Carnival Magic Review
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Embarkation went smoothly and our room was ready at 1:30 and our luggage was delivered early evening. The elevators were crazy jam packed and hard to get for the first 24 hours and then it smoothed out. Debarkation at each port was a mess due to everyone needing to take the same stairs down from floor 3 to zero to get off. Lots of crowding and nudging. Debarkation at the end of the cruise was a madhouse with no one getting off during their respective zone but rather most getting off during zone 1 and 2. Everyone is on the stairs and the elevators and then crowding on one flight of stairs to the gangway on 3. Once we got to where luggage was waiting it moved very quickly but the stairs and elevators were horrendous. There must be a better system out there.
Food was good, entertainment was good. Rooms were clean and tidy and the crew was very nice and well worth their tips. They work anywhere from 12 to 18 hours every day 7 days a week and are still smiling and caring. So be kind to all the crew when cruising. They work their butts off for you. Not fond of breakfast buffet but dining in the restaurant for breakfast was much better. Bacon tastes a little weird, not sure why, stopped eating it. Pizza was delicious. Guy's burgers and the Pig& Anchor also delicious. Mongolian grill was good but need more options for the sauces.
We should have booked an excursion for St Thomas. Was disappointed at this port. Didn't feel like going downtown to shop as most did. Did the sky ride - view is beautiful, but then there is only one restaurant and a few shops so not much to do. Amber Cove was the best port due to the excursion we went on which was the La Casa en la Playa. Well worth the money. We had a fabulous day. Private house with beach, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, only 22 people went on this, a chef to cook a fabulous meal and show us how to cook things, unlimited drinks and guys standing around to assist you with anything you need. Water was fabulous to swim or do activities, lounge chairs and hammocks available. everyone was so friendly. And Gelen (mama) our tour guide was funny, very friendly, informative and made sure you didn't need anything at all. She did a great job. Best day of the crew. San Juan was a "history" day and our walking tour guide for "Behind the Wall" Noemi was fabulous. It was a very hot day with lots of sweating going on and she never lost energy, kept us engaged, brought us back to the time in history and what the conditions were like, acted things out, and just did a really great job. Grand Turks was a beach day with Margaritaville hopping and the pool was free and fun with drinks in hand. Not all beach chairs and umbrellas are free and the cruise line should specify what is and isn't so you have an idea before you get off the ship. The water was gorgeous.
Cabin Review
Interior
Inside cabin on 9th floor mid ship. Had read in some reviews that they heard chairs scraping, etc above them all night. My husband is a light sleeper and we heard nothing at all. The cabins seem to be very sound limiting. At first glance the room seems small and the bathroom is small but the storage is great and we had no problem putting everything we had away and suitcases under the bed and after unpacking the room looked as uncluttered as it was when we first opened the door. And we are heavy packers! Our steward was great and at my request left us a bucket of ice every night. My husband was skeptical about the size of the room and an inside cabin but we had no issues at all and he even remarked how well it worked out for us.
Port Reviews
Port Canaveral (Orlando)
No problems boarding. Biggest issue was the hour wait for our shuttle from Discovery Beach Resort to the port. We requested 10:15 pickup and it took until 11:15 to pick us up. Once we got to the port, we dropped off our luggage with the porter and basically walked right in thru security. Very short line. Only glitch was that we brought a 12 pack of sealed just purchased pepsi in 16.9 oz bottles and they were confiscated and not returned at the end of the cruise. We found out in security that it CANS only!! Who buys 16.9 oz 12 packs of water in CANS?????
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
La Casa en la Playa is amazing and fun and beautiful and well worth it. Food was fabulous, endless alcohol of blended drinks and beer, paddle boarding and kayaking and snorkeling and a chef preparing your delicious meal. People there to serve you with whatever you needed. Everyone friendly. we only had 22 people there so no crowds, plenty of chairs and hammocks. Mama (Gelen) our guide was fun and did a great job. Air conditioned bus - road a little rough but comfortable ride.
St. Thomas
Biggest disappointment. Should have booked an excursion. Expected a beautiful port and there was nothing for us to do without one. Took the sky ride after waiting 70 min in line and paying $21 per person. View was beautiful but one small restaurant that was too busy and about 4 little shops. No where to walk or anything to do. Did not want to go downtown to shop so basically this is all we did.
Grand Turk
This was a beach day which was pretty crowded. Not all the chairs and umbrellas are free - and Carnival needs to tell you what is and isn't before you get off. There are chunks of concrete here and there which can result in stubbed toes. The water is beautiful. Margaritaville is fun and the swimming pool is free with a swim up bar. Just a laid back day.