Was live now home from the Nov 4th Western Magic
- Thread starter SweetSpot
- Start date
didnt workSweetspot:
I enjoyed reading your live report. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to meet while on board (at least I don't think we met). It sounds like your family had another great cruise. Of course, we did as well. I hope to write about it in my own trip report some time soon.
Jason
I enjoyed reading your live report. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to meet while on board (at least I don't think we met). It sounds like your family had another great cruise. Of course, we did as well. I hope to write about it in my own trip report some time soon.
Jason
jsfein: We unfortunately never met anyone from the DIS as far as we knew. We did meet a good many people this time and luckily some that have cruised with us before. This was our 5th cruise. Our 4th cruise was just okay with us thinking that DCL were letting things slip and the premium fare not worth it any longer. I was dreading this cruise is some ways because of recent trip reports and our experience last year but this ended up being our best DCL cruise experience in many ways. It really was flawless.
Castway Cay's weather was spectacular. Not too hot, not really humid, not a cloud in a sparking blue sky. We didn't do any excursions this year. We went to the adult beach for a while but unfortunately had loud people next to us so moved and then was in between a snorer and a man with a very loud Ipod. The chairs were very close it seemed so we headed back to the empty ship early and relaxed there. It was a really nice day.
The Final show had a different set at the end a juggler who was really amazing and Rich Purpura who again changed parts of his act from prior years. As an example of why DCL is worth the premium over other lines the juggler who came on in Grand Cayman, Rhys Thomas was gone after his earlier shows. He was bizarre in the adult show so we didn't go to the family show. They booted him in Castaway Cay and flew the new guy in for the final show. They could have let him continue or just excluded that part from the show but they go out of their way for seemless perfection.
Pub night was really fun. We were lucky to have a great entertainment staff with Rachel, Derrick, Melanie, Doug, Keyon, DJ Mike, Mike and Natalie. They're a great group of funnny, energentic people who work so hard yet you will never find them not smiling and raring to go. They did a great job even with a ship not filled with too many willing to participate. With it being NJ week and having so many repeat cruisers (I heard someone say 75% on the ship were repeat) most people knew what was to come and ran. The pool cleared when it was time for the pool games at the adult pool and they looked desperate trying to find 70's and 80's night people.
Did hear that there are two ships in the planning process. I was told that the designs for new ships from years past need to be redone to keep up with industry progress and that although they are in the planning process that in itself will take years. It sounded like we are talking at least 5 years before a new ship is sailing from what I was told.
Getting off the ship was a breeze. It seemed as if people were off by 7:30. We were off a little after 8:00 found our luggage easily and we out of the terminal within 10 minutes.
The Bad: The band NTWINE who didn't seem to know the words and seemed to struggle with pronouncing English words. I have to say they try so hard, they are great performers and would be a great backround group but need a lead singer.
Our room deck 8, midship was loud. It didn't really bother us, we knew it was from before but the carts rolling on deck 9 at 6:00AM getting the ship ready for the day are really loud as are the parties if you have little kids. Nothing DCL can do about it, and won't keep us from that room again next year, but just a warning if you have little kids that wake easily.
That's all I can come up with for the bad.
The good:
DCL listens. The food was very good and hot at every meal. We were done within an hour at each meal. We ate an appetizer and and main meal without dessert each night which might be why we were so fast but it was great. Our servers Ronald and Alexander (from Russia) were "excellent". It was such a pleasure getting to know Alexander. I hope he's still there next year.
The shows although all the same at least were different in some ways. Gary Delana and Rich Purpura did change some of their material and we had 2 other performers that we've never seen before.
Room Service was quick, hot and perfect everynight. Ken, Diane and Alvin are extremely pleasant, funny and efficient.
Customer Service and Concierge were great. We've had experiences with nasty customer service in prior years but they were all wonderful this year. We were greated by Nombuso (a former teen counselor) at the concierge meet and greet and she was so special. She remembered us from prior years and made us feel so welcome. She made a point of telling CM's that we had gotten to know well from prior years that we were onboard and they all made a point of contacting us. Very special DCL touch.
