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Note - this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: Deirdre Martinez
Email: WildEscapade@webtv.net
Age: 37
Occupation: U.S. Postal Service
NumberOfCruises: 7
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Disney-Magic
SailingDate: April 30, 1999
Itinerary: Nassau, Bahamas
FoodDiningRoom: 75
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 50
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 10
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 50
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 70
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon: 10
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 95
GoodForFamilies: 50
LoungeService: 85
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 10
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 70
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 75
EntertShowLounge: 70
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 50
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 50
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 60
Stabilization: 10
ShopsOnBoard: 30
SpaceRatio: 85
OverallCruiseValue: 50
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 05 May 1999
Time: 07:19:14
Remote Name: proxy-514.public.rwc.webtv.net
Remote User:
Comments
I was on this cruise with my husband and my brother-in-law and his wife. She is a Disney
employee and she gets a great
discount. So we only paid $428 for 2 people. We got upgraded from a cat 12 to a cat 5,
outside cabin with balcony. When
we arrived at Port Canaveral (we drove) we parked in the parking lot. You pay in advance
$7 a day. The ship was beautiful
and we were on in a matter of minutes. I thought that the ship was laid out very nicely,
Disney did a wonderful job making the
ship look different from all the others I've been on. We went to our cabin (7106), it was
large and had plenty of storage
space. The balcony was a good size and the bathroom setup was great for 4 people. We got
settled and went up to the
buffet at Topsiders. This is where things started to get ugly. The line was about a half
an hour long and the drink stations
outside were extremely dirty, no one cleaned them while I was there. The food was awful, I
ate only a roll and some fruit,
everything else was tasteless. I noticed that the cabin smelled kind of damp and musty, so
we left the balcony door open all
the time. The corridors to the cabins also smelled musty. This is a total turn off for me.
Disney only has 3 ironing boards and
irons for 2500 people so if you are eating at Lumiere's the first night, just go wrinkled
because you will never get to an iron.
After that I didn't care what I wore to dinner any of the 3 nights The food was mediocre
in all the dining rooms and the lines
to get in at dinnertime were ridiculously long. They seat you every night even though it's
quite easy to find your table
yourself. The shows were fine for kids but hard to stay awake if you're an adult. I only
went to Disney Dreams and passed on
all the others. The shopping is Disney style, didn't buy much My cabin was never cleaned
properly and it was obvious that
the bathroom was not cleaned since the ship came out. There was grime everywhere, it was
disgusting! I won't go on this
ship again and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone including families with children. On the
lighter side, I loved my waiters.
Stefano from Italy and Pirom from Thailand. They were wonderful and made us laugh. All the
beef dishes in the restaurants
were very good. The singer (Joy Wright) in the piano bar was awesome! I'm sorry she's not
working on another cruise line,
she's truly talented. Castaway Cay was beautiful, Disney did do a great job on their
private island. A couple of night we had
4-8 foot waves, the movement was hard to believe when the sea looked so calm. But, I don't
get seasick so I wasn't bothered
by that. However, the creaking and groaning of the ship kept all of us awake the last
night of the cruise. I tried to drown out
the noise be leaving the balcony door open and my tv on but it sounded like the ship was
fallig apart. Terrible! I was on the
Grand Princess a few weeks ago, we had 8-13 foot waves and we were steadier and no
creaking at all.
Name: Steve David
Email: sd4oh@aol.com
Age: 44
Occupation: Architect
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Disney-Magic
SailingDate: 4/26/99
Itinerary: Bahamas, Castaway Cay
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 99
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 98
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 92
CabinQuietness: 85
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 100
GoodForFamilies: 100
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 100
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 92
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 98
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon: 98
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 98
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 08 May 1999
Time: 14:01:18
Remote Name: 98cafe10.ipt.aol.com
Remote User:
Comments
This was the 78th voyage of the Magic and if there were problems in the beginning they
have been eliminated now. This was
an awesome family vacation. We did the 7 day package with the 1st 3 at Disney and 4 on the
cruise ship. This is a big ship
and overwhelms most of the competition. We docked next to the QE-2 and I thought we were
bigger.
