Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Carnival Magic Review March 30-April 6.

JordanLovesCruisin
 Share

Recommended Posts

JordanLovesCruisin

JordanLovesCruisin

Posted
Posted

Hello all! My family and I just returned from our 7 day Western Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Magic.

 

Disclaimer: I did not take amazing pictures. I have iPhone and iPad pictures. I did not take pictures of my food because I ate it faster than I could even think about taking a picture. I did not take pictures of the Fun Times because my kid gnawed on every single one.

 

Background: My husband Mark, (30), myself (Jordan-25) and our baby boy, Beckett (7 months) are the cruisers! Mark and I got engaged on the Destiny in 2012, honeymooned on Freedom of the Seas in 2013, and now, we got to introduce our little guy to the cruising world. We figured now is the time as we plan to hopefully expand our family next spring, making a spring 2015 not doable if all goes our way.

 

We usually go out of Florida, but holy sheet, airfare was stupid high. Like, more than the cruise fare high from OKC. I had my heart set on going to Grand Turk, but no dice. Maybe next time, right? So, we looked at Galveston. Airfare was $200pp which was extremely doable for us. We didn't dare do the 9 hour drive with a baby. So, we booked the 59 minute flight to IAH!

 

We originally booked an inside cabin on deck 6 or 7 at the front of the ship. Upon realizing that if our nap-protesting baby DID nap while on the cruise, that it would be nice to go outside and enjoy the view and the sun. We waited a couple of weeks for the price to drop and then called Carnival to upgrade. We did end up losing our $90 OBC for booking during their New Year’s Sale, but it is what it is! Our room ended up being 9388, midship, port side.

 

We booked the Magic and not the Triumph because we wanted a newer ship and a bigger ship with more amenities. Having just cruised on the Freedom of the Seas, there’s no way we could have downsized to the Triumph. Plus, the price of the Magic for the week that worked for our schedules was less than the Triumph. Boo yah!

 

Well... here goes nothin'. Meet the fam. Just look at this priceless pic. This is what I call a loving, flawless, family photo! Ha.

 

2mg08bk.jpg

1392254741_photo4.jpg.c55f8d9854b27984c5359dcf877fa202.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JordanLovesCruisin

JordanLovesCruisin

Posted
  • Author
Posted

So, we get up at the a$$ crack of dawn to go to the airport. Yes, we flew in the day of. No, we did not have trip insurance. Ballsy right? We live life on the edge here in this house. After all the drama rama with the oil spill the week prior, I had considered it, but didn't bite the bullet and do it. I figured we had an early enough flight, it was only an hour flight, and then an hour to the pier...no biggie.

 

We got our 4 pieces of luggage and rolled out. Mind you, our carry-ons were strictly the baby's loot. Like, we were totally SOL if our bags didn't make it, but HEY, at least the baby could eat and have a clean tush. The sacrifices you make as a parent, right?

 

We checked in at the airport and had an uneventful, quiet flight with the babe. He was a dream come true.

 

When we landed at IAH, we went to collect our checked bags. We're scanning the conveyer belt going "ooh! There it is!" followed by "just kidding...not ours." when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was none other than ol' Jorge from Carnival to escort us across the airport to wait for the bus to take us to the cruise terminal. He was such a sweetheart. He even rolled one of our bags for us since I had the stroller and diaper bag, and Mark had 4 rolling bags. We made it to the waiting area and waited about 45 minutes for our transfer bus. Once we got on the bus, we were told it was going to be a 90 minute ride.

 

All in all, it was a decent ride. In front of us was the DJ that was coming onto the Magic, DJ Commodus. He was very, very kind and seemed very excited and eager to start his contract on the Magic. Apparently he had just come off the Sunshine and had a two month vacation.

 

After the long ride to the terminal, we finally made it. Man, no offense, Galveston natives but dang, what a dumpy looking area. I guess I am used to the beautiful, bright, sunny ports of PC, MIA and FLL. It didn't help that it was gloomy out. However, I am thankful that it is our closest port.

 

Embarkation was a breeze. We ended up getting there at around 1:00 PM and was all checked in and on board by 1:30. Easiest embarkation EVER. Of course we immediately went up to the Lido (which tripped me up because it was on deck 10, not 9 like I'm used to) because mama was HUN-GRY. I ended up getting a burrito and mmmmmmmm mmmmm mmmm is all I'm going to say about that.

