“On the Disney Cruise...FINAL THOUGHTS 02/13

[MAGICFOR2]

Hey wait a minute, I thought you were the laid back "fly by the seat of your pants" type???

That's exactly why I don't want a number on a card to dictate when I get on the ship - I want to just roll right up to the buffet when I SAY SO!!

You have just hit on the main reason why I NEVER will get on a cruise ship. I swear that it will tip over and I will die! yes I watched too many diaster movies as a child but I can't get over this fear.

Lauren!! How many sunken ships have you seen in the news lately? How many plane crashes? Now how many car wrecks?

I do have to admit the first cruise, I felt a little weird waking up and looking around to see nothing but water, but we had so much fun I got over it quickly. I think I feel less safe flying over water.

Tammie, I'm loving reading about the trip! I like hearing about the differences you see between the Disney Cruise and this one. I would like to do it, but really want the kids to be a bit bigger. I'm sure Carlos will not like it, but then again . I think the kids would have more fun on the Disney one, so that is what I'm thinking... someday. Until then, I'm really enjoying seeing how it went for you guys!

I would vote Disney all the way! Your kids can have free pop and ice cream any time you want to give it to them! More on that later!

I have this same fear. I don't think I'll get seasick, just be scared being out in the middle of the ocean with nothing around me, nobody to hear me scream if we hit an iceberg - hey, THAT movie really sticks with me!!!! Yes, even in the Caribbean, there may be an iceberg. At least in my mind there is.

And Lorrie, FWIW, I have a friend who is a TA and she said that Carnival is a very close second to DCL in terms of kids programs. We almost did the el cheapo Carnival Cruise when we lived in Jax, but the timing was never right. Thought a 3 night for $129 might help us decide if we want to go all out for DCL one day.....

I had that same feeling the first time, except for the iceberg! I was wondering if there was a giant whale or something!

I don't really know about Carnival. Some people have had alot of fun - I have just seen so many comments and videos that make it look like a cheap party boat - Wait! Maybe that would be fun! I also looked up cleanliness ratings and wasn't really impressed - oh, I sound so right now - somebody stop me! It would be a good way to find out if you like cruising or not without too much investment!

I rode a ship from VA to NYC As a teen for fleet week. I went up on deck and no one was hardly there and it was just beautiful. I think I would enjoy a cruise. I tend to fixate on plane crashes . I will keep carnival n mind though. Atlantis is top of my list though.

See, you can do a 4 day DCL to the Bahamas, and get Castaway Cay, and get a day pass to Atlantis!!! Let me know when you're going, maybe we can go too!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I am about to do an update, but I just want to say, "look at my ticker!!!!" Just noticed I'm at the less than 6 month mark for the next cruise!!

I do have 3 other trips before then, just haven't "tickered" them yet! Looking forward to seeing the grandkids in Texas for Thanksgiving (well, maybe their parents too )
- Vegas for convention in January
-Meeting Jim in Australia in February while he is working there for awhile! I'm expecting that to be A-MAZING and tax deductible, cuz I can share my business there

okay- I'll be back soon with the update!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We waved goodbye to Miami, and headed off to get ready for our 6pm dinner. We made it back to our cabin after a few tries (which side are we on, are we forward or aft?) We had to stop in Café Promenade for cookies, (which would be an every time we cross the promenade tradition) I “hair dried” the wrinkles out of our clothing for dinner. For the record, this actually works pretty well in a damp environment . I just stretched the material out on a hanger and ran the hair dryer over it. The hair dryer is conveniently wired into the vanity. We met our cabin steward, James from India. He was fun and nice – remembered our names from day one, and always came out in the hall to greet us. He took really good care of us! James and Jim had a good time arguing over the Yankees. J Jim’s teams are the Braves and Angels. I got some dress up clothing ready to be sent down for pressing, and it was time to find the Main Dining Room, MDR on Deck 3.

This is not actually my photo - I didn't really get one of the full dining room for some reason.

