Disney Magic - best deck for stateroom?

[Jbutler]

We're sailing the Magic in 2017. It's our first time cruising, and our travel agent selected a deluxe oceanview stateroom on deck 2, close to the elevators. Is there a better place to be, or is this good?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We're sailing the Magic in 2017. It's our first time cruising, and our travel agent selected a deluxe oceanview stateroom on deck 2, close to the elevators. Is there a better place to be, or is this good?

Deck 2 is our preferred location. Easy to catch elevators, one deck down to tender lobby, 1 or 2 decks up to theater/dining options/clubs.

 

[TanyaLippke]

We JUST booked a Magic cruise for Jan '17 and also were put on deck 2 with an ocean view and adjoining rooms. I have done a TON of reading and talked to our agent. I think deck 2 sounds like a perfect spot to be. Apparently the elevators are less busy, easy to get off at ports (down one flight), easy access to shows and food (up one flight). It sounded perfect as we'd just need the elevators for the pool decks etc. Crossing my fingers it is a good spot, but it sounds perfect for what we were looking for.

 

[aprincessatlast]

we are deck 2 people too. We had 5 once and was not a fan. I was surprised by it though as I thought I would like an upper floor but preferred 2.

 

[Mandlz]

We were deck 2 on the Magic last cruise, and booked deck 2 on the Wonder for our next cruise. I was disappointed when we got our first room assignment...and then LOVED it. We'd been on a deck 10 veranda on the Dream before, and I couldn't imagine being so low on the ship, but I actually found it was much much more enjoyable to me. I loved sitting at the window in our stateroom watching the water, it was so close it was easier to see, and it was very interesting at ports to be able to sit in the room and look out the window at what was going on (and watch those at Castaway come racing to make it back on time! ) It quickly became my preferred deck, and never even noticed any noise from the elevators (we were right near the midship ones). Hope you enjoy it too!

 

[BruinEd03]

A caveat if you're on deck 2 (This is based on my experience with the Wonder) - if you're in the aft or forward section, you won't need to set your alarm on port days. The thrusters are super loud and will shake the room. Not sure what it will feel like if you're in the middle of the ship.

We were on Deck 6 on the Magic recently and we loved it.

 

[Mandlz]

Not sure what it will feel like if you're in the middle of the ship.

Didn't notice a thing midship. Was quite surprised a couple of times to wake up and find ourselves already in port

 

[Jbutler]

thanks! We'll stay where we are!

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

There's a laundry room on Deck 2 too!

 

[bethy]

What I worry about is the noise above from Deck 3? And for me I need fresh air in my room so that eliminates Deck 2 as well. As for ports, the process of getting on and off the ship is such a miniscule percentage of the overall cruise time - versus - dining, clubs, going to events, etc. So for me being close to the tender deck is not a priority.

A LOT of people love Deck 2 and love the Magic though so I think it's a very safe choice!

 

[MaizeRage25]

We will be on Deck 2 of the Magic on Feb 21.

Usually we are higher, so we will see how it compares.

 

[hanscarlet]

I prefer a verandah but deck 2 seems to be very popular, if you are someone who hangs a lot in the room then maybe consider going higher but otherwise stay with deck 2, everyone seems like they like it, like a lot of repeat cruisers return to deck 2 so that's a good sign

 

[C6PT7]

What I worry about is the noise above from Deck 3? And for me I need fresh air in my room so that eliminates Deck 2 as well. As for ports, the process of getting on and off the ship is such a miniscule percentage of the overall cruise time - versus - dining, clubs, going to events, etc. So for me being close to the tender deck is not a priority.

A LOT of people love Deck 2 and love the Magic though so I think it's a very safe choice!

Noise from deck 3 would be dependent on your cabin location, and something to think about very seriously!
You do not want to be under Fathoms!
As for fresh air, you get the same air pumped into your cabin on deck 2 as you do on deck 5 and above?
You are asked not to leave your verandah door open, so what would be the difference apart from being able to go onto the veranda?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What I worry about is the noise above from Deck 3? And for me I need fresh air in my room so that eliminates Deck 2 as well. As for ports, the process of getting on and off the ship is such a miniscule percentage of the overall cruise time - versus - dining, clubs, going to events, etc. So for me being close to the tender deck is not a priority.

A LOT of people love Deck 2 and love the Magic though so I think it's a very safe choice!

Well, we've had rooms underneath the passageway along the portside (outside Triton's/Lumiere's and the Promenade Lounge. As well as underneath Wavebands (on the Wonder), same location as Fathoms on the Magic. We had no issues with excessive noise. Yes, you could hear running feet on occasion beneath the passageway, and you could hear the bass a bit (but it didn't go on for long) underneath Wavebands, but I didn't find it it bad.

 

[Mandlz]

Noise from deck 3 would be dependent on your cabin location, and something to think about very seriously!
You do not want to be under Fathoms!
As for fresh air, you get the same air pumped into your cabin on deck 2 as you do on deck 5 and above?
You are asked not to leave your verandah door open, so what would be the difference apart from being able to go onto the veranda?

We have actually never noticed any noise (music or guests) during any of our stay on the ship.