 

After lunch, we went to our room, 9388. The room steward had turned our couch into a twin bed, even though we had arranged for a crib by calling Carnival (twice). Thankfully, the 24 pack of water I had purchased before hand was in our room. I was really worried about that because that's how we mix B's formula (with jug water) at home. I wasn't trying to start our fun filled family vacation with a baby that had a potentially upset tummy. He is a diva. We found our room steward and he said "you need crib. no problem". I think his name was Guillermo, or Geronimo. Who knows. We didn't see him much.

 

6o32o6.jpg

Schmeckett approved of the big bed.

 

We decided to then venture off and explore the ship. Honestly, I thought the décor was just "eh". Like, a 5 out of 10. Mark said the fixtures in the atrium looked cheap. I kind of agree, as well as in the dining room. They could have really made the dining room look nicer with a chandelier like RC has. Even a faux one.

 

Another thing we missed at this point was the Promenade and the layout of RC ships. Especially with a stroller and having young children. Or a fat baby like we have. It was so much easier to navigate the RC ships than having to go UP then OVER then DOWN to get where we needed to go. I believe it was the Galley that's in the way? I'm sure it doesn't bother any of ya'll because most of you are able-bodied adults without chunky baby or stroller. But for strollers and wheel chairs, it seems like a cluster. I had remembered it being the same way from the Valor and the Destiny, but I honestly didn't even think about it being a hassle until we were there, in the situation. Oh well, just meant more elevator rides! AKA more places for my husband to break wind and blame it on me. Just kidding. Kind of. Not really.

 

After the muster drill (our meeting spot was Circle C) Schmecks took a nap and we got our bags unpacked. No, we didn't smuggle any liquor, so I don't have any success or fail stories on that.

 

We chose My Time Dining this time just because we didn't know when B would nap and/or want to go down for the night, so we were excited about the flexibility of that. Which would mean a better dining experience for EVERYONE with a happy, rested baby. I really did miss having that intimacy with the waiter knowing your name and sitting with the same people every night. However, times have changed and if we want to experience the dining room at all, it would be on B's terms. After all, it's his world, my husband and I just live in it. Dinner was delicious. I had the steak, mashed potatoes, bread, salad, bread, bread, and cream brulee. Oh and bread. They set a whole basket at our table. Is that normal? Is that new? Or did he just know I'm a carb binger? Anyways, there were table cloths. I know there is a lot of talk on CC about those. B slept the whole dinner. We DID have to wait about 25 minutes in line for a table though which was sort of a buzz kill. I didn't know that would be the case every night, but it makes sense.

 

After dinner we walked around the decks and the lanai, then went to bed. I know, we are boring.

 

As we were trying to sleep, I heard lots of talking and laughing. ***. I look outside and look down. The hot tubs on the lanai were right below our room. Apparently they were supposed to shut down at 9, but they didn't. We also heard bean bag toss competitions from our room that were being held at the Red Frog Pub. Luckily my husband and babe can sleep through just about anything. So 2/3 of us got great rest :)

 

UP NEXT: Friggin 3 days at sea.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JordanLovesCruisin

JordanLovesCruisin

Posted
  • Author
Posted
We have been on 3 carnival cruises, and are looking at another next year. We have thought about trying royal, which do you like better?

 

They both definitely have their pros and cons, but if I had to choose right now between the two, I would pick Royal. Carnival's food is better though!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JordanLovesCruisin

JordanLovesCruisin

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I've enjoyed reading all of your reviews! I remember the review when you got engaged, and now you're a married mommy! How awesome! I can't wait to read the rest. :)

 

Thanks girl!!! I enjoy yours too! I was actually re-reading yours before we left because you are SO fun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JordanLovesCruisin

JordanLovesCruisin

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Monday-AT SEA

 

B woke up early. He slept great, but woke up earlier than I'm used to. I decided to let the boss sleep for awhile longer, so I snapped B into his hot ride and went on a walk with him.

 

The coffee bar had just opened. Was it called a café? I can't remember. But it served all sorts of coffee, milkshakes, spiked coffee, sweet treats, etc. I got myself a $4 coffee even though there is free coffee up stairs, because that's how I roll. It was absolutely worth every single cent. Mmmm.

