Any recent Magic cruisers?

[dbkruzr]

Sailing soon on the Magic haven't seen too much about how it's going.

[beachbum53]

I know this isn't recent. Our last cruise was on the Magic, which was the first week of March of 2020, right before everything started to shut down because of the pandemic. If I'm not mistaken, the Magic went into dry dock during the shutdown for a much needed sprucing up. Although her sister ship, the Breeze, is our favorite ship, I wouldn't hesitate to book the Magic some time in the future. 

[tmg698]

Cruised on Magic 09/04/2021 Our first cruise back since COVID it was great no crowds, no waiting in lines,  and great service in dining room. HUB app great for checking in to eat each night and to see activities going on around the ship. New muster was great took like maybe 5 minutes. Loved Half Moon Cay (1st time there). Can't wait until April 2022 for next cruise.

[rincewind]

We just got back from a 6 night sailing on 11/14-11/20/2021.  The ship was clean, but is starting to show its age in some of the little spots - nothing significant.  We couldn't get over the décor/color scheme.  I kind of reminded me of the kitchen with all the avocado appliances.  Food in the MDR was good and the service was very attentive.  We actually ended up eating in the Steakhouse 3 nights and had wonderful service and great food.  From what I have heard you want to try for earlier seatings before they get too busy.   We ended up missing a couple of ports because of weather but that is not a reflection on the ship.  There has been a lot of talk on the board about not having bacon everyday in the buffet.  I don't know what the schedule is but we did notice that it was absent a couple of days. I like the design with the Alchemy bar midship near a music venue.  Two of my favorite things in one place!

 

The staff were great.  I understand we were sailing at about 49% capacity but I don't know if they have scaled the staffing back to match that.  With a reduced passenger count the ship felt nice and open.  Enough room to get a lounger on deck, but no so quiet that there wasn't any night life.  Overall we had a great cruise.  It was great to get back to cruising.

 

If you have any specific questions I'll be glad to answer what I can.

[xraymomma]

I was part of a group of four who cruised on the Magic the last week of September. It was honestly one of the best cruises I’ve ever had. The staff were so friendly and helpful, the food was great, and the ship was clean and in good condition.
The ports were… disappointing, sort of. Bimini was gorgeous but the ocean was too full of jellyfish and I wasn’t staying in. Amber Cove seemed like it had a nice pool area but we arrived after the Mardi Gras had docked and it was way too crowded for two ships. Some friends of ours who did an all-inclusive beach excursion were pretty disappointed with that. We’re visiting that port again in two weeks and I’ll probably stay on the ship. I always thought people who said that were being dramatic, but I get it now. 😂

Try the Italian restaurant for dinner one night, it’s absolutely amazing. If you have anytime dining, ask to be seated in Percival’s section. He and his crew were so entertaining, we wanted to stay at our table all evening. 
I’m happy to try and answer any specific questions you might have. But if you’re just looking for an overall opinion, I thought it was great and and I’d happily book that ship again. 

[Bostwick girl]

Been on her 3 times since August 30 and going again in January. Nice ship, easy to get around. Love the Ocean Plaza area for entertainment. Like having the non smoking casino on deck 4. Staff was great, food was good. 
 

[dbkruzr]

Thanks for your replies was on Magic in 2016 and Breeze twice since then. We did Mardi Gras in Oct. and it was a big wonderful difference. Doing MG again in Jan. So happy to be back cruising after retiring in 2019.

[MeganGC1983]

Same as BeachBum, we sailed her last Leap Day cruise 2020. Had a lot of fun but things have probably changed. You will enjoy it. 

[UpstateCruizer]

We were on the November 6th sailing on the Magic. This was my 28th cruise and I loved every minute of it. It was our first cruise back since the restart. The staff was incredible ….very much like it was when we first started cruising. My favorite bar in the ship is the Alchemy and the bar staff were excellent. The food was very good and the buffets were much improved. If there’s anything specific you want to know I’d be happy to help. 

[groundloop]

I was on Magic in September.  I was told by some of the crew that we were at 70% capacity at that time and it was GREAT,  in fact the buffet seating seemed downright deserted at times.  

 

I'm not sure what capacity they're sailing at now, I was on Pride for Thanksgiving and we were at 75% so maybe that's what Carnival is going with for now (just a guess). 

 

I had no complaints to speak of about Magic, I just noticed a few little things (as others have mentioned) about her showing her age.  A handful of burned out light bulbs in the Atrium, a damaged but still functional drawer in my cabin, but nothing really that detracted from the cruise.

[bigrednole]

We just got off on Sunday. It was our first cruise. It was amazing, but I have nothing really to compare it too. The only "negatives" are the drinks are too darn sweet, Hub chat app is useless, and they really need a different food option between say 9PM and 7AM.

