This was my wife's first cruise and she enjoyed it very much. This is more for families than older couples and should be thought of as a very noisy and boisterous place.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Smooth and much faster than we anticipated. We were actually onboard the ship before we were suppose to start the process!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
The Lido Deck Food got old on us fast. If not for "Guy's Burgers" and The Steakhouse this would be only one star.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Loved the shows. The actors were very accessible and the various bars and entertainment points [we highly recommend the piano bar] were on point as well.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The best part of the cruise. A special shout-out to Louis Jackson from the cast as a phenomenal host!!!
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Our Cabin Steward was the usual best! he anticipated our needs [ice, anyone?] very well and was able to keep up with our less than stellar cleanliness.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
We got lost on Deck Four. The rest was five star.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Very clean, [as opposed to cluttered by its design], easily lived and had just the right amount of plugs.
Ship tip
If you do not like kids avoid this size of a ship. They cater to them on this class of ship.
So much to do, so little time. We chose a trip through the town to a very nice beach and a grand tour of the sights. Go out and enjoy on your own. Skip the excursions.
Can I do 5+? This was our best stop. Easy walk to the cultural icons, restaurants, street vendors and the "colour" that makes it a special place in the US of A. Don't do any excursion tours they are free a few blocks in. So many things close by for a first timer that you need not spend so much. repeat trips may benefit from the use of excursions.
All depends on the time of year beats me when people sail in the holidays then complain been on 18 carnival cruises and a couple of princess cruises and celebrity never had a problem everyone was just there to have a good time on carnival celebrity was like a nursing home everyone was in bed by 9 not for us anyway to each there own we love carnival ... 55 days until we return for back to back magic.... countdown 🍹😎
Usually only home schooled kids from late September to 2nd week of May. But March through April there are spring breaks so more kids then. Christmas vacation there is a fair number as well. But I would prefer children over adults that do not know when to quit drinking . Still can't say I have ever had a bad cruise. Have loved each and everyone. 😊😊😊😊
Been on 15 cruises and 3 different companies. Prefer Carnival hands down. I'm 64 and enjoy children and families having fun, the noise is just apart of it. If I need quiet I go to Serenity or Casino.....which isn't really quiet either....lol That's why Carnival is known as the fun ships.
But you also have to take into account that if you travel during the typical times when schools are out and"families" can travel then that is what you are going to travel with. Also it really is across the board on just about all the cruise lines. When the kids are out of school the families are going to travel. I'm not saying that it bothered you but if it did then consider traveling at a different time of year. Also as an added bonus... your cruise will cost you less when the kids are in school.
There are many cruise lines that cater to older folks like us. Shop around, and enjoy the potential excitement that better fits your desires ( that is why I cruise Princess).
We had a great time on the Magic and I am 66 and my daughter's mother-in-law is 72, so I am not sure why you think it is more families than older people. We loved the ship and the ports we visited.
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