Magic review coming- any questions

[skittl1321]

Just off the Magic in Galveston. It was a good, but not great cruise. I'll start my review after work tonight. Anything people hope for me to cover? Any questions?

[get me off land]

Yes please! Cannot wait to read it, i sail on her on Oct 25! First if you have any recommendations to what to do in Galveston, also any tips for navigation of the ship that might not be obvious but help save time? Also im a new cruiser, any ideas i should definitely do/not do? Did you happen to find/have/keep a spa "menu"? Finally, did you have a fun/relaxing vacation?

[bigrig2005]

Sailing Oct 18th! 3rd carnival, first magic.

 

Give us all the tips!

[redeagle79]

Sailing on Oct 11th. Frist time with Carnival and 9 year old

[emnm2015]

What was the menu like in the MDR?

Can't wait to read your review!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[skittl1321]

What was the menu like in the MDR?

Can't wait to read your review!

 

 

We had the new American Table menus. I have photos of most of them (we did not go the second formal night as there was NOTHING anyone wanted to eat.) Sadly, we all found the menus to be limited. I expected that because I am a picky eater, but others in the group were not. Certainly, no one went hungry, but it wasn't what I was used to on Carnival. There were some big hits, and some big misses. I'll have food photos!

[skittl1321]

Yes please! Cannot wait to read it, i sail on her on Oct 25! First if you have any recommendations to what to do in Galveston, also any tips for navigation of the ship that might not be obvious but help save time? Also im a new cruiser, any ideas i should definitely do/not do? Did you happen to find/have/keep a spa "menu"? Finally, did you have a fun/relaxing vacation?

 

We cruised with 2 new cruisers, so I'll try to put in notes from them too!

 

I don't have Galveston recs because we drove in right before the cruise.

Ship navigation: Biggest tip- avoid walking through the smoky casino (deck 5) by going under it. If you are in the Ocean Plaza there is a stair case right before the entry to the casino. Take that to floor 4, and you can easily by-pass the casino. Another tip: when you get back on the ship after ports, the lines for elevators are often very long, since you can only use the forward elevators from deck 0. Take the stairs to deck 1, and then walk to the mid-ship elevators. It is much easier to catch an elevator to your floor here!

 

Things to do: we all had fun on the "ropes course" and we enjoyed putt-putt. We played before the ship even left the dock; probably easier than once it got windy and wavy (although we barely felt any motion at all.) Our group all voted to skip the water slide after 1 try: everyone thought it scratched up their back too painfully; but a new Carnival cruiser has to try it at least once... so they all recommend the orange one. (I didn't partake in the slide, since I'm pregnant and have a major neck injury... but I did do the ropes course.)

 

The drinkers in our group said the gal at the lobby bar had the best pours if you want bang for your buck; and everyone said they liked the family comedy better than the adult, because it was just funnier when they had to try to tell jokes instead of just cussing.

 

If you go the Magic show, be aware that the balcony side seats are "magic ruiners", which can be a bit fun, but made the show incredibly cheesy- since pretty much no trick had any 'illusion' to it.

 

I do not have a spa menu, I'm sorry.

[Ruby0704]

Will be sailing her on Nov 1st can you advise which nights were formal please? Trying to make Steakhouse reservations. Did you try the steakhouse? Who is the current Cruise Director? Thanks

Edited September 29, 2015 by Ruby0704

[CNHunts]

I was on this cruise with you and agreed it was good not great. The entertainment crew seemed mildly annoyed most times. The food was only okay. I am gluten free but I ordered things that shouldn't have to be prepared any differently to be gluten free (other than melting cake every night and pancakes one morning, both were delicious and didn't make me sick at all). I had Steak and Eggs at Dr. Seuss breakfast somehow something got contaminated there and did upset my stomach a little. I do not have celiac and while I do not eat gluten I do not react from mild contamination. For example I ate the innards of a steak sandwich from room service and was fine but Steak and Eggs (which I don't know why had so much gluten) made me sick. We had our 3 year old in tow and thank goodness she loves dancing because there were little to no family activities on board. We don't bring our child on vacation to drop her off in kid's camp. And I disliked how many nights were one show only at 1015. We had early dinner and nothing to do (except dance and spend money in arcade) for 3 hours. We had fun and will likely book another carnival cruise in the near future but likely on a smaller ship as I liked the conquest better in comparison and hope that maybe the entertainment is a bit better next time.

