Our MAGICal B2B with a side of ELATION cruises (with pics) - 10/7/17.

[SMSACE6]

I am enjoying your review of Magic, a ship that I have on my radar for the future. But unfortunately for me, I am not able to travel at this time or in the foreseeable future, so I still do enjoy seeing reviews and imagining that I will some day be there lol! Your reviews, and Patti's photos, are always a welcome sight for me here on CC. Looking forward to more of your review and of the Elation. Thanks for taking the time to gift us all with another of your wonderful reviews.:)

[E@syPe@zy]

Wow...you and Patti make such a great team! Her photography and your wonderful way with words blend together seamlessly. Thanks for all of the time and work you both put into your reviews.

I love the Dream class ships, but haven't been on the Magic yet...hopefully very soon.

Thanks again and looking forward to the rest of your epic review!

[lennythenose]

We had Ni Putu on our server team on the Valor in August and she was wonderful! Surely there isn’t more than one? I am enjoying your review and getting even more excited about our Magic cruise in June. It will be our first time sailing from PC and I can’t wait!

[DJ56]

Excited to read the rest of your review. Pictures are wonderful. Will be on the Magic in six months. Thank you for taking the time to post your review.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[grima625]

So excited to find your review tonight while at work. Unfortunately I can't see the pics while I'm here, but will get caught up and review them all once I get home.

 

We're going to be on the Victory for Thanksgiving, and it will be our first time cruising with our daughter and family for their very first cruise. Our grandkids, 8 yo and 5 yo, will be staying with the DW and myself, so we're hoping it all goes well. Their dad, my SIL has been in Afghanistan for the last few months, and the kids don't know he's going to be joining us yet. We're all looking forward to it.

[OceansOfTravels]

I am really enjoying your review! I am optimistic for some more pictures of the Magic and the ports that you visit, plus the recently-refurbished Elation! Thank you for always taking the time on your cruises to take these photos, and thanks for all of the energy you put into your post-cruise reports!

[Jamman54]

I am so excited to find your review ! I knew you were sailing in October and I have been checking to see if your review was up. I have read and loved each of your reviews ! We are sailing on the Sunshine this Spring because of your review ! We were on the Magic last spring and I think it is now my favorite ship. I can’t wait to read the rest of your review ! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this !!

 

Thanks for following along again, and for your kind words. Enjoy your cruise on the Sunshine! :cool:

 

I am enjoying your review of Magic, a ship that I have on my radar for the future. But unfortunately for me, I am not able to travel at this time or in the foreseeable future, so I still do enjoy seeing reviews and imagining that I will some day be there lol! Your reviews, and Patti's photos, are always a welcome sight for me here on CC. Looking forward to more of your review and of the Elation. Thanks for taking the time to gift us all with another of your wonderful reviews.:)

 

Thanks for reading once again! Hopefully you will be able to travel again in the very near future. :cool:

[Jamman54]

Wow...you and Patti make such a great team! Her photography and your wonderful way with words blend together seamlessly. Thanks for all of the time and work you both put into your reviews.

I love the Dream class ships, but haven't been on the Magic yet...hopefully very soon.

Thanks again and looking forward to the rest of your epic review!

 

Thanks so much for your kind words. Glad to have you aboard again! :cool:

 

We had Ni Putu on our server team on the Valor in August and she was wonderful! Surely there isn’t more than one? I am enjoying your review and getting even more excited about our Magic cruise in June. It will be our first time sailing from PC and I can’t wait!

 

Thanks for following along! I'm sure you will love the Magic and sailing from PC. :cool:

[Jamman54]

Excited to read the rest of your review. Pictures are wonderful. Will be on the Magic in six months. Thank you for taking the time to post your review.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Thanks for following along! :cool:

 

So excited to find your review tonight while at work. Unfortunately I can't see the pics while I'm here, but will get caught up and review them all once I get home.

