Our “Magical” Journey-March 17-24 review

We just returned yesterday from our 7 night Western Caribbean cruise on the Magic from March 17-24. We had a great time, that also included a Belizean nightmare. More on that story later. I’ll review our trip, excursions, and experiences on board. Also, we didn’t get Cheers. Did it pay off or did we see the jaw dropping bar tab at the end?

Let’s see, where do I begin.....We are a family of 4, two kids 8,13. We like to sail out of PC since it’s close for us. Our journey begins with a pre cruise stay at the Radisson at the port. This is our second stay here and have no complaints. It’s been a pleasant pre trip stay both times. We booked a 2 queen suite, and at the time wasn’t much of a price difference then standard room so why not. We arrived at 2pm, the lobby was practically empty only a few guests. I was shocked being hotel was listed as sold out and it’s spring break. So check in took about 5-10 minutes and we were off to our room.

We were located on 3rd floor, so we grabbed our luggage and up we went. The room was clean and spacious, perfect for our needs. We settled in, and since it was 65 degrees, seriously this is Florida in March. Why is it still cold? Yes, I’m a native Floridian so that’s not beach weather or at least for us. Since a beach day was out, we went to the pool since it’s heated and it was packed. I guess that’s why the lobby was empty when we arrived, everyone was already here at the pool. We got lucky and scored some loungers as people were leaving so we hung out while the kids swam for a couple hours.

It was around 5 so we cleaned up and went to dinner at Preachers Bar next to hotel. We’ve eaten here before and liked it so we went back. It’s a unique atmosphere with good food and drinks. So after dinner, we walked back to hotel and sat by the pool at the tiki bar and enjoyed a few more drinks. However, it was getting a wee bit chilly so we called it a night and back to our room to relax, and get some sleep before our big day.

You are off to a nice start. I will be following this thread.

Keith

I’m looking forward to seeing how you did without Cheers as I’m not planning to get it for my husband and myself in October.

We're also looking forward to see how you did without Cheers.

We did get for our next cruise.

And our past 5 or so. :D:D

Definately following. The Magic is our Fav Ship, so far.

We’ll be on the Magic in July, so looking forward to your review!

Following along

Following

Day 1.....get on that ship!!!!!

All the months of waiting is finally over, it’s time to go cruising. Well, not just yet it’s only 8am. So we got up and went over to McDonald’s for breakfast, something quick and easy. After breakfast we went to Publix, because we forgot sunscreen. Fortunately, there’s a Publix right down the street from the Radisson so we drove over and grabbed a few more things plus sunscreen!!!!

We had a check in time from 1130-1200 so we had some time to sit around and wait. So let’s talk about parking. I researched places to park, read countless reviews and even called hotel days before our arrival asking what they offer. They had a deal for $40 plus tax for 7 nights parking and shuttle for up to 4. That’s great, it’ll save us $100. However, I couldn’t book it until check in at hotel and shuttles run from 1030-230. So as the days passed, I kept reading reviews and it always seem to be hit or miss. Did we wanna risk it, possibly be on last shuttle or park nearby???? Well, finally after reading a review from the week prior to our trip with the shuttle from Radisson and how it’s was running 1 1/2 hours late and they didn’t get on ship till 230, and the return shuttle was a disaster as well my decision was made. We’re parking at the port, it’s worth the extra cost plus we don’t have to rely on another leg of transportation.

We left the hotel at 1050, and ending the suspense we were on board at 1120. I even posted about it on this forum as it happened. But I’ll back up a tad. We left hotel, dropped off luggage then got a first floor parking spot. Now, since parking isn’t pre paid any longer you just get a ticket at a machine and go park. It was simple. So we walked over and saw the on time line verses the early/late line. Now it’s about 1110, and the lady checking our boarding sheets says your early and have to go in this line. I said, what if we wait 20 minutes and go in the on time line so we’re not in the naughty line. She said ok, just wait over here. Meanwhile, another guy walks over and says what’s going on. So the lady explains our situation and he says “Sir, just go in that line and you’ll be on the ship in 10 minutes”. I said ok, let’s go. And sure enough, we walked right through and 10 minutes later were sitting on the ship.

