Leaving the drama behind and sailing into calm seas and blue skies…Celebrating on the Magic! completed 4/3/2015 - Page 7 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I woke up a little early this morning and watched as we pulled into Castaway Cay. On out last two cruises we skipped this, opting to stay onboard to lounge around and enjoy the adult pool and hot tub. Today was no exception but I thought we would spend just enough time on CC so I could get some stamps and mail my postcards. We got dressed and headed to Carioca’s for a breakfast buffet. I sat at our table and made out my postcards. I was all set to send them out. We had an enjoyable breakfast and I was happy to see that there was muesli available at the buffet. Until now I hadn’t noticed it at all. Though I may have overlooked at Palo brunch. Breakfast Buffet selections Muesli…love this stuff!
Almond and pineapple overkill...lol The best coffee
Carioca’s
When we finished with our breakfast we disembarked to Castaway Cay. It was really a beautiful day and I had thought about staying for a while but we hadn’t planned on it so swimsuits and such were left behind. We made a beeline to the Post Office where pictures were being taken and you got it. The PO was closed. I have no clue why. Maybe because it was a Saturday? Ours at home is open at least until noon. So there went those plans. We skipped having our picture taken in front of the ship and I went to a little alcove to take my own. Off to the side there was a group from the ship doing some kind of training exercise which involved up righting a life raft that had turned upside down. We spent some time just watching these kids. They were training and having a ball at the same time. I especially liked the one who held their nose when they jumped into the water. Training begins The Magic and adjacent pier Goofy touching up the logo
CM’s hard at work too
Training continues
Playtime
It was only around 10 am so we returned to the ship and our stateroom to put on our swimsuits and head to the hot tub. I never bring my camera here so no photos. All I can tell you is that Dan and I shared a hot tub with no one around and the pool with very little folks. Such a great way to spend a couple of relaxing hours. I do warn you though my new phone will be waterproof so you never can tell next time. Lol!
Getting back to our room, Dan decided he wanted to just relax for a bit and I wanted to take some photos of an empty ship so I left him behind and set out on my photo journey. As you will see in the following pictures there was no one around. Closed shops and empty common areas
Empty Atrium
I love the refections in the piano
A couple of Panorama’s
In order to get the best shot of the chandeliers you need to lie on the floor. Sounds odd, true but believe when I say I was not alone. When I finished up I was in the elevator at our floor when I noticed my sunglasses were missing. I realized that when I was on the floor that they may have fallen off. Sure enough I hustled back down and found them. Like I said…empty ship.
When I returned Dan was watching something on TV. It a little before 2 and we were trying to decide room service or something else. Our Navigator said that Cabana’s was open until 2 but when we arrived it was closed. Option number 2?
Oh well, the carpet was cool.
We walked around deck 10 as I took pictures of CC from the Magic. I took some shots with my zoom lens. This was a new lens for my camera and it worked out pretty well with many of the shots. Castaway Cay
Always got a chuckle about how they try to conceal this tower…Lol
Abandoned Loungers
Empty ship and various shots
By now we were looking for lunch. Dan took off chanting “Swarma”, but returned with a burger and fries. I went into a different direction and found the yummy chili with sour cream and corn bread. We shared the chili so I was hungry after that. I really had my mouth watering for a good burger but they cook them up so much it’s like eating cardboard. I like my burgers at least pink in the center. Then I saw the sign. The one about eating meats at certain temperatures…blah…blah…blah. But…if you ask they will cook your burger to order. The two young men did try to convince me otherwise but in the end I had my burger my way and it was good! Chili and Cornbread Cheeseburger….”My Way!”
As we once again rested in our stateroom we heard the all aboard horn blast. A while later as the sun was slowly setting we were pulling away from Castaway Cay and I knew that tomorrow our adventure would be coming to an end. It was time to finish packing to get the luggage outside our door in time for pick up. Shots taken through our Porthole Bye Bye CC….until next time! Artwork in our room
Last minute FE Gift
With everything packed except the absolute necessities I tied our Tinkerbell tags to our luggage. It was time to get ready for dinner. We were ready in no time and the luggage was already being taken away as we left our room. We arrived at Lumiere’s and were greeted by Eduard and Pairog. We made our orders and prepared for our last dinner aboard the Magic.
Tonight we opted for a cola so no cocktail photo Six-Grain Country Bread with Caramelized Onions and Sundried-tomato dip Grilled Potato and Goat Cheese Napoleon with Balsamic-basil Vinaigrette Dungeness Crabmeat Stuffed Tomato filled with Crabmeat Salad, shredded Red Onion, topped with Fontina Cheese and Garlic-herb Drizzle Lobster and Crawfish Bisque served with roasted corn relish Seafood Linguini Pasta…Lobster, Scallops, Shrimp, Clams and Asparagus with a white wine sauce Cute menu Old Fashioned Apple Pie served warm with vanilla ice cream Sweet Temptations…A trio of Celebration Cake, Chocolate Decadence and Cappuccino Mousse
Near the end of dinner all the servers gathered and had a parade of nations. Everyone was cheering a waving their napkins over their heads. It was a magical way of ending a magical cruise. We chatted with Pairog and told him of our plans for the following year hoping to see him and Eduard again. One more photo and we headed off. To where? Wasn’t sure at that moment. Us with Eduard and Pairog
We strolled around the ship for a while taking in our last night on the Magic. I've always loved how really quiet the upper deck can be at this hour. I took a few night time photos and we leisurely made our way back to our stateroom. We were greeted by our last towel critter, a little crab and earlier when Dan handed our new stateroom hostess her tip envelope I couldn't help wonder what happened to make the change. Of course I didn't learn of any incidents until we arrived home. Knowing that we had to be ready for second breakfast in the morning, I got our things together, checking and double checking that nothing would be left behind. This ritual would be repeated tomorrow, once or maybe twice before closing the door for the last time. It was time to call it a night.