I stress family vacation or a Disney lover because if you don't like the characters, the
shows, the movies, and kids you're
going to be disappointed. While there are adult only areas, there are kids and characters
everywhere.
Our kids are 8 & 10, girl & boy and they loved it. Many many different things to
do & at their own pace. The 10 year old felt
that the kids activity areas were a little too much like babysitting so he only went
twice, but he had no complaints with the
staff or the activities.
By far the best day is at their private island. A magnificent piece of beach that is
presented like a Disney resort. Separate
adult, teen & family beaches, kids area, snorkel zone and boating equip makes it feel
larger than it probably is. The
barbecue was great and everything was very well maintained and clean.
The restaurants on board were tremendous with a great menu for all. The Disney Theater as
well as the productions was
awe inspiring to say the least. Three different productions kept you waiting for the next
one.
The ship is tremendous and while this was our first cruise we talked to many other
families who had been on other ships and
few could come up with comparisons of cabin size, dinning rooms or other amenities.
After 4 nights on ship we truly didn't want to leave our stateroom and our vacation. This
was a great vacation!
Name: Connie Martin-Wilson
Email: cjwilson@mediaone.net
Age: 39
Occupation: Sr. Soft. Dev. Mgr.
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Disney-Magic
SailingDate: 5/28/99
Itinerary: 3 Day Cruise only - Bahamas
FoodDiningRoom: 80
CruiseDirector: 60
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 75
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 70
FoodVariety:
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 100
GoodForFamilies: 100
LoungeService:
TenderService: 100
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess: 90
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 02 Jun 1999
Time: 22:03:45
Remote Name: cjwilson.ne.mediaone.net
Remote User:
Comments
PASSENGER'S NAME: Connie Martin-Wilson CRUISE LINE: Disney CRUISE SHIP: Magic
SUMMARY OF TRIP
Great.
I had no complaints except my cabin was under the nite club area, and it was a little
noisy.
I took the 3 day only cruise that left on Friday, May 28th. The memorial day weekend. I
took my 6 1/2 year
old son with me.
We had a flight out of Boston, MA to Orlando, FL. As we departed the plane and entered the
terminal,
there was someone from Disney waiting to direct us where we needed to go.
We took the Bus provided by Disney to Port Canaveral where the ship was waiting. The bus
ride was
about 1 hour. But the time went fast as you were shown an informative video about what you
would
experience on your cruise, and how to fill out those embarkation forms. The process was
made as
painless as it could be.
Upon arrival at the Port, the buses were queued up nicely so that people would not be all
conjusted in the
Port terminal, and standing in long lines. After getting off the bus, you went into
Disney's private Port
Terminal. Very nice, and bright and airy. You travel up an elevator to the embarkation
area. You take your
already filled out forms to one the agents. They get your credit card #, confirm your
passport or birth
certificate information, and you are given a "key to the world" card. Your card
for everything while aboard
the Dismey Magic.
You enter through a big face of Mikey Mouse, and board the ship. The standard greeting and
picture
taking process happens. You are escorted to your cabin if you wish. We found our cabin
quickly, since it
was on the deck #2, and we entered on deck #3.
The cabin was spacious. The room clean and tidy. There was enough space to spread out, and
store our
stuff.
Our luggage wasn't in the room, but it came within the hour.
There was a lunch buffet waiting for us on Deck #9 so we went there for a quick lunch. The
food was
good, and the help helpful. They seemed ready and waiting for us.
We regrouped in our cabin, checked out the iternary for the day, and looked for our
lifevests in
preparation for the lifeboat drill. At 4pm the lifeboat drill happened. Usually you're
standing out on the
deck, but we assembled in the air conditioned theater of the Disney Magic and went through
our drill
instrutions.
