Is Disney Cruise Line the Best Vacation Idea for Families
Going for a Disney Cruise with kids is an incredibly enchanting experience. Trust me; your children will never get bored on a Disney Cruise. There are clubs for every age group that will keep your children entertained, active, and happy throughout the entire journey. Don't be surprised if your kids prefer to hang out at the clubs instead of spending time with you. On several of my cruises, my kids were so engrossed in the clubs that I had to remind them to meet me a few times a day; otherwise, I wouldn't see them at all.
It’s a Small World Nursery: Ages 3 and Under
On most cruises, children aged between 6 months to 3 years old (or 1-3 years old on some longer cruises) are allowed on board. Disney counselors take care of the children and provide them with entertainment. The nursery offers several activities, including naps, games, crafts, and movies. The counselors will also change and feed the child. Parents can bring their child's formula, milk, bottles, diapers, baby blankets, and pacifiers. Parents can view their children through a window into the main play area. Please note that an additional fee applies for the nursery, and there is a charge per 30 minutes, with a minimum amount of time required to book. However, any additional children will be discounted. Reservations are required as space is limited. Parents may cancel their reservation without penalty up to four hours before the scheduled time.
Oceaneer Club / Oceaneer Lab: Ages 3-10
Entering the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab is like stepping into another world! The Disney Imagineers have created a magical space filled with playgrounds, high-tech interactive activities, computers, TVs, light-up disco floors, drawing tables, and more. Throughout the day, many Disney characters, both announced and unannounced, make appearances. Disney's youth counselors ensure the children are entertained and safe. Our kids have made friends from all over the world, whom they keep in touch with. Activities are tailored to the interests and maturity level of the children, not by age. This means siblings between the ages of 3 and 12 can spend as much time together as they want. For children aged 3 and 4, the clubs have specially assigned counselors and activities separate from the rest of the age groups. The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are two connected rooms within the same space, providing the kids with the freedom to move around as they please.
Edge: Ages 11-14
Tweens aged 11-14 can enjoy their own youth club on every Disney Cruise ship. This club has a private location that is decorated in bright colors and retro decor. The Edge on each Disney ship is equipped with high-tech gadgets and games and has charismatic youth counselors from all over the world. The Edge is open every day from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM, although operating hours may vary. The youth club features computer stations, tablets, karaoke machines, trivia games, and a dance floor, all of which are part of the fun. The counselors organize various activities that keep the kids entertained until past midnight every night. If your kids happen to spend some time with you, they will likely tell you about their scavenger hunts, video karaoke, pizza cooking, and pirate trivia.
Vibe: Ages 14-17
Disney Cruise Line offers a unique experience for teenagers, unlike any other cruise line. The Vibe is an exclusive club designed for teens aged between 14 and 17, giving them a private space to hang out and meet other teenagers. The club is equipped with the latest technology, including LCD screens and digital surround sound. Inside the club, teenagers can find computers, video games, a dance floor, a DJ mix station, and a stage for karaoke or dance performances. If you get a chance to tour, make sure to check out the private "porthole nooks" that have built-in seats and TVs, providing a private escape even in a crowded club. On the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream, teenagers have access to a private deck area that includes pools, hot tubs, ping pong, and foosball. Just like the other youth clubs, Disney counselors are available to chaperone the kids. The DCL staff plans incredible experiences that are both entertaining and socially rewarding. The whole experience is designed to be laid back and entertaining, allowing teenagers to feel comfortable.
