After a light breakfast at the buffet, I walked for over an hour on the promenade deck. The Disney Magic has a very nice covered wooden deck that completely wraps around the ship on deck 4. It has some teak lounge chairs for those who like to sit outside in the quiet (and the shade) and shuffleboard courts, but is mostly used by walkers and joggers.
While we were dining in Lumaire's for brunch, Disney had a photo op/autograph signing with "the Princesses" in the grand lobby. The line was long, but kids of all ages patiently waited to be photographed with one of the five Princesses--Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Jasmine, and another one I didn't recognize. Disney may not have a casino onboard, but I am sure their photo revenue helps compensate for that lost revenue.
Mom took in a 3D movie in the theater--Toy Story 3. Disney shows movies almost continually in the theater and on the television in the cabin. The cloudy weather kept many inside, and it was good to have a fun movie like this one to watch.
That evening, we said goodbye to our excellent wait staff and those in the Sessions lounge. The next morning, we were among the first off the ship in Barcelona since our flight was at 10 am. Disembarkation was as smooth as boarding the ship had been. Disney properly recognizes the importance of a positive last memory of the ship. We breezed out of the terminal and were quickly in a taxi for the ride to the airport and our flight home. Goodbye, Europe!
Disney Magic Conclusion
We had a truly delightful cruise on the Disney Magic, filled with fun, exciting times and quiet times on the ship and with excellent, diverse ports of call. This western Mediterranean itinerary is perfect for those traveling to Europe for the first or the tenth time because it features a good mixture of very popular ports and others not often visited by the major cruise lines.
The Disney staff was accommodating without being obsequious. I loved the fact that they called each passenger by name and were always willing to answer a question or be helpful in any way they could. The shows were excellent, and the adult areas (both outdoor and indoor) are a wonderful respite from the family groups.
The ship is beautiful, with its most distinctive areas being the large portholes in the common areas and the wonderful teak wrap-around covered deck. If your family is ready to visit Europe, the Disney Magic is an excellent choice. The young children will be mesmerized by all that is Disney--the characters, the shows, and the movies. The older kids will enjoy meeting new friends from around the world. Adults will appreciate the quality time with their families, but also the opportunity to spend time alone while the kids are in organized activities or with a sitter. The whole family will love the Disney-designed shore adventures and learning more about another part of our wonderful world.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary cruise accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
