Weeziblu

We set sail on Saturday so this is extra fun for me right now!!  Looking forward to your next installment.  And I can't wait to get my first late  night pizza and cookies!  

33 minutes ago, sunkey1 said:

So agree! I miss the days when so many actually experienced the trip instead of being focused on sharing it with everyone and their uncle. Last cruise we went on my hubby and I laughed at the young couple next to us, in a beautiful dining room, gorgeous evening at sea and they spent the entire meal with their faces in their phones. Call me old school, but one of the things I always loved the most about cruising was the ability to disconnect from tech, reconnect with others and chillax.

It would be lovely to disconnect all together but some of us have loved ones (aging or sick parents, young children, etc) that we need to keep in touch with daily.  And yes, I'm aware that they can EVENTUALLY get a message to us if there were to be an emergency but for some of us, an enjoyable vacation begins with peace of mind and knowing my kids can reach me if they should need to. 

Just because some of us desire to stay in touch doesn't mean we're disconnected from our vacation of spend our meals with our "faces in phones".  Everyone has different lives, needs, desires.   That's why the internet is an OPTION. 

Magic for sure - HMC is one of my favorite ports!

I have very little experience on other cruise lines (sailed NCL once).  With all the talk about Carnival eliminating food options, I wonder if those of you who cruise other lines regularly could shed some light on what late night food options are available on NCL and Royal?  And how each charges (or not) for room service.  

I hear people saying they are ready to jump ship to another brand and I'm curious as what is the benefit on these two topics specifically.

Hi everyone!  We're sailing 9/24 out of NYC to Bermuda.  This is our first sailing since 2019 (!) and I've been following along the past few months to see how the embark process has been (lines, wait times, confusion, etc) but haven't seen much as of late.  Can anyone share their experience with the embarkation process in NYC. We will be driving to port and parking and have a 10:30-11:00 check-in time.

Thank you!

14 hours ago, Roscoe13 said:

Well, I finally made Platinum and I can tell you right here that I'm not acknowledging any winks from some lowly Golds!!

 

And if they dare bring back that spawn of satan, Faster to The Wink, then I'm going to let John Heald know that it's ludicrous and cheapens my cruise experience to let some cretin buy a wink!!!

😭 Sad little gold over here just hoping that Faster to the Wink comes back sooooooooon.  😂

3 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

The shots don't do anything to stop spread so really everyone should be testing, or nobody should be testing.

Double vaxed and boosted and still had (very mild) infection.  But I agree - everyone or no one.  It's pretty ridiculous at this point. 

Jumping in and looking forward to this trip report as I'll be on Magic to Bermuda on September 24! Also loving your NYC plans!

So complete honor system so I have to wonder what's the point in testing at all? But also, where's the "proof" that you even tested?  Bring your self-administered home test to the port for check-in?  

(I'm just annoyed that unvaccinated peeps can take any old test at this point, but I still need a proctored test for Bermuda despite being double vaxed and boosted.)

I've read some not-so-great reviews recently as well.  I've sailed Magic in the past and really loved her so I'm hoping to have a great sailing in September, especially because we're sailing with friends who are first timers and I want them to have a great experience!

15 minutes ago, tap_out said:

We are going on this same cruise August 15th. How were the crowds on the ship? overall ship condition? Its a cruise and were going to make the best of it but Magic has been getting beat up pretty bad lately. 

Yes, it has been getting beat up pretty bad.  We've sailed Magic previously so we didn't hesitate to book again just curious how this will compare.  I'm happy to make the best of it but we're traveling with some cruise newbies and I'm hoping for a great experience for them!

We're booked for this itinerary at the end of September and I can't decide if I should arrive at the port as early as possible or much later.  We typically like to arrive early and just wait in the terminal but there are benefits to arriving a little later and walking on board. 

What time did you arrive to the port?

11 minutes ago, princeton123211 said:

Its very good-- but it is more casual and laid back than Harry's (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Its difficult to beat their views and the very open air concept which is nice. Food at the Fairmont for the most part is excellent and and very consistent. 

 

Marcus' would have been the perfect alternative. Having been to both a few times I would do 1609 if it were between that and Harry's, but if you are celebrating one, Harry's will be the more "special occasion" place of the two. 

I've looked at Port O Call on Trip Advisor and it looks wonderful - thanks for the recommendation.  It's going to be hard to choose.  Thankfully we'll be in port for a couple of days and could potentially try more than one!

15 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

This is one of those things that we're venturing into subjective territory but as a fellow Philadelphian I felt the needed to respond. 

