Just Back from Magic 6/24-7/1!

[wendilyn]

Hi
We had an amazing trip! Here's the highlights, feel free to ask questions!
Me, DH, DD 13, DD 16 DS 19 and mother and father in law. stayed in rooms 6633, 6632, and 6628.
Friday 6/23: Stayed at the Radisson at the Port, great hotel nice comfy beds and pillows, neat pool, free shuttle to the ship, mini-golf, batting cage, track racing cars, and arcade next door!
Sat 6/24: Arrived at pier around 10:50, got number 10 for check in, on ship by 12:45. Able to switch palo dinner ressies and add a person to brunch no problem, booked spa appts ( new work out area amazing!, also very neat villas for couples massages/treatments with outside whirpool and lounge area). Sat and had drinks by the pool area, watching the jumbotran tv! Totally amazing thing! You are able to see it clearly even in the bright sunlight We were in our stateroom by 2:00 luggage arrived shortly after that! Unpacked, lifeboat drill, and then back to the adult pool for drinks and sailaway party
Our dinner rotation was PAL second seating 8:15. Server was Alex Campo (we requested him) Totally love Alex! Amazing server, very helpful and always was able to meet everyone's needs! Assistant server was Pema, she was nice and polite, but very quiet.
Sunday: Flying Dutchman and CC! Still hooked to barage on Sunday. Went to adult beach for the first tme on CC, beautiful day, very hot! I did the yogalatis workout on the beach, sat in water with some of the other disers and had lunch, excellent Mai mai, great Konk koolers We left by noon! Too hot! Went to the cove cafe to cool off and play cards with DS. Went ot Rockin bar D for adult scavenger hunt, almost won! Other dis group beat us! Great job Lori! Great day
Mon: workout in the am, Palo brunch , relaxed by pool, formal night, went to bed early!
Tues: Costa Maya: Went on a private snorkeling excursion through Dreamtime Diving, 6 people, small boat, private guide very nice time! Excellent snorkeling! Poured on the way back to the ship. Went back onboard for lunch and to change, went back into shops on the pier, nice shops, neat pool, but more rain! Was raining sideways! My DH went on David and Ivan ruins tour, he really enjoyed the ruins and said David was very knowledgeabl! Lasted about an hour. Went to see comdy show of Mike Super Family show and adult show. He was very funny!
Wed: Cozumel: Went to paradise beach, wonderful day! kids loved the iceberg, trampoline, did the waverunners, excellent lunch and drinks! Highly recommend this beach We had a geat time at pirate night! Watched Rich Purpuras family and adult magic shows! Very good! Went and saw the fireworks and watched Pirates on the jumbo ariel tv
Thursday: slept late, worked out, brunch at Lumiere's , day by the adult pool My father in law anbd DH enjoyed the tequila tasting. We had a super dinner at Palo and relaxed at sessions afterwards. The live piano playing in sessions in wonderful!
Friday: Awoke to see Flying Dutchman was moved to near marges barges in the cove. We took some wonderful photos from the ship and island! Went ot our charater breakfast, wonderful as always! Spent the morning doing the island family scavenger hunt! Fun but very hot and lots of walking! Floated in the water with the kids, their parasailing was canceled when one of the boats broke down! Had lunch at Cookies, not as good as last time we were there, I thought the food was over cooked! Went back to the ship to cool off and pack! Saw the farewell show, really good! Nice dinner and then pub night! Cast members put on a funny variety show!
Sat: breakfast at 8:00am, off the ship by 8:45, easily found luggage, and on our way to teh airport by 9:00. WishedIi had booked an earlier flight!
Another wonderful trip! Sorry we'll have to wait until 08 to go again!
Wendy

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

Hi! Thanks for the great report!

I was wondering if you ate at both the adult beach and at Cookies on CC? Could you compare them if you did?

What all did you see them grilling on the adult beach?

thanks!

 

[cruisnfamily]

I'm traveling with a DD13 and would LOVE to hear lots and lots of details about the trip from your DD's point of view. Did she go to the stack? What did she think? How did she spend her time, etc....Thanks!

 

[JOANNEL]

I have a question about the gym, are there any exercise classes? I do much better when some one tells me what to do.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I have a question for your DH...regarding the Mayan ruins tour in Costa Maya. When I popped by your meets thread to wish you all bon voyage, I got the impression there were a LOT of DISers signed up for this tour. I'm wondering how they divided up the people (group size) and are D & I the only guides? I know there is a lady (Catherine?) on the bus who gives a talk, but I didn't think she was one of the guides at the ruins. I don't know if the weather caused some people to pull a no-show.

We know there are about 60 (!) people signed up for D&I on our Nov Double-Dip and some are concerned that a group size of 30 would make it a less intimate and perhaps less impactful experience.

Thanks!

 

[WDWLVR]

Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing you report with us!

 

[aidanht]

I'm glad you had such a great trip, and thanks for sharing your wisdom with us future double scoopers!

I have two questions:

First, at Paradise Beach -- I have read that they "expect" you to spend $8 per person on food/drinks. What, exactly, does that mean? We are planning to do the snorkeling trip with them -- did you hear of anyone who did that?

Second, how/when did you request your server?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[RCBA]

First, at Paradise Beach -- I have read that they "expect" you to spend $8 per person on food/drinks. What, exactly, does that mean?

It is $8 pp to get a wristband to use the iceberg, water trampoline,kayaks, mats, etc. On the menu it mentioned that the beach chairs and umbrellas were for use if you purchased food.

 

[Doingitagain]

Hi! Thanks for the great report!

I was wondering if you ate at both the adult beach and at Cookies on CC? Could you compare them if you did?

What all did you see them grilling on the adult beach?

thanks!

We ate at Cookies during past cruises and were not impressed. This time, we ate at Serenity Bay (adult beach) both stops. The first day I recall T-bones, hamburgers, chicken and hot dogs. The second stop I recall T-bones, ribs, hamburgers, chicken, hot dogs, and lobster. The food was all very good!

 

[wendilyn]

Answers:
There were not many exercise classes offered, spinning class, yoga stretch, and pilaties was all I saw. They have many machines, but not a large area for a class.

Paradise beach: The $8 is only if you want to use the "toys" we had no pressure to buy the bands, only got them for the kids. I heard the snorkeling was crowded since there are not many areas left that weren't damaged from the hurricanes. Snorkel in Costa maya if you can.

Ruins: They had two buses, about 20 people were on my DH tour.

Stack: My DD 13 said it was way too crowded and only did a few of the activities. She enjoyed the scavenger hunt, the gottcha game, and like the counselors. Luckily she spent alot of time with her sister 16 so she wasn't bored!

Server: We called and requested Alex about 1 month before the cruise, but I know they take requests, so just call the castaway club number and add that to your trip.

Food on CC: The adult beach food is way better than cookies, they were grilling everything mai mai, burgers, dogs, t-bone!