the firstmickeys MAGICAL Western Cruise Aug 12-19: First Time Cruisers

[DVCSmile]

Donna, I've enjoyed every word of your report and all of your pictures! Your family is lovely and it just looks like y'all had the most wonderful time. Thank you for taking the time to share your cruise adventures with us.

 

[paras4ri]

I'm loving every word and picture Donna, even though you didn't take a picture of the drink you had for me on my birthday! Have you bought those lottery tickets so that we can cruise together next time!!!

 

[jrose529]

Thanks for the link to the dolphin pics Donna! They are great.

 

[firstmickey]

Ok....so we are dressed and ready in record time and


Off TO PIRATE NIGHT! (still Wednesday btw)



First stop a pic with Pirate Mickey! We wanted a picture with Captain Jack also but the line for him in the WDW theater preludes area was around the back and we didnt have time. We are at Animator's Palate that night for dinner and it's fun to see all the servers dressed in their Pirate gear. We tease Stephan our head server and call him Commodore because he has this huge blue hat on. We have semi pirate outfits on....all black and red with some accessories but Dan just wears black pants and a red shirt. We tell him he looks like he's going to work! LOL!

He orders another bottle of wine and I get the Rusty Anchor which is yummy.
We have the special Pirate scroll menu which we get to keep. We had crab cakes for appetizer, caesar salad and Kaitlin had the mango soup. Both kids had the usual chicken fingers. Dan had the Macademia Mahi Mahi which was yummy and I had the beef tenderloin which was very good also.
Kira told me I had to try the Pirate's Nest and she brought me one on her.
for dessert I ordered the tropical fruit treasures which was sugar on a plate and I didnt care for the meringue so I helped Kaitlin eat her shiver me timbers white chocolate cheesecake. It was yummy! Kev had his usual of a selected assortment of ice cream....vanilla with sprinkles!

After the dinner, they do a little Pirate show and have the kids get in the parade with them. Kira and Ciao Romano were very fun and made our kids get up and do it. We had brought some of those little pirate ducks from Oriental trading with us and we gave one to Ciao, Kira and the "commodore" one to Stephan. Kevin was all excited to give one to Pairoj also so Kira asked him to stop by. He was extremely busy that night but he made a brief trip over to see Kevin and get his duck. They all seemed to really like them.

We went back to the room after dinner and Dan said he had a headache and needed to lay down. We had a towel monkey from Albert which was very cool! We were supposed to meet other DISsers at the Pirate Party on Deck 10 so we decided to head up there and told Dan to join us later. They were clearing away all of the tables/loungers etc to make room for the party but I managed to snag a table for 2 right near the rail with a good view of the Dumbotron. The kids ran off to play in the arcade and wander around and I told them to come back for the party. Sitting up there in the dark with the light breeze blowing watching Angels in the Outfield was one of the most enjoyable parts of my trip. It was so relaxing and peaceful and we had such a good day....I just loved it.

Eventually everyone started wandering in for the Pirate Party. Lots of DISsers showed up and finally we met up with DISser zzzzjohnzzzz and family. His kids and mine had emailed pretrip but it was very difficult to meet up with them because we had early dinner and they had late. The girls went off together immediately and the boys from our whole group all hung out at the rail to see the party. Of course, Beckie (magic in my heart), our wonderful cruise hostess this year had glow necklaces for everyone! (she's so organized and prepared!)

The Pirate party was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed hanging out with our whole group of DISsers and I was happy that the kids finally got to meet up with the precruise friends. (unfortunately it never worked out that they could hook up with them again.....that different dinner time really messes you up!). The girls came back just in time for fireworks and we all ooooohed and ahhhed over them.

They had a huge pirate buffet (not that I could eat) and then they played POTC: Black Pearl on the dumbotron. My kids were exhausted and asked to go down to the room. Dan and I walked around a little.....talked to a few people and really wanted to sit and watch the movie on the loungers on Deck 9 but we were so tired. We went back to the cabin and both kids had put themselves to bed and were sound asleep. Fun is exhausting, isn't it?


all in all.......the most magical day of all!

 

[firstmickey]

Pirate Mickey!

Commodore Stephan:

 

[RoyalVizier]

I'm up even earlier today at 5:30am and I take my notebook up to deck 10 to have my coffee and write some of my trip down. (that's why day 4 was so detailed). then head for the front to see the sunrise. (somehow that just never gets old!)

