Stealing the Magic for 2 - WB Panama Canal - Updated 7/5

[IAmAHiddenMickey]

Day 4 – Another Day at Sea!

Once again we got up a little later than we wanted, but that’s okay because it is a vacation! We went to Parrot Cay for breakfast, and it was ok, but so far I haven’t been impressed with the breakfast food on the ship. It’s still better than what we make at home (nothing)!

We went to a presentation by a Walt Disney consultant Jeff Kurtti about the new museum that Diane Disney is building to honor her father’s legacy. It looks really cool and we may have a trip to San Francisco in our future once it opens (not until late next year).

Jill also had her stone massage today and she said it was wonderful. I hope it was worth it, because it was $2.61 a minute! Sorry, that’s a nerd calculation with time and money values. It won't happen again because Jill will throw hot stones at me if I keep whispering calculations in her ear.

We also went to put together our fish extender gifts for the cruise. There were so many of us on the cruise that we were divided into teams and into days. Our day was the next day, but we got together with Deb from All Ears to get them ready.

Then it was off to a deck party for a welcome back from the Captain. It was pretty good, they had fried shrimp and a lot of cheese sticks!

Yummy - but we didn't eat any.​

After eating too much, it was off to the stateroom to get ready for the show and dinner. This night’s show was When Mickey Dreams, and was on the transatlantic cruise last year. It’s a kind of Circ de Sol Le type show.

The row in front of us got covered in magic bubble juice that didn't quite turn into bubbles.​

It was pretty and there were great acrobatic feats, the only problem was it was way too loud! People were holding their ears during some parts. I found that the previous shows were also a little loud, but not as loud as this one.

After the show we had about an hour to kill so we stopped by Studio Sea for Who Wants to Be A Mouseketer? Jill won on the last cruise, but tonight we weren’t even lucky enough to get picked.

We wanted to be but weren't.​

At dinner there was a smile from our wait staff and then there was a flurry of cheese sticks for everyone at the table! My request from yesterday resulted in cheese sticks for everyone at the table. At the end of the meal they asked if I wanted them again the next night and I had to politely decline.

All the cheese sticks are mine! MINE!​

Jill and I were pretty tired and tomorrow was Aruba, so off it was off to bed!

 

[tksbaskets]

Thanks for sharing! Any lithograph from Ducky Williams??

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Loving the report and the pictures! Can't wait to read more!

 

[IAmAHiddenMickey]

Day 5 – Aruba!

When we woke up we were docked in beautiful Aruba! We stepped outside and with a pop our clothes immediately stuck to our bodies and did not let go until we got back to the room that night. It was very humid and hot so we were both sweating a lot. Good thing we took enough water for both of us to drink during the day. We went off for a quick breakfast at Topsiders.

Our excursion was the See and Sea Island tour. We started out in a air conditioned bus (thank the good Lord!) and went out to a Holiday Inn that was next to the pier. Our guide was very knowledgeable and pointed out many sites of interest along the way. Aruba was colonized by the Dutch and still has a strong Dutch influence, and a lot of them vacation there.

We got in an open pontoon boat at the pier and were guided out to a larger boat. We had to walk across a plank between the two boats to get about the second one.

Jill on the transfer boat.​

Once on the other boat, we went below deck where there were seats next to large windows that showed the under water view. We sailed out over a German ship wreck that had a ton of fish. We saw schools of sardines as well as lots of other species. The boat was rocking quite a bit and I got a little sick (but didn’t have to go above deck) although Jill was fine the whole time.

Lots of fishes! Dinner, anyone?​

We got back to the pier and boarded the bus again. Jill and I saw an iguana next to the bus that had the same self satisfied look as Chrissy cat. We then found an iguana every where we went (even if it was only a picture!).

Our cruise mascot.​

It was off to the light house that stands on the end of the island. You’ll notice from the picture that it’s dry. A lot of Aruba was arid desert type conditions. It’s out of the hurricane zone so they don’t get as much water as other islands. Not only that, but there were a ton of cactus growing everywhere.

Don't wreck on the reef because of the California light house!​

After the light house, we rode around and saw a few more sites. We stopped at the natural rock formation which is one of the taller points of the island. Jill of course bumped her head right next to the sign that said “Low Clearance: Watch your head!”. She was ok though and we climbed to the top.

