Have done the Western and Eastern itineraries but this 8 Night trip was the best time our family had together. Rooms were great and clean. Food and activities were aplenty. Weather was great and the people we met were fun and festive. Cruise director Simon was awesome. Everyone could find a fault but why? You’re on vacation.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Arrived at the terminal at our 12-12:30 time and basically went right through. Was on board grabbing a Guys burger in no time.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Most food was great. The variety to choose from during Main Dining Room dinners was sufficient. Guy’s Burgers and the Pizza del Capitano were favorites.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
We enjoyed the pool on Sea days as we did water activities at port. Get to the pool early to get a lounge chair but don’t be that person who puts a towel down and doesn’t show up to use it for hours. We did see towels get removed. Sons used the water slides but said the seams if the slide stung on the way down.
The Tides pool is better for adults who don’t want a bunch of small kids splashing salt water in their drinks. Go to the main pool for that.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
If you get bored you chose to be. There are plenty of things to do. The Punchliner Club was fun but get there ahead of time to get a seat. Music was good. Caribbean music with Junior was great. Use your app or Fun Times to schedule your activities.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
We did not see our Room Steward often. I had to ask for ice in the buckets on the first day. Calls to Room service or housekeeping were not answered so I left a note. The ice was filled daily thereafter. The rooms were kept clean daily. Dining room staff was average on Day 1 but was progressively better as the days went by.
The people at the pizza place looked like they hated their jobs but the pizza was good and the wait was minimal.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Ship was clean and staff was always busy keeping it clean. Look at and learn deck plans and you should not have any issues finding your away around the ship.
Minor smells here and there but nothing major. It’s a ship.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Chose an Aft Balcony on this trip. Great view from side to side and a little more spacious. Only drawback from an Aft balcony is the partitions are angled so you can see your neighbor easily. We had a great neighbor and when we did see him it was great chatting with him. There is more shade on the side balconies but looking at the waves created by the propellers was awesome. Also there is less people walking by your doors as there are only some many rooms back there. The other hallways were at time overrun by kids stunning up and down the halls.
Ship tip
Get Any Time Dining so that you eat on your schedule and you are able to make some shows and activities.
We chose to walk around the town and on the moving bridge. Tried some local drinks along the way and ended up in Rif Fort at another bar to get drinks, wings and Wi-Fi.
We did a catamaran and snorkeling excursion here and it was awesome. We bought this one from the ship since it was so easy as the catamaran is at the same pier as the ship. No bus. 4 hour total. Just the right amount of time in the water at two stops and good rum punches on the way back.
We chose late disembarkation. Chose the last zone as we have a late flight. No stress. Went to Lido for breakfast, waited for out zone to be called and got off the ship approximately at 10:30. Found our luggage quickly and processed out of Customs with no issues.
Since you were able to board the ship so quickly, I am wondering if you had faster to the fun?
We are on the Magic in January and Faster to the fun is sold out. I’ve been stressing about it, maybe for no reason.
Awesome to hear a great review
Wonderful review. I did the Southern with the exception of HMC in 2017 and fell in love with Aruba and Curacao. We are sailing the same itinerary you did in 20 days. I'm so excited! My two adult sons have an AFT Balcony which they've had before and love it.
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