March 15, 2015 MAGIC Cruise!! :)

[heathervincent]

We just booked our Spring Break trip for this cruise! DH, DD (age 11) and I will be sailing for the 4th time with DCL. This will be our 2nd time on the Magic - it's our favorite ship and can't wait to see the new areas. Last time we were on the Magic was right before it went to dry dock last summer. We will definitely participate in Fish Extenders!

 

[Madzac]

Welcome Heathervincent! So happy you have joined us! Hopefully as time gets closer everyone will start chatting her again more! Have you done a Western before?

If you havent already, just PM papertraveller and she will get you on the FE list!

 

[papertraveller]

Welcome heathervincent -- I have added you to the list on page 1 of this thread.

We just got back from the DVC Member Cruise, which was really amazing. We hadn't sailed on the Dream before, and it was lovely. The four days were far, far too short, however.

We had two stops at Castaway Cay, which was terrific. We'd never been there when the water was warm. DD did a teen adventure excursion, which meant DH and I could explore Serenity Bay. We had a wonderfully relaxing time.

We also came to the conclusion that we will use Disney transfers on this next trip. In August we rented a car from Budget, but there was a huge lineup for the shuttle largely because of problems at the port with another cruise ship -- it was so crowded with traffic that it took an inordinately long period of time for the drivers to get through. We then took the bus back to the resort at WDW, and it is sooo smooth to just walk out of Customs and straight onto a bus.

We had delightful table mates -- I honestly don't know how Disney finds these perfect matches. We were with another couple with a girl the same age as ours, and hit it off immediately. Our serving and room staff were quite possibly the best we've ever had, as well.

We received some awesome FE gifts, which has given me all kinds of creative ideas for this cruise. Watch out!

Back to the grind. DD is doing homework, I'm taking a break from cleaning the house, DH is watching football and the dog is asleep on the couch. Enjoy your week everyone!

 

[Madzac]

Welcome back papertraveller! It sounds like you had an awesome cruise! I am so glad all went well!

We are doing disney transfers from the airport to the port day of cruise but renting a car after as we are going up to Ormand Beach area to see family for a night. I have heard several budget horror stories lately so I rebooked with Avis instead. I hope its not awful!

We have only been on the Dream... any thoughts on Dream vs Magic?

 

[papertraveller]

There are many similarities -- the look and feel of the ships, for instance. And of course, we haven't been on the refurbished Magic yet.

The Dream/Fantasy are just so much larger -- more places to go, more stairs to climb, bigger shops and more people to dodge at Cabanas and at Castaway Cay. On the Magic we never felt crowded, but rather there's more of an intimacy. It's easier to bounce from one venue to the kid's clubs to another.

I'm excited to visit the new Cabana's, for example. The old Topsiders was like travelling the old B.C. ferry system, pushing your cafeteria tray along the line.

One big difference is that the Dream has the adult area at the bow of the ship, and on the Fantasy this is Satellite Falls. The Magic has nothing to compare. But truthfully, we have found that very few people even know about those locations. They are always sparsely populated every time we went there (to our benefit, I might add!).

 

[Love2Cruz]

Hi everyone, looking for a bit of advice. I'm not booked on this cruise yet, but looking at it for my spring break trip.

We will be going on the Dream this December as our first Disney cruise trip and was wondering if I'll get a discounted price if I book this March trip on-board or if I should just book on the Disney website?

 

[kayaker35]

Hi everyone, looking for a bit of advice. I'm not booked on this cruise yet, but looking at it for my spring break trip.

We will be going on the Dream this December as our first Disney cruise trip and was wondering if I'll get a discounted price if I book this March trip on-board or if I should just book on the Disney website?

You'll get a discounted price plus an onboard credit for booking while on your December cruise. Keep in mind, though, that if the date is popular, and depending on your room category, the price could possibly rise enough between no and then to wipe out your discount. The price for this cruise has risen since we booked in April.

We sailed on the Dream on our first Disney cruise. Loved it. Since then we've been on the Wonder twice and will be on the Magic for this cruise and the Fantasy for one we have booked for November of next year.

Karen

 

[Love2Cruz]

You'll get a discounted price plus an onboard credit for booking while on your December cruise. Keep in mind, though, that if the date is popular, and depending on your room category, the price could possibly rise enough between no and then to wipe out your discount. The price for this cruise has risen since we booked in April.

We sailed on the Dream on our first Disney cruise. Loved it. Since then we've been on the Wonder twice and will be on the Magic for this cruise and the Fantasy for one we have booked for November of next year.

Karen

Yes, that was my concern, since it is Spring Break for us South Floridians, I'm wondering if by December, as it fills up, prices will go up.

