Carnival Magic Reviews and Comments

Snoozeman · #1 (**permalink**) November 28th, 2011, 01:31 PM

Carnival Magic Comments

I have been asked to make comments about my impression of the new Carnival Magic cruise ship since I have recently cruised on her for 23 days. I think a list is a simple and quick way to do it:

Exceeded Expectations:
Red Frog Pub
Cucina del Capitano
Water Works
Ron Pass
A Kiss Goodnight
Piano Bar (open concept and non smoking)
Mongolian Grill
Embarkation & Debarkation
Ocean Plaza concept
Desserts in Lido Marketplace
pico de gallo (surprisingly good)
Cookies
Will Marion
Guest Services Desk
Behind the FUN tour
Housekeeping Department
leche caliente at breakfast in the MDR
Face recognition computer in photo area
Waffle Station

Needs to Improve:
Thruster Problems.
Powered down at night--causing lack of air conditioning.
Mexican food tasted like Indian food.
Not near enough wait staff in MDR.
Not enough entry points to ship when in port...long lines...need more entries.
They need hand sanitizers at the computer Hub locations.

Personal Observations:
Dining room waiters and staff have far too many tables. This does not allow time for the interaction between guests that was always such an important part of the cruise experience. Too many tables slows service for many and food temperature and quality suffers. As a foodie the MDR is a very important part of the cruise.

I prefer the 8N balconies and they are smaller on the Magic than on a Conquest class ship.

I don’t think the disco show The Groove Line is a good choice for Texas. Texans were more into the Outlaws (Willie, Waylon, etc.) and Southern Rock (Allman Bros., ZZ Top, Lynard Skynyrd, etc.) than into Disco in the 1970's-80’s. Nice show, but few will want to see it more than once.

The decor is really nothing special. No ‘Wow’ factor.

Aft Lido deck: Children are allowed in pool. On most other ships this area is considered an adult only area. On the Carnival Magic the kids have the wonderful Water Works area and the main pool to swim. Can the adults not have ONE place where they will not be run down or splashed by children? I know many ladies who do not appreciate getting their hair wet from children jumping in the pool. Even Disney has an adult only pool. Also there is a very large smoking area aft and it's the only area with umbrellas. Many would like to enjoy the aft deck area but can not due to the smoke. There should be a place for smoking somewhere that doesn't exclude an entire area.

I think this ship is better enjoyed if you are with or part of a group. The folks I saw really having a good time were usually in a group. Especially in a venue like the Red Frog. One can really have FUN on this ship and I think a group or friends traveling together enhance the experience.

My Opinion:
I was very excited when it was announced that the Carnival Magic would home port in Galveston. I have to say that my overall impression is somewhat a disappointment. Not bad, just disappointed. The Magic is a great ship and I am excited about being able to sail on her; however, honestly I would really prefer a Conquest Class ship with Carnival 2.0 in Galveston over the new Carnival Magic. Just my feeling at this time. I'll sail the Magic again in March and re-evaluate.

I have three detailed reviews on my blog (too large for Cruisemates) for the Transatlantic, Welcome Ceremony, and Inaugural Texas Cruise.
Link is: Rays Cruise Blog.

ScurvyDog · #2 (**permalink**) November 28th, 2011, 01:59 PM

Very nice reviews Ray !!

Arkcruisers · #3 (**permalink**) November 29th, 2011, 03:31 AM

Magic is still having thruster problems??? They took one off and had it fixed while we were in Rome (Oct. 7-16). I enjoyed the cruise but the ship itself wasn't as wonderful as I expected. The decor left a lot to be desired. Looked like 1950's Vegas. The stateroom was nice and comfortable.

I liked the Conquest better and New Orleans is closer to me. However, if the itinerary interested me, I would sail on the Magic again.

lhp · #4 (**permalink**) November 29th, 2011, 09:52 AM

That about sums it up.

Carnival has gone to a 3 man system with the cabin staff and dining room staff and none of the staff like it.

Apparently, this is a case of a "beard" designing a system that has never made a bed or waited on a table.

Might look good on paper...but in reality they are FAR to rushed....

lhp · #5 (**permalink**) November 29th, 2011, 09:53 AM

Another dislike was the closet in our cabin that had the clothes going to front to back.... what moron made that decision????

Snoozeman · #6 (**permalink**) November 29th, 2011, 10:37 AM

Linda--yes the dining room deal is not working for passengers, it may be for them, but not the pax.

Ark--that is interesting. I heard that they were damaged in Naples sometime b4 the transatlantic.

