Carnival Magic sailings offer an exciting and fun-filled experience for passengers. As one of Carnival Cruise Line's largest ships, the Carnival Magic has a variety of amenities and activities to enjoy. One of the highlights of Carnival Magic sailings is the WaterWorks water park. This expansive area features thrilling water slides, splash zones, and a giant bucket that dumps water on guests below. It's the perfect place to cool off and have some fun in the sun. For those looking for relaxation, the Serenity adults-only retreat is the place to be.
"Sniffles"
Don't assume I dislike all allergists.
Award-winning storyteller David Lubar s third collection of warped and creepy tales, in which the young protagonists encounter monsters of every kind, from a thirsty vampire and wandering ghost to a dreaded math teacher and overly enthusiastic Girl Scout leader. He said visits to classrooms in a Poconos elementary school were similarly canceled because a parent complained to the principal that the stories in his Weenies series, mostly horror and science fiction, didn t all have happy endings.
For those looking for relaxation, the Serenity adults-only retreat is the place to be. This secluded area offers plush loungers, hot tubs, and a bar for drinks and refreshments. It's the ideal spot to unwind and enjoy some quiet time.
Weenies stories inflame censor’s imagination
Eight, to be exact. Titles in this series of scary short stories for children include:
“Invasion of the Road Weenies.” “In the Land of the Lawn Weenies.” “Attack of the Vampire Weenies.” “The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies.” “The Curse of the Campfire Weenies.” “Beware All Ninja Weenies.” “Wipeout of the Wireless Weenies.” And “Strikeout of the Bleacher Weenies.”
These books have sold close to 3 million copies and won all kinds of awards and other positive recognition. They’re very popular with young people, and I can see why, just looking at the colorful covers showing live hot dogs in a wild variety of settings and knowing how much children enjoy creepy stories. I’ve read some of his other books, and they’re terrific.
So imagine the surprise of Lubar, who lives in Lower Nazareth Township, when he learned a couple of months ago that a teacher in Kansas was actively seeking to have these books banned from a middle school library because she felt many of the Weenies series story titles — for example, “Fourth and Inches,” which is about football — are sexually suggestive.
Before I share the school librarian’s letter that alerted Lubar to his unexpected notoriety, I’ll explain that attempts at censorship of books and other library materials are sufficiently frequent that the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom maintains a database of reports it receives from authors, librarians and others.
Kristin Pekoll, assistant director of the office, told me they received 275 such reports in 2015.
“They happen a lot more than is reported to us,” she added. She said their research suggests their numbers represent only about 20 percent of the challenges taking place.
With their recently upgraded database, she said, “We can track the actual language used when someone is challenging a book.
“It helps us to understand that mentality and have those conversations with people, to really share with them that their values are great for their families and themselves, but not necessarily for everybody.”
For example, she said, some people have challenged Harry Potter books, not just because of the wizardry but because the young characters are … defying authority.
Lubar told me he was scheduled once to make an appearance to encourage reading and creativity for a group of kids in a summer program — until the wife of the person running the program saw there was a ghost on the cover of one of his books. “She decided I was not fit to speak to the kids because of that anti-Christian concept,” he said.
He said visits to classrooms in a Poconos elementary school were similarly canceled because a parent complained to the principal that the stories in his Weenies series, mostly horror and science fiction, didn’t all have happy endings.
Anyway, here’s that email he received a while back, slightly abridged.
“At our middle school I have a teacher who says the chapter titles of the Weenie books are sexually suggestive to middle-schoolers. I don’t see it, but she is adamant. She has requested the Weenies be removed from the shelves of our middle school library. I am compiling information to fight this, but I wondered if you could send me anything to add to my compilation. Do you have a list of titles and the awards each book has been nominated for or won? Or maybe a list of titles and a list of moral/ethical issues included in each title? Even though I was in a middle school classroom for 16 years, she is very vocal and persistent and I think the administration would side with her over me unless I have LOTS of info backing my reasons to keep your books on the shelves.”
