My wife and I "sold out" this past spring break and booked a Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Magic rather than map out our own independent adventure. We opted for a cruise for several reasons; it was cheap, required very little planning, and was easy to coordinate with other friends. This was our second cruise, so we understood how a cruise vacation can be a double-edged sword. Cruise ships offer an abundance of entertainment and food. However, if one isn't careful, a cruise can be aggravating because of crowds, screaming kids, and hidden costs. Below are five quick tips to make the best of your time about the Carnival Magic.
1.
Eat lunch at Cucina del Capitano. Want a taste of the more expensive dining options on board without having to pay for it? The ship's Italian restaurant, Cucina del Capitano requires reservations plus a surcharge of $10 per person for dinner. However, you can still eat there for free...at lunch. The restaurant is located directly above the Lido Marketplace and is an easy way to upgrade your culinary experience on board without having to pay more.
 |
| Carnival Magic Pool |
2.
Enjoy the pool and waterslides on port days, before or after you return from an excursion. While at sea, the lines for the waterslides can be nearly an hour long. The pools also tend to be so crowded that is is difficult to find and open lounge chair. However, on port days you will have no problem finding open spots near the pool and you there are no lines to ride the waterslides. I'm not suggesting that you skip out on port stops. Just pop by the pool as soon as you get back to make the most of your time.
 |
| Cocktails from "Play it Again" |
3.
Go off menu at the the "Play It Again" piano bar. Americans love predictability in their food and drink. How else can one explain the popularity of Applebee's and the Olive Garden. However, take a chance at Play It Again, and let the bartender surprise you. One of the highlights of our cruise became tasting the daily concoctions that the skilled bartenders were able to create for us. Just throw out a flavor or taste (apple? strawberry? spicy?) and let the crew do the rest. You won't be disappointed.
Advice: Check out the piano bar before dinner during the 5pm show rather than the later shows. You'll get better service and have no problems getting the performer to play your requests.
 |
| Line to disembark the Carnival Magic |
4.
Book a shore excursion (or at least pretend to) to avoid standing in long lines when disembarking at port stops. The most unpleasant experience of our cruise was waiting to disembark at our first port-of-call of Jamaica. We stood in line for 45 minutes while our fellow cruise patrons pushed, shoved, complained, and acted like fifth graders making the whole experience more miserable. We booked an excursion through Carnival for our next stop of the Grand Cayman. Instead of standing in line, we met in the theater and were wisked ashore ahead of everyone else.
Can't afford an excursion and hold little moral standards? Just meet in the theater and walk out with everyone else....they never checked our tickets!
 |
| "Fun Times" with towel animal |
5.
Plan your time on board using "Fun Times" Don't get sucked in to throwing your money away at the on-board casino or shopping area. There is a ton of free entertainment on board; from movies in the pool area, to themed trivia games, to professional comedians. All are free, and most are worth your time. Every night your cabin steward will leave a copy of the next day's itinerary and schedule, called "Fun Times," on your bed.
Still want to learn more? Explore more of the Magic at
Carnival's website for the ship.
