Our back-to-back Magic Cruises..Our Disney Dream Come True

[KevinNYC]

Our dream come true. A two week “back-to-back” Disney cruise on the Magic. First week, January 5, 2007 Eastern cruise then the Second week, January 13, 2007 Western cruise. It doesn't get any better than this.

Two totally different cruise experiences, however, we would characterize them both as extraordinarily outstanding --- from start to finish. This was our seventh Disney cruise, so we knew what to expect. However, in many ways its still a wonderfully new and fun experience.

We have read most of the trip reports and comments from those on both cruises, so I won’t repeat a lot of what was already reported. I will try to just comment on our specific Disney adventures.

First, about us…its just the two of us…me and DW…kicking and screaming our way down the path to middle age….but, we are total Disney people and we do care and express our concern that Disney maintain its standards. We are pleased to report that our experience showed that those high standards are still in place.

We are DVC members, first having joined in December 1991, the first month it began. We are so happy with it and have never been disappointed with the DVC. We have always wanted to do a “Back to Back” two week Disney cruise so we saved our “points” from last year and used this year’s points and were able to swing back to back Disney cruises.

A little side note, in June, DW and I went with her family (19) others on a four-day Wonder cruise. It was rather overwhelming so we were really pleased that we had previously booked our two-week cruises. We really needed the time alone and all I can say is that Disney really delivered on the back to back cruises.

We arrived in the early afternoon on Friday, January 5, 2007 at Orlando and stayed at the Hyatt Hotel. We have done this a few times and find it to be quite convenient. To us, it’s worth it to get there a day early to avoid any weather or other last minute airline delays. Since there are only 2 of us, its easier to do this. Our room was immediately ready and they took care of all our needs re: bus transport and luggage transfer etc. We had a delicious lunch at McCoy’s rest. in the hotel and shopped in the airport area. Later enjoyed a nice dinner at a Chilies rest, located in the airport. The next morning we had breakfast and after checking in with the Disney people we were dispatched on the first bus to Port Canaveral. We still cheer and smile when the bus drives over that last bridge and we get that first good look at the Magic, just docked there waiting for us to arrive. That excitement never fades.

We went directly to the Castaway Club check-in and had made sure we had signed all the appropriate documents, US Passports at the ready. We always travel with the US passports even though they weren’t needed on this trip – passports make things so much easier at airports and getting back on the ship.

A supervisor checked us in since we were scheduled for two cruises and there was an issue as to whether or not we would check in for one cruise or if we could check in for both cruises at the same time. Apparently, the rules change from time to time. The supervisor called other supervisors and the best advice was to permit us to check in for the first cruise and then we should contact the Cruise Director and the Officer in charge of Guest Services on the ship during the cruise to determine what to do about checking in for the second cruise. Made sense to us, besides, we are on a Disney vacation and didn’t have a care in the world. As it turned out, the supervisors collective advice was just fine.

Lucky for us, we had received a Number 1 ship boarding card, so we were among the first to be permitted onto the ship at about 11:35 or so. We didn’t seem to wait very long in the terminal. Our stateroom, with veranda, was number 6594 on the starboard side towards the aft and near one of the few laundries. The location, for us, was the best, never a problem with noise or anything and rather convenient to get to the elevator banks (Aft or Mid).

As it turned out, we stayed in this stateroom for both cruises and never had to pack or move at the end of the first cruise. This was ideal. More about that later. Our steward was a delightfully friendly woman named “Jeryll” from the Philippines. She knew we were staying for two cruises and she made certain that everything was top notch in our cabin. She was efficient and fast and complete. We had only praises for her. She surpassed our expectations. Our room was consistently spotless and her ability to create towel animals was beyond what we have experienced before. Any future cruiser lucky enough to be assigned to her stateroom is in for a treat. Another nice feature of this stateroom was the strong water pressure in the shower and plenty of hot water. The shower was a delight for the two weeks.

After entering the ship we went directly to the Rocking D bar (same floor as the lobby) to finalize some Palo reservations. We had previously made Internet dinner reservations, one for each cruise. We wanted to try to make a reservation for the High Tea on the first cruise and then a Brunch on the second cruise. We met and spoke with PJ who is a wonderful man in charge at Palo. He confirmed our dinner reservations and told us not to worry and he would make the necessary reservations for the tea and brunch. He gladly welcomed us for the beginning of our two-week adventure.

