Magic Review April 1-8

[cruisergrandma]

We are just off the Carnival Magic having sailed the week ofApril 1-8. I have not written a reviewin quite a while so please be patient. Also, I am not on line all the time so I may be very slow aboutanswering questions. Here is part 1 withmore to follow:

 

It was Spring Break for our granddaughters – ages 9 & 10and this cruise was just the 4 of us. We left North Georgia about 10 pm onThursday evening. For any of you in theAtlanta metro area you know that this is the day there was a fire on I-85causing a collapse of part of that interstate. We were worried that they would be routing traffic over to I-75 but wewere mistaken. We breezed throughAtlanta and had very little traffic for our entire trip. The girls finally went to sleep about 1 am soit was a quiet trip. When we got toJacksonville we hit hwy. A1A so that we could see as much beach as possible. We made it as far as Flagler Beach before sunrise. We woke the girls and took photoson the beach there before heading on down to Ormond Beach where we atebreakfast at IHOP. After breakfast, wehad hoped to take the girls for a ride on Daytona Beach but they are nowcharging for that privilege so we decided to just save our money. We drove down to the boardwalk area, parkedour car and walked on down to the beach for the girls to collect some souvenirsand and play in the waves for a bit. Wethen drove on over to I-95 and made our way on down to Port Canaveral. We visited Manatee Park (no manatees in sightthat day) and spent more time on the beach there. The weather was perfect and the beach was notterribly crowded so it was a great day.

 

We had a reservation at Country Inn and they let us check inearly – about 1:30. We were all tired so we took a short nap and headed outagain. We had hoped to picnic on thebeach but it was quite windy so we ate (McDonalds – girl’s choice) and spentmore time playing at the beach before heading back to the hotel for a good night’ssleep. The Country Inn is nice withcomfortable rooms and a good breakfast. They also have a park-and-cruisepackage and roundtrip shuttle to the port.

 

After a good breakfast, we moved our car to the designatedarea and headed to the shuttle. We werescheduled on their first shuttle at 10:30 and it was right on time. The port was very, very busy as the Magic hadarrived late and people just off the ship were still in the parking lot waitingfor shuttles. There was also a Disneyand a Royal Caribbean in port. We areplatinum so check in was quick and painless. We checked in and had barely sat down in the waiting area before theywere calling for us to board ship. Aquick photo and we were on our way. Ourcabin was ready so we dropped our luggage and headed to Cucina Del Capitano forlunch. The girls and I had bowtie pastawith alfredo sauce and grilled chicken. DH had bowtie pasta with butter sauce and garlic shrimp. All of it was delicious as was the bread theyserve. It was not crowded at all andservice was excellent. It is a huge serving. You can choose half size servings and I really wish we had done that!

 

We had plenty of time to do a bit of ship exploring and stopby Camp Ocean for the granddaughter’s wrist bands before watching sail away. At Camp Ocean they were given lanyards and a backpack designed likethe mascot for their age group (sharks). After dinner in the MDR we just walked around and checked out the shopsonboard. We do not enjoy the welcomeaboard show and there was nothing going on in Camp Ocean that interested thegirls. Still tired from our trip we wereall in bed by 10.

[sturderick]

Were the seas rough the first day/night. I keep reading that from people. I've never left out of port Canaveral and am concerned because we are taking a newbie with us.

 

 

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[cruisergrandma]

No, it was very very smooth on Saturday and most of Sunday. Had a bit of motion late Sunday and Sunday night but not much at all.

[sturderick]

Thanks! Looking forward to the rest of your review [emoji846].

 

 

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[cruisergrandma]

Part 2:

 

The next morning we headed to Lido for breakfast. It was VERY crowded as this was a SpringBreak cruise. We spent the day doingwhatever the granddaughters wanted to do since we had done this cruisespecifically for them. We visited thepool and the water park – the lines for the slides were huge all day so wenever made it there. We did check out the arcade but the girls were notimpressed. It took forever to find itand there is not much there. They playedone game each and were ready to leave. Putt Putt golf was very busy so we did not play.

 

For lunch we went to Lido and that was a mistake. With 2 adults and 2 pre-teens we all wantedsomething different to eat. With thecrowds it took us about 30 minutes to finally settle into a booth and eat. 2 of us had thought we would try the Pig andAnchor but when we found out it was down on the 5th floor we changedour mind. After lunch it was back to the pool and waterworks until time to getready for dinner.

 

It was the first elegant night so we dressed a bit early andtook a few photos then headed to the dining room. We had a great wait staff and really enjoyedthe dining experience each night. I donot have copies of the menus of remember what we ate each night but it was allgood. I think the service has improvedsince our last cruise. It seemed ourwait staff had fewer tables so they were able to devote more time to each. They all got our names and remembered themcorrectly all week. They alsoremembered our preferences like extra butter and chocolate milk for the girls.

