Magic (or Dream class) tips

[Sabalon]

At first it was going to be going to Europe for our anniversary, then Aruba, and now we're going to take an early cruise.  We'll be on Magic Mar 31-Apr 6, going to Cozumel, Belize and (new for us) Costa Maya.  In the past, the Glory (and Conquest) have been the biggest ships we've been on and this one looks to be a good bit larger - at least passenger capacity wise.  Don't think the extra 53ft in length will matter too much 🙂  We have a balcony so at least there is that.  Hopefully I don't get sick like our last trip!   I know when we stepped up from Fantasy to Conquest - we didn't notice that increase of people that much.  Hopefully this will be similar.  

 

But anyway...  Was looking for any tips or good-to-know items about this ship or its sisters.  We're not crazy party people or very social, but we do like to get out of the room and sit someplace and read.  She likes the trivia, I like music and shows.  I think the Lanai sounds interesting.   I may need that half mile since they have the Pig and Anchor on that deck!!!

 

What are some good places to chill out on the ship?  Out of way areas?   I'm assuming since I didn't put a towel out in 2008 when the keel was laid down that I have no chance of a spot in Serenity 🙂    

 

Thanks...looking forward to this.  Hopefully no cocodrilo pequeño at Cozumel this time.

 

 

[bury me at sea]

Don't know your specific interests but for me the Dream class ships have two advantages.

 

Deck 5 is a great place to spend time with lots of food stations and lots of seating spaces and lots of walking opportunities. 

 

The spa areas on these ships are the best in the fleet.  And the spa offers quick and easy access to the Serenity deck through the front elevator accessible from deck 11 and 12 in the spa.

 

My only recommendation in that regard is if you choose to upgrade to a spa balcony, I prefer deck 11 because the balconies on deck 12 aren't covered.

 

Oh, I nearly forgot.  One deck (maybe deck 7??) goes all the way around the front of the ship.  Windy, but beautiful  at night.

 

Happy sailing.

[dctravel]

We have loved the Dream class ships (sailed Dream in 2016 and Magic in 2018 and 2019). As a family with kids, we loved the water park/slides area, the minigolf middeck above Lido, and the Ocean Plaza. The games/trivia, and Red Frog pub are all there and it is where we found ourselves spending a lot of time before and after meals when we weren't outside on the Lido deck.

[ChuckF]

Ocean Plaza is the happening spot. A wide variety of live music, including the rock band.  Not sure if you play in the casino, but there is a non-smoking annex on Deck 4. We rarely have problems finding a lounge chair on Serenity.  Yea, the clam shells go pretty fast, but can usually find a chair. 

 

The Magic is having some issues right now, hopefully it will be OK for your cruise. 

[GaNavy]

I agree with bury me at sea about the spa areas. The thermal suite is not free, but it's the nicest I've seen, better than newer Carnival ships and better than RCL or Celebrity, and worth the money. The thalasso pool is huge and has a nice skylight. There are also free separate saunas (but not steam rooms) in the gym's men/women locker rooms.

If you like hot tubs, the ones on the Lanai are often empty, and the atmosphere is much more relaxing that the lido area.

I'm not booked until January '25 - keep the place warm for me!

[171510Cook]

The Dream's thalassotherapy pool has a mirror tile ceiling instead of a skylight, which matches the ship's decor. Agree that their thermal suites are the best on all the ships I have sailed. 

[Butterbean1000]

The Dream class is our favorite.  We love the Cloud 9 spa.  The thalassotherapy pool is fabulous.  The whole thermal suite is so calming and relaxing.  It pays to get the spa pass.

[Happy0810]

Agree with another poster - Lanai hot tubs are great.   

 

Decks 6, 7, 9, and 10 - go all the way to the front of the cabin hallways, and you'll find a door leading out to a forward deck.  It can be windy at times but is a great view.  Also, go to deck 9 forward at night time, and you can get a great night shot of the side of the ship,  This forward deck has a "side area" for viewing.

 

Take closed toe shoes if you want to try the ropes course.

 

Ocean Plaza is a good place for music.

[Sabalon]

Thanks all.  Not much of a casino player but good to know there is a smoke free option.  Love the forward decks, especially for leaving ports...wonderful views and the wind sometimes helps with the temperatures.
  Good to know about the lanai hot tubs.  I love them for winding down.

Hadn't hear of Magic having issues - will have to look that up.  They have a couple months to fix whatever it is!

[Sabalon]

Ah...I see now.  They were testing out the new pier runner deterrent methods - can run to the ship late if there is no pier!   Yikes!!!!

[MEUB1112]

When we were on the Dream, there was a great little bar that had music on deck five near the comedy club.

[Sabalon]

So to answer my own questions...  the Atrium had some acts (nice violinists and others) there, and you could watch from several decks.   As other said, Deck five is where the bands normally play around midship, and trivia, and games, etc...  And nicely enough, the Red Frog Pub is right there too.

As for areas to sit and chill, we found Serenity to be too sunny when up there (don't like the clamshells - no air flow).   On the sides of Deck 11 by the funnels we found some loungers that depending on how the boat was aimed had some nice shade and breeze.   Also, on the back of deck 11 were some comfy red cushioned chairs that occasionally we could get one of.

Eventually, Deck 5 turned out to be my favorite place.  They had a number of loungers out, nice ocean view, nice breeze, and more often than not, you could find some shade on one side or the other.