Breeze vs Magic Western Caribbean

My wife and I were originally looking at a western Caribbean cruise on the Magic out of PC but now we are looking later in the year and the Magic will be in Miami and going to Grand Cayman instead of Costa Maya. The Breeze is taking the Magics place in PC and will be doing the same itinerary but is $80pp more than going on the Magic around the same time. I am but looking on input for how the Magic and Breeze are different and which one everyone prefers and also which departure port everyone prefers? If anyone has input on Costa Maya vs Grand Cayman that would be awesome too since I originally wanted to visit Costa Maya but I do want to visit Grand Cayman at some point but I know it is on a lot more itineraries. Thanks for all the help!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I've sailed the Breeze and the Dream but not the Magic yet (149 days to go). The Breeze, Dream and Magic are all essentially the same ship but with different interior decor and each has a few things that the other doesn't. The Breeze has a more laid back Caribbean resort feel/decor about it and the Magic is still lots and lots of Joe Farcus Neon at every turn, more glitz than resort in its decor.

But, if given a choice, I would take Grand Cayman over Costa Maya almost any day of the week. It is an expensive port (it is an offshore banking capital) and most of the island reflects that. It is not a third world country and is a bit more upscale than most other Caribbean islands, but it is simply beautiful. Try a stingray excursion (usually only a few hours, leaving plenty of time for shopping ($$$$) or the beach). Oddly enough, as a snorkeler it is one of the islands that I can do at almost zero cost due to the great shore snorkeling within walking distance of the ship.

I love both the Breeze and the Magic. I give a slight edge to the Breeze for a calmer decor and the Thrill Theatre.

Call it 6 of one and half a dozen of the other and pick based on itinerary and convenience to home port.

You're in for a treat either way!

I am looking at the Breeze out of PC for January 2019. It looks like a great ship! As for Grand Cayman vs Costa Maya--I was in Costa Maya just last January on a cruise stop, and there is a large shopping area just as you get off ship, with a large free pool there with swim up bar. There is also swimming with dolphins right there. But if you really want to see Costa Maya, or go to a beach, you have to book an excursion to take you away from this cruise line manufactured "village". And please note that if you book an excursion here, you HAVE to walk through entire shopping village to get out to where they pick you up for excursions. Allow enough time to get out there, or you will miss your excursion. I would love to see Grand Cayman as it is a little more upscale.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I'd take Grand Cayman over Costa Maya and I'd take the Breeze over the Magic.

The welcome center in Costa Maya used to be nice and pleasant but now it looks like an overcrowded flea market. If you do decide to take a cruise that stops in Costa Maya do yourself a favor and get away from that Welcome center. Head for nearby Mahahual or take an excursion.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks for the input everybody! If we went to Costa Maya I was thinking we would get away from port and go to Mahahual like Tapi said. Looks like a good beach day there

I was also wondering if anyone had a preference for either PC or Miami as well? Thanks again everyone!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I love both ships, with an edge for Breeze for its added features. If you go to Grand Cayman, you must swim with the absolutely beautiful stingrays :). Both options sound fabulous.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Been on both Breeze any day over The Magic

I would pick Port Canaveral over Miami every day. It's a lot easier to get to and a lot less traffic. I guess if you have to fly, it may be less convenient since the airport is not close, but if you're driving, Port Canaveral is the best.

I loved the Breeze, and won't know about the Magic until after my cruise in October.:)

Port Canaveral would be my choice if driving. Now I have to fly since I moved away from Florida and I've noticed Orlando is more expensive to fly into and cruise out of.

Breeze now has the Alchemy Bar, which I enjoy. I prefer Grand Cayman to Costa Maya. Definitely go to Stingray City.

I have been on magic twice and just got off of breeze two weeks back. I was disappointed with some of the maintenance issues I saw on the breeze even though they just got off of dry dock. And unlike a poster up above I prefer the magic colors and decor over the breeze. Personal preference. I will tell you that the ships are near identical. I would say that the staff on the breeze was good. I liked the cruise director " I love you most" and the casino staff was probably the best I've ever had. If you don't gamble then that won't matter. I would say breeze based on what I recently encountered based on current staff.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

So would it be more expensive to go out of PC than Miami also? I'm trying to figure it out because it seems Miami is more expensive to fly into than Orlando. I could fly into Ft. L and go to Miami but that seems the same as flying into Orlando and going to PC. Also, I've noticed the buffet area is set up differently on the ships. Does one have more seating and one feel more open or anything?

