We just returned from the June 26 Eastern on the Magic. It was our 4th cruise with DCL. Our group of 12 included myself, DH, DS-15 and DS-8, my parents and my brother, his wife and 4 kids-ages 18, 15,13, and 9.
We started off with a few negatives--not to be rude, but I held my breathe for 2 hours on the plane because my seatmate had quite a distinctive odor!! It was the longest flight of my life and several times I was sure I was going to need the barf bag. Finally off the plane and the van and towncar from Cartier were almost 2 hours late!!! Their phone would only connect you to a machine so luckily I was able to get our TA to contact them to assure us they were coming, but it wasn't the best start. Got to the Radisson around 5 because of this. Our rooms were clean, and in good shape. The kids played tennis and swam, then ate dinner and played minigolf next door.
The shuttle was very organized this year and we got to the port by 10:30. They had an area for the concierge guests, so we didn' have to wait to check in, or stand in line to board. Went right to Parrot Cay and began 7 days of non stop eating.
I won't do a day by day, meal by meal report, but here are some highlights.
We loved our servers Navneet and Constantin--wish we could have brought them home. The food was good--some very good, some so so, but I ate way too much and often had 2 or 3 things. Had the Palos dessert sent to the room-it as great. The teens enjoyed constant room service at all hours. It was great having coffee on our deck pulling into the ports. Saw quite a few rainbows from there.
We had a suite so the room was amazing and because of that we spent more time in it. Our room host was Sompop and he did an excellent job and we found him quite friendly and quick to take care of any problems. Great towel animals. My son kept them lined up the whole trip in our room.
I was disappointed in the Golden Mickeys--just not what I expected. We enjoyed Michael Harison, the ventriliquist, but found the first comedian weak. I always love Hercules--this cast was very good, and Dreams was excellent.
The weather was perfect. Some of our party did the parasailing on CC and loved it. I wish the photographers had gone to the teen beach. We didn't see our teens much, but they made a lot of friends and wish we were going next year---we aren't---boo hoo. Would have been nice to get shots of them at CC also.
Had no trouble getting a nice spot on the family beach, but someone took our floats from our chairs while we were at lunch.
Didn't do much in Rockin Bar D because of the smoke-it drives me crazy. Only played bingo twice and didn't win, but the kids enjoyed it.
Went to the DVC reception and got some nice prizes. Missed the repeat cruiser reception this time. Didn't get our picture with the captain and regretted it. They put it on a card with an inset of the Magic and some info on it.Really nice idea.
My 8 year old did not enjoy the club this year. The kids seemed out of control and very few real activities, but the teens spent more time at the teen club than last year.
The CM were all friendly. Not any trouble for us with getting chairs, but we were up early. The pool water gets gross by noon though. Mickey pool closed at least once due to an accident. There were older kids jumping in the Mickey pool on the smaller kids with no parent in sight. The pools need to be larger when the next ship is made!!
Just went shopping in St Thomas and went to the beach right where the ferry stops in St Maarten. Got tired of turning down hair braiding, tattoos, towel bags, etc.
Spent too much in Shutters, but didn't think there were as many photographers in the dinners, etc this year.
Found the character breakfast to be way too rushed, but lots of other times to get pictures.
The Magic is beautiful, the service excellent, and I can't believe we are home.
We did a lot of the family activities, saw Around the World in 80 Days, plus a few other movies, and just relaxed!
Were disappointed in the concierge service--probably the only negative besides the 8-9 program.
Would be happy to answer any questions anyone has.I'll leave the lengthy reports to those who are better at it than I am.
Beth
We started off with a few negatives--not to be rude, but I held my breathe for 2 hours on the plane because my seatmate had quite a distinctive odor!! It was the longest flight of my life and several times I was sure I was going to need the barf bag. Finally off the plane and the van and towncar from Cartier were almost 2 hours late!!! Their phone would only connect you to a machine so luckily I was able to get our TA to contact them to assure us they were coming, but it wasn't the best start. Got to the Radisson around 5 because of this. Our rooms were clean, and in good shape. The kids played tennis and swam, then ate dinner and played minigolf next door.
The shuttle was very organized this year and we got to the port by 10:30. They had an area for the concierge guests, so we didn' have to wait to check in, or stand in line to board. Went right to Parrot Cay and began 7 days of non stop eating.
I won't do a day by day, meal by meal report, but here are some highlights.
We loved our servers Navneet and Constantin--wish we could have brought them home. The food was good--some very good, some so so, but I ate way too much and often had 2 or 3 things. Had the Palos dessert sent to the room-it as great. The teens enjoyed constant room service at all hours. It was great having coffee on our deck pulling into the ports. Saw quite a few rainbows from there.
We had a suite so the room was amazing and because of that we spent more time in it. Our room host was Sompop and he did an excellent job and we found him quite friendly and quick to take care of any problems. Great towel animals. My son kept them lined up the whole trip in our room.
I was disappointed in the Golden Mickeys--just not what I expected. We enjoyed Michael Harison, the ventriliquist, but found the first comedian weak. I always love Hercules--this cast was very good, and Dreams was excellent.
The weather was perfect. Some of our party did the parasailing on CC and loved it. I wish the photographers had gone to the teen beach. We didn't see our teens much, but they made a lot of friends and wish we were going next year---we aren't---boo hoo. Would have been nice to get shots of them at CC also.
Had no trouble getting a nice spot on the family beach, but someone took our floats from our chairs while we were at lunch.
Didn't do much in Rockin Bar D because of the smoke-it drives me crazy. Only played bingo twice and didn't win, but the kids enjoyed it.
Went to the DVC reception and got some nice prizes. Missed the repeat cruiser reception this time. Didn't get our picture with the captain and regretted it. They put it on a card with an inset of the Magic and some info on it.Really nice idea.
My 8 year old did not enjoy the club this year. The kids seemed out of control and very few real activities, but the teens spent more time at the teen club than last year.
The CM were all friendly. Not any trouble for us with getting chairs, but we were up early. The pool water gets gross by noon though. Mickey pool closed at least once due to an accident. There were older kids jumping in the Mickey pool on the smaller kids with no parent in sight. The pools need to be larger when the next ship is made!!
Just went shopping in St Thomas and went to the beach right where the ferry stops in St Maarten. Got tired of turning down hair braiding, tattoos, towel bags, etc.
Spent too much in Shutters, but didn't think there were as many photographers in the dinners, etc this year.
Found the character breakfast to be way too rushed, but lots of other times to get pictures.
The Magic is beautiful, the service excellent, and I can't believe we are home.
We did a lot of the family activities, saw Around the World in 80 Days, plus a few other movies, and just relaxed!
Were disappointed in the concierge service--probably the only negative besides the 8-9 program.
Would be happy to answer any questions anyone has.I'll leave the lengthy reports to those who are better at it than I am.
Beth
