After seven cruises on the Disney Magic, the Magic lacks Magic. The ship is ten years old and its beginning to show its age. We just stepped off the Magic for the eight night December 30th New Years Eve Cruise. Here is what we noticed compared to other Magic Cruises:
Sail away parties have been toned down and NO LIVE band or live singers.
The number of offered workshops for adults have been reduced with only Chocolate Mouse being offered. No guest chefs as in the past and NO Kitchen tours, and No Disney theater tours. Amount of time with the Captain and officers has been scaled back.
Of the eight nights, only three had Disney Theater productions with only two of those major productions. The others nights included War Horse - which was too mature for young kids but they came anyways and three nights had comedians who were very good.. their adult shows were even better.
Our Veheranda had cracks in the floor with Rust oozing from it. Lots of rust showing on the ship also. Carpets are looking old and one was torn on the stairways. I feel that Sessions need to be re-thought. No one attends and the room is not used. Its a beautiful room and very comfortable but now that the piano is at the far end of the room, it leaves a nice space for a Library area.
Dining was the major good part of the cruise. The food was excellent and variety could not have been better. In fact, with the main dining rooms offering excellent choices and quality, Palo's at night is not worth the extra $20 per person. Palo's menues for dinner need completely reviewed. Their brunch was their best offering but dinner is more of the same and certainly needs updated.
Pirate night was fun and the cast did a great job. Prior to the cruise, there should have been more encouragement for guest to bring their Pirate wear. Few were in costume.. but the ones that made the effort looked the part and certainly added to the night. Either men are going to bring Tux's for formal night or just ask for suits... few Tux's were being worn.
New Year's eve, topside was a major highlight of the cruise. The countdown show starring the Cruise Director - from Switzerland - who was one of the best Cruise Directors we have seen over the years. He was fun and brought humor to his presentations. I liked him but forgot his name. ... sorry. The NY fireworks were outstanding and really added to the evening. It would have been nice if the ship would have offered topside dessert for the New Years eve show but the cheap Champaign was ok and appreciated.
The main band who played at the family pool and in Rock n Bar were not that good. Disney has offered much better bands in other cruises. I would drop them instantly. The band for the first west bond Panama canal crossing was the best we have ever seen on a Disney Cruise.. and they did an excellent sail away party out of Orlando...bring them back...
All in all, the Magic is not that great on the Disney Magic. The ship its self and the programming, especially the live music needs a complete review.
We look forward to our August 2012 cruise on the Disney Fantasy.
Happy sailing.
Sail away parties have been toned down and NO LIVE band or live singers.
The number of offered workshops for adults have been reduced with only Chocolate Mouse being offered. No guest chefs as in the past and NO Kitchen tours, and No Disney theater tours. Amount of time with the Captain and officers has been scaled back.
Of the eight nights, only three had Disney Theater productions with only two of those major productions. The others nights included War Horse - which was too mature for young kids but they came anyways and three nights had comedians who were very good.. their adult shows were even better.
Our Veheranda had cracks in the floor with Rust oozing from it. Lots of rust showing on the ship also. Carpets are looking old and one was torn on the stairways. I feel that Sessions need to be re-thought. No one attends and the room is not used. Its a beautiful room and very comfortable but now that the piano is at the far end of the room, it leaves a nice space for a Library area.
Dining was the major good part of the cruise. The food was excellent and variety could not have been better. In fact, with the main dining rooms offering excellent choices and quality, Palo's at night is not worth the extra $20 per person. Palo's menues for dinner need completely reviewed. Their brunch was their best offering but dinner is more of the same and certainly needs updated.
Pirate night was fun and the cast did a great job. Prior to the cruise, there should have been more encouragement for guest to bring their Pirate wear. Few were in costume.. but the ones that made the effort looked the part and certainly added to the night. Either men are going to bring Tux's for formal night or just ask for suits... few Tux's were being worn.
New Year's eve, topside was a major highlight of the cruise. The countdown show starring the Cruise Director - from Switzerland - who was one of the best Cruise Directors we have seen over the years. He was fun and brought humor to his presentations. I liked him but forgot his name. ... sorry. The NY fireworks were outstanding and really added to the evening. It would have been nice if the ship would have offered topside dessert for the New Years eve show but the cheap Champaign was ok and appreciated.
The main band who played at the family pool and in Rock n Bar were not that good. Disney has offered much better bands in other cruises. I would drop them instantly. The band for the first west bond Panama canal crossing was the best we have ever seen on a Disney Cruise.. and they did an excellent sail away party out of Orlando...bring them back...
All in all, the Magic is not that great on the Disney Magic. The ship its self and the programming, especially the live music needs a complete review.
We look forward to our August 2012 cruise on the Disney Fantasy.
Happy sailing.
Hi There! When I saw your title, I have to admit, it made me a little sad. 
We just got off the Magic in October, and can I just say "It was ALL the Magic we expected and needed!" We loved every bit of it. Now, can I also say, it reminded us of our first time at the Kingdom. EVERYTHING was magical that first time. Like looking through a childs eyes the first time. And the more we went (we go almost annually now), we tend to notice now the very things we did NOT the first couple of times. Why? Because the more you go, the more you know, and notice. That's ok though...we still LOVE all of it!
Understand where you are coming from! And you're right...Disney will always have a strong loyalty base. Perhaps they'll read this review and others and see where they are slipping or quality in some things are lacking, they'll work on it.
...That being said, maybe corporate will read it and say "Hey, let's make needed changes!"
