Which one would you choose?

iamporch

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Jun 25, 2012
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I would like my husband and I to go on a cruise just the two of us this fall. We have been on 5 cruises but all on the Dream/Fantasy and all but one have been with our kids (one who has special needs and can't do the kids club so we only got time to ourselves on the one cruise we did alone). Anyway what would you choose? we would like to try a different ship but Port Canaveral is definitely more convenient for us. Also these three are pretty similar in price give or take a few hundred

4 night on the wish
5 night on the magic with 2 stops at castaway
6 night on the fantasy

I know we wont ever go on the wish with our kids because of cost per night so this would be our chance to see it, but seems crazy to do 4 nights for the same cost as 5 or 6. I hear mixed reviews about the Magic. Which of these would have the best for adults? we have done palo brunch and dinner once and I would like to do them again or maybe another restaurant but heard the adult only restaurants can be hard to get into on the Wish. Thoughts? I know I always here more nights is better but is it worth doing less nights to see a different ship?

thank you!
 
I would do the longest cruise, which is the Fantasy.

I love the Magic, she’s a beautiful ship. But the extra night would win it for me (and a double dip at CC would be wasted on me.)
 
I would like my husband and I to go on a cruise just the two of us this fall. We have been on 5 cruises but all on the Dream/Fantasy and all but one have been with our kids (one who has special needs and can't do the kids club so we only got time to ourselves on the one cruise we did alone). Anyway what would you choose? we would like to try a different ship but Port Canaveral is definitely more convenient for us. Also these three are pretty similar in price give or take a few hundred

4 night on the wish
5 night on the magic with 2 stops at castaway
6 night on the fantasy

I know we wont ever go on the wish with our kids because of cost per night so this would be our chance to see it, but seems crazy to do 4 nights for the same cost as 5 or 6. I hear mixed reviews about the Magic. Which of these would have the best for adults? we have done palo brunch and dinner once and I would like to do them again or maybe another restaurant but heard the adult only restaurants can be hard to get into on the Wish. Thoughts? I know I always here more nights is better but is it worth doing less nights to see a different ship?

thank you!
I'm firmly in the "longer is better" camp. Thus I'd pick 6 nights over 5. BUT, Magic wins over Fantasy for me.

That said, I'd have to know what the itineraries are on the 5 & 6 night to make a decision.
 

I'm firmly in the "longer is better" camp. Thus I'd pick 6 nights over 5. BUT, Magic wins over Fantasy for me.

That said, I'd have to know what the itineraries are on the 5 & 6 night to make a decision.
the 5 night is two stops at Castaway and one at Nassau
the 6 night is Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Castaway.

we have done all of these stops before
 
We were just on the Magic before her dry dock this month - and we loved it! Rapunzel was fantastic and the food on this sailing was the best we've ever had! So she gets my vote, she will be all shined up and "new" for you! Plus I LOVE a double dip, in my opinion it saves some money since the food that day is already included, vs. paying for food on an excursion in another port.
 
My vote would be 5 nights on the magic (if you're beach people), it's a smaller ship so castaway cay won't be as crowded as the larger ships.
 
I would take 5 nights Double Dip over 7 nights Western Caribbean - it is the destination for me. (I know you said 6; I am making a point about itinerary). And a Double Dip is one of my favorites. I also like Eastern Caribbean to St Thomas and Tortola. Basically, I struggle to find something to do in Cozumel and am not a fan of tendering to get on Grand Cayman. (I read the itineraries you posted. I stand by my answer - if it were my trip).

Fantasy and Dream are going to give you Remy in addition to Palo. Perhaps a chance at both restaurants - especially on a longer cruise.

I am not sure what “adult“ things to do are different or more on one ship over another. I have always been an adult while cruising and essentially have a similar experience on all Disney ships (I haven’t sailed the Wish). I suppose it comes down to bars, specialty restaurants and pool area?