 

After dinner we went to the theater and watched ‘Flick’. It was a bit strange but it was good and weall enjoyed it. My only complaints withthe theater is that the bar service will not leave you alone. We were asked atleast 10 times if we wanted anything before the show even started. My secondcomplaint is the lights. Some of themshine out into the audience and they are blinding. I had to actually close my eyes during partsof the show.

 

After the show part of the cast headed out to the lobby andtook photos with the guests and that was fun.

 

We then headed back to the cabin to change clothes. Camp Ocean had “Owl Jams’ from 10:00-1:00. Cost is $15 per child. We dropped off the girls and headed to thecasino. We had booked a casino promotionso DH had $50 casino credit to start him off. We got there and boy were we disappointed. Neither of us like slots. My game of choice is Caribbean Stud Poker andhis is 3 Card Poker. They have done awaywith both of those! Most all of thetables were Blackjack. There was oneFace Up Hold ‘em and 2 new versions of 3 Card. DH played the new version of 3 Card and did not like it. He played the credit he had and we left. Wespoke to the pit boss and he told us they did away with the Caribbean Stud becauseit was not popular. Really? We werenever on a ship where the table(s) were not always busy and we had to wait fora seat. We just gave up and did not goback to the casino. Carnival’sloss. We set aside gambling money forour cruises and this time we brought it all home with us!

 

Since we had a busy day planned in Cozumel the next day wepicked the girls up early – about midnight. They were glad we had come because they were both bored. They were eachgiven a night owls backpack which contained a slap bracelet, a stuffed owl andanother small toy (can’t remember what it was) and that was nice.

 

We headed to the ice cream machine for our nightly cone andthen to the cabin for a good night’s sleep. When we entered the cabin, we found 4 – yes 4 – towel animals on ourbed. The girls were ecstatic.

 

[cruisergrandma]

Part 3:

 

Monday we were in Cozumel. We arrived on time at 9 but were delayedleaving ship. I had booked a 10:00chocolate factory tour and we had to almost run off ship and down thedock. Then we got outside the port andthe taxi line was huge. Instead ofputting us into a normal taxi we were put into a van with 2 other groups goingto different places. It was already 10and we were late. When we expressed ourconcerns to the driver he told us Cozumel time was an hour behind ship time sowe would be fine. We went to thechocolate factory as his first stop and it was not open. It is on a back road and we really did notfeel safe standing outside until it opened so he said to just ride with him onhis other stops and he would bring us back. We dropped off both other groups and returned to the chocolate factorywhich was now open. Taxi was supposed tobe $12 but since we had to ride with him to his other stops he charged us $30.Ouch!

 

At the chocolate factory we asked about the time and werenever really given an answer. I believethe taxi driver lied to us and that we were an hour late for our tour. But, they took us on in withoutquestion. The information part of the tourwas a little boring but then we were taken into the area where we make our ownchocolate. It was a lot of fun and weall enjoyed it. We got to sample theirchocolates afterwards and they were delicious. We got our chocolate to take home with instruction on how to make itinto a chocolate drink by adding milk or water. We went into the gift shop where we were very interested in purchasingsome of their chocolates but prices were very high so we did not purchase. They called a taxi for us and we headed backinto town.

 

We shopped a bit, took some photos, gathered souvenir sand andheaded back to the ship. We ordered alate lunch from room service and it was really delicious. DH and I had BLTs,one granddaughter had PB&J and the other had Grilled Cheese. Only problem is grilled cheese is made withcheddar instead of American which she is used to. But she liked it and all was good.

 

We rested for a bit before heading up for another great dinnerin the dining room. There was nothing ofinterest for the girls at Camp Ocean so we headed out to the pool and let themenjoy the evening. Our normal ice creamcone and everyone was ready for bed.

[navybaby1113]

Enjoying your review so far and looking forward to the rest of it!

[crusinpsychRN]

I was on that cruise. The running kids (1500 of them) was horrible.

 

Didn't miss anything not getting BBQ. Food was cold. Beans were horrible.

 

I thought Flick was strange too. Great female singer but the dancing had nothing to do with what was going on.

 

At the omelet station the guys were using filthy towels to clean out the pans. I couldn't eat that egg.

 

I had good service in MDR with YTD. Didn't go every night.

 

I'd gone to maître d' first day to request cheese plate or cookies instead of strawberries. I didn't get anything. I called GS the last sea day and was told cookies would be right up. 1.5 hours later I called again and was told the chef is baking them now. They were hot and yummy when I got them.