 

Harry's is ok. It's a very corporate/chain steakhouse feel. There are better places on the island for a meal. Would be comparable to a Capital Grille back home-- they're not bad but there are usually better options. At least thats been our experience the two times we've been there over the years. 

 

It's a shame but Marcus Samuelson's restaurant, in the nearly adjacent Hamilton Princess, was better food than Harry's and a far more lively and enjoyable atmosphere. It was announced not too long ago that it wasn't reopening. 

 

In Hamilton itself I would personally pick Port o Call first-- its much more of a locals spot. I'm not sure if Waterlot Inn reopened (it wasn't when we were there during covid earlier in the pandemic, but others might know now) but that's also a favorite for steaks. Sul Verde at the Rosewood is very nice for high end Italian. I miss their formal dining room The Point which was renovated out of existence a few years ago-- but they still have the murals commissioned for Pan Am's offices on the walls in whats now known as The Brasserie which is also quite good. 

 

Harry's isn't bad, but it just feels like you could be anywhere. 

Thank you!  This is very helpful and appreciated!  I had been looking at Marcus Samuelson's restaurant and sad to see that it would not be reopening.  

Any thoughts or experience with 1609 Bar & Restaurant?

My husband and I are sailing to Bermuda for the first time in September to celebrate our 30th anniversary.  I've been reading all of the reviews at Trip Advisor and I think we're settled on Harry's.  If anyone has any experience, reviews or opinions to offer, we would really appreciate it!

On 7/8/2022 at 11:33 AM, Schoifmom said:

 

Not a strange question at all.  I admit to be pretty nervous when we had our first spa cabin for the same reason 🙂 In all of the termal suites, it is swimsuits.  Most people will throw a robe over them for walking between their cabin and the spa, but swimsuits in the thermal areas.

 

Thank you!

I'd love to jump into this conversation with a Spa question of my own.  We have booked our first spa cabin for our upcoming Bermuda cruise on Magic.  I've only used the spa on a cruise once (for a massage) and wondered about the general dress code in the Thermal Suite areas.  This might sound like a strange or obvious question, but are people generally in swimsuits, robes, or something else?  

Yay! Enjoy, I'll happily follow along on your journey!

I just booked my first sailing out of NY and can see that when I attempt to add Cheers that it begins on Day 2.  I understand that this is specific to NY and Galveston, but does anyone know why?  Just curious...  

Congrats on that casino win!!!  And thanks for the review!  We are sailing Magic in less than 2 weeks and can't wait to board!

34 minutes ago, jasong38501 said:

I am wanting to book Cucina for my cruise in September on the Magic but I want to do it on the second formal night. I just really do not care for that menu. Anyone know which night is the second formal night on the Magic's six day cruises? Thanks in advance.

 I had the same idea and booked Cucina for the last port day  on our upcoming Magic 6  day.   (I did a 6 day on Vista and that was when they held the 2nd formal night).  

On 7/9/2019 at 1:38 PM, slidergirl said:

I did a quick 'net search and saw that neat USB blender.  Since it's not "electrical", but battery powered, if you had room, I'd take it.  I might even buy one for myself to take camping - daiquiris by firelight!!!

 

I had one of those "shaker" things - they worked if you were doing just powders.  Maybe I didn't shake long enough - I always end up with some clumps.  

that's what I was thinking.. if it's a rechargeable battery it's not much different than charging my phone. 🙂 I probably should't even have asked.  I also agree with you on the shaker bottle - I *could* use one but there's a definite difference between shaking and blending.  I was hoping I could still blend.  thanks for  your input!

I haven't been able to find this answer anywhere.  I have a nutritional powder that I mix into a shake daily for my digestion issues.  I typically travel with my regular nutra bullet blender but this will be the first time I cruising since I've needed to take this supplement.  I have looked at all kinds of mini portable blenders and figured that I could probably make due with a mini version that is cordless and  charges with a usb. But I also wondered if any of the bars or the coffee shop might be willing to blend for me?  Does anyone have any experience with this?  

We're sailing Magic in a few weeks!  Looking forward to  your review!  Any feedback on the current CD?

Several years ago, my daughter left her iPad in the cabin.  We were given the same information that you were given.  Many weeks passed by and we assumed the iPad was rolled up with the linens and likely washed.  Just as we were about to give up home, we received a call from Carnival that they had the iPad and were shipping it back to us.  We received the iPad and after charging the battery, it worked just fine.  Hang in there, I'm sure you'll get the item back if it is recovered!