Disney Magic (1998)

Facts and Information

  • First ship to start the DCL fleet

  • 11 passenger decks

  • 875 staterooms

    • 262 inside staterooms (30%)

    • 613 outside staterooms (70%)

      • 229 ocean view

      • 384 verandah (includes 22 suites)

  • 2,713 passengers

  • Crew of 950

  • Maiden voyage July 30, 1998 4-Night Bahamian Cruise

    • Original Maiden was scheduled for 3/12/98 then 4/30/98 then 7/30/98

    • Delay was caused by the MS Rotterdam needed extra work

  • Ship class: Magic

  • Godmother Patricia Disney (Roy E Disney’s first wife)

  • Arrived at Port Canaveral July 15, 1998

  • Christened July 28, 1998

  • Cost $350 - 450 million to build

  • Keel laying ceremony October, 21, 1996

  • Float out May 13, 1997

  • IMO Number 9126807

  • MMSI Number 308516000

  • Call Sign C6KB2

  • Hull Number 5989

  • Speed 21.5 knots cruising speed (Max 24 knots)

  • Gross tonnage: 83,969 GT (before Oct. 10, 2013 83,000)

  • Length: 984 ft. / 300 m

    • Originally 964 but dry dock added Duck Tail for stability (before Oct. 10, 2013 83,000)

  • Beam: 106 ft. / 32 m

  • Draft: 25.3 ft. / 7.7 m

  • Height: 171.5 feet

  • Born Fincantieri Marghera & Ancona Italy

    • Bow was made in Ancona (1/3 of ship)

    • Stern was made in Marghera (2/3 of ship)

    • Locations about 100 miles apart

    • Put together 4/18/97

    • First sailing from Venice on July 1, 1998

  • Dry Dock 4/14 - 5/13/2023 see button below

  • Instead of the usual black hull, the Magic was given a Monica Blue hull so dark it looks black in some lighting. The name “Monica Blue” came from a Cast Member on the design team who wore blue pants to work one day.

  • In order to include Mickey Mouse with the design, Disney wanted yellow lifeboats. However, regulations state lifeboats must be orange. Disney got special permission from the U.S. Coast Guard for their boats to be yellow.

  • The iconic design was topped off with two red smokestacks, each featuring the logo for Disney Cruise Line: a white Mickey head against three blue waves.

  • Bow character: Sorcerer Mickey

  • Atrium character: Helmsman Mickey

  • Stern character: Goofy

  • Art Deco Design

  • The atrium also originally had two staircases, but one was knocked out, and Disney Cruise Line ships now consistently have a single atrium staircase.

  • May 2007 first European Sailings

Staterooms

How to pick a stateroom

  • Starboard verandah for Alaskan cruise

  • Do not stay on deck below pool/buffet

    • Hear footsteps and chairs being dragged

  • Starboard for Castaway Cay View

  • Back of ship might feel engine rumbling

  • Look at family needs

    • Close to elevators, close to childcare, etc.

  • Price versus location versus category level

  • Seasickness look towards rooms mid ship and lower decks

  • Porthole magic in certain rooms inside rooms

    • These do typically sell out quickly

  • Navigator Verandahs

    • More enclosed verandah with smaller or minimal view, it feels more intimate,

    • Cheaper price

    • Not all ships have these

explore the kids club and areas

Clubs for children ages 3 and up are INCLUDED with the cost of your cruise

Magic was not originally built with a nursery since DCL did not think many families would cruise with children that young (less than 3 years old). It was later added.

Safety is a top concern

  • No adults are allowed in the club except during open house hours

  • Each child has a magic band that they wear during the entire cruise. There is a lock on these so they do not come off

  • The band is scanned and has a picture of your child and the adults that have permission to pick them up or drop them off.

  • You will set up a secret word that will be used to pick up your kids. This is a word that only you and the adults responsible for your kids should know.

  • Each band has GPS on the ship so when picking up the kids, they will know exactly where the kid is. This could also be helpful if for any reason you get separated while on the cruise ship.

  • When entering the clubs each kid must stop at the handwashing station which lasts for 12 seconds and does all the dirty work.

restaurant and all things food

Pools and Recreational areas

Pool Rules

  • Children must be toilet trained for pool and spa usage

  • Children who are not must wear swim diaper in the wet play areas and splash zones

  • Complimentary life jackets on pool decks

  • No floats, rafts or noodles

  • Swim googles that only fit over eyes can be used everywhere

  • Swim masks are only allowed in the pools

  • No snorkel tubes allowed

  • Towels are located around all pools areas

onboard activities

Beverage Tasting Seminars

  • If you cancel an onboard activity what happens?

  • If you need to change your onboard activity plans, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the experience start time. Once an activity is canceled, there is no specific time frame at which the activity reenters the system for booking. Computer systems are a little like Donald Duck, great pals but also a little unpredictable!

  • Now, if you canceled an activity by accident and would like to rebook it, I have a couple of ideas:

    • On the Disney Cruise Line website, periodically check for the activity under the “Already Booked” tab, select “Book / Manage Cruise Activities” and perhaps you will find the activity available for booking.

    • If not, once onboard you can use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to peruse and book activities or stop by the Guest Services Desk. Often times fellow cruisers have a last-minute change in plans, and you will find just the activity you were looking for!

