shaun&miranda
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2005
- Messages
- 221
Overall we loved our DCL cruise on the Magic this December (western caribbean). We are a married couple in our thirties with no kids.
We had a deluxe oceanview stateroom (cat 9) and it was on deck 2 with one large porthole. We loved the room which was spacious enough, and cleverly designed for storage, but felt it lacked a place to hide suitcases. The bed was firm and comfortable although it did have an odd hard ridge down the centre - I guess it was two twin beds lashed together to make a kingsize.
The high point was undoubtedly the adult pool "Quiet Cove". The staff were really good about moving people on who brought kids under 18 into the pool area with great tact and kindness. It meant that the area really did stay very relaxed and quiet. I loved that the waiters would circulate to bring you drinks at your sunbed.
Also loved the spa. Both had loads of treatments - fire and ice manicure, frangipani hair treatment with head massage, oxydermic facial, DH had mens rejuvenating facial, head massage and then haircut, then together we rented one of the villas facing the ocean and had the couples massage, with DH choosing the Thai poultice massage, and I had the chocolate scrub, wrap and massage. The villa also included a foot cleansing ritual, jaccuzzi bath soak and then relax on the day bed eating fresh fruit and drinking herbal teas. All the treatments were outstanding. The only one I felt less amazed by was the facial which I felt was a little overpriced being nearly the same cost as the chocolate massage which was just blissful. DH used the gym and had a Body Composition Analysis done, and he is now on the detox regime he was recommended. Not my idea of a holiday treat but he found it interesting
The ports we didn't see so much of as I have a broken foot and am wheelchair bound, and a tender on a rough day didn't seem much fun. Key West and Castaway Cay were both gorgeous.
At Castaway Cay, I would suggest that finding a quiet spot on the family beach is nicer than Serenity Bay. Beach is just nicer there as the water is swimmable depth and the shops etc are all around there. Serenity Bay is lovely, and the lunch there was excellent, but I just felt a little too far away from the action. I wanted a gift shop
The room steward was fantastic, and the towel animals had to be seen to be believed. I loved that he used little things from around the room in them too - eg the elephant he made was wearing my sunglasses!
The shows on the ship were hit and miss. The juggler and guitar player (John Charles) were fantastic. Twice Charmed was very good, Villains tonight needs some work. Was ok just not amazing.
Low point (to my surprise) was the food on the ship. Lunchtimes were good - burgers etc excellent, but the main restaurants (Animators Pallette, Parrot Cay, Lumiere's) were pretty average. One night my food was actually quite nasty. I wasn't expecting gourmet cuisine
Was kind of thinking on a level with Rainforest Cafe maybe for evenings, but I really didn't think it was up to that standard.
Kind of hand in hand with that, the only other low point is that the service in the dining rooms was a bit below standard. It took 1 hour 40 minutes to be served our entree in Lumieres one night!
To end on a positive note, we also loved the piano cocktail bar Sessions. The piano player and singer (female) was really good, the cocktails great and barman fantastic. It was over 18's only and kind of hidden away so it was quiet, secluded and the lighting was low. Was a very romantic little spot to escape to.
We loved our cruise and will definitely go again!
Miranda
We had a deluxe oceanview stateroom (cat 9) and it was on deck 2 with one large porthole. We loved the room which was spacious enough, and cleverly designed for storage, but felt it lacked a place to hide suitcases. The bed was firm and comfortable although it did have an odd hard ridge down the centre - I guess it was two twin beds lashed together to make a kingsize.
The high point was undoubtedly the adult pool "Quiet Cove". The staff were really good about moving people on who brought kids under 18 into the pool area with great tact and kindness. It meant that the area really did stay very relaxed and quiet. I loved that the waiters would circulate to bring you drinks at your sunbed.
Also loved the spa. Both had loads of treatments - fire and ice manicure, frangipani hair treatment with head massage, oxydermic facial, DH had mens rejuvenating facial, head massage and then haircut, then together we rented one of the villas facing the ocean and had the couples massage, with DH choosing the Thai poultice massage, and I had the chocolate scrub, wrap and massage. The villa also included a foot cleansing ritual, jaccuzzi bath soak and then relax on the day bed eating fresh fruit and drinking herbal teas. All the treatments were outstanding. The only one I felt less amazed by was the facial which I felt was a little overpriced being nearly the same cost as the chocolate massage which was just blissful. DH used the gym and had a Body Composition Analysis done, and he is now on the detox regime he was recommended. Not my idea of a holiday treat but he found it interesting
The ports we didn't see so much of as I have a broken foot and am wheelchair bound, and a tender on a rough day didn't seem much fun. Key West and Castaway Cay were both gorgeous.
At Castaway Cay, I would suggest that finding a quiet spot on the family beach is nicer than Serenity Bay. Beach is just nicer there as the water is swimmable depth and the shops etc are all around there. Serenity Bay is lovely, and the lunch there was excellent, but I just felt a little too far away from the action. I wanted a gift shop
The room steward was fantastic, and the towel animals had to be seen to be believed. I loved that he used little things from around the room in them too - eg the elephant he made was wearing my sunglasses!
The shows on the ship were hit and miss. The juggler and guitar player (John Charles) were fantastic. Twice Charmed was very good, Villains tonight needs some work. Was ok just not amazing.
Low point (to my surprise) was the food on the ship. Lunchtimes were good - burgers etc excellent, but the main restaurants (Animators Pallette, Parrot Cay, Lumiere's) were pretty average. One night my food was actually quite nasty. I wasn't expecting gourmet cuisine
Was kind of thinking on a level with Rainforest Cafe maybe for evenings, but I really didn't think it was up to that standard.Kind of hand in hand with that, the only other low point is that the service in the dining rooms was a bit below standard. It took 1 hour 40 minutes to be served our entree in Lumieres one night!
To end on a positive note, we also loved the piano cocktail bar Sessions. The piano player and singer (female) was really good, the cocktails great and barman fantastic. It was over 18's only and kind of hidden away so it was quiet, secluded and the lighting was low. Was a very romantic little spot to escape to.
We loved our cruise and will definitely go again!
Miranda
