Just back - Magic to Bermuda

[jpurdy]

Debarkation- Absolute nightmare. Got herded outside to a long line. Arrival times did not matter. Had to speak to a rep. Who put colored stickers on boarding passes. If you were lucky enough to speak to a rep, you got inside. Very disorganized and started off the cruise negatively.

Once inside, the rest of the process was much better. Very few of us wore masks indoors.

Cabin - Balcony, deck 6 mid ship. It was in decent enough shape, but found several long hairs out in the open, on the couch, counter and even attached to the lamp next to bed. Yuck. The mirrors inside the closet were smudged with obvious hand marks, and our daughter found sand in her closet. Our shower over flowed two times. Someone did come to look at it, but only resolution was to lower the water flow dramatically to prevent it overflowing over the lip. You are forewarned. We will look for ships with doors in the future. We are seasoned cruisers, pretty tolerant, don’t expect perfection. No one should have to mop up after a shower or find hair as we did. That said, all staff works very hard. Cabin staff seems overworked. They need help. Carnival suits, give it to them.

 

Food - Very good.  If the buffet doesn’t work for you, the anytime dining is a good choice. Not formal, and good coffee!  We weren’t going to use dining room and eat outdoors exclusively, but some gf family members did much better there. Be aware Cucina is a great choice for free lunch. Pig and Anchor was a hit too.

Entertainment - very good. Ryan, the CD is an A+++. Staff all work so hard. Musicians seemed varied. Comedy show was good too. Casino was really fun and had a good assortment of machines to choose. Always had staff walking around to take drink orders.

 

Bermuda - No one ever asked to see our $40 authorization Forms. Really. Certainly a money grab for Bermuda. Walked to Snorkel Park. Convenient and it provided us a beach, calm waters and walkable to/from ship. We enjoyed snorkeling along the fort wall and rocks. 

Debarkation - Off the ship in 5 minutes. Self Debarkation. Carried our luggage. Completely different than getting on.  

Had a great time. So convenient to drive to port. But….they must clean up embarkation. It really was horrible. Happy to answer any questions.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

[ProgRockCruiser]

I see that Magic cruised out of New York.  Is the embarkation process typical for that port, where no-one "respects" the check-in time?

 

Glad everything else went OK, despite the imperfect cabin.  

 

I'm guessing that Bermuda knows whether everyone on the ship filled out that form, and maybe that's why they don't check.

 

Regarding the showers - you will not find shower doors on any Carnival ship except the new Mardi Gras (and upcoming other future builds like Celebration and Jubilee), at least AFAIK.

[mz-s]

No one respects the check-in times in any ports. It's just that some ports are better than others at enforcing them.

[jpurdy]

23 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I see that Magic cruised out of New York.  Is the embarkation process typical for that port, where no-one "respects" the check-in time?

 

Glad everything else went OK, despite the imperfect cabin.  

 

I'm guessing that Bermuda knows whether everyone on the ship filled out that form, and maybe that's why they don't check.

 

Regarding the showers - you will not find shower doors on any Carnival ship except the new Mardi Gras (and upcoming other future builds like Celebration and Jubilee), at least AFAIK.

 

Have cruised many times from NY. Never experienced this. There were check in times areas, but Carnival herded us all into one extremely long line and the free for all. Almost witnessed a fight.

[shof515]

i am going to Bermuda in August. Did the SHIP time change to local Bermuda time with the hour difference? if it did, when was the time changes?

[jpurdy]

Just now, shof515 said:

i am going to Bermuda in August. Did the SHIP time change to local Bermuda time with the hour difference? if it did, when was the time changes?

Yes the time changed. So sorry can’t remember if it was first night or second.

[kdr69]

1 hour ago, jpurdy said:

Debarkation- Absolute nightmare. Got herded outside to a long line. Arrival times did not matter.

Am guessing you meant embarkation (getting on) here?

[kdr69]

1 hour ago, jpurdy said:

Bermuda - No one ever asked to see our $40 authorization Forms.

Which forms are these?

[kdr69]

Never mind found them thanks

[kelly4126]

1 hour ago, jpurdy said:

Debarkation- Absolute nightmare. Got herded outside to a long line. Arrival times did not matter. Had to speak to a rep. Who put colored stickers on boarding passes. If you were lucky enough to speak to a rep, you got inside. Very disorganized and started off the cruise negatively.

Once inside, the rest of the process was much better. Very few of us wore masks indoors.

Cabin - Balcony, deck 6 mid ship. It was in decent enough shape, but found several long hairs out in the open, on the couch, counter and even attached to the lamp next to bed. Yuck. The mirrors inside the closet were smudged with obvious hand marks, and our daughter found sand in her closet. Our shower over flowed two times. Someone did come to look at it, but only resolution was to lower the water flow dramatically to prevent it overflowing over the lip. You are forewarned. We will look for ships with doors in the future. We are seasoned cruisers, pretty tolerant, don’t expect perfection. No one should have to mop up after a shower or find hair as we did. That said, all staff works very hard. Cabin staff seems overworked. They need help. Carnival suits, give it to them.

