Magic from Miami seemed rather normal

[auntlynne]

Just off a 5-night double dip on The Magic and was happily surprised at how it felt like a standard Disney Cruise. (I sailed the Dream in September with Covid modifications.)

Cabanas was self-serve, both sides open, with a variety of offerings. (Shrimp and crab claws available every day at lunch.) I think all food venues were available. Ice cream is still cast member dispensed.

Sail Away Party was really well attended on the Pool Deck.

Pirate Night, including the after-party food, is back. There was a double fireworks display, as the Dream was nearby and did hers right after ours.

Lots of family and adult trivia. And new questions each sessions. No lock-outs due to venue size / social distancing.

I saw lots of characters in hallways who always were available to say hi. Lines for photographs were never long. I didn’t see hugs, just a little social distancing. Not the far-off Princess gatherings on the raised area in front of Lumiere’s.

A member of Entertainment team said 1400 guests. It definitely was not full. Early dining had lots of empty tables. But it was not the ghost ship of last fall. Very lively. A good number of pre-school aged kids, as expected between Spring Breaks and end of school.

WD Theater Evening shows: Tangled, Comedian/Magician, Turning Red, Twice Charmed, Believe.

Arts and Crafts in Promenade Lounge. Musicians in the Atrium.

 

[bbn1122]

This is great to hear. Love hearing how things seem to be back to DCL normal. Glad to hear you had a great time.

 

[SnowWhite2]

They are not ready to get to full capacity. The dining staff on the Magic is 65% new. There were CMs all over with the "Earning my Ears" red banners. Our servers were on their first contract with DCL. Both had previous experience on Costa and HAL. One was at the end of his contract and one was on week 3. They were very good but still learning the DCL way.

 

[Sarahslay]

They are not ready to get to full capacity. The dining staff on the Magic is 65% new. There were CMs all over with the "Earning my Ears" red banners. Our servers were on their first contract with DCL. Both had previous experience on Costa and HAL. One was at the end of his contract and one was on week 3. They were very good but still learning the DCL way.

Our server on the Fantasy (April 2-9) used to work on the Magic, but after the shut down he couldn't travel to do the Europe cruises to nowhere, and finally a few months ago got reassigned to Fantasy (he said a lot of people have been put on different ships). He was saying they didn't need as much staff anyway because those ships hold fewer passengers so until they go back to full capacity it was fine, but he kept wondering if he should go back over there and work (this conversation all started because of a convo over bread pudding lol). Because of all that I'm not surprised they would have so many new people working onboard, they kinda have to at this point with capacity going up. Our cruise was the first "back to normal" as far as a lot of things go, the first buffet back to normal anyway, and I knew after that it was just going to pick up from there.

 

[sugliac]

Was on this sailing and can attest to the OPs statements and also that there were a ton of new crew members. We lucked out and got a very experienced server staff. Server has been with DCL for 10+ years and it showed, she was a pro - we will be requesting her in the future! But we definitely noticed a lot of red ribbons around the dining room, so that was not the norm. For passenger counts, I heard 1300 and change, and it didn't feel crowded in many places.

I plan to write up a full report to hopefully assist future Magic sailors, as well!

 

[Dug720]

Regarding the new CMs, do be aware that they have another ship coming on board. They don't want it to have all new CMs, and they don't want to leave the older ships with all new CMs - so right now there are a lot who will be going to the Wish - and some who will be remaining on the older ships - who are on their vacations while new CMs for all ships get trained.

It happens whenever new ships come on board for any line - they have to train up people so that they can staff all their ships with a mix of new and old.

 

[LoveMickey]

Can anyone comment about the procedure for Covid testing at the port of Miami? I had read, previously, there were a lot of issues with people having long waits, no cell service, so you didn’t get the email to clear nor could you get on the website.
hoping things have greatly improved.

We will be sailing the Dream in July.
Thank you.

 

[sugliac]

Regarding the new CMs, do be aware that they have another ship coming on board. They don't want it to have all new CMs, and they don't want to leave the older ships with all new CMs - so right now there are a lot who will be going to the Wish - and some who will be remaining on the older ships - who are on their vacations while new CMs for all ships get trained.

