Was live now home from the Nov 4th Western Magic

[SweetSpot]

It's so good to be home. So far it has been wonderful. The seas were a bit rough last night. Didn't see anyone getting sick but it was tricky walking. We have Gary Delana performing. Although I've seen his act 4 times now. He still is hysterical and keeps changing parts to his act. Also have a young magician on for his first cruise. He's okay but in the Welcome Aboard nothing special. There is a live band, Ntwine. They try so hard but I would much prefer a DJ to them.

The nighttime entertainment was something new called Magic Quest a scavenger hunt. We went but only about 10 others showed so we left. When the band was playing it was to only about 10 people in Rockin Bar D. I think that was mostly because of the changes to kids programming on the first night.

There are still many familiar faces from years past and one of the most special parts of the cruise is having them recognize you each time. Someone had asked in a different thread if a server Silvio had left the ship and I posted he did but he is back as an officer.

Random stuff: Many things have changed. Love the new soaps and shampoos. Not thrilled with the new Navigators but just need to get use to them. Noticed lunch at Lumieres is scaled back but that makes sense. Rachel is the cruise director and very good. Room service menu is different but still very good and they were very quick last night. Getting on the ship was a breeze and everything seems to be running very smoothly. No martini tasting this week. Bummer.

Off now to visit Key West. Weather is beautiful. Will try to check in later this week.

 

[Verandah Man]

Thanks for the "live" report!!!

Have a MAGICal time!!!

 

[kritter]

It's so good to be home. So far it has been wonderful. The seas were a bit rough last night. Didn't see anyone getting sick but it was tricky walking. We have Gary Delana performing. Although I've seen his act 4 times now. He still is hysterical and keeps changing parts to his act. Also have a young magician on for his first cruise. He's okay but in the Welcome Aboard nothing special. There is a live band, Ntwine. They try so hard but I would much prefer a DJ to them.

The nighttime entertainment was something new called Magic Quest a scavenger hunt. We went but only about 10 others showed so we left. When the band was playing it was to only about 10 people in Rockin Bar D. I think that was mostly because of the changes to kids programming on the first night.

There are still many familiar faces from years past and one of the most special parts of the cruise is having them recognize you each time. Someone had asked in a different thread if a server Silvio had left the ship and I posted he did but he is back as an officer.

Random stuff: Many things have changed. Love the new soaps and shampoos. Not thrilled with the new Navigators but just need to get use to them. Noticed lunch at Lumieres is scaled back but that makes sense. Rachel is the cruise director and very good. Room service menu is different but still very good and they were very quick last night. Getting on the ship was a breeze and everything seems to be running very smoothly. No martini tasting this week. Bummer.

Off now to visit Key West. Weather is beautiful. Will try to check in later this week.

HI, Sounds like you are having a great first day.. Just got off the Magic on 10/28 and our last night the seas were very rough... It was sooo lound everything was rattling around.....Hope you have a great week... I am soo jealous!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hannosmom]

Thanks for the report. Leave us a little shrimp and beer, cause we're next! Yahoo!!!

 

[Suzy Mouse]

Hello SweetSpot!!

We were waiting at Goofy's pool yesterday for everyone and only a few showed up! Hopefully we'll get to meet before the end of the cruise. We're early dinning with the APL rotation. Maybe you're there too???

I agree withthe new shampoos...smell delicious!! I hinted to our cabin steward...hoping for extras!!

Gotta run and meet up at the pool!!!

ps..we were allin bed at 9 last night. Too rocky for us!!

 

[SweetSpot]

Hi Suzy,

Sorry we missed everyone. We had all 9 pieces of our luggage by 3:00 so I was busy unpacking so I could start the vacation. It amazed me we had everything so fast.

This year is so much different than last year for us. Even though last year was amazing, it was different. The CM's seemed all new and not very organized or happy and the food was terrible among other relatively small things. This year all of the CM's have been just wonderful. We have Sandie and Arnauldo (sorry if I killed the spelling) as concierge and they are very, very good. Room service (especially Ken) have been so quick, everything perfect and hot. Our dinner servers Ronald from the Phillipines (again not sure of spelling) Alexander from Russia are just perfect! Food fast, delicious and HOT every night. Nombuso (spelling yet again) is a jewel, such a sweet woman year after year!

So far everything has run incredibly smoothly. The shows have been very good, Match Your Mate even for the 5th time was hysterical. Gary Delana changed most of his act from the years past for the main show and was very good. The magician, Jay M something, wasn't the best during the welcome aboard. It was obvious nerves for his first time with Disney and on a ship but gave him a second try at Adult Caberet and have no idea how he did the tricks. He was amazing and will see him again tonight with the kids. Art of Entertainment series this week is being done by a chef from a MGM restaurant. He did a great job.

We went to Key West without the kids. It's a party place and it was fun for a couple hours to hit all the famous spots. Was glad to be back on the empty ship and in an empty heated adult pool.

Just watched the sun come up. There are some clouds in the sky so it was hidden but beautiful just the same. Today is the Castaway Club party at 11 but we have Palo brunch and will miss it. On of the kids want to go so I will let you know how it was if he does. Tonight is formal night and thanks to a Syms tip on our trip board the boys will all be wearing tuxes. Makes for a great picture.