He responded, “Wow. I’m gobsmacked. First and foremost, thank you for your willingness to fight this.”
He referred her to a topical index he had compiled for the first four books, with subjects that included “altruism,” “internet safety,” “litter” and “medical ethics.” He also sent her examples of the awards and recognition the books have received, including one reviewer’s description of him as “The Rod Serling of Middle Grade.” He mentioned the Office for Intellectual Freedom, which she and he ended up calling.
She provided more information about the teacher’s objections, which the teacher claimed were shared by “lots” of parents, although that seems highly unlikely.
“She even went so far as to suggest the cover of the books and the word ‘weenies’ is suggestive … Please understand that neither I nor my library aide found any sexual innuendos in the chapter titles until this teacher came and told us that every sixth-grade boy would think these titles were sexual.”
She listed some of the titles the teacher thought were objectionable, including “Dead Meat,” a story in which a boy is attacked by butcher’s-case meat that comes alive; “Big Bang,” in which a girl tries to end the universe; and “The Ride of a Lifetime,” about a roller coaster. None of the titles had anything to do with sex.
After removing the books until she could investigate the teacher’s claims, the librarian wrote in her last email, “They are going back on the shelves today!”
Pekoll said it’s not always easy to stand up to misguided censorship, because jobs may be at risk.
“The principal is being pressured by parents, and he says, ‘Let’s just remove it’ — and if she doesn’t, she loses her job,” she said. “It’s hard to fall on your sword for that.”
Lubar certainly appreciated that Kansas librarian’s efforts. He concluded, “One thing I hope you’ll touch on is how awesome librarians are.”
Bill White’s commentary appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
"The Unforgiving Tree"
As you may have guessed, I started with the title. The rest was easy.
Food lovers will be delighted with the diverse dining options available on Carnival Magic sailings. From casual eateries like Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina to more formal dining venues like the steakhouse and Italian restaurant, there is something to satisfy every craving. Entertainment is also a big part of Carnival Magic sailings. The ship features a state-of-the-art theater that hosts Broadway-style shows and live performances. There are also comedy clubs, nightclubs, and bars offering live music and karaoke for guests to enjoy. Families will appreciate the wide range of activities and amenities available for kids and teens. The Camp Ocean program offers supervised activities for younger children, while older kids and teens can take part in activities and hang out in their own dedicated spaces. The Carnival Magic also visits a variety of exciting ports of call during its sailings. Whether it's exploring historical sites, lounging on beautiful beaches, or taking part in adventurous excursions, there are plenty of opportunities for passengers to discover new destinations and create lifelong memories. Overall, Carnival Magic sailings provide a vibrant and enjoyable experience for passengers of all ages. With its wide range of amenities, dining options, entertainment, and ports of call, it's no wonder that the Carnival Magic is a popular choice for those looking for a memorable cruise vacation..
Reviews for "Sail the Caribbean and Experience the Magic of St. Maarten"
- Sarah - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with my Carnival Magic sailing experience. The ship was overcrowded, and it felt like we were constantly fighting for a spot by the pool or in the buffet line. The staff seemed overwhelmed and not very helpful. The entertainment was lackluster, and the activities on board were uninteresting. Overall, it was a complete letdown, and I would not recommend sailing on the Carnival Magic.
- John - 2 stars
I had high expectations for my Carnival Magic cruise, but unfortunately, it fell short. The food in the main dining room was mediocre at best, and the buffet options were repetitive and uninspiring. The staterooms were cramped and outdated, and the overall cleanliness of the ship left much to be desired. The limited onboard activities and entertainment options made for a rather dull experience. I don't think I will be choosing Carnival Magic for my future cruises.
- Lisa - 2 stars
Carnival Magic was far from magical for me. The ship felt crowded and noisy, and the constant lines for everything were frustrating. The staff seemed disengaged and uninterested in providing excellent service. The shows were underwhelming, and there was a lack of variety in the onboard activities. Additionally, the excursions offered were overpriced and underwhelming. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and would not sail on the Carnival Magic again.