Which ship?

[Pickles282]

Wish or Magic? First time cruisers, husband is scared to cruise but I’m trying my hardest to get him to try, and kids ages 8 and 10. I’m also trying to compare Royal Caribbean to DCL but am unsure of that’s allowed here. Wondering if the price difference is worth it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Wish or Magic? First time cruisers, husband is scared to cruise but I’m trying my hardest to get him to try, and kids ages 8 and 10. I’m also trying to compare Royal Caribbean to DCL but am unsure of that’s allowed here. Wondering if the price difference is worth it.

A lot of variables. What are the itineraries you're looking at? How long a cruise? Cost?

 

[Pickles282]

4 night. Wish would be around 7000 Magic would be around 4300, RC 2900. All with verandas. Nassau and castaway for Disney cruises.

 

[CamColt]

You are certainly welcome to compare DCL to other cruise lines if you like.

 

[AquaDame]

My gut says Magic for a first cruise... the price difference is just too high between the two if you are not sure you like cruising. Are you able to tell us what your husband is afraid of..? Maybe we can help?

 

[Marc D]

I would go for Magic. Any ‘extras’ on Wish are not worth the price difference, at least for first-timers unsure if they’ll like the cruising (or specifically DCL cruising) experience.

As for comparing DCL with RCCL, it really depends on the interest of the kids in Disney stuff vs more active, teen oriented activities offered on RCCL, the specific RCCL ship you are contemplating sailing on - their offering vary greatly based on the size of the ship - and your interest in playing at a casino. We would personally prefer the DCL cruise on Magic over any RCCL cruise.

 

[Pickles282]

My gut says Magic for a first cruise... the price difference is just too high between the two if you are not sure you like cruising. Are you able to tell us what your husband is afraid of..? Maybe we can help

 

[Marthasor]

For a first cruise, I would do the Magic. It's much smaller and less confusing, IMHO. I was just on the Wish in October and, while I liked it, it felt very crowded and chaotic. I don't think it's a good ship for an introductory cruise. One advantage to the Magic, when you visit CC, it will also be less crowded as the ship carries less guests - it's a nice perk. Particularly for the price - I would make the smaller investment for a first cruise to see if you even like it. I've never been on RCCL as the "vibe" does not appeal to us.

 

[Pickles282]

Anxiety. He gets in his head and worries he’ll feel like he’s stuck on a boat and not able to get off if he needs to. He also is convinced he’ll come home with stomach issues from the food. It’s been YEARS since he’s had a panic attack and I don’t want him to again… let alone on vacation. I don’t want to force him to go but I really think he’d love it. I went on a carnival cruise many, many years ago with friends so I have an idea of what being on a cruise is like… from what I remember of that one

 

[AquaDame]

Gotcha; I had worried about having the same feeling, but the ship is SO large, and the activities so varied (especially as a new cruiser) that you kind of forget you are "stuck". Well, and having port days helps too since you can leave! We booked a four night due to fear on our first, and were sad to leave the ship so soon. Does he often feel stuck in malls, or other places? If not, then he very likely has nothing to worry about. This is NOT like being on a little boat, or plane even. You have a whole nice room to retreat to and relax and forget where you are, and fresh air for days on deck even if you don't get a verandah. I will , say that if he is a very active person a larger RCCL ship with more outdoor activities like rock climbing may have the edge over DCL if that would help him feel less stir crazy.

The problem with being concerned about stomach issues is the very act of worrying can easily CAUSE stomach issues... I will say that the ships cook meat to oblivion, so aside from the ever present danger of picking up a stomach bug, which can happen, the odds of getting food poisoning onboard is probably lower than dry land! I think you're right to not press the matter *too* hard, since he will decide how he feels about it and that can affect his body and mind. Conversations with friends and folks he trusts who enjoy cruising can't be beat in that case.