After the drill I took my Son to the Disney Oceaners' Club. The program for kids 3 years
old to 12 years
old. I signed him up, he got his wrist band, and I got my beeper.
Then we went exploring the ship. The pool area (2): 1 for the kids, 1 for the adults. The
major deck areas.
There are 3 dinning rooms on board: We were setup for late seating which starts at 8pm.
early seating is
at 5:30 pm. We were on for the Animators plate for night #1. The scenary changes as you're
eating. And
event the dinning stewarts vest changes at the end from plain black and white to a
colorful blue,
pink,green, etc.
The 2nd night we skipped the Parrots Cafe. The 3rd night we were in Luminer's. The fancy
french like
resturatant.
Our dining stwart was nice an plesant. During dinner my son got tired and I took him to
the Oceaner's club
to have some fun, and some down time. Then I went to one of the night clubs to hang out. I
picked my son
up at 11:30pm. He was worn out and sleeping on a sheet covered map. Comfortable and
content.
The next day was Nassau Day. My Son spent an exciting day at the Oceaner's club, while I
went exploring
Nassau. I took the Historic City tour and would not recommend it to anyone. It was not
that good.
Back on the ship my son and I had a quick pizza and ice cream cone on the pool deck.
We saw a theater production that night, and turned in earlier than the night before.
The next day was Diseny's private island. Great, Great, Great. I check my son into the
Scuttle's cove area,
where he and lots of other children played all kinds of sand and beach games. I went for a
quick bike ride
(rented one), and went to the Adult only beach area. I took a relaxing nap in one of the
cabana's, and then
left, and went to lunch, and then picked my son up so that he and I could play in the
water.
Later we went back to the ship, salty, sandy, and worn out, but happy.
We showered and got ready for Luminer's. But before going to luminer's we saw a fabulous
musical called
Disney Dreams, Its a show not to be missed. It was wonderful.
We retired early tonight. Did the "put your luggage outside your cabin routine",
and rested up for the next
day trip back home.
We breakfasted in luminers. Had a little wait to disembark. Collected our luggaged from
the designated
area, and went to the bus. I've been on 3 cruises before and this was by far the smoothest
experience I've
ever had.
Great trip. Would do it again. Recommend it for Families with children.
Name: A. Stanley
Email: Stanley@dwsd.org
Age: 25
Occupation: Typist
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Disney-Magic
SailingDate: May 31, 1999
Itinerary: Nassau, Castaway Cay
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 79
CabinComfort: 70
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety:
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 70
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 90
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 80
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 70
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark: 80
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 09 Jun 1999
Time: 09:59:45
Remote Name: ice.dwsd.org
Remote User:
Comments
I decided to take the 4 day only cruise because I have tickets to Disney already. I
reserved a room in the
Polynesian Resort for 1 day since I flew to Orlando ahead of time. I arrived in Orlando on
Saturday, May
30, 1999 at about 9:30 am. I asked for transporation at the taxi area of the airport. You
have the option of
informing Disney Cruiseline of your flight time/number and they will pick you up. I had
transfers for
transportation from the resort to the ship and back to the airport.
The resort was great. Everyone was friendly and greeted me with Aloha instead of hello.
Check in was at
3:00 pm, they took my bags at the front for safe keeping until my room was ready. I had
brunch which was
an omlette. I window shopped and called to check on my room at about 12:00 pm and it was
ready. I went
to the room, changed into my swimming suit and took a nap on their beach. At 6:00 pm I
changed for the
polynesian dinner/show. The show was very enjoyable. The food was what I would call
something different
to try. The next morning the same bellperson from the day before came to my room and
picked up my
suitcases. The bus was scheduled to come to the front of the hotel at 11:45 am. We lined
up and as soon
as they filled one bus another came. If you are at the end of the line don't worry the
lines move quickly.