 

I wanted to take him for a stroll on the Lanai, but the doors to go out were locked? So we went up to decks 10 and 11 and watched the sunrise together. Ugh, I loved it.

 

We went down to wake hub up to go get some grub. There was never a line that we ran into for any of the Lido spots except for the omelets and the burrito line. We also went to make reservations for Cucina de Captiano. It sounded SO good, so we booked it for Wednesday night.

 

We piddled around in the room for awhile and watched the Morning Show on TV.

 

33wr3ag.jpg

 

Then, I catch a whiff. Not of my husband's flatulence. Not of the RedFrog Pub. Not of the chain smokers in 9392. It was the pot smokers in 9384. UGH. Why? Why why why? I called DH out to smell and it was definitely not cigarette smoke. How crappy is that? I took the babe inside so he could get his first contact high at a rock concert someday and not on a family cruise at 7 months old.

 

We went to the bar and ordered our first drink of the day. I had the Mocha Chocolate Getaway. That should be illegal. Holy moly. Two thumbs up for sure. It was when I bought our drinks that I realized that my card was the same color of Beckett's. What the heck? Mine was blue, and I had 25 sea days. We go to Guest Services and the little Canadian sweetheart apologized and said it had to do with my name changing from my maiden to my married, and gave me the red card and a drink coupon. She was a doll. Others at guest services, not so much. More on that later.

 

So, we napped, we watched pool games, we ate, we napped, I read. Just a relaxing day. We also purchased the "Tabyana Beach Break" at the shore excursion desk for Roatan. It had said it was sold out online before we went on the cruise. However, when we got there it was open. HOLLA!

 

Monday was also the first formal night. I lost my lobster virginity and had a bite of DH's. I had the prime rib, stuffed mushrooms, and the melting cake. Ol' Beckett had French fries. He was in heaven. Our waiter, from Bangkok, Thailand, sang "Happy 'Versary to you" to us at dessert with a cute candle in an apple strudel dessert. It was so thoughtful!

 

I went and made that casino my you know what...and went to bed!

 

Sorry this post was so boring. Zzzzzzz.

Edited by JordanLovesCruisin
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ARgal30

ARgal30

Posted
Posted
Monday-AT SEA

 

B woke up early. He slept great, but woke up earlier than I'm used to. I decided to let the boss sleep for awhile longer, so I snapped B into his hot ride and went on a walk with him.

 

The coffee bar had just opened. Was it called a café? I can't remember. But it served all sorts of coffee, milkshakes, spiked coffee, sweet treats, etc. I got myself a $4 coffee even though there is free coffee up stairs, because that's how I roll. It was absolutely worth every single cent. Mmmm.

 

I wanted to take him for a stroll on the Lanai, but the doors to go out were locked? So we went up to decks 10 and 11 and watched the sunrise together. Ugh, I loved it.

 

We went down to wake hub up to go get some grub. There was never a line that we ran into for any of the Lido spots except for the omelets and the burrito line. We also went to make reservations for Cucina de Captiano. It sounded SO good, so we booked it for Wednesday night.

 

We piddled around in the room for awhile and watched the Morning Show on TV.

 

33wr3ag.jpg

 

Then, I catch a whiff. Not of my husband's flatulence. Not of the RedFrog Pub. Not of the chain smokers in 9392. It was the pot smokers in 9384. UGH. Why? Why why why? I called DH out to smell and it was definitely not cigarette smoke. How crappy is that? I took the babe inside so he could get his first contact high at a rock concert someday and not on a family cruise at 7 months old.

 

We went to the bar and ordered our first drink of the day. I had the Mocha Chocolate Getaway. That should be illegal. Holy moly. Two thumbs up for sure. It was when I bought our drinks that I realized that my card was the same color of Beckett's. What the heck? Mine was blue, and I had 25 sea days. We go to Guest Services and the little Canadian sweetheart apologized and said it had to do with my name changing from my maiden to my married, and gave me the red card and a drink coupon. She was a doll. Others at guest services, not so much. More on that later.

