Carnival | Magic | May 25, 2014 | G&L

[dndranchguys]

Ok! We are back! It took me all of Monday to catch up on 675 emails in my inbox at work. Sorry. :mad:

 

Report: Overall, the Cruise was great! If you are not Platinum or have a Faster to Fun pass, boarding looked like a bitch. The couple we were with are Platinum so we zipped through. Absolutely the smoothest sailing ever on the water. Loved the ship. It is very warm down in the Caribbean already...be warned! Pack shorts, tees, and a few collars for night. Casino was great although they have apparently tightened up Tony's machine as that bitch didn't pay off at all. We managed to get to "free drinks" in the casino pretty fast. We did ok in the casino, but not great. I should have stuck to Roulette the whole time. Did not make the comedy club or shows. It feels to us like Carnival has cut down on staff. Took longer to get drinks and have tables bussed that before. Met some very nice "family" onboard and I'm sure they will become lifetime friends.

 

Food Report: Regular buffets were good....not great. MDR was good to great. Sandwich bar was good. Steakhouse was good but probably not worth the extra $$$. Italian restaurant was the best value! We all raved about the food there!

 

Drinking Report: We did the "Cheers" program and got clipped the first night. By the 3rd night, we had our free drinks in the casino so never got clipped again. Still debating if it was worth it. On port days we felt like we had to drink to get our money's worth even if we were full. Of course, the first evening is the heaviest drinking, but you don't have the package then. So, not sure this next trip which way will will go.

 

Roatan: We went on a catamaran snorkeling. It was fun we had a great time. Good snorkeling although the water could have been cleaner. Mike's equipment did not fit well so he had problems. Probably just his big head. We are planning to just lay on the beach next trip. Maybe snorkel at the beach.

 

Belize: We did not even leave the compound where the tenders come in. We were late getting off the boat because we partied too late the night before. We heard the snorkeling was awesome and Caulker's Kay was great from others that went. Next trip we are going cave tubing with Jon and Toni.

 

Cozumel: Just shopped the strip and drank our asses off at Senior Frogs. Oh, final got our rings!!!!!! :D:D:D Next trip, thinking about going to one of the hotels that offer all inclusive beach time. We have done that before and it was worth it. Any suggestions?

[BJWill]

Well sounds like you had a great time! Thank you for the feedback!

 

We were able to get F2F for everyone in our group so that should be helpful. Sorry the casino was not so nice to you guys this trip, maybe you can make up for that in May! I hate to hear that staff was low. We have always been so pleased with how attentive our Carnival crew members were on past cruises.

 

We are doing Mr Sanchos all-inclusive day in Cozumel. Take a look into that and see what you think.

[dndranchguys]

BJ, did you do the All Inclusive for $55 deal?

[dndranchguys]

Ok, we booked the Mr. Sanchos All Inclusive Day Pass think. I have heard great things about this for years but have never been. Not sure how we get to the location though. Did not find that on their website.

[BJWill]

Sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday Doug. Yes we did the all-inclusive for $55. We have heard really good things as well. We usually just sit at one of the bars and drink but decided this time its just as cost effective to do the all-inclusive at Sanchos and get to swim while we are at it.

 

We will have to catch a cab at the end of the pier. About $16 per cab ride for up to 4 people. Should take about 15 minutes to get there.

[dndranchguys]

We agree BJ. Although we had a great time at Senor Frog, we spent more per person than we would have at Mr. Sanchos.

 

I'm am still trying to snag a F2F ticket!

 

Only 3 weeks to go boys! Even though we were on the ship last week, I am ready again!

[twocruiseguys]

I'm am still trying to snag a F2F ticket!

So are we. I keep checking about 3 or 4 times a day. Have been since we booked this trip. But it won't be the end of the world if we don't get it. The only real reason we would like to get one is to have an early tender ticket for Belize.

[BJWill]

I'm not sure how they determine how many F@F tickets to offer but it seems fairly random. I hope you guys get it as you said Jon, if for nothing more than the early Belize tender.

 

Doug, you didn't mention anything about the piano bar or karaoke. Did you spend any time at either? How was the pianist? What songs did you sing at karaoke?

[dndranchguys]

Jon and Toni, I have information that Carnival only sells 50 F2F tickets per cruise. So unless someone with one cancels, we will not be getting one. The odds of someone with one cancelling now are very low. So we'll have to look out for each other for the cave tubing excursion in Belize. The tenders seemed to do a pretty good job when we were there, but there were only 3 ships there that day. I understand there can be as many as 5 at a time and that would spread the tenders pretty thin.

 

BJ, we did the piano bar. That's where the FOD meetings are. Piano players are fair but not great. We had fun though. We did not do Karaoke. It seems a casino was blocking out way and we never made it. We will if you're going to be singing though.