So far not one complaint other than in a couple days I have to get off this ship. That's not going to be easy!

 

[michelle9343]

It sounds like you are having a wonder cruise. Your live thread is really helping to build my excitement. WE will be sailing on her next!

 

[lindaso]

Hi guys...I'm sitting at the internet cafe b/c I just ate a room service Mickey bar and can't go to sleep!

If you didn't see anyone get sick the first night then you didn't see my DH!! It was bad!!! And he had a patch on. Now he's taking Bonine with the patch and it's working. But he can tell the second the bonine wears off. I'll never get him on another cruise so I need to enjoy these next few days.

Suzy Mouse...we haven't met but the girls did meet at the terminal. She got excited when she saw your DD up on the screen for the Golden Mickeys. What a birthday!! We couldn't make the meet b/c we were at the Mickey pool. I was watching my 4 year old b/c some big kid kept jumping right on top of him and pushing him underwater!! Never did see who his parents were.

Off to check some emails, enjoy the rest of the week!

 

[SweetSpot]

On our way to Cozumel and the Fury Catamaran Excursion today. Monday was our sea day and although wonderful the weather wasn't so great. It was on the chilly side, overcast and rainy. We had a good thunder and lightning storm late at night so it could have been worse. Went to formal dinner and found most people dressed beautifully, saw noone inappropriately dressed. Afterwards say Jay Mattioli, the magician for the kids show and wasn't nearly as impressed as I was for the adult show but he was different at least than past performers. Afterward we went to Gary Delana who is so good. So much new and current material. I could watch him again and again.

Yesterday was Grand Cayman and we had no excursions booked. We decided to just get off walk around and see Margaritaville. Glad to say I've done been there done that but loved getting back to the empty ship and enjoying the pool. The morning was terrible with pouring rain but the afternoon was beautiful. Shows were Rich Purpura for kids, same exact show as all the other times but first timers love it! A juggler Rys Thomas I believe, for adult show. I don't have words to describe that show. Lets just say people were leaving and not clapping too much. Twice Charmed was the main show. It was very good again and was playing to an overpacked house. I never saw that before.

A few random things. The price of the beer mug is now $12.00, parking at the peir is more I think $84. Room service now makes you sign a receipt which gives you a place to leave a charge tip. I thought it was strange but they explained that people were complaining that they weren't getting their food, now they have proof. All the food has been very good and HOT, yeah! Our servers are amazing. At Palo brunch they were sending men back to their room to change out of shorts. I love the new little desserts samplers. You can try all and not waste too much.

Off to enjoy the day.

 

[lillygator]

Arnaldo was on our concierge team as well. He is awesome!

 

[poohssmum]

Just wanted to say hello and thanks for the live report. We were on board this cruise the past 2 years ... and I'm totally bummed to be home and at work this week I'll just have to live vicariously through your report

I'm really appreciative of your comparison of how things have changed from last year. Some of our disappointment with things from last years's cruise is a BIG reason we're not on the ship with you this year. Thanks for putting things into perspective for me.

 

[becka]

SweetSpot - did you say "dessert sampler"? Do they have this for all of the dinners? That would be a dream come true for me.

Thanks for the report...I am now at 31 days until we board and trip reports like yours are just getting me so excited.

 

[DisneyZell]

adding my self to this one...sounds like you are having fun. we also got off 10/28 and are soooo jealous! enjoy the last couple days. always feels like Wednesday is a sad day cause it's on the downhill slide.

But you do have Castaway Cay to look forward too! yeah!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Here you are...that "wanna-be" boat is blocking you!

 

[kritter]

OH you make me wish I was back on board!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lbgraves]

Hope that you continue to have a a magical cruise. Do you happen to know if Rachel will be on the ship in December? We will be on the 12/9 DD cruise.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

A better shot for you!

 

[TChrist05]

Hello guys....could you tell me if they are showing Santa Claus 3 and Cars on the ship? We are sailing on 11/25 and my wife is curious if these two movies are showing on the Magic....
Thanks!
Tom

 

[kritter]

Hello guys....could you tell me if they are showing Santa Claus 3 and Cars on the ship? We are sailing on 11/25 and my wife is curious if these two movies are showing on the Magic....
Thanks!
Tom

Tom, SC 3 was premiered on our cruise the 10/28!!!!!!!!

 

[SweetSpot]

Yes they are still showing Santa 3 in the Walt Theatre and they are still showing Cars, POC3, Invincible among others. Not sure about when Rachel will be off the ship. I haven't see her around to ask, sorry. The dessert sampler was at Palo brunch and was wonderful.

What a great trip this has been. It is obvious DCL is listening they have made little changes here and there that have been perfect. Even Rich Purpura must have heard the complaints because he did change some of his act and made mention to the repeat cruiser thing and his act several times. He's hysterical, it was great to see some new material.

The Fury Catamaran was amazing! The snorkling was in a tiny area and was very crowded with not too much to see but the ride, the beach and the crew were so much fun. Pony and his crew did everything they could to pamper us just as if we had never left the DCL ship. We made it back just in time for dinner and then the movie but skipped the pirate show to watch the fireworks on the balcony. We really needed a down night.

Yesterday was a lazy day at sea and now getting ready to go to Castaway Cay. Not ready to get off this ship yet!