Palo Brunch is very nice, love the new dessert touch. They did change the brunch main menu. Filet is no longer an offering at lunch but I easily found other wonderful things. I wish I could eat shellfish, it all looked wonderful.
Our room steward Raymound was extremely efficient. Room was always done quickly. We would go out of the room for a short time and he would always get it done while we were gone. His timing was amazing.
The feeling of being pampered. As an example on Friday when we returned from Castaway Cay I was hungry but just wanted soup so I headed to Parrot Cay thinking it was a lunch buffet. It was sit down. I explained that I was just coming to take soup out from the buffet and since it wasn't buffet I would go upstairs for something else. The CM at the door wouldn't hear of me leaving without soup. Apparently it's not easy to take out soup because it's hot and they don't want you carrying it. I totally understood but the CM wouldn't take no and she had me leaving carrying a tray of soup in minutes. Silly example but the CM's will make anything happen to ensure a prefect trip. I could go on and on with examples of special CM's. They go out of their way to say hello and make eye contact. We sailed on RCCL in June the opposite is true there.
The other passengers on the ship were wonderful. At the elevators parents would tell their children to step back while the people who were waiting first got on the elevator. There was no pushing ahead or nasty people that I encounted on the ship. We met some wonderful people who I hope are there again next year. The children were great. Not one elevator button experience or loud kids in the hall. Our door bell wasn't rung once by a bored kid and the kids in the 10-12's and teens were all wonderful.
The new shampoo and H2O products are great!
All in all I left realizing why people are so hooked on DCL and why DCL charges more than other lines. You are paying more for a better product. They have more employees, constant entertainment, amazing kids clubs and provide a magical experience for everyone. This will be a week we will all remember!
Castway Cay's weather was spectacular. Not too hot, not really humid, not a cloud in a sparking blue sky. We didn't do any excursions this year. We went to the adult beach for a while but unfortunately had loud people next to us so moved and then was in between a snorer and a man with a very loud Ipod. The chairs were very close it seemed so we headed back to the empty ship early and relaxed there. It was a really nice day.
The Final show had a different set at the end a juggler who was really amazing and Rich Purpura who again changed parts of his act from prior years. As an example of why DCL is worth the premium over other lines the juggler who came on in Grand Cayman, Rhys Thomas was gone after his earlier shows. He was bizarre in the adult show so we didn't go to the family show. They booted him in Castaway Cay and flew the new guy in for the final show. They could have let him continue or just excluded that part from the show but they go out of their way for seemless perfection.
Pub night was really fun. We were lucky to have a great entertainment staff with Rachel, Derrick, Melanie, Doug, Keyon, DJ Mike, Mike and Natalie. They're a great group of funnny, energentic people who work so hard yet you will never find them not smiling and raring to go. They did a great job even with a ship not filled with too many willing to participate. With it being NJ week and having so many repeat cruisers (I heard someone say 75% on the ship were repeat) most people knew what was to come and ran. The pool cleared when it was time for the pool games at the adult pool and they looked desperate trying to find 70's and 80's night people.
Did hear that there are two ships in the planning process. I was told that the designs for new ships from years past need to be redone to keep up with industry progress and that although they are in the planning process that in itself will take years. It sounded like we are talking at least 5 years before a new ship is sailing from what I was told.
Getting off the ship was a breeze. It seemed as if people were off by 7:30. We were off a little after 8:00 found our luggage easily and we out of the terminal within 10 minutes.
The Bad: The band NTWINE who didn't seem to know the words and seemed to struggle with pronouncing English words. I have to say they try so hard, they are great performers and would be a great backround group but need a lead singer.
Our room deck 8, midship was loud. It didn't really bother us, we knew it was from before but the carts rolling on deck 9 at 6:00AM getting the ship ready for the day are really loud as are the parties if you have little kids. Nothing DCL can do about it, and won't keep us from that room again next year, but just a warning if you have little kids that wake easily.
That's all I can come up with for the bad.
