No time for a full blown report but thought I would give you our highlights.
Party consisted of
me
dh
dd14, dd12, dd9, dd8, dd2, dd1 and ds 1
and my mom and dad
Three category five staterooms with verandahs (we usually do two fours, and the three fives worked out better).
This was our third time on the Magic.
Spent two nights at Pop Century and then the night before at the Radisson at port. Had the two room king suite. The room was clean but worn. Pool was very nice. The parking for cruise duration is on a dirt parking lot and not very impressive. However, considering the cost of the room 139, free parking and four free breakfast vouchers, it was a bargain.
Early to port on the Radisson shuttle. Then the wait in line to get on the boat. The little coffee stand is no longer open and there is no access to anything to drink or snack on. The twins were very cranky and a wonderful CM went and got us a couple of sprites and some cookies, just a touch of Disney Magic.
Then did the ressie rush and booked tea at Palos, couple of massages, registered the kiddies for their clubs and ready to relax.
Note on the clubs. Our dd 2 (two and three quarters actually) has been potty trained forever. It was no problem registering her for the club and she LOVED it. There were several other not quite three year olds there and she spent about 2-3 hours there each day or evening and absolutely had a wonderful time. Just managed to get her to let us cut the wrist band off this week.
The twins went to Flounders four out of the seven nights during dinner. We didnt make any ressies for this but simply checked earlier in the day to see if there was availability. This was our first positive experience with Flounders. Our dd2 previously hated it and we never managed to leave her there, but the counselors taking care of the twinkies were incredible to say the least. Cost was not extraordinary (6 for the first child and 5 for the second, per hour). We left them two hours each time. The did arts and crafts and fingerpaints, and even took polaroid pictures of them for us.
The Lab was well enjoyed by our dd8 (all day, all week) and occasionally by our dd9. I think our dd12 went once or twice. They did enjoy their time there. They collect tokens all week and then have an auction at the end of the week for prizes so tell your kiddos to save their tokens.
Dd14 did NOT enjoy the teen club, went there maybe twice and was not really thrilled with it. There was lots of "hooking up" and girl/boy get togethers outside of the club that she was completely not interested in. I had read some reports of people seeing teens together in dark places on the boat and really couldnt believe it myself until seen with my own eyes late at night when walking a fussy, teething twin. Parents probably have no idea what is going on as they think their children are at the teen club which is open til 2 a.m.. Advice to parents, keep close tabs on your teen
Spa info: Tried the hot stone massage this time (pricey at 175), was worth trying, something different. Dh did his same old traditional massage and we both filled out our papers requesting NO SALES PITCHES. Normally this works. However, this time it didnt, they still tried the sales pitch and when I complained about it they said it isnt a sales pitch it's a "treatment plan". The spa is nice, the massages are teriffic and definately get something done while on board.
Early dining, food was wonderful, much better than on our last cruise. Personal opinion here, but it seems to us that the food is always better at earlier seating. Maybe we are crazy, but we still can have an opinion. Server was Sanjeev and assistant was Cornwall, service was EXCELLENT. We didnt want to go to palo for dinner so they brought the chocolate souffle to us. Mac was our head server and he was visible and helpful all week.
Cant even remember the name of our stateroom hostess, but she was horrible (being kind here). Previous cruises our room was made up in the morning and then turned down in the evening. This cruise we only got evening turndown. In the a.m. I would hang the please service room sign on the doors and she would politely tell me that she didnt have time as she gets off early and would fix our rooms up in the evening. Also after making multiple requests for ice (and filling out the forms too), we simply got our own ice. By day two we went to guest services, they had two other complaints. No improvement and so for the first time ever, we tipped less than the recommended amount.
Key west was the butterfly conservatory which the girls love!! Then simply enjoyed the empty pools while everyone else was on shore.
Grand Cayman was Capt. Marvins which we all love. Can't recommend them enough, definately do it.
Cozumel was Royal Dolphin Swim at Chakannab which we also love but dh said had gone downhill slightly since our visit last year. Cozumel the shopping area is a wreck as they are ripping up and doing something with the sewer lines, smells and looks yuck.
