kilmer17 Posted August 2, 2016 #1 Share Posted August 2, 2016 I'm probably not the best person to give a review, but I'll do my best. Embarked July 23. 2 balcony cabins. 2 Adults, 1 teen, 2 tweens. Had FTTF. Called on around 1115. Cabin ready, luggage arrived around 1. We had ordered water and a bottle of booze. Both ready. One cabin was decorated for my wife's birthday without us asking for it, and she had a 25 dollar wine gift card and 50 dollar spa gift card waiting. Again, not something we had bought, so unless an anon friend gave it too her, it was a gift from Carnival. We had OBC from our booking as well as from Carnival Stock (Thanks to CC for teaching me that one!). We pre-purchased Cheers and Bubbles. Dinner at the Steakhouse first night was amazing. The youngersters were able to order an app from the main menu to go with their kid meal. The 3 Adults all had two apps plus entrees. We bought two bottles of wine at 50 percent off. One we drank with dinner, Caymus, and it was excellent. The waiter then offered they had a bottle of Caymus Special Selection that I could purchase and take unopened. Which I jumped at and saved for our final night. We went back to the Steakhouse on Wed after seeing the menu at the MDR. We had to go on the waitlist, but showed up to have a drink at the bar and they had a cancellation while we were standing there. The Steakhouse had very high end Whiskey, Cognac and Scotch, all included in the Cheers package (except for the Collector Blend Hennessy). We ate one night at Cucina del Capitano. It was pretty good. A great value, and excellent Chianti by the glass. Other nights at the MDR were fine though a bit uninspiring. We dressed for elegant night, sadly not everyone does. We all tried varieties of food and all were very good, but less choices than we remembered. They do have a very nice Cab (Hess Select) and Chardonnay (cant recall, wife's drink) available by the glass. I was glad we went specialty 3 nights, and will probably do the same next time. Lunches were all over the place because of excursions etc. Guys Burgers were the bomb. Pig and Anchor was just okay. Lots of choices in the Lido. Pizza was great, Burritos were great. Breakfast was always fast through the lido. Basic stuff. Excursions- Amber Cove- We did Tip Top Catamaran 2 reef snorkel. 45 minute bus ride, then little boat trip to get to the cat. Tons of fun. TERRIBLE snorkeling. Neither reef was worth it. Then a long sail back to port with tons of drinks, dancing and funtime crew. I give them a ton of props, but the snorkeling was just bad. St. Thomas- Snuba at Coral World. Tammy was great. It was just our family and her and the tour was some of the best coral and sealife we have ever seen. Coral World offers a few other things to do, but we left to explore St. Thomas instead. San Juan- Surfing Lessons. Holy cow is that hard for a 47 year old! The kids though, popped right up and rode waves for 4 hours. Definitely recommend it. The beach is in front of the Marriott, so there is a bar, restaurant, chairs, bathroom and casino if you want. Grand Turk- Went into town for an hour or so, then back to the beach. Just hung out most of the day then did the Flow Rider excursion. Fun times. Cheap fun too. Bars on board were all great. Loved the drinks at Alchemy. Some things I was concerned about, but shouldnt have been- Lines- Really non existent. Longest was 5 minutes for Pizza or Guys. Pool deck chairs- Never had a problem finding two or more together on the main deck. We were there by 10 on sea days. Smoke in the casino- hardly noticeable Finally a word about the Cruise Director. The Good Reverend Dr. E. Simply the greatest Cruise Director I have ever seen. He was EVERYWHERE and we had tons of fun on board. So I'm sure I missed a bunch of important things, so feel free to ask specifics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thall1719 Posted August 2, 2016 #2 Share Posted August 2, 2016 WOW! You hit on just about every topic that I too am concerned with. We sail this month. The lines - older I get the less patience I have, glad to hear minimal Smoke in Casino - Was doubtful that I would play if over smoke, looking forward to it now. Was wondering if the cost of the steakhouse was worth it, all seem to say WELL worth it. Did your kids do any of the kids clubs? Not much of a dress up a guy but didn't mind the elegant nights previous and kinda liked the idea. Pools - crowded? Ship in general - feel crowded? Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted August 2, 2016 #3 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Thanks for review our turn in Nov. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted August 2, 2016 #4 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Great review, concise and informative. Not sure what your hesitancy in doing one was, but it reads well. Thanks for doing it. Sent from my iPhone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louanne93 Posted August 2, 2016 #5 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Thanks so much! We just booked the Magic for March 2018! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heffa72 Posted August 2, 2016 #6 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Just curious how you scored 50% off the bottle of wine at Steakhouse? Or is that due the Cheers! package? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted August 2, 2016 #7 Share Posted August 2, 2016 (edited) Just curious how you scored 50% off the bottle of wine at Steakhouse? Or is that due the Cheers! package? I will jump in here, on the first night and also first formal night you can get a free bottle of wine (their choice) or 50% of a bottle of your choice, only in the steakhouse. Edited August 2, 2016 by jimbo5544 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tea4ular Posted August 2, 2016 #8 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Where/how did you find this excursion - sounds like a blast! St. Thomas- Snuba at Coral World. Tammy was great. It was just our family and her and the tour was some of the best coral and sealife we have ever seen. Coral World offers a few other things to do, but we left to explore St. Thomas instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florings Posted August 2, 2016 #9 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Great, positive, concise review. Thank you! heffa72, 50% off wine in Steakhouse on the first night is a standard option - you can either get the free house wine (meh) or 50% off any bottle of your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Fun Bunch Posted August 2, 2016 #10 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Enjoyed your review! I am thinking about booking the Magic for next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmer17 Posted August 2, 2016 Author #11 Share Posted August 2, 2016 WOW! You hit on just about every topic that I too am concerned with. We sail this month. The lines - older I get the less patience I have, glad to hear minimal Smoke in Casino - Was doubtful that I would play if over smoke, looking forward to it now. Was wondering if the cost of the steakhouse was worth it, all seem to say WELL worth it. Did your kids do any of the kids clubs? Not much of a dress up a guy but didn't mind the elegant nights previous and kinda liked the idea. Pools - crowded? Ship in general - feel crowded? Thanks!! Kids didnt do clubs. We stay together and do things as a family. My oldest (14 boy) did go the first night to the meet and greet and then would hang out with kids he met there. He may have gone to a dodgeball game they set up. Pools themselves were crowded. But they are on every ship Ive been on. The deck though crowded, never felt oppressively so. We always found chairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmer17 Posted August 2, 2016 Author #12 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Where/how did you find this excursion - sounds like a blast! St. Thomas- Snuba at Coral World. Tammy was great. It was just our family and her and the tour was some of the best coral and sealife we have ever seen. Coral World offers a few other things to do, but we left to explore St. Thomas instead. We booked it through ShoreTrips, which Carnival guarantees for waiting (at least according to my TA, I didnt bother to check). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmer17 Posted August 2, 2016 Author #13 Share Posted August 2, 2016 I will jump in here, on the first night and also first formal night you can get a free bottle of wine (their choice) or 50% of a bottle of your choice, only in the steakhouse. Yep. We knew in advance that we could get a nice bottle at half off. But I didnt realize they had some reserve bottles that are not on the menu that are also half off. Our waiter offered, but going forward I will always ask if there is any bottles available not listed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted August 2, 2016 #14 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Appreciate the concise feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
originalgeek Posted August 2, 2016 #15 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Your review reads just fine from this end. Magic is on my wish-list! Thanks for the review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tea4ular Posted August 2, 2016 #16 Share Posted August 2, 2016 We booked it through ShoreTrips, which Carnival guarantees for waiting (at least according to my TA, I didnt bother to check). Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachseasand Posted August 2, 2016 #17 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Thanks the review was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEXASMUNK Posted August 3, 2016 #18 Share Posted August 3, 2016 You can get any wine in stock at 50% on the first night. You can also negotiate to buy multiple bottles for later in the week. Your waiter will say no, ask to speak to the Manager....He/She will say sure. Last cruise we bought 3 bottle of Camus, one for Sunday evening, and then saved the other 2 for other nights in the Steakhouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted August 3, 2016 #19 Share Posted August 3, 2016 Thanks for the review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loubetti Posted August 3, 2016 #20 Share Posted August 3, 2016 Great review. I wish more were like yours! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueWavesDreamer Posted August 17, 2016 #21 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Good to know there are available pool deck chairs- but I have another related question. Are there shady areas to lounge at the pool? Looking at photos of the Lido deck on Magic, I don't see any obvious areas. Help please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oceanv Posted August 17, 2016 #22 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Thanks for the review. Do you know (remember) which night they did the second elegant night? We're doing the same cruise next year and was wondering :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
familyfuncruise Posted August 18, 2016 #23 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Booked for next April 2017. Thanks for your review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouche Posted August 18, 2016 #24 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Thanks for the review, can't wait until we sail Magic in 50 days!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmer17 Posted August 18, 2016 Author #25 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Thanks for the review.Do you know (remember) which night they did the second elegant night? We're doing the same cruise next year and was wondering :) It was Wed night. So monday and wednesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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