First time DCL - Magic in Alaska or Adventure in Singapore

[beckyboo1986]

Hi all

I'm a seasoned cruiser on RCC, MSC and NCL however a DCL virgin. I'd love to cruise next year with my 5 year old son to celebrate my 40th birthday but I just can't decide which trip.

The options are 3/4 nights on Adventure from Singapore. I know this is the newer ship, much bigger than Magic and it will consist of all sea days or do we go on Magic, smaller older ship but to stunning Alaska where we've never been before.

My concerns are with Singapore will it be too overcrowded, will it be mainly locals, does the cuisine change to accommodate a more local market and would we get bored being constant sea days. The pluses would be great weather, bigger ship to explore.

With Magic is the ship very dated, is there plenty to keep us entertained and will we even get to use the pool/hot tubs/slides being in the colder weather. The huge draw is fantastic Alaska, the excursion look incredible (although very expensive!).

My son travels well so he would be fine in either location. If you had a choice, which would you choose and why please.

 

[Amunet]

It sounds like you're interested in Alaska the most but are hesitant at sailing on a smaller ship.

The Magic is my favorite Disney ship that I've been on so far and is a great introduction to DCL sailing. DCL isn't about having everything shoved in your face at all times and I love that.

The Adventure is an outlier for DCL, it is not a normal DCL experience. Based on information released about the Adventure, there definitely will be more options for local cuisine. There will even be a Boba lounge onboard!!
I do have a reservation for the Adventure as I'm a huge fan of DCL and I love being on the ships. I also live in Japan, which makes it slightly closer to travel to.

I say go for Alaska, you clearly are very excited for that itinerary. It will be a nice introduction to DCL.

 

[beckyboo1986]

Thank you for your reply. Alaska does sound incredible. I've priced both trip options up and Alaska is coming in at £1500 more and that's without any excursions. I suspect it will cost considerably more than Singapore option. It's a special trip so I could splurge.

 

[jimmymc]

It sounds like you're worried about the Magic being a smaller, older ship, but this isn't a concern on DCL the way it is on other mass market cruise lines. The theming is just as good, arguably better than some of Disney's newest ships. I think the big decision is if you'd rather spend more money to see Alaska or if you're OK doing all sea days on a larger ship.

 

[holula]

If the choice is between Alaska or the Adventure I’d 100% do Alaska. I’ve sailed Alaska twice and it’s hands down my favourite itinerary. The Magic is older but DCL take very good care of their ships and you get the advantage of the Tangled restaurant and music too.

 

[Newsies]

FWIW I was initially disappointed when we booked our first Disney cruise based off of the itinerary and found out that we'd be sailing on the Magic versus the Fantasy, which sailed with our same itinerary last year. I ended up feeling very silly for feeling that way -- the Magic was terrific. Her size is so perfect, the ship never felt crowded and I felt like I really got to know the Cast and the other guests. The MDRs were fantastic, especially the Tangled restaurant which is unique to her. Can't speak to pool/hot tub in colder weather but as far as entertainment goes, yes, they will keep you entertained -- the team is fantastic and if you love games, trivia, character m&gs, and stage shows, you're going to love the Magic. An Alaska sailing on the Magic specifically is now on my bucket list.

 

[Geomom]

Both the Wonder and Magic will be doing Alaska in 2026. The Magic will have a dry dock/refurb right before doing Alaska, so it should be in fantastic shape that summer. (Disney is constantly painting/staining/cleaning their ships, so even without a dry dock, they're in great shape.).

For the Magic, Are you looking at oceanview rooms or just verandah? You can save thousands by picking a deck 2 oceanview vs upper deck veranda. If you do Alaska, definitely go for a 7 nt vs 5 NT to get the extra ports. The glaciers are receding, so if it's a trip you're interested in, I'd go sooner than later. We went in 2016 and 2025, I was so surprised at how much Mendenhall glacier in Juneau had receded in those 9 yrs

The pools are heated when air temps are below 75F, also fewer people in them, which is a plus. I know the smaller twist and spout waterslide was open as we walked past it multiple times.

