Disney Cruise Line isn't known for affordable fares. However, when I saw a cruise advertised for less than $2,000, I didn't hesitate to email my travel agent. It was one of those rare deals that felt too good to pass up, especially for a Disney cruise to their new private destination in The Bahamas.
The 3-night cruise was $1,585.78, including taxes, port fees, and gratuities, for two people. Considering some sailings on Disney ships can cost upwards of $2,500 for a similar sailing on the new Disney Wish, I jumped at the opportunity to sail onboard Disney Magic. Not only because of the price but also because it was the first ship I ever sailed on back in 2005!
Knowing it was an older ship—and having sailed on two other vessels the same age this year—I was curious to see how Disney Magic had held up. Though not as flashy as its newer counterparts, I was confident the ship would retain the signature Disney charm, with good service and high-quality entertainment.
We stayed in Cabin 5633, a category 11B interior stateroom near the aft of the ship and close to an elevator bank. Because of our location, we felt quite a bit of movement from our stateroom, especially at night. It wasn't unbearable, but I was thankful I brought motion sickness patches and Dramamine.
The ship departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a Tuesday, so there was minimal traffic compared to busier weekend departures. As such, we had an easy embarkation experience. Check-in took no longer than fifteen minutes, and our group number was called while going through security. We had no wait and headed straight through the iconic Mickey-shaped funnel.
Once onboard, we went to Cabanas for lunch since staterooms wouldn't be available until around 1:30pm. Everyone else had the same idea, too! Thankfully, the line moved quickly, and we found a table outside to avoid the crowds.
After finishing our lunch, which included crab legs and jumbo shrimp, we still had about thirty minutes to kill. My fiancée took the lead, and we ended up at the Soul Cat Lounge, where she splurged on Jazz 75. As we had just finished lunch, we didn't order any New York-style Zeppoles, but this should be a must-do for those who love crispy and sugary treats!
Finally, the Disney Cruise Line mobile app notified us that our cabins were ready, and we made our way from Deck 3 to 5, quickly locating our cabin down a hallway past the youth clubs.
Our cozy inside stateroom measured around 185 square feet and felt spacious and thoughtfully designed. From the large couch to the abundance of outlets and tub-shower combination, I forgot I was on a ship that was over 25 years old!
While certain aspects of the cabin did reveal its true age, it felt far more maintained than my staterooms on Vision of the Seas and Carnival Elation, two similarly sized vessels launched the same year as Disney Magic.
To start, saying I was overwhelmed by the number of outlets may be dramatic, I definitely didn't expect there to be so many. The vanity area alone was home to eight outlets, including three standard American plugs, two USB ports, and a European outlet.
That wasn't all, either. I always prepare myself for the likelihood of charging my phone at night with a portable charger, as many vessels don't have beside outlets. If they do, they're likely some of the newer cruise ships at sea or underwent a major dry dock within the last couple of years.
In addition to the eight vanity charging options, my inside cabin on Disney Magic also had three bedside American outlets, allowing my fiancée and me to charge our phones and tablets with ease.
Compartively, when I sailed on Vision of the Seas a few months ago, I came prepared with three European adapters, knowing that half—or two—of the outlets in the stateroom were European.
The bathroom, featuring a tub-shower combination, also surprised me. I'm used to cruising in staterooms with capusle-like showers, many with clingy shower curtains that make getting clean feel like a chore.
While the shower on Disney Magic still had a curtain, the design made it far less attracted to my skin. Plus, it was perhaps one of the most spacious showers I've had on a cruise ship. I did not have to worry about my elbows colliding with the wall, as I had plenty of space to maneuver.
I had no issues with the water pressure or temperature, either. Even when showering after my partner, the water remained at a consistent, comfortable temperature.
The upgraded toiletries were a nice treat, too. Most mainstream cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival, don't provide separate shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
Not only did Disney have all three, but there was also liquid hand soap and body lotion. The experience felt even more upgraded considering they were in actual bottles, rather than dispensers affixed to the wall.
However, my largest gripe with the bathroom was the lack of storage. Outside of one hook on the door and single shelf above the sink, there wasn't any dedicated space to store toiletries or makeup bags.
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Thankfully, I brought my hanging toiletries organizer, but I can imagine how frustrated I would have felt if I tried to keep my products organized without it.
That said, the rest of the stateroom didn't lack storage. From a large closet to countless cabinets, we could have comfortably unpacked for a two-week cruise and probably had room to space. Since we were on a quick 3-night cruise, we didn't bother unpacking, though. Instead, we lived out of our suitcases, which absorbed the couch.
I also loved Disney's attention to detail when designing the storage space. Even if a family of three was staying in the room, it would have been easy to keep everything organized and accessible.
There was ample floor space in the closet for shoes, and the numerous cabinets with shelving could keep everything from toys to sunscreen, snacks, clothing, and more neatly tucked away.
Before my cruise on Vision of the Seas, I had never stayed in a cruise ship cabin lacking a mini-fridge. It seemed like a basic enough amenity for guests who wanted to keep their drinks cool. Knowing how family-centric Disney Cruise Line is, I knew my stateroom would be equipped with a mini-fridge; however, I didn't expect it to work as well as it did.
To save money, my fiancée and I brought four bottles of wine onboard. Not only was the mini-fridge large enough to store all bottles but it perfectly chilled them. In addition to wine, we also kept water and soda from the buffet on-hand to quench late-night thirsts.
Newer Disney ships have themed rooms, with cabins honoring classic tales like The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, and more.
My stateroom on Disney Magic, however, leaned more into a nautical theme, sporting traditional, timeless decor that wasn't over the top. For example, the rich navy tones and gold accents gave it a classic ocean liner feel.
Still, the cabin had just the right amount of Disney flair without feeling too gimmicky, from the lamps that featured subtle Mickey-shaped designs to the towels with the DCL logo.
I loved my cozy interior stateroom on Disney Magic and wouldn't hesitate to book another windowless cabin on a future sailing to save money
Interior rooms can be a divisive topic. On one hand, the affordable pricing lets vacationers stretch their budgets as far as possible, allocating money towards add-ons like drink packages, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and more. However, many refuse to sail in a cabin that lacks natural light and ocean views.
I fall somewhere in between. While I'd much rather stay in a balcony, I'm also open to windowless staterooms if the price is right. My Disney cruise was one of those instances. Choosing a balcony would have been impractical and cost far more than what I paid for my inside cabin.
Read more: Why book a windowless inside cabin on a cruise ship
Plus, with just three nights onboard, I knew I wouldn't be spending a lot of time in my stateroom. I'd rather spend time lounging at the Quiet Cove adults-only pool, meeting one of my favorite characters, watching one of the ship's Broadway-style musical productions, or attending a game show.
Was the 3-night cruise worth over $1,500? Personally, I think so. From the quality of the entertainment to the service, immersive activities, and food, the overall experience was a far cry from typical short cruises, which tend to emphasize drinking and partying.
Instead, we welcomed the chance to relax and enjoy a more laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere. Rather than spending time at the bars or casino, we enjoyed watching Disney movies on the pool deck, mingling with other guests over dinner, and attending character events!
While the price tag may seem steep for a short trip, the value was clear. We loved every moment of our time onboard and were just as upset as the children on disembarkation morning. Disney Cruise Line isn't for everyone, but it's perfect for those who want to embrace their inner child and immerse themselves in the magic that Disney is known for.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
