We're Baaaaaaack..... from the Magic's Oct. 24-31, 2009 Eastern Cruise!!!!

[SrisonS]

Please please please feel free to add your own pictures or reporting or whatever to this thread.


I am very much into photography, so my "reports" will be mainly be pictures; and then a short description to go with them. Although I took hundreds of pics, I'll only post "a few".... unless someone wants to see something in particular.


We are "finally" back from our 7-Day Eastern Caribbean Disney Cruise!!!!! We had an amazing time.... as usual... even though this is only out 2nd cruise. We stopped at St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Disney's private island of Castaway Cay.

I would highly recommend this cruise for absolutely anybody. It's definitely not just for kids, or only the Disney obsessed. And if you can wait a couple of years, you might want to book a trip on one the newer ships being built. The Disney Dream looks like it'll be out-of-this-world!!!!!!




My wife absolutely loves everything Disney. Needless to say, she got quite emotional when she saw the ship. This was taken in the temporary parking lot, while we were waiting for the regular lot to open.



And Here..... We.... Go!!!!!!
Taken right after the Sailaway Party. Pulling from the dock in Port Canaveral, FL



My wife was celebrating her birthday on Sunday, the day after the cruise embarked. To surprise her, I ordered a Happy Birthday Celebration Package.... yes, a Happy Birthday one. The mixup wasn't too upsetting.... we made it work. And that cake was just amazing..... vanilla cake with a strawberry filling!!!!! It's the same one that EVERYONE gets when they celebrate a birthday in one of the restaurants.



All Aboard: Let The Magic Begin
The stage show from the first night of the cruise. It's great to see this the first night, because it gives you an idea of what the other entertainment on the ship will be; as far as comedic performances, etc... It's not just characters and chessiness for a complete hour.

(all pics are clickable, and will redirect you to my Flickr page)

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

Your pictures are amazing! I'm loving what you've done so far. Keep up the good work!

I've been waiting to read trip reports from the cruise. Thanks for getting the ball rolling!

 

[disneychard]

Great Job!! keep them coming,

 

[Verandah Man]

Great start, can't wait to see, and read, more!!!

 

[DMMarla07860]

amazing pictures, I wish I could take as good pictures as that.

 

[Kay1]

They are great pictures and I would love to see more.

 

[KSFrogge]

Hi We were on that cruise too! Can't wait to read more and see more great pics!

 

[pumpkin21]

Love your photos! Can't wait to read and see more about your cruise to prepare for ours in March.

 

[SrisonS]

Gotta get ready for work, so just a "short" update....


Completed in 1998, the Disney Magic Cruise ship was built by the company Fincantieri, in Venice, Italy. The ship was actually built in two parts, before being welded together. Evidence of the welded split can still be seen on the ship (I know on Deck 4, for sure). If anyone has a chance to do the "Art of the Theme Ship Tour" (Adults Only), I would definitely recommend it. You'll find out a lot of fun facts about the ship. That's also where I saw the spot where the ship was put together. One of the cooler things you'll find out on the tour is how everything is themed.... from the carpets.... to Palo... to why the ceilings are lower on Deck 5..... etc. I can come back to this later.

This sign, which probably gets overlooked, is located right behind the Wide World Of Sports area on Deck 10. Literally right behind it.... if I took one step back, I'd be in the guard nets.



One of the great aspects of the Disney Cruise, is the fact that it definitely caters to the adults.... and not just children. On board, there are 3 separate pools: A Mickey Pool, for the littlest of people (age-wise.... not stature); The Goofy Pool, for non-toddlers and up; and the Quiet Cove Pool, for guest 18 and older.

Each pool also has its own distinct feature. The Mickey Pool has a slide; and the pool itself is in the shape of Mickey. The Quiet Cove pool has no children.... except the occasional overgrown ones; and it also has a bar. And the Goofy Pool has the HUGE Ariel View Television. Needless to say, the Goofy Pool is the most popular..... seeing as how there is always something playing on the televsion; whether it's a movie, a show, or even a football or baseball game some nights.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Amazing photos !!

 

[SrisonS]

Deck 4 on the Disney Magic Cruise Ship. Definitely one of the most relaxing places on the boat. And quite the hit with the older crowd. You get a great view of the open seas.... the chairs are comfortable... there's 24-hour shade... and you can escape the hustle-and-bustle of everything else going on.


