Shopping In Tortola
The day after Christmas found us docking at our first port for this cruise, the island of Tortola. We awoke early to the sounds of the engines pulling us into port and had breakfast in Cabanas. Our excursion was planned for later in the day, so we got off the boat to explore the port in Tortola. There was a little shopping mall located near the port, so we walked around that for awhile. Janie bought Thomas a turtle souvenir but we didn't see anything else really worth purchasing. We took some photos of the Magic along the dock and then went back on board to have lunch.
Catamaran
After lunch, we gathered in Fathoms to await our excursion to Virgin Gorda. We were called down and walked to the 'catamaran' that would take us to the island. It was rather cold and windy sitting out on the deck of the boat and J. R. was regretting this excursion as the cold water splashed onto the boat.
Virgin Gorda
We docked at Virgin Gorda and then had a short ride in an open-air bus around the island to the Baths. After a short walk down to the beach, Janie set up towels near a rock and J. R., Thomas and Rebecca went off to explore the caves at the bath. J. R. went part way through but then came back to Janie with Thomas' shoes and the kids' cell phones so they could go off and explore further. Thomas went all the way through the caves but Rebecca came back earlier to spend some time in the ocean. J. R. grabbed a beer and a Diet Coke for Janie and we watched the kids play in the ocean and on the beach before hiking back up to the where we would meet the bus. A short bus ride brought us back to the boat. We chose to sit inside the boat on the way back, where we were served rum punch (and just punch for the kids).
Christmas
We got back to the ship too late for the showing of Moana in the Walt Disney Theatre, so we just hung out on the ship before getting ready for the pirate party. The ship was decorated for Christmas so we were able to get some closer up photos of the tree and gingerbread house in the lobby.
Pirate Party
Before dinner, we had the "Pirates in the Caribbean" deck party upstairs on deck 9. This used to occur later in the evening and was accompanied by a buffet but now it occurs betweeen dinner seatings and is really just another dance party on deck. But there are fireworks at sea, something you don't get on other cruise lines. They usually had Captain Hook or Mickey Mouse zip-lining across the pool area but it was windy on this night, so Mickey just appeared on deck 10.
Dinner
Dinner was in Lumiere's. Duck, lamb and steak were on the menu and each was enjoyable, although Disney continued its streak of over-cooking the meats on this cruise. Rebecca was entralled by the enchanted roses on the chandeliers on the ceiling, reminding her of our time at Be Our Guest restaurant at Walt Disney World. Thomas and Janie settled for the dessert sampler and Rebecca had herself another Mickey ice cream bar.
Hanging Out on the Magic
After dinner, Thomas went with the 1820 Society to watch "The Feud" game show in Fathoms. Rebecca wanted to see a movie on deck so Janie and J. R. headed to have a night cap.
