Carnival Magic vs. Carnival Freedom

[cruisinlover1414]

We have been debating this for days now, and our family cannot decide which ship to pick. We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 19yrs old, and 15). We have sailed on Oasis, Allure, triumph, and Navigator of the Seas this past Christmas. We are wanting to do a cruise out of Galveston this summer just because we live in Texas and don't want to drive to Florida again.

 

We want to do the Belize, Roatan, and Cozumel itinerary because we have done the other one a few times. So, both ships are doing this itinerary this summer and we have narrowed it down to doing the Magic on June 28 or Freedom on July 4. The price difference is about $200 total for both our interior rooms (Freedom being $200 less). I know Freedom has 2.0 updates, but magic is bigger and newer; so I'm not sure which ship is better, or which one more people recommend.

 

So, which ship would you recommend and why? Any past experiences, likes/dislikes and any advice would be great! Or any other recommendations!

We hope to book this week!

[cruiser fanatic]

We have been debating this for days now, and our family cannot decide which ship to pick. We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 19yrs old, and 15). We have sailed on Oasis, Allure, triumph, and Navigator of the Seas this past Christmas. We are wanting to do a cruise out of Galveston this summer just because we live in Texas and don't want to drive to Florida again.

 

We want to do the Belize, Roatan, and Cozumel itinerary because we have done the other one a few times. So, both ships are doing this itinerary this summer and we have narrowed it down to doing the Magic on June 28 or Freedom on July 4. The price difference is about $200 total for both our interior rooms (Freedom being $200 less). I know Freedom has 2.0 updates, but magic is bigger and newer; so I'm not sure which ship is better, or which one more people recommend.

 

So, which ship would you recommend and why? Any past experiences, likes/dislikes and any advice would be great! Or any other recommendations!

We hope to book this week!

 

I have been on both and I will give you the pros and cons of each.

 

Freedom:

Pros: Better layout, better food, has the 2.0 upgrades, better entertainment,

Cons: Lack of activities during the day, décor was tacky, some staff were rude, smaller cabins.

 

Magic:

Pros: Has the waterworks and sports square, awesome crew, has the outdoor lanai, tandoor grill and Oceanside bbq, cabins are bigger then Freedom.

Cons: Layout, lack of seating areas, ship crowded easily, entertainment, lack of upgrades.

 

Having been on both ships I would recommend the Freedom. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about either ship.

Edited April 1, 2015 by cruiser fanatic

[LCTXcruiser]

Well, after reading the comment left, I think I'm just going to confuse you further... LOL!

 

I would recommend the Magic. I've been on both - the Magic in August and the Freedom a few weeks ago. Honestly, you can't make a bad choice here... both ships are excellent.

 

The food is better on the Freedom. Gotta love those Guy burgers!!!, but the waterworks area on the Magic will be more appealing to your kids. Also, the Magic has a great outdoor area on the Promenade. I like to spend time in the casino, and sometimes the smoke gets to me so it's nice to have an area that I can lounge around on without having to go to the top deck.

 

Best of luck in your decision! I'm sure you'll have fun either way.

[flounder315]

The Magic has the ropes course and that is fun for everyone. Magic has Water works and slides, which is fun for all too.

[BallFour4]

Might get flamed for this one, but we've sailed 9 Carnival ships and the Magic is one of our least favorite.

 

We love the Conquest class ships best for perhaps one reason. I like looking out my balcony and seeing the water alongside the ship. On the Magic balconies you see deck 5, and they see you back...

 

We toured the Freedom when it was here on Valentines day and it looked like an old RV inside with the darker wood. Even with Guys and The Blue Iguana I like the Conquest and Glory best. The Magic proved to me bigger doesn't always mean better.

 

We have the Triumph booked again and the Voyager. Watch the prices close!

 

.

Edited April 1, 2015 by BallFour4

[whciv]

We have been debating this for days now, and our family cannot decide which ship to pick. We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 19yrs old, and 15). We have sailed on Oasis, Allure, triumph, and Navigator of the Seas this past Christmas. We are wanting to do a cruise out of Galveston this summer just because we live in Texas and don't want to drive to Florida again.

 

We want to do the Belize, Roatan, and Cozumel itinerary because we have done the other one a few times. So, both ships are doing this itinerary this summer and we have narrowed it down to doing the Magic on June 28 or Freedom on July 4. The price difference is about $200 total for both our interior rooms (Freedom being $200 less). I know Freedom has 2.0 updates, but magic is bigger and newer; so I'm not sure which ship is better, or which one more people recommend.