This room reminds me of the Titanic in a way. I think it is a nod to that movie. The staircase is definately like that, and they even have a photo backdrop of the Titanic staircase and clock. Things that make you go hmmm


The MDR is 3 stories high. Each floor is named by a different name and enters on Decks 3, 4 and 5. Michelangelo, Botticelli and Rembrandt There is also a grand staircase reminiscent of the Titanic which connects the three. Our floor was Rembrandt. There was a live piano player playing classical and light jazz at the top of the first floor staircase. It came out over the speakers pretty loudly, but the player was very good.
[FONT=&quot] We were cheerfully led to table 288 to the left of the staircase, and toward the portholes - don’t ask me if it was port or starboard! Oh Look! We are the first to arrive – I wonder who else is assigned to our table for six? We sat on the side facing the portholes and waited, and waited. We watched 3 other couples be the first to arrive at their tables and wait…. Two large tables filled up with people, but the rest of us just waited expectantly for company. This happened for the first two nights in our area. I can’t help but think that “On the Disney Ship” they would have seated us together so we could have dinner companions instead of sitting two to a large table and watching everyone else converse. [SIZE=4[SIZE="4"]]We figured this out ourselves after 2 nights. [/SIZE]

[/SIZE][/FONT] Finally, our assistant waiter, George from India, greeted us and filled our water, then brought some bread. He was friendly, but quiet. I tried to get to know him, but he really didn’t talk readily. I learned that he wasn’t married, but he had a large family of brothers and sisters in India. He teased me because he looked Asian and was from India. “What? You don’t think I look like India?” He said that in the Northern region he is from, “most people look like me.” He came back with a wine list, but I waited to order the wine as I hadn’t seen the menu yet. Eventually, Gerland from India curtly greeted us and gave us our menus. He seemed annoyed that I wanted to order wine, and sent George back to get that order. I ordered a Merlot from Chile, not listening to his question, and received the whole bottle for myself! It was fine, because just like “on the Disney ship” they cork and save the bottle for you for the next night. I really enjoyed this wine. Jim had iced tea. Through the week, we learned that Gerland was pleasant enough, just took his job very seriously. He didn’t joke with us until the last night when he offered to hide Jim under his podium so he didn’t have to go home.


This was taken the last night, so please ignore the end of cruise pot belly - I just thought a visual of our servers would be nice - can't seem to crop it right, so oh well!

We both ordered crab cakes, which were very good! For our entrées, Jim ordered Prime Rib, which he felt was mediocre at best, and I had the Surf and Turf, which I did like the garlic shrimp, but the steak was pretty tough, and not marinated or seasoned really. The Wasabi mashed potatoes that came with it were delicious!
(Sorry, no food porn – I didn’t think non-Disney guests would understand)
Just before our dessert orders were taken, our head waiter came by for the one and only time of the cruise. I don’t remember his name. Our tips were prepaid by our company, so I don’t think he was too concerned with us unless there was a difficulty.
For dessert, I had a delicious warm apple crisp with ice cream and coffee. Jim had the cheesecake. Both were very good.

After dinner, we had a private reception at the pool – private in that it was for Arbonne, but here were 2000 of us invited! It was so nice, our banner was up and there was a beautiful ice sculpture, wine and tropical drinks and snacks set up all around the area, and the pool band playing for us. We had the usual inspiring words from our president, and then it was time to mingle and drink! At one point, we went up the steps to the deck above, 12. I overheard a passenger saying, “yeah, you just get down there and you can have free drinks!!!”

NEXT: A PARADE AND BALCONY BLISS

 

[Millie12591]

Here!! Sorry, I've been a bad friend. I know I saw you saying something about starting one and then it slipped my mind to find it!!

Going to read now.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

See, you can do a 4 day DCL to the Bahamas, and get Castaway Cay, and get a day pass to Atlantis!!! Let me know when you're going, maybe we can go too!

