How The Western Caribbean Was Won! Completed 8/10/2016 - Page 9 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I love how you are welcomed on board the Disney ships with your name announced. We missed that when boarding in Copenhagen as we entered on Deck 1 or 2. I can't remember for sure which one, but it was less than elegant for sure. But it was still Disney and all was well.
That first sight of the ship is so exciting! Lots of great photos around the ship.
It was just truly amazing to see The Magic in full view for the first time! Glad you enjoyed the photos!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
It is always cool to catch sight of the ship as you come over that bridge. And now you on board, exploring. Lunch sounds like a good idea.
It was quite the sight to see The Magic for the first time! I had a fun time exploring, just trying to get acquainted with the ship over the next week!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
Yay!! You made it onboard!!. Great photos, Dave. Seeing any ship for the first time is magical!!
I was so happy to finally get on board for my first ever cruise! Glad you liked the photos! Just can't explain seeing The Magic in view for the first time on approach to Port Canaveral! Just so special!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pris
I love how you are welcomed on board the Disney ships with your name announced. We missed that when boarding in Copenhagen as we entered on Deck 1 or 2. I can't remember for sure which one, but it was less than elegant for sure. But it was still Disney and all was well.
Surprised they had you enter on a different deck Wonder, why they did that for you and being The Magic? It was a fun experience entering the ship for the first time!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
"Surprised they had you enter on a different deck Wonder, why they did that for you and being The Magic? It was a fun experience entering the ship for the first time! "
I think it has to do with water levels and the docks. In other ports the gangway is often on those different decks. You probably encountered that in some of your ports. We've even gotten off on one level and reboarded on a different one once or twice as the tide changes the water level.
"Surprised they had you enter on a different deck Wonder, why they did that for you and being The Magic? It was a fun experience entering the ship for the first time! "
I think it has to do with water levels and the docks. In other ports the gangway is often on those different decks. You probably encountered that in some of your ports. We've even gotten off on one level and reboarded on a different one once or twice as the tide changes the water level.
This was only for entrance on The Magic on embarkation day and not on port days. I think that may be the usual locale as I've seen this in other TRs? Much better, with the atrium of Deck 3, Lumiere's and statue of Mickey steering the ship
For the port days it was always Deck 1, I think. I'm pretty sure about that.
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Sounds like smooth sailing from the Hyatt. Loving the pictures of the ship. I've seen so many of the Fantasy as that's the ship we'll be on in January I forget how beautiful the other ships are as well!
Sounds like smooth sailing from the Hyatt. Loving the pictures of the ship. I've seen so many of the Fantasy as that's the ship we'll be on in January I forget how beautiful the other ships are as well!
All went well from the Hyatt to getting on board The Magic! Could not have gone better! Glad you're enjoying the photos, with so many more to come! Hope the planning is going well! Is this your first cruise? Either way, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! As I have an ongoing TR, I don't want to give too much away, before my updates! I hope to experience the other DCL ships as well in time! Either Fantasy or Dream the next time as they're somewhat different than The Magic and Wonder and I want to dine at Remy so much!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
All went well from the Hyatt to getting on board The Magic! Could not have gone better! Glad you're enjoying the photos, with so many more to come! Hope the planning is going well! Is this your first cruise? Either way, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! As I have an ongoing TR, I don't want to give too much away, before my updates! I hope to experience the other DCL ships as well in time! Either Fantasy or Dream the next time as they're somewhat different than The Magic and Wonder and I want to dine at Remy so much!
This will be our first cruise. We've done WDW several times and even DL a few, but I've always wanted to cruise and why not with DCL! From the sounds of things I should count on wanting to sail again. At least you're making it sound like I will.
This will be our first cruise. We've done WDW several times and even DL a few, but I've always wanted to cruise and why not with DCL! From the sounds of things I should count on wanting to sail again. At least you're making it sound like I will.
