Anything we should know about the Magic or our ports?

[farjar]

We are not new to cruising and have previously been on the Spirit, the Panorama and the Legend.  This, however, will be our first time aboard the Magic.  Is there anything unique, different or interesting about the Magic we should know about?  Our ports will include Aruba, Bonaire and Grand Turk which are also new to us.  Any information would be sincerely appreciated.  Thanks.

[NCMtnBoys]

Just off the Magic Saturday. We had a tender port (Half Moon Cay) and for those people who did not have a ships excursion booked, once the ship is ready to start loading the tenders they call people by their muster station numbers to head down to Deck 0 to get on the tenders. It seemed like a slow process but it did help with the normal congestion when people are trying to get off all at once. They also did this at the end of the cruise back in Port Canaveral for Self Assist - called people by their muster station numbers to head off the ship, and would then start calling people by zone numbers for those who were collecting their luggage in the terminal. We were doing Self Assist and again, although it seemed slow, we had a very short wait in line to exit the ship, unlike when everyone is trying to get off at once. I'm not sure if I liked it or not because I'd never been on a ship that did it this way and it seemed like you were just sitting there wasting time until your muster station was called. You may not be calling in a tender port but this process may affect you at the end if you do Self Assist. 

 

The other thing I thought was nice was that they had two casinos onboard... one on deck 5 (smoking) and a smaller one on deck 4 (non smoking). 

[MichiganFisherman]

Check out the ports of call forum for port info.

[mvaygibson]

The Magic has a nice Thalassotherapy pool in the spa that is really nice. It costs extra though. Also has a "secret" deck on decks 10 and 11 forward that is quiet and great for star gazing.

[ProgRockCruiser]

We like the layout of the Red Frog Pub next door to the Alchemy Bar, with the Ocean Plaza right there for music or other entertainment (e.g. trivia).

 

We also like that (usually) you can walk around the entire ship on the outside of deck 5.

 

The hot tubs and pool at the rear of Lido are usually not too busy, and being that far south the pool water should be not too cold either after a couple of days.

 

As for the ports of call, this is indeed the best advice, since there is a concentration of info there that is independent of the ship/line visiting:

13 hours ago, MichiganFisherman said:

Check out the ports of call forum for port info.

 

 

 

[adventuredancer]

we were on the magic for the same 8 days to the same ports. you don't tender at any. aruba, we got off and managed to get a tour from people in port (you can tell that they are legit by their license plates if it says T or O. we had a man named Sonny. it was 25$ A person and about 2.5 hours long. he was AMAZING

we did the hato caves and downtown in curacao. NOT WORTH IT

grand turk- u get off and beach is right there. the chairs without umbrellas are free. the rest they will rent. we paid 30$ for two. but they will fill the chairs up from the far end first. and its walking on sand. so it will be a hike. 

 

the magic is nice. joey the cruise director is great (normally we dont notice the CD). they don't utilize a lot of the spaces like they should. go to the love and marriage show. comedians are a hit or miss. they have a silent night disco party. thats fun. odd times for the movies outside. they would be at 6pm and then midnight. 

[Djptcp]

DH and I have sailed on the Magic 3 times since July 2021 and loved it. The specialty restaurant, Cucchina, is wonderful and we always ate there at least twice on each cruise.

 

Loved having the two casinos (am a smoker) as it was nice telling smoke complainers to go to the non-smoking casino.

[Jamericannn]

Head to deck 7 and keep going forward. Go through the doors and it will lead to the secret deck. This is were you can get nice photos especially if the ship is heading towards sunset.

[Duanerice1]

Snorkeling is the thing to do in Bonaire. Some of the best snorkeling in the world.  There are minor other things to do but that’s what they are known for. 
 

we rented a car in Aruba and drive around. Like the freedom to go on our own 

[vamartha]

We've done this one in a couple different configurations over the years.

 

We were just in Grand Turk right after Halloween. It is a beach/big as heck pool right at the port, just steps away from the ship. Pool is included, I take ice water and I can make it a zero cost day (I don't drink but there are plenty of Margaritaville drinks and you don't even have to get out of the pool). There is a for cost flow rider, it was not working in November likely due to the hurricane. And if you get too far away from the ship there are vendors that will charge for chair. Remedy that by walking to Jack's Shack or staying in front of the pool. Its a small island. We didn't find the golf cart tour as worthwhile as I had hoped. Honestly, the pool is the best deal at GT.

 

Bonaire will be new for us in just 35 days. I have a golf cart reserved. My main goal is to snorkel and see the salt and maybe a flamingo for a bonus.

 

Aruba is a bit like Cozumel with the desert thrown in as opposed to the jungle. As far as you can do pretty much any type of excursion you might desire. Its relatively safe. There are resorts that sell day passes and every kind of tour from trikes to side by side's to a party bus or a non party bus. Casinos. Safe shopping. Beautiful beaches. We like to visit the grocery store, its close/walking distance and we always like to see different ones in different countries. Our personal favorite is snorkeling with Aruba Bob at Mangel Halto but its become very pricey and one of us has stopped snorkeling due to age. He goes to the casinos now. 

 

The Magic will be between the Spirit/Legend and Panorama in size. Easy to navigate, still has the glass elevators and old style atrium. We sailed her in 2017 and again in just a few weeks. I do have the Spa/Relaxation booked and I'm looking forward to the Thalassotherapy pool. It has a nice view. She has a bit of the old fancy elegance that you saw on Legend upped with a ton of neon. They did away with it by the Breeze and went with Caribbean theme.

 

 

[havanadaydreaming]

we sailed the Magic a while back and my wife noted it looked "worn on the edges".  The Breeze was first ship i sailed so i enjoyed reminiscing on her sister ship.  i enjoyed it very much.  

 

Grand Turk - always go to margaritaville pool.  i dont do pools on ships and i love a good pool on land, and this is about the best one in the Caribbean.  

 

Bonaire - was a short stop for us so we didnt do much more than walk around and get coffee/fresh squeezed oj.   

 

Aruba - always do a catamaran here.  im sure we should branch out but i really enjoy Cats in 'ruba.  

pretty water! 

[pcvtmom]

I agree with Duanerice1.  We've snorkelled all over the Caribbean, but nowhere as spectacular as Bonaire.  We booked Seacow Snorkel, through Carnival, and the crew was exceptional.

 

The Magic has a nice layout, with a Lanai exterior deck (5, I believe) going all the way around the area.  It has great seating, several hot tubs, and lounge areas.  I love the spa, with the thassotherapy pool, on the Magic.  It's worth it to me to get the spa pass for the length of the cruise.