Just off Magic & disappointed

[Glock19]

Although many of you are Carnival loyalist on here and that is great for you but this is our experience so please don't inflame as this board is for all opinions. We had large group of family and sail every other couple years together have been on Royal, Carnival and Disney. Our last Carnival cruise though was 2010 on the Dream which we enjoyed. However this time Carnival Magic lacked so much which makes cruising fun!

Embarkation was fine until we got on the boat at about 12:15 & it was a complete zoo never have i seen a lido buffet area with lines that wrapped around the entire inside, huge lines for burgers and burritos, no where to go and down right stifling hot it was so frustrating off to bad start however next time i will make sure we arrive after 1:30 when cabins are open and maybe less people everywhere!! However this foreshadow what was to come, Lines, Lines, and more lines, and people everywhere on this ship!!

The ships public areas are just too small especially the pools and lido buffet etc for the amount of passengers!

Definitely carnival cutbacks, sorry but the food on this ship was below average & not what we have experienced on past cruises. Buffet was awful & dining room dinner choices were few and overall food came out cold and flavorless, the servers are so overworked that when we asked for other things they were never brought and refills were non existant on drinks and drinks took forever, many drinks we ordered but never received.

Entertainment was sparse and consisted mostly of line dancing to same songs, sea days had few activities by the pool only hair chest contest & loud music. The shows were few and not very good and there just weren't a lot of night time activities, the deck party was no food, no midnight buffet or snacks just once again passengers dancing. Only late night food was pizza and the line was so long and slow! Room service twice ran out of food we ordered on menu!

Our cabin was great if it wasn't so hot and never cooled down and basically carnival did nothing to help us offered a fan but never received it! However the cabins are spacious and tons of storage and the closets were big with lots of hangers the bathroom had lots of shelves.

On a good note, the ship was very clean and always being cleaned especially the bathrooms, all the workers we encountered were very friendly and helpful, and working hard! The ports were great, nassau, amber cove (although wished they made a beach area not just a pool) and Grand turk was the nicest! Embarkation was rather painless! The weather was great all week so that was nice, best part the drinks were strong so we drank more then we ate!

We've always liked carnival in past but after not sailing on them in 7 years, things have changed for the worse and too many other choices out there when your spending way over $1000 pp and additional $380 for drink package! If you have any questions i will try to help, every cruise is what you make it of course and we made it fun cause we had large group but the Carnival Magic disappointed all of us:(

I understand where your coming from. I've been sailing Carnival since 1991. The cutbacks are for real. In 1991 I paid around 5000 for a balcony cabin 007 on the Carnival Celebration for our Honeymoon. I can get a balcony cabin today for around 2800 on some carnival ships. The service is nothing like it was in the 1990's. I booked the Carnival Vista family cabin for New Years this year because my Diamond I could pick the 3rd 4th and 5th guest free. I own stock in both Carnival and Royal. IMO I like Royal better. The ships are nicer, the service is very good, and I like the food.

[BoDidly]

I would have to check my own signature to see exactly how many cruises I have taken total, but I think I am at about 16 with 4 more booked, all but 3 of which have been on CCL. I have been on Fantasy class, Spirit Class, Destiny/Triumph/Victory class (I'm not going to argue semantics on that), Conquest Class, Sunshine and Dream Class. If I have missed one, other than the Vista, so be it. I am Platinum so have at least 75 sea days but couldn't tell you the exact number because it isn't relevant.

 

I am confident that I can provide an informed opinion and information relative to my experiences, thoughts and preferences about the actual onboard experience. I like things about all the ships, dislike things about others and have noticed themes across the line. Sunshine is my favorite and I know exactly why; the others all have pros and cons. I am perfectly happy to sail the Fascination in March for the Island hopper because I cruise for the ports more than the ship and I want to see these new places. We don't need a lot of bells and whistles and are content to enjoy our balcony but do enjoy the wide variety of food an bars offered on Sunshine, but feel that we will be so busy in our ports that it won't really be missed.

 

Each vacation is what you make of it. And whether or not you have just a few cruises for comparison or a 100, it is still a legitimate comparison based upon that person's experience. I also agree with the poster above who so wisely points out that a 100 cruises from 20 years ago will not be of much value when discussing the cruises of today. Recency is paramount.