 

Food - Very good.  If the buffet doesn’t work for you, the anytime dining is a good choice. Not formal, and good coffee!  We weren’t going to use dining room and eat outdoors exclusively, but some gf family members did much better there. Be aware Cucina is a great choice for free lunch. Pig and Anchor was a hit too.

Entertainment - very good. Ryan, the CD is an A+++. Staff all work so hard. Musicians seemed varied. Comedy show was good too. Casino was really fun and had a good assortment of machines to choose. Always had staff walking around to take drink orders.

 

Bermuda - No one ever asked to see our $40 authorization Forms. Really. Certainly a money grab for Bermuda. Walked to Snorkel Park. Convenient and it provided us a beach, calm waters and walkable to/from ship. We enjoyed snorkeling along the fort wall and rocks. 

Debarkation - Off the ship in 5 minutes. Self Debarkation. Carried our luggage. Completely different than getting on.  

Had a great time. So convenient to drive to port. But….they must clean up embarkation. It really was horrible. Happy to answer any questions.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi there !

we are traveling of this same cruise on August 15. Do you think it would be better to arrive later ? Trying to avoid what you experienced !

thanks

kelly 

[jpurdy]

16 minutes ago, kelly4126 said:

Hi there !

we are traveling of this same cruise on August 15. Do you think it would be better to arrive later ? Trying to avoid what you experienced !

thanks

kelly 

I do. This way the early arrival seekers will already be on board. 

[jpurdy]

51 minutes ago, kdr69 said:

Am guessing you meant embarkation (getting on) here?

yes sorry. Can’t find where to edit….can anyone help me find it.

[ProgRockCruiser]

13 minutes ago, jpurdy said:

yes sorry. Can’t find where to edit….can anyone help me find it.

You can only edit a post within about 15 min of making the post.

 

It is now there forever, unless you report the post to a Mod and ask for the correction.

[jpurdy]

2 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

You can only edit a post within about 15 min of making the post.

 

It is now there forever, unless you report the post to a Mod and ask for the correction.

Thanks, appreciate the feedback.

[MsTabbyKats]

I took 3 post pandemic cruises (NCL) from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.  The first 2 were to the Bahamas...and embarkation was a breeze.  The last one, to Bermuda, was a nightmare.  I think it had more to do with the destination than the terminal.

 

@jpurdyDid you see any of the shows?  Is the theatre a real theatre with permanent seating....or setting up chairs for that specific function?

[shof515]

2 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

@jpurdyDid you see any of the shows?  Is the theatre a real theatre with permanent seating....or setting up chairs for that specific function?

Magic has a real theatre with permanent seating. unfortunately, people heads can still get in the way depending on where you sit 

[jpurdy]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

I took 3 post pandemic cruises (NCL) from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.  The first 2 were to the Bahamas...and embarkation was a breeze.  The last one, to Bermuda, was a nightmare.  I think it had more to do with the destination than the terminal.

 

@jpurdyDid you see any of the shows?  Is the theatre a real theatre with permanent seating....or setting up chairs for that specific function?

As another poster said, permanent seating. We preferred the lowest floor as I am short and need more visibility. We saw both shows. 

[MsTabbyKats]

1 hour ago, jpurdy said:

As another poster said, permanent seating. We preferred the lowest floor as I am short and need more visibility. We saw both shows. 

I'm 4'11"....my trick is "orchestra....side section....seat on the aisle".

[Weeziblu]

We're booked for this itinerary at the end of September and I can't decide if I should arrive at the port as early as possible or much later.  We typically like to arrive early and just wait in the terminal but there are benefits to arriving a little later and walking on board. 

 

What time did you arrive to the port?

[sailorfool57]

I’ve boarded in Galveston, Baltimore and Boston and these three ports seem to have a handle on the process.  Only Galveston since pandemic, though, and husband was wheelchair assisted, so it was easy. Boston might have been HAL and Baltimore might have been RCCL, but can’t remember offhand.

[tap_out]

We are going on this same cruise August 15th. How were the crowds on the ship? overall ship condition? Its a cruise and were going to make the best of it but Magic has been getting beat up pretty bad lately. 

[Weeziblu]

15 minutes ago, tap_out said:

We are going on this same cruise August 15th. How were the crowds on the ship? overall ship condition? Its a cruise and were going to make the best of it but Magic has been getting beat up pretty bad lately. 

Yes, it has been getting beat up pretty bad.  We've sailed Magic previously so we didn't hesitate to book again just curious how this will compare.  I'm happy to make the best of it but we're traveling with some cruise newbies and I'm hoping for a great experience for them!

[jeepchick444]

Hi thanks for your update!  Back before covid they took your luggage up in the parking lot deck..

Is that still the case? 🤞😎

[ChosenOne]

Thanks for your review.  I will be on Magic to Bermuda end of September.  Am worried because my sister and I are  travelling with 83 year old mom.  She will be picking up a rental mobility scooter.  I have requested wheelchair assist for me.  Don't know if anyone can tell me if there is a separate entrance for people with mobility issues at Pier 88 Manhattan.

[Ladyintheheights]

@jpurdy I keep hearing about choppy waters and a lot of sea sickness.  Can you give your thoughts on this.  I am taking this trip in September and now so afraid of getting sea sick.  Too short of a trip to be sick.