Help me pick our first cruise!

[knlasv]

Need help deciding, trying to stay within a certain budget. Everyones first cruise, except 1 person
Five adults, 3 kids (ages 10, 7, 4)

Option 1: 3 nights on Magic, visiting LC (and maybe Nassau), 2 deluxe inside state rooms, 1 oceanview room, ( all 3 families get own room) $1000+ cheaper, better choice of dates for our preference

Option 2: 3 nights on WISH, visiting CC (and maybe Nassau), 2 oceanview rooms (4 people in each), $1000+ more, traveling dates we dont prefer but will work if need be

What else is there to consider? Does the new island have a lot of kids activities? My mom has been to CC and wants to take the grandkids there, but the LC cruise seems to fit our schedule better. Pretend this is the only cruise for a LONG time because we dont know when we could get everyone together like this again.

 

[Erica1016]

I'd pick the one that saves you $1000. You're going to want to go again!

I haven't yet been to LC and we don't have small kids. But, from the videos I've seen, the splashpad area there looks very cool.

While I can understand your mom wanting to take the kids to CC, I think saving the money, having better dates and having a bit more space in the three staterooms all seem like wins to me.

Of course, people that actually have kids may have different advice.

 

[juxtapose]

Option 1. We love CC, but I wouldn't pay that much more for it over LC. I don't feel the view in the room, or the ship would matter as much during a 3-night so Magic vs Wish is a wash to me.

 

[JM_97]

Better prices and dates would be the deciding factor for me.

The Magic is an older ship, but that is not a bad thing. She is still adored and you will get more of the classic Disney Cruise experience. Also, they move the Magic around a lot so who knows what future schedules will look like. The Wish has a pretty constant schedule, so you'd have plenty of other chances to sail on her.

LC vs CC is kind of a wash; they have different individual offerings but I don't think you'd regret not visiting one over the other.

 

[Mommb]

Given those choices, I'd go with the Magic based on the combination of $1000 less expensive, a room for each family, and reduced crowds at the private island compared to the larger ship

There are some features on the Wish that aren't on the Magic (more lounges, more pool deck activities) but if most of the group has never cruised before, they won't know what they're missing.

 

[holula]

I would pick the Magic hands down. You’re saving money and every family gets their own room. Plus it has the best shows.

 

[otten]

Need help deciding, trying to stay within a certain budget. Everyones first cruise, except 1 person
Five adults, 3 kids (ages 10, 7, 4)

Option 1: 3 nights on Magic, visiting LC (and maybe Nassau), 2 deluxe inside state rooms, 1 oceanview room, ( all 3 families get own room) $1000+ cheaper, better choice of dates for our preference

Option 2: 3 nights on WISH, visiting CC (and maybe Nassau), 2 oceanview rooms (4 people in each), $1000+ more, traveling dates we dont prefer but will work if need be

What else is there to consider? Does the new island have a lot of kids activities? My mom has been to CC and wants to take the grandkids there, but the LC cruise seems to fit our schedule better. Pretend this is the only cruise for a LONG time because we dont know when we could get everyone together like this again.

This is strictly my opinion so take it or leave it but I don’t think the Wish is well suited for the short itineraries that it does, especially if you aren’t a repeat cruiser. I felt more rushed on the Wish than on a commando park touring day.

For this reason I recommend the Magic. I love the Magic. The smaller ship is easier to get around and it feels more relaxed. There will also be fewer people on the island.

 

[auntlynne]

Less money, better dates, and especially an additional room.

Are you pulling our leg? No brainer! … to many of us.

I’d take an inside cabin over being tightly packed in one less cabin.

I’m surprised a different view hasn’t been raised.

Lookout Cay (LC) has an exceptionally long pier that able-bodied people will be walking (those who have mobility issues can get a golf cart ride). Then there’s a 10-15 minute tram ride (if I’m remembering correctly) to the beach area.

No plastic floats allowed at LC, perhaps including those arm floaties.

The foliage is new, young, needing some years to grow.

The beach is on an open ocean - no retaining wall to keep out fish nor to provide a boundary to keep people in.

It’s hard to get a lounger up close to the water. You are camped out up a sand dune.

I say all those things not to dissuade you, but so you have heard what may be drawbacks.

Disney’s beaches are pretty much that - beaches. No big water slides (there is one floating slide at CC. Kids’ clubs do have activities on the islands. Photos of a splash area at LC look good.

The adult beach (Serenity Bay) on CC is a tram ride away from the Family Beach. It’s right next door on LC. Easy for someone to slip over there and check it out.

If it may be a long time til another cruise - you may want to sail on the original DCL ship (Magic) while it is still available. I highly enjoy its restaurants and stage shows. And the classic ship design with an atrium for photo with the characters. It’s very easy to get from end to end.

Have a great trip!

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

Magic. The smaller ship will make it easier to navigate for first time cruisers, less people at LC, and the extra room, cost savings, and better dates.

 

[Lillebelle]

I like the Wish more than many people on this board but I also would go with Option 1 for your circumstances. 3 nights is such a short cruise that you really won't get to spend much time doing stuff on the ship (especially if one day is spent on a Disney island). So I think having the Magic is actually better since you'll be able to get a feel for it quickly, it's easy to navigate, and you won't have the FOMO of all the stuff on the Wish you didn't get to do because you literally didn't have time. The Magic is beautiful, very classic, and has more than enough to occupy you for three days.

From what I've heard the water at Lighthouse Point is absolutely gorgeous and the splash pad area for the kids looks really cool, so I don't think you'll be really missing out by doing that instead of Castaway.

 

[justme0729]

I would prefer the Wish but everyone having their own room would make me choose the Magic. Also lookout looks like a nice splash pad for the kids plus pretty beach but Castaway is very nice too. I haven’t been to Lookout yet