Our review of the Carnival Magic 2/4/17 sailing

[dmndlil]

Hello all! My DH and I just returned from our trip on the Magic. We have cruised many times but this was our first cruise over Superbowl. The ship had a group of Super Cruisers (approx. 1000 strong I believe) that cruise every year. Now onto the review.

 

Day 1 - Embarkation

 

For the first time ever, we parked at the port. We usually park off site, but they have all raised their prices and we decided to park at the port. The convenience was well worth it. We had a check in window of 11:00-11:30am. We arrived by 11:40, parked and were inside the terminal by 11:50. We were in zone 19 and were on board by 12:20. We ate our first lunch at the Lido Marketplace and had our first of several cocktails during the trip. We then went to drop off our carry-ons once the rooms were opened at 1:30. We had an inside room which we find to be perfect for our needs.

 

Our water which was pre-ordered was not there yet, but it arrived later along with the complimentary 1.5 liter for each of us.

 

We have Your Time Dining which was in the Northern Lights Dining Room on Deck 3. This first night we decided to try Cucina del Capitano on Deck 11. It was delicious and we each received a complimentary glass of Chianti which neither of us drink. For the $15 fee, we each had an appetizer (eggplant and Calamari) and entrée (spaghetti carbonara) and dessert (tiramisu - some of the best) and cannoli.

 

After dinner we went to the Welcome Show which we enjoyed. Then we went to the Piano Bar.... Sing Along with Roddy... we had fun the first night, but then we didn't stay long because we realized that we never went back to the room so we still had to unpack.

 

Day 2 - Sea Day

 

We had breakfast in the Lido and found it fairly easy to find an open spot to sit. By 9:00am all the pool areas were packed, even the Serenity. We eventually found a spot in the Serenity with Chairs and Ottomans so we stayed there for a bit. We had dinner in the MDR tonight and it was not good. DH ordered Veal and you could not cut it, and my chicken was a little dry but had flavor. Even Leonard the waiter could not believe how tough the veal was. Best thing was the Chocolate melting cake. Being that it was Superbowl sunday, and no show or movie as the game was being shown in the theatre and on the Lido big screen. We listened to Whiskey and Wine, the Country Duo for a while then called it a night.

 

More to come~

[sjcruiser]

Looking forward to the rest of the review. We'll be on the Magic in August for our annual family and friends cruise.

[sanmarcosman]

Was the veal a port of call item, I don't see it on the menus.

Thank you

[dmndlil]

Day 3 - Costa Maya

 

We had our breakfast in the Lido (you will see a pattern here, lol) and again it was easy to find an open table to sit. After our breakfast and I consumed the necessary amount of coffee to face the day we head out to the Tide Pool area where we sat and watched our approach into Costa Maya. We were docked at noon and given the all clear to disembark. As we were walking down the pier a couple from our ship (Melissa and Steve) asked us where we were headed as they had no idea what to do with the day. We told them our plans to take a taxi to Mahuahal. They asked to share the ride. Of course! We head out the port to the shuttle stop, paid our $3.00 per person for our ride into town. We got off at the third stop for Tropicante. I emailed the owner prior to the trip to reserve loungers for 2 for the afternoon. Once off the shuttle we were shown where to go to get to the Tropicante. We were met by an employee holding a chalkboard with the names of those with reserved spots. He showed us to our seats and had no issue with getting an additional seat as we now had a party of 4 and there were only three chairs available in that spot. It was a great day of good food, good drink and good company. I even got a pretty good hour long massage for $30.00. The owner, Steve stopped by to welcome us all and to make sure we were well taken care of. He sat for a bit and even brought us all tequila shots. The tequila was good and smooth and we and our friends each bought a bottle to take home. (More on that later) The water was so clear that even with it at chest level you could still see your feet. We will definitely be going back to Tropiante our next time in Costa Maya. When we were ready, the waiter got us a cab back to the port.

We tried the MDR again for dinner and it was not good. The beef was ok, the salmon cakes had an odd flavor and the swordfish looked and tasted like it had been under a heat lamp for way too long. Thank goodness for desser! Lido tomorrow for dinner. Tonight was the comedy shows and we made reservations for the Cucina again but this time with our new friends. The show tonight was Flick, but we did not go.

 

Day 4 - Roatan

 

Breakfast at the Lido. After our breakfast we walked down to the beach area and found a nice set of loungers. they do have a chair lift to take you to the beach area for $14.00 for 2 persons. The walk took about 10 minutes or so, maybe a little longer as we walk slow. The water here was cool and clear, but refreshing as you got in. A warning for those with any type of mobility issue, there is a very steep incline on the beach to get to the water.

 

After a but we went up to sit at one of the boat tables near the bar area, and I went up to the bar to get us drinks. After at least 10 minutes, but more like 15 without service we left and made our way to the fat Tuesdays at the port. While there an ambulance came through on its way towards the beach area. We did not hear anything more and hope that all are okay. We had our drinks there and then shopped a bit before heading back to the ship.

