Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, and Why This Ship Still Feels Like Home
Some cruises are just vacations.
Others feel like a tradition.
This sailing aboard Carnival Magic was our annual family group cruise — six cabins, multi-generational chaos, and exactly the kind of trip that reminds me why I love cruising so much.
This was an 8-day sailing from Miami (February 7–15), with two fun days at sea, followed by Curaçao, Bonaire, Aruba, and then two more sea days to wrap things up.
And somehow… this one managed to include Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, and Friday the 13th.
Only on a cruise.
Why We Picked This Sailing
We chose this itinerary for one very simple reason.
We had never visited the ABC Islands before.
But the ship mattered just as much. Carnival’s Dream Class has always been a favorite of ours, and Carnival Magic holds a very special place in my heart. My son took his very first cruise on this ship when he was just 9 months old.
He turns 13 next month.
That alone made this sailing feel extra meaningful.
Pre-Cruise Stay – InterContinental Miami
We stayed at the InterContinental Miami the night before the cruise, and it was fantastic.
Beautiful hotel. Extremely helpful staff. Incredible views of the ships. And most importantly, very close to the port.
Traffic around the Miami cruise port can be wild on embarkation and debarkation days, so staying nearby makes a huge difference.
We booked breakfast into our room rate and ate at Ole. Excellent buffet. Absolutely worth it.
Embarkation Day – Early Is Everything
We had a noon boarding time but left the hotel early to beat traffic.
Best decision of the day.
We grabbed a taxi at the hotel, which ran about $40 with tip for a large van for six people. We left around 10:30 AM and arrived at the port at 10:55.
We were boarding by 11:24.
Ice cream cones in hand by 11:44.
That’s what I call a successful embarkation day.
The weather was cool for Miami, somewhere in the 70s, but absolutely gorgeous. There were nine ships in port, which made for some incredible views.
The rest of the day was exactly what embarkation day should be — eating, wandering, exploring, and meeting up with family.
Cabins & Setup
For my family of four, I booked two connecting Deluxe Oceanview Cabins, and the setup could not have worked better.
Deluxe Oceanviews are one of my favorite family-friendly cabin categories for a reason — they offer two separate bathrooms in each cabin. One includes a toilet, shower, and sink, while the second features a tub/shower combo and sink. That extra space makes a huge difference when everyone is getting ready at the same time.
Within our group, we also had additional Deluxe Oceanviews, a standard Oceanview, and an Interior cabin.
No complaints from anyone. Comfortable layouts. Plenty of space. Overall, a very easy configuration for a mixed group of travelers.
A Hidden Cabin Surprise
One of the most talked-about cabins from this sailing was actually a standard Oceanview I selected for another party in our group.
Because this is what I do, I knew this particular cabin had a distinct layout that set it apart from other standard oceanview cabins.
This stateroom featured two windows instead of one, with the bed facing outward. The natural light completely changed the feel of the room — brighter, more open, and surprisingly spacious for the category.
They absolutely loved it.
Ships are full of these small but meaningful differences, and most travelers would never think to ask. Not all cabins within the same category are created equal, which is exactly why cabin selection is one of the most valuable parts of working with a travel advisor.
Dining Habits (The Realistic Version)
Let’s be honest.
Most nights we rotated between the buffet, pizza, BlueIguana Cantina, and Guy’s Burgers.
My personal obsession?
BlueIguana burrito bowls.
Every single day.
No regrets.
Sea Days & Super Bowl Sunday
Super Bowl Sunday on a cruise ship is an experience.
Deck chairs were claimed early. The Lido deck was packed. Energy was high all day.
We watched the ice carving contest, caught some deck games, soaked up the sun, and eventually grabbed our viewing spot across from the big screen on Deck 11.
My husband prefers shade, so he smartly camped out early and stayed there most of the day.
Kids camp was a huge hit as always. My kids absolutely love Carnival’s programs and the friends they make onboard.
Windy Fun Day at Sea
One sea day was very windy, and the ship was moving.
A lot.
For most of us, it was just a very noticeable motion. For one member of our group, it was a full-day seasickness situation.
Green apples, ginger, and seasick meds came to the rescue, and thankfully he was fine the next day.
Cruise tip: ship motion happens. cabin location matters. be prepared. {hint: that’s where I come in}
Curaçao – City Sights, Flamingos & Cas Abao Beach
This was the one excursion from the trip I genuinely cannot recommend.
The description sounded great. The reality was mostly a long bus ride.
We boarded the shuttle at 11:08 AM and didn’t arrive at Cas Abao Beach until 12:29 PM. While the guide provided continuous island commentary, there were no meaningful sightseeing points along the way.
Cas Abao itself is visually stunning, but the logistics were frustrating.
Included with the excursion:
• One drink ticket (water, soda, or lemonade if available)
• One beach chair ticket (chairs were completely full)
• One very short rinse-off shower “coin” (15 seconds)
Food and drinks were available for purchase, but the lines stayed no less than a 45-minute wait the entire time we were there.
The water was beautiful but extremely rocky. Water shoes are absolutely essential here. There is also a shallow entry followed by a steep drop-off, so families with children should be cautious.
