Whoo Hoo and Boo Hoo! Our Magic'al Trip Report for Oct 8-15th!

[sullins5]

Sunday night... Did I mention we were still rockin and rolling? Not as bad, and the captain had more than once said we were almost through with the weather! Once we hit Caribbean islands we'd be good to go.

So tonight, as I've already mentioned was formal night. All the family wanted to go change after dinner (can I just protest here?). I wanted 'fancy' pictures with all the characters, then I noticed a 'formal' dance...but the inlaws and some of my family wanted to change before the show. So they go change quickly, 12dd decides she wants to go back to the Edge as she's met a friend or two.

Can I say I loved how the tween club worked for us? We USED those WAVE phones everyday!!!!I had gotten her a little 'hipster' purse, and she knew the phone stayed in there on her shoulder, or no going. Our rule was "You go, you TEXT (I mean they love to text right?) when you go get a drink on deck 9 (Edge is on deck 2) or if you go to restroom (deck 4) TEXT." And what I loved more? She had a great balance for the Edge. All week, she would 'pop' in there, decide whether or not she wanted to stay or do things with us. I would say, she was with us 75% of the time and with the Edge the rest! I loved it that she WANTED to be with us! And yes, I know some of you are probably "Oh no, we want ours to stay in there", and your tween might! But I have seen how time flies and covet each second with my kids, and love that they love to 'hang' with the folks!

All that being said, I've seen how people have weighed safety issues..."Do I let my kid roam, come and go? Do I walk them down each time?" This being our first cruise, the first day? Wasn't any way I was going to let her 'come and go'. I mean, the first 'youth' worker on Saturday had said "Oh yeah, Edge is on Deck 10"...So we walk all the way from the Atrium (deck 3) up to deck 10. Um..NOT!!!! Guess she hadn't worked with youth long? So down we trod to deck 2 to the Edge. What we did? She texted us, when she wanted to come with us, asked to stay longer, or told us what she wanted to do. Now, by day 3 (Monday), we had said you can come back to the room, but let us know you're coming, and I'd prefer you had a 'buddy' system with another friend that both of you get off deck 6 elevator together and go your separate ways. Worked fine, but she only did this once. The rest of the time? Usually she was with us, or we were all headed somewhere and she would call one of her new friends and they would 'meet' at the Edge. She had to text that she made it, text when she came and went. Worked GREAT! Dh did great with his phone too!

Now, back to Sunday night (sorry for the rabbit trail ) .

So, 12dd asked to stay at the Edge. The family had all retired. It's probably 10:30, I am exhausted (did I mention I had probably had by Sunday night 10 hours of sleep in the last 72 hours?). So she calls, says "Mom, can I stay until midnight?" OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I'm laughing, thinking, someone's got to help me here, I'm pooped! So, I said, tell you what, I'll go looking around, get a diet coke on deck 9 and see where you are in a bit. So I call dd, tell her I'm outside the Edge at 11:30, can she puhhhhhhhhhlease be through? She's so sweet, came out and said she was tired too!

I'm telling you, she fell asleep the first minute she hit that bed! I was so wired from the last 3 days, I couldn't hardly sleep!

Would the sun shine in the morning?

 

[LuvEeyore]

Glad the young soldier you were asking for prayers for is moving out of ICU. Sounds like a good sign.

Dont you just hate it when you are so wired and tired you cant sleep Always happens to me when traveling.

 

[sullins5]

Glad the young soldier you were asking for prayers for is moving out of ICU. Sounds like a good sign.

Dont you just hate it when you are so wired and tired you cant sleep Always happens to me when traveling.

It is a good sign...called yesterday, but didn't catch the bride. Hopefully, I'll get an update today.

And yep..I didn't sleep more than 5 hours any given night. I mean "Hey, I can sleep at home!" There was WAY too much to miss on our first cruise. I enjoyed walking the deck at 6:30, getting coffee and watching the sun rise. And all the cm's are so sweet, smiling, saying "Good Morning". Just a blessing!
Sleep comes when I get home..

