For those that haves cruised both: Navigator or Carnival Magic?

[harrismo]

This will be our first cruise. We are a mid to late 40's professional couple and are recent empty nester's so it will just be the two of us on this trip.

 

We will be sailing May 31st from Galveston (because we can drive to the port) on either the Magic or the Navigator, in a balcony cabin. Both ships sail to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. Both cost roughly the same: Carnival costs $2500 and Royal Caribbean costs $2400.

 

A bit about us. We don't drink, smoke, cuss, gamble, or party- thus the reason we've never tried a cruise before- it just didn't sound like our kinda thang. But we DO love tropical islands, palm trees, watching the ocean from a balcony, exploring new cities and cultures, relaxing around a quiet pool and hot tub...and eating! Food is our only vice! We diet all year long but on vacation all bets are off so good food is important to us on this cruise.

 

I thought I would list our pros and cons of each ship here. Partly to wrap my mind around what we do or don't like, and partly so those of you with first hand knowledge can help guide us where our assumptions are wrong. So here goes:

 

CARNIVAL MAGIC: Carnival seems to invest a lot of money in neon. Way too much neon for our tastes so the decor is a big detractor for us. And, to be perfectly honest, we are really afraid that the party crowd Carnival ships are famous for just might ruin the trip for us. After all partying is fun when you're the one doing it, but to onlookers it's mostly just loud and obnoxious. Since we sit firmly in the onlooker category these days, it seems that could get old real fast.

HOWEVER....a lot of things about the Magic DO appeal to us. The water slides and ropes course look like a lot of fun! We would definitely try them for sure. And we'd do the putt-putt too. The comedy shows get rave reviews and who doesn't love a good laugh?! The food gets a lot of good word of mouth and the idea of the Tandoori is a huge plus to us, as is the Mongolian Wok and Guys Burgers, plus the pizza and desserts on Carnival get great press! We like that the buffet is always open and there's even a CHOCOLATE BUFFET! YUM! I also like that there are lots dining areas with great ocean views and lots of comfy looking loungers scattered around the various decks for your ocean viewing pleasure.

 

 

 

As for the Navigator Of The Seas:

We think the ship itself is gorgeous and the passengers in the youtube videos we've watched seem more sedate and better behaved and that really appeals to us. We like that the Solarium is glassed in and has a pool AND a hot tub so we could go back and forth from hot to cold. And the nighttime entertainment shows seem like something we would vastly prefer to bars and casinos. The Ice Show gets rave reviews and shows like The Quest and Love&Marriage are on youtube and look hilarious to us.

HOWEVER...... we wouldn't use any of the big ticket items that most people rave about when they recommend Royal Carribbean. We wouldn't ice skate. Or use the Flowrider. Or climb the Rock Wall. We wouldn't watch the parades... indoors...in the crowded...umm...Mall? Even thiugh we think the Promenade looks pretty -a cruise seems like the place to be outside enjoying an ocean view and the smell of the ocean, not indoors shopping! But the biggest negative to us is that the food gets so many bad reviews!! All my life I've heard how great cruise food is, what gives Royal Caribbean?? And there are only 3 places to eat unless you pay extra (well 4 counting Room Service) but 2 of those 3 close down in between meals so we wouldn't be able to avoid the crowd by going a little early or a little late. And no 24 hour ice cream or chocolate buffet either.

 

Honestly I really want to love the Navigator because it just seems nicer overall, but after listing out all our thoughts here, the cons are stacking up against it.

 

For those of you that have cruised both. Any suggestions? Are our perceptions off base?

Edited January 23, 2015 by harrismo

[SRV FAN]

This will be our first cruise. We are a mid to late 40's professional couple and are recent empty nester's so it will just be the two of us on this trip.

 

We will be sailing May 31st from Galveston (because we can drive to the port) on either the Magic or the Navigator, in a balcony cabin. Both ships sail to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. Both cost roughly the same: Carnival costs $2500 and Royal Caribbean costs $2400.

 

A bit about us. We don't drink, smoke, cuss, gamble, or party- thus the reason we've never tried a cruise before- it just didn't sound like our kinda thang. But we DO love tropical islands, palm trees, watching the ocean from a balcony, exploring new cities and cultures, relaxing around a quiet pool and hot tub...and eating! Food is our only vice! We diet all year long but on vacation all bets are off so good food is important to us on this cruise.

