MAGIC review June 29 - July 6, 2014

[CheckersMidwest]

The Magic still has the 'old' traditional menu in the dining room. So glad !

 

At one point, we drove on the beach...

 

 

 

He mumbled something about a 'registration' check because they're worried about that......hmmmm. Our van just drove through.

 

 

 

 

 

Armed guards at the banks and at the pumps at gas stations.

[CheckersMidwest]

More guards....

 

 

At the top of a huge hill, we stopped for photos and a little market style shopping. This was our second stop. The shopping here was good prices and you can negotiate. They have a lot of mahogany items & jewelry. My daughter is redoing her room in a nautical theme and found a ship in a bottle at one of the stands for her shelf. They had bracelets made out of died coconut and wood.

 

 

 

 

This little boy was in the road by the parking lot. He was selling jewelry and had a pet rat. It sat on his shoulder and on his head. I took his picture and gave him $1 just because he was cute.

 

Little kids were in the road dancing, singing, & playing drums wanting tips. We drove by these girls, I bet the littlest one wasn't more than 2. They were so disappointed when no one stopped.

 

 

We stopped at the office by Victor Bodden's home to pay for the tour. They request cash. There is cold soda, water, and souvineirs. We bought a couple of Roatan tshirts with a monkey on the front for $10 each. They also had assorted bottles - wine, long neck beer, etc that are somehow covered in wood. (Look like a wooden bottle but the glass one is inside) It has carvings and portions are colored. My son bought a wine one with parrots. Very cool & it was $20. This is the only place we saw these.

 

Here, a tour guide took us around the Monkey farm. We were looking forward to this the most ! We all loved it. There was a baby in a cage - not quite ready for people yet...

 

[CheckersMidwest]

Forgot to mention that we docked at 8:00 am. Walked off about 8:15. Our tour was 9:00 - 2:00 ish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CheckersMidwest]

We moved on to the parrots....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This little guy is part anteater and part raccoon.

 

 

 

We fed the lemurs...

 

[CheckersMidwest]

The last thing they showed us was white tailed deer. Bahahahahaha. In northern Missouri, our white tail are huge. 200 + pounds and huge racks. I told them I'd send them a photo of our white tail deer.

 

 

I'd read on here about people getting bit by the monkeys. I emailed Victor and asked if his monkeys had shots, etc. He sent me the name & address of their vet. They visit the monkeys once a month and take care of anything necessary. That made me feel better.

 

If you have any loose items - hat, sunglasses, etc, they will take it and climb to the top of the cage with it. They're really fast. They really wanted the bottle of sprite I was carrying. They tried with both hands to open it while I held it. They finally knocked it out of my hands & pounced on it in the corner. My husband reached down to get it, hesitated a second, and the monkey bit him. The monkey gave him that same look our dogs do when they don't want to give something up. We knew better. It didn't break the skin but did leave a blood blister. As far as that goes, the green parrot bit him on the finger too. Must have just been something about him !

 

Next stop, Bananarama Beach Resort. It is on the West End, which is a bit wealthier. It had a long beach, our tour included a beach chair for each of us. There were restrooms, changing rooms, and an outdoor shower we could use too. Our driver showed us to the beach....consulted with a security guard standing at the property edge & helped us find 4 chairs together. He sat at a picnic table near the back with some other guides and just waited until we were all ready. We had about 2 hours here which was perfect. When we were ready to go, we just found him.

 

 

The bar/food area

 

 

Swings at one of the bars

 

 

 

From the bar/food area out toward the water

[CheckersMidwest]

There were a few water sports available. Paddle boarding was $25 for an hour. My kids shared it. The man gave a quick lesson first. There were also jet boots (don't know their official name...) You step into the boots.....they're connected to a jet ski & you fly around, occasionally slamming back down to the water. They made it look easy, but not everyone was so graceful.

 

 

 

 

 

There were also ladies doing hair braiding, selling jewelry, etc.

 

We ordered hot wings, fish tacos, and cheesy fries from the bar. It took a really long time....almost an hour on the wings. I don't remember the prices, but reasonable.

