yelkrab1969 Posted March 31, 2016 #1 Share Posted March 31, 2016 First, I feel compelled to write this review. I surfed this site for 4 weeks before going on our cruise and the information from this site was invaluable in planning our trip. My family and I were on the Magic the week starting on 3-20-16. It was our family of 5 (Me 56, DH 46, DS 20, DD 18 and DD11). We also took friends of the older son and daughter for a total of 7 people. The following are our opinions. I am sure not everyone had the same experiences that we did. Embarkation was very fast through check-in. We had FTTF and it was worth every penny. Once we were checked in we waited about 30 minutes to board. We boarded about 12:45, went straight to our rooms that were ready, off-loaded our carry-on's and headed to sign up for the drink packages and the Cat in the Hat breakfast. No lines for these whatsoever. We had early dining and I really prefer that so that we can do the stage shows and comedy shows the rest of the evening. Meals were good, not great. However, I really liked the prime rib that I had on two nights with fresh horseradish. Very good. And the desserts were fairly good too. Buffet food was average. Really liked the Mongolian Wok and the Burritos were excellent. Try a chicken burrito with the jalapeno wrap and roasted tomato salsa. Better than Chipotles!. The barbeque was good but I was surprised that there were no signs or other identity for Guy's other than a couple bottles of his sauce on the counter. The signs simply said "Barbeque Experience". The best was Guys burger joint. I thought the toppings were very fresh and tasty which made for a great burger. Ice cream machines were a huge disappointment. 50% of the time they were out of cones and for more than 24 hours there were no cones. They even removed the cone dispensers. Then the last day the dispensers and cones magically appeared. No pun intended! At times the ice cream was too soft to serve. On the first day at sea we ventured to deck 5 on the starboard side (sunny side that day and less windy) and found two hot-tubs and tons of unused chaise lounges. We were nearly the only one on that side of the ship and when the barbeque (also on deck 5 near hot tubs)opened we were the only ones there. By the second or third day more people discovered this hidden gem. By the end of the cruise it was packed. At Cozumel we did Mr. Sanchos and absolutely loved it. Older kids did jet skis, younger ones did water park and wife and I did Cabana with massages. Great time. We booked it ourselves (not through carnival) and saved considerable money. Cabs were easy to get and reasonable. We also witnessed two pier runners that missed the ship. Next day was Grand Cayman. I had been there 20 year earlier and really liked it then. It is not what it once was. I did not care for the island now. Seemed unorganized and not as clean as it once was. The kids did Snuba and it was the highlight of their cruise. They all now want to get certified as Scuba divers. Earlier in the day we went to Royal Palms beach and it was nice. Funny part was when we went 20 years ago to Jamaica I swore I would never return. This time we loved it. We went to Doctors cove beach and to Margaritaville and loved it. After boarding the ship we went to deck 11 to watch for Pier runners and a Jamaican women walked up to side of the ship and yelled "we appreciate you guys". I thought that we real nice compared to Grand Cayman where I felt less welcomed. Faster to the fun was well worth if for us. Quicker embarkation, tender services and disembarkation. Best part for me was not having to wait in line at customer service. Most times I just walked right up to the counter while there were 10-12 people in line. Comedy shows were very good. Stage shows were average but fun. We enjoyed the piano bar but the piano bar dude was sick for two days so he did not play. When he did it was great. We did the Italian restaurant one night. It was good but not great. IN my opinion no worth the extra money. Waiter in Southern Lights was very good and learned our needs very quickly. Room Steward was also very good. I think he was invisible since we hardly ever saw him. We had service twice a day and there was not form to fill out. The amazing part was he always knew my name. We would be walking down a hallway and from the depths of another room he would say "good morning mike" yet I could not see him. Plenty more to write about when time allows. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any questions. I don't mind helping others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted March 31, 2016 #2 Share Posted March 31, 2016 Thanks for the report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyme2Cruise Posted April 1, 2016 #3 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Thanks for the review. Seems like the soft serve ice cream issues are a recurring problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted April 1, 2016 #4 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Thanks for your report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidawg79 Posted April 1, 2016 #5 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Thanks for the report! I'm on the Magic in 8 weeks!! different itinerary, but same upgraded ship! Sorry about the ice cream...it was on thing i actually told myself to stay away from anyway on the cruise haha (lost 33lbs since January and want to lose another 15 before the cruise!) Quick question- Did you leave from Galveston or Port Canaveral? Wasn't sure if she was repositioned yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted April 1, 2016 #6 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Thanks for the review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGirlNextDoor Posted April 1, 2016 #7 Share Posted April 1, 2016 We were on Magic just 3 weeks ago...first week out of dry dock. We didn't have issues with the icecream but there was at least once at night that the cones were out. I figured it was because it was Spring Break and the kiddos were using them up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse1179 Posted April 1, 2016 #8 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Magic is still out of Galveston. We leave on her this Sunday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted April 1, 2016 #9 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Thank you for your review. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trumpster Posted April 1, 2016 #10 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Can always use a plastic cup for ice cream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reerun25 Posted April 1, 2016 #11 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Thanks for the review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyme2Cruise Posted April 1, 2016 #12 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Can always use a plastic cup for ice cream He said "at times the ice cream was to soft to serve" so I guess YOU could have that in a cup. I think I'll pass. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tandemcruzr Posted April 1, 2016 #13 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Can always use a plastic cup for ice cream Or a cereal bowl. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatloafsfan Posted April 1, 2016 #14 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Thanks for the review. How was the bbq food from the new guy's place? Real BBQ or just something they call BBQ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
13cheermom Posted April 1, 2016 #15 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Or a cereal bowl. :D I like to use the coffee mugs, little more insulation to keep it from melting so fast. Also I like the handle to hold onto :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse1179 Posted April 1, 2016 #16 Share Posted April 1, 2016 I personally prefer the ice cream in the MDR over the machines. I don't know what makes it better to me, but I love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpayroll Posted April 1, 2016 #17 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Thanks for your review. I agree with you about the burritos. Love them.....:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaniceB Posted April 1, 2016 #18 Share Posted April 1, 2016 (edited) Thank you for the well written report of your trip. Did you stay in Galveston pre cruise? Edited April 1, 2016 by JaniceB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseonthebrain Posted April 1, 2016 #19 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Great information- especially about the empty lounge chairs! Thank you!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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