 

 

I'm not saying you're wrong . I'm not saying you're right . Me, I'll never list a signature .That is just my opinion ,nothing more :D

[bury me at sea]

Sure 1965 :cool: you think ? So the OP deserves to have theirs too ,right ? Opinions are like Xholes everybody has one,even you ;p

 

Everyone's opinion is valid.

 

I can determine how much weight to give to that opinion, and so far it has had nothing to do with number of posts or how many previous cruises.

[AdGuyMG]

I don't feel seven cruises on Carnival really gives a person the feel of how crowded a ship can be. You may have sailed on different ship classes as well as a different time of the year. I would say a person really gets the details after 20 to 39 or 40 or so cruises. I would think that person has more of an opinion and information to offer with translations to the actual Carnival onboard experience.

 

Actually I've been on 9 Carnival cruises. One in 2003. The rest 2011 - 2017. Plus 33 cruises on other assorted lines since 1983.

 

I've been on CCL cruises in January, March (Spring Break), May, June, Early August (Summer) and November (Thanksgiving). I've been on all classes of their ships. (Vista 1X Breeze 2X Freedom 2X Liberty 1X Destiny 1X Miracle1X Fascination 1X. Every cruise I've been on has been sold out full on the day of departure.

 

 

I don't think I have to be a Milestone VIFP and have taken 20-40 Carnival cruises to offer my opinion or experiences on Cruise Critic with the actual Carnival onboard experience. Especially since many on this board who pontificate and spew their uninformed opinions of Carnival have never set foot on one of their ships or haven't been on a Carnival cruise since the Reagan administration.

Edited August 3, 2017 by AdGuyMG

[BoDidly]

Everyone's opinion is valid.

 

I can determine how much weight to give to that opinion, and so far it has had nothing to do with number of posts or how many previous cruises.

I do agree with you here.

[BoDidly]

Actually I've been on 9 Carnival cruises since 2003. And 33 cruises on other assorted lines since 1983.

 

I've been on CCL cruises in January, March (Spring Break), May, June, Early August (Summer) and November (Thanksgiving). I've been on all classes of their ships. (Vista 1X Breeze 2X Freedom 2X Liberty 1X Destiny 1X Miracle1X Fascination 1X. Every cruise I've been on has been sold out full on the day of departure.

 

 

I don't think I have to be a Milestone VIFP and have taken 20-40 Carnival cruises to offer my opinion or experiences on Cruise Critic with the actual Carnival onboard experience. Especially since many on this board who pontificate and spew their uninformed opinions of Carnival have never set foot on one of their ships or haven't been on a Carnival cruise since the Reagan administration.

 

I can't get into politics, really :D . What most people have to say on these boards you learn to weave / squeeze out the information you may need.

[AdGuyMG]

I can't get into politics, really :D . What most people have to say on these boards you learn to weave / squeeze out the information you may need.

 

Oh OK.

 

So while the rest of us are away on our actual cruises, you just sit tight right there and keep on squeezing.

Edited August 3, 2017 by AdGuyMG

[A&Jfamily]

I'm not saying you're wrong . I'm not saying you're right . Me, I'll never list a signature .That is just my opinion ,nothing more :D

 

 

 

I have to! It's where I keep track of what ship I was on when if I need to date a photo of the boys or something like that! - lol!

 

 

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[BoDidly]

I have to! It's where I keep track of what ship I was on when if I need to date a photo of the boys or something like that! - lol!

 

 

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Dang ,I'm starting to think about that now :o :D

[BoDidly]

Oh OK.

 

So while the rest of us are away on our actual cruises, you just sit tight right there and keep on squeezing.

You're not talking farting contest are you ? :o

[Bernardo62]

We cruised the week before you. It was a last minute decision resulting from a RCCL cancellation due to my husband's work schedule. I didn't write a review but I was disappointed in Carnival as well. You hit the nail on the head with many of your comments. I, too, have cruised RCCL and Disney as well as Carnival, last Carnival cruise being on the Magic (ironically) from Galveston in 2012. Some things we didn't expect:

-My kids did not like the Kids Club.

-Our Cove Balcony stayed dirty with not only sea spray (which is understandable) but debris and there was standing water 100% of the time.

