LAMBIE'S review of Nana's MAGIC Halloween cruise

[LambKnuckles]

Now, I have the coffee, tea, and some breads... And we head back out to the Lido Deck to sit and chat and relax... I see they have not only towels to loan, but also blankets.

 

 

This "Beach Pool" -- the one you see on the Lido Cam -- also is the Seaside theatre, and at night, there might be a chill to the air. I'm sure many were using the blankets last night, as we were just leaving Galveston and it was a bit chilly once the sun went down.

 

We find a table of friends and sit and enjoy morning conversation and coffee.

 

BUT... our real desire is the MDR. Now, here's a real breakfast!!!

 

 

Yes... even French fries and Steak (and eggs) and cake are on the Brunch menu...

 

 

 

Even Bloddy Marys are available... But you do pay for these...

 

[LambKnuckles]

Once we've finished with breakfast-brunch... we decide to tour the Serenity Deck...

 

 

 

It does get windy up there, but in the sun, it feels good!!!

 

 

 

[LambKnuckles]

Then, over to look at the WaterWorks!!!

 

 

 

 

I didn't try the WaterWorks slides on this day... But I did take trips down on Tuesday and Grand Caymans days. The TWISTER is delightful!!! It did make me dizzy as the turns kept coming and coming -- I didn't know what to expect on the first trip down... and it seemed to last FOREVER!!! The other one, with the big orange bowl... WOW... they're both FAST, but this was something!!! I know I have more photos of the slides... they'll be coming on later days!!!

[LambKnuckles]

Nice pictures and enjoy reading your review! :D

 

 

THANK YOU for peeking in!!! I'm rather slow at getting this done, but I have a fairly new computer and IHATEWINDOWS8 and am still learning how to switch from photos to posting... and not lose anything. I've lost two posts with photos... They just vanished!!!! :mad: :o

[LambKnuckles]

Loving your review. Hoping to take my Mom one day too. We had family surprise us on our Triumph cruise 2 weeks ago. We had tried to get them to book, but they said no, they couldn't since they are going in January... I was people watching in the terminal & freaked out when I saw them!!

 

Can't wait for more. We will be on the Magic for the 3rd time in April.

 

What a WONDERFUL surprise!!! It must have been GREAT!!! Thank you for reading the review!

 

Tell me, is your Mom at all "differently" able??? Do you need any tips with special needs cabins or anything? I've been taking Nana, since we celebrated her 80th birthday on our first cruise!! I presented the trip to her at Christmas 2005 -- then we sailed in February 2006.

 

My husband and I had planned a family cruise in August of 2004 but had to cancel due to work needs -- wouldn't you know it, I got subpoenaed and the court refused to postpone the trial, and I had to cancel so I could testify about some clients and problems and ... well, I can't get into it in public... then in September my husband's illnesses and cancer got worse and by October we had to plan for Hospice and three days after Christmas he was gone... We NEVER got to cruise together... and it took me two more years before I could book another cruise...

 

Sorry -- long story -- I digress -- anyway, we cruised for her 80th and I fell in love cruising!!! She's been in a wheelchair for over 28 years, so every time I take her, I learn more about accessibility on a ship!! If you have any questions, I'd be happy to listen and help if I can!

[LambKnuckles]

Can't wait to read more, but it will have to wait a week since we are heading out today for another Elation cruise. Always love your reviews! We were on the Magic in January and loved it. I remember you trying out your new camera that you got, can't wait to see your sunrise pictures!

 

Well, the LEAST you could have done was to cancel your cruise until I was finished. GOODNESS... I fell slighted and offended!!! ;) :rolleyes:

 

I hope you come back and tell us all about it!! The Elation was my first cruise, Feb '06... I fell in love with cruising. My husband had been on a seismic vessel with the University of Texas for a year, and other ships that charted and plotted the ocean floor -- so he loved it!! His favorite was the Alaskan area and Dutch Harbor especially. (I finally did an Alaskan cruise last year!! I know why he loved that are!!!)

 

Anyway... the Elation was wonderful!!! Even with a TERRIBLE cabin -- three of us in a cabin for two... Deck 2... all the way aft... ocean view... I didn't know better then!!! But the service, the crew, the food, the ship -- WONDERFUL!!!

[LambKnuckles]

Keep the photo's coming. We have sailed on the Magic a couple of times now and always had a great time.

 

Uncle Doug... It's GREAT to see you!!! Thanks for dropping in and reading!!! I've been so busy with "stuff" and life... I don't get over to Cruise Critic too often! But I know how much I love reading about cruising!!! And this was a great cruise!!

 

Being my first on the MAGIC... it was all wonderful. I have more ship photos coming -- I know you've seen her -- but I will say, this is the first time I wasn't as impressed with Farcus's décor in the Atrium. The changing color lights and the weird, "candy looking" light fixtures just aren't my taste! But, it is COLORFUL and wonderful and I love the wall décor on the statroom hallways... I loved looking for the birds and they just made me smile and feel happy!! I know I have photos of them coming, too!