(click pic to see how far we actually were from the ship)
At 1,400 feet, Pic Paradis is the tallest mountain in St. Martin (the French side of the island..... "St. Maarten" is the Dutch side).

For one of our cruise excursions, we did a downhill trek of this mountain; on a rocky trail through its rainforest. The views were just amazing, but there wasn't much else to see, and only 2 or 3 great spots to get views like this. There was talk that we might see monkeys, but we didn't see any wildlife whatsoever. This was taken from the top of the peak. In the distance, you can see the Disney Magic cruise Ship and Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas.



Another shot from one of the great view spots of Pic Paradis (or Pic du Paradis..... Paradise Peak in French).

 

[papertraveller]

We are considering this excursion with DD10. We thought it might be a good idea to get some exercise and see the landscape ... but was it that boring? How long did it take, and what did you do after?
TIA!

 

[danandnan]

We also were on that cruise. Your pictures are awesome - such great perspective and angles! Waiting for more!

 

[Karen Mouse]

We were on that cruise too!

Great piccies

 

[mrstbalt]

What kind of camera do you have? Awesome pics!

 

[danandnan]

We were on that cruise too!

Great piccies

Hi We were on that cruise too! Can't wait to read more and see more great pics!

Hi Karen and Angela. Amazing to chat with new folks after the cruise isn't it!

Nancy

 

[SrisonS]

We are considering this excursion with DD10. We thought it might be a good idea to get some exercise and see the landscape ... but was it that boring? How long did it take, and what did you do after?
TIA!

Well, it wasn't as exciting as it sounds when reading descriptions of it, but it wasn't too bad. There are only a few spots where you can easily get great views of the island. There a few historic landmarks on the trail; but not much else. And you're definitely not on a nice walkway (i'll post a pic of what the trail pretty much looks like). The hike itself was about 2.5 hours. The ride to the mountain was 30 min each way. So that was nice to get a little tour of part of the island. Also, the people that were in front of us made the hike much more fun than it would have been. We were all the way in the back of the line (i was the very last person), so we were sort of cuttin'-up a little. The tour guide was giving little facts along the way, and we could barely hear her, so we kind of had to improvise what the actual "sights" were.

Here's a pic of the trail. My wife is in the white. And that is Jeff and Barb in the green and orange, respectively. They really made the excursion a lot more enjoyable. Does anyone know how to get in contact with them, btw??? I know they made quite a few friends on the boat.


(Click picture for larger version on Flickr)

 

[SrisonS]

What kind of camera do you have? Awesome pics!

I have a Canon Rebel T1i.

 

[SrisonS]

(click pics for larger versions on Flickr)


This is Great Bay Beach in St. Maarten. This is the one you can see from the ship. You just take a short boat ride over, and wrist band you purchase is good all day.... i believe. I don't think this is an official nude or topless beach, but we did see a lady walking around topless. We only spent a few minutes there, but that water is absolutely gorgeous!!!!



A pic of St. Maarten... as seen from the ship... taken from the Starboard side (the right side). During the "Art of the Theme Ship Tour", we actually heard a pretty unique story on the origin of the word "Posh". Apparently, back in the early 1900's, the wealthy would sometimes buy two staterooms; one on the Port side, and one on the Starboard side. They did this so that their room would have a great view from the ship, at all times. I forgot the main destination; but the best views would usually be on the Port side during the trip there. And then of course, on the Starboard side on their way back home. So, the crew members called them "Posh" for "Port Out" and "Starboard Home". Also, you can remember Port as being on the Left, because they have the same number of letters.



One of the greatest things to do before leaving port is to just walk around the top decks and take pictures of the islands. The sunlight late in the afternoon makes for some great pics. I always try to get out-and-about around that time. Plus, my wife is usually napping anyway; and I have problems sitting still.... especially when there's "work" to do. And that's Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas on the left. That boat is HUGE!!!! We saw that ship again in St. Thomas.


St. Maarten at Night.


Also..... Everyone please feel free to add pictures of your own. Especially of ones of your family, or other people on the ship. It's kinda cool to be like "ooh, I remember that person".... or "hey, I actually talked to you one day".

 

[mickeyluv]

I'm really enjoying your report and your pictures!!! I still haven't uploaded our pictures but when I do I'm going to try to post some on your TR thread as you asked for people to do!! Our pictures are not even close to being as good as yours though!!