Our first ship was on the Fantasy; for the next trip - would you rather try the Magic class or the Wish class next regardless of itinerary?

[Ahoyhoy]

I've heard that the Wish class is divisive among cruisers and the Magic class can be a bit dated in some ways.

Note: We are a family of 3 young kids (3 under 6 with an under 2 year old)

 

[lanejudy]

I would do one of the classics because I'm not a fan of the Triton class ships. But depending on the time frame of interest, the Magic and Wonder may not have the itineraries of interest (I think they are both on the west coast in 2027), in which case I'd stick with the Dream class ships.

 

[tidefan]

FWIW, the Magic is our favorite ship. (However, they are all great!)

 

[Eeyore daily]

If itinerary didn't matter then I would pick the Magic. Simply because of the concern of her being out of commission sooner rather than later.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd go with the Wish class ships if the itinerary doesn't matter. They have better dining room shows and their kid's clubs are more state of the art.

 

[DVC Deac]

Go with the Wish class. My kids prefer the Oceaneer Club, pool options, and pool deck dining on the Wish class.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Having been on all three classes, we found the Magic's smaller size to be refreshing. It's like visiting Disneyland as a World veteran- everything looks similar but it's more compact. With little legs, I can see the smaller footprint being a value. Plus, the Rapunzel dinner and Rapunzel stage show are both excellent.

You could save your Triton class voyage for a sailing when all your kids are in the 3-10 range and can all use the Oceaneer Club. Those clubs are for sure best on that class, but you also have one too young to use them just yet.

 

[DCLGirlie]

You have been absolutely spoiled by starting on the Fantasy, it is far and away my favorite of the ships. I would suggest going with the Magic next. The classic ships may be smaller and have a few less fancy odds and ends, but I find them to be super peaceful with nice itineraries. The only thing I seriously miss on the classics vs the dream class is the rainforest room on the dream class, and having a better themed adult area on the dream class

 

[o&smom]

Personally, I would choose the Magic. There are quite a few videos on both of these ships to help “picture” yourself on one of them.

 

[aka Charles]

I would choose the Magic.
Smaller footprint, as mentioned above.
Less total passengers, which makes a big difference when you are at Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay.
Three sets of elevators, the Wish class only has two.
Fewer decks, for when you take the stairs.
The prices are lower, so you can save money, upgrade to a better cabin, or use the savings to add paid activities.
.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Did you like the pools on the Fantasy? If you are a pool user, the Triton class is a huge disappointment. I don't mind the elevators or "lost in a maze" situation that much. But my kids HATE those tiny chopped-up pools. Which is a shame because I LOVE the new diner shows they have on the new boats, as well as the new themed lounges. IMO, if you don't use the pools, I'd try the Treasure or Wish for all the new shows, dining rooms, and lounges. If you're a pool fan, then heck no.

Its too bad DCL doubled down on that pool layout after it received so much scorn.

 

[mrkyyyle]

I'd say the Magic would be a good choice but we also really liked the Wish as well.

I didn't care for the pool situation on the Wish; but we don't use them all that much.

The Oceaneer's club on Wish was much better IMO; dining options are better on the Wish for both MDR and also deck food.

Dream class is a nice middle ground between those!

Can't go wrong with any of them to be honest; a lot comes down to personal preferences and what you find most critical for your enjoyment of a cruise.

 

[Skippyboo]

The itinerary does matter especially if you’re limited to going on school vacations time. The Magic and Wonder are in Alaska the next 2 summer. The Wish Europe next summer. That’s a lot of airfare costs on top of an expensive cruise.

The other parts of the year, magic is in Tx and Wonder in SD . If you really like the Fantasy, you could do the Dream as it will be in PC next summer filling in for the Wish.

 

[sponica]

I don't like the pool/splash pad set up for kids of different ages on the triton class ships. You end up having to divide and conquer because the kids under 4 can go in the splashpad, but the kids over 4 can't and there's only so many times they'll want to do the slide-a-saurus rex....so one parent will be with the oldest and one is with the youngest. It's the one real knock against it for me when I was in that age range spread.

That being said, itinerary matters to me more than the ship.

 

[Travel60]

Your line about "itinerary not mattering" threw me because I only cruise for itinerary.

That said, Magic is my favorite ship. As mentioned above, with young kids, the smaller footprint and fewer levels are a real plus. The classic ships seem quieter, more peaceful and just relaxing.

When your little ones get older and more into sports, water rides, themes, activities, you can try the bigger ships.

 

[CamColt]

I would do one of the classics because I'm not a fan of the Triton class ships. But depending on the time frame of interest, the Magic and Wonder may not have the itineraries of interest (I think they are both on the west coast in 2027), in which case I'd stick with the Dream class ships.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[JAM9842]

Magic class by far! You will love it!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Magic all the way. Our main objections to the Triton-class ships may not be factors in your thinking. As with the Fantasy, the Magic has the adult-only venues together at one end of the ship, a walking-jogging track that permits a complete circuit around deck 4, what appears to us to be better organized and less hectic dining rooms (with server stations much closer to the diners being served for most of the tables). We also find the shops easier to navigate, the Cove Cafe and adult pool area better organized, and the passenger count better (on the Magic, Fantasy and Wish are about the same size in this regard).

Pluses for the Wish include better pool-deck food and an expanded steak menu in Palo. We eat breakfast and some lunches in the main dining room rather than Cabanas/Marceline Market, so cannot speak for that. Also, we have no experience with the kids’ clubs on any of the ships, but that may be an important factor in OP’s considerstion.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Magic/Wonder are probably better for the ages of your kids. For me as an adult, I rank the 4 I've been on in this order:
Magic
Wonder
Dream
Destiny

 

[asgur5]

Did you like the pools on the Fantasy? If you are a pool user, the Triton class is a huge disappointment. I don't mind the elevators or "lost in a maze" situation that much. But my kids HATE those tiny chopped-up pools. Which is a shame because I LOVE the new diner shows they have on the new boats, as well as the new themed lounges. IMO, if you don't use the pools, I'd try the Treasure or Wish for all the new shows, dining rooms, and lounges. If you're a pool fan, then heck no.

Its too bad DCL doubled down on that pool layout after it received so much scorn.

The pool layout didnt recieve scorn. A lot of people prefer the wish class pool layout cos there are now more pools so more opportunities to get a pool to yourself.