 

So, which ship would you recommend and why? Any past experiences, likes/dislikes and any advice would be great! Or any other recommendations!

We hope to book this week!

 

We had this same dilemma. We have cruised on the Magic twice and are now booked on the Freedom for June 20th. The Magic is a very nice ship. It has a lot of open area on deck and the layout seemed very easy to navigate. Our son, 19 now, has gone with us and will be with us this summer. He liked the Magic as he met kids his age both trips. I suspect this will be the same on Freedom. We mainly chose Freedom based on price. Carnival was running the June 20th cruise for $580 a person plus a $50 cabin credit for an oceanview room.

 

Good luck on your decision. We've done the Roatan, Belize and Cozumel ports before. We enjoyed the western ports a little better, but these are also very nice. They all provide what we are looking for... sun, clear water, snorkeling and sand.

 

Bill

From SA

[cruiser fanatic]

Might get flamed for this one, but we've sailed 9 Carnival ships and the Magic is one of our least favorite.

 

We love the Conquest class ships best for perhaps one reason. I like looking out my balcony and seeing the water alongside the ship. On the Magic balconies you see deck 5, and they see you back...

 

We toured the Freedom when it was here on Valentines day and it looked like an old RV inside with the darker wood. Even with Guys and The Blue Iguana I like the Conquest and Glory best. The Magic proved to me bigger doesn't always mean better.

 

We have the Triumph booked again and the Voyager. Watch the prices close!

 

.

 

The Magic isn't my favorite nor least favorite ship. I agree, the Freedom décor is tacky, tacky, tacky! Too dark. As for as the balconies on the Magic, I agree with you. For that same reason I always get a Cove Balcony. It is private for the most part, it is close to the water, and your view is not blocked by anything.

[ivanrocko]

Magic!

[mtra]

Another vote for Magic. I don't really understand the compliant about not being able to see the water because of deck 5. Deck 5 is not that much wider. We loved hanging out at the Red Frog pub at night. Comedy shows have been fun! If you do book a balcony make sure to not book over the sea side grill on deck 5. We have sailed on Magic, Spirt, inspiration, miracle and Conquest. Conquest (same class as freedom) was our second to least favorite ship behind Inspiration. Good luck! You will have fun on either.

 

Oh! Forgot to tell you the biggest reason I did not like the conquest. The railings on most of the outside decks are half metal. Wen I am sitting on the lounge chair I always turn it to look at the water. On the conquest i had to sit up to see the water.

Edited April 2, 2015 by mtra
Forgot one thing!

[BallFour4]

We had the aft wrap on Deck 9 on the Magic for Valentines Day. Fun cruise, but a lot of money to get a balcony not on parade.

[Martini Mom]

We had the same comparisons to make and went with the Freedom for July 4th, because of:

 

1) cost

2) 2.0 upgrades

3) reviews/comments

Edited April 2, 2015 by Martini Mom

[Crusin Hogs]

Magic hands down , Conquest class is getting dated ,looks old and worn

[ABQrobin]

we did the Magic this past Oct, then the Freedom in March.

 

Magic is bigger and more stable, less motion overall. Magic feels bigger, too. Magic has the Tandoor Grill at lunch (best Indian food ever). Pool area is laid out better IMHO, more chance for groups to dance. Staff were all very outgoing and friendly. The ropes course looks like a blast.

 

Freedom is smaller and feels like it is smaller. Guys Burgers and Blue Iguana burrito bar were my DH favorite's at lunch. Both have Red Frog Pub but the layout and feel are better on Freedom. EA Sports bar on Freedom is great. Staff seemed a bit standoffish and rude for the most part.

 

I would do either again...

[jgskes]

Interesting to read these reviews. I just got off of Magic last week. It was packed but I did like the ship. It was my 2nd time on Magic. I always try to book newer ships..I said the Conquest on its inagural sailing and have sailed it 4-5 times since. I just chose Magic because Conquest went back to NOLO. The Freedom is 5 years newer than Conquest so I am hoping I will be pleased. I will miss the big water slides and ropes and such but to be honest I never used them. My 10 yr old daughter and I will be sailing Freedom on the 20th. We are only going again so soon because we missed Roatan. Praying we can dock this time. If I was taking my younger kids with, I would probably choose Magic. I'm bummed about the "tacky" decor on Freedom..and I hope we are lucky with the staff. I have never had a bad staff experience on a Carnival cruise.