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Sent some prayers out this morning.... hope the news there is better today.
Guess what, we had to change our cruise date from August 2012 to EARLIER, June 2012!!! At first I was upset - I had "bonded" to the August cruise and the sideways room, but now I'm fine with it. Just no sideways room. However, a 10C instead of a category 11. Split bath with 4 teens is probably a blessing!
Where IS the Edge now? Deck 2? I need to check that out. Where do you think our DS13 will find his place? His siblings will be 15 , so they will be in the Vibe, wonder where he'll fit it...
We are going to get onboard still with jet lag so we'll be seeing more early morning than late night of the Magic. Happy to hear that 6:30 am is such a nice time onboard! Do the pools open that early?
Have a good day

 

[sullins5]

Sent some prayers out this morning.... hope the news there is better today.
Guess what, we had to change our cruise date from August 2012 to EARLIER, June 2012!!! At first I was upset - I had "bonded" to the August cruise and the sideways room, but now I'm fine with it. Just no sideways room. However, a 10C instead of a category 11. Split bath with 4 teens is probably a blessing!
Where IS the Edge now? Deck 2? I need to check that out. Where do you think our DS13 will find his place? His siblings will be 15 , so they will be in the Vibe, wonder where he'll fit it...
We are going to get onboard still with jet lag so we'll be seeing more early morning than late night of the Magic. Happy to hear that 6:30 am is such a nice time onboard! Do the pools open that early?
Have a good day

Wow! You get to go sooner!!! So for you!!!! And don't worry about the sideways rooms...believe I'd want the split baths with the teens anyway! Just the 3 of us in one, was at times tricky 'calling' bathroom rights..!
Yep..Edge is on 2..I think your guy will like it! Wish he could go to the Vibe but I don't think they'll let him. That being said, he'll probably love his 'space'. Saw more guys in there than girls. And when we saw the girls, they were always talking in the lounge area of the Edge, and the guys were doing the simulator, the Wii,and all those other computer games. There really is a lot to do!
Why the jet lag? Y'all flying long distance or just really early? And you know, I don't think the pools were open that early, but I also don't remember there being signs or anyone in there that early, so I don't know. Our first day, when the sun came out, we got there by 8:00 and I thought I remembered seeing kids in there...brrrr....but I could be wrong about the time. I know it was early though! And the early bird gets the worm..or chairs as it were!
So glad y'all get to go sooner than later. Makes me excited for you! I Remember the anticipation even in counting down the days!!!
And it really gives the kids something to look forward to right after school lets out!

 

[sullins5]

Wow! After waiting for 2 days to see what the top decks looked like without rain, it looked like we might actually see sunshine today! Turned on channel 20-2 (channel that shows the view of the front of the ship daily) in the room, and while the sun wasn't up, we didn't see rain yet! Got out of the room, went to deck 9 for my coffee. The view already looked sweet!

Headed back to the room, woke up my crew (dh was already up chomping at the bits to get outside) and we headed to breakfast. Maybe this was around 7? Wear a watch if you want to look at the time, but on this trip, we had no watches or phones to watch the time. The only thing we kept with us was the wave phones...Got to Love those! Talked to the other 2 cabins with us, told them we were eating breakfast and heading to the pool!
Got to the pool at about 8 and got tickled as I saw people coming 'out of the woodwork'...they were tired of 2 days of seasickness, rolling, rocking and swishing back and forth. We lucked out with 3 chairs front row, then dh's parents came and got chairs on both sides, and then later, as folks were leaving my older kids got chairs. Being the 'mom' I found myself up/down, "Mom, I forgot my hat, you going to the room?" , "Where is the sunblock"...you know, mom stuff. There would not be a relaxing stretch today. And of course, getting up every few minutes for pictures with the characters as they come out..


After a couple of hours, the sun was wonderfully beaming down, this chik decided it was time to leave. We do NOT sunburn (well, at least we try really hard not too)!

