How The Western Caribbean Was Won! Completed 8/10/2016 - Page 21 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Just signing in. I'm really enjoying your TR. I'm still trying to talk my husband into a a cruise. Hes afraid he'll get sea sick. Lunch looked delicious. Also I'm with Cheryl on skipping F&WF on weekends. We've been several times. Normally during the week nights it isn't too bad. Worth it for the great concerts. We normally go several days and most nights except for weekends like I said. We enjoy eating the smaller portions that give you the option of trying lots of different things. You definately can fill up quickly. I'm sure you're going to love it. We'll be there Oct 11-21 this year. Do you know your dates?
I didn't have any trouble with the sea and ship motion on my cruise, but then again it was easy sailing for us and calm seas throughout last April. One thing to suggest if this could be a problem is bring Dramamine with you (never needed) and make sure your stateroom is located mid-ship, which will have less motion.
For the F&W Fest, I think it's probably good to skip weekends, unless you begin early afternoon as things seem to be crazier there with overzealous drinkers late afternoon and onward. I plan on going to Disney for a 7 or 8 night stay on this trip and spend three afternoons experiencing this. I think, I will make this my lunch and probably hit three countries each afternoon. Probably, three apps will make a meal, I would think? Is that about right, from your experience? I plan to do a couple of beverage seminars during this.
This takes a lot of planning and will use the DFB guide for this, when it becomes available for what is offered at the various country kiosks and what seminars to sign up for. Will skip the high ticket items like Party for the Sense, which seems like a big rip off!
I plan to see some of the concerts, depending who is playing. I haven't booked anything, but as of now my tentative plan is to arrive around October 14 or 15 to the 22nd or around there. So we'll see and perhaps meet up and experience this a bit together. Although, I know WDW well with 11 prior trips here, perhaps a little guidance at the F&W Fest from some seasoned veterans would be welcome from me!
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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!
Maybe as things get closer we can work out a plan to meet. We normally do 2 to3 also depending on the items. We eat something and move on to the next sometimes skipping places. We usually sign up for a couple of the food emos. Pretty inexpensive at 15 a piece and you get to watch the chef prepare and then you get your setving of whatever he or she is prparing and it is usually served with a glass of wine to pair it with and one time we had beer with it. I'm not a beer fan and told the server that I was dissapointed as id always had wine and she slipped into the back and got me a glass of really good spanish re that had been served with a prior demo. . We've had beef dishes, chicken dishes and on our last trip had an excellent shrimp cevich with a latin twist. It was excellent. I only wished it had bin a little bigger. The nice thing about the concerts is you can just show up, no reservations. We've seen some great shows.
Maybe as things get closer we can work out a plan to meet. We normally do 2 to3 also depending on the items. We eat something and move on to the next sometimes skipping places. We usually sign up for a couple of the food emos. Pretty inexpensive at 15 a piece and you get to watch the chef prepare and then you get your setving of whatever he or she is prparing and it is usually served with a glass of wine to pair it with and one time we had beer with it. I'm not a beer fan and told the server that I was dissapointed as id always had wine and she slipped into the back and got me a glass of really good spanish re that had been served with a prior demo. . We've had beef dishes, chicken dishes and on our last trip had an excellent shrimp cevich with a latin twist. It was excellent. I only wished it had bin a little bigger. The nice thing about the concerts is you can just show up, no reservations. We've seen some great shows.
Sounds great and thanks for the tips! I think I'll probably do three days for this and of course in the early afternoon for lunch before the townies arrive and misbehave! I forgot about the food seminars and this sounds much more to my liking than the beverage ones as more involved and loving my food!
I'll probably do one beverage and food seminar and do another on my third day. Will order the DFB F&W Fest guide and know what ones will be available, the different country kiosks and what is offered at each and get ressies for these once they become available. Any idea of the best way to find out when these seminars become available for reservations so I'm not too late on it? I know it will be a while as the dates have yet to be released for the festival.
I'm sure we can meet up and perhaps with other PPs who may be down there at the same time as that's always good to have a few more! Once my plans become more defined and begin my bookings, we can start to work it out! Still 8+ months away!
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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!
AJ's disneyfood blog is great for all this info as she is so on top of it. She'll have those dates ahead of time so you will have time to check it out, especially if you get the guide.
AJ's disneyfood blog is great for all this info as she is so on top of it. She'll have those dates ahead of time so you will have time to check it out, especially if you get the guide.
I plan on getting the guide for this!
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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!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
I was back in my room around 3:30pm after a good part of the day on Grand Cayman. At about 4:30 pm The Magic pulled away from the port of Grand Cayman and out to sea to Cozumel, Mexico, where we would be arriving tomorrow morning. I went out on my deck for quite a while, with a glass of wine (I still had this bottle of wine from my arrival!). I just watched as we left Grand Cayman and to the open sea of the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, no photos of this as my camera was low on batteries and was re-charging!