The good:
DCL listens. The food was very good and hot at every meal. We were done within an hour at each meal. We ate an appetizer and and main meal without dessert each night which might be why we were so fast but it was great. Our servers Ronald and Alexander (from Russia) were "excellent". It was such a pleasure getting to know Alexander. I hope he's still there next year.
The shows although all the same at least were different in some ways. Gary Delana and Rich Purpura did change some of their material and we had 2 other performers that we've never seen before.
Room Service was quick, hot and perfect everynight. Ken, Diane and Alvin are extremely pleasant, funny and efficient.
Customer Service and Concierge were great. We've had experiences with nasty customer service in prior years but they were all wonderful this year. We were greated by Nombuso (a former teen counselor) at the concierge meet and greet and she was so special. She remembered us from prior years and made us feel so welcome. She made a point of telling CM's that we had gotten to know well from prior years that we were onboard and they all made a point of contacting us. Very special DCL touch.
Palo Brunch is very nice, love the new dessert touch. They did change the brunch main menu. Filet is no longer an offering at lunch but I easily found other wonderful things. I wish I could eat shellfish, it all looked wonderful.
Our room steward Raymound was extremely efficient. Room was always done quickly. We would go out of the room for a short time and he would always get it done while we were gone. His timing was amazing.
The feeling of being pampered. As an example on Friday when we returned from Castaway Cay I was hungry but just wanted soup so I headed to Parrot Cay thinking it was a lunch buffet. It was sit down. I explained that I was just coming to take soup out from the buffet and since it wasn't buffet I would go upstairs for something else. The CM at the door wouldn't hear of me leaving without soup. Apparently it's not easy to take out soup because it's hot and they don't want you carrying it. I totally understood but the CM wouldn't take no and she had me leaving carrying a tray of soup in minutes. Silly example but the CM's will make anything happen to ensure a prefect trip. I could go on and on with examples of special CM's. They go out of their way to say hello and make eye contact. We sailed on RCCL in June the opposite is true there.
The other passengers on the ship were wonderful. At the elevators parents would tell their children to step back while the people who were waiting first got on the elevator. There was no pushing ahead or nasty people that I encounted on the ship. We met some wonderful people who I hope are there again next year. The children were great. Not one elevator button experience or loud kids in the hall. Our door bell wasn't rung once by a bored kid and the kids in the 10-12's and teens were all wonderful.
The new shampoo and H2O products are great!
All in all I left realizing why people are so hooked on DCL and why DCL charges more than other lines. You are paying more for a better product. They have more employees, constant entertainment, amazing kids clubs and provide a magical experience for everyone. This will be a week we will all remember!
HookedonMagic
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2001
- Messages
- 692
Thanks for the "live" updates and your final review! Great information.
Ntwine was on our 10 night Wonder in September...I agree that they work hard, but they're just not very good. The bars were empty all cruise long whenever they were performing.
Ntwine was on our 10 night Wonder in September...I agree that they work hard, but they're just not very good. The bars were empty all cruise long whenever they were performing.
Usually, DW posts. I felt compelled to add my thoughts to this thread this time. There was MAGIC on the Magic! This was our first ever cruise, so it HAD to be Disney. After chatting with a nice couple in Cozumel who cruised on another cruise line, I don't regret our decision!
I don't think there was any one single thing that I can say really made the trip great. It was all the moments we had -- with family, as a couple, with old friends, and new ones -- that I really enjoyed. The cast and crew went far above and beyond to help it happen in so many creative ways that I'm just floored by it. It's an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life (the 200+ pictures will help!)
I don't know how THIS happened, but I didn't see a single ill-mannered or spoiled child there! Some overly tired ones, sure... but nothing you could be annoyed at. Do I believe in magic? You bet I do!
Okay... enough gushing... down to some specifics! DW will fill in details in a trip report. I wanted to share some of the highlights!