 

I thought I would list our pros and cons of each ship here. Partly to wrap my mind around what we do or don't like, and partly so those of you with first hand knowledge can help guide us where our assumptions are wrong. So here goes:

 

CARNIVAL MAGIC: Carnival seems to invest a lot of money in neon. Way too much neon for our tastes so the decor is a big detractor for us. And, to be perfectly honest, we are really afraid that the party crowd Carnival ships are famous for just might ruin the trip for us. After all partying is fun when you're the one doing it, but to onlookers it's mostly just loud and obnoxious. Since we sit firmly in the onlooker category these days, it seems that could get old real fast.

HOWEVER....a lot of things about the Magic DO appeal to us. The water slides and ropes course look like a lot of fun! We would definitely try them for sure. And we'd do the putt-putt too. The comedy shows get rave reviews and who doesn't love a good laugh?! The food gets a lot of good word of mouth and the idea of the Tandoori is a huge plus to us, as is the Mongolian Wok and Guys Burgers, plus the pizza and desserts on Carnival get great press! We like that the buffet is always open and there's even a CHOCOLATE BUFFET! YUM! I also like that there are lots dining areas with great ocean views and lots of comfy looking loungers scattered around the various decks for your ocean viewing pleasure.

 

 

 

As for the Navigator Of The Seas:

We think the ship itself is gorgeous and the passengers in the youtube videos we've watched seem more sedate and better behaved and that really appeals to us. We like that the Solarium is glassed in and has a pool AND a hot tub so we could go back and forth from hot to cold. And the nighttime entertainment shows seem like something we would vastly prefer to bars and casinos. The Ice Show gets rave reviews and shows like The Quest and Love&Marriage are on youtube and look hilarious to us.

HOWEVER...... we wouldn't use any of the big ticket items that most people rave about when they recommend Royal Carribbean. We wouldn't ice skate. Or use the Flowrider. Or climb the Rock Wall. We wouldn't watch the parades... indoors...in the crowded...umm...Mall? Even thiugh we think the Promenade looks pretty -a cruise seems like the place to be outside enjoying an ocean view and the smell of the ocean, not indoors shopping! But the biggest negative to us is that the food gets so many bad reviews!! All my life I've heard how great cruise food is, what gives Royal Caribbean?? And there are only 3 places to eat unless you pay extra (well 4 counting Room Service) but 2 of those 3 close down in between meals so we wouldn't be able to avoid the crowd by going a little early or a little late. And no 24 hour ice cream or chocolate buffet either.

 

Honestly I really want to love the Navigator because it just seems nicer overall, but after listing out all our thoughts here, the cons are stacking up against it.

 

For those of you that have cruised both. Any suggestions? Are our perceptions off base?

 

 

Have sailed both Magic (1) and Navigator (2) with a third sailing booked in Sept.

 

Carnival is just that .... A party ship. They had to drain the main pool one day because a man got drunk & threw up in it. Lots of kiddos.... Germ magnets.... Sailed ten times & only got NORO on the Magic.

 

Love the Navigator. Can't say anything negative about her.

 

We've been sailing since we turned 50. We do drink & love the shows & having a fun time....

 

Just my .02 worth.... To each their own.

 

Happy Sailing

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited January 23, 2015 by SRV FAN

[packedandready]

Navigator, Navigator, Navigator....I posted on the Carnival boards in case you missed it. Couldn't push the Navigator too much over there but it's Navigator:p

[Maticus22]

Been on Voyager (sister to Navigator) and also Magic. Without a doubt Navigator all the way. Easier to get around in the ship, plus the food is way better on Royal's ships. We leave on Navigator in a little of 2 weeks!

[MICHLEV1974]

It sounds like the stereotype for Carnival is swaying you to Royal. Don't be easily swayed -- the party crowd is on both ships. On the Navigator, as a solo passenger, age 39, I saw alot of partying...I went in March. On Carnival, as a single mom with a 10 year old, I called it the Q-tip cruise...I think the average age was 70...we went in October. Since you are travelling during peak party season, just after memorial day week, you will get party, you will get kids, you will get loud everything...and it will all be fun!! Both ships are big enough for you to find your quiet happy place onboard :)

 

I think you will be pleased with either ship. I find the food to be better on Carnival, but find the decor to be better and more classy on Royal.