I think Adventure is geared to the Asian customers. There won't be any reviews until the first cruises in March. Doing 3/4 nt back to back cruises means the same menus and shows for each cruise vs a 7 nt with new menus each night. The 7 nt will still just have 3 Disney Broadway style shows, but the other nights will have entertainers or a recent Disney movie in the theater.

We did the Magic in 2018 in Europe. Their theater shows are Tangled, Twice Charmed (a twist on Cinderella), and Dreams. The main dining rooms are Lumieres, Animators Palate (with the Drawn to animation show on nt 2/3), and Rapunzel's Royal Table (with dinner shows). For Alaska, they usually have a Frozen deck party (NO fireworks in Alaska), and the Frozen menu one night

For Alaska, you get the characters in their Alaska costumes, as well as their formal wear, and sailor outfits.

We've been on the original 4 ships and prefer the 2700 passenger Magic/Wonder over the 4000 passenger Dream/Fantasy. The Adventure is supposed to hold 6000 passengers.

 

[Geomom]

General Disney Cruise line info:
Disney Cruise line app: download the app before your cruise. Before the cruise, you'll be able to book excursions/drink tasting/spa treatments, etc(75 days before for first time cruisers). And do online check-in at 30 days (upload pics of passports and a headshot that will be seen by crew whenever you use your key card. Once at the port, put your phone in airplane mode, access ship Wi-Fi (free for the app only), and you'll see ALL the entertainment and menus for the whole cruise, can favorite things, text other people on the ship, etc.

Dining: when you book, you choose main dining (5:45pm) or late dining (8:15pm). Disney does rotational dining. You and your servers will rotate thru the 3 main dining rooms, different menu each night. The app will have your dining rotation listed on it when you get to port. Servers may do magic, games, or origami for your child in the slower times. Both of you can order from the adult or child menu, anything you want.

 

[beckyboo1986]

Thank you so much. It really sounds like Alaska is a once in a lifetime trip so it would be very fitting for my birthday


I really like hearing that a smaller ship is not an issue with DCL. That has put my mind at ease.

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

I would 100% do the Magic in Alaska. I haven’t been to Alaska yet but sailed on the Magic for the first time this year. For context I have sailed on Disney Wish (2 times ) new ship from 2022. The Fantasy and the Dream. The Magic is my favorite ship. It’s the oldest in the fleet but it’s in amazing condition. I personally think the shows and main dining rooms are the best on that ship compared to the others I have been on. The ship never felt crowded either.

 

[cruisehopeful]

The Alaska cruise is amazing, but I did notice a lot of bored kids. It's a cold cruise and if it's raining, outdoor activities are limited. The first 3 days are sea days (one is glacier viewing). Do you think your 5 year old will do well with 3 days of potential bad weather? I know some kids like the kids clubs a lot and are content to spend the day there, but others don't enjoy it as much.

 

[Girl of the South]

Do you live in the UK? So would go East to get to Singapore? The flights would be somewhat equal in flight time??? Just curious.

Would suspect the Adventure would have a much different "vibe" being in Asia, with the longest fastest roller coaster at sea and a capacity of 6,700!

The Magic is my favorite ship, for what that is worth. I wouldn't call it "very dated". Newer and Bigger isn't always "better"!

 

[Mommb]

Another consideration: The Adventure will be new next year, and since it is very different from the other Disney ships, there may be some aspects that don't work as well as intended. When the Disney Wish launched in 2022, there were some complaints that stemmed from misleading directional signs and hallways that dead-ended unexpectedly because doors didn't open. I would guess this will be even worse on the Adventure with several thousand people who are almost all sailing on it for the first time and many new crew members.

The Magic is older but well-maintained. It will have fewer people, and many passengers and most crew members will have sailed on the Magic (or its sister ship the Wonder) before.