**Live from 6/25/05 Magic to Mexico**

[thomprod]

Can someone please ask a Spa supervisor about this: On our 7-day cruise in January 2005, before reservations could be made online, I was first-in-line at the spa and tried to make a reservation for a massage on a sea-day. I was told that they do not take reservations for regular massages on sea days, only "premium" treatments. They offered to put me on a waiting list, but would only give me a definite reservation for a port day. This seems unreasonable. I understand that they would like to maximize the profit potential of the "premium" treatments when they are most likely to be busy, but this policy seems unreasonably restrictive and is not publicized anywhere, to my knowledge. Can someone please ask them to confirm the current reservation policy and then the reasons behind it? Thanks.

 

[mommykeg]

Dolphin Swim hint: WEAR a T-shirt into the pool to protect your shoulders since you cannot wear sunscreen w/the dolphins!

Other thing...definitely hit their gift shop...I found I was the only one in the shop and their tshirts were very nice quality for a reasonable price...got DD an embroidered shirt w/dolphins for about $9 and DS an adult S w/hawaiian design of dolphins across it for about $10. Gift shop is all priced in pesos so you have to do your own math while shopping.

Also...there are two facilities for this place so be aware that one may differ from the other (part of our group was scheduled at one facility and part of our group was scheduled at the other which is down the street). Nice area and definitely walkable b/w the two.

Do you know how they decide which facility which group will go to? My DS and myself are signed up for the Dolphin Encounter for Kids ages 4-8, with me as an observer at 11:30. DH and DD are signed up for the Dolphin Swim at 12:30. We were told I would be able to take pics of both as an observer because the pools are right next to each other. Now I'm afraid we'll be at two different facilities!!

 

[kpgclark]

I have a favor to ask. If it isn't too much trouble and you are headed to Palo can you ask what the chance might be to get a second reservation at Palo for an evening during the August Panama Canal cruise? If it is possible, how are the reservations made? I'm assuming if you've made a reservation on line that you can't board the ship and immediately make another reservation. Do they think that if I call on say the second day of the cruise (once I know what the cruise schedule is) that I'd be able to get another reservation or be put on a wait list? Thanks in advance!

 

[mgm61]

What are the prices of drinks? I have seen the daily specials but what about the beer special buy 5 get 6?
We are on a tight budget and I would like to know this so we don't overspend.
Thanks and have a great time!!!

Cruising July 17.
Michele

 

[alohatee]

Dolphin Swim hint: WEAR a T-shirt into the pool to protect your shoulders since you cannot wear sunscreen w/the dolphins!

Other thing...definitely hit their gift shop...I found I was the only one in the shop and their tshirts were very nice quality for a reasonable price...got DD an embroidered shirt w/dolphins for about $9 and DS an adult S w/hawaiian design of dolphins across it for about $10. Gift shop is all priced in pesos so you have to do your own math while shopping.

Also...there are two facilities for this place so be aware that one may differ from the other (part of our group was scheduled at one facility and part of our group was scheduled at the other which is down the street). Nice area and definitely walkable b/w the two.

Thanks for the valuable tip.
Do they accept US dollars or credit cards?

 

[challada]

Do you know how they decide which facility which group will go to? My DS and myself are signed up for the Dolphin Encounter for Kids ages 4-8, with me as an observer at 11:30. DH and DD are signed up for the Dolphin Swim at 12:30. We were told I would be able to take pics of both as an observer because the pools are right next to each other. Now I'm afraid we'll be at two different facilities!!

Chances are you will be at two facilities with those times...that is pretty much what we had (DD was on 11 am Kid Encounter, we were on 11 am swim and grandparents were on 12noon swim) and we were at the two different facilities with those times. We were at the main facility for the 11 am...but the noon ones were at the second facility down the street. There was no way we could have gotten over to that one to take pics of anyone since we did not get out of the pool before they began at the other site. It's also about 3 blocks down, across a bridge and another block walk to get to the other site so not a quick hike in the Mexican sun.