The ride to the ship was enjoyable and you see a video of what will happen on your cruise.
Embarkation was about 20 minutes for me. I had to stand in line to get new key to the
world cards because
the one I had was for the resort only. You shouldn't have this problem if you get the
whole package. This
was a minor delay and I knew I had to do this in advance. The whole embarkation process
went smoothly.
There is a model of the ship in the middle of the room and there are picture opportunities
with Mickey.
The cabin was nice and roomy I was on deck 6 and I had a verandah. I don't think I will
cruise again
without one. I ordered a few extras, I had flowers waiting for me in honor of my
graduation and cheese,
crackers fruit, and veggies. I loved the idea of having a bathtub. There is enough storage
space for a 7
day criuse. My only problem with the room was the air conditioner it was too cold in my
stateroom. I asked
my cabin steward about it and he sent a maintenance guy to work on it. There was something
wrong with
the control and he fixed it. On two nights I left the verandah door open all night. The
room was quiet and I
only heard talking in the hallway on two occasions, I never heard the people in the next
room. The only
sound I heard was the boat creaking on the first night. The wavesweren't that bad but the
Magic sounded
like and old ship.
I only saw one show. The show was good and the people were talented but it was just too
cutsy and since I
don't have children I didn't see any point in going to another show. I did visit the
theatre and I saw the
Other Sister. The ESPN Skybox was great they have two large screen tv's. I did catch the
NBA playoffs on
the first night aboard. I caught a comedy show and they staged a game show about how much
you know
your mate. They were both pretty good.
The inbetween meals by the pool hit the spot. They had hamburgers, hotdogs pizza, tacos
and ice cream.
The choice in shore excursions was pretty goo but the one I picked had technical
difficulties so it was
cancelled. All was not lost. It gave me a chance to jump in the pool and the jacuzzi. The
Castaway Cay
island was nice I went to the adult only beach. It was very quiet and secluded. I picked
up shells laid on a
hammock and then the afternoon showers started. I had lunch at Cookes' Barbecue.
The last day was at sea. This was a nice relaxing day. The room service was good but
limited. Topsiders
buffet became my home away from home. Animator's Palate was very entertaining. I never
felt like there
was a full ship. I never had problems finding a seat at the buffets or by the pools. They
kept the kids busy
and I hardly noticed them.
Debarkation went smoothly. I sat my suitcases outside the cabin door at 11:00 pm. You will
receive your
bill during the middle of the night. The next morning I had breakfast at Topsiders and
picked up my
suitcases in the terminal. They broke the handle of one of my suitcases. There are buses
ready and
waiting for you outside. I wanted to go to the airport to pick up a rental car. I was off
the ship by 9:00 am
and in my rental car before noon.
This was a large and beautiful ship with lots of activities. I loved every minute of it
and would go again if
they offered a 7 day package. If you have any questions feel free to drop a line! Happy
Cruising!
Name: Cheri Hagnauer
Email: the hags@aol.com
Age: 38
Occupation: Mommy
NumberOfCruises: 5
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Disney-Magic
SailingDate: June 14, 1999
Itinerary: Nausau and Castaway Cay
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 75
DiningRoomService: 50
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 90
GoodForFamilies: 100
LoungeService: 80
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 100
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 50
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 80
DeckSpace: 75
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 75
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 20 Jun 1999
Time: 16:06:39
Remote Name: spider-wd063.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:
Comments
I would recommend this cruise for families. The dining room (dinner) food was the best I
have had,
compared with RCCL and Celebrity (my husband still thinks Celebrity food is better,
though). The cabins
are generous size, and the split bathroom is great for trying to get everyone ready for
dinner on time. The
service overall is excellent, we had a horribe waiter, but he was an exception.
It is obviously a mega ship, and you notice the crowds around the kids pool, family pool
and family beach
area on their private island. The adult areas, however, were never crowded and it seemed
they were
enforcing the no kids rule.
