Prefer Magic over Dream?

[justmestace]

Which mega-ships have you taken cruises on? Just curious what you didn't like about them.

I don't think you necessarily have to sail on one to know whether or not it would be a good fit for your family.
We haven't been on a "mega" ship, but we sailed on the Caribbean Princess and it was way too big for our comfort. I hated that you'd get to the end of a hallway and have to either go up or down, just to get where you originally wanted to go.

 

[justmestace]

I'm looking forward to our cruises on the Dream and Fantasy, but there are some changes that I already know I don't/won't like, without having been on them yet.

I don't like the way they did away with the 2 bedrooms suites. I don't like that the Royal suites only sleep 5, and then not comfortably. When DCL said that they were making the ship's staterooms "more family-friendly" I didn't think that meant there'd be more connecting rooms. But from their business standpoint, at least they'll be making more money. Can't fault that, I guess.

While the AquaDuck looks like fun, I think it ruins the look of the upper deck of the ship. Just kind of tacky to see the plastic tubes, IMO.

And not having the beds split is crazy. I cruise with friends alot, too....besides with my husband. Two twins work better when sharing a room.

 

[dursin]

I don't think you necessarily have to sail on one to know whether or not it would be a good fit for your family.
We haven't been on a "mega" ship, but we sailed on the Caribbean Princess and it was way too big for our comfort. I hated that you'd get to the end of a hallway and have to either go up or down, just to get where you originally wanted to go.

Ok, then I'll rephrase that to "Which ships larger than the Magic/Wonder" have they been on?

 

[dylan'smom]

I've been on a lot of huge ships, but I guess the largest I've sailed on was the Freedom (RCCL). It had this beautiful promenade that was huge and all lit up, lined with shops, bars, & 100s of people milling around. The dining room covered 3 floors with a staircase in the center. All attractive but crowded, food was served to all of these people and felt like a banquet.

It was truly like a floating city with people dodging each other & disembarking that type of ship took forever!! Just not our cup of tea. yes, there were activities like ice skating rinks, surf rider but all were crowded & had lines...

These days we like the smaller ships like Regent's 700 passenger Mariner, but still do love the Magic. I know the mass market lines are getting bigger, bigger, bigger, but for us, it's the smaller ship experience we love - getting to know fellow passengers and crew, having more one on one in all venues...basically that's it.

 

[dursin]

I've been on a lot of huge ships, but I guess the largest I've sailed on was the Freedom (RCCL). It had this beautiful promenade that was huge and all lit up, lined with shops, bars, & 100s of people milling around. The dining room covered 3 floors with a staircase in the center. All attractive but crowded, food was served to all of these people and felt like a banquet.

It was truly like a floating city with people dodging each other & disembarking that type of ship took forever!! Just not our cup of tea. yes, there were activities like ice skating rinks, surf rider but all were crowded & had lines...

These days we like the smaller ships like Regent's 700 passenger Mariner, but still do love the Magic. I know the mass market lines are getting bigger, bigger, bigger, but for us, it's the smaller ship experience we love - getting to know fellow passengers and crew, having more one on one in all venues...basically that's it.

We thought about checking out the Freedom since it's right here at Port Canveral now but my youngest son wouldn't be happy with any ship without a water slide so it lost out. He's really looking forward to the Aqua Duck now. Will have to see how our Dream cruise compares to the 2 Wonder/2 Magic cruises we've taken...

 

[Rogillio]

I was not trying to compare the Dream and Magic, simply stating that we love the Magic and so are not too excited about a new-and-improved ship. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. ;-)

I'm sure we will eventually sail on the new ships but they are gonna have to go some place besides the Carribean to get us on board. BTDT and bought the tee-shirt.

~Mike

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I can't truly compare the differences between the Magic and the Dream until I ride them both!! I'll be more than happy to be the test group!!

 

[Rogillio]

I can't truly compare the differences between the Magic and the Dream until I ride them both!! I'll be more than happy to be the test group!!

OK then. Report back as soon as possible.

~Mike

 

[TDC Nala]

Definitely! Mostly because cruising on the Magic would mean I don't have to sleep on the couch.

 

[Robin"D"]

alot of the staff on the Magic feel the same way....thry told me that the Magic is "their" home, it wouldn't be the same....

I can see that...
(was on the Magic Oct 23 ~ Oct 30 2010)

Robin & Angel "D"

 

[dylan'smom]

Definitely! Mostly because cruising on the Magic would mean I don't have to sleep on the couch.

Aint it the truth!!

 

[Luvstocruise]

I agree with lots of posters on this thread, that the hassles of bigger ships may outway any advantages. I grew up taking much smaller ships than even the Magic. I am completely turned off with ships with aircraft carrier sized passenger complements. It's bad enough trying to get some reservations for first timers on the Magic and Wonder, I can't imagine the hassles on a ship with twice the passengers all trying to vie for limited ressies on a 3 day cruise. But maybe this is the new reality- just not for me.

But, if some like large ships like RCL Oasis or FOS and NCL Epic, than they would probably love the Disney Dream. Again just not for me. I picked the Magic for its 7 day cruise, its itinerary and the look and feel of the ship (seems traditional). While I don't want to start a war with anyone, when I first saw pics of the Dream (from the side) it looks just like the Magic with about 4 more verandha decks tacked onto it. But, that is coming from someone who has not been on the Magic yet. Of course, if the new amenities are what interests people, than by all means give it a try.

It will be very interesting to see what people actually say when they have sailed the Dream, especially if their main experiences have been the Magic and Wonder. How crowded the ship is-especially the pools and top decks, how hard it is to do things onboard, and what it is like to get off at ports.
Time will tell I guess.

Luvstocruise

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

I have to concur with the OP. We've been on the Magic twice, but are very reticent about the Dream and Fantasy because of thier size. I also agree with a PP about that plastic tube kind of spoiling the elegant contours of the ship. DCL designed their ships as a throwback to the days of ocean liners mainly doing Atlantic crossings. That's why they have two funnels, when one is sufficient nowadays.

And I don't need to go on a ship to confirm that I wouldn't want to cruise it. That point made by a PP, that you can't make an informed choice without trying the Dream/Fantasy is absurd. I've never been on any other cruise line, and I can tell you with certainty that I have no desire to. Casinos, water slides, fake rock climbing and fake surfing just aren't the reasons I cruise. If I want a water slide, I'll go to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. If I want a casino, there's a Hard Rock right here in Tampa. But if I want a "throwback" cruising experience with style, elegance, and Disney "magic" and "wonder", well then....

 

[dursin]

We live fairly close to Port Canaveral so soon our DCL options will be big ship or nothing, so...I'm hoping we love the Dream!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

We like the fact that on the Magic not only do you get to know the staff but it is small enough that you bump into many people over and over again and get to know them as well. We will probably try the Dream just to check out the ship but the itineraries don't excite us and we will miss our Magic. When they announce an Eastern Med for 2012 then we can go to our home at sea again.