Magical Double Dip Cruise - Aug 19-26, 2006 - LONG!!!

[chichihoney]

jen love ur trip report

 

[lindaso]

Good start, can't wait to read more. I love the pictures along with the story!!

 

[sherrie]

great day so far cant wait for more

 

[CNB1124]

Thanks for the great details - I love details!

Petty Question - there has been buzz that disney is replacing the old shampoo products with H20 products. Was this the case for your cruise?

 

[PoohJen]

Cindy - nope, they hadn't made the H20 switch as of the 8/19 sailing...

Warning...this trip report is quickly becoming Faulkneresque in length and stream of consciousness delivery...you have been warned!

The cast: me, DH, DS13, DStwins 9, DMom 64, DDad 70, DF 41, and DF’s son 11

Although the ship’s motion didn’t seem noticeable at all, I took a daily bonine to be safe. Easily prone to motion sickness, I didn’t want to spoil a single meal, er, day.

We hit the beds hard on our first night! Slept deeply and woke up around 6, a little concerned at the lack of sunrise – very overcast. CC not yet in sight. Rested some more before trying to stir the others – Quick! Wake up and come see Castaway Cay!!! And, oooh, a pirate ship!! I had managed to keep the Flying Dutchman's appearance a surprise; DH, in particular, found it very cool!

Tip: If you want to grab “quick” pictures or video off the verandah or outside decks, remember to set you camera out at least 15 minutes earlier, as condensation quickly fogs your lens.

I could feel the ship turn and back into the pier; oh well, no view of the beaches from our port-side verandah. Mom and Dad head for an early Topsiders breakfast. The Long Island folks had brought a priest with them, so Dad was glad to get to mass that morning. I roused my sleepyheads and lathered on the sunblock before head to Topsiders for a quick breakfast. Mickey waffles were involved.

Tip: Yuk, if you’re looking for eggs at Topsiders, skip the scrambled and head for the omelette chef at the far end between the two buffet lines.

It was so cool to have two stops at Castaway Cay – that way, if the weather, or otherwise, spoiled your plans, you had another shot. It was odd though to be “stopping” so soon after boarding; a sea day (like on the Eastern) on the first day is a nice way to sloooow down and just enjoy the ship. Still, an early peek at Castaway Cay is a great kickoff to a fabulous vacation!

Going on the theory that Friday would be a “make up” day if we missed anything today, I booked the big stuff for CC Day 1. DS13 had the teen Wild Side excursion; a great way to make friends early in the cruise! That group met at The Stack at 9 a.m., and spent the morning snorkeling, kayaking and bike riding before heading for lunch at Cookies. DH took him up there to meet his crew, while I set out with Mom and Dad to scope out some umbrella chairs on the family beach. First a stop at the Post Office. Nope, not open yet. Then a quick stop at She Sells for some post cards (no lines!). Hmmm, VERY limited collection; and I later realized they had the same cards, plus many others, on the ship.

Tip: Bring some cash and buy your stamps early in the day on Castaway Cay to avoid the very long lines at the Post Office late in the day.

Unless it’s Sunday. The Post Office is closed on Sunday. Duh. All day I couldn’t figure out why the PO was closed. I assumed no one thought to tell the Bahamian post master that the Magic was stopping here twice this week. Who thinks in terms of “Sunday” “Monday” etc?? We all know it’s “Castaway Cay Day” “Costa Maya Day” “Pirate Night” etc.

Meanwhile, as I said, time to scope out some lounge chairs. Some friends from another board were gathering at the far end of the beach, and I was hoping to catch up with them, but it’s easy to get lost in the crowd!

Let me interrupt this program for some brief soapboxing: There does seem to be plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas (or some shade) to go around, but let’s talk about HAMMOCKS. Folks, there are what, less than 50 hammocks to go around for 2800 guests??? WHY DO YOU PUT YOUR *STUFF* ON A HAMMOCK THAT YOU WILL REST IN FOR ONLY A SHORT WHILE?!!! Seriously, DCL, I humbly suggest this polite policy: No saving hammocks. If it is devoid of a live body, then please, lie down and enjoy a siesta. When you have done relaxing, go back and swim or eat or hang out with your family and let the next fellow have a try. You don’t need a hammock all day. If we went with this courteous policy, then I bet all who want to enjoy a hammock would have the chance to do so. How many times a day did you pass a hammock with only a towel or t-shirt on it? I passed more “saved” hammocks than “in use” hammocks, for sure!

