Answering questions about Magica ship

[briteminds]

I just got off the Costa Magica. I see a lot of questions on different boards, and really dont have time to look at all the boards, but would love to make your vacation enjoyable. Since the ship is only in the US for a few months every year, things change. I learned this by talking with people on the same ship last year, and again this year.

Sincerely

Carol Stead

[astralj]

Thanks for posting Carol and offering to answer some questions. What was your experience on the Magica as far as quality of food and service compared to any other cruise you've taken? We have heard that the crew is not especially friendly or will go out of their way to be "of service" since all tips are now automatic..... charged per day on your account rather than deciding how much to give whom. Were the people onboard discourteous at all and was therer an issue with smoke smell from cigarrettes anywhere in particular? Cabin bedding. Would you mind rating that too. Thanks!

[almitra]

Yeah, I too am concerned that the ships have a very smoky smell in them since they seem to have more than the usual amount of smokers onboard when they're in Europe (at least that's what I read on the boards). Is it true? Thanks.

[joetrizeo]

things changing from year to year is an interesting aspect to this cruise line. i sailed costa last year and will not get a chance to this year so i am interested in what has changed.

 

i just got off the carnival victory and can compare them two in some aspects.

 

service: service was the same on both ships. most likely because carnival owns costa now and since most all cruise companies pool workers from the same employment supplier. service was excellent in both cases. both room steward and dinner staff.

 

food: up for debate but costa beats carnival hands down. the food on costa was simply excellent. carnival was good. but nothing really hit me as 'wow'.

 

smoke: suprisingly i found the smoke problem to be the same on costa and carnival. both cases being at a level of slightly annoying at times at its worst. ofcourse the bars and casino will be smoke havens but on deck the smoke was the same cross the lines.

 

carnival has totally different bedding than costa. carnival's beds were (for me) hard but the sheets and comforter were nice and soft. costa's beds are ok but you have to ask for a second mattress topper or else you will be sleeping on a board :)

[mafig]

Did you do any of the drink packages?

 

Did you eat in the specialty restaurant? How was it?

 

Where was your cabin located?

 

How was the food?

[sparky.mi]

Was there a slot tournament on the Magica and if so how much to enter. Were there hair dryers and shampoo and soap in the bathrooms. How was the food and the most important what kinds of beer are served bottled and draft and how much. Thanks for all that you can answer.:D

[charpe]

We got the nonalcohol drink "boys and girls club" for 59.00. You get 20 nonalco. drinks..soda, juice or frozen virgin drinks. Soda (soft drinks) are 2.50, juice 2.00, and frozen (nonalco) are 4.25 plus 15%grat. on top. We only used the card for frozen drinks, so it was worth it. Draft beer is 4.25, Nastro Azzurro, Corona, Carlsberg, Becks, Heineken, Becks Dark are all 4.25, and Bud, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coor's Light, Mic Ultra, alcohol free beer are all 3.70. Don't forget the 15% on top. I took the Cocktails & Drinks price list:D.

 

My cabin was 9265. Fantastic location. There is a hairdryer in the top drawer in the cabin, a soap/shampoo dispenser in the shower, and no soap in the bathroom.

[lambs2]

I was on the same cruise on Costa Magica, November 19-26 and had two small bars of wrapped soap in our stateroom's bath when we arrived. I also asked for hand lotion and shower caps frpm our room steward and they came quickly. In our shower there was one dispenser that had liquid shampoo or soap (not sure which as not marked,), but I had brought my own shampoo and conditioner so used it as liquid body wash with the pof i brought from home. My DH used the blue stuff from the dispenser as shampoo. guess it could be either! The bath towels were large and luxurious, too.

[lambs2]

I was on the same cruise on Costa Magica, November 19-26 and had two small bars of wrapped soap in our stateroom's bath when we arrived. I also asked for hand lotion and shower caps from our room steward and they came quickly. In our shower there was one dispenser that had liquid shampoo or soap (not sure which as not marked,), but I had brought my own shampoo and conditioner so used it as liquid body wash with the poof I brought from home. My DH used the blue stuff from the dispenser as shampoo. Guess it could be either! The bath towels were large and luxurious, too.

[charpe]

You're right Lambs2..I forgot about the little soaps:o.

[briteminds]

I wish some others that were on Costa magical this week would chime in. The very first thing I will tell you. LET YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY OR BANK KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO BE OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

 

 

I have been on 7 cruises. I will tell you up front that the first three days I told my husband to quit complaining and lets make the best of our vacation. I am the peace keeper, never losing my cool. I say this to let you know I am not a complainer but there is room for lots of improvement on the Costa. I ended up losing it and crying on this ship. We were in room 8403 balcony and 8407 inside it was dh and two teens 13 and just turned 15. I talked with people that did the cruise in January and said this was awful. I hate to say bad things but I am hoping that this changes for your cruise. I did complain to the administrator as to make the cruise good for others. I think the bottom line is they cut back on staff.

