Article by Storybook Guide Holly Averette.
Being the original Disney cruise ship, the Magic propelled Disney into new territory and officially introduced the world to the magic of Disney Cruises.
Facts:
Ship Class: Magic
Birthplace: Fincantieri Margherha, Italy
Maiden Voyage: July 30, 1998
Tonnage: 83,338
Length: 984 ft.
Crew: 945
Passenger Decks: 11
Capacity: 2,713 passengers maximum
FUN FACT: Before starting the Disney Cruise Line as we know it today, Disney partnered with the now-defunct company, Premier Cruise Lines, to charter Disney-themed cruises.
Themeing:
The Walt Disney Company wanted to pay homage to the era of classic cruising and Walt Disney’s own love of cruising; so abroad the Magic you’ll find pops of bright colors and bold shapes reminiscent of the Art Deco designs popular in the 30s and 40s. While it has undergone various refurbishments throughout the years, this style is still prevalent throughout the ship.
Entertainment:
Because you’re sailing with Disney, you can count on having some amazing entertainment options throughout your cruise! The Magic is home to three live Broadway caliber shows- Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story, Disney Dreams- An Enchanted Classic, and Tangled: The Musical. You can find first run movies at the Buena Vista Theater, meet and greets with your favorite Disney pals, and classic cruise favorites such as karaoke, trivia, bingo, game shows, dance parties, and more! Exclusive to Disney Cruise Line, guests will also be treated to fireworks at sea on most itineraries.
Dining:
Disney pioneered its signature rotational dining experience that allows guests to rotate between three main dining rooms during their voyage, keeping the same dining team each night of their cruise! Guests can feast on French inspired delights at Lumeires, celebrate with Rapunzel at Rapunzel’s Royal Table, or join the magic with an array of tasty options at Animator’s Palate. For quick bites on the go, guests can grab classic favorites from Duck-in Diner, nosh on pizza from Pinocchio’s Pizza, or enjoy lighter fare options at Daisy’s De-lites. Cabanas buffet is open for breakfast and lunch and serves a wide variety of options sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Don’t forget to end your meal with some all-you-can-enjoy soft serve at Eye Scream. For your convenience, 24 hour complimentary room service is available. You can also pre-order a continental breakfast by filling out the card in your room and placing it on the outside door handle by 3:00 am. Additionally, there are a variety of lounges serving up quick bites and drinks (available at an extra cost). For guests 18 and up, a fine dining option is available at Palo for a small upcharge. Adults also have an exclusive coffee shop called Cove Cafe where they can relax with complimentary treats and small plates while sipping premium coffee or tea drinks (extra costs apply for drinks). Complimentary coffee, tea, juice, and soft drink stations are available 24/7 on the pool deck and during meal times in the main dining restaurants and at Cabanas.
Recreation:
There is something for all ages to enjoy on the Disney Magic! Adults can retreat to Senses Salon and Spa to be pampered or kick back and relax by the Quiet Cove pool while kids and teens can escape to their own clubs for fun with their fellow cruisers. The whole family can join in the fun by the pool. Little ones can enjoy the Nephews’ Splash pad, kids will delight in the Aqua lab or Twist ‘n’ Spout water slide, and daredevils will not want to miss the Aquadunk, a thrilling drop floor waterslide! Drop by the fitness center to keep up with your workout routine or head up to the Wide World of Sports deck for a game of basketball or ping pong. Runners can take in gorgeous ocean views during their ⅓ mile run around deck 4 and those looking for a classic game of shuffleboard can also find it on deck 4.
Kids Clubs:
It probably comes as no surprise that the kids’ clubs are a huge hit on Disney Cruise Line!
The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab invite kids ages 3-10 to immerse themselves in their favorite Disney stories as they play and engage in a multitude of different activities. From counselor led fun to playtime with new friends, you may have a hard time convincing the kids to leave! Be on the lookout for surprise character visits as well! Tweens aged 11-14 have their own space to hangout, meet fellow cruisers, play video games, or join in on counselor led activities in Edge. Vibe is the place to be for teens ages 14-17! In the urban loft inspired space, they can relax and connect with fellow cruisers from all over the world while they play games, watch a movie, or take part in exciting games that have them exploring the ship! While there isn’t an official hangout space for young adults ages 18-20, guests can check the navigator for activities labeled 1820 Society. For a small fee, the “it’s a small world” nursery is available for the youngest cruisers aged 6 months to 3 years old. Reservations can be made in advance or on board. *Note: children must be fully potty trained to go to the Oceaneer Club/Lab.
Staterooms:
All staterooms come well equipped with modern amenities and classic styles to make you feel at home throughout your stay. Ample closet and shelf/drawer space allow you to unpack while the elevated bedframes provide a space to store luggage keeping it out of the way. Stateroom options include inside, oceanview, verandah, and concierge staterooms. Accessible staterooms are also available in each category. More than 70% of all rooms have an ocean view, and of those 70%, more than 60% have private verandahs. Designed with families in mind, many rooms offer connecting doors and there are plenty of nonsuite options that sleep up to 5 guests. With the exception of the standard inside staterooms, most rooms feature a unique split bath design that makes getting ready with multiple people a breeze. The bathroom is split into two rooms- one holding a sink and tub/shower combo and the other with a sink and toilet. Each stateroom has a hairdryer along with bath products including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. Rooms are serviced by your amazing stateroom host twice a day. Once in the morning to make the beds and tidy things for the day and again in the evening to reset the room for bedtime.
Agent Impressions:
From the moment you step aboard, you feel like you have entered a living room, inviting you to relax and stay a while. The whole space feels cozy and inviting! The ship’s small size makes it easy to get around, which could be helpful for those with mobility concerns or small children. We enjoyed being able to navigate anywhere on the ship in just a few minutes and it truly felt like home very quickly. There was always a variety of activities to keep all ages occupied. We enjoyed lots of trivia on this particular voyage, and while we may not have won (though we came close!), the cast members always made it a fun and memorable experience. With fewer guests and cast members onboard, you can really get to one another. We often ran into favorite cast members from the recreation team during various activities across the ship. Our dining team was also a blast and so fun to chat with! By the time our last night rolled around, I don’t think there was a dry eye in our group as we prepared to say goodbye to everyone!
Article by Storybook Guide Holly Averette.
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