Carnival Magic review with pictures!!!

[stacycakes1]

Stacey,

Do you remember where you had your first pitcher of Sangria on Las Ramblas?? Was it near where the cab dropped you off? Do you remember where the cab dropped you off? It looks like some nice scenery while drinking... Thank you.

 

 

We actually got dropped off at the beach before we went down Las Ramblas. That is where the first pitcher of Snagria was ordered:) After we had that we walked up the beach and down Las Ramblas. It was a great way to start the day!

[BarnDor]

Actually, I have been helping my parents plan there med cruise this September and they have a few more stops then we did. I can't tell you personally how the tour companies are but can give you the same suggestions I have gotten from others for Barcelona and Cannes:

 

Barcelona - http://www.BarcelonaDayTours.com

Cannes - http://www.rivierapremiumtour.com/

 

For the rest of the ports and to get some further ideas for Barcelona and Cannes you can check out the port threads here on Cruise Critic (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=19) and see what others are saying about those ports and what companies are good.

 

Hope this helps some:)

 

Great job...thanks for the tips...going on our cruise in 2 weeks. I am going to check that tour company out....So glad I didn't book anything yet.

 

Loved your pics and your anecdotes. Have you thought about making a book out of it? Check out "Blurb". I just made one with my Bermuda trip-54 pages cost us $55.00. I had kept a journal during the trip and it was so helpful in doing the book.

 

Thank you again.

 

Dorothy;)

[stacycakes1]

Great job...thanks for the tips...going on our cruise in 2 weeks. I am going to check that tour company out....So glad I didn't book anything yet.

 

Loved your pics and your anecdotes. Have you thought about making a book out of it? Check out "Blurb". I just made one with my Bermuda trip-54 pages cost us $55.00. I had kept a journal during the trip and it was so helpful in doing the book.

 

Thank you again.

 

Dorothy;)

 

What a great idea! I will have to look into that:) Would love to have a book with all of our memories in it.

[dreaminofcrusin]

Loved the great review. Now I must take the same.cruise although not on the magic since her home port is about 1.5hrs away. Now as far as the rude man, you handled him well. I know I would have went straight off on him. Kids or no kids. You don't skip people in line. I have had to wait in long lines with mine so you just wait your turn. He would not have liked me at all once I chewed him up one side and down the other and spat him back out. Don't start none, won't be none. Rudeness will make me open up a can in a new York minute.

[stacycakes1]

Loved the great review. Now I must take the same.cruise although not on the magic since her home port is about 1.5hrs away. Now as far as the rude man, you handled him well. I know I would have went straight off on him. Kids or no kids. You don't skip people in line. I have had to wait in long lines with mine so you just wait your turn. He would not have liked me at all once I chewed him up one side and down the other and spat him back out. Don't start none, won't be none. Rudeness will make me open up a can in a new York minute.

 

Thanks for the props:) Don't get me wrong, I also will loose it sometimes. That guy was lucky because we were in such shock that someone would have the nerve to do what he did that by the time I was angry he was long gone. Probably better that he was:)

[EMED2010]

Hi Stacy!

 

I'm a bit late to the party but I just found this review and had to comment. First of all, you did an excellent job! Beautiful pictures!!

I love that you got to go to Paris before the cruise. The picture of your your feet with the wine bottle at the Eiffle Tower was so great!

We took a 25th anniversary cruise on the Brilliance of the Seas in October of 2010 so some of the ports were a reminiscence for us. It was also so much fun to read about ports we did not travel to, especially Sicily which I want to go to some day. Both of my Dad's parents came from Palermo as well so I really want to go there but I see most ships stop at Messina.

We used Rome in Limo for both Florence/Pisa and Rome and it could not have been better. We too were able to get right into both the Vatican and Academia. Our Vatican tour guide was Sarah too and she really does move you through quickly - she was really good!

I see you also ate at Da Constantino in Positano! That was my favorite meal on the trip. We were there in the beginning of November which is their slow season and they opened the restaurant just for our group of eight! They also gave each couple a free bottle of wine to take home.

I will be looking for more reviews from you - you do such a great job!!!

[BeachBum1007]

Hi Stacy! Thank you so much for your awesome review. It has definitely helped my planning and I will rereading it over again all the way up until my trip!

 

I have a couple of questions for you and was wondering if you would be willing to list your email address that I could contact you at?