Now back to our pleasant remembrances…
Mom and I enjoyed some snorkeling; I was determined to find Mickey! On our last trip here, he had been removed for maintenance. Saw a lot of fish, and sunken nautical debris, but no Mickey (I so wanted to try to find him w/o asking for the location).

Tip: If you haven’t snorkeled here, you should know that you typically have to swim far out for better snorkeling. It can be tough for nonswimmers or younger children. And it seems to take a LONG time to get back in, even for a good swimmer! Remember to save some strength for the swim back in!

Mom and I cut under the rope and swam back in via the family swim area. Rather, we were so tired that we kind of floated back in on our backs.

I saw a bunch of online friends enjoying the water with their children. Hi RM! Hi Denise! Lots of happy families! The twins were having fun on the play structure in the water. DH asleep in the lounge, Dad keeping an eye on the grands. Time for lunch, as the one twin had a parasailing date with my mom at 1:30.

Hmmm. I’m sorry to say, I was underwhelmed by Cookies today. Although my line was fairly short, it didn’t move. There was no food; either the cooks couldn’t keep up or the line staff couldn’t keep up. Choices were hamburgers, hot dogs, I think jerk chicken and ribs. Given the disorganization and the waiting, lunch was just uninspiring. Oh well, the week is young!

Tip: The line for soft serve gets very long indeed, the later you get into lunch. Try some softserve early when it first opens up!
We arrived at Marge’s Barges at 1:10 for our 1:30 parasailing. The parasailing folks let us know the last two excursions had been cancelled due to wind/weather, but they would wait to the last minute to decide. DH was off to find DS13, which I found curious, as I told DS13 to meet us at Marge’s. And so began a long waste of time due to miscommunication; DH told him one thing, I told him another, and he just did what he felt like anyway (in his defense, I had seen him, but didn’t communicate the next plan of action). Stupid thing was, we had radios in our room, just forgot to put them to use. Doh!

While we waited at Marge’s Barges, I finally got a chance to chat w/ Walshclan Moira and crazynutjob Sandra. Hi Ladies!!! I believe I had guilted poor Moira to overcome her fears and join my 64 yo mother in the skies! I was sorry when the trip was cancelled, but Moira saw it as divine intervention. Oh well, there’s still Friday!!!

Come on twin, let’s go. Hmmm. He’s dead asleep, kneeling on a picnic bench, face planted on the table. Too funny. I have to wait for DH anyway, so I let him rest. This went on for over an hour. I entertained myself by snapping pictures.

DH returned w/o finding DS13 and took the twins back to the ship to swim and wash up. I quickly found DS with his good DISbuddy playing billiards in Grouper’s. There were lots of folks there enjoying various games in the shady pavilion. DS finished his game and head back with me. He enjoyed the Wild Side and was having a blast on the cruise.

DS13’s Wild Side Report “It was ALL good. Snorkeling was a little hard, and something kept biting me. We biked along some trails; there were flowers everywhere. We paddled in two-person kayaks. There were about 13 kids, aged 13-17."

Tip: Check the back of your Castaway Cay map for the scheduled Castaway Cay-vents. Now, we had had a full day on Castaway Cay, but only now as I write did I notice all the planned activities going on that day! Family scavenger hunt, sand castle competition, “Goofy Olympics”!!!

While dressing for our early dinner we enjoyed room service (All Hands on Deck cheese platter) and the kids vegged a little in our cabin watching The Jungle Book. Dinner was at Parrot Cay, everyone was all smiles and sunswept from a day at the beach. DF and son had cancelled their banana boat ride due to some soreness he had from soccer on the sports deck, but they did enjoy another excursion – glass bottom boat, I believe. I never ran into them on the island!

