Eric Julie and Hailey
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- Joined
- Aug 20, 1999
- Messages
- 531
Four of us sailed for the third time on the Magic. Our daughters are 6 and 9.
Bottom line: We had a great cruise. Here are my thoughts:
- The ship looks great. I was very worried given the nay-sayers after the dry dock. 90% of the carpets were new when we arrived (according to the ship tour guide). The remaining new carpets were literally being installed while we were there. Public areas were in like-new condition. Our stateroom was not perfect, but certainly in good to very good shape. Our cat. 6 (6612) was clean and comfortable enough for four of us (DDs are 6 and 9). It was also relatively noise-free, despite being close to the aft elevators. The bed was very uncomfortable, but our stateroom attendant brought the eggcrate stuff after the first night, and it was somewhat better.
- The cruise staff was top notch. Dave had more energy than any cruise staff member I've seen. Brent seemed to lead nicely from behind -- always present and watching over major events, but letting his staff handle the logistics. On the first night, during Magic Quest, a teammate accidentally broke our video camera (long story - but, basically overly enthusiastic). The cruise staff got our cabin number and within 24 hours had found a crew member who could fix it (basically a "tinker" fairy!) -- and then paged us when it was ready to return it as good as new. No cost. Talk about above and beyond!
- Our dining room server (Jose) was sweet, but hard to understand. The equally nice asst. server (Ozen) had a sick roommate and was quarantined on day 5. The replacement (Eric) was brand new at being an assistant server. Moreover, the other table in our section was ver large (10 to 12?) and appeared difficult (many small kids). Hence, our dining room service was only so-so. Drinks took a long time to be re-filled. On a few nights, we waited a long time for orders to be taken and food to be brought out (frustrating on the 8:30 seating!). However, the head server helped out - and all were very apologetic and eager to please.
- The 8:30 seating is WAY too late. 8:00 is fine -- but, that extra half-hour really makes it unbearable. We found ourselves watching the clock between 8:00 and 8:30 and trying to fill time with whiny hungry kids.
- Food was up and down -- but, mostly up. Our lobsters were tender and tasty (a first on the Magic for us). The beef was not so good - and fish was usually overcooked in the dining room. Pasta dishes were always good -- as was the shellfish meals. Palo was outstanding as always -- both dinner and brunch. Although, brunch was especially good.
Also, it's worth mentioning that Goofy's was delicious! The paninis were truly special (duck and goat cheese, for example).
- We heard that the dry-dock was monopolized by unexpectedly having to handle structural problems under the pools.
Apparently, they discovered the pools were about to collapse due to some poor construction! (source: an officer-type in a dining room)
- We thought the family and adult activities were as good as the first two times we've been on board. We were never bored. In fact, we ran around so much, we found ourselves exhausted from having fun!
- Pools were clean.
- Our daughters (9 and 6) were entertained by the kids clubs. They always seemed to enjoy going - especially once they made some friendship connections. Bless those youth counselors! They are the most under-appreciated group -- and yet, so vital to the Disney Cruise product!
- The artist series was awesome! Trevor Carlson painted Sorcerer Mickey in 30 minutes in the atrium (we bought the limited edition "Making Waves" at what we have since learned is a fair price ($270)). And, John Rowe spent a ton of time talking with my 9 year old (a budding artist), which made her trip very special. Add to that, Stacia Martin (a Disney artist and historian extraordinaire). We were in Disney art heaven!
- The shows were very good as usual. I was distracted by the Disney Dreams enhancements (why does Peter Pan fly so early now?) -- but, not enough to dislike the show. I cried like a baby at all the usual moments. The farewell show had an awesome variety act. The guy actually balanced a full size A-frame ladder on his chin! He got a standing ovation at that moment -- which I've never seen at a variety act.
- The spa was nice. We enjoyed good massages. A bonus was being massaged side-by-side in the spa villa, but not having to pay for the villa (just the massage) -- simply because it was available.
- We thought the Key West make-up for missing Grand Cayman was a true Disney difference. The weather was not Disney's fault -- yet, they went out of their way to give us another port. By comparison, the Carnival ship that left port with us on 10/25 ended up dumping all of its passengers in Fort Lauderdale for a 3 hour bus ride back to Port Canaveral due to a problem on the ship. Those boarding on Saturday 11/1 had to wait past 4:00 p.m. to board The compensation for all of those lucky passengers: $50.
- Halloween was fine. Our kids got dressed up, got some candy, took some pictures and danced. What more is there to do with Halloween? With all of the junk food on board, I was happy that their bags were not full with more candy. Who needs more candy when there's Mickey Bars
, unlimited desserts and ice cream, chocolates on the pillows, etc.? It was moved to 10/30 because 10/31 was the last day -- and a Castaway Cay day. Thank goodness it was moved -- we ran around like crazy on Friday to pack, eat, buy photos, souvenirs, see the show, and say good-byes. If we had to add trick or treating, ferrgetaboutit!
- Castaway Cay was awesome as usual, despite the weather. (When will Disney learn to control mother nature
?)
- We're all a bit sick now (sore throat, cold symptoms, not serious), but who knows how we got it?
Well, there you have it. OUR view of the October double dip. We rebooked a "dummy date". We're seriously contemplating the transatlantic in 2010. That must mean something about how we enjoyed our week!
I can't believe it's over...
