Sat/Sun July 28th & 29th - "Ketchup" Time

Ketchup Time

OK well let’s see how this synopsis works:

Today is Sunday. We boarded the Magic on Saturday about 12:30 pm. We left The Hotel Royal at 11:45 got to the port around 12’ish and were in the line by 12:10. It looked a bit unorganized but luck was on our side. We sailed through the line and were onboard by 12:30. NOTE: although there was no line stating no photos I thought I’d push it to see. While in line to enter and before the x-ray machine, I snapped a quick one of the girls in line. Sure enough, 2 seconds later a guard came over and asked – I thought brusquely until I remembered we were in Spain – they swallow their letters – when I confirmed he told me erase it. I did – showed him how I did it and then after thanked me. All in all, he was very polite and sounded gracious after word. Not like in LA. You’d get your camera taken away so no photos here ok.

We got to Topsiders and had buffet brunch. After we finished it was time for our rooms. We got rooms 2083 and 2085. Inside staterooms – when we walked in there was a smell but I contribute it to the ship being fueled. DH called engineering anyway and they promptly brought up an air purifier.

Forgot to mention that while eating the buffet I started showing around a picture of our head server from our PC cruise and long story short, one of the waiters went and got him. As we were leaving, up comes Alen (from Croatia) with the waiter who RAN and got him. I was so excited to see him that I just hugged him. LOL, right in front of Steve. This is unusual for those that know me. I was just so happy to see a face that I recognized after such a long time. And this never ceases to amaze me, he remembered DH, April and myself, took a second for the names but he came up with the location of our last cruises under him. WOW! Must be a prerequisite or something! Anyway, he managed to take us up to Palos and get some kinks straightened out. He is no longer a waiter but the dining supervisor! It’s good to know people in high places. Turns out we are sitting alone but that’s ok – I requested to be at least under our old beverage server – Collin from Trinidad. That evening dinner was in Parrot Cay – we saw Collin – it took a second but BAM! When DH asked – remember us – he told us – OMG! Of course, my old friends. (He has a new food waiter – Putu is gone) but sure enouh in a matter of seconds he was confirming what I suspected – it must be a requisite of memory to work here. He even told us that he still has a magnet of he and April from 2 yrs ago on his fridge at home. Then he proceeded to shock DH when he asked him if he still had his laptop and was planning on bringing it to dinner sometime soon. LOL, the whole table got a laugh out of that.

Later, we went upstairs and caught the sail-away party. It wasn’t quite as large as the ones in FL but it was nice not being in the HOT sun. After, we dropped by the store – which was open in port and bought some special pins and what not for the cruise. They have some wonderful Med souvenirs. So of course, “he” (DH) managed to hit the $120 minimum for a VAT refund that first night.

Let’s see – got to bed around midnight- tried texting to Pam some messages and got the error message so I though. See next page….


Sunday, July 29, 2008


Today got up at 8:45 which is 11:45 pm PST time. Today is our first sea day with tonight being formal night. YIPPEEE! I get to try my new black dress Steve bought me in El Cortes Ingles in Barcelona. Its kinda simple black dress with tiny rhinstones ornamentation but at least it flatters me better than what I have.

Ok , got to the DIS meet at 9:30 with DH, April and later on Megan and Yesenia joined us. Priscilla, poor thing was still trying to recover from jet lag. It has hit hard but I think I am getting adjusted to it. Watch Out, Pam – I MAY and I stress MAY just get up before you – (Course keep in mind – this is the ONLY time it may happen – LOL)

Anyway, had a wonderful time getting to meet everyone. I was a bit shy at first but after decided to swallow that and just jump in. Meet Brian (Former CPer) who was the guy responsible for designing our logo and finally met DanfromCA who cleaned it up for all of us. Dan really is a great guy with a great sense of humor – can’t wait to spend more time talking to him. Unfortunately, Dan’s bags didn’t make this cruise but is hoping to catch up to us in Naples (Sorry Dan – didn’t mean to gossip) but I like his attitude, he told me that he needed to rush off and get as much clothes as he can before his bags catch up as that money that is going towards clothes will be his souvenirs $$. Did I mention that Dan has a fabulous sense of humor? Great Guy.

Mingled a bit, meet mostly everyone that I have been corresponding with for the last 4 months. Also, tooks lots of photos of everyone and they are great, Thanks Jeanne (Kyla), she ordered the lanyards, kudos to Brian (FormerCPer) and Dan as mentioned above for they design and clean-up. Finally met Mary Jo AKA MJ – she really is beautiful – don’t let her say anything else. Helen – is also beautiful she managed to say hi just before they headed off for Palo’s brunch. Oh yeah – meet up with Julie – I like her – we’ll be stalking each other all over Europe for the next 4-5 weeks. ROTFL! Her daughters and she beautiful too! Finally caught up with DIsneySpirit – Tom and Lynn, beautiful people – ok everybody – everyone chime in – “Everything is beautiful……”

After went to brunch in Topsiders and although the scrambled eggs were gone, had a wonderful omelet and other stuff. Got some sweet cantelope. Awesome fruit. HOWEVER, they cannot compete with the farmer’s market in Barcelona- that was awesome and I went picture crazy there. Will have to post a picture blog someday!

