September 2, 2006 - Eastern Trip Report

[gdulaney]

Hi Ginny,
I'm sorry we never met you on the trip! Now get moving with your report

So are you one of those people who just hops from timeshare presentation to timeshare presentation to get hte free stuff? I tried dragging DH to one once and it was awful so I don't know that we'd ever do it again...but i wonder sometimes when i get the offres in the mail for a weekend in the mts. for $100 or whatever! How do you say no? that was the one thing we really hated, i know it's their job to sell, but we couldn't get them to take a no answer!

Also, I have to say, I like the new navigators a lot I was able to hightlight in dif. colors and immediately see who needed to be where at what time- and the overlaps where i had 3 dif things picked out for the same timeslot! ugh.

Looking forward to more of you report!

-Courtney

Sorry we missed you too!!!!

Yes, we do the timeshares...although we do have our limits.

The new navigators are have such teeny tiny font... some of our friends were having trouble reading them. I know that some folks liked them, we just preferred the old style. I did like the overview navigator...that was pretty cool!

Guess I should get back to writing....

 

[gdulaney]

Hi Ginny!

Enjoying your 9/06 trip report. Wish we could have joined you and Andy this year. We're definitely hoping to cruise again with you.

Glad you liked the pic.

Tell Andy that I'll give him more Italian lessons!!!

Jan

Jan!!!!

We're going to try for the first value-season Western next year (Sept 8th)...if you think pay toilets in St Maarten are fun, you should check out the bathrooms on the Western route.

We absolutely LOVE the picture!! Thank you so much!

How's the new grandbaby?

Ginny

-ps- Andy needs serious remedial Italian lessons.

 

[tjeagle]

Great report! As a freebie lover myself....I am impressed !!

 

[gdulaney]

Great report! As a freebie lover myself....I am impressed !!

Thank you!!

 

[gdulaney]

Sunday, September 3

We get up and hit Topsiders for breakfast (a little fruit and a yummy made-to-order omelet). While we eat, we plot out the thing that we really want to do... We end up with the DVC member celebration, the shopping presentation, Chip-it Golf, the Captain's Welcome Celebration, and dinner at Palo. The rest of the day is rest, relaxation and a few beverages.

I head down to Diversions and find Samantha --- we wave at Mike (one of my favorite DVC people) and meet Amil (who was so funny). They start the member celebration and they give away so many cool things. My favorite new DVC item was the backpack seat. Very cute! They announce the member onboard add-on offer. We're not adding on...we've discussed it...we've decided. oh no! Andy is cracking. I've seen that look before, he thinks we need more points. Thank goodness they have a competition -- the first person to show a Disney Visa gets a goody. Andy's whipping out his Disney Visa faster than I can down a Konk Kooler! He wins Leo's lanyard with pins!!!! With little prompting from Brad, he is now an official pin trader!

After the member celebration, we head to the shopping presentation. There were several giveaways and one young lady won a diamond necklace!!

We made a brief stop at the deck 9 eateries (taco fries for me, pizza for Andy, salad/panini for Brad, and chicken sandwich/fries for Susan). None of us want to spoil our appetite for tonight!!!

We head down to Chip-it Golf and I was invited to join the "Loser" team, which was captained by Brad. The other members were Sam (Brad's daughter) and Andy. I must have learned well as I managed to avoid a negative score... unfortunately the winner was the person with the highest score...so we all waved to the dude with the 20-something score!!!

We have just enough time to hit the pool and then it's time to get ready for the Captain's Welcome Aboard Reception with free cocktails!!! Then we're off to Palo! Appetitizers, salads, pizza, entrees (filet, please), and dessert. We even got to meet the head chef. He was so friendly and has an excellent eye for plate detail. The presentation was absolutely beautiful! A little lemon sorbet/vodka/sparkling wine slushie later and we're tottering out of the restaurant.

On our way down, we stop on deck 4 to check out the shops. I'm the bargain hunter and find several various sale items that need to be bought.

Tomorrow is another day at sea....plus something called the Castaway Clubhouse?!?

 

[gdulaney]

Monday, September 4

We're really excited to find out about the Castaway Clubhouse. We get up, eat a little breakfast (fruit, scrambled eggs and chocolate milk for me...Andy does an omelet, fruit, and juice). Then we're off to hang out --- Andy is ready for more pin trading and I want to do a little reading in the sunshine.

We get to the Castaway Clubhouse a bit early and secure seating for our gang. They had a really cool game that helped everybody get to know other folks. It was alot of fun! Sam won one of the coveted clocks and she was so excited!!!

We left the Castaway Clubhouse zone and had a little time to kill before the DVC presentation. It's always fun to go sit through the general presentation! We were happy to see a huge crowd and excited to see somebody win an onboard credit (yeah Tom!!!).

We then spend some time outside -- and then finally it's time for the show. Tonight is Twice Charmed, which we've seen before...but decide to see it again. Maybe it will grow on me, but it's certainly no Hercules the Muse-ical! Bring back Herc, bring back Herc!!!