 

Tonight's dinner was in the Lido. We had prime rib from the carving and it was very good. While at dinner we also noticed a delay in our departure and realized it must be due to a delayed excursion. A Jolly Roger Catamaran returned late and we left right after that. Never did find out for sure though.

 

Tonight's show in the theatre was Country Road, which we enjoyed and thought was pretty good. After the show was the Mardi Gras party in the Lobby Atrium, then it was off to the Carnival Quest....what happens at Quest, stays at Quest...LOL

 

 

More to come~

[dmndlil]

Was the veal a port of call item, I don't see it on the menus.

Thank you

 

It was the Veal Parmesan on the first nights dinner menu.

[sanmarcosman]

It was the Veal Parmesan on the first nights dinner menu.

Thank you, I found it but it appears on the third night of the American Table at the zydeco site so I missed it. I do appreciate the heads up and will avoid it.

 

I'm enjoying your review.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[gabulldawg]

we really enjoyed our day at tropicante with the two of you.

[easyboy]

Your Tropicante time seems relaxing. Will try it in March. Thanks.

[cruzeluver]

Enjoying your review so far. We board Magic this Saturday doing the same itinerary! :D

[dmndlil]

So glad you are enjoying my first attempt at a review.

 

Continuing on now

 

Day 5 - Belize

 

As you know Belize is a tender port and tender stickers are required for the tender. We reported to the Northern Lights MDR on deck 4 to obtain our stickers at 9:30 and we were on the pier by 10:00am. It was a smooth, fast ride on the smaller of the two tenders used. This one does not have a lot of steps for the level, but it is tricky to disembark. There is also a larger tender used which is accessible to wheelchairs on the top level. Our Belize City by Carriage, was not until 12:30 so we used this time to explore the port area and do some shopping. Finally it was time for our excursion. We walked a short distance to the horse drawn carriages we would ride in for the first half of our tour. Our guide Michael was happy to greet us and take us on our way. We saw not only Millionaire row, but also how the poorer live. We stopped at the museum and went inside to explore. This used to be a prison up until 1985. The prison is now located 25 miles outside of Belize City. We continued on the tour past the beautiful ocean front. We stopped at Lindbergh Park where there is a statue of Charles Lindbergh's airplane. Here is where we switched over to open air safari trucks for the remained of the tour. Our guide this time was Leonard. He was also very knowledgeable and proud of his country. We stopped at Green Leaves, a green house which grows plants and herbs mostly for medicinal purposes. Here we spoke with the owner, and sampled some Blackberry wine, which I thought was delicious. After our stop, we went back to the port learning more as we went. Upon our return, we went back to the ship. We stopped in Guys for a late lunch.

 

Tonight was the Love & Marriage game show which is always funny!. It was an early night.

 

Day 6 - Cozumel

 

Today was an early port day as we were there from 7:00 to 3:00. We were docked next to the Vista and the Caribbean Princess arrived about an hour after we did. Having been to Cozumel many times, we chose to just pick up a few things in the port area and return to the empty ship. We enjoyed the Serenity area for about 3 hours until it was time for lunch. I must say that we found the food in the Lido to be quite tasty and we never had a problem finding something we liked.

 

After wandering the ship and relaxing a bit it was time to get ready for dinner at Cucina. We again enjoyed our meal, this time with our friends Steve and Melissa. We had Short Ribs, Chicken Parmesan, Spaghetti and meatballs and Spaghetti Carbonara. Appetizers were Risotto balls...yummy. The entire meal was delicious!! Dessert was Tiramisu and lemon sorbet.

 

After dinner tonight we attended the comedy shows and the midnight showing of Bad Moms.

 

Day 6 - Final Sea Day

 

We got a late start as I was out late the night before. Breakfast was in the lido as usual. After breakfast we stopped in the casino and I left there $100 richer. We then went back to our room to start the dreaded packing. We had planned to meet up with our new friends for lunch at Pig and Anchor, but we met up with a couple from Canada, Nabil and Marilyn, and had lunch with them. We had met them on day one and kept seeing them all around the ship and in the ports. The food was tasty but was served lukewarm. After lunch we stopped and got coffee at the coffee bar and then went into the magic show. The show was okay as I have seen similar here at home. From there we went back to the room to finish up packing and get ready for the night ahead.

We had a quick dinner in the lido then went to the theatre to see America Rocks! We thought the show was great. We had intended to go to the comedy club but never made it.

 

They tell you that any liquor purchases will be delivered to your room after 7:00pm on the last evening. When we returned our bottle was not there. I called Guest Services and was told that because we were not in our room when they delivered, we would have to pick it up in the Vibe in the morning. Okay.... we will get it in the morning. Not a big deal.