The flamingo portion was simply a drive-by viewing area with flamingos visible at a distance.
We returned to the ship dehydrated, hungry, and exhausted.
Curacao from the ship 
comfortable shuttle bus 
at the beach 
entrance 
entryway to the beach 
gorgeous water 
gorgeous water, a lot of rocks 
drink coupon 
a lemonade you can get with the drink ticket 
15 second shower ticket 
drink menu 
food and drink lines 
dining area, huddling for shade 
massage area ($) 
Beach 
Beach from the water 
Flamingo View 
Flamingo View
Bonaire – Wind Trails Land Sailing Adventure
This excursion was a completely different experience.
Very fun. Very unique. Surprisingly physical.
After a short but bumpy van ride filled with island facts, we arrived at an open area dotted with lightweight wind-powered carts.
Think go-karts… powered only by wind.
These are not passive rides. Steering and controlling the sail takes effort, which actually made it more entertaining.
My younger child rode tandem with my husband but eventually got nervous after several laps, so we took a break while others continued racing. Ages 8 and up can sail their own kart.
Huge standout feature: complimentary photos.
Each participant receives a water bottle with a QR code linking to your group’s photos at no charge. A very unexpected and appreciated bonus.
Aruba – De Palm Island
Aruba was easily the highlight port day of the trip.
The De Palm Island excursion runs like a well-oiled machine.
After meeting at the pier, we boarded a ferry and arrived at the island quickly. The island itself offers a mix of relaxation and activities that works very well for families.
Available on the island:
• Multiple beach areas
• Designated snorkeling zones
• Aqua park / climbing structures
• Large water slides
• Flamingos roaming freely
Food was included and surprisingly varied, with local dishes alongside familiar options like burgers and hot dogs.
Drinks — including alcohol — were unlimited.
We upgraded to a palapa in Flamingo Cove, which provided an enormous shaded space and two bottles of champagne on ice. Perfect setup for our group.
Windy but very comfortable weather.
Overall verdict: excellent choice for an easy day with a variety of activity levels.
Aruba from the ship 
right at the cruise port 
Taxi fees to popular locations 
Ferry to the island 
De Palm Island 
You can see some of the kids offerings 
Lunch buffet offerings 
Flamingo Cove 
6-person palapa 
Palapa 
Basic beach service menu 
Flamingoes! 
they like beer too 
Smaller kids area 
Another lunch spot 
Bar 
Some of the snorkeling views 
Hermit Crab 
Beach service 
Lunch Spot 
Entrance 
Massage, henna, hair braiding 
water views
Final Thoughts on the Ports
Each island had its own personality.
Curaçao had beautiful scenery but disappointing excursion logistics.
Bonaire surprised us with one of the most unique activities of the trip.
Aruba delivered the most well-rounded and enjoyable day.
New Donuts & Unexpected Winners
On one of the final sea days, I tried Carnival’s new upcharge donuts.
I chose the 5 for $8.
Flavors:
- Glazed (way too much glaze)
- Cinnamon Sugar (best one)
- Powdered Sugar (second place)
- Boston Creme (not really Boston Creme)
Fun to try. Would not purchase again.
Unexpected winner?
The included breakfast bagel sandwiches. Huge hit with my family!
Elegant Night & Service Notes
Elegant night dinner in the main dining room ran nearly three hours and was unusually slow.
One of the weaker MDR experiences I’ve had with Carnival.
The lamb chops from the steakhouse add-on were excellent though.
Chocolate melting cake still undefeated, even without peanut butter. (not available)
Valentine’s Day at Sea
Valentine’s Day onboard had a fun energy.
Decorations, lots of themed activities, and even the largest vow renewal at sea.
Also spotted a small whale off the ship, which felt like the perfect unexpected finale. (someone said it was a Minke?)
Debarkation – Early Wins Again
We self-debarked and were off the ship by 7:39 AM.
At Fort Lauderdale airport by 8:30 AM.
Early departures make life easier.
Magic’s Next Chapter
One extra detail that makes this sailing feel even more interesting — Carnival Magic is scheduled for a refurbishment in April/May 2026.
So we sailed her right before her next refresh, but honestly other than a couple of minor details, she’s in pretty good shape!
Final Thoughts
Carnival Magic continues to be a ship I genuinely enjoy.
Great layout. Fun atmosphere. Excellent for families and groups.
And for me personally, always sentimental.
Watching my almost-13-year-old walk the same ship he cruised as a baby?
That’s the kind of cruise memory that sticks.
Thinking About an ABC Islands Cruise?
The ABC Islands are absolutely worth visiting. The scenery is beautiful. The water is unreal. Each island feels different.
But like most cruises, the experience you have often comes down to the details — ship choice, cabin selection, excursion planning, timing, and knowing what to expect.
This is exactly why I love helping clients plan cruises like this.
Not all cabins are the same. Not all excursions are equal. And small decisions can completely change your trip.
If you’ve been considering a cruise, I’d love to help you sort through the options and find the right fit.
— Trisha Bruce
Travel Planner
Discover the Magic Vacations with Trisha
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