First time DCL - Magic or Dream?

[Wosmama6]

OH, another thing to consider: the 4n would not require a pre-disembarkation covid test. that could be huge.

 

[Wosmama6]

Go to WDW after the cruise, not before, so you don't get sick in the parks before cruising.

Could you elaborate?

 

[MomOTwins]

Could you elaborate?

Because you will be sailing in peak cold/flu season and the parks are ideal conditions to catch something--super high crowds, lots of high-touch surfaces, people who paid so much for park tickets that they are going to go to the park despite being sick. The first cruise we did parks before the cruise for a couple of days, the first night of the cruise, DH came down with a terrible stomach bug and spent the cruise in quarantine. And that was before Covid times. If any of you were to catch Covid before the cruise, you wouldn't be allowed on board at all. If you do the parks after, you could still get sick of course, but at least it wouldn't disqualify you from getting on the cruise.

 

[Cheburashka]

Could you elaborate?

You don't want to catch Covid at the parks & test positive at embarkation & be denied boarding. Or catch something else at the parks like a nasty cold & be denied boarding due to being symptomatic.

 

[Cheburashka]

OH, another thing to consider: the 4n would not require a pre-disembarkation covid test. that could be huge.

This would make the 4 night much more attractive to me. Combine it with WDW & you'll have a great trip.

 

[Wosmama6]

Definitely hear what you're saying, though I suppose that's possible in the crazy airports. Ugh. So sick of it.

 

[Wosmama6]

This would make the 4 night much more attractive to me. Combine it with WDW & you'll have a great trip.

Yeah that might be the kicker TBH.

 

[MomOTwins]

Definitely hear what you're saying, though I suppose that's possible in the crazy airports. Ugh. So sick of it.

True, but easier to mitigate—we used kn95s on the flight down with an added cloth mask, did not eat or drink on the plane, and used disinfectant wipes on all surfaces on our plane seating area before our cruise. That works for a few hours on a plane but not as well for a full day in the parks.

 

[Wosmama6]

this is all fantastic advice and exactly why i love this board

 

[Wosmama6]

Also, it looks like over 300 cabins open on Dream and just over 100 on Magic. Since Dream has double the cabins of magic, maybe the crowdedness is a wash?

 

[Wosmama6]

So 26% of cabins on Dream are showing available vs. 13% on Magic.

 

[sjuncfan]

a third option is the 7n star wars cruise on the fantasy. a little more, but dates are the same. but i worry that's too long for my hubby.

This was actually going to be my suggestion. You get the bigger boat and still get a themed day. We are doing the SWDAS the previous week on the Fantasy and are really looking forward to it. We got a killer deal on a VGT cabin.

In general longer is better. Though if it's your first cruise, there's something to be said for starting off with a shorter one. Once you do a 7 day, you'll never want to do 3-4 days...

 

[Wosmama6]

This was actually going to be my suggestion. You get the bigger boat and still get a themed day. We are doing the SWDAS the previous week on the Fantasy and are really looking forward to it. We got a killer deal on a VGT cabin.

In general longer is better. Though if it's your first cruise, there's something to be said for starting off with a shorter one. Once you do a 7 day, you'll never want to do 3-4 days...

That one has about 17% of cabins available, but still requires the debarkation testing.

 

[mousefan73]

So we just got off the Magic from Miami. Here are my thoughts.
1. If visiting WDW is not part of the equation I personally found flying into Miami so much better than Orlando. Depending on traffic it is literally a 15 to 20 minute transfer to port. And the sail away with the skyline in the background is simply breathtaking. Port Canaveral is now blah for me. We always did WDW first and was such a stress transferring to port. Now I’d prefer to do Miami Beach for two days and then go on a cruise. But that’s just me.
2. I personally didn’t board the magic after sailing only the fantasy and dream thinking OMG this boat is so small. Quite the contrary it’s still a huge cruise ship, granted not a mega ship. I actually found it nice not having to walk forever to get from forward to aft.
3. I loved the adult section more because the pool was bigger. I also liked the layout. It doesn’t have satellite Falls but I do not miss that because the pool area with bar layout was simply better.
4. So it doesn’t have the aqua duck the plunge slide gave a different good option.
5. I liked Rapunzel’s. The theming with simply breathtaking it was nice to have an actual dinner show. Not a fan of enchanted Garden so I didn’t miss that.
6. I don’t have kids so I can’t comment on the kids club so we did go to the oceaneers open house. Star Wars teaming on the larger ships are much more detailed. The magic has a smaller marble section.
7. I honestly can’t see the difference and ship size making any impact on seasickness. Both types a large ships. And the magic for me didn’t feel any different while moving.

