When Carnival Magic appeared on the scene in 2011, the cruise industry sat up and took notice. Although the 3,690-passenger ship wasn't first in its class -- that honor fell to Carnival Dream -- the vessel boasted several firsts for the Fun Ship line, including Cucina del Capitano Italian specialty restaurant, the RedFrog Pub and its signature Thirsty Frog Red Ale, the SportSquare outdoor recreation area and the first ropes course at sea.

Years later, Carnival Magic may no longer be the fleet's most innovative, yet it holds up as a floating destination that offers something for everyone. A wide range of cabin types, including family "quints" that fit five people, make it perfect for the packs of friends and family we saw onboard (in matching T-shirts, natch). Dining may not be fancy, but you can choose from the key cruise food groups: burgers, burrito, brats and barbecue, as well as Asian, Indian, deli and pizza -- at least at lunch. The number of choices falls significantly at dinner. Activities, too, are designed for a wide range of interests. If you like games, Carnival Magic has you covered; besides group participation favorites like Hasbro the Game Show and Liars Club, the daily program was packed with options like Yahtzee, Scattergories, Clue and a Jenga-type tower game in the lobby (plus shuffleboard in the RedFrog Pub and pickup pool, Ping-Pong, beanbag and mini-golf options around the ship). Dance lessons, casino tournaments, spa specials, a robust kids club program -- Carnival Magic throws it all at the wall -- and passengers respond with enthusiasm. All this stuff, though, comes with a price -- and that's lines. On our summer sailing, with the ship at well more than double occupancy, the queues were persistent, to the point where the crush cut into our enjoyment. Thirty minute waits (or more!) for popular eateries, like Guy's Burgers and Mongolian Wok, were the norm, not the exception. Tickets for Punchliner Comedy performances were gone hours before the show. Serenity Deck clamshells were claimed by 8:30 a.m. Getting off in port for excursions felt like a blood sport. Even trivia sessions were jam-packed, with teams of eight monopolizing the tables, forcing smaller groups to stand or even sit on the floor. So where did we find our Zen? Attending the daily RedFrog Pub trivia quiz -- it's cumulative, so you play with the same people for the entire cruise for a more intimate experience. Sticking to off-hours for dining and getting up early for morning coffee helped, as did making Deck 5, with its four hot tubs and relatively underutilized lounge chairs, our sunning headquarters. Despite the sheer number of people onboard, we found the vast majority spent money on drinks instead of for-fee offerings so opening up the wallet a bit for specialty restaurants and the wonderfully expansive Cloud 9 spa also put the crowds at a distance. The cheer of the crew also kept us going; with a room steward that brought us copious amounts of ice and towel animals, as well as an outgoing entertainment staff, it was hard to stay irritated for too long. Uncover the best deals with a Carnival expert Barbara Lawrence Specialities : All Inclusive and Family Vacations 38 reviews Call Agent Danny Fisher Specialities : River Cruises and All Inclusive 33 reviews Call Agent Emily Hembree Specialities : Luxury and Global Travel 22 reviews Call Agent Heather Rosing Specialities : All Inclusive and Beach Vacations 19 reviews Call Agent Josh Oretsky Specialities : Luxury Cruises and River Cruises 18 reviews Call Agent CJ Larson Specialities : Outdoor Activities & Sports and Disney Vacations 13 reviews Call Agent Emily Forsberg Specialities : Destination Weddings and Disney Vacations 11 reviews Call Agent Amy Stambaugh Specialities : River Cruises and National Parks 11 reviews Call Agent Sarah Kelly Specialities : Couples & Romance and All Inclusive 10 reviews Call Agent Rheanna Quam Specialities : Adventure and Global Travel 5 reviews Call Agent Do we believe in Magic? After a week onboard, we'd answer with a quantified yes. As long as you pack your patience and are prepared to shift your routine slightly -- or conversely, see beating the lines as a game in its own right -- you'll emerge rested and relaxed, with plenty of Fun Ship memories. And really, what else can you ask for?

Inclusions Included with your cruise fare: All meals in the two main dining rooms, Lido Marketplace buffet and at the pizzeria Select room service items All main theater shows, Punchliner Comedy performances, live music events, Dr. Seuss Storytime shows and interactive shows like the Newlywed Game Use of the water park, ropes course, sports square, sports court and mini-golf Use of the fitness center, excluding classes and training sessions Most daily activities onboard unless noted below or in the daily program Use of the adults-only Serenity area Carnival’s Camp Ocean kids club programming until 10 p.m., for children aged 2 to 17 Not included with your cruise fare: Gratuities ($13.99 per person, per day for regular staterooms; $15.99 per person, per day for those staying in suites) Automatic gratuities of 18 percent on beverages (including packages) and spa and salon treatments Most alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks with the exception of water, tea, standard coffees and select juices in the buffet Meals in Cucina del Capitano and Prime Steakhouse Entry into the Thermal Suite in the Cloud 9 Spa Spa treatments Most fitness classes and all personal training sessions Shore excursions Wi-Fi Selecte activities like wine tasting events, the Build-a-Bear workshop, certain arts and crafts classes, arcade games and bingo Cruise photos or artwork from the art gallery onboard Retail purchases After-hours babysitting in the Camp Ocean Kids Club