After dinner Dad tucked in for the night and the rest of us went to “Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer?” in Studio Sea. It was crowded and fun. Everyone gets a number upon entering, and contestants are chosen randomly. Children could be accompanied to the hot seat with a parent. Just before the end, our number was called!! DS9, the more timid twin, was so excited!! We lost on a very tricky question (usually, the MC gives you a hint, but by our turn they were trying to finish up and get one more person a turn). That worked out well, as DS was thrilled with his consolation prize – a 5x7 acrylic Disney frame (the ‘grand’ prize is an etched glass ‘paperweight’, not the stuff that excites a 9 year old). Also, all contestants also receive WWTBAM players’ pins, which DS wore proudly all week.

Next, on to the show with magician/ventriloquist Michael Harrison. Now, all I remember of this show was a very simple “puppet” consisting of a tennis ball with a slit for a mouth. He had us all laughing; the twins were captivated! The best part was that for the rest of the week, DH and twins would break into the banter from the show, with the twins alternating the parts of the tennis ball and Harrison. I’m still smiling as I remember and type!

After the show, DS13 returned to the Stack. Fortunately, he was very good (not quite perfect) with curfew all week. Tomorrow’s a sea day, a chance to sleep in!

 

[jrose529]

I'm really enjoying your TR. I love that you put pictures in your report.

 

[DISNEYMOMTO1]

I am SOOOOOOOOO loving your trip report! Gets me excited for my trip in three weeks! Keep it coming!

More! More!

 

[Dsnylndlvrs]

Hi Jen!
I'm still enjoying your report! And learning - silly me, I never did figure out why the post office wasn't open!
And I never saw a hammock with a live human at all!
Kris

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoying ~ Can't wait to read more.

 

[RobinMarie]

Folks, there are what, less than 50 hammocks to go around for 2800 guests??? WHY DO YOU PUT YOUR *STUFF* ON A HAMMOCK THAT YOU WILL REST IN FOR ONLY A SHORT WHILE?!!!

Amen sister!

Hi RM!

I am really loving this report!

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Yes, it is a bad thing when the DCL towels get to spend more time in the hammocks than a live person.

Maybe DCL should create a "hammock only" area on the family beach? Just have rows and rows of hammocks and no other beach chairs. Use it or lose it. Once you walk away you've relinquished your right to put your stuff on the hammock.

If someone is really keen on using a hammock then they should walk over to the hammock area and go use a hammock. When they are done relaxing or need to go in the water/watch kids then they get up and let someone else use the hammock.

We saw the teens riding their bikes during their wild side excursion when we were on the bike path beyond Serenity Bay. Sure enough, one girl doesn't know to properly apply the brakes and caused the domino effect of crashing into one rider who then topples over the next person, etc, etc.

Hey, they got to take a hike in a restricted area of Castaway Cay. NO FAIR!!!!

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Great Report, looking forward to more.

 

[dzneprincess]

good read so far!

 

[Denise W]

We were sitting on the beach at CC very close to a spot with 2 hammocks together. Although we had gotten to our spot early, these were already taken. I saw one person in one of them for a few minutes, and that was it for the entire day. What really frosted me is on the second CC day, the same family had taken them again, and no one was ever using them.

It's funny, they ended up being on our flight home after the cruise, and I was so tempted to make some remark about hogging the hammocks!!!

Denise

 

[PoohJen]

ARRRGGGGHHHH!!!!! Too tired to write tonite (apparently going on a week's vacation somehow equates to having 3 weeks worth of work on your desk when you return!)...so I posted pics instead. But before I could submit, dang internet server decided to check out. sigh. Let's try again...

I love taking pictures of the Magic. Mornings and CC days are good times to get pics of the empty upper decks...

Here's a few of my doorsigns. The background for the first one is a pic I took of the Magic at Castaway Cay in Nov '04:

That's DH leading my 3 boys onto the beach

I had so much fun with the door signs this year. My schedule is so hectic, not much time for "hobbies" and I'm not crafty. So it was great fun to be playing with Paintshop type programs, and "therapeutic" to be playing with scissors and glue sticks as I prepared the door magnets.

 

[Dsnylndlvrs]

Hi Jen, nice pics! I agree that morning is a great time for taking pictures. Funny about your first door sign - all mine were picture backgrounds with clipart characters in the scene. I'm curious, did you guys rebook? (I bet my DS might know the answer though!) Anyway, I look forward to when you get time to write more of your report!
Kris

 

[PoohJen]

HI Kris! We booked a dummy date of Christmas '07, but will most likely change to summer '08! Although a few friends are on the European repo back to FL and have been tempting, rather - taunting, me...

