The Heart of the Ship: Discovering the Central Areas and Public Spaces of Carnival Magic

By admin

Carnivals are whimsical and enchanting events that are enjoyed by people of all ages. One of the most popular and magical carnivals is the Carnival Magic. Inside this extraordinary carnival, one can find a world of wonder and entertainment. As visitors step foot into the Carnival Magic, they are immediately greeted with an explosion of color, lights, and music. The atmosphere is electric, filled with the infectious energy of laughter and excitement. The carnival offers a wide array of attractions, each more captivating than the last.

Inside carnival magic

The carnival offers a wide array of attractions, each more captivating than the last. One can start their adventure by exploring the numerous rides available. From thrilling roller coasters that twist and turn through the air to gentle carousels that transport riders back to childhood, there is something to cater to every taste.

Carnival Magic Virtual Tour

I recently had the chance to board the Carnival Magic in Miami. While I was touring the vessel, I took the opportunity to photograph the ship for a comprehensive tour. This review will cover the public areas and staterooms.

All Carnival ships have a theme and some are more subtle than others. While the Magic’s public rooms are themed after, surprisingly, Magic, the decor isn’t in-your-face about that. What is, are the copious use of shiny metals, bright neon lights and the color turquoise. This is the last ship that their main interior designer and polarizing industry figure Joe Farcus worked on.

The ship is in the Dream-class of vessels launched in 2011. She’s a middle sister in the class, joining her younger sister Carnival Dream (2009) and older sisters Carnival Breeze (2012) and Costa Diadema (2014).

Let’s start the tour with our noted obligatory photos:

Obligatory hallway photo

Hallway on Carnival Magic

Obligatory elevator lobby photo

Random forward elevator lobby onboard Carnival Magic

Obligatory stairwell artwork photo

Artwork adorns the stairwells onboard Carnival Magic

Deck 01

The bottom-most deck normally accessed by the public contains only cabins. There’s both inside and outside cabins with windows and portholes on this deck.

Deck 02 Deck 03

Main theater onboard Carnival Magic

Aft of that is the Shore Excursion and Guest Services desks.

Guest Services onboard Carnival Magic Shore excursion desk onboard Carnival Magic


Those stop at the main bank of elevators and the ships main lobby.

Main lobby onboard Carnival Magic Magic Lobby

Another new feature of this class is that instead of entering the ship on the promenade and then walking into the atrium, you walk directly into the atrium.

Entrance to Carnival Magic

At the end of the atrium is one of the ships main dinning rooms.

Northern Lights dining room onboard Carnival Magic

Deck three is one of those split decks on Carnival Ships. This means that to reach the aft area, you need to go a deck above or below and then head aft to go back up.

Before entering the dining room, like the previous classes have, the Dream-class have this neat mini-atrium.

Aft atrium onboard Carnival Magic

At the very aft of the ship is the other dining room.

Southern Lights dining room onboard Carnival Magic

As keeps getting mentioned she’s an evolution of the Conquest-class. One noticeable change is the exterior profile of the aft part of decks 0, 1, 2 & 3.

As a result, the windows in the dining room slope the other way.

Southern Lights dining room onboard Carnival Magic

Deck 04

Showtime Theatre onboard Carnival Magic


Walking out of the theater is the Pixels photo gallery.

Pixels onboard Carnival Magic

Surrounding the atrium is a Bar and library.

Magic Atrium onboard Carnival Magic


Past those is the second level to the midships dinning room.

Northern Lights dining room onboard Carnival Magic

Unlike other ships of previous class, to reach the aft part of this deck you do not need to walk through the dining room. They created a hallway that leads directly to the aft dining room. Also gone is this area is the large bar/lounge (that’s been moved up one deck).

Restaurant hallway onboard Carnival Magic

I can see myself hunkering down in one of these and getting work done.

Seating in hallway onboard Carnival Magic


Past the midships dining room is the conference center and conference rooms.

Gallery on the Way onboard Carnival Magic Conference center onboard Carnival Magic Conference center onboard Carnival Magic Secret stairway connecting both promenades

Past the conference room is the arcade and teens club off the Lower Magical Way Promenade.

Lower promenade on Carnival Magic Club O2 onboard Carnival Magic Club O2 onboard Carnival Magic

The lower promenade ends at the second floor of the aft atrium.

Aft atrium onboard Carnival Magic

At the very aft is the second floor of the aft dining room.

