SteamboatWillie1021
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 30, 2009
- Messages
- 91
Okay, so here is my TR for the Disney Magic 7 day Tortola, St. Thomas, Castaway Cay cruise. First, let me introduce you to my Family. DH (28), DD (20months), and me (30). We traveled with my brother DB (38), SIL (38), DN (9) and DN (11). Also with my parents GMA andGPA as well as SILs parents GMAK and GPAK. This is our second trip on the Magic. Or first was in May of 2004 with the same group minus my DD. My husband and I got engaged on the last one!
June 20th, 2009
We live in Orlando so we just drove over to the port in two SUVs. We arrived at the port at probably around 10:00 10:15 or so, dropped off the luggage curbside and then parked the car in Disneys parking .I think it was around $115 for the week per car.
The porters took our luggage away so all we were carrying was our carryons. We went through the metal detectors and up the escalator to the lobby where one of us from each family checked in. We were issued a number 4 boarding pass and were instructed to go get our pictures taken for the computer data base. There were basically no lines, at least no long ones, maybe 5 minutes at the very most for both check in and pictures. We waited around for the boarding to start and once it did number 4 was called very quickly. I dont know why people make such a big deal about getting a number 2. They board VERY quickly so it is really not a big deal what number you get.
Anyway, we boarded and had discussed prior to boarding that we were going to go up to Topsiders to have lunch. We prefer that to Parrot Cay because we enjoy being outside but they did say you could go to either. Once we had lunch we headed over to the Mickey Pool where my nephews tested out the slide and my DD splashed around in the splash zone .I had asked a question about the Mickey Pool/ Splash area prior to leaving .wondering if DD would be able to go in the Mickey Pool or not. Little did I realize it would be so controversial, however, it turned out to be no big deal in real life as she barely even noticed the pools and just wanted to splash in the splash area all week long. She never once seemed like she wanted to even go in the pools as they were always very crowded and a bit rowdy. She was able to swim in all of the ports anyway.
Before we knew it, it was 1:30 and our rooms were ready. We headed down to unpack and decorate the door while DD took her nap. We were unpacking and trying to get the room organized until the Safety Drill which I believe started at 4 that time flew by didnt seem like we were in the room that long. The rooms are very small. We knew this from the last cruise but I guess it seemed smaller to us this time because of the extra little person we had traveling with us! As the week went on we adjusted to the tight living space! I was trying to find the shoe holders that everyone talks about but I waited until the last minute so I didnt end up finding one. My SIL had one for their room though and it seemed to really work well in keeping their clutter organized. We did use the tip about storing the suitcases under the bed. There were a ton of hangars already in the closet so we hung up a lot of clothes as there was limited drawer space. We did fold up the comforter and gave it to our stateroom attendant (Carlos) to take away dont know if you read the post about the comforters being washed but it totally grossed me out and I just couldnt deal when I saw it! It actually made the room feel more open and clean without it in my opinion.
So at 4 it was time to go to the lifeboat drill
which was I suppose necessary by law but pretty much a joke as I am sure a real emergency would be much more hectic. We were kind of irritated I guess because we had a sleeping baby that we had to drag to it and it interrupted her nap
so sorry to complain but you parents know what its like to deal with a child whos nap is interrupted. Anyway, it was pretty quick and afterward we used another tip from the board about sending one person back to the room with the lifejackets and the others go get a spot on deck 10 for sail away. I was one of the first back up top so I had my choice of where to go. The rest of my fam did the same and we gathered straight across from the big TV screen on deck 10. The sail away party was a lot of fun. Lots of characters dancing and good music.
After the sail away party we all hung out on deck 10 for awhile enjoying some drinks and then headed down to get ready for the first show which was the welcome aboard variety show.
