Please help me decide! Fantasy vs. Magic

[Comicbookmommy]

Hello!

My family and are are wanting to go on a cruise in mid-November and are having a hard time deciding which is which ship to book! None of us have ever been on a cruise before, so I have a lot of questions.

There is a 7 night Fantasy cruise and a 5 night Magic cruise we are torn on. I am leaning towards Magic and my husband towards Fantasy. Here are my questions:

For the Magic:

A) Crowds give me anxiety. I know they are unavoidable on any ship, but is there noticeably less crowding on the smaller ship?

B) Does the 5 night have fireworks?

C) My husband wants the WOW factor of a GIANT ship, which is why he's leaning Fantasy. Does the Magic still seem like a giant ship?

D) Do they decorate nicely for Christmas?

For the Fantasy:

A) Does it feel less intimate than Magic being a bigger ship?

B) Is the child-care more hectic on Fantasy? My 5 y/o is pretty timid so less kids the better.

C) Honestly; How bad are the crowds? I've heard horror stories about the pools on the bigger ship, and my kids love to swim. I'd hate for them to not be able to get in the pool because of too many people.

A HUGE factor to me is which ship "feels" more magical.

Neither of us really care about the adult areas so those are not a deciding factor. Neither are the stops. Except for Castaway Cay we'll probably stay on the ship.

So pretty please help me decide?? Thanks in advance for your experienced thoughts!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello!

My family and are are wanting to go on a cruise in mid-November and are having a hard time deciding which is which ship to book! None of us have ever been on a cruise before, so I have a lot of questions.

There is a 7 night Fantasy cruise and a 5 night Magic cruise we are torn on. I am leaning towards Magic and my husband towards Fantasy. Here are my questions:

For the Magic:

A) Crowds give me anxiety. I know they are unavoidable on any ship, but is there noticeably less crowding on the smaller ship?

B) Does the 5 night have fireworks?

C) My husband wants the WOW factor of a GIANT ship, which is why he's leaning Fantasy. Does the Magic still seem like a giant ship?

D) Do they decorate nicely for Christmas?

For the Fantasy:

A) Does it feel less intimate than Magic being a bigger ship?

B) Is the child-care more crowded on Fantasy? My 5 y/o is pretty timid so less kids the better.

C) Honestly; How bad are the crowds? I've heard horror stories about the pools on the bigger ship, and my kids love to swim. I'd hate for them to not be able to get in the pool because of too many people.

So pretty please help me decide?? What's important to me:

A) Relaxation! Well, as much as possible with 3 boys (4 counting husband ) So crowding is huge to me
B) Only care about Castaway Cay as a stop. Just wanna lounge on a ship.
C) My kids getting to swim

What's important to my husband:

A) As many stops as possible! Seeing the WORLD!
B) Fireworks
C) WOW factor of huge ship

I would choose Fantasy (as it's a longer trip) but the possible crowding is scary to me.

Thanks in advance for your experienced thoughts!

Magic
a) Unfortunately, the "feel" is pretty much the same. The Fantasy carries more passengers, but is larger. So the spaces onboard feel pretty much as crowded from ship to ship. If you try to not be at the places where things are going on, it's a little less crowded feeling.
b) Except for the Alaska and Northern Europe cruises, all DCL cruises have fireworks.
c) I think it feels pretty large. I've been on smaller, so it may just seem that way.
d) Yes.

Fantasy
a) I think the Magic feels more intimate than the Fantasy. Some people don't feel the difference.
b) Because there are more kids the kid's clubs are larger, so, again, the "feel" is pretty much the same.
c) Here's where the difference is most felt. The pools on the Magic and Fantasy are pretty much the same size. Plus on the Fantasy both the Mickey and Donald pools are in the same space. So it is a lot more busy in the pool area on the Fantasy than the Magic.

For you
a) If you can convince the kids to stay in the clubs (usually not a problem), there are adult only areas onboard the ship that are much quieter and usually less crowded.
b) Castaway Cay worth a get off and look around. But back on the ship - less people for most of the day.
c) They would have a better chance of swimming at Castaway Cay than the pools onboard. But if you visit the pools at an "off" time they can be less busy. If you have late dining, go to the pools onboard during early seating and vice versa.

For him
a) Don't know how many ports each of those cruises have, you'll have to figure out which has more.
b) Fireworks are on Pirate night. As long as the weather is cooperative.
c) Yes, there are more "bells and whistles" on the Fantasy than the Magic, but the Magic has lots to do/see also.

Personally, I'm firmly in the "longer is better" camp. So the 7 night would win over the 5 (depending on the itinerary and costs).

 

[over50visits]

Goodness, what great questions! Luckily you have the "problem" of choosing between two fantastic vacations.

