Dream or Magic...which would you choose?

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

We will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary (and my 50th bday) this year and are having trouble deciding on what to do...here are the choices:

Disney Dream for 4 nights in April
Disney Magic for 5 nights in April (incl. Key West stop)

or

Disney Magic out of NYC for 5 nights to Canada

We live in NY on Long island and are currently booked for the July 2 night which is expensive....for about $1000 more, we can go on any of the above cruises (not incl airfare) and skip July.

I say NYC Magic to Canada does not happen all the time and we should go while we can....he thinks we might be bored Do you think we would be any more or less bored on the other cruises

We are two adults not bringing our teenage children this time around....what do you think and why???

PS I hate to fly, but will if it makes for a better trip and a happier dh

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Personally, I would weigh up the price vs. itineraries, flight's, and some other questions.

Where do you want to go?
North to a cold climates or South to warmer climates?

Why do you want to go on a Disney cruise?
Sea day's, experience the techno things the Dream has over the Magic, and would missing the AquaDuck be important?

The Magic seem's to get better review's for the Quiet Cove pool over the Dream and is that something you would use a lot?
Do you like beach time or exploring?

Will you be staying in a Concierge Stateroom? The Dream's Concierge amenities are a lot greater than the Magic's!

I guess it's what you wan't out of your cruise.

I would pick the Magic over the Dream for the 5 night, but I am biased and really wan't to see her again!

Ex Techie

 

[NancyIL]

I have been on a Canada cruise and loved it, so I would choose the 5-night Magic Canada cruise from NY.

I just wanted to add that if the Canada cruise is in the summer, it's refreshing to go somewhere a bit cooler (like Canada or Alaska) to get away from the summer heat.

 

[mindelmouse]

I have never been on the Dream but from the reviews and my experience on the Magic...I would pick the Magic. I will be taking my 4th and 5th Disney cruise this summer on the Magic...the only other ship I've been on was Alaska on the Wonder. I will be spending my 50th bday on the Magic on the 2 day in June and then be on again for the Bahamas sailing in August. Why do a Caribbean cruise when you can have a more exciting itinerary...IMHO

 

[dogbert03]

We chose the Magic for our first cruise, mainly because of the dates and port calls (Western Caribbean).

I would recommend the 5 night cruise on the Magic. Personally when I cruise I just feel like going South, as opposed to heading up to Canada. While I haven't been to any Canadian ports, I just think I would enjoy the tropical locations better.

Additionally, I like my cruises to last as long as possible. They always seem to go by too quickly, so even one extra day can be great.

 

[Feisty Fairy]

I chose the 5 night Magic in May for our first cruise because it was the last time we would be able to go on The Magic because it switches pot in May and Port Canaveral is driving distance for us. Then next year for our anniversary and my graduation we are going on the Fantasy.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

I am leaning towards the Magic to Canada for 5 nights since it is a new DCL itinerary and you never know if DCL is coming back to NY anytime soon.

Think I should convince my dh that this is the cruise to take??

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

I am leaning towards the Magic to Canada for 5 nights since it is a new DCL itinerary and you never know if DCL is coming back to NY anytime soon.

Think I should convince my dh that this is the cruise to take??

You obviously wan't the Canada cruise, kinda clear from the outset, and you seem to have your mind made up already.
What does your husband think now after reading the responses above?

Otherwise it's just us giving our opinion, and your husband not having an opinion voiced, so how can we say which cruise to take?


Ex Techie

 

[NancyIL]

I am leaning towards the Magic to Canada for 5 nights since it is a new DCL itinerary and you never know if DCL is coming back to NY anytime soon.

Think I should convince my dh that this is the cruise to take??

The Magic will be in the Med in summer 2013 and won't be returning to the US until October at the earliest. I'd say it's doubtful that the Magic will sail from NY in the fall of 2013. I also think Halifax and Saint John are beautiful ports, and that Canada is the best itinerary of the 3 you are considering.

 

[Tolson70]

Never been on the Dream, love the Magic. Since the two trips you are looking at are both in the 4-5 day range compared to a 4 or 5 compared to a 7 I would probably go the Dream route just to see the new ship. I would not pass up 7 days on the Magic for 5 on the Dream, the cost difference makes that a no brainer for me.

 

[BethC1952]

I've been on both ships, including and almost b2b Magic/Wonder in November/December. I like both ships. Magic makes me think of a wonderful, comfortable, familiar hotel or bed and breakfast. Dream makes me think of a wonderful upscale hotel.

We chose the 5 night NYC to Canada for this summer for a bunch of reasons. First, it's a new itinerary and should be fun. Second, it's out of NYC and close to home, which saved a lot of money and vacation time, allowing us to take the Panama Canal cruise next winter. And as another poster said, it might be nice to get away to somewhere that won't be quite as hot as a more tropical cruise. It's hot enough in this area in the summer!

