First Cruise - 5-Night - Disney Magic

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

So I finally took the plunge (though I hope it won't be overboard!) and reserved my stateroom for me and my dad. We've both never been on a cruise and we're suckers for Disney so figured "why not", especially since were taking a Disney break next year.

After doing our research (with a little additional help from some Dis'ers), we decided on April 12, 2021 April 17, 2021 aboard Disney Magic to the Bahamas for 5 Nights Caribbean (Cozumel, Mexico & Cast Away Key bit of a sucker for Tangled so of course we had to choose this ship. It's also an early b-day celebration for me as well since mine is the week after we return. It's will be my birthday during that week.

We decided to go with the stateroom 6634 7120 after doing some research. Felt like a good deal to get it for a "navigator's verandah" price. I can deal with some obstruction for a more affordable open-air area.

I would love to know any thoughts on what you wish you knew as a first timer.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

So I finally took the plunge (though I hope it won't be overboard!) and reserved my stateroom for me and my dad. We've both never been on a cruise and we're suckers for Disney so figured "why not", especially since were taking a Disney break next year.

After doing our research, we decided on April 12, 2021 aboard Disney Magic to the Bahamas for 5 Nights. I'm a bit of a sucker for Tangled so of course we had to choose this ship. It's also any early b-day celebration for me as well since mine is the week after we return.

We decided to go with the stateroom 6634 after doing some research. Felt like a good deal to get it for a "navigator's verandah" price. I can deal with some obstruction for a more affordable open-air area.

I would love to know any thoughts on what you wish you knew as a first timer.

Congratulations on the cruise! The Magic is a great ship, we really enjoyed her. The one thing I wish I knew on my first cruise was to just relax and enjoy the serenity of gliding gently across the water. I finally discovered how amazing the lounge chairs on the Promenade Deck, (deck 4), are on my 3rd cruise. Ever since, I make a point to nap out there in the afternoon on all sea days. It’s a great sleep, you feel the wind, smell the amazing sea air, hear the sound of the hull and water crashing together, and sometimes catch the occasional splash of water. It’s absolute heaven!

Enjoy your cruise and BTW, all the Tangled stuff is fantastic!!! Make sure you go to O’Gills the day they transform it into the Snuggly Duckling, it’s a great time in there.

 

[vegs1]

Congratulations on the cruise! The Magic is a great ship, we really enjoyed her. The one thing I wish I knew on my first cruise was to just relax and enjoy the serenity of gliding gently across the water. I finally discovered how amazing the lounge chairs on the Promenade Deck, (deck 4), are on my 3rd cruise. Ever since, I make a point to nap out there in the afternoon on all sea days. It’s a great sleep, you feel the wind, smell the amazing sea air, hear the sound of the hull and water crashing together, and sometimes catch the occasional splash of water. It’s absolute heaven!

Enjoy your cruise and BTW, all the Tangled stuff is fantastic!!! Make sure you go to O’Gills the day they transform it into the Snuggly Duckling, it’s a great time in there.

I totally agree about just relaxing and enjoying the serenity. I am a planner and tend to overbook myself with all there is to do. Find those Deck 4 chairs and watch the sea go by.

I also always feel compelled to go to the main dining room. Next cruise I am going to Cabanas for dinner some nights to try it out.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Agree with all the PPs: just relax and enjoy the cruise. I'm sure you will get lists of things to do, sign-up for, etc. but forgetaboutit. Just spend the time with your dad. You'll be back for more cruises. If you really enjoyed it, make sure you put in for the placeholder (10% discount on the next cruise).

 

[Thumper99]

Congrats on you cruise!! You won’t regret going on a Disney cruise!!

Personally. I would keep looking to see if they have any VGT rates as you get closer to the sail date unless it’s really important for you to know where on the ship you are. We’ve done VGT rates and gotten the navigator Verandah each time. They are the “ worst” of the Verandah so if your happy with that anyways I would look to see if you could switch to VGT since the worst you could do is a navigators Verandah which you already have booked and you could be upgraded even more to a regular Verandah and you’d save some good money.
Now if you’d rather not stress about not knowing the exact room on your first cruise that makes great sense too! This being your first cruise I could see having that detail be known as important. Just wanted to let you know that we find the Magic definitely has the VGT rates often prior to final pay dates. That said it will be spring so that cruise may not go to the special rates.

For example I had my sister who wanted to know her room but my hubby and I decided to do the VGT and we ended up in same room next door (7a navigator). But I paid $700 less. Lol. Of course I write this as I’m checking hourly for my room assignment for our Nov 15th Cruise!!

AND one thing we love to do at least once per cruise, especially with my 80 year old dad is go to lunch in the main dining room. Cabanas buffet is great but once in a while it’s nice to go to Lumieres for a relaxing lunch! Have a blast!! If you love tangled you’re going to love the Magic!

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

6634 is a great find! It’s categorized as a Nav Verandah but it’s much more like a regular verandah, but it has a slight obstruction in one corner. There are only 4 of these on the ship and they usually book quickly. It sounds like you recognize it’s not a typical 7A, but if you haven’t already, check out reviews for this room - I think you’ll be pleased! Enjoy your cruise!!

 

[Thumper99]

Oh that’s the secret one. Yes stay with that!!

