Carnival Magic April 8th Eastern Caribbean Cruise Review

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Sunday - First Sea Day

 

I just realized that I didn’t post anything about Sunday,our first day at sea. I guess I’m still getting use to post vacation brain. It was this morning that I meet my favorite Carnival employee: the woman at the coffee bar. I interacted with her more than any other employee on the ship. She started my day off right and makes an excellent latte! Tip: If you plan to drink a coffee every day,make sure to get the punch card. After 6 coffees or smoothies you get your 7th one free!

 

 

 

Every morning I be like:

 

 

After getting everyone else up and ready to go he had breakfast at the Lido buffet. They had all the usually breakfast items every day and you could go to the “make-your-own-omelet”station and wait in line for a made to order omelet. OR you could stop what you are doing head directly to the Blue Iguana Cantina and get yourself a huevos rancheros. I didn’t have one until the 2nd to last morning…and it ended up being one of my favorite things I had on the boat. If I would have known then were so awesome I’d would have gotten one every morning! Learn from my mistakes people! I did try their breakfast burrito…it was just meh…doesn’t even come close to the huevos rancheros! Tip: Skip the breakfast buffet and head straight to the Blue Iguana Canitna for their huevos rancheros!

 

After breakfast he headed to the ropes course. Both of my children have participated in ropes courses so the concept was nothing new to them; however, if you add all that extra wind it’s a different story. My son “breezed” right through the course. My daughter, who has a slight fear of heights, would grab onto the pole for dear life after each obstacle. She still said she had a good time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before we boarded the ship I had everyone download the Carnival HUB app on their phones and ipods (my kids don’t have phones…yet). This app was extremely helpful when I wanted to see what was going on that day AND to find my way around this ship. We also used the chat feature ($5 for each device) which was nice…when it was working. Several times during the vacation the chats wouldn’t come through and we would have to close the app down, restart it, and then it would work again….it got annoying…fast.

 

The other interesting fact about the HUB app is that it doesn’t have the Camp Ocean activities on it…at least not where I could find them. So if I wanted to see what the schedule was I’d have to go find my schedule I received the first day…which was usually inconveniently in the cabin and I was on the other side of the ship. Finally I just took a photo of it with my Iphone and then I could look on my phone whenever I wanted the schedule.Tip: If you think you might be looking at the Camp Ocean schedule often, take a picture with your phone so you’ll always have it with you.

 

I’m sure the rest of the day was filled with more pool time,pizza (or waiting in line for pizza), and Camp Ocean.

 

Tonight was cruise elegant so we dressed ourselves up and headed to the dining room. Tonight it was so crazy that we ended up waiting 45 minutes to even get into the dining room. It was crazy busy!

 

After dinner we were able to catch just the very last part of the Flick production. It was very good and I wish we would have been able to see the whole thing. If you get a chance, I recommend it!

 

 

 

 

[Flytko]

My wife and I loved the Magic when she was in Galveston!!! Nice review so far.

 

EDIT: Love hearing about twin parents cruising, we have identical twin boys, when we cruise in 2019, they will be 3 1/2

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Tuesday – St. Thomas

 

Were weren’t due in port until 11:30am so after my coffee date we took our time getting up and going to breakfast. Both my husband and I have been to St. Thomas before and loved it so I was excited that were going back. There were 2 ships in port today so it was crazy busy! To try something new this time we decided on an excursion to St. John to do some first time snorkeling for the kids. Below is the info on our excursion:

 

St. John Trunk Bay Beach Getaway & Snorkel

Escape to the most pristine of the U.S. Virgin Islands -beautiful St. John.

At the dock board a ferry for a scenic cruise through Pillsbury Sound to the island of St. John. Upon arrival, you'll board an open-air safari taxi for a relaxing ride to Trunk Bay, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to view and photograph spectacular sights alongside the Caribbean Sea.