Since you have been to all these places, was there a place / activity that you would like to experience without the responsibility of children? Something active (ATVs or a snorkel sail or drinking or whatever). That is what I perceive to be the determining factor.
 
I would take 5 nights Double Dip over 7 nights Western Caribbean - it is the destination for me. (I know you said 6; I am making a point about itinerary). And a Double Dip is one of my favorites. I also like Eastern Caribbean to St Thomas and Tortola. Basically, I struggle to find something to do in Cozumel and am not a fan of tendering to get on Grand Cayman. (I read the itineraries you posted. I stand by my answer - if it were my trip).

Fantasy and Dream are going to give you Remy in addition to Palo. Perhaps a chance at both restaurants - especially on a longer cruise.

I am not sure what “adult“ things to do are different or more on one ship over another. I have always been an adult while cruising and essentially have a similar experience on all Disney ships (I haven’t sailed the Wish). I suppose it comes down to bars, specialty restaurants and pool area?

Since you have been to all these places, was there a place / activity that you would like to experience without the responsibility of children? Something active (ATVs or a snorkel sail or drinking or whatever). That is what I perceive to be the determining factor.
we actually want to experience the ship without kids :) With our son we could never do adult only areas/bars or a lot of the trivia was adults only and we love music trivia. So the ship is our main concern over ports.
 
Nice clear answer. I would definitely recommend the 6-night Fantasy. I think the adult area was beefed up, space-wise on that class shop. And an additional adult restaurant.

Have some great couple time. 🥰
 
we actually want to experience the ship without kids :) With our son we could never do adult only areas/bars or a lot of the trivia was adults only and we love music trivia. So the ship is our main concern over ports.
Then that solidifies the Magic even more for me! Don't get me wrong, I love all of the ships, but the smaller ones are my go-to when it's adults only. I like the adult pool better on the smaller ships, and I actually like the adult "district" better on the smaller ships too. The bars/lounges just flow better IMO, and our favorite Palo meal was on the Magic. Maybe most importantly: everything feels soooo much less crowded and more intimate on the smaller ships; I felt like, by Day Two, I knew so many Cast Members. Plus you have a better chance of winning Bingo since there's fewer people ;). We've been mostly on the bigger ships with our kids, but our next sailing with them is Summer 2024 on the Magic. I'll have one adult kid and one almost adult kid by then, and I really want them to experience it.
 
I agree with @meremac
I prefer the adult areas on the Magic/Wonder. We especially love the piano bar! I'd definitely do a new to you ship. You get new dining areas, new shows, etc.
 
Normally I am longer is better camp. But you said your only chance to do Wish is without kids due to cost so I would vote for for the Wish. It goes against lots of advice I have given on these boards but only because of your unique situation with ability to sail on the Wish. I have been on it twice and it’s a nice ship and worth doing at least once.
 
4 night on the wish
5 night on the magic with 2 stops at castaway
6 night on the fantasy
Usually longer is better camp too, but since you've done so much Fantasy, I'd say try the Wish or the Magic. I haven't been on the Magic. But as many complaints as I had about the Wish, I would do it again if it were adults only.
 
Magic our least favorite but perhaps the dry dock will spruce it up a bit. The 2 stops at CC and never experiencing the small ship would probably have me choosing the magic . Tough choice because I like the fantasy over the magic by a significant margin
 
I totally understand the appeal of wanting to try a different ship. Neither wish or the magic are my favorite. That being said, I would give a serious edge to the magic. The adult only pool on the wish is tiny. The hot tub is in a spot where you can constantly hear the aqua mouse soundtrack.

The adult entertainment seemed seriously lacking on our wish cruise. The venues for trivia were tiny.

While personally, I would pick the fantasy or the dream any day over both ships, if you want to experience something new, I would go with the Magic.
 
Thanks everyone. Still not sure what I’m leaning too but maybe this just means I won’t be disappointed either way since there was no clear favorite.
 

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