HRT

The Carnival Magic is a large ship with adequate features.  The layout could be improved with more open spaces and outdoor walking areas.  It's somewhat of a maze to go from the front to the back of the ship (where the dining rooms are).  The Lido pool deck has everything you could want, including adequate lounge chairs and activities.  The evening entertainment was pretty terrible.  At every show, they announced they were retiring the shows as if to say "Get excited for this terrible show we've gotten lots of bad feedback on!"  I hope the new shows really are great.  The food and service were par, but nothing to applaud.  We stayed in a 4J cabin at the very front of the boat, which offered tremendous value for the space and features of the room.  I would highly recommend this room if you can handle a little bit more sway while at sea.  I have only ever cruised with Royal Caribbean before this, and I would use them again in a heartbeat before Carnival as long as the prices were comparable.