Magic for first Disney Cruise

[Salf777]

So avid cruisers here. We usually do Celebrity Retreat or NCL in the Haven.
wanting to do a Disney cruise as we have never done one but heard great things. We live in south Florida and in looking when we want to go the Magic is sailing from Miami. Is the Magic a good ship for a first experience. We would be looking at concierge level or should we look another time when there are other ships?

we are just 2 adults mid 50s who love Disney

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So avid cruisers here. We usually do Celebrity Retreat or NCL in the Haven.
wanting to do a Disney cruise as we have never done one but heard great things. We live in south Florida and in looking when we want to go the Magic is sailing from Miami. Is the Magic a good ship for a first experience. We would be looking at concierge level or should we look another time when there are other ships?

we are just 2 adults mid 50s who love Disney

I went on the Magic for my first ever cruise. I think it was a marvelous cruise.

 

[AquaDame]

Magic is the OG; I don't think you can go wrong with any ship honestly (even the Wish if its first). The Dream and Fantasy have more amenities but I doubt you would have any issues filling the time with what she offers, especially in concierge.

 

[Lillebelle]

Magic was our first cruise! We had an amazing time as well.

A couple thoughts on concierge specifically -- I have only sailed on one of the bigger ships (Fantasy) once and haven't sailed the Wish yet, but I prefer the concierge experience on the smaller ships. The lounges have windows with natural light and are a much nicer spot to hang out. It's true that the big ships have concierge-only hot tubs but honestly, I found the weather in the Caribbean so hot and humid I had no desire for a hot tub, and I'd rather have the more inviting lounge.

The one thing I will warn you about just to set appropriate expectations, there have been a number of threads comparing DCL to other cruise lines and I feel like many people have commented that the Haven or other equivalent experiences includes a lot more than the DCL concierge experience does (for example, there is no concierge-only restaurant). I have not sailed any cruise line except for Disney so I can't speak from personal experience there, just want to make sure you don't end up being disappointed on your cruise because you were expecting more.

That said, if you're Disney fans, I definitely think you should give DCL a try!

 

[Marthasor]

I've sailed in both NCL Haven and Celebrity Retreat (as well as concierge on the Magic, Dream, Fantasy and Wish). As other PPs have pointed out, the biggest difference is there is no dedicated, concierge restaurant (there is a lounge and sundeck, however). I actually think the concierge service on DCL is better than on NCL and Celebrity. Personally, going to the main dining rooms on a Disney cruise are a big part of the Disney cruise experience, so we never miss the dedicated restaurants on DCL ships. The Magic is my favorite DCL ship, so I really don't think you can go wrong going on the Magic for your first DCL cruise. If you like it, I would definitely recommend trying the other ones!

 

[o&smom]

Magic was our first. She started our addiction. Love her!

 

[Cheburashka]

The Magic is a great ship with very nice adult areas. That's a wonderful introduction to DCL.

 

[Flying Fish]

Another vote for the Magic. She's our favorite of the five, and I think that concierge lounge is much nicer than the Dream/Fantasy. One could make the argument that NCL does a better job at concierge than Disney, but it's tough to compare the two. We are doing concierge on both lines next month, and I'm not really looking forward to the NCL cruise the way I am to Disney. YMMV, but I am certain you'll have a great time on the Magic.