Dinner is in Animator's and we try to never miss the show. Andy is a two-appetizer kind of guy and tonight is no different. He orders the Smoked Salmon Parcel with Baby Spinach and the Wild Garlic Mushrooms. We both decide on Caesar Salads and for entrees, Andy goes for the Bacon wrapped filet mignon with seafood-filled pastry shell. I'm trying the Lemon peppered oven-baked stuffed chicken (filled with Provencal veggies on jalapeno cheddar cheese mash), which sounds frou-frou, but is actually really tasty!! Dessert is the finishing touch and Andy goes for the Chocolate and Peanut Butter Pie (served vanilla and coffee sauce) and I choose the Double-fudge Chocolate Cake (with chocolate sause). Yummo!

After dinner, we hang out (more pin trading!!) and check the shops (more sale merchandise to browse)... then it's time for bed, because tomorrow is St. Maarten!!!

 

[xABearx]

Great Job on the trip report Gin, don't stop !!

 

[gdulaney]

Tuesday, September 5

Ahh mateys, welcome to the Port of Sint Maartin! The weather is a little overcast and there are a few drizzles here and there...but nothing can keep us from going ashore! We aren't really shopping this trip; however, I do want to check out the new tee shirt designs at Del Sol, visit with the nice ladies at the Guavaberry Emporium and see what's new at Last Mango in Paradise. Last Mango isn't on the list of "recommended" stores, but I'm a Jimmy Buffett fan and they have some cute tee shirts!!!

We hit our stops, pick up a few items and head back to the ship. Andy scored major brownie points by suggesting that I check out the "in port" Spa specials. I call and speak to Pavi (who did a wonderful massage for me last year)...she is super sweet and unfortunately booked. She makes an early afternoon appt for me with another therapist. About twenty minutes prior to my appt, I head to the Spa so that I can say hello to Pavi. She lets me peek into one of the new room and we chat for a few minutes. Then I head back to change. Luckily I had a book with me. I read for quite some time and finally realized that I'd been in the changing room for over 30 minutes. Nobody has come to fetch me. I'm wearing my lovely spa robe (and the little spa flip flops), so I know I'm not walking out to the lobby to hunt down my therapist. Luckily I have my navigator with me, so I pick up the phone and call the spa. I ask to speak to my therapist and I'm told he is not in the spa at this time. I calmly explain that I have an appt at x time and that I've been waiting in the changing area. After holding for a few brief moments, I'm told that he will be directly back to fetch me. After multiple apologies, I ask about my appt. The length of the treatment is 75 minutes and it's less than that until his next appt. He assures me that there will be no problem, I'll get my full time. Yippee!!! We head off to the treatment room and it's time to be slathered with goo and baked like a lasagna. One word of caution.... if your treatment requires you to shower off, check the water tempature BEFORE you're therapist leaves. The water was really, really, really hot! Then it's time for a massage and lemon water.

As I slither out of the spa, I realize it's raining. Yuk! I find Andy, Brad and Sue and recount my spa experience. I'm totally relaxed and it would take more than having to wait for a spa appt to upset me. I can't wait for the Pirate Dinner and Pirate Deck Party!

Dinner is in Parrot Cay and our friends are dressed in their tropical clothing (they're Parrots in the Caribbean) and we're in our semi-pirate wear. Andy is wearing a Pirates tee and skull earring and I've got a skull & crossbones shirt and gauzy skirt. There are some families that are totally pirated out!!! It's so cool to see everybody so excited. Plus this is such a fun and yummy menu!!!

It stops raining and the Pirate Deck Party is on!!! There is even a special guest who saves the day. Others may have posted it...but since it was a surprise, I'd hate to ruin it for anybody.

We hang out at the Pirate Party for a while...and watched the firework....then it was off to bed. Tomorrow is the mandatory customs early morning wake-up call. eeeekkkkkk!

 

[curlybop]

Great report so far! I am really enjoying it. Keep on going.

 

[gdulaney]

Thanks curlybop!

 

[Raindrpz]

Great trip report

I go on my first cruise in November 2007, so this is really helping me see how much I have to look forward to...

 

[parrotheadmom]

Great trip report, keep it coming. Taking our first cruise 10/27/07! It's nice to see some fellow parrotheads. We are the people our parents warned us about-Jimmy Buffett

 

[pgfour]

Super report so far! Keep it coming!

We are on the Eastern cruise on 11/25/06! Can't wait!

 

[vital]

Great trip report, keep it coming. Taking our first cruise 10/27/07! It's nice to see some fellow parrotheads. We are the people our parents warned us about-Jimmy Buffett

If you are going to be on the Magic 10/27/07 Eastern, come join us on the Cruise Meets board. There are several of us going and we'd love to have you come meet with us!

Great trip report, I love reading about what's to come on our cruise!

