Just saw the Magic go out to sea

[LoveDaisy]

Magic cruised by our ship at port canaveral. It’s the first time I saw it in person (please don’t throw stuff at me) and thought it was ugly. Our friends who are boat people asked how old it was and thought it was really showing it’s age.

For the old Disney ships is the magic a big or small boat? I know the older ships come in 2 sizes.

 

[Dug720]

She is classically beautiful.

She is small compared to her younger sisters, but still she and her sister the Wonder are considered "Large" with capacity of 2700. The Dream, Fantasy, and Triton Class ships are considered "Mega" as they hold over 3500 with capacity of 4000.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

thought it was ugly.

What was "ugly" about it? It's a classic design of what cruise ships used to be, not the (IMO) ugly big white brick shape that the newer, bigger ships are for other cruise lines.

 

[JM_97]

The Magic isn't as big as other ships but I don't know if I would call it small either. What about her state made her look old or ugly?

 

[DWillowBay]

The Magic was the first Disney ship I ever saw (trip to Miami for DD college visit) and she struck me as gorgeous. I know it's been a few years since then, but I have sailed her twin sister, Wonder. I love the smaller ships..."Petite" is the new "Stunning". Every ship has her own personality, but there are no Ugly Stepsisters here. Beauty all around!

 

[Joanna71985]

The Magic is the smallest of the ships, but I wouldn't call her small

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I was just on her in April. Beautiful ship, kept up well. Not sure why anyone would call her ugly?

 

[LoveDaisy]

The Magic isn't as big as other ships but I don't know if I would call it small either. What about her state made her look old or ugly?

I didn’t like the general design of the ship, it just looked dated and not in a classic way to me. The paint job was really faded and peeling in some areas.

 

[fla4fun]

I didn’t like the general design of the ship, it just looked dated and not in a classic way to me. The paint job was really faded and peeling in some areas.

Ah, so it appeared to be in need of some exterior maintenance. It just went to dry dock in May of 2023, so I would not have expected it to need another so soon. However, these ships are workhorses and take a beating from the elements. I believe the Fantasy is next up for dry dock, so it may be a little while before the Magic does another one. Disney does schedule their ships for dry dock on a fairly regular basis, so I am sure she will get the attention she needs.

All of the Disney cruise ships have the same basic style, that of an early 20th century ocean liner. That may not be an aesthetic that appeals to you and there’s nothing wrong with that. We like what we like. Many people do find it attractive and it does make the Disney ships stand out among all the white, squared off, mega ships. I prefer the ocean liner look to the Caribbean cruise ship look myself. I think the Norwegian Epic is one of the ugliest. It looks like it is carrying construction equipment on the top forward decks. I find most Carnival ships to be fairly ugly as well.

 

[dreamer17555]

The Magic is getting Winterized before her summer in Alaska 2026 so I bet they touch up the paint then... but truthfully I have never seen a Disney ship not well maintained. I looked at your photos and did not notice any areas of concern and it must be pretty noticeable if you could clearly see it from another ship/

 

[JM_97]

Ah, so it appeared to be in need of some exterior maintenance. It just went to dry dock in May of 2023, so I would not have expected it to need another so soon. However, these ships are workhorses and take a beating from the elements. I believe the Fantasy is next up for dry dock, so it may be a little while before the Magic does another one. Disney does schedule their ships for dry dock on a fairly regular basis, so I am sure she will get the attention she needs.

All of the Disney cruise ships have the same basic style, that of an early 20th century ocean liner. That may not be an aesthetic that appeals to you and there’s nothing wrong with that. We like what we like. Many people do find it attractive and it does make the Disney ships stand out among all the white, squared off, mega ships. I prefer the ocean liner look to the Caribbean cruise ship look myself. I think the Norwegian Epic is one of the ugliest. It looks like it is carrying construction equipment on the top forward decks. I find most Carnival ships to be fairly ugly as well.