 

One observation about embarkation: We got on to the terminal at 12:30 pm on the dot. Seems everyone else did too. We were in our cabin by 1:00 pm could see the traffic in front of the terminal from our balcony. We unpacked, and by 1:30 pm, the lines of cars out front were gone. We went down to the Atrium Bar in the lobby to people watch and noticed that by 2:30 pm, people were just trickling on. Moral: Come real early or come after 2:00 pm to avoid the herd.

 

Also, We suggest that we all meet in the Atrium Bar at 3:00 pm for a family "Meet and Greet" before we do sail away. It's central and easy to find. Thoughts?

[twocruiseguys]

Yeah, we probably wont get FTTF. Just thought I would keep trying.

FYI - - - according to port loads, the Magic is the only ship at Belize on 5/29. That's great news on all fronts.

 

Regarding embarkation, with the exception of the fog issues on Feb 23 causing the Magic's late arrival, and even later departure, we have never had serious issues with crowds. And we really don't mind waiting in the check-in cue. It usually goes pretty quickly. Besides, its a good place to meet people. We still email back and forth with a retired couple from Canada that we met in the cue on the last cruise. A sweet old lady named Peaches and her husband Ed.

 

But you are absolutely correct about the arrival "window". Either get there very early, or wait until about 1-2 hours before departure. No lines. One option is just go early and drop off luggage, then go browse the stores or have lunch on the Strand. Then go check in. I would bet your luggage is waiting for you when you get to your stateroom.

 

We will leave home on Sun morning early, have breakfast with friends in NW Houston, and then head on to the port. Depending on how long it takes to park and shuttle from EZ Cruise, we will probably be checking in about 130.

 

The Atrium Bar sounds like a good place to meet. Centrally located.

 

And regarding the piano bar . . . did you notice that seating area just outside the entrance? That used to be a wine bar. It's a shame they got rid of it. That was a great place to meet. And that's where the FOD meetings used to be.

[dndranchguys]

That is great news that we are the only boat in Belize on Thursday!

 

I did notice that it looked like there had been something else outside the Piano Bar. A wine bar would be great. The Sushi Bar is closed also as far as I know. At least I never saw that area open, but maybe it was only a couple times. The Chocolate Buffet was only open once.

 

What is everyone doing in Roatan? We were just going to go lay at the private beach, but now we are thinking about doing a little tour bus thing so we can see more of the island. Found this for only $30 each. http://roatancruiseexcursions.com/RoatanIslandTours.html

 

You are right Jon, the lines do move fast. And great idea about shopping. If anyone is interested in Fiesta Ware, there is a great Fiesta Ware shop about 2 blocks from the terminal.

[BJWill]

Wow...I'm glad I found you guys! You really know how to research and make it much easier on me! Being the only ship in port will be nice for the tenders!

 

Good, bad or ugly... I can promise you that I will be singing whether it be at Karaoke or just in the Piano Bar...I rarely need a microphone to be louder than the music!! Bring your recording devices and share with your friends...if I get a record deal, or comedy show, out of it then I will give you a cut!!

 

Atrium bar sounds great @ 3:00. I'm sure with my group that we will be the 1st - 8th people on the ship because they are so eager to get on board. That should give me plenty of time to roam the decks and try to rally additional family for our group if there are any others.

[dndranchguys]

Jon, If you see any F2F tickets come up, grab yours and then call me! You have my number.

 

We like to sit in the Atrium bar after boarding so we can scope out rest of the family on board since everyone walks past that bar when boarding. Plus you get first screening of potential eye candy on board. We had some yummy hunks on board last week!:p

 

Lest I forget, please remind me to tell all of you, once we are assembled, what happened on our Barefoot Catamaran Snorkel excursion in Roatan. It was an interesting trip.:rolleyes:

[BJWill]

Now Doug...you cant just throw that out there and expect us to wait three weeks to hear the story! That's just cruel!!

 

Which one of you four decided to be the MC for our slot pull??

[twocruiseguys]

Snagged FTTF !!

 

Thank you, Doug, for texting me at work when you noticed that Carnival had just released a small batch. As I mentioned on the phone, it caused a brief panic when I realized I couldn't log into my Carnival account to make the purchase because I had no clue what my password was. Fortunately, while waiting for Carnival to respond to my request to reset the password, I managed to stumble upon it after several attempts at guessing.

 

Really don't know why I got so exited, as I had already resigned myself to the notion that we weren't going to get one. But dangle a carrot in front of me, and I make a spectacle of myself.

 

Speaking of dangling a carrot . . . Really, Doug?? You just going to leave us hanging like this? You know if we don't get the facts about your catamaran excursion soon, we will just make something up. And our stories can be quite imaginative ! ;)

 

I am liking the idea of Mr Sanchos in Cozumel. We've done just about everything else, so this might be something different. I have seen good reviews of this, and a similar property - Nachi Cocom. Tony & I will talk tonight.