 

Toss a coin and have fun with either outcome! good luck!

[greggk]

We just sailed the Carnival Magic and I was not impressed. I have been wanting to go on this ship for a long time! I did not care for the food in the MDR. Nothing appealed to me and what I did try was not very good. There is always a line for Mongolian Wok and Tandoori. There is no Guys Burger. I did not like the pizza either. Even my 9 year old son hated it. We never hung out by the main pool which was very busy during the day.

 

We are planning on trying the Navigaor later this year.

[mom4mom]

I'd be tossed, too. I think what would cinch my decision is to go on the Roll Call board for each sailing and read all those posts. I like an active roll call and the activities that members will share with each other. I think that helps make the sailing fun too. I also was on the Navigator before the referb so not as familiar with what changes took place. We enjoyed the Navigator for just the kinds of things that you like. The crowd seems to be more sedate, too. But we sailed on the Magic during spring break and it really wasn't as crazy as other Carnival ships. I did like the different venues to eat and loved to hang out at the Red Frog Pub outside on the deck. We didn't do a whole lot of drinking there but there were fun games to play and it was just a relaxing time. The ship never felt as crowded as you would think with so many people onboard.

[Aquahound]

Take my opnion for what it's worth because I have never cruised Magic. However, I did have the opportunity to tour the ship and remain on board for lunch during her first visit to Key West. While in port...while people were off the ship...the line for the waterslide stretched all the way down the ladder. Furthermore, almost every single deck chair near the pool was occupied and the people crammed in the pool looked like sardines in the can. This can be a typical sea day experience on any ship, but I have never seen so much crowding while in port. Throw in the loud rap music they were playing on the big screen pool tv (they were playing a Eminem video), and the atmosphere was just something I did not enjoy.

 

Navigator, I have sailed twice and would go again in a heartbeat. Magic, I will never book based on what I saw during my tour.

 

Just out of curiosity, I went over to see what was being advised on the Carnival board. It seems the majority of posts over there recommend NOS as well.

Edited January 23, 2015 by Aquahound

[C2CMH]

Go with Navigator! Less people is the number one reason! , and like one poster said, the line for the water slide will be long and full of kids, not adults. You will love the ice show and the feel of the promenade to hang out. The solarium is great and there is also a HUGE hot tub in the work out area as well if you want an indoor hot tub.

Guy's burgers is awesome, but Magic does not have it....you have to go on Triumph or Freedom for Guy's!

[racerxspeedy]

Based on your desire to be outside enjoying the pool there is no comparison. The carnival ship pools will be probably be more crowded = contaminated. The navigator layout, entertainment and decor is much nicer. Regardless have fun. Carnival has more casual food out by the pools which I miss.

[Cindy]

I was on the Navigator last April. I haven't been on the Magic, but I was on her twin sister the Dream in 2011. The Dream cruise is a big part of the reason I stopped sailing Carnival and won't try the Magic. It was WAY too crowded for me! I felt like I was in line and being pushed and shoved constantly. If you look at size and passenger load, the Navigator is a bigger ship but carries fewer passengers. It's also well designed and seldom seemed crowded to me.

 

Give it a try! From what you've said about your style and likes, you would be happier on the Navigator, if for no other reason than it has the Solarium (adult pool) area. Carnival has a Serenity area, but there isn't a pool and the location right by the water slide is anything but serene!:eek: I also think the Royal Caribbean food is fine. It isn't gourmet, but no cruise ship in the mass market category is. I eat out at nice restaurants a lot, and I've never struggled to find something to eat on a ship.

 

By the way, I was one who thought an ice rink and a "mall" on a ship were ridiculous, and I now love both. No, I don't skate on a ship, but the ice show is fantastic, and I could people-watch on the Royal Promenade for hours! It's also a very quick and efficient way to get from one end of the ship to another.

