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Review Canival Magic - Oct 1-Oct 8

Techycruiser

By Techycruiser,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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Techycruiser

Techycruiser

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This is my first time trying my hand at writing a review, so bare with me, but ask questions and I will try and answer them.

 

First I want to tell you something about me. It was our 3rd cruise – my DH and myself. We use our cruises as our couple vacation away from the kids and grandkids. We both live very busy lives and I always sleep most of the first day.

 

We decided to go on the Magic because of the itinerary, the Western Caribbean and what I heard about the Cruise Director, the Rev. Dr. E. I don’t even remember the cruise directors, the moment I walked off the other ships, so I was curious about who this person was.

 

I researched Port Canaveral and stayed on these boards trying to figure out the best time to get to the port, etc. since I was not able to get FTTF, I was dreading the long lines I had heard about.

 

We are from Farmville, VA so we knew we had about a 10 hour drive. We really weren’t so enthused about flying since it was hard to judge our return flight. In hindsight with all the adventure with Hurricane Matthew, that proved to be the wisest move. I found us a room at the Radisson at the Port and reserved the Cruise Package.

 

We left VA about 3:00 am on Friday morning. It is literally a straight shot to the hotel – down 95 and off on A1A.

 

The hotel was okay, we were only staying for one night, so I wasn't looking for the Ritz. People were everywhere so this was a popular cruise hotel. When I checked in, I made sure that we were on the shuttle and was able to get a 10:30 time. She told me it was the first shuttle, so even though, I was anxious, I figured I would be fine. I am definitely not a long line person, so this was going to be a trying experience for me.

 

The room was clean, but the bed was atrocious. We walked around the pool area, which was quite pleasant, ate dinner in the hotel restaurant and went to bed.

 

I will be back for more later, I have to get to work.

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woodman

woodman

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Looking forward to see what you thought of the Magic. We were on her in Aug. and are going again this Saturday. Each person has a different take on each cruise. Can't wait to see what you thought of it. Happy cruising.

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Techycruiser

Techycruiser

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Cruise Morning

 

Saturday morning was a beautiful and to say I was excited was an understatement. We got free breakfast with our package, so we went down early to beat the crowd. After eating breakfast in the restaurant, which was quite good, we decided to go get our bags and meet in the lobby. We got into the lobby around 9:30 and met the shuttle driver. I love the way that she did this. She checked my name off of her list and put a “1” beside, which meant we were first on the shuttle. She said she needed to get at least 12 people for the shuttle before leaving but she was going to try and get us out early since she had over 300 people that they had to shuttle that day. I found out that they service several hotels in the area. Around 10:00 she called us and we boarded. We left the hotel 10 minutes later when she had everyone on the shuttle. We arrived at the Port at exactly 10:15. Walked into the Port, and I was so happy that I DID NOT pay for FTTF. We were inside, checked in and on the ship within 30 minutes. I asked the check in agent what time we were due to board, she replied maybe around 11:30. 11:30 I was on the ship. It was the smoothest I had ever seen; not that I have seen a lot, but I am happy I saved my money.

 

We were booked into a Cove Balcony and we were directly under the shore excursion desk, cabin 2256. The cabin was quiet and very clean. Our room steward was the best; he kept our ice bucket filled and room spotless. He came into the room 3 times per day. In the morning, in the evening and then did turn down service, he was wonderful. I spent hours on my balcony and every so often I could smell smoke from one of my neighbors, definitely not enough to ruin my sitting and napping on the balcony. My right side neighbor had a little boy who spent many hours running in and out of the balcony door, slamming it each time. Now that caused me problems.

 

Rev. Dr. E was the best, he made the cruise so much fun. I could not believe someone could maintain the stamina. He had fun with old and young.