Isn't this just the greatest? This is also how I began almost every morning of the cruise (except for me it was with fruit punch instead of coffee). Nothing like the fiery brightening sky on the ocean to mark the beginning of the day!

What a wonderful vacation!

 

[firstmickey]

Ok....Thursday Day At Sea and Palo Brunch!


I did my usual today ...coffee...deck 10..sunrise....still not old. You sleepy people just don't know what you are missing! We have Palo brunch this morning at 10:30 in the private dining room with a group of DISsers and Im very excited to try it out. The kids elect not to go to the kids clubs again and decide to go to breakfast at Topsiders and then head to the movies to see Chicken Little. We all agreed to meet back in the room around noon. I wanted to pack a little bit today too so I didnt have to ruin my last day tomorrow with packing!

the kids head out and Dan and I just walk around a little till brunch.
We meet up with mickeys dreamers, magic in my heart, Tia, mbagley, ReggieB, indimini and signif others. (notice how I didnt blab that you showed up an hour later Bob due to a time mixup? ) Our server (for the life of me I can't remember her name!) showed us around the buffet and told us to help ourselves to the cold buffet/ the dessert buffet but she would get our hot food. It all looks great especially the crab legs! (Love those!) Everything was delicious. The stollen bread with jam and whipped cream...YUM! I got a small portion of the orchiette pasta as my hot food and it was delicious but I really wanted to save room for dessert! Dan had the pizza and said it was very good. The whole table of dessert looked great but I got the tiramisu one, the pretty sailboat white chocolate mousse and a little chocolate pastry. Then I had to go back and try the pink creme puff thing on Tia/Donna's recommendation! (it was great!) We all had a good time laughing and talking. Thank you so much to Becky for organizing this for us. We really enjoyed it and the company. It was so nice to have friends all over the ship!


We went back to meet up with the kids and they decided to try something in the clubs (can't remember what...but they only lasted about a half hour)...they went to the arcade and to grab some lunch while we finished up and then met us at the 2:15 matinee show of Disney Dreams. We all really enjoyed the show. The kids went off on our their own for a little while and I think they tried the clubs again while Dan and I went to the adult pool for drinks on the ledge. The kids and I were pretty sunburned from the dolphin swim (you weren't allowed to wear sunscreen with the dolphins) so I stayed in the shade and they didnt want to swim. We planned a night swim after dinner since we saw the early show.

We had several semiformal pics taken and I have a fabulous one of the two kids with the white background. Dinner was Parrot Cay for Lobster night and it was very good but pretty spicy. By this point, there was so much dessert I cant even remember what we had! LOL! (Im starting to get sick of food!)

After dinner, the kids change into swimsuits and we all head up to the goofy pool. It's pretty empty and they have fun. We grab some loungers near the pool...we want to watch the movie Parent Trap later on the big screen. It's very relaxing and we are glad we did the early show for a change. Dan and I head over to Cove Cafe for drinks and we hang out with DISsers indimini/Bob and his wife, Barb. We have a really good time with them and just take little breaks to go check on kids once in a while and tell them where we are. (yes...I abandoned my kids at the Goofy Pool for a little while....OOPS!)

And I'd like to thank Bob forever for introducing me to the Mojito! I love this drink! Minty...Limey! Fabulous. And Prince (from India....and yes, he's heard all the artist fomerly known as Prince jokes) in Cove Cafe makes the best. Honest. He does. We really enjoy talking to him also. Dan and I check on kids several times and they are having a great time in the pool. (I don't think they even knew we were gone!)

While talking about Pittsburgh, another couple says they are from Pittsburgh also and it turns out to be the only DISsers we haven't met yet. Jeff and his wife, Mina. (they only live about 15 mins from us!). I wish we had been able to spend more time with them but Im glad we got to finally meet them!

We finally head back to the Goofy Pool...(with Mojitos!) ...and Kaitlin gets out and we all watch the Parent Trap movie. (I love this movie!). Finally, a water logged Kevin gets out and curls up with me to watch too. It's one of the highlight parts of my trip. All of us just hanging out watching the open air movie. It was just so relaxing. We all loved it! Next time, since we have seen all of the shows...this will definitely go on our list of things to do.

we head off to bed...and Im just a little bit sad cause I know tomorrow is our LAST DAY...but it's Castaway Cay day too...and that's the day we have been waiting for all week!!



all in all....another magical day....at sea!

