Just off 4-day Magic Cruise - Random Musings...

[Racer X]

FWIW here are a few of my thoughts that might help (in no particular order):

1) The old girl was beautiful. Sure a spot of rust could be found but you really have to look for it.

2) Deck 2 cabin was clean, quiet and free of problems.

3) Spring break cruise was FULL! But did not feel crowded.

4) Cabanas was more crowded later in the meal period (i.e get there earlier). One of the reasons is they close off one of the main buffet lines to prepare for next meal.

5) Pirate night was EARLY! 7:30pm. It featured more Mickey and no Jack Sparrow. I'm sure better for the younh-uns. Missed the original show but understand these have to evolve.

6) The shows we saw were awesome. (Tangled, Dreams)

7) Future booking desk had NO IDEA when rest of 2017 would be released, and would not speculate on Wonder drydock or 2017 Alaska. Be sure to book your placeholder, easily done in 30 seconds.

8) The DREAM docked next to us in Nassau. What a cool sight. The crew was very excited about it and mentioned it several times. Perhaps doesn't happen often? The DREAM looked awesome, and looked brand new compared to the other ships in port.

9) Absolutely hire a porter at the end of the cruise to help with baggage and customs. It's the best $10 or $20 you will spend the entire trip. Saw this poor Mom dragging her kid and luggage around the port, not the way to end your cruise.

10) New Animators Palate show was very very cool. Kids clubs were cool but did not use them.

11) All food was very good and all crew and CM's were extremely friendly!

12) DO book EARLY. This cruise almost doubled in price from opening day.


Hope some of this helps. Happy to answer anything specific if i can remember

 

[PrincessShmoo]

5) Pirate night was EARLY! 7:30pm. It featured more Mickey and no Jack Sparrow. I'm sure better for the younh-uns. Missed the original show but understand these have to evolve.

Is the show the same Captain Mickey show, just without the bad guy pirates? Or is it really just a concert-type show (characters doing songs & dances - no storyline).

Does Mickey still zip-line in?

 

[Racer X]

It started out with the dance party, then about half way in the characters came in and did a mini-storyline with Hook. Then Capt Mickey ziplines in to save the day and fireworks

 

[professorandmom]

It started out with the dance party, then about half way in the characters came in and did a mini-storyline with Hook. Then Capt Mickey ziplines in to save the day and fireworks

Sounds like our cruises in the early 2000s before Capt Jack was created

 

[mareed]

Sounds like our cruises in the early 2000s before Capt Jack was created

I think it may be whatever you saw first is what you expect! I'd only seen Mickey and classic characters on Magic and Wonder, and when I saw Captain Jack on the Dream, it just seemed wrong.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think it may be whatever you saw first is what you expect! I'd only seen Mickey and classic characters on Magic and Wonder, and when I saw Captain Jack on the Dream, it just seemed wrong.

We saw the basic Captain Mickey and all (fighting Captain Hook) with "realistic" pirates on our first 3 cruises on the Magic. I may be wrong, but I think Jack Sparrow was in there also.

 

[bksaffle]

Actually, there are two "Pirate" Parties. The first one starts at 7:30 and is usually planned for the younger kids (as they are too tired to make it through the later party). The second party is much later around 9:45 where they have the Jack Sparrow group/fireworks/buffet. Not sure if they eliminated the second pirate party, but that is how it was on our Magic cruise.

But then again, I just looked at a recent navigator and it looks like they have gone back to one show....bummer, I wonder why this changed.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Actually, there are two "Pirate" Parties. The first one starts at 7:30 and is usually planned for the younger kids (as they are too tired to make it through the later party). The second party is much later around 9:45 where they have the Jack Sparrow group/fireworks/buffet. Not sure if they eliminated the second pirate party, but that is how it was on our Magic cruise.

But then again, I just looked at a recent navigator and it looks like they have gone back to one show....bummer, I wonder why this changed.

On the Dream & Fantasy, yes there are two pirate shows/parties.

On the Magic & Wonder there is only one show. Most of the time it has been after the second dinner seating, but recently, on those cruises that it's already dark by 8:00, they've been running the show between the dinner seatings.

 

[daisyx3]

I was on the Dream that day; I wish the Magic was on the side my cabin was on because it looked fine to me! I had to look at the Carnival Fascination, which has seen better days....

 

[Racer X]

I hear ya! Wasnt it cool having 2 ships in port?

 

[scgustafson]

Who were the Cruise Staff team members, Cruise Director, and Captain?