 

SHIP

 

The ship was absolutely beautiful. I loved the decor, very tasteful, not gawdy. I found the ship to be huge and got my exercise daily. We made the decision to cut through deck 5 to reduce the feel of the long walk from one end of the ship. I agree that the smoking in the Casino was a bit much, but it is what it is. There were plenty of places on the cruise where you didn't smell smoke at all. Every now and again, I smelled the sewer like smell, but nothing to bother me. The ship with 4200 people never felt over crowded. I like the library and the little nooks around the ship where you could just sit and read. I certainly believe that most people hung out on the 10th and 11th deck.

 

FOOD

 

I wanted to try every venue at least once. I never found anything that was not good. I ate in the MDR for the Sea Day brunch and because I am a smoke salmon fan, this was great to me. I also ate in the Lido deck for breakfast, the omelette station was great and moved very quickly. Like I said, there were a lot of people, but I never had to stand in line for over 5 minutes at the most. Never stood in line at Guy's Burgers, I ate there twice. The barbecue was very good as well as the Blue Iguana. We ate in the steak house on our first night and was able to get a bottle of wine free. We decided this trip not to eat dinner in the MDR every night. We actually skipped the first formal night and went to the Lido and there was the same menu. When we did, we had anytime dining, there was a short line prior to the restaurant opening and then we walked right in. We were always able to get a table for two without any problem. I purchased the soda package which worked just fine for me. I have to say that the Lido has the best coffee in the world. I tried the coffee at the specialty coffee bar and it kept me up all night, LOL.so I stuck to the Lido deck coffee. We would get room service coffee in the morning and it was always delivered on time and hot.

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Techycruiser

Techycruiser

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I am trying to write this while I am at work between projects, so excuse me if it sounds disjointed.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

I did not go to any of the comedy shows even though I had planned to go, but some people on the ship told me that he wasn't very funny, so we skipped him. I really enjoyed the shows mainly because I absolutely loved the live music. I had read reviews where they felt Carnival had started skimping on the entertainment by providing DJ's and canned music. Well there were at least 3 bands on the ship along with a DJ. The live house band, played for the live shows which added an extra element to the show. The singers were okay, I have seen better, but you could tell they enjoyed what they did. I went to all except the illusionist and really didn't hear anyone say anything about him one way or the other. The cruise director, Rev. Dr. E was always involved and added comedy to everything. Oh yeah, during the Muster, it was hilarious. We were all seated at our appropriate muster stations; which thank God was inside the 2nd floor of one of the MDR's. He came on the overhead and when you first heard the drill, it sounded like 20 different people talking. We realized it was him, changing his accent, it was hilarious.

 

There were a couple of shows like the Love and Marriage show that were for adults only and people brought their kids which I found ridiculous; then they got upset because the conversation steered into an adult conversation. Activities on the ship were great fun, the Motown Guess that Song was my favorite. There was a Mardi Gras party and several sail away and desk parties, we had a ball at them all. I guess the best one was the balloon drop. The movies on the Lido every night were well attended; we would watch a few minutes before continuing onto something else.

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Techycruiser

Techycruiser

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PORTS

We wanted to take our time and maybe book excursions while we were on the ship. I just wanted to relax and not be obligated to be in any one place unless I wanted to. I was really tired coming on this trip and envisioned sleeping on my balcony most days. Well needless to say, we didn't book any excursions, but we had a great time. We got off in Costa Maya and it was hot. There were some of the people of Costa Maya doing a rain dance and surprisingly it started raining, only for a minute, but that was enough. We did the same in Isle Roatan, got off, walked around, stopped got something to eat and enjoyed the shops. We decided not to get off in Belize after we got a warning that if we did not have an excursion booked, it was not suggested we get off the ship. Because it was a tender port, and our room was on the port side, we got to watch the tender ports sit and wait for us as early as 7:00 am. At that time, there were two other ships with us out in the water, the Dream and a ship from NCL.

 

During this time, people started speculating how the hurricane was affecting us or if it was at all. I knew I needed to be back home by Sunday, but other than that, I really wasn't worried.

 

Thursday when we went into Cozumel, my favorite port, that was everyone's conversation. Especially when we saw the Ecstasy sitting in port, who was on extended days because of Matthew. So naturally that put a damper on anything we did, because people were worried. Mind you, we did not get any remnants of the hurricane at all - no wind or rain. The weather was beautiful the entire time and I tried to stay in full cruise mode.

