Carnival Magic Spring Break 2014 Cruise

[lyna89]

Hi everyone!

 

This is my first review so I hope it goes ok. It is very long!

My name is Lynette and I cruised with a few family members: my boyfriend, dad, stepmom, sister, sister’s boyfriend, three cousins, and three aunts. This is for many of us our 5th cruise, 4th with Carnival and 1st on Magic! Here’s us!

 

If you would like access to the FunTimes from this cruise, you can download them here (just get rid of the spaces):

https:// www. dropbox .com /sh/ yj1rh4q7qp2z7s4/ G3DUFTYbiD

 

I have also made a video of some highlights from the cruise. I didn’t try very hard on it but it’s available for those interested. Just search this on youtube: watch?v=5WMOnws0hjs.

[lyna89]

March 9, 2014 - Day 1 - Galveston

We woke up around 4am (my sister didn’t sleep at all) so that we can do final preparations and packing before we left at 5am. Galveston is a 4-5 hour drive from where we live and we wanted to get there in good time! My dad and other family members live in a different city that is about 5-6 hours away from galveston so they left at about 3 or 4 am. The drive was uneventful; that’s a good thing. We got to galveston at 10:30am and caught sight of the Carnival Magic! The weather was so cloudy and rainy. Couldn't wait to go to fairer weather.

 

We dropped off our luggage at the terminal along with my sister and her boyfriend. Then made my way to park. We had prepaid our parking with Galveston Park N Cruise. Their location is so convenient!!! This woman asked for my name and told us where to park. She left before we finished parking and didn’t say another word to us which I thought was odd but who cares! We are going on a cruise! I had forgotten my camera in the car after we had already made our way to the terminal but it wasn’t a problem to walk across the street to get it at all.

 

We went through embarkation got to the waiting area at about 11am. We brought along 12 drinks each (sodas and waters). The bottles were looked at and everything went smoothly. We got Zone 2 so we didn’t wait long to get on the ship!

 

We were on the ship by 12:15pm and of course, we headed straight to the Lido Deck for food! The rest of my family joined us about 45 minutes later. At 1:30pm, we headed to our rooms to drop off our carry on luggage and to see where we were going to be staying for the week! Our cabin is considered an interior cabin with a picture window (Category 4J Cabin). Our room number was 10206. I loved it! We would go onto the deck occasionally and there were hardly ever any people there. It was pretty “private.” I am going to book this type of room whenever I can!

 

My dad and sister also got category 4J cabins (10205 and 9201 respectively).

We did the munster drill and set sail!! Key West here we come! We used the rest of the day to explore the ship.

[lyna89]

March 10, 2014 - Day 2 - Sea Day

We didn’t do much this day besides look around! It was also the first formal night so we took some nice photos for dinner. The food was delicious! I love getting the lobster on formal night. Here are some pictures!

[lyna89]

March 11, 2014 - Day 3 - Key West

We were set to be in Key West at 10 am so my family met for breakfast on the Lido Deck at 9am. We had nothing planned for key west except taking a ride on the CityView Trolley. We did not book this with Carnival because it was $10 more than directly with CityView.

We got off at one of the stops of the Hop on Hop off tour so that we can see the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. It was very humid in there but seeing all the animals and butterflies was beautiful.

 

Afterwards, we waited in a long line to take this photo!

 

We took the trolley back to the dock afterwards. We were back on the ship at about 4pm.

That night, we went to the Punchliner Comedy club and saw Caroline Picard. I thought she was hilarious. She is in her 60s and in great shape! I would like to see her again.

[lyna89]

March 12, 2014 - Day 4 - Freeport

Freeport Day! We did not do anything here but take photos and look around. Port Lucaya is about a 25 minute drive from the port by taxi but we decided not to go.

 

There was a man there who would cut open coconuts so that you can drink the coconut water. Afterwards he would open up the coconut so that you would be able to eat the white coconut meat inside. It was $5 for one. I’m not a fan of the taste of coconut but they looked cute so I got one! I gave it to my dad in the end.

 

We were on the ship by 2pm so my family met for lunch at Cucina del Capitano. We got to pick on the pasta we wanted as well as the ingredients and sauce we wanted with our pasta. It was so-so. I prefer eating on the Lido Deck. Also, as other people have mentioned, the basketball court is right above the restaurant so throughout lunch, there were many bangs from above.

 

That night, my boyfriend and I found out that they were running Dragon Ball Z Kai episodes on one of the channels! We tried to catch the episodes most nights, though we found out after about 3 or 4 days they started giving the same episodes that they had already shown. Throughout the cruise, they also had two movie channels that ran the same movie all day. These movies would alternate every three days. I was able to watch most of the movies in parts throughout the whole cruise.

 

On this day, I also decided to go on a water slide!! I was in line with many young children. I got in line for the Drainpipe slide and I did not expect that plunge at the end! There are also kids waiting in that area to squirt water at whoever is coming out of the slide area. It was fun but I did not do it again. I wish I had though.

[lyna89]

March 13, 2014 - Day 5 - Nassau

Towel Animals everywhere!!!

I am very proud of the dress I am wearing by the way because I knitted it myself! Proud Knitter B).

 

The morning in Nassau was very cloudy, windy, and it was drizzling. It was upsetting because we had paid to spend the day at the British Colonial Hilton private beach! It did not seem like the weather was going to clear up so we cancelled the day pass and lost our deposit ($12 each). The weather DID end up clearing up an hour later! Oh well. We were still able to explore the private beach for pictures. It is very close to the dock so we walked a few blocks to get there.

