LIVE from the May 10th Magic Western Cruise!
- Thread starter MarkRG
- Start date
MarkRG
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- Mar 19, 2002
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HI from the middle of the caribbean! We're currently sailing past the coast of Cuba, on our way to Castaway Cay!
Followup notes first!
Michelle, we brought up if Sylvester was an asst server in 2000, and mentioned the Dreams Unlimited special cruise, and he remembered you by name! The staff continues to amaze me. He said to say hi.
Tina, they had a very nice Mother's Day decoration at the entrance to all restaurants and wished all a Happy Mother's Day.
On to the next report!
Wednesday is Cozumel day. Our expectations were not as high for this port compared to Grand Cayman. We were pleasantly surprised.
As we look out the veranda we see that there are already 2 ships in port. The Pride from Carnival and The Century from Celebrity. They are over at the two far piers. We (the Magic) get the close in pier. YEAH! Another Carnival ship also pulled in and went to the far pier.
We had about two hours to kill before our meet time for our excursion so we venture into town for a little shopping. Here's a hint. You don't have to go to the excursion talk if you don't want to (you miss out on the giveaways and prizes he throws into the audience this way, but other things are happening you might want to see). If you miss it not to worry it is on one of the tv channels for the rest of the cruise. Actually there are 3 - one from the actual presentation, one from the shopping in paradise guy filmed in Key West and one from the shopping in paradise group that goes in and out of each store. This last one is my favorite. This gives you a great overview of what stores you want. Mark them on your map and you are set.
One thing about shopping in Cozumel - everyone is outside on the sidewalk begging you to come in! We said a lot of "no thank yous'.
On the way back to the ship after shopping we saw this huge private yacht had pulled in near us. Looked like a converted tug, but very posh with jet skis, zodiac boats, and lots and lots of radar. It was flying an Bahamian flag, but had sailed in from Rome!
Our tour was to the ruins on Cozumel (didn't want to make the long 7 hour trek to the mainland excursion). We had a wonderful guide named Ruben who really gave us the history. We had tour groups passing us and I don't think they got the whole experience. After walking around there we were hot (bring water - we did and used it up). Back on the bus we were offered either ice cold beer or ice cold Pepsi (we did the Pepsi). Then we had a beautiful 20 minute or so ride along the cost to our next destination which was Playa de Sol. Once there we got checked in with wristbands and got free drink coupons. These were good for anything from Margarita's to beer to pop to bottled water. The beach looked really nice, but Mary was still a little burnt from the stingray excursion so we just walked around, took some pictures and then hid in the shade of the bus reading our books.
At the end of the excursion we were dropped off back by the pier mall and walked around there. There is a great gift shop right at the top of the mall that had some really good deals. I got my Mexicali (really tropical) shirt there to wear to dinner!
As stated this night was Mexicali night. With our rotation we were in Parrot Cay which was fun. Not long after dinner started the Mariachi (sp?) band came in to entertain. A quick trip around the room and then they were off to visit the other two rotations. We saw them again in the Atrium and they were great.
Characters tonight were in Mexican gear - got our picture with Donald.
Rested up a little and then headed out for the deck party. Where does the cruise staff get their energy? They were up leading dances all night long and Mary and I got tired just watching them
At 11 as we were leaving port we went up to the front of the ship to watch us leave. The day was really better than either of us expected!
They had a really nice buffet set up as well, but we were ready for bed. Clocks set ahead one hour tonight so it was well after Midnight when we hit the sack.
Followup notes first!
Michelle, we brought up if Sylvester was an asst server in 2000, and mentioned the Dreams Unlimited special cruise, and he remembered you by name! The staff continues to amaze me. He said to say hi.
Tina, they had a very nice Mother's Day decoration at the entrance to all restaurants and wished all a Happy Mother's Day.
On to the next report!
Wednesday is Cozumel day. Our expectations were not as high for this port compared to Grand Cayman. We were pleasantly surprised.
As we look out the veranda we see that there are already 2 ships in port. The Pride from Carnival and The Century from Celebrity. They are over at the two far piers. We (the Magic) get the close in pier. YEAH! Another Carnival ship also pulled in and went to the far pier.