It was fairly early so we wandered around the ship and then headed back to Parrot Cay for lunch. We knew the staterooms wouldn’t be ready yet and they usually appreciate guests not trying to get to their rooms until about 1:30 pm or so. Upon approaching Parrot Cay, we noticed something very different from all previous cruises. This was something we never encountered before. The CMs were pulling a cleansing tissue out of the blue-white container and actually handing it to guests so that they would clean their hands. We know the cleansing tissue isn’t a new thing, however, on our previous cruises, the CMs would point the can at the guest and the guest would actually pull out the tissue and wipe their hands. Here, you weren’t permitted to touch the can itself and the CM actually pulled each tissue out and handed it to the guest. I thought that was a bit strange, but no problem, we are Disney people and we adapt.

The buffet at Parrot Cay was full with a rather wide assortment of good-looking foods to choose from. Then we noticed something else very different. CMs handed us our plate and CMs were assigned along the buffet lines to actually handle the food for the guests. We didn’t select our buffet food ourselves but CMs simply used the thongs and gave you whatever food you asked for. We learned very quickly that Disney was concerned about the possibility of a virus outbreak and took those precautions to further insure the guests’ health and safety by increasing the hand washing rules. We never touched food, or thongs or serving spoons or plates. No salt and pepper at the table, if you wanted it the CM came and poured it for you, so we never touched the bottles. Occasionally, you might get a glimpse of the servers wiping and cleaning the salt and pepper bottles as well as the Tabasco etc.

Well, as far as we know, all went well and that increased hand washing technique was employed in every restaurant etc throughout the cruise except the last day. We are not sure why the last full day, Friday, they seemed to relax the restrictions and it went back to what we always remembered, we took the tissue and wiped and then we use the thongs to select the food and the portion that we wanted to eat etc. The more restrictive rules really didn’t interfere or make things slower. In fact, at times it seemed that the lines moved faster. Anyway, so long as people were healthy then we were ok with the stricter rule. No one wants to get sick on a cruise.

The one place where it really made a difference was the “help yourself” soda/tea/coffee device located on the ninth flood, outside Topsiders and just near the Mickey Pool. Usually, people just went there and helped themselves, now there were CMS there and you had to wait on a line and it was closed from 11:30 pm until 6:30 am. It was a bit of a pain since many people loved to get up there early and help themselves to a nice tea or coffee made just the way they like it. There was often a morning line. People seemed happy and cheered on Friday when they went back to the old way of just helping yourself. Little things certainly make us happy people.

I am not being critical. I would always defer to the wisdom of the CMs and especially the Captain and Officers to make whatever decisions they feel are warranted for the basic health and safety of everyone. I only pointed it out since it was so unusual for us to experience that on a cruise.

Anyway, we had a LAPLAPL dinning plan, first seating. So after lunch we headed to our room and it was open and ready. We had waiting for us nice goodies as Castaway Club Members as well as some DVC goodies. Also, Jeryll had hung up my tuxedo that I had rented from CruiseFormal. I had ordered the Black jacket for formal night and the White jacket to semi-formal night. I though it paid to rent the suits since I had less to pack. I even rented their shoes. As it turned out, the tux was great and I wore the white jacket on several nights and the white went well with everything from dark slacks to jeans.

I only wish I could have obtained a deal from CruiseFormal for a tux price for the two weeks. But they only rent it weekly, so we returned it the next Saturday morning and received a new fresh one that afternoon. Well, they fit well and looked good and what the heck, we rarely ever get a chance to go out and dress up anymore. Besides, we are on a Disney vacation so what more incentive do we need to dress up and enjoy?

Our luggage began to arrive about 2 pm. When we were first looking out our veranda on dockside, we could see the large bins containing luggage being loaded on the ship. We were actually able to see our two bags on the top of a pile in one of the open containers. Well, we figured that was a sign of good luck that all out luggage made it safely and completely to the ship.

As to luggage, since we were packing for 2 weeks we were really careful and kept our clothes selections to a minimum. Also, we planned on doing some laundry after the first cruise (another great reason why we chose our room location so close to the laundry – but not too close). Looking back, we over packed after all, but not too much. I guess we always over pack.

It was a bit chillier on the ship and in the rooms and on deck at night so DW had to buy a nice sweatshirt. ( I had suggested to her several times to bring along a warm sweatshirt but she said “No, its going to be warm”) Ha Ha…( Don’t tell her I wrote that). It’s a good idea to pack some comfy flannel PJs too. We also took a suggestion from some Dis people and brought a small portable lighted digital clock. The room clock is analog and cute..like a ship’s propeller, but you can’t see the time on it at night.

