The Berm of the Ocean - My DCL West Coast Experience (June 4th - 11th)
 

Hi all!

I started this over at MiceChat, but wanted to cross-post it here for all of you as well. :D

I won't put a full trip report in one post, because it would take pages, plus several days, and I'm still sorting out my 800+ pictures that I took last week. So, I'm going to report stuff as I get around to it here, and answer any questions.

For starters, let me just say that you know that "WOW" feeling you experience at times? Imagine having that feeling constantly, every minute, for 7 days straight. From the moment I boarded the Magic, she lived up to her name. Once again, I was filled with wonder from days of yore. And that sense of wonder never ceased, not even for the slightest moment.

It was such a true vacation, that I even forgot what my home looked like, probably because I *was* home - there on the Magic. In fact, they even have a "Welcome Home" banner that hangs above the gangway for when you return from port excursions.

I cried when I had to leave. I could easily live there and never want to be any place else. We even joked about stowing away on one of the lifeboats.

By the first day, we made the decision to be on the repositioning cruise for when the Magic returns to the West Coast again (hopefully permanently). We even bought the plastic bank that looks like the ship so we can start saving now, and let the countdown begin. And according to one of the ship's staff, he said there just may be an "announcement" in the next couple months. He wouldn't say more, but just grinned widely with a twinkle in his eye when I told him of our plans to be on the Magic again for her return to the West Coast in the future.

So, what's in a name? With the Disney Magic - EVERYTHING.

The Magic of Safety
 

About an hour before the ship sets sail, everyone is required to participate in the lifeboat drill. Information is listed on the back of the stateroom doors, including how to wear your life vest and to which location you need to report. Once the alarm sounds, guests must secure their life vests and make way to their assigned locations. Cast Members are stationed throughout the walkways to assist in any questions and direct traffic.

Our meeting place happened to be Animator's Palate. As you can see from the photo below, it was quite the party. Featured are my parents and Frodo Potter, adorned in the finest "safety orange".

A Magic-al Bon Voyage
 

The terminal at the Port of Los Angeles is beautifully adorned, with many bright colors, and golden Mickey head planters. Banners hang overhead, and a mariachi band plays to keep guests entertained while waiting to board. Photos are not allowed in the terminal, except at the designated character area.

We took a moment to have our picture taken with Captain Mickey.

The Magic of Boarding
 

Here's a rare photo of the ramp leading onto the Magic. This photo exists only because I wasn't aware that the "no photography" rule also applied to the *outside* of the terminal as well. Ooopsie.

The Magic-al Port of Los Angeles
 

The Disney Magic takes up a large portion of the cruise terminal. It can very easily be seen from the Vincent Thomas bridge, and viewed from Ports o' Call village as it sets sail to the Pacific.

Here is Frodo Potter about 5 minutes prior to departure.

Magic-al Drinks
 

Cocktails are available for $4.75, only $2 more for a larger drink and you get to keep the acrylic "glass" as shown in the photo below.



DCL also features a different "Drink of the Day" each day for $3.50, and has a 2-for-1 margarita special on Thursday.

All of the drinks use top-shelf liquors (none of that cheap stuff!), and are quite large in size. Non-alcoholic "smoothies" are also available for a cheaper price. A 15% auto-gratuity is also added to each drink to cover the tips for the bartending staff who receive no wages besides tips.

On DCL, soda is free, except at bars and clubs. The Magic features a self-service 24-hour "Beverage Station" located on Deck 9 aft as shown below.



The beverage station offers sodas, hot chocolate, coffee, juice, and a variety of teas, all free of charge.

Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho, a Magic Life for Me!
 

Tuesday night was "Pirates *in* the Caribbean" theme night! All restaurants joined in the fesitivities by presenting each guest with a red pirate scarf and a "treasure map" menu. Frodo Potter and I were prepared for this evening and packed our pirate garb from ren faire. Arrrrrrr!


The servers were also decked out in pirate attire, and performed a conga line/limbo throughout the restaurant, and encouraged guest participation.


Here was our head server waving the "official" flag.


Later that evening, upon leaving Puerto Vallarta, there was a huge party and show on Deck 9.




We carried our Captain Kermit and Captain Mickey plush, arranged so that it was Mutiny on the Magic!


Captain Hook and his "bad" pirates invaded the ship, including a pirate who dropped from a zip line between the two stacks.


The characters came to our rescue by "blasting" Captain Hook with fireworks! The show lasted about 5 minutes, and was launched directly from the Magic. The were so large and close, you could feel the heat from them as they burst!



There was also a late evening buffet on deck that included the best turkey legs ever, plus numerous desserts, fajitas, crepes, and chili! The set-up was completely themed and amazing.

The Magic of Beauty
 

The Magic is definitely the most beautiful ship on the seas. Here she is, parked behind the Carnival Pride in Mazatlan.


We blew our horn twice while passing them when we left port. Keep in mind the Magic's horn is very distinct and blares the first seven notes of "When You Wish Upon a Star". (It sure gives me chills when I hear it.) They waved back at us and also sang the "Mickey Mouse Club March" in response. At least they were good sports about us being on the "cool" boat.

A Perspective Moment
 

After passing the Carnival Pride in port at Mazatlan, we passed a large group of local citizens who came out just to see the Magic. Young and old came out to witness us leaving port, and even took pictures. Children waved and jumped, while others just looked on in awe. To me, this was a sobering moment of a real perspective - how lucky we were to be experiencing the dreams that so many will never see happen. It brought me to tears, because all I could think about is how I wish they could all have been on the ship also. And here they were, to wish *us* a Bon Voyage. I actually have this photo in a very hi-res format, and can even see some of the facial expressions on the people. Some were smiling, and some just had that look of inspiration and hope of dreams.

Home Sea Home
 

The Magic is just like having a home away from home. I even forgot what our real home looked like within the very first day of the trip! I kept saying that I felt SO at home on the Magic, that I never wanted to leave.

Upon our surprise when returning from a shore excursion, it turns out that Disney feels the same way as I do, and placed a special banner over the gangway.