Magic Dec. 2-9: My casual observations and opinions

[okwriter]

This was my 6th Carnival cruise (second on Magic), my sister's third cruise (also second on Magic), and we took two cruising newbies. We are all mid-50's women who left the husbands, kids, grandkids, and pets behind. :D

 

While not a formal review, I will share some of my thoughts about our cruise on the Magic Dec. 2-9, 2012.

 

Faster to the Fun. Even though we're usually at the port very early (in the first few cars waiting in line to park in the Carnival lot), we opted to buy FTTF. It was a speedy check-in and later a speedy exit when the cruise ended. We didn't use it on any excursions and never found a line long enough at Guest Services to need it there. Still, worth the money for us, especially getting off the ship since we had a 10-hour drive home.

 

Casino. I was pleasantly surprised the first day when the executive casino host presented me with the Drinks On Us card for my casino play on my previous cruise. :D I tend to think the slots are loose the last sea day, and that theory seemed true yet again. I hit an $1,100 progressive that morning and promptly went to a Wheel of Fortune game with $50 and pulled out $600. Out of six cruises, this was my second one to hit something that big on the last sea day. Coincidence? You decide. ;) One of my cabin mates hit a similar progressive earlier in the week, and we saw or heard talk of other people winning decent on the slots, especially in the last 36 hours. The only time drink service lagged was early in the day when the staff was coming on duty and on very busy nights. Still, I never waited long for a drink (I do tip a couple of bucks for each free drink).

 

Chef's Table. When I first did the Chef's Table on the Triumph, we met in the galley and our meal was served in the library. On the Magic, however, we met in a nightclub and the meal was served in the galley. None of us enjoyed it, and I'd never recommend it on this ship. The food, presentation, and service was great, but we couldn't hear the chef at all and the ambiance was nil. :(

 

Anytime Dining. We are hooked on Anytime Dining. We stumbled onto a server we adored (Polly) and requested his section from then on. He even snuck us creme brulee the last night, as we'd missed it the first night. Service and food was beyond outstanding! A few times we waited in line, but it was because my cabin mates wanted to go when the MDR first opened so they could go on to other activities. I actually made an effort this time to look at what other cruisers were wearing. On formal nights and casual nights, I was extremely impressed with how beautiful everyone looked!

 

Behind the Scenes. My sister and one of the newbies did this and loved it. They said it was well worth the money!

 

Excursions. We didn't book anything in Jamaica, so we got off and quickly went through the shops at the port. We then got back on board and spent the day at the pool and slide, in the hot tubs, etc. In Cayman, we did a stingray/snorkeling excursion through Carnival and loved it. In Cozumel, we booked Nachi Cocom (as we always do) and had a blast.

 

Photos. I was disappointed to learn that the Magic no longer has the facial recognition kiosks for finding and ordering photos. They really need to perfect that system and use it.

 

Cabin. This was my second (I think?) time in a cove balcony and I have one booked for next cruise. Love those coves! There were four of us gals in one cabin, and the newbies said it wasn't nearly as small as they'd been told it would be.

 

That's all I can think of for now. If I think of anything else that was memorable, I'll add it later! Overall, I love the Magic and look forward to going on her again in April!

[okwriter]

Room steward. There's been occasional speculation on these forums about how often the stewards come and whether they will ice down wine. Ours came at least twice to make beds, put out clean towels, etc. He also brought in a "beer bucket" to ice down two bottles of wine one of the newbies brought and to fill our regular ice bucket.

 

Shows/entertainment. OH! My sister went to several shows, but I was selective about what I went to see. You MUST go see the hypnotist! My sister was one of those on stage and it was hilarious to watch all of the participants! :D

 

I think my sister also has some or all of the Fun Times if anyone has questions about activities. She and one of the newbies wore themselves out trying to do so much. :)

[jobell]

Thank you for your feedback.

