Favorite ship

[cris0809]

That's the case pretty much every time this question is posed. I think, for some people, the shorter itineraries are the problem as opposed to the ship itself. It is true that the Fantasy has a few features that the Dream does not, but they are very similar ships. Many have posted saying that they felt rushed and were not able to do everything. IMO, that's more a function of the length of the cruise than the ship. We have been on the Dream and the Fantasy and have another cruise booked on each, as well as a one booked on the Magic. I'm not in a position at this point to compare the new ships to the classics, but I can compare the Dream to the Fantasy. Most of the time my family would prefer to take 7+ night cruises, which excludes the Dream at this point. When time or financial constraints dictate a shorter cruise, however, we will book the Dream without hesitation.

I respectfully disagree. We're platinum on DCL and have sailed on all four ships. While the Fantasy and the Dream are "similar" ships there are a lot of awkward things on the Dream that simply don't exist on the Fantasy. The adult areas are much better themed and you can go and BE in them instead of sitting in what feels like a hallway in the District Lounge. The details on the entire ship are more apparent and the flow of the basic areas work better. I don't feel rushed on a 4 night cruise because we only get off the ship for Castaway and I drive less than 1 hour to the port. The Fantasy got a lot of things right that the Dream did not. We continue to sail on the Dream because it's convenient but the Fantasy has outdone her, far and away.

I feel a similar way about the Magic vs the Wonder although to less of a degree. The adult areas on the Magic are lackluster. The Magic has a huge amount of special memories for me but I don't think she shines as much as the Wonder does *as a ship*.

 

[cris0809]

Uh oh!! I'm going on the dream this november!! What is there tht u don't like?

The Dream is a fine ship. Remember we're comparing four similar products. We are choosing based on our own individual experiences - like I mentioned before, it's like picking your favorite kid! You love them all for different reasons.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

The Dream is a fine ship. Remember we're comparing four similar products. We are choosing based on our own individual experiences - like I mentioned before, it's like picking your favorite kid! You love them all for different reasons.[/QUOTE]

This hits it on the head!

AKK

 

[Lisa Lisa]

I respectfully disagree. We're platinum on DCL and have sailed on all four ships. While the Fantasy and the Dream are "similar" ships there are a lot of awkward things on the Dream that simply don't exist on the Fantasy. The adult areas are much better themed and you can go and BE in them instead of sitting in what feels like a hallway in the District Lounge. The details on the entire ship are more apparent and the flow of the basic areas work better. I don't feel rushed on a 4 night cruise because we only get off the ship for Castaway and I drive less than 1 hour to the port. The Fantasy got a lot of things right that the Dream did not. We continue to sail on the Dream because it's convenient but the Fantasy has outdone her, far and away.

I actually prefer the Fantasy over the Dream as well -- for the reasons you mentioned, for the most part. I don't dislike the Dream, though, so I never understand when people bash her. I'm not saying you did that, because you didn't, but some here do. I just want to make sure that people new to DCL don't rule out the Dream without ever having sailed her. For some people, at some times, a 7-night cruise is just not an option. In every thread like this, people who have booked (or are considering booking) their first DCL cruise on the Dream second guess their decision after reading the responses. Our first DCL cruise was on the Dream and we had an amazing experience. We will sail her again and recommend her to anyone looking for a shorter itinerary out of PC.

 

[cris0809]

I actually prefer the Fantasy over the Dream as well -- for the reasons you mentioned, for the most part. I don't dislike the Dream, though, so I never understand when people bash her. I'm not saying you did that, because you didn't, but some here do. I just want to make sure that people new to DCL don't rule out the Dream without ever having sailed her. For some people, at some times, a 7-night cruise is just not an option. In every thread like this, people who have booked (or are considering booking) their first DCL cruise on the Dream second guess their decision after reading the responses. Our first DCL cruise was on the Dream and we had an amazing experience. We will sail her again and recommend her to anyone looking for a shorter itinerary out of PC.

I agree with you, which is why I keep saying that the Dream is a fine ship (and responded in this way up thread to the obvious-newbie). However these threads are started by many types of people. Those that want to pick "the best", those simply interested in what the majority of DISers think and those that that want to compare their favorites to those of others. I try to answer all of those.