Castaway Cay was incredible and for the first time we obtained the coveted hammock which we put to good use all day. Cookies for lunch, yum yum.
My dd12 won bingo three times (she always does this) for a total of 600 something dollars, a bottle of kaluah and some other junk. Bingo is expensive (35 per sheet) but alot of fun.
Hairbraiding on the ship, found it to be much improved this time and cost us less money (cant figure out how). Waited til Thursday to get it done so we didnt have to sunblock the scalp all week and that worked out great.
My dd12 hooked up with another disers (hughiedeweylouie) dd12 precruise and she really enjoyed that. Really made her week even more special. Had never done anything like that before (mailing a stranger) but my dd was so happy all week with a buddy.
Debarking this time was a pain as there was some hold up with someone up ahead and it really slowed things down. There werent enough porters (we had to schlep our own 15 bags, strollers, carry ons, etc.) and then the Radisson shuttle didnt appear and when it finally did it took four people out of the line of like twenty. My dh gave someone else (a rental van driver whom I wont name) ten bucks to drop him at the Radisson and then he brought our nice cooled down vehicle back to us. Unethical I know. The people were still in line for the Radisson shuttle after we had loaded and pulled away with all our stuff. We then spent another week at Disney before heading home (gotta love those annual passes).
What else?
The shows were great.
Tea at Palo was wonderful and the scones, yummy.
Lifeboat drill was a breeze, even with one year old twins and a two year old, ugh.
Think the ears of the Mickey pool could use some repair/rehab as they are worn and peeling on the bottom in places. This area is way too crowded and we really didnt spend much time there except on port days when everyone else was off the boat.
We are already booked for September Antigua cruise and then the CA to FL repositioning cruise next year. Thinking we may try a RCCL cruise to do a comparison sometime in the next six months.
We spent way too much on our shipboard account, yikes!! But with a large family thats easy to do. Shutters was definately our downfall at over 600 in pictures.
Anways, another MAGICAL cruise, Disney sure knows how to do it. Please ask away if there is something I can help you with.
Party consisted of
me
dh
dd14, dd12, dd9, dd8, dd2, dd1 and ds 1
and my mom and dad
Three category five staterooms with verandahs (we usually do two fours, and the three fives worked out better).
This was our third time on the Magic.
Spent two nights at Pop Century and then the night before at the Radisson at port. Had the two room king suite. The room was clean but worn. Pool was very nice. The parking for cruise duration is on a dirt parking lot and not very impressive. However, considering the cost of the room 139, free parking and four free breakfast vouchers, it was a bargain.
Early to port on the Radisson shuttle. Then the wait in line to get on the boat. The little coffee stand is no longer open and there is no access to anything to drink or snack on. The twins were very cranky and a wonderful CM went and got us a couple of sprites and some cookies, just a touch of Disney Magic.
Then did the ressie rush and booked tea at Palos, couple of massages, registered the kiddies for their clubs and ready to relax.
Note on the clubs. Our dd 2 (two and three quarters actually) has been potty trained forever. It was no problem registering her for the club and she LOVED it. There were several other not quite three year olds there and she spent about 2-3 hours there each day or evening and absolutely had a wonderful time. Just managed to get her to let us cut the wrist band off this week.
The twins went to Flounders four out of the seven nights during dinner. We didnt make any ressies for this but simply checked earlier in the day to see if there was availability. This was our first positive experience with Flounders. Our dd2 previously hated it and we never managed to leave her there, but the counselors taking care of the twinkies were incredible to say the least. Cost was not extraordinary (6 for the first child and 5 for the second, per hour). We left them two hours each time. The did arts and crafts and fingerpaints, and even took polaroid pictures of them for us.
The Lab was well enjoyed by our dd8 (all day, all week) and occasionally by our dd9. I think our dd12 went once or twice. They did enjoy their time there. They collect tokens all week and then have an auction at the end of the week for prizes so tell your kiddos to save their tokens.