DS5 turned into DS6 on day 2 when we hit Key West. He went to the kids club in the morning. We were still kids club newbies, so we thought it would be a good idea to take the kids out so we could have lunch together (there are 4 of them, btw). Lunch was nice. The older 3 wanted to go back into the clubs while we checked out the shops in port. The youngest? Nope. I told him we had a big day planned with cholesterol screenings, pocket lint cleaning, and lots of shopping for ladies handbags. No dice. It was his birthday and he would not be deterred from a day with Mom, Dad, Nana and Joe (Nana's new husband). Okay... a pirate museum and some ice cream (oh, and chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick for the grown-ups was worth every penny!) was all it took to make his day. Oh... the reason he didn't want to go back? "I'm AM. Not PM." For those of you who don't have kids in half-day kindergarten, this means that he only goes to school in the morning. Luckily, DD8 (who had her birthday scant days before) decided that he needed some company so she went to the clubs with him for the rest of the trip. I guess he liked that idea. He didn't want to leave the clubs again.
That morning I tried to let the club know it was his birthday. I figured they probably do something little. Unfortunately, it was VERY busy and all I got was an "uh huh..." Oh well, I thought. No big deal. Well, that afternoon when we got back on the ship, we brought him to Mr. Toad's Wild Race. First he lost the race, then his composure (did I say there were no ill-behaved kids? I meant besides mine!!) What made things worse was that his oldest sister (who paged me in the middle of the race and later filled in for Mom in the adult race) "won" which entitled her to a medal on a ribbon (Thank you again to to the lady who raced against her! It really made her day). Distraction (and lots of ice cream) improved his mood quickly. When we got back to our rooms, there was a trophy, a medal, and a hand written note with birthday greetings from Keyon (the cast member in charge of the race). DS6 was on cloud nine for the rest of the day! (Cue music... "Happy happy joy joy"). DW was nearly in tears (the first of many such moments -- all happy ones).
DS9 very much enjoyed being a pirate. He wore his skull and crossbones bandana on his head the whole trip home! And after DD8 purchased her third Tinkerbell pin a cast member gave her a fourth one to add to her collection. There too was a note in our cabins for "Tinkerbell's biggest fan".
Well, I don't want to give away all the good stuff... DW will cover more later. My only regret was that I didn't speak up to find other DISers at the Goofy pool the first day (yes... I was lurking there too! Bad habits die hard!) The few we met were terrific.
Oh... and please help me wish DW a happy birthday tomorrow (11/13). She turns... ummm... ... even more beautiful that the day we met? Yeah... we'll go with that!
--Paul
(the "P" in "pklein09")
I don't think there was any one single thing that I can say really made the trip great. It was all the moments we had -- with family, as a couple, with old friends, and new ones -- that I really enjoyed. The cast and crew went far above and beyond to help it happen in so many creative ways that I'm just floored by it. It's an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life (the 200+ pictures will help!)
I don't know how THIS happened, but I didn't see a single ill-mannered or spoiled child there! Some overly tired ones, sure... but nothing you could be annoyed at. Do I believe in magic? You bet I do!
Okay... enough gushing... down to some specifics! DW will fill in details in a trip report. I wanted to share some of the highlights!
DS5 turned into DS6 on day 2 when we hit Key West. He went to the kids club in the morning. We were still kids club newbies, so we thought it would be a good idea to take the kids out so we could have lunch together (there are 4 of them, btw). Lunch was nice. The older 3 wanted to go back into the clubs while we checked out the shops in port. The youngest? Nope. I told him we had a big day planned with cholesterol screenings, pocket lint cleaning, and lots of shopping for ladies handbags. No dice. It was his birthday and he would not be deterred from a day with Mom, Dad, Nana and Joe (Nana's new husband). Okay... a pirate museum and some ice cream (oh, and chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick for the grown-ups was worth every penny!) was all it took to make his day. Oh... the reason he didn't want to go back? "I'm AM. Not PM." For those of you who don't have kids in half-day kindergarten, this means that he only goes to school in the morning. Luckily, DD8 (who had her birthday scant days before) decided that he needed some company so she went to the clubs with him for the rest of the trip. I guess he liked that idea. He didn't want to leave the clubs again.