 

There is a slot tournament 20.00 first and 2nd entry, 3rd was free the one I did. the black jack was first 20. 2nd and 3rd 10.00 same thing. Please read your today (some stuff is in very small print I missed a slot tournament because it was listed under Bingo as was the blackjack tournament) So read it all everyday. You can not get cash at the casino on the last day of the cruise. The Today says until 1am your Costa card will work after 1 am it is a cash system (so I went to get cash from the casino 100.00 just so we had cash) I was sent back and forth before I was informed it is their policy to not give cash from the casino Saturday at all. They said Italians use cash. I said Americans use debit visa card. How many of us carry 1,000.

 

There is only on soap dispenser, and the trial size items you get on the other cruises are not there. So bring your razor and everything else you will need. the room Stewart was very nice and will do anything for you. The beds are hard but ask the very first thing for an extra mattress we got one but the kids didn't (they were out). The inside cabin the kids had was back to the elevator and was very warm, we complained about the a/c but seems like they could not get it cool. the elevators were very warm. this stuff does not matter to me but if it does to you. No chocolates on the pillows. No fancy towel animals.

 

Soda cards are not available they offer a drink card for kids 20 drinks for 59.99. If you use it for frozen drinks then its a deal. What upset me was as we got on the lido deck the tea and juice were covered up. your option was coffee, hot tea or milk, we bought the drink things because I did not know there was tea and juice. ( I don't think he head office is aware of this procedure). Please, ask someone to uncover the tea and juice. They don't have fruit punch as Holland America and carnival.

 

the 25.00 restaurant had a great atmosphere and everything was great, they let kids order chicken strips from the dining room (our table mate at dinner took his son). Don't do the Tuscan steak it was very thin and no flavor. Depends on what you like as far as food. I liked something's and didn't like others. The lido deck has most of what the dining room has. The pizza was not the best but hey its a cruise not a pizzeria. Kids say the food on the ship is ok, they have had better. All the seafood seemed to be real fishy. I was very disappointed with the pasta dishes on the lido deck. For an Italian ship I expected good pasta.

 

Don't stay up just for the magnificent buffet after waiting in line for over an hour and doing the galley tour we got some fruit, cheese and cookies. I am a carbs nut so this was not what I was looking forward to(this is nothing compared to the other buffets I have seen)

 

I did not notice a strong smoke smell, but I smoke again after 4 yrs being quit. I did ask the room Stewart to spray freshener in our room because I don't like to smell or have my clothes smell. but to be honest there are not a lot of smokers left. I play roulette and there were a few occasions where two of us at the table smoked. I took turns and would not smoke unless I knew he was not. Most all areas are non smoking. Unless I missed something, I had to find a place to smoke.

 

The teen activities, Oh NO, I am going here as much as I don't know what to say. I brought my 15 dd and 13 ds. they wont do a Costa cruise again. they didn't like it. There were only 3 activities listed in the Today (the daily paper). I guess if you go to the surf board there are additional activities ( we didn't find this out till Thursday). One night they had a dance, I am not overly strict or a prude (let me know if you allow your kids). They had a grinding line, boy girl, boy, girl with the girl grinding into the boy. My dd did not participate but my 13 year old soon did because he got to dance between two girls 16 and 17. what 13 year old boy would refuse a 16 year old rubbing on him.

 

Carol Stead

Bright Minds

Independent Consultant

813-677-9082

Carolstead@aol.com

http://www.Brightminds.us/web/carolstead

[mafig]

Thanks everybody for your answers.

 

A few more questions:

 

Did anyone order or know of anyone who ordered an alcoholic drink package. Like the wine package or the unlimited wine/beer/soda/water package?

 

So, what I'm reading is we should bring our own soap and shampoo? I have alot of small samples from other cruises, I'll bring those. Maybe if they see Princess and Holland America-logo'd products they'll get the hint.:p

 

$25 for the Specialty restaurant. For those who went, would you go again?

 

We are on the verge of booking Magica. Not because I've read it's a great ship -- quite the contrary. However, she is the only one going to Bermuda from Florida this spring. For those who have gone on her, what do you think of our idea of using her, basically, as transportation to Bermuda.

:confused:

[lambs2]

Thanks everybody for your answers.

 

A few more questions:

 

Did anyone order or know of anyone who ordered an alcoholic drink package. Like the wine package or the unlimited wine/beer/soda/water package?

 

So, what I'm reading is we should bring our own soap and shampoo? I have alot of small samples from other cruises, I'll bring those. Maybe if they see Princess and Holland America-logo'd products they'll get the hint.:p

 

$25 for the Specialty restaurant. For those who went, would you go again?

 

We are on the verge of booking Magica. Not because I've read it's a great ship -- quite the contrary. However, she is the only one going to Bermuda from Florida this spring. For those who have gone on her, what do you think of our idea of using her, basically, as transportation to Bermuda.

:confused:

 

Yes! We just got off the Magica and I would DEFINITELY recommend you going on her to Bermuda! Bermuda is my absolutely FAVORITE place and it will be a fantastic cruise!!!

 

We never tried the specialty restaurant, and $25. does seem high to us! We enjoyed all our meals on the Magica, and we mainly ate in the main restaurants except for breakfast. The buffet is just too busy for our taste. (HINT: When you do find yourself eating in the buffet it is well worth it to take your food and climb the stairs to eat on the floor above. There is a full beverage station up there.too, until 10:00 AM in the mornings and it is MUCH more peaceful and a lot less traffic up there!)