Disney Magic Nov. 15-20 2nd Cruise Trip Report

davidmbfonz · December 4, 2015

You're welcome and thanks for the kind words.

I'll have to admit, I haven't read the whole report, but I have a question for you - what room were you in? I see that you had bubbles in your window. We had bubbles in our window on the Magic on our 2010 cruise, but it was my understanding that all those windows were swapped out during the re imagining. I guess some rooms still have them.

Ah! Yes, we had them in both of our rooms - Deck 2, Midship. I assumed it was trapped water vapor between layers of glass. My wife thought it was put there on purpose, but there was no pattern to it, and I didn't think so.

We didn't think to ask anyone about it.

Shmoo here · December 4, 2015

Ah! Yes, we had them in both of our rooms - Deck 2, Midship. I assumed it was trapped water vapor between layers of glass. My wife thought it was put there on purpose, but there was no pattern to it, and I didn't think so.

We didn't think to ask anyone about it.

We were in room 2108. It looked to me like bubbles actually in the glass. Possibly occurring during the manufacturing process. While it made for some interesting pictures, I found it a bit distracting. I hope they aren't making all of the windows like that.

davidmbfonz · December 4, 2015

Note: Day #4, not #3.

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Edited December 4, 2015 by davidmbfonz

davidmbfonz · December 4, 2015

We were in room 2108. It looked to me like bubbles actually in the glass. Possibly occurring during the manufacturing process. While it made for some interesting pictures, I found it a bit distracting. I hope they aren't making all of the windows like that.

That looks pretty severe - we must have been right down the hall from there - 2062 and 2064.

Ex techie · December 4, 2015

You've got to love the sleek elegant design of a DCL ship vs. the gaudiness and trashy paint schemes of some others, especially NCL!

That and the skill to stop and manoeuvre an 83,000 ton vessel so close to the dock as in your post #48!

ex techie

Edited December 4, 2015 by Ex techie

#55worktoplay · December 4, 2015

You're asking about two different things there.

Door decorations - typically people will make Disney-themed magnets to put on their doors.

The gift exchange is called Fish Extenders. The holder for messages outside most doors on the most of the ships is a fish. If a Roll Call is started for your cruise, someone may organize a Fish Extender Exchange group. You must sign up for it, it's not something that DCL does, only the people within your group.

You make a hanging pocket organizer type thing that hangs off the message holder (hence Fish "Extender") and others in your group (that have signed up to participate) will leave little surprises during the cruise. You, in turn, must also drop off surprises for them.

Thanks for the explanation of the way it works, I figured it had something to do with the Roll Call but wasn't sure.

I think it looks like something that would be fun to participate in for sure.

Thanks Again. Back to reading this wonderful review!

davidmbfonz · December 4, 2015

You've got to love the sleek elegant design of a DCL ship vs. the gaudiness and trashy paint schemes of some others, especially NCL!

That and the skill to stop and manoeuvre an 83,000 ton vessel so close to the dock as in your post #48!

ex techie

Indeed - "stunning" doesn't begin to describe the elegant beauty of these 'classic' liners...

davidmbfonz · December 4, 2015

Thanks Again. Back to reading this wonderful review!

Thanks 55work! ;)

This is a lot of fun to write and reflect along the way...

davidmbfonz · December 5, 2015

We have requested 2nd Seating for dining both cruises now, because that just fits better with our family's rhythm. One disadvantage, I think, of having 2nd Seating is with Pirate Night - the meals finish at 9:30 or even later, and honestly, how could anyone be hungry just an hour after that? So, we haven't gotten to try the pirate buffet they do after the show. Not a real complaint, just a consideration.

We went up to the top deck and watched Club Pirate from the balcony railing. Everyone was up there and so it actually seemed more crowded than on the Dream, which has a larger midship deck. It was still a good show - love how they have the characters and cast members (and us) dancing to current hits. The fireworks were actually shot right over our head this time (we were starboard, I believe, on the balcony). That was pretty cool. It was a 3-minute or so show that did not disappoint! I heard people mention that the Captain maneuvered the ship to allow for the fireworks since the conditions were not favorable.

So, to recap the day - Cozumel beach day adventure, ventriloquist show, pirate pictures with characters, pirate-themed dinner, pirate party, and fireworks. We figured out early on that these are intense vacations! Bring it on!