So we headed up to eat lunch, kids had Guys burgers that they essentially ate all week, wife had tacos from Blue Iguana. I veered off to deck 5 for some Pig & Anchor BBQ. Now, it’s not great BBQ, but it’s good and seeing it’s only open for 3 days of our cruise I’d take advantage on day 1 when most people don’t know it’s open.

After lunch we wandered around ship, as this was our first trip on the Magic. At 130pm we went to our cabin and dropped off our carry ons and soda, and explored some more before it’s time for the muster drill. At least this one we were inside in a conference room, but there wasn’t nearly enough seats so we had to sit on floor. The drill ended, then off to the pool deck party!!!!

As the sail away party began, we were on top deck watching the dancing and Dr E (cruise director) get the party started. First, let me say my wife and I are people watchers. We both work in healthcare so we’ve seen and heard a lot. So we have perfected our art form of people watching. Needless to say, it didn’t take us long to find the “party” guy. He was talking to anyone that walked by, had a new drink in his hand every 15 minutes. It was a blast to watch this guy and we have done nothing but laugh. I’ll add more to this story as I go.....

We went back to cabin around 5ish and our luggage was there. So we unpacked and settled in and waited for dinner. Now let me say, we are not MDR people. We’ve tried, but a 2 hour dinner isn’t our style. We didn’t do any specialty restaurants either. Again, we’ve tried on other cruises but just didn’t like the length of time it takes. I mean, we have people to watch and where’s that party guy at????

We ate at the lido buffet at 6pm, the food was good, not all items are great but you can’t have everything. We sat around, had some drinks and waited for the welcome aboard show. This show was hilarious as Dr. E did a great job. It was probably the hardest we laughed. After the show, we just hung out. The kids went to their clubs and we just enjoyed some peace and quiet.

Next stop day 2, a sea day. Let’s go find all those chair hogs and make them pay.....ha ha.

Great review so far!! Sailing on the Magic May 19th!!

Thanks for the review.

Following

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Love it! Following.

I am following as I, too, am a people watcher. I LOVE to read and usually take 2-3 books on every cruise. Have never read more than 3 chapters because I am so keen on watching everything and everyone around me! Best entertainment ever! :eek::cool:

Although we have been on the Magic before, we are sailing on her again in June and we cannot wait!! I'm excited to hear how your 8 y/o and 13 y/o liked their respective Kids' Clubs? Our granddaughters are going on our upcoming cruise - one 13, one 9!

Thanks for the review!

Day 2 - Sea Day

So it’s just a relaxing day at sea, sitting by the pool and relaxing. The chair hogs were out, but it wasn’t that bad. We never had a problem finding a seat at certain times during the day. We spent most of time at water park area with slides. The kids loved it.

We hung out in the Red Frog Pub (RFP) and had a couple pitchers of beer. Miller Light pitchers (60 ounces) was 16.95 plus gratuity. We did buckets of beer at poolside (4) and it was $23 plus gratuity. Individual 16 ounce domestic beer (Bud light, Mich Ultra, etc) are $6.25 each plus gratuity. So buckets saved $2. We also did beer tubes (101 ounces) in RFP throughout week and Miller Light was $27.95 plus gratuity.

For casual beer drinkers pitchers or beer tubes is the way to go. Especially, sitting and relaxing in the RFP during the day. They had live music and trivia at various points throughout day so we’d get a beer tube if we were gonna stay a while.

So I’ll end the suspense early. Did pay as go workout better then Cheers? For us, it did in a massive way. Our bar bill was just under $400, half the cost of Cheers. We drank what we wanted, when we wanted and never felt pressured to always order something to break even. We didn’t drink everyday, took a day off in between and just enjoyed it. Honestly, once I got on ship I felt relief not having to chase a magic number with Cheers. I even talked to different people throughout cruise and ask if they had Cheers and they said no. They said it’s too much and they spend half of the cost. So it works for some, not others.

