chrelaine

I am enjoying your review because I felt the same way about many things while onboard the Magic at the end of April. We enjoyed our cruise, of course...but not everything is perfect. I found Deck 5 underutilized as well...and no one is directing folks that way at embarkation. Every guest is on Lido trying to find a seat. We were frustrated and just wandered away from the crowds and happened to find that the BBQ was open, with NO line. We liked Cookie but could definitely see the constant announcements being irritating. Red Frog Pub is a great spot but only 2 bartenders for a pub that large is just not enough. I'm looking forward to the rest of your review, both the good and the bad!

No adult pool. Kids are allowed in the pool at the back. There is a Serenity area, not sure about hot tubs.

So does anyone recommend “upgrading “ to one of these from a regular interior? If we changed rooms it would be an extra $50 for our 8 day in September. The ones available are all behind a lifeboat, but still there’s natural light. And it has a couch while regular insides do not correct?

We booked this class for our next 2 cruises on the Pride. We had done it for the daylight. We had seen videos saying they didn't want you to open the doors so we hadn't planned on it anyway. Our difference was only $21 if I remember correctly; worth it to us. And yes they have the sofa. I don't know if there are any interiors that have the sofa so I can't answer to that. As long as they replace the door with a window, I don't see why we wouldn't be fine with it. I totally understand why people who planned on having the door open are upset, but if you know going in, I don't see any reason not to book the room if you desire the daylight.

I enjoy the my toddler is not potty trained can they get in the pool threads.

What about "Should I purchase Cheers?". That usually escalates into calling people alcoholics. Always fun to watch.

We cruised with our daughter (7) for the first time last month. She loved the kids club. The daytime hours vary with port days, etc. but every night she wanted to go right after dinner when they opened, 7 pm, and she wanted to stay until the last minute at 10 pm. After 10 there is a fee. They had a movie night, dance party, crafts, they built a volcano, pirate night. She still talks about it! Movies on deck were something we really wanted to do with her, but it never worked out time wise. They have popcorn and family movies for the early show most nights.

The schedule show we have "Jonathan 'Cookie' Adams" on our Journeys Cruis eon the Pride on Nov. 4th from Baltimore.

 

Has anyone had any experience with "Cookie" on their cruises?

 

Thanks.

We were on the Magic with Cookie last month. We really liked him. He was high energy and he was EVERYWHERE. We stopped to watch the beer pong tournament one night at the Red Frog Pub and he stopped and threw a few on his way to something else. He really had his hands in everything going on.

Even though you have Cheers, you will get charged sales tax on your drinks from the time you board until you are out in international waters. In California it appeared to be about 9%, varying between $0.50 and $1.00 per drink depending on its price. This will automatically go on you on board account and will show up on the receipt that you will sign. Unless it was just getting a bottled water we always tipped the bar tender, in cash, about $1.00 per drink. Also tipped, in cash, any cocktail server as well. Ensured that the server frequented our location on deck. Our favorite bar tender also knew our drinks and pretty much started making them as soon as she saw us walk up!

I'm so glad you mentioned the tax thing. People always forget that! Not that it adds up to too much, but it's still a surprise when you look at your bill.

My best advice is to put out everything that you plan to bring...and then reduce the pile by at least 1/3 if not 1/2! We always over pack.

What about at dinner in the MDR? Can they just ask the waiter for a coke or will they (husband and son) need to visit a bar before going to MDR?

 

the wait staff do not do drinks except ice tea/milk and water. (coffee, tea

 

 

youwill need to wait for a bar waiter to come to the table-- good luck with that.

 

we stop at a bar on the way to the MDR

 

This was not our experience. We had a team of 3 servers for our table and they got any drink we chose to order. It sometimes took some time, but we had sodas and adult beverages each evening.

I loved every soup I tried: Cream of Broccoli, Tomato, French Onion, Potato Leek

I had a stuffed mushroom appetizer that was terrific. The burritos at Blue Iguana are so good. Worth the wait. The BBQ at Guy's was okay but definitely not worth a long wait. The burgers were very good and I really liked the french fries.

My favorite desserts were the Bitter n Blanc but it is an acquired taste, the chocolate melting cake and the S'mores parfait.

I tried many of the menu drinks and my favorite was the Carnival Cruiser. I kept coming back to it after trying the others. I also loved the Bloody Marys from the casino bar on the Magic. Just the right spice, they made my mornings.

Is Amber Cove really that bad? I've heard mixed reviews...

I didn't know what to expect, but we really liked it. It was an excursion free day by the pool that cost us nothing. There were plenty of chairs near the pool, unlike on the ship!

I loved every soup I had: mushroom, onion, potato leek, tomato and cream of broccoli.

The apps were all pretty good but I keep talking about the stuffed mushrooms that I had.

I don't remember any one main dish standing out. I liked the veal parmesan and there was a seafood pasta that was pretty good also. I was not crazy about the prime rib, but that's just me!

My favorite dessert was easily the Bitter and Blanc or the S'mores Parfait.

There definitely is an ATM, I'm remembering it on the floor with the shops but that could be wrong. I was afraid to look at the fees.

Not til April 2020 :( I'm not counting down yet, the number is still over 700!!!

Ship - Magic

Deck - 11

Stateroom # - 11255

Stateroom Category – 8G

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Very quiet, we were surprised. Every once in awhile we heard an elevator ding.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? -No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – No view problems. Totally clear.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal

Was wind a problem? - Not a problem but it did whistle on a night with rough seas

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - None

Any other comments? - This location was perfect for us Just steps from the mid elevators and from the doors leading out to the Lido pool area. Camp Ocean is just on the other side of the pool area.

I received an offer for $28 to go from an 8C to an 8G 11253 on the Magic in April. I think we're going to do it for $28. Anyone know a reason why I shouldn't? I'm new to all of this.