luvs2beachit

Thanks for taking the time to write your review.  Loved your humor and candid comments!

Following along!  Love your reviews! 

Thanks everyone for sharing your personal experiences and  suggestions.  Now at least I have some information about what to 

consider when making my decision about what to buy.  I am leaning toward soft sided because of some of the comments about weight and damage as well my familiarity with that kind of luggage.

To those of you who took the time to share your experiences with carry-on bags as well as some of your packing strategies, thank you.

I do have two Samsonite 18 inch rolling duffel bags, which hold a lot, but because my upcoming b2b cruises encompass two different weather extremes (Panama Canal and Alaska) I wouldn't be able to fit what I would need to take.  I don't think I could get away with declaring one of the duffel bags as my "personal item".  Besides I am not opposed to checking a bag in order to ensure that I have what I need and want to take with me.

Again, thank you everybody.

Always!

Loved your review and Patti's pictures, in particular your comments about the Spirit.  I will be on the Spirit for 23 days next month and you have heightened my anticipation 2 fold.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.  I can't wait for your next review!

I love that we no longer are required to drag a separate suitcase packed with a tux, gowns. jewelry and uncomfortable high heels!

I love that we can dress casual or formal.  No judgement!

I love that there are so many dinner options. That our choices are no longer limited to early or late sittings in the MDR.

I love the app.

I love that there are so many activities to choose from.

Most of all I love that there is now a beautiful new Carnival ship sailing out of NY year round!

 It has been a long time since I have purchased luggage.  Our last set was American Tourister which we bought in 2008.  It has served us well through 30 plus cruises and multiple international and domestic flights. The bags are still functional but they have begun to tip over and the spinners  are worn. In a few weeks I will be going on a 23 day cruise involving several flights and since I will be traveling solo I want to make sure that my luggage is efficient and easy to maneuver.  This past weekend I went out to buy my new suitcase and I was overwhelmed with the choices.  Brand names I know but I have no clue about the virtues of hard sided vs soft sided.  I need some input from the CC pros!  In your experience which is better hard or soft sided?

Thanks in advance!

On 2/22/2023 at 8:53 PM, crooooze said:

Update - I have contacted the Port Valet folks directly. Carnival has just recently joined the program. They also told me that you do not need to sign-up in advance on the Port Valet website. There will be a registration form in your cabin to engage the service. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to check and post this information.  Like the OP my flight doesn't depart until 11:45pm and I was dreading having to drag my luggage around with me all day.

Hi all,

Just booked this cruise as part of a b2b.  Love Canada cruises!

I also have a cruise booked on the Venezia on 6/27.  Love that there will now be a ship sailing year round from NYC!  No planes or hotel reservations to make!

Hi everyone,

Just booked a b2b for 9/8 and 9/16.  I will be solo on these two cruises!    I am also booked on this ship for an Elite cruise on 6/27 with our kids and grandkids so hopefully by the September cruises I will know my way around the ship! Love that there will now be a ship sailing from NYC year round.  I am able to drive to the port so that's a big plus!

Judie

On 2/10/2023 at 3:12 PM, Chelle111213 said:

Thank you all so much!! NOW I'm really excited about going!! Anyone else going on the Venezia? 🙂

I have three cruises booked on Venezia.  First one is in June and is an Elite cruise and the other two are in Sept. Canada and Carib.

Very excited about being on this new ship!

Judie

I did the Canada cruise on the Magic out of NYC last September and  the weather was 70's and sunny during the day and 60's towards evening.  I layered up and it worked out great.  We were lucky. No major weather issues.  This was my 7th Canada cruise and for the most part, other than some rainy days, layering worked fine.

As someone mentioned in an earlier post bring some rain gear just in case.  I have been able to pick up cheap plastic rain cover ups at Dollar Tree that u use and then toss. Not very stylish but they do the job.  I have a Canada cruise booked for this September so am hoping my luck holds out!

Thanks so much for your quick responses!  Love CC folks!  You can always depend on you guys for accurate and quick info!

I have a $500 gift card and I want to use it to book a cruise but the deposit is only $400 so what happens to the remaining balance?  Will I be able to present the e-card at guest services to redeem the balance or will I lose the money?  TIA for your help.

So happy to see your review,  especially looking forward to reading about your Spirit cruise as I will be on that ship for 23 days in Apr/May.  Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!

Cracker Barrel was also our favorite place to stop when we drove down from NY. 

2 hours ago, voljeep said:

53 minutes on hold - now talking with a Princess 'rep' - put back on hold while he 'checks'

LOL I have you beat....61 mjunutes and holding! Uh.

91 days for me!  B2B Panama Canal full transit followed by Alaska!

