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Can't decide between Disney Magic and Navigator

OSUZorba

By OSUZorba,
in Royal Caribbean International

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OSUZorba

OSUZorba

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I need some help making a decision on the best cruise to go on between Navigator and the Disney Magic.

 

I have been looking at booking an 8-day cruise on Navigator of the seas to the south Caribbean. I have already been to all the destinations besides St. Kitts. I've just been on two cruise before, Mariner of the Seas (July 2006) and Oasis of the Seas (April 2011). I really enjoyed both cruises and I know I would like Navigator since I liked Mariner.

 

Last night I was looking at some deals I can get through work and I saw I could do a 7-night cruise of Disney Magic for $800 less than the current price on the Navigator cruise. Although it is possible that I would be able to get a good deal on the Navigator cruise as the date gets closer, usually RCI only gives these deals about 1 month out. The Disney cruise also includes two ports I've never been to, Key West and Castaway Cay.

 

It would just be my wife (28) and I (27). We don't drink but do enjoy going to the clubs. I think I could live without a casino.

 

So which cruise would you choose with a $800 price difference?

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Pichu21

Pichu21

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I would do Disney for those $800 less, but keep in mind that Disney Magic is an older ship, older than the Navigator and it is oriented a whole lot more towards kids and families. You will have less amenities dedicated to adults as they would on a ship as large as the Oasis or even the Mariner. Just weigh your options and preferences. If you like what Disney offers, take it! If you like the Navigator more, ask yourself, are you willing to pay $800 more? Take in consideration that there could be major price drops. You just have many things to figure out. Choose wisely, and enjoy whichever cruise you pick :)

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OSUZorba

OSUZorba

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Do you like kids...

 

I don't mind kids as long as they aren't completely going crazy. When I was on Mariner in the middle of the summer there were a ton of kids, not too many on Oasis in April the only real difference it made to me was in the main pools. The main pools on Mariner were unusable in the middle of the day since they were so over ran with kids, but the solarium took care of that issue.

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konakate

konakate

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I have sailed twice on RCCL and once on Disney (The Dream). I would do Disney for Castaway Cay alone. This island is absolutely beautiful, with an adults-only beach and restaurant where you can enjoy your time away from kids (if you desire). We snorkeled and rented bikes there, used the waterslide, etc. Lovely. There is also an adults only pool and restaurant on the ship, so as the pp asked if you like kids, you don't really have to...unless you plan to wait in line to meet the characters! Now, I am a Disney nut, I'll admit, but the service on Disney is unrivaled in my opinion. And if it is cheaper, even more amazing!

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Disneycrazymom

Disneycrazymom

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We enjoyed the Disney Magic once and enjoy RCCL also (way more than once). I will not pay more for Disney but for $800 less I would definitely go again! The 2 things that are special are Castaway Cay - IMHO the best private island available and dinning at the different restaurants each night. The one that changes color is really unique. (Sorry can't remember the name at the moment).

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bajathree

bajathree

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I don't mind kids as long as they aren't completely going crazy. When I was on Mariner in the middle of the summer there were a ton of kids, not too many on Oasis in April the only real difference it made to me was in the main pools. The main pools on Mariner were unusable in the middle of the day since they were so over ran with kids, but the solarium took care of that issue.

 

Depending on your sailing date kids may be a complete non issue....don't think that a lot of adults only don't sail Disney...they do.

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OSUZorba

OSUZorba

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Thank you for all the replies, definitely leaning towards the Disney cruise right now.

 

I am not at all worried about the age of Magic, but I am worried about it being a smaller ship than I've been on before. Do you all have trouble going back to a smaller ship from a bigger one?

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dfgf

dfgf

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I am not at all worried about the age of Magic, but I am worried about it being a smaller ship than I've been on before. Do you all have trouble going back to a smaller ship from a bigger one?

 

I haven't - take a look at my signature. I started my cruising experience on Mariner. Went all the way up to Oasis last summer, then back down to Navigator and Liberty this past spring. Rounded out our cruising by going on Monarch this summer - the oldest and smallest. We enjoyed it so much that we're having our wedding cruise on the Monarch next June!

 

Dave

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mpp113097

mpp113097

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We have been on both and loved Disney. I'm shocked its actually cheaper. For same type of cabin Disney is usually way more. Castaway Cay is nice and has an adults only area so you don't have to be with all the families and kids. There are also some adults only areas on the ship to get away.

If you want to see some pictures you can check out

http://partridgepictures.blogspot.com/2011/05/disney-magic-2006.html

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Familygoboston Great Review Rare

Familygoboston

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I don't think you will regret it! We've done Disney with the kids; but never went back because of the price. But we noticed that of all the lines we've sailed ( and we get around!) Disney does the best job keeping the adult only areas adult only. Princess was not very set up to deal with kids and they were running amok! I think you will have a wonderful time and with late dining, the adult pool, adult entertainment area and adult beach on Coco cay; I'll bet you won't see many kids at all!

Btw- this is coming from someone who LOVES NOS!!

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jagsfan

jagsfan

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I've sailed on Magic and Wonder,and I remember being impressed by how well the kids were entertained so that we hardly saw them. You change dining rooms every night on Disney, and your wait staff and table number change with you, so you get different menus and decor. I found out that if one of the restaurants had something on the menu that you didn't get to try you can order it in one of the other ones, as the food all comes from the same galley. There wasn't a lot of stuff to do at night, but go on the Disney board and ask what there was. I've sailed with grandkids, and just with adults and we enjoyed both of them. Great bathroom set ups,too, and good size cabins.

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woody73

woody73

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. . . It would just be my wife (28) and I (27). We don't drink but do enjoy going to the clubs.

 

. . . After 10:00 PM there is not much going on, on any Disney ship.

I've sailed on the Magic and the Navigator. bobmal is right -- on Disney there's not much going on after 10:00 PM.

 

But if you can live with that, go with Disney at $800 less.

 

Woody

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go fish 44

go fish 44

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We have sailed on both ships. Love them both but for less money I would go with Disney. The Shows are wonderful and the Adult only area is the best on any cruise line. They actually enforce No children rule in the Adult area and you will find you have the pool all to yourself.

 

Go Disney

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