When we arrived at the terminal on 11/13/04, there was Christmas Balls and Garland hanging from the Mickey hands up near the ceiling......and a beautiful tree.chichihoney said:
As the week went on, there were more and more decorations including garland all over the atrium lobby.
The ship is beautiful at Christmas time.....
Your welcome!DIS NURSE said:Hey GrayFal....just read part of your trip report as part of another thread about things you didn't like and I LOVED your list format and all of the great info on what to do, what not to do, and things you wish you had done!
Thanks for the great tips....I have a less than two month countdown to our first DCL experience on the Magic....yup, it's true....haven't even been yet but we are already booked for a second trip with you guys!
Thanks again for the insight....DIS NURSE
Here it is.....
Thinks I am glad I did
Joined the Cruise Meet Thread With much trepidation, I posted on the Cruise
Meet thread for our cruise. I mean, how do I know these people arent axe murderers? This actually became our DIS Group Mantra because ya never know!?! My one concern I had about cruising with just DH was who will we be seated with at dinner? Thanks to the Cruise Meet Thread, I met not one couple but a whole group of people to link with for dinner
.we like each other so much, we have 2 more cruises planned!!! So dont hesitate, take the plunge and see what happens
if they ARE axe murderers pretend you dont see them after the DIS Meet
.. Upgraded to a Verandah this proved to be a
WONDERFUL experience as we had 3 days at sea and time to relax. I am an early riser and DH is not so I was able to be outside without having to get up and out of the cabin. I also liked being able to go outside at ANY time of day or night. I dont know if I would get one for a 3 day as there just isnt much down time but would for a 4 day with a day at sea. Since I slept with the curtain open, I always had a FULL ocean view. I wouldnt take a stateroom with a solid metal verandah as it blocks so much of the view. If I couldnt get a regular see thru verandah room, I would book a large porthole room over a metal verandah room anytime.Canceled my High Tea Resies by Thursday, we really needed the unscheduled time. We packed a lot of fun in the past 5 days so wanted to relax our last day at sea. We also tended to eat lunch a little on the late side (2:00-3:00) because of our late seating dinner so the Tea at 3:00 just wouldnt cut it.
Didnt buy the Rain Forest Pass I planned on purchasing this for Tom and I and thought the price was $49. When I arrived on board, I found out it was now $75. I hesitated more because I was annoyed at the 50% price increased! As the week progressed, I realized that I really didnt have any extra time to lounge in there. We really enjoyed staying outdoors by the Quiet Cove Pool. I dont think I would have been able to drag DH away from Deck 9, anyway.
Ordering 2 appetizers I was a little hesitant at first but this is something we really enjoyed allowed us to try different foods in small amounts! Several times I enjoyed my appetizers more then my main course.
Room Service Coffee and Continental Breakfast Glad I read about this on the DIS boards. It was so nice to use the door hangtag each night and decide when to have it delivered. This was a very efficient system if we chose 8:00-8:30, it was always there by 8:05 a really nice way to start each day.
No Planned Excursions We decided to do the Islands on our own and it was a good decision for us. We like to snorkel
and we were able to do it on our own in St Thomas. On the other hand, it could have been a disaster when we arrived at the car rental place, one agency had NO cars and at the other, we got the last car! Also, it is very difficult to park at Coki Beach there were only about 10 spots and we got one!!! So that could have been very disappointing. I think for the future I will do my homework a little more thoroughly. Get a manicure/pedicure this was a relaxing, almost 2 hour service for under $100 I felt it was a good value for the money and a nice spa experience.
Have lunch on Deck 9 we only went to the dinning room one day for a buffet lunch too much time! (edited to add that the food was nicely served in Parrot Cay and was good - actually, we went the day of the asian buffet that was also served at Topsiders just 'looked' so much nicer - Topsiders was a 'madhouse' - very crowded, no place to sit - NOISY - just not pleasant in ANY way) It was so nice sitting outdoors and eating near the Quiet Cove Pool (edit-with food from Pluto's and Scoops - never had the pizza from Pinocchio - not a pizza lover except gourmet from PALO). We went to Topsiders once felt like we were in a school cafeteria and couldnt get a seat so no more chances for that..LOL. How do they make those drawer hamburgers from Plutos' taste so good? (Edit - try various 'toppings' like guacamole on burgers, YUM!)
PALO Brunch Loved it!!! It was really nice being in PALO in the daytime there is a beautiful panoramic view from this room.
PALO Dinner times 2 Again, loved it. We skipped Animators Palate both times not my favorite place no windows! Our first dinner as a couple was just okay .our server did little to enhance the experience and forgot our pizza order (luckily we had already been there for brunch so knew this was a fluke!) but the second time with our DIS group was truly outstanding.
Things I wish I had done
Got off the ship sooner at Castaway Cay we really dawdled around and by the time we got off, took a few pictures and did a little shopping, it was lunch time. I never did get to snorkel
there as the water was cool at Serenity Bay Beach and it was then too late to go over and snorkel at the Family Beach snorkel area. (the weather had gotten cloudy and cool 
)Seen more shows we always seemed to have something else to do! I will definitely make time to see at least 2 BIG productions and go to the adult entertainment a few nights as well. This time we only went to Golden Mickeys and the 80s
Time Warp Show. I will also consider matinees for the big shows when we are at sea, frees up the evenings.Wander around the ship there really were so many beautiful areas to see and photograph wish I had done more.
Take the Bridge Tour why didnt I do this??? Hmmm definitely next time!
Use the Spa Showers Didnt realize you can use the showers and sauna in the locker room at the spa even without a treatment more spacious and great products .maybe I shouldnt mention it here, either .shhhh.
Spend time on Deck 4 Actually, you couldnt spend time there the seas were so rough. Spray was constantly wetting this deck. But I will TRY the next time, as it looks so wonderful!
Go to The Cove Cafe - DH is not as big a coffee fan as I am - but after seeing some pictures posted with the fabulous drinks
- I'm there! I never even stuck my head in to check it out,,,,why not? We spent a great deal of time on Deck 9 at the Adult Pool - can't imagine why I didn't even go in...LOL.
So many people have posted that this is a popular and totally socially acceptable thing to do. Bottom line, the kids are happier and so are you! 
DD7 has already staked a claim to the lab! 
CJ to see if any other want to join in....we are almost at 12 people,,,maybe we can get another group of 12 going.....
went well,,,,,broken foot and all 
Perhaps I'll just go to bed right now and visualize it in the peace of my own bed!! 
