BeachLoverstoo

nhsails, FTTF only gets you priority on the tender from the ship. You have to queue along with everyone else for the return trip.

If you gamble, you will have to deal with the smoke as it is the only inside smoking spot and it can be filled with smoke. We either walked on the outside promenade to avoid the smoke or in the evenings would leave the theater and take deck 4 to get to the comedy club. It was a bit of a hassle, but we didn't like going through the casino if we could help it.

Like ryano, we noticed the only place only open on sea days was the Pig and Anchor, which we enjoyed. We usually go to the deli at lunch the first day. The sandwiches are freshly made per your request - turkey on the country roll is yummy -- which we share along with a salad. We have at least one Guy's burger. We discovered the burritos and taco salad at the little Mexican spot. We thought the lunch option at the Italian restaurant was very nice and it was rarely crowded. There were some options on Deck 5 if you wanted to get away from the crowd including continental breakfast and a soup and salad bar where the staff prepared your plate. So many options we never got to them all - Tandoor, Mongolian Wok, pizza, etc. Lots of food choices, IMHO.

You would be in Southern as Northern Lights is for ATD.

Thanks a great review. Really have enjoyed it. One quick question. Now that you have seen both, which of the main dining rooms would you choose if you were sailing the Magic again?

If you choose Anytime Dining you will be in Northern Lights.

I stayed in one of the middle cabins on the Magic on deck 7. Loved the size of the balcony and the view. Downside was that there is very little breeze, and that coupled with no shade at any time of the day made it pretty hot out there.

 

Next two trips stayed in middle cabin on deck 9. The overhang covers about 1/3 to 1/2 of the balcony and provides enough shade to make it more comfortable even with the lack of breeze.

 

Both had sofas. The view is amazing and the area is very quiet.

That's the great thing about aft cabins. Rarely have any guests roaming around back there.

We were in 8475 on the Magic and loved the size of that balcony. We've booked it again for a B2B. We had two loungers, two chairs and a side table and still had room. There was some shade, but it really depended on the time of day and the direction we were headed.

DH won't book deck 9 because it is under the Lido. He prefers to be on a deck with cabins above and below.

Like splintz, we always booked once we board. Unfortunately on our B2B on the Magic in November the steakhouse was completely booked. I noticed only the Italian restaurant was taking reservations when we boarded, but really didn't think much of it until we went to the steakhouse and discovered it had been booked well before we sailed.

We went to the Italian restaurant for dinner both weeks and enjoyed it, so not a total disappointment.

We just got off the Ecstasy. It was a wooden box and inside there was a pen, some paper, and what looks like paper coasters.

The bamboo box with the pen and cards is what they are referring to when they mention stationery. We got two, but DH broke the first one trying to open it. The lid pivots and he didn't realize that. We pitched the broken one, but brought the other one home where I removed the insert, pens and cards and dumped all my Carnival pins in it.

Really too bulky if someone is flying.

DH enjoyed the braised ox tongue both weeks we were on the Magic. It was one of the rare finds and he loved. Other apps we found - fried oysters, cured salmon, and duck.

We had lots of seafood including lobster twice, steaks, pasta and for the frsit time ever - pork chops. We tried them because one of our nearby table mates raved at how good they were and she was right.

I had bitter 'n blanc, creme brulee (2x) s'mores parfait (2x), banana bread pudding, chocolate penna cotta, cannoli (2x in the Italian restaurant), and a few more in the 15 days. Only had WCMC once, which was a first for me. I decided I wanted to try as many new things that cruise.

Sorry to add to my other BTB post but I am wondering- especially from you all who are experienced with BTB cruises(which I am totally new to)- whether there is any benefit of paying for FTTF for the second leg of a BTB. I don't plan on getting on the ship early on the initial embarkation day. But will paying for FTTF get us back into our cabin on the first day of the second cruise?

We did our 1st B2B in November with two different cabins. We spoke with our cabin steward on the !st leg and he said Dika would be our steward for week 2. We went down one deck and spoke with him. None of this was necessary, but DH likes to cover all the bases. We left our cabin for breakfast, waited until 10 when we met with the other B2Ber's (there were 60 of us). They had coffee, other beverages and pastries while one of the staff collected our sign and sail cards. We trooped off the ship, checked in with immigration/customs and headed back on board. With so many folks, it took a bit for the new cards to be distributed while we stood in the line to ding in. We had champagne, a group photo and then we were released to go back to our cabins and all our stuff had been moved. I'm guessing the two cabin stewards work closely to get this done ASAP.There's really no reason for FTTF for the 2nd cruise unless there is a tender port or you anticipate needing the priority line for guest services.

Upon our return to the ship, we received a glass of champagne, mimosa or other beverage; then we gathered for a group photo. There were 60!

We actually got a free copy of the photo - surprising - something free.

We loved the B2B experience even though we had to change cabins. We've already booked another B2B on the same ship, this time with the same cabin.

Thank you. So when you purchase the packages in the MDR (and can you purchase them any where else) you get coupons to redeem. So are you saying if I purchased 2 packages I would get 6 coupons. Could I redeem them at any of the bars for a bottle to take take to my room whenever I would like to do so? Sorry for all the questions, but this does seem like a MUCH better option for me then Cheers, especially with a lido balcony room.

Yes, if you purchased the 3-bottle package, you'd get two sets of three coupons (sort of a perforated tear-off thing)

We did just that when we wanted a bottle for our cabin - stopped at the atrium bar and the bartender took care of it.

On the first day of the cruise there will be a table set up to promote the wine sales either in the lobby or out by the pool. It's not hard to notice as there's a display of the wines stacked on the table. We've purchased then and in the MDR.

