After we get the kids, we went back to the water to use up whatever time we had left just to play. We snorkeled a little more, floated around, picked seashells, and just splashed around. Morgan found her friend whose parents already went back to the boat. We were trying to stay until the last possible minute, but we had the disembakation seminar AND we had our early dinner hour. Another disadvantage of having first seating. The plan was to send Mike to the seminar and I would get the girls ready for dinner. It was Parrot Cay this night, since it was the first place we ate at the beginning of this cruise. It was also our Palo night, so we were taking the girls to eat and then go to Palo at 8pm. They had already called and left a message confirming this. I think eating at Palo the last night is great, but doing the 4:30 seminar, having first dinner seating, pack most of our things,AND trying to get to Palo AFTER
Castaway Cay makes things very rushed. Next time, we will probably watch the seminar on tv since we will not be newbies anymore to Disney cruising, and maybe do Palo earlier in the week.
Anyway, after a last look around CC, we pack up our beach junk and take the sad little walk back to the Magic. I noticed how messy the beach area was while leaving. There were empty cups, beer bottles, plates of food, and discarded floats and snorkel vests. I left my float on a chair, but at least I did throw our trash into the cans. CM's had been cleaning and picking up all day, but I can see where they were coming into the beach area and picking up everyone else's mess. It was a difficult walk back. It was depressing. And my feet were hurting bad because I picked up some cheap flip flops at the payless in St. Thomas and now they are bleeding. I still have those scars 3 months later. When we got back to the room, we all had to do some super quick showers. Mike first bc of the seminar. When we got back to the room, I realized we had used all our towels at the beach. I called room service thinking there is no way we will be getting any clean dry towels anytime soon. No way, when hundreds of others are probably doing the very same thing. We got our towels no less than 5 minutes. AND we had plenty of hot water even though the pressure was down a little. I know everyone else was probably doing the same thing at the same time. Of course there were some still on CC. Yeah, those probably had late seating. Mike got sunburned pretty badly, but the rest of us were good. While he is gone, the girls and I got cleaned up and dressed and did some packing. We had dinner, Palo, and our bags had to be outside our door before 11pm. Or was it 10? I cannot remember now. I also took this time to fill out our Tip envelopes that were left on our bed. Wow! It's "customary" to give 25 per person in the family for the main server and housekeeping. A little less for everyone else. I wanted to give the tip envelopes out this evening because I knew we would not be eating breakfast in the dining areas in the morning. We already decided to order room service so that we can just eat and go.
Mike informed me of some of the highlights of disembarkation. We had to have forms filled out and on us when we disembarked. We also cannot take any food with us. Something about how some people like to grab a bagle or doughnut on the way out or have opened boxes of chocolate. That's a big no-no. You could get fined and they are very serious about this. Everyone had to be OFF the ship by 9 am. They made it sound like it was going to be a madhouse the next morning and we were a little worried. Anyway, that said, we took the girls to Parrot Cay where we only ordered appetizers for ourselves. The girls presented the tip envelopes to our servers. We said good-by and let them know we will not be coming for breakfast. After eating, we took the girls to their clubs and rushed back to the room to dress for Palo.
Again, I was so rushed, I ran out of time to do my hair. Mike was so sunburned, he really did not want to wear his jacket and tie, but did anyway, because you know you are supposed to dress for Palo
. We even were running a little late, so I called to tell them this, and they were fine with it, come when you can. I have to say, I really, really liked Palo. When we walked in, we were greeted by the hostess and seated immediately. There was hardly anyone in there. We were seated at a window where we could see the last of the sunset and the water. I feel horrible that I can't remember our waiter's name, but he was from India and so very nice and professional. We started off with some merlot and appetizers of olives and bread. I got the calamari and Mike got the portobellos. This was dinner in itself and we haven't even got to the main entree. That was THE best calamari I have ever eaten, and I have had alot of calamari at so many different restaraunts. I know it's such a simple appetizer, and not hard to cook I am sure, but it was very good. We both order the filet mignon, even though I was eyeing the linguini. Our server ended up bringing us the linguini too. I don't know how he knew I wanted that too, but brought it. Somewere during this meal, he also brought us some kind of champagne shot mixed with a sherbert?? Maybe someone can help me with this. I drank it up too, it was so good. By this time, my dress was very tight and I was getting a little uncomfortable. We are also both on our second glass of merlot and getting dessert. And guess what?! I ordered the all famous, Chocolate Souflee. With Vanilla sauce. Our wonderful waiter thought it would be nice to also give us another dessert. I don't remember what it is, but it had pistachio ice cream with it. I ate that too. I remember eating with such relish, that our server asked me if I wanted more ice cream to finish off the cake. Sooo, by the time we were done, I was so full to almost bursting. Even though Palo was only 10.00 per person, we still managed to spend nearly 80.00 in there. Tip, wine, and the 10 dollars each. Well worth it, and still cheaper than restaraunts with that level of service and food quality. We haven't eaten so nicely since then.
Except for Casa Juancho's, but that is another story. I have tried to make my own souflees at home, but that is something that takes lots of practice. After we eat, we stand outside to lean on the rails and watch what I think is the Bahamas pass by. Lots of lights, and very close to the islands. We are close to home already. We pick up the girls and go to our room. They wanted to order room service Mickey bars and cookies one last time. After this, it's off to bed.
I woke up very early, because I can FEEL the motion of the Magic has stopped. All week I had been lulled like a baby by the ships pleasant rocking, that I could sense even in my sleep that it is not rocking anymore. In fact, I could hear the noise of the tractors loading things off of the ship. I step out onto the verandah where it is still very dark out and see all kinds of workers pulling out all of our suitcases, unloading flattened cardboard boxes, piling new boxes outside to go in and a fuel truck hooking up to refill again. The general atmosphere is only what I can describe as just plain sad. I watched for a long time. Eventually, I saw Carnival pull in also. I answered room service and woke everyone else up. I watched some more. Took a shower, watched some. I saw the Captain walk out and greet what I think are fresh Cm's. They were all young and good looking with small suitcases and they were handshaking with the Captain and getting on board. While I am watching, I see people leaving the ship. The family is ready now, we leave our tip envelope in the room since we did not see him anywere. I hope he got it. We walk downstairs and off the ship. It was a little chaotic. Lots of people looking for baggage. They are all color coded so it really was not bad at all. We show our documents and out the door. I did take note of the murals in the baggage claim. A tip I learned from disboards. They are beautiful!! They made me misty eyed and choked up a little looking at them. I knew no photos allowed, and that's too bad. They were awesome. When we got our luggage we walked out to wait for the hotel van. The mood was definitely somber. The ride was more quieter back to the hotel then it was coming. The whole debarkation only took 20 minutes. It was very easy, and very quick. Kudos to Disney for the organization
course, I don't know any better being my first cruise. We ride back to the hotel where we saw other families outside with their luggage and green embarkation tags on. They asked us how the weather was at CC bc they were worried about their beach day. I hoped it went well with them. We found our car, loaded up, and drove on what was the longes 2 hours back home.
I cannot wait to go again. We are still talking about our vacation. The kids are still talking about the cruise.
I am not taking my two children with me this time but after reading about your trip I can't wait to sign up for the next one and make it a family trip! 
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