Next....Goodbye Magic!
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Last edited by shadowryter; 03-17-2015 at 07:09 PM..
What a lovely day not on Castaway Cay! Sorry about the Post Office. I'd love the hot tub to myself but don't know if I could give up Serenity Bay... As always, some beautiful pictures!!
The muesli at the buffet on DCL is my favorite breakfast. Theirs is the best I've ever had. What a gorgeous day at CC! The photos of the water and the island are spectacular!
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Wow! What incredible photos! I'm sad this is over soon because I look forward to your updates and photos. What a wonderful day you had. The one time we went to CC the post office was closed too.
What a great final day! It was lovely to see photos of an almost empty ship and I know that feeling, as we did something similar on our day in Castaway Cay on our recent cruise and it was lovely to feel as if we had the whole ship to ourselves.
Just chiming in on your TR! Looks like a nice start with the exception of that surprise discovery in your Hyatt room! Yikes! I will be staying there for a night before my cruise, which begins precisely two weeks from today! Certainly looking forward to it and can't get here soon enough! Just finished Page 1!
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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 day not on Castaway Cay! Sorry about the Post Office. I'd love the hot tub to myself but don't know if I could give up Serenity Bay... As always, some beautiful pictures!!
It was peaceful alright! I love Serenity Bay too but it was soooo nice to be practically alone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
The muesli at the buffet on DCL is my favorite breakfast. Theirs is the best I've ever had. What a gorgeous day at CC! The photos of the water and the island are spectacular!
Thanks. Love the muesli. I search it out all the time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Love the pictures around the ship!
CC is my favorite place on earth, so don't think I could stay on board.
Thank you. You should try it just once. You don't have to stay all day. There's still enough time to go to CC.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Wow! What incredible photos! I'm sad this is over soon because I look forward to your updates and photos. What a wonderful day you had. The one time we went to CC the post office was closed too.
Thanks. I have had no luck with that Post Office.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
What a great final day! It was lovely to see photos of an almost empty ship and I know that feeling, as we did something similar on our day in Castaway Cay on our recent cruise and it was lovely to feel as if we had the whole ship to ourselves.
I think sometimes you just get to a point where you enjoy a CC day on the ship.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
What a beautiful day! I'm glad you got your burger done your way! I like mine a little pink in the middle too! Who wants a dry, cardboard burger?
Not me. And now that I know I will special order all the time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iwonathomas
What a nice leisurely last day on board.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
Just chiming in on your TR! Looks like a nice start with the exception of that surprise discovery in your Hyatt room! Yikes! I will be staying there for a night before my cruise, which begins precisely two weeks from today! Certainly looking forward to it and can't get here soon enough! Just finished Page 1!
Hi Dave, glad you could make it. Your trip is soooo soon. You're going to love it. The Hyatt is really nice. We had an eewww moment but it passed. I'd stay there again.
I had hoped to finish this much sooner than now. Drama has decreased quite a bit though I was faced with the possibility of cancelling my cruise this year. Crisis averted. That and I had to have my wisdom teeth taken out. Lot's of fun for an adult. But I managed. So enough of me. Let's finish this TR!
December 21st …Goodbye Magic!
I awoke first stumbling to the porthole to see we were indeed back at Port Canaveral. I could see the buses all lined up waiting for their passengers to disembark and heading to the airport or maybe the “World”. Lucky ducks! I checked again as I knew I would and we left and headed for breakfast. Pairog and Eduard soon appeared and we made our choices oddly both the same. One last cup of coffee and one more farewell and we started our disembarkation. Our cruise course
Awaiting buses
Freedom of the Seas
Last breakfast
A reminder
CM waving goodbyeSigh…. On our way
Arriving at MCO
So with this cruise we have finally sailed all four ships. Dan’s favorite is the Fantasy while mine is whichever I am on at the time. Lol! I just love them all I guess.
Final thoughts…
I loved having a Palo day. I also enjoyed having a massage before formal night. It made everything seem so much more special. An awesome way to celebrate our 25th and Dan’s big 5-0. To me I felt as if my meals kind of lacked seasoning, though Palo was absolutely perfect both brunch and dinner. I was a bit disappointed that we never made it to Fathoms. There was always something going on in there and when there wasn’t we were doing something. I really wanted my Blue Tang which if you read the ingredients sounds an awful lot like my fav Paris 75. Oh well, next time?
That you all for letting me share yet another voyage with you. I’ve enjoyed my time writing my PTR and this TR. I hope I didn’t overwhelm you with so many photos but that’s my thing as you all know. Take care everyone. I’ll try to keep the drama at bay for my next journey. Until then….
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It was lovely to see photos of an almost empty ship and I know that feeling, as we did something similar on our day in Castaway Cay on our recent cruise and it was lovely to feel as if we had the whole ship to ourselves.
Looks like a nice start with the exception of that surprise discovery in your Hyatt room! Yikes! 
I will be staying there for a night before my cruise, which begins precisely two weeks from today! 
Just finished Page 1!
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