You arrive at the new Disney Cruise line terminal in Port Canaveral aboard a new Cruise line bus. Assuming you have filled out your paperwork ahead of time (highly recommended), you go up the flight of stairs and will be on the ship before you get a chance to look around. But try to take a minute to check out the impressive model of the Magic before you board...

20 ft long model of Disney Magic at the terminal

You are welcomed aboard, and enter the main atrium then naturally go straight to you stateroom. From your verandah on the starboard side you can look down on the new terminal...

At about 4:00, the lifeboat muster is held. It can be hot, crowded, and a bit uncomfortable. But it is a safety necessity, and doesn't last very long. Shortly after the drill is over the side thrusters are started, then a blast of the unique horn and the ship pulls away from the pier and heads out to sea. All along the way to the ocean, life briefly stops as people come to the shore (and often the windows of their restaurants) to watch the beautiful ship go by. One small restaurant pays tribute with a 3-gun salute! Even at the entrance to the ocean itself, a few cars gather and people stand by the banks and watch in awe...

Shortly thereafter you meet your cabin steward, and at dinner you meet your servers (who follow you through all 4 dinners). Like every person aboard, they bend over backwards to ensure that your every need is seen to...

Praveen, cabin steward

Lynda (server) and Romeo (ass't server)

Dinner the first night for you (there are 3 different schedules) is at Animator's Palette. I have some pictures, but they really don't do justice to the impressive effects as the walls and pictures transform from black and white into color during your dinner. But it is quite a sight!

Likewise, the first show, "Voyage of the Ghost Ship" is a spectacular production - virtually a mini-musical. The performers have excellent voices, and the show is staged in the beautiful Walt Disney Theater, capable of producing some amazing special effects.