It's A Magic Cruising Christmas 2015 - Day 5 Cruise Take 2

[debidee]

So first things first by the time you all read this it will be 1st January 2016 so from both Jez and I 'Happy New Year' hope you all had a magical time over the holidays!
And... as a special treat I also have my onboard Disney haul to share!

Today has been a very relaxing day... as for most of the 2700 guests were leaving we felt very lucky to be enjoying a few extra days!

Breakfast was being served in Lumieres were we had dinner last night and it was really nice to have one last meal with the table we had grown to know over the last few days... Facebook details exchanged it was now time to pick!

The menu was a much smaller selection from when we were here earlier in the week - I guess to make things easy, but still plenty of choice!
Fruit to start - lol not that I'm being good, too much bad temptations all around! They then brought round pastries and juice.
I picked boiled eggs - epic fail on my part I was expecting dippy soldiers... but no it was literally hard boiled eggs!

A quick snap with my new buddy from Denver and it was off to our holding point whilst everyone else left the ship

There were 35 people in total that we're extending to the 7 day cruise and we all waited in Fathoms

I took the opportunity to sit in the giant port hole and look out across Miami

The first bill for our cruise was in - this is for any extra's, speciality drinks, excursions and gratitudes. For the 1st 4 days it was $661.75, but they deducted $55 for my bingo win and also booking through 'Travel on a dream' we had $75 onboard credit.

At about 10am we were all escorted off the ship and back to check in for our second leg. We were issued new cards and a schedule for the next 3 days. The lovely thing is we have seen 2 of the 3 shows so can enjoy more time on the ship, we also want to do an animation class :-) and I've promised Jez we can watch Star Wars on board in 3D #joy

By 10.30 we were back on board, I know I moaned a bit on the first check in day - but I can't fault this time. We literally had the boat to ourselves before people started arriving at around 11.30am.
We sat by the adult pool in the sunshine!

Lunch was buffet and I swear I must have gained at least a stone so far! But everything tastes so good! Here are our selections

Pudding was just a little taster and I'm sure it's sugar free... gym starts soon lol!

Jez decided to snooze in the shade looking out across Miami - there are plenty of loungers on decks 9 and 10 both in sun and covered in shade all with fabulous views. It is of course more busy at the 2 family pools but each time we have walked past there are still plenty of spaces

Time for more coffee and more relaxing! Well it's been a busy year and as soon as we are back I'm already booked to Amsterdam, Cannes, Singapore and Sydney all before the end of January and they are all definitely #notaholiday

I thought I'd check out the jacuzzi - I mean it's 80+ degrees right why not sit in a hot bubble bath! So I lasted all of about 5 mins before I had to get out and dangle my toes in the main pool to cool down!

So following our intro to acupuncture talk yesterday we were both booked in today - before you had to fill in a questionnaire and at the start of the session you get asked more questions around what you want to get out of it - I.e is it around stress, is it related to an injury, is it weight loss etc etc. Once this is done you lie down and she sticks about 20 needles in you! I had 5 in my left ear and 2 in my right, these did smart a little but the pain (ok not really pain but discomfort only lasted a few mins), the one that did hurt however was in my leg nod despite a few adjustments I could feel it so she removed it! Then she asked me what lighting I wanted - I went for the green light and I was left for about 20 mins. I must admit for the first few mins I laid like a statue but then I started to relax, she told me to channel any feelings down to my feet... I'm not entirely sure what that means but at the end of the 20 mins both my fingers and toes were cold!
She took out the needles and then gave me a face massage!
We both really enjoyed it and booked a second session tomorrow - she is also a herbalist and will recommend some herbs?!?! Based on our second treatment tomorrow. I'm quite open to this kind of thing so let's see!

So after all this relaxing it was time to hit the shops... ok to clarify there are only 2 stores on board, but considering it's now day 5 it's time for a little Disney haul...
First up is this beautiful tree decoration - I've taken a picture of all of the characters and I love it as its a specific cruise line one, this was $11.95

Then I got a cute memo Minnie cruise note block (6.95), beautiful black suede feel pen with gold hardware (9.95), Captain Mickey picture postcard (2.95), a block magnet (11.95) and a cruise keyring (9.95)

A quick shower and change before heading out to the bar - we had a little note left for us on the bed which is a nice touch!

I throw in a picture of my Tory Burch sandals I got in the summer, they are soooo comfy - so highly recommended, they have an outlet at Sawgrass mills where we will head on Monday (regular mail on Sunday plus supermarket lol!)

Tonight we were eating at Animators again and we meet 2 new couples who would be our dining partners for the next few nights. You can choose to eat alone if you prefer but we were happy to be sat with others. We also had the same servers from our 1st cruise

I had the chicken pate to start (no soup or salad today)
Sorry I forgot to take a photo... oops!

Then the chicken

Finished off by an apple trio - the sorbet was yummy but I have to say the amount of jelly was pretty ridiculous!

Our servers kept us entertained along with the others on our table!

We got back to our room to presents! Chocolates and the picture in my initial post today is a limited edition print for everyone sailing over the new year!
Tomorrow we have a day at sea and are going to be doing some animation classes / craft in the morning and I have my ultimate spa package, we both have acupuncture again followed by dinner in Palo's... phew! It's going to be a busy one tomorrow!
Until then... Debs xxx

[app]

New Photo Added by debidee - 1 Jan 16 3:54 AM.

[Guest]

Firstly, Happy New year to you both 😊
Another great day on board with some very tasty looking food and at last some shopping for you Debs (albeit not quite your usual haul)
Love the baubles, we have some special ones from our first trips over 10 years ago and it brings back memories of the holidays 😆

[Megandllsmum]

Happy New Year! What a lovely day you both had... The acupuncture sounded weird lol but a good weird I'm with you that I'm open minded to stuff like this so like to think I would give it a try, enjoy the session today and just remember "certain" herbs could get you in a whole heap of trouble at customs lol 😉😉.
Loving the gift shop mini haul you bought but I can't wait until you reach dry land and the real shopping begins ... Your trippies are a bit light at the minute usually I've drunk my first coffee of the day reading your trippies and that's not the case at the minute 😉 Enjoy the rest of the cruise, charge those batteries, rest those feet ... All in preparation for your big shop!
Again happy new year to you and jez,
Lots of love Sam xx❤️

[missdopey]

Happy new year! Another fantastic day! Love waking up to this to read.

[margyloveswdw]

Happy New Year!

Another fab day that sounded lovely and chilled out! Tomorrow sounds like a busy one!

[sheluk]

Ah cute baubles and I've just double checked that Tory butch is on our shopping list for 3 weeks time - eek!

It must be such a lovely feeling knowing you have more days to come. Enjoy your treatments X

[emmabanana]

Happy new year! Another great day, I look forward to reading each day, but I am looking forward to the shopping days most! X

[twinkleshmoo]

Happy New Year to you both 🍹🎉💃

Really enjoying your report xx

[SEAWORLD FAN]

Just caught up with the last couple of days and it looks like you are having a blast. I'm getting really interested in this cruise lark now so going to start planting seeds with my husband. A short one like these would be a great introduction. I think all the fab looking food may help my case. Not sure we would indulge in the acupuncture though.

I know your upcoming travel is for work and #notaholiday but I would love to go to Singapore so a bit jealous. Do you need anyone to keep you company and carry your bags?!