[skylark131]

We sail on her November 8th. Our first cruise with our 3 year old twin boys. Looking forward to what you have to share. Particularly what the food and entertainment options are.

[Jessandme]

Heading out on Oct 4. Looking forward to your full review. Did you do any excursions?

[Riley's Mom]

How was the internet-wifi I?

Did you buy any of the new packages ?

 

We have been on the Magic several times and this October will be our first time to experience the cheaper Wifi and the American menu.

 

I am looking forward to your review.

Thank you,

Carla

[skittl1321]

How was the internet-wifi I?

Did you buy any of the new packages ?

 

We have been on the Magic several times and this October will be our first time to experience the cheaper Wifi and the American menu.

 

I am looking forward to your review.

Thank you' date='

Carla[/quote']

 

My SIL bought the social media package and was very pleased with Facebook connectivity and iMessage. She used it to keep in touch with her kids at home. She could also make voice calls through Facebook but said that was unreliable. But she was able to easily post and view photos and with only small lag video. $25 for the week was a great deal.

Edited September 30, 2015 by skittl1321

[skittl1321]

Heading out on Oct 4. Looking forward to your full review. Did you do any excursions?

 

My husband scuba dove through the ship in Roatan. He was NOT happy. Independently he dove in Cozumel, and the rest of us went to Mr. sanchos. In Roatan we stayed at Mahagony Bay. Belize we did cave tubing and zip lining through .bz. All fabulous experiences.

 

I had planned to get the review started tonight but dog came home from her week at the neighbors with fleas!!!! So instead I spent the night carpet cleaning :(

[skittl1321]

Will be sailing her on Nov 1st can you advise which nights were formal please? Trying to make Steakhouse reservations. Did you try the steakhouse? Who is the current Cruise Director? Thanks

 

The CD was Eric Brouman. We didn't think he added much to the experience, though to be fair we didn't go to his magic show. (Because there was a magic show the night before!) He didn't add almost any jokes to the love and marriage show for instance. And the one he did went on way too long. Our newbies especially were very annoyed by his reference to himself as "the voice from above" though honestly there were fewer announcements than I remember on other cruises.

 

Formal nights were first and second sea day. We did not do the steakhouse. Originally we booked Chef's table but being pregnant I chose to cancel because I just cannot eat that much food. I heard from another cruiser it was amazing.

[cruizinisthebest]

I would like to know where your cabin was, what type, and if you liked the location. Thanks alot.

 

We're booked on the Magic for next year and very much excited to experience it for myself. Feedback on cabins is helpful.

[saltybones]

Looking forward to your review, I am booked for next year on this ship.

[Gr8DanesMom]

Welcome back! I hope you had fun and am also looking forward to your review. :)

 

How did embarkation go? Did you have FTTF? What time did you get there and how long was the wait? Also, you mentioned the Dr. Seuss breakfast. What day was that offered and when did you sign up?

 

Thanks so much for offering to answer questions. We sail on November 29th and I can't wait!!!! [emoji1]

[!!SAM!!]

The CD was Eric Brouman.

 

 

He was only there for the week. The new CD started on Sept. 27th. I don't remember his name but we were told he is very funny.

 

But unlike you I had a great cruise. I thought the food was good. Had the best tablemates we have had in a long time and were the last to leave most of the time. The comedy was good but not the best we have seen. We do the family friendly and not the adult shows. We have been on the ship many times so we don't go to the shows much anymore. We do not interact the with CD so that never makes or breaks our cruise. Yes they can make the marriage show funny. Missed the marriage show because I was in the finals of the blackjack tournament. I did hear his magic show was fantastic but we didn't go to that either.

[skittl1321]

Welcome back! I hope you had fun and am also looking forward to your review. :)

 

How did embarkation go? Did you have FTTF? What time did you get there and how long was the wait? Also, you mentioned the Dr. Seuss breakfast. What day was that offered and when did you sign up?

