Fantasy/Magic - Which would you choose?

[Tggrtoes]

I posted this on another message board, but wondering from you guys... which would you choose? Background: this is for the October 6 sailing (fall break). Both are for 7 nights. We are seasoned cruisers, with DS5. Live in Phoenix. We typically cruise for the ship/experience, rather than ports themselves.

 

Fantasy is a bit more expensive, but has the benefit of being a new ship. We'd also probably go out a day or two early and do some time at WDW prior. We have free hotel nights so this isn't an issue. Ports are St Maartin, St Johns, Castaway Cay. No character breakfast, but I don't know that it's that big of a deal given all the other character interaction.

 

Magic is a bit cheaper, and flights would be a bit less. All in all, probably only about $500 less total, so it's not a huge deal although always nice to save. But goes out of Galveston, which I've never done but it sounds logistically painful. The ship is also older, and I've heard some complaints about creaking but don't know how valid they are. I know cabins are a bit bigger, which is a plus. Ports are Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel.

 

Anything I should consider when deciding which to book? (we'd book a balcony room - no whitewall - possibly even a family balcony if available.)

[Shmoo here]

I posted this on another message board, but wondering from you guys... which would you choose? Background: this is for the October 6 sailing (fall break). Both are for 7 nights. We are seasoned cruisers, with DS5. Live in Phoenix. We typically cruise for the ship/experience, rather than ports themselves.

 

Fantasy is a bit more expensive, but has the benefit of being a new ship. We'd also probably go out a day or two early and do some time at WDW prior. We have free hotel nights so this isn't an issue. Ports are St Maartin, St Johns, Castaway Cay. No character breakfast, but I don't know that it's that big of a deal given all the other character interaction.

 

Magic is a bit cheaper, and flights would be a bit less. All in all, probably only about $500 less total, so it's not a huge deal although always nice to save. But goes out of Galveston, which I've never done but it sounds logistically painful. The ship is also older, and I've heard some complaints about creaking but don't know how valid they are. I know cabins are a bit bigger, which is a plus. Ports are Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel.

 

Anything I should consider when deciding which to book? (we'd book a balcony room - no whitewall - possibly even a family balcony if available.)

 

Well, I like the Magic (it was our first DCL ship). If I were going on costs, I'd go with whichever will be the less costly.

 

Other factors I would consider: itinerary differences. I believe the Magic doesn't go to Castaway Cay (that's a biggie); I haven't been on the Fantasy yet, so that would interest me; as to the creaking, all ships creak, they have to flex with the motion of the seas; the rooms on the Magic are larger (but the rooms on the Fantasy are still larger than other cruiselines comprable rooms).

 

:)

[TOlson70]

Having been on the Magic 2x and Wonder 1x, I am looking at the Fantasy for our next trip. The only things that worry me are the itineraries and number of people on board. If it were me and we were only looking at $500 difference, I'd probably go with the Fantasy.

[vegas321]

I've been on both the Dream and Magic. I found the Dream was wonderful and the Magic needs a renovation. The cabins are smaller, there was lots of creaking and the carpets need replacing. If all things are considered equal between both trips, I'd pick Fantasy over Magic.

 

But - the most important thing for me is itinerary, so I always pick the route that works best for me.

[Shmoo here]

I've been on both the Dream and Magic. I found the Dream was wonderful and the Magic needs a renovation. The cabins are smaller, there was lots of creaking and the carpets need replacing. If all things are considered equal between both trips, I'd pick Fantasy over Magic.

 

But - the most important thing for me is itinerary, so I always pick the route that works best for me.

 

The rooms on the Magic are actually larger then the same room on the Dream/Fantasy. The Magic is going in for a major dry dock after her Med season, but she's still in good shape.

 

:)

[GBChicinMaine]

We have forgone ALL of the itineraries out of Galveston for one reason and one reason only:

 

Castaway Cay is not on the itinerary.

 

Period. End of story. It is an absolute deal breaker for us. It is by far one of our most favorite places on this planet. With the addition of the Cabanas available now? I'd stay there and never leave again if I could get away with it. :D

[Modern_Viking]

I posted this on another message board, but wondering from you guys... which would you choose? Background: this is for the October 6 sailing (fall break). Both are for 7 nights. We are seasoned cruisers, with DS5. Live in Phoenix. We typically cruise for the ship/experience, rather than ports themselves.

 

Fantasy is a bit more expensive, but has the benefit of being a new ship. We'd also probably go out a day or two early and do some time at WDW prior. We have free hotel nights so this isn't an issue. Ports are St Maartin, St Johns, Castaway Cay. No character breakfast, but I don't know that it's that big of a deal given all the other character interaction.

 

Magic is a bit cheaper, and flights would be a bit less. All in all, probably only about $500 less total, so it's not a huge deal although always nice to save. But goes out of Galveston, which I've never done but it sounds logistically painful. The ship is also older, and I've heard some complaints about creaking but don't know how valid they are. I know cabins are a bit bigger, which is a plus. Ports are Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel.

 

Anything I should consider when deciding which to book? (we'd book a balcony room - no whitewall - possibly even a family balcony if available.)

 

Well, you say you are seasoned cruisers, so what do you like better or less about ships you have been on in the past?

 

If you prefer smaller public rooms (especially dining rooms, show rooms, lounges), then Magic is better. If you are planning to spend more time by the family pool, the Magic might be slightly better (less crowded).

 

If you want the newest ship, with more gizmos (mini golf, bigger splash / water play area, aqua duck), then the Fantasy would be better.

 

If you fly to Houston Hobby airport (HOU) instead of Houston Intercontinental airport (IAH) I would say the pier is at most 15 minutes further away than Port Canaveral from Orlando airport. The last I head, Disney offers bus transport from both Houston airports (HOU and IAH) to the pier.

 

BTW, the Fantasy cruise Oct. 6 goes to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and the Disney Private Island, but not St. Johns (Antigua) as you mentioned in your first post. From St. Thomas, it may be possible to take a ferry to St. John (USVI). But you also said the ports aren't very important to you.

 

In general:

Disney Fantasy: newer, bigger, more crowded, second adults only (extra cost) restaurant, new shows, on-demand in-cabin movies, added animated adventures, near WDW for a tag-on stay, two Pirate night parties (one for kids and one for adults).

 

Disney Magic: less big/crowded, older, 1 adults only (extra cost) restaurant, character breakfast included, prescheduled in-cabin movies, smaller/less noisy dining rooms, cheaper, one Pirate night party (for families).

 

Same: similar or identical menus, crews, style of entertainment, dual bathrooms, stores, no casinos, availability of children's clubs, known for noticeable vibrations at the stern (over the props), no open seating dining.

 

Do you have a preferred dinner time, and if so, is it available for only one or both of your possible trips?

 

Also, when you were pricing the trip out of Galveston on the Disney magic did you you discount code "VER"? If not, you might want to try again and see if that can save you more.