So, there’s a party guy story on this day. My wife and I are sitting on second deck above pool near DJ booth/area having lunch. I look down and see a women with a bag of ice on her head, and a server kneeling beside her talking to her. I said, something must’ve have fallen on her head. So as we watch, the tears were flowing and the server left after speaking to them. So about 10 minutes pass and the server comes back and the lady puts the ice bag back on and the tears start rolling again. The server took their info as she was writing stuff down. I said to my wife she should probably go to the medical center to get checked out. Next thing we know, we hear a voice. “I saw the whole thing, she’s freaking out over nothing”. We turn around and it’s party guy, right behind us giving us the low down. We couldn’t stop laughing. Over 3,000 passengers and the one guy that talks to us is him. What a hoot!!!

Later in evening we saw 88 Keys and it was a good show. I will say Carnival lacks in the show department verses other cruises we’ve been on (Disney/RC). But it was good, and the performers put on a good show.

I forgot to mention earlier our accommodations. We stayed in a connecting interior stateroom on 6th floor. It was very nice having additional space for us and kids. The downside was we were right over casino and at night from 10p-12a you could hear all the announcements. It wasn’t horrible, and didn’t cause an issue for us. The TV situation sucks, if I may say. Yes I know you don’t go on a cruise to watch TV. Your right, I don’t, but coming back to the cabin at night to settle in for some mindless TV is nice. There was 3 news channels, 2 cartoon channels and it showed TBS, TNT, TruTv, and another channel but it wasn’t shows from those stations other then various movies. Not a deal breaker, but sometimes it’s nice to doze off to a show verses stuff that’s not even watchable.

My wife had the value internet package, only got it as she had some school work to be completed during cruise. It wasn’t worth it, very slow. She was able to accomplish what she needed with it for school several times during the week. So it served its purpose. My daughter had the social plan and it worked fine, no issues and she never complained. So between the two they were able to text via WhatsApp and never had any issues.

Next up day 3 - Cozumel and Paradise Beach. And yes, there’s a party guy story here too.

Although we have been on the Magic before, we are sailing on her again in June and we cannot wait!! I'm excited to hear how your 8 y/o and 13 y/o liked their respective Kids' Clubs? Our granddaughters are going on our upcoming cruise - one 13, one 9!

Thanks for the review!

My daughter enjoyed her club. We gave her some leeway and kept in touch via text. My son only went twice to his club which was a shock. Last October on Liberty we could barely get him out. I think having the water park area with slides was better for him to enjoy, plus he likes going to shows at night with us.

I’m relieved to hear about your bar bill. I’m definitely not purchasing it for my husband and myself in October. We’ve always purchased drink packages and I always felt like we forced ourselves to drink as the week went by. It’ll be freeing to just pay as we go I’m thinking. Now I can’t wait to hear about the nightmare in Belize!

Following

What happened to the ice bag lady?

I’m relieved to hear about your bar bill. I’m definitely not purchasing it for my husband and myself in October. We’ve always purchased drink packages and I always felt like we forced ourselves to drink as the week went by. It’ll be freeing to just pay as we go I’m thinking. Now I can’t wait to hear about the nightmare in Belize!

Honestly, it was a relaxing feeling for us not having the pressure to get our monies worth. Some days we’d have just a couple beers, another day we’d have had a whole lot more. We also bought two 12 packs of water from fun shop at $9 total so we had plenty of bottled water all week.

We got the kids the soda package, but I don’t even think that was worth it. My son had a total of 13 sodas for the week. My daughter had like 4 or 5. Soda was $2.50 each plus gratuity. So even paying as you go for soda is the way to go for us from now on. And we brought one 12 pack on for my wife. Next time we’ll just bring our allotted amount of soda instead.

What happened to the ice bag lady?

Don’t know, they ended up leaving from their pool chairs about 10-15 min later after the server took their info. They walked away fine carrying their bucket of beer. Never saw them again all week.

Enjoying the review so far!

Following as well! Went last July and will be sailing again this July. Anxious to hear about Belize?

Following along. Seems there is always one "Party Guy" to provide some extra entertainment!! Love it!!