 

Thanks so much for offering to answer questions. We sail on November 29th and I can't wait!!!! [emoji1]

 

Embarkation was easy. We did not have FTTF. We left Austin at 7:30 and drove to Galveston, parked, and got in line. There were lines, but none were unreasonable. The line for birth certificates went much faster than the passport line (the opposite was true getting off the ship) so our travel companions were on the ship before us. Maybe an hour total in lines? More or less, I'm not sure- but they moved and it didn't seem too bad. We got there after zones had been called, so we just got on the ship as soon as checkin was done. The only thing that was weird is a porter didn't take our bags, so we had to drop them into a storage room ourself- different from the last time we were in Galveston- that was a little disorganized, but it only took 5 minutes.

 

Dr. Suess brunch was the final sea day. We did not attend but it looked adorable and well attended.

[WeBCruisinAgain]

Cant wait to read the rest of your review, we also are sailing the Magic on November 8th. Our third time on the Magic, but its been about 2 years since we last sailed her and I know things have changed.

[Jessandme]

My husband scuba dove through the ship in Roatan. He was NOT happy. Independently he dove in Cozumel, and the rest of us went to Mr. sanchos. In Roatan we stayed at Mahagony Bay. Belize we did cave tubing and zip lining through .bz. All fabulous experiences.

 

I had planned to get the review started tonight but dog came home from her week at the neighbors with fleas!!!! So instead I spent the night carpet cleaning :(

Sweet! Not the fleas though. We are going to the same place in Cozumel to do some SUP, also cave tubing in Belize and a catamaran snorkeling excursion to the barrier reef in Roatan. How long did it take you to disembark in Galveston. I made a return flight reservation for 11:35-forgetting about the 70 mile trip to the airport. I cant take the shuttle so I am trying to find alternate transportation to the airport in time.

[springs741]

How long did it take you to disembark in Galveston. I made a return flight reservation for 11:35-forgetting about the 70 mile trip to the airport. I cant take the shuttle so I am trying to find alternate transportation to the airport in time.

 

Sorry, this is a Hijack. Jessandme, you need to plan on self disembark. The last time we came back from Belize it was almost 11 until we got off the ship. We also had friends on a Belize itinerary that were later than unusual getting off the ship.

[Phx Jeff]

Sweet! Not the fleas though. We are going to the same place in Cozumel to do some SUP, also cave tubing in Belize and a catamaran snorkeling excursion to the barrier reef in Roatan. How long did it take you to disembark in Galveston. I made a return flight reservation for 11:35-forgetting about the 70 mile trip to the airport. I cant take the shuttle so I am trying to find alternate transportation to the airport in time.

Try Uber.

 

We took the carnival transfer from Galveston to hobby for $80 for two. Then uber from the airport to the hotel. Talking to the uber driver he said he took two people from hobby to Galveston the day before for $57 for 2 people. He said he is going there the next week to pick the same couple up. Could have saved money. I am sure they would go IAH to Galveston as well.

 

Next cruise we will be looking to take Uber as opposed to the transfers.

 

Hope that helps.

[skittl1321]

Sweet! Not the fleas though. We are going to the same place in Cozumel to do some SUP, also cave tubing in Belize and a catamaran snorkeling excursion to the barrier reef in Roatan. How long did it take you to disembark in Galveston. I made a return flight reservation for 11:35-forgetting about the 70 mile trip to the airport. I cant take the shuttle so I am trying to find alternate transportation to the airport in time.

 

We did the SUP at Mr. Sanchos and it was AMAZING. $35 and we got 2 instructors, one of whom took photos the whole time for facebook. It was SO much fun. The balance was much easier than I thought it would be (originally they only wanted me to sit down, because I was pregnant, but they let me stand up after only a few minutes) but the paddling was hard work. After the hour, I was exhausted! I'm glad we did it at the end of the day.

 

I would be very worried about that flight. We got warnings in the stateroom to talk to guest services if we had flights before 2:00!!! Something to do with the Belize stop. They did issue priority self-debarkation for early flights; I'm not certain of the exact time though. However, we were done with breakfast and they were still doing self-assist by deck; I don't recall if ANY self assist was even called before 8:30. (Also note- you cannot hear the announcements if you are in the dining room.)

Edited October 1, 2015 by skittl1321