what to compare post-dry dock Magic to...

[momof2n2]

We booked our 5/14 cruise back in February and I have been reading these pages every since. One question I have either missed, or has not been asked is: What do you veterans think Magic's itinerary will look like after the dry-dock? Like, right now, it spent May out of Galvaston, right? And mostly does 5-7 night excursions, right? (Please educate me if I am wrong.) So if I pull up menus, let's say, for this last May's cruises, how will that compare to what she'll offer a year from now with 3 & 4 nights out of PC? And shows... which shows do you expect to see compared to what the Magic cruises offer now? And it's not like I can compare current Navigators to a 4-night next May.
Is there any reasonable way to develop expectations?
TIA!

 

[mmouse37]

We booked our 5/14 cruise back in February and I have been reading these pages every since. One question I have either missed, or has not been asked is: What do you veterans think Magic's itinerary will look like after the dry-dock? Like, right now, it spent May out of Galvaston, right? And mostly does 5-7 night excursions, right? (Please educate me if I am wrong.) So if I pull up menus, let's say, for this last May's cruises, how will that compare to what she'll offer a year from now with 3 & 4 nights out of PC? And shows... which shows do you expect to see compared to what the Magic cruises offer now? And it's not like I can compare current Navigators to a 4-night next May.
Is there any reasonable way to develop expectations?
TIA!

You can find the Fall 2013 itineraries here

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/ships/disney-magic/itineraries-disney-magic/

Or are you wondering what itineraries she will sail in Fall of 2014? If Fall of 2014 I would hold off until mid-June when the new schedules should be set. They are currently changing around the Dream and Magic itineraries/dates for Fall of 2014.

The main stage shows should not change.


MJ

 

[momof2n2]

No. I guess I'm wording things poorly.


Since I can't really compare May 2013 Magic to May 2014 Magic (different lengths) should I just wait until Magic is back to doing 3/4 nights out of PC this fall for comparisons?

 

[lbgraves]

The 3-night cruises use the three MDR rotational menus. The 4-night cruises use those along with the pirate menu. They aren't going to vary much from what is being used now. The shows on the 3-night cruises will be the three main stage shows. They will probably add the Welcome aboard show or a movie on the 4-night cruises.

 

[LWQuestie]

Are you asking about onboard activities? Like trying to plan what will happen on day 1, day 2, day 3?

 

[lbgraves]

No. I guess I'm wording things poorly.


Since I can't really compare May 2013 Magic to May 2014 Magic (different lengths) should I just wait until Magic is back to doing 3/4 nights out of PC this fall for comparisons?

You can still use those 7-night navigators to see what you can expect on the Magic's 3/4 night cruises. The stage shows will remain the same along with the menus. Of course Parrot Cay will change to the new décor and menu this fall, but that will be used on the shorter cruises. The current navigators will let you know what could be offered on sea days, as well as port days.

 

[momof2n2]

The 3-night cruises use the three MDR rotational menus. The 4-night cruises use those along with the pirate menu. They aren't going to vary much from what is being used now. The shows on the 3-night cruises will be the three main stage shows. They will probably add the Welcome aboard show or a movie on the 4-night cruises.

Okay - thanks. That is a great start. I was thinking a Pirate Night would only be on a 7-night cruise.

Are you asking about onboard activities? Like trying to plan what will happen on day 1, day 2, day 3?

Yes - more or less. Nothing super-specific.

So - do you think a 4-night May Magic next year would look a lot like a 4-night May Dream looked this year?

I'm just wondering which Navigators to browse for a sense of what to expect.

 

[lbgraves]

So - do you think a 4-night May Magic next year would look a lot like a 4-night May Dream looked this year?

I'm just wondering which Navigators to browse for a sense of what to expect.

That would be a good way to get an idea for shipboard activities, then compare them to what is available on the Magic's navigators. There are some things that are ship specific and not offered on other ships. For example, the Wonder doesn't have a farewell show like the Magic & Fantasy even though it does 7-night cruises. They just fill in the extra night with an additional entertainment act show. Of course that doesn't apply to your cruise, but just an example of how the ships can differ.

As a general rule, there will be activities available for families in Studio Sea or whatever they end up renaming it during dry dock. There won't be CBs on the 3/4-night cruises due to the lack of 3 sea days even though they are held on 7-night cruises on the Magic. There will be tastings, movies, and game shows available each day. There will be no way you can participate in each and every activity to try and relax while planning your vacation.

 

[momof2n2]

Great! Thank you VERY much.

I'm not so concerned about doing everything as much as I hope to pick out the best scenarios for our family and feeling so overwhelmed at the time that I miss the forest for the trees. Knowing my way around the Navigators will help with activity selection, and knowing my way around the menus should help with food allergies.

Does CB = Character breakfast? I didn't even realize some cruises have them.

4 night cruise has formal night, but not semi formal, right?

 

[lbgraves]

Usually a 4-night cruise has a "optional dress up" night instead of a formal night. It's nothing like formal night on a 7-night cruise from our experience as well as reports here on the DIS. This will be the first time the Magic will do 4-night cruises out of PC; however, so anything is possible. The classics have a different format currently for menus than the Fantasy for formal night. On the Fantasy, the regular rotation menu is used on formal night so there is a different menu in each of the MDRs. Currently, formal night on the classics uses the same themed menu in all three MDRs. The new show in AP will replace the existing light show from what I remember, so that shouldn't change up the rotations on the Magic after dry dock and how the menus are used. In the end, this is all speculation and DCL can and will do whatever it wants when deciding whether or not to have a formal night on the Magic for these cruises.

Yes, CB is character breakfast. They are on cruise of at least 7 nights and require three mornings at sea to schedule. The Fantasy doesn't have them due to the size of the MDR and the tight seating space that wouldn't allow the characters to get between the tables to see everyone easily.

 

[LWQuestie]

I think you might be trying to over-prepare. Read some recent navigators in general. They'll give you a good overview of the activities that may be offered on your sailing, so that you can jot down things that you are definitely/potentially/not interested in. I think this will help you focus when presented with the actual Navigators on your particular cruise.