Costa Magica 12/23 Review

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WELL WHERE TO START:...

 

BOARDING / CHECK-IN

 

well one would think after 21 cruises that i have seen it all....not this time....after arriving at the port waiting in line with car for 1 hr finally was told to go to the ship area...dropped off the luggage then park the car a ways away in garage...was shuttled back to area/ship...waited in line 3 full hours to board ship....so advice (arrive early)...this however i found out was not the norm....they were in a make-shift port/building spoke with a port authorty worker whom was very nice...and said that the port was closing down for xmas eve and xmas day...so there were 18 ships trying to board and were docked there.....that day...so it was a headache and crazy...but finally made it on the ship......

 

SHIP/STAFF

 

the ship it-self.....what a ship......really deck'ed out......very nice...great for pictures anywhere on the ship....only strange thing is all the floor/decks dont go all the way thru....but after a couple of days....you figure this out fast...lol.....the staff lacked a bit of politeness...in the beginning....but after a couple of days....that to changed...to the better...cabin was larger then most....was very pleased and the cabin steward....was above most that i have seen...very polite....and always there to help.....as for the restraunt staff...(matre'd ) was so hoping never to see him again.....really bad this was in the portafino rest...not sure of the other one.....but wasnt pleased there......as for the rest of the staff...had one slight prob..at the beginning with the guest service folks...didnt want to help us out...but that to changed....the next day...believe it was because they were slammed the first day with everyone complaining.....

 

THINGS TO DO / ISLANDS

 

well as for the pool area.....not much to do....a few staff members come out and teach you dances a couple of times during the day.....as for on the ship things.....nice bars/clubs....but the disco was used for the teens...and there was really no dancing music/disco/pop to dance to...during the week...might be because of the holiday tho.....the others were nice....am into art auctions... but was disappointed in this one...wasnt anything that really interested me or my partner......and isnt run like the others that i have been to....but all in all ...was ok...for a one time thing.....saw the evening events...as far as the small shows thru out the ship each nite...they were alot of fun...and the casino what can one say.....always a bell ringing.....and full of folks.....

 

AS FOR THE ISLANDS....

 

loved san juan...will go there again....really close to the city...old town and could walk everywhere...was alot of fun......

 

st. thomas...been there several times....was really great...but pulled into a small port ....a couple of miles from the main port...so had to take a taxi.....dont do the walk...its further then you think.......

 

dom rep.....well talk about disappointed...was so looking forward to this day....however.....wasnt told that there was only one way to get there....and that was by booking the boat that took you there...if you dont do this then you are stuck on their island....its nice....but only thing to do is a short walk on a path to the right of the dock....or you have the day in the sun on the beach.....and oh they tender you in...was very rough the day we arrived...was hard to board the tenders...but made it anyhow....try to get back early to avoid the crowd...it got really bad i heard.....but was a cute island....

 

grand turks.......what a great island...very small.....only 7 miles long...took the bus...from port.....was 40.00 dollars a person....but got to see the whole island...light house....main street....prison...really not much to see...and a bit of walking but am a photographer....so i enjoyed it...was a bit pricey for a bus ride...but they were clean/air conditioned...buses...so im ok with that....was glad to see the area....and saw the wild horses...several herds of them.....was nice.....do recommend this....

DISEMBARKATION

as in any cruise....each cabin will recieve a baggage colored tag the night before.....luggage must be put out before 1 am which is late for a cruise staff to be picking up ...so you will hear it for a few hrs if trying to sleep.....and then it is done by color....brown being the last one off...of the ship...around 10:30ish.......however you can take your own luggage off yourself between 7 and 730 am...if you would like...just need to set that up with the guest service area....bring your passport...you will need it.....that is what i did...and was in my car and on the highway...heading home by 8 am....was really nice...great way to do that......hurray....besides the few mishaps.....i would say this ship and the cruise....is another...that was great.....enjoyed them.....and hope this helps others...have fun......

 

P.S.......didnt do the drink coupons......figured it out and it wasnt worth the cost....so just did my own thing...and bought a couple of bottled waters in each port....and finally did drink theirs toward the end....so wasnt that pricey.........thanxs...and enjoy your trip.....woof