Live from the Panama Canal Cruise with Jennifer, Dave, and Alexander About This Page:

[Jennifer Marx]

Greetings from the Disney Magic enroute to the Panama Canal!

Life is wonderful here onboard. Tuesday night was formal night and the three of us got dressed in our tuxedos (boys) and gown. Golden Mickeys was playing, and as it was only the second time I had seen it, I thoroughly enjoyed it -- Cruella was particularly delightful. After the show we had formal portraits taken (oh, I have to remember to go look for them today!). Alexander looked so dashing in his tuxedo!


Alexander in his baby tuxedo


We all dressed up!

Dinner was at Animator's Palate, which had been transformed into the "Mouseketeer Club." Each diner received commemorative Mickey Mouse Club buttons that say "Disney Magic Eastbound Panama canal Voyage 2005." Even the servers got into the act with classic Mouseketeer garb and mouse ears. The only problem was with the soundtrack -- it kept playing the "Mickey Mouse Club March" over and over! Arrrrggh! Almost as bad as "it's a small world!"


Hungry boys at Animator's Palate


Our friends Bruce and Marta at dinner

After dinner we dropped off Alexander at the nursery for two hours so we could see an adult show at Rockin' Bar D -- comedian and ventriloquist Taylor Mason. Very funny! And the club was packed! We had to sit in folding chairs on the dance floor. We ventured over to Sessions after the show and noticed it was storming outside, complete with spectacular lighting bolts that lit up the entire sky and ocean. So we hurried up to deck 4 to take in the sights -- many other people had had the same idea and the decks were crowded! It was quite an amazing light show.


Getting ready for bed (or hoping he'll just fall asleep SOON)

The following morning our ship berthed in Acapulco! We dragged ourselves out of bed around 11:00 am. Using the "View from the Bridge" channel helped a bit, but it was so overcast and rainy this morning that it wasn't a clear night/day view. It's SO easy to oversleep in an inside stateroom. Anyway, we went up to Topsider's for lunch and sat outside so we could marvel at the gorgeous views. Acapulco is certainly one of the most attractive ports I've ever seen.


Acapulco and the Magic

We'd booked an excursion -- Acapulco Highlights Tour -- that began at 1:30 pm. The excursion began with a 10-minute walk over to Fort San Diego, which had been recently transformed into a pretty museum. I had Alexander in the sling and he was a little fussy, though eventually he fell asleep. After the museum we boarded an air-conditioned bus and travelled over to New Acapulco, seeing quite a bit of the shoreline. Our tour guide, Alphonso, says the condos go for $400-500,000 for just two bedrooms. Yikes!


Gorgeous, isn't it?

At the end of the tour we saw the famous Acapulco cliff divers. Six well-toned and tanned swimmers climbed down the cliff we were standing on, swam across the narrow channel, climbed up another cliff, and dove gracefully into the water.


A diver does a somersault off the cliff

After our excursion we made a mad dash to our stateroom to get Alexander changed and fed for his evening in Flounder's Reef Nursery. We had an adult evening planned on Acapulco! Once Alexander was safely tucked into the nursery, we met up with Bruce and Marta and walked into the Zocalo (main square) where "La Flor de Acapulco" restaurant was located. We got an open-air table on the second floor verandah with a gorgeous view of the harbor and square below us. We tried the ceviche, seafood soup, enchiladas, fajitas, and a whole red snapper. It was very atmospheric and the food was, well, Mexican -- not too different from what you'd get back home, probably because we were in a tourist area. Halfway through dinner we were treated to a fireworks show over the harbor -- very magical.

By the end of the meal (which included a strawberry daiquiri and glass of Negra Modelo beer), I had a headache. So we made our way back to the ship so I could lay down a bit. But once I hit the cool air conditioning, I felt much better. We still had 90 minutes before our coach turned back into a pumpkin named Alexander, so we went up to deck 9 to swim in the adult pool and soak in the adult hot tub. Ahhhhhhhhhhh! The Acapulco lights were winking in the distance and a musician was crooning out love songs -- it was very relaxing and Disney magical! After our soak we wandered past the Tropical deck party and scooped up some sweets at the dessert buffet. By this point, it was time to pick up our sleepyhead and the nursery and turn in for the night.

More later!

[DopeyGirl]

OMG . . . could Alexander have looked any more ADORABLE in that "baby tux"?! He sure seems like he's a very happy boy!!!

That's a great family pic as well!!!

Thanks for the fabulous update!!!

[JoanW]

Just seeing you all in your fancies convinced me that we have to go fancy on our 7 night.

Alexander is just too cute. I could just squeeze those cheeks.

[LiserAnn]

Thanks for the update...Alexander sure is a cutie. I love how ALWAYS is smiling. It's nice he's a happy baby...you guys are doing a great job all the way around!

Lisa

[DrDolphin]

Great update Jennifer!!! That family picture is really nice. You look so impressive in all your finery!

[DawnDenise]

All of you just looked fabulous all dressed up!! Another wonderful update!!! I can't wait for more!!

[iamgrumpy]

Great Update Jen! Alexander Looks so Cute in that Tuxedo! The pictures of Acapulco look great!

Can't wait for more!

Amy

[Jennifer Marx]

Hello again!

A couple of little things I forgot to mention in my earlier report...

Roy Disney seems to be onboard -- appears he got on yesterday at Acapulco. I haven't seen him myself, however. The DCL president, Tom McAlpin (sp?), is also onboard. He spoke briefly today at the HUGE Castaway Club party -- it was so big it occupied deck 9 midship. No announcements were made, but were hoping for something (nothing big) in a couple days.

We've met SO MANY PassPorter readers -- just when I think I must have met them all, someone new comes up and says hi. It's incredible! Now that I'm well entrenched in the "cruise mood," I'm feeling good about it -- I just smile at everyone now out of habit. So to all those who I met and may be reading this, it was GREAT to meet you! You really made me feel special and your kindness and gratitude were heartwarming.


PassPorter readers James and Linda Dezern (many of you will know them! great people!)

And here's a couple of other photos I liked...


Dave eating dinner at Topsiders


Dave and Alexander chat with Cruise Director Rachel

Tomorrow is another sea day... I'll post another update!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great day in Acapulco Alexander is so cute in his tux

More please

[gwugirl03]

Jennifer, I just love Alexander in his little tux. Great update!! I am hooked and waiting for more!

[Tig&Poo]

Great picture Jennifer I am looking forward to more!

[dsnytina]

Wow!
Roy Disney and Dave & Jennifer!
Celebrities abound!
Hope you're having a wonderful time - the adult pool and hot tub sounded heavenly!
Alexander is his tux - could there be anything cuter???
Thanks again for keeping us in the loop!
Tina

[chezp]

What a great time you guys are having! I love that shot of Alexander - he looks so cute! And Acapulco looks beautiful.

[Grammy Grumpy]

What an incredible trip! Thanks for keeping us in the loop!

[Belle*]

Ok, Alexander is insanely cute in that tuxedo!! (And Dave ain't so bad either! ) Acapulco looks beautitful. I can't wait to read the next installment! (Coming soon: Roy Disney says PassPorter is the best Disney guidebook ever!! Right? )