Carnival Magic 2011

I just wanted to say hello to everyone interested in the 2011 Carnival Magic inaugural. I am the TA assigned to the sailing.

We're still waiting on word on the location and itinerary! Personally, I would love for it to sail out of Rome for the inaugural! That way we can put together a fabulous pre-cruise package.

I look forward to meeting everyone!!! This will be a fun ship to sail on!!!!

Ok, fingers crossed, hoping for Europe but, regardless count me IN!

That's great Robyn!!! I'm officially counting you in!!!!

It's been ages since we've cruised Carnival and this just might be the cruise that brings us back to Carnival. I won't commit yet but, I'm certainly going to be watching this thread and the developments.

Eddie

Count me too! Do we have booking forms for Carnival Magic yet?

Diamond Dave wrote:

Count me too! Do we have booking forms for Carnival Magic yet?

Not yet Dave. I'll talk to Tina about getting a booking form together!

I'm interested in this sailing too.

Lets see how our upcoming Carnival cruise goes. If it is an improvement over the past two on Carnival, then we will look at this one.

Itinerary is not important to us, but where it departs from, is very important. That may sound strange, but sometimes the flight is half as much as the cruise. That tends to keep us grounded (so to speak). Our cruises since 2001 have all been from a port we drove to. Whether that was Ft. Lauderdale, or Galveston, as long as I didn't have to get back on a plane. I have flown more times than I can count, but since 9-11, I have not been able to get the courage to get on a plane. I know, it's safer than driving, but I can't help being aprehensive. Even on the flights my kids take in the military; when they got off the plane, I can't help but look at the people who flew with them, or when they are leaving to fly home, I look at the passengers boarding with them. It's unfortunate that it has affected me this way, but I not comfortable flying - yet.
So WHERE the ship departs from will the deciding factor. It doesn't matter which ports are on the map, if we don't like the port, we will stay on the ship.

Let us know details when you get them!

Carole,

I totally understand where you are coming from. I really don't like to fly unless I have to. Luckily, I can drive to any port in Florida since I'm in Orlando.

I will let you know when I hear anything about the Carnival Magic!!!

If it's Florida it's not bad. We drove to Tampa in just under 16 hours (from the galveston texas area). We don't mind driving that far as long as gas prices go down. I get great mileage but let's face it, the gas is outrageous!

We will drive just about anywhere within reason.

Have it noted. Now we just have to wait for information - this is the tough part!

becktours wrote:

I just wanted to say hello to everyone interested in the 2011 Carnival Magic inaugural. I am the TA assigned to the sailing.

We're still waiting on word on the location and itinerary! Personally, I would love for it to sail out of Rome for the inaugural! That way we can put together a fabulous pre-cruise package.

I look forward to meeting everyone!!! This will be a fun ship to sail on!!!!

Hoping for Rome too!

Add me to the wait list... And a long wait it will be...

Jeanie, we should tie this Inaugural in with a charity. Something international so we can really get some strong backing like Amnesty International - for those that don't know they are a human rights organization. Here's their website: http://www.amnesty.org/

Add me to the list of interested and hoping for a European itinerary. And, I'd like to see a charity event tied into this sailing too.

Oh this one would be of real interest! Europe would be excellent!

I'm back from my cruise on the Norwegian Sky. I'll post a review soon.

Welcome to all the new people that will be joining us on the Magic!!

I love the idea of giving to charity.

Welcome Back Jeanie! Enjoyed your NCL Sky Review. I agree, I think giving to charity is a wonderful thing! What would be the next step in making this a charity sailing?

Jeanie - Let's assume we are cruising from Rome. Will you be putting together a pre-cruise package?

Josh wrote:

Jeanie - Let's assume we are cruising from Rome. Will you be putting together a pre-cruise package?

Yes, we will be putting a pre-cruise package for this sailing.

I spoke with my local Carnival Rep. today and he said that it is too early to tell the itinerary. He did say we'll know more by late 2009 or early 2010.

I'll keep everyone posted.

GREAT! What are the chance of group space being available for this sailing? And, will $25 per person deposits be available?

By the way, you guys know you can get a sneak peak at Carnival Magic by checking out Carnival Dream, right? If not, here's the link:

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_dream/default.aspx?shipCode=DR

Josh wrote:

GREAT! What are the chance of group space being available for this sailing? And, will $25 per person deposits be available?

Josh, the $25 per person deposit should be available when I reserve group space. However, the $25 deposit is only for double occupancy. If you want a triple, quad, or suite, or would like an assigned cabin right away, you would have to pay the full deposit.

I'm going crazy trying to get any bit of information about Magic but am not having much luck. I have a theory... Since the inaugural will be in June and the ship is in Italy, I think it's a pretty safe bet this is going to be a European itinerary. Assuming I'm right, I'd like to suggest the following hotel for a pre-cruise stay for those who can afford it: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=70&EM=VTY_WI_excelsiorrome_70_overview

The Westin Excelsior

The frustrating part about Europe is the airfare - it's almost as much as the cruise, however, with this much time to save for it, it will be a very worthwhile trip.