[JimAOk1945]

Although we have not cruised on the ships you mention, we have cruised on Carnival and Royal Caribbean as you can see by my sig below. Carnival seems to be geared toward a constant "party" atmosphere and as such draws younger "party" minded passengers. After experiencing both cruise lines, we find that we prefer RC.

 

Food is subjective, however we both give RC the nod for better quality. You will not go hungry while the main dining rooms are closed. If you get the munchies between meals, you can get sandwiches, fruit, etc., at the complimentary Café Promenade.

 

Our background is very similar to yours. I recommend that you give RC a try. Feel free to view my wife's slide shows. It may help you decide.

 

Happy cruising. It's a great experience!

Edited January 23, 2015 by JimAOk1945

[Bigtex1622]

I have cruised both, so here goes my assessment.

 

They say the rooms are bigger on Magic - Not the case, we had to get two rooms on Magic, to accommodate the 4 of us, but you are two, that point is mute for you.

 

The shows on Navigator are great, they have more than just comedians. I am talking first rate shows, not just the Ice skating. Magic does not.

 

They have bands playing by the pools during the day, Magic has a DJ somewhere playing loud rap.

 

Chocolate bar-- well yes, but that is just one day for a few hours.

Buffett-- We go for it in the morning (on Navigator go to the back they make fresh, made to order eggs, and omelets )

for lunch Navigator has a great Bar-B-Que at the pools side.

Main Dinning room-- I like the variety of the dishes on Navigator, also service is faster, therefore the food hotter, and fresher. But food taste are subjective.

 

Good luck on deciding on which ship you pick.

 

 

.

[mark290]

This will be our first cruise. We are a mid to late 40's professional couple and are recent empty nester's so it will just be the two of us on this trip.

 

QUOTE]

 

My opinion would only apply to amateur couples.

[AS2914]

I've been on both. The biggest con for the Magic is the crowd. It's just way too crowded. You have to get in line at the theater a good 30 minutes to get a decent seat. Another con was the lack of staff in particular waiters. The waiter/asst waiter had too many tables to serve

 

Food quality was about the same. Didn't care for the Carnival comfort menu though. Scrambled eggs on the NOS were bad.

 

Ice rink and flow rider are nice additions to a cruise. Don't miss the ice show

[mechcc]

I've done the Voyager & the Magic & will be on Navigator in Jul. The balcony staterooms on Magic overlooked a deck below & we got a lot of noise from that deck when out on our balcony. Sailed with grandkids & several times they couldn't use pool or water area because of drunk & foul mouth other passengers. Well they could of used it but their parents didn't want them exposed to the language.

 

As for the food, it really is about the same on both lines to me.

 

From what you said about what you want - Navigator might fit you better.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[luvmykidsluv2cruise]

I have been on both as well and so have my kids and hands down all of us would choose Navigator. We wanted to like the Magic but just too many negatives. We did like the waterslides and and the ropes course as well as the location of the hot tubs at the back of the ship. The problem was that every single hot tub was cool and we tried them all constantly. That was a big negative as the pools were beyond freezing and the hot tubs would have been heaven had they been hot. I have never had that problem with royal Caribbean hot tubs. On our other Carnival cruise we liked the food but on the Magic none of us liked it and was a big disappointment. We did like the pasta place for the free lunch though. And yes its nice that Carnival has the Mongolian wok and burrito bar but the lines are unbearable. The buffet is not good and the chocolate buffet did not impress me. The shows and games on Royal are far superior to Carnival except the punchliner comedy club is a positive for Carnival. Finally, the dining room on the Magic is downright ugly, I don't know what they are thinking. Royal has beautiful dining rooms. Good luck with your decision.

Triena

[cujosmom]

I am going to offer a different viewpoint from the previous posters. Let me start by saying I am Diamond Plus with Royal and if you can see my signature, you will see we have done a lot of cruises on Royal and other lines.

 

I used to always "bad-mouth" Carnival...even though I had never sailed on Carnival. Sept 2013 was our 45th wedding anniversary and I wanted to do a cruise out of Galveston and the only game in town was Carnival. We got a good deal on a COVE BALCONY and booked a 7-night on the Carnival Magic. I told my husband we would go with "Low Expectations"....that way we would not be disappointed.