 

[C6PT7]

We have actually never noticed any noise (music or guests) during any of our stay on the ship.

Well was your cabin below the night club or the galleys?
Both get equally poor reviews.

 

[Mandlz]

Well was your cabin below the night club or the galleys?
Both get equally poor reviews.

I believe we were on the walkway side of the nightclub. Once in a while we could hear feet (it was louder from the kids running down the hallways outside the door!), and occasionally music, but nothing unreasonable or bothersome.

 

[C6PT7]

Well, we've had rooms underneath the passageway along the portside (outside Triton's/Lumiere's and the Promenade Lounge. As well as underneath Wavebands (on the Wonder), same location as Fathoms on the Magic. We had no issues with excessive noise. Yes, you could hear running feet on occasion beneath the passageway, and you could hear the bass a bit (but it didn't go on for long) underneath Wavebands, but I didn't find it it bad.

And that is just it. Was it bad or excessive?
By your opinion it wasn't. By others opinions it was, and not the peace and quiet they expected in a hotel room, and most likely they either had rooms far away from any mechanical or pax noise before, or it was their first time on a cruise ship.
Just like food, noise can be open to subjection. Someone who lives in the backyard of nowhere and someone who lives in an apartment in the center of a metropolitan city will both give very different opinions on what is tolerable noise to them, using their home environment or usual habitation as a base line or datum to judge it by.
It really does depend on the person.
Disney Fantasy for example has said he is a light sleeper time and time again and never been bothered by the noise of deck chairs being placed out and all the activities early morning up on deck.
Yet others have complained about the very same thing and been woken up or disturbed every day.
Disney Fantasy lives in London so maybe he is more tuned out to environmental noise, than say someone from an outer city town, or country town?

 

[C6PT7]

I believe we were on the walkway side of the nightclub. Once in a while we could hear feet (it was louder from the kids running down the hallways outside the door!), and occasionally music, but nothing unreasonable or bothersome.

I've read terrible reports from those that were directly underneath the nightclub of bass booming until 1am, and cabins below the galleys where from 4 or 5 in the morning equipment being dragged across the floors and banging or machinery noise.
I think you have been lucky in your cabin choice before! Long may your choice of good cabins continue!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

And that is just it. Was it bad or excessive?
By your opinion it wasn't. By others opinions it was, and not the peace and quiet they expected in a hotel room, and most likely they either had rooms far away from any mechanical or pax noise before, or it was their first time on a cruise ship.
Just like food, noise can be open to subjection. Someone who lives in the backyard of nowhere and someone who lives in an apartment in the center of a metropolitan city will both give very different opinions on what is tolerable noise to them, using their home environment or usual habitation as a base line or datum to judge it by.
It really does depend on the person.
Disney Fantasy for example has said he is a light sleeper time and time again and never been bothered by the noise of deck chairs being placed out and all the activities early morning up on deck.
Yet others have complained about the very same thing and been woken up or disturbed every day.
Disney Fantasy lives in London so maybe he is more tuned out to environmental noise, than say someone from an outer city town, or country town?

I see I was mentioned. Whilst I live and work in London we are in a suburb, which is actually in the countryside with forests and fields we are away from any noise. I am a light sleeper so " any" noise wakes me up. Deck 8 on the Magic we have never ever had an issue, in fact on these boards it seems often to be cruisers who hadn't been on deck 8 making comments. We have had inside rooms outside rooms and prefer deck 8. I would say if on the next release of cruises all decks all rooms were the same price ( ex concierge) everyone would book a higher deck and a verandah they know it's better. The one factor, is price. Cruisers choose Deck2 for vacation budget only. How much you are willing to spend. The higher the deck the less vibration and less movement you get. That's basic science. As Scotty on Star Trek would say you can't break the rules of science. The further you are away from engines and further away from the sea the better it is. Deck 2 being under the main entertainment and MDRs and above engines and close to dock walls will get more noise. Thrusters vibration etc. Movement wise the lower you are the more sudden and unexpected random movement is felt.Higher up the movement is ironed out to a gentle sway. The sudden lower deck movements coupled with being enclosed a low cause motion sickness. So if your ears detect movement but your eyes say I see walls, and your brain says walls do not move, you get sick. If you go higher look at the horizon and get fresh air you feel better. So Deck2 is enclosed and low near engines. There was mention of the laundry never book a room next to it, hot humid and used 24/7 and people speak loud there. All those who " love" Deck two also post how wonderful it is to get an upgrade to a higher deck. They know the higher the better. The reason to book deck2 is low cost, end of. TAs knowing your budget will sell you the benefits, they are sale people, a sale of a low cost room is better than no sale. The elevators are busy all ship. That is another false assumption, in fact in port it's the noisiest and most busy place. People on higher decks do not use elevators to Cabanas or the snack places ir soda station or pools or spa lower decks have to. In summary book to your budget, but posters should be honest and explain that you only book Deck 2 to fit your vacation budget, you are on the ship, you get the same food and entertainment, but higher decks are priced higher for a reason otherwise they wouldn't sell at that price. IE Alaska verandahs sell out very very fast.