Is a Disney Cruise for You?

I just got home from a Disney cruise aboard The Treasure. While I am exhausted, I can tell you that the Disney Team has totally figured out how to entertain children. Thankfully, there is an adults-only section of the ship.

For us, the timing of this trip really worked out. Our youngest son’s two children were at the perfect age. The youngest (6) is old enough to behave and truly appreciate all the wow factor that Disney provides. The oldest (10) is still young enough to think that dressing up is fun and that taking pictures with the princesses is cool. They were constantly entertained and in awe. As a family, we made memories that will last throughout the children’s life and on into adulthood. We are glad that we made the trip, but with both my husband and I in our seventies, we are also glad to be home from the nonstop activities.

If you are considering doing a Disney Cruise with your grandchildren, I encourage you to do it. You will never regret the time spent with them. It is an action packed adventure with excitement around each corner. But there are some realities that you should factor into your decision. You have to have the mindset of going to Disneyland and standing in line for character photos and at entrances to the evening shows. Disney currently has six ships and is planning to add more ships in the coming years, bringing the total to 13 by 2031. Each ship has a different Disney theme—with different shows and characters.

In typical Disney fashion, the entire ship was a magical adventure experience. No detail was overlooked or ordinary. Unique sculptures were created for the ship, original art hung on the walls, fabrics and carpets were specially designed to enhance the Disney magic. Even the lifeboats are Pantone 99 (the color of Mickey’s shoes)—which required a special waiver from the US Coast Guard.

The Disney team are masters at managing lines, activity and eye candy—and this was true on the ship as well. From the time the family is introduced in the Grand Hall, to the disembarkation process, every moment was filled with Disney inspiration.  

Mealtime

Disney has mastered keeping young cruisers entertained during dining. Some restaurants, such as Plaza de Coco, featured costumed live dancers and performances featuring Disney storylines. The World of Marvel restaurant included interactive videos with Marvel characters and a surprise visit from Spider-man. Their children’s meals are creative while still offering the classics such as chicken fingers, fries and cheeseburgers. However, the hub of activity in the variety of dining rooms can get quite noisy and overwhelming for adults. After boarding, we were fortunate a get an adult-only reservation in one of the specialty restaurants. On that evening, we enjoyed elevated preparation and service along with the peace and calm.

Throughout the ship, there are amazing, themed lounges where you can enjoy a specialty cocktail or two. Be aware these drinks are an additional charge and can add up very quickly. Even bottled water is an upcharge and requires some effort to find—yet it is important to stay hydrated.

Entertainment

The kids’ eyes were filled with wonder as they eagerly rushed from one activity to the next. The excitement of getting multiple pictures with a wide variety of Disney characters filled them joy—even though the lines for photos were usually quite long.

We had three ports of call. We participated in three different excursions and one port we could walk to the beach on our own. One of the key features of this cruise, was a stop at the Castaway Cay—a private island by Disney and only accessible from their ships. The opportunities range from Jeep rides over rugged topography offering stunning vistas, drives to secluded beaches and boat rides to craters or reefs for snorkeling or scuba dives.

The evening entertainments were as good as any Broadway show and were what you’d expect from Disney. While there was plenty of adult activity in the late evening, many of the excursions started very early in the morning—so staying up late the night before wasn’t a good option for us.

Having been on several cruises, a general guideline we use for excursions is to always use the tours offered by the ships. Therefore, if anything goes wrong, or there is a complication, the issue is resolved by and the responsibility of the cruise line. Otherwise, the passenger must return to the ship at their own expense.

Schedule/Itinerary

August was a very hot and humid time to be in the Caribbean; we chose this time because the children were about to return to school and it would be a nice celebratory send off.

This trip schedule was the one time that the younger grandchild would be into the same level of kids’ club as his older sister. Had we taken the trip a year later, both children would be in separate kids’ program.

On this itinerary we had over three full sea days—where one day we all dressed as pirates and another where dinner was “formal night” filled with floating princesses. While there are plenty of activities, that is a long time to be sharing space with 800 energetic children.

When you travel with grandchildren and their parents, you are sharing meals and activities. It is important to remember you are only the grandparent and have very little input in the children’s activity and behavior.

In the years since I’ve had an empty nest, I’ve had the privilege of going on several luxury cruises, river cruises and small ship expeditions to remote locations, so when it came to going on a Disney cruise ship, it was a completely different experience—a great trip to go on with children. I would only go on a cruise like this again if I had grandchildren with me. If you have always been a huge Disney fan, this cruise would be a dream come true.

If you want to have a great time with your grandchildren, this is the cruise for you! Enjoy the beauty of the ship, the enchanting activity, and the magic Disney provides.

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Lauren Littauer Briggs’ book, The Art of Helping, touches a felt need we all experience — wanting to help a hurting person, but not always knowing what to say or do. Both practical and inspirational, this book combines sound tips and suggestions, reference charts summarizing what to say and do in comforting situations, plus poignant personal stories to create a complete guidebook for anyone seeking guidance on how to effectively help a hurting friend or loved one in a time of crisis.