The kids spent a little bit of time in the Oceaneer Lab between dinner and the Pirate Party:

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Aarggghh!

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Any more rowdiness and you're gonna' walk the plank, says dad!

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My camera didn't like taking pictures of these menus for some reason - maybe because they have a glossy finish, the lights are right overhead, and I was using natural light.

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Delicious appetizer! That banana is rolled in toasted coconut.

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davidmbfonz · December 5, 2015

My kids just loved to color during the meals!

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Main Dishes:

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Spare ribs:

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Crabcake:

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This watermelon soup was surprisingly good! (served chilled)

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Dessert menu:

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davidmbfonz · December 5, 2015

Our view for Club Pirate:

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Tonight's towel animal - a dinosaur! They were showing a sneak peek of "The Good Dinosaur" on this sailing.

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davidmbfonz · December 5, 2015

Family shot from Pirate Night:

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Day 4 began with 9:00 tickets to meet the princesses! It was a small miracle to get my DD4 up and dressed in her princess-best by that time. Then we stumbled up the one flight of stairs to be the 2nd in line to meet Rapunzel, Belle, and Cinderella - this turned out to be very intimate and nice - of course, there were SIX princesses on the Dream.

My daughter loved the moments she had with each princess. We had the photo package so I just let the Shutters crew take the pictures. In hindsight, I wish I had taken some with my camera too.

You can see this is the same Cinderella from the first day - how cool!

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I'm betting this is the actual Rapunzel who was starring in that night's new show, "Tangled: The Musical".

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Belle was gorgeous, as usual!

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Pics of the atrium, all decked out (pardon the pun) for Christmas:

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davidmbfonz · December 5, 2015

While I was with my daughter and the princesses, my wife had taken my two sons for our other ticketed event - gingerbread house making in Carioca's. We met up with them about 30 minutes into it.

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After, the kids went to the kids club for a few hours while my wife rested in the room, and I went to the Rainforest Room! This was one of the highlights on the Dream for us, and it was great again here. I liked the setup on the Magic. After an hour in there, I swear I was very relaxed and restored. My wife and I would use it together again later that afternoon. My only issue is with the showers - I wish they would post instructions on how to use them as it was quite confusing.

The two times I was in there on this sea day, there were no more than 3 other people using the facility - loved the solitude!

Speaking of sea days, this was our 8th day at sea with Disney (or any cruise line), but only the 2nd-ever Sea Day. After the previous three over-the-top days, we were looking forward to this more laid-back day. We made good use of it and explored the ship and its services.

Around noon, I checked the kids out of the club and took them to a sit-down lunch at Lumiere's. It was very peaceful in there and we were seated in the front port-side corner. My DS6 noticed the napkins were folded like tuxedos.

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We all enjoyed more than our fair share of Shirley Temples during this cruise!

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What a nice way to spend time with my kids!

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More coloring!!

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davidmbfonz · December 5, 2015

The picture doesn't do this pulled pork BBQ sandwich justice - it was very tasty (and we live in BBQ country).

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Is there a better way to eat lunch on a Wednesday afternoon?

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After lunch, we explored this ship a bit:

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Skipping with chocolate milk!

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We frequently found our fish extender like this upon our return to the stateroom:

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Edited December 5, 2015 by davidmbfonz

davidmbfonz · December 5, 2015

As we were nearing Havana on our return voyage, we checked the kids back into the club and my wife and I headed to a mixology class that was arranged by the administrator of our cruise's fb page.

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This is what we sat down to upon our arrival at the bar!

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(to be cont.)

davidmbfonz · December 5, 2015

So, is it just me, or does it seem like this was an incredible trip filled with high-quality fun and adventure? Let me know if you think I've drunk the Kool-aid. Everyone's mileage may vary, of course, but it's hard to not see the value in Disney's product. Can you do all this at the parks for 5 people @ $700 per day? ;-)

Ex techie · December 5, 2015

So, is it just me, or does it seem like this was an incredible trip filled with high-quality fun and adventure? Let me know if you think I've drunk the Kool-aid. Everyone's mileage may vary, of course, but it's hard to not see the value in Disney's product. Can you do all this at the parks for 5 people @ $700 per day? ;-)

Great trip report!