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

Congratulations on the cruise! The Magic is a great ship, we really enjoyed her. The one thing I wish I knew on my first cruise was to just relax and enjoy the serenity of gliding gently across the water. I finally discovered how amazing the lounge chairs on the Promenade Deck, (deck 4), are on my 3rd cruise. Ever since, I make a point to nap out there in the afternoon on all sea days. It’s a great sleep, you feel the wind, smell the amazing sea air, hear the sound of the hull and water crashing together, and sometimes catch the occasional splash of water. It’s absolute heaven!

Enjoy your cruise and BTW, all the Tangled stuff is fantastic!!! Make sure you go to O’Gills the day they transform it into the Snuggly Duckling, it’s a great time in there.

I totally agree about just relaxing and enjoying the serenity. I am a planner and tend to overbook myself with all there is to do. Find those Deck 4 chairs and watch the sea go by.

I also always feel compelled to go to the main dining room. Next cruise I am going to Cabanas for dinner some nights to try it out.

Already way ahead on the "relaxing" front. I have a couple ideas of things I want to do with the rest of the time just enjoying the ship or time ashore. I watched the Dis Unplugged (2 Dudes on a Cruise 2) & TimTracker vids of the cruise and listening to them do everything I'm just like "That sounds exhausting. Let's not get to that point" .

6634 is a great find! It’s categorized as a Nav Verandah but it’s much more like a regular verandah, but it has a slight obstruction in one corner. There are only 4 of these on the ship and they usually book quickly. It sounds like you recognize it’s not a typical 7A, but if you haven’t already, check out reviews for this room - I think you’ll be pleased! Enjoy your cruise!!

Oh that’s the secret one. Yes stay with that!!

Funny story about that. I got my info about the verandahs on mousesavers so I knew about them. After making the decision, we originally chose the 6134 secret verandah. But apparently I got to the screen to pay and for some reason didn't put in the deposit (I must have gotten distracted and thought I already paid XD). Half an hour later after no confirmation and a quick talk with support about why I didn't receive an e-mail, I went back to the site. And in that amount of time 6134 had already been booked. We got 6634 instead since it was the other one on that deck that was the "secret verandah." As quick as those go I feel pretty lucky to have gotten any of those rooms.

 

[MomOTwins]

Just pointing out that if your dates are flexible, you can get a 5 night on the magic in the exact same room a week later (your birthday week) for $300 less. The ports are different (Cozumel instead of Key West/Nassau) but I personally think Cozumel is a much better port than Key West (more interesting activities like cenotes and ruins, and warmer for that time of year), and I never get off the ship in Nassau because of the crime issue and because none of the activities look that appealing. Just wanted to mention because when I was first looking, it didn't occur to me how variable the pricing could be week to week.

 

[Thumper99]

Just pointing out that if your dates are flexible, you can get a 5 night on the magic in the exact same room a week later (your birthday week) for $300 less. The ports are different (Cozumel instead of Key West/Nassau) but I personally think Cozumel is a much better port than Key West (more interesting activities like cenotes and ruins, and warmer for that time of year), and I never get off the ship in Nassau because of the crime issue and because none of the activities look that appealing. Just wanted to mention because when I was first looking, it didn't occur to me how variable the pricing could be week to week.

Cozumel will be a bit warmer and more Caribbean feel too! I’d look into that OP if you can change your dates. Key west is very touristy. Cozumel has a great national park you can swim with dolphins or just relax. Lots of other things too. Do they both stop st Castaway cay?

 

[Thumper99]

Oh and OP isn’t Easter the Sunday before you leave. I hope you are planning on traveling the day before you depart (not sure where you live.). But most likely the flight on the Sunday after the week of spring break could be costly if you’re not right on it when flights are released. Just a heads up!

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

I'll make sure to take a look at those suggestions when I get the chance.

At least Easter Sunday is April 4 that year so only spring break I have to worry about (and yes, the intent is to get in the day before).

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

Cozumel will be a bit warmer and more Caribbean feel too! I’d look into that OP if you can change your dates. Key west is very touristy. Cozumel has a great national park you can swim with dolphins or just relax. Lots of other things too. Do they both stop st Castaway cay?

Yes. Both stop at Castaway Cay (I keep wanting to say "Kay" even though I know it's "Key")

Just pointing out that if your dates are flexible, you can get a 5 night on the magic in the exact same room a week later (your birthday week) for $300 less. The ports are different (Cozumel instead of Key West/Nassau) but I personally think Cozumel is a much better port than Key West (more interesting activities like cenotes and ruins, and warmer for that time of year), and I never get off the ship in Nassau because of the crime issue and because none of the activities look that appealing. Just wanted to mention because when I was first looking, it didn't occur to me how variable the pricing could be week to week.

Honestly I've been having second thoughts about a third port of call in 5 nights anyway. A second day at sea might be better anyhow if I want to take the "relax" approach without feeling like I'm missing anything on land.

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

So I took the second plunge and took the advice of booking the April 17 Cruise to Cozumel & Castaway Cay. I couldn't get to either 6134 or 6634 in time. I was able to get 7120 though (another secret verandah) and cancel the other reservation with them applying that deposit to the new reservation.

Thanks all for that advice. I think that will be an easier cruise to enjoy.