We'll be celebrating a "milestone birthday" for me on the Canada cruise, and DH will be retiring as of the last work day before the cruise! I can't think of a nicer way to celebrate than five nights on a nice cruise to a new place with my DH!

Beth

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

You obviously wan't the Canada cruise, kinda clear from the outset, and you seem to have your mind made up already.
What does your husband think now after reading the responses above?

Otherwise it's just us giving our opinion, and your husband not having an opinion voiced, so how can we say which cruise to take?


Ex Techie

He is really undecided about which cruise to take..that is why I posted the question to get some advice/opinions from the experts!

I am definitely leaning towards Canada, but he knows that already. However, if everyone who replied said that the other itineraries were so much better or that the Dream far outweighed the Magic, then I would rethink the Canada trip.

Believe me, my dh will have his opinion voiced and heard. This is a vacation for our anniversary and I would not want him to feel that he is making his decision for me only.

I truly believe that there is no wrong decision...as long as it is with DCL. Haven't sailed DCL in 5 years and am missing it. RCCL was great, NCL was ok, but none was as awesome as DCL.

I do appreciate everyone's opinions. I will see what dh says when he gets home from his shift tonight.

 

[wmharley]

We are goin in April on the MAgic for 4 nights. I really wanted the Dream, but the cost difference was over $500 on our date. The new features weren't a priority as this cruise was mainly for our two young kids to enjoy. Since they've not been on acruise, the Magic is more than enough. Next cruise, if we do Disney, then yes, we will go with the newer ones. Especially since the older boats will be phased out of Canaveral, so we are forced to use the Dream/Fantasy.

i'd personally wish they'd keep one older ship and a newer ship, and let the sister newer ship sail from another port.

It would allow a nice mix of budget travelers and those wanting the ultimate experience to participate from Canaveal.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

He is really undecided about which cruise to take..that is why I posted the question to get some advice/opinions from the experts!

I am definitely leaning towards Canada, but he knows that already. However, if everyone who replied said that the other itineraries were so much better or that the Dream far outweighed the Magic, then I would rethink the Canada trip.

Believe me, my dh will have his opinion voiced and heard. This is a vacation for our anniversary and I would not want him to feel that he is making his decision for me only.

I truly believe that there is no wrong decision...as long as it is with DCL. Haven't sailed DCL in 5 years and am missing it. RCCL was great, NCL was ok, but none was as awesome as DCL.

I do appreciate everyone's opinions. I will see what dh says when he gets home from his shift tonight.

Sorry Donald & Daisy Duck,

I should have said it sound's like you have your heart set on the Canada cruise.
I apologize for the poor choice of word's.

I think beach time or not bothered too much and activities are the question though!

Ex Techie

 

[WiscBill]

OK, I live on LI, I've done the Magic to Key West, the Dream on a 4 night, and am scheduled to take the 5 day out of NY a week after you.

First, for two adults, there are different pluses for the Dream and Magic. The Dream has two adult restaurants (Remy and Palo, the Magic has only Palo) and more adult only bars (Meridian, Skyline and Pink). However, in my opinion, the Magic has the better adult pool area and Sessions (the adult piano bar) on the Magic is better than any of the adult bars on the Dream. The rooms are smaller on the Dream, but for two people it would not matter.

I have sailed in May, but not in April. May was without a doubt the best weather we ever had, so I think you will have good weather on either of the two southern cruises. I have not done Canada yet as a cruise, but have had good weather in the Maritimes in July (but definitely not beach weather). I didn't like Key West as a port, but that's just my opinion. Nassau is a matter of personal taste, but I've been there three times and had good time on all three occasions. Castaway Cay is great if you love great beach resorts.

As others have pointed out, you don't know when or if DCL will sail from NY again, but other lines do the similar itineraries out of NY, so unless you want DCL you can always do it. The four night on the Dream will be there for the future. Stops at Key West would have been rare (the Fantasy will not dock there), but with the Galveston and Miami ports now being used, that won't be the case.

To me the big plus for the NYC cruise is you get to take the LIRR to the cruise (OK, maybe that's not a big plus but it's a plus). For the other two cruises, you need two airfares, a hotel the night before, and transportation to and from the airport to the port. I've done that for four night and three night cruises, but it adds to the cost. Conservatively, that's an extra $500-$600 for the two of you. That's easier too absorb when you spread it over a seven day cruise, but it's adding $100+ per day to the 4 or 5 night cruises.

Bottom line, I'd go with the 5 day from NY. For what it is worth, the sports bar on the Magic serves more beers than the one on the Dream.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Thanks everyone...I think he is almost ready to book the September Canada NYC cruise!!

I really loved hearing what everyone here had to say about Canada and the difference between the Dream and the Magic.