Magic Navigator's Verandah or Fantasy Inside Stateroom?

[wolfpackgirl07]

DH and I are planning an anniversary cruise in December 2016. We're trying to choose between a 7-day Eastern Caribbean on Disney Magic, and a 7-day Western Caribbean on Disney Fantasy. If we cruised on Magic, we'd get a Navigator's Verandah (category 7A) for about the same price as an Interior Stateroom (category 11C) on Fantasy. Suggestions? Pros and Cons? We're young-ish, no kids, and have only been on a 4-night Bahamas on Dream.

 

[wolfpackgirl07]

I should also note that we don't really have a preference between itineraries (neither of us has done an Eastern or Western Caribbean cruise).

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I would vote for the 7A on the Magic especially if you have sailed the Dream. Take the chance to try one of the smaller ships. We just got off the Magic in May and had an amazing trip.

 

[Peggytc]

Magic absolutely!

 

[FindMeAFishingSpot]

Magic. We love the verandah and really enjoyed the refurbished Magic on our last trip.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would choose the Fantasy. I think the Annimation dining room is so much better on the Fantasy and not to be missed.

 

[rantnnravin]

MAGIC!
+1 Verandah
+1 Eastern=MORE SEA DAYS
+1 Smaller Ship=Fewer people on Castaway Cay

 

[wolfpackgirl07]

MAGIC!
+1 Verandah
+1 Eastern=MORE SEA DAYS
+1 Smaller Ship=Fewer people on Castaway Cay

I didn't think about fewer people on Castaway Cay! That's definitely a bonus. Since you mentioned more sea days: In general, how do the Adults Only venues compare on Magic to Fantasy? What about Aqua Dunk vs. Duck? Theatre productions and entertainment? Dining? (I've done so much research via Disney's site that I feel I've memorized the options, but it's hard to know how to compare them without experiencing either ship.)

 

[bethy]

MAGIC!
+1 Verandah
+1 Eastern=MORE SEA DAYS
+1 Smaller Ship=Fewer people on Castaway Cay

We are booked on that same Magic - cat 5A - for the above reasons. Plus the fact that we can fly in on Saturday rather than Friday and miss one less day of school. Also, I personally can't sail without a verandah so the cost of the Fantasy was quite a bit more. PLUS I prefer the Eastern ports to the Western ports.

 

[bethy]

It will be our anniversary, too - 20 years. But we are bringing the kids - still hoping for plenty of adult only time!

 

[dcassetta]

I didn't think about fewer people on Castaway Cay! That's definitely a bonus. Since you mentioned more sea days: In general, how do the Adults Only venues compare on Magic to Fantasy? What about Aqua Dunk vs. Duck? Theatre productions and entertainment? Dining? (I've done so much research via Disney's site that I feel I've memorized the options, but it's hard to know how to compare them without experiencing either ship.)

There is no satellite falls and the adult pool area is smaller, but still very comfortable. Aqua dunk is more of a thrill slide. The theatre shows are both high quality and in December,the Magic will have the new Tangled show. Dining is great on both. Animator's Palate on the Magic does not have Crush, but does have the drawn animation show. I think this is a bonus, as I find dining in AP on Crush night far too loud.

I also prefer the eastern itinerary. If you decide on the Magic, try for cabins 6134, 6634, 7120 or 7620. This are classified as Navigator verandahs, but are actually full verandahs reclassified due to a slight obstruction from the curve of the ship wall.

 

[rantnnravin]

There is no satellite falls and the adult pool area is smaller, but still very comfortable. Aqua dunk is more of a thrill slide. The theatre shows are both high quality and in December,the Magic will have the new Tangled show. Dining is great on both. Animator's Palate on the Magic does not have Crush, but does have the drawn animation show. I think this is a bonus, as I find dining in AP on Crush night far too loud.

I also prefer the eastern itinerary. If you decide on the Magic, try for cabins 6134, 6634, 7120 or 7620. This are classified as Navigator verandahs, but are actually full verandahs reclassified due to a slight obstruction from the curve of the ship wall.

OMG that's right - the noise!! The MDRs on the Fantasy are super loud! (likely due to the increased number of people)
I do prefer the setup of Palo on the Fantasy over the Magic, but both offer equally spectacular views.
I'm pretty sure there are fewer children walking through the adult areas on the Magic (that elevator issue).
All things considered, though - I would definitely do the verandah on the Magic over an inside on the Fantasy.

 

[SillyInventor]

Have never cruised the Fantasy, but wouldn't hesitate to cruise the Magic to the EC. More sides=better! Magic is a gorgeous Ship. Aqua dunk was once for me, I'm not a big swimmer anyway.
What we did love was our private verandah. So that would be my choice.

 

[DahliaRW]

As for adult venues, they were just fine, IMO, on the Magic. I sailed with just one child with me, so I utilized them more on the Magic than I did when we sailed the fantasy. But there was always some sort of adult nighttime show in fathoms and things planned activity wise during the days. I did find the adult areas during the daytime much more kid-free/quiet than the fantasy as well, which I really liked. And there were so many activities on the ship that I couldn't possibly fit in all that I wanted to do!