Embarkation and disembarkation are a breeze. Less hassle than any other ship I have been
on. The
air-sea program was a problem. They split our group of 13 family members on two separate
flights, and
even though direct flights to Orlando were available, Disney chose stopovers and plane
changes for some
of the group. I would book my own air next time and just buy Disney bus transfers (this is
what we usually
do, anyway because of frequent flier miles).
We didn't use the kids program too much, only our five year old went during a few dinners
and one
afternoon. He said he liked RCCL program better. I think there are so many kids on the
ship that the
counselors don't really get to know anyone, and that may be the difference.
It is a relatively expensive trip, but I would do it again. I am still humming Disney
tunes and am covered with
pixie dust.
Name: Susan Frederick
Email: sfrederick@usa.net
Age: 42
Occupation: domestic engineer
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Disney-Magic
SailingDate: June 14, 1999
Itinerary: 4 night/5day
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 95
GoodForFamilies: 95
LoungeService: 90
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall:
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 85
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 22 Jun 1999
Time: 07:55:49
Remote Name: p067b.jcmo.socket.net
Remote User:
Comments
My family had a terrific experience on the Disney Magic. We stayed additional nights at
the Grand
Floridian prior to cruising. The transportation to Port Canaveral was comfortable and all
luggage was
handled without a hitch. Our luggage was at our stateroom before we even arrived in our
stateroom. We
had a 600 square foot suite on the 8th level and found it to be beautiful. 2 full baths
with the master
accomodating a Jacuzzi tub. Our family consists of 3 children ages, 15, 10, and 7 and they
were most
thrilled with a t.v. to call their own with the additional VCR and CD player. Discs and
VHS tapes were
available thru the Concierge.
The cabin was spotless. Beds were turned down every evening with chocolates and towels
were
replenished. Anything we needed as an extra was supplied promptly.
As we had second dinner seating, we attended the shows at 6:00 pm. Our family thoroughly
enjoyed each
show. The first night being a comedian, the next 3 were theatre productions. Our least
favorite was the
Ghost Ship, but felt the Hercules and Disney Dream were outstanding!
Our meal experience was better than expected, but not superb. Since were had just spent 5
days in the
theme parks, and had eaten at Alfredo's in Epcot and Victoria and Alberts at the Grand
Floridian, we had
already had the best of the best; so it was hard to compare the cruise restaurants with
those meals, but
felt overall the food was very good. Suprisingly the seafood was not the best choice. Our
head server,
Thomas from Slovenia, was delightful. If he saw that our plate wasn't cleaned, he would
insist on getting
another dish for us to try. The desserts were heavenly with the presentations topnotch.
The only complaint
I would have with the dinners was the last two nights we ate at the Animators Palate,which
is a unique
experience, and it seemed as if everyone was having a birthday. The waiters would serenade
those tables
with song. One night we must have had at least 6 birthdays. I started feeling like I was
at Applebee's.
The trip into Nassau was as expected. My children and I took the glass bottom boat cruise
while my
husband scuba dived. It was a nice cruise, but felt it was not worth the money $15.50 for
children and
$22.00 for adults. My husband said his two tank dive was quite beautiful. The shopping was
the usual
T-shirt and gemstone shops. Unless you wanted to buy jewelry I would skip shopping and
perhaps take a
tour of the island.
Castaway Cay was fantastic. We docked around 6 am, and were allowed to leave the ship
around 8 am.
We went around 9, and had plenty of opportunity to get a chaise lounge and a nice spot on
the island.
The sand was beautifully manicured and the island very clean. There were areas to drop off
the children if
you wanted to visit the adults only portion, but my kids benefitted more by just playing
in the sand and in
the water. Of course we failed to bring sand buckets but you can purchase a set at one of
the local huts.
Overall our experience was exceptional. I am not sure if it was because we spent the
additional and had a
suite with concierge service or if this is typical of any stateroom service. We will go
back.