 

The captain started making announcements concerning the Hurricane. He would come over the loud speaker and the whole ship would stop moving, talking, playing and he would give us an announcement and because of his accent, you could only understand bits and pieces; then Dr. E, the cruise director would come over the speaker and translate it so we could understand it.

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Techycruiser

Techycruiser

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As we were leaving on Thursday from Cozumel, we were told by the captain that the Port of Canaveral was closed and as soon as it was open, we would be notified. They reiterated that they were going to keep us as far from the storm and not to be concerned.

 

So Friday comes and it is our final Sea Day. Great weather, maybe a little windy, now everyone was looking for information on the storm. We knew that it hit Port Canaveral on that day but we did not know about any damage. We went through the information session about the disembark - whether you wanted to check your bags or self-assist.

 

We had big fun on the ship, especially the massive Balloon drop, everyone seem to forget the hurricane conversations that were constant. Then the Captain got to the platform in the lobby and addressed the crowd. He basically told us that we were not docking at 7:00 am, but we were docking on Saturday.

 

Now the fiasco begins. I truly understand everyone wanting to get off the ship, but when we woke on Saturday, we had no idea what time we were going to dock or get off the ship. I had a fun times in my door that went to 1:30, so I know we were at least going to be on that long. I started calculating our ride home.

 

The weather was great, but the announcement was that they were waiting for the Coast Guard to give the captain the go ahead once the port reopened. So me like many others went back into full cruise mode. I noticed there were some people sitting in the lobby area, with bags packed waiting. They had a long wait. Carnival was great in handling this situation, they opened all the phones so that people could make phone calls free to airlines, home, etc. But people still complained. I am one that realizes there are some things that I can control and this was not one of them.

 

Around 1:00, the Cruise Director made the announcement that we got the go ahead and we would be DOCKING at 2:15, not getting off. He went on to explain that customs still had to come on the ship, bags needed to be taken off, etc. It was like he was talking to the water. People literally converged onto Deck 3, that is when I saw the crowds of people. People were everywhere, in the halls, on the stairs. No one was paying attention to anyone or any announcement being made.

 

I personally took my bags and found a spot next to an open area reserved for FTTF and waited for my floor to be called for self-assist. I overheard the Cruise Director say to someone on a walkie talkie that if the passengers had all their bags, then they could get off through Deck 0. I called to my husband and we got out before the announcement was made.

 

I heard some people got 50% off their next cruise for their inconvenience, really, like Carnival had anything to do with what was going on. I do know that they helped make flight arrangements, book hotel rooms, etc. If you didn't have travel insurance, this was a plus. We got a free cruise day and didn't have to pay gratuities.

 

Overall

 

I had the best time. I even learned how to play the slot machines while on board.

 

This was my first time trying a review and I have to figure out how to attach my pictures on my next cruise. I could point out not one negative event. The ship is beautiful. The crew worked tirelessly keeping everything neat and clean. I watched the crew scrub the chairs in the smoking areas with small brushes every night, making sure everything was neat. The food was great.

 

Any questions, let me know.

 

Oh yeah, I got off the ship at 3:00 was in my car by 3:30 with the closed highways, it took us 15 hours to get home.

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5pullins

5pullins

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As we were leaving on Thursday from Cozumel, we were told by the captain that the Port of Canaveral was closed and as soon as it was open, we would be notified. They reiterated that they were going to keep us as far from the storm and not to be concerned.

 

 

 

So Friday comes and it is our final Sea Day. Great weather, maybe a little windy, now everyone was looking for information on the storm. We knew that it hit Port Canaveral on that day but we did not know about any damage. We went through the information session about the disembark - whether you wanted to check your bags or self-assist.

 

 

 

We had big fun on the ship, especially the massive Balloon drop, everyone seem to forget the hurricane conversations that were constant. Then the Captain got to the platform in the lobby and addressed the crowd. He basically told us that we were not docking at 7:00 am, but we were docking on Saturday.

