I just returned from a one day inspection/overnight on the brand new Carnival Magic. She sailed Europe this summer and just relocated to her new homeport of Galveston. We are so lucky to have her in our back door. The Carnival Magic is the newest ship in the Carnival fleet at 130,000 tons and 1004 feet long.
I'll give you an overview by venues.
First, my favorite places, the food! There are two dining rooms, each two decks high open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At dinner, you can choose early seating (6pm), late seating (8;15pm) or anytime dining (go any time between 6-9pm and sit where you want). For the anytime dining, you will have a different waiter each evening so gratuities will need to be prepaid. The menu in the dining room is fabulous with your choice of soups, salad, entrees and desserts. They even have an 'extra' choice for a starter called the 'didja ever?' This is a small sample of something you may not ever have tried before and don't want to order an entire course of it. I tried Oysters Rockerfeller. I didn't like it, but another lady at our table did so she got my second oyster. Other didja ever choices (one each evening) include crab legs, alligator bites and other items.
For dessert, you could choose from Lemon Tart, Warm Fig, Date and Cinnamon cake with rum raisen ice cream, or their famous Chocolate Melting Cake.
On Lido (deck 10), there are many choices for food. From mid-ship to aft, you can choose from Tandoor (Indian food), Mongolian Wok, a deli, pizza, Grill for hamburgers and hot dogs. Inside you have the regular buffet, a separate area for salads and fruit, another area for desserts, and a burrito bar.
Coffee, tea, lemonade and juice (in the morning) are available free of charge and stations are located in many areas on Lido deck by the pools and in the dining locations.
A first for Carnival is Cucina del Capitano, an Italian restaurant open for lunch (no charge) and dinner ($10-$15 per person). Old fashioned red and white checkered tablecloths and family atmosphere make this hide away unique, as well as the recipes inspired by the Captain's mothers or wives. Real Italian cooking.
Another alternative dining venue is Prime Steakhouse, located on Deck 5 Promenade. Next door to the Spotlight Lounge (Karaoke Bar) and across from the Piano Bar, this speciality restaurant has a charge of $20 per person. Great for special occasions and a more relaxed atmosphere than the dining room.
Think you'll be bored on a cruise? Think again. This mega new ship has a Waterworks park complete with multiple slides, a bucket that 'dumps' water on you periodically, and sprinklers. On the other side of this is the sports area with a miniature golf course and the first ever at sea ropes course. At the front of the ship, you'll find a full court basketball court and fitness equipment where you can work out while looking at the ocean.
The Cloud 9 spa is two levels and offers many spa treatments and whirlpools. Above that is the adults only Serenity section.
As for entertainment, try your luck at one of the largest casinos at sea, or dance the night away at Vibe, a dance club (we called them Disco's back in the day). Be the star of your own show at the Spotlight Lounge Karaoke Bar, or sing along at the Piano Bar. The first ship to have the Red Frog Pub will keep you entertained with many types of beer, rum and coctails, along with a snack food menu.
Have a sweet tooth? You will love Cherry on Top, an old fashioned candy store with big lollipops and many varieties of candy. Retail stores will offer great selection of jewelry, clothing and 'things you forgot'.
If you're like me and just want a quiet place to relax and read, this ship has many places to choose from. Along the Promenade there are several seating areas to relax, read, have a cocktail or just watch the people or the ocean. Outside, the Lanai offers many places to sun, snooze or relax in a hot tub (which actually extends over the side of the ship).
Next week, we'll talk about what is new in the stateroom categories as well as the itineraries.
Sea Ya!
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