DS started school the first day back too, like your son. We will probably try for earlier in the summer next time around.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Shouldn't you be WRITING, young lady?

 

[Dsnylndlvrs]

HI Kris! We booked a dummy date of Christmas '07, but will most likely change to summer '08! Although a few friends are on the European repo back to FL and have been tempting, rather - taunting, me...

DS started school the first day back too, like your son. We will probably try for earlier in the summer next time around.

We've also got a dummy December date, but our plan is to do late June or maybe sometime in July of '08. Maybe we'll end up cruising the same time again! (Although I secretly wish DH would change his mind about the Med.)

I better let you get back to your report. I know I and others anxiously await!

 

[PoohJen]

Day 3 – Day at Sea; Formal Night
Ahhh, I love sea days! A chance to catch up on sleep – we’d been going nonstop for several days now. But really, who can sleep in when there’s so much to do (well, DS13 can, but I can’t!).

I could hear Mom and Dad rise early and head up to Topsiders for their tea and breakfast. The sun was already shining off our verandah when I roused the twins and DH. As we were in no hurry today, we tried breakfast at Lumiere’s. Lisa, our assistant server, was playing maitre d’ there this morning.

On our last cruise, we never ate at a restaurant for lunch or b’fast (except the character breakfast), I had vowed to fit that in this time! Breakfast at Lumiere’s was very nice. You are waited on and order from a menu; typical breakfast fare. DH had eggs benedict, which he thoroughly enjoyed. We had a nice leisurely breakfast, DH and twins kept us laughing by replaying last night’s ventriloquist/comedy act. After breakfast we roused the teenager who was quick off to find some chums for breakfast.

We head to Deck 4 promenade for a look around, where we found Dad enjoying his book on a lounge chair, and Mom apparently walking her laps around the deck. Dtwin and Mom took in a game of shuffleboard, while I snapped pictures and DH snoozed on one of those great Deck 4 lounge chairs! Where was the other twin??!! I can only assume DH signed him into the Lab at that point.

I have to admit, I have a very hard time “just relaxing” on the ship, be it on a Deck 4 lounge, or reading a book on my verandah. In fact, although I always bring a book, it never gets opened!!! I always feel like there is so much to see and to do on the ship, and I don’t want to miss any of the experience!

The ventriloquist from last night – Michael Harrison – was hosting a magic workshop this morning in Rockin Bar D, which the twins wanted to see, but unfortunately it was being held during our spa time. We let the twins know they needed to stay with the Lab through lunch, as we’d be in the spa; the Lab kids were going up to the sports deck, so I’m glad (even though it was hot) they’d be getting some fresh air.

Hooray! Spa time!!! I’d been saving that crick in my neck for this very occasion! Mom, Dad, DH and I were each scheduled for a couple’s “spa tester”. But no…there seems to be a problem…remember when we rescheduled Mom and Dad’s massages upon boarding? From two singles to one couple? Well, yes, they did cancel Mom’s massage, but….they scheduled the “couples” massage into a single-sized room. (it took them a while to figure that out, but I was glad when they were able to see it was by their own error). No problem, they were able to squeeze DH and I in a little later. They gave us each a Rainforest Room pass for the day for our inconvenience.

The little time we had to kill wasn’t enough to get the kids for the magic class, unfortunately. We went to Topsider’s to view the offerings, and had a small sample. I had wanted some fruit, but quickly found out that fresh fruit could only be gotten at Goofy’s Galley. A minor inconvenience, if you are already there on the buffet line and want some fruit with lunch. DH and I relaxed outside of Topsiders, reflecting on the trip thus far, then made our way back to the spa.

At the spa we each received a locker key and were shown to the locker rooms. In the lockers are a fresh bathrobe and cotton slippers. DH and I met back up in the Rainforest Room while awaiting our massages. We relaxed on the heated tile lounges. The Rainforest Rooms is a dimly lit (but enough light to read a book, etc), tile room with heated tile lounge chairs, a gurgling fountain, a sauna, two different aromatic steam rooms, and a few showers with multiple water outputs. Last cruise I recall Enya-type music being piped in, but I don’t recall any now. The room is buffered from noise, so outside noises sound very remote, very detached indeed. I found these pics on the net…Rainforest Room


Soon Mom and Dad were led into the Rainforest Room, and I must admit, they were positively aglow! They thoroughly enjoyed their treatments. Now is our turn. We are led to a small, dimly lighted, yoga-esque music’d treatment room with two massage tables. The two therapists entered and described the offerings – we chose the “Spa Tester” which consists of a full back massage (from neck to feet) and a facial.

