Booked on Carnival for the first time ~ Magic ~ Any tips?

[crazy4themouse]

We have officially "jumped ship" from Royal to Carnival... We were on Navigator of the Seas last month and had booked Liberty of the Seas for next February, but Royal has seriously lost their minds pricing-wise these days. There's just no way to justify a $1K difference in my head. :eek:

 

So now we're booked on Magic for 2/21, and we're excited!! We've looked at tons of pictures and info, and Magic seems like a really fun ship with tons to do and see (and eat! :D) We're in a cove balcony, and we can't wait to try that out. We don't cruise for ports -- we cruise to be at sea -- and we are *so* excited about being as close to the water as the cove balconies are!

 

If anyone has any tips/tricks/secret spots/etc about the Magic, I'd love to hear them!! :)

 

 

-gina-

[LCTXcruiser]

The best hot tubs are the one's that are on the Promenade deck. Most of the kids are upstairs, so you can really relax on deck 5.

[Rudyard]

Welcome to the Dark Side ;)

[crazy4themouse]

The best hot tubs are the one's that are on the Promenade deck. Most of the kids are upstairs, so you can really relax on deck 5.

 

Awesome!! Thanks, that's just the sort of tips I was hoping for!

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the Dark Side ;)

 

Thanks Lawrence, lol... I know you've been trying to talk me into trying Carnival for eons now! :D

 

 

-gina-

[High Seas Texan]

Howdy. I have sailed the CARNIVAL MAGIC once before, in a suite, and going back now this coming Sunday in a Cove Balcony. My first time in that ctegory cabin. I will be able to report on it. I have also sailed RCI...did the ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS a year go in balcony cabin. I am a Platinum cruiser with carnival. I will post a review upon my return. In general, comparing RCI to Carnival, I find the show and entertainment better on Carnival. Food was about the same...Carnival specialty restaurants better on Carnival. Just my opinion. More to come. I am excited about the Cove Balcony!

[Sheeba67]

We like the Ocean Plaza for trivia, red frog pub quiz, the aft bar for a less crowded drink option, the comedy shows (just make sure you get there a little early, and the Indian Food. Try the taste bar and the outside bbq on sea days.

[crazy4themouse]

Outside bbq? Fun!!

 

Love these tips so far! :)

[mothermary]

The BBQ isn't exactly what us Texans call BBQ.

 

It's sliders, hot dogs, soft tacos, quesadillas and tortilla chips. All of which are very good. The tacos have some sort of cut up beef in them.

The chips and salsa are home made and one of my favorite things on the magic.

[mothermary]

We prefer the hot tubs in serenity area. No kids allowed and less people in hot tubs. This area can get windy but on a calm sea day it is perfect.

[dramaqueenjan]

Loved the Magic. THE SEADAY brunch is great dont misstbe bloody mary bar. Also enjoyed all the adults comedy shows.The Red Frog pub is a fun atmosphere too.

[steph7021]

Aft pool area is my favorite place to be!

[dudaze11]

We are big RCCL fans but have cruised more on Carnival due to the pricing and we love them both. As far as Magic tips go. Try out everything at Red Frog, it is a fun place. If you're a foodie and want to spend on a big meal, try the Chef's table. I think it's $75PP but has unlimited wine and was something like a 7 course meal. It was a blast. Be nice to your inner child and try the slides, they are fun. Be wary of the casino if you are a Blackjack player as they use card shufflers. Try out the Spa if you are in to that sort of thing. I am not but have to admit that it is pretty fun and my wife and I just booked a spa stateroom for the second time to enjoy the benefits. There is a mineral, jetted pool as well as aromatherapy rooms, heated tile seats, and steam rooms. Be prepared that they under estimated on pools (should have installed 3 instead of 2) and don't let that beat you down. The aft pool is often less crowded. Check out everything on the Lanai deck which is the outdoor part of deck 5. The hot tubs on this deck are often hotter and have less crowds. Speaking of hot tubs, if you find that they are too cool, keep searching. They are not all the same temp. That's all I can think of for now.

[smyliecruising]

We sailed Magic last Jan. also in a cove. The steakhouse was so worth the cost! We are not big spenders on cruises but that was wonderful! We loved the cheese pizza. Not your normal children's cheese pizza. It was scrumptious with 4 kinds is cheese sprinkled with herbs. Available 24/7. I went to serenity deck in early morning with a room service carafe of coffee to watch the sun rise. Beautiful.

[Luluwa]

Were Platinum and Magic is our favorite ship enjoy!