 

We're going to be on the Victory for Thanksgiving, and it will be our first time cruising with our daughter and family for their very first cruise. Our grandkids, 8 yo and 5 yo, will be staying with the DW and myself, so we're hoping it all goes well. Their dad, my SIL has been in Afghanistan for the last few months, and the kids don't know he's going to be joining us yet. We're all looking forward to it.

 

Glad to have you aboard! Enjoy your cruise on the Victory. Hope your SIL gets to go. He deserves it!!! :cool:

[Jamman54]

I am really enjoying your review! I am optimistic for some more pictures of the Magic and the ports that you visit, plus the recently-refurbished Elation! Thank you for always taking the time on your cruises to take these photos, and thanks for all of the energy you put into your post-cruise reports!

 

Thanks so much for reading! Much more to come! :cool:

[MEcruisin]

Couple of questions:

How was the weather in Orlando, Cocoa Beach & on your cruise?

Shows on your cruise, did you attend any & if so how were they?

Thank you for any replies.

[Jamman54]

Couple of questions:

How was the weather in Orlando, Cocoa Beach & on your cruise?

Shows on your cruise, did you attend any & if so how were they?

Thank you for any replies.

 

It rained one day in Orlando, and we had passing showers in Roatan and Costa Maya, otherwise the weather was pretty good.

We did not go to any production shows on the Magic, though we did on the Elation, and they were OK. Not something we would need to see again. :cool:

[Jamman54]

Day # 2 – Fun Day at Sea – 10/8/17

 

Today’s Fun Times…..

 

We woke up at 8am to a beautiful sunny day. The seas were very calm. Here are some views looking forward and aft…..

 

 

 

Around 9:30 we decided to head to the Seaday Brunch. The line was fairly long but it moved quickly. We had no problem getting a table for two. We both had our drink coupons which we will be using today…..

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Here are the Seaday Brunch menus…..

 

Patti and I are enjoying our free drinks…..

 

 

 

These were the breads we selected. They no longer just leave a basket of bread on your table…..

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

Patti started with the fresh fruit platter, while I started with the Caesar salad with jerked bacon…..

 

Patti had a tomato and cheddar cheese omelet with a side of turkey bacon…..

 

I had the huevos rancheros with a side of corned beef hash…..

 

The brunch was very good as usual. Afterwards, we made our way back to our cabin to get our stuff to take to the spa. Our first towel animal was waiting for us. Jay preferred to make them during his morning rounds, which was fine with us…..

 

On the way to the spa, we stopped at the Guest Service Desk…….

 

It is rare that we ever visit Guest Services, but today I have three items to take care of. First, I had to RSVP for the Diamond Party this afternoon. I could have just called, but since we were coming here anyway….

 

Second, I wanted to make sure that we were on the B2B list. It turns out that we weren’t, but that was quickly taken care of.

Third, remember I told you I had a story to tell when I showed you the picture of our room safe? This is funny because there just was a thread about this very thing this past week here on CC. Last evening, when Patti opened the safe to put in her valuables, she discovered that the previous occupants had left a bag full of jewelry in the safe. So we are here at Guest Services today to turn it in. They are quite happy and elated that we did, so much so that they gave us each two free drink vouchers! We weren’t looking for anything but to reunite the jewelry with the owners, but hey, we’ll take it!

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

We made our way up to the Cloud 9 Spa and for the next two hours or so we just relaxed. I like to spend most of the time in the Thalassotherapy pool…….

 

Patti prefers to relax on the heated loungers in the Tepidarium and read…..

 

Patti left a little before me to head back to the cabin, but of course she stopped to take pictures along the way. Looks like they are playing Jenga with the big blocks down in the lobby…..

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…….

[Jamman54]

This is the Books & Games Library, located on Deck 4 forward……

 

The Escape Bar, also located on Deck 4 forward…..

 

This is the Shore Excursion Desk, and I have included the hours they are open…..

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

This is the Magic Lobby Bar……

 

Looking up to the top of the Atrium…..

