Just back - Magica

[lovesmovies]

I will start this off by saying that after reading some posts I was a little bit afraid of Costa but boy did they change my mind. I will cruise with Costa again in a heartbeat.

 

We arrived at the pier at appr 1:15 PM. From the time we got there to the time we got on board was appr 12 minutes. We did register our credit card before we boarded. Once on board we checked out the room and found our wonderful steward Carlos. We requested the extra mattress and we also had him put in a request to open the partition up between our balcony and the balcony next to ours (my cousin). This was done during the night some time. It sure made a difference in our view after that! Our room was great. It was 6273. No noise and handy to the theatre and shops as well as the lobby. I could not believe how much room there was, especially the closets. We have only been on the Celebrity Infinity but this beat that room hands down.

 

The food was good. I have food allergies (shell fish) and I am fairly picky. I did use the "always available" menu once but otherwise I did great. The pasta was wonderful. My only complaint would be the steaks. Not up to par with what I am used to. Our waiter (Antao) and his assistant were both great.

 

The shows were interesting. We enjoyed all of them except maybe the "circus" one. I loved the salute to movies night (can you say FULL MONTY) and the visual comedian.

 

The staff was wonderful. The only grouchy person we ran into was a woman ringing up the photo purchases. The dreaded customer service people were very friendly and helpful every time my card became demagnitized. The animation crew was always very animated. I loved the guys in drag (staff) up by the pool on Monday afternoon!

 

I did try to get the X1 drink package but no one seemed to know anything about it. Good luck with that one. We did not use any of the excurisons through the ship. We booked our own. We loved Grand Cayman (wave runners out to the Stingrays)and Jamaica (Dunn's River Falls). Cozumel is still a mess from the hurricane and Grand Turk doesn't have much to offer except the port. We did rent scooters there and found a great beach full of conch shells (we left them on the beach). We saw wild donkeys and got chased by wild dogs. That was pretty much it for Grand Turk. They don't seem to really want us there. Oh well... in five years it could be much better.

 

It was an interesting mix of Americans, Canadian, and Europeans. We also had a large Kosher group on board. The speedos weren't too bad and my husband only saw one topless sunbather. The smoking was ok. (we do NOT smoke) One side of the ship is smoking and we didn't see this abused. We never saw kids in the adult areas.

 

Now for the bad part. We took advantage of the early disembarkation. We were off of the ship by 7:30 AM. The only problem was there was not a single taxi. We finally walked to another area and flagged one down. There were over 50 people that were not happy. Our driver told us the port would not let them in. He also said the one line to get into the port was very long. This coupled with Super Bowl Sunday made it a nightmare. We do not blame Costa for this though. We blame the port authorities. We will think twice about using that port for a cruise again if this is the norm. We did talk to people at the airport that had come in on Princess and they said they had plenty of taxi's. We did finally make it but at about 9:00 AM I bet it was a huge mess.

 

OK...that is it. I would be happy to answer questions if I can. Happy Cruising! :D

[mdmudda59]

Hey You beat me to the review! I just posted mine too. Sounds like you enjoyed yourself too? Thank you for your post.

[40yearcruiser]

We went on the Magica in March 2006 and just loved it. It was the first cruise for our grandkids and they had a ball. The ship is beautiful and the staff were all great. Although the ship was full it never seemed too crowded. The food was adequate but not as good as on Princess (lobster was mushy). We were on the Western itinerary but didn't stop at Grand Turk--must be new on the itinerary this year. Glad you had a good cruise.

[Italiana7]

how did you try to approach the X1 drink package? I am cruising the magica 3/11 and i really want that package!

[lovesmovies]

I asked several waiters and bartenders and then I tried customer service. They kept trying to sell me the wine package and the non-alcoholic package. I just got the non-alcoholic package and added some rum in the "virgin" drinks myself ;)

[teacher_of_teens]

Thanks for the great review. Just wondered . . . when was the lifeboat drill held? Was it on embarkation day? Approximately what time?

Thanks!!

[lovesmovies]

The lifeboat drill was on Monday at 3pm.

[Cruise4Andy]

lovesmovies... Thanks for posting your review and sharing your experience. I am glad you enjoyed your cruise and had a great time...

 

We have sailed both the Eastern and Western route with Costa several times, but have yet to do the new Western and South-Eastern route...

 

Can you recall what they offer in Grand Turks (Costa Excursions)?

Even though we never book through the ship, it would be great to know if there is anything interesting there to see? Except shopping or beach, are there any sights?

 

Thanks for any info you can provide...

 

Andy

[Stormlover]

What caused your card to become demagnatized? :confused: How was the WaveRunner trip to stingray city? Did you do it through the cruise line? If not who did you use?

