Guest blogger Andrea Guthmann sets sail this week on an exciting Disney Magic itinerary bound for the Caribbean from Galveston, Texas. We’ll be posting her trip here on our blog. Follow along!
“Wind chill of 15° below zero at O’Hare Airport,” says the radio announcer. Not words you ever want to wake up to. To say there’s a chill in the air would be an understatement; Arctic blast is more accurate. Winter in the Midwest can be a long few months. Darkness descends, as do your spirits with so little sun. Thankfully, I have the magic cure for my cabin fever… a Disney Magiccruise.
I’ll be headed to the Caribbean aboard the Disney Magic, now sailing from Galveston, Texas. A week of sun and fun with my 4-year-old daughter, 6-year-old nephew and my sister-in-law on a wonderful Disney Magic itinerary.
Cruising with Disney Characters
My Caribbean vacations B.C. (before children) usually involved sipping a tropical umbrella-decked drink with nothing but a good book and a great view to distract me. Caribbean vacation A.C.? Let’s just say it’s no longer as easy to be a beach bum. Unless, of course, you’re cruising on a ship with a drop-off kids club that your kids can’t wait to enjoy.
Yep, I’ll be cruising Disney style. That means while the kids are being spoiled at the pirate ship themed Oceaneer Club, the ladies will be treating themselves to a well-deserved moms getaway. Each day our kids will get to meet up with Mickey, Minnie and the rest of the gang, while the ladies can get goofy relaxing by the pool, or better yet, the spa.
Disney Cruise Line Entertainment
Broadway caliber nightly shows on the high seas? Certainly gives new meaning to the term off-Broadway. Yet, Disney has the kind of budget and talent that make lavish theatrical productions as much a part of the cruise experience as the all-you-can-eat buffet. I’ll let you know what the kids and I think of the showstoppers on Magic — shows like “Villains Tonight” featuring the bad boys and girls of beloved Disney tales, “Twice Charmed” and “Disney Dreams.”
I’ll also grab my eye patch and drop anchor at one of the most beloved traditions of any Disney cruise — the raucous pirate party. Give me an RRrrrr!
I’ll make sure and give you a taste of Disney dining. I’ll shed light on the French-inspired Lumiere, Magic’s fanciest and most traditional restaurant. I’ll also give you a peek at what’s on the menu at Magic’s other restaurants, including the upscale adults-only Palo.
Our Disney Magic Itinerary
Hope you’re hungry for more, because I’ll also be highlighting our days in port on this Disney Magic itinerary. Grand Cayman might include a visit to Stingray City, the Turtle Farm or swimming with dolphins. In Cozumel, I plan to dive into some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. I’ll make sure and share my tips on the best and least-crowded snorkeling spots.
Andrea Guthmann is a Midwest Emmy Award-winning broadcast, print and digital journalist. She spent many years as a TV producer for WTTW, the PBS station in Chicago. Her writing’s been published in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Parent and on-line travel sites, including FamilyVacationCritic.com. She’s also the Midwest blogger for TravelingMom.com. A native Floridian, Andrea’s now a big (windy) city mom of 3, who range in age from pre-school to high school. She loves sailing Lake Michigan and visiting the world class museums and restaurants in her sweet home Chicago. Being a scenery starved city girl, she loves escaping to the outdoors during vacations.
