5 Reasons you should try a Disney Cruise
Considering a Disney vacation? Thinking you may want to try a cruise? Read on to find out why you should try a Disney Cruise with tips from my recent insider tour of the Disney Magic. Once you are convinced, let me plan the perfect cruise for you and your family.
1: Disney Service
No one takes customer service more seriously than Disney. Disney cast members go above and beyond, and the cruises are no exception. You can expect top notch service. This includes rotational dining with the same servers each night who know your preferences, and amazing attention will also be paid to the youngest guests in the many different kids clubs. There are three amazing dining rooms for dinner each night, and each offers a unique experience with Disney entertainment built in. For example when you dine at Animator's palate the story of animation comes alive as the restaurant (and your servers uniforms) come to life through animation. Even your own drawings are animated by the end of the meal!
There are luxury spa treatments, wine classes and art tours onboard the ship, as well as unique shore excursions, or “Port Adventures”.
2. Convenience
Don’t want to get on a plane to take your cruise? Hop on board in Manhattan and set sail for Bermuda, the Bahamas or even Nova Scotia. The Disney Magic operates out of the Pier 88 in the fall months and has several cruise options of various lengths.
New Yorkers can take a taxi to the pier and their vacation starts before the skyscrapers fade from view!
Cruises also depart from:
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Miami, Florida
Galveston, Texas
New Orleans, Louisiana (select cruises in 2019)
3. Upfront Pricing
Unlike other cruises, when you book a Disney cruise the pricing is very inclusive. All your food and soft drinks onboard (including stateroom dining), daily activities, kids club hours (age 3 and up), on board tours, games, and world class entertainment are all included! You can even pre-pay your tips for your stateroom attendants and servers for dinner to feel like you have truly paid for your vacation before it begins. There are optional add-ons but Disney packs more punch than other cruises lines when it comes to what's included.
4. Disney Magic, without Disney World crowds and lines!
Want to take the kids on a pirate scavenger hunt? Do your kids want to meet princesses, or Mickey and Minnie? Does your little princess/mermaid/captain/pirate want to get a full makeover at the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique? Want to catch a spectacular fireworks show from the deck of the ship? All of these Disney special touches are available on board.
Disney cruises also limit the number of kids on board, this guarantees proper attention is paid to each kid onboard, but also ensures the ship doesn’t feel like a floating day care!
Some families are just not interested in Walt Disney World, but want to give their kids the Disney experience - Disney Cruise Line is the perfect option for these families. In fact Disney’s ships are smaller in comparison to other cruise lines, so this means smaller crowds, more frequent opportunities for character interactions, plus world-class Disney entertainment every night! You can catch first run Disney movies in the onboard theater, or Broadway caliber shows on stage every night.
5. Something for Everyone, even a Private Island!
Your kids will not want to leave the kids clubs! There are several clubs that are tailored to each age group with attentive staff and organized activities, as well as free play areas. The staff are amazing, and will make sure all kids are welcome and have a stellar trip! Mom and Dad will be happy to relax at the adult only pool or get a couples massage then unwind in the rainforest room. Or perhaps spend an elegant evening dining without the kids at the adult-only Palo or Remy.
Kids Clubs:
It’s a Small World Nursery ($9/hour for kids under 3)
For the smallest cruisers, this area provides various play areas, arts and crafts center and a nap area with cribs. Reservations must be made in advance, and this is the only child care that cost extra onboard Disney ships.
Oceaneer Club
This area is connected to the Oceaneer Lab and both areas are open to kids ages 3-12. The Oceaneer Club is targeted at the younger cruisers in this age range with play areas such as: Andy’s Room, MARVEL Super Hero Academy, Disney Junior and Pixie Hollow. Kids have time to play with new friends or participate in activities such as building Mickey and the Roadster Racers, joining the Disney Royal Academy, or find out if they are “worthy” in the Thor Becoming Worthy journey!
Oceaneer Lab
This area is geared for the slightly older crowd, kids closer to 8-12 will probably gravitate to the Oceaneer lab (but younger cruisers, or little siblings are always welcome to come along!) The Oceaneer Lab is dedicated to exploration with areas such as:
Animator's Studio: kids can learn to draw their favorite Disney characters.
Captain’s Workshop: this area is devoted to Disney movies and video games amidst pirate-y props
Craft Studio: a hands-on arts-and-crafts studio.
The Wheelhouse: Using large LCD screens and navigation simulators, captains-in-training can steer their very own Disney ship through the Caribbean Sea!
Edge
This area is devoted to the tween cruisers, ages 11-14. Your tweens can meet new friends and participate in all kinds of entertainment, including:
A Pirate's Life for Me: Future pirates compete in physical challenges and answer trivia questions about the Pirate Life!
Descendant’s Den DJ Spin Off - This includes a photo booth, DJ lessons, songs, and games that put the tweens into Auradon Prep
Vibe
This urban loft-inspired lounge is located at the highest point of the ship, and is devoted to teen cruisers ages 15-18. The space is designed to let teens cut loose with dance parties, karaoke competitions and games, as well as time to just hang out. Some special events might include:
Brains and Brawn: a ship-wide adventure, where teams use their athleticism and their smarts to compete to solve clues and win a final prize.
Gotcha: a game of elimination, much like a familiar game of “Assassin” teens spend the day tagging out their competition throughout the ship in creative and cunning ways.
Unique to Bahamas-bound cruises is The Wild Side, an excursion just for teens on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. including snorkeling, bike rides, a boat ride and a special teen-only club: The Hideout
Castaway Cay
Possibly the most unique feature of a Disney cruise is Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. This island has stunning beaches, more kids clubs, and endless activities. For most cruisers their day at Castaway Cay is their favorite day of the trip.
Let me know when you are ready to cruise with Disney!