My coworker says once you sail on Disney, no other cruise will compare and from your post, it sounds like you agree! lol I'm so excited about the Dream in a couple of months.

 

[kayaker35]

Yes, that was my concern, since it is Spring Break for us South Floridians, I'm wondering if by December, as it fills up, prices will go up.

My coworker says once you sail on Disney, no other cruise will compare and from your post, it sounds like you agree! lol I'm so excited about the Dream in a couple of months.

I can't imagine that you won't love the Dream! She's a gorgeous ship.... as is the Wonder, only smaller. I can't wait to sail on the Magic and the Fantasy. That said, I love Princess cruises, too! Disney has the Pixie Dust and the wonderful Disney touches, but Princess is glitzier and I think the food is more varied. The Piazzas on the Princess ships are just wonderful, with entertainment all throughout the day. We thoroughly enjoyed our two Princess cruises, and plan to sail with them again in the summer of 2016.... on an Alaska Cruisetour.... 7 day cruise and 6 or 7 day land tour. We've taken two Alaska cruises... one Disney and one Princess, but haven't done a land tour yet.

I'm sure you're going to have a ball on your first Disney cruise, and it won't be your last! I don't think Disney can be beat for families. So much for the kids to do, and family activities as well. There are also adults-only areas and restaurants, so there is something for everybody. We're looking forward to cruising with our whole family on this cruise

Karen

 

[Love2Cruz]

I've been on Carnival multiple times and Royal Caribbean. December will be my first Disney cruise...but I intend on trying Princess and Celebrity in the future. My DD is only 5 so I think Disney will be our cruise for the next few years where she can really get the most out of it.

 

[papertraveller]

Yes, that was my concern, since it is Spring Break for us South Floridians, I'm wondering if by December, as it fills up, prices will go up.

My coworker says once you sail on Disney, no other cruise will compare and from your post, it sounds like you agree! lol I'm so excited about the Dream in a couple of months.

One strategy to consider is to book now (if you have the cash for the downpayment, of course), and then re-shop the cruise when you are onboard the Dream. Stop by the cruise booking desk early in your cruise before the rush, and they will let you know if the discount results in any saving for you.

The Dream is indeed a beautiful ship, but a key differentiator for our family is the length of the cruise. More days in the lap of luxury is definitely better!

 

[Love2Cruz]

The Dream is indeed a beautiful ship, but a key differentiator for our family is the length of the cruise. More days in the lap of luxury is definitely better!

No doubt, it's just difficult for me to conceive paying 5K for a cruise (because of course, I want a balcony) when other cruiselines are half or less than half the cost.( I need to go during school vacations when all the kids are out)

There must be that Disney difference so I will see if it is worth in December, when I sail the Dream, to shell out that kind of cash for a 7 day. If I'm completely blown away (which I suspect I might be) then I would make the splurge and forego an additional vacation and just do one good one per year (I like to take two per year, summer or spring and Christmas)

 

[CraftyEmily]

I had to breakdown and turn on the heat....can we go now?

 

[Madzac]

Amen Crafty Emily! I am ready too!

 

[lltthatsme]

Hi,

I have signed up for this cruise - just finalizing some plans (finances, flights etc) before it is official. This will be our 2nd cruise and my girls really want to go on another one! It will be another surprise - if we do go - probably a Christmas present. I would like to be apart of a Fish Extender (but would have to confirm later in November).

 

[Chrisey]

Hi everyone! We just booked this cruise. It will be our 3rd but first 7 nighter!

It will be myself, my two boys and my mom travelling! Looking forward to getting to know everyone!

We are from Toronto so it will be a nice break from the weather plus it is our Spring Break.

 

[Madzac]

Hello Laura and Chrisey! Welcome to the group! Its been kind of quiet here lately, here is hoping for more chatter soon! So happy to have you both on board!

Anxious to be able to book excursions so it can start feeling even more real! Anyone want to share what they are thinking about doing!?

 

[Madzac]

By the way, my oldest will be 13... happy to hear there will be a couple more Edge aged girls on board!

 

[lltthatsme]

I am also glad there are more Edge girls. We went last March and the girls did a little Oceaneers Club/Lab and some Edge. Although they don't know we are going they keep saying how they really want to do another cruise and do more things at the Edge.

 

[lltthatsme]

Last March our cruise stopped in Cozumel and Grand Cayman as well. In Cozumel we did Playa Mia beach day and in Grand Cayman we did the stingray thing - my girls liked both (both port adventures arranged by Disney). This time we also stop at Castaway Cay so I think we will do our beach day that day. So far I am thinking the "Cozumel Highlights, Ruins and Discover Mexico" and "Discover Native Cayman & Saltwater Forest" this time. But I was also considering staying on board one day. I don't know about the Key West yet.