The “Darkest” Cruise (it was aweful)

Item: Carnival Magic
Rating: 4
Author: TinkNTye

Carnival Magic Cruise Review

TinkNTye

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 32

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

8 Night Eastern Caribbean (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 18, 2022

Ship: Carnival Magic

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

I truly wish I had listened to the people the posted reviews about going out of NY. It was the worst cruise and most disgusting cruise I have ever been on (Several Carnival, RCL, NCL, Princess). There were fights among passengers and fight among passengers and security. There were grown people passed out over night sleeping in loungers, kids sleeping near the lido buffet on tables. Joints all over the boat, on the ground, in ash trays, in the elevators. People pissed in the elevators. Kids running up and down the hall in the middle of the night(2am), a kid spit on an older woman from above the interior decks. A teenager stole an electric wheelchair, the hot tubs were filled with kids all of the time. There was no room in the pools, my husband noticed a bandaid floating in the pool. Cruise director made an announcement for all passengers to stop fighting and to be respectful and kind to each other. We were on Magic over Christmas and had an absolutely amazing time, so I don’t think any of this has to do with Carnival, but which port the ship cruised from. I am only writing this because as we are driving home, I don’t want some other hard working person to feel the way I am feeling because I did not listen when people said this stuff really happened. Save yourself some heart ache, I wish I had just postponed my once a year trip. My husband and I both lost a weeks pay. Don’t let this BE YOU!!!

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Food was typical of a cruise. Same everyday

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

It rained 4 out of 8 days and there were no additional activities provided.

Entertainment

1 out of 5

The entertainment was nothing like it was last year

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Staff were so awesome and friendly, except for our room steward(who unfortunately we have had one other time)

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Very clean, some of her age is showing

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Typical balcony cabin. Our room steward did a horrible job. Toothpaste left of shelf and in the sink. Room 2305

Ship tip

I would suggest not getting a clam shell if you are going to half moon caye. We paid for it 7 months prior and they told us they “ran” out of them. Absolutely no shade to get away from the sun. Completely disorganized to get off the ship and get back to ship. People were fighting/yelling at each other. Your best bet is to stay on the ship. When we got back to ship after an hour, we had a lot of fun using pool and hot tub without all the rowdy kids on board.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic

5 out of 5

Dolphins, shark and sea lion excursion was amazing! N

Thumbs Up 1

Grand Turk Island

5 out of 5

Jack Shack was the best. Take advantage of it now, the owners are selling and probably will not be the same :(

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

We have yet to disembark. Still on ship

14 Comments

lrwellnitz 2 years ago

I’m hoping it was the time of year (summer and kids) and not the port. We are cruising out of NYC in September on the Magic. I recently had a pretty rowdy experience out of Port Canaveral and I’m thinking it’s the time of year and that people haven’t vacationed in awhile or just forgot basic decency and how to interact with other people.

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GabeNSteph 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing

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SRAlbritton 2 years ago

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Sorry your cruise was not good. Don't judge cruising from any one port or cruise line on one bad experience. I have heard nightmare stories on all of them, I am just blessed not to have experienced it (yet). Feel better, there are calmer seas ahead. 😎

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sycamoregrill 2 years ago

It may also have to do with the very low prices for the NY cruises this summer. We got our 4 day OV for $180. 🌴

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sycamoregrill 2 years ago

We sailed on the Magic Thanksgiving week from Pt Canaveral and thoroughly enjoyed it - kids and all. Will be on her from NY soon…

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ToddN1XHR 2 years ago

I wouldn't blame leaving out of NYC for this. We have cruised out of NYC multiple times and have never had a roudy crowd. I have had issues with the ship once, but that was the cruise line, not the port. I'm sorry your first time out of New York was not enjoyable, but I would guess the summer season, coupled with the rainy days that you had mentioned, had a big factor to play with the issues you faced.

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hollysmomtravel 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing. Though now you have me a little worried. We are scheduled to sail out of New York next Sept.

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kellymaggie 2 years ago

I suspect it had to do with the timing. And all of the kids on board. Our cruise out of New Orleans over Memorial Day was much the same. I refuse to do another cruise while kids are on break.

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AuntPinkie 2 years ago

People seem to have forgotten how to behave in public. Saw that even at Disney world a major fight broke out. Observed first had one at our local Renaissance Festival. Places you go only for fun. Sorry this happened to you. Appreciate your feedback.

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javawoody 2 years ago

Thanks for the review

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Ramsey1986 2 years ago

I’m sorry you had a disappointing cruise out of New York. We cruised on the Magic out of Port Canaveral with the same ports of call and had a very enjoyable cruise. Kids were still in school for the most part so it was better. We haven’t had any bad experiences cruising out of Florida ports on all of our cruises. I hope your next cruise is much more enjoyable. Thank you for taking the time to share your review. 😎🚢☀️🩴🏝🩴🐠🌺

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caribbeanxl0ve 2 years ago

Don't blame New York. You went on a cruise in the middle of the summer. Every cruise is gonna have crazy children then. Plus, Carnival is known for having more of a party vibe, which I'm sure only amplified things. Sounds like the cruise line is understaffed and couldn't handle the chaos. I've never had an issue on NCL out of New York, but we also go on the off season when kids are back in school. Sorry for your bad experience.

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Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Spring summer issues, thanks

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rpmmenard 2 years ago

Thanks for the news on the cruise.

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