Day 1 - All Aboard

Day 1 – All Aboard

Our adventures began right away on this trip. We were scheduled to ride one of the Pirate buses organized by other pirates from the DIS Boards. Fortunately one of the coordinators was in our hotel. We would be thankful for that later 

Ken went to McDonalds to grab a quick breakfast while I finished checking email. Ken signaled that he was leaving and was half way down the street before he realized that Peter had not joined them. I’m sure it was some scene in McDs when Ken found Peter checking out the Happy Meal toys. . . LOL

After a quick breakfast, we gathered our many bags and headed out to the curb to catch the Pirate Bus. We were there at 8:30 and three other families had made it as well. Then we waited. Finally at 9:30 our bus arrived; only to find out there was no more room for ANY luggage. As the women (or hens as Ken called us) chatted and made phone calls, the men took charge and loaded the luggage into the seats in the front of the bus. Oh, did I mention our driver was extremely upset and screaming in Japanese to someone on his cell phone. We were unsure if he spoke much English as he didn’t understand much of our directions.

And we’re off to catch our cruise. We had originally intended to stop for water at a local grocery store, but decided against it as a group due to the lateness of the hour and the attitude of the driver. When we arrived at the Port of Los Angeles, our driver started driving around a parking lot agacent to the cruise terminal. He finally stopped in front of a row of port-a-potties (we wondered if this was our potty break . . .LOL). Security guards with guns started running towards us . . . .to open the gate to let us into the cruise terminal. We finally made it to the Disney Magic.

Board was a bit odd from Florida. We got to the LONG Castaway line (the line for folks that have sailed on DCL previously) and got checked in. However we still didn’t have a boarding number. I chatted with a few other folks from our DIS group and they didn’t have boarding number either. By the time I found out we needed to go to the other side of the building, they were passing out #12!!!!(we’ve never been more than 4!!!). Needless to say we were a bit disappointed, but knew they wouldn’t leave without us.

We boarded around 1 PM. Parrot Cay was pretty crowded so we grabbed a quick bit at Topsiders. It was great sitting out on the warm deck and enjoying the view of the California hills. (ADD PICS)

While waiting for our cabin to be ready, we went to visit the Stack. This is Kaleb’s first year in the teen hangout. We were glad there were counselors there to watch out for them. They had also redone the Stack again. It was more open and had more hanging around spaces out in the open.

Finally our cabin for the next 15 days was ready for us to enjoy! We were in #2108 this time. It’s just down the hall from the aft elevators. Plus it is on the same hall as the 2nd deck laundry and Ocean Quest (where Peter will be spending his days). The Castaway gift was the best yet. It was a large carry bag, a red mesh bag (as before), two water bottles, and notebook for a journal. The carry bag will be great for heading to the Rainforest.

At 2:00 PM we had our first DIS Meet on Deck 10. It was cool meeting so many faces we had been talking to for the past 18 months, but way too hot to stand on that deck for very long . . .LOL After the lifeboat drill with our bright orange life preservers, Ken and the boys headed to the Sail Away party on Deck 10. Me, I headed back to the room to finish unpacking ALL the luggage we brought. With only 6 suitcases for 4 people, I thought we packed pretty light, but those bags didn’t feel light. I also wanted to start laundry, but the quarters and detergent were in the last bag (or so I thought).

Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for our 8 PM dinner. I had paid for they cruise long Rainforest Room, so I headed up there for a shower. I had the place to myself!! The showers are amazing with cool faucets (I selected the rainshower type) and aromatherapy soaps and shampoos. After a quick shower there, I was already feeling refreshed. I can’t wait to go back and hang out in the Rainforest room! When I got back to the room, the men folk were finishing up their preparations and we were off to our first dinner on the cruise.

We were excited to start at Lumiere’s. It’s the classiest of the restaurants. The food was amazing as always. I had a chicken wrap appetizer, Blue Crab and Seafood Chowder, a huge steak, and Mint chocolate chip ice cream with carmel sauce.

By the time dinner was over, I realized how tired I was. As much as I wanted to enjoy some of the adult shows, I knew I would just fall asleep. We headed back to the cabin to snooze – well , all except Kaleb. Kaleb headed to the Stack for the 411. I’d read on the boards that the teens need to be there the first night to get to know everyone. Kaleb was back by 11:15 PM. We slept as only you can sleep on a comfy bed and rolling seas.

More tomorrow.