Grand Cayman missed….. (Thursday)

Grand Cayman

Again, it was a windy and rough day at sea.  It doesn’t affect us around the ship.  It was still sunny and gorgeous by the pool!  It did affect our tendering in Grand Cayman.  The port of Georgetown was closed!  This would mean a day at sea for the Magic.  We were all very disappointed to miss Grand Cayman.  We had planned an excursion with Native Way to swim with the sting rays.  Several of us have done this particular excursion and with Native Way (highly recommend them, www.nativewaywatersports.com), but the kids were looking forward to it!  Unfortunately, it was out of our control, and there is not much you can do when the port is closed and the conditions make it unsafe. 

Putt Putt Golf Tournament

The rest of the day was spent in the sunshine.  We had our friendly family putt putt golf tournament, which I believe Wade won.  The kids also swam and went down the water slides.  I even took a spin on the slide!

One of our favorite hang outs on the ship was the Red Frog pub.  As I mentioned in an earlier blog, they make their own signature beer now on Carnival.  The beer was very good and reasonably priced.  At different times, we enjoyed playing bean bag toss and the bimini ring game while sipping some suds!

Jamaica – First Port of Call! (Wednesday)......

We started off with another windy day.  This would be the Magic’s first time into the Jamaican port.  Because it is a much larger ship, it is more difficult to maneuver it into narrow channels.  The wind and rough seas made it difficult on this particular day.  We almost missed the port of call but ended up an hour late at the dock in Montego Bay.

Rough waters hitting Margaritaville in Montego Bay

Floating down the Great River in Jamaica

Jerk Chicken Lunch - Yum!

We tend to book excursions on our own rather than through the cruise ship.  Several of us booked a river tubing trip through Great River Adventures.  After our 30 minute drive from Montgeo Bay we arrived at the starting point for our float down the Great River.  Floating down the river in our individual tubes was relaxing and easy.  We enjoyed views of the fauna and flora, birds, and even a goat.  At the end of the over hour long trip, we were treated to a home cooked Jamaican Jerk chicken lunch with pineapple coleslaw.  It was an enjoyable day. 

Drinking fresh coconut water along the way!

Brett and Wade took a different excursion to the Appleton Rum Plantation.  They had a lengthy drive (over 2 hours each way), but said it was worth the visit.  They learned how the rum is produced and got to sample many different types and flavors of rum. 

Brett and Wade tour Appleton Rum

We finished off the night by attending the Magic Illusion Show.  We are not huge fans of the cruise ship shows, but this one was probably one of the best we have seen.  The magic was good, and the singing and dancing added a little to the show. 

The first couple of days of Magic! (Monday and Tuesday).......

The first few days of our sailing were sea days.  The sun was out and the air was warm, but the seas were a little rough.  The winds were blowing and affecting the seas, and only a few activities on the ship. 

  Putt Putt Golf                                 Sky Walk        

A highlight for the kids was the Sky Walk!  Kyler was the first one in the family to concur the sky high obstacle course.  Unfortunately, later in the day, it was closed due to stronger winds.  The kids also played putt putt golf and rode the water slides.  They were practicing putt putt for a family tournament we would have later in the cruise. 

Mixology Competition - Wade's drink:  Pants on the Ground

Wade participated in the Mixology contest.  It is something they do on every ship.  One lucky winner is awarded the title of Mixologist for the cruise, and their drink is feature as the drink of the cruise.  Toni won this contest on her last cruise with her ‘Freckled Diva’ creation.  Unfortunately, Wade didn’t win.  He did have the most clever drink name with ‘Pants on the Ground’, complete with him dropping his pants.

 

Toni planned a Cruise Critic party on the first sea day.  Cruise Critic is a great website to connect cruise ship travelers, share information, and find out about excursions and activities (www.cruisecritic.com).  The private party consisted of an open bar with dry snacks for one hour.  The cost was minimal for the hour ($11.44 per person, including gratuity).  It was a fun hour, and we all met lots of great people – 65 of us in attendance!  It was also formal night, and we all had fun dressing up. 

        Cruise Critic Party                                Formal Night

To top off the second sea day, we welcomed the Fiesta Party.  It was last in the evening on the Lido Deck.  We all had a great time.  The music and entertainment was classic Carnival fun, and enjoyed by everyone young and old. 

Late Night Buffet following the Fiesta Deck Party

All in all, the first few days of the cruise were great - ending each day in Carnival fashion with a towel animal.   Connor loved to pose with our towel animal each night!