Whether you're planning your first cruise, or have sailed before, ever wonder what makes a Disney cruise so special?
1. Family-Friendly Cabins. Disney cruises are designed for families with kids, which means every cabin is designed for accommodating more than two people. Square footage of Disney cruise cabins are the largest standard cabins of any cruise line. There are also bathtubs in most staterooms for little ones who prefer to take baths instead of showers. Cabins also have split bathrooms with two doors so one person can be in the shower side while another can use the toilet or sink. When it comes to sleeping, many cabins have a curtain divider for the kids’ sleeping area so mom and dad can get some separation at night.
2. Rotational Dining. On most cruises you eat in the same dining room every night, although the food rotates, the atmosphere is always the same. On Disney cruises you get to rotate through three different themed dining rooms instead and your wait staff follows you. Options could include Animator’s Palate, where a drawing on your placemat turns into an animated cartoon, or Rapunzel’s Royal Table where you get to celebrate a princess’s birthday with dance and song. Another perk of Disney Cruise Lines is free soda! This may not seem like a big perk on land, but free soda at sea is rare. For comparison, on other lines a bottomless soda plan costs $6.95 per day for kids and $9.50 per day for adults (+15% automatic gratuity).
3. Kids Clubs. Disney excels at children’s entertainment, so you know their kids clubs will be special. Kids Club participation is included in the cruise fare, including nights so you don’t have to pay for babysitting services if mom and dad want to have a romantic dinner followed by drinks at the bar and dancing in the clubs. Kids aged 3-12 can all go to the same club, so siblings don’t have to be separated if they are different ages, although they will get to participate in activities designed for their age.
4. Entertainment. Disney has a wide catalog of stories it can pull from for entertainment, which means you’ll get to see musical versions of your favorite Disney movies like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Frozen or Tangled depending on your ship. Character meet and greets with Mickey and his friends or Disney princesses also occur on every trip. Disney premieres its newest movies on board ships before they hit the theaters, so you may get a sneak peek of the next Marvel movie before your friends back home. Plus fireworks shows that happen above the top deck are a fun way to end the night, weather permitting.
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5. Parties and Holidays. During certain parts of the year Disney Cruise Line hosts themed or holiday cruises. Fall will have Halloween on the High Seas cruises with onboard trick-or-treating and costume parties. Winter has Very Merrytime Christmas cruises with Mickey in holiday dress and pictures with Santa. Disney also hosts Pixar Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea on select cruises that feature special meet and greets, parties and other events during a one day celebration of these characters. Not taking a themed cruise? If you’re sailing a Caribbean itinerary, you'll have a themed night where the whole family can dress like pirates and party late into the night.
6. Castaway Cay. Disney has a private island getaway in the Bahamas, which means no other cruise line can stop here! This fun island port has beautiful beaches (family-friendly and adults-only) with a variety of water and sand activities, food and beverage services, and some hidden Mickeys waiting to be found.
7. Disney Quality and Service. Disney delivers premium quality experiences and excellent customer service from all their cast members. Disney ensures their guests have a seamless and personalized concierge experience, and that “wow” magical moments happen whenever possible. Many people who have experienced the magic of Disney cruising say they will never go back to another cruise line again. In the end, you have to look at what your family values the most on a vacation. If more space, exclusive experiences, family-oriented entertainment, and top quality service are important to you - a Disney cruise may be the perfect fit.
As a travel agent specializing in Disney destinations, my services are free when you book your trip with me. The price is the same as booking directly with Disney, but you’ll receive my personal guidance and advice for all the planning steps (and there are a lot of steps and details). Reach out for a customized quote today by email at mnicholson@mousemagictravel.com or by phone at 608-209-5046. Follow me on Facebook for deals and tips for upcoming trips at www.facebook.com/MMTbyMaeghan.
