We just returned on Sat from our 8th Disney Magic Cruise. There were 4 of us travelling this time. In March we were a group of 10 and it was much more fun when everyone was able to go. This time it was my mom and her husband, my daughter, aged 23 and me. While we had a good time, it wasn't the best. Part of that reason was because we were missing the family members that couldn't go this time.
Here are some of the highlights and lowlights.
Things we really liked -
The weather was quite nice, no rain and beautiful weather for Castaway Cay. The water was still warm enough to swim and I don't like water unless it is warm. It was wonderful, a little chilly when you first get in, but you warm up pretty fast. We were the first ones at Serenity Bay that morning.
The lunch at Castaway Cay was really good. We all had steak! We even ate it with plastic utensils, it was really good.
Palo - it was the frist time we went and our server was Noemi who we had as a regular server in the dining rooms in March. She has moved back to Palo and it was good to see her again. We had dinner at 6:00, in time to watch the sunset and the food and service were really good.
Chocolate Souffle at Palo - really good.
We had no trouble finding chairs on the decks or pools, even on sea days. We noticed that people were not saving chairs like we had seen before.
Things that were just ok -
Our servers and cabin steward. While they did just fine, we didn't find anything special about them. In March, we had a wonderful team all the way around and they seemed to go above and beyond what was normal. This trip, everything was good, just not exceptional.
The house band - they were just ok, nothing special. It looked to me like they were still trying to learn their music. Once we saw them in the promenade lounge and he was trying to read the music and sing at the same time. It really seemed like this was the first time he had sung this sytle of music. It wasn't bad, just kinda odd.
The food - better in March, It was ok, just not great or anything special.
Things that were not up to the usual standard --
The new navigators. We don't like the new format. It seemed more difficult to read and we had a hard time finding information on them. Liked the old ones much better.
No Steel Drum Band at the pools. We really missed the caribbean music while sitting on deck or at the pool. I don't know if they are gone or just on holiday. We couldn't seem to find an answer to that question.
The lunch time options. We thought the buffets at Topsiders were terrible. The lunch menu in Lumiere's was awful. We had a hard time finding what to eat for lunch. One day while eating breakfast in Lumiere's we asked the waiter what they were going to serve for lunch. He said and I quote "I don't recommend". He said they have really cut back on the options at lunch. Next cruise I think we will sleep in and eat a late breakfast and skip lunch. We used to always look forward to eating in Lumiere's.
The amount of talking done in the movie theater. We went to see a movie in Buena Vista Theater. There was so much talking, it was hard to hear the movie. My daughter and mom went to watch another movie and they left, it was too hard to hear. I think they should have a cast member in there to control the volume of noise. I know you don't have to pay to see the movie, but consideration for others would sure be nice. Also, there were so many people who just wandered in and out. That's ok, but sit on the ends, not in the middle of a row where you have to crawl over people.
The production shows. Ok guys its time to get some new ones. We didn't go to any of them. I know it is a big deal to change the shows, but there are so many repeat cruisers on the ship. Maybe they should offer some other things to do during the show times for those that have seen the same shows so many times.
Rich Purpura.- ok he has been on the Disney Magic every time I have gone. He is really funny and he makes me laugh outloud. However, he needs to get some new material. I'm sure if he is that funny, he could come up with some new jokes or routines. They have literally been the same show all 8 times I have cruised.
The ice cream at Goofy's. They took away all the toppings except chocolate and strawberry syrup. No more sprinkles and no more cookies. What's up with that?
The pictures at Shutters - they are almost all 8 x 10's and sooo expensive. Bring back more 4 x 6 or 5 x 7. How about offering them on your tv screen like other lines. That way maybe the cost could be lowered since they don't have to print them all. I can imagine how many pictures are just thrown out.
I guess that's all I can think about right now. We still had a great time and are looking forward to going again this March during Spring break.
Here are some of the highlights and lowlights.
Things we really liked -
The weather was quite nice, no rain and beautiful weather for Castaway Cay. The water was still warm enough to swim and I don't like water unless it is warm. It was wonderful, a little chilly when you first get in, but you warm up pretty fast. We were the first ones at Serenity Bay that morning.
The lunch at Castaway Cay was really good. We all had steak! We even ate it with plastic utensils, it was really good.
Palo - it was the frist time we went and our server was Noemi who we had as a regular server in the dining rooms in March. She has moved back to Palo and it was good to see her again. We had dinner at 6:00, in time to watch the sunset and the food and service were really good.
Chocolate Souffle at Palo - really good.
We had no trouble finding chairs on the decks or pools, even on sea days. We noticed that people were not saving chairs like we had seen before.
Things that were just ok -
Our servers and cabin steward. While they did just fine, we didn't find anything special about them. In March, we had a wonderful team all the way around and they seemed to go above and beyond what was normal. This trip, everything was good, just not exceptional.
The house band - they were just ok, nothing special. It looked to me like they were still trying to learn their music. Once we saw them in the promenade lounge and he was trying to read the music and sing at the same time. It really seemed like this was the first time he had sung this sytle of music. It wasn't bad, just kinda odd.
The food - better in March, It was ok, just not great or anything special.
Things that were not up to the usual standard --
The new navigators. We don't like the new format. It seemed more difficult to read and we had a hard time finding information on them. Liked the old ones much better.
No Steel Drum Band at the pools. We really missed the caribbean music while sitting on deck or at the pool. I don't know if they are gone or just on holiday. We couldn't seem to find an answer to that question.
The lunch time options. We thought the buffets at Topsiders were terrible. The lunch menu in Lumiere's was awful. We had a hard time finding what to eat for lunch. One day while eating breakfast in Lumiere's we asked the waiter what they were going to serve for lunch. He said and I quote "I don't recommend". He said they have really cut back on the options at lunch. Next cruise I think we will sleep in and eat a late breakfast and skip lunch. We used to always look forward to eating in Lumiere's.
The amount of talking done in the movie theater. We went to see a movie in Buena Vista Theater. There was so much talking, it was hard to hear the movie. My daughter and mom went to watch another movie and they left, it was too hard to hear. I think they should have a cast member in there to control the volume of noise. I know you don't have to pay to see the movie, but consideration for others would sure be nice. Also, there were so many people who just wandered in and out. That's ok, but sit on the ends, not in the middle of a row where you have to crawl over people.
The production shows. Ok guys its time to get some new ones. We didn't go to any of them. I know it is a big deal to change the shows, but there are so many repeat cruisers on the ship. Maybe they should offer some other things to do during the show times for those that have seen the same shows so many times.
Rich Purpura.- ok he has been on the Disney Magic every time I have gone. He is really funny and he makes me laugh outloud. However, he needs to get some new material. I'm sure if he is that funny, he could come up with some new jokes or routines. They have literally been the same show all 8 times I have cruised.
The ice cream at Goofy's. They took away all the toppings except chocolate and strawberry syrup. No more sprinkles and no more cookies. What's up with that?
The pictures at Shutters - they are almost all 8 x 10's and sooo expensive. Bring back more 4 x 6 or 5 x 7. How about offering them on your tv screen like other lines. That way maybe the cost could be lowered since they don't have to print them all. I can imagine how many pictures are just thrown out.
I guess that's all I can think about right now. We still had a great time and are looking forward to going again this March during Spring break.
They also do not have a live band on the Wonder anymore. Only a DJ and CD's in the club at night and at the sail away party. 