[stargate fan]

We have officially "jumped ship" from Royal to Carnival... We were on Navigator of the Seas last month and had booked Liberty of the Seas for next February, but Royal has seriously lost their minds pricing-wise these days. There's just no way to justify a $1K difference in my head. :eek:

 

So now we're booked on Magic for 2/21, and we're excited!! We've looked at tons of pictures and info, and Magic seems like a really fun ship with tons to do and see (and eat! :D) We're in a cove balcony, and we can't wait to try that out. We don't cruise for ports -- we cruise to be at sea -- and we are *so* excited about being as close to the water as the cove balconies are!

 

If anyone has any tips/tricks/secret spots/etc about the Magic, I'd love to hear them!! :)

 

-gina-

 

Hi Gina.

If you enjoy Indian food, go to Tandoor, which is on the starboard side of the ship, all the way aft.

 

The deli offers delicious sandwiches, like pastrami and corned beef. Feel free to ask for the sandwiches extra thick.

 

Carnival's chocolate chip cookies are fabulous. They are crunchy, sweet, and have a slight salty aftertaste, Yummm!

 

Red Frog Pub, not to be confused with the Red Frog Rum Bar which is located on Lido, is a fun place to hang in the evenings. We loved going every night and listening to the musician. Check out the Fun Times for the Red Frog Pub Quiz, offered on some nights.

 

If you are inclined to use the gym, the machines have iPod ports. I am a visual person so I plug in, play an action movie on my iTunes, and try to work off those chocolate chip cookies I enjoy so much. :D

 

I'm sure there is so much more that people will contribute.

[ABQrobin]

Tandoor Grill for lunch ..... makes me drool just thinking about it.

Red Frog Pub... afternoon beer and hangout.

Cove balconies are AWESOME! Very quiet, too.

The gym, the walking track, sports areas on sea days... so relaxing.

[Frank12]

Go in with an open mind and have a blast!

[crazy4themouse]

We prefer the hot tubs in serenity area. No kids allowed and less people in hot tubs. This area can get windy but on a calm sea day it is perfect.

 

Aft pool area is my favorite place to be!

 

 

Love the hot tub and pool tips! Thanks!

 

 

 

 

We are big RCCL fans but have cruised more on Carnival due to the pricing and we love them both. As far as Magic tips go. Try out everything at Red Frog, it is a fun place. If you're a foodie and want to spend on a big meal, try the Chef's table. I think it's $75PP but has unlimited wine and was something like a 7 course meal. It was a blast. Be nice to your inner child and try the slides, they are fun. Be wary of the casino if you are a Blackjack player as they use card shufflers. Try out the Spa if you are in to that sort of thing. I am not but have to admit that it is pretty fun and my wife and I just booked a spa stateroom for the second time to enjoy the benefits. There is a mineral, jetted pool as well as aromatherapy rooms, heated tile seats, and steam rooms. Be prepared that they under estimated on pools (should have installed 3 instead of 2) and don't let that beat you down. The aft pool is often less crowded. Check out everything on the Lanai deck which is the outdoor part of deck 5. The hot tubs on this deck are often hotter and have less crowds. Speaking of hot tubs, if you find that they are too cool, keep searching. They are not all the same temp. That's all I can think of for now.

 

 

Ray and I don't really have "inner children"... they're very much on the outside, lol. Believe me, I will be first in line for the water slide!! :D

 

As far as the spa goes, do you know if there's a day rate for the steam rooms/tile loungers/mineral pool? Also, is use of those amenities included surrounding a spa treatment?

 

 

 

 

We sailed Magic last Jan. also in a cove. The steakhouse was so worth the cost! We are not big spenders on cruises but that was wonderful! We loved the cheese pizza. Not your normal children's cheese pizza. It was scrumptious with 4 kinds is cheese sprinkled with herbs. Available 24/7. I went to serenity deck in early morning with a room service carafe of coffee to watch the sun rise. Beautiful.

 

 

We are already way more excited than we should be about the pizza, lol.

 

Love the idea of watching the sun rise from the serenity deck! Being far from a morning person, I've only managed two sunrises in 10 cruises, but I like the idea of at least trying. :p

 

 

 

Hi Gina. If you enjoy Indian food, go to Tandoor, which is on the starboard side of the ship, all the way aft.

 

 

I don't, but Ray is very excited about that!

 

 

 

 

The deli offers delicious sandwiches, like pastrami and corned beef. Feel free to ask for the sandwiches extra thick.

Carnival's chocolate chip cookies are fabulous. They are crunchy, sweet, and have a slight salty aftertaste, Yummm!

