Have you always wanted to take a Disney cruise, but weren’t sure if you would be welcome without kids?
Disney Wish
Maybe you had fun on your last family trip, but want to enjoy a little quiet getaway while the kids are back home with the grandparents?
If you’ve never sailed with Disney Cruise Line before, you might be surprised to learn that there are 5 ships to select from: the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy, and the newest ship in the fleet: the Disney Wish. Next year, the fleet will expand to 6 when the Disney Treasure debuts! You can sail out of a variety of ports to nearby spots like the Bahamas or far-off destinations like the Mediterranean.
Castaway Cay, Disney’s own private island!
While you can always pick from different excursions, there is plenty to do on the ship as well. From world-class dining to Broadway shows, you probably won’t have time to be bored. You may think that Disney Cruise Line is only for families with kids, but that is far from the truth. There are plenty of reasons why a Disney cruise could be an excellent vacation for those traveling without children!
Guide to Disney Cruise Child Care
Dining
Each ship in the fleet has its own unique dining options along with standard food-courts and quick service locations. While there are a fair amount of places with heavier Disney theming, you can also enjoy upscale dishes at fine dining restaurants like Palo, an adults-only spot that can be found on the Magic, Wonder, and Fantasy.
Grilled Cut Sirloin at Palo on the Disney Dream
Looking for something more exciting? The Disney Wish has several themed dining options that provide an engaging experience to your dinner and are fun for all ages. Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure gives guests dinner and a show as you dine on traditional Arendellian cuisine in the palace’s ballroom to celebrate Anna and Kristoff’s engagement! You’ll be entertained by characters from the films through song. You can also check out other themed restaurants like Worlds of Marvel or chill out in the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge.
Accommodations
Disney Cruise ships often have spacious staterooms, with designs that give off a soothing atmosphere. While in your room you might just forget you’re on a Disney cruise! The staterooms can be a lovely place to relax, especially if you book one with a balcony.
Disney Magic Stateroom
The Disney design elements are often pretty subtle, so you don’t have to worry about stepping into a rainbow-colored room filled with bright patterns and Mickey Mouse faces! You can also upgrade to a deluxe stateroom or suite for a more luxurious experience.
Adult-Exclusive Experiences
Did you know that Disney Cruise Line has adults-only areas on all of their ships? You can enjoy experiences where all the age groups mix of course, but if you need a little break you can steal away to one of these areas. Disney Cruise Line offers adult dining, adults-only pools, and even an adults-only area on the beaches of Castaway Cay!
One of the bars in the adult area of the Disney Fantasy
The Disney Fantasy is the best in this category because all of the adults-only experiences are grouped together in one area of the ship. There are over 18 options to check out, including 7 bars and lounges!
Adult-only area on the Disney Wonder
For a more exciting evening you can spend your time at one of their night clubs. On the Disney Magic you’ll find Fathoms, an undersea-themed lounge with live entertainment. When it’s time to relax, book yourself a massage at the Senses Salon & Spa, which is available on every ship in the fleet. They also offer other treatments like facials, body wraps, and aromatherapy to really help wash your troubles away!
Entertainment
Apart from the live music and other entertainment in the bars and lounges, you can sit down and watch a variety of other shows while onboard. Disney Cruise Line often offers mini-versions of different Disney Broadway shows, like The Little Mermaid and Tangled. Dinner and a show definitely sounds like a wonderful way to spend your evening!
Walt Disney Theatre on the Disney Wish
There are also movie theaters on each ship where you can enjoy films completely free, including new releases! Sometimes your ship will also show films on the deck near one of the pools for a movie-under-the-stars experience. The Disney Dream and Fantasy also offer interactive mystery games with their Midship Detective Agency. You can join along to help crack the case, a fun activity for groups to take part in together!
Disney-Level Service
When you step aboard a Disney Cruise ship you’re not leaving the entire parks experience behind. Throughout your voyage guests are still treated to the exemplary Disney service we know and love. This is what really sets Disney Cruise Line apart from others.
Disney Wonder
Each aspect of your trip is designed to meet Disney’s high standards, and if you ever have an issue the Cast Members aboard can assist to the best of their abilities. Just know that when you embark on a Disney Cruise, you’ll still be met with the same attention to detail that you would expect from your regular resort stay.
Can’t decide which ship to choose? Check out this video where we rank each ship!
An Overview of EVERY Disney Cruise Line Restaurant
What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line
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Have you been on a Disney cruise? What is your favorite thing about cruising with Disney? Comment your thoughts below!
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I’d like to add my two cents to this.
My friend and I went on the Dream with the family and nephews in 2019, but this past December we went alone and we will definitely do it again. I think it is worth it, as long as you really love Disney and don’t mind a lot of kids running around. Two best things about it (besides the whole awesome Disney thing):
First, in the rotating dining, they seated us with other adults without children, so that was very nice. It was really fun to meet new people and we had some great dinner conversations!
Second, because most people DO bring their kids, the adults only side of Castaway Cay was almost completely empty! Maybe twenty to fifty other people at the most? It was hard to figure because it’s a massive beach, and it looked almost deserted. It was quiet, it was truly peaceful, and I think their lunch was way better than the one in the family dining area. They also have their own floatie and bike rental, along with a bar and even cast members who will bring the frosty drinks to you. If you do the Bahamas, I highly recommend the two days at Castaway Cay for Serenity Bay alone.
Honorable mention goes to the adult-only activities on board, the best one being a cooking demonstration by one of the ship’s chefs. We all got to try the dish with a paired wine. They need to do more of those.
Yes and no for adult cruisers. I have cruised 11 times with Disney, been on all 5 ships during their inaugural year nd loved every voyage except one. I would return to the Fantasy in a minute, been on it 4 times, but I would not return to the Wish after a voyage in Oct. of 2022. Very disappointing when compared to any of the first 4 Disney Ships. The rotational dining in the Wish was terrible, the food was not great, and the service on board was not up to Disney’s own standards. It is the first time since 1998 that Disney has bitten off more than they can chew and the Wish was definitely having great difficulty it surpassing its own standards. I cannot recommend the Wish, the dining and the show theater was not up to Disney guest expectations. Too bad. If the next two ships are the same as the Wish in design and features then I won’t be traveling with DCL from here on out. Here I come MSG…
Oops, forgot my recommendation from my last post. should adults travel DCL, a resounding yes…(as long as you are not on the Wish). My wife have enjoyed great food, great shows in the Walt Disney Theater, and the adult areas were great too. Beat Street for adult entertainment is great. I would recommend to any adult to get your kid short pants on and travel DCL… just not on the Wish.
I had a great time on the Wish. My only issue is the size of the adult only pool and 1 hot tub. Was more like a frat party with how packed everything was.