 

[Debers17]

We have only been on 1 cruise and that was on the Dream. We used her to test out the waters, so to speak, since it was a shorter cruise and we weren't sure if we would like cruising, or if the kids would enjoy it. In the end we enjoyed ourselves SO much we are planning another trip on the Fantasy. The only reason why we are not planning to go back on the Dream is because right now it's a shorter cruise and we definitely want to go back for a much longer cruise. It really is true that on the shorter trips you have much less time to see and do what you probably could on a longer cruise

 

[jczosack]

HANDS DOWN - The Magic!!!! I love this classic ship and the smaller size compared to the Dream or the Fantasy. Of course I'm partial because my daughter is working her third contract with the Magic (she's cruising the Mediterranean right now). She's a mainstage performer and is enjoying every minute of the European tour; all the cast members are looking forward to the reimagined ship. We're hoping to cruise this fall again before her third contract ends in December.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Since I like the size of the Magic and the Wonder, and all the state-of-the-art Imagineering on the Fantasy (haven't tried the Dream because of the short itineraries) I suspect that after the Magic has been through its major refurb, it will be my fave.

Several years ago I wasn't interested in the Wonder because the itineraries were so short, but DCL changed that, and we enjoyed sailing on the Wonder through the Panama Canal, Hawaii, and the repo up the west coast. Will wait til the Dream has more interesting itineraries before trying her.

 

[su_A_ve]

We did a 5n Dream and a 5n Wonder. On Dec '13 we plan on a short 3n Magic, and Dec '14 Fantasy for a Grand Slam.

So far, it's a tossup. DW and I had more fun on the Wonder, but also because I think we allowed ourselves to do so and let the kids hang out on their own more. The Wonder felt more cramped, but then again, it was a full ship with 50% kids (KSF promo).

We were spoiled on the Dream with a HUGE 5E upgrade after booking OGT. We did love Cabanas there though and Aquaduck of course.

 

[jahber]

Which one of the ships do you like the best?

The Dream will always hold a special place in my heart because she was my first cruise ever. We've also sailed the Fantasy, but then when we sailed the Dream again it was like coming home (even though it was only our third cruise ever at that point). Our first cruise was just completely perfect. We'll be on the Wonder in September and I'm eager to experience a classic ship!

 

[lovin'fl]

Magic!!!!

 

[Sinderelly]

The Magic. It's "our ship".

 

[Jerseymomof2]

The Magic. It's "our ship".

We have only been on one cruise (it's on my bucket list to go on all 4) and it was Magic on the "Magic"
I heard the bigger ships have the same size pools with almost twice as many people. I am afraid of that but we are going to try the Fantasy or Dream next.

I hope that since these ships are so much larger we don't feel crowded. I loved the feel of the smaller ship.

 

[Justacruiser]

As of now we have 2 grand slams (GS) and just need the Fantasy to complete our 3rd GS.

My reasoning is as follows:

Magic - more personal service and feel that there are not a lot of times where you feel there alot of people. Espacially Castaway Cay day. Awesome. Easy to get anywhere on the ship.

Fantasy - Like the addtion of the drawing in Animators Palate and there are just a lot of things they did right. Also love the club areas, very nice.

Wonder - Still like the classic ships even though I haven't been on the Wonder since 2010. Want to get on the ship while it cruising out of Galveston (haven't booked yet)

Dream - Beautiful ship but a large scale. I don't feel that you get the same customer service as the smaller ships, but still love the cruise in general. There are about 1,500 more guests and 200 CM's than the classic ships when the ship is full.

I am happy to go on any DCL cruise, and would recomend any ship in the fleet.

 

[darkwing818]

The Dream is a fine ship. Remember we're comparing four similar products. We are choosing based on our own individual experiences - like I mentioned before, it's like picking your favorite kid! You love them all for different reasons.

We've completed 2 Grand Slams; so another vote for, "you love them all for different reasons".

 

[Happy100]

Fantasy all the way!

However when the Magic is remodeled I will be happy to cruise on it again and I don't doubt if that becomes my new fav because it is smaller then the Fantasy but upgraded with all the perks I deem important.

 

[MichellelovesMickey]

So far been on the Wonder & The Dream.....love the Dream!!!! Cruising on the "Re-imagined" Magic in January and on the Fantasy December 2014!! Can't wait till experience all 4

 

[DanzinMommyof3girls]

Would love to hear why the Dream seems to be everyone's least favorite? We have only been on the Fantasy so it gets my vote.

 

[Bear3412]

Fantasy. She a beauty. She's the Ritz Carlton at sea. With all the new bells and whistles too. Flawless. IMO.

 

[lilpooh108]

1. Wonder (for the service, warmth and friendliness; and more characters wandering around just saying hi)

2. Magic (yummy food, great service)

3. Dream (beautiful ship, yucky service, too crowded, rushed crowds, hordes of people, blah food, noisy aft stateroom, noisy dining rooms, rushed servers)