 

[Racer X]

Sorry - the CD and capt were really non-important for us on this 4 day cruise. Only saw the CD twice before the shows. (She was a short brunette... Kelly? seemed nice enough)

 

[hanscarlet]

It started out with the dance party, then about half way in the characters came in and did a mini-storyline with Hook. Then Capt Mickey ziplines in to save the day and fireworks

ooo! ooo! this give me hope! I couldn't stand the rock concert on the Wonder! thanks for your tips, we sail on her in less than 2 weeks! can't wait!

 

[abja09]

FWIW here are a few of my thoughts that might help (in no particular order):

1) The old girl was beautiful. Sure a spot of rust could be found but you really have to look for it.

2) Deck 2 cabin was clean, quiet and free of problems.

3) Spring break cruise was FULL! But did not feel crowded.

4) Cabanas was more crowded later in the meal period (i.e get there earlier). One of the reasons is they close off one of the main buffet lines to prepare for next meal.

5) Pirate night was EARLY! 7:30pm. It featured more Mickey and no Jack Sparrow. I'm sure better for the younh-uns. Missed the original show but understand these have to evolve.

6) The shows we saw were awesome. (Tangled, Dreams)

7) Future booking desk had NO IDEA when rest of 2017 would be released, and would not speculate on Wonder drydock or 2017 Alaska. Be sure to book your placeholder, easily done in 30 seconds.

8) The DREAM docked next to us in Nassau. What a cool sight. The crew was very excited about it and mentioned it several times. Perhaps doesn't happen often? The DREAM looked awesome, and looked brand new compared to the other ships in port.

9) Absolutely hire a porter at the end of the cruise to help with baggage and customs. It's the best $10 or $20 you will spend the entire trip. Saw this poor Mom dragging her kid and luggage around the port, not the way to end your cruise.

10) New Animators Palate show was very very cool. Kids clubs were cool but did not use them.

11) All food was very good and all crew and CM's were extremely friendly!

12) DO book EARLY. This cruise almost doubled in price from opening day.


Hope some of this helps. Happy to answer anything specific if i can remember

I was on the same cruise and have to agree with you on all points! The ship was great and didn't feel crowded at all. The food was excellent and so was the service.
This was the second time we were in Nassua with the Dream- it's really cool to be there together.
I personally enjoyed the earlier pirate show and fireworks.

 

[abja09]

Who were the Cruise Staff team members, Cruise Director, and Captain?

Captain Marco and I think the cruise director was Leslie

 

[aprincessatlast]

It started out with the dance party, then about half way in the characters came in and did a mini-storyline with Hook. Then Capt Mickey ziplines in to save the day and fireworks

However are they still playing that 80's big hair band music for the entire show like last year. Just curious if they listened to my bolded print comment card on ambiance or lack there of with the music choices. lol

 

[Racer X]

LOL - yeah, at some point they go into an "adult-remix" as we chuckled about.... the tunes did seem dated. Sounds like they have not changed it much then since your last cruise, sorry.

 

[RCBA]

I was on the Dream that day; I wish the Magic was on the side my cabin was on because it looked fine to me! I had to look at the Carnival Fascination, which has seen better days....

I hate to hear that about the Fascination. We just got off the Dream a few weeks ago & will be sailing the Fascination with friends in a few months.

 

[terrybsw]

On the Dream & Fantasy, yes there are two pirate shows/parties.

On the Magic & Wonder there is only one show. Most of the time it has been after the second dinner seating, but recently, on those cruises that it's already dark by 8:00, they've been running the show between the dinner seatings.

I am just off a 4 day Wonder. They did one show between the first and second dinner seating including fireworks. Mickey zip-lined over and no Captain Jack. The Pirate Buffet was still held at 10:15. A cast member we spoke to said the change was made to accommodate the kids and so that people in the late seating didn't have to rush to see the fireworks. I liked this itinerary much better...and I wasn't sailing with kids.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am just off a 4 day Wonder. They did one show between the first and second dinner seating including fireworks. Mickey zip-lined over and no Captain Jack. The Pirate Buffet was still held at 10:15. A cast member we spoke to said the change was made to accommodate the kids and so that people in the late seating didn't have to rush to see the fireworks. I liked this itinerary much better...and I wasn't sailing with kids.

We were on the Wonder in October. The Pirate night show was at 9:45. As I said, I believe the cruises where it's dark enough at 8:00 (so they can do the fireworks), they've been doing the pirate show between the dinner seatings. When it isn't, they don't.