Better late than..later?Western Sept 05/09 **Completed 02/17** About This Page:

[Kenny]

OHHHH! A cliffhanger! Did you get brunch? Did you git it? Did you git it, HUH?!

Yep, love Rachel's smile! Especially when you know the story behind it!
Great luck on the car return! Now, how come nobody told me that Grandpas get to go to the front of the line? I could have saved myself a LOT of wasted time!!!

[lauriep]

What a great reveal! Looks like sleepy Rachel was very happy once you all got under way.

[chezp]

Oooh... you can't stop there : that's not fair! I'm glad to hear we're not the only foreigners who have problems with getting gas in the States. The system is very odd....

[Colexis Mom]

Great update Roberta! More please!!

[Kenny]

OK, guys. The "pay at the pump" thing confused us, too, at first. I hate (as, I believe most people do) the pre-pay gas stations, because, as Roberta said, you have to go in the store twice to get the gas and your change (and I don't like being accused of dishonesty). For the last couple of years the use of debit, or check cards, has boomed! We use them for everything instead of cash. At the gas pump, it works just like the ATM: swipe the card, some require you punch in your PIN, pump the gas, and you have the option of getting a receipt. With the popularity of online banking, most people, I think, don't even get a receipt. I don't know why Mike would have had a problem with your credit card, but I have had problems in Canada using ATMs with my personal debit card. Maybe the card companies/banks have something against foreign credit/debit cards? Anyway, with all the thieves we have here in the States, and the introduction of "pay at the pump", a lot of gas stations have gone to a pre-pay/credit/debit card system. The old "pump and pay" honor system is being replaced more and more.

Sheesh!! I didn't mean to write a book!

[rlb38]

Kenny, so you put your ATM bank card in, pump gas and then pay whatever the amount is? I think Mike was thrown off by the machine asking for his PIN before he pumped the gas. And really he's a sweet man but not always the most patient !

[Kenny]

It's deducted from your bank account just as if you got cash from an ATM. You just swipe your card, enter your PIN, pump the gas, have the card reader print your receipt, and go on your way. If all goes right, you don't even enter the store... if the card reader recognizes your Canadian ATM card.

[HeatherD]

Originally Posted by rlb38

Kenny, so you put your ATM bank card in, pump gas and then pay whatever the amount is? I think Mike was thrown off by the machine asking for his PIN before he pumped the gas. And really he's a sweet man but not always the most patient !

Yes - you have to put in your PIN first, so that it knows it's a valid card. Then, when you are finished, it will only charge whatever you pumped.

Where I live, we've always had to "pay first", so "pay after" really threw me when I moved to the midwest. In fact, I had a friend who grew up in California. She was so used to paying first that one time, she pumped at a "pay after" place and then went on her merry way! She had forgotten that she still needed to pay, since she usually pays first. (She went back the next day.)

[rlb38]

Thanks to all of you who are reading along. I appreciate your comments

PALO BRUNCH ???

So we were soon through the ears and waiting to take that first picture. I now understand why people wear matching shirts to have that photo taken it does look so much better. The photo of us was less than stellar so we didn't buy it. I was too anxious to get on with it that I forgot to have the CM take a picture with our camera.
Once inside Mike took a picture of Rachel a I with the Mickey statue and I was really fighting back tears. I was just thrilled to finally be on the Magic with my family. And it was great to see the awe on their faces. But enough with the emotions I was a woman on a mission.

I told my 2 to head up to Topsiders and I went off to try for Palo brunch. There were a dozen or so folks ahead of me with 2 CMS manning the computers. But of the dozen or so only the lady ahead of me was on her own everyone else was a group so it took no time at all to get to the front of the line.

The CM was able to give me brunch the very next day at 10.
I refrained from leaning over and hugging her but I was really excited !! I turned around to leave and the line was now heading out the door. So my timing was excellent which made me happier still.

I walked up the stairs to join my family. A friendly CM approached with a large tray of drinks and asked if I'd like a Bahama Mama. I was feeling so fine I said yes. I was just as happy as could be if my life was musical I would have broken out in song. But I just joined Mike and Rachel and realized the drink had rum in it and I'm not really a fan but still so happy.

