Delicious French dinner, Cocktail experience worth $5,000, serene infinity pools and penthouse suites costing thousands of dollars a night might not be the first things you think of when someone mentions a Disney cruise. But you’ll find it all on Disney ships.
I first sailed more than a decade ago and I didn’t want to accept the assignment. I’m an adult without kids, I’m not a particular Disney fan and all I can imagine is a theme park at sea – characters everywhere, endlessly. number of souvenir shops and of course lots of children.
I was simply wrong.
What I found was an absolutely wonderful experience on an elegant ship with great service, great entertainment, delicious food and just enough subtle magic to instill a bit of childlike wonder without making me feel immature.
Disney Cruise Line has maintained its four older ships excellently and the newest, Disney Wishes – first new build in 10 years – pretty awesome too. Overall, my point still stands: Disney cruises aren’t just for kids. So if you’re looking for a Disney cruise for adults, don’t worry – they all fit the bill. Here are five reasons why you’ll love this experience, even as an adult.
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You control how ‘Disney’ you want it to be
Let me allay your fears: When you cruise with Disney, you won’t be as wowed by Mickey and friends as you are at the brand’s land-based theme parks. However, that experience is available if you choose to seek it.
The sophistication with which Disney tries to incorporate the brand’s signature touches onto its ships is commendable and luxurious. You’ll find many Disney classics as you move between the decks—a pumpkin on the rug here, a snowflake on the wall there—but you might find it tasteful. more than obnoxious.
If you want to avoid a mostly Disney-like atmosphere, it’s easy to do. If you prefer a more engaging cruise instead, you’re also in luck as the ships host scheduled character meetings, themed dining experiences, etc.
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Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries
There are plenty of spaces just for adults
Adults looking to attract an older crowd will love the adults-only locations on all Disney ships.
On four former Disney ships — Disney DreamDisney Fantasy (is my choice for Best Disney cruise ships for adults), Disney Wonder and Disney Magic – adults-only bars and nightclubs are clustered into one area, called The District. After 9 p.m., no one under 18 is allowed inside, allowing more mature people to let their hair down without children.
On Disney Wish, age-restricted spaces are more widely spread out, a purposeful layout that helps reduce crowding and improve traffic flow. Personally, I prefer The District’s setup, but honestly, the holes in the new ship are the most impressive in the fleet so far.
What’s impressive about these services is that most other ships don’t have them. Except Virgin trip, VikingP&O Cruises and Saga Cruises, all of which sail The train is for adults only, most other lines offer sundecks or adults-only pools here and there. Even when those areas exist, age restrictions are not always strictly enforced and sometimes you have to pay to access, which is not the case on Disney ships.
Related: Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club Loyalty Program: Everything You Need to Know
Even the cheapest accommodation gets a lift
Disney cruises are a cut above the trips you’ll find on most other mainstream lines. When it comes to accommodation, even the most basic things feel enhanced. All have two bathrooms; one has a shower with a bathtub (rare on cruise ships) and sink, and the other has a toilet and sink.
Disney provides its own brand of toiletries in cabin bathrooms. The products are so popular – they smell divine – that the company sells them in the ship’s gift shops.
All rooms also have curtains to create two separate areas. While these features are designed for families, they’re also convenient for friends traveling together, adding to the argument that a Disney cruise can be the perfect girlfriend getaway.
In the high-end segment, this line sells many types of suites. New on Disney Wish, the Tower Suite is the most coveted and most expensive room, costing several thousand dollars per night.
Located in the ship’s false funnel, the suite is two stories tall and includes three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms and a large living room area. Its sophisticated nautical décor pays subtle tribute to “Moana”. Unfortunately, due to the layout, there’s no balcony, but you’ll still enjoy it immensely if you book a room there.
You can also choose to make a reservation Guest room at concierge leveloffers perks like priority boarding and disembarkation, exclusive lounge access with free evening drinks, and booking of the best spa appointments and shore excursions.
Related: Smooth sailing on a family Disney cruise: Guide level reviews on the Disney Wonder
Delicious dining options range from basic to gourmet
Disney Cruise Line’s dining options let you join the crowds (where there will be kids, so keep an eye out) in complimentary dining rooms, to buffet or al fresco dining areas, or opt for a fee Adult-only supplement option.
On all ships of the fleet, standard dining is rotated, meaning you’ll move to a different main dining room each night but have the same number of tables, tablemates and wait staff.
In my experience, onboard meals on Disney ships are extremely delicious and well prepared, no matter where I choose to eat or how much extra I pay.
On Disney Wish, 1923 is a throwback to the golden age of animation. Divided into two sections, it offers a more intimate setting than what you’ll find at Royal Court, the more sophisticated free dining venue on the line’s other ships.
For more exciting and somewhat ostentatious, fun but often noisy meals, adult passengers on the Disney Wish will want to check out Marvel World And Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. The previous season brought Ant-Man and The Wasp to the dinner table (via a pre-recorded broadcast) to introduce their new discovery – the Quantum Core, thanks to which Ant-Man accidentally shrunk the ship down to size. the size of a toy boat. In the latter, you’ll see a lot of singing and dancing to celebrate the engagement of Anna and Kristoff, two of the main characters of “Frozen.” In keeping with the theme, the menu is largely Norwegian.
On the original four ships, role-playing options include Animator’s Palate, where “Finding Nemo” characters talk to you as you eat; The enchanting garden, feels a bit like a scene from “Alice in Wonderland” where you can watch the scene gradually change from day to night; and Rapunzel’s Royal Table, where characters from “Tangled” appear.
Also on the original ships, Palo is an adults-only Italian eatery. On Disney Wish, it has been transformed into an elegantly styled steakhouse that exudes a “Beauty and the Beast” vibe. This is the perfect choice for those who want something less casual than a buffet but also want to avoid the crowds and noise of the main dining room without paying a fortune.
Before heading in, stop by The Rose, the perfect place to enjoy delicious pre-dinner cocktails.
Enchante and Remy are two of the most expensive dining alternatives at sea on any cruise line. Both serve French cuisine and are reserved for adult diners. The latter appears on older DCL ships and is inspired by (and named after the main character in) “Ratatouille”.
enchanted is new since Disney Wish launched. It offers a menu completely revamped by chef Arnaud Lallement, who is also the mastermind behind the menu at Remy. Enchante offers a la carte dining, or you can choose one of two experiences: Passion, a seven-course meal for $125, or Collection, a chef-curated selection of surprise courses for $195. (Wine and champagne pairings will incur an additional charge.)
The kids club is amazing
“But, wait,” you’re thinking. “I thought this was an article explaining why Disney Cruises are great for adults.” You’re absolutely right, and that’s why this is important.
Oceaneer Club offerings on Disney ships are so fun, engaging, and technologically advanced that kids often don’t want to leave. So whether you’re a parent looking for some free time or a childless adult who doesn’t like it when little kids push all the elevator buttons or teenagers clog up the stairs, you won’t have to worry about a bunch of young passengers.
From babysitting for babies, toddlers and teens to signature play areas (think: themes like princesses, Marvel superheroes and “Star Wars”), these The line’s childcare services are superior to those offered by all other cruise brands. In fact, they’re so good that you’ll wish you could spend time there – and you can during the allotted hours on each trip.
Bottom line
While you won’t be able to completely avoid kids on Disney ships, you can still enjoy the magic of The Mouse in several adults-only spaces on all of the line’s ships. The onboard experience will make you feel like your childhood again, but in luxurious surroundings and with the outstanding service and attention to detail that have become hallmarks of the Disney brand.
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