Carnival Magic is a cruise ship that offers a variety of accommodations for passengers. One popular option is the balcony room with spa amenities. This type of room combines the luxury of a private balcony with the indulgence of spa amenities. These rooms are designed to provide guests with a relaxing and comfortable experience throughout their cruise. The private balcony offers breathtaking views of the ocean and allows guests to enjoy the fresh sea breeze. It is the perfect spot to unwind and soak up the sun.
As Dostoevsky once said, “Beauty will save the world.” Music, art, poetry, and architecture, along with the wonders of the natural world, are much better equipped to capture and communicate the ineffable nature of spiritual insights and truths.
This fierce and honest moral examination can only be conducted by an enchantment that is over and above us, an enchantment that can judge us and hold our feet to the fire, an enchantment that cannot be avoided or blown off like the latest fad. It s a daunting quest, but he is well-equipped to speak about the breadth and depth of Western Christianity in a way that is accessible if not too easy.
It is the perfect spot to unwind and soak up the sun. In addition to the balcony, these rooms also come equipped with spa amenities. This means that guests can enjoy the luxury of a spa experience without leaving their room.
Hunting magic eels
I recently finished reading Richard Beck’s latest book, Hunting Magic Eels. It was a fantastic read and a book I’d recommend to anyone. The subtitle explains his premise well: “Recovering an Enchanted Faith in a Skeptical Age.”
I was initially drawn to this book as this topic seems to be an underlying premise of so many of our conversations on the Forest and Trees podcast (see: podcast page). In addition, I still think about things Beck wrote in his book Unclean many years after I read that one. Beck writes deeply about the Christian experience from the perspective of psychology (he’s a professor).
One of the themes throughout the book is that we need to be mindful of what gets our attention. And if we want to experience more of God, we need to find ways to aim our attention in that direction.
Faith is a matter of perception. Faith isn’t forcing yourself to believe in unbelievable things; faith is overcoming attentional blindness. Phrased differently, faith is about enchantment or, rather, a re-enchantment: the intentional recovery of a holy capacity to see and experience God in the world.
After his flight from Egypt, Moses is tending his father-in-law’s sheep in the middle of the desert near Mount Horeb. There, in the middle of nowhere, he catches sight of a bush that’s caught fire. Strangely, the bush isn’t being burnt up. Intrigued and fascinated, Moses says, “I must turn aside and see this strange sight.” I must turn aside. This is the key point. Encountering God’s presence requires a shift of attention. Moses must intentionally direct his attention to behold the strange sight.
When faith is a matter of attention, we need visual cues to capture and captivate our hearts and minds.
One of the most profound ideas in the book is how we’ve reduced Christianity to something that has inherently moved us away from experiencing God. Beck says it this way:
When the Christian experience shifts away from the mystical toward “being a good person,” the foundation of faith is relocated and placed in a very vulnerable location, like a cup set dangerously close to the edge of the table or a rock pushed to the edge of a cliff. Why? Because you don’t have to believe in God to be a good person. There are many people who don’t believe in God who are amazing, generous, and loving people. And once you make that observation, that you don’t need God to be good, the whole reason many of us have for believing in God simply evaporates. The glass falls off the table and shatters, and the rock tips over into the abyss.
He also does a great job—as a skeptic himself—showing how we need to challenge our own skepticism.
We still believe in the soul, even in this skeptical age. And we’d be horrified if anyone claimed otherwise. More and more people might doubt the existence of God, but God still haunts us. We crave the magic. We resist reducing our lives to biology. We are convinced that we are “more” than the sum total of our organs, bones, and tissues.
As Dostoevsky once said, “Beauty will save the world.” Music, art, poetry, and architecture, along with the wonders of the natural world, are much better equipped to capture and communicate the ineffable nature of spiritual insights and truths.
If you’re struggling with disenchantment, odds are you’re thinking rather than paying attention.
And in case you fear this is some progressive mumbo-jumbo, the book also explores how to seek out an enchantment that is able to challenge you to grow and get better rather than just reassure you that all your opinions and actions are perfect.
The critical issue, then, for both the religious and the spiritual alike, is this: Can your enchantment judge, criticize, and unsettle you? Can your enchantment point out your selfishness and self-indulgence? Can your enchantment, be it burning sage for your spell or singing “God Bless America” in your pew, hold a mirror up to your hypocrisy? Can your enchantment weigh your nation or political party on the scales and find it wanting? Does your enchantment create sacrificial obligations and duties in your life that you cannot avoid or ignore? Does your enchantment call you to extend grace to people you’d prefer to hate? Does your enchantment bust up your cozy self-satisfaction and dogmatic self-righteousness? These are questions that won’t be asked by an enchantment bought on Amazon. This fierce and honest moral examination can only be conducted by an enchantment that is “over and above” us, an enchantment that can judge us and hold our feet to the fire, an enchantment that cannot be avoided or blown off like the latest fad. These are the questions we have to ask when we seek to “discern the spirits,” when we want to determine if the voice we are hearing is from God or from our own egos.
This is a book that gave me lots to chew on while also nudging me closer to experiencing Jesus in new ways. What a gift to find both in one book.
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The rooms are spacious and feature a variety of spa features, including a whirlpool bath and a rain shower. The whirlpool bath is perfect for unwinding after a long day of exploring the ship or enjoying shore excursions. Guests can soak in the warm water and let their cares melt away. The rain shower is another luxurious touch, providing a refreshing and invigorating experience. Guests staying in these rooms also have access to a variety of other spa amenities. This includes complimentary access to the ship's spa facilities, which may include a steam room, sauna, and relaxation area. There may also be special spa-themed events and treatments available exclusively for guests staying in these rooms. Overall, the Carnival Magic balcony room with spa amenities offers a luxurious and indulgent experience for guests. The combination of a private balcony and spa features allows guests to relax and unwind in style. Whether enjoying the view from the balcony or indulging in the spa amenities, guests are sure to have a memorable and rejuvenating cruise experience..
Reviews for "Escape to a private sanctuary in a Carnival Magic balcony room with spa amenities"
Mike - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the balcony room with spa amenities on the Carnival Magic. First of all, the spa amenities were nothing special. Just a few cheap lotions and shampoos. The actual room was cramped and the balcony was tiny. Not worth the extra money at all. I expected much better from a cruise line like Carnival.
Sara - 1 star - I regret spending the extra money on the balcony room with spa amenities on the Carnival Magic. The room was not clean when we arrived and it felt like they rushed to clean it before we got there. The balcony was dirty as well, with a lot of dust and grime. The spa amenities were also disappointing, with low-quality products that did nothing for my skin. Overall, a very disappointing experience.
John - 2 stars - The balcony room with spa amenities on the Carnival Magic did not live up to my expectations. The room itself was smaller than I anticipated and the balcony was barely big enough to fit two chairs. The spa amenities were nothing special, just regular toiletries you can find in any hotel. I wouldn't recommend spending the extra money on this upgrade as it was not worth it.