We had a nice lunch , there was a white chocolate dessert in a small ramkin that we all agreed was the best thing we ate. We strolled the deck and then headed down to the 8 th floor for 1:30. We were allowed to go to our rooms just after 1:30.

Our room was 8066 which was close to the aft and quick access to the pop & coffee machines on the 9 th deck. I put away the few things we had with us and headed down to guest services on 3. I had no idea at that time just how many trips I'd be making to guest services. The service was excellent everytime.

This trip I signed us up for tea with Alice (Wendy was the other choice). Tequila & Margarita tasting for both us and Mike for a beer tasting. Also signed up for a galley tour on Thursday. When I returned to the room some of the luggage was outside the door so more unpacking and then down to the muster drill.



Now my favourite duo watched (listened to ?) the drill on TV while I was off at guest services. I have to admit that I really didn't hear any of the instructions at the drill. Lots of people were still talking and I was busy watching the poor parents beside me trying to contain their very small children. So I 'd be relying on somebody else's help in the event of an emergency .

Then we headed to deck 10 for the sail away party. Where we saw this man. He was the first person I encountered at the port and I thought he worked there. He smiled and said good morning. I said I loved his hat and was about to ask if I could take a picture but he was on the move. Once inside the port I saw him in line with his family and they all had outfits made of the same Disney material. So sweet and he was also just a picture of fun and happiness any time I ran into him on the cruise. So fun.




Donald & Cruise director Brent


Not long after the sailaway party it was time to get ready for dinner at Animator's Palate. Our rotation was APLLAPL. I had requested not to be at AP on formal night. Dinner was very nice our servers were Plaman from Bulgaria , Edwin from St Vincent and the Head waiter was Silvio from Chile. We were very happy with the service from all 3 gentlemen.

Sorry no food shots from me, I just forget 'til it's half gone.
Mike had the mushroom risotto with black truffle oil which was excellent. Chipotle cakes with rice and mango salsa (spicy but very nice) and some samosas which were just so so.

I had very nice beef tenderloin and swapped out the wasabi potatoes for red potatoes that came with a different entree. Rachel had a chicken breast and veggies.

For dessert Plaman dropped off a trio of desserts and an apple crisp. Then came back a few minutes later to take our order. So I ordered the trio and Mike ordered a sugar free lemon souffle. Plaman says take that trio leaves again with the apple crisp still on the table. Well the ice cream was melting and so.... yeah we dug into that as well.

We all enjoyed Animator's Palate but feel that "show" is maybe not the right word to describe what they get up to but I'm not sure what word would be right.


We left bursting at the seams and headed back to the room. Rachel and Mike didn't want to see the show and I'm not sure what we got up to. I know I went back to guest services to juggle a few of the events around because I double booked us for something.

Rachel and I went to kids club to check it out and met the head of the kids club. His name escapes me right now but he is from Brazil and has been working the kids club for 6 years. He loves the fact that he gets paid to play. He told me the week before they had a 140 kids but this week were only 64 registered.

Mike and I hung out on the balcony enjoying the gas station drinks and Rachel went to club for the 10 pm meet and greet. I think it was lights out for all around 11:30

A wonderful first day !

UP NEXT: Rachel's day in Key West gets off to a rough start

[Colexis Mom]

Great update Roberta! Glad you were able to snag Palo brunch! And that you enjoyed the room!

More please!

[dsnytina]

Woo Hoo! Palo is the best!
Glad you had a great first day...hoping the snag in Key West was momentary and didn't ruin your day!

[chezp]

How great that you were able to get Palo brunch!

[lauriep]

Congratulations on getting the brunch! And for being so organized on the first day. Now what happened with Rachel at Key West??

[rlb38]

Thanks for all the gas pumping tips ! I'll look like an expert next time I'm sure

DAY 2 KEY WEST

So I'll start with my not so good thing about today. No chance to sleep in even though we're not docking until NOON. Character breakfast , Parrot Cay, 8 am but I just wanna sleeeep. But the good thing about having to be up early is this.


That's right! Up in time to see the sun rise. Now I have been up all night and seen the sun rise on several occassions but I think this might be the first time I've ever beaten the sun out of bed.

