Better than expected!

Item: Carnival Magic
Rating: 4.4
Author: khuber68

Carnival Magic Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

khuber68

Contributor Level: Second Mate

77 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 5

Helpful Votes: 40

Overall rating:

4.4 out of 5

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 07, 2018

Ship: Carnival Magic

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 1447

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

I was surprised that Carnival was a good cruise as I've heard different. I was disappointed in the extra gratuity added to each drink after I already paid gratuities.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Very smooth embarking!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Most of the food places were good. No complaints.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

The burger joint was great!!!

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Nice pool are for adults with little ones.

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Lots of great music!

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Super place for little ones!!

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Older ship but clean.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Again, its older but still nice.

Ship tip

Dont stay on floor 1 near the back. You smell sewage EVERY day.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure

Thumbs Up 6

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic

4 out of 5

Carnival has a really nice waterpark that we used. Free.

Thumbs Up 8

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

4 out of 5

St. Thomas was pretty as usual and nice shops.

Thumbs Up 4

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5

Went on a tour! It was an awesome tour and VERY interesting and informative. Tour guide was Orlando and GREAT!

Thumbs Up 9

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

Went very smooth!

Traveler Photos

8 Comments

donteenac 6 years ago

Thats how cruising works...research

Thumbs Up 1

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jimmypayne 6 years ago

Yes

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stevesbd69 6 years ago

R u saying if I stay on the ship in a port I pay tax on my drinks even if I have cheers package?

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calypsocouple 6 years ago

And, there should not be an extra gratuity added, if you purchased the cheers pkg prior to cruising. The gratuity should be 15% of the total # of days your cruise x $51.95. You also pay tax on all drinks while in port, even with a drink card. The same on every ship!! It's the rule. ;)

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Swarnock86 6 years ago

So since gratuity is included when you buy drinks..should you offer to tip on top of that? I'm only asking..bc i would NOT.

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grandmarnnurse 6 years ago

I was going to say the same thing everyone else already said. 2 different gratuities.

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TNTGreen 6 years ago

The gratuities you paid in the beginning of your cruise goes to the dining staff, room steward, etc. The gratuities you're charged at the bar when you purchase a drink goes to the bartenders just like you would tip(I hope you do) if you went to a bar in your local neighborhood.

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cbcorbin 6 years ago

Gratuities are for the people who clean your cabins and the waitstaff in the dining room. You can have the gratuities removed from your bill and pay your porters personally as well as the wait staff Team at your dining table

Thumbs Up 2

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Other reviews of this sailing

Great cruise with family

Best vacation in a long time.