Later, went to an enrichment lecture Series presentation done by Dr. Kenneth Pearl on Pompeii. Lots of interesting info on Pompeii and Herculaneum. Although Herculaneum is a bit more preserved than Pompeii – he said that Pompeii’s ash/cover is easier to excavate than Herculaneum. More damage here due to heavier ash and rubble. Everything collapsed whereas in Pompeii some held up.

Steve and I then took a 1 ½ hr nap in order to keep me from being grumpy.

OH yeah – some bit of bad news, nothing major, Steve and I attended a DVC membership
presentation after. While there, I got up to get some cookies and a drink, as I did, an older lady with a large bag managed to bump into me, I fell back a step, she then swung around to ask me if I was ok when the next think I know, we hear a WHOMP! Can you guess what it was?
Yes, my camera was swept off the table in Studio Sea. My jaw just dropped. I looked at the flash and immediately knew that it was gone. My hope immediately turned to – OH NO! Please don’t have cracked the lens. I didn’t know what to say when the lady asked me – Did I do that? What do you say to that. I just looked at DH and swallowed and just nodded no. She moved on. I wanted to cry but being on a Disney mood, my next thought after checking out my camera and taking some test shots were – it seems alright. Oh Well, ‘bout time for a new flash. This one was at least 4 yrs old. It was a Canon 420 EX flash but at least , I hope, its just the flash. The bottom 2 screws came undone, cracked open, the red face on the front broke but the face is still intact and when I attached it and held it down on the camera, the shoe still contacts and syncs with the camera. Steve later on that evening managed to tape it together. It will hold for a few days but its definitely time for a new flash. Now, if this was ordinary Laura, I would have screamed and thrown a tantrum but seeing as this is the new and improved Laura – I swallowed it a bit and moved on. Consoled myself with the thought – no use crying over spilt milk and maybe this is why God blessed with a working spouse so he takes pity on my mishaps. NOT MY FAULT FOLKS, really, how can I blame grandma. OK on to something else.
Took a nap. Got ready for formal night, missed The Golden Mickey show but I have seen it. Megan took Priscilla and Yesenia to see it and they enjoyed it. Got all pretty and made it out by 8 pm to take pictures. They have a Med Route backdrop with Capt Tom on it. He looked much better since he was wearing his dark outfit and the background was light. Took pictures there and managed to finagle one of the entire party, our family, and the older girls with Capt Tom. I’m sure the party behind us wasn’t too happy. Also, there are 2 different pretty backgrounds, one with Roman arches and one with an Italian canal/water drop as the background. Very pretty and about time they came up with something different.

Tonight was dinner in Lumiere’s. When we walked in managed to corral Alen into taking us to our table. He is such a sweet man. When one of the waiters tried to take us – Alen said – that’s ok – they are my special guests. WOW! Made me feel special. Dining Supervisor and all. Made sure that the rest of my party realized the special attn we were getting. The rest of the evening was the same, first to have our orders, appetizers, entrees and desserts.

Just as we were about to get up and leave, Brent our CD came on the loudspeaker. Apparently there has been a medical health crisis that necessitates the Magic to stop in the nearest port thus delaying our 1st stop in Palermo by 2 hrs. We will be stopping in the nearest port – Sardinia and doing a medical evacuation. We will get into Palermo at 9:30 instead of the scheduled 7 am. We were supposed to leave at 5:30 but will now be leaving at 9:30 (well that is all aboard time). So, sorry for the victim/patient but the bright side to this is that at least we get to sleep in a bit. I am just a bit worried that our private tour guide (read not DCL) doesn’t think we are a no show. I inquired of our head server, Stephane from France if the ship notifies the incoming port and he assured me that they did.

OK all, that is all for now, just wanted to write this down and make my first attempt at posting via DCL. BTW, as expected, some problems with internet and heard from a crew member that by today or tomorrow, we should be able to log on via wireless laptops. I am going to try it out soon. I typed this on word and am hoping to figure out how to post it to save time on the internet café. The prices are as usual - $0.75 pr minute or packages of time the biggest being 500 minutes for $150.00 dollars. Guess which one Megan signed up for? LOL

OK, we just received a revised updated info: all ashore time in Palermo will be 9:30 am. All aboard time is 6:30 pm. OH well, so much for Chicken Boy – AKA Brent the CD’s info.

OK , better go – as this is one long puppy! Later all. Hope I can keep up – tomorrow starts a week of fast and furious days.

Hope your all enjoying! Love to all – miss you all (OK not really it just came out – LOL) but I really do wish friends and family could have come but with my novels hopefully you’ll all feel as if you’re here and you are - in spirit that is.

Wish me luck – these puppies of mine (legs) are tired. PHEW! Bye!