Last month, Carnival sent us on our very first cruise as a family! The details: We went on a 7 day cruise aboard the Carnival Magic, leaving out of Galveston, TX, visiting Cozumel, Belize, and Mahogany Bay. We drove to Galveston from Dallas. Today, they are the reason I’m writing this post, bringing you 10 fun facts about our first Carnival cruise.
1. It was actually our first family vacation. (Not including staycations and trips to visit extended family, because let’s be real, family doesn’t bring us drinks at sea or know how to twist our towels into animals.)
2. There truly was something for all of us, ages 4 to 37.
3. There is an Elvis impersonator in Belize. It’s also basically paradise.
4. Magnetic hooks and an over the door shoe holder were the two best things we brought with us (in addition to cameras and clothes, obv.). The packets of powdered lemonade were the least useful things we packed. They have free lemonade everywhere.
5. Green Eggs and Ham is actually delicious. So are Truffula Tree Pancakes. (And the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with the Cat in the Hat and Friends is way fun.)
6. There is something to be said for the same 3 people serving you dinner every night, and that thing is, “Can they come home with me??” Our waiters were beyond amazing. Not only did they provide excellent service, but they were so great with the kids.
7. I eventually got sick of the sun. Just like, shut up, sun! Stop shining so much!
But that was okay because there was shade, and people who brought me drinks in the shade.
8. Unfortunately, that sun meant business, and it gave me a wicked burn despite lots of sunblock. No worries though because Scott and I got a couples massage in the ship’s heavenly spa (I would actually be okay with spending the entirety of my next cruise in their spa), and our massage therapists applied a milk protein treatment to our skin which was amazing.
No actual picture of the process because maximum relaxation was required, but here, enjoy this picture of the sunset.
9. We LOVED the excursions…
but some of the best fun we had was just unplanned relaxation…
including nightly movie rentals in our room. There was a great selection of kids and grownup movies for $5. Scott and I had time to catch up on movies we’ve been wanting to see for ages, after the kids passed out from exhaustion.
10. We had WAY more fun than we ever thought we would on a cruise. We went into it with pretty low expectations, and while I wouldn’t classify it as “luxury” or super fancy, it was definitely FUN. Honestly, the thought of anything fancy with children sounds horrifying.
I tried to capture just a tiny bit of that fun in this short video
.
Fun beats fancy any day with these two.
This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind. Head on over.
Available now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
- 2.7KShares
25 comments
Cruising is the best way to travel. We can’t wait to take our girls on their fist cruise. ??
Cruising with our kids was way more fun than we expected.
My parents are going on this cruise in October and flying in from San Diego, would love any recommendations for them. Also, I was thinking of joining them, but the pool photos showed alot of people around, looked very crowded, was it? I went on a Norewegin cruise last November and it was not crowded at all. Thanks
That look like a blast!!! Maybe in a few years we can go with my nephews and I might even get my sister and hubby to join us! (They are the parents after all lol)
Did you purchase the Cheers Drink package? I’m trying to decide if it’s worth it or not.
No. We thought about it, but unless you plan to drink like 15 drinks a day/per adult, it’s not worth it. You have to buy it for everyone over 21 in your room, and it ends up being really expensive.
It is the best way to go. Drinks add up very fast. Unless your the only person drinking then I would not buy it.
I agree — trips to family don’t count as vacations!! It looks like you all had so much fun!!
We really did!
Love love love carnival , especially the magic…
We will be going to our first cruise in September 7 I’m a bit nervous it seems fun ..
Love it!
Im looking for a cruise for my Birthday next year April2016 fot about 10 people
Thank you SO MUCH for writing about this! We just booked a cruise for January on the Carnival Magic. Im excited but terrified. We have a 3 ear old and 1 year old so I know our experience will be a bit different than yours with older kids, but it still gives me hope lol. I have been on cruises before, but this will be our first real family vacation (excluding all the things you mentioned). I really hope it turns out well, but my expectation is absolute disaster hahaha.
Experienced my first cruise in June 2015, best decision I’ve ever made!! Had a great times and have already booked my family cruise for 2016.
What about sea sickness?
Planning our 1st family cruise.Also woyld we have to spend extea $$ for things on the ship?
We just returned from our 4th cruise. We went to Grand Cayman and Jamaica with our eight year old son. Had a blast. You captured your family’s experience well.
Looks like you all had a great time! My family of 4 just returned from a 5 day cruise to Couzmel and Pergresso. Next up this one you just posted about.
How much yall pay?
Hi, great review and tips! Just wondered how you sorted cabins out? 1 cabin for all 4 of you or 2 connecting cabins etc? Thanks!
Hey! Yup. We had plenty of room in our cabin for 2 adults and 2 kids. There was a bunk bed that came from the ceiling!
Awesome!
We did a carnival Magic cruise as well two weeks ago. Everything you said is on point! One thing you didn’t mention was the cruise director Dr E. He’s the best! Hope he was yours too.
I will be leaving on my 5th cruise Sept. 27th…. they will never get old always a new adventure. This will be my husbands first cruise actually first vacation ever at the great age of 35. So I am more excited about this one than I ever have been before.
My family just return from the magic cruise Sunday had a great time
I am wondering if they had child care available? I always like to have some time with my husband.