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Ship comparison

Disney Magic vs Norwegian Dawn

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Disney Magic is a large Disney Cruise Line ship carrying 2,400 passengers, in service since 1998. Norwegian Dawn is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 2,340 passengers, in service since 2002.

Choose Disney Magic if you want a more family-friendly ship, more culture or better-rated entertainment: it outscores Norwegian Dawn for family friendly (10.0 vs 8.0), cultural (5.5 vs 4.0) and entertainment (8.0 vs 6.7) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Choose Norwegian Dawn if you want a lower starting fare, a more romantic trip or better-rated staterooms: it outscores Disney Magic for romantic (5.0 vs 3.0) and staterooms (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $209 (vs $758).

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

Disney MagicNorwegian Dawn
Cruise line Disney Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship size Large Large
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 1998 2002 (better)
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted 2020 —
Gross tonnage 83,000 92,250
Passengers 2,400 2,340
Crew 945 1,073
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.5 2.2 (better)
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 34.6 39.4 (better)
Decks 11 15
Length 964 ft 965 ft
Beam 106 ft 125 ft
Speed 27 mph 29 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 8 / 10 (better) 7 / 10
Cruises on sale 27 49
Upcoming sailings 90 97
Cruise lengths 3 to 14 nights 4 to 15 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $758 $209 (better)

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Disney Magic leads on 4 of the ten, Norwegian Dawn on 3, with 3 level.

  • Active Disney Magic: 4.0 Norwegian Dawn: 4.0
  • Adventure & nature Disney Magic: 4.0 Norwegian Dawn: 3.0
  • Cultural Disney Magic: 5.5 Norwegian Dawn: 4.0
  • Dining Disney Magic: 6.0 Norwegian Dawn: 6.0
  • Entertainment Disney Magic: 8.0 Norwegian Dawn: 6.7
  • Family friendly Disney Magic: 10.0 Norwegian Dawn: 8.0
  • Party Disney Magic: 4.0 Norwegian Dawn: 5.0
  • Romantic Disney Magic: 3.0 Norwegian Dawn: 5.0
  • Spa & fitness Disney Magic: 8.0 Norwegian Dawn: 8.0
  • Staterooms Disney Magic: 6.0 Norwegian Dawn: 8.0

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Magic

Disney Cruise Line offers a vacation that everyone in the family thinks is created just for them. On a Disney cruise, parents get the quality time with their kids that they crave. And kids get to have fun with their parents, whether it's swimming or having dinner together...or exploring new destinations.

Highlights

  • Staterooms roomy enough for a family
  • Organized age-specific activities
  • Youth staff
  • Family-friendly entertainment

Sailing now

27 cruises on sale, from $758.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Dawn

As part of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, Norwegian Dawn was built with freedom in mind, offering a choice of 14 dining options, 12 bars and lounges, the fitness center and spa, casino, pools and more.

Highlights

  • The world-class Mandara Spa with full-service beauty salon
  • Spectacular stage shows including The Second City comedy
  • The largest suites on the sea for ultimate comfort and privacy

Sailing now

49 cruises on sale, from $209.

Questions

Disney Magic or Norwegian Dawn?

Which is bigger, Disney Magic or Norwegian Dawn?

Norwegian Dawn is bigger at 92,250 gross tons, against 83,000 gross tons for Disney Magic. Disney Magic carries 2,400 passengers and Norwegian Dawn carries 2,340.

Which ship is newer, Disney Magic or Norwegian Dawn?

Norwegian Dawn is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2002 against 1998 for Disney Magic.

Which has more space per passenger?

Norwegian Dawn, with 39.4 gross tons per passenger against 34.6 on Disney Magic. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Norwegian Dawn, with one crew member for every 2.2 passengers against one for every 2.5 on Disney Magic.

Which is better for families?

Disney Magic scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 10.0 out of 10, against 8.0 for Norwegian Dawn.

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