 

It was fun to notice people driving on the left side of the road. We went to a few shops since it was so cloudy. I went into the Royal Bank of Canada so that I can exchange my currency for the local currency, which is something I like to do at ports with different currency. The bank was very nice and the bank attendant was so friendly and helpful. I did notice around Nassau that there were officers patrolling around the area and shops.

 

Once we got back on the ship, we again ate at Cucina del Capitano. Afterwards, we headed to the 5th deck hot tubs and relaxed for a while. The hot tub was so comfortable in the windy cool weather (though our faces would periodically need to be thawed with a dunk of our heads in the water).

[lyna89]

March 14, 2014 - Day 6 - Sea Day

Pi day! Time to relax after back to back to back days of ports! After breakfast, my dad and sister decided to come with me to try the Skycourse! It was open fortunately so we faced it!

 

There’s some footage on our adventure if you are interested in the youtube video link I posted at the beginning of this review.

 

Tonight was the 2nd formal night. We all looked stunning and took more photos!

 

We went to the Punchliner Comedy Club again this night and saw Thea Vidale. Some of her material I found funny but she seemed to tell more stories than jokes. It was a great night nonetheless.

[lyna89]

March 15, 2014 - Day 7 - Sea Day

The last full day of our cruise! We decided to try to make the most of it. My sister did the Skycourse a second time and tried the more challenging parts! We also played mini golf! My sister made a hole in one!

 

We didn’t keep score so we do not know who won. We dad and sister + boyfriend also rode the slides multiple times after mini golf. I decided to try the Twister slide and I did not like it. The slide was too long and I didn’t like being stuck in there for so long! I just wanted to try it and once was enough.

 

Our last night for dinner came! We miss our Headwaiter Louie! He was so fun and awesome to talk to!

[lyna89]

March 16, 2014 - Debarkation Day :(

It was once again cloudy, gloomy, rainy, windy in Galveston. The debarkation process went smoothly and we had no problems.

It was lovely to walk across the street to our car and not have to worry about waiting for a bus. There was no one around when we got there. We just got in our car and left without ever seeing an employee from Galveston Park N Cruise. Again, this won’t stop us from parking here again because of its location, but it would be nice to see someone checking up on the cars.

 

This is our view of Galveston Park N Cruise from the deck right beside our stateroom! Right across from the terminal!

 

So I hope my review turned out ok and sorry for any typos. If there are any questions, feel free to ask! Overall I loved the ship! I would prefer to do a different itinerary next time, though, but either way it was such a fun cruise and I can’t wait until our next one!

[Dina7]

Thanks for posting your review. The dress you knitted is beautiful! Can't believe you made that yourself. You're very talented :)

 

Dina

[grumpyjr88]

Great review. I loved the Magic and would love to sail her again. :)

 

I love your knitted dress. :)

[lyna89]

Thank you Dina and Grumpy!

 

There are so many details from the cruise that I forgot to include as well. So much to do on a ship! Our room steward's name was Agus and he was awesome! Always said hi to us and was very friendly. We also played Harry Potter Trivia (almost won! but didn't :( ) and a family feud type game (also lost), but it was fun! Our CityView Trolley tour guide was Mark and he was awesome! He was very knowledgeable of the area and was very funny too.

Food was also so IMPORTANT on our cruise! We ate so many times a day! Here's a link to almost all the pictures I took of food (just take out spaces):

http:// s327.photobucket.com/user/ lyna89/library /Facebook/Cruise% 20Food%202014

[tandemcruzr]

Lyna -- thanks for the review. Sounds like y'all had a good time. Enjoyed your photos. :)

[cruisedarling]

March 16, 2014 - Debarkation Day :(

It was once again cloudy, gloomy, rainy, windy in Galveston. The debarkation process went smoothly and we had no problems.

It was lovely to walk across the street to our car and not have to worry about waiting for a bus. There was no one around when we got there. We just got in our car and left without ever seeing an employee from Galveston Park N Cruise. Again, this won’t stop us from parking here again because of its location, but it would be nice to see someone checking up on the cars.

 

This is our view of Galveston Park N Cruise from the deck right beside our stateroom! Right across from the terminal!

 

So I hope my review turned out ok and sorry for any typos. If there are any questions, feel free to ask! Overall I loved the ship! I would prefer to do a different itinerary next time, though, but either way it was such a fun cruise and I can’t wait until our next one!

 

Thank you for your review!! I really enjoyed it, and it helps me get through the next 82 days or so til I am on that MAGIC ship :D I love your shirts.. Keep Calm and Cruise On.. We always wear matching shirts for embarking:) May I ask where you got them? I would love to have them for our trip.

[lyna89]

Thank you tandemcruzr! I may have posted TOO many photos! :p

 

cruisedarling, I got those shirts on the ship! They had them 2 for $20. Not bad! Had to have the matching shirts for next time :D Have fun on your cruise in 82 days! Times doesn't go by fast enough when waiting and goes by too fast when we're not!

[cruisedarling]

Thank you tandemcruzr! I may have posted TOO many photos! :p

 

cruisedarling, I got those shirts on the ship! They had them 2 for $20. Not bad! Had to have the matching shirts for next time :D Have fun on your cruise in 82 days! Times doesn't go by fast enough when waiting and goes by too fast when we're not!

 

 

Thank you!! I cannot wait!!:)