 

Never got the debarkation info for Platinum/Diamond and had to go get it from GS. Last time I went 5 minutes before meeting time and everyone was already gone. This time we were to meet at 8am. At 7:40am they escorted us off.

 

Way too crowded, I'll never go anywhere near spring break again. Lots of chair hogs. Popcorn still tastes like paper.

Dr. E was fun most of the time.

[jewliana]

Will be on her in a few weeks! Loving your review!! Thank you!!

[crusinpsychRN]

That cabbie ripped you off. Make sure you settle the fee before getting in the cab/van.

[cruisergrandma]

 

Part 4:

 

Belize. This is atender port and since we are platinum we had priority tendering. However, they load all of their tours firstand give you a meeting place for the priority tender. Everyone one else gets a number and boardsaccording to their number. It was not a long wait and we were taken to thetender. There were not a lot ofplatinums so they started loading the numbers and we saw through group 5 on thesame tender we were on. I guess a lot ofpeople were either on their tours or not in a hurry to get to shore.

 

We had booked a private tour so we headed out to meet ourguide Griffith. I had booked with Griffithseveral times before so I knew we would have a good time. (I can share his contact info if anyone isinterested.) It was just the four of usand we were heading to the zoo. We love the Belize zoo. It is small and primitive compared to zoo’sin the US but the animals are all native to Belize. Our guide goes with us the entire trip and heis very knowledgeable about the zoo and the animals. It was extremely hot andhumid that day and about halfway through the zoo the heat got to me. I had to head back to the front and find aseat in the shade and a cold water while my family toured the rest without me.They had a great time and were even able to enter the compound withJunior. Junior is an adult jaguar thathas been raised at the zoo. For an extrafee (very reasonable) they put you into a cage inside Junior’s compound andthen turn Junior loose. He will rub upagainst the case so you can ‘pet’ him. He does somersaults and then jumps on top of the cage where he will giveyou forehead kisses when you put your forehead against the top of thecage. It is a truly incredible experienceand we have done this several times. Ourgranddaughters LOVED it. This option isonly given to small groups and not ship tours because their groups are too big.We got a bit of city tour both going and coming back from the zoo. We asked to be dropped off at the flea marketacross the street from the dock where we shopped a bit and then headed back to thetenders. I love the tenders and the tripback and forth.

 

Did another room service late lunch and rested a bit beforegetting ready for dinner. Dinner wasgreat and then the girls headed to Camp Ocean to see ‘Finding Dory’ scheduledfrom 8:00-10:00. I was not feeling well after getting so over heated at the zooso DH and I just went back to the cabin to relax until time to pick them up.When we got there at 10:00 the movie was not over. But they were closing so no one got to seethe end of the movie. Really? They watch for almost 2 hours and do not getto see the end? Camp Ocean seemed veryunorganized on this cruise.

 

We went to the 10:15 show ‘Country Road’ and it was veryenjoyable. Great singers on thisship. Another ice cream and anothergreat night’s sleep.

[cruisergrandma]

Part 5:

 

Up early and headed to the dining room for breakfast. This had become the norm for us since Lidowas so crowded. The dining room was notcrowded and service was great.

 

Roatan. We had booked withBodden Tours so we headed off ship and caught a taxi over the hill to meet ourtour. We had a private tour arranged soit was once again just the four of us. Our first stop was the Iguana Farm. Our girls loved it. They got topet and feed iguanas till their hearts were content. There were also 2 monkeys (in cages) and somelarge fish that they fed while we were there. After the Iguana farm we went to West End and walked around a bit. We also stopped at a local grocery so I couldget coffee. Our guide went with me intothe store to purchase the coffee and to check out. They do not do US change so she told me topay with as close to the amount as possible. My cost was $29 and I handed her $30. I got back a $1 bill in their money. The guide was right there beside me and said nothing so I thought thatwas correct. Later on in the tour wetraded another $1 US for their money so the girls could have this assouvenirs. At that stop I got one oftheir 20’s, one of their 5’s and 4 of their 1’s for my $1 US. So the Bodden tour guide stood there and saidnothing while the grocery store ripped me off on my change at their store. We also did a bit of island tour during thedrives between stops.

 

Back on ship we did a late lunch and rested until dinner. After dinner more swimming in the pool beforegetting our nightly ice cream and heading off to bed.

 

[cruisergrandma]

Part 6:

 

Costa Maya. We dockedat 7:00 am and no one was in a big hurry to get off ship. We ate breakfast in the dining room and leftship between 7:30-8:00. We had neverbeen to Costa Maya but I had reserved chairs at the Tropicante because of allthe positive reviews on Cruise Critic.

