Review: Carnival Magic Quick Review 6-day Eastern

[42rob22]

Did you ever have an opportunity to see if there was a long line at Tandoor?

Even during the embarkation day madness, the line at Tandoor was nonexistent. I know because I was on line for pizza with my kids. My children loved the pizza and the Mongolian Wok, as if they could choose any longer lines.

[bUU]

Even during the embarkation day madness, the line at Tandoor was nonexistent.

Excellent news. Thanks!

 

 

This message may have been entered via voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

[SkyMaster]

I too, am sailing "Magic" again in November. Sorry to hear about all the lines, but the explanation makes perfect sense. Regardless, I always find good food on my Fun Ship cruises. :cool:

 

"SKY"

[Drazil65]

Our family loves the Magic, been on her twice (last time this past December) and are booked 2 more times for this December and then next April before she leaves PC. We have had FTTF for our last 5 cruises, have NOT been disappointed in any aspect of it (boarded early, cabin ready every time and luggage came within a couple of hours of boarding (typically by time we were done with lunch and went back up to cabin)).

 

We have never found the lines any worse than any other ship we have ever sailed on in last 15 yrs on CCL or any other cruise line we have cruised with. It is the same when we go to Disney or Universal, it is a tourist event, people are there for same reason as us (vacation) and it is just understood that we will wait in line at some point (or always) and expect it. Tandoor Grill is our fav lunch spot and do not find we have to wait, even though we DO expect to wait and are prepared to wait if necessary.

 

We have always enjoyed the Magic and if expectations run short we just move on and make the best of it. Our perspective will always be from a positive place being that we are fortunate enough to be able to cruise often and understand that the cruise experience means long lines, smoke in the casino and never looking for an empty chair near the pool (not our thing anyway and one reason we have a balcony). We go willingly and gratefully that we can. Managed expectations is a wonderful thing when dealing with travel and other people.

[meanjean80]

Sailing on Magic on August 26. Curious if you remember the name of your piano bar player? One of my favorite places to hang normally, but it looks like this one's not a winner.

 

Sailing to different ports, but I took note of your Nassau tour. I've "been there-done that" with so many excursions there, but this sounds like a great idea.

[Andy1850]

Piano bar players name started with an "M". Marius, Marcus or something like that. I had read bad reviews on him and thought nothing of it....they were spot on! Emma June and Son of a gun made up for it. There was also a Electronic String group that was unbelievable....even if you don't like classical music...don't miss them.

[Andy1850]

Day 6- SEA DAY

 

Its sad that the trip we had planned for so many months was coming to an end.

 

Once again, My son and I got up early and went to Lido to get some food and enjoy the peace and quiet of the early day. We grabbed some chairs on Deck 11 about 730, we wanted to be out of the sun and these chairs are really comfy. We got some on the end so we could put them in the sun if we wanted. Warning on Deck 11, one half is smoking....its not very obvious. I sat down on the wrong side to begin with.

 

My son and I enjoyed a nice breakfast without lines and were soon joined by my daughter. We went down and got in the pool, which only had a few others. When the Water slides opened, we went up there. I went down both waterslides one more time (still painful) and then met up with my wife who had gotten breakfast.

 

We hung out on 11 for most of the day....the did the Groove for St Jude. The kids went to Camp Ocean for the first time. They spent about 3 hours there and had a good time. Today was the day to relax. My sister in law waited 40 min for the Mongolian Wok....pretty normal. It was good...I am not patient enough to wait that long. I had another Guys Burger...maybe 5 in line. Before we knew it...it was time for Dinner and it was Wonderful and Sad at the same time. My Son gave Aila a big hug and we said our goodbyes. I wish we could have this group on every trip.

 

A few notes that I realized I have left out: DR E.....he is a great Cruise Director....I really liked Jaime Lee in the past....he is right there with her....if not better. If he is hosting a name that tune or artist contest in the lobby....GO. Get there early....it is a lot of fun. He hosted a salute to the Military, which was very well done and he took that time to shake every Veterans hand and talk to them.

 

Our room Steward was Dennis....he was great as well. Anytime you have no complaints about your room at all...that means he is doing a great job. He was always friendly and very attentive. We left a note that the remote was not working....it was fixed by the time we got back. I chose Both on the Service card....I always will. Everybody has their opinion but we typically leave the room really clean, so all he has to do is replace the towels and make the beds, not asking a lot for twice a day.

 

Cleanliness- Never seen so many people cleaning all the time....this was the cleanest ship I have ever been on.

 

DEBARKATION-

 

Since we had FTTF we had to be in the Main Theatre at 6:30. There were already a lot of people in there when we got there. You put your luggage in line down the aisle, not easy to roll luggage past others....maybe a better system could be done....not a big deal. We were off the boat and on the road by 730. Customs was a breeze, they don't have forms anymore and the agents don't even stand in the booths. Took 2 min.

 

 

All and All we had a lot of Fun....the first two days could have been better...but that's why I buy the CHEERS package. I would sail the Magic again for the right itinerary. WE are in the process of booking a cruise for next year....probably going to be the Sunshine but the Magic is in the mix. (we are also looking at the Caribbean Princess...would love to have opinions on Princess)

 

If you are booked on the MAGIC....I hope this helps you go in with your eyes open....Then you will have no surprises and everything will be perfect. You will ultimately love the ship.

