Sea day four / End of the cruise.
Well the inevitable comes, it's the last full cruise day and we are now all think I g about disembarkation tomorrow. On reflection it has been a fantastic cruise.
The plans for the day, well I was up early and went to Cabanas for breakfast the rest of the family had a lay in. Weather wise it's sunny blue sky's but a very strong breeze, partly as we are going very fast at 20 knots but also in the open seas. The seas are choppy but on our deck and pool deck we do not feel any movement.
I went for a swim in Cove cafe, fine water was a bit cold but ok to swim on, lots of people have reserved chairs with towels but few people there and not being enforced as before.
Tonight's show is Disney Dreams and the meal is till we meet again and in the lobby they will have the till we meet again character parade at 10.15pm.
I have just finalised my tips, increasing them for everyone above the pre paid amounts and also instructed guest services for the concierge tip.
We have our second Palo brunch at 12 noon today so more lunch than brunch, and then we need to think about packing for disembarkation.
Highlights, so pleased we booked our own private tours in each port that worked very well and those who joined us fully agreed, seeing the forty odd coaches outside on arrival each day and the groups being bearded around on whisper systems, not getting good photo opportunities hitting the restrooms and lunch all at the same time, our decisions were sound there. Service overall has been above and beyond expectations, they have gone a few notches up on this cruise, only encounter one rude staff member an officer, but the rest have been very nice and accommodating. On board booking desk is doing a roaring trade and when people ask to book the Norwegian fjord cruises it's often sorry sold out. The Baltic's 2015 are similar nearly sold out.
DCL is fully aware how popular the European cruises are and are looking at the future.
Interesting development of the cruise was that they had the International ambassador, Arnaldo, who in very show translated into Spanish what Brent had said. It does take an extra five minutes to deliver which eats into show time. It shows how popular the cruises are with Spaniards, some 25% on this cruise and increasing on the for coming 4/6/7 night cruises with dinner moved to 9pm for late sitting.
A word about last nights show, Junk, from the UK a very good show to a full house and very well received, very funny, just do not try to leave the show whilst it is on.
The guest entertainers overall have been very good, the extra. DCL cast shows, over Dreams, Villains, and Twice Charmed have been a little sub park with The dream goes on more like a Disney advert.
Internet has remained very good all cruise but it's fast to use up on the data packages now.
Shops have been doing a roaring grade selling out of some goods and clothing sizes early.
It was said pre cruise on the Internet that we needed our passports on every port of call and we took them they do remind you on the ship to take photo ID, whilst they asked this not once did we every show or were asked to show our passports or photo ID, any port with security just checked your cruise card and on the ship they have your photo linked to the card. They are however most strict on children below 18 they cannot get off unless the parent is there and the parent scans their card just before the child.
We have been told this is the re imagined Magic, well to me it's been the good old Magic with a couple of upgrades, 95% of it is the old Magic, Cabanas is the most noticeable improvement and works very well, we were used to it from the Fantasy. The rest blends in as it was before, Carioca's is basically Parrot Cay with new lampshades, Animators has been brought up to date and was great to be in on Pirate night. Animation Magic was fun brought over from the Fantasy. The kids clubs look nice, as well as the adult district After hours but it's more of a facelift than a change.
We have taken thousands of photos and have all the navigators these will uploaded post our holiday, we have a tour on Thursday picking us up in the port and dropping us at our hotel for two nights, then Friday we have some visits booked in Barcelona before flying back Saturday afternoon.
For those who have been reading my blog and I know it's a heck of a lot of people from the hits, a big thank you, keep tuned and bookmarked as we have the quality photos and inflation to come that we can't post on the spot, whilst we are on vacation.
We have our tips prepared, we have Chip and Dale luggage tags, and welcome to Barcelona instructions. Brent said he is on ship for a few more cruises in the Med then his ACD Natalie takes over. Our concierge Angelia leaves this cruise and is taken over by Wendy.
Great weather all this cruise hot sunny, blue sky's maybe a bit to hot.
MickeyMed Final 2014 886