 

Well, morning comes and DH goes to the Vibe to pick it up and he saw it there but they would not release it because our folio number did not match the label on the bottle. he comes back to the room to get the receipt which was given to us when we turned in the bottle. Now they bottle is gone. They have given our bottle to someone else! DH was not happy, especially since this cannot be bought anywhere else.

 

We were told to go to guest services where we encountered a quite rude person by the name of Annye. She was very smug and all she did was correct. We gave her our paperwork and our receipt. She then advised us that our liquor had in fact been given to ROOM 6383 and that they have already left the ship! She offered us a refund of the cost but that was not the point. Whether or not we get a refund will be seen, but I would rather have the tequila.

 

While not the ending we wanted to our otherwise great trip, we wont let it spoil it. I just hope that the folks in 6383 enjoy our special bottle of tequila!

 

I hope you enjoyed my first review! I will try to answer any questions any of you have!

 

Bon Voyage!

[bnorris10]

I just hope that the folks in 6383 enjoy our special bottle of tequila!

 

I hope you enjoyed my first review! I will try to answer any questions any of you have!

 

Bon Voyage!

 

I sure hope the cruise line charges them for that tequilla ... Come on I don't care how much stuff you bought and were picking up you know darn well when you end up with a bottle you did not pay for

[Sugar67]

Did the 1000 Superbowl fans seem to overrun your cruise?

[Florings]

Thank you for the review. Will be on the Magic later this year!

[travelinggrands]

We were on the same cruise. We had early dining on level 4, with a group of 25. I enjoyed everything I ordered & the only "bad" entree was a tough chicken breast that was served almost cold. No problem. My table mate ordered something else & it was served promptly with a smile. Not bad for 7 nights for a group this size. In D. R. we were at the same beach & stayed a bit later. The ambulance was for a man that (according to beach gossip) had taken the chair lift & felt faint or passed out. When they wheeled him out, he was aware & talking,

Sorry about loosing your booze. Ours was delivered on time & nothing missing.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise, even with a few bumps.:)

[dmndlil]

Did the 1000 Superbowl fans seem to overrun your cruise?

 

 

 

No, not at all. You only knew who was part of it by the matching T shirts we would see. Apparently this group does this every year and this was the 24th.

[dmndlil]

We were on the same cruise. We had early dining on level 4, with a group of 25. I enjoyed everything I ordered & the only "bad" entree was a tough chicken breast that was served almost cold. No problem. My table mate ordered something else & it was served promptly with a smile. Not bad for 7 nights for a group this size. In D. R. we were at the same beach & stayed a bit later. The ambulance was for a man that (according to beach gossip) had taken the chair lift & felt faint or passed out. When they wheeled him out, he was aware & talking,

Sorry about loosing your booze. Ours was delivered on time & nothing missing.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise, even with a few bumps.:)

 

Glad to hear the ambulance was nothing major. This is the first time this has happened with regard to the booze. I guess there is a first time for everything. :)

[Clarea]

Enjoyed the review, thank-you.:)

[KPfromCT]

Thanks for the review! We are on the Magic in June, and doing the 8 night Eastern itinerary!

Cannot wait. Trying to soak in everything "Magic" between now and then.

Will you be adding any pictures?

:)

[valsey34]

No, not at all. You only knew who was part of it by the matching T shirts we would see. Apparently this group does this every year and this was the 24th.

 

Thank you for your review! Sailing in April and cannot wait!😊

[campdaan]

Thanks, Great review.

 

The Tropicante sounds great.

 

 

I'll have to look it up.

 

 

In a few weeks we will be doing the same itinerary.

[russelldavison]

Thanks for the review. In ten days I will be on the Magic:D

[QueenGMa]

Thanks for the review! 136 days until DH and I are on the Magic!

[ABQrobin]

We sail on the Magic in 38 days! Can't wait.

 

Just a few questions --- live music, what kinds of bands? who did you like, not like?

We had great solo and duos on a few cruises, and really enjoyed the country acts best, though there was a great Dominican duo on last cruise that was wonderful. Any good variety like that?

[dmndlil]

We sail on the Magic in 38 days! Can't wait.

 

Just a few questions --- live music, what kinds of bands? who did you like, not like?

We had great solo and duos on a few cruises, and really enjoyed the country acts best, though there was a great Dominican duo on last cruise that was wonderful. Any good variety like that?

 

 

They had a string trio which was very good, a Country Duo called Whiskey & Wine that was pretty good too. There is also a duo with a female singer, a Rock Band #SixAppeal that are also good. There is a Pub Guitarist which I don't recall listening too. I do know that the Piano bar gets crowded, though fun, we didn't feel he was all that great. In the theatre we also enjoyed the welcome show, the Country Road show and the America Rocks show as well. We always seemed to find a good variety.