Live From The Magic 3/1/05

[mrsnesbit]

Hello from the magic. We just finished dinner at Palo. Although we requested one of 2 of our favorite servers we were told they could not promise a server. I have always requested a server and it has always been honored. It was a mistake I think. In any case we did not get either of the servers and the service was mediocre. When the manager PJ came by our table we explained the situation and he made it alllll bettter. Our server was having a difficult time with some seriously drunk patrons. They even threw a cork across the restaurant in an attempt to hit one of their friends unfortunately it landed under our table. Not cool if you ask me. I thought you were supposed to leave your children in the club not bring them PALO. She was unable to help us while trying to babysit them. Okay enough of Palo like I said it worked out fine.

Grand Cayman today was cloudy and windy. So much so that the afternoon excursions were cancelled. Last tender was changed to 3pm instead of 4:30. We were bummed when we couldn't book an afternoon excursion but then it worked out great for us to have the morning. At least we got to go! The last tenders were having a very difficult time getting passengers on board it was so choppy. They had 8 crew members holding the bridge and people were basically running off the tender.

In Key west we highly recommended renting one of the battery powered cars we had the best time in that thing! Don't rent right off the boat though it was much more expensive than 2 blocks away. We paid $78 for 3 hours of a 4 seater but we squeezed in 5 (4 adults one child). Better than any excursion on Key West!!

Love our server in the dining room Alvin, also Adrian was really fun for lunch at arrot Cay and Kristoff (in the dining room this cruise but will be back at Palo on Saturday.) Okay time to say good night.

Cozumel is coming up tomorrow. Maybe we can post another update tomorrow!

 

[Stinasmom]

What a surprise and disappointment it must have been to witness such behavior at PALO! You'd think that on this more expensive "family" cruise (vs. Carnival... the "FUN SHIPS ) you would be around more like minded types but my mom once told me...money doesn't buy class!

Hope you are enjoying the rest of your trip!

 

[jlawall]

Thx so much for the updates....sorry about the Palo experience.....it's so nice to hear about the Western....have fun in Coz!

 

[budwmn]

Thanks for the update. Hope your weather is better in Cozumel!

 

[mmouse37]

What a surprise and disappointment it must have been to witness such behavior at PALO! You'd think that on this more expensive "family" cruise (vs. Carnival... the "FUN SHIPS ) you would be around more like minded types but my mom once told me...money doesn't buy class!

Hope you are enjoying the rest of your trip!

Why do people always knock Carnival!!! I have seen more drunks on DCL than on my Carnival cruises!!!! Let's not make assumptions!!! Idiots are idiots no matter what cruise line they take!!! I whole heartedly agree with you, though, that money does not buy class!!

MJ

 

[Hollyster2]

So when and where do you request a certain server? Also, I have never heard of them letting children into Palo. Does this happen often?

 

[myboysmom]

I believe that they were referring to the behavior of the patrons at Palo's, that they were acting like children- throwing wine bottle corks and so on.

 

[natsmom125]

I'm so glad Kristoff is back and will be back in Palo where he belongs!!!!

He is one of our most favorite people on the Magic.

Phyllis

 

[Princess Tink]

Adrian (from England)? I hope he is on the Magic in May 2006. We loved him! My DS(6 at the time) brought tears to me eyes on our the last dinner on the ship. He gave Adrian the biggest hug and buried his face in his shirt, he would not let go. When I asked him what was wrong, he looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said, "I'm going to miss Adrian....can't he come home with us?". Wow!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

mrsnesbit - Thanks for the report. I hope you have better weather for Cozumel!

Too bad about Palo -- you can dress some people up, but you just can't take them out!

 

[Hollyster2]

Oops...I had to go back and re-read that. I guess I thought they brought children in there...but they just acted like children. That is what I get for trying to sneak in a post read before getting the kids off to school. LOL

 

[mrsnesbit]

Hello again,
Although rain was predicted for cozumel we had beautiful weather!! We took a van/cab to Mr. Sanchos. went there last year and had a great time and again it was very fun. LOve the drink in a pineapple (Pai Hai) basically a pina colada in a pineapple YUM! Francisco was our beach waiter and he was great.

Yes Adrian is from England and yes we wish he was our server!! He has paid special attention to us since we met him at Parrot Cay the first day but unfortunately he is not our server. We have Alvin. Let's just say he leaves this Saturday to see his wife and 4 children so his mind is not on his work. Would not recommend. I've been on 5 Disney Cruises and have never had service like this.

We are going to start a separate thread regarding "Who wants to be a Mouseketeer" My husband and daughter got picked to go on stage as well as my friend and her daughter who we are travelling with. We are lucky people I guess but read the thread to find out the crazy story we have to tell.....

PJ the manager from Palo invited to have brunch on him since we had that strange experience for dinner the other night. PJ is the BEST he and Kristoff did a birthday dance for me!! Did I mention today is my birthday!! I told them I wanted my table server Alvin to dance for my birthday but he wouldn't so they did it! It was great fun!!

Later a suitcase issue!! My suitcase got it's handle torn off YIKES

 

[lbgraves]

Sounds like you are having a wonderful cruise...in spite of a few snags. Can't wait to hear about WWTBAM!

 

[mrsnesbit]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=755903

 

[CRSNDSNY]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Glad you got back to Palo. We enjoyed brunch more than dinner. Hope you had a lovely time!

 

[lbgraves]

Too bad about your friend's experience on WWTBAM but what happened with your DD & DH?

 

[Popovich]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Thanks for posting your experiences. We recently came back from the 11/27 Eastern and rebooked for the 12/3/05 Western! We had Francesca as our Palo server the 4 times we were there (2 brunch and 2 dinners) and she was excellent. Ah...I can't wait to be back on the Magic!

We also had mediocre servers on our trip and I really want to request for our next cruise. Our servers were so hung up on getting an excellent, that they made us want to avoid the dining room! Needless to say, their service was far from excellent. We had a wine package and they never remembered to bring our wine until after the appetizer and after the salad so we were always rushing to finish (because when we didn't finish, they never brought the remaining wine the next night).........and other issues I won't go into!

I wrote down Adrian's name and I appreciate you sharing the information. I really want our kids (and all of us!) to enjoy dinner and have a memorable dining experience as a family.

Thanks again!
Gailyn

 

[mrsnesbit]

Hello,
Thank you all for the birthday wishes! I appreciate it!

Although several people around the ship complained about not being able to get Palo reservations... after our not so excellent dinner experience PJ ( Palo manager) gave us brunch on him and invited us back for an extra dinner reservation which we took him up on the last night of the cruise. Let's just say that IT WAS FABULOUS!! We had Emmanuel at Palo (I've had him before as a waiter down in the dining rooms and he was awesome) so we requested him and he did not let us down. The best service ever which makes the Palo experience sooooo nice. The 2nd brunch was on my birthday so it was also the best ever too. We had Kristoff for a server and he and PJ did a birthday dance for me. Did I mention that already?? They are both the best can't say enough good things about them. All of you getting onto the boat soon are lucky to have Kristoff back at Palo. I will be posting a trip report soon.

For the person who asked about my husband and daughter on WWTBAM they got at $125 ship board credit. Thank God my 4 year old was there because my husband almost lost it on the 1st question! What color is Princess Aurora's hair???

 

[DiaLady]

LOL . . . 4 year olds watched the movies hundreds of times more than mom and dad. Thanks for your great reports. I'm having more DCL dreams . . .

 

[lbgraves]

ROFL!!! Glad that your DH & DD did so well.