What ship to cruise with several families?

[Terp03]

So my family and I sailed DCL for the first time with the Wish over Christmas - absolutely loved it and was blown away by the service.

We were debating going on another DCL vacation with several other families next summer as we all have kids around the same age and none have been on DCL as of yet.

Basically debating between a 4-night Wish itinerary or 5-night Magic itinerary and leaning towards the Magic because it’s slightly less money than the Wish and an extra night. I’ve never been on the Magic before and understand it’s their oldest, smallest ship but given how I thought the Wish was almost too large that’s not a big deal.

Just curious on those who have cruised both and what they prefer, thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

We've sailed on all five DCL ships. I wouldn't rate any of them more (or less) family friendly than the others. Typically I'd go with the longer sailing, especially if it's less money. However the itinerary might play into my decision. Things like departure port, ease of getting there and to/from the ship, and the ports you stop at can affect the decision.

 

[cvjw]

We sailed on the fantasy as our first and second cruise and loved everything about the ship and the cruises. Then we sailed on the magic, and were very disappointed. There was so much missing on the magic that the fantasy had. And the whole vibe of the people cruising on the ship was different. We decided to just stick to the fantasy.

 

[Geomom]

We haven't been on the Wish yet. We did Wonder, Magic, and then Fantasy (and soon the Dream). I liked the adult areas on the Wonder/Magic better. Fantasy/Dream has more activities (mini golf, midship detective agency). The size of the Magic/Wonder is great for first timers, easy to get around. The Wish is the only ship without a continuous promenade if you like walking/jogging outside.

What kind of things did you like/dislike on the Wish? I'd probably do the Magic for the extra night, different itinerary?, different theater shows, etc.

 

[Terp03]

We haven't been on the Wish yet. We did Wonder, Magic, and then Fantasy (and soon the Dream). I liked the adult areas on the Wonder/Magic better. Fantasy/Dream has more activities (mini golf, midship detective agency). The size of the Magic/Wonder is great for first timers, easy to get around. The Wish is the only ship without a continuous promenade if you like walking/jogging outside.

What kind of things did you like/dislike on the Wish? I'd probably do the Magic for the extra night, different itinerary?, different theater shows, etc.

Honestly we loved everything about the Wish except the size. A 4-night itinerary is just not enough time to explore all facets of the ship. Especially enjoyed our incredible wait staff that followed us to each restaurant nightly - that was a nice touch.

Another point for Magic because the port is 10 minutes from the airport, too. Plus Cozumel (Magic) sounds more appealing than Nassau (Wish).

 

[Geomom]

Honestly we loved everything about the Wish except the size. A 4-night itinerary is just not enough time to explore all facets of the ship. Especially enjoyed our incredible wait staff that followed us to each restaurant nightly - that was a nice touch.

Another point for Magic because the port is 10 minutes from the airport, too. Plus Cozumel (Magic) sounds more appealing than Nassau (Wish).

All the Disney ships have rotational dining with your wait staff following you. I'd say another benefit to trying another ship is different main dining rooms. There is a show in Rapunzel's, Lumiere's is the 'quiet' restaurant (perhaps similar to 1923?), and Animator's Palate with a Sorcerer Mickey sighting. Animator's Palate on Dream/Fantasy has a Crush show, but Magic/Wonder have Sorcerer Mickey. The lounge near Rapunzel's has recently been rethemed to Soul Cat, a jazz lounge for all ages.

I would rather go to Cozumel than Nassau.

The Magic recently had a drydock and from the first couple cruise after, it obviously needed more time as they were still working on some issues. Should be fine by the time you would cruise though.

 

[OKW Lover]

I would rather go to Cozumel than Nassau.

A very good point!

 

[Calantha]

5 days on the Magic > 4 days on the Wish
I was on the post-dry dock cruise, so the Magic was having some issues, but except for some very specific Wish things (e.g., the BBQ/Mexican quick service), I liked the Magic much better.

Edited to add: You didn't mention ages. I think the large pool on the Magic is better than the tiny pools for kids...also easier to get quick service and be close to the pool than where we were on the Wish).

 

[Marthasor]

I’ve been on every DCL ship except the Wonder and the Magic is my all time favorite- I love the smaller size and if you are getting an extra night, that’s a sweet bonus. I vote for the Magic

 

[kiford]

Every ship is different and each has their own pros and cons and each has some things better or worse than the other ships. Having said that, the Magic is still my favourite though I haven't sailed on her for several years. The rooms are slightly larger and because the ship is smaller, it has a much more intimate feel. But because it's smaller and older, some of the newer/splashier/fancier features and activities aren't available on her. But she's still my favourite.

 

[Erica1016]

I think I'll almost always choose more days, especially for less money!