 

Good to see you!!! :) ...and thank you for reading!!!

[LambKnuckles]

Nice to hear not many people on hear know of redding . The only cruise I have been on was out of Long Beach on the Splendor and We loved it ! We did 2 days in Cabo and 1 day in Peurta Vallarta . It was A lot of fun . Most prefer cabo I think... But we loved P.V. don't get me wrong Cabo was Great fun P.V was more authentic Mexico ..loved the ship and actually met several people from up here in Chico Ca that we remain friends with . I plan on Sailing the Miracle after the 2.0 upgrade doing the overnight in P.V and 1 day in Cabo ...:)

 

Thank you for sharing some west coast info!! I think I'd like to try the Mexican Riviera cruise sometime. Good to hear that PV and Cabo are fun!!!

 

I think I'd like to try sailing out of San Francisco, sometime, too! I know Carnival isn't there -- but I grew up in the Bay Area, and used to go down to the wharf and the docks and see the ships come in! I never dreamed of sailing -- then I saw the Love Boat on TV -- then my husband talked of his adventures... and I wanted to try.

 

Now, way back in the 50's, as a little girl, yes --now you know, I'm old -- after a trip to Disneyland, we went on the cruise to Catalina, but that was my one and only time. In High School, we had friends with boats and we'd sail the bay -- and I loved the rough waters under the Golden Gate in 25 footers+... foul weather gear... And in college, my fiancé (whom I didn't marry) was Navy, and we got to sail the Bay on a Dependents Cruise on his SubTender. But cruising got in my blood after the Elation in '06 -- and I love it!!!

[LambKnuckles]

...Sorry, now, another break -- Saturday chores and shopping and visiting family, etc... I'll be back with more, PROMISE!!!

[MicksMom]

What a WONDERFUL surprise!!! It must have been GREAT!!! Thank you for reading the review!

 

Tell me, is your Mom at all "differently" able??? Do you need any tips with special needs cabins or anything? I've been taking Nana, since we celebrated her 80th birthday on our first cruise!! I presented the trip to her at Christmas 2005 -- then we sailed in February 2006.

 

My husband and I had planned a family cruise in August of 2004 but had to cancel due to work needs -- wouldn't you know it, I got subpoenaed and the court refused to postpone the trial, and I had to cancel so I could testify about some clients and problems and ... well, I can't get into it in public... then in September my husband's illnesses and cancer got worse and by October we had to plan for Hospice and three days after Christmas he was gone... We NEVER got to cruise together... and it took me two more years before I could book another cruise...

 

Sorry -- long story -- I digress -- anyway, we cruised for her 80th and I fell in love cruising!!! She's been in a wheelchair for over 28 years, so every time I take her, I learn more about accessibility on a ship!! If you have any questions, I'd be happy to listen and help if I can!

 

My Mom doesn't have any physical issues other than being a little slow with walking any distance. She retired after 46 years & within 6 months became a full-time caretaker for my dad. After 11 years it is starting to wear her out. He would never go & she would never leave him behind.

 

Looking forward to the rest of your review!

[breckbird]

lambie so glad to see you on here we did our first cruise with you and had lost touch was woundering where you were. looks like yall had a great time (but anytime on a cruise is a great time) anyway glad to see you again and hope someday to be on a cruise with you again

[boaterette]

I love reading your reviews. They always make me smile.

[LambKnuckles]

Well... I just spent 45 minutes on a post and pictures... and POOF... WINDOWS8 closed it and all is lost... IHATE8IHATE8IHATE8...

 

But let me try to reconstruct it... (I'm so frustrated and angry!!!)

 

Let's take a tour of the Promenade / Deck 5...

 

Leaving Deck 10 / Lido, I get into the glass elevators. The only place there are glass elevators is with the forward bank of elevators, in the atrium that looks up from the Lobby.

On Deck 10, by the doors that lead to the pool, there is a Fun Hub. You can see this just past the table where the staff from the Spa tell you all about the Spa Experience...

 

 

Let's take a look, before we descend the elevator, at the Fun Hub from the other side... These computers are here for public use, FREE, to access Carnival.com sites and Message Center and John Heald's Blog, etc. -- and to access the Internet, if you bought a package, or choose to pay by the minute... I use the site DAILY to post in the free access on Carnival.com's FUNVILLE -- a blog / forum where you can stay in touch with those you left behind. It's a public forum, so anything you write can be read by anyone, but it's a great FREE place to let others know how you are and to BRAG about all the fun you're having on board!!!

 

 

From the glass elevator, you can see the atrium. The décor is colorful (and personally, the only thing I didn't like about the ship. It's just too much for me. I usually LOVE Farcus's design and décor and I love it everywhere else, but the color changing lights and the hard candy designs here, just, again, in my humble opinion, look cheap and taste-less. I know many LOVE this feature, but just stating my opinion!)

