Dream vs. Magic?

[mom2taylorandemily]

Help! I am so torn!! We currently have a 4 night Bahamaian cruise ...booked for Dec. 22, 2016 on the Dream. We just got off of the Dream on Spring Break and absolutely LOVED it! Well, I was surfing around on the web-site today and saw that there is a 5 night Bahamaina cruise departing Miami on Dec. 18, 2016 for less $$$ (same room cat.). OMG!! What do I do? More nights, on the Magic or fewer nights on the Dream (but being there on Christmas eve). My kids will be 19 and 17, so help! What's the difference in the ships, is the Magic and wonderful as the Dream? I have to present this to the family in the next day or so and I need to know what to say.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

So the Wonder and Magic came first and later the Dream and Fantasy came, the Magic had a refit in 2013 and is a great ship. I have been on three of the four on 12 cruises and the service is the same on all of them.

The older ships cater for up to 2700 people the newer ones up to 4000 so you get more privacy.

The pools are better on the newer ships imho but food entertainment shows are all the same. The kids club on the Magic imho is the best of all of the ships.

The Magic doesn't feel older, it feels fresh but has had the odd plumbing issue, its rare and will be resolved soon.

So you will notice less people and not notice a lot more.

Magic has two Animators palate shows including animation magic and its buffet has been converted to a Cabanas tyle like Fantasy and Dream.

 

[Tara619]

The more days the better. They're all great.

 

[Msidescooter]

We've been on the Dream and the Magic. Of the two, our personal preference is the Magic, plus the extra day would make this an easy choice for us.

 

[Avery's mom]

I have sailed the Dream twice, and just got off the Magic. I have to say that I loved the Dream, but the Magic is my new favorite ship! It feels new, like the Dream, but is smaller and easier to navigate. We never felt far from anything, everything was in great working order, service was fantastic, etc...

The one caveat I will say is - we LOVE the concierge lounge on the Dream, and even though the Magic holds cocktail parties in lounges to compensate, I feel that the suite experience is a tad nicer on the Dream. If you're in anything less than a suite, I doubt you'd notice the Magic is lacking anything

 

[dcassetta]

I always think more days are better. And, as the Magic includes a stop at Key West that's a bonus. You can use the extra money for some great port excursions.

 

[tweis]

We've sailed the Dream and the re-imagined Magic and prefer the Dream. However, for an extra night and less money, I would probably choose the Magic. I did a comparison Trip Report on these 2 ships. You can find it in my signature.

 

[NCPAWPAW]

We prefer the Dream, larger newer ship. But we did the 5 night in May and loved it. While still prefer the Dream having that 5th night was nice.

 

[jack87891]

We love the Magic. we did a 5 night in May and were excited to sail it for the first time since its' dry dock. you can't go wrong if you pick it. An extra night for the same money on a great boat would tip the scales for me. the good news is whatever you choose will be outstanding

 

[stickeymouse]

An ADDITIONAL night for LESS money? No brainer!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

An ADDITIONAL night for LESS money? No brainer!

My thoughts exactly. Hope the family feels the same. DD #2 says she's in!!! DH says he's in, now to wait on DD #1. She was a bit bored on the Dream. She had just turned 18 and was no longer allowed in the teen clubs, but was too young to attend any of the night clubs as they were for 21 and above. She stuck to me like glue, so I'm hoping since she will be 20 and will have been in college for a year or so, she won't be so shy about meeting new people.

 

[melissajx3]

My thoughts exactly. Hope the family feels the same. DD #2 says she's in!!! DH says he's in, now to wait on DD #1. She was a bit bored on the Dream. She had just turned 18 and was no longer allowed in the teen clubs, but was too young to attend any of the night clubs as they were for 21 and above. She stuck to me like glue, so I'm hoping since she will be 20 and will have been in college for a year or so, she won't be so shy about meeting new people.

They have a special 18-21 group that has meets quite often throughout the cruise. Also, if she's over 18 she can go into the night club and any adult areas, she just can't drink.

 

[SwimMom2]

Does she like water slides? The Aquadunk is awesome on the Magic.

If you pay, you make the call

 

[jdb in AZ]

I'd go with the Magic too. It will give your family the chance to decide for themselves which ship they prefer.

 

[Saamh]

We are on the Dec 18th Magic and took the Magic across the Atlantic in May. It's a beautiful ship and Castaway Cay is more enjoyable when visiting on a smaller ship (fewer guests on the island!). Another plus for the Magic is the new Tangled Musical is launching in November. It will be fun to see this new show as well as the shows on the Magix rather than repeating shows on the Dream.

 

[ImNarek]

My DH and I have sailed on the Fantasy, Magic and Wonder and love them all. With the Fantasy, I really enjoyed the Satellite Falls adult area, had fun with the Detective Agency mystery, and enjoyed their entertainment/nightclub area. It's a bigger ship, and it feels like a bigger ship. With the Magic, everything is a little more intimate. We did the 14 day transatlantic last year on the Magic, with 8 sea days and absolutely loved it. We were definitely never bored.

I have to agree with Saamh that Castaway Cay is more fun when visiting on a smaller ship, with about half as many people there. You really can't go wrong with any of the Disney ships. Each has something that makes it extra special.

 

[Hotdogdance]

We loved the comfortable feel of the magic and found it to be as good as new. It was easy to navigate and there were fewer people on castaway cay (as opposed to the larger ships) . I think each ship will leave its own lasting impression and more days is a plus!