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Week before Xmas MAGICal family cruise

havanadaydreaming

By havanadaydreaming,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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havanadaydreaming

havanadaydreaming

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We are under one month to go until the next cruise, a six nt trek on the Carnival Magic with two of our adult kiddos and their BFF's.  Gonna spend two nights in Miami Beach pre-cruise (cheapest airfare caveat).  The Dania Beach Jai Alai will be running matches from early Dec until late Feb...so that's a must do for me, luckily the wife will tag along.  I'll try to bribe her with a visit to Jaxson's down the street for some good, and huuuuge, ice cream.   

 

We have to save for a couple years to pay for the three cabins, Cheers! and airfare.  But its sooooo worth it.  we usually get 5-6 days with the kids during the holiday season.  other years they are so busy with work and other family that we only get a few hours on the Big Day.  Bribery?  mayyyyyyybe.  

 

This is the first bigger ship the children have been on.  The previous two were Elation and Paradise.  I think they are going to be in for quite a surprise.  I love the small ships but the big ones do kinda overwhelm the senses.  

 

Ports of Call 

 

Amber Cove (we have all been) 

Nassau and Grand Turk (they havent been) 

 

We had Grand Turk replaced by Bimini a couple years ago on the family cruise.  pfffffffft.   Thrilled to finally get there with them ESPECIALLY this year.  I'm an admitted top shelf Parrothead and it was tough learning Jimmy Buffett passed away this past September.  It signaled the end of our family tailgates before his concerts.   I ended with 56 concerts and i think my youngest daughter was in double digits.  

 

Grand Turk ranks as the Best Margaritaville on Earth in my book.  

 

So far we dont have any excursions planned.  Cove and Turk will be pool days.  No idea for Nassau yet.  I might stroll over to the new Margaritaville Resort near the port.  

 

 

 

THINGS WE MIGHT OR WILL DO FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS CRUISE 

 

*get the surf and turf upsell at the MDR

*buy one of the tarts at the coffee shop - i've been intrigued for years! 

*get some Seafood Shack 

*sailaway from Miami as family 

 

 

Stay tuned. 

 

 

 

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pcvtmom

pcvtmom

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Looking forward to your review, from one diehard Parrothead to another! Our adult kids have been going to shows with us since they were kids, and we even got the 2 oldest grandkids to a few shows (as Parakeets 😁) before we lost Jimmy. Our daughter is planning to host a "Boat Drinks" party this winter, to celebrate Jimmy's life. Hopefully, we can hold it all together.

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havanadaydreaming

havanadaydreaming

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been an odd year pcvt.   

 

was in vegas when we got word of jimmy passing 6am.  literally across the street from Margaritaville, so we wound up going there midday.  we were at the casino resort with the volcano so you bet i knew when the volcano was gonna blow that night.  fins up! 

 

then we were on Venezia last month when his final album was released, in Barbados.  i downloaded it and listened to the new tracks with a pretty heavy heart.   i give 4-5 of them a strong thumbs up! 

 

 

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Jamman54 Great Review Rare

Jamman54

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21 hours ago, havanadaydreaming said:

We are under one month to go until the next cruise, a six nt trek on the Carnival Magic with two of our adult kiddos and their BFF's.  Gonna spend two nights in Miami Beach pre-cruise (cheapest airfare caveat).  The Dania Beach Jai Alai will be running matches from early Dec until late Feb...so that's a must do for me, luckily the wife will tag along.  I'll try to bribe her with a visit to Jaxson's down the street for some good, and huuuuge, ice cream.   

 

We have to save for a couple years to pay for the three cabins, Cheers! and airfare.  But its sooooo worth it.  we usually get 5-6 days with the kids during the holiday season.  other years they are so busy with work and other family that we only get a few hours on the Big Day.  Bribery?  mayyyyyyybe.  

 

This is the first bigger ship the children have been on.  The previous two were Elation and Paradise.  I think they are going to be in for quite a surprise.  I love the small ships but the big ones do kinda overwhelm the senses.  

 

Ports of Call 

 

Amber Cove (we have all been) 

Nassau and Grand Turk (they havent been) 

 

We had Grand Turk replaced by Bimini a couple years ago on the family cruise.  pfffffffft.   Thrilled to finally get there with them ESPECIALLY this year.  I'm an admitted top shelf Parrothead and it was tough learning Jimmy Buffett passed away this past September.  It signaled the end of our family tailgates before his concerts.   I ended with 56 concerts and i think my youngest daughter was in double digits.  

 

Grand Turk ranks as the Best Margaritaville on Earth in my book.  

 

So far we dont have any excursions planned.  Cove and Turk will be pool days.  No idea for Nassau yet.  I might stroll over to the new Margaritaville Resort near the port.  

 

 

 

THINGS WE MIGHT OR WILL DO FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS CRUISE 

 

*get the surf and turf upsell at the MDR

*buy one of the tarts at the coffee shop - i've been intrigued for years! 