Tip: Btw, when you first enter the spa, you are given some paperwork to fill out, medical history and such. Under “comments” I add “no product sales please” because sales pitches totally stress me out! (I don’t want to mix commercials in with my treatments, and don’t want to undo a 45 minute massage with the guilt I would feel for not purchasing their products!). On both my Magic cruises, the spa staff respected this request.

One of the therapists had just worked with my Dad (I think her name was Sam, from Sweden…or maybe Norway??), so it was fun chatting a little during the treatments about my folks and their experience. Obviously she already knew all about us from my mother! Turns out she was giving up her lunch hour to fit us in (I asked her this), but she was great about it.

Now, I’ve had very few massages in my life, and I needed to make this one count. So when my therapist asked what amount of pressure I would like, I insisted that “deep” would be just fine. Nope, a little deeper please. Yeah, that’s great, I lied. OMG, it was painful (but I’m a “suck it up” type of gal!). Ok, ok, you win…a little less deep…thanks.
Sam was telling us about my father’s facial. MY FATHER HAD A FACIAL???!!! MY dad, the 70 year old from The Bronx?! Well, that explains why he was glowing! Neat that it really was so noticeable.

Wow. DH and I both had a wonderful treatment. So relaxing. I was sorry when it ended. We retreated to the Rainforest Room to further practice this relaxation thing. A few minutes in one of the aromatic steam rooms, then into the sauna, with its heated tile seats. Wonderful dry heat. We had the whole place to ourselves for quite a while; just wonderful. Soon DH says “hey, there’s some guy out there taking pictures”; turns out it was my online friends Jason and Travis, snapping photos of the spa. A couple of women joined us in the sauna and we chatted with them for a few minutes. Everyone was having a wonderful time.

DH and I tried the showers in the Rainforest Room but wasn’t sure if we were working them right (first the shower head runs water, but then water comes from the sides??? I don’t know, I was too relaxed to try to figure it out…)
Finally, it was time to head back to reality. I showered off in the locker room, which has the most EXCELLENT water pressure. I knew from DisFriends that you could use these showers at any time, and I tucked that mental note away for later.

We really only snacked lightly at lunch, so – lest I should starve by missing a meal! – I ordered a pizza and tortilla soup from room service later in the afternoon. (ok, I just loved having an excuse to get room service!)

The twins had enjoyed “Jr. Chef” time in the lab today, where they got to make, and take, Nestle Toll House Cookies. Yum. DS13 enjoyed teen games (“Brains vs Brawns” and “Gender Wars”; the first involved puzzle solving, the latter was trivia-based) at the Stack. Now the boys were all back in the room, resting in front of the tv (I think this afternoon’s viewing was Cinderella), while getting ready for formal night.

We are not huge on formal dressings, but it was fun getting a little bit dressed up for the evening. The twins wore suits, DS13 black pants, shirt and tie. I wore a long silk sleeveless sundress, dressed up a little with a bright wrap, and Mom wore a nice dress. DF and son didn’t join us; I think the idea of getting dressed up kept them away – too bad!

It was fun people watching tonite – lots of folks dressed up, also saw a bride and groom go by. Lots of picture taking. After dinner at Lumiere’s, we stood on the line to have our portraits taken at the Mickey statue in the Atrium. We chatted with the folks next to us in line, turns out to have been another Dis’er! Hi Sea n Ski!!! Oh, by the way, be sure to grab a free drink in the atrium while you are waiting in the lonnnggg picture lines!

Tonight’s show was the Golden Mickeys! (in truth…I thought it was just ok, not as good as I recall….have they changed it? Shortened it?) Still, fun seeing some online friends’ children on the Red Carpet!

Zzzz, time for bed, both on the ship and here, back in the real world…it was another fun, full day on the ship – oh to be back there right now!