Yes, the gift shop took both American dollars and credit cards. I would suggest CC as your exchange rate will probably be better (when I offered cash she did it on a calculator at 10 pesos to a dollar when I knew the exchange rate that day was closer to 12/1...I did a CC then and Amex converted it for me).

 

[Eeyorefan12]

Okay, we did the Dolphin Encounter (and now I see all the comments I wanted before we went have shown up here... ) We had a terrific time and I'll try to give our experience to answer some of the questions I just saw.

Dolphin Encounter and Dolphin Swim were held at the same facility this morning...just two different pools which were side by side. The 4-8 year olds in the Encounter looked to be having such a great time that we videotaped them dancing with the dolphins while we waited for our families to come out for the swim. (My friend and I were signed up for the Observer for our group of older kids and dads.) We photographed and videotaped freely the entire time...but we ended up buying several of the photos they took as well as the video (on DVD!) which was ready within about a half hour. We made the purchases because, while we had a great view of the pools, we were still a little far away from the action even with zoom lenses and the photographers there were very good. Oh, for the person who has kids in two age groups, you can probably watch both but the observing platforms are in different places by the pools and you'd have to choose which one was closer to the group you wanted to film. I assume they wouldn't let you switch from one to the other once purchased since there is limited space in each group.

Someone mentioned the prices in the gift shop...and I think they've gone up in the last couple of weeks since that report. Individual 5 x 7 photos were $10 (US) and the T-shirts (really nice ones, I thought) were $15! Perhaps they've been testing the market, so to speak, and since people are still buying, they are charging more? The DVD was a whopping $42...slightly less for the VHS. A small stuffed dolphin keychain was $9. Basically, the prices were easily as high as Sea World for such things. Still, I have to say we were pleased with how professionally-run everything was. They accepted and gave change in U.S. dollars.

For those who wonder (as we did), the Dolphin encounter participants mostly swim around (with excellent life jackets) in a 15-foot deep pool while the dolphins are asked by the trainer to float around, usually belly-up so people can touch them. Then, everyone individually gets a "kiss" from a dolphin (photographed very nicely by the crew there) and an actual ride on a dolphin's belly. My 9-year-old son, somewhat timid and still learning to swim, had absolutely no problem with all of it, even the speedy ride around the pool.

My only regret? I should have been in there with 'em all! Partly because it looked like such fun and partly because it was so unbearably hot, I wanted to jump in with my clothes on!

CB

 

[Eeyorefan12]

Thank you very much for the info.
If its not a problem, can you tell me if they have kids puzzles in any of the shops? 50 -100 pieces.
Thanks so much
Jill

I'll check again when we're in there tomorrow but I didn't see any puzzles in the shops. (We've spent a lot of time there, too...sigh.)

CB

 

[Eeyorefan12]

We are signed up to swim with the dolphins too and we can't wait. I am dissappointed that I can't even take pictures with my own camera.
What did the kids wear there and when they were in the water?
Thanks for all the updates!

You will be able to take photos and videotape...but as I mentioned in my longer post, the crew at the Dolphin Encounter has the best camera angles. (Imagine that!)

Everyone wore swim suits. The Encounter provides very good life jackets. My kids wore their suits under their clothes but you are given time to change while you're there.

CB

 

[Eeyorefan12]

What are the prices of drinks? I have seen the daily specials but what about the beer special buy 5 get 6?
We are on a tight budget and I would like to know this so we don't overspend.
Thanks and have a great time!!!

Cruising July 17.
Michele

Although we didn't take advantage of it, I saw tall plastic beer mugs being sold when we first got on board for $9.99. I believe you could refill them free if you bought the mug but please double-check that with someone else!

Mixed drinks (especially the tropical/fruity variety) seem to average about $4.95. Wine by the glass varies WIDELY. I had a glass of Chardonnay tonight for $6.95 and a glass of champagne (a big splurge for me) for $14.95! (I hadn't asked the price first...but that was a lesson learned.)

