No mints on the pillows tonight

[Pugdog007]

Just returned 5/25 Western... a few tidbits.

1. Western itinerary PERFECT mix! Loved it!

2. After boarding & eating lunch, went directly to Palo about 1:20 (ressies began 1:00) no problems getting everything we wanted. Question though: tables were never full when we were in there? So why did they insist they didn't have anything available to a guy that dropped in when we were eating dinner? A bunch of empty tables so we just didn't get this???

3. One more note about Palo: enjoyed immensely but thought the descriptions of everything on the buffet at brunch was a "little much." Kind of over the top, IMO.

4. Nav Veranda & Deck 5 = great location, great room!

5. All shows were outstanding. Only entertainment that I considered "not too good" would be the 80's show (really BAD) don't do it... lame! and there was a comedian (just one out of 3, so that's not too bad) that we didn't think was very funny. Both of these shows were in Rockin Bar D and both we didn't like were the same night... 80's night. 70's night, on the other hand, was excellent!

6. Band "Free Reign" left a bit to be desired. They seemed to play the same songs, over & over again at all of the different shows they played. It would be nice to have a "band change" when they do the "comedian change" in Grand Cayman.

7. Dueling piano's also very good, although I would have to say the guy & girl on the Wonder were a bit better than this team of 2 guys (probably just because the male/female dynamic made it a little more interesting.)

8. Key West is a cool little town... Mallory Square very much like Jackson Square in New Orleans. I'd suggest doing this town on your own... no excursion needed!

9. Grand Cayman... favorite port. Bluest, clearest water you'll ever see. We did the stingray & snorkel excursion with Capt Marvins & it was wonderful. The long list of names read as we were leaving port lead me to believe many did not make it back to the ship in time. Not enough time here! Ship leaves at 5:00. Tendering not a problem.

10. Cozumel interesting port but be prepared for the harrassment if you choose to walk through town. And it's much worse than the Nassau "braiding." Everyone you see... "come in senora" "almost free" "show me what you like, I tell you how much." You get the gist. We did get some things that we bargained for... but be prepared to walk away and never pay what they tell you first. If you don't want to bargain, try Viva Mexico or Del Sol. But with the exception of Del Sol, we were followed around in EVERY single store. This is quite annoying.

11. Castaway Cay - perfect. Serenity Beach had a HUGE barracuda swimming around that scared us half to death! Note that although they do serve food here, it isn't BBQ as at Cookies. It's lobster, steak sandwiches, hamburgers, hotdogs.

12. Bon Voyage is better than Konk Kooler! They can also make a mean Banana Colada. Ask my final bill, the one too thick to fit beneath the door

13. We had the BEST SERVER EVER. Sasha Sasic from Croatia was incredible. I don't know if having the Editor of Parents Magazine at our table had anything to do with it, but he brought us extra everything every night... "I thought you may also want to try the lobster bisque" we had enough food at our table to feed a small army! There were 10 people at our table (5 kids) and he brought each adult couple an additional dish "to try" from every course. And always brought the kids several desserts. Whatever Disney is paying this guy... it isn't enough! I miss Sasha tonight! Also, all of the food was incredible. For those on this board that say otherwise, don't believe it!

14. This tablemate... Editor of Parents that was cruising to check it out for the magazine (nice job, eh?) told us after a Capt's dinner with several of her associates, that a new ship "Dreams" is being built and will take over the Magic's itineraries when complete. The Magic will be moved to CA for a new itinerary.

I know this is lengthly... but in short... PERFECT TRIP and we didn't want to leave the ship this morning. The West/East back- to- back would be perfect!

Any questions I'd be happy to answer!

Ginger, aka Pugdog

 

[mmouse37]

What didn't you like about 80's night. We have been on three Eastern cruises and have done 70's night several times...was really looking forward to 80's night.

Do they do a 50's, 70's, and 80's night on the Western Cruise?

MJ

 

[Pugdog007]

The only 2 on the Western were the 70's & 80's. The 80's didn't seem very well put together to me (unlike the 70's). The only part I would recommend is when CM's do the Michael Jackson routine... it was good! The rest... well... lame. They pulled a few people from the audience to play Bon Jovi and the Go Go's for a "battle of the bands" but the people chosen didn't even know any of the words and therefore it just looked well... lame. And the music was all Michael Jackson/Huey Lewis/Robert Palmer type... only hair band represented was Bon Jovi in the skit. And to me... hair bands were the 80's.

Basically, there just wasn't much to it

But 70's night is very well organized and entertaining!

 

[Hot4disney]

In your post you say : "told us after a Capt's dinner with several of her associates, that a new ship "Dreams" is being built and will take over the Magic's itineraries when complete. The Magic will be moved to CA for a new itinerary. "


I had been hearing all sorts of rumours that a ship would be docked up NY way. Which made me VERY VERY happy! But now I read this..and POO POO POO!!!! Ca is NOT closer than Fl..lol! I want a Disney cruise that I don't have to pay airfare to. That way I can make more trips!!