Thanks again for all the replies! Still feel unsure of which way to go.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I looked through my pics, but couldn't find any of the Lido buffet for Magic - 6 people taking pics that trip & no one took any in the buffet area.

On Breeze, there were bar height table/chairs as well as umbrella tables with chairs. I liked the decor & the layout just fine.

Thanks again for all the help! I think I prefer the decor on the Breeze and kinda wanna go to Costa Maya since it isn't on many itineraries but I don't know if I want to pay extra for that. The Magic also has one less hour at Roatan and I think that is the port I'm most excited for. I just feel conflicted too since we have to fly and it seems like it could be more difficult and maybe expensive to do PC than Miami. Well thanks again!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I've been on the Magic once and the Breeze a bunch (I think 3-4 times). I liked both ships and since I'm lucky enough to live in central Florida, Pt Canaveral would win every time over Miami. I'm not sure which would really be better if flying - but the Miami port drives me crazy - so many ships!! I love sailing out of Pt Canaveral - very easy on/off. Only Tampa beats it as a really easy port.

I will be sailing out of Miami in September - a good casino deal on the Glory. I've been on the Glory & really liked it - but I dread the trip down there.

I've always heard PC was nice and easy and thought it would be fun to be close to the space center. Thanks for your input sc4125!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I was just thinking bling and started to wonder if the Magic had more room on it since there is no thrill theater or IMAX theater on it? Also there isn't a bonsai sushi either. If these aren't on the Magic and there isn't any extra room what does the Magic have that the Breeze doesn't?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I was just thinking bling and started to wonder if the Magic had more room on it since there is no thrill theater or IMAX theater on it? Also there isn't a bonsai sushi either. If these aren't on the Magic and there isn't any extra room what does the Magic have that the Breeze doesn't?

Pizzeria del Capitano, and a library that isn't a bar.

Thank you! Is he pizzeria any different thank pizza pirate?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We have been on both ships and have to agree with decor on Breeze (more relaxing and soothing colors). Our main deciding factor is port choice because we can drive to Port Canaveral and it is an easy port to navigate. If you are flying regardless of ports, then check airfare into Fort Lauderdale with a shuttle to Port of Miami day of cruise. This has worked for us multiple times going out of Miami. Also the Miami Airport is very large and harder to navigate for us. So between airfare prices and hotel prices and shuttles included, Fort Lauderdale was cheaper for us when flying from eastern coast. Now as far as ports Grand Cayman wins totally over Costa Maya and have to agree must do Stingray excursion. Best experience ever on the sandbar, so much fun. Actually we were on the Breeze when we went to Cayman lol. But guess you need to figure out all the logistics for your personal wants and needs. Good Luck!

Thanks for the input everybody! If we went to Costa Maya I was thinking we would get away from port and go to Mahahual like Tapi said. Looks like a good beach day there

 

I was also wondering if anyone had a preference for either PC or Miami as well? Thanks again everyone!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We prefer PC over Miami for one reason only.....the drive! We drive to the Florida ports and PC is a quick 3.5 - 4 hour drive for us. BUT....the wife LOVES to sail out of Miami because of the views and South Beach......I just like the shorter drive to PC. :)

Been on both, and slight advantage to the Breeze. On both sailings both ships were at/near capacity, but especially on sea days, Magic had a much more crowded feel to it in the public areas IMHO. Also, I would take sailing out of PC any day over Miami.

In any case both are still two of the most favorite ships we had sailed on, and I would do both in a second. If I did sail Magic again, I would definitely get a balcony cabin to escape the masses on sea days. What ever you choose you can't lose!!

Pizzeria del Capitano, and a library that isn't a bar.

The Breeze's Library Bar isn't really a bar right now either; the self-serve wine machines are all out of order.

Does that seem to be a permanent change (back to how things are in the older ship)?

This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.