Carnival Magic 8 Day Eastern Cruise Review

[Shaded Lady]

3 hours ago, grandmarnnurse said:

Just a little FYI, for you, and anyone sailing out of South Florida that week. I hope you already have your hotel booked, as they are pretty much all sold out due to the Super Bowl in South Florida that day, and the festivities begin the week before, so they are booked pretty solid starting the week before, as per someone else in another cruise thread. 

 

Oh great callout, Grandma... might even be worth its own thread on the site!

[jdcml]

1 hour ago, Shaded Lady said:

 

Oh great callout, Grandma... might even be worth its own thread on the site!

HAHAHA  I had to go back and look at her screen name to see that you weren't actually calling her out!

 

We are on that same departure and couldn't figure out why nothing was available!  Figured there had to be something up and finally did a quick search for SB2020.  We ended up at a hotel that I think we will be happy with but about 60-75 minutes north.  Not an issue since we are driving in, but for those flying they may want to just sleep in the airport!  It's crazy that like 1.5 star hotels are $150-$200 a night if you can find them - then another $20-30 to park!

 

Great review so far.  Happened across it because I did a search for "Happy Hour" after seeing something else on another thread.  Excited to see its on Day 1.  It sounded like it was on port days so interested to see if it comes up again later in the review.  I don't normally consider embarkation a port day, seems like it would be something they do to try and entice people to spend money on the ship and not in a port.  On Day 1 people are going to pay whatever the price is anyway....  ah yes, the servers with trays full of souvenir cups and unwitting new cruisers whipping out the S&S.

[Shaded Lady]

24 minutes ago, jdcml said:

HAHAHA  I had to go back and look at her screen name to see that you weren't actually calling her out!

 

LOL! No, I would never do that-- @grandmarnnurse is one of my favorite posters- she calls 'em as she sees 'em!

[grandmarnnurse]

12 minutes ago, Shaded Lady said:

 

LOL! No, I would never do that-- @grandmarnnurse is one of my favorite posters- she calls 'em as she sees 'em!

Thank you Shaded Lady! 😎🛳

[carnivaladdix120]

Loving your review and can't wait for more! We are sailing Magic for Thanksgiving and can't wait! We live in south FL as well and love that we can cruise multiple times a year. We've never sailed from Ft Lauderdale before so reading how easy it was for you getting on the ship is awesome! Miami is always hectic even when we get there early. Looks like you had a gloomy sail away but who cares when you cruising right!? LOL Thanks for sharing!

[jam19872016]

22 hours ago, Clarasgrandma said:

Thanks for the review. We have our first 8 day planned for 2021.  Is it a regular thing for the Red Frog to offer 1/2 price drinks on embarkation day for that limited time? If so, I am making a note!

 

This is the first time I have noticed this happy hour special. Before this there was usually a happy hour in the casino on the first day but it was restricted to about 3 or 4 drinks. This was any drink on the Red Frog menu including the fish bowls. If they are still running it, it will be well advertised with a big sign right by the elevators where you board. You won't be able to miss it 

 

21 hours ago, tradewinds traveler said:

Thanks for review. Going on the Magic in October.

 

Thanks for following along. Enjoy your cruise!

[jam19872016]

21 hours ago, jimbri said:

Looking forward to your review.

 

17 hours ago, hockeyluver said:

Looking forward to more of your review,  we will be on the Magic in February (Superbowl cruise 😄 ) doing the same itinerary. 

 Thanks for reading along!

[jam19872016]

9 hours ago, JaniceB said:

Great start to your review and a great start to your cruise, congratulations.

 

Thank you so much 

8 hours ago, JAXCRUISER said:

Enjoying your review.  Thanks!

 

Thanks for reading along glad you like it!

[jam19872016]

6 hours ago, jdcml said:

HAHAHA  I had to go back and look at her screen name to see that you weren't actually calling her out!

 

We are on that same departure and couldn't figure out why nothing was available!  Figured there had to be something up and finally did a quick search for SB2020.  We ended up at a hotel that I think we will be happy with but about 60-75 minutes north.  Not an issue since we are driving in, but for those flying they may want to just sleep in the airport!  It's crazy that like 1.5 star hotels are $150-$200 a night if you can find them - then another $20-30 to park!

 

Great review so far.  Happened across it because I did a search for "Happy Hour" after seeing something else on another thread.  Excited to see its on Day 1.  It sounded like it was on port days so interested to see if it comes up again later in the review.  I don't normally consider embarkation a port day, seems like it would be something they do to try and entice people to spend money on the ship and not in a port.  On Day 1 people are going to pay whatever the price is anyway....  ah yes, the servers with trays full of souvenir cups and unwitting new cruisers whipping out the S&S.

 

I stay at a hotel in Stuart called Suburban Extended Stay Hotel. It is probably about 5 miles off Exit 110 so still a good ways away from the port, but I would recommend it to anyone looking for budget accommodations close but not so close to Miami that prices are sky high. It is clean but basic and in need of some TLC. Nothing really wrong with it though. I would steer clear of anything in Riviera Beach. You may see good prices, but it is a bad part of town and not worth the trouble.

