Carnival Magic reviews?

[Mrfishingexpert]

Going on the Carnival Magic 3-15-15 for 7 days to Key West, Freeport, and Nassau out of Galveston! My first cruise was on 8-2-14 on the Carnival Triumph for 5 nights to Progresso and Cozumel. I absolutely loved it! First of all, is anybody going on this cruise also? Has anybody been on the Magic, how was it? Advice? Thanks!

[burnsrod1]

The Magic is great. Doesn't have the 2.0 upgrades yet but in my opinion its a nicer ship. Does have the Serenity Deck for Adults only. The cove balconies while far away from the Lido deck activities are great. Did a 7 day on her in Sept and pretty close to booking a 5 day in Feb now. Would sail the Magic over the Triumph any day. Been on the Triumph twice and the Magic once so far.

 

 

 

[abcsteward]

Going on the Carnival Magic 3-15-15 for 7 days to Key West, Freeport, and Nassau out of Galveston! My first cruise was on 8-2-14 on the Carnival Triumph for 5 nights to Progresso and Cozumel. I absolutely loved it! First of all, is anybody going on this cruise also? Has anybody been on the Magic, how was it? Advice? Thanks!

 

 

Hi and Welcome Aboard... We have a Magic 3-15-15 Roll Call set up... COme on over and join us... :)

 

The Magic is a newer and bigger ship than the Triumph... I have yet to sail on The Triumph (but will be on a 21 day B2B cruise on her in February)... I do know the differences seem to be the 2.0 upgrades... Magic doesnt have Guys or Blue Iguana... But... There are plenty of other options... ;) I just know if you are anything like me you will love her... Cause I could be on any cruise ship and make it FUN!!!

 

Hope to see you in the Roll Call area...

[k2excursion]

I think the Magic is a great ship. There will definitely be more people on board, compared to the Triumph, but there is more public space also, so I didn't think it was any more crowded. The waterslides & splash factory on Magic are a HUGE upgrade from Triumph's 1 slide. I had so much fun with that. Magic also has a nice ropes course.

 

Magic doesn't have Girls burgers or the lizard cantina, but it will still have burgers (with longer hours & serving up more than just burgers) & a burrito bar (for lunch only). Magic has Cucina del Capitano above the aft buffet, which is an Italian restaurant. The pasta bar there is FREE for lunch, but dinner there costs extra. Magic also has a lunch BBQ on the deck 5 lanai on sea days, also free. Magic will also have a full Mexican buffet during one of the late night deck parties, which Triumph no longer does. So there are crazy amounts of food options on Magic. I was on the ship with about 4700 on board (near the maximum possible), and the food lines were always short, even at peak times.

 

Magic's song & dance shows in the theater aren't quite as good as Triumph's. They are the same style of shows, but Triumph's themes for the shows are better. However, Magic does have an incredible magic (illusion) show that is definitely not to be missed. The place will be packed for that one.

 

I greatly prefer Magic's promenade to the Triumph's. Magic has the "oceans plaza", where a band will be playing at night. There is a nice lanai (outdoor deck) that circles the ship on deck 5. On the lanai, they have plenty of deck chairs & several hot tubs. But I think Triumph's lido deck is better. Triumph has stadium style layout outside on lido deck, while Magic does not. Triumph has 3 pools in total & hot tubs near the main pool & waterslide, while Magic has 2 pools in total & 0 hot tubs near the main pool or slides.

 

Cruisecritic has a roll call section. One has been set up for your cruise: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2102836

Edited January 7, 2015 by k2excursion

[mountainbreeze]

I just posted a review of my 7 day cruise on the Carnival Magic on my blog. I didn't visit the same islands you will visit, but there is a lot of good info about the ship in my review. I also posted a tour of the Carnival Magic ship.

 

Here is the link to my review of my cruise:

http://emptynestinthemidwest.blogspot.com/2014/12/carnival-magic-cruise-day-1-friday-nov.html

 

 

And here is my photo tour of the Carnival Magic:

http://emptynestinthemidwest.blogspot.com/2015/01/carnival-magic-tour.html

 

 

Enjoy!! :)

[cruising4ever29]

Can anyone tell me if the weather and water are usually warm enough in Bahamas around feb3rd? I'm going to key west Freeport and Nassau February 1.

 

 

Any answers greatly appreciated. I'm from Oklahoma and its chilly here right now

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[k2excursion]

Can anyone tell me if the weather and water are usually warm enough in Bahamas around feb3rd? I'm going to key west Freeport and Nassau February 1.

 

 

Any answers greatly appreciated. I'm from Oklahoma and its chilly here right now

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

You never know. The Bahamas are not as far south as the islands that get the year-round summer, so it can & does get a little chilly there sometimes, but not nearly as cold as we are at now. I was in Nassau last year in late January, when the whole U.S. was frozen. Port Canaveral was in the low 60s for a high the day before, then Nassau got into the upper 70s & sunny, good enough to go swimming in the ocean, but just barely. It's similar weather to Miami, which never gets very cold, but can sometimes be a little too chilly to swim. Enjoy your cruise.

