You may be wondering why so many people continue to sail with Disney Cruise Lines time and time again. I wasn't sure what to expect with my first cruise back in June of this year. I wanted to see what all the hype was all about. In this blog post, I'll be sharing why you should book your next cruise on a Disney Cruise Line and why it's the most Magical Cruise Line on earth!
If you're sailing out of Port Canaveral, Disney has a dedicated Port Terminal to embark on your magical journey before you set sail. Upon arrival, a porter will escort your checked bags onboard the ship. Your bags will be waiting for you just outside your room just before setting sail.
From the moment you step onto a Disney Ship, a royal herald will announce your presence or family's presence by announcing your name for the entire Atrium to hear. You feel like a courtier once on board. When I was on the Disney Wish, we were greeted by Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.
Once you make it to your room, you'll be greeted by your stateroom host. This person will be sure to make sure your accommodations are to your liking and grab extra amenities to make sure you have everything you need in your room. Your stateroom host will be responsible for tidying up your room while you're off on your onboard activities. You'll also notice that they'll turn down the bed before you come back for a good night's rest. Our host aboard the Disney Wish was so awesome! She always checked in on us before and after we returned to our room. And I must say four ladies in 1 room, we always found our room tidier than we left it.
One of the coolest things I think about a Disney Cruise is the plethora of Kid's Clubs available on board a Disney Cruise. They are designated by age groups and filled with so many activities, I witnessed many kids quickly eat their meals with their family and then rush back to all the fun below decks to enjoy making friends and all the fun the attendants had in store for them.
All the "Oceaneer Clubs" have various themes so all the activities on board will be geared towards the specific club they are in. I was super jealous of the fun little areas that were available for all age groups. When you first arrive on any Disney Cruise, there's an open house for all guests of all age groups to walk through the ship including the kid's clubs which become restricted access after you set sail. All kids wear a Magic Band that will scan them in and out when they arrive at the kid's section of the ship.
Fairytale Hall on The Disney Wish (let the Queens of Arendelle Elsa teach you a little snow magic)
Not all families keep their children in the kid’s club for the duration of the trip—after all, they’re probably wanting some quality family time during their vacation. Therefore, adults can retreat to the Quiet Cove Pool area—an expansive onboard oasis featuring adult-exclusive swimming, whirlpool spas, and a tranquil wading pool—for a tantalizing mix of relaxation and refreshments. Or keep shipshape at our fitness center.
You can also enjoy many of the spa accommodations aboard a Disney Cruise, maybe a tranquil massage for mom or maybe a couple's massage to rekindle the romance! Senses Spa provides relaxation through high-end spa and beauty treatments, Senses Spa & Salon invites adults to experience pure bliss amid a tranquil ocean-view setting onboard the ship.
Did you know that there's even exclusive Adult-Only dining? For an additional fee, you can enjoy one of the adult-only restaurants on board. The cuisine is a bit more refined than rotational dining for palettes that want a little bit more with their meal. While all of the dining Disney provides is exceptional. The menus are developed with something for everyone in mind.
You know when you go to a restaurant and you experience impeccable service that makes you so happy you just want to enjoy the experience time and time again? You're in luck with Disney Cruise Lines, you have rotational waitstaff that follows you to every restaurant while you're on board. There's a head server, beverage attendant, and server assigned to your stateroom each night. So you won't have to go through getting to know someone new each time you dine.
The best part of rotational waitstaff is they get to know your needs, and what your likes and dislikes are so that they can recommend the best options based on your experiences the previous dining night. Sometimes you'll even find your preferred beverage waiting for you at the table when you arrive. Some servers will go the extra mile to make sure your experience aboard a Disney Cruise Ship is second to none!
Speaking of Rotational Dining, let's talk about how magical each dining experience is aboard a Disney Cruise. Disney has some magical dining offerings that are unique to their them and experience. Most ships have three main dining rooms and guests will rotate among these While they've set it up so you won't ever miss an experience.
From dining with a show to see to interactive dining experiences and simply impeccable food. They've created an experience that only Disney knows how.
While we're on the topic of dining, let's go into why the cuisine is so epic. The food on Disney Cruise Line ships is diverse and completely theatrical. While most of the menus are geared toward all eaters, it has something for literally everyone including the pickiest of critics!
It’s not uncommon to see guests ordering multiple appetizers or entrees because they all just sound so good. The servers won't say no if you ask for multiple orders. When my fellow Castle Coaches Travel Planners and I were sailing on a Disney Cruise we asked for almost everything on the menu just to try!
So don't feel shy to taste everything and enjoy sharing your meal with everyone! It's super fun to hear everyone's opinion on the food offerings.
Tortiglioni Pasta Prosecco Cream, Pancetta, Shallots, Cremini Mushrooms, Lemon Thyme (1923)
Hyperion Four Cheese Tri-Color Tortellini (1923)
Top Secret Dessert Menu at Worlds of Marvel
The best part of Disney Dining is they take allergies seriously. If you have an allergy the chefs will accommodate it. It's always good to make sure you've got that alerted before you dine.
Absinthe Frappé at The Bayou
A cocktail somewhere in the galaxy: Hyperspace Lounge (The Disney Wish)
Did you know that when you set sail on a Disney Cruise they have daily drink specials? These beverages are usually discounted from your traditional cocktail. There are daily drink specials served in souvenir cups—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic—at some of the special events like the Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave deck party. There are also mixology classes and tastings on board for an additional fee. Friendly reminder, alcohol is not included in your Disney Cruise pricing, for more on what's included in a Disney Cruise, check out my previous blog post here
Everyone wants to relax and rejuvenate while on vacation. What better way to do that than with the delicious movement of the ocean! Senses Spa offers so many options to just relax, in addition to a day pass for their Rainforest Room. Hear the quiet silence of your thoughts and be at peace and harmony with all your cruise vacation has to offer.
If you're trying to stay fit during your vacation and not stray away from your normal workout regime, the fitness area is for you. There are daily classes for all fitness gurus, from cycling to sunrise yoga. It's a good way to keep that balance while you let yourself indulge in all the great food that a Disney Cruise has to offer. Also, who doesn't love the extra endorphins while on vacation?!
Just as there are special daytime activities geared towards kids, there are events tailored towards adults on the Disney Cruise Line ships. Pop open your "Navigator App" and you can find some awesome activities for (18+), most of these are like shows on the ship or 18+ karaoke, however, there's always a Disney twist to this!
Disney, as expected, goes above and beyond with the excursions they offer. Depending on your sailing and what port stops you have. Your experiences will differ, in Castaway Cay, we got a one-on-one experience with Stingrays. It was so awesome getting to swim with the beautiful female sting rays and of course, offer them breakfast. In addition to one-of-a-kind experiences, Adventures by Disney has also teamed up to create its unique port excursions for even more special experiences.
The activities will depend of course on your cruise itinerary and what is being offered during the time of sailing but these are extra add-ons that will be for an additional fee outside of your cruise pricing but are 100% worth it!
Disney prides itself on its catering to Guest Service and the guest's needs. Cast members always ensure that everyone is well taken care of with their above and beyond service. Don't be surprised if you receive a little extra pixie dust on your sailing. That's just the magic of Disney after all!