Extended Magic Cruise Oct 1

Overall, another wonderful cruise! No pictures to post, but some thoughts on the usual topics.

First, this was during the Monster Matthew Storm of the Century. We were on the Western swing and our weather was beautiful most of the time, with just some scattered rain on Monday in Costa Maya- no big deal for us. Our thoughts and prayers to those affected by the storm.

Embarkation- was a snap

Cruise Director- I've always wondered why cruisers even cared who the CD is- I've done several cruises and was only mildly impacted by anything they ever did, but now i understand their interest. We had The Good Reverend Doctor E and he was incredible! His events are a blast and even his announcements are fun.

Food- ate in the Main Dining Room 5 nights- Saturday Night was incredibly slow, the other four were great. Enjoyed all the meals- The Lobster was decent sized, well prepared and tasty (better than past cruises). Baryo was our Head Waiter for most nights and we enjoyed good service from him and his team. This was the end of his contract and was going home to Chile and going on vacation with his family, but not a cruise! Had Dinner in the Cucina del Capitano- delicious- had the steak. This is only a $15 upcharge per person, and a very nice dining experience. Did one night in the Lido Buffet, actually a first for me. Breakfast burritos and omelets are worth the wait. Guys burgers are good- and usually a small line.

Room Steward- we had Rommel and he was very attentive and "always" having a good day- his quote. He did room service twice a day and kept our ice bucket full every day.

Casino- attentive dealers, spent most of my gambling time at the Craps Table-

Costa Maya- took the Trolley thing to the public beach $3pp and $2pp cab ride back to the port. Ate and drank from the El Dolphin- food was decent and the beer was cheap, service very good, but be prepared for the onslaught of vendors selling all kinds of stuff.

Roatan- Channin Bodden provided transportation and hooked us up with a Dive Shop buddy of his to do some snorkeling- great time.

Belize- did the Star Island excursion. Beach time and lunch- good

Cozumel - did the Sea Turtle Release excursion. We worked with the local group that is trying to preserve the Sea Turtle population. Nice tour of the island and incredible experience of emptying a nest that had just had hatchlings and counting the empty eggs and "rescuing" any stragglers left behind and getting them into the water. Second half of the tour was a Mayan Experience/Show- it was kind of cheesy but was informative.

Room- we splurged on a Spa Balcony but barely used the spa facilities so probably wont do that again. Facilities were wonderful, but it wasn't a priority for us.

Misc- we enjoy going to the decks at the front of the ship at night and doing some star gazing- it is so dark and makes the stars very visible. We saw shooting stars, satellites, planets and the Milky Way in addition to the sky full of stars. Beautiful.

Disembakation- Due to the port closure Matthew created, our cruise returned to port around 2 in the afternoon instead of the scheduled 7 am- lots of fun.

Three boats arrived basically arrived at the same time and everybody on the boat tried to leave at the same time, plus people were already arriving to start their cruise. To say it was a cluster would be an understatement.

We were on Magic the week before you. Agree that the Rev. Dr. E is a very entertaining high energy guy. We enjoyed the Magic. :)

Thank-you for the report.

Thanks so much! Appreciate your feedback.

Which dining room is for YTD?

Great review, we got off the Magic on the September 24 and loved Baryo too!

Overall, another wonderful cruise! No pictures to post, but some thoughts on the usual topics.

 

First, this was during the Monster Matthew Storm of the Century. We were on the Western swing and our weather was beautiful most of the time, with just some scattered rain on Monday in Costa Maya- no big deal for us. Our thoughts and prayers to those affected by the storm.

 

Embarkation- was a snap

 

Cruise Director- I've always wondered why cruisers even cared who the CD is- I've done several cruises and was only mildly impacted by anything they ever did, but now i understand their interest. We had The Good Reverend Doctor E and he was incredible! His events are a blast and even his announcements are fun.

 

Food- ate in the Main Dining Room 5 nights- Saturday Night was incredibly slow, the other four were great. Enjoyed all the meals- The Lobster was decent sized, well prepared and tasty (better than past cruises). Baryo was our Head Waiter for most nights and we enjoyed good service from him and his team. This was the end of his contract and was going home to Chile and going on vacation with his family, but not a cruise! Had Dinner in the Cucina del Capitano- delicious- had the steak. This is only a $15 upcharge per person, and a very nice dining experience. Did one night in the Lido Buffet, actually a first for me. Breakfast burritos and omelets are worth the wait. Guys burgers are good- and usually a small line.

 

Room Steward- we had Rommel and he was very attentive and "always" having a good day- his quote. He did room service twice a day and kept our ice bucket full every day.

 

Casino- attentive dealers, spent most of my gambling time at the Craps Table-

 

Costa Maya- took the Trolley thing to the public beach $3pp and $2pp cab ride back to the port. Ate and drank from the El Dolphin- food was decent and the beer was cheap, service very good, but be prepared for the onslaught of vendors selling all kinds of stuff.

 

Roatan- Channin Bodden provided transportation and hooked us up with a Dive Shop buddy of his to do some snorkeling- great time.

 

Belize- did the Star Island excursion. Beach time and lunch- good

 

Cozumel - did the Sea Turtle Release excursion. We worked with the local group that is trying to preserve the Sea Turtle population. Nice tour of the island and incredible experience of emptying a nest that had just had hatchlings and counting the empty eggs and "rescuing" any stragglers left behind and getting them into the water. Second half of the tour was a Mayan Experience/Show- it was kind of cheesy but was informative.

 

Room- we splurged on a Spa Balcony but barely used the spa facilities so probably wont do that again. Facilities were wonderful, but it wasn't a priority for us.

 

Misc- we enjoy going to the decks at the front of the ship at night and doing some star gazing- it is so dark and makes the stars very visible. We saw shooting stars, satellites, planets and the Milky Way in addition to the sky full of stars. Beautiful.

 

Disembakation- Due to the port closure Matthew created, our cruise returned to port around 2 in the afternoon instead of the scheduled 7 am- lots of fun.

Three boats arrived basically arrived at the same time and everybody on the boat tried to leave at the same time, plus people were already arriving to start their cruise. To say it was a cluster would be an understatement.

Which decks did you find dark enough to see stars? These days decks lit up too much for us to see much of anything when we have tried.

Thanks for your review. We will be on the Magic next month but Dr E will be on vacation.

We could see stars quite well from our Lido balcony so perhaps forward and higher than that?

We thought Dr E was BEYOND annoying and irritating! Will avoid him in the future if possible. Otherwise love the Magic!!!

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We were on Deck 11 and just went out the front doors to the deck at the front of the ship. If you stand kind of in the middle of the deck the ship structure above will block the ambient light from the Lido area.

YTD is in the Northern Lights Dining Room.

Thanks for your review.

Thanks for your thoughts.

We were on Deck 11 and just went out the front doors to the deck at the front of the ship. If you stand kind of in the middle of the deck the ship structure above will block the ambient light from the Lido area.

 

YTD is in the Northern Lights Dining Room.

Thanks will give it a try

Which dining room is for YTD?

Northern Lights Deck 3 Mid

Dr. E and the guess the 70's and 80's song (held in the atrium) was one of the highlights. It was a riot.

Thanks for the review.

Agreed. I can go without hearing "peace, love, and hair grease" the rest of my life.

We thought Dr E was BEYOND annoying and irritating! Will avoid him in the future if possible. Otherwise love the Magic!!!

 

 

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