Disney Magic Renovations

[truck1]

Just a guess, but I don't think they plan to use the shipyard in Freeport again. Rumors are that they weren't very happy with the situation there.

Anything is possible. Money talks. We were on the first cruise of the Magic out of Freeport and I noticed a bunch of things that should have been taken care of in drydock. From electrical outlet plates in the rooms not being replaced( the wires were exposed,) to open holes in the balcony railing not being fixed, to primer literally globed on and left. From talking to the stateroom host supervisor, he was telling me of a lot of the behind the scenes stuff that was wrong with the dd that the contractors caused in areas that werent even supposed to be touched. BUT, knowing Disneys legal beagles, I wouldnt be surprised if she did go back at some point at an extremem reduced rate.

 

[truck1]

I thought I heard somewhere (prob here on Dis) that because this will be a long dry dock, the Magic will return to Fincantieri where she was originally constructed. That would rule out a dd on the East Coast/Carribean.

She doesnt necessarily have to go back to Fincantieri. Any drydock in the world that is big enough to handle the ship can do the job. The 4 major factors are, what yards have space available when DCL is looking(keep in mind that almost all of her sailing certificates will expire in Oct of 2013) where that yard is located in relation to where the ship is going to be in the time frame that DCL is looking at, and most importantly, whats the price tag, and what contractors can DCL bring with them. When the Magic class went to BAE systems in Va, DCL apparently had a problem with paperwork (immigration hoops to jump thru)on some of the contractors that they wanted to use, so the next go around the ship went to Freeport which had less restricitve work paperwork to fill out.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

When I think of 1st class mechanical work being done as quickly & efficiently as humanly possible, Nassau is not a place that would come to mind. Just saying...
DCL ought to know that cheapest doesn't mean best.

 

[clairedy6]

Years ago, I sailed on the Magic on the last cruise before a dry dock.

During that cruise, there was lots of prep-work done onboard, such as laying plywood on the floors and lining the elevators with plywood.

Woody

Uh oh, does that mean that there's going to be tons of construction and things closed during our cruise?

 

[tajz90]

Uh oh, does that mean that there's going to be tons of construction and things closed during our cruise?

I hope there is no prep work going on in July. That will make me sad ( and a little mad )

 

[NancyIL]

Since all of the Med cruises sail from Barcelona, it makes sense for them to drydock in Cadiz, Spain, rather than travel the other direction to Italy.

 

[mickeyfan1]

When do you think they will announce what they are doing to it?

It is rare that they will say what they are doing. I think it is a wonderful surprise.

 

[cwdefouw]

All recent rumours since August have been pointing toward Cadiz, Spain for the 6 week Dry Dock, with any final work being done while they are sailing back to Miami with no guests on board. They may still decide to embark guests for the Transatlantic sailing, but at this point, IMHO, I don't think that will happen.

 

[BoosGram]

Years ago, I sailed on the Magic on the last cruise before a dry dock.

During that cruise, there was lots of prep-work done onboard, such as laying plywood on the floors and lining the elevators with plywood.

Woody

Our experience w/pre-drydock cruises includes a lot of painting and carpets being ripped up, too.

 

[tajz90]

Our experience w/pre-drydock cruises includes a lot of painting and carpets being ripped up, too.

How far in advance of dry dock did you sail?

For the $$$$ we are spending in July, I hope there is no pre-construction. I'm loyal to Disney, but that right there may run me off!

 

[woody73]

Uh oh, does that mean that there's going to be tons of construction and things closed during our cruise?

On our pre-drydock cruise, I don't recall anything being closed. There was just a great deal of prep work.

So at the beginning of the cruise, the public areas looked elegant as usual. But by the end of the cruise, some public areas (and elevator interiors) were covered in plywood. It reminded me of staying at a hotel that was undergoing partial renovations.

Woody

 

[smootenloopers]

I hope there is no prep work going on in July. That will make me sad ( and a little mad )

They are pretty much always working on the ship. When I sailed in June, they were grinding above the lifeboates (run out the lifeboat, setup scaffolding, climb up and start grinding off every painted surface above your head) ALL DAY LONG every time we were in port (including embarkation day). Think metal jackhammer type vibrations which were impossible to drown out in my deck 8 cabin (3-4 decks up, depending how you count them). I did mention on my comment card that maybe in the future, they could alternate port and starboard to give folks a break!