Edited January 7, 2015 by k2excursion

[cajunpowercruiser]

My dearest and I will be cruisin' on the Magic Feb 8th - 14th. I am a first time cruiser. I will share my experience upon return. I appreciate all the people that contribute to these forums. AS I see the glass as always half full you will expect to see more of the good and very little if any of the bad. It's like going to Disney World and only experiencing the que wait. That's not how we roll. I'm of the opinion that the grass is greenest underfoot.

[mitsugirly]

The Magic is great. Doesn't have the 2.0 upgrades yet but in my opinion its a nicer ship. Does have the Serenity Deck for Adults only. The cove balconies while far away from the Lido deck activities are great. Did a 7 day on her in Sept and pretty close to booking a 5 day in Feb now. Would sail the Magic over the Triumph any day. Been on the Triumph twice and the Magic once so far.

 

 

Wait, the Magic doesn't have the 2.0 upgrades or Guys? Maybe I'm confusing my ships. I have only been on the Dream and (although it didn't have guys) I thought that the Breeze and Magic were pretty much the same type of ship, but a little more upgraded (with the ropes course, waterworks with the bucket, guys and a 4d movie theater). Am I wrong or am I thinking of the wrong ship now?

[abcsteward]

I just posted a review of my 7 day cruise on the Carnival Magic on my blog. I didn't visit the same islands you will visit, but there is a lot of good info about the ship in my review. I also posted a tour of the Carnival Magic ship.

 

Here is the link to my review of my cruise:

http://emptynestinthemidwest.blogspot.com/2014/12/carnival-magic-cruise-day-1-friday-nov.html

 

 

And here is my photo tour of the Carnival Magic:

http://emptynestinthemidwest.blogspot.com/2015/01/carnival-magic-tour.html

 

 

Enjoy!! :)

 

 

Love the blog... Thanks for the link... ;)

[mayabean]

I sailed the Magic to Roatan, belize, and Cozumel in may, and returned to sail again in October to Nassau, freeport and key West......loved the ship, was very clean, many uncrowded public areas, beautiful spa if you chose to use it, and very easy to navigate. I'm sure you will not be disappointed!

[k2excursion]

Wait, the Magic doesn't have the 2.0 upgrades or Guys? Maybe I'm confusing my ships. I have only been on the Dream and (although it didn't have guys) I thought that the Breeze and Magic were pretty much the same type of ship, but a little more upgraded (with the ropes course, waterworks with the bucket, guys and a 4d movie theater). Am I wrong or am I thinking of the wrong ship now?

 

Magic & Breeze have almost identical layouts. The only real difference in layout is that the Breeze has the 3D theater, while the Magic does not. However, Magic is technically not a 2.0 ship (although the numbers don't matter at all). Waterworks is a 1.0 upgrade (no matter what features are or aren't included on a particular ship), and the Red Frog Pub & ropes course were just simply new features that were started on the Magic. The building of the Magic precedes the 2.0 campaign which began on Liberty in late 2011. So Magic does not have Guys or Blue Iguana cantina. In those spots are still food stations. It's just not brand named, which gives the Magic more freedom in what they're allowed to serve & do at those stations and at all other food stations around the ships. That freedom provides more options that get taken away on the ships that have Guys & the lizard cantina. Many people don't miss what gets taken away, but I do.

[LambKnuckles]

I've sailed the MAGIC and I've sailed the same itinerary... but not the same itinerary on the MAGIC...

 

I have reviews in my signature.

 

But I truly love the MAGIC, but for a reason that you probably don't need. A handicapped cabin on Lido deck that makes everything convenient.

[mitsugirly]

Magic & Breeze have almost identical layouts. The only real difference in layout is that the Breeze has the 3D theater, while the Magic does not. However, Magic is technically not a 2.0 ship (although the numbers don't matter at all). Waterworks is a 1.0 upgrade (no matter what features are or aren't included on a particular ship), and the Red Frog Pub & ropes course were just simply new features that were started on the Magic. The building of the Magic precedes the 2.0 campaign which began on Liberty in late 2011. So Magic does not have Guys or Blue Iguana cantina. In those spots are still food stations. It's just not brand named, which gives the Magic more freedom in what they're allowed to serve & do at those stations and at all other food stations around the ships. That freedom provides more options that get taken away on the ships that have Guys & the lizard cantina. Many people don't miss what gets taken away, but I do.

 

Thanks for the info. For some reason I thought it had the same thing as the Breeze (which I knew had Guys and the 4D theater). But it still sounds wonderful! :)

[coltsmama]

sailed her last feb and booked her again feb 1st for the key west/bahamas itinerary. I love the Magic.