Mike decided that he could miss Mickey and company and slept on. Rachel and I headed to Parrot Cay. Now I was just going to have tea since I was going to Palo for brunch in couple of hours. But Plaman was trying to get me to try all kinds of things even though I explained the brunch reason. So I ordered toast and that seemed to satisfy him.


Minnie was our first visitor. Love her sailor outfit with matching shoes. Soon Pluto was upon us and he was very frisky today roughing up Rachel's hair. But beside us was a group of 4 lovely ladies over 40 having fun taking pictures with 4 cameras. Pluto really messed up their hair and had a blast being naughty. It was very funny.

[rlb38]

sorry I hit post instead of copy. Here's Rachel and Pluto


Pluto's handler was very funny as well. (He name was Michael and I noticed later in the week that he's also Prince Charming.) Pluto is at our table when the 2 year old boy beside side us yells out GOOFY!!
He is standing in his seat pointing to the back of the restaurant where Goofy is. Michael says it's Pluto not Goofy, pay attention. And has anyone told you your sense of direction is off? This earned him some laughs from my table and the adults belonging to the boy but a look of sheer confusion from the little boy. We were visited by both chipmunks and the big cheese. And Mike's favourite
can't help it this smile

Plaman also made some funny napkin hats.



Breakfast accomplished we headed back to the room. Rachel then headed off to club while Mike and I hung out on the balcony to wait for brunch.

Palo brunch did not disappoint. Our server was Laci from Hungary.


He was an excellent server, I think we tried everything he recommended including the caviar. I still don't see the joy of eating caviar but no one has ever accused me of being sophisticated. In my notes I wrote the food highlights for us which were the Stolen bread which I always thought had to L's but that 's how it was written on the card. I enjoyed the warm fruit pizza. We shared an excellent fritatta. 2 of the many cheeses , camborzola and pink cheddar (although I don't think they called it pink cheddar ) There was also a mixture of raspberries, blackberries and strawberries that was heavenly with a little whip cream in case you think you're starting to eat too healthy.

Then it was on to desserts. Wow, so many lovely desserts so little room left in my waistband. I tried a lovely chocolate dessert that Laci recommended but it was too rich for me. Since I only had one bite I asked if I could take to Rachel. He said of course and came back with a plate with a silver tray with 2 new chocolate desserts on it and asked what else would she like? I thought that was a wonderful touch to such a great meal. I'm so glad I was able to have this experience.

Rachel met us back in the room for 12:30 and we got ready to go to Key West. We seemed to have trouble finding all 3 keys to the World and secondary ID for the adults. Also Rachel was missing her sunglasses. It was troubling me that I would have to take my passport on our excursions. Key West wasn't so bad because we weren't up to much but the next two stops involved snorkelling and I was keen on leaving it unattended on the beach. I had a sudden brainwave that maybe my friends at guest services could make a photo copy and that would be sufficient to get me back on the Magic. I decided to do that upon our return since we were wasting our time getting off the boat.

We get down to the 3rd floor ready to exit and Rachel realizes she doesn't have her key to world anymore.!! I'm surprised because I saw her put it in the lanyard around her neck. So I give her my key to the world and decide to go to guest services to ask about the passport while I wait. ( we sent Mike outside since he was cranky about this turn of events ).

My friends at guest services were happy to help on the passport and much to my amazement they also had Rachel's glasses. That accomplished I walked back to meet Rachel at the aft stairs. I don't get all the way to the stairs before I see her. I'm smiling ear to ear waving her sunglasses. But I can tell by the look on her face something is very wrong. She on the verge of tears and looks a bit scared. " I lost your key to world card" Really? 2 cards lost in the span of 5 minutes??? I'm exasperated but I can see by her expression she's very upset and losing my cool will not help at all. So I say " you must have just left it in the room when you got your card"
A tear starts to roll as I hear " I never made it to the room, I got about 2 doors away and reached in my pocket and found my key. So I turned around and ran down the stairs but at the bottom I noticed I didn't have your key. I went back up the stairs but didn't find your key" Good thing we sent your dad outside I think to myself . I tell her not to worry and we retrace the steps again but no card. No problem I assure her " We'll go see my friends at guest services"

UP NEXT : Key West