 

 

 

Now the fiasco begins. I truly understand everyone wanting to get off the ship, but when we woke on Saturday, we had no idea what time we were going to dock or get off the ship. I had a fun times in my door that went to 1:30, so I know we were at least going to be on that long. I started calculating our ride home.

 

 

 

The weather was great, but the announcement was that they were waiting for the Coast Guard to give the captain the go ahead once the port reopened. So me like many others went back into full cruise mode. I noticed there were some people sitting in the lobby area, with bags packed waiting. They had a long wait. Carnival was great in handling this situation, they opened all the phones so that people could make phone calls free to airlines, home, etc. But people still complained. I am one that realizes there are some things that I can control and this was not one of them.

 

 

 

Around 1:00, the Cruise Director made the announcement that we got the go ahead and we would be DOCKING at 2:15, not getting off. He went on to explain that customs still had to come on the ship, bags needed to be taken off, etc. It was like he was talking to the water. People literally converged onto Deck 3, that is when I saw the crowds of people. People were everywhere, in the halls, on the stairs. No one was paying attention to anyone or any announcement being made.

 

 

 

I personally took my bags and found a spot next to an open area reserved for FTTF and waited for my floor to be called for self-assist. I overheard the Cruise Director say to someone on a walkie talkie that if the passengers had all their bags, then they could get off through Deck 0. I called to my husband and we got out before the announcement was made.

 

 

 

I heard some people got 50% off their next cruise for their inconvenience, really, like Carnival had anything to do with what was going on. I do know that they helped make flight arrangements, book hotel rooms, etc. If you didn't have travel insurance, this was a plus. We got a free cruise day and didn't have to pay gratuities.

 

 

 

Overall

 

 

 

I had the best time. I even learned how to play the slot machines while on board.

 

 

 

This was my first time trying a review and I have to figure out how to attach my pictures on my next cruise. I could point out not one negative event. The ship is beautiful. The crew worked tirelessly keeping everything neat and clean. I watched the crew scrub the chairs in the smoking areas with small brushes every night, making sure everything was neat. The food was great.

 

 

 

Any questions, let me know.

 

 

 

Oh yeah, I got off the ship at 3:00 was in my car by 3:30 with the closed highways, it took us 15 hours to get home.

 

 

I've never attended a balloon drop on any of my cruises. When did this take place??

 

 

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gaynelle

gaynelle

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When you describe the room as clean but the bed atrocious, I'm hoping you're saying the bed was uncomfortable. I'm staying there in November, you have me worried. I don't like dirty places.

Edited by gaynelle
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5pullins

5pullins

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When you describe the room was clean but the bed as atrocious, I'm hoping you're saying the bed was uncomfortable. I'm staying there in November, you have me worried. I don't like dirty places.

 

 

We are here now and we've all commented on how comfortable the beds are. I'm sure it all depends on which room you are in.

 

 

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Techycruiser

Techycruiser

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I've never attended a balloon drop on any of my cruises. When did this take place??

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

The balloon drop took place in the lobby on the last day. All day people would write notes about their memories on the cruise, put the note inside the balloon. The balloons were kept tied up in a net on deck 11 and during the memory party the crew untied them. There were hundreds of balloons floating straight down onto a couple hundred people. It was amazing to watch. https://vimeo.com/187397436

 

 

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Techycruiser

Techycruiser

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When you describe the room as clean but the bed atrocious, I'm hoping you're saying the bed was uncomfortable. I'm staying there in November, you have me worried. I don't like dirty places.

 

 

No it was actually pretty clean the bed was just soooooo uncomfortable.

 

 

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Techycruiser

Techycruiser

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We leave next Saturday too and a great review like this makes me even more excited!! What time did you have access to your room since you didn't have FTTF?

 

 

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Thanks. We were able to get to our room at exactly 1:30 and had our bags by 3:00. I did notice they were still delivering bags at 5.

 

 

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