 

Stops include the Cruz Bay overlook, Caneel Bay and Hawksnest Bay. Enjoy approximately one-and-a-half hours at beautiful Trunk Bay to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or just relax under swaying palm trees. Afterward,you'll re-board your transport and take a short trip back to Cruz Bay for the scenic return ferry cruise to St. Thomas.

 

We had just a little time to do some shopping off the pier before meeting for our excursion. They loaded us up on a big ferry and we were off to St. John. Once re arrived we boarded a bus to Trunk Bay. They stopped along the way so we could get some photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beach was beautiful…and very crowded. After getting our snorkel gear we had a couple of test runs with the kids before swimming out to the snorkel section(which is nicely identified with colored buoys). The water was very calm and it was easy to just float with minimal effort. There wasn’t a whole lot to see and for someone that has done numerous snorkeling excursions it was kinda boring BUT the kids thought it was cool!

 

 

 

 

 

After about 1.5 hrs it was time to head back. I wish we had more time here.

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Tuesday – St. Thomas (continued)

 

Once we were back on board the ship we took our time getting ready for dinner. If you think St.Thomas is pretty, just wait until you see it when the sun starts to set!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner tonight:

 

 

 

 

 

[hschlink]

My wife and I loved the Magic when she was in Galveston!!! Nice review so far.

 

EDIT: Love hearing about twin parents cruising, we have identical twin boys, when we cruise in 2019, they will be 3 1/2

 

Glad you are enjoying it! We went on a Disney cruise then they were that age. It was the best vacation we've ever been on. I would continue to do Disney; however, they can't beat the affordability of Carnival! :cool:

[hschlink]

Wednesday – San Juan

 

We were supposed to dock at 8am but it was delayed. I’m not really sure why…because we had a balcony we watched them do a security check up and down the pier with a K9 before we were cleared to dock. We had no excursions planned for today. Our only plans were to visit one or both of the forts and do some shopping.

 

Once we were given approval to depart the boat (around 9am)we headed straight to Castillo de San Cristobal (closest one to the boat). After paying our entrance fee (which is good for both forts!) we explored on our own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After exploring for about an hour we went shopping in Old San Juan. We were at the end of our shopping and I happened to walk past Barrachina…the birth place of the Pina Colada. I’ve heard and read about Barrachina before and I knew it was in Old San Juan but I had no idea I was this close! Do you think I could convince my kids to sit with me and have a snack so mom could have a Pina Colada? NO, they were too hot and crabby! Little do they know they just earned a ticket to visit grandma and grandpa the next time I go on a cruise. I left Barrachina with nothing except this photo…sad.

 

 

 

 

After that we had enough of the heat and shopping so we headed to the boat for lunch and pool time.

[bankofdad]

Sunday - First Sea Day

 

 

Before we boarded the ship I had everyone download the Carnival HUB app on their phones and ipods (my kids don’t have phones…yet). This app was extremely helpful when I wanted to see what was going on that day AND to find my way around this ship.

 

Awesome and very helpful review! We sail next month! Thanks a million for posting the FT's!

 

 

On the HUB app, were you able to view the dining room menus thorough the app?

[crusinpsychRN]

Tuesday – St. Thomas (continued)

 

Dinner tonight:

 

 

 

What is that at 11 o'clock?

[ommax2]

Anyone want the schedule for Camp Ocean Sharks (Ages 9-11)? I'll attach it below :cool:

Thank You!!!!! I needed this!!! What were the hoodies you mentioned that the kids got the first day?

 

Mary Anne

[ommax2]

Geez, I meant goodies, not hoodies! Ack! Did your kiddos do much at camp ocean? My daughter, 10, is looking forward to it! Hoping it will be lots of fun! Thank you so much for posting fun times and kids fun times....it is so helpful to this overplanner! ;)

[mrpayroll]

Tuesday – St. Thomas (continued)

 

Dinner tonight:

 

 

 

What is that at 11 o'clock?

It is a corn muffin...:)

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[cruisingbajan]

Nice review and photos so far. Looking forward to the rest of it.

