Magic lacks Magic

[allears]

I guess you'd have to classify me as an "apologist". And while objective observations and reviews are very important all of us and DCL. The concern some of us have is that titles like "The Magic Lacks Magic" and others are extreme enough to make people picture the ship as a rusting tub. Even one of the initial responders was concerned. And I've seen others who have posted that they are very worried based on posts. What some of us have tried to say to them and everyone is to keep and open mind and remember that we all have our own experiences.

 

[mlc1985]

I'll be going on the Magic the end of April, so naturally I opened this post.

This sounds like another post I read about another cruise line...but anyways...

My my my, harsh! Like you said, the ship is 10 years old, you expect to see wear & tear on a ship & the rugs to be worn, that's what makes even more MAGICAL! The fact that people enjoy it so much. I personally am looking forward to going on the Magic, as an adult who loves Disney, I will soak anything and everything in. Please don't be harsh on the ship, if it was a newer ship I could understand, but it is the first and older ship and the "newer & better" stuff are on the newer ships because of what they have learned form the first. I can't help but wonder if you would feel the same way about the Dream as it is only a year younger than the Magic.

No matter what negative comments there are, I plan on enjoying myself! Won't bring my magic down!

 

[HappyDoodle]

I was wondering if the OP will be letting DCL know about his concerns?

 

[toolmanjan]

First off my wife and I sailed on the magic the last week of Oct ’11. Two and one half months ago. (7 day eastern). This was our 3rd cruise with the DCL

We found the Magic in good repair, clean and well maintained. Considering the effects of sea air and water on all cruise ships Disney is doing a great job. If I wanted to knit pick I’m sure I could have found something to complain about. But why would I raise unwarranted concerns.

If you are unhappy or feel cheated submit your issues to the DCL. Or better yet choose another cruise line.

Personally we would rather cruise on the Magic and only the Magic. We hope she isn’t retired anytime soon.

 

[Wadekind]

First off my wife and I sailed on the magic the last week of Oct ’11. Two and one half months ago. (7 day eastern). This was our 3rd cruise with the DCL

We found the Magic in good repair, clean and well maintained. Considering the effects of sea air and water on all cruise ships Disney is doing a great job. If I wanted to knit pick I’m sure I could have found something to complain about. But why would I raise unwarranted concerns.

If you are unhappy or feel cheated submit your issues to the DCL. Or better yet choose another cruise line.

Personally we would rather cruise on the Magic and only the Magic. We hope she isn’t retired anytime soon.

OP did a fair job of explaining what was good and bad for them. Just because OP had some criticisms does not make them nit picky or raising unwarranted concerns and and should not exclude them from posting a review of their experience.
A lot of the positive reviews like yours have also have a similar disclaimer like yours does "Considering the effects of sea air and water on all cruise ships Disney is doing a great job." When paying the prices DCl is now commanding I have an expectation that things should be in top shape and will not excuse maintenance deficiencies like you say I should.
Several on DIS have said DCL was not happy with the work done on the last dry dock. There have been other posts showing leaking stairwells blocked for the whole cruise. a leak in the atrium for the whole cruise and flooded staterooms. There are also numerous reports of failing toilets and sewage smell on the lower decks and rust spots on veranda railings. Because of the affects of the environment and the ships age DCl should be paying greater attention to preventative maintenance and increase the frequency of the dry docks or their duration if that is what is required

 

[toolmanjan]

Every ship is going show some rust unless it's brand new or fresh from drydock. This is why they'er always painting even while the ship is at sea. To title a thread "Magic lacks Magic" with such insignificant complaints is a joke.

BTW I never saw any ripped carpet.

If you feel you are being cheated try another cruise line. Yes we pay a premium to cruise on the DCL. I've never felt cheated

 

[thefamilymouse]

We were on the same cruise as the OP. I think like everything in life, no 2 people see or experience things in the same way.

Did we some thing that need repair? sure, but we also saw a lot of work going on to fix things (carpets being steam cleaned, railings being sanded, etc)

Did it ruin our vacation? no way

As for the entertainment, I guess it depends on how you look at it. We saw 4 entertainers. Ron Pearson and John Charles on the first half of the cruise and Buckets & Boards and Danny Buckler on the second half. We also participated in a lot of adult only activities. We actually found we didn't have enough time to do everything we wanted.

I hope we get to do another cruise on the Magic soon.

 

[FJS961]

Every ship is going show some rust unless it's brand new or fresh from drydock. This is why they'er always painting even while the ship is at sea. To title a thread "Magic lacks Magic" with such insignificant complaints is a joke.

BTW I never saw any ripped carpet.

If you feel you are being cheated try another cruise line. Yes we pay a premium to cruise on the DCL. I've never felt cheated

No need to appear personally offended by the OP critique. It was clear that they are expressing their own opinion about their perceptions onboard and making comparisons to their experiences from past sailings on the Magic. I think they were constructive remarks and gives the boards a more fair and balanced feeling than a pure choking on pixie dust mentality.

my opinion

That CD from Sweden, I think his name is Peter and we had him on the Magic last spring on our western cruise. We liked him a lot.

 

[Empress Room]

Here's a few observations: I have been on sixteen DCL cruises with my DW, seven on the Wonder, seven on the Magic and two on the Dream. My last cruise on the Wonder was a year ago, my last cruise on the Magic about 18 months ago and my last cruise on the Dream, a brand new ship, about four months ago. Objectively, each of the ships' maintenance and appearance was about equal. There were a few worn areas and, yes, even rust on the Dream when we sailed her. That's why they are constantly painting it. I will guarantee you that there is even areas of rust on the Fantasy, and it hasn't even had its maiden voyage. Sea air/water plus metal equal rust. Plain and simple.

The Magic and Wonder are closer to fourteen and thirteen years old, respectively, and our first cruises on these ships were in 1999/2000. Since then, depending upon when you sail them, and when their last dry dock was completed, they look a bit better than other times. And I will say unequivocally that both look better in our last few sailings than they looked years previously. But never have we noticed them to be in disrepair or anything close to being worn out. The Dream even had some worn carpet back in September, that I am sure will be replaced and fixed when the next opportunity arises.

As for entertainment, there used to be a live band at the sail away party; however, I really don't remember seeing it on regular cruises for at least five or six years now. No real loss in the experience. Sessions and Cadillac Lounges are tremendous and the piano players add to the experience. Both of those lounges tend to be much more crowded later in the evening after both dinners and shows and only moderately attended in the early evening. They have always been that way. Unfortunately, the Dream has no similar lounge and no piano player at all, which is disappointing.

In summary, although expectations and experiences vary among guests, at least in our experiences back from 1999, we have not seen a measurable decline in the amenities, experiences or maintenance of any of the ships. Enjoy your cruise.