  • On my last cruise, we had hoped to book one of the beverage tastings onboard the ship but it was not available. A Crew Member encouraged us to try a different tasting during our day at Castaway Cay at Heads Up Bar instead, and I'm glad we did! We had such a great time soaking up the sunshine and a few rum cocktails.

entertainment

  • On my most recent voyage, the shows were performed at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

  • Guests that have the main dinner seating (usually around 5:45 p.m.) will first enjoy dinner and then watch the later show in the evening. Guests enjoying the second dinner seating (around 8:00 p.m.) will attend the earlier show and then head to dinner.

  • Most shows running 45 minutes to 1 hour in length

  • I recommend that you arrive about 15- 20 minutes before showtime to get a great seat up close. The performers sometimes travel through the aisles and there is a lot to see when you are front and center.

  • Typically have a visiting Broadway professional on each sailing

plan disney pocket guide

Beginner’s Guide to the Disney Magic

The planDisney Pocket Guide series is back by popular demand and expanding to Disney Cruise Line! We’ll kick off this series with the first ship in the fleet. The Disney Magic is home to 11 decks of onboard fun that the whole family will enjoy! As you board the ship, crew members will greet your party by name and none other than Captain Mickey himself will welcome you into the atrium.

Room Accommodations

  • Staterooms aboard the Disney Magic are designed with families in mind, prioritizing comfort and relaxation. Split bathroom layouts in most staterooms make it easy for larger crews to get ready to “seas” the day. The bedframes are just high enough to slide your suitcase under, providing maximum storage space. See the line where the sky meets the sea with stateroom views ranging from two small porthole windows, one large porthole window, or a private verandah.

Dining

  • Rotational dining ensures that all guests can enjoy all three themed dining experiences while on board. Your party and service team will rotate to a different table service restaurant each night. As part of your rotational dining experience, you’ll be our guest at Lumiere’s, spend an evening at Animator’s Palate sketching your favorite Disney characters and enjoy a delicious meal with live entertainment from some familiar friends at Rapunzel’s Royal Table!

  • planDisney Tip: The Disney Magic offers a collection of experiences that cater exclusively to adults on board. The centerpiece of a romantic evening is Palo, an elegant adult-exclusive dining experience that serves northern Italian fare with a modern twist. Reservations are required and can be booked online or while boarding the ship. For late-night drinks, dancing and entertainment, adults can enjoy a variety of nightclubs and lounges: Fathoms, Keys, Promenade Lounge and O’Gills Pub.

Youth Clubs

  • While adults take advantage of the After Hours excitement, there are several themed spaces for the rest of your crew to enjoy age-appropriate, supervised fun. The “it’s a small world” nursery is an interactive childcare center for kids ages six months to 3 years old, inspired by the nostalgic Disneyland attraction. Kids ages 3 to 12 can immerse themselves in imagination in one of several themed spaces at Disney’s Oceaneers Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, including Andy’s Room. Shrink down to the size of a toy and slide down the Slinky Dog slide! Tweens ages 11 to 14 can kick back at Edge, a lounge with flat-screen TVs, video game consoles and a dance floor. There’s also Vibe, a super cool teens-only space for guests ages 14 to 17 to socialize at the ship’s highest point.

  • planDisney Tip: For families with young adults, the 1820 Society is a group for cruisers that are too old for the Youth Clubs, but not quite old enough for the over 21 activities. Activities hosted by the cruise staff often include game challenges, smoothie time, ice cream socials, lunches and more.

Entertainment

  • There is no shortage of activities onboard the Disney Magic! The D Lounge is the perfect spot to come together and enjoy family-friendly entertainment. Put your Disney knowledge to the test with a round of trivia or embrace your inner superstar during a karaoke session.

  • planDisney Tip: Be sure you have the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app downloaded so you can check the activities schedule. You’ll also use the app to stay connected with your party while onboard.

  • Don’t miss the Broadway-quality entertainment offerings happening at the Walt Disney Theatre. Follow along on Rapunzel’s journey to find her new dream in Tangled: The Musical or pick up where the classic Cinderella film ends in Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story. Catch a showing of Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic for a new and exciting show featuring music and characters from beloved favorite films.

Recreation

  • Families can make a splash together at Goofy’s Pool! Join in on poolside games and on-deck dance parties hosted by the Disney Magic crew members. You may even catch a movie on the Funnel Vision as you swim. For even more aquatic fun, families can experiment at the AquaLab interactive splash zone and slide down the double looping waterslide. The littlest in your crew can cool off in the Nephews’ Splash Zone, created just for infants and toddlers 3 and under. If you are up for the thrill, head to the highest point of the Disney Magic and slide down the AquaDunk waterslide.

  • Guests 18 and over can enjoy the Disney Magic’s best-kept secret: the Quiet Cove Pool. This adult-exclusive pool area is complete with two whirlpool spas for some much needed rest and relaxation. Lay back on a lounge chair and sip on a cocktail from Signals pool bar while enjoying the secluded serenity.

  • planDisney Tip: If you are a coffee connoisseur, you must make a point of visiting Cove Café, right beside the Quiet Cove pool in the adult-exclusive area. Don’t forget to ask for a Café Fanatic frequent coffee reward card for those delicious specialty coffees.

Repost from Disney Park Blogs

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