-We booked too late for Early Dining so took a chance with Anytime Dining and it was utter chaos. One night I ordered ice tea with dinner and didn't receive it until after the dessert order was taken.

-The splash pad and water slide areas were closed for the first 2 days of the cruise, not for wind, but for "scheduled maintenance".

-The workers were not helpful at all. I would ask several workers the same question and get different answers in which non proved to be true.

 

Of course there were great things too:

-Dr. E is amazing! My kids are still singing "Good Morning Good Morning!"

-I cruise for the ports and like to visit new places. This cruise went to Aruba, Curaco was replaced with Dominican Republic, and Grand Turk. I have never been to these places and Grand Turk is quite possibly my favorite place on Earth right now.

-We woke early enough to enjoy the splash pad and water slides (when open), usually alone.

-The omelette lines were never long (in comparison to RCCL) AND there was full breakfast buffet on the last day.

-Popcorn with the evening movies were a big hit for my littles.

-Disembarkation was a breeze!

 

I guess you get what you pay for. We will be back on the Magic in March with my brother's family because they are on a budget (so Carnival it is) and I get to go back to Grand Turk! :)

Hell you should treat your brother's family and rent a yacht so you don't have to stoop so low to travel on Carnival..... Nobody is twisting your arm to travel on Carnival Ms Thurston Howell, III (Gilligan's Island)...... :rolleyes:

[Bernardo62]

I understand where your coming from. I've been sailing Carnival since 1991. The cutbacks are for real. In 1991 I paid around 5000 for a balcony cabin 007 on the Carnival Celebration for our Honeymoon. I can get a balcony cabin today for around 2800 on some carnival ships. The service is nothing like it was in the 1990's. I booked the Carnival Vista family cabin for New Years this year because my Diamond I could pick the 3rd 4th and 5th guest free. I own stock in both Carnival and Royal. IMO I like Royal better. The ships are nicer, the service is very good, and I like the food.

Wow Thurston Howell III...... Why you don't have your own yacht if you like royalty??

[Bernardo62]

When you have to TOOT your own horn or bragg...... to impress who?

We all cruise for different reasons.... Good or bad experiences comes with everything......

[Crusingdiva62]

I guess you get what you pay for. We will be back on the Magic in March with my brother's family because they are on a budget (so Carnival it is) and I get to go back to Grand Turk! :)

 

I am sure your family will be happy you lowered your standards for them. not. Some cruisers are such snobs!

[JerseyshoreBruce]

I guess I'm just lucky....have not had a issue or bad cruise with Carnival yet....couple of weeks I will be on my next one

 

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[Florings]

Always sail on Carnival and love it, even through all the cuts. BUT last cruise on the Splendor was not the best. It was very crowded and lots of lines - but what made it so bad was that a good number of the crowd were rude and self entitled.

 

I don't think I've ever been so bumped into or pushed out of the way so much in that single week! Rude!

 

But I'm not going to let that one bad experience sway me from sailing Carnival. I'm trying again next month!!:D And again next year!! :D

 

One bad experience does not negate all of the very good ones.

[BossOfTheHouse]

Well, this proves the relativity of cruising and cruise experiences. Grand Turk is by far my least favorite port-of-call. :)

 

 

HAHA - why is it your least favorite and what's your favorite?

[BossOfTheHouse]

I am sure your family will be happy you lowered your standards for them. not. Some cruisers are such snobs!

 

Oh wow. That was a pretty snarky statement from someone who doesn't know the circumstance behind the comment.

Not that I owe you an explanation, but my brother has only sailed on RCCL. This was before he started his family. He asked me to price vacation options for his family of 6, and Carnival was by far the best deal budget wise. I have no problems with sailing Carnival, obviously, since I am sailing again in March, however my line of choice IS RCCL. And I think I am entitled to my own opinion, correct?

[tkportersat]

That was our issue last time, the people on the Dream were just as you described below. The older I get, the more it bothers me when people can't use simple manners. I also hate that they have kicked all the smokers off their balconies, I was not at all able to enjoy the casino on the Dream either - way too much smoke. I guess on a positive note I came home with money in my pocket.

 

Always sail on Carnival and love it, even through all the cuts. BUT last cruise on the Splendor was not the best. It was very crowded and lots of lines - but what made it so bad was that a good number of the crowd were rude and self entitled.