 

[Katie1]

I didn't see anything about St. Thomas/St. John. Did you happen to go to St. John's Trunk Bay? Did you happen to take a taxi on your own? This will be our first DCL cruise and only our 2nd cruise at all. We have heard a lot about Trunk Bay and wondering about Taxi prices. We will have a family of 5....3 of the under 9....and hoping to spend more time at Trunk Bay, but I don't want to end up paying more for Taxi's and ferry rides then if I took and excursion. Thanks for your insite.

 

[gdulaney]

I really need to finish my trip report.... I got totally distracted.

To answer your question about St John....we've only ventured over one time. It was on the Disney St John Island Tour, so we didn't have to make our own arrangements. I've heard that it's pretty easy to go on your own...just make sure you get back before the ship leaves.

Ginny

 

[gdulaney]

Wednesday, September 6

Welcome back to the United States! To celebrate your return, we would like to invite (uhm, insist) that you wake up and report for clearance... please bring your passport (or whatever you're using for ID) and report to the Walt Disney Theatre to clear Customs. Okay, I'm going to be catty for just a minute...... I am completely baffled how folks can stand in line, watch every single person in front of them pull out and show ID, and still get up to the Customs agent and not have their ID ready (or even with them). We had an agent who asked my hubby how he managed to have a US Passport when he was born in Germany. Hubby answered that he was born on a military base since his dad was in the service. The agent replied "good answer" and let him go. Andy was like "what, a pop quiz first thing in the morning?"

We ended up disembarking and doing a little shopping. Our first stop, Diamonds International.... I love going to DI in St Thomas. They have a huge John Hardy display.

Then we went to the first Del Sol (the one by DI near Emancipation Sq) and they were super crowded, so we went to the other store. They had a cool "spin the wheel" game set up and I started to ask the employee what it was.... she had me spin and it landed on "Del Sol Idol". She said that if I went outside the store, stood on the sidewalk and sang a song for at least 60 seconds, they would give me a FREE color-changing tote bag. Okay, I absolutely love the words Free, Complimentary, and Clearance.... so, I thought about it for a moment and told the employee that I didn't think they would really want me to run away their customers. She laughed and replied that it was great entertainment for them....so start singing. Well, I completely lost my train of thought....I couldn't think of the words to any song. Not even those songs that play over and over and over. The only song that I could think of was ---- the alphabet song. Yes, the alphabet song... A, B, C, D... I stood on the sidewalk in St Thomas and sang the alphabet song at the top of my lungs. I mean, people were staring and giving me strange looks, but I got my free, color-changing tote bag. Yippee!!

We left the home of free tote bags and did a little shopping. Then we splurged and took a taxi back to Havensight. A brief stop at the bookstore and the Hello Kitty store, then back to the ship for some sun and relaxation.

After a light lunch, we hung out with our friends and then it was time for the ship to leave.

Later, we headed to dinner (Master Chef), where we tried Tomato Risotto, Warm Smoked Bacon, Onion and Cheddar Cheese Tartlet, Bruschetta, Salads, and Salmon (Andy) and Steak (me). For dessert, Andy ordered the Triple Chocolate Terrine and I ordered the Chocolate Mint Ice-Cream Sundae. Everything was good --- especially the company. We laughed so much at dinner. Don't you just love it when you have great food and great dining companions?

We're at sea tomorrow -- and after that, we hit Castaway Cay. Home of the infamous Konk Koolers! If you've never had one, I highly recommend trying one!

 

[tjeagle]

Glad your back! I enjoy your writting style!!

 

[gdulaney]

Thanks Jackie

Ginny

 

[gdulaney]

Thursday, September 7

We love a day at Sea... there are so many things that you can do. You can each brunch at Palo, hit the pool, watch a movie, or grab one of the comfy loungers on Deck 4 and read. I think we may have done all of the above (and some).

We had one of the best brunches in the history of brunch! Our server was great, plus we got to see several other servers that we've met over the years...but the best part. Our friends know one of the entertainers and invited him to join us at brunch. I've never laughed to hard. I mean from the time we sat down until we left, all we did was talk, eat and laugh.

We rolled ourselves out of Palo and down the stairs (tip = use the stairs whenever possible and then don't feel guilty about dessert!!). After changing clothes we hung out and I read a bit. Does anybody else feel that the time slips away so much faster when you're on vacation? It's like there are various degrees of time. When you're at an event and waiting to use the ladies room.... time drags (I mean really drags). When you're at work and it's your last day before vacation... time doesn't even move. It takes 5 times as long for the second hand to move. But when you're cruising.... times flies!

No lunch today. Yummy brunch and tonight is the Captain's Gala ... and for Andy, that means LOBSTER!! I'm not a big lobster fan, although I like Rock Lobster (B-52s).

Andy's dinner: Oysters Rockefeller, Garden Salad, Baked Lobster Tail (he might have been eating two of those suckers) and no dessert. How does he eat so much and say the same size?!?

My dinner: Grilled Veggies & Beef Prosciutto, Garden Salad, Fettuccine with Parmesan Crusted Chicken and two bites of Amaretto Cheesecake.

We watch a movie and hit the sack.... tomorrow is Castaway Cay and Serenity Bay!!