Spellbound at Sea:  The Disney Magic Cruise

Walt Disney's magic touch does not stop when you reach water.  In fact, it extends far beyond land through its cruise ships, one of which is named, appropriately enough, the Disney Magic.  This cruise ship was built in 1998 has been sailing and sharing its experience to delighted clients ever since.

The Disney Magic follows the footsteps of Disney's first successes at cruise ships.  Remember the Big Red Boat?  While the Premier Cruises fleet is no longer operable, Disney decided to continue its cruise line with the Disney Magic and its sister ship, the Disney Wonder.

Family in mind

The Disney Magic is one of the very first sea vessels that were designed to accommodate families.  Everything on board, from the ship's layout to its amenities to its services, is carefully chosen to ensure that families (particularly those with small children in tow) have a memorable and safe sailing experience.

While the ship is designed to provide luxury and comfort, it has not forgotten its roots.  The ship looks like a classic luxury cruise line but the designers made sure you never forget you're on board a Disney ship.  The Art Deco design sentiments are evident, but the ship is definitely Disney-themed.  Favorite Disney characters sail on board with you, although they are added as subtle focal points and decorations.  The horn, incidentally, plays the familiar and beloved, 'When You Wish Upon a Star'.

Dining

Disney Magic's dining experience is reminiscent of standard cruise ship styles, but the resemblance stops there.  Thanks to their dining rotation, guests can eat at the three major restaurants on separate days.  You still get to sit with the same people and you'll have the same table number, but you get to try the meals at different locations, so there's no excuse for you to be bored and order room service instead.

The restaurants are far from boring, too.  Waiters change standard black and white uniforms to more colorful ones and the dining rooms even change lighting.  At the end of your meal, you'll be treated to a display of Disney animations displayed on screens around the rooms.  If you dine at the Caribbean-themed Parrot Cay, for example, you may even be treated to an interactive song-and-dance number with the waiters.

Entertainment

When it comes to entertainment value, nothing can hold a candle to Disney.  The staff and crew make sure you never run out of reasons to have fun and play during the voyages at sea.  Entertainment here is akin to being in a Disney movie – everyone is dancing, laughing and having fun.  The Pirates in the Caribbean party, for example, is one of the highlights of the Disney Magic cruise and one that you and your family shouldn’t miss. 

There are also movies, movies and more movies on board, with kid-friendly films having earlier show times.  Movies with R or PG-13 ratings are shown only when kids are off to bed.  There are shows, contests, pool games, game shows, dance lessons, family talent shows, retro-dance contests… and those are just for the kids.  Bingo?  Yes, you'll find it here and the jackpots aren’t too shabby.

For adults, Deck 3 has Beat Street, which features bars, cabarets and lounges that become exclusive to adults beginning 9 p.m. every night.  Otherwise, these bars are locations for different activities for the family.  There is also an adult section at the pool deck consisting of Cove Café that offers drinks and coffees.  By the way, don’t try to ask around for the casino because you won't find any.

If adults want some time alone, or children want to be with other kids their own age, besides finding kids all over the ship, there are also multiple programs they can go to depending on their age.  When a child goes to one of the programs, the parents will get a pager so they can be contacted if needed.

Itineraries

Disney Magic docks at different destinations and currently it includes Caribbean destinations that leave out of Orlando as well as itineraries that leave out of Los Angeles, California.
 
For adults who are hesitant about how the Disney Magic can provide them with age-appropriate facilities and entertainment, there should be no worries.  This amazing cruise ship has successfully blended the joyful innocence of childhood wonder Disney-style and the sophistication required to convince post-child-age individuals that indeed, the Disney Magic deserves its name.