 

[Eeyorefan12]

Today was a LONG day. We got up at 7:30 to make Dolphin Encounter at 9:00. We got back to the ship a little bit before 1:00 p.m. to shower and have lunch before heading out again to town. Our quick hour-long look around wound up being closer to two (that's a "Mexican" hour, according to our cabbie) and the combination of the hot weather and high humidity had us kind of melted by the time we got back to the ship again.

Tonight was Pirate night! A high level of participation, I thought. Lots of people (like me) gave a nod to the theme with at least a skirt or shirt that was somewhat pirate-like. Others did Tropical...the other choice. Dinner at Animator's Palette was a bit so-so. I'm learning that if the beef tenderloin is on the menu, it's the thing to get. I haven't had as much luck with things like pork and I'm not a big fish fan. Desserts have mostly been terrific, though. Not sure how much of a favor that is.

We went to a "TV theme song" contest at Rockin' D Bar. There weren't many others there and it was run a bit haphazardly. (A friend of mine commented that he thought the two young men running it had begun the pirate partying a bit early...LOL!) We had some laughs, though.

The pirate party was up on deck and was quite a deal--bigger than the sail-away, I thought, with more participation. Many Disney characters were there as part of the show and one big moment was a Jack Sparrow-looking "bad" pirate flying down to the stage from one of the smokestacks. The fireworks show was very nice...went on much longer than I would have expected. There was a huge amount of food and a dessert buffet...but we had, as usual, stuffed ourselves at dinner and just couldn't handle another bite of food. Bummer!

We pulled out of PV slightly earlier than our schedule time of 9:45 and lots of people onshore and on hotel balconies waved and took photos of the ship as we sailed away. It was fun...almost like re-living day one. Tomorrow is Mazatlan--if we manage to get out of bed.

CB

 

[4fosterkids]

I'll check again when we're in there tomorrow but I didn't see any puzzles in the shops. (We've spent a lot of time there, too...sigh.)

CB

Spent alot of time in the shops?? Uh Oh, that sounds dangerous...but fun!
Do they have scrapbooking stuff? I'm hoping for a 12 x 12 cruise album.
Thanks for taking the time to check.
Jill

 

[Eeyorefan12]

Spent alot of time in the shops?? Uh Oh, that sounds dangerous...but fun!
Do they have scrapbooking stuff? I'm hoping for a 12 x 12 cruise album.
Thanks for taking the time to check.
Jill

I can answer this one! Yes, I definitely saw a 12x12 scrapbook packet in there yesterday. Was planning to go back and check it out tomorrow.

We're spending extra time in the shops mainly because my daughter has caught the pin-trading bug...argghhh!

CB

 

[Pineapple]

I don't know if you noticed Eeyorefan but I think we lost a passenger at PV. I was watching the castoff from deck 4, and they were calling a passenger's name several times, asking the passenger to call Guest Services. Then they started mentioning her room number, and then they started calling her room-mate's name. They had the catwalk hoisted but ready to re-deploy until the very last minute. It looks as if they were giving this person a chance.

There was also a group that was slightly late returning to the ship. It appeared to be an excursion because some of the late arrivals had walkie talkies and Disney badges.

I went for the shrimp and scallops on the Pirate Night menu and thought it was so-so. I tried a sample of the coconut coated snapper and that was interesting. The coconut was slightly sweet which made an interesting combination with the fish. I tasted the crabcake appetizer and thought that was very good though my wife thought it was a bit too salty.

For lunch, I had a pan fried mahi mahi with black bean rice that I thought was done surprisingly well. They should move that dish to the dinner menu.

Unlike Eeyorefan, we did a very low key excursion for PV. We signed up for the Paradise Beach Adventure which is essentially a trip to a hotel/resort/timeshare to swim in the pool and nearby beach. There is also a hotel run "zoo" for the kids to look at. Unfortunately, it was not well kept and was just a bunch of animals in cages. They had a tour that started out with a nice crowd but the animals were so unimpressive that 3/4 of the people dropped out of the tour before the end. The only amusing part was a large ostrich that they allow to freely run on the resort grounds. My wife was looking at one of the animal cages when she noticed the ostrich not too far from her eyeing her bag. Suddenly, she felt this bump, bump, bump. She looked again and the ostrich had moved next to her and was pecking at her bag. She slowly moved away out of range of the ostrich's long neck and ended up with an interesting story to tell.

