Fall Break Magic Eastern Review 10-8-16

Puerto Rico was probably the port I was most excited for. I love walking around old cities and experiencing the culture and could not wait to see what this one had to offer. I got up early and sat on the balcony for a bit (after getting my coffee from the cafe, of course). I watched the ship approach the island and as we began to get close decided to get a different view. I went to the front of the ship on our deck (deck 7) and saw that my dad was out there drinking his coffee so I stood with him. Approaching San Juan was really cool - I didn't realize how big Puerto Rico was. Once we made it to port I went back to the cabin to get ready so we could get off the ship and get our day started.

We had no definite plans for Puerto Rico but from researching I had an idea of where to start. We came out of port and went to the right about a block and caught the free trolley. I knew this would take us to the forts and from there we could decide what else we wanted to get into. The trolley we were on had stops on the perimeter of Old San Juan. There are 2 other routes as well and maps are easy to find at the stops. The trolley stopped at Castillo San Cristobal and we hopped off. The fort is definitely worth touring. It is $5 per adult (children 15 and under are free) and this gets you into both forts. The views from here were amazing, the kids really liked the tunnels and the dungeon. We also so quite a few Iguanas roaming around which was also really fun (especially watching them climb the walls). It was really hot though, even though we went early.

From here we had plans to take the trolley to the other fort and then make our way through the city from there, but the kids were hot and thirsty and a market in the square just down the street caught my eye so we decided to head there first.

There were some vendors selling snacks and drinks and dd loves fresh fruit so we got her a fruit tray. It was SO good! It had fresh mango and passion fruit in the bottom along with pineapple and oranges and other fruits. While dd hung our with the my parents and niece and snacked, ds, dh and I started looking at the different items in the market. I got a really pretty bronze bracelet with sea glass for $15. We also got all 3 kids bracelets with their names on them ($5 each I think). My stepmom got a purse for dd that was handmade out of burlap and painted by a local. There were some cute local items and we had fun looking around. Trees lined the bottom of the square so we were also able to get some shade and cool off for a bit.

From there we decided to get lunch and saw that the Parrot Club was just a couple of blocks away so headed in that direction. We found it easily but they weren't open yet and the kids were starving (and the big kids weren't doing much better). So we headed toward Barrachina as we wanted to try the original pina colada. On the way we stopped in a few different cigar shops for my dad to browse. None of us like the smell of cigar shops so we would browse other stores nearby. We got a couple of souvenirs before finding the restaurant.

Here are some pictures Taken in the fort.

The restaurant had a great layout with a gorgeous courtyard with a bar in the middle. We sat in a room to the left with lots of windows so you could see the courtyard. I ordered a pina colada (with rum) and my stepmom ordered a Miami Vice. The pina colada was really strong...too strong for me so I gave it to my dad. But, the miami vice was really good so I ordered one of those instead. For lunch dh got the red snapper, I ordered the stuffed plantain with steak and my parents ordered fajitas. We also ordered chips and salsa...the salsa had a kick for sure. The kids got regular kids meal items (I can't even remember what they were to be honest). The food was really good and we enjoyed our time here. We didn't get in a rush because it was nice and cool and we were pretty steamy from exploring the streets of Old San Juan.

We finished here and went out a different way so we were on a street or two below where we came in (closer to the port). It was after 1 and we were supposed to be back on the ship by 3:30 so we decided to skip the other fort, even though we really wanted to see it. Once I saw pictures later I was bummed because I think it is even more interesting than the first. I guess we will just have to go back, darn.

We wanted to get some decent tshirts (not the 3 for $10 shirts all the shops were selling that we stopped in earlier) so headed back toward port. We saw some really interesting spots on the way back and had fun just checking out the sites. There was also a little more shade which we were happy to have. Before we knew it we were back at the ship and had not found any tshirts we wanted. There is a Polo store right by the port so my dad wanted to check prices versus at home so we decided to split up and meet back on the ship. We headed back toward Fortaleza St (where we shopped before). We saw several local artists and vendors selling all kinds of things on the way. We enjoyed looking but didn't spend too much time here as the clock was ticking. We ended up in front of the Parrot Club again, and dd had fallen asleep in my arms so we decided to stop in for a drink and sit for a bit.

