You may not be considering Disney Cruise Lines when cruising without kids. Here’s why you should.
So you’re thinking about an adults-only cruise for your next getaway. Congratulations! Cruising is a wonderful way to get away. Maybe you’ll be celebrating a milestone – a birthday, a wedding anniversary, a well-earned retirement, or simply want a vacation to feel rejuvenated. You’re considering various cruise lines, and while you enjoy visiting the Disney theme parks, you’re not sure a Disney cruise is for you. You imagine a ship full of excited kids and Disney characters, and that may not be what you’re looking for.
As someone who was skeptical 10 years ago, I want you to consider Disney Cruise Lines. Since 2015, my spouse and I have sailed seven times with Disney on all of their ships. With their beautifully themed ships, spacious staterooms, and adult-exclusive spaces and experiences, we’ve realized that Disney cares as much about their adult guests, as their guests with children. Here are five reasons to consider sailing with Disney Cruise Line your next cruise.
Disney Cruise Lines Staterooms
Disney Cruise Line’s current fleet features five ships, plus another three that will be sailing within the next year. The Disney Treasure will begin sailing December 2024, the Disney Destiny will begin sailing November 2025, and the Disney Adventure will sail exclusively from Singapore at the end of 2025. All of Disney’s ships feature well-appointed staterooms that are 25% roomier than other cruise lines. Room categories include interior, oceanview, verandah, and concierge-level staterooms offering even more space, luxury, and personalized service.
One of Disney’s unique features found in most staterooms is the split-bathroom design. One bathroom has a toilet and sink, while the other has a shower/tub and sink, maximizing privacy and allowing multiple people to get ready at once.
Disney Cruise Lines Nightclubs and Lounges
Every ship has dedicated lounges, restaurants, spas, and pool areas for adults. You may want to start your day at the Cove Café, an adults-only lounge serving specialty drinks, coffee beverages and tea. Afterwards, you’ll have pubs, champagne bars and themed lounges like the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge (Disney Wish), Haunted Mansion Parlor or the Periscope Pub (Disney Treasure), or the elegant Rose (Disney Wish and Treasure), so you will have no trouble finding a few lounges that you’ll want to visit again and again. Some ships even have exclusive adult-themed areas, such as Europa (Disney Fantasy) or The District (Disney Dream) with multiple lounges and nightly entertainment options. During your trip, you may also want to attend a wine, beer or spirit tasting, or participate in a mixology class.
On every ship, the adult-exclusive fitness centers feature everything you will need to work out during your voyage, while offering stunning ocean views. After your workout, you can pamper yourself at the Senses Spa and Salon offering high-end spa treatments and salon services. The rest and relaxation can continue at the Quiet Cove pools, all adult-exclusive, where you can lounge and soak up the sun.
Even off the ship, on Disney’s private island, you’ll find Serenity Bay – an oasis reserved exclusively for adults 18 years of age and older.
Disney Cruise Lines Dining
Another unique feature of the Disney Cruise Line fleet is their rotational dining. While other cruise lines have one main dining room, each of the Disney ships have three. During your voyage, you will “rotate” and dine at each of the dining rooms. What’s unique is that all your servers “rotate” with you, and by the second night, they will remember your dining and beverage preferences.
For a more upscale dining experience, you can dine at one of the adult-exclusive restaurants on each of the ships: Enchante or Palo Steakhouse (Disney Wish and Treasure), Palo (Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy), or Remy (Disney Dream and Fantasy). There is an additional cost for these premium dining experiences, and prices will vary, but each are well worth the date-night experience. Reservations are required and should be made as early as possible.
Disney Cruise Line Destinations
You’ll have no trouble finding a destination for your cruise with DCL’s many ports of call domestically and internationally, including Alaska, Bahamas, Caribbean, Europe, Hawai’i, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. They even offer transatlantic cruises several times a year.
For extra magic, you can choose a Land & Sea vacation, where you can add a few days at the Walt Disney World resort, or an Adventures by Disney Escape for Barcelona, London, Rome, or Sydney while cruising in Europe or Australia.
Disney Cruise Lines Booking and Payment Options
Disney Cruise Line makes it easy to reserve your cruise. A deposit of 20% is due at the time of booking, then payments can be made whenever and in any amount. The date of your final payment will depend on the length of your cruise – 90 days in advance of your sailing for cruises 5 nights or shorter, and 120 days for 6 nights or longer.
Disney Cruise Lines is for Adults
As adults on a Disney cruise, you will experience Disney’s award-winning customer service and attention to detail. You’ll be able to enjoy adult-exclusive spaces, activities and dining while sailing in style to your ports of call. Throughout your voyage, you will have the option to attend or participate in Disney-themed activities onboard the ship, but this will always be your choice. Maybe you’ll watch a Disney movie on Funnel Vision, or attend one of the Broadway-style shows after dinner. You may even find yourself wandering over for a soft-serve ice cream cone. And yes, you may run into a Disney princess or character while onboard. I’ll admit I’ve been giddy when randomly running into Captain Mickey on the promenade, or Donald Duck in his tuxedo just before heading to Palo for our date-night dinner. It’s those quirky moments, along with all the other adult activities that you will enjoy throughout your voyage, that only add to the magic of a Disney cruise!
Curious about a Disney Cruise? I’d love to chat with you about your next cruise. Reach out for my complimentary planning assistance when you book your cruise through KMV Travel. My help with your Disney Cruise is complimentary and includes booking excursions, enhancements, dining, and more! Bon Voyage!
Author: Wilda Fabelo | Travel Advisor