Soon after, I watched TV for a bit and then nodded off for a good two hours, which felt good. After getting up and applying some water to my face to wake up, I went out on my veranda for a while. So, I just took it easy in my room for a while as I still had nearly two hours until dinner at Lumiere’s.
After, getting ready for dinner, I went upstairs to Signals in Quiet Cove and had a mango mojito, which was quite good. I spent the time talking with a few others here, who were also having a drink before their dinner rotation. Met Hal from PA, who spent most of his working career in the U.S. Army before retiring just last year. He had some interesting stories.
Unfortunately, the sunset photos didn’t come out well as taken through the window on deck 9!
I actually had some time before dinner, so I went back to my room for about twenty minutes and relaxed for a bit and read some of tomorrow’s Navigator.
I like this towel creation!
It was just after 8pm and I went down to deck 3 to Lumiere’s for dinner. My bottle of wine, which I had ordered and began on Monday night was waiting for me and didn’t even have to ask for it. A couple of my table mates were already there and the rest of them would arrive in a few minutes. We just talked for a while on what we did in Grand Cayman today. I was the only one of us who took an excursion. Some just shopped, while others had lunch there. They thought my submarine experience sounded good, but unsure about being in tight quarters like this and I told them it was fine.
Shortly, our servers Marcus and Amp arrived and handed us the menus for the evening. I saw some choices that certainly interested me and once again, I planned to have two appetizers, an entree and dessert. There was bread on the table with a yogurt and dill dipping sauce, which I enjoyed.
My first course-Pulled Duck Quesadillas with a Chimichurri sauce.
I enjoyed this very much and was quite flavorful as well as being different as I’ve never had duck this way before. I thought, it was a good choice.
My next course-Saffron Mussel Soup.
It certainly looks colorful and was another winner. The chives were a nice addition to the soup.
My entree-Pepper Crusted NY Strip with a red wine reduction sauce.
This was also very good, but I think I enjoyed my appetizers even more. It filled me up quite a bit as it was a fairly large steak, but I still had room for dessert. Marcus brought us the dessert menus and we made our choices.
My dessert-Lemon Cheesecake with a Cherry Compote.
I loved this dessert and enjoyed the lemon and cherry flavor combinations, which seemed to compliment each other well. I also had a double espresso and a Grand Marnier to go along with my dessert.
Our server, Marcus
Marcus and I
My table mates at Lumiere’s.
After, finishing dinner I headed back towards the atrium and saw that Mickey was there. Surprisingly, there was only a short line, so I was able to get a few photos, which I had a CM take.
Is Donald getting jealous of the attention?
I returned to my room, before going downstairs to see Nick Messina play at Keys. I’ve found that as my perfect way to wind down the evening on The Magic as I’ve been here each night so far.
I took one of the comfy chairs next to the large porthole windows, which are so relaxing. Nick greeted me as did one of their servers who knows me by now. I ordered a Grand Marnier and some ice water.
Nick in between songs, telling one of his music stories
I enjoyed it here as always and talked with other cruise patrons who were seated nearby about their travel and cruise experiences and what they really like about cruises. Most said there is not much of a downside, with the exception of weather and rough seas, which is out of your control. I stayed to about midnight, when Nick finished his show.
Outside of the After Hours district
I explored the Magic for a while as it’s a good time to get photos as there aren’t many people around at this time. First, I went up to deck 4.
This is an interesting area of the ship. It was on the starboard side forward I believe
The outside deck area on four
Lifeboat on deck 4
The atrium on deck 3 outside of Lumiere’s
Light fixtures in atrium
Looking toward one of the shopping areas on The Magic
This is an interesting photo. On deck 9 as taken from the large video screen (with me taking a photo of the screen, with me on it) midship as it was being worked on as they do each evening.
It was about 12:30 am now and went to the beverage station on deck 9 and got some cold water and then returned to my room for the evening on deck seven.
NEXT: Mexico In Sight And Arrival In Cozumel!
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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!
What a lovely end to the day! That quesadilla sounded yummy and that dessert was beautiful! Love the photos you got with Mickey
Another great day on my cruise! The food was fantastic and the dessert did look almost too good to eat it...I wouldn't have any part of that! Just couldn't believe that the line for Mickey was so short!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jandsdennis
Loving all the picgures. Love the ones with mickey!
Glad you are enjoying them!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
That's what I call a relaxing afternoon and evening. How neat to see Captain Mickey as well with such a short wait!
It was a fun day overall and enjoyed every bit of it from the excursion, lunch, a nap, dinner and Keys! Not the usual at all with a short wait for our captain!
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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 caught up! I really would love to take a cruise that has a stop at Key West sometime. We didn't get off the ship in Grand Caymen this time because there wasn't an excursion that we wanted to do and we weren't into shopping all the high end shops.
All caught up! I really would love to take a cruise that has a stop at Key West sometime. We didn't get off the ship in Grand Cayman this time because there wasn't an excursion that we wanted to do and we weren't into shopping all the high end shops.
Glad to have you on board my cruise TR!!
I liked Key West a lot and I wish I had more time to explore there and take in a good restaurant.