 

They had happy hour again one more time, the day we were in Grand Turk. I think Carnival is trying different things with happy hour to see what is the most profitable. I'm with you, it seems strange to offer happy hour the first day. Everyone is in vacation mode and ready to spend like there is no tomorrow, especially the first timers. I'm not complaining though 🙂

 

5 hours ago, carnivaladdix120 said:

Loving your review and can't wait for more! We are sailing Magic for Thanksgiving and can't wait! We live in south FL as well and love that we can cruise multiple times a year. We've never sailed from Ft Lauderdale before so reading how easy it was for you getting on the ship is awesome! Miami is always hectic even when we get there early. Looks like you had a gloomy sail away but who cares when you cruising right!? LOL Thanks for sharing!

 

Ft.Lauderdale was a breeze. I can't say that it has always been so easy but this was a great experience. I have even ran into one of our very own CC members. She was directing traffic up the escalator to the priority section. Sail away was indeed gloomy but the rest of the week was nothing but beautiful sunshine and calm seas after the first night. Enjoy your time on the Magic! She is a great ship.

[jam19872016]

Ship Tour:

 

I cheated and am reusing the photos from my last cruise on Magic. The Tandoor has been removed and replaced with a Seafood Shack and somehow I forgot to take a picture of that ooops. Other than that, the pictures I took last year still reflect how the ship looks inside.

 

Starting at Deck 1, the first two decks are passenger cabins.
 

 

 

Moving up to deck 3, starting all the way forward is the main show theater.
 

 

 

Guest Services.
 

 

Sail&Sign Kiosk.
 

[jam19872016]

Public computers.
 

 

Magic Lobby. The flag was on display for Memorial Day. Guess that is not current lol.
 

 

Looking up.
 

 

Shore Excursion desk.
 

 

Northern Lights MDR.
 

 

[jam19872016]

You cannot walk all the way through this deck, the galley blocks access so you must go up and back down to reach the end of the deck. At the back of deck 3 and 4 is the Southern Lights MDR.
 

 

Video Arcade.
 

 

Club O2 which can be accessed via the arcade or the promenade.
 

 

Deck 4 Promenade.
 

 

Club O2 Promenade entrance.
 

 

Circle C.
 

 

[jam19872016]

Stairs leading up to 5.
 

 

Conference Center.
 

 

 

I peeked behind that curtain because I am nosy like that. I found this interesting chart.
 

 

That is a pretty ambitious sales goal compared to last year's numbers. Pretty impressive they seem to be meeting that goal. Who are these people buying all this art though? I wonder if they ended up making their goal?
 

 

Another conference room, was being used at the moment for crew training.
 

 

The upper level of the Northern Lights MDR.
 

[jam19872016]

Watch where you are walking, these tables were out of my line of sight and I did not see them and walked right into it last year. Hit the bone just right, and that was PAINFUL. I was sore for days.
 

 

Library. 
 

 

 

Pixels, Magic has gone digital.

 

 

 

 

Seating facing the action down in the lobby.
 

[jam19872016]

The second and third level of the theater.
 

 

On Deck 5 now starting in the front. I love the outdoor Lanai, my favorite improvement on the Dream class.
 

 

 

 

Very little privacy though for those booking balconies. 
 

 

Magic trophy case.
 

[jam19872016]

Fun Shops.
 

 

 

 

 

[jam19872016]

Looking down towards the lobby.
 

 

 

Hat Trick Casino.
 

 

 

 

[jam19872016]

Casino cont.

 

 

My mom did really well on this machine last year, located near the cashiers' desk.
 

 

The game I hit my jackpot on. I think there are two of them, this one is located on the same row as the cashiers' desk.

 

 

Ocean Plaza.
 

 

 

This station had soup and sandwiches available for lunch on sea days.
 

 

[jam19872016]

Alchemy Bar.
 

 

Coffee Bar.
 

 

Stairs leading down to four.
 

 

Fun finds shopping desk.
 

 

 

Former Taste Bar, used on sea days as a salad bar. I would love to see this converted to a Bonsai Express. One year later, and would still love to see that happen.
 

 

 

Red Frog Pub.
 

[jam19872016]

Nightclub.
 

 

 

Outside is the Pig & Anchor BBQ.
 

 

Piano Bar.
 

 

 

Steakhouse. 
 

 

 

I will pick up next time with the upper decks. Thanks everyone for reading along.

[beachbum6264]

Which dining room is used for YTD? 

Thanks for posting your review, looking forward to the Magic in October (happy birthday, DH)

[jam19872016]

9 hours ago, beachbum6264 said:

Which dining room is used for YTD? 

Thanks for posting your review, looking forward to the Magic in October (happy birthday, DH)

Northern Lights located on Deck 3 and 4 Mid Ship. I do believe only the lower level is used for YTD though. Enjoy your cruise 🙂

[beachbum6264]

3 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

Northern Lights located on Deck 3 and 4 Mid Ship. I do believe only the lower level is used for YTD though. Enjoy your cruise 🙂

 

Thanks!  I know we'll have a good time, we've never met a cruise we didn't like, we don't sweat the small things.

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

OP- thank you for your review (please keep it coming ). We are doing this same itinerary in April '20 (looking to make it our second leg of our first back to back by booking the 6 day right before- still trying get DH to agree).

[pooksma]

Great pics! Keep it coming!