mi3stooges

We booked this for the Carnival Magic departing 1/27/18. Thanks for the review.

Did you go on this excursion?? How was it??!!

Anyone know how long and how much a taxi ride is? USD accepted?? TIA

Nope, free to use! :D

Thank You!! :D

I have to agree with much of what is being said...

I am guilty of saying I would never cruise Carnival...but...I booked my first one for September on the Magic and I CAN'T WAIT!!!

I'm not saying I "lowered" my expectations (I kinda did) but more so opened my mind!! I've been on about 16 cruises with Disney, RCC and NCL and have had a bad cruise on each of the latter two, but the people I was with helped to forget about that and just enjoy the rest

Any vacation is what you make of it, you have a pretense of that vacation when you book it, regardless of what type or how much you spend. From everything I read about my upcoming cruise, I find myself saying that's sounds like fun...the word fun keeps coming to mind!

Here's to my inaugural Carnival Cruise!! :tropical-drink::ship:<3

WOW!! Absolutely fun packed! Question about the Costa Maya port, the pool that was in the pictures, is there a fee to use it? TIA

Carnival has more free food options than most cruise lines, and I’ve been on lot. But you’re right, most of those options are at lunch. But the poolside grill (free) is open for dinner and is pretty good. The deli (free) is also open for dinner and they will make made to order sandwiches for you if you ask. You should definitely try the Reuben ;). Btw, the 24 hour pizza place not only has pizza but also has really good salads. The Italian place “Cucina Del Capitano” is $15 per person for dinner and well worth it. A little known fact is that you can eat lunch there for free. Try the lasagna, you won’t regret it. And there’s usually late night deck parties with themed buffets all of the time. Don’t miss the Mexican themed one. :D

Wow!! It all sounds awesome!! Thanks!! 👍🏻

Bumping...any links for ANY Fun times??!!

Hi, I too am taking my Mom on a cruise in less than 2 weeks. We are sailing on the Splendor to Mexico. She is in the early/mid-stages of dementia, and I too want to give her this experience. I’m going to be taking many, many photos of the whole trip (airport, airplane, aboard the Splendor, at port and everything in between) then I will have a photo book made for her too. I had asked her siblings, that she hasn’t seen in quite awhile if they could join us (they live quite close to the departure city), but due to their schedules they can’t....but they are able to join us for an afternoon and evening as we are flying in the day before, this part will be a surprise for my Mom.

Enjoy this time with your Mom!

I hope you have an awesome cruise with your mom!! :hearteyes:

First thing, keep an open mind. Carnival is the same as other cruise lines, but also a little different. I've enjoyed every Carnival cruise I've ever done, and some I have greatly enjoyed. Also a few RCI and Celebrity cruises, for what they were, but Carnival provides a little more "atmosphere". Some people say Carnival passengers are more rude, crude, drunk, whatever, but I have in no way ever experienced that. What I have experienced consistently is that Carnival cruisers are easier to idle-chat with as a whole. Of course I've had nice friendly chats on other cruise ships, but on Carnival it seems like it goes with the territory. IMHO.

 

I'll dare to say you picked a practically perfect ship for your Carnival inaugural. Dream class is my favorite of all cruise ship classes I've sailed.

 

Be sure to familiarize with the "Plaza" area soon after you board; Deck 5, just aft of the midship elevators. Taste Bar, gourmet coffee, desserts and fruit, fresh (free) brewed coffee beside the Taste Bar every morning, plus games and often music on the small stage while at sea. Plenty of tables for sittin' and chillin'.

 

Exiting either side of the Plaza are the outdoor Lanai areas -- port side is probably the smoking side, the other side is non-smoking. Right out the door it's roofed over with tables, then opens onto the Lanai Promenade where you can walk all the way around the ship. (If you're so inclined, you might want to do that when the ship is not at speed, as it can get very windy approaching and around the bow.)

 

On our last Dream-class cruise they showed some excellent movies on the outdoor theater screen. You should be able to find comfortable seating opposite the big screen (aft across the Lido pool area), IF you get there early enough. Again if you're inclined, keep an eye on the movie schedules in the daily sheets (I forget at the moment what they're called). If not the seating straight aft from the screen, there's plenty on either side on Decks 10 and 11.

 

One thing I've always loved about Carnival is that the staff/crew (even officers) are very friendly and approachable (if they're not too busy). They're trained to be part of the "Fun Ship" experience. We even got a free bottle of wine once, just for being conversational? :) But really, some of the crew are really great to talk to, and we've made some real friends that we'll never forget.

 

Live shows might be hit or miss (good to excellent or not), but for sure they will be crowded. If you do the shows and want good seats, better get there at least 15-20 minutes early.

I think its the perfect ship also, it found us...

Funny its called the "fun" ship. As I read about it, I find I tell myself that it seems 'Fun" I've cruised Norwegian a lot and thought they have come long way with "fun"

Lots of great info here...thank you

Definitely download the Carnival HUB app. It has an interactive ships map, a list of the daily activities, opening times for restaurants, you can purchase bottomless bubbles, cheers, browse and purchase photos, purchase internet packages, message each other, review your account, etc. Also, Carnival has 24 hour pizza restaurants that’s free (made fresh, not frozen pizzas) and soft serve ice cream (beside the drink area) for free too. I’m not a fan of Carnivals buffet on the lido deck but there are lots of free restaurants on the Lido deck that are awesome that you should try. Guy Fieri’s burgers are awesome with a topping bar that is the best I’ve ever seen. Guys Pig & Anchor BBQ is good too. The Mongolian wok cooks your selections to order and is very tasty. And on sea days Carnival opens the MDR and lets you have a sea day brunch that’s a must try with steak & eggs, pork chops, to die for waffles, etc. At breakfast you should try the Blue Iguana Cantina, their made to order breakfast burritos are really good and there’s rarely a line. On port days we grab a burrito there in no time, and sometimes eat it on the way. Hope this helps. :)

Definitely helps... Diet?? What diet!! Do you recall dinner options? I read that there weren't many "free" ones or pretty much after dinner, not much food available??