[idlenote]

Done the Magic twice and the Triumph once in the last two months. Next cruise will be the Triumph. I think there are ups and downs on both ships and they are not necessarily the same ups and downs.

 

The Triumph is an older ship and is definitely showing her age, but the Magic seems to be catching up fast. IMHO the food on the Triumph was better than on the Magic and that applied to both the MDR and the Lido. Guys Burgers on the Triumph is hit or miss and a lot of people have complained about issues with it. The BBQ on Deck 5 on the Magic would be laughed out of Texas. The taco bar on the Triumph is OK but don't let the crew fix them their way, you need to do it if you want it to be anywhere close to authentic. The mattresses on the Triumph are much better than on the Magic. Both ships have real issues with ventilation in the Casino, especially when it's raining outside and it's the only place the smokers can go but it is worse on the Triumph. The Magic does seven day cruises and the Triumph does four or five day cruises so the Triumph seems to be a rowdier ship. The brunch on both ships is absolutely excellent.

 

DW prefers the Magic but I don't mind either. It's all about the ports for me.

[tvlworm]

I just posted a review of my 7 day cruise on the Carnival Magic on my blog. I didn't visit the same islands you will visit, but there is a lot of good info about the ship in my review. I also posted a tour of the Carnival Magic ship.

 

Here is the link to my review of my cruise:

http://emptynestinthemidwest.blogspot.com/2014/12/carnival-magic-cruise-day-1-friday-nov.html

 

 

And here is my photo tour of the Carnival Magic:

http://emptynestinthemidwest.blogspot.com/2015/01/carnival-magic-tour.html

 

 

Enjoy!! :)

 

Your photo review was fantastic, I'm even more excited now to go see this ship in person!

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app

[addictaftermagic]

My dearest and I will be cruisin' on the Magic Feb 8th - 14th. I am a first time cruiser. I will share my experience upon return. I appreciate all the people that contribute to these forums. AS I see the glass as always half full you will expect to see more of the good and very little if any of the bad. It's like going to Disney World and only experiencing the que wait. That's not how we roll. I'm of the opinion that the grass is greenest underfoot.

 

Greetings! We are also on this sailing. It's a great ship. This will be our 3rd trip in the Magic. My first cruise was on a much smaller ship... Wasn't that impressed with that cruise... Don't get me wrong it was still fun. Was just a better experience on the larger ship. I'm sure you will have a great trip. Enjoy your first trip. On sea days there is a seaside grill set up outside 5th deck... It's a nice change from the dining room and lido. Enjoy your cruise!

[cajunpowercruiser]

Greetings! We are also on this sailing. It's a great ship. This will be our 3rd trip in the Magic. My first cruise was on a much smaller ship... Wasn't that impressed with that cruise... Don't get me wrong it was still fun. Was just a better experience on the larger ship. I'm sure you will have a great trip. Enjoy your first trip. On sea days there is a seaside grill set up outside 5th deck... It's a nice change from the dining room and lido. Enjoy your cruise!

 

Thanks for the information. If you see a blue eyed, hairy bowed legged bald guy that's me. My wife is a bronzed, blonde with a semi-muscular build. Hope to meet you on the ship. I haven't had luck yet getting a picture uploaded on the avitar.

[gamits]

We will be on the Magic for our 33rd wedding anniversary! But not until 4/12-4/19. Heading to the same ports so I am so excited to read along with this post!

 

Have fun and come back and report!:D

[pearose]

My dearest and I will be cruisin' on the Magic Feb 8th - 14th. I am a first time cruiser. I will share my experience upon return. I appreciate all the people that contribute to these forums. AS I see the glass as always half full you will expect to see more of the good and very little if any of the bad. It's like going to Disney World and only experiencing the que wait. That's not how we roll. I'm of the opinion that the grass is greenest underfoot.

 

This will be my first time on the Magic, but have been on Carnival 4 times previously, and 2 on NCL before that. IMO Carnival beats NCL hands down for fun. But just a warning. This being your first cruise.......it IS addicting! lol

 

We are on the same sailing as you! Have a great cruise!

[Pmcdn]

Going on the Carnival Magic 3-15-15 for 7 days to Key West, Freeport, and Nassau out of Galveston! My first cruise was on 8-2-14 on the Carnival Triumph for 5 nights to Progresso and Cozumel. I absolutely loved it! First of all, is anybody going on this cruise also? Has anybody been on the Magic, how was it? Advice? Thanks!

 

We will be on this cruise as well. My first!

[watermelonqueen99]

Our first cruise was on the Magic last April. Absolutely loved her, beautiful ship! There's a review in my signature with lots of pics! Have a wonderful cruise!

[TentOnWheels]

Just stepped of the Magic yesterday, working on my review now over on the blog. Feel free to drop over and check it out:

 

http://tent-on-wheels.blogspot.com/2015/02/tent-on-wheels-on-water.html

Edited February 16, 2015 by TentOnWheels

[realtreebar]

thanks for sharing this