CLAUDETTE REMAINS POORLY ORGANIZED...

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE
YUCATAN PENINSULA FROM CHETUMAL TO CABO CATOCHE MEXICO.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR GRAND CAYMAN. A
TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR LITTLE CAYMAN AND CAYMAN
BRAC.

INTERESTS IN BELIZE AND THE REMAINDER OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA
SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF CLAUDETTE.

AT 11 PM EDT...0300Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM CLAUDETTE WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 16.3 NORTH...LONGITUDE 81.0 WEST OR ABOUT
205 MILES...335 KM...SOUTH OF GRAND CAYMAN.

CLAUDETTE IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 21 MPH...33 KM/HR. THIS
MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE DURING THE NEXT 12 HOURS WITH A
GRADUAL DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 60 MPH...95 KM/HR...
WITH HIGHER GUSTS. NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS EXPECTED
DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 160 MILES ...260 KM
PRIMARILY TO THE NORTHEAST OF THE CENTER.

LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE
RECONNAISSANCE PLANE WAS 1004 MB...29.65 INCHES.

ABOVE NORMAL TIDES ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING
WAVES ARE PROBABLY OCCURRING ALONG THE SOUTH COAST OF JAMAICA AND
THE CAYMAN ISLANDS.

STORM TOTAL RAINFALLS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE LIKELY IN ASSOCIATION
WITH CLAUDETTE. RAINBANDS ARE SPREADING OVER THE CAYMAN ISLANDS AND
PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN CUBA. WEATHER CONDITIONS SHOULD
BEGIN TO IMPROVE IN JAMAICA.

REPEATING THE 11 PM EDT POSITION...16.3 N... 81.0 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD...WEST NEAR 21 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED
WINDS... 60 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1004 MB.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE MONITOR
PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AT 2 AM EDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 5 AM
EDT.

FORECASTER AVILA

 

[tezb]

Thanks for taking the time to respond Sandy.

I kind of figured the "no" watersock thing had to do w/ the stingrays...after I asked you about it.

Have a great rest of your cruise!!

 

[mmouse37]

Saw Pirates of the Carribean last night at our local mega plex....awesome movie....even had some scenes that had to do with the attraction at WDW!!

Johnny Dep was very good as Captain Jack Sparrow!! The audience even clapped at the end...how often does that happen!!

MJ

 

[gometros]

We just came from the dessert buffet before heading up to the room. Tomorrow is Castaway Cay and we're expecting clear skies and weather in the mid 80s. Today was a day at sea and the weather was fine, although cloudy in the afternoon and a bit windy. Judy and I and our two older kids did brunch and then later in the afternoon we did High Tea with the DIS board bunch. Speaking of which, I asked about reserving the private room, Andy, and eye R.N. said that being in the front of the line definitely helped. Have a few choices of days and times too.

Tonight was the Captain's Gala and lobster and chocalate lava cake. Need I say more? The show was Disney Dreams and as usual it was wonderful. the only annoying thing was how many people ignore the request for no flash photography. DO they realize how dangerous it could be for the performers and annoying it is to other guests?

The adult cabaret was the Hill Brothers, who we saw on our last cruise. They're a comedy juggling act and a don't miss. After that was 70s night and we got to see a little Chippendales and cheesecake (and I ain't talking about the dessert buffet!) Needless to say, we weren't in Disney anymore

We bit the bullet and booked the August 7, 2004 cruise while on baord. There were some good specials for the new 7 day itineraries from August through October, plus the 10 day cruise and we couldn't resist. I've already started a new thread. Check out http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=403263

I don't know if I'll get to post tomorrow, so my next post will be after I get home, so see you all back in the real world.