That morning I tried to let the club know it was his birthday. I figured they probably do something little. Unfortunately, it was VERY busy and all I got was an "uh huh..." Oh well, I thought. No big deal. Well, that afternoon when we got back on the ship, we brought him to Mr. Toad's Wild Race. First he lost the race, then his composure (did I say there were no ill-behaved kids? I meant besides mine!!) What made things worse was that his oldest sister (who paged me in the middle of the race and later filled in for Mom in the adult race) "won" which entitled her to a medal on a ribbon (Thank you again to to the lady who raced against her! It really made her day). Distraction (and lots of ice cream) improved his mood quickly. When we got back to our rooms, there was a trophy, a medal, and a hand written note with birthday greetings from Keyon (the cast member in charge of the race). DS6 was on cloud nine for the rest of the day! (Cue music... "Happy happy joy joy"). DW was nearly in tears (the first of many such moments -- all happy ones).
DS9 very much enjoyed being a pirate. He wore his skull and crossbones bandana on his head the whole trip home! And after DD8 purchased her third Tinkerbell pin a cast member gave her a fourth one to add to her collection. There too was a note in our cabins for "Tinkerbell's biggest fan".
Well, I don't want to give away all the good stuff... DW will cover more later. My only regret was that I didn't speak up to find other DISers at the Goofy pool the first day (yes... I was lurking there too! Bad habits die hard!) The few we met were terrific.
Oh... and please help me wish DW a happy birthday tomorrow (11/13). She turns... ummm... ... even more beautiful that the day we met? Yeah... we'll go with that!
--Paul
(the "P" in "pklein09")
love2travel
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2005
- Messages
- 1,210
Hi SweetSpot, I'm sorry i didn't get to meet you, maybe we saw each other and didn't even know. Match Your Mate was hysterical, me and DH were couple #2 (Ken and Teresa). We had a blast!!!!! Are you booked for next years cruise? We are, can't wait!!!!
That was you! LOL!! We met many times over. I was teasing you as we picked our kids up at the Lab afterwards about the lengths you went to get picked. You were hysterical! We were also sitting next to you when that horrible juggler was doing the adult show. I'm so exited you two will be there again next year. We'll be there next year also. We can't wait!
Hello to Teresa & Ken, Sue & Howard, Jason & Karen, Linda & Chuck!!
Great trip, thanks to all for making it Magical.
Back to work so we can pay for the next one....Thanksgiving 2008. Anyone interested? I know Sue and Howard are.........
Michael, Cathe and Cheyenne
Great trip, thanks to all for making it Magical.
Back to work so we can pay for the next one....Thanksgiving 2008. Anyone interested? I know Sue and Howard are.........
Michael, Cathe and Cheyenne
love2travel
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2005
- Messages
- 1,210
Just wanted to say Hello to all the great people we met on the cruise, it was an absolute blast!!! Thanks for all the great memories!!!!
Suzy Mouse
<font color=green>DIS Veteran<br><font color=99009
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2000
- Messages
- 1,044
Sweet Spot....I was trying to find you all cruise...but no luck. If you saw the adult show of Rich Purpura my dad was "Al" (Actually Hal) who walked in with the orange shirt.
I was disappointed that our meet turn out just a few disers. We tried hard to get everyone to notice us...including having a cm give us a shout out along with Ken (love2travel's dh) sticking a lime green mickey head to his head. (A bit of advice...just because someone is wearing lime green doesn't make them a fellow diser...gotta love the looks you get when you ask them!!!)
I WAS happy that there were at least a few people who did turn out!! Great friends...Teresa and Ken....Cathe and Mike (we loved hanging out with you guys!!!)...Nancy and her huuby (sorry don't remember name at this moment) and another person who is slipping my mind. Later on I finally met up with Lisa (Disneylover5)...what great weather we actually did have!! and a brief intro to Chuck and Linda! Then on the last day realized that jsfein's wife was/is actually my sil's little sister in college (Rutgers..shout out to all the RU fans!!!!)
