Carnival Magic - any hidden gems, tips and secrets?

[svmodi]

I just booked the 8 Days Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Magic sailing out of Norfolk in June. This is our first time on the Magic. I was wondering if there are any “secrets”, anything special, not-to-be missed, or tips to know about the Magic.

[Jeafl]

I am curious as well.  We are on the Magic in November out of Miami.  We have never sailed on this class of ship before so all tips are welcome.

[Kevkel4]

Following...  Sailing out of Norfolk on the Magic in June.  Both a new Port and Ship for our family

[keywest1]

Cove balconies are awesome.  So close to the water!  Book forward of mid ship elevators for the quietest coves--cabins further back can be noisy.  We love the Magic!  Large enough to have plenty to do, but not overwhelming.  The spas on this ship class are the best IMO.

Edited February 7, 2023 by keywest1
correction

[Guest BasicSailor]

Magic is a wonderful ship. Norfolk is lucky to get such a nice ship. Secrets or tips? Don't fight the lines for lunch on Lido. Wait till they calm down or arrive early.  Arrive early for shows and comedy clubs, to get that great seat.

[ChuckF]

If you've never been on a Dream class ship, the Ocean Plaza is a happening spot day and night. 

[mz-s]

I'll be on Magic out of Norfolk later this year as well.

 

Sadly it's a short term deal, as in 2025 when the Norfolk port opens for year-round service they will homeport Sunshine...

[nybumpkin]

I was very partial to the outdoor area on Deck 5 outside and around Ocean Plaza. We loved after-dinner drinks outside the Red Frog Rum Bar. 

[Guest BasicSailor]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

I'll be on Magic out of Norfolk later this year as well.

 

Sadly it's a short term deal, as in 2025 when the Norfolk port opens for year-round service they will homeport Sunshine...

Sunshine getting the boot from Charleston and Norfolk becomes her new home. I agree Magic is superior to Sunshine. Destiny's rebirth actually became a better ship than I expected. At least to me, I feel it's a miniature Dream class ship. Just short a few bells and whistles.

[matymil]

Best thing about the Magic imo (or least what sets it apart) is the 2nd casino on deck 4. During the restart they made another non smoking casino under the main one. Its small but rarely ever crowded so you also get drinks there faster. I went Sept 21 & July 22 and as far as i know its still there.

[mz-s]

Just now, matymil said:

Best thing about the Magic imo (or least what sets it apart) is the 2nd casino on deck 4. During the restart they made another non smoking casino under the main one. Its small but rarely ever crowded so you also get drinks there faster. I went Sept 21 & July 22 and as far as i know its still there.

 

I am looking forward to this perhaps most of all for my upcoming cruise. I hate being around the smell of smoke.

[matymil]

8 minutes ago, BasicSailor said:

Sunshine getting the boot from Charleston and Norfolk becomes her new home. I agree Magic is superior to Sunshine. Destiny's rebirth actually became a better ship than I expected. At least to me, I feel it's a miniature Dream class ship. Just short a few bells and whistles.

Ive been on both. I wouldnt call its superior, its bigger but not really by much. Just depends what you like. If youre a person that spends alot of time on the Serenity deck then youre gonna love the Sunshine over the Magic.

[matymil]

1 minute ago, mz-s said:

 

I am looking forward to this perhaps most of all for my upcoming cruise. I hate being around the smell of smoke.

Honestly it was a game changer. I'm the same way, i hate smoke. They have a divided casino on the MG. One side is smoking and one side is non and its not the same. You can still smell it

[Guest BasicSailor]

3 minutes ago, matymil said:

Ive been on both. I wouldnt call its superior, its bigger but not really by much. Just depends what you like. If youre a person that spends alot of time on the Serenity deck then youre gonna love the Sunshine over the Magic.

 

4 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

I am looking forward to this perhaps most of all for my upcoming cruise. I hate being around the smell of smoke.

Hate, HATE smoking casinos. Saved a ton of cash by avoiding them. 🙂 And yes, the nonsmoking on Magic is a bliss.

[SRQbeachgirl]

On 1/27/2023 at 10:20 AM, svmodi said:

I just booked the 8 Days Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Magic sailing out of Norfolk in June. This is our first time on the Magic. I was wondering if there are any “secrets”, anything special, not-to-be missed, or tips to know about the Magic.

 

If you didn't book a spa cabin, I would suggest buying a pass to the T-pool and Thermal suite. It's amazing! 