 

[RellingTwin]

PUGDOG ...I can answer your question re:empty tables. I have worked in a number of resturants where I was asked this same question everynight. The answer is....those tables are reserved. I am sure Paolos figures at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours for a dinner. If the empty table was given to the "walk in" and it was reserved for someone who had reservations an hour from then, it causes a problem. Also...although there may be empty tables...the kitchen is only able to prepare so many meals ( and keep quality high) per hour. And lastly....and I am not sure if this applies to Palos but it dose in many resturants- the wait staff is scheduled according to reservations....so, a few "walk ins" can be taken...but NOT at the expense of quality of service/meals to those who have reservations. I hope this help answer you querey.

 

[DopeyRN]

Baracuda!!! I think that would scare me out of the water for sure! Thanks for your post...makes me even more excited about going!!

 

[wovenwonder]

Re to your server - Sasha from Croatia! HE IS TERRIFIC! And would treat you the same not matter who you are. We returned this past April and he truly did remember us after an entire year. He said so where is 'dad' and picked him out in a crowd of people -- and said 'oh there Dad is!'. Had we known that we could make a request --we certainly would have done so. I suggest ANYONE that is going on the magic to request Sasha -- if he is there.

 

[Pugdog007]

Relling:

Thanks for the info re: empty tables. I guess it makes sense. I just felt bad for those unable to obtain ressies, when it seemed about 1/2 of the tables were empty!

Woven:

Did you know that Sasha's wife also works in the dining room? She has the same rotation as he... he was talking about her one night and said... yes she's right over there! We thought he was kidding but no! They also have an 8 month old daughter that he brought us pics of!

One night I think it was Mexicali night he was giving us his recommendations for dessert... he gave them to us in order of his preference... "for #4 choice bread pudding... not light & fluffy... but I will bring it to you to try so you know why #4." He was so funny. My DH liked #4!

But it is so dissappointing tonight... no baked alaska or cheesecake or anything I have the post-cruise blues.

 

[Gretel]

Whwn we sailed in Jan, we had Sasha as pur server and yes he is wonderful!! At that time it was his last week of work before heading home to his wife and daughter Sarah. Must have decided to sign on again and bring his wife too. i agree this man does not get paid enough. Was Attila his assistant?

 

[Pugdog007]

Yes he said they just returned together! He truly loves his work and it shows!!!

We "double" tipped him but truly would like to have given him more. His assistant server was Toar (pronouced Tuwore). Toar wasn't the greatest... but Sasha made up for it!!!

Of course I gave him accolades on our comment card... but secretly hope he isn't promoted to head server because he's just too good as the main server and I'd like to have him again! I'm sure he rakes in the tips though... he can't help but do well with his charisma. We had a family of 5 with us at our table (3 kids) that didn't show up 1/2 the time... I just hope they tipped appropriately!!! But I don't have any control over that

 

[mmouse37]

pugdog....I am surprised to hear that they didn't have 50's night onboard the Western. That was always alot of fun!!!! Oh, well, things may change again by the time August rolls around.

MJ

 

[wovenwonder]

I didn't realize that Sasha's wife also was working the Magic! I knew about them having a daughter though -- as his wife was expecting in 2001 when we sailed. HE IS TERRIFIC! And I will surely request him when we cruise again! He would make an excellent head server -- even though I would hate to see him leave his current position!

 

[Gretel]

How hard it must be for them(Sasha and his wife) to be away from their daughter. He was so proud of her when he spoke of her on our cruise. He even sent dessert up to our room when one of our daughters was sick and we could not make it to dinner. What a gem!

 

[Pugdog007]

Our tablemates with the 3 kids, didn't make it to dinner the first night. One the 2nd night, they came in and said he'd shown up at their cabin on the first night with a bunch of food from the dining room! Several appetizers, main courses and desserts! Wow!!!

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

Tell us more about the Barracudda!!! Coming from fresh water Michigan, I would like to know more!

 

[BunnyMom]

So glad to hear someone else misses Sasha!!!! And yes, he gives everyone "star treatment". We sailed the Inaugural Western and were lucky enough to have the best server on board!!!!
Good news!!! Sasha told us he will be sailing for two more years!! That is his master plan, then back to his wife and daughter in Croatia.
We are sailing the May 17, 2003 Eastern and plan to request Sasha as our server.

Happy sailing to all!!

Terry, Pat & Ian

 

[Pugdog007]

Well it was huge and people were getting out of the water. One lady who was close by (on a raft) said she wasn't scared and stayed in. But I didn't like the looks of it!

A CM came by and said it wouldn't hurt us, but that if it did he was trained and would be right in to help (doesn't exactly instill confidence

I heard later that there was also a sighting at the CM beach during the day (their beach is adjacent to Serenity Bay.)