 

 

The water was clear and cold. Beautiful area.

 

We met up with the other family on our tour & we were all ready to go. We drove back to the port area and were dropped off at the red roofed building.

 

There is a man made beach just off the shopping area still inside the Carnival zone. You can walk over or take the chair lift. It is $12 each for a pass to ride the chair lift. We wanted to try it, but couldn't see paying $48 just to ride over/back. Especially when we'd already been at a beach for the afternoon.

 

 

We shopped a little and were back on the ship by 5:00 since dinner was at 6:00

 

All aboard was at 5:30

Edited July 11, 2014 by CheckersMidwest

[CheckersMidwest]

We were ready for dinner by 6:00 and were starving !

 

 

cheesy potato soup - a little grainy

 

 

cesar salad

 

 

 

 

Seafood something.....scallops, muscles, shrimp

 

 

Turkey on farfalle pasta

[CheckersMidwest]

 

Bitter N Blanc

 

 

Tiramusu - fabulous

 

After dinner , the guys went to the casino and my daughter & I went to the Bella Perlina bracelet sale. They look similar to the Pandora ones. They're regularly priced $95 and on sale for $19.99. Extra charm sets are $15. I get one on each cruise.

 

We met back (kind of) for the 9:00 show "Destination Unknown". It's music and illusions/magic. Very entertaining. On a previous night, the line to get in was really long, so I went on ahead and got in line. We were suppose to meet by the door on the 4th deck. Or was it the 3rd deck? They opened the doors a little early so I grabbed seats. I went in on the 4th deck, guys showed up after doors were already open & got seats on the 3rd deck. Even after we both walked around a bit looking for each other, still no luck. Show was still great, just saw it separately. :)

 

Our daughter went to 02 activities & our son went to the night club. I got a plate of strawberries.

 

Tonight was the ports of call tshirt sales. $10 each.

 

8:30 movie on the Seaside theater was Thor. 11:30 movie was Divergent.

 

12:00 noon was the Celine Dion concert

2:00 Bob Marley concert

6:00 Here Come the Girls

 

 

Tomorrow: Belize

[vluvski]

Getting pumped for our October cruise!!! Thank you for sharing!

[oldmedic]

looking forward to the Magic!!

[LambKnuckles]

 

 

We were up & headed to the buffet at 7:20. Along with everyone else on the ship. Should have gone a few minutes earlier. I had the usual French toast, bacon, and potatoes.

 

You sound like you and I have similar tastes!!! I LOVE their french toast... and always have bacon!!! and more bacon... since I rarely make it at home.

 

I love those bracelets too! I don't go when the sale starts -- some many people -- but find a selection later and add charms on each cruise!

 

You are opening up new things for me to look for... the Bodden tours are suppose to be great!! This one sounds good!! I'm going to look for those stairs and scout it out for future trips... This cruise (September) we have Nana and she's in a wheelchair, so we'll just do the walking around and maybe a stroll to the beach!

 

Lovin' your thread!!!

[CheckersMidwest]

On the Paradise & Freedom, the bracelet sale is a lot like Black Friday. People mob around and they sell out quick of certain colors. I thought it was odd the sale on the Magic was at 6:30 while people were at dinner. They assured me they would have plenty & they did. They set up tables in front of the jewelry stores as well as on the other side in front of the fun shops. We went about 7:40 after dinner.

 

This was the first ship we've been on that sell the boxed necklace/bracelet sets later in the week. I'll try to take pix of what we got.

 

BELIZE

 

Today we went to breakfast at 7:10 and there were very few people. The guys had time for omelets and I had the usual.....French toast, bacon, & potatoes.

 

We were docked in Belize 8:00-5:00. They said if you weren't on a Carnival excursion and didn't have a tender ticket, to wait until leisurely tendering around 11:30. Hello Faster To The Fun !

 

On the Freedom last year when we tendered in Grand Cayman....you walked down to guest services and told them you were ready to go ashore. They took you downstairs within minutes and put you on an already loading tender.

 

This year, on the Magic, they directed us to sit & wait with a large group of others. We waited about 45 minutes then they took us all down and put us on one tender together. It didn't interfere with our excursion, but good to know if we'd booked something else.