I went to Hogs Breath Saloon (quite noted and popular and seen this venue on various food and travel programs)for a late lunch at around 3 pm but wasn't that hungry with just a bowl of conch chowder and a popular local Key Lime beverage. I had a good size breakfast around 10 am, but I think part of this may have been due to the heat perhaps as it was quite hot and humid in Key West this day! But, I still enjoyed my time here and would definitely like to return and see and experience much more and sample some of the local cuisine for sure! As well as parts north like Key Largo!
Grand Cayman is ok (very touristy as it's a cruise destination, but more than the others), but I did enjoy my submarine excursion and my lunch, probably even more so as I think I picked a good one with good local cuisine, even though pricey as expected here! Not much to see otherwise in town as mostly shops and banks, where the rich try to hide their money from various countries, where they reside and can do so! Wish, I had the resources to do this!
I think, if you went into Georgetown and found a good eatery which specializes in local cuisine, that would be the way to go. I think it would be worth venturing off the ship just for that! Not much else to see or do otherwise, unless interested in a particular excursion!
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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!
Last edited by SuperDave; 02-22-2016 at 10:58 PM..
I got up around 8 am or just a bit before then. After getting ready for the day I went out on my deck and it was quite sunny and pretty warm already. We were approaching the Mexican coastline and Cozumel as it would come into view shortly as our ashore time is scheduled for 10:30 am. I was quite hungry and went upstairs to Cabana’s for breakfast.
It was pretty crowded inside, but not as much as previous mornings. There were a lot of passengers having breakfast outside as they wanted to see the approach into Cozumel. It would still be another hour before we would arrive there, so I decided to have my breakfast inside as it was also a bit windy outside. I had scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, corned beef hash, orange juice and coffee. It was good as it has been on previous mornings.
After finishing up breakfast, I returned to my room around 9:30 am and sat out on my deck for a while as we got closer to Cozumel and enjoy the action.
Carnival Paradise being rerouted to another port in Cozumel father up. Originally, it was scheduled to be next to the Magic in port, but they were told to head farther up for some reason.
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of The Seas. This is one big ship with a passenger capacity of 5,400!
We were coming into port now and arrived at about 9:45 am. It would still be some time before we were given the ok to head ashore as all the port and customs information had to be given to the Mexican port authorities by the Magic crew.
Arrival in Cozumel, with part of the island in the distance.
One of the adventures you can participate in Cozumel. These speedboats are a lot of fun as I did one of these in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Carnival Paradise still heading into port
Not sure what this boat is used for that was near the Magic? Perhaps, some kind of fishing boat?
After spending some time on my deck, I went up to deck 10 to get some photos from the port side of the ship. I still had some time before I had to check in at the Promenade Lounge for my Cozumel excursion, which wasn’t until 10:30. I even got to see the Carnival Conquest dock right next to us, which was an interesting process.
Looks like the Mexican Coast Guard or the equivalent of! Or maybe some kind of supply boat?
Cozumel, which doesn’t look too pretty as this is the port area.
Carnival Conquest coming into port and docking next to our Magic!
Tough to get a good photo as the Conquest was so close to The Magic!
Crew of Carnival Conquest finishing up docking
After watching the docking of the Carnival ship for a while, I went downstairs to the Promenade Lounge and check in for my Cozumel excursion, which would be commencing shortly. The wait wasn’t that long and within a few minutes one of the CMs led us off the ship to a meeting area. He just gave us a brief overview of our excursion, which is the Mexican Cuisine Workshop. We had to sign a waiver and then shortly we’d be on our way. There were only five us for this as the other two couples were from Alabama and Windsor Locks, CT.
Views of Carnival Conquest and Disney Magic from ashore.
There was just a bit of a short wait as we had to wait for our transportation to arrive, which would be by taxi to Playa Mia, which is about a 20 minute ride. In the meantime, the five of us talked a bit about the cruise and other things, while we waited for our taxi to arrive.
NEXT: Cooking And Enjoying The Cuisine In Mexico!
__________________
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!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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I plan on going to Disney for a 7 or 8 night stay on this trip and spend three afternoons experiencing this. I think, I will make this my lunch and probably hit three countries each afternoon. Probably, three apps will make a meal, I would think? Is that about right, from your experience? 
I plan to do a couple of beverage seminars during this. 
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I went out on my deck for quite a while, with a glass of wine (I still had this bottle of wine from my arrival!). 
I just watched as we left Grand Cayman and to the open sea of the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, no photos of this as my camera was low on batteries and was re-charging! 
After getting up and applying some water to my face to wake up, I went out on my veranda for a while. So, I just took it easy in my room for a while as I still had nearly two hours until dinner at Lumiere’s.
A couple of my table mates were already there and the rest of them would arrive in a few minutes. We just talked for a while on what we did in Grand Cayman today. I was the only one of us who took an excursion. Some just shopped, while others had lunch there. They thought my submarine experience sounded good, but unsure about being in tight quarters like this and I told them it was fine. 
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