We had about two hours to kill before our meet time for our excursion so we venture into town for a little shopping. Here's a hint. You don't have to go to the excursion talk if you don't want to (you miss out on the giveaways and prizes he throws into the audience this way, but other things are happening you might want to see). If you miss it not to worry it is on one of the tv channels for the rest of the cruise. Actually there are 3 - one from the actual presentation, one from the shopping in paradise guy filmed in Key West and one from the shopping in paradise group that goes in and out of each store. This last one is my favorite. This gives you a great overview of what stores you want. Mark them on your map and you are set.
One thing about shopping in Cozumel - everyone is outside on the sidewalk begging you to come in! We said a lot of "no thank yous'.
On the way back to the ship after shopping we saw this huge private yacht had pulled in near us. Looked like a converted tug, but very posh with jet skis, zodiac boats, and lots and lots of radar. It was flying an Bahamian flag, but had sailed in from Rome!
Our tour was to the ruins on Cozumel (didn't want to make the long 7 hour trek to the mainland excursion). We had a wonderful guide named Ruben who really gave us the history. We had tour groups passing us and I don't think they got the whole experience. After walking around there we were hot (bring water - we did and used it up). Back on the bus we were offered either ice cold beer or ice cold Pepsi (we did the Pepsi). Then we had a beautiful 20 minute or so ride along the cost to our next destination which was Playa de Sol. Once there we got checked in with wristbands and got free drink coupons. These were good for anything from Margarita's to beer to pop to bottled water. The beach looked really nice, but Mary was still a little burnt from the stingray excursion so we just walked around, took some pictures and then hid in the shade of the bus reading our books.
At the end of the excursion we were dropped off back by the pier mall and walked around there. There is a great gift shop right at the top of the mall that had some really good deals. I got my Mexicali (really tropical) shirt there to wear to dinner!
As stated this night was Mexicali night. With our rotation we were in Parrot Cay which was fun. Not long after dinner started the Mariachi (sp?) band came in to entertain. A quick trip around the room and then they were off to visit the other two rotations. We saw them again in the Atrium and they were great.
Characters tonight were in Mexican gear - got our picture with Donald.
Rested up a little and then headed out for the deck party. Where does the cruise staff get their energy? They were up leading dances all night long and Mary and I got tired just watching them
At 11 as we were leaving port we went up to the front of the ship to watch us leave. The day was really better than either of us expected!
They had a really nice buffet set up as well, but we were ready for bed. Clocks set ahead one hour tonight so it was well after Midnight when we hit the sack.
December99
<font color=orange>WDW Antenna Topper Queen</font>
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- Aug 25, 1999
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- 3,384
Mark - I also am really enjoying reading these as you are there....we go in July on this same cruise and gathering this info is very helpful!!!!! Thanks so much and enjoy the rest of your cruise!!!!
Credit Man
<font color=teal>Love the shark reef<br><font colo
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- Feb 18, 2000
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- 4,814
Mark, Thanks for posting your reports. Enjoy the last of your trip.
MarkRG
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2002
- Messages
- 6,166
Today has been a very nice pleasant day at sea, this'll be the shortest of the reports
This is the day to just relax and recover after a very long day yesterday, one way or another. Some did lots of partying at Carlos n Charlie's, some the deck party, some BOTH!! Not us, sorry. Not drinkers, so we just looked at the 'Sorry, We're Open' sign at CnC yesterday and moved on. We did stay up late for the deck party however, so today was a sleep in for us nonetheless.
We attended the Captain's Roundtable, which is an interesting Q&A with the command staff. Got a number of answers for the questions thread there. Then, we attended another DVC sales event as members to give testimony on how good DVC is(just ask us!). Hey it's fun to share.
We also took the galley tour through the galley from Luminere's to Parrot Cay. It is a very interesting tour. We went on it once long ago on the Eastern, and wanted to do it again. It was as interesting the second time around, moreso as this time the kitchen was partially open. Something I would guess becoming more popular is to have weddings during the cruise. We had 5 this cruise, 1 earlier in the week, 2 today, and 2 more at CC tomorrow. So we got to experience the pastry chef putting together a wedding cake, and Hot FRESH chocolate chip cookies!! The cake is gorgeous, and the cookies were excellent. And the tour was very informative, as we were led by the head chef for the Parrot Cay half, who is also in charge of the ordering process for the freezer stock. We learned about how they pre-prepare parts of the appitizers and keep them in coldboxes until needed. How they use approximately 2000 lobster tails on the Captain's Gala night. How they recycle just about everything, garbage is sorted; food waste is ground up and tossed overboard. Other products are sorted by type(glass,plastics, etc..) ground up, and stored in the hold until we return to Port Canaveral. Excess food is offered to the crew galley, so you can be sure they do eat reasonably well too. Also all shipboard buffets are prepared in the Parrot Cay kitchen, both for Parrot Cay and Deck 9.
