Carnival Magic 1/27/18 review and comparison between my cruises on RC and Carnival

As the title states, my friends and I sailed on Magic 1/27/18. My group consisted of 4 ladies from mid 40's to late 60's. It was the youngest's first cruise, my second (third if you count a horrendous experience 21 years ago, but I have tried to forget about it), and the oldest is platinum (or is it diamond?). I'm not sure. Her status got her on the ship early, chocolates in her room, and a special party at the end of the cruise.

My review probably won't be as wordy or exciting as some, but if you are interested please follow along.

Bring it on! :)

Our group met up on Friday at the Homewood Suites in near Orlando Airport. We chose this location for convenience and price. Three of us were flying in together, the other arriving a few hours later. This location offered a free airport shuttle, dining choices close by, and the AAA rate I found on the 2 bedroom 2 bath room was great. We split the cost 4 ways, with tax it was $57 each.

We used Cortrans shuttle from Homewood Suites to Port Canaveral and our return to MCO. The shuttle buses were on time, clean, and the drivers were friendly. The price was $40 round trip. The only downside was dropping off other cruise passengers at NCL before heading to the Magic.

As stated, 2 friends got to bypass lines and board the ship early due to status. I was pleasantly surprised that there was no line outside and we got through the inside security line relatively quick. Unfortunately everything came to a screeching halt once we were checked in. It took us over an hour to board due to computer issues.

Once we finally made it on the ship we headed to Lido to meet our friends and have lunch. My first meal of the trip - Guy's burger and fries. I give the nod to Carnival for this venue. No extra cost and the burgers are excellent. Not much difference between the burgers on the ship and the burgers at Guy's restaurant in Vegas. The RC ship I went on last February had Johnny Rockets, and it is an extra cost (and not as good IMO).

Before we knew it we could access our balcony rooms (side by side, but not adjoining) on the 6th floor, directly above Guy's Pig and Anchor BBQ. We had originally booked Oceanview Deluxe rooms and received emails offering an upgrade about a month or so before our trip.

After reading reviews I was worried about our new rooms. I read they'd be noisy, the balcony would be smokey, and would lack privacy. Nothing could be further from the truth. They were perfectly fine. We used the balcony a lot. Our wonderful room steward Gerry opened the divider so we were able to sit out there together. We were 110% happy with our upgrade.

The room set up was almost identical to the room I had on RC (which was also a balcony on deck 6) The bed on Carnival was much more comfortable. The shower on RC had a door not a curtain, I prefer the door. Both were ugly green bathrooms. That color is just awful. It must be cheap. LOL.

Gerry came to our room 2x a day. He was very friendly and always asked us how we were doing and if he could get us anything. He kept our room tidy and stocked with fresh towels, breakfast room service tags, towel animals and ice. Our refridgerator was cold (it was barely functioning on RC). I pre-ordered 2 twelve packs of water and one 6 pack of Coke, both were in the room when we arrived.

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Breakfast/lunch: Initially we went to breakfast buffet early, but often we were full from dinner before. Later we decided to arrange for an early room service delivery of coffee, juice, fruit and bagels. We'd head to the pool area then lido for lunch. I felt the breakfast food was better on Carnival, desserts better on carnival, lunch (with the exception of Guy's) better on RC.

Dinner: the first night, another night later in the trip, we ate at the Italian restaurant. I had chicken parm entree both times, meatball app once, desserts were fabulous, waitstaff was friendly (although their singing is very off key). I can't remember what the others had. I know that everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals and it is well worth the $15 charge per person. I did not dine at an Italian restaurant on Royal, so I cannot compare.

Main dining room: we did not have a set time. One evening we had to wait almost an hour. From then on we went down as early as possible. The first night there we were seated in Maribel's section. Maribel, Moncef and Edwin provided great service, very friendly, remembered things like how we like our steak, our wine selections, dessert choice. Each night we dined there we requested them. I felt that service was equal on both ships, but give a nod to Carnival for food quality and taste.

Pizza, deli: I ate at each venue once. I liked the pizza better on Carnival but the location better on RC. I did not eat at the deli in RC (not sure if there was one). The deli on Carnival only toasted one side of the sandwich, the other side was soft/soggy. It was weird. Clearly either the top or bottom of the press or toaster didn't work. Thumbs down to Carnival.

I'll post more tomorrow.

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Thoroughly enjoying your review!

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Nice review so far. We are doing our first RC later this year. Nice to see the comparison with CCL.

Can't wait for the rest of the review.

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Interesting comparison review, thanks!

Last few reviews stated the ship was really rocky and suspected a mechanical issue? How was the ship did you notice any rocking?

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Last few reviews stated the ship was really rocky and suspected a mechanical issue? How was the ship did you notice any rocking?

