25 Days on the Disney Magic to Europe About This Page:

[Disneybine]

Wow, Bruce, I love your trip report! You have a very refreshing sense of humor

Can't wait to hear how you like the Mediterranean Sea. I just looked at the ports of call and I haven't been to ANY of them . Oh wait, I see you're going to Monte Carlo, Cannes and Nice. I especially like Monte Carlo - can't beat that grand casino

Keep us updated!

[mickeychelle]

Thanks for the info. Nice to know what to look forward to when I take the return trip in August. Can't wait!!!!! 2 cruises in 8 months!!! I will have 24 days on the Magic total. Let us know how the sea legs are?

[jns]

Hi there
love your report

looking forward to hearing all about it
any photos

[dmpyron]

Grrr. Wish you were here. And I was there. Oh well, I guess somebody has to do the vicarious living. Thanks. Have a blast.

[Pjpoohbear]

love the report, it is great to all that is interesting you.

[EeyoreNeedsLoveToo]

I am loving the report as well, and determined to get on an extended cruise someday --

[MakiraMarlena]

hey Bruce - do they still have computer stations on the ship or do you HAVE to bring a laptop now? I have no intention of bringing mine to Europe but i want on-ship internet.

[Jillybean]

Okay, I'm hooked!

I am SO glad that you agreed to do this tr because you have the most wonderful writing style!

Keep it coming . . . please!

Jill

[MontiMouse]

Music from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. On a Disney Cruise! Yeah that is a bit strange!

Can't wait to hear about the "spa" haircut! My husband would never have agreed to that - no way, no how, never!!!

[seeboo]

Love hearing about your report. I had so much fun on the May 5-12 that my family just wanted to stay on the boat for the extra 14 days..

[Zazu]

The days are beginning to run together, with a similar pattern to each. Up at 8, brunch at Lumiere's at 9, food demo with Epcot Executive Chef Christine Weissman at 10, lecture at 11, nap at 12, etc. It's a hard life, but *somebody* has to live it!

Christine is German and it shows. Her first three demos all included potatos. "I *like* potatos," she says. So do we once she's done with them. Potato Pancakes, Potato and Leek Consume, Potato Gnocchi... tomorrow it's apple strudel, and we can't wait to see how she manages to get potatos into that!

The lecture series has been most interesting. Dean Papavassiliou has lived and worked in 50 countries for the State Department or World Bank, and has a historian's appreciation for the changes of the past few decades. In addition to his lectures, he hosts a current events discussion group each day. Only a handful tend to show up for these, but always interesting people with something to say. We've had chats about education with a official for a state department of education, oil futures with an oil company economist, health care with a hospital manager, and the Iraq problem with everybody. It's a nice change from the pure hedonism that's most cruising activities.

The seas have calmed enough that wifi is working again and only the drunks are walking crooked. Not so the wind, which has been hitting near gale force and making the Deck 4 promenade too soggy for exercise. (I'm *so* disappointed!) The Tropicalifragilisticexpialidocious Deck Party was postponed by a day, which put me in diner wearing the wrong loud shirt.

Tonights dinner was a new, "Farewell to the Caribbean" menu, which we were allowed to keep. There are some keepers on it, such as Caribbean Spiced Pot Stickers with Creole Dip or Pink Salmon and Jalepeño Dumpling appetizers, and entrees like Polynesian Seafood Rissoto with grilled lobster or Cajun Baked Bahamian Snapper. I do have to go do some research on which of the polynesian islands has lobsters though.

[Zazu]

Today we concentrated on *not* doing things. We did not go to Ducky Williams' character drawing lesson; we did not go to the Tourist Spanish lesson; we did not go see "Bridge to Tarabithia"; we did not watch "The Art of the Story"; and we *way* didn't take part in "Krazy Karioke"!!!

We still had a full day. We did take in Christine's cooking demo (she didn't find a way to put potatos in the strudel, thank goodness); we did attend a lecture on the history of the Iberian peninsula (now Spain, Portugal, and Gibraltar); we did enjoy the afternoon current events discussion and would have attended towel folding if it hadn't conflicted; and as ever, we ate and drank too much. I also sat close enough to the "Disney Tune Trivia" to overhear the music -- got all but one right, and that one was an instrumental piece from "Cars". Gotta go see that again, I suppose.

Another one-off dinner menu tonight, "Transatlantic". Double Baked Guyère Cheese Souffle, Crown of Scallops and Caviar Macedoine; Duck and Armangnac Consumme with Black Trumpet Mushrooms and Chestnuts Quenelles; Grilled "Cote de Boeuf" Madeira and Black Truffle Gravy, Grilled Salmon with Creamy Risotto and a Barolo Wine Sauce, Blueberry Souffle.... Is it just me, or is my cabin actually getting smaller?

I haven't mentioned our dinner companions yet because we weren't sure who they were yet. The first night we and a friend shared an 8-top with a family of five. Two kids who were suffering badly from jet-lag (we have the 8:30 seating), their parents (dad was a bit daft), and grandmother, who was sharp as a whip and most interesting. Alas, the kids made friends with kids on the first seating and they transferred away. The next few nights the head server told us that other families were asking for changes and we'd soon have another family join us. Apparently, this cruise has had more requests for table changes than any six normal cruises, and he seemed a bit harried by it all. The transfer to our table never did happen, so it's just the three of us at the big table. We've decided to start inviting others to join us just so it won't seem so lonely.

Big event this evening: other ships were spotted! A small cargo ship, perhaps 2/3 the size of the Magic, we passed at perhaps half a mile distance. Later a very small sailboat blew past going west at about the same distance. The captain blew our whistle for them and nearly blew them off course!

The strangest thing is that I've actually caught up on my email and have started in on the books and magazines I brought. Some cruises I never get that far, so I consider that a very good sign.

Much better to think it good than to think I'm going daft from too many consecutive days at sea!

[Colexis Mom]

More great updates!! I'm glad you're finally "relaxing" Keep it coming

[chezp]

More great updates!

[DrDolphin]

Wonderful updates!!!