Long Overdue Pictures from October 08 cruise on the Disney Magic...

Hello.

I went on a 7 day cruise on the Magic in late October of 08. I then proceeded to lose the memory card containing the photos. Finally recovered, here are some pictures and minor commentary from the cruise.
I went on the ship as a guest of my friend who was a mainstage performer. So, although I did not have the full experience, I still had full guest priviledges, ate in all the restaurants, saw all the shows, did all the port days etc. The only difference was that I was staying on the floor in my friend's room and not in a state room (oh yeah, and I paid A LOT less!).
Our scheduled ports were Castaway Cay, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Castway Cay (again). But due to really windy weather, Grand Cayman was cancelled and replaced by Key West (a welcome change judging by the response when it was announced during breakfast).

The Welcome Aboard Show. People love streamers!
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0343.jpg

Choreographed streamer dancing
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0349.jpg

The Animator's Palatte, pre coloring. This place is hard to photograph. Oh yeah, I was busy eating...
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0354.jpg

The post color change dance line, featuring Sorcerer Mickey.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0362.jpg

Castaway Cay from atop the ship. Please notice the unfinished backside of the Flying Dutchman.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0372.jpg

Me and the backside of the ship.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0374.jpg

That one ship from that one movie.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0376.jpg

The Dutchman and the Magic (this is not the name of a new sitcom, btw)
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0377.jpg

Bike riding on Castaway Cay. Rumor is the island has a runway because it as formerly a drug running island, leading to Disney getting it for a steal. Oh yeah, and it's also supposedly in some of the most shark infested waters in the Caribbean (hence the nets in the lagoon keeping the big fish out)
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0381.jpg

Before my first snorkel adventure. We saw a barracuda, a manta ray, and assorted other seafood.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0393.jpg

Castaway Cay "family" beach
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0394.jpg
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The "adult" beach on the other side of the island. No, not "adult" in that way. Check out the storm brewing. It hit about five minutes after this and everyone left the beach except us. Fifteen minutes later it stopped and, lo and behold, instant private beach.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0398.jpg

Dessert at Palo, the amazing restaurant on the back of the ship. Clockwise from Top Left: Some chocolate ganache tower thing, some custard and berry thing, tiramisu (before fresh espresso was added), and the legendary Chocolate Souffle (they ask you during your meal if you want it and then they bake it fresh). EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING. Not pictured: The mediocre (by comparison) dessert pizza.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0411.jpg

Cozumel from the ship.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0454.jpg

Some of the slums in Cozumel. Yeah, we went by these on our own. They're probably not on any of Disney's shore excursions.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0465.jpg

We rented a car and visited Mayan Ruins on Cozumel
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0469.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0496.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0510.jpg

Late afternoon in windy, windy Cozumel
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0533.jpg

Pirate Party on board, featuring more food, more follow along dancing for the guests, and FIREWORKS shot off the ship (Which double as protection from Somalian pirates*.)
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0552.jpg
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0562.jpg
*this is probably not true.

Key West! This fancy old movie house is now a Walgreens! Who needs old timey movies when you could have school supplies and hemorrhoid creme???
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0576.jpg

Everything in Key West is the southern most something or another...
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0580.jpg

I am almost the southern most person taking a lame picture. Almost.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0589.jpg

American Gothic statues in front of a museum in Key West
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0615.jpg

Here's where I was going to post a picture of a statue of Matisse's The Dance. But apparently, Photobucket does not allow nudity. Even if it is fake, plaster, and based on one of the most famous paintings in Modern Art.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0616.jpg

This girl won the costume contest (oh yeah, Halloween happened during our cruise) with this awesome Corpse Bride costume.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0641.jpg

We returned back to Castaway Cay. Here is a crab...
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0652.jpg

And an umbrella...
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0655.jpg

And the obligatory pool shot...
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0659.jpg

Last night farewell show in the Atrium.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0667.jpg

And the most ridiculous picture I have ever been involved with...
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0100.jpg

Great trip report, thanks for sharing!

I loved the pictures. It looks like fun.

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

Those photos are great! The one with Mickey is great! Was this your first Disney Cruise? Was there a lot of Children during October? What was the highlight of your Cruise?

Nice report and pics. Well worth the wait :D

@bibbidi This was not my first cruise but it was my first Disney cruise. I'm really hoping one of my friends gets on the ship with the European itinerary as I'd love to visit on that tour.
There were a good deal of kids but I didn't see a lot of them because they were kept pretty busy with all their activities. (except for the dessert buffet when I sat with a bunch of 14-17 year old who told me they didn't like Disney cruises versus the other cruises as it was much harder to underage drink on Disney cruises. Umm... what?) It was definitely a family cruise, mostly families on board. Not really any young people my age (except for those with kids)
I had a lot of highlights. Snorkeling was great. So was renting a car and driving around Cozumel. Palo was one of the best meals I've had in a long time.

That is awesome, thank you for sharing. One of the doctors I work with is going on the European one with her son and husband! That one sounds like so much fun! That would be awesome if you went with your friend again. Ive never snorkeled before so that one will be interesting for my first time. I hear Palo is fantastic for dinning, so I am looking forward to that as well.

How was the weather? Im going in October and I hope it doesnt rain!!! It looks like you guys ran into some pretty bad weather. We plan to go on the 15th of October. Im crossing my fingers we get great weather!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again for sharing your photos I enjoyed them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JL Skellington

And the most ridiculous picture I have ever been involved with...
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/IMG_0100.jpg

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This is a once in a lifetime photo. Absolutely amazing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by moriarty

This is a once in a lifetime photo. Absolutely amazing.

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I think it's an AWESOME photo, I wanna do one like that!

Great report! I am going on my first Disney Cruise On Aug. 1.

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Originally Posted by WheresMickey

Great report! I am going on my first Disney Cruise On Aug. 1.

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How fun! Take lots of photos :)

Too funny! I'm glad you found your memory card & could post your TR!

I really enjoyed your report. Thanks for sharing. Better to have a late trip report than no trip report at all!! Nice photos. That jumping one w/Fantasmic Mickey is hilarious!

Great pictures! I did that cruise a few years ago, lots of fun. Glad you found your card and posted the trip. Now I want to go on another cruise.