Magic updates?

[efuzz]

Anybody here recently returned from the restart of the Magic? Anything new to report (other than the new paint job)? I don't believe they made any major updates, but curious how things went and how Gary was as the CD?

[BoozinCroozin]

97 days and counting. I can't wait to hear more as well.

[keels81]

I was on the first sailing of the Magic! It was pretty great, a low-key return to sailing!

 

Gary was a very fun Cruise Director -- I talked to him a couple of times, and he was really present with everything that goes into making a cruise run. "Deal or No Deal" was an absolute BLAST and I really enjoyed the "Celebrity Heads" game that he and the Fun Squad did. He's not as in-your-face as other CDs, which is more my style but will probably not be for everyone who wants a more over-the-top personality.

 

Eddie Spaghetti was the karaoke host in the Red Frog and I love him. Also, Brad in the piano bar is EPIC! If you love Elton John, Brad is your guy. I miss him already.

 

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have!

 

 

[efuzz]

Thank you @keels81 We were on the Magic in 2018 and had a great time. I don't mind Gary being a little less in-your-face. We might really like that. How were lines on the lido?

[keels81]

11 minutes ago, efuzz said:

Thank you @keels81 We were on the Magic in 2018 and had a great time. I don't mind Gary being a little less in-your-face. We might really like that. How were lines on the lido?

 

Lines were GREAT -- very short or non-existent, but obviously due to sailing at a much reduced capacity. I never waited more than a person or two in the morning for a burrito and I think my longest wait at Guy's Burgers was five minutes? And that was just because fresh fries.

 

I didn't eat at the buffet, but when I cut through there the lines were just fine ... definitely manageable.

 

I'll miss cruising with such a low capacity!

[The Legend ITL]

Going on the Magic in about 10 days, couple questions:

 

what were the big shows in the theater?

is guys burgers doing the breakfast menu?

[keels81]

2 minutes ago, The Legend ITL said:

Going on the Magic in about 10 days, couple questions:

 

what were the big shows in the theater?

is guys burgers doing the breakfast menu?

No breakfast at Guys.

Big performance shows in the theater were 88 Keys and America Rocks. They also had the comedians in there one night as the big show, as well as Marcus Anthony (a variety performer). Deal or No Deal & Celebrity Heads were the two "game shows" I went to. Didn't go to the battle of the sexes or Love & Marriage show.

[hurricane0226]

We were also on the first magic cruise Aug 7th. Only took 20 mins from leaving our bags with the porters on the pier, to the first guys burger, and funship drink, and also had went to the mandatory safety drill which took less than five mins. Crew members were happy to see us as we boarded into the atrium area, singing and lots of welcome backs from them. The only elegant night we had, we did not have the usual lobster tail, but everything else was the same. Mask required in the casino, and when you first go into the MDR. but when seated, mask came off. Lido deck recommended them, but no one I saw was enforcing it. Debarkation they did use priority after self debarkation. Overall we enjoyed the cruise, and even won a little in the casino.

[cmukid87]

I was also on the first sailing.  

 

Lines and capacity - Great
Chair Hogs - FULL FORCE on seaday(s)
Drink wait - average to above average, don't remember waiting more than a few minutes to get served
Gary - Didn't care for.  I have different reasons than others, though.  I don't know everyone's expectations but he did not go anywhere near out of his way to please anyone.
Non-smoking casino - a wonderful addition for someone like me

mask wearing - really not a big hassle.  

[Hockeydad1972]

We are checked and waiting to board right now… Can answer any questions you all may have.. Ask away…

[Knights on the Beach]

We'll wave at you when you sail out this afternoon.  🙂

[lolaletu]

I was just speaking to someone today that just got off the Mardi Gras.  She said that if you had My Time Dining all restaurants were available to you (including Specialty) at no charge.  I was wondering if anyone knew anything about this and was the Magic doing the same thing???

[ChrisNCruiser]

8 hours ago, Hockeydad1972 said:

We are checked and waiting to board right now… Can answer any questions you all may have.. Ask away…

Thanks! Can you please let me know which night of the cruise was formal night? We're going on a similar itinerary in a couple weeks...

[Frank12]

5 hours ago, lolaletu said:

I was just speaking to someone today that just got off the Mardi Gras.  She said that if you had My Time Dining all restaurants were available to you (including Specialty) at no charge.  I was wondering if anyone knew anything about this and was the Magic doing the same thing???

