Cruise Ship: Disney Magic
Cruise Destination: Caribbean
Dates of Cruises: August 2000, 2001
Guest Contributor: ESS1959
Disney knows how to do a cruise! I'm surprised to read two negative cruise reviews here for the 'Wonder'. I've done two cruises on the 'Magic' and both were outstanding. The crew was helpful, remembered everyone, right down to my own personal food preferences and my choice of a shot of expresso in my coffee in the morning. My son literally did not want to leave the Oceaneer's Club or the Oceaneer's Lab the next season. We did both a 3 day cruise and a 7 day cruise and this year we will go back and cruise on the Wonder, the newer ship in the line.
We used the spa services and found them to be outstanding. I did not meet anyone on the ship who was not smiling or happy to see us. Our steward worked endlessly (I have NO idea when this poor woman slept) and was always gracious and very sweet to my son who was a handful at the time.
I overheard several conversations from other people on the boat who had cruised with other lines and they were very impressed. This is NOT Chuck E. Cheese, afloat, which is the impression many people have. There are separate facilities for adults and Castaway Cay has an adult beach if you'd rather be alone.
Granted, your children cannot go swimming without you, the staff will not babysit kids in the pool but there are so many other planned activities that I took my then 7 year old swimming in the morning and off he went for the rest of the day. The last cruise we took was scheduled for St. Maarten/St. Thomas but we were rerouted to Cozumel because 3 hurricanes (no kiddin') were out there. The water was like glass everywhere we went, and being more than a little afraid of rough water, I was thrilled that we simply rerouted and continued our vacation.
The food is somewhat 'kid' oriented but the meals in the restaurants are fabulous. Don't hesitate to order room service either, the menu is limited but for an exhausted child who can't handle an elegant meal it's great.
On another note, these ships are absolutely spotless, everywhere, all the time. The cabins are VERY substantial for a cruise ship.
Personally, having done both, I wouldn't waste my time on the 3 days at sea and 4 on land resort trip. You'll wish you were on that boat!
