Traveling on the Disney Magic for a 3 day sailing leaving 12/26. Haven’t been on ships since 2016, and taking my mother on for her first cruise.
Any tips, must do’s or reccomendations?
With only a 3 day cruise, I would suggest not trying to do everything or even all "must do things" given that everyone has a different definition of "must do". You'll have a much more enjoyable trip. Maybe just pick one thing you'd like to do for a day and let the rest of the day come to you.
Things I enjoyed (in no order):
1.) Palo brunch
2.) Palo dinner (though note that it has changed from fixed price to limited fixed price offerings and mostly a la carte)
3.) Watching shows
4.) Watching new release movies
5.) Lounging in the adult pool
6.) Snorkeling at
Castaway Cay
7.) Relaxing at Serenity Bay
8.) Running the 5K at Castaway Cay (Note that it is no longer structured, but is more of a do it on your own and get your medal at the bike rental place or guest services)
9.) Lounging on Deck 4
10.) Doing trivia
11.) Having the shawarma on Deck 10.
12.) Character Meet and Greets (though due to rule changes no more direct interaction - they will be behind you. Also, they won't take photos for you, you'll have to buy prints, take a selfie, or have people alternate taking pics)
13.) Getting ice cream each day on Deck 10
14.) Hitting the pools on embarkation day.
Some tips due to the Covid 19 related changes:
1.) Make sure you create an account and upload vaccine documents to Safe Passage. However, don't panic if you don't get a response right away. It does a couple of days for them to process. In addition for your Check-In, you will need to upload two separate photos. One of your passport, and the second a selfie of yourself with a plain background. Do not use the passport photo for the second photo as they will reject that. The second photo is similar to the photo they would've taken when you're at port and checking in. Each time they scan your Key To the World Card, that second photo shows up.
2.) Don't arrive before your PAT. They are being somewhat strict on it and much more strict than pre-pandemic.
3.) You will have to get tested before you go through security. Testing takes 30 to 60 minutes to get results. Also it may take a while before your boarding group is called. So you may not board until 1 to 1.5 hours after your PAT.
4.) At Port Canaveral (not sure about Miami or the Magic), rooms were available at 3 p.m. Be sure to bring a change of clothes + swimsuit if you want to hit the pools.
5.) Make sure you have a smart phone and have downloaded and updated the
DCL app prior to boarding. You'll need the DCL app for just about everything. No more paper navigators or menus.
6.) The lifeboat drill no longer requires you to gather in person at the same time, but instead requires you to find your station, give your name to the person there, and take a picture of the station letter. Note that they will still make an announcement and go through the drill (including the horns) for 15 minuets, you just don't need to gather. Everything will shut down (including food and drink stations). 7.) For any onboard activities that you really want to do, make sure you arrive 15 minutes early due to the limited capacity for each event. Yes, the theater can actually fill to capacity and you can be denied entry to a show. It's pretty much alternate rows and 3 seats between parties for theater shows/movie showings.
8.) Make sure you check your folio on your app and make sure it's accurate. There have been lots of issues with Disney IT for the DCL app and even in the charging systems onboard the ship to the point where there have been charges mysteriously appearing on a guest account, the wrong tip amount being charged, etc.
9.) You will need to wear a mask indoors, but don't have to wear it outdoors, unless you are actively eating or drinking. Bring extra masks as you may want to use two in a day.
10.) You will need to bring a mask with you to Castaway Cay because to enter a shop (or the restroom) you are supposed to be wearing a mask. Obviously the shops is more enforced than the restroom.
.
Sorry not sorry if that's mean, but gmab. I have a hard time believing that really happened, given the way DCL directs guests to the MDRs.
Yowza!
.
