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

[Tig&Poo]

So glad you have included some adult time for yourselves. I can't wait to soak in that hot tub when we cruise. the pictures are really nice!

[GoofyDad777]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the "live" updates. It has been fun following you on this crusie. I hope the weather is better on the other side (away from the Pacific and welcome back to the Atlantic)

I shot some video of the ship leaving San Pedro and thought you guys might enjoy it.

High Qualiy (26.8MB Windows Media) Click Here

Low Quality(7.6MB) Click Here

If you are having trouble with seeing the Video, Right click on link, and select "Save Target as", and save the file.

Thanks and Bon Voyage,

Steve

[JoanW]

Oh My Gosh Steve! That was awesome! You are so talented!

[Jennifer Marx]

Thank you all! I'm taking a few minutes just to check mail and upload two new videos:

Alexander Goes Cruising (a short little clip that shows Alexander saying "Da!" to Dave, riding on his Daddy's shoulders in Acapulco, and messing about in our stateroom)

Acapulco Panorama (a 360-degree view of Acapulco from atop Fort San Diego)

I'll post a report later!

[DrDolphin]

Steve that is a WONDERFUL video!!!

[Tink and co.]

Thanks for the terrific videos! Keep it coming!

[dsnytina]

Loved seeing the Magic leaving San Pedro!

Again & always - thank you, Jennifer, for posting for us!

Tina

[Jennifer Marx]

Hello all!

Now I know why I wanted to sail this cruise so much... I've already had a blast, gotten relaxed and pampered, well wined and dined, finished reading an entire book, AND I'M NOT EVEN HALFWAY THROUGH THE CRUISE YET! Wow, this is the best feeling! So many times on the shorter cruises you feel like you barely arrived when it's already time to pack and head home. This is the first trip in a long time that's really felt like a true vacation.

Yesterday and today are both sea days, which is the reason why I love to cruise. Sure, visiting ports is interesting, but just hanging out on the ship while it's underway to your next destination is a whole lot more relaxing. And with the Panama Canal crossing coming soon (Sunday), there's a buzz of excitement in the air. I'm not sure what time we'll enter the canal, but we plan to be on deck to watch!

Last night I treated myself to a spa treatment, specifically the "Ladies' Night" package. For $140 I received a full body massage, scalp massage, facial, as much time as I liked in the Tropical Rainforest, a glass of sparkling wine, and a gift ("Dermasque Purifiant," a mask). It was just wonderful! And while I only spent 45 minutes in the Tropical Rainforest, it reminded me how much I love it there and I plan to return again soon. For those who heard about my experience with "Ladies Morning" on my December 2004 cruise (big disappointment!), this was much better and well worth the money! I highly recommend it.

After the spa I went back to change into my "semi-formal" attire -- ha! I'd read that the westbound cruise only had one formal and one semi-formal night, so I didn't bring that much in the way of dressier clothes. So either I read wrong or they changed it, because we have FOUR nights on this cruise (two formal and two semi-formal). I didn't bring enough clothing! So I had to get a bit creative, but it worked.


Mommy and me in our "semi-formals"

Dinner was in Lumiere's, during which we were graced by the presence of Belle and Beast. Each diner also received a trading pin -- the females got a Belle pin and the males got a Beast pin. Our friend Bruce remarked that the kids should have gotten a Chip pin, which I agreed would have been appropriate.

Alexander got fussy before I'd finished my entree and I found myself out in the atrium, pushing him in his stroller to lull him to sleep. Fat chance, mom! Alexander was enchanted with his surroundings, and wound up meeting both Cinderella and Genie, as well as several PassPorter readers who'd spotted us.


Alexander gets a hug from Cinderella

After dinner Dave headed off to an adult ventriloquist show while I went back to the stateroom to put Alexander to bed. Again, wishful thinking. He was up for a few hours after that. I did get him to try on the big sombrero we bought for his Uncle Chad, which was utterly charming.


Trying on Uncle Chad's sombrero

Today has been very relaxing so far. We slept in (again!) and ate lunch in Topsider's. Then Dave went to the live auction, where he informs me he bid and won an apron from Animator's Palate. He also bid on a Lion King item, but it got too expensive too quickly. After the auction we put Alexander in his swimsuit and went up to deck 9 to frolic in the Mickey ear for toddlers. Alexander had a fun time in the water -- he liked trying to catch the water coming out of the fountains. I had expected a mob scene here, but it was really quite enjoyable.


Catching the water in the pool


I loved the pool!

At the moment Alexander and his Daddy are taking a nap -- another pleasure of a day at sea. A nap sounds pretty good to me right now, too.

More later!

[dsnytina]

Ahhhhhh....
the joys of the Magic At Sea!!!

Nappy-time for Tina...

Seriously...could Alexander be any cuter in his uncle's sombrero or in the pool?
Man, that kid is photogenic! (He gets that from his parents! )

Tina

[DrDolphin]

So glad you are relaxing - that is always such a hard thing for me to do....

Your report is wonderful - and Alexander is such a doll.

[DCLFANATiC]

Sounds like you're having a wonderful vacation !!! The pics are great !!!

[chezp]

What a wonderful time you're having - and you've got some beautiful photos. The ones of you and Alexander and Alexander in the sombero are my favourites! And the Ladies' Night package sounds like a great deal to me - it brought back fond memories of the Tropical Rainforst for me!

[gwugirl03]

Another great update Jennifer! I really love the pictures.

[Jennifer Marx]

I'm waiting for the laundry to finish, so I put together a little movie of a "day at sea" on the Disney cruise. It's just atmospheric -- no great story line or anything. Enjoy!

http://www.passporter.com/panamacana.../adayatsea.mov

[Colexis Mom]

Great updates Jennifer