I think I'll be back with a report. It'll help get all the thoughts down for a scrapbook later on!! Plus I have so many wonderful things to report back with!!
Rebecca misses her new friends REbecca and Cheyenne! Can't wait to see them again soon!!!
Have a great day!!
I was disappointed that our meet turn out just a few disers. We tried hard to get everyone to notice us...including having a cm give us a shout out along with Ken (love2travel's dh) sticking a lime green mickey head to his head. (A bit of advice...just because someone is wearing lime green doesn't make them a fellow diser...gotta love the looks you get when you ask them!!!)
I WAS happy that there were at least a few people who did turn out!! Great friends...Teresa and Ken....Cathe and Mike (we loved hanging out with you guys!!!)...Nancy and her huuby (sorry don't remember name at this moment) and another person who is slipping my mind. Later on I finally met up with Lisa (Disneylover5)...what great weather we actually did have!! and a brief intro to Chuck and Linda! Then on the last day realized that jsfein's wife was/is actually my sil's little sister in college (Rutgers..shout out to all the RU fans!!!!)
I think I'll be back with a report. It'll help get all the thoughts down for a scrapbook later on!! Plus I have so many wonderful things to report back with!!
Rebecca misses her new friends REbecca and Cheyenne! Can't wait to see them again soon!!!
Have a great day!!
Hi SuzyMouse,
I was actually wearing a lime sweater that day and must have just missed the DISmeet. My DH was in the hot tub at the Goofy pool and my DD was playing the trivia game at the pool so I went to see if there was luggage yet. It was all ther so I unpacked and lost track of time.
I saw Teresa and Ken all over on the ship and sat in the same spot near them in Rockin Bar D almost everynight so I'm sure we ran into each other. It's a shame if you miss the meet you can never find each other afterwards.
It was such a great week. I can't wait until next year!
I was actually wearing a lime sweater that day and must have just missed the DISmeet. My DH was in the hot tub at the Goofy pool and my DD was playing the trivia game at the pool so I went to see if there was luggage yet. It was all ther so I unpacked and lost track of time.
I saw Teresa and Ken all over on the ship and sat in the same spot near them in Rockin Bar D almost everynight so I'm sure we ran into each other. It's a shame if you miss the meet you can never find each other afterwards.
It was such a great week. I can't wait until next year!
Lovetotravel- My Dh and I were there for match you mate and laughed so much.
Sorry I didn't get a chance to meet everyone. My daughter met Princesslover2006 daughter at the Goofy Pool for the Dis meet and spent the rest of the week hanging out with her. Sorry, I was hanging out with my sister in law who was on her first cruise at the Mickey pool with her youngest daughter and lost track of time.
We had a great time time on the cruise.
Sorry I didn't get a chance to meet everyone. My daughter met Princesslover2006 daughter at the Goofy Pool for the Dis meet and spent the rest of the week hanging out with her. Sorry, I was hanging out with my sister in law who was on her first cruise at the Mickey pool with her youngest daughter and lost track of time.
We had a great time time on the cruise.
-
Could You Rock This New Disney Character Accessory?
-
New PhotoPass Magic Shot Available at Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
-
Do We Really Need Two Monsters, Inc. Comedy Shows at Disney World?
-
Grab This New Cake Slice at Gideon's Bakehouse Disney Springs
-
'Jason Un1v3rse' Coming to Universal Orlando's 2025 Halloween Horror Nights
-
Why Disneyland's Frontierland Has Always Been Superior
-
Disney Confessional: A Series of Unpopular Opinions Part 8
- Walt Disney World News
- Walt Disney World Articles
- Disney Cruise Line News
- Disneyland News
- General Disney News
- Universal Orlando News
GET UP TO A $1000 SHIPBOARD CREDIT AND AN EXCLUSIVE GIFT!
If you make your Disney Cruise Line reservation with Dreams Unlimited Travel you’ll receive these incredible shipboard credits to spend on your cruise!
Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!
Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE
