Magic NYC or Fantasy Eastern...Help Me Decide

[joni4122]

Currently booked opening day pricing on Magic 7-night Bahamian from NYC Oct 29. Thinking of switching to Fantasy 7-night Eastern Oct 22. Myself, DH, two kids, 12 and 10. We live in New Jersey so were looking forward to just driving to port but drive/park or own car or car service is still going to be hundreds of dollars..including tolls, etc., could be between $300-$700, depending which we choose. I'm pretty certain I can get a flight to MCO for around $900 for the four of us so not that big of a difference.

My two main concerns are the cooler weather departing out of NY in October. Kids love the pools but would not likely get into them until probably day two, and the four sea days on the smaller ship. I know ship size preference is individual but we do like the larger ships. Have never been on the Magic but cruised the Wonder a couple years ago. It was nice, but the Fantasy is my favorite, although I know many Disboarders rave about the Magic. It WOULD be nice to have cruised on all the ships.

I swore I'd book any cruise Disney ever had again from NYC since we didn't discover Disney cruising until after the last NYC itineraries. The included park hopper day at WDW is a good draw but, honestly, how many parks can you get to in one day? Maybe Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom?

Eastern has Tortola and St. Thomas/St. John. We would most likely just kick around the ports. We live at the beach here so we tend not to do beach excursions and only stay on Castaway Cay briefly before getting back on the ship to have pools to ourselves.

So, do we take our first Gold cruise -- and a grand slam if on the Magic -- from NYC or choose the Fantasy Eastern? Help me decide.

 

[luvpooh]

We will be on the 10/15 NYC Magic sailing. The fact we don't have to fly, go thru airports etc is a huge appeal, and one of the main reasons we booked.

I haven't looked into a car service yet, but to drive and park for us it would be about $300, $280 to park at the port and $15 for the Lincoln Tunnel (we don't need to take the Turnpike or the GSP). Based on price alone, that's a huge difference from flying, especially when you include parking or transportation to the airport in NJ, luggage fees, transfers to/from Port in FL, a hotel the night before, additional meal(s) for the pre-cruise stay, etc.

I was just talking about the weather going up and coming back with my husband yesterday. Not saying it will be the same (especially with the way the weather has been so far this spring), but we were outside on Thanksgiving and Christmas last year in short sleeves. Of course, a few years ago, we also had a huge snowstorm a few days before Halloween, and Sandy the same time the year after that. So as far as weather is concerned, I have no idea of what to expect!

This will be our first DCL cruise, so I can't speak to size/amenities between the Magic and the Fantasy. That said, our preference on other lines leans towards smaller ships. Our DS is also only 3, so we don't need as many of the bells and whistles that an older kid would benefit from.

As far as the day at WDW, I was excited at first, but the more I think about it, the more I think it will be a very long and tiring day. Still trying to figure out what we are going to do that day, given the announced park hours and the fact that they will likely change three times between now and then.

Not sure if any of this helps, but good luck deciding!

 

[lorimay]

I don't envy your choice, I love both of these ships.
We sailed out of NYC in 2012 on The Magic, sailing out was amazing. We did the Canadian cruise so it was chilly most of the time.
We have sailed the caribbean twice on the Fantasy, its a beautiful ship.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Hundredacre]

I would do NYC... but it sounds like you want to do the fantasy. And I think if cost is not an issue, you should do what you want to do. Is one cheaper? Did u get a great opening day rate?

 

[tink1970]

I have read a couple of cruise trip reports and to me, sailing out of the NY harbor would be so neat...but perhaps that is old hat to you?

It does sound like you prefer the Fantasy, so if that's what your heart is telling you then I'd say go with that.

So not much help but nice choice to have

 

[kathi]

The Fantasy is our favorite ship and that eastern itinerary sounds amazing. We also live in NJ and are sailing on the Magic 10/3 to Canada. I don't think I would ever choose the Magic to sail down to the Bahamas over the Fantasy eastern. It's such a personal choice though. Warm weather, larger ship, more adult options and better ports would decide it for me between your two choices.

 

[joni4122]

Thanks all for the feedback. We did get a great opening day price on the NYC departure, however, it was blacked out for the OBB discount. Still eligible for $200 onboard credit, though. If we switch to the Fantasy, we do get the discount and, as of today, the same category is EXACTLY the same for both cruises, down to the penny! So it's really now a matter of the extras for transportation, etc., and the ship/itinerary preference.

Switching really didn't even come up until yesterday when I was researching car services/parking in NYC and then just did a little digging to see what other cruises were available around the same time. There is actually a Fantasy western on the same dates as the NYC cruise but we've already done that itinerary. We've also done Fantasy eastern, but not this itinerary. DH always wants to go someplace warmer and he's not a huge fan of the parks. You're right "luvpooh" it does sound like a long, exhausting day, even with older kids.

I think I'll keep my eye on airfare before my PIF date and see what I can find before making the final choice!

 

[The Sasquatch]

Its funny you posted this because we are having the same debate right now but actually the opposite. I have the 10/15 Fantasy booked but its Western. I was trying to get my wife to switch top NYC since we are in CT and there would be no airfare. Her reply is the same, its most likely going to be cold for 2 days and its a smaller older ship. We have only been on the Dream so we really have no comparison but she has it in her head the Dream and Fantasy are nicer. I will say I am booked in a 1 bed concierge on the Fantasy and another selling point to me is we would have to step down to a family verandah for NYC since there are no Concierge left. On top of airfare, this would save me $5k. I am not a fan of not being in warm weather the whole time. I am interested in what you decide

 

[belac]

I sailed RCCL out out of NJ with almost the same itinerary. The trip to wdw was awful exhausting. The first 2 and last 2 days it was cold but it was January not October. I'm sure it won't be as cold in October, but like you said weather is nuts lately.
I would do another NYC if it was warmer tho. I hate airlines and the hoops one has to go through. I would stick with NYC. The best part was you get to go under the Verrazano Bridge. It's a tough call.