Magic Review sail date 9/27

[breadandbutter]

I’d like to start off by saying how impressed I was with this ship and the staff. Granted, they were sailing at around 50% capacity making it very spacious everywhere, but the crew were the most helpful than any other main lines I’ve been on. Boarding from parking to sitting at a bar with my first glass of champers took 1.5 hours (this included completing the muster drill and a quick spa tour). I think the ship is in very good shape especially seeing as it was due for a re-furb in 2020. All the bathroom towels were grubby though, old and need replacing.

Dining Room

I received exceptional service in the main dining room from team leader Jhoanna, and her team.  We had anytime dining, but after being served by Jhoanna and Camille, we asked to be seated in their section every night. We requested paper menus on the first night, and never had to ask again, as soon as we sat down menus, bread selection, water (we had big bottles of sparkling water included in the cheers package, the only place on the ship where you can order a big bottle), as well as our boozy drinks. Service was very quick, and we didn’t have to wait more than 5 minutes between courses. So a huge shout out to Jhoanna, ask to be seated with her.

Food

The food was much better overall, I asked for extra dressing with salads, steak and eggs for brunch was very good, Cucina Italian was excellent. I only ate in the Lido buffet for breakfast, and I thought it was very good, heard a lot of complaining about the buffet recently on the boards here, but I didn’t see any problem with it, if anything it’s better, hardly any lines anywhere.

Bars

Again excellent service everywhere, although Alchemy was slow sometimes, and the same drink could taste different depending on who made it. Loved all the cocktails I tried except for a chocolate martini, which tasted mainly of vanilla.

The coffee bar was very disorganized, long wait times, Irish coffee was horrible.

Red Frog Pub

Very quiet, I was expecting this place to be busy with a good atmosphere; also thought there would have been more craft beers.

Cheers package

By my calculations if you drink above 6 drinks a day (sounds a lot but quite easy to do, mimosa with breakfast, cocktail by the pool,2 glasses of wine with lunch, another cocktail in the afternoon,more wine and a specialty coffee in the evening and you're at 8 drinks) buy the package, having said that I think it encourages extra drinking.

Thermal Suites and Thalassotherapy pool.

Save your money and don’t bother,at the time of writing (10/2/2021) half of it doesn’t work. Pool is way hotter than any other thalassotherapy pool I’ve been in, and has limited jets. The aroma steam room didn’t work at all. Showers in the steam room didn’t work. And in the walk in all over body shower the water was stuck on very hot. Very disappointing, as they are keen to sell you the package for the week, but don’t mention half the stuff isn’t working.

Entertainment

Didn’t go to any shows, as we found being inside with masks on too hot. But did watch the guy in the Piano bar for 10 minutes, that was all I could take, he couldn't sing for peanuts.

Overall

A brilliant little 5 night trip, well worth the money, I highly recommend it

 

 

Edited October 5, 2021 by breadandbutter
typo

[boomhower]

Any chance you kept pictures of the menus?  My wife is wanting to make reservations for Cucina but want to pick a night Id rather not do the MDR.  I know the menu offering pretty well, just need to know which nights is which now. 

[matymil]

3 hours ago, boomhower said:

Any chance you kept pictures of the menus?  My wife is wanting to make reservations for Cucina but want to pick a night Id rather not do the MDR.  I know the menu offering pretty well, just need to know which nights is which now. 

The menus are QR codes now. You may be able to get a paper version but most ppl scan it with their phone

 

[matymil]

8 hours ago, breadandbutter said:

I’d like to start off by saying how impressed I was with this ship and the staff. Granted, they were sailing at around 50% capacity making it very spacious everywhere, but the crew were the most helpful than any other main lines I’ve been on. Boarding from parking to sitting at a bar with my first glass of champers took 1.5 hours (this included completing the muster drill and a quick spa tour). I think the ship is in very good shape especially seeing as it was due for a re-furb in 2020. All the bathroom towels were grubby though, old and need replacing.

Dining Room

I received exceptional service in the main dining room from team leader Jhoanna, and her team.  We had anytime dining, but after being served by Jhoanna and Camille, we asked to be seated in their section every night. We requested paper menus on the first night, and never had to ask again, as soon as we sat down menus, bread selection, water (we had big bottles of sparkling water included in the cheers package, the only place on the ship where you can order a big bottle), as well as our boozy drinks. Service was very quick, and we didn’t have to wait more than 5 minutes between courses. So a huge shout out to Jhoanna, ask to be seated with her.

Food

The food was much better overall, I asked for extra dressing with salads, steak and eggs for brunch was very good, Cucina Italian was excellent. I only ate in the Lido buffet for breakfast, and I thought it was very good, heard a lot of complaining about the buffet recently on the boards here, but I didn’t see any problem with it, if anything it’s better, hardly any lines anywhere.

Bars

Again excellent service everywhere, although Alchemy was slow sometimes, and the same drink could taste different depending on who made it. Loved all the cocktails I tried except for a chocolate martini, which tasted mainly of vanilla.

The coffee bar was very disorganized, long wait times, Irish coffee was horrible.

Red Frog Pub

Very quiet, I was expecting this place to be busy with a good atmosphere; also thought there would have been more craft beers.

Cheers package

By my calculations if you drink above 6 drinks a day (sounds a lot but quite easy to do, mimosa with breakfast, cocktail by the pool,2 glasses of wine with lunch, another cocktail in the afternoon,more wine and a specialty coffee in the evening and you're at 8 drinks) buy the package, having said that I think it encourages extra drinking.

