Disney Cruise Line - Is it all that ?
Disney Magic Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western
Ship: Disney Magic
Cabin Type: Balcony
Traveled As: Family (young children)
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review Summary
I've been on many cruises over the years. Eastern and Western Med cruises, Island cruises in the Carribean and South America. I've cruised on Carnival, Royal Carribean, Crystal Cruise Line and now Disney, so I'd like to think I have a bit of exposure to what the industry has to offer. In my experiences, I've come to realize that the real test of a Cruise Line is how the respond and adapt to unusual circumstances. Weather should be one of those things you would expect a cruise ship to have figured out. Disney seemed like they were learning as they went along. When we got to Orlando it was unseasonably cold. 31 degrees and sleeting and snow flurries. The first 2 destinations were very cold and windy as well. Disney could have figured it out a bit better. The shore excursions were amateur at best. You show up on time for the gathering time, and no staff would be there. They would show up late, herd everyone off the boat into the cold and screaming wind then make you stand there for 20 minutes before they figured out what to do. Guides would escort you to a museum then abandon you and tell you to ask the lady in the museum gift shop for walking directions to the next museum stop... Carnival's drunken highschool excursions are much more coordinated. Over priced for what you get.The ship is very well appointed. The common areas are very nice with just a hint of Disney. The various dining options are great too. Animator's Pallet is a real experience, which the kids and adults will love. The balcony cabin we had was very spacious for what I've seen, even compared to the Balcony rooms on the Crystal Symphony. The ship has recently been renovated however it is still showing it's age. Our cabin had a split bathroom. Tub and sink in one room, toilet and sink in the other. The toilet stunk from day one, something reminiscent of a Shell station. All throughout the cabin we found little things that past visitors had tried to fix themselves. Matchbooks shoved behind a picture to keep it from rattling, a wad of paper in the glass on the balcony to keep it from rattling, wedges under the crown moldings to keep them quiet, etc.. There was also some VERY loud hydraulic equipment in the walls that went off for 30 seconds or more ever 3 minutes and around 2am would go off constantly with only 20-40 seconds between. It kept me awake almost every night. If you are a light sleeper it would be a deal breaker.
Ship Experiences
Food and Dining
Entertainment
As cruises go the show quality is the best I've seen, it is however a one-trick pony. Cinderella and Disney characters. If you are a Disney drone you'll be in heaven and in good company. If you are 60, with no kids and you know the dialog to Snow White and you have 7 Dwarfs Franklin Mint plates you are on the right boat.
Children's Programs
Keep in mind they good stuff entertainment wise is all geared to start late. Dump the kids in daycare and go have fun. If you want to enjoy FAMILY fun forget it.
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Pros: Friendly service and wonderful wait staff.
Cons: The 'perks' disn't add up to my expectations.
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