[hschlink]

Awesome and very helpful review! We sail next month! Thanks a million for posting the FT's!

 

 

On the HUB app, were you able to view the dining room menus thorough the app?

 

I couldn't find the dining room menus on the HUB app anywhere. They do post the night's menu outside of the dinning room but I'm not sure what time they display them. I noticed them when we walked into the dining room.

[hschlink]

Geez, I meant goodies, not hoodies! Ack! Did your kiddos do much at camp ocean? My daughter, 10, is looking forward to it! Hoping it will be lots of fun! Thank you so much for posting fun times and kids fun times....it is so helpful to this overplanner! ;)

 

They each got a Drawstring Backpacks with "Sharks" on it. They both did various things at the camp. They enjoyed it each time except the scavenger hunt activity. They both said it was "lame". :cool:

[dctravel]

Following for our August cruise. How did you get up to the forts in San Juan?

 

 

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[Mawelch]

Anyone want the Fun Times? Part 2

Thanks for the fun times. I see that when you were in St. Thomas the casino was open on the ship. Was that true or did you notice?:cool:

[KRW71]

Reading your review and it is like a preview of our cruise on the Magic In June. Amber cove my hubby and twin boys are doing the Terracross excursion, in St. Thomas we are all going on the Trunk Bay excursion and in San Juan we plan to the forts and Old San Juan shopping. Sounds like lots of fun.

[coke man]

My and I are going on the Magic on Sept 9th and we are staying in room 601 has anyone stayed in this room and tell me something

About this room ?

 

 

 

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[Bosrox]

Following. We are doing the Magic with this itinerary fo NYE and we can't wait. Love the review and pics so far.

[AmberTeka]

Thank you for taking the time to write the review. Posting the Pics. Posting the Fun Times.

We will be on the Magic, God Willing, for our 44th wedding anniversary the end of this August.

 

We have been sailing on other lines. RCI. Princess. HAL. ( and I know Princess and Hal are money in the same bucket.) I liked them all. but they are not Carnival.

 

I saw that Fun Times activities sheet, all of their Trivas, bingos, other things to do......

I am a Carnival lady. it is my first love.

 

When we were on HAL. it was lovely. The food was great. The ship was lovely. The staff could not have been nicer. I broke even in Casino which is a big win for me. The shows were good. The pools not crowded

BUT if you don't swim or sun....during the day time.......NOTHING to do. One game of trivia in a spot so tiny you could not find a seat Silly Questions. One at night when we ate. other than that...................zilch.

They did have great TV. Satellite. Demand NEW movies for free huge tv mounted on Wall board at foot of Bed.

Souns silly to say I went on a cruise and went gaga over the TV, but I did. I saw La La Land. the new Tom Cruise Flick. The Harry Potter Fantastic beasts spin off. They ad Girl on a Train Plus my six year old grand daughter spent some afternoons with me . Trolls. Frozen. Tangles. Alexander having a bad Day..........just so many...........so little time to watch them all.

 

But when I saw those activities on the Fun Times, I am so glad to be back on Carnival

Thank you so much for taking the time to do it.

I did like that TV and free demand on HAL.

WISH all Carnival ships had it. We were on the Eurodam.

[tandemcruzr]

My and I are going on the Magic on Sept 9th and we are staying in room 601 has anyone stayed in this room and tell me something

About this room ?

 

Check that room nbr. I can't find a 601.

[coke man]

It is room #6201 on the Magic my wife and I are going on the 9th of Sept on a 7 day Western Cruise does anyone know anything about this room?

 

 

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[Scoutmaster325]

Thank you for the review. Leaving May 13th on the Magic.

[hschlink]

Following for our August cruise. How did you get up to the forts in San Juan?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

It was a short (but uphill) walk from the pier. I had a map with me...if you Google you'll be able to find one easily. We could have taken the trolley; however, it was a little crazy near the port (2 ships disembark at the same time) so we opted to walk instead :-)