08/16/16, 05/21/20
2016 Cruise, Page A, Port Canaveral, Day at Sea, Amber Cove

We sailed the Carnival Magic out of Port Canaveral to celebrate my sister's (María) 70th birthday (8/10).  
We left Port Canaveral on August 6th.  The itinerary included a day at sea (8/07),
Amber Cove (Dominican Republic, 8/08), St. Thomas (8/09), San Juan (8/10), Grand Turk (8/11)
and a second day at sea (8/12).  We spent most of 8/13 with my sister (Nilsa and her family) in Orlando.  

Also on the cruise were Nilsa's son, her stepson and a nephew of her stepson.

Our cabin with a balcony was on Deck 6.  We overlooked the Promenade Deck on Deck 5.   
The balcony on other ships usually end at the side of the ship.  I liked this type of balcony more than
others I have been on.

We had no set dinner time or set table.  We were allowed to dine between 5:45  and 9:30 p.m.  

Sailing on the Magic was fun.  The Cruise Director, Reverend Dr. E, was excellent.  He kept us busy
with music, games, shows, etc.  Nilsa also kept us busy!  There was entertainment for every age.  
Movies were shown on the large screen on the Lido Deck and came with free popcorn.

The food in the main dining rooms, Northern and Southern Lights, was very tasty and plentiful.  
Got to eat frog legs, something I had not eaten since the 80's.  The food served in the  Lido Marketplace,
Deck 10, was also tasty and plentiful.   The burgers served in Guy's (Fieri) Burger Joint were tasty
and so was his Pig and Anchor Bar-b-que.  

The Magic Lobby had various singing acts throughout the day.  Dr. E entertained us in the area
with music from various eras.   He had us guessing names of songs, singing, and dancing.  
The Magic Lobby was the place to be!

On the last night of the cruise passengers performed for us in the show "Carnival Legends".   
There were dancers and singers.  All were superb!  The Cruise Director as Beyonce was incredibly funny!

August 6, Port Canaveral
This card was used to get in and out of our cabin,
turn the lights on and shop.  With the card in the wall slot we could then
control various  lights via switches.  A minute after the card was removed
from its slot, the lights went off!  
The Magic Lobby/Atrium
Nilsa and María
Magic leaving Port Canaveral
The Valor sailing out of Port Canaveral
Heading out to sea!
Fishermen and a buoy.
Beach close by.
Elevators in atrium.  Lights
change color continuously.  
Husband and wife team that kept us entertained.  
Stage is between Decks 3 and 4, Magic Lobby.
One of the many artworks around the ship.

August 6, Port Canaveral

August 6th, Port Canaveral

August 7th, Day At Sea
Views from balcony.
Showtime Theater
Nilsa learning how to dance "Thriller".
The bucket fills up with water then spills over on the
passengers below, mostly kids.
The Hairiest Man contest.
The winner - hair on chest, shoulders and back!
A star is born!

August 8th, Amber Cove
Dominican Republic
Artwork
Four or five women had to touch each contestant's
chest and then explain how he felt, looked, etc.
Screen shown when playing Bingo!

We took the "Discover Puerto Plata & Local Flavors" tour.  The tour included a stop at San Felipe fortress,
which was built in 1564.  We viewed the fortress from the van.  I have no idea why we were not allowed to tour
the fortress.  A stop was made at a chocolate factory.   They explained to us how cacao grows, harvested, and
made into chocolate.  There were chocolate products on sale.  None of the chocolate bars contained fruits/nuts.  
We also visited The Vivonte, a cigar shop, and it was explained to us how tobacco is grown, harvested, etc., and
we were shown how cigars are made.  There were cigars on sale.  Later, we visited Cathedral San Felipe.   
From there, we went to Don Fernando's Ranch, where we ate "sancocho".  After lunch there was a merengue
contest and later we were given a tour of the ranch.  Nilsa joined the contest and was awarded a prize!  
The last stop of the tour was the Brugal Rum Museum.  There was rum available for purchase.
Looks empty?  Not for long!
Pilot boat.  Entering Amber Cove, DR.
Atrium.  Taken from Deck 3.  Top is on deck 11, under the
tubes of Water Works.  The sun roof does not get wet.
These turned out to be cabanas for rent.
San Felipe Fortress,
Puerto Plata
We stopped at a gift shop which sold mostly amber and
larimar.  This and the next photo are of the street where
the store is located.  
At the organic chocolate company.
Cacao tree.
How the flowers,
and eventually
the fruit, grows.
A worker showing us how cigars are made.
Demonstration of how leaves are hung to dry.
Cigars in a humidor.
As the tour group learned the intricacies of tobacco,
cigars, etc., I toured the area.
El malecon (breakwater, seafront, boardwalk).
Independence Park
San Felipe Cathedral
I asked two individuals for the name of this street.  
They had no idea!
Gourd used to make maracas and other musical
instruments.  
The Brugal Museum
Local dancers with the members of the tour.
Dance competition.  Nilsa came in 2nd.
Heading back to the ship.  This seen inside the complex
Pedicabs charged $4.00 to take passengers to where
the stores/taxis were located.
Back on board!  We arrived at 9 a.m., left at 4:00 p.m.
The Magic sailed at 4:00 p.m.
Below - Valor
500 pesos
About $11.45 US
Ship headed out to sea.  Next port, St. Thomas!
The complex offers many
things (bar, pool, stores,  
cabanas, etc.) but we
decided to take a tour.  
WaterWorks
Bucket fills up with water then tilts.  
Photo showing bucket tilting can be seen further down.
Carnival Valor
Carnival Seaside Theater.  Movies shown at night, free
popcorn!  During day, activities shown on screen.
What is Nilsa doing????
Parque Independencia,
Historic building (bandstand) , Victorian era style.
Guys in yellow shirts are vendors.
A man and his donkey who stood close to fortress!
Found inside
the
Amber Cove
complex.
Atlantic Ocean
A waterfall inside the complex.
On our way back to the ship!
On the Disney Fantasy!
Carnival Valor
Passengers enjoying the contest!
View from Deck 11
Nilsa and María