This was our first cruise - even with change in itinerary due to a hurricane, it was fabulous!!

Carnival Magic Cruise Review to Bermuda

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 22

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5
Verified Review
Carnival Magic

6 Night Bermuda (Norfolk Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 27, 2023

Ship: Carnival Magic

Cabin number: GUAR

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Our cruise was supposed to be to Bermuda, but because of Hurricane Franklin, we got an email the day before that the itinerary had changed to the Bahamas. We were disappointed, but this was our first cruise and we hadn't been to the Bahamas, so we just made the best of it. Can't control the weather! We were pleasantly surprised at how easy and fun the cruise was. It is vacation made simple. We travel a lot, and it usually involves a ton of planning -- this was a piece of cake in comparison. Never had to worry about what to eat, where to go, etc. So, as a result, we felt like it was pretty relaxing. Not exactly an immersive experience, as we visited three different places over three days, but it was still good. The weather was good -- and the fact that we were dodging Hurricane Franklin and Hurricane Idalia and had sunny days every day is a testament to being flexible and skirting bad weather elsewhere. The ship did rock a bit coming back, but it was nothing too crazy. And, I think our cruise was less full since people canceled with the itinerary change, so that probably made our cruise more enjoyable in that things were never too crowded at the restraurants, buffets, pool, getting lounge chairs was easy etc. It was a silver lining...

Embarkation

5 out of 5
So much easier than I expected - parking was a breeze, bus ride to terminal was a breeze, and check in was fast and easy.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
Everything was fine. The buffets were good, dining room was good, and we enjoyed the burger place, free icecream, great food and desserts. Only downside was the free drinks at the buffet -- very weird tasting lemonade and tea, but you could water them down. Meals in the dining room (breakfast, sea day brunch, dinner) were really good!

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5
We went to the shows, comedy club, played mini golf, foosball, kids went on the ropes course, enjoyed movies, pools, whirlpools, played bingo, went to some of the dance parties etc.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

My teen girls (age 13 and 16) were in different clubs due to age, and they love to hang out together, so the first time that they tried to hang out together in the teen club, one was kicked out because of her age. They never went back, as they enjoy each other's company. So, it didn't work out for us.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Everyone was very friendly and professional. I was very sad to read that they don't get a single day off and work long hours, though. This doesn't make me feel good about supporting an industry that doesn't pay their employees well and that doesn't give them any days off. Not cool -- if I don't cruise again, this would likely be the reason. We paid tips through the cruise, which was all good, but I am still concerned about worker conditions. I know they recruit from Philipines, Indonesia etc. because cruise wages are "good" in comparison for these areas, but it still feels a bit exploitative.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5
We had an interior cabin with 4 people, so it was very tight! But, the beds were comfortable, and we made it work.

Ship tip

You can bring up to 12 drinks (non alcoholic) in bottles or cans per person, but each person needs to carry them on. Don't put them in your checked luggage all together -- they will take them out. I didn't know and designated one suitcase as our "drink" suitcase with drinks for 4 people. They check the bag and tossed all of them except for 12 for one person.

Ports of call

Norfolk, Virginia

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Easy and quick!
Was this review helpful? 22

7 Comments

TB654321    1 year ago

Thanks for your review!!

natelorip    1 year ago

Thanks for the detailed review. Glad you were able to roll with the changes and enjoy your first cruise.

leog    1 year ago

Thanks for your review.

ericbran    1 year ago

Thanks for your review!

tavo6    1 year ago

Thanks for your review glad you enjoyed your cruise glad you was able to tip xtra the crew works very hard and deserve to be treated well not only by the cruise line but also by the passengers

cruising2004    1 year ago

Just a correction in your tip; you can not bring soda bottles on embarkation, just cans. Thanks for sharing your experience.

javawoody    1 year ago

I agree people in the US wouldn’t work 7 days a week for the wages paid to cruise employees. But in 3rd world countries it’s a fortune that only a few can achieve.

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