Ohhhhh...now that WOULD be nice. A short trip, check, kid friendly, check, me at Atlantis to see how I like that, check. Give me a couple of years and we really should do this!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Here!! Sorry, I've been a bad friend. I know I saw you saying something about starting one and then it slipped my mind to find it!!

Going to read now.

Camille!!! You're not a bad friend, just a little late! Glad you're here!

Ohhhhh...now that WOULD be nice. A short trip, check, kid friendly, check, me at Atlantis to see how I like that, check. Give me a couple of years and we really should do this!

I need a couple, too, Renee and then I'm in!!!

 

[marvali]

Okay, I'm I know it is early, but I must have missed the "smoke" part of this update, unless you two were just smokin' hot in your freshly hairdryer-ed outfits you wore to dinner.....

What an amazing dining room! It is rather strange the seating arrangement thing. Sorry the meal wasn't completely to your liking. And what's with the attitudes on the very first night? They hadn't even given you a chance to irritate them yet. Can't wait to hear how they treated you after you had the chance......

Funny how other passengers were trying to figure out how to crash the party and get to the free drinks! That is something I would never have considered doing!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Okay, I'm I know it is early, but I must have missed the "smoke" part of this update, unless you two were just smokin' hot in your freshly hairdryer-ed outfits you wore to dinner.....



What an amazing dining room! It is rather strange the seating arrangement thing. Sorry the meal wasn't completely to your liking. And what's with the attitudes on the very first night? They hadn't even given you a chance to irritate them yet. Can't wait to hear how they treated you after you had the chance......

Funny how other passengers were trying to figure out how to crash the party and get to the free drinks! That is something I would never have considered doing!!!

Yeah, that's it - we were smokin' hot! Thanks, I wrote this installment in word and then got some of my paragraphs in the wrong order - I failed cutting and pasting in kindergarten! I'll have to interject that paragraph before my next chapter - thanks for the editing help!

I think the waiters were just a little new to our culture, maybe. It seems like personality doesn't translate well in India. They relaxed a little as time went on. We really missed Alex and Karina from the Magic!

I know! I would never be a party crasher!!! They had enough to go around, so it was okay! Who knows, maybe one of our people sold skin care to one of the crashers!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Who knows, maybe one of our people sold skin care to one of the crashers!

See that is me, I'm such a rule follower, there is NO WAY I would ever do that, but on this comment, I was rolling. I hope so!!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

Hey Tammie! I'm HERE! Thanks for letting me know that you started!

That stinks that more people didn't get involved in the Sail Away Party...it seems to be hit or miss with these. Chris and I have been on 9 cruises and about 5 of them have been REALLY FUN! Don't know why it's not consistent on every ship?

Hope your waiters warm up to you a little bit...things have got to get better, right?

That's very cool about your company's private reception...I can't even imagine anyone trying to crash!!!

Can't wait to hear about your next update...being on the balcony is one of the best parts about cruising...pure relaxation!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We interrupt this TR to bring you this video of the Dream sail out in Germany!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb8hnubbX2I

I'll be back after the Ducks win this game!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hey Tammie! I'm HERE! Thanks for letting me know that you started!

That stinks that more people didn't get involved in the Sail Away Party...it seems to be hit or miss with these. Chris and I have been on 9 cruises and about 5 of them have been REALLY FUN! Don't know why it's not consistent on every ship?

Hope your waiters warm up to you a little bit...things have got to get better, right?

That's very cool about your company's private reception...I can't even imagine anyone trying to crash!!!

Can't wait to hear about your next update...being on the balcony is one of the best parts about cruising...pure relaxation!

LYNNE!!! Welcome! I feel honored to have you here!

Maybe the fact that they closed the bars down 1/2 hr before the Muster took the celebration down a notch! I remembered anticipating the DOTD, Patron Margarita, stopping in the sports bar and being DENIED

The waiter and I came to an understanding!

Some people will do anything for a free drink!

