Top 5 Things to Do on a Disney Cruise for Grown-Ups
Theme Parks for Grown-Ups is honored to bring you the following guest post from Sara Varney at Disney Park Princess! Big thanks to Sara for offering her insight on planning a Disney Cruise vacation for adults!
Disney Cruise Line is for kids. That is what everyone thinks, right? Au Contraire, my friends. Disney Cruise Line is for everyone – including Grown-Ups traveling without kids!
My husband and I sailed on Disney Cruise Line many times before we became parents. And I regularly sail on Disney Cruise Line without my son, even now. (A fact he hates but has learned to accept. Kind of. Ok fine, I bribe him with gifts but whatever. I still get to go!)
In fact, I sailed on the Disney Magic just last week with a girlfriend. We had a fantastic time! We wined, dined, and spent literally hours at the Spa. It was heaven!
There is something about a Disney cruise that really disconnects you from your daily reality. Sure, part of it is that Disney Cruise Line’s internet is truly terrible, making it almost impossible to stay connected, but the rest is the feeling of being out at sea, often with no land in sight. And while the first few hours of being out of touch can be a bit hairy, once the Wi-Fi withdrawal wears off you will find plenty of things to enjoy.
Disney Cruise Line is the perfect escape for grown-ups. Whether it is a couple, friends trip, or solo traveler – a Disney Cruise Line vacation is for you!
Here are my Top 5 reasons why I think Disney Cruise Line is the perfect choice for an Adult-Only vacation.
1) Adult Only Areas on Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line was the first in the industry to create “adult-only” areas of their cruise ships. And not just a few night clubs, but rather an entire pool, sundeck, coffee bar, spa, and not one but two adult-only restaurants on some ships!
Deck 9 or 11 Forward (depending on this ship) is the daytime playground for grown-ups. A sun deck, multiple hot tubs, a pool, lounge chairs, a bar, and the Cove Café coffee bar are all ready and waiting for you to while away an afternoon.
At night on Deck 3 Forward of the Magic and Wonder, or 4 Aft of the Dream and Fantasy, you will find the lounges and nightclubs. I love Skyline Lounge on the Disney Fantasy or Dream with changing views of Skylines around the globe!
2) Delicious Dining Options
Palo and Remy are two of the best restaurants anywhere, not just at sea. Palo serves Italian cuisine at brunch and dinner. The chocolate souffle at dinner is not to be missed! Remy is a multi-course French menu, the ultimate in fine dining.
But in addition to these premium restaurants (which come with an additional cost), Disney Cruise Line’s Main Dining restaurants are serving up fantastic food in a fun and festive atmosphere. You rotate through three completely unique restaurants during your cruise. And since you can request a table for two, no need to worry about sharing your dinner with someone’s rambunctious toddler at your table!
On our last cruise, we feasted on truffle pasta, rack of lamb, and lobster salad among the many other offerings. And that was all in the Main Dining Rooms!
But my favorite experience is in Animator’s Palette on the Disney Magic and Wonder. The entire room transforms, even the servers! It is a unique dining experience, unlike anything else at sea. (While you can find Animator’s Palette on the Dream and Fantasy also, the décor is different and, in my opinion, the show is not as successful.)
Don’t feel like going out for dinner? Or maybe just want a late-night snack? 24-hour Room Service is included in the cost of your cruise! Promise me that you will order the warm chocolate chip cookies at least once. (Pro tip – order the cookies, then send someone up to the free soft serve on deck 9 or 11 to make an ice cream cookie sandwich. You can thank me later.)
3) Broadway-Style Entertainment with a Disney Cruise Line Twist
While Disney has amazing stage shows based on popular films, on longer cruises you can also find variety acts, seminars, and more. Last week we played (and, for the record, WON) trivia, saw Maleficent 2, attended a talk from the visiting Broadway Guest Artist, and watched the magic and comedy of John Cassidy.
We took a drawing class, watched a cooking demonstration, got a short intro to Acupuncture, and more things I am sure I am forgetting. Of course, we also took naps. Sometimes a good nap or reading in a sunny spot is just as much fun as anything else!
4) Unparalleled Disney Service
From the moment you board the ship, it is clear service is a priority for Disney Cruise Line. You are greeted in the Atrium by rows of crew members and officers, who literally applaud you as you are welcomed on board. Every crew member you pass throughout your days has a cheerful greeting for you.
Your server team in the main dining rooms stays with you each night, getting to know your likes and dislikes. (And in my case – food allergies!) Don’t be surprised that if you order the same drink two nights in a row, that it is already waiting for you when you sit down on night three!
But the real rock stars of the crew are the stateroom hosts. They clean your room twice a day – once in the morning and again for turn-down service in the evening. You will see them in hallways throughout the day and every time you will be greeted with a smiling face.
The stateroom hosts focus on the tiny details of your room that make for extra magic. On this last cruise our stateroom host Sameer ran ahead of us every time he saw us in the halls to open our door for us. He corralled our network of charging cables into neat loops, fastened with Velcro ties. When he learned that my friend was putting the chocolate aside to bring home to her daughter, he showed up at our door with an entire bag of chocolates for her!
But the real hero moment was when he knocked on our door to deliver some of the H20+ After Sun Cooling Gel because he had noticed I had gotten a bit too much sun on a port day. This gel is an amenity typically reserved for Concierge and Suite level guests! Now that is service.
5) Senses Spa on Disney Cruise Line
Senses Spa on Disney Cruise Line is the ultimate in indulgence and relaxation. With services including a full hair salon, men’s barbershop, massage, facials, acupuncture, tooth whitening, and even Botox, your time spent at Senses will leave you looking and feeling better than when you walked in!
One of my favorite spots on any Disney Cruise Line ship is The Rainforest Room in Senses Spa. This hidden oasis features heated tiled loungers, sauna, steam rooms, scented showers, and more. On the Dream and the Fantasy, the tiled loungers are facing the water, with large windows that let in the ocean air. It is the perfect spot to relax. (Admission to the Rainforest Room is an additional charge. Length of cruise passes are available for purchase on embarkation day. Day passes may also be available.)
I hope I have convinced to consider a Disney Cruise for your next getaway. After all, magic is not just for kids!
About the Author:
Sara Varney is the creator and co-owner of the Disney Park Princess blog and podcast. As a lifelong Disney Addict, Sara is an expert in all Disney Destinations. (But holds a special place in her heart for Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise Line!) With over 13 years as a Travel Planner and over 50 trips to Disney under her belt (as well as recent travels to Korea, Europe, and the Caribbean), Sara has a lot of experience finding ways to relax and indulge while on vacation. Going hunting for vintage Chanel in Paris on a recent vacation was a highlight! Sara lives with her husband, son, and many pets in New England.
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