 

The tender ride to shore is 15-20 minutes.

 

Today we had a day at Goff's Caye booked through Island marketing. We received a confirmation telling us to look for a sign ashore saying "Sun Kissed Beach Day". There would be someone just inside the port area. I had to look a bit because he wasn't holding the sign up and it didn't say Island marketing....it said Echo Tours. Apparently they operate under several names. Our name was on their list, so I was good. After a few more showed up, they walked us down the pier to the check in booth where we paid cash, as requested.

 

Our tour was $32 each and included round trip boat ride to Goff's Caye, snorkeling, 2 free rum punches each, and beach time.

 

 

 

The tender dock...

 

 

It rained really hard for just a few minutes. We had about 40 minutes to shop around at the pier before our boat arrived. It was covered and in great condition.

 

The boat ride is 35 minutes. Here is our first glimpse....

 

 

It is a TINY primitive private island. The water is crystal clear and beautiful. You will need water shoes - lots of rocks because of the reef. If you walk down to the sand close to where the boat docks then walk out, you miss most of the rocks. One side is rough, the other side is calm.

 

 

[CheckersMidwest]

 

 

 

Adirondack style chairs are for rent for $5 each. We were the first boat there and when people came later, they didn't realize you rent them and took one of mine. I explained they're rented & I got it back, so be sure to leave a towel or something on it.

 

 

[CheckersMidwest]

 

 

The bigger boat at the far end is ours.

 

 

 

 

 

They provide the snorkel equipment. They have a nice section of the Great Barrier Reef. I didn't snorkel, I wanted more time on the beach, but the rest of my family went. My husband said they were really careful with unexperienced snorkelers and had a lot of staff in the water.

[CheckersMidwest]

 

 

 

 

 

These photos were taken with my daughter's Olympus Tough camera. It's waterproof, shockproof if you drop it, and freezeproof for winter activities.

[CheckersMidwest]

You start from the boat on one side of the island (the rough side)....snorkel around to the other side and walk in on the sand.

 

 

 

There is a shelter house. This is where you get the free rum punch, they mark your wristband. Not all tours include this.

 

There is a BBQ available. 2 lobster tails with rice & corn was $12. 1/4 chicken with rice & corn $8. Kabobs with rice & corn $8. They also had hot dogs.

 

 

 

 

[CheckersMidwest]

Our excursion was 9:30 - 2:00. They had us meet at the boat about 1:30 & head back. It was about 2:10 when we got back to the pier.

 

We had time to shop at the pier. This is the place if you want Coach purses, scarves, wallets, luggage, ties, etc. I don't know if it's real or knock off. (I have a purse from the Bahamas several years ago that still looks perfect & has a serial number inside....might be a second or hot?!)

 

Cross body bags were $15-17. Scarves were $4 for the silk kind and I think $10 for the bigger ones. There were suitcases, etc. I got a wallet for $15.

 

Several stores have them right at the pier. Other brands too.

 

My son bought an Armani dress shirt for $15.

 

Last Tender was at 4:15. We were on the tender about 3:30

 

1:00 on the Seaside theater was a Kenney Chesney concert.

 

Tonight was the second formal night.

 

In the Fun shops, they had red, white, & blue carnival logo tshirts for sale for $10 for tomorrow - July 4th. We didn't get ours & waited until the morning of the 4th. They were already put away since they were a daily deal. The nice lady at check out made a note of what sizes we wanted and said she'd bring them up that evening with the port of call shirts. After dinner we checked & they'd saved them behind the register for us. Very nice !

 

We cleaned up for dinner & again, we were hungry !

 

 

 

 

 

[CheckersMidwest]

 

 

Forgot to mention that on the boat ride to/from Goff's Caye, they offered everyone free cold water - in a BAG !

 

 

After dinner, the kids went their own ways and my husband went to the casino while I changed.

 

We went to the Seaside Theater and watch Gravity at 8:30. Popcorn is available at the pool bar.

 

The 11:00 movie was the Hobbit.