 

Thanks Robin

[lovesmovies]

Andy,

Grand Turk sits off of the third largest barrier reef in the world (at least that is what we were told) so the diving/snorkeling is supposed to be excellent. The ship offered snorkeling, diving, snuba and a sub. I heard from people on the ship that they enjoyed the horseback ride/swim. There was a 4x4 adventure and some fishing tours. There was also a kayak adventure. This is a small island and unless you know where to snorkle, you will never find these places without asking around on the Grand Turk boards. We still couldn't find them because nothing is marked. We did enjoy the scooters and the lighthouse was ok. Again they are new to the tourism thing and we got the impression that they really wanted people to stay within the gates and not venture out on their own.

[lovesmovies]

Robin,

I have no idea what caused my card to demagnitize. I kept it in my pocket most of the time. Oh well.... it was an easy fix each time.

 

We used these guys http://grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com/StingrayCityWaveRunner.htm

for the waverunner tour. There were four of use with two guides. It is about 2 miles of riding to get out to the Stingrays and you will get wet and you will have saltwater in your face but it was a blast! We felt so lucky after seeing tours with 50+ people in them to one or two guides. We got to feed them, have a backrub by one, kiss them and just learned alot. We then rode over to Rum Point which is just gorgeous and had a drink (you pay) before riding back. It was alot easier and less water in the face on the trip back. My hubby and I each had our own waverunner and the other couple shared. I would suggest your own (it is only like an extra $20) because they were slower and thus didn't seem to have as much fun as we did.

 

You will also have to take a taxi each way. This was about $12 for the four of us. Always get the price ahead of time. The taxi driver gave us her number and the guys at the tour called her when we got back so she could come pick us up.

 

We would do this one again for sure. :D

[2Scots]

Italiana7-

 

You must book the X1 package before boarding. Contact your TA or Costa directly and push for it. Most TA's and even Costa won't know about it, but keep insisting and even go to a supervisor/manager.

 

We got ours for the Concordia leaving 3/2 in the Med, not sure about the Caribe though..

 

Search this thread, there is a extensive X1 discussion a couple of weeks ago.

 

good luck-

 

2Scots

[2Scots]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=462763

[traveller6]

We tried to book the X1 package as our travel agent told us we could book it on the ship. My agent called Costa cruises and were given this info. I tried twice through customer service and they said that it had to be booked in advance. The 2 customer service rep's did not seem to knwo much about it and kept asking if we were with a tour group.. Good luck

[traveller6]

We tried to book the X1 package as our travel agent told us we could book it on the ship. My agent called Costa cruises and were given this info. I tried twice through customer service and they said that it had to be booked in advance. The 2 customer service rep's did not seem to knwo much about it and kept asking if we were with a tour group.. Good luck

 

I had read many negative reviews and was I pleasantly surprised. It was a great ship and the staff were excellent. The rooms were fine. I would travel Costa

again

[mary22]

could you please tell me what your dinning times were.:)

[cajuncrewmate]

Hi everyone -

 

Anyone booking from USA, simply call Costa directly (you can get their # by going to their website and trying to book a cruise... there is a 1800 number to call them directly). They will transfer you to reservations - book it there, be prepared to pay with a credit card.

 

=-CCM

[Cruisoholic]

Hi

 

My husband and I are doing a back to back cruise on the Magica 2/25 through 3/11.

 

Do they show movies in the cabin?

 

How is tv coverage in the cabin?

 

Are there penny and nickel in the casino?

 

Is there an evening buffet in lieu of dinner in the restaurant?

 

 

We are trting to secure a hotel room for March 12th.We are using pricline and just got rejected with a $83.00 bid for 2.5 stars.Any suggestions?

 

 

Thank you so much

 

Sue & ED

[lovesmovies]

Mary22,

 

We had the late seating. We ate at 8:30 except on the formal nights. That was 8:45. I am not sure about the first seating. I believe it was 6-6:30.

[Italiana7]

Do you know what the age requirement was to go to the disco?

[Italiana7]

can you buy the non-alcoholic drink package once you are on board?

[Twaincruisers]

We were in T & C with another line last year and never got the feeling they wanted us to stay only at the port. Each island is different and has different experiences to offer. We took the shuttle and stopped at several places to walk around and experience the small town with its seaside restaurant and b&bs. One couple on our cruise who had done scuba on the other islands took the semisubmersible and said they saw far more fish and more interesting ones in T&C than on their dives on other islands.

[lovesmovies]

You can buy the non-alcohol drink package anytime on the ship. You will be hit up a number of times on the first day of the cruise. Especially in the buffet area.

 

The disco seemed to be open to anyone except one night it was reserved for the teens in the teen program.

[joetrizeo]

when i was on magica there was no age requirement for the disco. generally there were teen only activities in it until 11 or 1130 at night. after that the adults came and some of the teens stayed and danced too. it was actually kind of nice.

[Kristina99]

when i was on magica there was no age requirement for the disco. generally there were teen only activities in it until 11 or 1130 at night. after that the adults came and some of the teens stayed and danced too. it was actually kind of nice.

 

im glad that this ship allows teens in the disco after a certain time. im 16, and no one in the teen clubs ever dance!

 

how active are the discos on the Magica??