 

We did the Chef's Table on the Dream which is also in the galley. While it is cool at first, it gets old really fast since you can't hear a thing the Chef is saying. I really like how they do it on other ships (in the library, etc) and wish they would change this on the Dream Class ships.

 

Welcome back. :)

[douglinc@msn.com]

We were on the Magic Nov. last year and really enjoyed it, beautiful ship. The only complaint we had was the food and service in the dining room wasn't up to par. Hopefull they have improved it by now. We were on the 1st. sailing from Galveston and there were some bugs to be worked out.

 

Doug

[kiraryker]

Thanks we will be there in 4 WEEKS :D:D when you went to Nachi do you just grab a taxi and tell them that's where you want to go?

 

Also I'm assuming you tip the waiter? Was it just wonderful? This will be our first time and of course it was my pick for our group of 11 so I hope everyone will love it

[chipq]

Welcome back, thanks for sharing your cruise.

 

http://luv2cruise.blogspot.com

[nlktx49]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise, I love the Magic!

 

Did you go to the Punchliner Comedy Brunch? If so, did you like it? Did it take a long time? Was it crowded? Also, did you have the option for regular breakfast and lunch in the other dining room?

[okgirl]

Thanks we will be there in 4 WEEKS :D:D when you went to Nachi do you just grab a taxi and tell them that's where you want to go?

 

Also I'm assuming you tip the waiter? Was it just wonderful? This will be our first time and of course it was my pick for our group of 11 so I hope everyone will love it

 

I go to Nachi everytime I'm in Cozumel, and we just grab a taxi. It's about a 15 minute ride. And when you get ready to go back to the ship just tell your waiter and they will call the cab for you.

 

If you have several people to share a van it's about $5 per person.

[1965]

okwriter-Thanks for the review. We were on the crossing from Barcelona to Galveston last fall. We had a great time, but felt the food and service were not quite as good as we had experience in the past. Sounds like they've worked on it and are doing a good job. Can't wait for our next cruise on her in Feb. :)

[ChristieDawn]

Thanks for the review. We have the Chef's Table booked in April on the Magic and now I am worried...maybe we should do the steakhouse instead....

[kiraryker]

I go to Nachi everytime I'm in Cozumel, and we just grab a taxi. It's about a 15 minute ride. And when you get ready to go back to the ship just tell your waiter and they will call the cab for you.

 

If you have several people to share a van it's about $5 per person.

Thanks for the info!

[okwriter]

Thank you for your feedback.

 

We did the Chef's Table on the Dream which is also in the galley. While it is cool at first, it gets old really fast since you can't hear a thing the Chef is saying. I really like how they do it on other ships (in the library, etc) and wish they would change this on the Dream Class ships.

 

Welcome back. :)

 

I wish they would change it, too. As I said initially, I wouldn't do it again and can't recommend it based on our experience. My sister told the chef what we thought when she did the Behind The Scense or Behind the Fun or whatever that tour is called.

[okwriter]

We were on the Magic Nov. last year and really enjoyed it, beautiful ship. The only complaint we had was the food and service in the dining room wasn't up to par. Hopefull they have improved it by now. We were on the 1st. sailing from Galveston and there were some bugs to be worked out.

 

Doug

 

Could be a new sailing is like a new restaurant where they are still working the bugs out (not literally, of course :D).

 

And I suppose some of it may be luck of the draw, too. One night, my sister and I ordered the same pork dish (pork steak maybe?). Mine was "fall apart" tender, but she thought hers was a little tough. Our service was adequate, but once we found a server we liked, he was beyond excellent. :)

[okwriter]

Thanks we will be there in 4 WEEKS :D:D when you went to Nachi do you just grab a taxi and tell them that's where you want to go?

 

Also I'm assuming you tip the waiter? Was it just wonderful? This will be our first time and of course it was my pick for our group of 11 so I hope everyone will love it

 

As Janey said, cabs are plentiful and the prices are posted where you catch a ride. Yes, we did tip our waiter when we were ready to leave. One of the other girls did it, but I think she gave him $20. Well worth the money! ;)

[okwriter]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise, I love the Magic!