I don't think you've drank the Kool-aid, but are maybe enamoured with the DCL special touches. Especially since your little Princess is obviously a big Disney fan ;)

As for parks vs. ship, no. If you only had 2 boys, would they enjoy RCI as much? I don't know. Only you know.

ex techie

Sunkissed Mommy · December 6, 2015

Oh I am so excited for the Mixology Class info! Someone has arranged one on our sailing and I am very excited for it.

davidmbfonz · December 6, 2015

The first drink we learned was a Dr. Pepper. Have never had it before - we started with a 1/2 glass of beer, and then poured a can of Coke into it (!) nearly to the top. Then added a shot of amaretto. You could no longer tell you were drinking beer... and it tasted VERY MUCH like a Dr. Pepper. Crazy!

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Andy was our friendly mixologist:

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We made 5 drinks altogher and I don't want to spoil all of them for you. Let me say it was much more informative than I imagined it would be - and we got more than our money's worth in liquor!

Let me paint the picture - keep in mind we're cruising off the coast of Cuba. And we make, step by step, a fantastic mojito! First we muddled the mint and lime, then added ice, syrup and Bacardi Lemon. We learned about the difference between an American and a European mojito. Fun stuff!

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We ended with a classic layered shot, the B-52. He had extras and gave my wife and I one.

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davidmbfonz · December 6, 2015

I took this picture because the bartender suggested it - it's liqueur made from elderflowers and apparently is tough to get, or tough to remember what to call it when you ask for it at home. It was an essential ingredient of a mixed drink called the "Ratatouille", which Andy claims he made up. I don't doubt him.

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After that pleasant hour, my wife went and checked on the kids. We found them happily engaged. Here's the cool checkout system:

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It was during an open house period and they were about to start decorating cupcakes as a group activity. By the time we rounded up our kids and decided on doing that, they had run out of cupcakes. No big deal. However, later that evening, there was a message card from Disney apologizing for running out of cupcakes and inviting us to come to a special cupcake event the following day. That blew us away - we weren't that disappointed, and certainly don't expect to be able to do everything that is offered (I think of all the activities as a never-ending buffet - one where it isn't possible to try everything) - but this commitment to customer service is outstanding. As I get older, I appreciate this more and more. That's one of the things that I enjoy about Disney in general - the consistency of the quality of their 'product' as well as the consistency in service. I know a common saying in business is that with anything there is quality, service, and value (price), but you can only have ANY two of them, never three. This may be what's true for Disney as well.

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In late afternoon, the kids went back in the club and we used the Rainforest Room together - it was a peaceful 90 minutes. Again, the only hiccup was in knowing which combination of button, knob, and lever did WHAT in the several showers that are there. The different steamrooms are really nice, as are the heated loungers.

We then got went back to our stateroom to get everyone ready for that evening's show - "Tangled: The Musical". The show was really well-done, and had some cool touches, like the horse marionette. We were given Broadway-style playbills detailing all the production members. I think we were only the third official audience for this show. This was the only time that there was not a single empty seat in the theater, and the only time I noticed cast members standing off to the side in aisles, watching the audience - perhaps to enforce the no recording rule for this new show.

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Then, it was time for more family photos and off to Animator's Palette for dinner!

Edited December 6, 2015 by davidmbfonz

davidmbfonz · December 7, 2015

I spelled it wrong - we ate at Animator's Palate on Day #4. Here are some highlights from the menu:

Serrano ham and machego cheese - delicious!

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My son ordered a ham sandwich a couple of the nights, and they were very accommodating:

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The black truffle pasta purseittes continue to be a favorite:

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I'm a sucker for a good bolognese sauce (well, let's face it, ANY bolognese sauce!):

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Dessert menu - there was a special menu (I believe) because of "Tangled"?

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Mickey's birthday cake - we were told it was Mickey's 90-something birthday that night.

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davidmbfonz · December 7, 2015

The masters of ceremony, or at least of dinner service - to them I say, "Bravo!":

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OK, don't judge!! This is what 6 creme brulees look like! We only ordered ONE, I swear! ;-)

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At some point, the lights dimmed and we were in for a real treat! I much prefer the Magic's "Animator's show" to the Dream's. I'm just not that into Crush (I can hear the boos):

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Mickey visited and we sang him happy birthday!

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The guards from "Tangled - The Musical" burst in with a wanted poster looking for Flynn Rider.

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