 

[firstmickey]

Pics...(I was really a slacker on taking Palo pics! I cant believe I didnt get pics of everyone and everything!)


Palo desserts:

a picture of my semi formal pics I bought of the kids:

semiformal with Mickey!

Chillin' at the pool:

 

[Grammyof2]

Okay Donna - Stop posting the pics. My GD now thinks we should do a cruise, for the desserts

Plus I tell her some trips are for adults only, and that myth has been spoiled Not only is fun expensive, so are Grandkids.....very expensive

 

[firstmickey]

Way to go, Gram...you killed my thread!

 

[Jillpie]

Okay Donna, we can take it. Give us the last day . But make it really, really long, like two pages worth, okay?? I haven't read a good one like this in a very long time!!!

 

[firstmickey]

LOL...you are sweet! I'll try my best....too tired tonight though to do it justice!


thanks for all of the nice comments everyone....this is helping me relive the Magic.








(but this is SOOO not Cozumel when I wake up here....Im just sayin'... )

 

[paras4ri]

(but this is SOOO not Cozumel when I wake up here....Im just sayin'... )

I'll say it - Reality sucks!!!

 

[Grammyof2]

Way to go, Gram...you killed my thread!

Aplology Accepted

 

[sheridac]

(but this is SOOO not Cozumel when I wake up here....Im just sayin'... )

No, we're better!!!!!!

 

[firstmickey]

No, we're better!!!!!!

You're right...what on earth was I thinking?

 

[Jillpie]

Oh no, this cannot be, my kids were on this computer all day and now I get my chance and no Donna story!!!!!! I think I'm gonna go thru withdrawal now.

 

[firstmickey]

Im sorry Jillpie...it was a crazy day yesterday!



Ok....onto the last day...SUNRISE IN THE EAST and CASTAWAY CAY DAY!


Im up at 5:30 this morning and a little sad about leaving...but very excited about Castaway Cay. I think Disney makes that the last day on purpose to offset the sadness! I head up to Deck 10 with my coffee and it's still pretty dark. Im up at the front of the ship with these two young girls in their pj's still. I say Wow...you girls got up early to see the sunrise. They laugh and say they tried several times to get up during the week to see it but kept missing it so they just stayed up all night so they didnt miss it.
Oh to be young and not need sleep anymore! I ask them if they are going to Castaway Cay today and they say yes after they sleep till about 10am. I told them they should just get breakfast and then sleep on the beach so they don't miss it. They agreed this might be a good idea. They are pretty friendly and nice and we just start talking about everything. The two of them were there alone (a grad present from mom and dad for one and the other girl worked hard to pay for her trip).

Because I once used to be cool and single and like to remember these things ...lol...I start asking them all about what they did, how they spent their days, etc. They were 18 and 19 years old. They told me that it was difficult for them to meet people their age and make friends because they were too old to go to the kids clubs and most of the people they met were 16-17. They went to Rockin' Bar D alot and the kids they met werent able to go there with them. But they said that they did meet some people and they kind of just make their own fun. They were very friendly, pretty and talkative so I have no trouble believing that. They said that they did a lot of shopping in port and I get to hear all about the jewelry and deals that they found in Cozumel. (I'm SOOO adding that to my list for next time!!!!!)

They were so funny and the three of us talked for about an hour. I found out all about their school, home, jobs, etc. We are all standing there ready with our cameras for the sunrise though and a big cloud was trying to ruin our magic but we took some pics and had a good time. They tell me at one point....that they were wandering around the boat earlier and they couldnt figure out where the sunrise would be...the east or the west. I say...you're kidding right. They say no....but finally we heard the Beauty and the Beast song....Tale as old as Time where it says SUNRISE IN THE EASTTTTTTTTTT......(they sing it for me) ......so they knew the sunrise would be in the east. By this point, the three of us and this lady standing next to us are hysterical laughing. See...Disney is educational too! I really had a good time with them and it was very educational for me to see the trip and things they did from their point of view.


I say good bye and head down to get everyone up. Dan is awake and we decide to go back up to Deck 10 so he can see us coming into Castaway Cay also. (we left the kids a note....they were sound asleep!). We get some more coffee (well, his first cup!) ...and head up. There are a lot of people up and taking pics as we approach CC. It's very exciting to see it getting closer. (Im doing the jump up and down thing inside...Ok...I might have jumped once ..maybe twice!) We take lots of pics. Lots. (hey, it's digital....I can do that!)