You will enjoy your first cruise as I had such a great time and enjoyed it more than I thought I would!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
After checking out various parts of the Magic to become familiar with it (as this would be my home for the next seven nights), I was getting a bit hungry, so lunch was in order. I knew Carioca’s was serving a buffet lunch today, so I took the elevator to deck 3 and walked from there to Carioca’s.
Carioca’s. Nice decor and spacious. A restaurant on the Magic, I wouldn’t dine in again until the last night.
It was quite busy in here as many guests were having lunch now as the rooms wouldn’t be ready until about 1:30 or so. I think it was about 12:45 now. I checked in at the podium and said I was just dining alone. I was seated in the back on the right side. The hostess told me a CM would be by to take my drink order and I could help myself to the buffet at my leisure. Shortly, I gave my drink order for some water and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Next, I went up to the buffet and made my selections and there was quite a bit to chose from that looked appetizing. I had Catalonia chicken salad, a meatball with marinara sauce, chicken with pico de gallo salsa, grilled lamb chop, mixed salad and greens with balsamic dressing and snap peas. The two chicken choices were especially good! When I returned to my table, the CM had yet to bring me my glass of wine! It took another good five minutes or so. It was busy in here, but the CM didn’t seem overwhelmed!
After finishing my meal, I put the first charge (of many) on my DCL KTTW card for the glass of wine. I enjoyed the meal and it hit the spot. I went back up to Deck 10 and get some more photos. It was after 1:30 now and an announcement had come over about them being ready. I decided to wait a bit to avoid the rush to the elevators and most certainly the corridors would be crowded as well!
Luggage being loaded on Magic
View of bridge from Port Canaveral to mainland
Carnival Cruise Line ship docked in Port Canaveral
Well, after this, I decided to go down to deck 7 and check out my room for the first time. I took the stairs, as it was only three decks down. I am located midship and in Room #7556. It was a bit crowded in the corridors as many passengers were going to their rooms for the first time as well as the stateroom hosts (porters) were checking in on everyone. Shortly, after getting to my room, I met my host Edwin for the first time, whom I think is from Spain. He was very nice and polite and told me not to hesitate to ask for anything.
The photos of my stateroom will come later in this post as I was busy checking out my room, which was very nice. I love the verandah and what a great view there is! I actually, had to ask for Edwin’s assistance on how to open the sliding glass door to the deck as it was a bit tricky! Overall, I really like my room and glad I went with a midship room with a verandah!
My tickets for my port excursions as well as my dinner ticket with rotation and Palo dinner reservation ticket were in various envelopes on the desk. Today’s Navigator was also there and I looked through that a bit to become familiar with the Magic a bit more for locations for the restaurants, lounges, Promenade Lounge (meeting place for port excursions), counter service food and Senses Spa among others.
As I was unpacking some items from my carry on bag, my suitcase was delivered, so I went about unpacking some of that as well. I watched some programming regarding the Magic on the HD TV for a while and soon after decided to nap for a bit as I was quite tired. Probably from being up so early yesterday and staying up a bit late! I was hoping I wouldn’t oversleep as we had the mandatory life boat drill at 4 pm, before the sail away party. I had a good nap and woke up about 3:30 pm in time for the drill. I just woke up for a bit and watched some TV before going to deck 4 for the drill.
When I arrived there you go to your particular station you are assigned to and check in with one of the CMs, who scan your KTTW card. Your station is actually noted on the bottom of your card. There was a bit of a wait for everyone to check in as some were missing and got tiring waiting out there as we were facing the sun and was getting quite hot out here. If I was walking around, it wouldn’t bother me. They went over the procedures for this and shortly it was over with. After this was over, I went up to deck 9 as the sail away party would be starting shortly. I bought the drink of the day from a CM who was walking around with them. They weren’t free by any means and were served in a DCL glass for keeping. The drink is a combo Strawberry Daiquiri/ Pina Colada. I’ve never had one of these and it was quite good!
My sail away drink!
