Great cruise for a bargain
Sail Date: May 11, 2014
Reviewed: 3 years ago
Traveled As: Large Group
Room Type: Balcony
Cabin: GUAR
e sailed identical cruise from Galveston year before. In paticuliar, the sound at the poolside theater was excellent which was not the case on the Magic. Being somewhat a germophobe we avoid the buffets, especially at peak periods. Being herd around with finger licking lost guests with plates overflowing is anything but appealing, so we opt for dining room or room service. We did dine a couple of times at the Lido however, and found the food average to so-so. Dining room was acceptable. Filet Mignon was not the recognizable filet cut, pretty sure a slice of roast was placed under something that vaguely resembled a filet. Fish was good. Flat iron steak was pretty good too, but overall we found the food a bit bland. I am amazed that all beef was prepared as requested..medium-rare, medium-well and well!! I think this was a first in our cruising! Melting Choc. Cake was a hit as was the apple pie and balsamic dressing. On blandness, we know food is prepared for all ranges of taste and diet so we found overall acceptable. Waitstaff and room steward were excellent. Entertainment was typical Not so Newlywed Game, Hairy Chest Contest, dancing and singing, karaoke. Marginal to very good. We thought overall the cruise an excellent value. Group of 7, age range 22-72, traveled in 2 staterooms, balconies, to celebrate our eldest son's graduating college. We only felt crowded while unpacking luggage. Have cruised 9 times, enjoy the smaller ships and more eduacational types of entertainment such as talks on ports and culture, but to just unwind and escape this was perfect. Even with 3,000 other guests you can find a quiet corner. Were told Carnival will be retrofitting all ships. I think updating to a less glitz, less 80's look will be welcomed. Unfortunately, I think the theatre on this class of ship will remain with sightline issues of support columns. They are to build a larger ship too, but I adhere to the philosophy bigger is not always better. However, to transport large numbers, keep a profit margin and market to entry level bargain shoppers, I think noone can compete with Carnival.
Cruise Photos
Category Ratings
Click table then swipe to view all columns.
Click table then swipe to view all columns.
| Ship Quality | Very clean, better condition than experience on Magic | |
| Food and Dining | Good but bland. High marks on steaks prepared correctly, so-so at times on meat quality but expected value. | |
| Service and Staff | No complaints...awesome. | |
| Entertainment | So-so to great...depends on show and expectations. | |
| Children's Programs | No kids with us | |
| Onboard Activities | ||
| Destinations and Excursions | Nassau good...stayed onboard in Freeport,horrible experience last year. Key West, been there done that. | |
| Cabin / Stateroom | 1st balcony and we loved, loved loved it! We always booked inside as hardly ever in room...however we are smitten with balconies now. I recommend not booking till at least your 5th cruise though, save the money. |
Port Ratings
Click table then swipe to view all columns.
Click table then swipe to view all columns.
| New Orleans, Louisiana | Good embarkation and debarkation..we did nothing else. |
0
|
|
| Key West, Florida | Tee shirt town in sore need of educational aquatic excursion. Charming architecture burdened with crass tee shops. | ||
| Freeport, Grand Bahama Island | Been twice and yet to find a worthwhile reason to go....avoid straw products... I found made in China sticker they forgot to remove. | ||
| Nassau, Bahamas | Cabbage beach..taxi $4 each way pp. You can walk through Atlantis. Bargain with beach vendors..let them walk away, they will return with better price. |
Tip
May is before throngs of kiddos, much more pleasant but could be kind of lonely for those few kids. If you do Karaoke, be considerate of others...if your not professional don't hog the stage even if no one else has signed up...there is probably a reason you're not a professional.