The waiter here was really friendly and we enjoyed a couple of drinks a piece and thankfully ds was patient and enjoyed himself a Shirley Temple. DD didn't nap long and wasn't as patient so we decided to get moving. Our waiter told us on the next street up was a surf shop that may have some decent tshirts. We paid our tab and headed that way. We went a couple of blocks and started to give up and head back but then spotted Costazul Surf Shop on our left. We were able to find a couple of nice tshirts, made our purchases and started back toward the boat. One more stop in a touristy gift shop to get a toy for ds and then back to port. We were in line to board at just after 3pm so did good on time. We would have loved to had more time in Old San Juan...we really loved exploring the streets and feel we only saw a slice of what this town has to offer.

We went back to the room and I tried to get dd to finish her nap...no luck. DS and DH went to play putt putt and then were back to the room in plenty of time for dinner. Another night sitting out on the deck by the Red Frog Pub and then we were going to bed facing our last day in port. Grand Turk was up next and we weren't due until noon so we could sleep in and have some fun on the ship in the morning before hitting the beach for the afternoon.

Here is a snapshot of the food we had for lunch and Puerto Rico as we were leaving. (Finally some food porn)

I was one of the passengers getting off as you all were getting on. I was one of the first to get off and it was 3:00, so they really were working to get everything done.

So glad you all made it back safely. Lots and lots of people/packages passing through port that day in a much shorter period of time than a normal day. I actually think considering the situation at hand it was handled as good as could be expected.

Are the tacos only soft shells?

So sorry I missed this. I only saw soft shells and wasn't asked if I wanted a crunchy taco.

Sorry I haven't finished up yet. DD's birthday party was this past weekend so we have been busy, busy.

Thursday - Grand Turk...last port day.

We slept in a little since we weren't scheduled to dock until noon (I think I made it almost until 8). Once everyone was awake we decided to eat breakfast on the lido deck because we had plenty of time to enjoy the ship. I skipped the cafe because we were heading to 5 right after breakfast for Build a Bear Workshop at Sea. As we walked out onto the lido deck I realized this was the morning I had hoped we would have....towel animals and towel people EVERYWHERE. It was so cute and the kids just got the biggest kick out of it.

After taking pictures and having fun looking at all of the different creations, we decided to go ahead and eat. The kids ate the buffet, my dad and stepmom hit the omelet stations, dh had a breakfast burrito from Blue Iguana (I tasted it - I don't usually like breakfast burritos but it was pretty yummy). I grabbed a box of cereal and some milk.

We headed down to deck 5 in the nightclub for the build a bear workshop. This was one of the few times we had to stand in line for anything all week...but it was definitely worth it. While we were waiting dh and Dad went to the cafe for my stepmom and me. When they came back they said the towel animal antics had carried over to deck 5...they were apparently all over the chairs/tables on this deck as well (by the time we finished the workshop they were all gone).

They had cookies and drinks for the kids and played games with them while we waited our turn. It went pretty fast and when they called us up the kids each got to pick out a stuffed animal (they had a pretty good selection). DS got a shark and dd wanted a dog. I told them no clothes, but then on the very bottom row spotted some Carnival tshirts. My stepmom bought 3 - one for each stuffed animal and gave them to the kids after we left (they were excited). They came with the little backpack bags so the kids could carry them around. I really thought this was a fun addition for little ones.

Back to the room to drop off the stuffed animals and watch us pull into Grand Turk.

Your family seemed to really have a great time. We miss Puerto Rico.

Thank you so much for such a thorough review! We sail in 24 days!

Great review! I LOVE the Magic! It was my daughters first ship they've ever cruised on so they have fond memories of it. When we cruised, we had like 20 family members with us, and the Red Frog Pub was our nightly hang out. LOVED that place, and I didn't realize how much we would miss it until we went on the Dream which didn't have it. :(:(:(

This is the cruise dh and I are taking wayyyyy far away in 2019 for an anniversary celebration so I enjoy reading about your stops...