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Disney Cruise Line

MS Disney Magic

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:Michael Knight
# previous cruises: 8
Date of Trip: November 27, 2001
Itinerary: Caribbean

This is the third time we have cruised with the Disney Magic. We were extremely impressed the first time, but each time has been even better than before. By far and away the best sea-based vacation experience we have ever had. Recommended for all ages, the tone of 'magic' is set from the moment the ship leaves Port Canaveral and the ship's 'whistle' blasts the first seven notes of 'When You Wish Upon A Star!'

The variety of public areas is astounding. If they don't cater for you on the Disney Magic, you are probably incapable of being satisfied anywhere! From the Sessions piano bar, through to the noisy Rockin' Bar D, the Disney Magic has it all. The Promenade Lounge is a place of quiet luxury during the day and sophisticated by night.

The standard of food on the Disney Magic is incredible, considering the numbers of people being catered for. The menus are different every night and you rotate through three main themed restaurants (with your servers moving with you). But if you want somewhere casual, there is the Topsiders buffet (again, with different menus every day) and many other casual dining options (including full room service, of course). The adult restaurant, Palos, is exemplary (and very popular, so book early).

The themed dining experiences are: tropical (Parrots Cay), French (Lumieres) and pure Disney (Animators Pallet). The service is everything you would expect from Disney.

The staterooms are among the best we have seen. Spacious; elegant; light. Plenty of storage space and wonderful service from the Stateroom host.

Seven different shows in seven nights. All stunningly produced and memorable. Disney Dreams, in particular, would melt even the most cynical hardened heart!

The health facilities (Vista Spa) are amazing - with views over the ship's futuristic bridge. The ships has three public pools (a fourth pool is included on the crew's deck!) which are for adults-only; families and children-only.

The current Disney Magic 7-day itinerary includes St Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles, St Thomas/St John in the US Virgin Islands and Disney's own private island, Castaway Cay in the Bahamas. For most guests, the day-long visit to Castaway Cay seems to be the high-spot of the cruise. If paradise ever existed on earth, then Castaway Cay on a sunny day (which it usually is) must come close. Luckily it comes near the end of the cruise. If it came first, you would probably not enjoy the other destinations as much. This is not to discredit the other excellent destinations, but it just underlines Disney's achievement with their own private island.

Disney Cruise Line passengers tend to be mostly American, although there are inevitably a lot of Canadians and usually a small European contingent as well.

DCL is a premium brand and your fellow passengers are likely to be fairly civilised families. Certainly there is an incredible loyalty building up. Despite DCL only being a couple of years old, on our last trip on the Disney Magic, around a third of the passengers had been on her before! If this isn't the best tribute, then I don't know what is.