Later, we walked around to reacquaint ourselves again with the ship and the various locations. We attended the mandatory life boat drill at location O. It was rather hot standing there in the direct sunlight but it went smooth enough. After, we headed up to the open area for the Deck Party. It was fun and we were entertained by the live band music of Ntwine, a talented group of Asian musicians and singers. They played all the cover songs well and the two female singers were just great in the way they interacted with the younger guests dancing etc. This group entertained all week in the nightclubs and in the Promenade Lounge and on Castaway Cay. Being a bit of a musician myself, I did appreciate their playing style. I was impressed.

One odd thing, as the ship left Port Canaveral, someone forgot to blow the Disney “When you wish upon a star” horns. Many of the guests on deck kept waiting and looking at each other wondering when it was going to blow. Anyway, it didn’t blow. The next day, we joined a small group of guests casually chatting in the lobby with Captain Tom. Someone asked why they didn’t blow the horn. Captain Tom looked shocked and asked is we were serious. He thought it would have been blown as normal during the party as we left port. Anyway, he apologized and you can believe that he had that horn blown many times thereafter during that cruise – much to the delight of the passengers. Maybe not to the delight of those trying to nap by the Adult Cove Pool. When that horn blasts its really loud. Anyway, its still fun to hear that horn and you know in port the people on the other cruise ships are just jealous when they hear it.

During the cruise, we spent a good bit of time around the Cove Pool and in the Cove Café. As far as we are concerned, we had excellent service in the Cove Café for two straight weeks from Mark and Ann Marie, both from Jamaica. Two totally pleasant and excellent CMs. They really made the Cove Café an enjoyable place to stop by for a visit and to enjoy a delicious variety of extravagant coffees.

Our dinner seating partners were absolutely wonderful…there were eight of us in total…we sat with a newlywed couple ( they were so cute and seemed so young), also a mother–daughter on their umpteenth Disney Cruise together and lastly a nice almost middle aged couple from the midwest. We had a wonderful time together and all got along rather well together. We are all DVC members except the newlyweds; however, they too bought into the DVC while on the cruise. The Mother of the mother-daughter couple is already booked on the transatlantic cruise to Europe. They had experienced the Panama Canal cruise and they had lots of things to tell us about that experience.. Everyone was jealous that we were on a back-to-back cruise and they had to go home the next Saturday.

Our Servers were “Leeroy” from Jamaica as the meal Server, and “GiGi” from the Philippines as the Assistant Server and finally, “Hemant” from India as the Head Server. All we can tell you is that they were absolutely marvelous and were there to help with any request. They were friendly and made all of us at our table and the nearby tables feel at home and so comfortable. The meals and the attention were superb – every night--. And, if we happened to be at another place on the ship during the day when they saw us, they would come right over and talk with us and made us feel great. I know people often complain that the Head Sever only comes around to the table the night before the tips are distributed – but in our case, Hermant, our Head Server was there every night and always came to see us before, during and after our meal. These three are naturally gifted people and really do enjoy their work and made us all feel good about the dining experience. Bravo to them all !!!. I would ever tell you that another of the Head Servers, I believe his name is spelt, Alexandrjo from Italy, (sorry if I have the name spelling wrong) was also superb in the service he gave to his area. That man along with Hermant were constantly checking on things and were very pleasant and made sure everything ran smoothly. There seemed to be three Head Servers and when anyone or we walked into the rest, we were all immediately greeted by one of them and they talked to us about our day etc. Clearly, these servers were the best we have ever experienced on a Disney cruise.

Lucky for us, we were able to be assigned again to Hermant, Leeroy and GiGi on our second week so the dining magic continued. I can’t say enough about that great service we received from our Serving team. One interesting observation, it seemed that many of the CMs and ship Officers and entertainment performers noticed us and recognized us as the second cruise began and most came over to ask us if we were on a back to back cruise. They seemed genuinely interested and it was a bit nice to be recognized that way by some of the CMs.

As to all the meals, we were pleased and thought it was top notch Disney. We were never disappointed. During the trip, we also tried more of the fun food at Pluto’s and the pizza at Pinocchio and the nice sandwich wraps etc at Goofy’s. Also, this cruise, we did enjoy a sit down breakfast more often in Luminier’s rather than the faster breakfast at Topsiders. Just our preference this time. We did occasionally; stop by Topsiders in the morning for some cereal and fruit.

