Navigator of the Seas vs Carnival Magic

[agreenway6]

This past May, my friends and I cruised on the Carnival Magic and we absolutely loved it! We're planning on going on another cruise this May, but we're leaning towards Navigator of the Seas.

 

Has anybody used both of them and wouldn't mind doing a quick review of the differences/similarities? Sailing out of Galveston, btw. I recently read where the NOTS is docking in February and undergoing renovations to prepare for having it's home port in Galveston.

[DaNana]

Have not been on Carnival Magic but have been on NOS and have another cruise out of Galveston next November. I'm really excited to see the upgrades she will have! Don't know where you are coming from, but Galveston is not like getting to a port in FL from the airport. So worth it, just not the same and higher cost. Whatever you decide, enjoy!;)

[satxdiver]

I have been on the CCL Magic and three of the voyager class RCCL ships. All five voyager class ships are all but identical.

 

The NOS does not have a water slide or rope bridge. It does not have the buffet layout with specialty food like the Magic nor does it have the pizza, hamburger and deli places that are open until very late. There is no special comedy club.

 

The NOS has an ice skating rink on deck 3 that on sea days can be used at specific times by pax (long pants required with socks) and they have an ice show that is really nice. The NOS has two pools in the main Lido area with four hot tubs. It also has a pool in the solarium (Lido deck) with two hot tubs that are adult only. There is a rock climbing wall, sports court and in-line skating track for the athletic minded.

 

Down the middle of the ship is the royal promenade that rises up four decks and makes you think you are on some European street. The interior cabins on decks 6, 7 and 8 have big bow windows overlooking the royal promenade below.

 

On deck 12 is a Johnny Rockets ($) just like what you find on shore. Deck 5 has a British themed pub called Two Poets with tables on the "street". Deck 4 has the casino, a nautical themed piano bar and a two story disco called The Dungeon (looks like a dungeon to me) with disco lighting and wood dance floor.

 

The specialty restaurants ($$) are Chop's Grill and Portifino's on the Lido deck. There is a Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop ($) on the royal promenade.

 

There are a few things you need to know. The cabins are not available until 1:00 PM on embarkation day (they lock the doors leading into the hallways). The WJ (wind jammer buffet) is only open specific times for meals and is closed between times (they lock the doors so you can't use the tables). Only food available when the WJ is closed are the Cafe Promenade (deck 5), room service and Johnny Rockets.

 

These are some of the differences that come to mind.

[PudgiPoo]

The NoS dry docks in January. I will we on my first NoS cruise next month, but have been on two of her sister ships. I was on the Magic in April. Everyone says they are the same. Not me. I found it difficult to find my way around on the Magic. Of course I have cruised many times on RC which helps with RC ships. I like to be able to walk from one end of the ship to the other and you cannot on the Magic. First day on the Magic we could not find the main dinning room???? This should not be difficult (you have to stay starboard, I think, to get any where). If you are into the party idea the Magic is great. Very upbeat and a bit crazy. RC has great shows and entertainment for most age groups. I think the Magic is more centered on the 20/30 somethings. Rock on. I am not saying if you are in this age group you wouldn't like RC, but if you want quiet and soft music you will not find it on the Magic.

[DaNana]

OP and satxdiver can check out what NOS will look like after the refurb. There will be a flowrider and a lot more! ;)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1923511

[agreenway6]

I navigated around the Magic pretty easily after a day or two. The 24 hour pizza place on the Magic was absolutely amazing. I can't tell you how many plates of pizza we went through during the week. So that's kind of a bummer for the NOS.

[capsfloyd]

We have been on CC , 7xs , will be the magic in Febuarey of 14 out of Galveston

In October of 14 will do our 1st cruse on RCL. Nos . Wanted to try something new

 

We have always had great exp. on carnival

We will write a review on both