It happens whenever new ships come on board for any line - they have to train up people so that they can staff all their ships with a mix of new and old.

that really makes no sense though as the new ship is not online yet... anecdotally, crew members on board have not supported this assumption either.

 

[sugliac]

Can anyone comment about the procedure for Covid testing at the port of Miami? I had read, previously, there were a lot of issues with people having long waits, no cell service, so you didn’t get the email to clear nor could you get on the website.
hoping things have greatly improved.

We will be sailing the Dream in July.
Thank you.

Unfortunately that was the case. Longest lines at port were (1) covid testing and (2) supervisor desk to upgrade. There is no cell service either. Thankfully the results came within 15 mins flat!

 

[Dug720]

that really makes no sense though as the new ship is not online yet... anecdotally, crew members on board have not supported this assumption either.

Not anecdotally, I personally know someone who deals with the staffing (as in know beyond dinner conversation with servers) and that IS what is happening. They cannot wait until the new ship is online to staff it. They have to get enough crew up to speed that all ships will be staffed when it comes on board.

 

[sugliac]

Not anecdotally, I personally know someone who deals with the staffing (as in know beyond dinner conversation with servers) and that IS what is happening. They cannot wait until the new ship is online to staff it. They have to get enough crew up to speed that all ships will be staffed when it comes on board.

Sorry just don't buy that. Not going to argue further, but I know someone who is head of HR shipboard and that's unsubstantiated. People can make their own conclusions. Not saying you're "wrong" just saying that nothing I have heard supports it.

 

[swimfin]

Just off a 5-night double dip on The Magic and was happily surprised at how it felt like a standard Disney Cruise. (I sailed the Dream in September with Covid modifications.)

Cabanas was self-serve, both sides open, with a variety of offerings. (Shrimp and crab claws available every day at lunch.) I think all food venues were available. Ice cream is still cast member dispensed.

Sail Away Party was really well attended on the Pool Deck.

Pirate Night, including the after-party food, is back. There was a double fireworks display, as the Dream was nearby and did hers right after ours.

Lots of family and adult trivia. And new questions each sessions. No lock-outs due to venue size / social distancing.

I saw lots of characters in hallways who always were available to say hi. Lines for photographs were never long. I didn’t see hugs, just a little social distancing. Not the far-off Princess gatherings on the raised area in front of Lumiere’s.

A member of Entertainment team said 1400 guests. It definitely was not full. Early dining had lots of empty tables. But it was not the ghost ship of last fall. Very lively. A good number of pre-school aged kids, as expected between Spring Breaks and end of school.

WD Theater Evening shows: Tangled, Comedian/Magician, Turning Red, Twice Charmed, Believe.

Arts and Crafts in Promenade Lounge. Musicians in the Atrium.

GREAT recap!! We just got off this cruise and AGREE 100%!!! We LOVED the feel of the ship and LOVED the double dip too! Definitely did not want to get off!! MOST RELAXING vacation in years! THANK YOU DCL! Cheers!

 

[swimfin]

Can anyone comment about the procedure for Covid testing at the port of Miami? I had read, previously, there were a lot of issues with people having long waits, no cell service, so you didn’t get the email to clear nor could you get on the website.
hoping things have greatly improved.

We will be sailing the Dream in July.
Thank you.

We showed up at about 1:50 and there was no line to get tested! We were 90 day Covid recovered so we didn't have to get tested; however, the main entrance area for testing was empty and the waiting room only had 1 family. No line for check-in and we were inside our stateroom by 2:10!

 

[sugliac]

We showed up at about 1:50 and there was no line to get tested! We were 90 day Covid recovered so we didn't have to get tested; however, the main entrance area for testing was empty and the waiting room only had 1 family. No line for check-in and we were inside our stateroom by 2:10!

That's great to hear! To clarify for my earlier post, arrived at port at 10:45am. So maybe later is better for that!

 

[Milky]

Just off a 5-night double dip on The Magic and was happily surprised at how it felt like a standard Disney Cruise. (I sailed the Dream in September with Covid modifications.)

Cabanas was self-serve, both sides open, with a variety of offerings. (Shrimp and crab claws available every day at lunch.) I think all food venues were available. Ice cream is still cast member dispensed.

