vacationcruiser05

We cruised on the Magic in June. We arrived around 10:45 and didn't have to wait in line at all. We got right on the ship!

We really enjoyed the pool area. We did the zip lining. The water slides are fun too. The pool area is nice. Lounge chairs are free but umbrellas are an extra charge.

I think deck 8 should be fine. We stayed on deck 8 last year with no problems. We were a little more toward the front of the ship but I don't think being midship will be a problem.

We were on this cruise also. When I posted a mini review, I also mentioned coordinating the restaurants on Lido deck with arrival or departure of ports. When we arrived at the ports at 11:00 or 12:00, I wish lunch was served prior to those times.

We arrived at about 10:45 and walked right on the ship. No wait at all. This was on June 25.

We went to the one that you pass on the way in. It's smaller than the other one. We went to the bigger one last year. We just paid to get in. It's only $5 per person and that includes admission to both forts. I think there is a trolley you can take to the forts but we just walked.

I forgot to mention that we loved the water slides on the ship!!!

We thought the banging noise could have something to do with the stabilizers but we could be wrong. It seemed to happen when the water was more rough. We really liked the 4J though. Sometimes it's really windy on the balcony at the front of the ship but it wasn't a big deal. I would definitely book one again to save money.

The lines to get off the ship weren't bad but we didn't rush down to get off as soon as we docked either.

There is a zip line at the port area. It just goes over the pool area. It's $15 per person for unlimited all day. We enjoyed it but it definitely wouldn't compare to the zip lining excursions.

There is a zip line at the port area. It's a fairly small zip line. It's just goes over the pool area. It's $15 per person for unlimited all day.

We did not try any of the restaurants.

We will be taking our kids with us next year on a Southern Caribbean on the Magic. It will be their first cruise. They will be 8 and 4.

This was our fourth Carnival cruise. We have previously sailed on the Miracle (2005), the Glory (2007), the Breeze(2015), and now the Magic. We are also booked on the Magic next year. On this cruise, my husband and I travelled with another couple. We went to Amber Cove, St. Thomas, San Juan, and Grand Turk.

Ship/cabin: The condition of the ship was great! Really no complaints about condition of the ship. We had a 4J cabin on deck 7. We have previously had balconies. We really liked our cabin. Our only complaint was a loud banging noise at the front of the ship. I don't know what it was was but it was all day and all night on some days.

Food/Dining: We had late dining. The food was good in the dining room and service was good. We did sea day brunch twice and we liked that. We are big fans of Guy's Burgers and Blue Iguana. I really wish Blue Iguana would stay open later. I also wish lunch started before 12:00. We arrived at a couple of ports at 11:00 and 12:00. I would have liked to eat at Guy's or Blue Iguana before getting off the ship.

Ports: We stayed at the pool area at Amber Cove. We were impressed with the pool area. My husband and I did the zip lining at the port for $15 each. If you're going to do the water slides, I would suggest water shoes. The pavement is very hot during the walk up. We went to Magen's Bay at St. Thomas. The beach was crowded but very beautiful. There were three ships in port that day. We shopped at San Juan and went to one of the forts. The water at Grand Turk was beautiful as usual. We just stayed at the beach near Jack's Shack.

Entertainment: This is the category where I have the most complaints. My husband and I like going to the comedy shows. The comedians were TERRIBLE on this cruise. We were so disappointed. There was one comedian named Thea. During her PG show, she hardly told any jokes. She just preached to the kids about being spoiled. People were walking out. We went to the Illusionist show. It was just ok. The Legends show was pretty good.

We arrived at Port Canaveral around 11:00. We were able to walk right on the ship. When we got back to Port Canaveral at the end of the cruise, debarkation was easy as well. This is a short review, but I hope it's helpful. I did not save my fun times from this cruise.

Thanks everyone! Once we get everything finalized for our upcoming cruise, we can plan the next one. My husband and I will be on the Magic this summer. We will have a chance see all of the activities on the ship for kids.

Thanks everyone! I think we would have fun either way. I was leaning toward Southern Caribbean because we've never been to Aruba or Curacao. I just wanted to see other opinions on which would be better with kids.

My husband and I will be cruising with Carnival for the fourth time this summer. We are wanting to take our kids on their first cruise next summer. We have narrowed it down to the Dream from New Orleans going to Montego Bay, Cozumel, and Grand Caymen or the Magic out of Port Canaveral going to Grand Turk, Aruba, and Curacao. Our kids will be 8 and 4. Just wondering which itinerary would be best for kids this age? We tend to just like to go to a nice beach or maybe a tour and beach. My husband wants to go on the Dream because the port is a closer drive. We've never done a Southern Caribbean cruise so I'm leaning towards that. The cruises cost the same and the Southern Caribbean is one extra day.