Disney Cruise Line Caribbean Cruise - Part 3
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Everyone Net & Pretty? Then On With the Show!
The ship’s entertainment cast had a busy day from the Island Magic stageshow in the Buena Vista Theatre (typically a movie theatre during the week) for families to the evening’s highlight, Hercules The Muse-ical, a vaudevillian-style show. Island Magic is typical Disney fare aimed squarely at the pre-teenagers. Captain Mickey hosts the show and the script is loosely strung together with the idea that the Fab Five have just arrived at Castaway Cay and are showing guests what to expect from this piece of Disney paradise in the Bahamas.

Hercules really is a tour-de-force performance with a sharp and witty script and precision staging. The premise is that a touring company of actors has arrived to perform for the ship’s guests. However, at the outset we discover that the Muses (taking the place of the traditional Chorus as an African American gospel choir) are short of two members. The "casting agency" sends two replacements, a Caucasian blonde and a bald male! Once in costume, the performance begins with the opening number, The Gospel Truth and the show unfolds at rapid pace. The acting is faultless and the humour particularly dead-pan (with the usual digs at Disney). The performance of Hades was exceptional, standing out from the rest of the cast due to perfectly scripted one-liners and some entertaining ad-libbing. This show is simply unmissable, period.

As the sun slowly set, we arrived on Deck 10 at Palo’s. Palo’s is the adult-only restaurant (over 18s) that is outside the standard dining rotation plan on board the Disney Magic. Reservations are accepted throughout the cruise, but virtually all-available slots are taken prior to departure from Port Canaveral! The restaurant also serves a Champagne Brunch and Afternoon Tea on the two "Sea Days" (namely Monday and Thursday on this itinerary), and repeat guests particularly covet these slots. This establishment charges a $5 service charge per adult, as the servers are not included in the tips package at the end of the cruise. Rest assured that you would never spend $5 more wisely in any Disney experience. Palo’s is simply superb, top-notch and every other imaginable superlative available in the English language. The service is impeccable, and the servers some of the most knowledgeable I have ever encountered.

The style of the restaurant is reminiscent of the California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with its eclectic colour scheme, broken tile decor and open kitchen. However, the food is decidedly Mediterranean in style throughout the menu. The presentation is exceptional and the mix of dishes is suitable for every palate. I cannot enthuse more about Palo’s, as you simply will not want the experience to end. The overall experience is beyond all expectations and comparable to the Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian and Citrico’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Beach Resort and Spa. I kid you not.

However, the highlight for me was not the food or service. I had specifically requested Erica, a delightful South African server (whose husband also worked on the Magic!) and she had a birthday cake prepared for Lindsay in advance. However, the decoration outlined "36th Birthday" in icing. Lindsay had actually just turned 35 and (jokingly) took some offence to the suggestion he was 36! Erica amusingly took the stalk off of the 6, changing it instantly to a 0 that Lindsay found more acceptable!

It is not until a "Day at Sea" that guests can truly appreciate the Disney Magic. The ship is more than just a swimming pool and free food 24/7, unlike other cruise liners. The ship is awash with entertainment, events for all the family and a whole host of other activities. You simply do as little or as much as you can take. The ship is a true wonder, from the artwork littering all corridors and lobbies to the "plussing" that ensures that the Disney Magic is simply leagues above the competition. Many companies copy the Disney product, but the real skill of the Walt Disney Company is moving into territory with established players and changing the perception of that industry by applying Disney touches. This is never more self-evident that with the Disney Cruise Line. Throughout the day, you will be amazed by the sheer attention of detail that even exceeds that of Disney land-based resorts and parks. The magnetic attraction that the Disney Magic has to its guests ensures that the choice between the Port of Calls and remaining onboard is a tough choice.

For this update, Lindsay has presented his black and white images which were actually taken on both Sea Days. In the update covering the second day at sea, Lindsay will be utilising his colour images.

For the fourth part, we shall be exploring Grand Cayman in the British West Indies.