It's a Kind of MAGIC...semi-LIVE review Southern Caribbean 8/26/17

Hello again all!

It's been a few months since we last chatted, but it's time to get the review going again.

Back in May, I did a semi-live review of my Western Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Dream. I've decided to give it a try again on this upcoming cruise aboard the Carnival Magic.

If you'd like to read about my time aboard the Dream, you can do so by clicking here!

Let's get started on this next adventure!

After my trip on the Dream, I was "lucky" enough to "earn" a bounce back offer from the casino. I played phone tag a few times working with a casino representative going over what cruises were available. Even though you are given a 6 month window to cruise, recently it seems that window is only 3 months in reality. I started to evaluate options for a few short cruises, which I usually avoid due to having to buy airfare from Northern Virginia. I called back a few days later with a few options written down, but asked if there were any new cruises loaded on the offer. There was a 7 day on the Glory in early August, which didn't work for me as it was on the weekend I would be traveling for my college roommate's bachelor party. She proceeded to say there was an 8 day on the Magic out of Port Canaveral. I immediately asked what the itinerary was, and was shocked to hear it was the Southern Caribbean itinerary. The timing was not ideal, as I was hoping to travel over Labor Day week, but I took about fifteen seconds to pull up my work calendar to see if I could take the week off, and $93 in port fees and taxes later, I was booked!

I have been looking to get down to Aruba for quite awhile now. A few friends that have gotten married recently have honeymooned there and always had the best things to say. Curacao sounded great too, and Grand Turk is still one of my favorite ports, and hopefully we'll make it there so I can finally get there for the second time.

As you can see, this is a rough estimate of the route we will be taking from Port Canaveral. This sailing includes 2 sea days en route to Aruba, and a sea day before and after Grand Turk. 4 sea days sounds great to me!

This will be my first cruise on the Carnival Magic. After this cruise, I will have completed the entire Dream Class of the Carnival fleet. I am looking forward to exploring a new ship!

I'll be posting a bit more later tonight about what I have planned for the cruise so far. This one has snuck up on me a bit, and I've been doing a bit of traveling on weekends visiting friends and family, so I've got to do a lot of planning still over the next few days!

Looking forward to sharing the cruise experience with you all!

My husband and I will be on this cruise also!! Have you noticed we are now in Aruba til 11pm instead of 10?

Sailed on Magic on New Year's Eve. Nice ship. Good time. Have 7 family members who drove down from NJ & will be on board with you. You'll see my grandson in your travels; can't miss the bright orange hair! We're on Pride which leaves the day after you from Baltimore. Have a great trip!

Thanks for the review.

We'll be on the cruise with you!!! Looking forward to the review as we go along.

Looking forward to following your review.

Looking forward to your review. Happy sailing!

Paying attention to this one! We did this itinerary on the Breeze several years ago (still my favorite cruise) and we're sailing for the first time on the Magic in 65 days!

Anxiously awaiting more of your review....... :D

I'll be sailing on the Magic with dad in October! If it's not too much trouble can you see what day they serve gazpacho? I know it seems silly but it's my favorite and I'm trying to do the steakhouse and not miss it! I'm looking forward to your review!!

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Greetings from Orlando!

I flew in yesterday and visited with friends and crashed at their house. Going to be leaving shortly to drive to port, drop off my rental car, and arrive for my 1130 check in.

Hopefully the sun comes out soon!

I'll be sailing on the Magic with dad in October! If it's not too much trouble can you see what day they serve gazpacho? I know it seems silly but it's my favorite and I'm trying to do the steakhouse and not miss it! I'm looking forward to your review!!

 

 

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I'll take a look and let you know when I see it on the menu!

Following...we sail on Magic in 2 weeks...I can't wait!

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There she is! Long backup waiting to unload shuttles unfortunately.

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First lunch on board....no line for guys pig and anchor!

Got in the terminal at 12:15 and was onboard right before 12:40...not too bad!

It is really hot outside, and I forgot to pack my swimsuit in my carry on, so hopefully I have luck with my bag arriving early.

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Enjoy your cruise on the Magic!! We will be on her for a B2B in October. Looking forward to your pics. :cool:

Have a fabulous cruise....I look forward to following along this week...we will be hopping on as you are getting off....can't wait!

Muster Drill time....the Magic is a ship that scans your sail and sign card when you get to the drill.

I have to say I enjoy the updates to the HUB app. They have dining menus available on the app now! It is a must download before any Carnival cruise.

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Most entertaining muster drill I've been at is over, and we have the first drink of the cruise! Ting Mojito at the red frog rum bar!

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Good evening from somewhere off the Florida coast as we sail south towards Aruba!

Sail away party was a good time. Luckily after the electric slide, my bag was delivered to my room so I could get my swimsuit on and head to the jacuzzi for what turned out to be 2 hours. I'm a little annoyed that they didn't have a waiter taking drink orders in the jacuzzis!

I had dinner on lido tonight, since they had the pork and shrimp from the dining room.

My first shift at the casino didn't go too well, but I did get my "drinks on us" card from my last cruise, so all is good.

I've been at the piano bar since 9. "ThePianoMat" is a little under the weather, but is pushing through and entertaining us.

We'll be back to the casino once piano bar closes for the night!

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Sail away!

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My aunt is on the ship with you! Any problems with the bad weather in Florida? Hope you can sail hurricane-free!

Love Magic!!! We have sailed her a couple of times and have 2 upcoming trips scheduled for December and April before she leaves PC :( for good...Love the pix and makes us excited for our next trip...cant wait for the rest of your review....:D

Do you play slots? Are you seeing winners?

We are scheduled to sail next month and would love a report and how the slots are!

Dee Dee