So, up we go. Dd decides she wants to meet a friend up at the Edge, Dh wants to work out, I've GOT to finish my passing out of FE gifts. Can I say here, that next time? I'd probably see just how many cabins were gonna be included before signing up. While I'm crafty and loved buying and making all my gifts, over 20 cabins does take a bit of time. And I found myself worrying and thinking about those more than I should have. Just me, but also just a thought!
So tonight is our night for Animator's Palate! We are excited to see this little show!

Can I just say this was beautiful, although in our opinion, and maybe because our table was in the middle, not as climactic as we thought it'd be. Had we been closer to things 'changing' and the excitement, maybe it would've made a difference. Even shooting pictures was hard, because there were heads everywhere!
Dd loves her icecream, and of course, even ice cream has a special touch...

Tonight's show was Villains. Those guys can sing! Really entertaining! Dd goes and checks to see if she wants to do anything in the Edge, we check out another family game time and realize it's getting late. We have an early excursion in the morning! And of course, when we get back to our room, our host made us this:

He's good isn't he?

A little footnote? I was SO glad today was better! Not just for our family but for 1/2 the ship! Due to the bad weather, there were several people in the infirmary on IV's due to seasickness. Some NEVER came out of their rooms, and it didn't matter whether you were a newbie or a veteran, seasickness had no preferential whom it hit! So this day, marked the first for many of the cruisers! Were'nt they glad this wasn't a 4 day cruise?
And I was happy these waves were normal, because we had booked a Rhino Rider Excursion for Tuesday, and I was NOT going on those little boats if these waves didn't calm down! for the weather!

 

[Switzert]

Thank you for taking the time to do a trip report.

I have been hoping someone would post one.

Again thank you. Enjoying the read so far.

 

[stacys]

Enjoying your TR. We loved the wave phones too. Made it so easy to keep in touch. Plus with the kids clubs, we didn't have to worry if the girls needed to get a hold of us. I was like you, I'll sleep when I get home lol. I didn't want to miss anything. Now looking back I wish I had slowed down and enjoyed lounging in the chairs on deck more, but that's what the next cruise is for! Our girls loved the kids club, but they are younger. In fact my oldest has made me promise to go back before she out grows them lol. I was afraid that I would be too nervous to leave them alone in the club, but after hanging out in there the first night we had no problems. Great group of people working in there. I tell that first glimpse of sunshine was a beautiful sight wasn't it? I woke up and I turned the TV to the view from the bridge and saw sunshine, my DH kept telling me it was just a recording and it wasn't real since I was trying to drag all of them out of bed. I couldn't get up on deck fast enough. Can't wait to see how the rest of your week went!

 

[sullins5]

Enjoying your TR. We loved the wave phones too. Made it so easy to keep in touch. Plus with the kids clubs, we didn't have to worry if the girls needed to get a hold of us. I was like you, I'll sleep when I get home lol. I didn't want to miss anything. Now looking back I wish I had slowed down and enjoyed lounging in the chairs on deck more, but that's what the next cruise is for! Our girls loved the kids club, but they are younger. In fact my oldest has made me promise to go back before she out grows them lol. I was afraid that I would be too nervous to leave them alone in the club, but after hanging out in there the first night we had no problems. Great group of people working in there. I tell that first glimpse of sunshine was a beautiful sight wasn't it? I woke up and I turned the TV to the view from the bridge and saw sunshine, my DH kept telling me it was just a recording and it wasn't real since I was trying to drag all of them out of bed. I couldn't get up on deck fast enough. Can't wait to see how the rest of your week went!

Thanks for joining in! I'd like to hear your favorites too! For sure, had 12dd had someone she already knew to go with her to the Edge, I think she would have stayed longer, and though she did make a couple of friends on our meet, they were somewhat like us in coming and going, so she'd meet when she could! I told my dh next time, we'll go with another family or perhaps she'll just want to stay longer. When my older two were younger? They did everything together and had they had DCL? I'd have NEVER seen them!
Can't wait for our next one...Yes, should have rebooked onboard and tried. However, we're waiting for another Magic cruise perhaps in 2013 as we'll do WDW probably next spring! Can't go too long without the Mouse or we'll have withdrawals!

