John_316 Posted April 25, 2018 #1 Share Posted April 25, 2018 :) Hi, we’re trying to decide which ship is better for our 2nd time cruise. We are a family of 4 with teenagers. Sunshine or Magic? Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A&Jfamily Posted April 25, 2018 #2 Share Posted April 25, 2018 :) Hi, we’re trying to decide which ship is better for our 2nd time cruise. We are a family of 4 with teenagers. Sunshine or Magic? Thanks!! We have 2 boys, now 14 and 20, and if had to pick, we prefer the Sunshine. The biggest difference to us was the Magic felt very crowded. It is a bigger ship, and we tend to like about 3000 passengers or less - it is easier to find each other. We don't like the fact that Alchemy is tucked away on Magic. We also really like Havana bar on Sunshine as well as Jijis, but if you like Indian, Tandoor is delicious on Magic. Contrary to many, we prefer the smaller comedy club on Sunshine over the larger ones - we have never really had to wait more than 10-15 minutes. So really, it is in the VERY minor details and personal preference because both have great sport squares and things for the kids to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof4girls Posted April 26, 2018 #3 Share Posted April 26, 2018 With teenagers, I’d choose the Magic. No contest. Magic was my teenage girls first cruise, and they absolutely had a blast! Loved the rope course, and the Waterworks area on the Magic is super fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctagli01 Posted April 26, 2018 #4 Share Posted April 26, 2018 The magic been on twice and going again in June my kids love it Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasong38501 Posted April 26, 2018 #5 Share Posted April 26, 2018 Magic for sure. My best friend is on there right now and is making me jealous of it every day! Seriously though, that is a great class of ship for all ages! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehappierhomemaker Posted April 26, 2018 #6 Share Posted April 26, 2018 we actually prefer the Sunshine, we've sailed on her twice before and the Magic was our last cruise this past Christmas. We adored the Breeze and expected the Magic to be the same but it wasn't for us. The Sunshine has less crowds, pool on Serenity deck, great waterworks and kid's camp activities, etc. The Thalassotherapy and Serenity on the Magic didn't seem as great for us as we would have expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruizinisthebest Posted April 26, 2018 #7 Share Posted April 26, 2018 Been on both with kids around that age. Loved them both. They are great ships. Toss a coin or go based on your preferred itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_316 Posted April 26, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted April 26, 2018 Ocean view or balcony in the Sunshine? Family of 4 with 2 teenagers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzeluver Posted April 26, 2018 #9 Share Posted April 26, 2018 With teenagers, I’d choose the Magic. No contest. Magic was my teenage girls first cruise, and they absolutely had a blast! Loved the rope course, and the Waterworks area on the Magic is super fun! They are fun! But just to note, Sunshine has both of those features as well. We have been on both ships and enjoyed them both. We have a slight preference for Sunshine but think you can't go wrong on either. What gives Sunshine a slight edge for us is the larger Serenity area and that Serenity has its own pool on Sunshine. Loved it! Having Jiji's Asian Kitchen and Bonsai Sushi are also pluses for us. Biggest plus we found with Magic is the complete wrap-around deck. I think with these two options you really can't make a bad choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_316 Posted April 26, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted April 26, 2018 They are fun! But just to note, Sunshine has both of those features as well. We have been on both ships and enjoyed them both. We have a slight preference for Sunshine but think you can't go wrong on either. What gives Sunshine a slight edge for us is the larger Serenity area and that Serenity has its own pool on Sunshine. Loved it! Having Jiji's Asian Kitchen and Bonsai Sushi are also pluses for us. Biggest plus we found with Magic is the complete wrap-around deck. I think with these two options you really can't make a bad choice. Thanks, I think we deciding on the Sunshine. What about oceanview or balcony? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted April 26, 2018 #11 Share Posted April 26, 2018 We enjoy the entertainment so the two main lounges are very important to us as we do like to get in. Magic's are much larger than Sunshine's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruizinisthebest Posted April 26, 2018 #12 Share Posted April 26, 2018 Thanks, I think we deciding on the Sunshine. What about oceanview or balcony?The oceanview and aft extended balconies on deck 5 are very nice and in an excellent, convenient location. Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A&Jfamily Posted April 26, 2018 #13 Share Posted April 26, 2018 Thanks, I think we deciding on the Sunshine. What about oceanview or balcony? Personally, we get a balcony and put our sons in an inside across the hall. The rooms are less than 200 sq feet and 4 adult size humans, plus the lack of privacy and only one bathroom, just don't work for us. It is worth every penny to have the extra private space and bath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonimarieb Posted April 29, 2018 #14 Share Posted April 29, 2018 Have not traveled on the Sunshine but did Magic this year and Breeze last year. I would not sail on the Magic again. The smoking is out of hand on that ship and is allowed in way too many common areas. We were really bothered by it even in the elevators. The Magic also felt way more crowded as others have stated. We could never find a lounge chair and did not have this issue on the Breeze even though it was just as large. The Sunshine was in port with us and looked like a nice ship. May consider it next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted April 30, 2018 #15 Share Posted April 30, 2018 Magic much nicer ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingOcean Posted April 30, 2018 #16 Share Posted April 30, 2018 Magic for sure. Sent from my SM-J327P using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zookeeper Posted April 30, 2018 #17 Share Posted April 30, 2018 Was on the Magic in 2015 and the Magic in 2017; prefer Magic hands down; especially with kids. But hey, to each his own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharse Posted May 21, 2018 #18 Share Posted May 21, 2018 If you can snag a category 6K on Sunshine, grab it! We had that cabin with two teens and it was great to have the extra space! Sunshine was fun, but is showing its age, and is hard to navigate. Took me a while to figure out how to get to the main dining room. You have to go up, and then down, it was confusing, but I got the hang of it. Next cruise is on the Magic so I’ll soon be able to compare the two! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordanaire Posted May 21, 2018 #19 Share Posted May 21, 2018 Magic would be my first choice! Sent from my LG-LS993 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappySails4U Posted May 29, 2018 #20 Share Posted May 29, 2018 :) Hi, we’re trying to decide which ship is better for our 2nd time cruise. We are a family of 4 with teenagers. Sunshine or Magic? Magic for sure! We sailed on the Sunshine last year and the common spaces were just too small for the amount of people on board! We felt squeezed in like sardines! We just got off the Magic last week and it was great! The only common area that was crowded was Lido but that is the case on every ship !! For sure go with Magic and the fantastic cruise director - Cookie! He is hilarious!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petuniaflower Posted May 31, 2018 #21 Share Posted May 31, 2018 Does the magic have anything for kids that does not include them in the clubs? Perhaps that the whole family could participate in, or that we can bring them to and sit in..(we've done pizza making, science experiment, escape room etc on other ships)..I know there is a rope course and water slides. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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