Does the magic go away?

[DenyingReality]

So this might sound ridiculous, but bear with me.

My boyfriend and I took an Eastern Carribean cruise on the Disney Fantasy last May. It was my first time on any cruise whatsoever, and my first time doing anything Disney related. We had an absolute blast. it was the best trip I've ever been on.

Now, we're trying to figure out what we want to do next year. We have it narrowed down between doing another cruise on the Fantasy, or taking a cruise on the Royal Carribean Freedom of the Seas (itineraries we can deal with later).

My issue is, does it get a bit repetitive after a while if you don't change ships? I loved the Fantasy the first time, I was like a kid on Christmas. But there's a little voice nagging me and saying that we should try something new, that I won't enjoy the same ship as much the second time around.

Not to mention Disney is quite expensive, and we could probably do a lot more excursions on the Freedom than we could do on Disney (we didn't do anything on our last cruise). But the service was amazing on the Fantasy and I still find myself craving Palo once in a while... And I'm worried if I go on any other cruise line after Disney, and it's not the same quality, I'll regret spending my money on that line.

I guess my question is: does the magic go away when you travel on the same ship more than once? Just for reference, we have no kids, so it's just us trying to make this decision.

 

[CarrieLuvsDisney]

Hi there!!! I have been fortunate to be able to cruise DCL 3 times. We were on the Magic, Wonder & Dream and we are heading back on Wonder in less than year. As an adult sans kids....NO!!! We love DCL. you can see and do things you missed last cruise & try different ports. Yes, DCL is more money...but be careful with other cruise lines...all the other things included on DCL will add up and be very close to DCL cost or more. When making you choice....include all...not just ticket price.

 

[jahber]

So this might sound ridiculous, but bear with me. My boyfriend and I took an Eastern Carribean cruise on the Disney Fantasy last May. It was my first time on any cruise whatsoever, and my first time doing anything Disney related. We had an absolute blast. it was the best trip I've ever been on. Now, we're trying to figure out what we want to do next year. We have it narrowed down between doing another cruise on the Fantasy, or taking a cruise on the Royal Carribean Freedom of the Seas (itineraries we can deal with later). My issue is, does it get a bit repetitive after a while if you don't change ships? I loved the Fantasy the first time, I was like a kid on Christmas. But there's a little voice nagging me and saying that we should try something new, that I won't enjoy the same ship as much the second time around. Not to mention Disney is quite expensive, and we could probably do a lot more excursions on the Freedom than we could do on Disney (we didn't do anything on our last cruise). But the service was amazing on the Fantasy and I still find myself craving Palo once in a while... And I'm worried if I go on any other cruise line after Disney, and it's not the same quality, I'll regret spending my money on that line. I guess my question is: does the magic go away when you travel on the same ship more than once? Just for reference, we have no kids, so it's just us trying to make this decision.

Some of the magic did wear off for me. But only the really big, first-time impression stuff. DCL was our first cruise and we sailed (the Dream) after a really tough year of teaching/administrating at a rigorous school. So I was wiped out. Everything about DCL awed me--the service was so special, the ship was spotless, every activity was so fun and/or relaxing and/or just what I needed. It was as close to perfect as a vacation has ever come for me. Which is saying a lot.

Since then, we've sailed the Dream again and LOVED it, the Fantasy and LOVED it, and the Wonder and...you guessed it...LOVED it! It's not quite as super-special as that first time, but life is a whole lot less stressful for me now, too. . We also have since sailed on the Carnival Dream, which my family adored, but which just looked cheap and run-down to me. I'm a snob, I know now, when it comes to the appearance of the ship. The crew and activities were great on Carnival (as I said, my family really had a great time), but it definitely didn't have any Disney magic.

So I'll sum up by saying there's DEFINITELY still magic for us, even sailing the same itinerary and ship. On the one hand, we booked the westbound Transatlantic on the Magic so we could experience all 4 ships, but on the other hand, my husband suggested yesterday that we squeeze in one more Dream cruise (would be our third) before our baby is born next year. So, I guess there must be SOME magic left.

Btw, we live in Orlando, so some of the "magic" for us is that we can drive to the port when we can catch great deals. On the other hand, sailing once a year would also be magical because it would be even more special. So, I bet I could make it magical either way.

 

[kiford]

I guess my question is: does the magic go away when you travel on the same ship more than once? Just for reference, we have no kids, so it's just us trying to make this decision.

Not for us (no kids either). We've been on the Wonder once, Dream once, and Magic six times. It just gets to feel more familiar, like visiting family. You know what to look for, where you want to be, what you want to do and experience. While the second time isn't quite as filled with the wonder of everything that is new, you have the anticipation of knowing what comes next and trying out what you didn't last time or the anticipation of going back to your favourite things.

We've repeated itineraries but sometimes that works for us because we choose not to leave the ship and consider it to be our destination as opposed to the ports. I love Disney service so I figure if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[EvaSue]

I have sailed on both the Fantasy and Freedom of the Seas. Both ships are excellent, and will not disappoint!! The Disney experience is unique, of course, but there is TONS to do on the Freedom, I would sail that ship again in a hot minute. If you want to do more and spend less, I'd go with Freedom. If the Disney experience is really important to you and the family, well, it's certainly worth the extra money, even a second time around, as long as you visit some new ports of call. Good luck deciding!

