Tell me about the Magic

[kona_wahine]

2 hours ago, turquoise89 said:

We just cruised on her at the beginning of January, and I've booked another trip in June to take the kids! We loved this ship! I'm curious to see how much more crowded it is for this trip. 

Unfortunately, all the show performers got sick or had to quarantine before our cruise started so there wasn't much nightly entertainment. They scrambled together a few comedians and the CD was great (Andy) but he's no longer on magic. We really enjoyed the newlywed game and deal or no deal. 

The serenity deck is ok.. there's a hot tub on each side but they were usually full and it was cold and windy up there most of the trip so we didn't really use it. The elevator from serenity to the spa was convenient for traveling to the bathroom (as someone else mentioned).

They have 2 waterslides that are really fast and fun (even for adults), but my favorite is the tides (back) pool, bar, and pizza (its amazing)! We spend most of our time there.. just make sure you get out there early if you want a lounge chair.

The blue iguana bar was closed our whole trip so the red frog bar was always very crowded.. and we didn't use the middle pool much. Guy's burgers are always good (all the toppings!) and I like the blue iguana breakfast burritos. If you want chips and salsa, you'll have to bring your own tortilla chips (I'm going to this time).

We had the italian restaurant for lunch one day and tried the dinner one night for our anniversary. I wasn't impressed with the dinner but they were short staffed so it may be better when you go.. our waiter never came back to the table after we placed our order.

Deck 5 has comedy club/karaoke, steakhouse, piano bar (it was always really stinky for some reason so we didnt go in there haha), nightclub, coffee bar/pastries, red frog pub ($3 appetizers!), guy's bbq is outside, alchemy bar, ocean plaza (music & trivia), sushi (we ate it almost every single day), casino. We spent a lot of time there since it was January and kind of cold to be outside all the time.

It's a great ship. You won't be disappointed. Amber Cove is probably my favorite place! It's so beautiful. Make sure you're outside when the ship is pulling in to see the mountains and landscape. It is breathtaking. HMC was great too for relaxing but it rained pretty much all day. They didn't let us port at grand turk so I don't have an opinion on it 😔

We had a regular balcony last time that was directly above guy's bbq but I booked a cove balcony this time. I think it'll nice to be right above the water! Also secretly hoping they offer us a suite upgrade 😉

 

I see you like amber cove…. Do you stay at the pool area or venture off? We leave on Sunday and that’s the port we haven’t been to yet. 

[sharon&family]

We sailed on the Magic in February.  I wont go that time of year again as it was too cold on the islands to enjoy ourselves.  I did not like the Magic.  I have sailed on Carnival 8 times and the Magic just looks like an old ship to me.  I am so tired of all the orange on all the old ships.  I loved the Mardi Gras.  We had a aft wraparound for the first time ever but were really disappointed in it.  The balcony was so narrow you could hardly lay out in the chair.  We had a good view on both sides but it was hard to even walk around one another let along stretch out.  We had been looking forward to spending time with family playing games on the large balcony but there was no place to play.  If one person was sitting in a chair, you could not walk around them without them getting up.  The railings leaned inward and took up two feet of space themselves.  You had to tuck the long chair under the window and try and climb in without bumping your head. It was also cool and windy out there most of the time so we hardly got to use it. 

 

There were only two tiny pools and the serenity area did not have a pool at all.  All the slides were enclosed and went too fast.  Some of us do not like fast slides.  I would love a ship with an open water slide that goes at a steady pace that I can enjoy sitting up and seeing whats in front of me.  Lastly, the floors in the dining room can get very slippery.  I was carrying back two plates of pizza and right before I walked onto the carpet, I went down and the pizza went flying.  They had just had someone spill something and had cleaned up after them but not well enough.  I had a huge bruise on my arm and was sore all over for the next two days.  They had taken down my name and room number but never called to check on me afterwards.  As I was leaving after they had recleaned it, i felt it with my foot and it was still very slippery.  I told someone as I was leaving  and I hope they took care of it before another person found it. 

 

The food was ok.  I did enjoy some things and everyone was friendly.  We ate at the buffet the most and we usually found something we liked.  We especially liked the Jalapeno hush puppies!! Didn't care too much for the Mongolian wok.

 

I just found this ship to be boring with nothing to do and I find I am getting tired of the Carnival ships.  I want something different and am going to try Royal Caribbean for the first time this April.

[turquoise89]

55 minutes ago, kona_wahine said:

I see you like amber cove…. Do you stay at the pool area or venture off? We leave on Sunday and that’s the port we haven’t been to yet. 

Another couple we were with booked a cabana over the water (pretty pricey) so that's where we stayed all day. We rented some floats and just relaxed while our cabana guy brought us drinks and had an awesome time! Others we were with went to sky bar, shopping, zip lining, etc. (everything that's available at the port). We were at the pool for about 30 minutes before we went to the cabana, and they were doing different activities to keep people entertained at the swim up bar/pool area. There is a lot to do without leaving the port! We had booked the 27 waterfalls excursion but cancelled it and opted to just stay at the cabana to spend time with the group we cruised with. If we ever go back I would probably do the waterfalls or something else outside of the port just to experience something different 🙂

 

[ninjacat123]

2 hours ago, Clearwater said:

Yah! thanks for posting. We leave in 17 days and I can't wait. First cruise in a couple years and desperate for some downtime. 