Palo’s, what more can be said about that fantastic place. Our first visit was that Monday during a day at sea, for the High Tea. DW is more the high tea person but we both did enjoy it. Fine selection of interesting teas with rather delicious finger food. Definitely, worth the time to go there for the High Tea. The man in charge, PJ, is a wonderfully charming person who has been there for quite some time and really knows what its all about. Just talking with him makes you feel special. Our tea server, Corrina, was wonderful and all around it was a great time. Our dinner was scheduled on the same night as the semi-formal dinner. Our server was Kristian ( I hope I have the spelling correct) he is Eastern European and was a pleasure to be with. Both he and PJ took care of everything even down to putting some lobster tails on our table along with our main meals. We didn’t forget to order the Chocolate Soufflé. In one word, our first week’s Palo’s experiences, “Magnificent”. There was nothing more we could have asked for in the way of service, food or even the friendliness of our table neighbors in Paol’s.

Our first two days were at sea as the ship headed to St. Maarten. We did encounter some rather heavy seas but overall the ship handled it well. On the TV “Report from the Bridge” channel, it did seem that sometimes the waves were listed as “rough” with swells up to over 10 feet and more. You had to be impressed how the dancers and other performers handled their performances with the frequent movement of the stage due to the heavy seas.

The formal night was fine, however, I was rather disappointed with the small number of men actually wearing a tux. I felt a bit out of place and never saw so few male guests actually wearing a tux on formal night. In the past, it seemed to be a higher percentage of men in a tux. I realize it’s a pain to get a tux and pack it just for one night but that is part of the cruise experience. Oh well, I wore my rented tux and DW and I had a nice evening anyway. On the following week cruise, the experience was just the opposite. A much larger percentage of men and their sons wearing tuxes on formal night. I guess each cruise is different.

I am sorry this initial report is so long. Wow, I didn’t realize I am going on and on. I have to end this one for now, but will continue very, very soon. I hope our comments and observations are helpful. See you soon.

 

[RoyalVizier]

Wow!

Talk about a Dream Come True vacation! Two weeks out to sea with Disney.

Thank you so much for reporting all of the details. Don't worry about being repetative... hearing about all of it over and over again is what keeps most of us going.

Sounds like you and your wife had a perfect time.

Keep it coming... please!

 

[bywheel]

Great report. I'm so jealous.

I just got back from the Jan 20th Eastern and I wish I could have stayed on the boat.

 

[PhotoLisa]

Kevin:

Glad you had a terrific experience.

Please let me know what they decided to do about your back-to-back checkin. Did you just have to go to Guest Services to take care of the second week and if so, did you have to wait until the second Saturday?

Thanks for the info!

Any tips for b2bers?

Lisa

 

[KevinNYC]

Our Dream Come True continued.


For those interested in what happened during the interval between the first cruise and the second, I’ll address that now and go out of sequence in the report. It was very unusual and rather delightful to be able to remain on the ship as the passengers get off and we got to watch how the CMs prepare for the next onslaught of new happy passengers. Incidentally, just think how great it was not to have to pack on that first Friday night and not to have to place our luggage outside our stateroom door with the cute Chip & Dale tickets attached. When we were near out door at night, some well meaning passengers reminded us to place our luggage outside the door. We didn’t have the heart to tell them we were remaining onboard. We just thanked them for reminding us. We didn’t want to rub in it – after all we know what its like to have to leave the next day. That was the beauty of the back-to-back cruises.

So, what is it like to remain on the ship and how does Disney handle the check-in?

Disney handled it seamlessly

During our first week cruise to the Eastern Carib, we spoke with Brent, who was the Cruise Director. Both he and Joshua, Officer in charge of Guest Services, told us they would look into the matter and tell us what to do.

Both Brent and Joshua were always available and rather pleasant.

Joshua came to us and told us to wait until late Saturday morning to check-in for the second week Western cruise. He said not to get there too early. Because we would be docked in the USA, there would be no need for us to leave the ship for customs or to go into the terminal and check-in. All the necessary check-in could be accomplished right at the Guest Services desk on the lobby of the ship. If we wanted to leave the ship to go to Cocoa or NASA etc then we would have had to visit the Customs and then go to the terminal for regular check-in.

We elected to remain on board.

Non-US citizen groups, doing a back-to back, were required to be escorted off to Customs by a ship Officer and then to the terminal for a special quick check-in and then the Officer escorted them right back onto the ship. We saw a few families also doing a back to back but I think we were the only Americans.

