Magic Christmas Cruise 2010 (Dec 18th - 29th) - ***UPDATED - post #411 ***

[kidcoos3]

Are we going to do Fish Extenders? I have never done them before - but I think it would be fun. I would also be up for an ornament exchange - maybe at a "start of cruise" mixer?

 

[tinkmischief]

I have been looking at a few ports: Guadaloupe and Barbados. The beaches of Guadaloupe look spectacular. I am excited that we may have the opportunity to explore a black sand beach. I also did a bit of online research on Harrison’s cave in Barbados. It appears to be beautiful, but I do not know if I would feel claustrophobic exploring the caverns. They may turn beautiful into ugly real quick. I cannot wait until Disney posts their excursions on their website.

Things that I am looking forward to: Give a Day. Get a Day; Rent; the figure skating competition at the Olympics; my dad’s 70th birthday party, and Tim Burton’s Alice and Wonderland

I am so excited about Tim Burton's Alice too - just a natural fit!
Harrison's cave in Barbados didn't seem like a tight fit to me...I guess it would depend on how claustrophobic you are. They do drive you down in a tram...so there is no squeezing thru tight openings or anything.
Anyone looking to get close to the green monkeys I definitely recommend the Barbados wildlife reserve. Beautiful trees and trails right across from it as well. I will try to dig up some of the many pictures I have taken in that area...believe I have a couple from Harrison's cave as well.

Are we going to do Fish Extenders? I have never done them before - but I think it would be fun. I would also be up for an ornament exchange - maybe at a "start of cruise" mixer?

I am definitley up for an ornament exchange and it just wouldn't be a cruise without a fe exchange! I had a blast wandering the halls late late at night delivering gifts....just me, the crew and the teens

 

[bigAWL]

I am so excited about Tim Burton's Alice too - just a natural fit!

I read somewhere that he's considering a version of the Sleeping Beauty tale, as told from the point of view of Maleficent.

 

[SwimMama]

Has anyone eaten dinner at Palo? Is it really worth it? I am just wondering if it is a "must do" or if the food in the other dinning rooms is just as good.

If you recommend Palo what is on the menu that should definitely be ordered?

Thanks for any advice!

10 more months!!!! Can't wait

 

[kidcoos3]

We've only done brunch at Palo. I love it. It is a combination of buffet and table service. There are salads, seafood items, breads, cheeses, and desserts on the buffet tables. They also have speciality pizzas, egg dishes, pasta dishes and a few meat selections that you can order. I will definitely do brunch again. I would feel like I missed something if I missed one of the dining room dinners.

 

[ReggieB]

Brunch at Palo is a real must. Love it. They have some great lunch entrees, aswell as the breakfast stuff and the buffet. So much good food.

I have also enjoyed Palo for dinner too. It's nice to have a dinner away from the kid, and the tablemate thing (we always seem to be very mismatched!) DH and I don't get to go out to dinner on our own more than once a year, so I enjoy it! I don't mind missing a menu on the regular rotation. The staff are really nice up there too.

On the sharing thing. I've always made some door magnets for my fellow disers. It is a lot of fun roaming the corridors, I totally agree!

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

Has anyone eaten dinner at Palo? Is it really worth it? I am just wondering if it is a "must do" or if the food in the other dinning rooms is just as good.

If you recommend Palo what is on the menu that should definitely be ordered?

Thanks for any advice!

10 more months!!!! Can't wait

I am a fan of Palo. We have not had brunch, would like to sometime. We really enjoy dinner. I know everyone has different tastes, but I do find the food better then the regular dining rooms. Both times I have had the filet, but this last time my server also brought me the lobster ravioli. YUMMO! Save room for the chocolate souffle.

 

[HFC1969]

Hey guys

DW & I are loading up to head for Russia...

If you are bored you can click on the link below to find out why..

302 days is what the count down clock shows until

On another note.. we have cruised DCL roughly 10 times and have never ate at Palos.. Our DS10 had Palo's cheese pizza for his 9th Bday last year. Our head server brought it to him as a surprise. It was good!

Next time we talk to you will be from Russia

 

[bigAWL]

Wow! That's pretty exciting. And frighteningly cold. Good luck and stay safe and warm.

 

[tinkmischief]

Hey guys

DW & I are loading up to head for Russia...

If you are bored you can click on the link below to find out why..



Next time we talk to you will be from Russia

 

[SwimMama]

Thank you for all of the fabulous responses about Palo. I just might have to try it now.
Lobster ravioli, pizza, and chocolate souffle...mmmmm! I'm getting hungry!