 

[mariaelenak]

And right before the show, in the hallway, I caught a glimpse of a new friend and another Dis'er...and it was GREAT! We all met, chatted, and continued throughout the cruise! Another great value of Disboards!

Yes!! That would be ME!!

 

[sullins5]

Yes!! That would be ME!!

Yes, That would be you Maria!!! What folks don't know, is that you CAN build friendships on the boards without ever even meeting! And we did! And I didn't just 'see' Maria, you'd have thought we were long lost friends the way we hugged! Thanks! We had a ball! Until next cruise....(wink, wink!) or sooner!

 

[mariaelenak]

Yes, That would be you Maria!!! What folks don't know, is that you CAN build friendships on the boards without ever even meeting! And we did! And I didn't just 'see' Maria, you'd have thought we were long lost friends the way we hugged! Thanks! We had a ball! Until next cruise....(wink, wink!) or sooner!

Well, I have to say that being able to Skype really helps you feel like long lost friends when you find each other on the ship! It really felt like I had known you forever!

 

[buzzrelly]

Wow! Love reading your trip report...sounds like you guys had a great time! However, I am slightly nervous about all of the people getting seasick. We are taking our first cruise in June 2012 on the Magic out of NYC and that has been my number one concern. My daughter gets motion sick sometimes and I think if anyone is going to have a problem, it's going to be her. What do you think helped you all stay healthy? Any suggestions? Thanks! And can't wait to read more!

 

[sullins5]

Wow! Love reading your trip report...sounds like you guys had a great time! However, I am slightly nervous about all of the people getting seasick. We are taking our first cruise in June 2012 on the Magic out of NYC and that has been my number one concern. My daughter gets motion sick sometimes and I think if anyone is going to have a problem, it's going to be her. What do you think helped you all stay healthy? Any suggestions? Thanks! And can't wait to read more!

Yay for you!!! My friend Maria is sailing on that cruise too! A fellow Dis'er!
I wouldn't worry too much about the seasickness, but maybe be prepared! What we did? I knew 3 of my family has a tendency towards motion sickness, so that morning of the cruise (at about 9am) we EACH took a chewable Bonine. I think I bought it at Walmart or Target. And that's all the majority of us needed! We're talking about older, middle age, young 20something adults, and my 12dd! We had gotten the patches from our internist, but we weren't crazy about the possible side effects. My 23dd tried the patch and she did fine. No one else did though. Overall? I will use the Bonine first day every cruise now. If no one gets sick then we won't take it any more (and we didn't with 20ft swells)!

As it was, we only took it the first day, my dh took it the 2nd day, and all the rest of us, went cold turkey..
Keep in mind also, you're going at a different time of year! Storms and hurricanes are known this time around!

And one more side note? I talked with my pediatrician ( a good friend) and he recommended the less drowsy dramamine for my 12 dd. I had already purchased the Bonine, heard it was less drowsy than the dramamine (don't know if that's true or not), but the Bonine was great for our 12dd! No tiredness, no nausea, no symptoms! HTH's!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Wow! You get to go sooner!!! So for you!!!! And don't worry about the sideways rooms...believe I'd want the split baths with the teens anyway! Just the 3 of us in one, was at times tricky 'calling' bathroom rights..!
Why the jet lag? Y'all flying long distance or just really early? So glad y'all get to go sooner than later. Makes me excited for you! I Remember the anticipation even in counting down the days!!!
And it really gives the kids something to look forward to right after school lets out!

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm back to being psyched - for JUNE! And now suddenly it seems very SOON and I think I'm already behind schedule so I'd better start a PTR and get some FE plans going! We live in Israel, and will be arriving at my parents' house in NJ just before the cruise. When we had the August plan, the cruise was the end of our visit to the parents. Now it is at the beginning. Oh well! Sunrises are so pretty!
Hope your world is running smoothly since your return, love the latest part of your TR with the sun finally showing up - phew!