Bottom line: We had a great cruise. Here are my thoughts:
- The ship looks great. I was very worried given the nay-sayers after the dry dock. 90% of the carpets were new when we arrived (according to the ship tour guide). The remaining new carpets were literally being installed while we were there. Public areas were in like-new condition. Our stateroom was not perfect, but certainly in good to very good shape. Our cat. 6 (6612) was clean and comfortable enough for four of us (DDs are 6 and 9). It was also relatively noise-free, despite being close to the aft elevators. The bed was very uncomfortable, but our stateroom attendant brought the eggcrate stuff after the first night, and it was somewhat better.
- The cruise staff was top notch. Dave had more energy than any cruise staff member I've seen. Brent seemed to lead nicely from behind -- always present and watching over major events, but letting his staff handle the logistics. On the first night, during Magic Quest, a teammate accidentally broke our video camera (long story - but, basically overly enthusiastic). The cruise staff got our cabin number and within 24 hours had found a crew member who could fix it (basically a "tinker" fairy!) -- and then paged us when it was ready to return it as good as new. No cost. Talk about above and beyond!
- Our dining room server (Jose) was sweet, but hard to understand. The equally nice asst. server (Ozen) had a sick roommate and was quarantined on day 5. The replacement (Eric) was brand new at being an assistant server. Moreover, the other table in our section was ver large (10 to 12?) and appeared difficult (many small kids). Hence, our dining room service was only so-so. Drinks took a long time to be re-filled. On a few nights, we waited a long time for orders to be taken and food to be brought out (frustrating on the 8:30 seating!). However, the head server helped out - and all were very apologetic and eager to please.
- The 8:30 seating is WAY too late. 8:00 is fine -- but, that extra half-hour really makes it unbearable. We found ourselves watching the clock between 8:00 and 8:30 and trying to fill time with whiny hungry kids.
- Food was up and down -- but, mostly up. Our lobsters were tender and tasty (a first on the Magic for us). The beef was not so good - and fish was usually overcooked in the dining room. Pasta dishes were always good -- as was the shellfish meals. Palo was outstanding as always -- both dinner and brunch. Although, brunch was especially good.
Also, it's worth mentioning that Goofy's was delicious! The paninis were truly special (duck and goat cheese, for example).
- We heard that the dry-dock was monopolized by unexpectedly having to handle structural problems under the pools.
Apparently, they discovered the pools were about to collapse due to some poor construction! (source: an officer-type in a dining room)- We thought the family and adult activities were as good as the first two times we've been on board. We were never bored. In fact, we ran around so much, we found ourselves exhausted from having fun!
- Pools were clean.
- Our daughters (9 and 6) were entertained by the kids clubs. They always seemed to enjoy going - especially once they made some friendship connections. Bless those youth counselors! They are the most under-appreciated group -- and yet, so vital to the Disney Cruise product!
- The artist series was awesome! Trevor Carlson painted Sorcerer Mickey in 30 minutes in the atrium (we bought the limited edition "Making Waves" at what we have since learned is a fair price ($270)). And, John Rowe spent a ton of time talking with my 9 year old (a budding artist), which made her trip very special. Add to that, Stacia Martin (a Disney artist and historian extraordinaire). We were in Disney art heaven!
- The shows were very good as usual. I was distracted by the Disney Dreams enhancements (why does Peter Pan fly so early now?) -- but, not enough to dislike the show. I cried like a baby at all the usual moments. The farewell show had an awesome variety act. The guy actually balanced a full size A-frame ladder on his chin! He got a standing ovation at that moment -- which I've never seen at a variety act.
- The spa was nice. We enjoyed good massages. A bonus was being massaged side-by-side in the spa villa, but not having to pay for the villa (just the massage) -- simply because it was available.
- We thought the Key West make-up for missing Grand Cayman was a true Disney difference. The weather was not Disney's fault -- yet, they went out of their way to give us another port. By comparison, the Carnival ship that left port with us on 10/25 ended up dumping all of its passengers in Fort Lauderdale for a 3 hour bus ride back to Port Canaveral due to a problem on the ship. Those boarding on Saturday 11/1 had to wait past 4:00 p.m. to board The compensation for all of those lucky passengers: $50.
- Halloween was fine. Our kids got dressed up, got some candy, took some pictures and danced. What more is there to do with Halloween? With all of the junk food on board, I was happy that their bags were not full with more candy. Who needs more candy when there's Mickey Bars
, unlimited desserts and ice cream, chocolates on the pillows, etc.? It was moved to 10/30 because 10/31 was the last day -- and a Castaway Cay day. Thank goodness it was moved -- we ran around like crazy on Friday to pack, eat, buy photos, souvenirs, see the show, and say good-byes. If we had to add trick or treating, ferrgetaboutit!- Castaway Cay was awesome as usual, despite the weather. (When will Disney learn to control mother nature
?)- We're all a bit sick now (sore throat, cold symptoms, not serious), but who knows how we got it?
Well, there you have it. OUR view of the October double dip. We rebooked a "dummy date". We're seriously contemplating the transatlantic in 2010. That must mean something about how we enjoyed our week!
I can't believe it's over...
Quiet as a mouse! Thanks!
So did we. I'm glad that not everyone was disappointed. And we had wanted to go to Key West as well. So I'm glad it worked out that way. Our room was 8014 and we didn't have any problems with kids, noise, or door knocking. It was a great room. We would get it again. Again, thanks for this positive thread! The trip was GREAT!!!! (except for the wind) Woo Hoo!!! 
