Disney Cruise Line currently has a fleet of four cruise ships. The Fantasy, Wonder, Dream, and Magic all began as the cruise line’s first fleet of ships, with three new ships being announced for 2021, 2022, and 2023 respectively. Here’s what you need to know about the Disney Magic ship.
Disney Magic Cruise Ship-What to Expect on Board
The Disney Magic is the fleet’s oldest ship, beginning its maiden voyage in July of 1998. Just because the Magic is the oldest ship, doesn’t mean it’s the least fun. In fact, my family specifically chose to sail on the Magic for very specific reasons. Keep reading to find out what to expect on the Disney Magic cruise ship.
What to Expect for Kids
The key reason we chose to sail with the Disney Magic was the addition of the Avengers Academy to the Oceaneer Club. Caroline is a HUGE fan of Marvel characters, and, right now, we cannot meet them in any Walt Disney World park. Disneyland is quite a hike for us, so Disney Magic was going to be our best bet.
What if your kids are fans of Marvel characters? No worries, there are lots of other great choices for activities in the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab. Teens and tweens can check out the cool Edge (ages 11-14) and Vibe (15+) areas that have activities and entertainment geared to their age groups.
What to Expect for Adults
With all this talk of characters and kids’ clubs, the adults may worry there is nothing for them. Fear not! The Disney Magic has a lot of great amenities for adults. Keys, the adults-only lounge, is a swanky piano bar that’s the perfect evening getaway.
Palo, the adults-only restaurant, has fantastic views and sophisticated Italian cooking. Neil and I’s favorite spot was the Quiet Cove Pool. An adults-only pool with a bar and several hot tubs? Yes, please!
What to Expect for Families
Disney cruises are full of great entertainment, just like the parks. From character meets to Broadway-style shows to Pirates Night and more, it will be all you can do to fit it all in! My advice is to take in at least one, if not all, of the shows.
“Tangled: The Musical” was my favorite show in the Walt Disney Theater. Dining was a fun, new experience every night. Did you know that Disney Cruise Line pioneered rotational dining? Me either!
On the Disney Magic, you’ll be able to try Animator’s Palate, Carioca’s, and Lumiere’s. My personal favorite was Carioca’s, which is South American-inspired fare. We also loved the Pirates in the Caribbean Deck Party and watching first-run films on the big screen in the Buena Vista Theater.
Disney Magic Cruise Ship Details
Weighing in at 83,338 gross tons and measuring 964 feet long by 106 feet wide, the Disney Magic cruise ship is also the smallest in the fleet. I, personally, love this feature of the ship.
While mega-ships look great and may have more amenities, getting from point A to point B seems like a full workout on those ships! Additionally, the Disney Magic has 875 staterooms whereas the Fantasy and Dream have 1,250 staterooms. More staterooms equal more people, and that’s not always a plus in my book.
Disney Magic Itineraries
Our short, three-day cruise gave us just a taste of what it’s like to cruise with Disney Cruise Lines. My family chose a short cruise because it was more budget-friendly, but the Magic does have longer sailings.
Three to four-night cruises typically sail to the Bahamas or Caribbean, and they often include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
The Magic has also sailed to Alaska, Northern Europe, New England, and Canada. Most tropical cruises sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, but the Magic has also called New York, Galveston, Los Angeles, Barcelona, and London home.
Overall Impression
Because this was my first Disney Cruise, I don’t have any other ships to compare the Magic to. That being said, I loved my experience from embarkation to debarkation. If you are looking for a budget-friendly Disney Cruise Line vacation, give the Magic a try. It just might surprise you how much fun you’ll have!