Have moved over from June 27th cruise Magic cruise.   Am excited to try this ship!

Am also considering changing two future cruises I have booked since 

leaving from NYC is so easy for me.

58 minutes ago, Ladyfunk25 said:

You use the sign and sail cards for the arcades, no cash.  For minors, Carnival allows you to set up a spending limit on their cards - this is a good option if you want them to be able to play in the arcade for a while using their own card without going completely wild!

Thank you! Exactly what I wanted to know.  But now I have 2 more question..

What would be a reasonable amount to put on their cards?  How much are the games? 

I will be going on a cruise with my kids and grandchildren on the Magic.  This will be my grands first cruise and one of the things that they are 

excited about {other than the pool, slide and the "free ice cream"} is the arcade.  I have no idea about how the arcade works.  Cruise card or cash?  And how much would be a reasonable amount to plan for.  I am thinking that I would give them some arcade money as a Christmas gift in their stockings.  My grandsons are 8,9 and 10.  Would love to hear from the more experienced arcade people!

TIA

On 10/24/2022 at 8:03 PM, zorky12 said:

So excited !! Booked our first Transatlantic cruise 15 Days Transatlantic from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy to Tampa Oct 28. Has casino free play credit of $250, on board credit of $200 and drinks on us while playing..Amazing deal

 

 

 

Congrats on your great deal!  I am also booked on this cruise as the 2nd part of a b2b.  First cruise is a 10 day Greece, Turkey and Italy cruise.  Both are casino deals!

Initially, was only going to book the TA but when I saw the 10 day one as a casino deal I just couldn't pass it up.  There is a roll call already started for this cruise and many of the people are doing the b2b too!  Come over to the roll call and sign in.

Not very active but it's early yet. 

On 10/19/2022 at 8:49 PM, ngrund said:

They would not be on the main site-

 

 https://www.aarp.org/rewards/

 

Once logged in you would go to "redeem rewards" and you should see the gift cards available

 

Carnival cards are for AARP members only, so filter for members only-

 

If you are not  a member, just join (you do not have to be over 50 just have to pay the fee)

Thanks for taking time to provide the directions!  Yes, I am a member so I think I 

will log out and log back in just in case.  Thanks again for the link.

I have been on the AARP site for over an hour and I have not been able to find the Carnival gift cards with 10% discount.  I would really appreciate it if someone could give me some directions.  TIA

Love reading your review!  I will be on the Spirit for 23 days in April/May 

doing a b2b of the Panama Canal transit and Alaska.

Thanks for taking the time to write your report.

9 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

9 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

We left home at 11:10 and after a 15 minute cab ride, we were on the ship at 11:50.  We never had such an easy embarkation.

 

Our cabin....Deck 1...Deluxe Ocean View.  I've done "the Canada thing" about a dozen times.  And I know, a balcony is a waste....it's too cold, windy and foggy to sit out there.  This cabin was great.  We had a giant window....lots of floor space....way more closet space than necessary....and 2 bathrooms.  Because we were so low we could see how fast the ship was moving.  Totally different view than if on a high deck.  I wish I could get "this cabin" on all future cruises (generally we do balcony).

 

The food.  Nobody starved.  The best meals I had were paninis from the deli (although not on traditional panini bread...so not real paninis).  The cakes/desserts were very good in the buffet...other things, just ok.  We ate at the Blue Iguana once....not impressed....especially if you're used to real Mexican food.  We ate in the MDR once....again, not impressed.

 

The entertainment.  Not "B'way quality" but not B'way prices either.

 

The casino.  Give and take...mostly take.  But I did get a lot of play time.

 

The ports.  Sadly, a lot of our "regular places to buy stuff" weren't there any longer.

 

One big gripe DH had.  He buys a lot of gifts (not the bargain special stuff) to give people.  They no longer have the Carnival bags....or any bags.  You can buy one for $2.  But otherwise, you carry in in your hands.  I mean....I don't complain about "nickel and diming" because everyone needs to make a living or make up for 2 years of lost revenue.  But no bags is ridiculous!!!!

 

Disembarkation....we just walked off.  No lines........

 

DH and I thought this was a great cruise.  Others (FB group) would disagree.

 

 

     I was on the same cruise and I am sitting here laughing because your review is almost word for word what my experience was.  The only comments I would edit are that I was in a Deluxe Ocean View on deck 2 instead of deck one!  My comments about the cabin would have been the same as yours, we LOVED the cabin and would book it again in a heartbeat!

My second edit would be about the deli, I have a soft spot for the Reuben, not exactly Katz deli, but still good.

This was the 3rd time on the Magic and have another one booked for next year.  Thanks for the great review!!