A nice formal dinner in Lumiere's, and here I am typing away while Disney Dreams plays on the in the theatre. Just saw it on the February cruise, it's a bit too fresh at the moment to see it again.
Ok, tomorrow, ON TO Castaway Cay!!!
This is the day to just relax and recover after a very long day yesterday, one way or another. Some did lots of partying at Carlos n Charlie's, some the deck party, some BOTH!! Not us, sorry. Not drinkers, so we just looked at the 'Sorry, We're Open' sign at CnC yesterday and moved on. We did stay up late for the deck party however, so today was a sleep in for us nonetheless.
We attended the Captain's Roundtable, which is an interesting Q&A with the command staff. Got a number of answers for the questions thread there. Then, we attended another DVC sales event as members to give testimony on how good DVC is(just ask us!). Hey it's fun to share.
We also took the galley tour through the galley from Luminere's to Parrot Cay. It is a very interesting tour. We went on it once long ago on the Eastern, and wanted to do it again. It was as interesting the second time around, moreso as this time the kitchen was partially open. Something I would guess becoming more popular is to have weddings during the cruise. We had 5 this cruise, 1 earlier in the week, 2 today, and 2 more at CC tomorrow. So we got to experience the pastry chef putting together a wedding cake, and Hot FRESH chocolate chip cookies!! The cake is gorgeous, and the cookies were excellent. And the tour was very informative, as we were led by the head chef for the Parrot Cay half, who is also in charge of the ordering process for the freezer stock. We learned about how they pre-prepare parts of the appitizers and keep them in coldboxes until needed. How they use approximately 2000 lobster tails on the Captain's Gala night. How they recycle just about everything, garbage is sorted; food waste is ground up and tossed overboard. Other products are sorted by type(glass,plastics, etc..) ground up, and stored in the hold until we return to Port Canaveral. Excess food is offered to the crew galley, so you can be sure they do eat reasonably well too. Also all shipboard buffets are prepared in the Parrot Cay kitchen, both for Parrot Cay and Deck 9.
A nice formal dinner in Lumiere's, and here I am typing away while Disney Dreams plays on the in the theatre. Just saw it on the February cruise, it's a bit too fresh at the moment to see it again.
Ok, tomorrow, ON TO Castaway Cay!!!
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- Jan 24, 2003
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- 28,801
Your trip reports have been reMARKable!!!
Thanks again for sharing!!!
Andy
Thanks again for sharing!!!
Andy
MarkRG
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2002
- Messages
- 6,166
It don't take a million, trust me. 
You're all welcome! If you all get something out of this we're happy.
A small update- Just got back from the midnight dessert buffet. We did this on the Eastern a long while back. And now honestly, we were disappointed. The desserts offered are exceptional, I will admit. However, the presentation is suffering. The last time we did this, they went for the food as decoration angle with lots of decorations. Now, a couple of American flags at the head of the buffet and an ice carving Eiffel Tower as the only impressive crafting at the end of the line. And a lot of styrofoam buidings, the capitol building with the flags on each side, sydney opera house, taj mahal, etc.. all styrofoam. A small downer this trip, if one is even possible.
You're all welcome! If you all get something out of this we're happy.
A small update- Just got back from the midnight dessert buffet. We did this on the Eastern a long while back. And now honestly, we were disappointed. The desserts offered are exceptional, I will admit. However, the presentation is suffering. The last time we did this, they went for the food as decoration angle with lots of decorations. Now, a couple of American flags at the head of the buffet and an ice carving Eiffel Tower as the only impressive crafting at the end of the line. And a lot of styrofoam buidings, the capitol building with the flags on each side, sydney opera house, taj mahal, etc.. all styrofoam. A small downer this trip, if one is even possible.
