Just back from 8/28 Magic

[trishamg]

Just back from the Magic, we were one of the ones to get off the ship in Galveston, TX. What a crazy trip we all had, the storm never affected us besides the small itenerary changes.
We were lucky to have purchased the internet package which allowed us to email our travel agent (AAA) who gave us our options about staying on the ship back to Canaveral or getting off in Texas. We opted to get off in Texas yesterday since our TA was able to get us home the same day. We ended up taking the bus to Houston - George Bush airport then connecting in Dallas and on home to Orange County, CA (we flew American Airlines). We decided to take this option since our TA said it was very unlikely we could get home monday and tuesday and about a 50/50 shot on wednsday since the airlines were making no reservations for these days.
We have 8 people in our party and 2 of those were children that needed to start school on tuesday. It would of been nice to stay a couple of extra days on the ship but I think we were lucky to have a TA who could get flight changes for us for no penalty, Some flying out of Houston had $100 penalties per person.
If anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them.

 

[dzneprincess]

Welcome home! Can you tell us about your experience on the ship? How were the waves?

 

[abitjaded]

Bummer, the best of times, the worst of times. A chance to stay on the Magic for lots of extra days, for free! But then reality intrudes, school and work. A cousin in Pompano Beach keeps emailing, she is sick of howling winds and being confined for three days, but at least has power back. Where was the Magic going to go next? Makes you wonder if they will have to go back to Galveston AGAIN if this keeps up. (Oh, to visit a kolache bakery there.)

Carla

 

[trishamg]

The weather was great the whole time, no waves really! This was probably the calmest cruise I have ever taken (2 prior Disney and 8 total).
Captain Tom told us after the ship left Texas it would head south of Florida and told us there would be about 20 other cruise ships out there floating around waiting for the storm to finish. Someone did ask the Captain how fast we were going (this was on friday) and he said he had all five engines going full blast and this was the fastest he has taken the ship since testing after it was built in Italy. Going from almost Belize to Galveston in a day and a half I guess we had to be moving pretty fast.
My favorite port was Costa Maya. So small in the middle of a jungle, people were friendly and it wasnt too overly commercial.
I was bummed about missing Key West but I would miss any port for the chance to make it to Castaway Cay.

 

[jlawall]

Thx for your update, we are all thinking of you!!

 

[NancyDVC]

trishamg,
Thanks for the update! It is good to hear that you got home safely.

The idea of 20 cruise ships just floating around out there waiting for the storm to go away is somewhat humorous! Sort of like waiting in for the rope drop at one of the parks at WDW! No real line just a bunch of people (ships) waiting for the big moment.
I'll bet that the laundry rooms were busy the past few days.


Here's wishing you more days.