We go get the kids and start getting ready to go. We can see the CC workers from our Verandah and watch them help bring the boat to the pier. It's pretty cool. Then we can see them unloading a whole bunch of stuff off the boat onto CC. The kids are ready first and head up to Topsiders for breakfast and we meet them. It's gettign close to 9am at this point but 9:30am is listed as our ashore time. We eat and head back to the cabin to get our beach bag and stuff and I see out the verandah that people are getting off the boat. And they are RUNNING! Running off the ship. No lie. I start to panic...thinking OMG.....did I miss something? Do we have to hurry to get a spot on the beach. I look again...yep...people are still running.


So I hurry us all along and we walk down to Deck 1 forward gangway. ( I refuse to run...it's vacation) But we do hurry past things that I probably would have liked to have a picture of...the post office, the entry signs, etc....so we can get the tram to the family beach. Along the way, we see we missed photo ops with Captain Jack....darn, he had no line too! Bummer!

We find a spot on the family beach.....there are PLENTY of spots and chairs. LOTS! (hurried for nothing...lol....but why on earth were those people running?????) If anyone can clear up this mystery for me...please do so!


I take a few pics and then crisis happens. My brand new camera.....fails. On Castaway Cay....I kept getting the message LENS ERROR and it won't do anything. Sighhhhhhhhhh.....I was NOT a happy woman at this point. Luckily, I brought a disposable camera and a couple of the water cameras so I can get some pictures....but geez...didn't I already have my camera angst this week? plus it's a brand new camera!!!!! I decide to look for the Shutter photographers later (particularly Reuben) to see if they have any idea how to fix it. Im not gonna let this ruin my Magical day on Castaway Cay but I confess I was quite miserable over this.

We get everyone settled and Dan goes to get us some snorkeling gear and we get the kids an inner tube and a float mat. They are happy just playing in the water (of course they fight over the inner tube!)

Dan and I head to the snorkeling beach...Im a woman on a mission to find the sunken Mickey. I swam the whole thing....didnt find it. Nope....I don't think it's there. I even swam all the way out to the end wayyyy out there. No mickey. I found the sunken boat. Found the various pots etc in the sand. Saw some fish. NOOOO MICKEY!!! I even asked a couple people who point vaguely and say....Mickey is over by the white buoy. Uh huh. Nope...he's not there. By this time...I'm pretty tired and I dont like leaving the kids for that long so I head over to see what they are doing. They are playing in the sand and water with all of those pirate ducks we brought. (I can't believe how much these ducks entertained these two during the trip...lol!). Dan comes back and tells me he found Mickey finally. He will show me later where it is! (he better!)

Kaitlin and I decide to head back to the post office so that she can mail some postcards and to do a little shopping and see all the things we hurried past. Bummer...Jack Sparrow is gone! I find Reuben and another photographer near the shop and they look at the camera and tell me they will replace it on board when the shop opens at 5:30pm. Sighhhhhhhhhhh....that doesnt help me with CC pics but ok.

We buy some shirts and some other souvenirs. I have to say I was a little bit disappointed in the CC merchandise. I waited till that day to shop because I wanted CC stuff. I thought there would be a better selection and there was no Mickey jewelry at all. Either there or the ship. You know, the charms, earrings they have all over Disney? I was looking for something castaway cayish! (there weren't even alot of pins). But we found stuff we liked....I was just surprised because I was expecting more.

We head to the post office and I buy 10 stamps....not sure why..she only needed 3....maybe I thought I would hurry and write 7 postcards before I left???? )....anyone need 7 Bahamian stamps?

Kaitlin and I have a good time together shopping and just walking around but it starts thundering so we decide we better head back to the beach and find Dad and Kevin.



have to take a little break here.....

 

[RoyalVizier]

What a perfect beginning to Castaway day. Early morning... sunrise (in the east )... good conversation with fellow cruisers. Very nice!

Hopefully in the next part you'll be telling us that you went back out and found that Mickey. He's there, I promise!

It made my day to come here this morning and see the next installment of your report.

Thanks!!

 

[firstmickey]

Awww that's sweet. I went and looked at all of your pictures yesterday. I really enjoyed them. You have a beautiful family!