rufflesmom

You can buy cruise cash ahead of time on Carnival website. We did $200 on our last cruise knowing we would spend more than that but at least that much was paid. Another option is to buy Carnival gift cards. You can put those toward the onboard account at any time once you are on the ship.

We have been on both ships, the Freedom in May. Both ships are nice but I liked the Magic better. I much prefer the layout of the Lido deck.

The Magic is going into dry dock some time next year. In May we were looking at cruises for October next year and the Magic was showing up. In June it was gone and the Breeze was in its place. We are booked on the Breeze for Oct 2016.

My DH got one after our cruise in May. He did it, mentioning that he wasn't real happy about the past guest party. He ended up with a $100 onboard credit.

We always do anytime now. We get there around 6 and never had much of a wait. My sisters and I did a cruise together a few years ago, found a waitstaff we really liked. Requested them every evening after that. Really depends on what time you go. The later you go the longer the wait. The following year we were on the same ship with our husbands, saw the same waitstaff. Requested her table every night, never much of wait, even with 6 people.

You can make payments of whatever whenever before final payment date

A few years ago I did a cruise with my sisters. We divided the total cost 3 ways. Each one knew what her share was, made payments online whenever she could. We all got a confirmation email. Worked great.

We have been leaving from Galveston the last 4 cruises and we drive down. We include estimated cost of gas and or hotels too. If we drive down and then something happens we can get that back too. We insure any expenditures we may incur.

I used to always do early, but we tried Anytime this trip. I really liked it because I could go when I wanted to and didn't have to stick so much to a schedule. Yeah, you don't quite get the relationship with your waiters but the flexibility made up for that.

You do know that you can request the same waitstaff every nite with anytime dining. We did that on the last 2 cruises and had no problems. We do anytime dining every cruise now.

We went on a cruise with my sisters and their husbands. 3 wks before the cruise my younger sisters f-i-l passed away. At the funeral she fell and broke her right wrist so it was in a sling for the cruise. We had the absolute BEST wait staff ever. We had anytime dining and discovered that a certain waitstaff that we had the year before was on our cruise. We requested her table every night. When my sister ordered steak, she cut up my sisters steak for her, didn't ask, just said "let me do that for you."

One evening at dinner, when she was taking our order my dh and bil told her they wanted both sides of the menu, that everything looked good. She actually brought out one of every entree on the menu for them. Needless to say, we tipped her very well at the end.

I have been on the Magic twice, Sept 2012 and 2013. She is a beautiful ship. I love her. I appreciate your perspective on the tours, as DH and I will be doing that itinerary in May on the Freedom. We have been to all of those ports before but it has been quite some time so a fresher perspective is good. Glad you had a great time.

The "sofas" on the Magic are not sofa beds as you might think. They take the back cushions off and make it up like a regular bed. I slept on one a couple of years ago and it was pretty comfy.

So many great memories. We were on the Magic in Sept With my sisters and husbands. My sisters and I were on the Magic in Sept 2012. I just love that ship!! I am so envious, you there while we all endure this super cold, snowy winter in the Midwest.

beautiful little boy you have.

2011 yes but there was an electrical fire aboard the magic about a month ago. Multiple ppl on board reported water in the hall ways. The Valor a week ago fire in a cabin which disabled two cabins. The Triumph I can keep going on. Fire is no joke no matter when it is.

 

 

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Multiple people reported raw sewage running down the walls on the Triumph too. But with all the pictures people took on the ship no one had a picture of that. Just because "lots of people" report something just doesn't make it true.

Magic has the number pad to use a 4 digit code. I like that better than using a card.

We always put anything of value in the safe and have never had ant problems.

Just keep in mind that you will have to pick that bag and put it belt to go thru the scanner at security.

I was able to book a balcony cabin quad for 3 people.

So sorry to hear that. Not to worry though. My sister broke her wrist about 3weeks before our cruise (she fell at her father in laws funeral). She had to wear a sling. She turned the sling into an accessory with lots of bling. It was quite a conversation piece. Our fabulous server cut her meat at dinner. Guess who got a bigger tip????

She just decided not to let that ruin her cruise. She had a great attitude and we all had fun.

Has your nephew had any individual diabetic education classes with a certified diabetic educator? If not, it may be helpful if he did. I work in a doctors office that treats diabetics, been there 12 yrs. We have a nurse practitioner who is a certified diabetic educator. She does individual classes with patients. Perhaps your nephew and his mom/dad could try to do that. If so, letting the educator know about the cruise might get them some very beneficial tips on carbs. Just a thought. Don't know when the cruise is or if there is time, but it is just a suggestion.

Hope you all have a great time and that he does well with his diabetes.

We got one last month on the Magic.

I think an appropriate response to someone changing a diaper in the MDR would be to go over and BARF on that person. One gross display deserves another. Bet that person wouldn't do that again!!!

Love your review and pics. I was on the Magic in Sept 2012 with my sisters. We are going again this Sept but are taking the men with us this time. First time ever to vacation with sisters and bil's. Loved the Magic.

I love the Magic. I was on her last Sept with my sisters. We are on the Sept 8 sailing this year, but are taking the men with us. Those pics bring back such great memories.

I am enjoying your review and pictures so much. I am booked on the Magic for Sept but I love seeing the pics of the ship and ports. Gets me thru the next few months. I can live vicariously thru you for now.

And don't worry about not wearing makeup. You looked quite lovely as you are. If i can't put it on within 5 mins it just doesn't get done. Saves lots of time and money (better used on a cruise anyway).

Wow!!! I am blown away by your review and pics. I will be on the Magic in Sept with my sisters and started reading to see pics of the ship. It didn't take long before I was enthralled with Italy. I have wanted to do a Mediterrean cruise but now it goes to #1 on my bucket list.

Thanks for all the hard work that went into that review. You made me feel as if I was there with you.:)