SRQbeachgirl

I am so disappointed the Magic isn't in Florida anymore. I love that ship, but after moving back to Florida from four long years in Virginia there's no way I'm going back up there to get on a cruise.

Okay, I know this is gonna seem really picky and probably way too much pre-planning, but I'm gonna ask it anyway! 😉 We're getting on the Mardi Gras in three weeks and I have scoured deck plans and reviews looking for something similar to the comfy chaises in the shade that I love so much on the Dream Class ships. Here's a photo of the chaises on the Magic Panorama deck that I'm talking about. I love, love, love the Panorama deck on Dream class! I could seriously plant my tushy in those chairs and never get off the ship. I love that you get comfort, shade, sea breeze, and a water view without having to move my lazy butt. 😁 I will typically get up about 7:30am, grab my breakfast at Blue Iguana or Lido, and stake my claim on one of these until after lunch when the music on the Lido cranks up so loud I can't take it anymore. With three sea days on the Mardi Gras I am hoping I can find something equally satisfying. Unfortunately it seems like so many of the shaded seating areas with some sea breeze and a view on Mardi Gras are either plain hard chairs or regular pool deck loungers. After searching and searching, it looks like my best bet is going to be the Patio area on Deck 8 aft (conveniently located directly below our aft balcony cabin on Deck 10). The seating area in the shade on the left side of the photo below is what I'm thinking about. Still not completely satisfied with this, though. For those of you who have been on Mardi Gras, do you know if there's a better location that is similar to my coveted spot on the Dream class?

This has always been the case on our credit and debit cards whether we were on cruises, at hotels, or getting rental cars, even way back when we first got married in the 80's.

I've cruise Carnival and RCI (mostly Carnival) and will be boarding the Mardi Gras in three weeks. The two lines are more alike than different, but there are some key things that set each line apart. For nightlife, I think the edge goes to Carnival. RCI has the the big Broadway-style production shows, but Carnival has multiple nightly adult comedy shows. Carnival seems to also have more late night entertainment options. The Mardi Gras has (IMO) better bar options as well. RCI's main dining room probably has a smidge better quality over Carnival, but the Mardi Gras competes toe-to-toe (and may have the advantage) with the upgraded restaurants including Emeril's, Rudi's Sea Grill, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Teppanyaki, Bonsai Sushi, and several others. And when it comes to casual eating throughout the day at no additional cost, Carnival definitely tops RCI for options - Guy's Burger Joint, Shaq's Big Chicken, Guy's Pig & Anchor BBQ, Blue Tequila, and more. Carnival seems to have seriously stepped up it's game with the Mardi Gras and her soon-to-be sister ships, Celebration and Jubilee.

For me it's their huevos rancheros and arepas. Mmmmm.

The smokers near us were on an adjacent balconies and a balcony below us, so it definitely made it easy to identify where it was coming from. Of course, the fact that one of them was purposefully flicking his ashes onto people walking on the deck below may have sped up security's response.

That has not been our experience. The couple of times we have had someone nearby smoke on their balcony, one phone call to GS has put a stop to it for the duration of the cruise. YMMV.

We're doing the Southern route next year in a Havana Aft Balcony on the Horizon. Funny story - I thought I was booking for Nov this year, but after I booked realized I had accidentally booked it for Nov 2023. Whoops. But hey, I'm keeping it! 🤷‍♀️ 😂 I like that the Southern route has an extra day and it just feels different down there - even different stars to enjoy at night.

Lol - definitely. We have those giant plastic water bladders that you put in the bathtub.

We moved from Texas (DFW) to southwest Florida in 2003. Then we spent the last four years in northern Virginia and couldn't wait to get back to Sarasota. Snow is way overrated and the D.C. area is sheer insanity (traffic, politics, real estate prices, taxes, everything). We love being a short drive from multiple cruise ports and international airports. But the big draw for us is being minutes from some of the best beaches in the country. Lots of outdoor dining year-round, outdoor activities, and entertainment venues. We don't mind the hot weather in the summer (just more excuse to hang out in the pool and at the beach). As for hurricanes, stock up on supplies, roll down the hurricane shutters, and break out the wine.

And there I was stuck in the middle (in Venice).

I wish this type of tech was available when my son was younger. We avoided any travel where there might be language barriers because of his life-threatening food allergies. Glad he grew out of most of them (though the tree nut allergy is probably forever).

Carnival calls it "cruise elegant" these days. I've seen people turned away at the MDR for things like cut-offs, swim trunks, and t-shirts, but I have also seen some get in wearing nicer shorts (Bermuda, khaki). I'm actually always surprised at the number of people who still dress up on Carnival. Personally I don't care what people wear, I just like to people watch.

Wow! Makes me feel even more relieved that we snagged a cabana!

I just remembered this happened when we first booked our cruise for this month. Lots of excursions were listed for Roatan, but the Mahogany Beach options were all missing. I had a mini-panic attack. Then they showed up a few weeks later. Whew!

It's just the two of us as well (DH and me), but we are getting it because that end of the beach is less crowded since it's reserved for the cabanas. DH is a bit crowd-averse, so being practically shoulder-to-shoulder in beach loungers with hundreds of our fellow passengers isn't really his idea of relaxing (same reason we get balcony cabins so he has somewhere to escape). The cabanas are also closer to the better snorkeling. Plus we will have food and beverage service. All in all, definitely worth it for our needs and wants.

Cruise Critic party in the cabanas! 🥤

You would find them under Shore Excursions in your Cruise Planner, but if it's for your Vista cruise in February 2023 they probably just haven't released them yet. Are any other excursions showing up for your ports, or is it just Roatan that's missing?

We'll be on the June 25th sailing as well!

I've been reading your review and Willdra's and they are making me so excited!

I feel like I hit the jackpot today. I've been disappointed that all of the Mahogany Bay cabanas were already taken by the time we booked our Mardi Gras cruise coming up on June 25th. I booked the Ultimate Beach package instead, but I've had my heart set on one of the cabanas since the last time we were there. So twice a day, every day, for the last three months I have been checking to see if by chance someone might cancel a cabana. I had just about given up hope, until... BAM! Today I opened up my cruise planner to check excursions and there it was! One bright, shiny cabana waving at me! I don't think I've ever typed my credit card number so fast in all my life! 🤣 My excursion wish list is now complete. I'll just be over here doing my Happy Dance! 💃

^What JD said. If you didn't pay then you don't have a reservation. All specialty restaurant reservations have to be paid at time of booking.

First, this review is So. Much. Fun. Second, is it weird to get so excited over a shower door? Asking for a friend. 😉

Sleep is overrated - I'll do that when I get home. 😅 On cruises I'm usually up by 7am or so and go to bed around 1am. On sea days my DH sleeps in until about 10am and then naps mid-afternoon. I may occasionally doze off momentarily in a deck chair, but it's usually only a minute or two before I jerk myself awake. Besides, naps give me headaches so I am better off staying awake.

Ha- yes, that would cause additional problems. It's bad enough trying to manage one of RCI's own cruises! 🤣