 

We walked outside the port and caught a cab into Mahahal. There is nothing pretty about this quick rideinto town. Everything is either barrenor under construction.

 

We arrived at Tropicante and were met by one of the employeeswho led us to the beach. The beach ismuch smaller than I was expecting. Wewere taken to loungers with a small drinks table between them. We wereintroduced to our witer for the day and handed a menu. Our girls took off theirflip flops and headed to the water. Theywere there only a minute or two and came back telling me that the beach wascreepy and there were dead fish. I wentover there with them. There had been alot of seaweed wash up and they were there racking it from the beach. There were lots of dead minnows in theseaweed and floating in the water. Apparently they get caught up in the seaweed and suffocate. Our girlswould not stay and wanted to go back to the pool onboard ship. I told the waiter we would not be staying andwhy. Steve, the owner, came out to speakto us and explain what was going on with the fish. He was super nice and understood ourleaving. We walked around the shops fora few minutes and caught a cab back to port.

 

At port we discovered there are a lot of nice shops. We spent quite a bit of time before returningto ship. We went for a quick lunch andtook the girls to the pool.

 

Later we had another great dinner and went to ’88 Keys’. It is billed as a ‘Rock N’ Roll Piano Show’and was pretty good.

 

There was a Beach Bash from 10:00-1:00 at Camp Ocean but thegirls would not go. They did not enjoyCamp Ocean at all and said it was boring.

 

Another iced cream and another good night’s sleep.

 

[cruisergrandma]

Part 7:

 

We had booked the 8:15 Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast. We arrived at 8:00 and the girl said they hadbeen calling our cabin to see where we were. Never understood that since we arrived 15 minutes early.

 

We were led to a large table where another family was alreadyseated. We were handed menus and ourorders were placed. They told us to getour cameras ready and brought out Thing 1 and Thing 2 for photos. Our foodarrived and we ate. Even our girls saideverything was too sweet. As soon as weate they brought out the Ct in the Hat. We lined up with our camera but this time there was a photographer fromthe ship. She would step in front of youif you tried to take your own photo and actually tried to push me out of herway. I got my own photo anyway. She was extremely rude as were several of theship photographers. After the Cat in theHat left Sam I Am arrived and we were once again able to take our ownphotos. After that some of the waitersdressed as Thing 1 and Thing 2 arrived and danced for us. Then it was over. It was okay but not really much fun for us orthe girls and the food was way too sweet.

 

We just spent a lazy day around ship. We shopped, went to a towel folding class,ate too much, purchased photos and started our packing.

 

In the afternoon there was a ‘Build A Bear’ at Camp Ocean. We got there about 20 minutes early and theytold us we would have to come back in 20 minutes. We went back in 15 minutesand had a 30 minute line to even get inside and get our name on the list. By the time we were called they only had 3-4styles and very few clothes left. Theydid not even have Carnival tees. Thegirls were disappointed but did make a bear each.

 

We had a nice farewell dinner in the dining room and thenwhile I finished packing DH took the girls to the pool.

 

After another ice cream we had our final night on the cruise.

 

[cruisergrandma]

Part 8

 

We arrived back in Port Canaveral about 6:15 Saturdaymorning. We did platinum self-assist andwere in the waiting area by 6:30. Wewere cleared and off the ship by 7:00. We did not call the hotel shuttle but instead grabbed a cab and wereback at the hotel within 15 minutes.

 

To Recap –

 

It was a great cruise but it was not as good as our previousCarnival cruises. Dining Room service was better than our last couple ofcruises even if the selections were fewer. Our cabin steward was a pleasure.

 

But, we will NEVER do another Spring break cruise. There were way too many kids onboard and mostran the ship unaccompanied by parents. They were rude and had no manners at all. They took over the pools, Lido deck, thehallways, elevators, stairwells, etc. They gathered in the hallways near the teen clubs (instead of in theclubs) and you could barely walk down the hall.

 

The ship was very unorganized. Lido was too spread out and way too crowded. The ship photographers were pushy andrude. They were in the restaurant EVERYnight trying to interrupt our dinner for photos.

 

The shops have gone to almost only liquor, cigarettes, jewelryand expensive clothing. Not at allinteresting. The employees in the shopsare unfriendly almost to the point of rude.

 

And the ship was way too hot. Every place we went I had to have a fan with me.

 

We have been loyal Carnival cruisers for many years. I worked as a travel agent for a while and Ireally pushed Carnival because I loved it and believed in it so much. But after this trip we are going to try otherlines to see if they are any better. Itisn’t that we will never cruise Carnival again but it won’t be the only line weconsider.

 

Thanks for reading my review.