Neither ship seems more crowded to us, having been on both a number of times. The Fantasy has a lot more passengers, and a lot more room. It seems to even out just right. I agree the Fantasy feels a bit less intimate, but it doesn't feel at all unfriendly. Not in the least. There seems to be more cool stuff to see on the Fantasy, bringing on that magical feeling with more new things you can discover each day. The pools do seem more crowded on the Fantasy, but we're not big pool swimmers. And of course Castaway Cay is a world class beach with plenty of room for the large ships (they enlarged it for them).

Both share fireworks, holiday decorations, and kids clubs with plenty of pretty cool staff.

If any of these matter, Fantasy has more night clubs, Remy, a far better concierge area, a much better top deck buffet area, more shops, the cool kids detective game. The Magic is a classic ship that does feel more intimate.

Finally, and honestly, with both ships being so much fun, what would really decide for is is taking the longer cruise!

 

[mlayton14]

Have only been on the magic. Not sure what people mean when they say the pools on the magic are less crowded. Think about it these pools probably hold 30 people with reasonable comfort (think backyard or smaller sized pools).On the magic there are 2500 people and the fantasy up to 4000, are either even close to comfortable? At any given time if more than 1% of the people on the magic want to go swimming in the goofy pool its gonna be almost arm to arm. My point is, given the above numbers, that both ships are equally horrendous relating to pools but most kids still manage to have a good time. There is more to do on the larger ships. You will have a good time either way though

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Wow thank you guys for your input!!! It seriously helps. Especially info on the pools. Seems like both are ridiculously crowded. I wonder why they're the same size on the bigger ship?

I forgot to ask:

A) How is the comparison of ships when it comes to crowding at character meets? I have an infant (will be 10 months by cruise time) who won't do line waits well.

B) I read somewhere characters roam the ship sometimes, but not on the Fantasy. Is this true?

Thanks so much again!!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Wow thank you guys for your input!!! It seriously helps. Especially info on the pools. Seems like both are ridiculously crowded. I wonder why they're the same size on the bigger ship?

I forgot to ask:

A) How is the comparison of ships when it comes to crowding at character meets? I have an infant (will be 10 months by cruise time) who won't do line waits well.

B) I read somewhere characters roam the ship sometimes, but not on the Fantasy. Is this true?

Thanks so much again!!

I've only done fantasy and we've ran into a couple characters randomly around the ship. She's a great ship.

 

[GioCruise]

They are both beautiful ships and honestly either are an amazing choice and experience! There will be crowding for parties and main events but even at the busiest time the pools are manageable. Characters don't just walk around. You might catch one enroute to their meeting point but everything is scheduled or geared towards special parties and performances. The line isn't terrible if you get there early and you can camp out with the kids. Then again for a little one 10 months old they might become afraid of some of the characters.
In any case you will not be disappointed regardless!

 

[mlayton14]

Wow thank you guys for your input!!! It seriously helps. Especially info on the pools. Seems like both are ridiculously crowded. I wonder why they're the same size on the bigger ship?


Thanks so much again!!

They made the kids pool on the magic smaller than the fantasy as part of the reimagination. The fantasy has more water play areas as well including Nemos reef, aqua lab ( which they added on the magic too but its smaller) and another soaking type pool. Also the aqua duck on the fantasy. With more people on board I'm sure they did to spread out the crowds. From what I understand if you go during off peak times the pool situation is much better.

 

[mmouse37]

Wow thank you guys for your input!!! It seriously helps. Especially info on the pools. Seems like both are ridiculously crowded. I wonder why they're the same size on the bigger ship?

I forgot to ask:

A) How is the comparison of ships when it comes to crowding at character meets? I have an infant (will be 10 months by cruise time) who won't do line waits well.

B) I read somewhere characters roam the ship sometimes, but not on the Fantasy. Is this true?

Thanks so much again!!

Characters roam all the ships...just comes down to being in the right place at the right time (which obviously is hit or miss for the majority of people onboard). I love the Magic, have sailed her 20 times most recently on the transatlantic cruise. I love the Fantasy, most recently sailed her in March. I would choose based on the length of the cruise. I would opt for 7 nights over 5 nights. Heck we just did 15 nights and it wasn't enough for me!!! Both ships are fantastic but the Fantasy does have more bells and whistles. Aladdin sneaked up on my mom once and had a nice visit with her. I have encountered many characters roaming the Fantasy.

MJ

 

[JimGA]

One perspective to look at, although the Magic has been well maintained, do you prefer newer hotels or older hotels?

