Our amazing 7-night eastern cruise - 9/26/09

[Crystal_27]

After our ATV excursion, we hurried up and rescued The Big from the Club and did what was quickly becoming our daily ritual - some swimming and some buffet grazing. Before we decided to get on with our other daily ritual (the nap), DH decided to go back out to St. Maarten and purchase some Grey Goose vodka so we could get our drink on for *half* of what it typically costs us in the States. And, after having paid full price for a couple of drinks onboard already, I understood why seasoned cruise DISers *highly recommend* bringing your own liquor onboard.

Anyway, after DH came back, we made a beeline to our rooms for our nap. We knew that we would especially need the extra rest because tonight was pirate night.

Due to our nap, we actually cut it pretty close to the start of dinner and, unfortunately, didn't get a chance to get any pictures of any of the pirate characters, which was a bummer. Still, our meal was good (although all three of us got snuckered into buying the light-up drink glasses - LOL).

After our meal and because we had a couple of hours before the start of the party, decided to meet up with our DIS friend "A" and her family to hang for a little bit. We actually were having so much fun chatting with them that we were a bit late in getting to the party scene and, unfortunately, had a pretty crappy viewing spot from Deck 10 (and it was super crowded). Still, the kiddos were happy, particularly because we had them all decked out in glowing necklaces and bracelets. Here's The Big doing her best pirate impression:

Before we knew it, the villains had taken over the ship and we needed Mickey's help to rescue us.

And, as a way to really challenge my photography "skills" I attempted to take pictures of the fireworks (you'll notice how much the ship was swaying because I don't have any of the fireworks framed properly - LOL).

After the party, we did the quite boring thing and just went back to our rooms and called it a night. Another great day!

Thanks for hanging in there with me. Up next: St. Thomas.

 

[Crystal_27]

Maybe this year it could be a "how do I plan my tripreports booklet"?

LOL - and I'm really going to need that if I attempt a trip report for my December, 2010 trip.

really enjoying your report, your daughter is beautiful!

Awwww, thank you so much.

 

[BigDogHU75]

We skipped pirate night on our cruise since DS was tired. So, thank you for the update. This is something I definitely want to experience on our next cruise.

 

[Crystal_27]

We skipped pirate night on our cruise since DS was tired. So, thank you for the update. This is something I definitely want to experience on our next cruise.

It is an awesome party, it really is. When we cruised in 2007, we arrived very eary for the pirate party and literally were in the front row on Deck 9 right in front of the stage. I have to say that being on Deck 10 was a bit of a bummer, for sure, and we definitely will arrive early in the future. Still, it was a great time.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Sjeez, I never really can get over your early timing. It's not Christmas yet, no need to rush out of bed early and check your stocking yet.

Nice adition as usual.

It is an awesome party, it really is. When we cruised in 2007, we arrived very eary for the pirate party and literally were in the front row on Deck 9 right in front of the stage. I have to say that being on Deck 10 was a bit of a bummer, for sure, and we definitely will arrive early in the future. Still, it was a great time.

Agreed, it was a great party! Rain was a bit of a bummer but of well. Because of this, it was nice to be on deck 9 where you can get out of the rain but think it depends a lot on personal likings which deck and which location is the best.

We were on deck 9. At first right up next to the podium. Nice view, but also very crowded and a bit overwhelming because of that. Because of the rain, I moved a bit more back, about halfway between stage and starboard. Turned out to be the perfect location, as an adult at least. Still had a good view of the stage (thanks to putting my chair up), more dancing space, no rain and only had to turn around to get an unubstructed view of the fireworks.

 

[pumpkin21]

Loved the update!
Your fireworks pics were beautiful. I've never been able to take any good pics of them. Any tips?

 

[Crystal_27]

Because of the rain, I moved a bit more back, about halfway between stage and starboard. Turned out to be the perfect location, as an adult at least. Still had a good view of the stage (thanks to putting my chair up), more dancing space, no rain and only had to turn around to get an unubstructed view of the fireworks.

Oooooo, that does sound like a great spot. I was disappointed that we weren't up front and, had I had my way, we would have been. Still, at least we had a good view of Mickey and the fireworks so it wasn't that bad.