MarkRG
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2002
- Messages
- 6,166
Hello! For possibly the last time live from the Magic
We're underway for Port Canaveral after an exceptional day at Castaway Cay.
We pulled up this morning right on time, backed in(YES! a lagoon view for us), and were cleared before the posted time. The Weather is STILL perfect beyond belief. We got down to get off early and were nice and early to find a spot on the family beach near the snorkeling lagoon, right on plan. We have our own snorkel and masks, Mary's is a prescription one, this is the big test day. So we get fins and safety vests and off the water we go. The last time we did this with no glasses, Mary couldn't do it. She'd get vertigo by not seeing well. Not this time! We went out to find the Mickey figurehead, swam around the sunk Nautilus ride vehicle from 20K, and back in, over an hour and a half and she's really happy. The snorkel lagoon is now getting crowded. We abandon our spot at this point, and go to Cookies for an excellent buffet lunch.
Now my parents went straight to the adult beach to secure a good spot there. All is going very smoothly this day too. After lunch we take the tram over and join them there and we're still eager to snorkel. So we swim out sans fins to the limit of the adult beach. We saw a better variety of sea life here! Numerous live starfish, a small stingray with one little fish following him everywhere, and even a real conch moving its way slowly across the sea floor!
After that, it's a bit of shopping (BRIGHT LIME GREEN Castaway Cay shirts!) , and back to the ship for a quick shower and pack it all up.
We sailaway smoothly on time and here we are about to have dinner. It's been an excellent trip and we're going to miss this one more than most. Next time I post here, we'll be home.
We're underway for Port Canaveral after an exceptional day at Castaway Cay.
We pulled up this morning right on time, backed in(YES! a lagoon view for us), and were cleared before the posted time. The Weather is STILL perfect beyond belief. We got down to get off early and were nice and early to find a spot on the family beach near the snorkeling lagoon, right on plan. We have our own snorkel and masks, Mary's is a prescription one, this is the big test day. So we get fins and safety vests and off the water we go. The last time we did this with no glasses, Mary couldn't do it. She'd get vertigo by not seeing well. Not this time! We went out to find the Mickey figurehead, swam around the sunk Nautilus ride vehicle from 20K, and back in, over an hour and a half and she's really happy. The snorkel lagoon is now getting crowded. We abandon our spot at this point, and go to Cookies for an excellent buffet lunch.
Now my parents went straight to the adult beach to secure a good spot there. All is going very smoothly this day too. After lunch we take the tram over and join them there and we're still eager to snorkel. So we swim out sans fins to the limit of the adult beach. We saw a better variety of sea life here! Numerous live starfish, a small stingray with one little fish following him everywhere, and even a real conch moving its way slowly across the sea floor!
After that, it's a bit of shopping (BRIGHT LIME GREEN Castaway Cay shirts!) , and back to the ship for a quick shower and pack it all up.
We sailaway smoothly on time and here we are about to have dinner. It's been an excellent trip and we're going to miss this one more than most. Next time I post here, we'll be home.Surfergirl
<font color=green>I think these are all wonderful
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- Sep 28, 2000
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Thanks MarkRG for the wonderful reports. I'm looking forward to our Western cruise next year.
MarkRG
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 19, 2002
- Messages
- 6,166
Hi a very short note- We're home!
The last day went a lot like other last days always do, a sad breakfast with your servers, then departure, a ride via DCL transfer and the flight home.
As usual, Mark is now coming down with something. :/ Seems inevitable with every trip. I'll go rest now, and start whipping up the real trip report with lots of pictures and some surprises later on.
The last day went a lot like other last days always do, a sad breakfast with your servers, then departure, a ride via DCL transfer and the flight home.
As usual, Mark is now coming down with something. :/ Seems inevitable with every trip. I'll go rest now, and start whipping up the real trip report with lots of pictures and some surprises later on.
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2003
- Messages
- 28,801
WELCOME BACK to REALITY MARK and MARY!!!
Hope Mark is feeling better real soon, looking forward to your photos and more reMARKable and MAGICal trip reports.
Andy
Hope Mark is feeling better real soon, looking forward to your photos and more reMARKable and MAGICal trip reports.
Andy
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