After a great evening meal last night Masterchef which for a while was suspended, -we went to the show it was described as Darren Romeo the voice of Magic, the start was delayed a bit, not sure what happened but Christian came up on stage without the usual music introduction then there was another gap And we started about 8.40pm.
I really enjoyed this show, it was a mixture of Magic and also he sang a number of songs, whilst doing trick or without tricks and impressions of various famous singers like Prince James Brown and even Celine Dion.
He choose people at random through the audience, one trick levitating a table was right in front of me a lady was chosen from behind, another trick a lady had to choose a Record cover to match his prediction again she was form just behind us.
A young boy was chosen to go on stage, and did a pick a card trick, it came out of the magicians mouth in the end, and he did the usual, disappearing lady trick and being put in a bag in a locked box and swapping with his assistant, And to the music of Phantom of the opera, his lady assistant was on a lounge chair, under a sheet, and then levitated in the area for some time, then disappeared.
He had a light bulb that he kept alight without a cable, and through it into the audience and it levitated in front of us.
I think some people were disappointed we herd people say, less music more magic required but even though some people left the WDT was full and people filling in all seats as they left after standing at the back or down the sides, Tonights concert by Ally and AJ will also be very popular. They got on this morning and will get off again before we leave at 11.30pm.
Today we pulled into the port of Aruba early and it was hot already but a rain storm came in for a brief while dropping a little rain, the seas had been very Calm overnight usual I am told for this season. Topsiders at 7am was very busy indeed, in fact has been busy most days bar early morning after a deck party or change in the clocks.
We got off at 7.45am to meet our private driver and guide for our tour of Aruba this morning, this was planned for 4 hours, but we went over that starting at 7.50am and we didnt finish until 12.40pm. We started out West along the beaches including Palm Beach, a drive along Arashi, Palm, Eagle, and Manchebo beaches with a stop to see the famous divi divi tree, it faces south, they say to the main town.
through low rise hotels then the new all inclusive high rise hotels with casinos in them, up to the California Lighthouse, then some views from high spots over Aruba, including surprise a Water tower where buses cannot go but gave excellent views, and also he showed us the local wildlife not just iguanas but birds, wild goats, snakes etc. We went on to Alto Vista Chapel, anther Hill view of Aruba,
The Oldest Cactus in Aruba, in someones front garden, Casibari rock formations, where we were lucky as three
DCL buses were just leaving and when we finished three more came in and we also saw ATV drivers come in. These are strange large boulders of granite and other hard stone and very tall,
We went to Bushiribana gold mine, walking around this and saw DCL horseback riding on the beach and then former Natural Bridge, the main part now fallen in but there is still a smaller coral formation baby bridge that is still there. Then north to the Ayo rock formation and Indian drawings
On to Jamanota (highest point), Baby beach,
Parke Arikok (National park) A walk into the Caves, where he talked to a park ranger to take us in by ourselves and we had a private tour underground with all of the rock formations with bats and snakes in captivity. This was great.
We then went back to the Hotel and Beach area and Downtown shopping area, via the Airport,
Water plant, He showed us the best places TO SHOP OUTSIDE THE Cruise ship ones and then took us back, he looked after us will with drinks, local bear, and wet cool towels to keep us cool.
We went to lunch at Lumieres it was nearly empty, although the Magician from last night was eating in there with us, took some shots of the empty Lumieres. Then we went back out for a shop. Lots of tourist and jewellery shops around and beautiful views and the shop keepers do not hard sell like Acapulco or other Caribbean towns. Very nice.
The ship is still in dock as I type this, we have a great view of downtown, basically one road back, and is funny as you walk along it you can look back at the ship towering above the shops about 5>6 levels above street level.
Of all of the ports of call and shore trips I place Aruba port and shore trip the highest, Cabo second highest with a great DCL signature tour there, Cartagena next a great port of call, so good for DCL to call there, loads of cruisers are telling DCL to come again to that port, the DCL tour there was good. Then PV, again a DCL signature private tour and Acapulco last where I didnt enjoy the hard sell shops and the tourist traps we were forced go to. Only
Castaway cay left to go now after two sea days.
Whist this is a great cruise I see lots of people hitting the wall there are kids asleep in the evening meal, or the shows of all ages, there is so much to do, and you just cannot do it all the entertainment has been so varied you do not wish to miss anything, we have seen long lines for Don Ducky Williams to sign his lithographs. My kids wont go to bed until late each evening, watching the movies on stateroom TV, or on goofy pool, or in the BVT, and I think they are high on sugar, soda, fun, and for me add Coffee to that as well.
All in all lots of people are finding out this marathon cruise needs to be paced and we have Captains Gala night coming up, princess at sea afternoon tea, (Some have had this already) a character breakfast, Palo dinner for us, Pirates night tomorrow, the Spa for my DW, and more shows coming up, and special food for us in the dinner rooms a Curry and Sheppards pie tonight for an example as extras for the English.
Highpoints so fat have been the ports of call bar Acapulco, -Cartagena and Aruba highlights for me, The Dissers, the weather most of the time, bar at the end of Panama and Acapulco. A lot of the meals have been excellent, the extra touches like Don Ducky lithograph gifts, Panama information the Entertainment. The Characters, the live bands, the deck parties and those deck buffets. Our Room service has been great and the CMs always smile at you and greet you wherever you are on the ship.
Lowpoints the occasional cool meal in dinner or topsiders, Palo Afternoon tea, (please change it back) the rudeness of some teenage kids loitering around the stairs and corridors and playing with the lifts, again as you get in all decks pressed alight and a kid or two in there. Found the booze pushing a lot more than before, I didnt post this before but I was approached 26 times on embarkation back between getting onboard at 12 and the safety drill at 3.30pm for a drink sale, wither Cocktail, water package or Wine package. Its far more noticeable than previous cruises, my Dinner Assist server is less pushy so I purchase Smoothies cocktails and wine form him most nights but not on deck.
Tonights food is Around the world and is tropical or casual attire, pirate tomorrow, and Formal on Saturday.
In fact the whole expoerience was quite a highlight of the cruise.
Makes very,very interesting reading, sure beats hello andrew!thanks, hope you cont to enjoy, my hubby caught me reading last page this afternoon and ended up going right back to the start!
What have you heard onboard about the Alaska rumors. In case you haven't heard it has been confirmed by the National Park service(NPS website) and DCL (reported on Cruise Critic)that they requested permits for Glacier Bay access for a 10 yr period - 2010-2019.
