Better than expected

Carnival Magic Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

mrjwkyle

Contributor Level: Second Mate

118 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 4

Helpful Votes: 121

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 07, 2016

Ship: Carnival Magic

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9427

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

I haven't cruised with Carnival in nearly 10 years and found the experience to be a bit more "mature" than it had been the last time I sailed. The food was good and options were plentiful.

After recently taking a 7 day with Royal Caribbean I was able to make a side-by-side comparison between the 2. The one thing I found to be significantly different was the quality of service on the cruise. RC outperformed Carnival and I had to say at several occasions I was disappointment on this cruise. Our waiter in the main dining room was phenomenal and our room attendant was good, but beyond that, no one stands out.

The ports we visited where great and I've come away with a better opinion of Belize than I had had from a previous cruise. Roatan was absolutely gorgeous and I'm planning to go back to explore more of the island.

This was my 4th cruise with Carnival and though the service wasn't the best, It hasn't turned me off of them and I would travel with them again at the drop of a dime.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Looking a bit tired. The decor wasn't to my taste, but my partner didn't mind. Great location, just underneath the Lido deck. Some noise early in the morning if you wake as early as I do, but nothing that would disturb the average sleeper, which I'm not. Very close to an elevator without having to hear the "dings".

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

3 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

Belize City, Belize

5 out of 5

Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

20 Comments

lldmjd 8 years ago

April what Macu ? We are April 3rd

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mikek9049653 8 years ago

I've done 2 carnival and one RC and so far RC didn't impress. From friends of mine who cruise all the time they say quality is equal between the two lines just depends on the ship. They love the fun atmosphere of carnival better and so far we do too. That said I would like to do one of the giant RC ships just for the experience.

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avorhees1 8 years ago

On Enchantment they had walls of pictures too? I guess it depends upon which ship you sail on

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kldnqnd 8 years ago

Thanks

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kldnqnd 8 years ago

Yes sounds like it

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mikejanfam 8 years ago

On carnival you look thru walls of pictures. On Royal Caribbean when they take your picture three ask yor roon #. Then go to computer insert your card and the come in to view. Pick which you want printed. If some are not in your card number they have a book for you to look in. Much easier than walls of photos

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avorhees1 8 years ago

Carnival takes a lot more pictures of all kinds than RC . Equally expensive either way. You can get a picture cd of all the pictures that was less than 400! 😱

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kldnqnd 8 years ago

Mikejanfam when you said you like how you get pictures on RC, what exactly did you mean? Only asking because on Carnival paradise we had professional pics taken every night but very expensive. I spent about $400 in pictures.

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banaford 8 years ago

Thnx for your input mikejanfam. We haven't done RC, so it is nice to hear what others think who have cruised both. Yes it would be boring if we all liked the same thing! :) Happy cruising to you as well!!

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mikejanfam 8 years ago

Banaford, yes we just bought a trip for my daughter for graduation of her masters, in May, yeah!,, we all are gold on carnival, but yes I do see Royal Caribbean. Worth the rate. If you don't. You don't. That is why we have differences we would be boring if we were the same. Happy crushing.

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banaford 8 years ago

Thnx Macu. Happy cruising!

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Macu 8 years ago

Hi banaford go ahead and sail other cruise lines to compare but you will return to Carnival as I did.....

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avorhees1 8 years ago

I think carnival is better across the board.

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banaford 8 years ago

I have been on many carnival ships. Just trying to decide if I want to change it up...if you were answering me Macu. Thnx!

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Macu 8 years ago

Then you will love Carnival. Last year we went on the Enchantment of the Seas and ate practically the same Caesar salad and steak everyday because there was nothing better to eat. We had the My time dining and it was horrible. We did the Sunshine last December, Sensation in December and we are doing the Magic in April...

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banaford 8 years ago

Thnx Macu...just trying to figure it out. Because we are not high maintenence or foo-foo kind of people.

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Macu 8 years ago

I have been on Carnival, RCCL, NCL and Disney... I have to say that the over price of the RCCL is not worth it.

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banaford 8 years ago

Thnx for your input mikejanfam. So the extra cost is worth it for service? Glad you had a great wk!

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mikejanfam 8 years ago

We have traveled Carnival, RCL, Norwegian and Princess. Our fave is Royal Caribbean. Food, service, the dining room was very nice, love the city down the center and this is minor but to me important.... I like the way we get pictures on royal Caribbean. Just got off the magic TODAY,,, had a wonderful trip.

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banaford 8 years ago

Thnx for this review. I have a question mrjwkyle...we have cruised carnival alot and have done NCL. We are considering RC. My question is, is the higher cost of RC worth it? We are not foodies, nor are we the kind to be waited on hand and foot. We really are just on a cruise to see islands, and just relax on deck. What is your opinion on this? Thnx in advance.

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