I hope you were not too bored with my review....please let me know if you have any questions...

[TravelE]

Great review! Thank you for taking the time to write it. This helps as we are booked on this same itinerary for September.

 

 

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[Pellaz]

Thanks for the review...we're looking at cruising on Magic next October.

 

 

As far as FTTF it does say "Expedited Luggage" and Carnival Agrees....I was notified today that they are refunding my 69.95 fee for FTTF...:)

 

They should have done that at Guest Services as soon as you reported the late-arriving luggage.

On one cruise with FTTF our luggage arrived after muster drill. I mentioned it in passing at Guest Services (I was there regarding something else) and the lady instantly apologized and gave us a full refund as OBC. That was really cool, especially since it wasn't Carnival's fault; the porter had neglected to put the orange "expedite" tag on our luggage.

[cjbj]

Do you have the links you used for the Grand Turk map and the Nassau walking tour? We are renting a golf cart in October while in Grand Turk and we wanted to do a walking tour in Nassau! Thanks for the review![emoji2]

 

 

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[Andy1850]

Do you have the links you used for the Grand Turk map and the Nassau walking tour? We are renting a golf cart in October while in Grand Turk and we wanted to do a walking tour in Nassau! Thanks for the review![emoji2]

 

 

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Here is the review from Mitsugirly from her trip to Grand Turk on the Breeze that we used for our tour.....it gave us ideas as to where to go. If in doubt about the golf cart getting stuck....park it and walk. The grand Turk part starts on page 21.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2340689&referrerid=927180

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I will see if I can find the walking tour. I modified my version years ago and took out the pictures. It might not make sense to anyone else.

[Kckamel]

Looking forward to more....

 

Not too excited about all those lines, though. Sailing on her in 47 days and hoping with the kiddies back in school, the lines will die down a bit.

 

 

I think we are on the same sailing! Leaving on the Magic Sept 16th, 43 days to go!

[psouthcomb]

Oh boy September 16th can't come too soon !!!!!!!!!

[wanderlust0713]

I enjoyed your review! I'm sorry that your experiences weren't the best. We went on the Magic at the end of April for our honeymoon and we keep saying it's going to be impossible for another cruise to top it. We booked another cruise on the Magic while still on the ship. If it's any help to you, the lines weren't bad in April and the Piano Bar singer was great at that time.

[cjbj]

Here is the review from Mitsugirly from her trip to Grand Turk on the Breeze that we used for our tour.....it gave us ideas as to where to go. If in doubt about the golf cart getting stuck....park it and walk. The grand Turk part starts on page 21.

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2340689&referrerid=927180

 

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I will see if I can find the walking tour. I modified my version years ago and took out the pictures. It might not make sense to anyone else.

 

 

 

Thanks so much for the info!

 

 

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[Ms. Fun Bunch]

Enjoyed your review!! I will be sailing on the Magic 9/9/17 with my Family and Friends cruise. I can't wait!!!

[brittany0121]

Thank you for your honest review! My family has two cove balcony rooms booked for sept 3rd on the Magic and I am even more excited now! My parents and my mil are first time cruisers so i can't wait for them to experience it! My husband son and I have cruised on the triumph in 2015, but I am so excited to board Magic! I've heard so many wonderful things (for the most part 😉)

[mississauga]

Andy, a very balanced review. Thank you for taking the time to do one.

 

We have been to Nassau many times but was not aware there was a chocolate factory. Does it have a tour or more like a store with lots of varieties. Could you give me an idea where it is?

[Cr8ingCnes]

Curious, when you dropped off your luggage with the porters, did you tip them? if so how much? Last time I did FTTF i only tipped them 5 dollars for my one bag and he kept his hand out and i walked away. We had to complain to guest services for not getting out luggage. When we finally got it, they had wrapped the FTTF tap under the handle of the suitcase, it was enough to say it was on the bag, but you really couldnt see it

[mbrownferrier]

Enjoyed the review. Thanks for taking the time to post.

[sonicbuffalo]

Thanks for the review! We've sailed the Breeze and the Dream.....but not the Magic.....sounds like fun!

[Clarea]

Excellent review, you really had a full day at Nassau.:)

[Keith1010]

Thank you for your detailed review.

 

Keith

[Andy1850]

Andy, a very balanced review. Thank you for taking the time to do one.

 

We have been to Nassau many times but was not aware there was a chocolate factory. Does it have a tour or more like a store with lots of varieties. Could you give me an idea where it is?

 

 

Yes their is a chocolate factory tour....we have never done it. Look up Graycliff and chocolate factory. Their may be one through carnival.

[Andy1850]

Curious, when you dropped off your luggage with the porters, did you tip them? if so how much? Last time I did FTTF i only tipped them 5 dollars for my one bag and he kept his hand out and i walked away. We had to complain to guest services for not getting out luggage. When we finally got it, they had wrapped the FTTF tap under the handle of the suitcase, it was enough to say it was on the bag, but you really couldnt see it

 

I tipped the porter $5 a bag. There was a problem with luggage overall on this cruise. Part of it was the weather. I heard a lot of people talking about luggage issues on the elevator.