NancyB · #7 (**permalink**) December 10th, 2011, 06:36 PM

OK, Now I am scared.
I have talked another couple who have never cruised before to go with us in May on the Magic. DH and I have gone on the Conquest 5 times and loved that ship. Thought this one would be better. So many changes now, with the menu, wait staff and steward.
WELL, I can only hope for the best and VACATION is what you make of it.
Thanks again for the reviews.
Nancy

Snoozeman · #8 (**permalink**) December 10th, 2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NancyB

OK, Now I am scared.
I have talked another couple who have never cruised before to go with us in May on the Magic. DH and I have gone on the Conquest 5 times and loved that ship. Thought this one would be better. So many changes now, with the menu, wait staff and steward.
WELL, I can only hope for the best and VACATION is what you make of it.
Thanks again for the reviews.
Nancy

Nancy, you'll have a great cruise.

I've added some things to this list and changed the wording of 'disappointed' to 'observations'. Less scary to newbie cruisers like your friends. Let me know what you think compared to the Conquest.

TxCruisers · #9 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2011, 11:14 PM

I'm sad that there is less interaction at dinner time with the crew; it's truly one of my favorite parts of the experience! I usually cry at the end because they make you feel like family and they made the cruise for my daughter last year who was sailing for the first time.

I'll be honest, going on a new cruise ship is like buying a new body style of a car - best to give it a year to get the kinks out; however, we booked for 3/18/12. I hope the thruster problems are worked out by then, Lord knows you can't mess with Texan's and their AC and if it's hot people will be pissed.

I'm also a little nervous about the food, I'm an extremely picky eater and normally can find something in the MDR that I like but looking at the new menus there are several days where I plan on booking the steakhouse. I'm not stoked about the Didja menus, IMO, part of the experience is a little more exotic food - not Mac and Cheese and meatloaf.

All my daughter is concerned with is if she meets the height requirement for the slides, she was an inch short on the conquest but if I put her pony tail high enough they would usually let her go down. However, one man refused and needless to say it was the last day and she had slid for 6 days already

Haoie · #10 (**permalink**) December 18th, 2011, 05:59 PM

Still almost a year until we're on the Magic, hope most niggles are fixed by then.

Snoozeman · #11 (**permalink**) December 18th, 2011, 07:23 PM

Hopefully fixed by March.

lhp · #12 (**permalink**) December 19th, 2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoozeman

Nancy, you'll have a great cruise.

I've added some things to this list and changed the wording of 'disappointed' to 'observations'. Less scary to newbie cruisers like your friends. Let me know what you think compared to the Conquest.

I also would not want to discourage anyone from sailing the Magic, just because it wasn't one of my best cruises. It was fine...

I would sail it again tomorrow.

platinum · #13 (**permalink**) December 31st, 2011, 08:23 AM

Good points, easy to tell you are a non smoker. Carnival is becoming the cutback line. We cancelled 2 cruises on Magic and have crossed all Dream class ships off our list.

MelaKnee · #14 (**permalink**) January 7th, 2012, 08:32 PM

oh boy!! ya'll are really worrin me now!!

I have been looking forward to our cruise in March on the Magic.
It's the first trip hubby and I will take without the kids.

I like things new.

My past two cruises on Conquest was nice - i have a very favorite spot on the side of the ship, outside some windows to a buffet area - to sleep in a row of deck chairs all day long..... hope i can find that on the Magic...

I just thot Conquest room furniture needed new life. I wouldnt sit on the 'couch' in the room we were in, and the table was in need of replacement.

I am worried about our stateroom - 6202 - and am seriously considering changing it.

Otherwise I am GOING ON VACATION with my husband for the first time without the kids !!!!!

Now let's all hold hands and pray.... "Lord, please let us return to a house, two dogs and both children - neither of which are harmed, in jail, or waiting upon our return to be harmed for stupid choices while we were away. Amen."

Snoozeman · #15 (**permalink**) January 7th, 2012, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelaKnee

oh boy!! ya'll are really worrin me now!!

I have been looking forward to our cruise in March on the Magic.
It's the first trip hubby and I will take without the kids.

I like things new.

My past two cruises on Conquest was nice - i have a very favorite spot on the side of the ship, outside some windows to a buffet area - to sleep in a row of deck chairs all day long..... hope i can find that on the Magic...

I just thot Conquest room furniture needed new life. I wouldnt sit on the 'couch' in the room we were in, and the table was in need of replacement.

I am worried about our stateroom - 6202 - and am seriously considering changing it.

Otherwise I am GOING ON VACATION with my husband for the first time without the kids !!!!!

Now let's all hold hands and pray.... "Lord, please let us return to a house, two dogs and both children - neither of which are harmed, in jail, or waiting upon our return to be harmed for stupid choices while we were away. Amen."

Enjoy your cruise Mela and WELCOME to Cruisemates. You'll find some quiet places on the Magic. I'm on the 1st week of March and looking forward to a great cruise myself.