Going to be touring Mazatlan with Mazatlan Frank and debogan tomorrow. Will let everyone know how that goes.

 

[alohatee]

Going to be touring Mazatlan with Mazatlan Frank and debogan tomorrow. Will let everyone know how that goes.

Pineapple:

Thanks for the tip on the pan fried mahi mahi with black beans- sounds so muy bueno!!!!

On Pirates' night - is the food buffet on what deck and at what time?

What kind of tour will you be having with Mazatlan Frank? Have a great time! We are taking the City Tour in August. Look forward to your reviews.

 

[lwilliam]

First, thank you so much for taking time out of your magical vacation
for the rest of us back home. Your reports are WAY interesting!!!!

I do have a question/s: was the Paradise Beach Resort worth the money?
We are scheduled for that excursion on the 7/30 sailing. Please be honest.
Thank you.
AND as asked previously, what was at the buffet on deck Pirate Night?

Have a magical time.
Lucy

 

[challada]

Pineapple...you are living my life three weeks later! We did dolphins in PV then did the tour w/Frank....be prepared for being w/him the WHOLE day...I couldn't believe all that we saw w/him! Have fun and tell him Hola from Chris!

As far as the pics w/the dolphins...I would guess from the observer area, they cannot stop you from taking those long distance shots. But the tape you listen to before getting in the water expressly says no pictures...we had brought 4 water cameras and had to leave them in the bag.

Our tip on the swim...buy only the DVD....you can capture pictures off of it to print.
Also, buy more than 1 pic...they end up being $9 instead of $10 if you buy multiples.
At the gift shop, I bought 4 pictures, an adult size tshirt and a kid size embroidered shirt for $52 US (on my charge card) but had I left it at their exchange rate for cash, it would have been closer to $60.
Yes, they do one swim and kid encounter together at the same facility, but it is the one that is scheduled at the same time...the one that is an hour later is at the other facility so dolphins are not constantly "at work".

 

[Hollyster2]

We just did the Paradise Beach Resort this last Magic sailing and my family loved it! Beautiful resort and the beach was awesome! 3 of my kids boogie boarded like they had never boogied before (18,15, 10). My 6 yr old loved playing in the warm water and the sand. They all would like to go back. They enjoyed the pool and water slides too! We had the early excursion, and it was very warm and very pleasant. We did notice that it got a bit more crowded at noon approached. They started to cook more food and play more music. We were glad to have missed the crowd. We did not have time for the zoo, but seen a similiar caged situation in Cozumel. The habitats are just so small. Hope this helps!

 

[mgm61]

Hey there,
We are getting ready for our cruise. Frank connected with me and he has the day free when we will be there. What tour did you take with him? That is not our first choice but with the jelly fish out we don't want to get stung. Are the jelly fish still there?
We have 2 kids 16 dd and 18ds and they would probably enjoy Stone Island more but we
would like to tour the Pacifica Brewery. We could do that see some of the town and eat at Tonys. They could be on the beach afterwards.
Let me know about those jellies.
Have a great day!!!
Michele

Cruising July 17

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

We just did the Paradise Beach Resort this last Magic sailing and my family loved it! Beautiful resort and the beach was awesome! 3 of my kids boogie boarded like they had never boogied before (18,15, 10). My 6 yr old loved playing in the warm water and the sand. They all would like to go back. They enjoyed the pool and water slides too! We had the early excursion, and it was very warm and very pleasant. We did notice that it got a bit more crowded at noon approached. They started to cook more food and play more music. We were glad to have missed the crowd. We did not have time for the zoo, but seen a similiar caged situation in Cozumel. The habitats are just so small. Hope this helps!

Hollyster2,
Did they have sand toys for the kids? We are going on this excursion next week and wondered if I should pack some. May even consider buying some if they are cheap enough just to free up the room in our bags for more shoes!! LOL Thanks, Amy