Thermal Suites and Thalassotherapy pool.

Save your money and don’t bother,at the time of writing (10/2/2021) half of it doesn’t work. Pool is way hotter than any other thalassotherapy pool I’ve been in, and has limited jets. The aroma steam room didn’t work at all. Showers in the steam room didn’t work. And in the walk in all over body shower the water was stuck on very hot. Very disappointing, as they are keen to sell you the package for the week, but don’t mention half the stuff isn’t working.

Entertainment

Didn’t go to any shows, as we found being inside with masks on too hot. But did watch the guy in the Piano bar for 10 minutes, that was all I could take, he couldn't sing for peanuts.

Overall

A brilliant little 5 night trip, well worth the money, I highly recommend it

 

 

I was on the same cruise. I agree with pretty much all of your review. The staff (minus medical) were amazing. We had the best room steward ever. Also agree about the buffet, i dont know why so many people were complaining. Its pretty much the same its always been. My wife heard one of the staff members say they were at 2600 which if true probably would have put us closer to 65%. It def wasnt crowded but it wasnt empty either. I actually expected there to be less people. Only was crowded in certain areas. Loved the new smoke free casino on deck 4, we are going back in Feb and i hope that sticks around. Not sure if you went to the gym but that was my least favorite part of the ship. If it wasnt the smallest of any ship ive been on, it sure was close. To small for the Magics capacity for sure. Also for some reason the wifi was terrible in the gym, i only had issues with it in there for some reason. I went once at like 10am and it felt like i was on top of people. We also had a room right under the loudest part of the galley. I did bring it to the attention of guest services and they admitted it was a loud room and offered us $100 pixels credit which was very nice of them. Other than that the cruise was fantastic. What did you think about the ports?

[BoozinCroozin]

Not thrilled to hear about the spa issues. We booked it to get away from the crowds when we wanted/needed a relaxing hot tub. I am still probably going to keep it, but I will complain if half of it is down and I pay full price.

[Green4me]

Appreciate the review and information, we sail Oct 17th for six nights.  We sailed on her inaugural year  for 12 nights RT Barcelona and LOVED it all.    It will be interesting to see the difference 10 years have made on wear and tear but regardless I'm sure we will have a blast. 🙂

 

[breadandbutter]

On 10/6/2021 at 2:14 AM, matymil said:

I was on the same cruise. I agree with pretty much all of your review. The staff (minus medical) were amazing. We had the best room steward ever. Also agree about the buffet, i dont know why so many people were complaining. Its pretty much the same its always been. My wife heard one of the staff members say they were at 2600 which if true probably would have put us closer to 65%. It def wasnt crowded but it wasnt empty either. I actually expected there to be less people. Only was crowded in certain areas. Loved the new smoke free casino on deck 4, we are going back in Feb and i hope that sticks around. Not sure if you went to the gym but that was my least favorite part of the ship. If it wasnt the smallest of any ship ive been on, it sure was close. To small for the Magics capacity for sure. Also for some reason the wifi was terrible in the gym, i only had issues with it in there for some reason. I went once at like 10am and it felt like i was on top of people. We also had a room right under the loudest part of the galley. I did bring it to the attention of guest services and they admitted it was a loud room and offered us $100 pixels credit which was very nice of them. Other than that the cruise was fantastic. What did you think about the ports?

I didn't get off of the ship ,too busy relaxing! Bimini looked very nice though.

[breadandbutter]

On 10/5/2021 at 10:36 PM, boomhower said:

Any chance you kept pictures of the menus?  My wife is wanting to make reservations for Cucina but want to pick a night Id rather not do the MDR.  I know the menu offering pretty well, just need to know which nights is which now. 

I didn't I'm afraid. But I did take notes, the 4th night was my least favorite in MDR, I had lasagne. Don't forget Cucina is open for free every lunch noon to 2.30pm. Limited menu but very nice, it was nearly empty on embarkation day around 2 pm.

[breadandbutter]

On 10/6/2021 at 2:04 AM, matymil said:

The menus are QR codes now. You may be able to get a paper version but most ppl scan it with their phone

 

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• Author

• #8  

Posted just now

On 10/5/2021 at 10:36 PM, boomhower said:

Any chance you kept pictures of the menus?  My wife is wanting to make reservations for Cucina but want to pick a night Id rather not do the MDR.  I know the menu offering pretty well, just need to know which nights is which now. 

I didn't I'm afraid. But I did take notes, the 4th night was my least favorite in MDR, I had lasagne. Don't forget Cucina is open for free every lunch noon to 2.30pm. Limited menu but very nice, it was nearly empty on embarkation day around 2 pm.

[breadandbutter]

Just now, breadandbutter said:

•  

• Author

• #8  
•  

Posted just now

I didn't I'm afraid. But I did take notes, the 4th night was my least favorite in MDR, I had lasagne. Don't forget Cucina is open for free every lunch noon to 2.30pm. Limited menu but very nice, it was nearly empty on embarkation day around 2 pm.

Paper versions of menus were available everywhere, just ask for them.

[undertoes10]

23 hours ago, Green4me said:

Appreciate the review and information, we sail Oct 17th for six nights.  We sailed on her inaugural year  for 12 nights RT Barcelona and LOVED it all.    It will be interesting to see the difference 10 years have made on wear and tear but regardless I'm sure we will have a blast. 🙂

 

Was also on that Med sailing but didn't get to experience the ship much since it was so port intensive.