Merrytime Magic or Dream

[rere101399]

We’re discussing booking a last minute Merrytime Cruise. We need to decide quickly and the time crunch is making it impossible for me to navigate my thoughts and decide.

4 nights on the Dream or 5 nights on the Magic. We’re about an hour from PC but it’s not a big deal to drive to Miami.
We’ve sailed on the Dream and Fantasy previously and love them. My first thought is to try the Magic as it’s an extra night and it’s a new (to us) ship. But, I’m worried that we’ll miss some things from the Dream class. We’re not bothered by the size of the Dream so that’s not a deciding factor for us.

We have 6 and 8 year olds who love spending time in the clubs, love doing the midship detective agency, and love riding the aqua duck as many times as possible. Is the extra night/new ship worth giving up the midship detective agency, and the aquaduck? I think the OC and OL are smaller on the Magic too or am I wrong about that?

Any thoughts or feedback to help me make a decision? We’ve never done Merrytime either so if it’s a better experience on one or the other please tell me!

 

[Quellman]

Kids tall enough for the Aqua Dunk? That might help with the aqua duck withdrawl.

Honestly, I'd lean towards the Magic based on what you've said. It's new to you. You'll have all new shows and new restaurants. Kids spaces are similar. Pools are bigger if I remember. Selfishly, you get an extra night without much more logistics in terms of getting to the port. You'll also have a new port stop if you end up in Key West. Of course you'd REALLY have to love the midship and aquaduck to choose that over an extra day on board.

I'm not familiar with OC and OL acronyms so I can't help you there. Castaway Cay will be a bit less crowded too.

If cost isn't an issue, try out the Magic. If it isn't what you thought, then at least you'll know.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I would suggest the Magic too, one more night and it's a great ship. Midship detective agency gets old fast (to me) - when we were on the Magic, there were different photo scavenger hunts every day, not the same but still something. The clubs (OC and OL) are still huge. The aquaduck would be sad to miss but my kids really enjoyed the pools on the Magic (and the adult pool is also better!)

 

[lklgoodman]

I'd pick the Magic. We haven't been on the Magic for many years. However we've been on both the Fantasy and Wonder several times in the past few years. My dd enjoys the Wonder kid's clubs just as much as the Fantasy. Tangle(the show and restaurant) on the Magic is suppose to be really good. The show they do in AP in place of the Crush show is a lot better.

 

[Gentry2004]

We had this same dilemma for spring break 2020 and ended up choosing the 5 night Magic. Both cruises were almost the same total price and the Magic gave us another day/POC (Key West.) Also, I was able to get a secret porthole room on the Magic. However, what I didn't think through was that flying to Miami is more expensive than MCO and hotels seem to be more expensive too. So I'm not sure if in the end its a better deal or not, and we miss out on a night at Disney Springs or a trip to a park before the cruise. But we will still have a great time I'm sure.

ETA: Southwest released flights for our dates this morning and the price difference into FLL instead of MCO was staggering! It was so painful buying them but we did. This may tip the scale back to Port Canaveral for me for future cruises, but we are still very excited for our Spring Break trip on the Magic!

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

An extra night is a big deal for a relatively short cruise. Go for that. The Dream class ships are our favorites but we like the classics, too, as they have their strengths (here's looking at you, old-school Animator's Palate). Pitch it to the kids as a different experience. They'll love it.

 

[Betsy82]

We sailed on the Wonder last year, last minute, because it was the only ship that fit our limited scheduled.
I was worried. My kids had only sailed on Dream Class ships and I was nervous until we got on the ship.

I was silly to worry, we had such an incredible week. They loved how much less crowded EVERYTHING was, loved the club, loved the Twist N Spout Slide, etc.

They asked for the Magic this year if that helps

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

I'm not familiar with OC and OL acronyms so I can't help you there.

Oceaneer's Club and Oceaneer's Lab. My son had a better experience in the kids clubs on the Magic than on the Fantasy. It was less crowded.

 

[FSU Girl]

I've done a Merry Time cruise on both the Dream and Magic. I loved both of them. I think the cabins are slightly bigger than the ones on the Dream, the adult pool is definitely better on the Magic. I think you should try the Magic. You'll get to experience new shows, new restaurants and have an extra night. I'm assuming it goes to different ports too? I liked Aquaduck more than the Aquadunk, but your kids might like the thrill drop more. I like Animators Palate better on the Magic as well.

 

[Justacruiser]

Hands down do the Magic! An extra day on board is great and with the upgrades to the Magic you really don't miss that much tech stuff. Also the ship is a presents a smaller more cozy atmosphere providing a special touch to all guests.