Semi-Live from the Magic - Jan 8/Jan 13 | B2B | MDAS - Happy to Answer Any Questions!

[Intr3pid]

We are on board the Disney Magic for B2B sailings from Jan 8 to Jan 17. These were last-minute bookings after an earlier trip on the Fantasy got cancelled.

Instead of writing a trip report, we thought folks might find it more useful if we answered questions about the Magic and the experience on board. We are still on the ship, so if we don't have an answer ready, we can fetch it for you. Ask away!

Here are some basic specs of the voyages.

Sailing 1: Jan 8 - Jan 13

- Itinerary: Miami, Castaway Cay, MDAS, Cozumel, Day at Sea, Miami
- Approx # of guests on board: 950
- Cruise director: Darren
- Mostly young families and adults
- First sailing of the season with a Marvel Day at Sea (MDAS)
- Fireworks on the MDAS, Pirate night on the Cozumel day
- Tangled and Disney Dreams the two main shows on offer, each run twice on two consecutive days

Sailing 2: Jan 13 - Jan 17

- Itinerary: Miami, Nassau, Castaway Cay, Day at Sea, Miami
- Approx # of guests on board: 860
- Cruise director: Darren
- Mostly young families and adults
- Fireworks on the Nassau night, Pirate night on the CC day
- Tangled and Disney Dreams the two main shows on offer, each run twice on two consecutive days

 

[Intr3pid]

So, how is Disney organizing the MDAS this season?

The main event is the evening deck party, featuring an original act with most of the characters at hand and culminating in the fireworks. Quite a bit of thought has gone into this event, and it's actually cruise specific with live reporting from the deck. They are doing the event twice - one following each dinner sitting.

Throughout the day, you will see the characters either appear or walk by. There are no personal photo ops though. The characters stay socially distanced through what Disney calls 'Appear and Wave'. (They are unmasked, after all.) You can take a distant photo.

Marvel trivia events are organized several times during the day. There are also two original shows.
- A 30-minute 'Marvel Origins' presentation earlier in the day - which walks you through the history of Marvel and several of the characters; and
- A 20-minute mini show in the main theater featuring Dr Strange and his trainees.

The Marvel programming is still conservative. If you aren't into it, no worries. It's pretty easy to relax on board and enjoy the cruise.

 

[Intr3pid]

And what about the kids clubs?

They are all open with capacity limits. That said, our teenagers have had no trouble staying with their clubs all day if needed. Edge has had about 15 kids at max, while Vibe at about 10.

The Oceaneer club has been far busier since most families on board appear to be younger.

 

[dcassetta]

Have you done an MDAS before? I would be interested in hearing if the deck show has changed.

Are they still doing the Snuggly Duckling overlay in O'Gills?

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Can you take your mask off for pictures at the atrium?

 

[figmentfinesse]

Please keep us posted on any live show cancellations! I board the day you debark and desperately want to see both musicals currently offered!!

 

[sharktums]

Ok, so are you saying that you can't get a photo with any of the Marvel characters? Like, not even 6ft apart with a barrier? Other than the sign up special photo op with Groot, Iron Man, and Black Panther. I was at least assuming we could do like at the parks where you can take a selfie and they're 6 feet behind you. Thanks for any other info you have!

 

[Intr3pid]

Have you done an MDAS before? I would be interested in hearing if the deck show has changed.

Are they still doing the Snuggly Duckling overlay in O'Gills?

First time doing the MDAS, but speaking with others on board, the script has indeed changed. After COVID and particularly after the 'Endgame' movie. Minus the spoilers, you have more characters and a longer show.

 

[Kwami]

First time doing the MDAS, but speaking with others on board, the script has indeed changed. After COVID and particularly after the 'Endgame' movie. Minus the spoilers, you have more characters and a longer show.

But they're still doing the deck show? It's not cancelled like the pirate one has been?

 

[Intr3pid]

Can you take your mask off for pictures at the atrium?

Ok, so are you saying that you can't get a photo with any of the Marvel characters? Like, not even 6ft apart with a barrier? Other than the sign up special photo op with Groot, Iron Man, and Black Panther. I was at least assuming we could do like at the parks where you can take a selfie and they're 6 feet behind you. Thanks for any other info you have!

Can't take masks off indoors - whether in the atrium or in the hallways or for pictures.

You can still stay six feet away (with masks on) and the characters can be in your background if they aren't walking.

Some of the 'Appear and Wave' is in the closed off sections of the atrium, so you could be on the stairs or the floor and them behind you.

 

[Intr3pid]

But they're still doing the deck show? It's not cancelled like the pirate one has been?

Yup, they are. Full deck party done twice last evening.

Will know more about the pirate night party in the next cruise. Or what's left of it.

 

[KatieKepic]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! We're sailing next month and booked specifically for the MDAS so I really appreciate the info Did they happen to have the Captain America USO show?

 

[Intr3pid]

Yes, they did have the USO show. Three different times in the first half of the day.

We also found out that we had secured a family cabana for the second cruise! The guest services had our name on the waiting list after our on-board request yesterday. They called in today to break the news.

 

[nick262]

We are B2B on the next two after yours. Where did you go to get on the waitlist for a cabana and were they allowing upgrades at the port?

 

[KatieKepic]

Yes, they did have the USO show. Three different times in the first half of the day.

We also found out that we had secured a family cabana for the second cruise! The guest services had our name on the waiting list after our on-board request yesterday. They called in today to break the news.

Thank you!! And enjoy your cabana

 

[Intr3pid]

We are B2B on the next two after yours. Where did you go to get on the waitlist for a cabana and were they allowing upgrades at the port?

Guest services will take your name down for the wait list. If you are within the 3-day cancellation window, they will check with you first before releasing the cabana on the website.

The port check-in was very short - they weren't allowing anyone to linger around. We didn't check, but I believe you could do an upgrade once on board.

 

[jjturlington]

Random question ~ At the port, was there any part of the queue that required waiting outside/in sun? Or was it all indoor/covered?

 

[Intr3pid]

Random question ~ At the port, was there any part of the queue that required waiting outside/in sun? Or was it all indoor/covered?

So, the port arrival, testing, and check-in is where you need to give Disney some rope. They are renting a shared terminal (Terminal C) in Miami, and there is less control over how your port arrival goes. Expect the worst (of course, as much as a failed PCR test) and be surprised by an experience hopefully way better.

1. The terminal area is smaller now that almost all of the post-security first floor is taken up by the arrival PCR testing. And they let folks in through security only in batches to keep the testing area uncrowded. This mean the lines do form before security and out in the open. While there is shade, you are exposed to the elements (if any) while you wait.

2. It seems like the port arrival time (PAT) didn't quite matter. Well, maybe for very early arrivals. We didn't wanna stay the night in Miami (to avoid the virus hot spot), so we chose to arrive from a little outside the city at 11.30 AM. But, when we did arrive, no one asked for the PAT and everyone had to join the general queue to enter.

3. Took us about an hour to wait in the queue, clear the security, and arrive at the testing lab. The lab and the test result took an hour in all as well. The check-in itself was`pretty quick. I would budget 2-2.5 hours from actually arriving to stepping aboard the ship.

4. If you are parking, the garage opposite Terminal C is under construction. You will have to park in garage 'G' and take the free shuttle back. Budget an additional 20-30 minutes to get this done. You can drop off your party before parking, and they can queue up while you park.

 

[jjturlington]

Thank you so much for the detailed arrival information!

 

[LisaRN97]

Can you please keep us updated with how many are on the second half of the sailing? Thank you!