Drazil65

Love Magic, have sailed a few times, was one of our fav ships until we sailed excel class ships.  Although we have new favs now and its been a couple yrs since our last cruise on Magic, the newest/ most recent reviews seem to be positive for the most part.  Do your research and look at the deck plans online and I am sure you will have a great trip.  

Our DS is 21 now and we are all well into platinum status heading for diamond, he started cruising not quite a toddler.  We have always cruised as a family so we all have same amount of days sailed, as it should be.  Also, we have always paid his way as a 3rd person in the cabin so its not like they dont get charged at all. 

In addition, since we only cruise balcony or suites for last couple of decades, I think we have been a benefit to CCL and their bottom line.  So no matter what the age of the person, someone has paid for that person in most cases and that kid has counted as a passenger, so I do not see an issue.  

You have a really good list started.  I guess where as you are having them check in via phone we had DS check in every hour in person (just while not in a ship sponsored activity) with at least one of us.  We would agree to a meeting place and all be there.  If they are just hanging out with the friends they meet on the ship then they are doing nothing important that they cannot stop to check in with parent(s).  Many times DS did not want to go back to the group he was with (for many reasons) and opted to stay with us or go on to another activity.  We always had our meals together.  

If he was in a ship sponsored activity then we would just have him check in after activity over.  We have seen way too many kids that age running the ship, unchecked as if the ship was a giant playpen and the parents were off just living their best life. 

We were lucky in the DS wasn't the follow the crowd kind of kid BUT you really dont know how other kids were raised.  Bullying can be a real thing on a ship especially out of sight of parents.  Maybe have that conversation with your kids so they know they should leave the group if they witness that behavior.  

The initial booking page might still show availability (and a price) when in fact there are no cabins left in that category

This...and also the category may only be sold out for the amount of people you want to have in the cabin.  There are many times when I search for future cruises the category I search is still open for 2 passengers but when I change the travelers to 3 it will then show sold out.  

I like Royal’s, where you can choose three or seven nights. 

We like that about RCCL dinner plans too, we would also like to see a coffee type plan for specialty coffees (more than just the punch card).  

I personally would locate the deck and a bunch of cabin numbers (with cabin type) and have each book their own cabin.  Speaking from experience (one time and done, not again).  It could involve many issues as you go along and can get way too complicated with all the different likes and dislikes.  During and after the cruise was just as bad, any all complaints or opinions on cruising in general and Carnival came my way because I took charge in the beginning to book the cabins (big mistake as I became the go to through out the process). 

It all sounds good up front but I would not book everything for everyone, let everyone join in on the process once the deck location is decided.  That way they cannot blame anyone else for most of the decisions and if they are truly interested in going they will jump on booking asap.  If you decide to go forward with booking yourself, I wish you luck and a great cruise!  

We love the Havana cabins and the outside Havana bar area as well as deck 8 being so close to a lot of the inside action.  MG is currently our favorite ship and that would be our choice every time if available.  

Hands down if the money agrees with you take it.  We always did balcony cabins when DS was young and still took naps. Whether it was my turn or DH turn to do the nap time in the cabin the balcony was great for a glass a wine and a good book while DS slept.  Also, good place to sit and wait for all of us to get ready for dinner. 

Once we started with balconies (regular, extended, Havana or suites) there was no turning back after that.  

Way back in the day we did the same thing in error.  We found that there seemed to be a little more noise heard from the cabin next door, including hearing all conversations clearly as though we were in same room (no matter how low it seemed they had the TV it was always heard in the background).  Luckily they were not late night people and it made us more aware of what we talked about and our level of conversation.  

Lesson learned and that is one of the first things I check after the cabin category still after all these years.  We do not even consider when we happen to be cruising with family members, actually we kind of make sure the cabins around us are already booked 😂.  Makes for a much better cruise for all.  

If you are turning platinum during your next cruise you will see it reflected on your boarding pass once you check in.  Also, your luggage tags will also show your new level.  Once on the ship your S & S cards will be platinum (just in case they make a mistake and give you gold cards just go to guest services (the VIP line)  and exchange them.  I guess that happens every once in a while.  

Interesting, we have cruised on MG a few times in last couple years and she is currently our favorite ship with CCL.  We find we dont use the MDR hardly at all when on this ship due to all the other eating venues available. Did you eat anywhere else besides MDR for dinner and notice the same issues? 

Totally agree with Brass Magnolia bar, good times!  Glad to hear the many other things are still good and up to par, thank you for the updates!

Have seen it all across the board on every class of ship we have been on, pretty much anything goes in MDR (no bathing suit type of shorts).  That being said, the only place that I actually saw the management ask someone wearing shorts (nicer, dress type of black shorts with a collared shirt) was in the steak house. The gentleman left and came back with khakis (long pants) on, truthfully he looked more put together with the first outfit.  