 

Well...we had the BEST time. I started a comparison list while on-board between Royal and Carnival and was certain Royal would win. By the end of the week, Carnival had twice the "pros". Here are a few things WE like about The Magic.

 

*It has the friendliest staff from cabin steward, to waiters, to activity staff people.

*I NEVER heard one person complain about anything....all week.

*We got a chocolate on our pillow and a towel animal EVERY night.:D

*I think the food is better and the wait staff better (there were 3 people servicing our table and our glasses were continually filled, always asking if they could do/get more for you. And the food was served HOT.

*There is "entertainment" in the Main Dining Room which is fun

*Our cabin was nicer than on Royal and the closets bigger - The Cove Balconies are so cool. Located on Deck 2 under the life boats so they are really private and REALLY close to the water line. The Deluxe Ocean View cabins are really nice, too, with a normal bathroom plus a half bath with sink and tub.

*Loved the Sky Track, water slides, and mini golf

*Liked the evening comedy shows

*There were children on board but they must have all been in the kids program because I didn't see that many and they didn't bother us at all.

*The adult-only Serenity area is very nice with big comfy lounges

*I did not see a bunch of drunks or the party crowd that everyone talks about...just people having fun.

*It did not seem that "neon" to me and I liked the decor on the ship

*I did not think it felt any more crowded than any other ship

*Disembarkation was the easiest we've ever had on any ship.

*There is definitely a different "clientele" on board - a lot younger crowd than Royal which we liked (we are in our mid 60's but young at heart):)

 

After that Sept cruise in 2013, we booked The Magic again in January and Oct 2014. We had a fun time on those two sailings, too. We went on the Navigator March 2014 and are sailing on the Navigator this Sunday so we do like both cruise lines.

 

Please note we usually only sail Sept-April when kids are in school and never at Thanksgiving, Christmas or Spring Break when you do have a lot more of the party crowds and just more people/kids in general.

 

I have pictures of the Magic in several "albums" at the following site https://picasaweb.google.com/martyreep?fgl=true&pli=1

Keep scrolling down until you see the Magic "albums"

 

I hope this helps.

[notree]

I have done both and each has a differant style of what a good cruise should be. It is nearly a toss up with me but right now I agree Magic has the edge out of Galveston. That being said I leave on navigator Sunday

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[sandgrand]

I have cruised on both and either ship will be great ...... BUT.....

 

I prefer the Navigator of the Seas - The best features are the OPEN decks, a calmer environment, awesome ice skating show, walks around the promenade deck

 

~~ vs ~~

 

Carnival Magic - good food and love the cove balcony but so many kids and I felt like I was at a "hotel resort" instead of on a "cruise ship" - very hard to navigate with a lot of "indoor passage ways"

 

Hey - Try Both :) :D ;) - it's called "back to back" LOL ~ Enjoy

[Wilson]

Navigator.

We were not fans of Carnival (WalMart of the Seas). Too many kids and drunk college students.

Just got of Jewel and that she was.

[OKC Cruisers]

Been on both, loved both. However, based on your description of yourselves, I would go with Navigator. Much more open feel. Easier to navigate around the ship. Better shows. Always easy to find a quiet place to just sit and relax.

 

Whatever choice you make, go into it with a positive attitude and have fun.

[SRV FAN]

Navigator.

 

We were not fans of Carnival (WalMart of the Seas). Too many kids and drunk college students.

 

 

That was EXACTLY our impression.... Just didn't want to say it. But since you have.... I'll second it. Difference to me is Magic (Walmart) vs Navigator (Dillards).... I'm sorry if that sounds upity, but that is the best way to describe MY experience. I do shop at Walmart for groceries.... I just don't want to sail there! LOL

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[harrismo]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my long winded post and respond with your honest opinions. And also for setting us straight on a few issues where we had our facts wrong. I wish I knew how to cut and paste quotes from your replies on here so I could respond to and thank some of you personally, but from my iPad I can't see how to do that.

 

After contemplating everyone's advice we are still torn, because both ships seem to have a lot to offer, but we have decided the Navigator is probably the best fit for us for our first taste of cruising. If we find we love cruising then we'll be back for more and we can try Magic the next time, right?

[Ladysilver]

Have a great cruise whatever you decide! :D