Living The Suite Life On Deck
- Jona Kay
- Mar 20, 2024
- 6 min read
Come aboard the Disney Magic with us!
I wish I could say that the Disney Magic cruise ship was my son's bucket list destination, but it was actually at the top of mine. Since the late 90s, it's all I had thought about and finally was able to make a reality for us and can't wait to share some things we learned.
Disney features multiple different cruise ships: the Magic, Fantasy, Dream, Treasure, Wish, and Wonder. However, the Magic is the OG from the very first sail, and the ship that I saw in my Little Mermaid VHS so it only made sense that was the one we chose. Each ship from the fleet takes a different course from Hawaii to Alaska to Mexico. Ours covered the Caribbean route to the Bahamas.
After some hardcore background and security checks by Disney, (very efficiently organized on their part) we went through the maze that took us to the ships escalator. Once we got onboard, the main atrium door greeter announced our boarding for the entire ship to hear. Larger suitcases were left behind at security with Disney staff and being delivered to our room.
This is the smallest room on the ship that sleeps 2-4: an interior. With it being our first cruise, I wasn't sure how our bodies would react and didn't want any windows to look outside incase we were hit with sea-sickness. Though it was a tighter squeeze, it was perfectly comfortable for two people, and would probably work for four as well if you don't need a ton of room.
The TVs in the ships rooms feature nautical positioning guides, a deck camera, free Disney movies, and more. We loved watching where we were on the map, especially when there was no cell service in the middle of the ocean. Disney has an internet packages you can buy, but I think the purpose of vacation is to disconnect and enjoy. You can see on here our route to Nassau & Castaway Cay from Miami.
While you're gone at breakfast, a designated housekeeper comes in to straighten the place up and make the bed. They'll come back again while you're at dinner to turn down the bed and clean again.
I read on Pinterest that a lot of families get custom magnets for their trip, so we followed suit. You could tell who the real Disney Cruise veterans were when walking down the corridors because their doors were COVERED. Some even participated in a gift exchange.
The first night, our assigned dinner rotation was at Rapunzel's Royal Table. Being a massive Tangled fan, this was the HIGHLIGHT. The food was traditionally German, as is the heritage of the film.
Rapunzel and Pascal
We dressed up in character for every dinner
The menu featured a charcuterie sampler with pumpernickel and German mustard, among other things like pretzel bread and Oktoberfest lemon & thyme roasted chicken. The great news about Disney cruises, is that all of the food is included in the flat rate you pay before you board the ship. You can try every single thing on the menu if you really want to at no additional charge.
The waiters went above and beyond playing around with the kids. If they requested ketchup, it was designed in the shape of Mickey ears. One brought out a squeaker toy and pinched my son's stuffed Pluto's nose. To this day, he's still trying to get it to squeak again and can't figure it out.
DAY TWO: You can't miss the Drink Of The Day. During mealtime, at the bars, or next to the many different pools; waiters will come to you and provide a drink menu. Requesting the Drink Of The Day is smart because they always change, and are always about $5 each, based on the 2023 rate. Though the boat docked at Nassau on day two, we stayed on the ship to experience everything it had to offer with less people around. Since cruisers were exploring the island, we had a lot of room to ourselves with little to no wait time.
Xander met EVERYONE. Another Pinterest find was bringing a picture frame border for the characters to sign. On the Disney app, there's a daily cruise schedule with fifteen minute window for character visits. We saw Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, Captain Jack Sparrow, Mirabel, princesses, and more.
Dinner this round was at Lumiere's, based off of Beauty & The Beast. Not pictured is us dressed as Belle & The Beast. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... the FOOD. Nothing short of gourmet and all-inclusive.
Lumiere's is the fanciest assigned dinner rotation with appetizers like iced lobster and jumbo shrimp, escargot, and duck confit. Above, I tried the farmhouse salad with baby spinach, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, fingerling potatoes, goat cheese crostini, and olive vinaigrette. For dinner, I tried chateaubriand-roasted filet steak. Phenomenal. Since food was pre-paid, I had a steak nearly every night. Xander stuck to his cheeseburgers with Mickey-shaped ketchup.
Day Three: The next morning, we tried the buffet for breakfast. We had a terrible habit of sleeping in past breakfast hour with how dark the interior rooms were, so this is probably the only time we actually made it. Though some complained that cruise ships rock at night, I felt next to nothing. Pictured is Xander, Pluto, and the famous Mickey waffles that you can also find at Disney World. We had to purchase a Mickey waffle maker after coming home. Next up, Disney's private island, Castaway Cay!
Castaway Cay was previously named Gorda Cay before it was bought by Disney; and was used for bootlegging and drug running by Pablo Escobar's cartel. One of the planes still resides on the island today. Disney purchased a 99 year lease from the Bahamian government and began using it for filming scenes of Pirates Of The Caribbean. That's why you'll find Captain Jack Sparrow in costume on this island... and Mickey Mouse & the gang too!
You can take a walk through the beachy island, or hit the tram. There's an adults-only section, kids club where you can drop off the children, floaty rental, excursions, and more. All of it is jam packed in the Disney app and available for reservation a few months before you set sail. Something nobody warned us of: JELLYFISH. They're all over the seaweed on the Cay. I got stung twice and broke out in a crazy rash about 48 hours after. Swim over the seaweed, don't walk it.
The Cay also has complimentary drinks, fruit, ice cream, and Moana-style island food like meat & veggie skewers, BBQ, and more. Disney has a massive net around the island so you won't get eaten by a shark, but you will see natural wildlife. A stingray swam right past me like it was just a normal day. Unfortunately for Xander, he drank a little too much ocean water and needed to rest after four hours in the sun.
Dinner on night three rotation was at Animators Palate. Don't quote me, but I believe this restaurant is the only one featured on other Disney cruise ships. This spot was the most relaxed but featured the COOLEST presentation of Disney's creation of animated films. You can even create your own animation at the table to be broadcasted on the wall. When the lights went down, they honored the OG Fantasmic - I may have cried a little.
Day Four: The fourth and final day was designated for at-sea activities, and included nighttime fireworks with a pirate & dance party. Our dinner rotation assignment was another evening at Lumiere's. This was also a special day, because we ended up being onboard for the Disney Magic 25th sailing anniversary date. I was on the ship 25 years after seeing the original advertisement. How's that for a butterfly effect?
As always, providing the resources and cost estimate. This one was not cheap, but incredibly worth it. We spent about $2,350 to do this - not including flights or the hotel stay the day before to make sure there was no unnecessary travel delays. But let me tell you, we're absolutely going to do it again & again until we've experienced almost every ship. We planned ahead and reserved one year in advance to take advantage of a payment plan. To price check your own, click the link here.
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