Southern Lights dining room

Deck 05

Looking forward on the Lanai Starboard side of the Lanai looking forward Starboard side of the Lanai looking aft Hot tubs on Carnival Magic’s Lanai Entrance to the Lanai

Back inside at the very front of the deck is the top floor of the main theater.

As you exit that, you are at the top-most deck of the main atrium in which you can completely walk around it.

Overlooking the Magic Atrium Overlooking the Magic Atrium

Surrounding the atrium are the Fun Shops.

The Fun Shops onboard Carnival Magic

At the aft part of the atrium you see the Cherry on Top candy store.

Cherry on Top on Carnival Magic

Exiting the atrium you walk through the Hat Trick Casino.

Hat Trick Casino on Carnival Magic

Exiting only on the starboard side you emerge in Ocean Plaza. This is the reimagining of the bar/lounge from a deck below. The area contains a bar, cafe and the Fun Hub.

Ocean Plaza onboard Carnival Magic Upper Magical Promenade onboard Carnival Magic Fun Hub and another Pixels onboard Carnival Magic Plaza Bar onboard Carnival Magic Plaza Cafe onboard Carnival Magic Alchemy Bar

Just outside on the starboard side is the first of two signature Guy Fieri restaurants onboard. This one is Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que.

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que joint onboard Carnival Magic

Past the Ocean Plaza is a shorter promenade with seating on the starboard and the Red Frog Pub on port.

Red Frog Pub Red Frog Pub Red Frog Pub

Aft of the pub is the night club Vibe Dance Club.

Vibe Dance Club onboard Carnival Magic

Exiting the promenade there’s the Play It Again Piano Bar.

Piano Bar onboard Carnival Magic

Opposite that is the Prime Steakhouse.

Prime Steakhouse onboard Carnival Magic Prime Steakhouse onboard Carnival Magic

At the very back of the deck is the alternate lounge Spotlight.

Top of the aft atrium Spotlight Lounge onboard Carnival Magic

Inside carnival magic

The adrenaline-seekers can opt for the heart-pounding drop tower that takes them high up into the sky before plunging them back down towards the ground, while those seeking a more relaxed experience can enjoy a leisurely ride on the Ferris wheel, offering breathtaking views of the carnival from above. Aside from the exhilarating rides, the Carnival Magic boasts an extensive offering of entertainment options. The carnival features live shows and performances that leave spectators in awe. From acrobats defying gravity, to magicians performing mind-boggling tricks, each act showcases extraordinary talent and skill. The air is filled with cheers and applause as the performers leave the audience spellbound. Food plays a significant role in the Carnival Magic experience. Booths offering a variety of delectable treats dot the carnival grounds. From cotton candy to caramel apples, popcorn to funnel cakes, there is something to satisfy every craving. The aroma of freshly cooked food wafts through the air, enticing visitors to indulge in these culinary delights. Additionally, the Carnival Magic presents an opportunity for visitors to try their luck at the various carnival games. From classic games like ring toss and shooting darts to more unique challenges, there are plenty of opportunities for guests to test their skills and win prizes. The competitive spirit fills the air as players strive to come out on top. Amidst all the excitement, it is important to take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into creating the Carnival Magic. The vibrant and meticulously designed set pieces, the elaborate costumes worn by performers, and the attention to detail in every aspect of the carnival create a visually stunning experience. It is evident that a great deal of creativity and passion goes into bringing the magic to life. In conclusion, the Carnival Magic is a world of enchantment and wonder. Its captivating rides, mesmerizing performances, delicious food, and exhilarating games make it a truly extraordinary experience. Stepping inside this carnival is like entering a refuge of joy and excitement, where the everyday worries fade away and the childlike wonder takes hold. The Carnival Magic truly lives up to its name, casting a spell on all those who have the privilege of experiencing it..

Reviews for "The World of Work on a Cruise Ship: Behind the Scenes with the Crew of Carnival Magic"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Inside Carnival Magic". The story felt disjointed and hard to follow, and the characters lacked depth. The writing style was also quite repetitive, with the author constantly describing things in excessive detail. Overall, I found the book to be quite boring and struggled to finish it.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Inside Carnival Magic" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was incredibly predictable, and the twists and turns were highly underwhelming. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, and the characters were completely one-dimensional. I found myself unable to connect with any of them and simply didn't care about what happened. I regret picking up this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Inside Carnival Magic" after seeing all the positive reviews, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The pacing of the story was all over the place, with long stretches of nothing happening and then sudden bursts of action that felt out of place. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers. Additionally, the writing style was quite amateurish, with awkward phrasing and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this book.

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