[hurricane0226]

I like smokey casinos, especially when I am on a machine in the smoking side, and a non-

smoker sits next to me and starts waving the smoke away, kinda clears the air for me so

I can see the machine better, and also kinda kools me off, especially when I am on a hot

machine

[knagl]

On embarkation day, you can avoid the chaos and crowds by going to Cucina Del Capitano for lunch (free -- lunch there is included with your cruise fare). The lido buffet was a madhouse, but we nearly had the Cucina to ourselves with plenty of room for our carry-on bags next to us at our table. It was a nice, relaxing way to start our trip while waiting for our stateroom to be available.

 

As others said, the spa facility on the Magic is excellent. If you're a spa person at all, consider getting the spa pass (or book a spa cabin which includes access).

[Anyislandwilldo]

13 hours ago, matymil said:

Best thing about the Magic imo (or least what sets it apart) is the 2nd casino on deck 4. During the restart they made another non smoking casino under the main one. Its small but rarely ever crowded so you also get drinks there faster. I went Sept 21 & July 22 and as far as i know its still there.

This is so true.  I had the drinks on us offer from the casino and I would go down to deck 4 casino and order and drink and then be on my merry way.  Sometimes less than 6 people in the casino.

[mook1525]

6 hours ago, knagl said:

On embarkation day, you can avoid the chaos and crowds by going to Cucina Del Capitano for lunch (free -- lunch there is included with your cruise fare). The lido buffet was a madhouse, but we nearly had the Cucina to ourselves with plenty of room for our carry-on bags next to us at our table. It was a nice, relaxing way to start our trip while waiting for our stateroom to be available.

 

As others said, the spa facility on the Magic is excellent. If you're a spa person at all, consider getting the spa pass (or book a spa cabin which includes access).

How do you order food at Cucina on embarkation day? Is it made to order? Will there be waiters/servers walking around?

[ProgRockCruiser]

The Dream class ships are a little different from the earlier builds.  We've been on Breeze once and Magic twice.  Guy's Pig & Anchor is open on embarkation day, so get your fill of brisket or whatever there - that's what I did on Magic in December!  (Then I got a Guys burger later on that afternoon...)

 

We like the idea of being able to walk around the whole ship on Deck 5 - except we couldn't last cruise, the front was always blocked off, seems like it was being used as a crew relaxation area, I have no idea why.

 

The cove balconies are great - especially the ones furthest forward.  At least, IMHO - YMMV.

 

I like how Alchemy Bar is right next to the Red Frog Pub, with table games in between.  And yes, Ocean Plaza has something going on almost constantly!

 

I don't know if there are any "hidden gems" per se.  Maybe I'm just used to finding all the stuff on board after poring over the ship deckplans and maps via the HUBApp.

 

9 minutes ago, mook1525 said:

How do you order food at Cucina on embarkation day? Is it made to order? Will there be waiters/servers walking around?

I imagine it is just like any other lunch time there - you order a customized pasta using a piece of paper, handing it to the server that comes around after you are seated, and they bring it to you when it's ready.

 

[knagl]

5 hours ago, mook1525 said:

How do you order food at Cucina on embarkation day? Is it made to order? Will there be waiters/servers walking around?

 

5 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I imagine it is just like any other lunch time there - you order a customized pasta using a piece of paper, handing it to the server that comes around after you are seated, and they bring it to you when it's ready.

 

 

^^^ this is correct. There is table service, you fill out the paper order sheet and get made-to-order pasta brought to your table by a server.

[csoud68]

Secret tip.....The cloud 9 spa has fabulously large tiled showers, large sinks, lockers, towels and hairdryers for use by everyone onboard.

 

I used them all week and let my wife have the bathroom  to herself. I felt like a king. She thought I was nuts until I showed her the pics.

 

The forward elevators go directly to the spa..deck 12. I could be there in 2 minutes even though my room was on deck 3..

 

We booked a spa suite on our May cruise to enjoy that area more.

[teacher34]

I have not been on the Magic yet, but my husband and I board it next Saturday. I booked it because it is supposed to be exactly like the Dream, which we loved. We chose it because it has the best spa area of any of the Carnival ships. We get a spa cabin and thoroughly enjoy everything it has from the thassolopia pool to the heated loungers that look out at the ocean to every other quiet, peaceful spot in the spa. It is a totally relaxing place and as someone said, if you don’t book a spa cabin, buy the day passes. Completely worth it !!

[bartleby112]

So i've never been on the dream class ships.  What is the Ocean Plaza comparable to the conquest style ships?  Looks like just a large lounge thats kind of on the main decks. 

[ChuckF]

The Ocean Plaza is a very roomy, open area used for daytime trivia (and other) games and at night live music fills the air. Especially when the rock band is playing. It's right next to the Alchemy Bar, so it's easy to get really good drinks. We love the bands and enjoy the dance floor tremendously. It's been a while since I've been on the conquest style ships so not real sure how it compares. But in my memory, the musical venues on those ships was never as lively as an Ocean Plaza.