DH and I just debarked from the Magic yesterday. The cruise was awesome and amazing and beautiful in almost every way. I will be doing a full trip report soon, but I know not everyone reads those, and some are sailing soon and will not have time to read, so here are some main points. Keep in mind this is two adults traveling together without any kids, so sorry, we have no perspective what this cruise was like for children or adults with children.
The bad (short list)
- approximately 100 people were denied boarding (this number is an approximation from many different but similar numbers heard from various servers and discussion between passengers, and from what we saw on the Inspire status boards). Safe to say, the number wasn't zero. It was so stressful waiting for our test results (and in the planning stages knowing that testing and possibly being denied boarding is a thing), and my heart goes out to those who tested positive. I hope all experience mild or no symptoms and that they enjoy another cruise really soon!
- the coffee, blech! It was equally horrid on the Fantasy two years ago, and
DCL really needs to up their game in the coffee arena. Other cruise lines provide perfectly potable free coffee, what's up with this, DCL?! Yes, Cove Cafe brews are delicious, but for what we pay to sail with Disney, we shouldn't be forced to pay for drinkable coffee.
- The internet/app are absolutely atrocious. I could have maybe enjoyed the app but I kept getting kicked off for no reason, had to log in multiple times, take many trips to Guest Services for things like tips and our placeholder. I also don't enjoy that now I don't have a record of things like the names of that guitarist/singer we enjoyed in the Promenade Lounge or the Pianist in Keys, or the magician we missed. The cost for internet and the way one burns through it requiring additional purchase is ridiculous. Internet service is a necessity, not a luxury, for many people including my DH, they need to make it accessible!
- Merchandise- well this is one of those good/bad situations. The good is their merchandise is gorgeous and we wanted all of it. The bad - lots of items not available in most popular sizes (which were the sizes we needed.) I don't know how much this is to "blame" on DCL vs global supply issues right now, so I was hesitant to even mention this. We would have come home with a few more items had they been available in our size.
The AWESOME
EVERYTHING ELSE!!
-I can't say enough great things about the cast members in every single part of the ship!
-The entertainment was astonishingly outstanding, especially in the context of the global situation. We gotta hand it to DCL for being able to maintain the level of excellence in entertainment. Special shout-outs to the theater shows (Tangled and Dreams), the guitarist and the couple who entertained at the Cove Pool, and ALL of the Marvel Day at Sea Cast of Characters who truly made magic happen, especially the USO show and the Heros Unite deck show.
