By: Erin Sudomir, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
When you plan a family cruise you have many options. A Disney cruise vacation will cost more than other cruise lines. So what is the difference and is it worth the price? Let's take a look and you can decide.
Magic and customer service is what Disney is known for. The cruise industry is known for top of the line service. If we put the two together, you have an extraordinary experience on the Disney Cruise Line.
Traditionally on a cruise you will eat in one main dining room every night. But on a Disney Cruise your restaurant and its theme will change each night.
On the Disney Dream we started our rotation at the Royal Palace. This regal dining room with amazing attention to detail made you feel like you had entered a palace fit for royalty.
We dined twice at Animators Palette. The first night we enjoyed an interactive experience with Crush and other characters from Finding Nemo. The second evening was Pirates Night at Animators Palette. The interactive screens with Nemo from the first night changed to a fantastic pirate theme. This included excerpts from favorites like Peter Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean.
On our final evening we entered the Enchanted Garden. We dined in the gardens of Versailles. This evening it was especially magical when we were joined by Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. Our three friends danced through the dining room. The music and excitement had us all up on our feet.
On a family cruise you may want to purchase a bottle of wine. But don’t worry if you can’t complete the bottle during your dining experience. As your servers follow you from dining room to dining room, so does your bottle of wine.
The entertainment is top notch. From broadway style shows to first run movies on their ships, only Disney Cruiseline can provide this level of entertainment. We enjoyed the original production of Disney’s “Believe” and Beauty and the Beast. We had the opportunity to see some excellent Disney Classic movies as well. I particularly liked watching them on the Funnel Vision near the pool deck. There’s also a movie theater on the ships.
Let’s talk about character interactions. Even with changes for the pandemic the character interaction is amazing! Waiting in line is a thing of the past. And the interactive experience is bar none. In addition to princesses and the Fab five we also had the opportunity to see more rarely seen characters like Max. Because we were on a Halloween sailing many of the characters were dressed in their Halloween finest. I particularly enjoyed seeing pirate Stich.
Have you ever cruised and showered in a small circle shower? Well you are in for a treat, as Disney cruises have larger bathrooms. The showers also have bathtubs and include a removable shower head. You can easily bathe a child, or manipulate the shower head to shave your legs! When you are heading to the pool or the beach each day, the ability to shave easily is wonderful. Not having to fight with a shower is a huge benefit.
The rooms have a unique design. Family state rooms have a separate toilet area and shower area. This allows families to get ready for the day in record time.
Disney has activities for all ages. Little ones, tweens, teens, or adults only, the cruise has age specific activities and activities for the whole family.
I enjoyed the AquaDuck. This water coaster provides a fantastic view of the ocean as you sail. It is especially amazing to see the turquoise waters surrounding Castaway Cay. Be sure to jump on the AquaDuck before the ship leaves the island.
Traditional cruise lines will have you check out a towel on the ship for island time. On Castaway Cay towels are available on the island. Additionally, towel returns are available on the island. This means less baggage for parents to carry.
Do you like to drink pop? (Soda for those not from the midwest!) On a Disney Cruise most nonalcoholic beverages are included.
Serenity Bay is the adults only side of Castaway Cay. There is not a line in the sand separating the family area from the adult only section. Instead you will take a tram to the other side of the island to experience this oasis.
Are you a kid at heart? Adults can cruise Disney without children. There are several adult only bars and clubs. And all the Disney magic is not just for the little ones.
Is a Disney cruise right for you? If you enjoy fantastic customer service, unique dining experiences and a ton of Disney magic, the answer is yes. Contact your Marvelous Mouse Travel agent to book your trip today.
Please reach out to Erin, an agent with Marvelous Mouse Travels to plan your next vacation or you may contact Marvelous Mouse Travels.
