Back from the Magic yesterday-long disembarkation!

[Maticus22]

Customs was the same when we got off on 5/13. Took for ever to get off the ship. We were suppose to be zone 21 and were sitting up on deck 4 of the atrium waiting when they waived us to go ahead and get off the ship with zone 12 :D Got a porter (learned this the hard way last year getting of the Voyager) that you get through quicker with a porter, was after 11am.

[Beachlover76]

Hi,

We are also booked with cove balcony rooms. We have cabins # 2431 & 2435. My question is....did you ask them to open when you signed in, or once you got on ship at guest services or just ask your cabin steward?

Sounds like you had a great time. Welcome back ....:)

[Karmalady]

Hi,

We are also booked with cove balcony rooms. We have cabins # 2431 & 2435. My question is....did you ask them to open when you signed in, or once you got on ship at guest services or just ask your cabin steward?

Sounds like you had a great time. Welcome back ....:)

 

We were in rooms 2374 and 2372. Shortly after boarding and the first DOD and chowing down, we asked the room steward to open. (I had thought it was guest services that did it too!) We went to the muster drill and when we came back, it was open. :) This really makes a nice balcony. I know it's been said on here how cool the coves are but I don't think you'll believe it until you experience them. They are so neato I don't even want to think about a regular balcony again. Enjoy your cove and the Magic; you'll have a great time!:D

[Karmalady]

My absolute favorite tip to give: when you exit the ship, go to the porter line and wait for a porter. Someone will be there to direct you. We tip $20 to the porter who helps us get all our luggage and then takes us to "special" custom lines that have hardly any waiting. I say special because I am not sure if just anyone can go to these lines or just those with porters only. Literally the best $20 we spend!!!

 

This is a great tip and one we wanted to do. Between my overpacking and DH's booze purchases, we were struggling with three suitcases, 2 carryon bags, and of course the booze. :eek: The porters were busy and few and far between. I finally found one and right before we snagged him, a worker came running and said "there are 80 people waiting for a porter over here, he's gotta go with me". LOL I guess we were #82 AND #83 and didn't count because that lone porter went bye bye. But I did notice the porter lines probably got through faster and it's a great hint for future cruises. I'm thinking pack less and no booze would be the next best bet; maybe even self disembarkment but the way I pack that is a fantasy that needs some work. :rolleyes:

[1tuckersmom]

To the OP: we sail on Magic this Sunday, thanks for all the positive comments about her. My one question: do you remember if the service of checking your bags through to your final flight destination was available? (unsure of the exact name) but we did this last December with Princess for $20 pp and hope to do it again at the end of this trip as well. Thanks

 

No this service is not available.:(

 

I too was hoping to be able to use it on the Magic in March. Was very disappointed when it wasn`t.

 

That is one thing that we always use when offered. Worth every cent.:)

[LaShea]

We were on this cruise also and did the self assist. We were off the ship by 8:45am and home in Corpus Christi by 12:45pm. I don't know what happened after we left, but it was easy for us...had no issues at all. I also grabbed a porter and got in their "special" line. ;) I caught on to this by a fluke on my last cruise and it worked perfectly this trip also.:D

 

If you are going on the Magic you will LOVE it!!!!:p:D This was the best trip I have ever taken and that includes land and cruise vacations. She is a gorgeous ship and even though we had tons of people on board it never seemed crowded and we hardly ever waited in lines. I was able to snag a clam shell the first 2 sea days on the Serenity and I wasn't out there extra early. There seemed to be good loungers everywhere. The ports were amazing and I can't wait to do those again!

[TxDiamondCruiser]

Thanks for the review. We sail on the 17th and we are so excited!!!

[Texarribean Chick]

Does anyone know if there was a cover band playing near the casino or in Ocean Plaza? I read a review a week ago and that reviewer said that there was NO cover band playing. Can that be true? Your thoughts are so appreciated.

[Karmalady]

Does anyone know if there was a cover band playing near the casino or in Ocean Plaza? I read a review a week ago and that reviewer said that there was NO cover band playing. Can that be true? Your thoughts are so appreciated.

 

There were some nights in the Ocean Plaza where there was a band. Other times, Karaoke was going on there. There was a keyboard player and singer in the main atrium. There were people dancing. It was nice and enjoyable.