It’s Cruise Ship Monday!
Today brings us Disney Cruise Line’s Magic Class–Disney Magic (1998) and Disney Wonder (1999).
Disney Magic is Disney Cruise Line’s first vessel followed by her sister ship, Disney Wonder. Both ships have 11 public decks, and can accommodate 2,700 passengers. The interior of Disney Magic is decorated in the Art Deco style, while Disney Wonder is decorated in the Art Nouveau style.
Disney had the designs of its first two ships drawn up in February 1994 and they were ordered from Fincantieri in Italy. Disney Magic sailed her maiden voyage out of her homeport of Port Canaveral in July 1998, with Disney Wonder sailing her maiden voyage in August 1999 from the same port. While Disney Magic had Patricia Disney as her godmother, Disney Wonder’s godmother was Tinkerbell with Mickey Mouse giving the ship’s blessing before her maiden voyage.
The bow of Disney Magic features Sorcerer Mickey with Goofy finishing the paint job on the aft. The bow of Disney Wonder features Steamboat Willie with Donald Duck doing his best to finish the paint job on the aft while his nephew Huey attempts to cut the rope holding him up.
In 2023, Disney Magic completed a three-week dry dock in the Bahamas. The makeover included the AquaDunk, a 37-foot-tall body slide that extends over the side of the ship, and the AquaLab, an outdoor kiddie fun zone. She also received shore power capabilities.
The Promenade Lounge on Deck 3 was reimagined into The Soul Cat Lounge modeled after the Half Note Lounge in the Pixar animated film “Soul.” The concierge suites were refreshed with new fixtures, furniture and art and the concierge-level lounge is now reminiscent of “Moana.” Additionally, guests will enjoy an immersive “Encanto” experience including meet-and-greets, photo ops, singalongs and more.
Guests aboard either ship will enjoy live Broadway-style shows with Disney characters at the Walt Disney Theater. The Buena Vista movie theater plays both Disney movies and first-run movies. Each vessel features several night clubs and lounges, multiple pools and Disney-themed parties such as a Sail-Away party, Pirate Night, and sometimes a Marvel or Star Wars Day at Sea. Disney Wonder even has a Frozen Night during its Alaska cruises. Each ship also has a 24-by-14 foot LED screen on its forward funnel called Funnel Vision. Guests can watch movies and shows from the deck or from Goofy’s Pool.
The ships feature various clubs for children of all ages. The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are for children ages 3-10. The Club features a slide, multiple TV’s, dress up clothing and age appropriate activities, while the Lab features video games, computer, cooking classes and is geared toward the older children. The Edge is geared to tween ages 11-14. They can watch movies, play games, do arts and crafts and more. The Vibe is designed for ages 13-17. Teens can hang out with friends, listen to music, watch TV, play games and more.
Adults will enjoy the adults-only pool with a poolside bar and deck chairs. There is a spa and a gym at the front of the ship. There are also a few adults-only activities and activities in the “After Hours” part of the ship.
Dining is interesting as Disney Cruise Line has adopted the “rotational dining setup.” Guests and the staff rotate through three themed restaurants for the duration of the cruise. Disney Magic restaurants are Lumiere’s (French cuisine), Rapunzel’s Royal Table (German cuisine) and Animators Palate (a fusion of American and Pacific Rim cuisine). There is also an upscale, adults-only Italian restaurant, Palo, by reservation only. Disney Wonders restaurants are Triton’s (continental food with a French flair), Tiana’s Place (southern, cajun and creole cuisine) as well as Animator’s Palate and Palo.
Disney Magic is currently homeporting from Port Canaveral and sailing “Halloween on the High Seas” Bahamian cruises. She will reposition to San Juan on October 20, 2025, to sail 2 “Halloween on the High Seas” Southern Caribbean cruises before repositioning to Galveston where she will sail “Very Merrytime Western Caribbean” cruises beginning November 20, 2025. She will remain in Galveston through April 2025.
Disney Wonder is currently homeporting in Australia and offering “Disney Magic at Sea” Cruises. However, this is her farewell season in Australian and New Zealand waters. In February 2026, she will be repositioned to San Diego via Honolulu and Vancouver. She will remain in San Diego until she begins her Alaska season in May 2026.