 

So, we napped, we watched pool games, we ate, we napped, I read. Just a relaxing day. We also purchased the "Tabyana Beach Break" at the shore excursion desk for Roatan. It had said it was sold out online before we went on the cruise. However, when we got there it was open. HOLLA!

 

Monday was also the first formal night. I lost my lobster virginity and had a bite of DH's. I had the prime rib, stuffed mushrooms, and the melting cake. Ol' Beckett had French fries. He was in heaven. Our waiter, from Bangkok, Thailand, sang "Happy 'Versary to you" to us at dessert with a cute candle in an apple strudel dessert. It was so thoughtful!

 

I went and made that casino my you know what...and went to bed!

 

Sorry this post was so boring. Zzzzzzz.

 

If you have 25 days, shouldn't you have a gold card!?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JordanLovesCruisin

JordanLovesCruisin

Posted
  • Author
Posted
We were docked next to you in Cozumel this past week. What took you all so long to sail away from Cozumel?

 

The captain was probably smoking a joint with our neighbors.

 

Just kidding. I have no clue. All I know is I was trying to catch a wink of sleep and this Russian woman kept calling on the PA for 5 people. Maybe they were waiting on people?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JordanLovesCruisin

JordanLovesCruisin

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Day 2- AT SEA

 

So we were getting all sorts of fidgety being at sea. We were so so excited and ready to get to Roatan to buy crap we think we need, but in reality will sit on a shelf for 4 years before I put it in the Goodwill donation box. You know what I'm talking about. We were also excited about taking B to his first beach and letting him skinny dip in the ocean. Just kidding. I spent $13 on swim diapers, and you better believe I'm going to use every last one.

 

We decided to go down to the RedFrog pub for a drink or four. Beware of the Caribbean Coladas. I felt like they were so strong! Delicious, but like, three times the strength of a pina colada. I'm a lush. DH tried the beer and said it was just "eh".

 

I decided to go squish my fat arse into my swim suit and join my boys who were wanting to go to the pool. We brought this silly inflatable duck to bathe Beckett in because he's far too heavy for us to hold in the shower and because I didn't want him just sitting on the shower floor. We also knew that he could not swim in the pools due to not being potty trained. Okay, cool. We will bring the duck to fill up and let him splash in it. After all, we paid $500 for this kid to come, he should be able to have some fun too!

 

Just to save ourselves from filling up a tub that he could potentially not like to sit in because of the water, we dipped his toes into the aft pool. Like so:

 

w1vrd.jpg.

 

Mr. Cambodia in white came up to us "maam you breaking da rules posted. no baby in da pools."

 

Me: "But sir, his toes are only in. His tush isn't in the pool. He doesn't have poop on his toes."

 

Mr: "please maam."

 

Okay.

 

 

So, we filled up Mr. Duck. Mr. Cambodia comes back as soon as I plop the babe in. "Maam."

"Yes?"

"No inflatable toys on deck"

 

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. The thing does NOT take up that much room, was in between our chairs and out of the way. It was not busy at the pool.

 

We left. Screw it.

 

We went and watched the Marriage show, which was funny as usual. I feel like the CD was super lame. We came expecting Noonan, and got some guy named Lewis who was a total snooze. I'm sure he's new and just needs practice.

 

We napped, then went to dinner. The bar waitress for our section came and found us. For some reason, she thought my son was a girl. The whole trip she kept saying "She's so happy today!" or "She loves to eat!" Even thought he was dressed in boy clothes. Trust me, I wanted a daughter and was a little sad that I couldn't dress him up in big obnoxious bows. But he looks nothing like a girl. We just rolled with it the entire week and laughed about it. She was very sweet to us and our little girl. :)

 

After dinner we listened to all the people that have the voices of angels at Karaoke. Best. Entertainment. Ever.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JordanLovesCruisin

JordanLovesCruisin

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Day 3- Roatan....oh wait, just kidding.

 

B and I woke up early. I figured it was the perfect opportunity to go get a fancy shmancy $4 coffee instead of a free one at the Lido. I strapped B in his whip and we went on a stroll. We watched the sunrise again and watched us get close to Roatan!

 

zmfa6a.jpg

 

yay! Land! It's not a cruise to nowhere! I see that another Carnival ship is docked as well. I go back to the room to get the husband and wake his arse up so he can see how beautiful it is. Our excursion was set to leave at 10:30, so we got everyone ready and went to grab a quick bite at the Lido. While I was scooping out my hashbrowns, Captain comes across the PA.