 

[sullins5]

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm back to being psyched - for JUNE! And now suddenly it seems very SOON and I think I'm already behind schedule so I'd better start a PTR and get some FE plans going! We live in Israel, and will be arriving at my parents' house in NJ just before the cruise. When we had the August plan, the cruise was the end of our visit to the parents. Now it is at the beginning. Oh well! Sunrises are so pretty!
Hope your world is running smoothly since your return, love the latest part of your TR with the sun finally showing up - phew!

Yep!!! I'd get on the ball for those FE gifts...depending on if you're making them or buying them! Those tended to sneak up on me. Thought I was through in April and then BOOM! We got a wave of folks signing up and I felt like I had to start all over again. I liked being done with those earlier, there's just so much to do before the cruise you don't want to have to be worrying about those! And WOW! Coming from Israel, your plates going to be full anyway, just with packing and getting ready for NJ!
Hope you asked that niece for help staying at your home! Never too early to get that commitment!
And you know, that PTR helps you remember everything too! My dd and I loved doing that, helped pass the time, share with others what we were going through and our decisions.

Can't wait to read about it!

 

[mariaelenak]

Wow! Love reading your trip report...sounds like you guys had a great time! However, I am slightly nervous about all of the people getting seasick. We are taking our first cruise in June 2012 on the Magic out of NYC and that has been my number one concern. My daughter gets motion sick sometimes and I think if anyone is going to have a problem, it's going to be her. What do you think helped you all stay healthy? Any suggestions? Thanks! And can't wait to read more!

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm back to being psyched - for JUNE! And now suddenly it seems very SOON and I think I'm already behind schedule so I'd better start a PTR and get some FE plans going! We live in Israel, and will be arriving at my parents' house in NJ just before the cruise. When we had the August plan, the cruise was the end of our visit to the parents. Now it is at the beginning. Oh well! Sunrises are so pretty!
Hope your world is running smoothly since your return, love the latest part of your TR with the sun finally showing up - phew!

Okay, you people sailing on the Magic in June. WHEN? I'm on the June 2nd cruise.

Tiffany who makes BEAUTIFUL Fish Extenders (aka Gradysmommy) sent me an email yesterday about seasickness. This is what she said:

"I have always had a problem with car sickness and I was afraid of cruising because I just knew I would get sea sick, but a friend told me about Ginger Chew candy from the Ginger People and don't even have a problem with car sickness any more. Here is the website http://www.gingerpeople.com/ The coffee ginger chews work too.

I've been on 7 cruises and am booked on the Fantasy for #8 in June (can't wait) and have not had a problem. I eat a couple of pieces right before getting on the boat and grab one whenever I feel like it onboard. I also carry around a few in my purse all the time."

Anyway, it's a thought for those of you who might not want to take Bonine or Dramamine. I have sailed out of NYC three times and two of the three times we have hit some rough seas, (however, nothing like this last time which I think was unusual) so I say it's better to be prepared.

 

[sullins5]

Okay, you people sailing on the Magic in June. WHEN? I'm on the June 2nd cruise.

Anyway, it's a thought for those of you who might not want to take Bonine or Dramamine. I have sailed out of NYC three times and two of the three times we have hit some rough seas, (however, nothing like this last time which I think was unusual) so I say it's better to be prepared.

You are SO right Maria! Though we took a Bonine, and yes, I had gotten a box of Ginger Chews at Marshalls (but wound up giving them to the crew to share), I would always recommend for everyone to 'be prepared'. My goodness, I don't think ANYONE foresaw 18-20 ft swells on our cruise! And it's just not worth spending all those precious savings and being sick! So, I'd have something for sure! And fyi? Guest services was passing out seasick medicines in packs of two, and you could get them anytime. Unfortunately, some waited until it was too late . So they also have some, just in case you forget!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Okay, you people sailing on the Magic in June. WHEN? I'm on the June 2nd cruise.
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June 17th to Canada

 

[LC30]

Our first kink of the trip...Dh doesn't return from Budget for an hour and a half!!! Not kidding! We head to check in...

Ha! I guess he and my DH were in line at Budget sharing stories about the LONG wait. Poor things...to be waiting that long and getting our calls.