Dd14 did NOT enjoy the teen club, went there maybe twice and was not really thrilled with it. There was lots of "hooking up" and girl/boy get togethers outside of the club that she was completely not interested in. I had read some reports of people seeing teens together in dark places on the boat and really couldnt believe it myself until seen with my own eyes late at night when walking a fussy, teething twin. Parents probably have no idea what is going on as they think their children are at the teen club which is open til 2 a.m.. Advice to parents, keep close tabs on your teen
Spa info: Tried the hot stone massage this time (pricey at 175), was worth trying, something different. Dh did his same old traditional massage and we both filled out our papers requesting NO SALES PITCHES. Normally this works. However, this time it didnt, they still tried the sales pitch and when I complained about it they said it isnt a sales pitch it's a "treatment plan". The spa is nice, the massages are teriffic and definately get something done while on board.
Early dining, food was wonderful, much better than on our last cruise. Personal opinion here, but it seems to us that the food is always better at earlier seating. Maybe we are crazy, but we still can have an opinion. Server was Sanjeev and assistant was Cornwall, service was EXCELLENT. We didnt want to go to palo for dinner so they brought the chocolate souffle to us. Mac was our head server and he was visible and helpful all week.
Cant even remember the name of our stateroom hostess, but she was horrible (being kind here). Previous cruises our room was made up in the morning and then turned down in the evening. This cruise we only got evening turndown. In the a.m. I would hang the please service room sign on the doors and she would politely tell me that she didnt have time as she gets off early and would fix our rooms up in the evening. Also after making multiple requests for ice (and filling out the forms too), we simply got our own ice. By day two we went to guest services, they had two other complaints. No improvement and so for the first time ever, we tipped less than the recommended amount.
Key west was the butterfly conservatory which the girls love!! Then simply enjoyed the empty pools while everyone else was on shore.
Grand Cayman was Capt. Marvins which we all love. Can't recommend them enough, definately do it.
Cozumel was Royal Dolphin Swim at Chakannab which we also love but dh said had gone downhill slightly since our visit last year. Cozumel the shopping area is a wreck as they are ripping up and doing something with the sewer lines, smells and looks yuck.
Castaway Cay was incredible and for the first time we obtained the coveted hammock which we put to good use all day. Cookies for lunch, yum yum.
My dd12 won bingo three times (she always does this) for a total of 600 something dollars, a bottle of kaluah and some other junk. Bingo is expensive (35 per sheet) but alot of fun.
Hairbraiding on the ship, found it to be much improved this time and cost us less money (cant figure out how). Waited til Thursday to get it done so we didnt have to sunblock the scalp all week and that worked out great.
My dd12 hooked up with another disers (hughiedeweylouie) dd12 precruise and she really enjoyed that. Really made her week even more special. Had never done anything like that before (mailing a stranger) but my dd was so happy all week with a buddy.
Debarking this time was a pain as there was some hold up with someone up ahead and it really slowed things down. There werent enough porters (we had to schlep our own 15 bags, strollers, carry ons, etc.) and then the Radisson shuttle didnt appear and when it finally did it took four people out of the line of like twenty. My dh gave someone else (a rental van driver whom I wont name) ten bucks to drop him at the Radisson and then he brought our nice cooled down vehicle back to us. Unethical I know. The people were still in line for the Radisson shuttle after we had loaded and pulled away with all our stuff. We then spent another week at Disney before heading home (gotta love those annual passes).
What else?
The shows were great.
Tea at Palo was wonderful and the scones, yummy.
Lifeboat drill was a breeze, even with one year old twins and a two year old, ugh.
Think the ears of the Mickey pool could use some repair/rehab as they are worn and peeling on the bottom in places. This area is way too crowded and we really didnt spend much time there except on port days when everyone else was off the boat.
We are already booked for September Antigua cruise and then the CA to FL repositioning cruise next year. Thinking we may try a RCCL cruise to do a comparison sometime in the next six months.
We spent way too much on our shipboard account, yikes!! But with a large family thats easy to do. Shutters was definately our downfall at over 600 in pictures.
Anways, another MAGICAL cruise, Disney sure knows how to do it. Please ask away if there is something I can help you with.