It doesn't look that big from here, but it was a long climb!

Jill is king of the rock.​

The rock had a gift shop next door where they had lovely customers such as this:

I wonder if he pays for his gifts with a free ride?​

Then we were off to our last stop, the natural bridge. Unfortunately the bridge had collapsed a couple of years earlier but they still took everyone out there. A smaller natural bridge was next to it. It was pretty neat and the waves were really big.

It may be natural, but we weren't crossing it any time soon!​

After that we headed back to the ship to eat a little bit and to rest. We then went back out and got a souvenir from the shops right at the pier. I’m not sure if it was because it was later in the day or what but we weren’t really bothered with a lot of sales pitches like we were at several islands on the last cruise. After Jill bought her trinket we headed back to the ship for the show and dinner.

We saw a ventriloquist who was on America’s Got Talent, and he was really good. Jill liked him because he had birds that talked. Then it was off to dinner and the tropical deck party!

At the party we saw the characters dancing and Jill wore her blinky braids which were really cool. A lot of people on the ship wanted to get them.

Blinky braids mesmorized me!​

After the party, it was off to bed, tomorrow was a relaxing sea day and boy do we need it!

 

[Skallywag]

Thoroughly enjoyd reading your report many thnks.
Brenda

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Thanks for sharing! It is almost as good as being there! Almost!!

 

[Im_A_Princess]

This is an awsome post!

 

[MagicMe]

Didn't check this report last night so I got two updates!!! Very cool, really enjoying your TR.

 

[UKANGEL]

more great reports thank you!

 

[Planky]

Run out and get me a Planky. I can't make heads or tails of this trip report.

Mozart my friend..

Let me just say that there is a Monarchy traveling from Kingdom to Kingdom on this ship...

It is the country of Freedonia...

Michelle (tink rules) is the Queen....

Her mom is the Queen Mum....

Ian and Sukie are Diplomats...

Jill and Matt are Prince and Princess....

Harry and Donna are Duke and Dutchess...

& Me....

Hey... someone needed to be Royal Jester!!!!

(I'll explain the rest when I get home... whenever that is!!!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Fun TR! Thanks for reporting...seems like you are having a blast!!!

 

[DLRPfan.be]

Thanks for sharing this great TR!!!

 

[Jennifer48]

Loving your trip report! I wanted to join this cruise so bad but it just wasn't in the cards. Maybe next time!

 

[Shannon1984]

Great report! I wish I was there with everyone. Tell my mom and dad(Harry and Donna) that everything is good here and I hope they are having a great time, if anyone sees them. I can't wait to read more!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

WOW - this is an amazing trip report - sounds as though you are having a ball! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Tink rules]

Great report! I wish I was there with everyone. Tell my mom and dad(Harry and Donna) that everything is good here and I hope they are having a great time, if anyone sees them. I can't wait to read more!

You mean the Duke and Dutchess??????

We've enjoyed their company at dinner and are very grateful that they have joined our Royal Contingent!!!!

Will be sad to send them back to their kingdom tomorrow... they have served our very well!!!

 

[Shannon1984]

You mean the Duke and Dutchess??????

We've enjoyed their company at dinner and are very grateful that they have joined our Royal Contingent!!!!

Will be sad to send them back to their kingdom tomorrow... they have served our very well!!!

I heard my mom mention something about this. I guess the Duke and Dutchess must explain when they get home! Have a safe trip home everyone.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Hi Kids! Loved seeing you all over the ship and enjoyed all the times we got to 'visit'. Can't wait to read about the rest of your adventures.

Hugs,

.

 

[IAmAHiddenMickey]

Well, bad news everyone... we're back at home


I'll be posting the rest of our adventure over the next week or so. I tried to do some more updates from the boat but I ran out of internet time and it takes a lot of time to put it together, and I was too busy eating!


Thanks for all the comments! I'll be answering questions once I go back through the thread.

 

[tksbaskets]

Well, bad news everyone... we're back at home


I'll be posting the rest of our adventure over the next week or so. I tried to do some more updates from the boat but I ran out of internet time and it takes a lot of time to put it together, and I was too busy eating!


Thanks for all the comments! I'll be answering questions once I go back through the thread.

Hope you feel better quickly. I'm looking forward to hearing about your adventures