Loved the update!
Your fireworks pics were beautiful. I've never been able to take any good pics of them. Any tips?

Oh, thank you. Taking pictures of fireworks in the sky is definitely a lot less complicated than taking them in front of the castle because you only have to worry about starp focus for the fireworks, not the castle and the fireworks. I shoot with a dSLR and have my settings at ISO 800, f2.0, shutter speed 1/50 (no flash, of course). However, my camera has internal image stablization so I can get away with a lower than recommended shutter speed without a tripod. Also, my camera also shoots about 3 frames per second, so the key is to keep firing for the entire show in order to get a couple of keepers. I also shoot in RAW, so I can bring up the exposure a little bit as needed. The camera really does all the work. I hope that helps. Happy shooting!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Oooooo, that does sound like a great spot. I was disappointed that we weren't up front and, had I had my way, we would have been. Still, at least we had a good view of Mickey and the fireworks so it wasn't that bad.

Funny! We got on deck a bit early. Wanted to go to deck 10, but weren't let on because at that moment they were setting up the fireworks. Because of that we ended up where you wanted to be and we ended up where you wanted to be.

 

[praisehisname]

I think your fireworks shots turned out great! I've never even attempted them.

 

[Crystal_27]

We awoke to another perfect morning. I made a beeline for our verandah this morning because I had always seen such beautiful pictures of St. Thomas and wanted to get some of my very own. Needless to say, I was not disappointed...St. Thomas is so picturesque and I found something to photograph at every turn.

We actually had booked the butterfly farm excursion for the three of us so, after breakfast at the buffet (again), we eagerly made our way into St. Thomas for some fun. The first thing that we noted upon disembarking the ship was that it was hot. And, by hot, I mean it was HOT - - like hotter-than-the-surface-of-the-sun-hot. We were told that the butterfly farm was just off the main strip from the boat, but we ended up going the wrong way (of course) and were almost croaking from heat stroke by the time we finally found the farm (which was indeed right next to the ship - - had we but made a left instead of a right - LOL).

I really had high expectations of this excursion, and had been pumping up The Big about it for months (especially since this was the only excursion of our cruise that she actually got to attend). Having never been to a butterfly farm, I didn't quite know what to expect, but I was dreaming of being surrounded by butterflies at every turn. The reality, unfortunately, was that the butterflies were few and far between. I think that we only saw 3 or different types, when I was expecting to see bright, beautiful, big butterflies everywhere. Also, although we did get a tour guide to tell us about the farm and the stages of butterflies' lives, the tour only took about 10 minutes. Worse, we didn't even have to show our excursion receipts or anything, and I suspect that we could have just walked in and toured the farm without having to pay for it. Still, we did get to see a couple butterflies here and there, and the flowers were also beautiful to look at.

Although I was hoping to stretch the excursion out for a couple of hours, unfortunately, after about an hour, we just couldn't take the heat anymore and booked it back to the ship for the pool. After swimming for a little bit, we went back to the room for lunch and our daily nap.

After our nap, we grabbed dinner for The Big, dropped her off at the Club, and hooked up with our DIS friends "A" and her DH for dinner at Palo. I have to tell you guys that I was fairly underwhelmed with Palo during our last cruise. The food was amazing, but I just didn't get why people say that Palo is a $300 or $400 meal. Do keep in mind, though, during our last cruise we ordered salad, the filet, and the souffle...that was it. Anyway, when we were shown to Palo, we got assigned Dobi, the same server who served us at the Brunch, so I knew that we were in *very* good hands. DH and I both ordered the filet for dinner and Dobi said that she would take care of everything else. Amazingly enough, between our friends and us, Dobi brought us small samplings of every appetizer, from the flatbread, to the calimari, to the tomato/mozzarella salad, to the portobella mushrooms, all so incredibly tasty. For our main course, our filet was wonderful, but Dobi also brought us out smaller portions of a couple other main courses that she thought we would like: the lobster ravoli for DH and I and the veal for our friends. AND, just when you think that things can't get any better, Dobi told us that she took the liberty of ordering desserts for us, and out came 4 souffles, as well as one of every other dessert on the menu: the tiramisu, the panna cotta, the pineapple ravioli, and the gelato. What was funny was that each of us found one dessert that we really loved so, after everyone sampled everything, we each found our favorites and got to devour that (in addition to the souffle). My favorite was tiramisu, and I have to say that it was *the best* tiramisu I have ever had. The meal was so incredible: I would have never had the cojones to order one of everything, and I was just blown away by the service and food we received. I don't know if everyone's Palo experience is like this, but I absolutely adored Dobi for the amazing service that she showed us. If we ever cruise on the Magic again, I will seek her out and hope that she is still serving. She was awesome, and her interaction with us really made our Palo experience.