Oh, I forgot to tell you our cabin was 7063 which was pretty much mid ship on deck 7 and was a fantastic location. I would highly recommend mid ship on any level. So we did a quick diaper change for DD and headed out to the Walt Disney Theater to see the show which started at 6:15. I want to say they did some kind of show with the characters as well as having a magician. Our DD LOVED the shows which was surprising to me. I didnt know if she would be able to sit still and watch them but she was mezmerised by them. The magician was hilarious. He was pretty much magic/stand up comedy. We went to see him a few more times after this, once for a magic how to for the kids and again for the adult show the following night at 10 in Rockin Bar D. After the show we headed back to the room to get dressed for dinner. This was the only night we did it this way.
A little shopping before we changed
The rest of the week we got dressed before the show and then went to another activity between the show and dinner. We had second seating which was at 8:15 and we started our week off in Animators Palate.
This is a pic of my parents...we were celebrating their 40th anniversary that night.
We met our servers for the week Laci from Hungary and Esther from Trinidad. They were AWESOME!!!!!! Our family fell in love with them both and hope that they come visit us when they have some time off. I really felt like I was saying goodbye to family on the last day.
This was the first week of new menus on the boat and I didnt write the menus down at all but I can tell you that everything was delicious
and YES, they still have lobster one night. I do remember a few of the things that really stood out to me as being super and I will try to list those as they pop into my head. From night one I remember the mushroom rice pilaf. I was hesitant to get it because I like the flavor of mushrooms but not the texture of actual mushrooms if that makes any sense but I did get it and it was soooooo good. I could have just had that and been happy
but of course I pigged out (its vacation, right?) and had some pasta that had turkey and bacon in a cream sauce also. Ohh, while I am thinking of the food I had the strawberry soup at lunch because I had seen it on here and it was REALLY good. My DH had salmon and some type of steak. He loved his too and even went to a workshop during the week to learn how to make the salmon. I think for dessert I had chocolate mousse. If it wasnt this night it was one night and it stood out too
loved it. After dinner we headed to bed because we were wiped out. The rest of our family headed out to the shows though and had a great time. We rarely went to do anything after dinner because it was a stretch for our DD to even make it through dinner. She normally goes to bed around 830 or 9 at home.
June 20th, 2009
We live in Orlando so we just drove over to the port in two SUVs. We arrived at the port at probably around 10:00 10:15 or so, dropped off the luggage curbside and then parked the car in Disneys parking .I think it was around $115 for the week per car.
The porters took our luggage away so all we were carrying was our carryons. We went through the metal detectors and up the escalator to the lobby where one of us from each family checked in. We were issued a number 4 boarding pass and were instructed to go get our pictures taken for the computer data base. There were basically no lines, at least no long ones, maybe 5 minutes at the very most for both check in and pictures. We waited around for the boarding to start and once it did number 4 was called very quickly. I dont know why people make such a big deal about getting a number 2. They board VERY quickly so it is really not a big deal what number you get.
Anyway, we boarded and had discussed prior to boarding that we were going to go up to Topsiders to have lunch. We prefer that to Parrot Cay because we enjoy being outside but they did say you could go to either. Once we had lunch we headed over to the Mickey Pool where my nephews tested out the slide and my DD splashed around in the splash zone .I had asked a question about the Mickey Pool/ Splash area prior to leaving .wondering if DD would be able to go in the Mickey Pool or not. Little did I realize it would be so controversial, however, it turned out to be no big deal in real life as she barely even noticed the pools and just wanted to splash in the splash area all week long. She never once seemed like she wanted to even go in the pools as they were always very crowded and a bit rowdy. She was able to swim in all of the ports anyway.