 

Did you go to the Punchliner Comedy Brunch? If so, did you like it? Did it take a long time? Was it crowded? Also, did you have the option for regular breakfast and lunch in the other dining room?

 

We didn't go to the Punchliner Comedy Brunch, but we did eat breakfast in the MDR so we could use our free drink coupon. We also never ate lunch in the MDR (is that even available?), as we normally ate a late-ish breakfast. It was never crowded and there were no lines. Don't think we ever ate breakfast on the Lido deck.

[okwriter]

Thanks for the review. We have the Chef's Table booked in April on the Magic and now I am worried...maybe we should do the steakhouse instead....

 

I've never done the steakhouse on any of my 6 cruises, but I would rather do the steakhouse than the Chef's Table next time. Just my two cents. :)

[kiraryker]

We didn't go to the Punchliner Comedy Brunch, but we did eat breakfast in the MDR so we could use our free drink coupon. We also never ate lunch in the MDR (is that even available?), as we normally ate a late-ish breakfast. It was never crowded and there were no lines. Don't think we ever ate breakfast on the Lido deck.

 

When you eat breakfast in the main dining room is there certain times? Do you just walk in? Do you need to stick to your dinning room they give you for Dinner?

[Star24K]

We have been wanting to try the Chef's Table...maybe one another ship. Thanks

[okwriter]

When you eat breakfast in the main dining room is there certain times? Do you just walk in? Do you need to stick to your dinning room they give you for Dinner?

 

I think only one of the dining rooms was set aside for breakfast. It opened earlier on port days (7:00?) and later on sea days (9:00?). Yes, you just walk in and they will seat you. It was never very busy for breakfast when we were there. I much prefer it over the Lido deck, although the omelette stations on the Lido that I've tried on other ships are very good! :)

[sjn911]

Thanks for the concise review,,,Sarah

[andrek]

Christie, we are on the Magic now and I would definitely recommend the Steakhouse restaurant. We have eaten there 2 nights already and are going there the last night as well. The service and food can not be beat. If you book the first night of the cruise you will receive a free bottle of wine. It was pretty good too. We have also had dinner in the Italian restaurant and it was very good as well and less expensive. Very large portions in both restaurants. We have only eaten one night in the MDR and it was fine. Hope this helps!

Andrea

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for your thoughts, glad you had a good time.

[kiraryker]

Christie, we are on the Magic now and I would definitely recommend the Steakhouse restaurant. We have eaten there 2 nights already and are going there the last night as well. The service and food can not be beat. If you book the first night of the cruise you will receive a free bottle of wine. It was pretty good too. We have also had dinner in the Italian restaurant and it was very good as well and less expensive. Very large portions in both restaurants. We have only eaten one night in the MDR and it was fine. Hope this helps!

Andrea

 

We have the steakhouse reserved for 1 night when we go in Jan - to celebrate our 30th - also how much was the italian rest? Do you need to make reservations for that place also?

[happyapple]

I went on a girls trip over Halloween week - we ditched husbands, kids, jobs as well. Magic is a great ship for a week-long GNO - lots to do, places to chill out, great staff. We did not do Chef's Table, but the steakhouse was excellent. And I discovered the joy of room service! Halloween was a lot of fun, too, lots of folks in costumes. My favorite were the folks dressed up as the Love Boat cast, especially Issac and Julie, lol!

[daveo6313]

I've never done the steakhouse on any of my 6 cruises, but I would rather do the steakhouse than the Chef's Table next time. Just my two cents. :)

 

We have reservations for the Chef's Table next week. I was wondering how it was on the Magic. I was kind of disappointed when they changed the menu and considered not doing it. I think I may cancel that and do the Steakhouse again. You can do the Steakhouse twice for the price of the Chef's table. Thanks for your review and you have given me something to ponder.

 

 

DaveO