 

[Terp03]

5 days on the Magic > 4 days on the Wish
I was on the post-dry dock cruise, so the Magic was having some issues, but except for some very specific Wish things (e.g., the BBQ/Mexican quick service), I liked the Magic much better.

Edited to add: You didn't mention ages. I think the large pool on the Magic is better than the tiny pools for kids...also easier to get quick service and be close to the pool than where we were on the Wish).

Yes, all the kids going will be ages 11 and 7 by then. Great age for both groups I would imagine.

 

[lilsonicfan]

One consideration would be for any families of 5 - there are far fewer rooms for families of 5 on the smaller ships; essentially it's only a verandah room or concierge rooms.

 

[mlayton14]

All things being equal the Wish 10 times out of 10 because the larger ships are just more elegant and have more features - but the extra night would have me choosing the magic

 

[imbelle]

While the Magic is my favorite ship, I've checked out the kids' clubs during open houses on all 5 ships and design wise I thought the ones on the Wish were far and way the best. But then the kids aren't the ones footing the bill for the trip, so.....

 

[Husker Mike]

With Disney, I think the ship itself is the last factor to consider. I would be much more tempted to choose your cruise based on length of cruise and itinerary, and that comparison will probably narrow it down awfully quickly to which ship. Itinerary takes into account departure ports as well as the ports you'll visit as well as the schedule. If Castaway Cay is important to you, you'll probably not end up on the Wonder. Conversely, if you want Alaska or Hawai'i, you probably won't pick the Wish. (And until the Treasure shows up, the Dream and Fantasy as well, because who knows what Disney plans to do with the new ship and the other Caribbean ships.)

 

[Flying Fish]

Like others have said, it would greatly depend on what you want out of your cruise, but rest assured you'll have a great time whatever you choose. I would almost always pick the longer cruise over a shorter cruise. It's a real bonus that the longer cruise is cheaper, since that means less time to save up for the next cruise. If you liked the Wish, I think you'll love the Magic. You're also correct that Cozumel is a better stop than Nassau. If you're making a pros/cons list, I think the choice is clear here - enjoy the Magic!

 

[MrMagoo]

We prefer the Magic because it is a smaller ship and feels more intimate than the others and is easier to navigate.
However, we only have grand kids in the age range as yours. We took them on the Dream which is similar in size
and 2 loved it and 1 didn't. But we found out later he was basically sick the whole cruise and didn't tell anyone.
And it wasn't motion sickness, he was not feeling good before we even boarded.

However with your kids in the age range they are, they might enjoy the Wish more because it has the Aqua Mouse, which is similar to the Aqua Duck on the Dream and Fantasy.
The Magic (and Wonder) have the Aqua Dunk which is a water slide that drops you. You stand on an enclosed platform and the bottom drops out giving you a free fall into a pool with a small slide to it is basically the only way I can describe it.
Since you have been on the Wish, you have seen the Aqua Mouse so you know what it is like. It is much more popular than the Aqua Dunk. Our 2 grand kids that loved the Dream couldn't get enough of the Aqua Duck which is very similar to the Aqua Mouse!
Having done all three, we do not do the Aqua Dunk any more. Even when we did, it was basically 2 times and then done. And the Aqua Duck is the better of all 3!!

Also as imbelle said, the Wish has by far the best kids club area of all the Disney ships. Almost makes me want to be a kid again! The Wish also has a lot more to choose from at the buffet area than any of the other ships.

For first timers on a Disney cruise, I believe I would take them on the Wish or possibly find a short cruise on the Fantasy out of Port Canaveral.

That said, the Wish is our least favorite Disney ship and we have been on all 5. It does not have the same Disney feel
as the other 4. But since you have only been on the Wish and are taking other families that have not done Disney yet,
I would say do the Wish especially since you loved it your first time and are somewhat familiar with it and can show the others around.

 

[RedHead0186]

Having done all three, we do not do the Aqua Dunk any more. Even when we did, it was basically 2 times and then done. And the Aqua Duck is the better of all 3!!

I've not tried the Aqua Dunk, though am looking at a cruise on the Magic next year so was looking forward to trying it. It does sound a little lame, I'll still try it but your description helped to temper my expectations (especially since I love the Aqua Duck). I have done both the Aqua Mouse and Aqua Duck, and agree the Duck is better than the Mouse.

 

[Flying Fish]

It does sound a little lame, I'll still try it but your description helped to temper my expectations (especially since I love the Aqua Duck). I have done both the Aqua Mouse and Aqua Duck, and agree the Duck is better than the Mouse.

You hit the nail on the head here. Aqua duck is the best of the three. I am not a fan of any drop slide, although we do it when we're on the Magic. The Aqua Mouse wastes too much space with the ride up the hill with screens - why does every new attraction in the parks and now on the ships have to have so many screens?