Looking for some thoughts.....

[chrisd596]

A few questions, of all the cruises we've done basically 2 types.... the 4 nt to the Bahamas and a 7 nt on the Magic to the Eastern Caribbean. We loved our trip to the Eastern, so I'm playing around a little:

Has any one seen the redone Magic or heard from others what they thought? I know early, like the first cruise after the refurbish, there we are very questions, but I'm sure that's solved now. Just wondering what you've heard recently about the Magic?



Nov 29, the Fantasy is doing the Eastern but it substitutes San Juan for St. Martin. I liked St. Martin, don't know any thing about San Juan. Any thoughts on San Juan??

Nov 30 the Magic does the Western with Cozumel, G Cayman and Falmouth.
Don't know any thing about Falmouth.... any thoughts???

The Magic also does the Western on 12/7 with Key West, we've never been to Key West, sort of looks interesting.... Any one stopped there?

The 11/29, 11/30 and 12/7 would give us the decorations, but not St Martin.

.....Sorry so long, just looking for you thoughts on these ports.

Thanks a lot

 

[chrisd596]

Please skip the second to last sentence about Christmas decorations....


Thanks

Chris

 

[jjje]

I can tell you a bit about Falmouth as I was just there a few weeks ago. It's not to be missed. The island itself is gorgeous, the people are warm and friendly, there are some great excursions to choose from, and the port itself is nicely built up with lots of shopping and dining. My family did the inner tubes down the Martha Brea river and we all loved it. The guides (on the bus there and on the river itself) were funny and informative. I would go back in a second if I had the chance.

 

[chrisd596]

That's great info, I've never heard of the place.

Thanks

Chris

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

That's great info, I've never heard of the place.

Thanks

Chris

Falmouth is in Jamaica...

 

[Silver Queen]

A few questions, of all the cruises we've done basically 2 types.... the 4 nt to the Bahamas and a 7 nt on the Magic to the Eastern Caribbean. We loved our trip to the Eastern, so I'm playing around a little:

Has any one seen the redone Magic or heard from others what they thought? I know early, like the first cruise after the refurbish, there we are very questions, but I'm sure that's solved now. Just wondering what you've heard recently about the Magic?



Nov 29, the Fantasy is doing the Eastern but it substitutes San Juan for St. Martin. I liked St. Martin, don't know any thing about San Juan. Any thoughts on San Juan??

Nov 30 the Magic does the Western with Cozumel, G Cayman and Falmouth.
Don't know any thing about Falmouth.... any thoughts???

The Magic also does the Western on 12/7 with Key West, we've never been to Key West, sort of looks interesting.... Any one stopped there?

The 11/29, 11/30 and 12/7 would give us the decorations, but not St Martin.

.....Sorry so long, just looking for you thoughts on these ports.

Thanks a lot

San Juan is a beautiful and interesting port. We would like to do another eastern in the future, but would prefer to go back to San Juan rather than St. Maarten.

 

[GenerationK-er]

This thread has a lot of information on how things are going on the Magic:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3197082

Grand Cayman has iguanas running around and lots to see within walking distance of the Port. I did a stingray encounter there that I really enjoyed. We got to feed them (they slurp from your hand) and pick them up. The boat ride to the sand dune was beautiful and relaxing.

St. Martin is great for duty-free shopping. I got designer jewelry, fragrance and face cream for great prices with no import or sales tax on the Dutch side. The French side is nicer, but no duty-free. I haggled with a car rental company and rented a economy car with GPS for about $65 total in April (you dock on the Dutch side). The car looked like it was someone's personal vehicle, and was old. My daughter and I were able to drive from one side of the island to the other at our own pace. Our hearts were not anywhere near normal pace, as we drove up winding, narrow, sometimes dirt roads. Did I mention these roads were up a mountain in a 4-cylinder car that I am still not convinced was someone's personal car?? Not something Louisiana gals are familiar with at all!! They set the GPS for you, so I think I was given that route because I am a hard sell and made someone angry. The GPS route back to the port was on a highway-like road around the perimeter of the island and much more pleasant.

Cozumel is not a stop where I would get off the boat again, although I don't get off in Nassau anymore either. There are good prices on silver jewelry, but you have to take a cab to go anywhere from the port.

I liked San Juan. It is U.S. territory, so your cell phone works like normal with no extra charges and so does your money. There are things within walking distance of the port, and a free trolley that takes you around the city, including to the forts. The local visitor's bureau is walking distance from the port and gives a complimentary rum drink and a take home little bottle of rum which was nice.