This is how our morning went on debarkation day:

We went to our assigned breakfast seating at 7am on Saturday morning and sat with our table mates in Luminier’s. Everyone was jealous that we were remaining and some offered money to us to hide them in our stateroom. Before leaving for breakfast, Jeryll, our room steward, told us all had been arranged and that she was to clean our room first so that we could return to it after breakfast if we wanted to and hang out there.

Joshua told us to stop by Guest Services about 11:15 am to check-in. It was sad saying goodbye to our table mates, but secretly we were screaming with glee that we were remaining. We watched all the families begin to quietly gather in the lobby and await the call to disembark and begin their journey home.

About 9 am, we went back to our room which was on dockside and we sat on the veranda and watched the people head off the ship and onto the buses etc. We waved to people looking up at us and waving at us. We wondered if they knew we were remaining or that we were just too sad to leave our room and go home.

Anyway, we even saw people arriving in their cars and unpacking and getting ready for the next cruise. We took that time to visit the laundry. Obviously, it was empty and quiet on Saturday morning; however, on Thursday and Friday it was very crowded. You need quarters to operate the machines and to purchase Tide. We had planned ahead and obtained enough quarters and some Tide in case the change machine and soap selling machine were empty.

The laundry went well enough and we had time to chat with most of the Stewards on our side of the ship as they came back and forth getting things ready. They reminded us not to venture onto the veranda at about 10:10 am as that’s when the men power wash our side of the ship and totally clean and wet the verandas. Talk about a wake up splash had I fallen asleep out there.

We could have just stayed in our room and out of the way but we did want to see what happens on the ship in between cruises. It was rather amazing to see everyone in high gear rushing back and forth. We watched the last stragglers leaving the ship. I noticed a man tuning the grand piano in the lobby and he was using some computer to assist. It might seem silly, but I was fascinated watching him. I wondered if he tuned every piano on board or if he even had time to accomplish all of that.

We walked some on the Promenade deck and watched the men in those tractors on the dock moving things out of the ship and then delivering new supplies. You should see how they had flattened and folded each box of cardboard and then tied them together in large bundles. Then you could see all the new food and supplies coming onboard. We wondered if the 44,500 eggs they use each week were in any of those crates now arriving. Wow, do they load a lot of materials on board in a very short amount of time.

While on the Promenade we could see the new passengers on that outside area of the terminal looking up excitedly at the ship. Many waved to us and called out. Some seemed jealous as to why we had already gotten on to the ship.

We were told that the pool was available to us and if we needed anything that someone would get it for us. Everyone was really nice and things were smooth. We didn’t ask for anything. We were just happy being there – believe me.

About 11:10 or so, we wandered down to Guest Services. After a minute, Joshua came out and was so genuinely pleased to see us. He introduced us to a female clerk who then took our second packet of cruise documents and checked us in. She did it all from her computer and issued us a new Key to the World card. In total the check-in took about 2 minutes. That’s all there was to it. It can’t get any better or easier than that. Then Joshua excused himself and escorted the other remaining families off to Customs and then to check-in in the terminal.

Meantime, PJ came by on his way to set up in Rocking Bar D for Palos reservations. We had a lovely chat and some other CMs and he made sure we had our reservations in order. Meantime, my new tux had arrived and it was sent up to our stateroom. A few minutes later, I saw Joshua come back into the lobby accompanied by the other families. It couldn’t have taken them more then 15 minutes to complete their Customs and check-in procedure and they were back on board with us. Most of the families were from Australia and it made sense that they would do the back-to- back cruises to get both the Eastern and Western flavor – especially since they had to travel so far to get here. We would see and talk with them often during the second week. They were very nice families.

It was very nice and informative to be able to stand around in the Lobby with many of the ship’s officers and chat with them. It was good in that we were alone with them and not surrounded by several other couples also trying to talk with the Captain. From our encounters and discussions, I can say that the Officers of the Disney Magic are intelligent, sensitive and warm individuals who take their professional duties very seriously, but can take the time to talk with us, so we both compliment them.

We returned to the room for a bit and did some light reading then decided to go up to the 9th floor and walk around and enjoy the ship to ourselves and the last of the quiet time alone before the arrival of the new guests. It felt like we owned the ship at that point.