 

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Yes, the rocking was awful the first couple days and nights. Our veteran cruiser said this cruise was one of the worst sailings she has been on (for movement). Even on days were the seas seamed calmer I felt a lot of movement. I did not experience that on Independence last February. On that cruise ship rocked a tiny bit one evening, that was it. I haven't cruised enough to say whether this was a mechanical issue, but I suspect something wasn't right.

We were on this cruise as well. No mechanical issue, just the ocean being itself, seas were 12-14' with 35 MPH winds, hence lots of public areas outside were closed, including Serenity.

I thought I'd finish up my review, and putting thought into this caused me to make a big decision about my next cruise.

I thought the casino was better on Magic, and no, it's not because I won (although one of the ladies in my group left the cruise ahead!). We all agreed that the casino was a good size and had a great variety of newer machines. Overall my opinion is that the casino was a lot more lively and fun than the one on Indy. An added bonus is the fact that you can qualify for a drink card in the casino based on your play. Maybe you can on Royal and maybe I just didn't qualify? I'm sure others would know more. The wait staff was prompt and friendly.

Speaking of bar wait staff, on Indy, when sitting by the pool no one came around asking if you wanted a drink. You had to stand in line at the bar, even if you just wanted a pop (soda) or bottle of water. This meant I had to leave my personal belongings at my lounge chair, or take them with me to the bar. This was not the case on Carnival. We lounged on the deck near the aft pool and waiter constantly came by asking if you needed anything. Another nod to Carnival.

Shows/entertainment: I did not see any shows on RC (Independence). I was with my teenage old son, he wasn't interested in the musical performances. I also think the comedy shows on Royal are restricted to older audiences (I have been on one cruise with them, so maybe I am mistaken, but this was my understanding from that cruise). On Carnival, there are PG or family comedy shows earlier in the evening which I think is great. For the musical shows, the singing ranged to really good to off key, but they were entertaining. I really liked nighttime movie set up on Carnival better - watching movies under the stars on the big screen, with popcorn and blankets. The movies that I can remember they showed were family friendly and fun - I wish I would have been like this when I cruised with my son on RC. I know there were nighttime movies, but I recall it was hard to hear. My son still jokes that one of the movies was Sully. I'm not knocking the movie, but not something I consider a watching for fun while on the deck. Hands down the most entertaining part of the cruise was Reverend Dr. E, the cruise director. So many people have commented on how wonderful he is, and they're all right! I can't even tell you who the cruise director was on RC. I don't know if it was a man or woman. On Carnival I also liked things like name that tune. Watching people line dance. It just truly seemed more "fun".

One thing I can say was better on RC was navigating the ship. I think the layout (at least on Indy) was better than the layout on Carnival. For the first couple days we'd try to go to the dining room and find out we took the wrong elevator or stairwell. It seemed like a chore to get to the serenity deck. I liked the Royal Promenade area on Indy. That ship just felt a lot more "open". On Carnival Magic I felt like I was in a maze of hallways at times. That is probably my only real complaint. I am someone with a really good sense of direction, so for me it was bothersome not be able to get an immediate lay of the land (I guess that isn't a good term for this but I don't know how to explain it).

Thinking about the comparison, my opinion is I enjoyed Carnival more. It was just more laid back and fun. The free dining options like Guys and the BBQ place put it ahead of Royal. Even breakfast was more lively at the buffet. The staff came through singing and dancing, happy, smiling. The entertainment options for me, a new cruiser, were better on Carnival. OK maybe they weren't big name musical productions or water shows, but they were fun. I had fun. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time on Indy. That cruise is why I'm always on here reading as much as I can and why I belong to several FB groups about cruising. I'm hooked! The entire cruise on Magic I kept thinking about my prior and upcoming cruise with my son; "I wish it was like this, or I wish they had this, or too bad he didn't get to do this".

Last August I booked Harmony of the Seas for this summer for our second mother and son cruise. My oldest son doesn't want to go on a cruise, and neither does my husband. My husband doesn't like to travel as much as I do, and doesn't discourage me from doing so. Travel is my passion. I love to go to new places. I now also LOVE to cruise! Facing reality, I only have another couple years that he'll want to go with me. I thought the water slides, dry slide, etc would be great for my youngest. I thought he even might like the water show. Then I went on Carnival. Then I began wishing I was cruising on Carnival with him. So I called the PVP that my friends use and long story finally coming to an end...I booked Vista. Cancelled Harmony. The sailings are the same date. Both out of southern Florida so I do not need to cancel my departing flight. I just had to adjust my return home because my cruise on Vista is an 8 night Southern Caribbean cruise!

If anyone has questions please feel free to ask.

Thanks for the review.

Enjoying this.