You are allowed one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per legal adult when you embark. Pack those bottles in your carry on, not your luggage. You can also bring cans of soda, juice when you embark, I think 12 per person. Pack in your carry on as well.

Tea is served on sea days at 3 pm in one of the MDR. Bring your own tea bag if there is a certain type you like. Pastries and tea sandwiches are served and it’s a nice break in the afternoon.

Your mom might appreciate the piano bar, especially if you know some songs she loves. Familiar songs can have a way of engaging individuals with Alzheimer’s in a very positive way.

Have a great cruise!

 

 

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Gotta admit, this brought a tear to my eye! Love the ideas!! Thank you

We never thought we would either but then we did. What did it for you?

There were many factors...

#1 being my Mom can't travel 4 hours to Miami for the cruise I wanted to go on, so Orlando was the Port to leave from;

Hence #2 which was cost ....itinerary wasn't that important but it worked out because my sister has only been to one port and I have not been to any!!

From what I'm reading, I think everything will work out ok and I will enjoy the cruise...after all...its about spending time with my mom! <3

As for specialty restaurants I have read that the Italian...La Cuccina?....on Magic is really good, and we enjoyed the (free) lunches there on Breeze.

Will definitely check them out!!

There will be live music in the Atrium, the casino, at the Lido Pool, in the piano bar and the aft clubs on deck 4 and 5 as well as the disco and karaoke. Times are listed in the daily fun times as well as the singers/groups rotation from site to site.

 

Comedy shows are in the aft club on deck 5, usually 2 shows a night when the comedians are aboard, early show is tamer than the later adult show.

 

Dinners in the MDR are early 6ish and late 8:15, there is also anytime dining room where you just show up but you may have to wait for a table. There's a sea day brunch in the MDR as well as a BBQ lunch on sea days on deck 5. Specialty restaurants (reservations required, additional charge) with the best being the Steakhouse.

 

I can't say much for the theater shows, I usually get more entertainment playing slots in the casino. Plenty of corridors and aisles to wander around. Look for quiet places to sit and chat and keep happy family connections alive for the moment. Do whatever you think is best for your situation, as it probably won't come round again.

 

As far as ports, try to visit the nicest beaches with the bluest waters and whitest sands, vivid colors make great memories and photo backdrops. Have a great cruise and make wonderful memories.

Thank you...Great advice!! :D

Hi Everyone,

I just booked my very first Carnival Cruise! Never say never....cause I never thought I would and I am so looking forward to it!

I've cruised 18 times and love cruising! This one is about making memories. My mom has Alzheimer's and is progressing so my sister and I want to create more memories before her memory is gone :D

So, we are cruising the Magic on a Western Itinerary. What can you tell me about this ship? Comedy? Shows? Music spots? Help me, I don't know Carnival!! TIA

No, not on the larger ships.

Darn. Thank you!

Anyone most recently on the Breakaway...do they have poolside BBQ's?? :cool:

Just off the Escape and sailed Getaway last year. VERY similar ships in terms of features and layout. Biggest difference we noticed is Escape feels more crowded. It seems the just crammed more passengers in the same amount of public space. One thing we loved on the Escape was the blue water slide.

I kinda have to agree. I've been on Getaway, Breakaway and the Escape (and booked again on BA and Escape!!)

I think the public areas are a bit smaller. Overall, I loved the ship!!

Hi! So I'm booked on the Breakaway in November with my 3 daughters (24, 17 and 14). With the incredible prices and 3rd and 4th sail free it was an unbeatable deal. I have never stayed in an inside stateroom. I selected an inside room because I'm trying to keep it as low budget as possible. This is a post divorce trip with my girls and is a much needed mother/daughter getaway. It has been a heck of a year! I realize that we will be very crowded but I was wondering if anyone has any pictures or experiences sleeping 4 in an inside stateroom. We are on the 11th floor, midship. Thank you in advance!!

I took my 3 kids 18, 16 and 15 (two girls and a son) on the Dawn in July 2010 during a divorce (still going on :rolleyes:) and we were in an inside cabin. It was the best vacation we ever had. A tad tight, but we didn't care!!

Enjoy your trip...make memories...start new!!! It broke my heart when the ship pulled away form the dock and my oldest turned to me and said, he can't touch us now :( (Not physically but mentally)

Hmmmm... I know someone on a CAS cruise and they told me there was no Admin fee....that all the taxes,port chgs etc is what it was :confused: It sounds a bit fishy

Haven't seen a quest on NCL in a long time....BUT...I was on the Escape in October 2016 and they had a mild one around the adult pool :)

Is that Dan Olson??

Alvin left The Breakaway Sunday to join The Gem tomorrow.

:eek::eek::eek:

following

Who ever is on (or most recently on the Dawn) can you tell me if they still have the Hot Tub on the top deck most forward?? Please!!