Before we knew it, it was 1:30 and our rooms were ready. We headed down to unpack and decorate the door while DD took her nap. We were unpacking and trying to get the room organized until the Safety Drill which I believe started at 4 that time flew by didnt seem like we were in the room that long. The rooms are very small. We knew this from the last cruise but I guess it seemed smaller to us this time because of the extra little person we had traveling with us! As the week went on we adjusted to the tight living space! I was trying to find the shoe holders that everyone talks about but I waited until the last minute so I didnt end up finding one. My SIL had one for their room though and it seemed to really work well in keeping their clutter organized. We did use the tip about storing the suitcases under the bed. There were a ton of hangars already in the closet so we hung up a lot of clothes as there was limited drawer space. We did fold up the comforter and gave it to our stateroom attendant (Carlos) to take away dont know if you read the post about the comforters being washed but it totally grossed me out and I just couldnt deal when I saw it! It actually made the room feel more open and clean without it in my opinion.
So at 4 it was time to go to the lifeboat drill
which was I suppose necessary by law but pretty much a joke as I am sure a real emergency would be much more hectic. We were kind of irritated I guess because we had a sleeping baby that we had to drag to it and it interrupted her nap
so sorry to complain but you parents know what its like to deal with a child whos nap is interrupted. Anyway, it was pretty quick and afterward we used another tip from the board about sending one person back to the room with the lifejackets and the others go get a spot on deck 10 for sail away. I was one of the first back up top so I had my choice of where to go. The rest of my fam did the same and we gathered straight across from the big TV screen on deck 10. The sail away party was a lot of fun. Lots of characters dancing and good music.
After the sail away party we all hung out on deck 10 for awhile enjoying some drinks and then headed down to get ready for the first show which was the welcome aboard variety show.
Oh, I forgot to tell you our cabin was 7063 which was pretty much mid ship on deck 7 and was a fantastic location. I would highly recommend mid ship on any level. So we did a quick diaper change for DD and headed out to the Walt Disney Theater to see the show which started at 6:15. I want to say they did some kind of show with the characters as well as having a magician. Our DD LOVED the shows which was surprising to me. I didnt know if she would be able to sit still and watch them but she was mezmerised by them. The magician was hilarious. He was pretty much magic/stand up comedy. We went to see him a few more times after this, once for a magic how to for the kids and again for the adult show the following night at 10 in Rockin Bar D. After the show we headed back to the room to get dressed for dinner. This was the only night we did it this way.
A little shopping before we changed
The rest of the week we got dressed before the show and then went to another activity between the show and dinner. We had second seating which was at 8:15 and we started our week off in Animators Palate.
This is a pic of my parents...we were celebrating their 40th anniversary that night.
We met our servers for the week Laci from Hungary and Esther from Trinidad. They were AWESOME!!!!!! Our family fell in love with them both and hope that they come visit us when they have some time off. I really felt like I was saying goodbye to family on the last day.
This was the first week of new menus on the boat and I didnt write the menus down at all but I can tell you that everything was delicious
and YES, they still have lobster one night. I do remember a few of the things that really stood out to me as being super and I will try to list those as they pop into my head. From night one I remember the mushroom rice pilaf. I was hesitant to get it because I like the flavor of mushrooms but not the texture of actual mushrooms if that makes any sense but I did get it and it was soooooo good. I could have just had that and been happy
but of course I pigged out (its vacation, right?) and had some pasta that had turkey and bacon in a cream sauce also. Ohh, while I am thinking of the food I had the strawberry soup at lunch because I had seen it on here and it was REALLY good. My DH had salmon and some type of steak. He loved his too and even went to a workshop during the week to learn how to make the salmon. I think for dessert I had chocolate mousse. If it wasnt this night it was one night and it stood out too
loved it. After dinner we headed to bed because we were wiped out. The rest of our family headed out to the shows though and had a great time. We rarely went to do anything after dinner because it was a stretch for our DD to even make it through dinner. She normally goes to bed around 830 or 9 at home.
but I will try. We didn't do an excursion per say at Tortola but we all took a taxi ($7 per person) to Brewer's Bay for snorkeling. It was awesome snorkeling but a terrifying ride to and from...steep and windy hills with no rails. I will post pics soon.
Great report, DM....Looking forward to some more!
I remember that pain!
