By: Mary Alys Foutz, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
Wondering what sailing with Disney Cruise Line is like right now? Want to know if it’s missing any of the “magic” that you are paying for?
I recently returned from a 3-night sailing on the Disney Dream, and have previously sailed on the Disney Fantasy prior to COVID. So today I am going to compare my two experiences for you. For those of you who have also sailed before COVID like me, trust that the experience now did not disappoint! You won’t have to worry about comparing!
Now, on to the topics up for discussion!
Dining
Disney Cruise Line offers rotational dining which allows you to experience each of the main dining rooms with the same waitstaff. Each dining room is uniquely themed (and specific restaurants vary depending on your ship). Before COVID, you could choose from main dining or late dining with everyone in the restaurant being seated at the same time. Now, you still have main or late dining, but your arrival times are staggered. Personally, I loved the staggered arrival because it eliminated the long line that used to form when entering the restaurant.
Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay is Disney’s private Bahamian island. There are several beaches on Castaway, as well as shopping, dining, and excursions. Prior to COVID, your Castaway Cay day would have started with everyone pouring down to the lower levels of the ship waiting to disembark. Now, you enter a virtual queue beginning as early as one hour before disembarkation allows. The app is super easy to use (more on the Navigator App later) in order to enter the queue. Once your exit window arrives, you simply head toward the gangway on the ship and you’ll have a minimal line!
As you begin your day on Castaway Cay, there is no longer the need to race everyone for the best chairs on the beach! In fact, you now feel like you can take the time to stop, take in the views and capture pictures, and interact with characters instead of rushing to find the perfect spot. Because there is reduced capacity on the ship, the island feels empty. There are plenty of lounge chairs to choose from, and plenty of space to leave distance between you and other parties.
Characters
There have always been some great character experiences on Disney Cruise Line, but honestly I think now it’s even better! Although you cannot walk up and hug the characters or ask for autographs, Disney is making the character experiences incredibly thoughtful. During two of our recent dinners, we had characters walk through the restaurant. This never happened before COVID!
In addition to these dining interactions, it was very easy to spot characters throughout the ship. Whether inside the grand atrium or outside on the pool decks, there were many opportunities to take pictures with characters and even have some great conversations. We were able to see all of the Fab 5-- Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto-- as well as Daisy, Chip and Dale, Captain Jack Sparrow, Captain Hook, Ariel, Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Jasmine. The character meet and greets were partitioned by red velvet ropes and there were circle spots for you to stand on to grab a selfie.
I personally loved the interactions with the characters on this sailing. Because there were so few guests aboard the ship, there were never long lines forming to stop and visit with Mickey or any other character for that matter. We were able to have some neat conversations and really see each character’s personality shine. For example, when we met Pluto we were able to toss him a “treat” and he pretended to catch it in his mouth and wag his tail. It was a very memorable experience that I am not sure would have happened prior to COVID.
Service
They don’t call it the Disney Difference for no reason! Disney Cruise Line has always had exceptional service. I am pleased to say that this has not changed! Everyone-- from baristas to room attendants to the head of dining-- was truly attentive to our needs. All of our Cast Member interactions were amazing, and we really felt like we made great relationships even though we were on a shorter itinerary. You could really tell that they were all grateful to be sailing again and were so appreciative of us being onboard.
Cleanliness
Trust me when I say that Disney Cruise Line has always been immaculately clean! I am very attuned to this because I have germophobia. Pre-COVID, guests were made to wash their hands prior to entering dining locations and I often noticed Cast Members cleaning. Our recent trip was no different, with the exception that I saw even more cleaning! I even noticed them wiping down places that I wouldn’t even think people are touching frequently.
Of course masks are worn by Cast Members just like guests, so I felt very safe on my cruise. The level of cleanliness on the Disney Dream was superb, and I did not once feel like Disney Cruise Line was dropping the bar with sanitation.
Navigator App
If you have sailed with Disney Cruise Line in the past, you may remember the Navigator App. This app can be downloaded prior to boarding the ship and was used before to access your itinerary. Disney has really stepped up this app! Now on the Navigator App, you can do everything related to your cruise! It hosts a daily schedule (where you can flag your interests), your meal times and locations, all dining venues and menus, access to chat with other onboard guests, access to chat with Guest Services, and even select your time to exit while at ports.
The Navigator App also houses your safety drill information prior to leaving port and your disembarkation details when heading home.
One great update to the app was the addition of your stateroom portfolio, which allowed you to see the charges to your room and even leave a tip (if applicable). It made for great touchless checkout experiences!
Being a Disney cruiser pre-COVID and now, allowed me to really compare the two experiences. I can confidently say that I do not feel like anything is lacking with Disney Cruise Line right now. I would even go as far as saying that you may have a better experience now than before the pandemic. With reduced capacity and Disney’s thoughtful approach, you are sure to have a magical time! Now is the time to cruise!
Please reach out to Mary Alys, an agent with Marvelous Mouse Travels to plan your next vacation or you may contact Marvelous Mouse Travels.