 

"Ladies and gentlemen, due to high winds and inclimate weather in excess of 30 knots we are unable to dock at our port of call today. You will be refunded your port charges."

 

Well, fantastic. Most people thought it was an April Fools Joke. Indeed, it was not. It was the truth. We watched land disappear into the distance. In Belize, we met a woman who's daughter had her dream wedding planned in Roatan. Bless her heart.

 

Another day of sea. Another day of eating.

 

Many people were super peeved that the CD came on shortly after the announcement made by the captain and said "Ladies and Gentlemen we have revised the FunTimes and will be delivering them to your stateroom. We have a fun day planned for this BEAUTIFUL day. Make sure to check out the DOD" We made the best of it. But honestly, the only thing I remember doing is going to the library to see if they had the second book in the 50 Shades trilogy since I had so much downtime to finish the first.

 

We cleaned ourselves up nicely and went to Cucina de Capatino. It was $12 pp and $5 for the baby. Well worth every dollar, I might add. I had the chicken parmesan, the meatballs and the cannoli. DH had some steak thing (what weirdo orders steak at an Italian restaurant?),the calamari and the tiramisu. Schmecks had the macaroni and cheese, which was macaroni, alfredo sauce and parmesan cheese. TRY IT. I MEAN IT.

 

We walked around, and then zonked out.

Edited by JordanLovesCruisin
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ARgal30

ARgal30

Posted
Posted
Day 3- Roatan....oh wait, just kidding.

 

B and I woke up early. I figured it was the perfect opportunity to go get a fancy shmancy $4 coffee instead of a free one at the Lido. I strapped B in his whip and we went on a stroll. We watched the sunrise again and watched us get close to Roatan!

 

zmfa6a.jpg

 

yay! Land! It's not a cruise to nowhere! I see that another Carnival ship is docked as well. I go back to the room to get the husband and wake his arse up so he can see how beautiful it is. Our excursion was set to leave at 10:30, so we got everyone ready and went to grab a quick bite at the Lido. While I was scooping out my hashbrowns, Captain comes across the PA.

 

"Ladies and gentlemen, due to high winds and inclimate weather in excess of 30 knots we are unable to dock at our port of call today. You will be refunded your port charges."

 

Well, fantastic. Most people thought it was an April Fools Joke. Indeed, it was not. It was the truth. We watched land disappear into the distance. In Belize, we met a woman who's daughter had her dream wedding planned in Roatan. Bless her heart.

 

Another day of sea. Another day of eating.

 

Many people were super peeved that the CD came on shortly after the announcement made by the captain and said "Ladies and Gentlemen we have revised the FunTimes and will be delivering them to your stateroom. We have a fun day planned for this BEAUTIFUL day. Make sure to check out the DOD" We made the best of it. But honestly, the only thing I remember doing is going to the library to see if they had the second book in the 50 Shades trilogy since I had so much downtime to finish the first.

 

We cleaned ourselves up nicely and went to Cucina de Capatino. It was $12 pp and $5 for the baby. Well worth every dollar, I might add. I had the chicken parmesan, the meatballs and the cannoli. DH had some steak thing (what weirdo orders steak at an Italian restaurant?),the calamari and the tiramisu. Schmecks had the macaroni and cheese, which was macaroni, alfredo sauce and parmesan cheese. TRY IT. I MEAN IT.

 

We walked around, and then zonked out.

 

The same thing happened to us a few weeks ago trying to go to Half Moon Cay, we were not happy about it at all!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SoCalKJ

SoCalKJ

Posted
Posted

I love your style of writing... and am enjoying your review so far.

 

I'm suprised you or someone else didn't report the 420 next to you. Poor baby exposed to that nonsense. :mad: I was on a weekend cruise from hell a year ago where 600+ kickballers were onboard and you'd just hang out in the atrium and can smell someone blaze up right there. Unbelieveable.

 

Anyway, can't wait to read more. Sorry about Roatan. That must've sucked two cruises in a row to have canceled port visits. We almost missed HMC in 2012...barely made it in.

 

Thanks for the review. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail on Sun Princess®
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...