We checked out of the hotel and joined the other guests in the lobby waiting for the all aboard call for the transfers. They had two motor coaches parked outside and while it was a little disorganized (it was their first attempt with some ‘earning my ears’ type folks) everything seemed to move quickly.  Once seated we were off through the streets of Barcelona.

After 15 minutes or so we reached a draw bridge and stopped as it opened for s tanker to move its way thru.  and to our right the first view we had was of the RCCL Voyager of the Seas (another class of ship i LOVE) and just beyond,  the Disney Magic!

We had completed the formal check in the day before so all we had to do was pass thru security to the boarding line. It moved quickly and soon we were boarding the ship… but not where we normally arrive. We didn’t walk into the familiar atrium, although we all had our family names ready just in case. Instead we embarked up the ramp into the forward elevator lobby area.

First stop…  the lunch gang – Deb, Linda, Chris, Sandy & Sharon and I all worked our way back to Parrot Cay for lunch.  I took a quick detour to fix a couple of DCL’s dining snaffus and confirm Palo for the group.  When I returned,we finished lunch and went to rooms.

Thats when magic was sprinkled on me…  i opened the door to find several gifts sent from various friends and clients.  (You know who you are!!) and I was so incredibly touched.  I was all teary and had to pull in the fellow members of the immediate gang to show everyone just how lucky I was to have such wonder friends!  (besides them of course!!)

Afterwards we took the drill where we found more members of the gang (there are 14 of us total..) and relaxed before dinner in Parrot Cay. Thats when Sandy shared a pic she had snapped of her and her hero (ok.. mine too)  Joey Fatone on vacation with is family, fresh from his round with Dancing with the Stars. She said he was incredibly friendly and gracious.

We had to skip dessert (don’t faint Annette) to be sure to catch the sail away party that began at 10 pm. I think my expectations may have been a little high.  Being the first Med cruise on the first med sailing…  but the party was almost like we were leaving for a 4 day Bahamas cruise.  Granted we were given cardboard hands with the date, etc on it, but beyond that it was average at best.  Many Castaway members said the same thing and were even a little put off there wasn’t a live band or more of a big deal made.

We are truly hoping this isn’t a trend, as there has been a lot of buzz about Disney making this truly special considering the premium price – but we’ll see!  Tomorrow is the day at sea and I plan to do nothing but have a date with my PJs and watch movies, so my next post will be from the Port or Palermo!

Ciao!

We checked out of the hotel and joined the other guests in the lobby waiting for the all aboard call for the transfers. They had two motor coaches parked outside and while it was a little disorganized (it was their first attempt with some ‘earning my ears’ type folks) everything seemed to move quickly. < more... >

Today we are reunited with our old friend the Disney Magic! My body clock is still a little off and I was up till 3 am Barcelona time packing and catching up on blog entries. The checked bags were picked up by the hotel staff at 8 am, although they hadn’t shown up by 8:30 so a call was made and they came right up. The transfers are set to leave the hotel at  12:15 so we will be meeting down in the lobby in just about an hour.

The hotel offers a a complimentary breakfast buffet so we had coffee, pastries and some other am items with many other Disney bound folks. Met a couple of nice ladies one from California (YEAH! Another person with an understanding of the trip from a west coast perspective! how many hours in transit was that anyway?) and another not far from our branch office in North Carolina.  Lots of Mickey on various clothing items and many smiling faces looking forward to the next step in our journey. It was almost easy to forget we were not in Orlando for a minute… 

The journey has been great so far, and it really hasn’t even begun yet! I have really enjoyed just spending time with clients who over time have become cherished friends and I’m looking forward to meeting others who I know well via email and phone conversations, but cant wait to put faces to names!

Next post – from the Disney Magic in Barcelona!

Today we are reunited with our old friend the Disney Magic! My body clock is still a little off and I was up till 3 am Barcelona time packing and catching up on blog entries. < more... >