It was getting pretty crowded on deck 9, so I went up to deck 10 to view the Magic’s sail away party. It was also crowded up here, but not quite as bad. It was fun but nothing extraordinary with some Disney characters and a lot of upbeat music pulsating at a high volume! It was enjoyable as it got me more excited for my first cruise! It was pretty much what I expected it to be!
Mickey and Co., during the festivities! It was tough to get good photos with it being so crowded.
After this ended, I headed back to my room as it was a little after 5 pm and the Magic would be beginning it’s voyage very soon. We began the voyage at about 5:15 pm. I was thrilled to begin cruising for the first time! I poured myself a glass of wine I ordered for the room, to enjoy my Bon Voyage! It’s a Louis Latour Beaujolais (Pinot Noir) from Burgundy. I’ve had this wine before and is quite enjoyable.
Port Canaveral terminal, just after the Magic sets sail!
The Magic’s guide along side of us heading out of the port. Kind of surprised me with the guns by the Coast Guard, but necessary for security until we get to open seas.
Shortly after, we were passing the Carnival Cruise Line ship (Grandeur of the Seas) nearby, the Carnival ship let out a couple of big horn blasts at us and in return the Magic did the same thing with the first seven notes of “When You Wish Upon A Star.” I thought that was pretty funny as giving a personable aspect to the ship with the Magic showing up the Carnival ship. Like, try to top that!
Some of the locals waving to us as we got close to the open seas.
Shortly, we reached the open seas and pulling away from the mainland for several miles before gradually turning right and heading south along the coast of Florida for Key West which would be our first port stop of the cruise in just over 18 hours. I went inside for a while and get some photos of my room.
So here is my stateroom!
Desk with small HD TV
Nice comfortable bed
Foyer with split bath
Sitting area with small table and my bottle of wine with ocean view in background
Verandah with ocean view
Deck chairs and table on verandah
Heading out to the open seas
Dinner and port excursions tickets
Palo reservation for Tuesday
During the time in my room there were several announcements over the PA regarding different activities going on throughout the ship and dinner seating announcements from Brent our cruise director. I checked my Navigator and wasn’t really interested in the feature entertainment in the Walt Disney or Buena Vista Theaters (movies) tonight. I hung out a little more in my room before heading out as it was still two hours until my dinner seating at 8:15 pm.
NEXT: Will dinner live up to my expectations?
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Aaaah, you're cruising! I had the same problem with the sliding door. I think they make it tricky so that kids don't go out there unattended, but it ends up stumping the adults! I really dislike the deck parties because of the volume. After my first cruise I skipped them all!
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And now you on board, exploring. Lunch sounds like a good idea. 
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You made it onboard!!
. Great photos, Dave. Seeing any ship for the first time is magical!!
Glad you enjoyed the photos! 
I had a fun time exploring, just trying to get acquainted with the ship over the next week! 
Wonder, why they did that for you and being The Magic? 
It was a fun experience entering the ship for the first time! 
Much better, with the atrium of Deck 3, Lumiere's and statue of Mickey steering the ship
Glad you're enjoying the photos, with so many more to come! 
I enjoyed the meal and it hit the spot. I went back up to Deck 10 and get some more photos. It was after 1:30 now and an announcement had come over about them being ready. I decided to wait a bit to avoid the rush to the elevators and most certainly the corridors would be crowded as well! 
Overall, I really like my room and glad I went with a midship room with a verandah! 
Probably from being up so early yesterday and staying up a bit late! I was hoping I wouldn’t oversleep as we had the mandatory life boat drill at 4 pm, before the sail away party. I had a good nap and woke up about 3:30 pm in time for the drill. I just woke up for a bit and watched some TV before going to deck 4 for the drill. 
It’s a Louis Latour Beaujolais (Pinot Noir) from Burgundy. I’ve had this wine before and is quite enjoyable. 
I thought that was pretty funny as giving a personable aspect to the ship with the Magic showing up the Carnival ship. Like, try to top that! 
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