Carnival Magic - Mediterranean Cruise Travel Log

By Linda Garrison, About.com Guide

Sailing on the inaugural voyage of a cruise ship like the Carnival Magic excites most travelers. You get to be the "first" to sleep in a bed, dine in the restaurant, and experience the excitement of the onboard activities, games, and shows. I'm no different. Even though I cruise "all the time" (according to my friends and family), I get excited about each and every cruise ship and voyage. If you add in all the new ship experiences, it's even more fun.

Although our inaugural cruise from Venice to Barcelona was the maiden voyage for the Carnival Magic, the cruise line and its staff had done an exceptional job of getting the ship ready for its first guests. Carnival Cruise Line makes no pretense about its cruise objectives. The company strives to deliver a cruise filled with fun and memories, and this ship's design certainly fulfills that goal.

Since the Carnival Magic was a new ship, I've prepared a detailed profile of the ship and several photo galleries.

• Carnival Magic Ship Tour and Profile
• Carnival Magic Interiors Photo Gallery
• Carnival Magic Outdoor Decks Photo Gallery
• Carnival Magic Balcony Cabin
• Carnival Magic Dining
• Carnival Magic Facts and Stats
• Carnival Magic Launched in Venice
• Photos of the Carnival Magic from Carnival Cruise Lines

Our Carnival Magic Mediterranean cruise itinerary was an excellent one --

• Venice
• Day at Sea
• Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Day at Sea
• Messina, Italy on the Island of Sicily
• Naples, Italy
• Civitavecchia, Italy (closest port to Rome)
• Livorno, Italy (closest port to Florence and Pisa)
• Barcelona, Spain

We were also supposed to visit Monte Carlo. Unfortunately, due to windy conditions, the authorities closed the port, so we did not get to visit this lovely city. I don't think anyone minded having an extra day at sea, and Carnival correctly refunded everyone's Monte Carlo port charges.

The Carnival Magic will spend her first summer and fall in the Mediterranean, primarily sailing 7 to 12-day cruises round-trip from Barcelona. After crossing the Atlantic Ocean in October 2011, the Carnival Magic will sail the Caribbean year-round from Galveston, Texas.

Before the ship heads off to Galveston, let's take a Mediterranean cruise on the Carnival Magic. Those planning a Mediterranean cruise in 2012 will have the opportunity to visit many of these ports from the new Carnival Breeze, which will be launched in Venice in June 2012.