Call it a family cruise, call it a small family reunion; this cruise was a great way for us to get together from across the United States for a one week journey out of Galveston upon the Carnival Magic. We booked 3 adjoining blacony rooms on Deck 8 (port/forward). Luckily, these 3 cabins allowed for the balconies to be opened to each other. There are some rooms where the placement of the doors from the stateroom to the balcony will not allow it to be opened. It provided us a private place for our group to meet.
Embarkation was a breeze. We arrived at the port at 10:30AM and was checked in and having lunch on the Lido deck by 11:15AM. We use Galveston Park and Cruise located across the street from the pier. Drop off your luggage on the pier with a porter, drive across the street to park and it is a short walk back to the pier to enter the terminal. I like that there is no shuttle to take.
My wife and I sailed on the Magic in March so felt we had a good knowledge about the ship itself. The food was fine, the service excellent, staff was very friendly. We were a little disappointed in the quality of the musical/dancing performances in the main theatre but the comedy shows were very funny. Only problem with the comedy acts are that they are usually in the "Spotlight Lounge" venue (aka Punchliner's) that has limited seating compared to the larger Showtime Theatre. People line up an hour before the performances to assure themselves a seat. To me, one shouldn't have to stand in line for a show on a cruise. It would be helpful if Carnival moved the comedians back to the Showtime Lounge.
Adequate closet space and bathroom facility, great balcony view, quiet floor, very comfortable bed. If traveling with group and wanting to have balconies opened up to each other, note that some cabins do not allow adjoining balconies to be opened to each other. This has to do with the placement of the window and door from stateroom to balcony.