 

[Pickles282]

For a first cruise, I would do the Magic. It's much smaller and less confusing, IMHO. I was just on the Wish in October and, while I liked it, it felt very crowded and chaotic. I don't think it's a good ship for an introductory cruise. One advantage to the Magic, when you visit CC, it will also be less crowded as the ship carries less guests - it's a nice perk. Particularly for the price - I would make the smaller investment for a first cruise to see if you even like it. I've never been on RCCL as the "vibe" does not appeal to

Gotcha; I had worried about having the same feeling, but the ship is SO large, and the activities so varied (especially as a new cruiser) that you kind of forget you are "stuck". Well, and having port days helps too since you can leave! We booked a four night due to fear on our first, and were sad to leave the ship so soon. Does he often feel stuck in malls, or other places? If not, then he very likely has nothing to worry about. This is NOT like being on a little boat, or plane even. You have a whole nice room to retreat to and relax and forget where you are, and fresh air for days on deck even if you don't get a verandah. I will , say that if he is a very active person a larger RCCL ship with more outdoor activities like rock climbing may have the edge over DCL if that would help him feel less stir crazy.

The problem with being concerned about stomach issues is the very act of worrying can easily CAUSE stomach issues... I will say that the ships cook meat to oblivion, so aside from the ever present danger of picking up a stomach bug, which can happen, the odds of getting food poisoning onboard is probably lower than dry land! I think you're right to not press the matter *too* hard, since he will decide how he feels about it and that can affect his body and mind. Conversations with friends and folks he trusts who enjoy cruising can't be beat in that case.

Funny thing is, he doesn’t mind flying and owns a boat lol. Crowds get to him for sure. He recently conquered his fear of going to crowded Disney World and he had a great time. He took a short break once a day back at the hotel and met back up with us a little later. I keep telling him you just don’t know until you actually do something… also that he was ‘trapped’ in Disney World for an entire week and he had fun, how could this possibly be worse

 

[Clarkson U]

Sailed both the Wish and Magic. For that price differential on DCL, I would absolutely sail the Magic. I don’t even need to think twice about it.

If he wants some down time he too can go back to the stateroom during the day or pick a spot in a higher deck with less crowds and just enjoy the outdoors quietly. Definitely options there.

Enjoy the cruise!

 

[Cheburashka]

Magic.

 

[Drfate102]

The Magic, I love that ship, but I have yet to sail on the Wish, but it is booked in January. My very first cruise was a 15 night round trip from San Francisco to Hawaii on Princess. That was a you better like it situation. Fortunately, we loved it.

 

[KevinFL]

Wish or Magic? First time cruisers, husband is scared to cruise but I’m trying my hardest to get him to try, and kids ages 8 and 10. I’m also trying to compare Royal Caribbean to DCL but am unsure of that’s allowed here. Wondering if the price difference is worth it.

Wish in Concierge. 3 or 4 night is perfect tester cruise.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Magic! It's a great ship for a first cruise! You will want to sail on the Wish eventually, but might as well go for affordability on a first sailing.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

Pros and Cons to Both. It more depends on what you are looking for in your cruise.

Magic: Less "Bells and whistles" but immaculately kept. Crew really make the ship complete on the Magic. What they don't have in technological upgrades they make up for in service. More options for itineraries. The Magic is more of a relaxing experience than the newer ships.

Wish: Newest, Latest and Greatest. More entertainment options, more pools, literally still smells and looks brand new. (Just got off the ship, we were on the 11/28 4 night.) We had no down time, so much to see and do.

I would recommend starting out with the Magic and planning for the Wish down the road when the "brand new pricing" wears off and things get a bit more reasonable for costs. I would pick a sailing on the Magic over the Wish any day of the week and we LOVED the Wish.

No matter what you choose, enjoy your vacation!

 

[TinkAgainU]

Magic should be perfect - we did the Wonder (same ship design) and it's a great size - large enough to have some feelings you can breathe alone - but small enough to get around without wearing yourself out if you need to return to the cabin. Being a shorter distance to stairs to walk up onto deck is likely less stressful too. I like my "alone" time and found the deck outside the Cabana's Buffet area was frequently all to myself with quite the view! I know there are other quiet areas around the ship for Adults only - but never needed to seek them since I'm an early riser - a great time to roam the ship in peace.

 

[lilmc]

Magic

 

[TinkAgainU]

While I'm not familiar with all the differences between Disney and other lines - on Disney, while you change venues for dinner each night, you have the same wait staff (server) for your table each major meal. That might subconsciously reduce the stress at meals, with a super friendly and familiar face? I know both the kids and I enjoyed the continuity - they can even get you food from the other venues (no big deal) if he has something he really liked somewhere else. The standard of care was exceptional on our cruise - and the rooms, and ship were always spotless.