[Djptcp]

DH and I cruised on the Magic for the first time in Aug. 2021 and loved it. Cruised on her again in early Nov. and still loved it. Ship was easy to navigate, great casino, and we ate at the Cuchina del Capitano multiple times on each cruise. Both times we had balcony cabins on the Lido Deck and the locations were perfect for us. These were our 55th and 56th cruises overall and 40th and 41st on Carnival. Food is subjective and Carnival food is good, although te buffet breakfasts are boring and repetitive.

[matondo]

We were on her Oct 10-16. Crew was fantastic! Food in dining room was a bit hit or miss HOWEVER we always found something that was good and the wait staff never batted an eye when we asked for something different. They told us we were at 69% capacity but that was the weekend of the Southwest fiasco so lots of last minute cancellations. Loved the new muster drill. Walked on ship went directly to muster station and 5 minutes later we were done. Shortly before sailaway they did another briefing over the PA but it was probably another 5-7 minutes. Going on the Vista in January!

[centurycruiser]

Is Carnival using a Diamond/Suite line for embarkation at Port Canaveral, now?

We've been on the Mardi Gras twice since cruising started and missed that. Royal Caribbean started their Pinnacle/Suite embarkation line October 31 at Port Canaveral and I was wondering if Carnival did the same. Other cruisers mentioned Ft Lauderdale and Miami  had started earlier.

We are on the Magic Jan 9, 2022.

[ninjacat123]

On our 9/4/21 cruise, DH and I had a cruise long spa pass and really enjoyed our time there!  Serenity was great, we could always find a shaded lounger. We felt the MDR food was not as good as we remembered.  Had dinner at Steakhouse and Cucina del Capitano which were very good.  Ship was very quiet except at Alchemy Bar.  Guess everyone buys Cheers with their OBC!

[beanie315]

26 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

On our 9/4/21 cruise, DH and I had a cruise long spa pass and really enjoyed our time there!  Serenity was great, we could always find a shaded lounger. We felt the MDR food was not as good as we remembered.  Had dinner at Steakhouse and Cucina del Capitano which were very good.  Ship was very quiet except at Alchemy Bar.  Guess everyone buys Cheers with their OBC!

We had the week long spa pass on our September cruise and enjoyed it so much that our next 2 cruises on the Magic we have spa cabins booked .

[ninjacat123]

4 hours ago, beanie315 said:

We had the week long spa pass on our September cruise and enjoyed it so much that our next 2 cruises on the Magic we have spa cabins booked .

Our next cruise on Sunshine we are in a spa balcony👍

[matymil]

On 12/1/2021 at 7:22 PM, matondo said:

We were on her Oct 10-16. Crew was fantastic! Food in dining room was a bit hit or miss HOWEVER we always found something that was good and the wait staff never batted an eye when we asked for something different. They told us we were at 69% capacity but that was the weekend of the Southwest fiasco so lots of last minute cancellations. Loved the new muster drill. Walked on ship went directly to muster station and 5 minutes later we were done. Shortly before sailaway they did another briefing over the PA but it was probably another 5-7 minutes. Going on the Vista in January!

I was on the Magic right before and i agree. Never had a better crew. Also a big big fan of the new muster drill. We are going back in Feb and that sailing is the one that we have a ton of OBC on that was cancelled 3 times because of covid, so this last cruise was kind of a warm up. Im glad we did it because we are traveling with a toddler and having the one cruise under our belt post covid helped put our minds at ease for the next one. I will say we were not impressed with Gary (first time i saw him is when we were walking off the ship) but ill give him the benefit of the doubt because we did not do many activities considering we had a baby. Simon is coming back and ive heard good things about him though.

[SurfCat]

Are there complimentary sauna and steam rooms on the Magic or do you have to get the spa package?

 

[wingnt68]

You have to buy the week long spa pass.  That also gets you into the thalassotherapy pool.  I think the pass is $160 for one person 

[Bostwick girl]

On 12/7/2021 at 11:33 AM, centurycruiser said:

Is Carnival using a Diamond/Suite line for embarkation at Port Canaveral, now?

We've been on the Mardi Gras twice since cruising started and missed that. Royal Caribbean started their Pinnacle/Suite embarkation line October 31 at Port Canaveral and I was wondering if Carnival did the same. Other cruisers mentioned Ft Lauderdale and Miami  had started earlier.

We are on the Magic Jan 9, 2022.

We have sailed 3 times on Magic since August 30, the last one was October 31. At that time there was suite boarding first, but no Diamond. Still going by arrival time and zone. We’re going again January 15, so maybe it will change, but doubt it. We’ve been choosing 12-12:30 arrival and have gotten on board very quickly. Excited for this cruise, will finally be Diamond!