Carnival Magic

Casual Eats: Lines for donkey-sauce-topped grilled goodness can be long, but move pretty fast at Guy’s Burger Joint. There's no additional charge for the burgers and fries here, nor for the barbecue favorites such as pulled pork sandwiches, grilled chicken, and pork butt cooked in the custom wood smoker at Guy's Pig & Anchor. Both spots are open only for lunch.

Cucina del Capitano: This specialty restaurant serves classic dishes from Caprese salad to spaghetti carbonara for a per-person surcharge. (Tip: Their lunchtime pasta bar is complimentary.) The 2016 dry dock also added Pizzeria del Capitano, where pizza topped with fresh mozzarella is available 24 hours a day for no extra charge.

The Serenity Lounge: Yes, peace is possible. Adults 21 years and over can bypass the boisterous main pool area and relax at the bi-level Serenity Lounge. This quiet outdoor Eden has hot tubs, sun loungers, comfy couches, and a bar. It is worth noting, however, that if a bachelor or bachelorette party is in the lounge, your serenity isn’t guaranteed.

Thrills of All Kinds: The WaterWorks amusement park features two gigantic waterslides that see as many adults as children. SportSquare, the outdoor playground, is home to the first ropes course at sea and a hot dog stand to boot. And how much fun is a “Green Eggs and Ham” breakfast (for a small extra fee) with Dr. Seuss characters?

Kids Programs: Children ages 2 to 11 are invited to play games, watch movies, and join in other fun activities at Camp Ocean. Teens from 15 to 17 years old can hang out at supervised Club 02, a safe haven away from adults, while those ages 12-14 can hang out in Circle “C.”

Families: Family ocean view cabins have two bathrooms and sleep five (or book adjoining balcony cabins if you want private outdoor space), plus there are plenty of activities to enjoy as a clan and separately. Adults can even do their own thing — from a massage at the Cloud 9 spa to a comedy show at Punchliner — without worrying about their little ones thanks to the kids clubs and babysitting services.

Cabins Above the Promenade Deck Can Be Noisy: Deck 5’s Promenade is where the action happens, from the casino to the club, which means that cabins in the vicinity can feel some not-so-good vibrations. Light sleepers might want to bring earplugs or avoid booking cabins nearby.