 

You're making me hungry!!! LOL

 

 

 

 

Red Frog Pub, not to be confused with the Red Frog Rum Bar which is located on Lido, is a fun place to hang in the evenings. We loved going every night and listening to the musician. Check out the Fun Times for the Red Frog Pub Quiz, offered on some nights.

 

 

I'm reading more and more about the Red Frog Pub, and it sounds like such a fun place! Looking forward to checking it out!!

 

 

 

 

Tandoor Grill for lunch ..... makes me drool just thinking about it.

Red Frog Pub... afternoon beer and hangout.

Cove balconies are AWESOME! Very quiet, too.

The gym, the walking track, sports areas on sea days... so relaxing.

 

 

I'm so glad to hear the votes of confidence in the cove balconies... We absolutely can't wait to be in a balcony that close to the ocean. Love it!!

 

 

Thank you all so much for the tips!! I'm cutting and pasting them into a spreadsheet. Keep 'em coming!!

 

Here's a question I have: In y'alls opinions, what are the most romantic spots aboard Magic?

 

 

-gina-

[Maggiepie]

We've been on the Magic twice, last month with a Cove balcony with adjoining rooms and LOVED it. (Traveled with our grandchildren and daughter and SIL). The adjoining rooms were perfect for that situation! The decor is a little bland but everything else about the ship is perfect. Never felt crowded, great food, excellent service, good entertainment. You will have a great time! Have fun.

[Tannison]

We've been on the Magic twice, last month with a Cove balcony with adjoining rooms and LOVED it. (Traveled with our grandchildren and daughter and SIL). The adjoining rooms were perfect for that situation! The decor is a little bland but everything else about the ship is perfect. Never felt crowded, great food, excellent service, good entertainment. You will have a great time! Have fun.

 

Would you mind sharing what room numbers you had? We also have adjoining cove balconies on the Magic in June and are a little concerned about noise from the galley. We had adjoining coves on the Breeze as well and loved them, but they were under guest services, so no noise issues.

 

Thanks!

[Runaway Parent]

The ropes course has very limited hours. If you are game- take advantage of it when you can. Go for it! I'm nearly 50 and did it last week!

 

The best place to play cards (non-casino) is red frog, ocean plaza, or lido buffet area.

 

Lido deck makes a great walking track- makes a complete circle.

 

Go WAY to the front of most decks and out a door to reach the bow of the ship.

 

Yellow chairs on deck above the pool are HEAVENLY! Great seats for the Dive in Movies.

 

Ask room steward to remove mini bar items if you want the fridge for your personal drinks. You can bring 1 wind bottle and 12-pack of sodas per person- hand carry onboard,

 

If you don't want to walk past all the photographers to get to the southern lights dr- walk just past coffee bar on deck 5 and hit the stairs behind the "guess the art price" people,

[dsg560]

Lunch in the italian restaurant is free...(upcharge at night) It's a yummy lunch! Check it out

[crazy4themouse]

The ropes course has very limited hours. If you are game- take advantage of it when you can. Go for it! I'm nearly 50 and did it last week!

 

The best place to play cards (non-casino) is red frog, ocean plaza, or lido buffet area.

 

Lido deck makes a great walking track- makes a complete circle.

 

Go WAY to the front of most decks and out a door to reach the bow of the ship.

 

Yellow chairs on deck above the pool are HEAVENLY! Great seats for the Dive in Movies.

 

Ask room steward to remove mini bar items if you want the fridge for your personal drinks. You can bring 1 wind bottle and 12-pack of sodas per person- hand carry onboard,

 

If you don't want to walk past all the photographers to get to the southern lights dr- walk just past coffee bar on deck 5 and hit the stairs behind the "guess the art price" people,

 

 

 

Great tips, thanks!!

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch in the italian restaurant is free...(upcharge at night) It's a yummy lunch! Check it out

 

 

We were just looking at pictures of that yesterday. Definitely looks yummy!!

[carpediem13]

We are a family of four taking our first cruise at the end of May. We are a bit nervous and a bit anxious. I have stalked the reviews on here trying to learn certain things from all of the cruise veterans and I thank you all for your comments.

 

We are looking forward to the activities discussed regarding the Red Frog (not to mention the micro brew that i have to try), but are a bit wary of how to pull it off with two kids, 13 and 7. I have read reviews from different sites and am not exactly impressed with the child service reviews posted.

 

Can anyone add some information or insight to that?

[jackie.t.upton]

we just returned from our Magic cruise, it was the first time for the cove balcony and i was a little leary BUT i loved it!!! it was amazing!!! we saw dolphins in galveston before sailing and had a great view of the pilot leaving the ship after getting us out of port.