 

[seacruise]

We were deciding between these two ships as well for next year and decided to go with the Magic again for a couple of main reasons:

• We've only been on each of these ships once, but the Magic felt significantly less crowded to us. Pools, slides, cabanas, character lines, kids clubs, etc. we all felt were not so crowded as on the Fantasy.
• We had much better service on the Magic as well, but that of course can be largely luck of the draw depending on the room steward and dinning room staff you get assigned.

Since you've never been on a cruise the Magic will feel like a huge ship. We did the Fantasy first and really didn't feel like we were missing anything when we were on the Magic.

Either one of these options will be a great trip. We've done 30 cruises and the couple we have done on Disney have been by far the best.

That said.. I would go with the 7 night cruise. 5 nights is to short in my opinion to experience everything.

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Thanks again for all the input, it's all super helpful. I wish I had asked a lot sooner!

Sounds like overall the ships are both great and while the crowds are lower (in general) on the Magic, the length of cruise is most important.

If the crowds are manageable, then I suppose the Fantasy seems like the best option. I keep imagining the crowds being a non-stop Disneyland-on-a-weekend level, and being stuck on a ship with that would be terrible ( I get heart palpitations thinking about it, haha) but if that level of crowding is mostly at events and height times as the pool then I think it could be okay.

I can't wait! We've NEVER been on anything even remotely close to a cruise ship, and never been out of the country (or even to Florida) and the kids are going to have a blast!

 

[wegerj]

Thanks again for all the input, it's all super helpful. I wish I had asked a lot sooner!

Sounds like overall the ships are both great and while the crowds are lower (in general) on the Magic, the length of cruise is most important.

If the crowds are manageable, then I suppose the Fantasy seems like the best option. I keep imagining the crowds being a non-stop Disneyland-on-a-weekend level, and being stuck on a ship with that would be terrible ( I get heart palpitations thinking about it, haha) but if that level of crowding is mostly at events and height times as the pool then I think it could be okay.

I can't wait! We've NEVER been on anything even remotely close to a cruise ship, and never been out of the country (or even to Florida) and the kids are going to have a blast!

I have to say I'm in the longer is better camp, but either is an excellent choice. We we on the Magic when my son was 10 months old and he had a great time. Be aware that the characters can be a little scary at first. To a little person they are HUGE. It took my Gus a little time to get use to them.

I think the characters are much more available on the ship, but be aware the lines can still be long, especially for the princesses. This is really a matter of managing expectations. We always did the one parent stand in line while the other chases the kids.

Other than the pools, which can be very crowded, I've never felt unduly crowded on either ship. I'm naturally an introvert, and I've always been able to find a quiet nook when I needed it. The crowds are not Disneyworld on a holiday weekend.

One tip, if you do early dining and your kids go to the club and nursery after dinner, the adult pool is almost always nearly empty in my experience.

 

[chivi50]

We just returned from a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy. I had a great time but I can't wait to book another cruise on the Magic! We began our Disney Cruise experience on a 4-night cruise on the Magic and loved it! My husband and I preferred the service, shows, and final performance on the Magic. It just felt more magical for us. Our kids, 7 and 3 at the time preferred the kids club in the Magic. We asked our server on the Fantady if they did the farewell show on the final night and they said no because it's a bigger ship. He said the "classic ships" have more extras to make up for its size. If go with a 5 night Magic but it's only because I've experienced both.️ Happy Planning!

 

[seacruise]

If the crowds are manageable, then I suppose the Fantasy seems like the best option. I keep imagining the crowds being a non-stop Disneyland-on-a-weekend level, and being stuck on a ship with that would be terrible ( I get heart palpitations thinking about it, haha) but if that level of crowding is mostly at events and height times as the pool then I think it could be okay.

Nah, you don't have to worry about the crowds being that bad. The only times the crowds felt like the parks to me were the sail away party and the pirate night fireworks. Other than that it's much more like being at a resort than being at the parks.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Thanks again for all the input, it's all super helpful. I wish I had asked a lot sooner!

Sounds like overall the ships are both great and while the crowds are lower (in general) on the Magic, the length of cruise is most important.

If the crowds are manageable, then I suppose the Fantasy seems like the best option. I keep imagining the crowds being a non-stop Disneyland-on-a-weekend level, and being stuck on a ship with that would be terrible ( I get heart palpitations thinking about it, haha) but if that level of crowding is mostly at events and height times as the pool then I think it could be okay.

I can't wait! We've NEVER been on anything even remotely close to a cruise ship, and never been out of the country (or even to Florida) and the kids are going to have a blast!

Just be prepared to fall in love with cruising. I type this sitting on the lanai in Hawaii, thinking wow this has been a great vacation but I'd rather have spent a week on a ship. I know, first world problems, but cruises are just that awesome, especially on the Fantasy. Enjoy your 1st of hopefully many cruises.