Donald has it right. Any
DCL ship is great.
Myself and DW like the Magic the best. My 26yo DD and myself like the Dream best.
Yes, I like both! The DW likes the classic style and the coziness of the ship. The DD likes the virtual golf, miniature golf, and larger theater.
I like the dining room service on the Magic the best out of all the ships. On the Dream and Fantasy, staff have such a big area to cover they have little time to engage during the dining experience.
We like the in-room movies also. The Dream beats the Magic hand down with the Dream having on-demand movies while the Magic has about 15 movies that play at specific times on their own channel.
Character meets - The problem with the Dream and Fantasy is that there are just more poeple trying to see the characters. So, just by volume the Magic provides a better quality just because of wait times. There can be 1,000 more passangers on the Dream to get those pictures and autographs.
Exercise - for sure the Dream. Everything is really spread out on the larger ship. You will get your exercise by walking the stairs and to the various venues.
Room location - no matter what ship, deck 7! Love the location, pretty much in the middle of the ship both vertical and horizontal. I know that center of the ship is where a lot of people like to stay. I like staying aft due to proximity to the restaraunts and drink stations. I like aft also because it seems easier to get a lift on the elivator than the center. Especially on the Dream after events such as dinner and shows. I am not a fan of the elivator positioning on the Dream or Fantasy at all.
Best location to view Pirate Night - Deck 9 or Deck 11 mid is where the stage is for the Pirate Night and for those that like to dance and hop around that's the deck for you. If you are folks that like to watch, I like deck 10 (Magic) or deck 12 (Dream). My ideal location is front left above the stage. Fireworks are shot off around the smokestack off the right side of the ship. So, I like being on the left side looking up.
Castaway Cay will be more crowded on the Dream. Everyone will have a spot, it just may take you a while to find one if you get off the boat after 10am.
Debarkation can take longer on the Dream, just more people to get off the ship and through customs.
By the way, this is all IMHO.