Sail Away Party was really well attended on the Pool Deck.

Pirate Night, including the after-party food, is back. There was a double fireworks display, as the Dream was nearby and did hers right after ours.

Lots of family and adult trivia. And new questions each sessions. No lock-outs due to venue size / social distancing.

I saw lots of characters in hallways who always were available to say hi. Lines for photographs were never long. I didn’t see hugs, just a little social distancing. Not the far-off Princess gatherings on the raised area in front of Lumiere’s.

A member of Entertainment team said 1400 guests. It definitely was not full. Early dining had lots of empty tables. But it was not the ghost ship of last fall. Very lively. A good number of pre-school aged kids, as expected between Spring Breaks and end of school.

WD Theater Evening shows: Tangled, Comedian/Magician, Turning Red, Twice Charmed, Believe.

Arts and Crafts in Promenade Lounge. Musicians in the Atrium.

Lines for photographs were never long.

So are the characters signing stuff but still doing social distancing?

 

[LoveMickey]

Unfortunately that was the case. Longest lines at port were (1) covid testing and (2) supervisor desk to upgrade. There is no cell service either. Thankfully the results came within 15 mins flat!

Thanks for the info. How did you get your results, if there was no cell service? Someone posted that the screens were not working.

 

[sugliac]

Thanks for the info. How did you get your results, if there was no cell service? Someone posted that the screens were not working.

There was wifi in the waiting area! Correct screens were not working when I was there so I kept refreshing my email and the safe passage website.

 

[kj2mom]

Thanks soo much for the info. We are a month away from our sailing and depending on the minute I am either excited or petrified. Sounds like Miami did indeed switch to antigen testing if the results arrived in 15 minutes. Was it definitely antigen, no longer PCR in Miami? Thanks again!

 

[our two princesses]

Thanks soo much for the info. We are a month away from our sailing and depending on the minute I am either excited or petrified. Sounds like Miami did indeed switch to antigen testing if the results arrived in 15 minutes. Was it definitely antigen, no longer PCR in Miami? Thanks again!

We just got off the Magic too. It was antigen testing and we got our results back in less than 15 minutes. The screens were not working while we were there but had no problem using our cell phones for the results.
The cruise was fantastic and the cast members were awesome! We only ate in cabanas twice and both times the food was cold. That’s our only complaint though. Great cruise!!

 

[auntlynne]

Can anyone comment about the procedure for Covid testing at the port of Miami? I had read, previously, there were a lot of issues with people having long waits, no cell service, so you didn’t get the email to clear nor could you get on the website.
hoping things have greatly improved.

We will be sailing the Dream in July.
Thank you.

Here was my situation.
PAT 11:30-11:45. We arrived 5 minutes early, joined a line. At 11:30, they called for those with PAT of 11:30 to move to the building entrance.
Showed PAT Form. Make a paper copy and have it ready to use -several times. (We never showed our vax cards at the port). Bag scan.

Line for testing. About 4 switchbacks. Maybe 20-30 each segment of queue. Entire family goes to cubicle to do tests. You do it yourself. Standing up. No time wasted sitting down.

To waiting area. TV screens were working for us. Saw them wheel in an additional one. And no cell service in this concrete room where I sat. I saw someone attempting to get service through a window high up. Results are listed by reservation number, in number order. Once clear, head to check in. I was waiting at noon; 30 minutes from arriving at Port of Miami to waiting for results. Ours took about 20 minutes.

Next step: Waiting room for Boarding Groups. We were Group 10. And it was called just as we arrived. Part of our group had Letters of Recovery and skipped testing; they were also Group 10, so they had no time advantage in boarding ship.

To Fathoms to make sure you knew how to load and access app. You were encouraged to just keep moving if you had no questions - in other words, not a lengthy mandatory lecture. Head to your Muster Station, take a photo of your Assembly Station sign using the app - and head to lunch. 12:53 took photo of sign.

Lunch at Cabanas or Rapunzel’s. I didn‘t check the pool area for food.

2:07 in room. Room availability had not been announced; but CM said room was ready if keys were on Fish.

So, never a long line nor wait for any aspect.