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Just off the Magic. Brief review.

kilmer17

By kilmer17,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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kilmer17

kilmer17

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Posted

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!

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thall1719

thall1719

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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!!

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jimbo5544 "Live from...." Rare

jimbo5544

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Posted (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 by jimbo5544
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tea4ular

tea4ular

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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.

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Florings

Florings

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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.

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kilmer17

kilmer17

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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.

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kilmer17

kilmer17

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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).

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kilmer17

kilmer17

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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.

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TEXASMUNK

TEXASMUNK

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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.

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