Yes, the balcony was wonderful!!!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Hi Tammie, so glad I found your report tonight. I have been on my one and only cruise on the Wonder a couple of years ago and going on the Freedom of the Seas at the end of November, so this is perfect timing. I'll be hanging on every word and picture, thanks!

Joining in
I am taking a RC cruise on the Freedom of the seas next month..I can't wait..and this is getting me even more excited for it!

Hey, so am I, what are your dates???

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Marita! Welcome! I think Freedom and Liberty are virtually the same ship, just like the Wonder and the Magic! What is your itinerary?
Be prepared to walk alot! But I do feel there are more elevators and they work better on LOS.

I just had a thought, though. Even though the elevators were almost not worth using on the Magic, I wonder how much of it was the proportionately larger number of children playing with the buttons on the Magic!

I hope you enjoy the ride and it's not a spoiler for you!

 

[lshaw6]

Hi Tammie! I'm here and all caught up, loving the TR so far. I've never been on a cruise. The rooms are bigger than what I thought they'd be. I still don't know if I could do it, though. I, too, have a fear of "Titanic Like" accidents happening and there is no way I'd climb in an enclosed capsule to try and make it to safety. Just the thought of it makes me hyperventilate! Great pics so far, can't wait to read more.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Tammie! I'm here and all caught up, loving the TR so far. I've never been on a cruise. The rooms are bigger than what I thought they'd be. I still don't know if I could do it, though. I, too, have a fear of "Titanic Like" accidents happening and there is no way I'd climb in an enclosed capsule to try and make it to safety. Just the thought of it makes me hyperventilate! Great pics so far, can't wait to read more.

Hi Lisa! Welcome - So glad you're here! To make you feel better, we strolled around on deck 4 and found a whole bunch of open life rafts, so we decided we would just had that way and skip our muster station! But as you can see, we didn't have to worry about that! I just feel that if we live life afraid of what might happen, we won't really live!

Thanks for the compliments - I'm defiinately not a photographer, but it was nice of you to say!

 

[Octoberbride03]

UGH! How is it I replied to this TR and yet I'm not subscribed

Must catch up with the posts sometime tonight.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

AS PROMISED, HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS ON SMOKEY (not the bear...love him).



After enjoying the beautiful warm wind, and enjoying a fruity drink,
We headed up to Deck 4 to see what was going on there – the Schooner Bar and the Catacombs club were there – we wondered if there were activities before the evening show.
[FONT=&quot]“Cough….cough…cough…” What? Apparently Deck 4 is the smoking area, only Indoors! This turned out to be a “must avoid at all costs” deck In the mornings when everyone got their smoke on for the day! “On the Disney cruise” Deck 4 is the smoking area, but OUTSIDE! The casino is on this deck, as well as the [/FONT] Champagne bar and a seating area near the stairs – all of these were smoking areas. Note to self: Try to avoid Deck 4 –Apparently we didn’t read this note, because there were “shortcut” stairs from both Deck 3 and Deck 5 to this deck, so it was just so convenient, we found ourselves on Deck 4 a lot!



[FONT=&quot]we headed to the sports bar, On Air on Deck 3 to see what games were on, or maybe for some ESPN which Jim was badly missing in the stateroom. There wasn’t anything on, so we peeked in to the skating rink just beyond this area. We walked up to Schooner bar, which was all full and they were playing some kind of Trivia game.
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[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

 

[MAGICFOR2]

UGH! How is it I replied to this TR and yet I'm not subscribed

Must catch up with the posts sometime tonight.

I hate it when that happens!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

* Okay, on with the show! This was the welcome aboard show – Ever After – a little girl dreams of storybook characters, some of them Disney cameos, and has a musical adventure to introduce the talent. It was very good, I would say similar to the Disney production. It was kind of funny, because it was a little edgy and not so sugary sweet!
I took a few non-flash pics - my camera isn't very good in the dark, sorry,

This is the curtain before opening

Cont. next post....