The genius who devised the unique dining scheme on Disney ships should win an award for creativity on the seas. Although I enjoy traditional two-seating dining, it is rare that I actually show up in the dining room every night on a seven-night cruise, often choosing room service or the casual buffet at least once. Magic's special "dining rotation," though, made it fun and exciting to go to dinner.

There are three main restaurants on Magic, and every guest gets to dine in each of them at least twice you remain at the same table number with the same dining companions and servers, but show up at a different location. Dining times are set at 6 and 8:30 p.m.; as always on a family-friendly cruise ship, the earlier dining times cater to the youngest kids, so plan accordingly.

Lumiere's is the fanciest and most traditional dining room of the three, with Art Deco decor and a French-inspired menu. Dining here replicates mealtimes on luxury liners from the heyday of trans-Atlantic crossings. Animator's Palate uses Disney's unique ability to create magic from the mundane: It starts out in stark black and white, but during the course of dinner, changes slowly into a room filled with color. At one point, near the end of the meal, the various screens around the restaurant come alive with a montage of Disney animations past and present. When the waiters reappear to take dessert orders, their black vests have been replaced with brightly-colored ones, delighting the youngsters at the table. Parrot Cay, our favorite, is a vibrant Caribbean marketplace-themed dining room. It is in this restaurant that you get the waiters singing "Hot Hot Hot" and engaging the kids, who join a mid-meal conga line to dance around the floor. We loved the bright colors and cheerfulness of this room, which is also available for breakfast and lunch buffets.

Apart from the creativity of this dining rotation, Disney has as always mastered the art of streamlining and organization. There are two reasons that this idea works so well. Firstly, there are three galleys, so each restaurant has its own fresh meals to serve at each sitting, and secondly, the menu service is really simple and efficient. On the first three nights of a seven-night cruise, each restaurant offers its own menu, the same one for each night. Those dining at Lumiere's on the first night get the same menu as those dining there on the third night, for example. On days four through seven, all of the restaurants switch to "theme night" dining and all of the restaurants serve the same meals. "Pirates in the Caribbean" night sees the same offerings in all three of the restaurants, as does the "Captain's Gala." The actual rotation you are assigned makes little difference in the overall dining experience except that you will dine in the first dining room on your rotation three times. Preferred rotations can be requested at time of booking, but are not guaranteed.

The food is very good and the portions ample. Everything, from soup stock to all of the breads and pastries, are made onboard from scratch. There is such an emphasis on quality that we found it surprising to be served only peel-packs of margarine at even the most elegant of the meals in the main dining rooms.

There is a separate children's menu for younger kids; our young tablemates, 6 and 8, said that the viscous-looking macaroni and cheese was "yucky," and no one seemed to like the thick prepackaged-appearing pizza, but they enjoyed everything else. My niece (who selected from the adult menu) and I really appreciated the range of salads and fresh vegetables offered at each meal and found the variety of seafood, meats, pasta and fish excellent and beautifully prepared. Many of the desserts were so-so, but by the time we got to them we were full enough not to mind.

Topsider's, the casual dining restaurant, serves breakfast and lunch buffets and is open for dinner as well. The location, high up and aft, is terrific, but the indoor layout is cramped and difficult to maneuver, one of the rare poorly planned spaces on the ship. On nice days you can dine outdoors overlooking the stern, which is pleasant and appealing.

There are two fast-food locations and a fruit and ice cream bar on Deck 9, which is where most of the outdoor action is to be found. This is a terrific idea since you can grab a bite without changing out of your swimsuit or interrupting your child's fun time in the pool. Pluto's Doghouse serves burgers, fries, tacos and fabulous crispy juicy chicken breast tenders, a big hit with everyone. Pinocchio's Pizzeria wasn't nearly as popular on the cruise I took, but Scoops, the ice cream station, is an obvious favorite.

I found it amazing that the surcharge for Palo, the adults-only fine dining bistro, was merely $10, both for supper and champagne brunch. Located aft on Deck 10, this intimate restaurant decorated with hand-made Italian glass finials and table lamps, a calming color scheme of burnished ochres and blues, and window walls on three sides serves wonderful Italian/Mediterranean cuisine that rivals that of any similar upscale land-based dining establishment. We swooned over the portabello mushroom with polenta appetizer, large enough for a meal; all of the fish and seafood dishes were superb as was the perfectly prepared filet mignon. The brunch is an even better bargain ... champagne, cold buffet with seafood and meats, breads, salads, cakes and desserts plus a hot made-to-order selection of eggs, meat or fish. Book early: The restaurant is small and while supper is available nightly, the champagne brunch takes place only three times per seven-night cruise.

Room service was fast and efficient. The people who take the orders are obviously used to dealing with kids, and seem to enjoy the interchange over the phone. The menu is relatively simple, with cold sandwiches and salads and a variety of hot items including chili and burgers. The chicken tenders are still the favorite, with a choice of honey mustard or barbecue sauce, and each time they were ordered they arrived hot and crisp. We also loved (and were surprised by the quality of) the baked manicotti, which is served in a portion large enough to share. There is not much flexibility in the menu, but my niece did request warm milk to go with her hot chocolate packs, and it was cheerfully delivered along with her yummy chocolate chip cookies. In-room breakfast is Continental only and relatively boring, ordered via a pre-hung door card the night before.

Suite guests get hot breakfast options and dining room meals delivered when requested.

One thing to note is that Disney broke the barrier and is now offering soft drinks (Coca-Cola products) free of charge. They are available at meals and at the 24-hour drink station on Deck 9 aft, but if you get them from a bar or room service, you still pay.

Lumiere’s: Lumiere’s, named after the Beauty and the Beast candelabra character, offers 442 seats in a truly special venue. Here, dining hearkens back to the First Class meals enjoyed aboard yesteryear’s luxury liners. Dark woods, elegant lighting and fluted columns reflect the easy pace and quiet grace of a bygone era, updated to today’s tastes and amenities. Tuxedoed waiters provide excellent service and offer fine wines and tantalizing cuisine.

Animator’s Palate: The 442-seat Animator’s Palate is where the Disney Magic® really shines – and changes color! You’ll marvel as the entire restaurant – including the charcoal sketches on the walls – transforms itself from basic black & white during your appetizer to dazzling colors by dessert! At one point, the whole room’s a stage as the walls seem to come alive with Disney animations. Even the waiters’ uniforms undergo a color change during your meal.

Parrot Cay: If you were Robinson Crusoe you’d feel right at home in this 442-seat tropical island restaurant. Fans twirl overhead cooling the parquet floor, and toucans peer through colorful foliage. Regional specialties include temptations such as Coconut Prawns, Grilled Vegetable Salad (with a delicious mango-chili sauce), Caribbean Okra Gumbo, Seafood Creole and Cuban-style Grilled Rib-Eye. Save room for the Banana Flambé!

Palo: Reservations are required at this 138-seat, extra cost, adults-only venue. Enjoy the flavors of Northern Italy. Enjoy the 270-degree views, too, thanks to Palo’s aft location high up on Deck 10. Watch the gourmet pizzas being prepared through the windows of their “on-stage oven.” But there’s much more than pizza cooking up here – Pumpkin-filled Raviolinni, Rack of Lamb in Chianti Sauce, for instance.