[BJWill]

Im glad you got it Jon! That means we can get to the atrium bar sooner and plot! Doug were you able to get it as well?

 

It would be fantastic if you guys join us at Sanchos Jon. Let us know what the boss man says!

[twocruiseguys]

Mr Sancho's confirmed. Made reservation today.

 

Since I seem to be crowned the king (or queen?) of research for this group, here's some more tidbits of information regarding the port loads for our trip. Port loads based on avg guest capacity of each ship. Ship's port schedules are always subject to change, but I have found this information relatively reliable. Taken from cruisett dot com.

Galveston Sunday May 25

Carnival Magic departs 400pm

RCCL Navigator of the Seas departs 430pm

Total port load 7487 passengers

 

Roatan Wednesday May 28

Carnival Magic arrives 800am, departs 600pm

Carnival Glory (from Miami) arrives 800am, departs 600pm

RCCL Vision of the Seas (from Ft Lauderdale) arrives 1000am, departs 600pm. Docks at Coxen Hole, not Mahogany Bay.

Total port load 9787 passengers

 

Belize Thursday May 29

Carnival Magic arrives 800am, departs 500pm

Total port load 3652 passengers. This translates to some more efficient tendering, hopefully.

 

Cozumel Friday May 30

Carnival Magic arrives 800am, departs 400pm

Carnival Dream (from New Orleans) arrives 1000am, departs 500pm

RCCL Freedom of the Seas (from Port Canaveral) arrives 1000am, departs 700pm

Total port load 10,932 passengers. ** This is unusually light for Cozumel. And totally awesome for us!! Typically 6 or 8 ships in port, with loads of over 20,000 drunk souls.

 

Galveston Sunday June 1

Carnival Magic arrives 800am

RCCL Navigator of the Seas arrives 700am

Total port load 7487 passengers

[BJWill]

Excellent! I am glad you'll be joining us at Mr Sanchos. All-inclusive may have just cost them double!!

 

Thanks for the port load info. I'm glad there will be some Florida cruise in Roatan with us...hopefully potential for additional eye candy. If I were smart enough to determine what the departure dates for Glory and Vision of the Seas cruises were then I would go over to their G&L Roll Calls and see if we can meet additional family at port.

[twocruiseguys]

If I were smart enough to determine what the departure dates for Glory and Vision of the Seas cruises were then I would go over to their G&L Roll Calls and see if we can meet additional family at port.

Carnival Glory departs Miami on Sat May 24

Vision of Seas departs Ft Lauderdale on Mon May 26

[dndranchguys]

Yep BJ, we were able to snag a F2F ticket as well. So we'll be on board early.

 

As for the catamaran story, Let's just say it involved machine guns and lobster. Too long to tell here.

 

Three weeks from today is our first Sea Day! I'll be waking up about now. :D

[BJWill]

Well I made a quick browse through the G&L Roll Calls looking for the Glory and Vision of the Seas but did not see a roll call for either. With the search option not functioning, I could have over looked them but after 10 pages in I gave up.

 

Definitely looking forward to meeting you guys so the sooner we can make it to that Atrium Bar, the better!!

 

Still trying to decide on the Cheers program but I think we may just order a couple bottles of liquor to be sent to our room and mix up our own drinks their. My mind could change at least 20 more times between now and then though.

[dndranchguys]

We are still debating about doing the Cheers program again too. Chances are we will do it. We don't plan to gamble as much this time so we probably won't get free drinks there.

 

We signed up for the tour thing in Roatan I mentioned earlier. So I guess we have something to do in every port.

[dndranchguys]

:) Looking at the member's list on the Face Book page, it seems we might have a couple more family members on board from the Lubbock area. I may be wrong....but. Someone should invite them over here. BJ, aren't you the welcome committee?

[BJWill]

As the Welcoming Committee (I am glad I found my part in this team :D) I have reached out to the Lubbock couple and one other from Austin. Hopefully they will come over and join us here so we can chat before we meet them on the ship.

 

Doug I think you have had a couple conversations on FB with the other James, the LJ to my BJ. His partner was scheduled to go with but unfortunately due to a school schedule change commitment, his partner is no longer able to go so he found a female friend of ours to go in his partners place.

[dndranchguys]

Aw! Sorry to hear one of your friends can't make it! :(

 

More from Austin??? I missed them on Face Book. Hmmmm...give me a hint. I'm sure you'll do just fine as the Welcome Wagon...I mean committee. Does this mean you'll also be our personal Julie (cruise director) for the group?

 

This reminds me! We had Female Impersonator (drag queen) on the last cruise. And for a while we could never remember his name. So we all started calling him "Big Brenda". Well, I got drunk one night, well, better stated, when I was drunk one night I accidentally called him that to his face. It was not pretty.

 

Are we still doing beads? (I can hear Jon growling!)