So, they will be working and that work may or may not be noisy/disruptive. It might not have anything to do with the drydock. Might just be normal maintenance of a vessel continually exposed to the elements.

 

[tajz90]

They are pretty much always working on the ship. When I sailed in June, they were grinding above the lifeboates (run out the lifeboat, setup scaffolding, climb up and start grinding off every painted surface above your head) ALL DAY LONG every time we were in port (including embarkation day). Think metal jackhammer type vibrations which were impossible to drown out in my deck 8 cabin (3-4 decks up, depending how you count them). I did mention on my comment card that maybe in the future, they could alternate port and starboard to give folks a break!

So, they will be working and that work may or may not be noisy/disruptive. It might not have anything to do with the drydock. Might just be normal maintenance of a vessel continually exposed to the elements.

Thanks! Yep, I expect normal, but I hope nothing is covered in plywood and carpets aren't ripped up

 

[jnweinmann]

We will also be sailing in July. Are you doing the Venice or Greece? I would be VERY SAD if they started ripping things up during our very expensive cruise.

 

[tajz90]

We are doing Greece and I hope nothing is being prepped!

 

[jnweinmann]

We are doing Greece and I hope nothing is being prepped!

We are doing Venice and I think that is right after yours.

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

When we were aboard the Magic in September, we were talking with a manager -level cast/crew member. We asked him what the plans were for dry dock as it seems to be such a LONG dry dock compared to the last one (which was 2 weeks). He said Topsiders would be re-done, as well as Parrot Cay. He also said they had plans on stretching the ship...cutting it down the center and making it larger he also said that the reason there were no reservations being made for the WBTA was so they had those 2 weeks to make final repairs and renovations, Esp if they were delayed during those 6 weeks in dry dock.

I know that such a feat is possible, as we sailed on a stretched RCI ship (Enchantment of the Seas) and they said it took about 2 months. Plus, the Magic was originally made in 2 separate parts then joined...

Very curious to see what they do. But knowing this rumor, I did go through the ship on one of our port days and took pictures of everything. This way, if that rumor comes true, I have pictures of the Magic's good oil' days

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

When we were aboard the Magic in September, we were talking with a manager -level cast/crew member. We asked him what the plans were for dry dock as it seems to be such a LONG dry dock compared to the last one (which was 2 weeks). He said Topsiders would be re-done, as well as Parrot Cay. He also said they had plans on stretching the ship...cutting it down the center and making it larger he also said that the reason there were no reservations being made for the WBTA was so they had those 2 weeks to make final repairs and renovations, Esp if they were delayed during those 6 weeks in dry dock.

I know that such a feat is possible, as we sailed on a stretched RCI ship (Enchantment of the Seas) and they said it took about 2 months. Plus, the Magic was originally made in 2 separate parts then joined...

Very curious to see what they do. But knowing this rumor, I did go through the ship on one of our port days and took pictures of everything. This way, if that rumor comes true, I have pictures of the Magic's good oil' days

omg! I'd like a little refurb but I sure hope they don't change it too much. We love the Magic and don't ever want it to be a mega ship like the Dream & Fantasy. I really hope they don't add waaaaay too many cabins like they did on the big ships too. Dream & Fantasy crowds would be much more managable & less annoying if they removed one deck of all cabins.

Now I want to sail on her one last time...

 

[Bonniec]

That's interesting for sure. As far as I can tell, they don't have any new rooms when we sail out after drydock. But I guess they could always open it up later. I'm on that sailing and this is my first ever cruise so I am totally dying to see what they do. I hope they will announce it at some point.

 

[taswira]

omg! I'd like a little refurb but I sure hope they don't change it too much. We love the Magic and don't ever want it to be a mega ship like the Dream & Fantasy. I really hope they don't add waaaaay too many cabins like they did on the big ships too. Dream & Fantasy crowds would be much more managable & less annoying if they removed one deck of all cabins.

Now I want to sail on her one last time...