I’m still trying to digest our trip and the main thing that sticks in my head is how easy the port of Miami is and it’s so far but the best port I have ever sailed out of when it comes to views and overall sailing away experience.
Edit: I saw another option extending to a seven night. Honestly the more you would pay for those two nights on the ship I’m guessing would be significantly lower than what a two day trip to WTW would cost today. When you factor in food and all other costs DCL is cheaper. But sssh Let’s keep that a secret OK

 

[KashasMom]

We've cruise the Magic the most and normally I'd choose her (5 nights!) but it sounds like for your family - convenience, your husband, more tech stuff - AND 2 days at WDW - the Dream would be the best. And IMO Beauty and the Beast is the best Disney show. (We specifically sailed the Dream to see B&TB but...I will say the 4 nights really didn't seem short.)

Oh...and Grand Cayman? We're supposed to port there in early Feb. and I'm not counting on it. Don't think it's going to happen.

 

[Wosmama6]

We've cruise the Magic the most and normally I'd choose her (5 nights!) but it sounds like for your family - convenience, your husband, more tech stuff - AND 2 days at WDW - the Dream would be the best. And IMO Beauty and the Beast is the best Disney show. (We specifically sailed the Dream to see B&TB but...I will say the 4 nights really didn't seem short.)

Oh...and Grand Cayman? We're supposed to port there in early Feb. and I'm not counting on it. Don't think it's going to happen.

You guys both have such great points and I'm so torn!!!!!

 

[Cheburashka]

Once you do a 7 day, you'll never want to do 3-4 days...

Meh, depends on your preferences. We've been on three 7-night cruises and while we remember them fondly, they aren't our favorite length- things get a bit repetitive (restaurants, entertainment, etc.) and we were satisfied to disembark from each one on the last day. I sailed a 3-night in October and have another 3-night booked for next month. Have always enjoyed our short cruises- they make great getaway trips, particularly if you're under stress & busy, and want to get away from it all without devoting a whole week to it, or if you want to pair it with something else like WDW.

 

[Wosmama6]

Meh, depends on your preferences. We've been on three 7-night cruises and while we remember them fondly, they aren't our favorite length- things get a bit repetitive (restaurants, entertainment, etc.) and we were satisfied to disembark from each one on the last day. I sailed a 3-night in October and have another 3-night booked for next month. Have always enjoyed our short cruises- they make great getaway trips, particularly if you're under stress & busy, and want to get away from it all without devoting a whole week to it, or if you want to pair it with something else like WDW. 5 nights is the ideal length for a stand-alone Caribbean or Bahamian cruise, imo.

Yeah, I'm feeling like the 7n might be too much for hubby. Though we are scheduled on a 7n med cruise this summer... but that's super port focused and may not even happen

 

[Joe Brig]

We were on the Fantasy Thanksgiving week, DCL is still under capacity so crowds aren't an issue, especially at CC. We prefer WDW before a cruise, the parks are crowded and can be hectic, so the cruise is even more relaxing and enjoyable after WDW. Also, taking Disney Transport from WDW allows you to board the ship much earlier as you will get an early boarding number.

With everything said, you really can't go wrong with either choice.

 

[Wosmama6]

Does anyone know what would happen if one of us tested positive at the end? Having to drive back from Miami would stink. Hubby and I are triple vaxxed, 8yo has second shot 2 weeks ago but 3yo...