 

[hamm1207]

We started sailing DCL in May 2010 and since then have been on 10 cruises (my 10th one will be in less than a month). The magic has not worn off for me at all--little stuff or big stuff. I've come to feel as though DCL is home to me. We've gotten to know staff and we're familiar with the layouts of the ships. As soon as we set foot in the terminal and are walking onto the ship, it feels like I'm coming home.

We've been on all 4 Disney ships and we've repeated itineraries. We've stayed in all of the categories of stateroom (except the concierge suits--such as the Walt Suit--we've stayed in a regular concierge room), and we have our favorite decks on certain ships (such as deck 5 on the magic/wonder).

Overall, the magic has not worn off and I look forward to cruising each year. Oh..and we don't have kids...yet.

 

[jrabbit]

12 DCL Cruises, 90 nights. Two more cruise booked next year. Been on all 4 ships. Only once on the dream and once on the fantasy.

Next cruises are wonder and magic

We love it! Everytime. Our last cruise was the best of the bunch

 

[truck1]

I dont think that you lose that magic if you sail the same ship multiple times. Even if you move ships theres differences. Whether its the itinerary or the ship itself. Theres differences in the clubs, shows and no 2 ships have the same sailaway party. Theres even differences in menus.

This cruise in 3 weeks will be my 10th. Theres always something new to see, or do or that you missed the first time. Ive done Carnival before, and in April well be doing a Princess cruise. Even oing from 1 line to the other, theres advantages to each. A line like Carnival or RCL, has a lot of options as far as itineraries. Disney is limited by the number of ships they have. But, Disney is the only line that has exclusive use of its own private island that the ship ties up to. Holland, and RCL use tenders.

 

[LACruise]

My DH and I tried a different cruise line last year without our kids. We still missed Disney. There is something magical about Disney, but then we did go to WDW on our honeymoon, so it might just be a matter of personal preference.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Honestly, we have more fun on our repeat cruises than we did on our first. There's less pressure , if that makes sense, because you've already seen things before. You can focus on new activities, or not feel like you're missing out if you skip an MDR for room service. It was actually even more relaxing IMHO!

 

[Meemawto2]

We don't think so and we sail with no children. We have been on the Magic three times, the Dream three times and the Fantasy twice. I feel like each time we see something we have never seen before and I personally get more relaxed each trip as I am more comfortable in my surroundings. I am much more comfortable getting around the ship so I am more relaxed. Each year my DH and I talk about doing other trips and somehow we always come back to DCL. It is just a very relaxing time for us.

 

[delo4]

We have sailed all 4 ships. # 24 coming up in December. It never gets old for us. Disney changes things up so there is something new every time.

We have never been disappointed.

 

[darkwing818]

Like others we've sailed all 4 ships with & w/o our 2 DDs. For us the MAGIC is still there, so much so we have 4 cruises on the books (next 2 NYE cruises for sure). We've sailed on RCCL, HAL & Celebrity but just enjoy our DCL cruises more, but that's just us.

 

[edith76]

Not for us either. We've done 26 DCL and have two more booked. I still get excited when I book another one. Some things do get repetitve but there is always something else we can do instead - or my favorite NOTHING. Some things we never get tired of like Castaway Cay.

 

[DenyingReality]

Wow! Thank you all so much for your opinions! I really appreciate it! If everything shapes up it's looking more and more like it's gonna be another Disney cruise for us

 

[Meghatron]

We've been on the Wonder four times, with a fifth trip on her planned for May. When we got onboard the last time, my husband said, "Wow, this is like coming home now." Except with people to cook and clean for us as our home sails on the ocean to places like Castaway Cay.

It just gets better each time. We are sailing on the Magic for the first time in January and I have to admit I feel a bit weird about having to learn a whole new ship, LOL.

Sent from my Tricorder using DISBoards

 

[SeaNana]

The Pixie Dust is a different color but still magic. My husband wants to retire to Florida so we can take advantage of the great last minute deals and discounts, but family will win over a mouse!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I think that there's still magic when you sail a ship a second (or third time). I've been on the Disney Magic twice and the Carnival Dream 3 times and would sail either of those ships again in a heartbeat.

Of course, I also sail multiple cruise lines (Carnival, RCCL and Disney) and enjoy them all for different reasons. Each cruise line offers something different:

Disney = Magic
Carnival = Fun
Royal Caribbean = Active Relaxation

I wouldn't hesitate to say cruise again on Disney but I also wouldn't hesitate to tell you to try Freedom of the Seas

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Honestly, we have more fun on our repeat cruises than we did on our first. There's less pressure , if that makes sense, because you've already seen things before. You can focus on new activities, or not feel like you're missing out if you skip an MDR for room service. It was actually even more relaxing IMHO!

I agree 100% with Plaid Princess. It's also this way for us at the parks, we've been so many times we do more things outside the parks.

On the ship we spend more time in the spa, signing up for the various tastings in the lounges, movies, reading, sitting out on the verandah, just relaxing.

We will be on our first Disney Dream cruise this winter and I'm sure we will be spending every waking hour filling them up because this is our first time and it's only four nights to explore the ship than back to the real world. Haven't seen the new shows, haven't been in any of the restaurants, haven't been to any of the lounges, haven'e been on the Aqua Duck, etc. We are very excited to be on the Dream for the first time; but know each day will be exhausting trying to see and do it all.