 

TOMORROW: COZUMEL

[nickel1522]

Thank you for the review! We have been on the Magic twice and on both did Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel. We are booked May 2015 (wanted to go the next time she had all the upgrades and a change in entertainment because it gets repetitive after awhile) and doing the Belize and Roatan route! The pictures you took were beautiful and I as well get the $30 Bella Perlina bracelets every time. They are too beautiful to pass up! I have decided this next time I am getting my 3 year old one because she tries to steal mine!

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

[LambKnuckles]

Not sure if we'll get off when we go to Belize... But you make shopping sound better than it was a year ago!!!

 

Still reading and enjoying!!!

[CheckersMidwest]

COZUMEL

We were in Cozumel today 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Wish it were a little longer.

 

We had a later breakfast at 7:45. No lines.

 

Walked off the ship just after 8:00. This was our second trip to Cozumel. Last time my husband & son went scuba diving with Scuba Tony and my daughter & I did a Carnival excursion to San Gervasio Mayan Ruins and a beach. We were really disappointed in the beach they took us to.

 

We already had 3 ships in port.

 

 

 

This time, we wanted to just go down town for shopping, a little time at Margarittaville, and back to port.

 

We walked through the port complex to the taxis. It was $8 to go downtown.

 

Along the way....this man was fingerpainting pictures. They had these downtown too. I bought a 3x4 magnet for $3.

 

 

 

We were looking for a straw/flea market area they guys were at last time, but didn't find it. When we asked the locals, they didn't seem to really understand.

 

Everything is cheaper downtown than at the port. The 'stores' do not haggle over prices, the open air places do.

 

 

 

I looked for gifts to bring home to my preschoolers. I found dolls downtown for $5 each....I couldn't make my mind......by the time we were done shopping & a long away from where we started, I couldn't find anymore. I knew they had them at the port, so decided to get them there. Kicking myself - at port they were $13.

 

They have a lot of sunglasses. We got several Oakleys, Ray Bans, and Coach. $10 each !

 

I got vanilla for my mother, hot sauce for my dad, big miracas for $1 each for all the little ones, pottery at the port at a store on the far end. Red, green, & cream colored. I got a nice bowl for salsa for $7. Lots of pieces to mix & match. My son bought a hammock for $20, lots of tshirt places....one downtown was 4 for $10. That's where my daughter got shirts for her friends.

 

Love the shopping in Cozumel ! A lot of great deals for really good prices.

 

 

A worker handed us free margarita coupons when we walked by so we cashed them in. We also found frozen margaritas a little place for $3. Very good.

[CheckersMidwest]

Here is a photo from the port:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even thought there were so many visitors in town today, downtown was not busy at all.

[CheckersMidwest]

Hot & hungry, we headed to Margaritaville. They decorated for our Independence Day.

 

 

 

 

 

This is where all the people were ! The place was hopping !

 

We had drinks and a huge nacho platter to share.

 

 

Just down from Margarittaville is this place for pedicures. There are fish in the water who nibble at your feed to eat the dead skin, etc. How gross.

 

[CheckersMidwest]

At a place called the Plaza downtown was a man and several parrots. They were raising money for the parrots and a rescue league. For $10 he poses you with the parrots and you take the pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

Grabbed a taxi ($8) back to port. Took about 10-15 minutes. We shopped a bit here and went back to the ship. It was 2.45. All aboard was at 3:30.

[CheckersMidwest]

Forgot to mention (and tried to Edit, but my time to do so expired).....today is Independence Day !

 

I was awoken this morning about 3:00 or 4:00 to a young man singing on his balcony. He was either just a few down or below. He sang "Born in the USA" over & over by Bruce Springsteen. He also shot a few fireworks. Bright and loud. I'm guessing I wasn't the only one who saw them, we were next to the bridge. He stopped almost as quickly as he started.

 

Once back on the ship, I went for ice cream. Wandered around the ship a bit then went back to the cabin to get ready for dinner. Once again, we were starved.

 

lasagna ?

 

 

 

Beef steak tomato appetizer

 

 

salad

 

 

chicken noodle soup

 

oysters Rockefeller