 

This is my first time on the Magic and I have been doing some digging.  

 

We have the steakhouse booked one night and the couple spa pass.  We both love comedy so hoping we can get in the shows each night.  

Cucina del Capitano is very good and a $15/person upcharge. Enjoy!

[kona_wahine]

51 minutes ago, turquoise89 said:

Another couple we were with booked a cabana over the water (pretty pricey) so that's where we stayed all day. We rented some floats and just relaxed while our cabana guy brought us drinks and had an awesome time! Others we were with went to sky bar, shopping, zip lining, etc. (everything that's available at the port). We were at the pool for about 30 minutes before we went to the cabana, and they were doing different activities to keep people entertained at the swim up bar/pool area. There is a lot to do without leaving the port! We had booked the 27 waterfalls excursion but cancelled it and opted to just stay at the cabana to spend time with the group we cruised with. If we ever go back I would probably do the waterfalls or something else outside of the port just to experience something different 🙂

 

That’s exactly what I want to do! I was afraid we might get bored. We have some blowup hammocks, I assume we can bring those for the pool. Just drinking and relaxing, lots going that are INCREDIBLY stressful in our lives so really needing this break! 

[Cruzmomma77]

@Bananas27 my DD and I will be on that cruise as well. 
 

@maxandmolly Dream class is nice and I agree with what everyone said. I sailed on Dream when she first sailed but this will be my first time in Magic. This class of ship is easy to manage and visually appealing. Food is usually good. 

[hurricane0226]

Love the Magic, will be doing a B2B In April, always a good time on her.

[Clearwater]

16 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

Cucina del Capitano is very good and a $15/person upcharge. Enjoy!

Yes - I have dined in there on a few of the other ships. I am Sicilian and actually highly approved of the food.  I am on a casino promotion so normally they send me a free voucher for Cucina so I didn't book it yet.  If they don't send me one, we will definitely book it!  

[ddavis5us]

We were on the Magic in December after having done the MG for 3 weeks in Aug/Sep.  I like MG.  My wife likes the Magic better.  Alchemy can be noisy and not a lot of seating at the Bar.  Red Frog much bigger.  Cucina and Wok give significant options.  Not much shade in Serenity.  Magic is much more handicapped friendly.  Staff on all are just glad to be back at work even though in Dec they were well into their contracts.  Overall, you will have a great time.

 

Don

[maxandmolly]

Glad to see so many positive reviews of this ship!  We are excited for the ports as well as the ship. I do want to try Cucina for lunch and we’re doing the steakhouse on the last night. 
Thanks everyone!

[Heartland4915]

On 2/25/2022 at 9:50 AM, maxandmolly said:

We are booked to sail in the Magic 5/1 out of Port Canaveral. Most of my cruises have been on Fantasy class ships (I can’t remember what ship we were in god our honeymoon but it did have a steakhouse). What’s different besides the pax capacity?  What is the Serenity area like?  On Fantasy ships it’s little more than after thought. What should we absolutely do?  We have the steakhouse reserved but other than that what do we need to try?  I know nothing about this class of ship other than what I’ve seen on the deck plans!

 

[Heartland4915]

On 2/25/2022 at 9:50 AM, maxandmolly said:

We are booked to sail in the Magic 5/1 out of Port Canaveral. Most of my cruises have been on Fantasy class ships (I can’t remember what ship we were in god our honeymoon but it did have a steakhouse). What’s different besides the pax capacity?  What is the Serenity area like?  On Fantasy ships it’s little more than after thought. What should we absolutely do?  We have the steakhouse reserved but other than that what do we need to try?  I know nothing about this class of ship other than what I’ve seen on the deck plans!

What a coincidence.  I'll also be on the magic on May 1. This will be my very first cruise.  Hope that we all have a great vacation. 

[Heartland4915]

On 2/25/2022 at 10:55 AM, cmukid87 said:

Magic is my favorite.  Words of wisdom that the comedy shows will fill up fast.  Alchemy bar is great and Guys BBQ/Smokehouse is a pretty nice lunch treat. Ocean plaza is a lot of fun when they have live music and I can't get enough accoustic and karaoke at Red Frog Pub.

I appreciate the advice.  I'm going on the carnival magic May 1.  This will be my very first cruise. 

[maxandmolly]

50 minutes ago, Heartland4915 said:

What a coincidence.  I'll also be on the magic on May 1. This will be my very first cruise.  Hope that we all have a great vacation. 

Yes!  It should be a great time. Sounds like a good ship for a first cruise, too. 

[Heartland4915]

On 2/28/2022 at 6:06 PM, ninjacat123 said:

Our favorite place on GT is Jack's Shack.  Tasty jerk chicken, yummy drinks and a great beach vibe!

I appreciate the tip. Wasn't sure what I was going to do at GT,  besides looking around in the shops and looking for a beach.