Anyway, although we were all stuffed to the gills, since neither of our kid pagers had gone off, we decided to head to the piano bar and hang for a little while. Like our DHs had previously reported, though, the clubs were empty, but that didn't stop us from having a cocktail or two and enjoying the company of our friends. Soon, though, it was time to pick up the kiddos and get to bed. *Sigh* - - another great day.

 

[Crystal_27]

Funny! We got on deck a bit early. Wanted to go to deck 10, but weren't let on because at that moment they were setting up the fireworks. Because of that we ended up where you wanted to be and we ended up where you wanted to be.

LOL - - that's always the way, right?

I think your fireworks shots turned out great! I've never even attempted them.

Awww, thank you. Like I said, taking them in the sky is a lot easier than taking them behind the castle.

 

[BigDogHU75]

Great update! Beautiful pictures.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

The disappointment with the butterflies might also have to do with time of year. The zoo at Amsterdam has a great butterfly garden, in right season they are everywhere you can look, but out of season; a lot less. Allthough, just 3 and a tour of 10 minutes? That's no good, even with an off season garden they can talk for hours overhere if you let them.


Merry Christmas and if I don't read you anymore before that; a 2010 full of dreams.

 

[Crystal_27]

Great update! Beautiful pictures.

Thank you!!

The disappointment with the butterflies might also have to do with time of year. The zoo at Amsterdam has a great butterfly garden, in right season they are everywhere you can look, but out of season; a lot less. Allthough, just 3 and a tour of 10 minutes? That's no good, even with an off season garden they can talk for hours overhere if you let them.


Merry Christmas and if I don't read you anymore before that; a 2010 full of dreams.

Yeah, that's kind of what I was hoping for with the butterflies - maybe the heat chased them off - LOLOLOL. And, merry Christmas to you too, Hon. I wish I was there to give you a hug in person, but I'll send virtual (((((HUGS))))) in my place.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Thank you!!



Yeah, that's kind of what I was hoping for with the butterflies - maybe the heat chased them off - LOLOLOL.

If anything chased them off, it was the butterflies being scared their beauty would fade in the light of TB's one.

And, merry Christmas to you too, Hon. I wish I was there to give you a hug in person, but I'll send virtual (((((HUGS))))) in my place.

Thanks hun. Believe me, you don't want to be here. Too much snow, cold and country lying on it's but. No, we're wishing we were at WDW right now and could've done the IRL partying down there.

 

[Crystal_27]

Too much snow, cold and country lying on it's but.

Actually, a white Christmas sounds just heavenly. It sure beats temperatures in the 50s - LOL.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas!! My next update - Castaway Cay - will be up in a couple of days!!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Actually, a white Christmas sounds just heavenly. It sure beats temperatures in the 50s - LOL.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas!! My next update - Castaway Cay - will be up in a couple of days!!

Ohoh, we're starting to become a sorry bunch. Again you want what I've got and I want what you've got. I would take those in the 50s right now without hesitation. We've had 5F a lot the last week or so.

Sure you've got the time between C and NewYears for updating? After all, you've got more time to be on the DIS when you work.

 

[Crystal_27]

After all, you've got more time to be on the DIS when you work.

Ain't that the truth?!?

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Ain't that the truth?!?

Now you know why I don't have a job.

 

[mousecruzer]

Thank You for sharing your TR! Our family will be taking the same cruise on Jan. 30 and I am glad to hear your thoughts. Your pictures are absolutely FABULOUS! You rival Shutters!!!

Anxiously awaiting your CC Experience....the best stop of the whole cruise!

Rae