Keith

Breakfast/lunch: Initially we went to breakfast buffet early, but often we were full from dinner before. Later we decided to arrange for an early room service delivery of coffee, juice, fruit and bagels. We'd head to the pool area then lido for lunch. I felt the breakfast food was better on Carnival, desserts better on carnival, lunch (with the exception of Guy's) better on RC.

 

Dinner: the first night, another night later in the trip, we ate at the Italian restaurant. I had chicken parm entree both times, meatball app once, desserts were fabulous, waitstaff was friendly (although their singing is very off key). I can't remember what the others had. I know that everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals and it is well worth the $15 charge per person. I did not dine at an Italian restaurant on Royal, so I cannot compare.

 

Main dining room: we did not have a set time. One evening we had to wait almost an hour. From then on we went down as early as possible. The first night there we were seated in Maribel's section. Maribel, Moncef and Edwin provided great service, very friendly, remembered things like how we like our steak, our wine selections, dessert choice. Each night we dined there we requested them. I felt that service was equal on both ships, but give a nod to Carnival for food quality and taste.

 

Pizza, deli: I ate at each venue once. I liked the pizza better on Carnival but the location better on RC. I did not eat at the deli in RC (not sure if there was one). The deli on Carnival only toasted one side of the sandwich, the other side was soft/soggy. It was weird. Clearly either the top or bottom of the press or toaster didn't work. Thumbs down to Carnival.

We were on the 2/318 sailing and agree about the singers in the Italian restaurant. But the food is so good and the price so reasonable, we just try not to eat during their performance!

We were also blessed with Maribel and her team. So attentive. I keep seeing comments on here about reduced staffing and no team waitstaff, but we had the same three servers each night. Loved how they took great care of us.

At the deli we found the BLTs were the best. Really enjoyed the fries. I liked the cookies there, husband didn't so i ate his!

I am glad you were able to adjust your travels for you and your son. Enjoy!

Thinking about the comparison, my opinion is I enjoyed Carnival more. It was just more laid back and fun. The free dining options like Guys and the BBQ place put it ahead of Royal. Even breakfast was more lively at the buffet. The staff came through singing and dancing, happy, smiling. The entertainment options for me, a new cruiser, were better on Carnival. OK maybe they weren't big name musical productions or water shows, but they were fun. I had fun. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time on Indy. That cruise is why I'm always on here reading as much as I can and why I belong to several FB groups about cruising. I'm hooked! The entire cruise on Magic I kept thinking about my prior and upcoming cruise with my son; "I wish it was like this, or I wish they had this, or too bad he didn't get to do this".

 

Last August I booked Harmony of the Seas for this summer for our second mother and son cruise. My oldest son doesn't want to go on a cruise, and neither does my husband. My husband doesn't like to travel as much as I do, and doesn't discourage me from doing so. Travel is my passion. I love to go to new places. I now also LOVE to cruise! Facing reality, I only have another couple years that he'll want to go with me. I thought the water slides, dry slide, etc would be great for my youngest. I thought he even might like the water show. Then I went on Carnival. Then I began wishing I was cruising on Carnival with him. So I called the PVP that my friends use and long story finally coming to an end...I booked Vista. Cancelled Harmony. The sailings are the same date. Both out of southern Florida so I do not need to cancel my departing flight. I just had to adjust my return home because my cruise on Vista is an 8 night Southern Caribbean cruise!

 

If anyone has questions please feel free to ask.

You'll enjoy the itinerary of the 8 day Southern Cruise on the Vista more too!;)

Nice review and comparison. You will enjoy the Vista. We had a great time on her in November!!

Enjoyed the review and the comparison....thanks

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I'm not a huge cruise traveler - although this will be my 4th one. One of which was when I graduated college and went with a friend. We chose Carnival thinking it was more the "party" ship and there'd be more singles. Went years without cruising and then the past 3 years, I'm now about to go on my 4th cruise. The last two were with Royal Caribbean - one small/mid size ship to Alaska, the other a huge ship to E. Caribbean. We probably would have booked RC again, had it not been a bit of a last minute decision to go on a cruise and our choice of rooms and ships were much more limited than when you plan for things a full year in advance. SOOOOO - all that being said, we are now booked on Magic over Spring Break. Looking forward to it. One thing that I loved to do on our last cruise, especially being on such a huge ship, was to find a place to kind of hide from the crowds and relax on a chair. I forget which deck it was on, but it was at the back end of the ship, on the deck below where their water show was and on the deck where there was a walk/run path around the boat. I never had problem finding a free chair here no matter what time of day, even on sea days. It was like a secret hideaway that not too many people knew about. Is there any place like that on Magic - where I can get away from crowds, lounge in a chair, kick up my feet with a book and a beverage and relax?