It doesn't help that up until the past couple of years, the Magic did a lot of intense European and Transatlatic cruises. There are some areas that are simply a result of Father Time and Mother Nature but for a ship that's coming up on 30 years, she is doing very well.

I also love the look of the classic ocean liners too. Some of the modern ships look better than others (the NCL Epic is ugly lol), but there's definitely something different about how DCL designed the exterior.

 

[tvguy]

I didn’t like the general design of the ship, it just looked dated and not in a classic way to me. The paint job was really faded and peeling in some areas.

Interesting as the larger ships are the same design, just bigger.

 

[LoveDaisy]

Interesting as the larger ships are the same design, just bigger.

I have not seen any other DCL ships but I would assume if they look the same I would feel the same about all of them.

We are docked next to it in Nassau today. Walking by you could see how rusty she is at the bottom.

Again just my opinion not everyone has the same taste. I get a lot of people love the ships. It was the first time I’d seen one in person and after hearing everyone one here gush that they were the best I guess my expectations were higher. Seeing her in person she looked her age to me. The friends we are traveling with know nothing about Disney and a lot about boats and were surprised she was still in use. They guessed her age without knowing anything about the ship.

 

[tvguy]

I have not seen any other DCL ships but I would assume if they look the same I would feel the same about all of them.

We are docked next to it in Nassau today. Walking by you could see how rusty she is at the bottom.

Again just my opinion not everyone has the same taste. I get a lot of people love the ships. It was the first time I’d seen one in person and after hearing everyone one here gush that they were the best I guess my expectations were higher. Seeing her in person she looked her age to me. The friends we are traveling with know nothing about Disney and a lot about boats and were surprised she was still in use. They guessed her age without knowing anything about the ship.

Covid really messed with the cruise industry sending ships to early retirement. At 27, the Magic isn't old. The first ship I sailed on (The Mermoz) was 26 years old when I sailed on her, and sailed until she was 52 years old. The second (the Norway) was 23 years old when I first sailed on her, and remained in service for 43 years.
I sailed on the Amsterdam when it was 2 years old. It was sold when it was 20 years old because of the covid shutdown.

 

[DCLMP]

I have not seen any other DCL ships but I would assume if they look the same I would feel the same about all of them.

We are docked next to it in Nassau today. Walking by you could see how rusty she is at the bottom.

Again just my opinion not everyone has the same taste. I get a lot of people love the ships. It was the first time I’d seen one in person and after hearing everyone one here gush that they were the best I guess my expectations were higher. Seeing her in person she looked her age to me. The friends we are traveling with know nothing about Disney and a lot about boats and were surprised she was still in use. They guessed her age without knowing anything about the ship.

What ship our you currently sailing on?

 

[LoveDaisy]

What ship our you currently sailing on?

Symphony of the seas.

 

[DCLMP]

Symphony of the seas.

Thats a nice ship. I can see why the Magic wouldn't be your cup of tea. Very different styles.

 

[tink1970]

To me, their aesthetics are completely different. Comparing a ship built in 2018 to one built in 1997 is sort of like comparing Jenna Ortega to Sophia Loren-both are considered beautiful but clearly from different generations.

 

[JM_97]

Symphony of the Seas vs Disney Magic is apples to oranges - for better or worse.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I wasn’t comparing it to the ship I’m on and I never said I thought the ship we are is attractive. I’m not overly crazy about these mega ships but it ticked all the boxes for this cruise.

It went out of a port we could drive to
The price was right ($3000 for a balcony room, unlimited specialty dining package, drink package and internet for the week)
It fell over DH birthday
I prefer to eat at specialty restaurants and this ship has several options (we had hibachi tonight mine was scallops and lobster)
It was before schools are out in New England so a few less kids on the boat
The date worked for the people we are traveling with
I was really curious about their ice skating and water acrobatic show

I’m sure there were other reasons but these are a few.