Anyway, we went over to the coffee/soda machine near Topsiders and enjoyed a last coffee in silence, sitting in the chairs near the Mickey Pool. Knowing that was the last chance to sit by that pool in silence, ha ha, before the usual fun and mayhem for the week begins. I didn’t take note of the time, but at some point we started to see people making their way up to the 9th floor and walking around and heading to Topsiders for their first lunch.

It was actually fun to witness the first arrivals of new passengers. All of them with that happy glow in their face and that excited walk all hurrying to Topsiders to begin their week of magic. Those who had already been to the Rocking Bar D and gotten their Palo reservations taken care of. Inquisitive faces looking pleasantly around to get their bearings. Kids squealing with glee when they first see the Mickey Pool and the slide. Parents and Grandparents smiling to themselves knowing they are going to have a wonderful time. People checking out the Pluto’s and Goofy’s food stations. After all, that’s what its all about.

It’s a perspective I never witnessed before since we were always part of that arriving crowd – happy and excited for our vacation to begin. But this time, we had that special chance to witness that magic in the faces of all those newly arriving guests. So, with that, we got up from our chairs and went into Topsiders with the happy people—since we also—wanted our magic to begin again for our second week cruise. Actually, our magic had never stopped from the first week’s cruise. And let me tell you, that magic never ceased for us that entire second week.

More to come soon.

 

[A fat english gent]

BEEN WAITING FOR THIS REPORT...You write i'll sleep,you sleep and i'll read....

ps...We need to know EVERY detail please.....

 

[KevinNYC]

We'll try to do the best we can. Sometimes, it seems I just talk and write too much.

 

[RoyalVizier]

When we were near out door at night, some well meaning passengers reminded us to place our luggage outside the door. We didn’t have the heart to tell them we were remaining onboard. We just thanked them for reminding us. We didn’t want to rub in it – after all we know what its like to have to leave the next day. That was the beauty of the back-to-back cruises.

Awwww, that's no fun!

Didn't you want to laugh and point and rub it in just a little?

They reminded us not to venture onto the veranda at about 10:10 am as that’s when the men power wash our side of the ship and totally clean and wet the verandas. Talk about a wake up splash had I fallen asleep out there.

That would have been the perfect start to your second week, that's for sure. Gotta watch sprayers, hoses, and all things that expell water on that ship... I nearly had a run in with something similar on a previous DCL cruise.

Awesome account of things... be sure to backtrack now hit the rest of that first week. Don't leave anything out now!

 

[joksten2000]

We went 9/30 & 10/07 2006. We are also going 2/03 & 2/10 2007. Shame we didn't go on the B2B's together. It is great not having to pack.

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

Can't wait to hear more!! We were with you on the 1/13/07 seven day Western. We had a wonderful time!! It's great to read trip reports...especially on the same trip we were on. It helps re-live the vacation. And I feel like I already need another vacation...I'm going through Disney Withdrawals.

 

[Babs417]

You are all so lucky

 

[Jillpie]

I LOVE this report. We were on the double dip Western last June, so I'm anxious to hear your review of the ports. Thank you for the details, it puts us right where you were, awesome. More please?

 

[PhotoLisa]

Kevin:

Thanks for posting the b2b details for me. It really helps to know what to expect by reading from someone who recently experienced it.

Your report is spectacular!!

Lisa

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

B2B 7-nighters!!! Wow! That is quite the Disney magic!! Thanks for the awesome trip report!

 

[michelle9343]

Excellent trip report . I can't wait to read more...
It is my dream to do B2B..sounds like pure heaven.

 

[JeannieH]

Glad you also had a wonderful back-to-back cruises. Our friends have done 3 back-to-backs on the Magic and say its just fantastic. However, non US citizens do NOT have to be escorted on and off the ship in Port Canaveral between cruises. You can opt to stay onboard, or do as they do and get a taxi to Merrit Island Mall, then re-board with the new cruisers.

Your report was very interesting. Well done.

 

[KevinNYC]

HI..I hope to be able to continue the report very soon. We both experienced a lot of nice things during our two weeks on board and I hope to complete the report, so long as people are intereted in reading it.

 

[Pluto 2]

excellent trip report thanks for taking the time and writing all that

 

[tynkerbell]

Great report. I'd love to do a B2B some day.

An odd question but how did you handle tipping? Since you had the same servers, etc did you tip after each cruising or all at the end of your B2B?

 

[mickey4]

Ok all I can say is I want to do a back to back. Even better with out the kids. Ok I would bring them with. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Something I will have to keep in mind.