 

Thanks in advance!

Edited August 8, 2012 by BeachBum1007

[stacycakes1]

Hi Stacy! Thank you so much for your awesome review. It has definitely helped my planning and I will rereading it over again all the way up until my trip!

 

I have a couple of questions for you and was wondering if you would be willing to list your email address that I could contact you at?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

No prob! It is stacyanngregorski@gmail.com. I actually posted it earlier in the review and have had a few people contact me with questions. Hope to hear from you soon!

[inna61]

I just sent the sheet to all of you requesting it so check your emails:)

 

Happy planning!

 

Me too please your cheat sheet. inna61@Hotmail.com.

Thank you so much!

[CDaily]

Stacy:

 

What hotel did you stay at in Barcelona? There are several Marroitts and it would be nice to find one with a cruise port transfer!

 

Thanks!

[stacycakes1]

Stacy:

 

What hotel did you stay at in Barcelona? There are several Marroitts and it would be nice to find one with a cruise port transfer!

 

Thanks!

 

This is where we stayed and the link to the hotel:

Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel

Plaza Volateria 3,Polignono Mas Blau

El Prat de LLobregat - Barcelona, 08820 Spain

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bcnbr-renaissance-barcelona-airport-hotel/

Have fun!!!!

[HelliCap]

 

We stayed at a Marriott in Barcelona as well. This Marriott was overflowing with cruise passengers. The hotel was great for getting to the cruise port by offering free shuttle service but it was difficult to get downtown so we decided to take a cab. It wasn't long until we were enjoying Sangria on the Mediterranean and walking Las Ramblas!

 

 

 

 

 

You may have already answered this but there is no way I can read 27 pages to find out. Did anyone explain why there is a stick in the pitcher?

[stacycakes1]

You may have already answered this but there is no way I can read 27 pages to find out. Did anyone explain why there is a stick in the pitcher?

 

It was a wooden spoon and it was in there so you could get the fruit from the bottom and keep it well mixed. Very yummy stuff!

[Quench]

Now it was FINALLY time for lunch!!! One of the benefits of doing this tour is they take you to a local restaurant for lunch with real authentic food rather than to a really touristy place in the middle of the chaos.

 

We went to a little place that had a great menu full of many choices. I wanted to celebrate our new friendships and toast the wonderful day we were having with our group by ordering an apetizer for everyone on Paul and I so I asked the waiter to bring an order of Bruscetta for the table to share. Well I had my first lesson in being more specific when ordering in Italy because he didn't bring out one order of bruscetta, he brought out eight bruscettas, one for each person! I almost had a heart attack but Paul said it was no big deal they were very inexpensive. It was a great lesson to learn though!

 

 

Paul and I wanted to try some pasta and pizza so we got both to share. I think this was possibly the best pizza I have ever had. I keep trying to recreate it or someone here in Chicago tells me about a place that has real Italian pizza that is compareable but it never measures up...

 

 

 

 

 

 

And of course some vino!!!

 

Girl your food porn is KILLING ME!!! Love your review and may God continue to bless your union.

[stacycakes1]

Girl your food porn is KILLING ME!!! Love your review and may God continue to bless your union.

 

 

Thank you! And yes, the food porn is killing me too, wish I had some pizza from Italy right about now:)

[stacycakes1]

Really wish I was in Italy right now!

[tomsuelaw]

Love your review so far ... but asian tourists :confused: are they different than other kinds of tourists or something?

 

Seriously??? I didn't realize it was racist to use ethnicity as an adjective. She did not make a negative comment about the tourists, she simply informed us where they were from. Perhaps you are the racist for assuming she meant that as a negative comment. I find your judgment of her statement ridiculous.

 

However, to answer your comment, yes, depending on the type of culture a tourists comes from they will be different. While it may not be fair to assume or hold people up to stereo types, the bottom line is, stereo types are around because there is factual basis for them. They are derived from known cultural distinctions. Fact, I grew up in Philly, in a Scotch-German family. Fact, I am opinionated. Fact, I am loud. Fact, I am not afraid to speak my mind. Fact, I am loyal and will stand up for what I think is right or wrong. Now, not every Scotch-German from Philly is like me, but I can attest, most are. So, get over it and lighten up!