Name: Donna Himmelberger
Email: Dhimmel321@aol.com
Age: 45
Occupation: Costume Designer/Professor
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Disney-Magic
SailingDate: May 31, 1999
Itinerary: 4 Day
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 93
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety:
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 100
GoodForFamilies: 95
LoungeService:
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 75
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 03 Jul 1999
Time: 16:07:49
Remote Name: spider-th032.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:
Comments
I have been on 2 cruises as a teenager with my family and was very anxious to take a
cruise with my teenager. This is like
the perfect family vacation--the kids can be fairly free and independent without the
parents having to worry. The parents also
don't have to keep the kids entertained all the time.
The rooms are OK. There is plenty of closest space, and it was great having the bathroom
split so that there are 2 sinks.
Our cabin hostess was very prompt about cleaning each morning and turning down each night.
She would leave towels
shaped as various animals on our bed each day--often with our sunglasses on if we left
them in the room. As a side note,
Disney does not pay the room staff any salary--whatever they get as tips is all they get.
The resturant food was great. I found the food to be very good--with lots of variety. My
son tried alot of new foods that I
probably could never have gotten him to eat at home. My husband and I went to Palo's one
night--and that was the best.
We had the chocolate souffle for desert. . .it was great. For the most part the restaurant
decor was delightful, with a
different theme for each one. The major exception was Animators' Palette. The concept is
clever, the idea being that the
black and white decor evolves into technicolor throughout your meal. The final look is
quite spectacular, but the transitions
could hardly be more clumsy and distracting. The portion of the restaurant where we were
seated turned from
black-and-white to color numerous times during our meal, and out table was plunged into
dear pitch darkness more than
once. Knowing something about lighting design and control, and having read about this
restaurant in a lighting design
magazine, I assumed that the playback computer had malfunctioned and that we had not seen
the intended effect. I was
amazed and disappointed when I asked a Disney staff member about it, and was told that the
effect had run exactly as
intended.
Nassau was Nassau. We walked around a little, but spent most of the day on the boat.
Castaway Cay would have been
wonderful, but about noon it started to REALLY rain. We ate on the island, and then went
back to the boat. The rain never
stopped. But the morning was great fun.
I have to say that one of our highlights was the couples mud treatment at the Salon. They
take you into what looks like a
turn-of-the-century bath, have you mud each other up, steam, clean up, then rub each other
down with oils. What a treat.
My husband and I also went to a dimenstration on foot massage--it should have been good,
but it was only 45 minutes
long, and late comers had the woman starting over again and again, so we never learned
very much. Another time I spent
30 minutes in the Alpha Pod. It was very relaxing--you lay down in this egg-shaped pod, it
vibrates underneath you, it blows
hot air on top of you. You have this eye covering that blinks colored lights, and
earphones that play new age music. Wow.
Our day at sea was OK, but again, it rained much of the day. I guess these are the chances
you take with any cruise.
Generally I found the staff very helpful--if anyone looked at all confused or lost,
someone was there to help immediately.
The only disappointment were the theatrical shows each night. It's amazing how a cruise
staff that pays so much attention
to detail in all aspects is so delinquent in this area. The scripts are lame, the set
changes are sloppy, the follow spots
couldn't hit the faces, the costumes were wrinkled and in great disrepair (one girls'
petticoat had a huge hunk ripped off and
dragging the floor). These problems were terribly obvious to my husband and I since we
work in theatre, but other people
had to have noticed. The worst detriment to our enjoyment of the shows was the failure on
Disney's part to discourage flash
photography, which was extremely distracting. We may as well have had strobe lights in our
laps, pointing at our faces and
flashing throughout the shows. We visited the theme parks after our cruise and attended
many live shows. Without
exception, there was an announcement before the park shows prohibiting flash photography,
even at shows sponsored by
Kodak! Disney is delinquent in not extending this policy to the ship theatre.
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