 

Here is one of the Sail & Sign kiosks……

 

I met Patti back at the cabin where we discovered that our Platinum / Diamond treats had been delivered. I always say that the strawberries look like the rejects from the Plaza Café, but we do eat and appreciate them…..

 

We were both a little hungry now, but most of the lunch venues were now closed. Patti decided to head up to the deli, and I opted to order from room service.

We both then hung out in the cabin until it was time for the Diamond Party at 5pm. Here is the Diamond Party invitation……

 

The Diamond Party was held in the Spotlight Lounge, (Comedy Club), Deck 5 aft…..

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Some of the Senior Staff greeted us at the door…..

 

There were around 25 Diamonds on board this week, and the snacks and drinks were flowing freely. The Senior officers and Cruise Director Matt Seguin went from table to table to greet the guests…..

 

This is Patti & I with Captain Antonio Marchetti…..

 

This is the official photo which they gave us for free, which also included the Chief Engineer Giuseppe Seccia…..

 

The party lasted for a little more than an hour. Afterwards, I made my way to the casino where I gave a very quick $200 donation. Patti was going to head to Cherry on Top to pick up some snacks, but first, The Hat Trick Bar bunny…..

 

The Polaris Trio Strings is playing in the Atrium……

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Patti has made it to Cherry on Top. Talk about being a kid in a candy store! Lol…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

We are both back at the cabin to get ready for our first Elegant Night, (American Feast), dinner.We stepped outside to watch the sunset…..

 

 

 

 

 

Here is our table set up for the American Feast…….

 

Here is the American Feast menu…..

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

To start, Patti had the spaghetti carbonara as an appetizer, and a romaine Caesar salad…..

 

I startedwit h two orders of shrimp cocktail, and the Italian wedding soup…..

 

We both had the lobster and grilled shrimp. I confess, I had two!......

 

We brought a bottle of our own wine to dinner tonight which they opened and served, and we were not charged a corkage fee. Thanks! Patti was stuffed so she skipped dessert, but I had a banana split……

 

 

The service tonight was slower and more disjointed than last night. We would order first but be served last. We were getting concerned. On top of that, there was a large travel agency group aboard that had around ten tables of ten, and their leaders were sitting at the table across the aisle from us. People from that group were constantly stopping by to chat with them, clogging up the aisle, and making it difficult for the servers to work. Every time we turned it seemed like we were looking at someone else’s butt! I think it’s time to mention something to the maitre’d.

Afterwards, we walked around the ship for a bit then headed back to the cabin. Our Platinum/ Diamond gifts have arrived, the Bluetooth speakers……

 

Coming up next: Welcome to Cozumel, starring Mr. Sanchos!!!

[jjcruiselover]

How busy was the Thalassotherapy pool? Did you go in the evening or just during the day? We've been going back and forth on getting the spa pass. We had a spa room on the Sunshine but it does not have the Thalassotherapy pool. My husband really would like to give it a try but is worried it may be really crowded. We are cruising Thanksgiving week so the ship will be at pretty much full capacity.

[Jamman54]

How busy was the Thalassotherapy pool? Did you go in the evening or just during the day? We've been going back and forth on getting the spa pass. We had a spa room on the Sunshine but it does not have the Thalassotherapy pool. My husband really would like to give it a try but is worried it may be really crowded. We are cruising Thanksgiving week so the ship will be at pretty much full capacity.

 

We had the couples spa pass for both legs of our B2B and were glad that we did. Both of our cruises were during Fall Break so the ship was full both weeks. I never had any issues getting into the T-Pool. Yes, it was more crowded in the afternoons, but in the evenings, sometimes I had the pool to myself which you will see a little later in my review. I say go for it and pre-purchase on line since they only sell so many passes. Have fun!! :D

[deladane]

I always love reading your reviews, and this one is off to a great start so far! Looking forward to reading the rest :) Thanks for posting!