 

[3princessMommy]

Two thumbs up for both Palo's Brunch and Dinner. You know, you can request a group brunch for up to 12 people in a private room. We did that with our DisGroup last time. For dinner, we normally take the kids to dinner and enjoy the servers' company - sampling the best of the best from the menu that night. THen drop the girls in the club and head up to Palo for our couple time. Very nice!

Congratulations on your trip HFC! I used to process all the baby visas from Kazakhstan when we were stationed there. Many uplifting and heartwarming stories. Stay warm - Russia in February - brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 

[bigAWL]

For those who haven't tried Palo's brunch, here are some photos from our July 2009 cruise on the Magic.

It's generally set up as a buffet.

Try as much or as little as you want.

Lots of bread and cheese.

These dishes could be ordered through your waiter. You could order as many of these as you wish, as well.

Same with the delicious gourmet pizzas. They were being ordered and passed around our table for everyone to try.

My first plate.

The chicken parmigiana is incredible.

And then a dessert sampling.

Here's a shot of the room they have off to the side for large parties. As Joann mentioned, our DIS group reserved the room ahead of time for brunch (actually, I think two or three groups from our DIS group reserved brunch here, since there's only room for about 12.

 

[HFC1969]

Hello from Moscow!

It has been snowing here for the last 3 days and still is.

We are a bit jet lagged... but doing well. We hang out for a couple days and then go to court. Then its back home for a week and turn around and come back over here to pick Pink up for the last time.

Less then 300 days til

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Hello from Moscow!

It has been snowing here for the last 3 days and still is.

We are a bit jet lagged... but doing well. We hang out for a couple days and then go to court. Then its back home for a week and turn around and come back over here to pick Pink up for the last time.

Less then 300 days til

I am so happy for you and your family. I wish you all the best. Try to stay warm...Sending warm thoughts your way. I also appreciate the countdown. I look forward to spending the holidays with you and your newest family member. Take care. I look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

For those who haven't tried Palo's brunch, here are some photos from our July 2009 cruise on the Magic.

It's generally set up as a buffet.

Try as much or as little as you want.

Lots of bread and cheese.

These dishes could be ordered through your waiter. You could order as many of these as you wish, as well.

Same with the delicious gourmet pizzas. They were being ordered and passed around our table for everyone to try.

My first plate.

The chicken parmigiana is incredible.

And then a dessert sampling.

Here's a shot of the room they have off to the side for large parties. As Joann mentioned, our DIS group reserved the room ahead of time for brunch (actually, I think two or three groups from our DIS group reserved brunch here, since there's only room for about 12.

Thanks for the photos. It reminded me what wonderful things that we have to look forward too. Yummy!

My vote is for Palo's too. It is a must on our list. The brunch was the highlight of our last cruise. The food was fabulous; the view was spectacular, and the atmosphere was very romantic.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I cannot believe the countdown is under 10 months. Wow.

I am happy to report. Cheryl and Scott will be the new Mr. and Mrs. Kalagian when we sail in December. They got engaged this weekend.

It is going to be a busy year for the Ramos/Thomas/Kalagians. My dad's 70th birthday party is at the end of March; the wedding is going to be sometime in late summer and of course, the cruise at the end of the year.

The Olympics have been so exciting. Team USA is doing very well. It has been a gold rush for the USA. Love it.

I look forward to planning the fish extender exchange and ornament exchange with everybody. My mom is on top of making the FE gifts. I am so thankful that she is taking the lead on that. I recall somebody mentioning a possible secret Santa. How does that work?

I hope everybody is doing well. Take care. Talk to you all soon.

 

[HFC1969]

Hello from Moscow again..

While here they have had the most snow they have ever had... 67 centimeters...

Dreaming of sun & fun..

 

[3princessMommy]

Hi all from rainy Kampala!

I've been traveling and crazy busy with training and official visitors (think Washington bosses) for the last several weeks. It's nice to think that I might have a couple quieter weeks to get caught up on regular things.

Happy Int'l Women's Day to all the ladies! We don't celebrate the holiday in the U.S., but it sure is nice to get a three-day weekend in honor of me once in a while.

HFC if you're still in Moscow - March 8 is a HUGE deal there, so enjoy! In Kazakhstan we lived on Ulitzsa Vosmova Marta (8th of March street)!

Come on countdown! I need some pixie dust!!!!

 

[HFC1969]

We are in STL for 2 more days... Then its back to Moscow for what we pray is the last time... Get our baby girl!

We fly STL to DC then over the pond to Moscow!


Packed her bag last night... Lil girls have lots of stuff...


I will try and post from Moscow this weekend.. if I stop her long enought to type.

I show 284 days til