Linda Mac's Orlando Adventures

Welcome back to The Disney Magic.

Every Disney Cruise starts with the Sailaway Party that includes energetic dancers, singers and of the course our favorite characters. Goofy appears first from ship’s bridge via the jumbo video screen over the family pool. It’s a great place to watch a Disney film or an NFL game as we did during MouseFest. Following Goofy, the party really kicks into high gear when Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Chip and Dale arrive on stage.

The skies were clear so it made for a perfect party and what a way to start our 6-day adventure, dancing and singing with at least 2000 of our newest friends.

John and Cathy needed a rest after the Sailaway Party. But their nap wouldn’t last too long since they were lounging under the ship’s horn and it was about to blast the musical notes to “When You Wish Upon a Star” in celebration of the ship setting sail. When it happened we all laughed so hard because a member of ship's crew makes an announcement to warn people. But in a split second of the end of the warning message, the horn sounded and we jumped what seemed like 10 feet in the air.

Tonight, Deb, Linda Lou and I hosted a casual get together in the Promenade Lounge followed by dinner in Lumiere’s. Minnie Mouse was in the lobby so I stopped for a quick photo.

After some great conversation over cocktails and sodas in the Promenade Lounge, it’s off to Lumiere's for our first dinner and to meet our table mates. My fantastic table mates for the cruise will be Michelle, Jimmy, Debra, Rob, Linda Lou and Deb Wills. I always opt for the Second Seating, which in our case will begin at 8:15 each night. Our dining rotation will be Lumiere's, followed by two nights in Artist’s Palette and finally two nights in Parrot Cay. Disney Cruise Line does something unique when it comes to dining. Guests and their assigned servers travel to different restaurants during the course of the cruise. On this special 5-night cruise, a formal night has been added for our Day at Sea, which at this point is set for Wednesday evening. I most likely will not be attending formal night or Pirates depending on which one falls on Thursday evening. My plans as of today (Monday) are to have brunch at Palo’s, a relaxing afternoon, maybe a nap, a buffet dinner at Topsiders and finally, finding a comfy deck chair on Deck 9 to watch the NY Giants play the Washington Redskins on Jumbo LED Screen.

Time for dinner and I would to like to give you more details but the effects of the anti-seasick pills I took earlier in the day left me in a great big fog. I usually don’t take medication, but with Hanna lurking around the Atlantic Ocean, I thought better safe than sorry. The seas were a little rough but I think that was just from crossing the Gulf Stream.

Next Day 2, Castaway Cay and the Stingray Adventure………