DS typically orders off the steakhouse menu whenever we eat in MDR, the steaks are better quality so we dont mind the upcharge.  He has in the past ordered the surf and turf at least once from upcharge menu and was happy with his meal although he has since only done the steak.   

If you plan to order the upcharge item anyway, maybe try the surf and turf at least once and if you like it then you will if it is worth it for you.  

No questions as we have sailed MG a few times in last couple of years but have a blast!  Its a great time and a great ship, love the excel class.  We cannot wait for our next trip on MG (May 2025) and will be excited to see your review while we wait it out.  

Saw this on our excursion list for Nassau, looked interesting and something different.  Reviews so far are encouraging.  We had done something similar in San Juan a couple years back and had a blast, of course there were drinks and salsa dance lessons included in that one.  

Horizon by far the better ship being its bigger and newer with more venues and fun.  IMHO, we would choose Mo Bay over any other stops in Jamaica (cruising or land vaca).  We have always had a great time in Jamaica over the years and Montego Bay typically is our go to.  Keep in mind you will be on the ship way longer than your stop in Jamaica will be so I would def choose which cruise by the ship in this case.  

Congrats on your anniversary milestone!  Maybe consider booking one of the specialty restaurants for just the 2 of you (steakhouse or Rudi's).  Go have your "anniversary" picture taken ahead of dinner and then have a predinner drink somewhere.  Make it more like a date night   

Whatever you do it will be a blast, the Excel ship class is our fav (we have sailed a few times on Mardi Gras) and there is something new to do everyday.  Enjoy it all!

You can always grab a nicer bottle for 50% off on the second night.  If you have a fav more expensive wine it can be worth it.  If not than you will want to book 1st night reservations in order to get the free bottle.  

We just renewed ours (expires in Oct 2024 but we are heading to London (our fav city ever) this summer and just didnt want to even think about it plus we always use for cruising as well, so went ahead and renewed.  Sent in renewal on 2/14/24 and took 5 weeks to receive new ones. 

Have a friend that applied early March (1st timer) for a trip he is taking this August and they quoted him 10-12 weeks.  Its been 5 weeks for him and still waiting so we will see, at least he did it early).  

I think everyone should make the decision for what works and what they are willing to pay for themselves.  Everyone's vacation looks different, its all about choices and I like my choices whether its about water or booking an $$$ ocean suite on a cruise ship.  I dont expect anyone outside my little family to have an opinion on my choices and if they do, 🤣🤣🤣...

You will love MG, by far our favorite ship overall.  She is a big one but so much fun and on our last MG trip this past December we realized that we def have a favorite deck it seems, Deck 8, spent many hours doing many things on Deck 8 (plus we were staying in a Havana cabana that trip on deck 8 and everything was so close).  So many food venues that we never ate in MDR this last trip (didnt plan for that but just worked out).  Make sure you stop by Emeril's as the  food is worth the small upcharge and you can just walk up and order (try it for lunch one day), the shrimp and grits is outstanding! 

We have 2 trips this year on Sunshine in Charleston to see her off (our other fav ship for an oldie but goodie one) but our next one after that is May 2025 on MG again and cant wait.   You will have so much fun and I will be following along too!

I am baffled how in this day and age, that people who are about to get on a cruise ship don't consider what kind of documentation is needed.  I don't know if some people are so insular that they just don't understand, or can't accept that they need to show proof of citizenship like the rest of the world does.  International travel is a privilege, but it comes with responsibility, like knowing the basics of what is required to get on a cruise ship

This...100%...People walk around with their noses glued to their phones, everywhere...they know everything going on with social media, following what everyone else is doing etc...but cannot (or more likely wont) look up details for things like what they need (in their specific situations) to travel on a cruise. 

If someone is lacking in the ability to find out these things on their own (or wont bother reading the FAQs) then use a TA or PVP to assist with your trip and even then the end responsibility lies with the person traveling.  

Just purchased cheers, internet and a  massage - the charge comes up as carnival cruise Line, not fun shops. 

This has worked for us in past with no issues, we purchased several items after final payment was made and we received the statement credit.  Have done this with AMEX and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards.
 

If you use express do you still pick a time slot and just don’t check your luggage for debark? Or is it a leave when you want type thing for express?

We choose the option on the hub when it popped up and the instructions gave us the time to be at the meeting venue.  I believe it was 7:00 am but we were there by 6:45 and the grp left the venue right after we arrived.  We were loading the car in the parking garage at 7:00 and on road heading to I-95 north by 7:10.  

passports are a better control, and that is what it is all about. 

Agree...Passports work for every situation and there is no worrying or thinking about it.  We have always used ours for domestic flights, cruising, driving to Canada and Mexico and international travel abroad.  Second nature without any thought if its right or wrong.