 

 

 

Exiting the elevator and turning towards the starboard/right side of the vessel, here's the view.

 

 

Looking across...

 

[LambKnuckles]

Now, let's peek in the shop windows, since it's early and the shops are closed -- and no one will block our view...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too many of the "Cherry on Top" candy store??? How's this...

 

[LambKnuckles]

There is upper access to the forward Show Lounge, The "ShowTime Theatre" from this Deck...

 

 

Outside the Showtime Theatre, is a display case of awards and accolades the MAGIC has received...

 

 

Walking past the shops... Here's the Casino and Casino bar...

 

 

 

But, let's turn around and walk towards the aft, continuing to look... There is a Coffee Bar, where you can pay for a "fancier" cup of Joe...

 

 

The "Magical Way" with a mid-ship lounge and Taste Bar and other things...

 

[LambKnuckles]

The Internet Café -- the main Fun Hub...

 



 

And on to the featured Bar... like a neighborhood bar... the Red Frog Pub!!

 



 

Let's wander in and around...

 



 



 

[LambKnuckles]

And specials...

 

 

 

And cigars...

 

 

And a door to outside... On Deck 5 there's a full walk around the whole ship deck... outside!! (I have more shots of this later...)

 

[LambKnuckles]

As we keep heading aft... we find the Steak House. This is an additional fee restaurant, reservations recommended, and it's the 5 A class food and service restaurant on the ship. A place for a special evening -- or just to celebrate food!!! It's a $35 cost -- plus, I'm sure you'll want to add a tip, but it's not necessary...

 

Here's the place and the menu... Oh, yes, the wine is extra...

 



 



 

 

 



 

 

 



 

The table clothes and setting are put away -- I do have more shots of this later...

 



 



 

[LambKnuckles]

And we're approaching the aft of the ship on Deck 5...

 

The "Play It Again" Piano Bar...

 



 



 

... and the Punchliner's Club: the SpotLight Lounge

 



 



 

Now, I'll take the aft elevator back to Deck 10...

 



 

I see breakfast is being served... and I love the way the server brings a cart around to refill your beverages and pastries... Deck 10 being the buffets... and self-service areas, this is a wonderful feature!!!

 

[LambKnuckles]

Most of our Monday afternoon is relaxing and napping and reading and the Serenity Deck, and just nothing... What a delight first Sea Day aboard the ship!!

 

There are always activities, but you choose what you want to do... We went to The "UltimateMind Game" in the Piano Bar. Nana and I worked as a team, and ended up with a medal to wear around our neck! I gave it to Nana. It's on a Red/White/and blue ribbon... You'll probably see it in some of the photos... Yep... go back up to the picture of her under the TWISTER slide... you'll see it!!!

 

The Library -- photos later -- has intermittent hours, there's BINGO, you can pick up daily puzzles in the Coffee Bar area, Trivia games throughout the day, Ladder Toss, Washer toss, Karaoke, bean bag toss, Basketball and Dodgeball tournaments, Pilates, etc...

 

On Monday, the first Sea Day the Special activities:

 

Fun Ashore, Fun Aboard talk in the Showtime Theatre

Cooking Demonstration

Fun Finds Shopping Show

Master Mixologist Competition

Slot Tournament

Champagne Art Auction

Hairy Chest Competition

Tanzanite sale and seminar

Tea Time

Comedy

Tonight's Main show is The Grooveline

 

And it's Elegant evening and Meet the Captain...

 

For lunch, I went to the Deli and had them make Ruben Sandwiches, with extra Sauerkraut!!!

 

 

 

and into the Panini ...

 

 

and of corse, I stopped to get some ice cream and frozen yogurt, too!!!

 

 

And before bed -- I took a couple shots of the Lido Deck...

 

 

 

[rob6465]

Lambie..Gov here. I am truly enjoying your review. Brought me back to son's wedding cruise last year and getting excited to board her on my birthday this december 8th. What a review u are giving everyone. Nana looked so relaxed. Please give her a big from maria and I

[State Room]

Ma'am, thank you so much. I am enjoying the photos and narration. It's like I've already been there.

 

I know when I see these sites for real I will think of you. :)

[Jimmy Geegitz]

Great review. Hoping you took some costume pics!

[smyliecruising]

Thank you for taking the time to post such nice pictures. I am loving this review as I am sailing 1/14 on this ship. It is also very refreshing:) reading a review without a bunch of complaining:eek:

Can't wait to see more:D

[LambKnuckles]

lambie so glad to see you on here we did our first cruise with you and had lost touch was woundering where you were. looks like yall had a great time (but anytime on a cruise is a great time) anyway glad to see you again and hope someday to be on a cruise with you again

 

You're right -- we have lost touch!!! So sorry!!! I will always list my upcoming cruises in my signature... I'll have to watch yours too, and maybe we will cruise together!

 

HAPPY to see you!!! HUGS!!! :)