Just a hmmm question - I wonder why they don't allow you to prepurchase wine packages in the fun shops and have them in your room for you like they do with other bottles. Any ideas?

You don't actually get the wine, just the coupons, that you redeem for wine at your convenience. Not sure why they don't offer it as a prepurchase, but it is very easy to purchase this once you are on board.

So if I get the 5 bottle package, do I only get the wines listed or can I get 5 bottles of the one I like best? Also, on a b2b, say I don't finish all 5 bottles, will they allow me to carry them over to the 2nd leg?

 

 

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Usually the coupons have a date that coincides with the end of the cruise. I think if you asked, your waitstaff would help you with getting any extra bottles so you could bring them to dinner during week two. We just did a B2B and ended up with none to carry over, but we had the same servers in ATD and I believe they would have taken care of it.

With the two five bottle packages and the four bottles we brought on board we ended up buying just one additional bottle in the MDR.

Just an additional explanation- you get a little packet of coupons, ours was delivered to our cabin before dinner the first evening since we purchased it upon arriving on board, however you can also purchase in the MDR. Each coupon has a list of the wines available in the package you chose. In the MDR, specialty restaurants or any bar, you present one of the coupons and can check the one you pick or simply tell your server. It will be delivered and as the other poster said, you can drink one glass or all of the bottle. We drink the entire bottle at dinner. If you do not finish it, they store the bottle and it can be retrieved for your next meal.

We've also asked our server for a second bottle to take to our cabin. No problem.

Do you have to go through the line each time you come back on or is there a special line just for those that already have their cards?

Not sure how it works since we brought four bottles of wine on our B2B with only a question as to how many in our party. I said we were doing a B2B and the guy running the x-ray said, so there's four of you? Well, technically, yes. He was just joking because we had shown our boarding passes for both cruises.

At any rate, you will receive an envelope with instructions that includes a special "transit" card and you show that to return to the ship.

We loved our B2B and have booked another one for next year.

We carry our filled pill minders and several extra day's worth of medications in zip lock bags. I'm sure you have to take precautions with the controlled med, but the rest should not require original packaging.

Enjoy your first cruise.

We did a B2B on Magic last month, sent laundry out five times and got it back in the evening, though I think our steward just waited to put it in the room then. Never paid for same day service, just gave it to him first thing as we headed out for breakfast. Loved that perk as it was our first time as platinum and we were there for 15 days.

We are booked on the Dec. 2, 2018 Miracle Journeys cruise that does a partial transit of the Panama Canal. In doing my research about Panama Canal cruises in general, it seems that many of the partial transits on other cruise lines offer excursions while the ship is anchored in Gatun Lake. I don't see any such excursions offered on the Carnival website, however. Does anyone know specifics about options? Do we just stay on the ship and watch the scenery? Or will there be opportunities to get off the boat and explore? I only have two years to make plans....HA!

We are also booked on this cruise. I had gone to the Carnival website for information on excursions. I'm glad you asked and got an answer!

We are just off the Magic, there were generally two movies each night with some kind of 'theme'. First night, Comedy - Central Intelligence @7:30, Daddy's Home at 10.

2nd night - Date Night, Me Before you at 7:30, The Intern at 10.

3rd night - Action & Adventure - Batman v Superman at 7.

4th night - Drama - The Martian @ 7:30, Star Trek Beyond at 10, at Midnight they showed Deadpool.

5th was Blockbuster Night - Finding Dory @ 7:30, Captain America: Civel War at 10.

6th night was Marvel Mania with Age of Ultron @ 7, X-Men: Apocalypse @ 9:30.

7th was Action @ Adventure with Independence Day: Resurgence @ 7. The final night was Family Movie Time with The Jungle Book @ 7 and Zootopia at 9

The popcorn was free and salt was available, but it was just OK.

Is it correct to assume that with so many on this list, a week long cruise will actually only show 4 or 5 of these maybe?

We are just off the Magic, there were generally two movies each night with some kind of 'theme'. First night, Comedy - Central Intelligence @7:30, Daddy's Home at 10.

2nd night - Date Night, Me Before you at 7:30, The Intern at 10.

3rd night - Action & Adventure - Batman v Superman at 7.

4th night - Drama - The Martian @ 7:30, Star Trek Beyond at 10, at Midnight they showed Deadpool.

5th was Blockbuster Night - Finding Dory @ 7:30, Captain America: Civel War at 10.

6th night was Marvel Manie with Age of Ultron @ 7, X-Men: Apocalypse @ 9:30.

7th was Action @ Adventure with Independence Day: Ressurgence @ 7. The final night was Family Movie Time with The Jungle Boo @ 7 and Zootopia at 9

The popcorn was free and salt was available, but it was just OK.

Got off the Magic 11/20/16. Did a B2B, first week we got night lights, second week pen and card sets. Really glad we didn't get the visors. :rolleyes: At least one guest I talked with complained about the pen and cards and said she tried to exchange it with no luck.

We leave Friday for our drive to Port Canaveral and have followed every review of the Magic. :D

With your comments on Cucina, i think we will check it out for lunch (no charge) and then decide if it's worth paying $15 for dinner. My DH never likes anyone else's lasagna or chicken parm, so maybe if he sticks to the steak or salmon he will be happier.

Thanks for the review.

Hey, I like the Fish n Chips spot. I get fried oysters and bouillabase. For those who enjoy sushi, they have that too. Probably one of the best things about this little out of the way spot, is that most guests don't figure out where it is until later in the cruise. The first few days, it's quiet. Lots of officers have been seen eating there and we like talking with them.