[stacycakes1]

Seriously??? I didn't realize it was racist to use ethnicity as an adjective. She did not make a negative comment about the tourists, she simply informed us where they were from. Perhaps you are the racist for assuming she meant that as a negative comment. I find your judgment of her statement ridiculous.

 

However, to answer your comment, yes, depending on the type of culture a tourists comes from they will be different. While it may not be fair to assume or hold people up to stereo types, the bottom line is, stereo types are around because there is factual basis for them. They are derived from known cultural distinctions. Fact, I grew up in Philly, in a Scotch-German family. Fact, I am opinionated. Fact, I am loud. Fact, I am not afraid to speak my mind. Fact, I am loyal and will stand up for what I think is right or wrong. Now, not every Scotch-German from Philly is like me, but I can attest, most are. So, get over it and lighten up!

 

Thanks Sue! Seems like everyone agrees with you so I didn't let that one person upset me too much. My DH, being the jokester he is, also had quite a few little jokes after it was written to make me laugh about it and brighten me things up. I am just glad that I didn't really offend anyone and that everyone else seemed to understand my meaning behind the post.

 

Hope you enjoy the rest of the review and it helps you with any planning you might be doing:)

[ibcnusoon]

Oh my goshhh, loving this review! I'm only on page 10, I've been reading for a while, stopped to get myself lunch before I was getting hungry looking at the pasta and pizza in Italy!!

 

Been making notes .... Paris City Pass, ROME-IN-LIMO!!!

 

My new bucket list spot: Amalfi coast!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tomsuelaw]

Thanks Sue! Seems like everyone agrees with you so I didn't let that one person upset me too much. My DH, being the jokester he is, also had quite a few little jokes after it was written to make me laugh about it and brighten me things up. I am just glad that I didn't really offend anyone and that everyone else seemed to understand my meaning behind the post.

 

Hope you enjoy the rest of the review and it helps you with any planning you might be doing:)

 

Oh and Stacy, Congrats on your nuptials. Great job on the review. Thanks for taking the time. Sorry my last venting comment came so late in the conversation...I didn't realize how long this thread was until after I hit submit. :o Anyway, thanks and good job! No plans to go to Europe anytime soon but hopefully one day :D

["JJ"]

Stacy, thank you soooo very much for the beautiful review! Planning our Med trip for next year and this is invaluable in making informed decisions! Plus it was just so darn fun reading your exceptional review and delighting in your

gorgeous pictures! Best wishes to you both for a long and fun filled marriage!

[stacycakes1]

Oh my goshhh, loving this review! I'm only on page 10, I've been reading for a while, stopped to get myself lunch before I was getting hungry looking at the pasta and pizza in Italy!!

 

Been making notes .... Paris City Pass, ROME-IN-LIMO!!!

 

My new bucket list spot: Amalfi coast!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I know! I get hungry whenever I look at those photos! My parents are on their way home from doing the same trip and I can't wait to see their pictures now:)

 

Glad to hear I was able to help with your own planning!

[stacycakes1]

Oh and Stacy, Congrats on your nuptials. Great job on the review. Thanks for taking the time. Sorry my last venting comment came so late in the conversation...I didn't realize how long this thread was until after I hit submit. :o Anyway, thanks and good job! No plans to go to Europe anytime soon but hopefully one day :D

 

Thanks Susan and no problem at all!

[stacycakes1]

Stacy, thank you soooo very much for the beautiful review! Planning our Med trip for next year and this is invaluable in making informed decisions! Plus it was just so darn fun reading your exceptional review and delighting in your

gorgeous pictures! Best wishes to you both for a long and fun filled marriage!

 

Thank you JJ and I hope it helped you with your plans. You are going to have an AMAZING time!!!

[janpdel]

Stacy,

 

Your review of your cruise was fabulous and so helpful to us that are in the planning stage. There are 4 of us going on the 12day cruise next Sept. on Carnival Sunshine. We have read each and every word of your hints and have documented so many helpful hints. One question we have is the purchase of the Euros. Did you get a large amount before leaving the states or did you purchase them from different banks in the various ports? We are doing 3 of the RIL tours and know that we will be needing Euros to pay for most everything while in the ports. Any hints you can give on obtaining and using the Euros will be helpful. I have sent a "friend" request if you see one on your site. Thanks for all of your help.

How many Euros do you feel are adequate? You can email me at:janpdel@comcast.net

Edited October 4, 2012 by janpdel