Adult Only Areas
One of the most surprising things about a Disney cruise is the abundance of adult-only activities available. While you can choose to spend all your time with your kids, the plethora of fun youth club activities means they'll likely have a blast without you. So, what will you do with your "me time"? All Disney ships have secluded adults-only sundecks and pools perfect for reading, relaxing, and soaking up the sun. If you're sailing on the Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy, my personal favorite adult-only spot is Satellite Falls. For a romantic evening on-board, indulge in the signature dining experience at Palo or Remy restaurants while your kids are well taken care of in the clubs and nursery. The Senses Spa and Salon offers high-end spa treatments, including body wraps, facials, and massage therapy, as well as salon services such as hair, nails, shaving, and teeth whitening. The fitness center is stocked with every type of workout equipment you could imagine, and you can join classes for aerobics, yoga, Pilates, and more. Every evening, the nightclub offers a range of entertainment, from comedy, music, juggling, magic, trivia, game shows, and dancing. While the acts may allude to adult-oriented themes from time to time, you won't find anything raunchy, and I can't remember hearing any cussing in their entertainment acts. They play "clean" or "radio" versions of popular songs in their clubs, and headliners that perform in the Walt Disney Theatre for the nightly family acts often do additional shows in the clubs. I highly recommend attending all the nightly shows – they're all first-class. Disney knows how to do entertainment well!
Nighttime offerings
Disney is a company renowned for its exceptional storytelling. Every night, their cruise line puts on a premium entertainment event at the Walt Disney Theatre, featuring top-notch acts. The theatre is equipped with a stage that can accommodate Broadway-caliber shows. Seriously, the production value of these performances is comparable to anything you would see in New York City. Aside from the main shows, each ship also features other nightly performances which vary depending on the sailing and itinerary. On some nights, the cruise line brings on headliner acts that cater to guests of all ages. These acts include hilarious comedy and juggling acts, mind-boggling magicians, and even a hypnotist act that will have everyone laughing. And if that's not enough, on select voyages, Disney Cruise guests will get a sneak peek at a brand-new movie on-board ship. Attending a movie premiere while sailing is a cool experience that you won't want to miss out on.
Disney Characters Meet and Greet
Seeing your favorite Disney characters come to life is a truly special experience, whether you're a child or a child at heart. On a Disney cruise ship, you'll have the opportunity to meet old pals from the movies as well as new favorites. Daily meetings with the likes of Mickey Mouse, Elsa, Stitch, Captain America, and Jack Sparrow are scheduled, so make sure to bring a keepsake for autographs and your camera. The daily Navigator will list new characters to meet and greet each day. The length of the line to meet characters will vary greatly depending on factors such as which character you want to meet, the time of day, and how many days into the cruise you are. However, the lines are usually quite reasonable and not if you would expect at a Disney Park. In addition to many familiar characters, you can count on a lot of chances to meet the Fab 5, which includes Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto. Also, each sailing has a special "Pirate Night" where you can usually meet Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow. Each day new characters meet and greets are listed in the Navigator App. The length of the line to meet characters will vary greatly depending on which character, and the time of day. If the line seems too long you can always check the Navigator App to see if they are offered again on the sailing.
Dining
Disney Cruise Line offers a wide variety of dining options to ensure that you never go hungry or feel unsatisfied. They have been recognized for their exceptional food quality and overall dining experience with several awards. You can choose from quick service dining locations, the Cabanas buffet, three themed restaurants for nightly dining, room service, and at least one premium restaurant on each ship. Each of the main restaurants has its own unique theme, and through Disney Cruise Line’s “rotational dining” you will get to dine in a different restaurant each night, enjoying every unique dining experience. Not only is the food fantastic, but the presentation of the dishes is also exemplary. If you want to try multiple dishes at dinner, you can order as much off the menu as you like, allowing you to taste everything that looks tempting. Moreover, your servers will rotate with you, so you will have the same wait staff serving you each night, and they will get to know your preferences and anticipate your likes and dislikes. The service is so well done that it deserves a section unto itself. For those over 18, it is worth trying a premium dining experience at either Palo (Italian theme) or Remy (French cuisine) restaurants. You'll need to make reservations beforehand, and both restaurants charge an additional fee per person. However, the food and experience are worth it as no detail is overlooked. These restaurants book quickly, so if you’re interested, make a reservation as soon as possible.
Disney Navigator App Information
See the app once connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi (free to use for the app) to plan each day based on all the entertainment and activities scheduled for the ship. Almost all these offerings and activities are included in the cost of your sailing but there are a few that are an additional charge. Make sure to heart anything you like, and the app will remind you 15 minutes before the offering starts. Don’t forget the pools, slides and Funnel vision to watch movies will be open all day long.