 

I don't think I've ever been so bumped into or pushed out of the way so much in that single week! Rude!

 

But I'm not going to let that one bad experience sway me from sailing Carnival. I'm trying again next month!!:D And again next year!! :D

 

One bad experience does not negate all of the very good ones.

[dlanesman]

I too, just recently got off the Magic. I was not impressed either. It is my least favorite cruise. Also 7 out of the 14 people in my group caught a norovirus towards the end of the cruise. That might have been part of my opinion of this cruise.

[Tapi]

If the Oasis class ships are so spacious and designed to function well at full capacity, how come even at less than full capacity you need a reservation.............?

 

Just for clarification. You don't NEED a reservation. It's the smart and recommended thing to do, but you are not required to make one.

 

In my opinion, the reservation system is a fantastic innovation and use of technology that ALL mass market cruise lines can learn from.

 

The reservation system is not so much about how spacious the ship is, but about giving cruisers the option to make advance reservations for a show that they want to see or a place they want to dine in on a specific day or time. This minimizes the frustration and wasted time that many of us have experienced in the past when arriving at a venue that's either already full, or where the only way to get in is to stand against the wall in the back of the room.

 

This system allows passengers to electronically see what venues have availability in advance and plan accordingly. It's an excellent tool once one becomes familiar with the way it works. It effectively and smartly spreads out the passengers more evenly throughout the ship.

 

And for those passengers who refuse to make reservations, keep in mind that they are not required. They can still do things the old fashioned way, go stand in line, and hope that there are seats open, just like they currently do on Carnival and all other cruise lines without this system.

 

As mentioned above, ALL mass market cruise lines could benefit from this system. Many of the complaints that we read about overcrowding on Carnival ships (which do have some of the worst space to passenger ratios in the industry) could be minimized with a bit of innovation and by taking advantage of technology already available and in use.

 

 

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Edited August 3, 2017 by Tapi

[Towel Critter]

HAHA - why is it your least favorite and what's your favorite?

What I don't like about GT is the artificiality of it... cruise line built and cruise line run. I'm speaking of course of the docking area where Margaretville and the pool is located. And what little there is to see beyond that area can be taken in in an hour. Honestly, I think what irks me the most about GT is that it is almost unavoidable, appearing on almost every Eastern itinerary. But that's just my opinion. Lots of other folks love GT and that's great. My favorite? It has changed from time to time, but right now San Juan is probably my favorite, lots to see, lots to do, lots of history. I'm glad you enjoy GT. I have zero problem with that. I just thought it was funny that your favorite is my least favorite and thought this perfectly demonstrates the relative nature of cruise experiences.

[frayedend]

I understand where your coming from. I've been sailing Carnival since 1991. The cutbacks are for real. In 1991 I paid around 5000 for a balcony cabin 007 on the Carnival Celebration for our Honeymoon. I can get a balcony cabin today for around 2800 on some carnival ships. The service is nothing like it was in the 1990's. I booked the Carnival Vista family cabin for New Years this year because my Diamond I could pick the 3rd 4th and 5th guest free. I own stock in both Carnival and Royal. IMO I like Royal better. The ships are nicer, the service is very good, and I like the food.

 

I have no comment on your post. Just want to say I love your screen name. I should change mine to SigP226 :)

[Bernardo62]

I am sure your family will be happy you lowered your standards for them. not. Some cruisers are such snobs!

Oh wow. That was a pretty snarky statement from someone who doesn't know the circumstance behind the comment.

Not that I owe you an explanation, but my brother has only sailed on RCCL. This was before he started his family. He asked me to price vacation options for his family of 6, and Carnival was by far the best deal budget wise. I have no problems with sailing Carnival, obviously, since I am sailing again in March, however my line of choice IS RCCL. And I think I am entitled to my own opinion, correct?

Ms Howell III...... Yes you comment was bit of a snob!!! I've sailed with snobs like you and put them in their place, lowing your standards to be on Carnival is just funny because you really can't afford RCCL...... Maybe after having a lot of kids your brother had to lower his standards......I'm not judging just KEEPING IT REAL.....

[Domino D]

I have no comment on your post. Just want to say I love your screen name. I should change mine to SigP226 :)

 

Mine will need to be Henry1860.