Not on Magic. Just got off this morning

[Robo1098]

What is with the prices for Carnival. Magic 6 day on October 11. So cheap!! Many other dates just as cheap.

[BoozinCroozin]

Must be part of your VIDP offers. Prices for me is much higher.

 

[toocrazy]

Our deal is for $100 per person for inside cabin. 

[Brew12]

11 hours ago, Robo1098 said:

What is with the prices for Carnival. Magic 6 day on October 11. So cheap!! Many other dates just as cheap.

That is the cruise I booked at a higher price, but with a $500 room credit. 

[mylittleone2000]

Just off the ship yesterday, no other updates really! I thought Gary was fantastic! 

[mylittleone2000]

On 8/15/2021 at 4:37 PM, keels81 said:

I was on the first sailing of the Magic! It was pretty great, a low-key return to sailing!

 

Gary was a very fun Cruise Director -- I talked to him a couple of times, and he was really present with everything that goes into making a cruise run. "Deal or No Deal" was an absolute BLAST and I really enjoyed the "Celebrity Heads" game that he and the Fun Squad did. He's not as in-your-face as other CDs, which is more my style but will probably not be for everyone who wants a more over-the-top personality.

 

Eddie Spaghetti was the karaoke host in the Red Frog and I love him. Also, Brad in the piano bar is EPIC! If you love Elton John, Brad is your guy. I miss him already.

 

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have!

 

 

OMG, I loved Eddie Spaghetti! He did a few trivia sessions as well and was in the Bingos! 

[Hockeydad1972]

On 8/16/2021 at 6:25 PM, newpherchris said:

Thanks! Can you please let me know which night of the cruise was formal night? We're going on a similar itinerary in a couple weeks...

Formal night was day 2 of our 5 day…

[matymil]

On 8/15/2021 at 7:50 PM, keels81 said:

No breakfast at Guys.

Big performance shows in the theater were 88 Keys and America Rocks. They also had the comedians in there one night as the big show, as well as Marcus Anthony (a variety performer). Deal or No Deal & Celebrity Heads were the two "game shows" I went to. Didn't go to the battle of the sexes or Love & Marriage show.

Did they add any activities for the kids to do?

[ChrisNCruiser]

I boarded the Magic yesterday for the first time after having been on the Breeze and Dream for comparison. Some initial observations:

• we arrived at the terminal at 10:10 for a 10:30 1A boarding appt. We were on the ship by 10:55, a record. (This is after they called suite boarding first.)
• The staff on ship and at the terminal are very pumped / excited (or are faking it very convincingly)
• crowds are lower and there are far fewer children but there are still plenty of people
• most seem to honor wearing masks inside (so far)
• we skipped YTD and had dinner at the Lido buffet - we won't be doing it again as the options were meager, and when we talked by the main dining room later it didn't seem crowded
• we were supposed to sail at 4 but the ship didn't take off until 6 - Gary came on a few times in between to let us know that we were "awaiting paperwork" - but at around 5:50 we saw a couple of police taking a passenger into custody from our balcony. Slight bummer since we didn't get to sail by the Mardi Gras

Looking forward to a lovely sea day 🙂

[matymil]

28 minutes ago, newpherchris said:

I boarded the Magic yesterday for the first time after having been on the Breeze and Dream for comparison. Some initial observations:

• we arrived at the terminal at 10:10 for a 10:30 1A boarding appt. We were on the ship by 10:55, a record. (This is after they called suite boarding first.)
• The staff on ship and at the terminal are very pumped / excited (or are faking it very convincingly)
• crowds are lower and there are far fewer children but there are still plenty of people
• most seem to honor wearing masks inside (so far)
• we skipped YTD and had dinner at the Lido buffet - we won't be doing it again as the options were meager, and when we talked by the main dining room later it didn't seem crowded
• we were supposed to sail at 4 but the ship didn't take off until 6 - Gary came on a few times in between to let us know that we were "awaiting paperwork" - but at around 5:50 we saw a couple of police taking a passenger into custody from our balcony. Slight bummer since we didn't get to sail by the Mardi Gras

Looking forward to a lovely sea day 🙂

Thanks for the info. Going on next month

[keels81]

On 8/22/2021 at 2:30 AM, matymil said:

Did they add any activities for the kids to do?

 

For under 12? Nope. For over 12, it was the bare minimum. They did do the Build-A-Bear thing.

 

They truly don't want unvaccinated groups of children roaming around, they want them with their family unit.