I always researched ports on the Cruise Critic website and planned out what I wanted to do and how to do it beforehand. This is the link to the information on San Juan :
http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=8

HTH

 

[chrisd596]

That's really great info. I appreciate it! I agree, Nassau is a place we consider a sea day and enjoy the ship.

San Juan sounds like a great stop and so does Grand Cayman.

Thanks again

Chris

 

[jcemom]

I have been looking at the November Fantasy Easterns as well, with San Juan instead of St Maarten. We have never been to either place, but St Maarten just doesn't appeal to us from what research I have done. I'm not into shopping at all.

I also have been wondering about the refurbed Magic. Of course DD has seen all the Aqua Dunk commercials on the Disney Channel and she's interested in trying it out.

 

[natmom]

I'm pleasantly surprised to hear about Falmouth being so nice. We are cruising the fantasy in May and stopping there. It was the port I was not looking forward to.

 

[JohnDS]

I'm pleasantly surprised to hear about Falmouth being so nice. We are cruising the fantasy in May and stopping there. It was the port I was not looking forward to.

I've never been to Falmouth, but have been to Jamaica several times. I've always had a great time there.

There are people that try to sell stuff but just say "no thanks" and they move on. At least that was my experience, there were enough other people about that they didn't want to waste time on someone that wasn't interested and they were generally polite about it.

 

[natmom]

I've never been to Falmouth, but have been to Jamaica several times. I've always had a great time there.

There are people that try to sell stuff but just say "no thanks" and they move on. At least that was my experience, there were enough other people about that they didn't want to waste time on someone that wasn't interested and they were generally polite about it.

Great to know! Thanks! DH and I were debating staying on the ship that day, not now

 

[racingfandj]

We've been on all 4 ships in the last 18 months. Our first was the Fantasy; our last trip was the re-imagined Magic. It was our first trip on it too. I personally like the openness of the larger ships, but here are the perks I liked on the Magic.
- Aqua Dunk - depending on ages in your party, this may or may not be a big hit. My 6 y/o DD rode the first day; loved and hated it all at the same time and was too scared to go again. It has a 48" height limit. My 15 y/o and I rode it and both liked it.

- Aqua Lab - the new lab is awesome! I like that it, the yellow Mickey slide and the wading pool all run together. You have to go up one deck then a spiral staircase to get to the slide. I would stand on deck 10 so I could see down over the top of all of it plus watch her up the steps.

- Cabanas - the buffet is now open entry Cabanas like on the Fantasy and not the waiting line like on the Wonder. People are still transitioning and the staff was standing at entrances telling everyone to walk up anywhere.

- the Vibe - the 15 y/o said it was more comfortable than the others. I think she said this was the best one she had been in. Don't remember if she gave any specifics.

- Oceaneers club and lab are connected now. There is a "secret" hallway where they've narrowed the atrium seating on deck 5 and used part of that hall to connect the two clubs. DD had a blast in the lab/club and spent more time there on the last trip than previous trips combined. A lot of that is age, but the counselors and activities were great too!

Good luck choosing!

Jill

 

[noahsketomom]

We just got off the fantasy eastern yesterday. Had a blast on st Martin (went to Loterie farm and le gallion beach on our own) and st Thomas. (Did full day snorkel sail excursion).

But now we want to do a western. We looooved the fantasy and was bummed to find that a year from now only the magic will be doing the 7 day westerns. I'm hoping the magic will be ok for us after sailing on the two new ships. We booked onboard and decided to choose key west itinerary because I've heard great things.

Following this thread bc I like hearing the options. Just bummed I can't take the fantasy to the west !!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[chrisd596]

" It has a 48" height limit."

So is the Magic Aqua slide just for children!

Not a big deal, but wondering why the adults aren't capable of riding it.

thanks

chris

 

[TinkerMama88]

" It has a 48" height limit." So is the Magic Aqua slide just for children! Not a big deal, but wondering why the adults aren't capable of riding it. thanks chris

I think she meant requirement. You have to be AT LEAST 48"

 

[racingfandj]

I think she meant requirement. You have to be AT LEAST 48"

Yes, this is exactly what I meant. LOL. I actually think both slides have a minimum height requirement, just don't remember what it is on the yellow slide. My DD is tall for her age, so usually not a problem for her.

Jill