*get some Seafood Shack 

*sailaway from Miami as family 

 

 

Stay tuned. 

 

 

 

We'll be following along. Loved our cruises on the Magic! 😃

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havanadaydreaming

havanadaydreaming

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learned the adult kiddos have cabins on deck 7 extreme rear, connected inside cabins.  the last two cabins in the hallway.  

 

we are extreme front deck 9, i think the "inside cabin" with obstructed view window/porthole.   

 

this was kind of a budget family holiday cruise so all is well.  i still have to load Cheers package on the kids' cabins.  

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NCTribeFan

NCTribeFan

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I'll be on Magic for 6 nights on January 7th (different itinerary).

 

Other than the newest, biggest ships, I've been on every class (starting with Jubilee) except this class ship.  It's a bit larger than I like, but I like the ships in the similar classes.  Had a cruise booked on Breeze that was cancelled.

 

I've mostly moved away from Carnival, but I have friends doing the NYE sailing and staying on for the 6 nights after, so thought I'd join them for this leg, then 4 of us will drive up to Port Everglades and board HAL's Eurodam (which I love).

 

I decided to (finally) use my Diamond upgrade, so I'll have a rare balcony (I'm usually solo and actually like interior cabins because I sleep much better).  There's a possibility my DD and 3yo granddaughter will join me.  I've never sailed with a small child, so that will be different!

 

Anyway, looking forward to your thoughts on the ship!

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alias47

alias47

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The date is coming up, I'm on the 12/16 Magic sailing too! I don't have an excursion in Grand Turk either, i'll probably be either on the ship or the beach/Margaritaville too.  

 

I'm curious on how the size will be an impact, I've only been on "smaller" ships, largest being the Glory, but more recently the Spirit/Sunrise.

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havanadaydreaming

havanadaydreaming

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two weeks til flight.  eldest child still doesnt have swimsuit.  he's definitely a last minute to last second type.  drives me batty! 

 

im ready to start packing now.  i have most of my cruise clothes set aside in the closet and other cruise essentials in a rubbermaid container.  

 

Let's Go! 

 

 

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havanadaydreaming

havanadaydreaming

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a couple new updates: 

 

got an 11am embarkation.   we rarely make it to the port by that time, we usually wake up slow at the pre-cruise hotel and mosey on over to the port at half speed. 

 

hometown Bengals were moved to Sat 1pm kickoff, embarkation day.  

 

my alma mater Ohio University bowl game is now 11am on sailaway day.  ACK.   lotta local sports packed into time before we leave Miami! 

 

 

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pe4all

pe4all

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Good Morning!  We love the Magic - will be on her in January with the same itinerary as you, which we did last January also. We find Magic just the right size for us - not too large - we are avoiding the mega-ships at this time. We love jai-alai, and will be attending the fronton, as we haven't done that in a few years.  Jaxsons is a must-do every time we vacation at our FLL condo.  We ate there in November, and the unlimited popcorn at the tables is sooo good, as is their ice cream.  Next to Grandpa's bakery/diner (right next to the shopping center where Jaxsons is) is a small ice cream shop with home-made ice cream.  They are really good, also, and a bit cheaper than Jaxsons.  Fewer flavors, but we have always had good ice cream there.  Looking forward to your review!  

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havanadaydreaming

havanadaydreaming

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thanks, pe.  

 

spent last night watching some jai alai livestream on youtube.  i dont recognize many of the young fellas on the roster and the ones i do were brand new last year.   

 

bought a new Bengals shirt for sailaway since its 1pm game that day.  didnt have a white team shirt (i HATE dark shirts on sunny days) so now i do.  im sure many others will be wearing jerseys for their teams the first couple days like in years past. 

 

i'll start packing this afternoon.  

 

and we bought pink flamingoes instead of ducks. ive never hid ducks before but i do see them bringing some joy to those that like finding them.  maybe the kids will come up with a clever social media hashtag.    

 

 

 

 

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havanadaydreaming

havanadaydreaming

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Heard back from Margaritaville Caribbean desk...had a question about getting a tray of jello shots at the Grand Turk pool to give away to others. I heard the dj mention a tray last visit. 

 

Sadly not gonna happen.  Its $210 for a tray.  Granted there are 70 shots but i cant pull that trigger when im gonna have a bar tab for 6 on top. 

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havanadaydreaming

havanadaydreaming

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so tomorrow is flight day.  as it turns out the discount carrier is unable to process check ins on mobile or desktops.  ack.  no biggie, im sure it will shake itself out later today.  usually i couldnt care less but rollin' with a party of six i wouldnt mind scratching that off the to do list.  

 

And.....will spend two days in Miami pre-cruise.   Looks like trop storm level winds and storms the three days we are in South Florida.  booyah! 

 

one plus: very pleased we got three hotel rooms for the herd, each room has full size fridge and kitchen table in Miami Beach.  

 

 

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